Islanders recall Tambellini

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported in his blog the Islanders recalled Jeff Tambelli this afternoon.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
So much for dressing seven defenders again or Aaron Johnson seeing time as a winger and so much for Tambellini and Okposo being room mates. I guess Satan is going to be out for a while.

Islander/Sound Tiger notables

Quiet day on the notables front in terms of the Isles but hopefully a big crowd for Okposo's home debut tonight. For all the criticism I put at Newsday I'm impressed they assigned a writer to cover his early games and made the trip to Binghampton.

Of course what they need long-term is to make a deal with the Ct Post to feature Michael Fornabaio's work as they do with the Hartford Courant.

Newsday:Evan Drellich who is covering Kyle Okposo for the paper had a blog this afternoon on Kyle Okposo were his debut was discussed with Jeff Tambellini's comments.

Sound Tigers website: Previews Bridgeport's home game tonight vs Falcons in Kyle Okposo's home debut.

National Post/several sources: Report Carolina again recalled Brandon Nolan so Ted Nolan may coach against his son in a few weeks when the Isles have a home and home with Carolina.

Media blog: Cory Witt reported the Islanders got to their hotel at 6am after leaving the Saddledome at 10:20pm.

Just finished up Hockey Night on LI

My thanks to Alex and Steve at Hockey Night on LI for having me on their program today. I had a lot of fun doing their show talking Islanders and both do such an outstanding job it was a pleasure to be a guest and the time went just too quick.

My thanks to the Tom Liodice and the folks in the chat room for their kind words as well. Hope I did a good job for everyone.

Michael Fornabaio of the Ct Post was also on and I am a big fan of his work so it was a great hockey afternoon for me and a lot of fun.


For those interested in listening to Alex and Steve's program today with Sound Tigers beat writer Michael Fornabaio and myself feel free to visit here or just find the link to their show which is on New York Islander Fan Central.

Updated Sunday:
We missed this one on the telecast but Aaron Johnson would have to clear waivers, this was confirmed early in the season which I forgot on the show. Also we missed on Johnson being ready to play which is why Tambellini had to travel to Ottawa.

I listened to the show this morning, for someone who hates the sound of his own voice who was hesitant to listen to the replay for that reason I guess I did not come off half bad, Alex and Steve of course did a great job making me look good.

Thanks again Alex and Steve and keep up the great work.

Islander News Articles 1/12:

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article at this time has no quotes but recaps the game with several Islanders breaking out of scoring slumps.

Newsday: Greg Logan has reaction from Rick DiPietro on his first all-star selection who praised Martin Brodeur.

"Being a fan of hockey growing up, you watch the skills competition and the All-Star Game," DiPietro said. "It's kind of cliché to say the dream came true, but it really did."

"When you get a chance to play against Marty on a consistent basis, you're learning from the best," DiPietro said. "I've had the last six years to study him and watch how he carries himself. You learn a lot, and it definitely makes you pick up your play when you look down at the other end and you've got arguably the best goalie to ever lace up the pads. It definitely increases your intensity level."

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article despite the win had criticism from Ted Nolan on how some of his players have been struggling, especially Josef Vasicek who has taken one shot or less in fourteen of his last sixteen games and Ruslan Fedotenko, who are both quoted.

"Joe Vasicek is a good player. For whatever reason, the last five or six games, he hasn't been skating and he's been losing some battles. I had a good discussion with him. I talked to Tank, too, and showed him a couple things we felt he wasn't doing the best. We've got to get him into position where he's going to get the puck and do some creative things with it."

"I didn't shoot much, did I?" Vasicek said. "I don't know why. That's the thing, I guess early in the season, I didn't think about it as much. Lately, we've been getting some chances, but it seems like we always hit the post. You start to think about it a little more, and that never helps."

"It's really up to Teddy how he's going to split up the ice time," Vasicek said. "I'm just trying to do my job and play as hard as I can. I've got a lot of respect for him. I know he knows what he's doing."

New York Times: Jeff Z. Klein makes a statistical argument why Rick DiPietro and Tomas Vokoun should not have been selected as reserve goaltenders for the All-Star game based on shots against and save percentage.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Perhaps the Times should send Mr Klein out to cover Islander games on a daily basis so he could get his answer beyond numbers? If there is a goalie playing with less margin for error facing the quality chances DiPietro faces nightly I do not know of one. Islanders goals against down significantly from last year and an improved record
is why DiPietro deserved to be named.

Oh yes, in the first four games of the Islanders' five-game road trip, DiPietro has faced an average of 39.5 shots and has gotten three of four games to overtime.

Calgary Sun:Steve MacFarlane has comments from Jerome Iginla, Ted Nolan, Mike Keenan on how well Rick DiPietro played.

"He played well. I thought we had a lot of chances, especially in the first period," said Iginla, who somehow found his side down 3-1 heading into the the second period. "He kept them in there."

"I looked at it. We had three good chances to score," said Flames head coach Mike Keenan of the powerplay opportunity. "He's a very athletic goaltender. He picks up a lot of points for them."

Calgary Sun: Eric Francis has reaction from Rick DiPietro on Ovechkin's contract and Charles Wang's decisions.

"If anyone's a trend-setter, it would be our owner," said the 26-year-old Islanders netminder of the oft-ridiculed Charles Wang.

"People are always first to point out how crazy he is and the crazy things he does. Then at the end of the day people start following suit. We do my deal, and everyone is all over him. He hires Snowy (GM Garth Snow), and people criticize him for that, and next thing you know, Dallas hires Brett Hull. He's ahead of his time.

"If you're a business person in general, and you have a chance to lock up one of your young franchise guys for a long time in this salary cap age and it's tough to hold onto top players, it seems like the smartest thing to do."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It should be noted Eric Francis has always gone all out to rip the Islanders out of Calgary over the years. It was likely the first time he has seen DiPietro since the draft in Calgary in 2000.

Calgary Sun: Steve MacFarlane had an interview with Ruslan Fedotenko on his great final with Tampa Bay against Calgary in 2004 and the celebration in the Ukraine.

Calgary Herald: Scott Cruickshank's game coverage and some comments on Rick DiPietro on spending two days in Calgary:

"The thing about having two off days in Canada is that you get to see a lot of hockey highlights," New York Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro was saying before Friday's game at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"I feel like I've already scouted the Flames by watching TSN."

Sound Tiger News Articles 1/12:

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the Sound Tigers 3-2 loss at Binghampton which is their fourth in a row with comments on Kyle Okposo's debut.

"Obviously, very skilled," Binghamton coach Cory Clouston said. "He's an elite player. We were more focused on our guys, but you can tell he's going to be a very good hockey player." Okposo kept things simple, avoiding mistakes, which is what coach Jack Capuano said he stressed.

"I went out there and played my game," Okposo said. "I tried to limit my mistakes."

"He's playing with Jeff and Fransie, it's his first game: He'll try to dish the puck a little bit," Capuano said. "He'll learn as he goes. You don't get many chances in this league or in the NHL. When you get a chance, you've got to make the best of it."

Newsday: Evan Drellich is listed as a special to Newsday to cover Kyle Okposo's debut in Binghampton who had a few comments from Okposo on his first game with Jack Capuano.

NY Times: Dave Caldwell travelled to Bridgeport to get comments from Kyle Okposo, had telephone interviews with his father, Kome and Garth Snow. Jack Capuano is also quoted.

Okposo’s father, Kome, said Thursday that his son was not unhappy at Minnesota. Kyle Okposo said he had a good relationship with Lucia and his assistants, “and I’ll leave it at that.”

“He’s a very humble guy,” Bridgeport Coach Jack Capuano said of Okposo. “He’s mature, and he comes from a good family. He’s a good guy — a captain-like guy. He’s a leader. We know he’s a high-profile guy, but he knows he’s going to have to work hard.”

Press & Sun Bulletin: Michael Sharp has the recap of the Senators 3-2 win over Bridgeport.

Binghampton 3, Bridgeport 2

Sound Tigers.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 3-2 at Binghampton Friday with Kyle Okposo getting two assists in his pro debut.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio did a live in game blog with about five updates on the Sound Tigers loss and how Kyle Okposo played along with Jeff Tambellini extending his scoring streak to nine games.

"He got in blocking lanes. He tracked really well. He was sound positionally," Capuano said. "Overall, I thought his game was really good for a first game, for a young kid. I'm very impressed."

New York 5, Calgary 4 shootout

Islanders website: Has the recap of Friday's 5-4 shootout win against the Calgary Flames. Brendan Witt has an ankle sprain, Miroslav Satan did not play with a strained knee.

"We kidded with the guys during the first intermission that we're not good with a two-goal lead," said head coach Ted Nolan. "But give this team credit for fighting back and finding a way to win."

"It was a very gutsy performance," said Nolan. "The guys responded tonight. One thing we preach is that any guy on any given night has to step up if guys go down."

"Look at our penalty killers who have done great work all year," said Nolan. "Every time a team is down for four minutes, the guys are exhausted. Credit the work of guys like Hilbert, Sillinger and Park. And you can't stop the power play without our best penalty killer, Ricky."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm sure everyone is going to write the same thing that it was not pretty which of course is true but it was critical the Islanders get a win here and despite losing Witt and going with seven defenders they found a way to survive and get the game to overtime, then a shootout. Maybe they even found something in Park who looked great on his shootout goal with three moves which froze Kiprusoff. Billy Jaffe made a good shootout observation when he noted Sillinger's shot was like Linden's but Kiprusoff's stick is on that side, unlike DiPietro where his glove is on that side so there was less space for Sillinger who made a perfect shot just above the pad.

This was a Calgary team that was something like 16-2 recently even though Phoenix beat them this week. Calgary came out flying but DiPietro held them in and finally the Islanders made some plays with Gervais finding Sillinger for a breakaway goal, Hunter defelecting in a point shot and Fedotenko finding Sillinger again for a clear path at the net.

No skilled goals from sustained pressure in the offensive end, that's what the Islanders need and what I was looking for. For them to stay in this race long term they need it. Four games on this trip and not one goal from sustained offensive pressure.

Calgary came out the Islanders hard in the second after Nolan's goal. They got some deflection goals, a screen goal. Only goal that bothered me was Berard letting Dustin Boyd get position and bang in that rebound. I know Berard has not played much but those were the kind of mistakes that caused his benching.

Islanders could have folded giving up a 3-1 lead and falling behind, but Fedotenko tipped in a shot and after that the Islanders hung in despite some high sticking penalties in the offensive zone that could have killed them down the stretch.

Penalty kill again was outstanding which starts with the goaltender, some big scrambles but they hung in and they did it without Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek which is no small sidebar. Too bad Comrie could not finish his chance in regulation or the pp could do something which again looked lost most of the game.

You take the two points and the fallout and see what happens now with the defense and Satan. This defense now will have to be by committee with Campoli and Gervais having to play huge minutes.

They also have to protect DiPietro better, too many shots against, too many quality chances against.

I have written this a dozen times after games but it applies here, they found a way to win the game and the two points go in the books. They are also finding ways to get games to overtime where earlier they would lose regulation, those points are huge in the end.

Given the Devils, Flyers and Pens are not losing they needed a win here.

We'll see what the injury fallout from this game is. Ottawa plays Detroit Saturday so hopefully the Isles catch Ottawa coming off a tough game.

Hockey Night on LI Saturday 3:30pm

I will be a guest on Alex and Steve's radio show called Hockey night on LI Saturday afternoon which begins at 3:30pm along with Sound Tigers beat writer Michael Fornabaio, who will be on to talk about Kyle Okposo and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Both Alex and Steve do an outstanding job with the program which is featured on this blog for folks to listen or participate in the weekly shows.

For those interested in listening live or calling in tomorrow you can visit their site here as well as listen later if you cannot make it for the live version.

Looking forward to a good time and perhaps speaking with some of our members. From what I understand they have a chatroom as well.

DiPietro named to All-Star team

NHL.com: Reports Rick DiPietro will be the Islanders representitive at the All-Star game in Atlanta.

Martin Brodeur
Rick DiPietro
Tomas Vokoun

Zedeno Chara
Andrei Markov
Brian Campbell
Sergei Gonchar
Tomas Kaberle
Kimmo Timonen

Sidney Crosby
Vincent Lecavalier
Daniel Alfredsson
Scott Gomez
Dany Heatley
Marian Hossa
Ilya Kovalchuk
Alex Ovechkin
Mike Richards
Philadelphia Flyers
Jason Spezza
Eric Staal
Martin St. Louis


Islanders website: Confirms the announcement and that DiPietro just completed a one-on-one interview in Calgary with Islanders TV.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Flat out thrilled someone as deserving as DiPietro finally getting his due and a spot among the elite goaltenders and look forward to all-star weekend. I'm a little surprised Tomas Vokoun got in over a Martin Gerber or a Tim Thomas.

As an older fan it's tough to remember back to the days of Bill Smith being an
all star and if I recall correctly he won the MVP in 1978. I do not recall Kelly Hurdey being selected as an Islander.

All I can do is repeat what the Islanders website wrote....CONGRATULATIONS RICKY.

Newsday: Greg Logan blogs about Rick DiPietro being named an all-star with comments from Ted Nolan & Mike Keenan.

“He’s been terrific for us. People here in the west don’t have a chance to see him that much. But we know what kind of goaltender he is, and the people here in the west can see what kind of goaltender we have on Long Island.”

Updated 1:30pm
ITV.com: Rick DiPietro gives a quick one minute interview with comments on being an all-star.

1/11: New York at Calgary 9pm FSN

All star reserves will be announced at 12pm EST. All I'm going to write is if Bill Guerin is on pace for thirty and they have a slot based on past selections he may bump DiPietro or Witt.




Islanders website: Has the preview of tonight's game against the Calgary Flames.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Calgary won six in a row before losing to Phoenix who kind of had an outburst similar to the Isles in Carolina which cost them the game. Mike Keenan has the Flames playing very well with Adrian Aucoin having a nice bounce back season after two years or injuries in Chicago. Kiprusoff is a world class franchise goaltender overall despite his struggles and Calgary got ripped into by Keenan for their last game so you can bet they will be under the same pressure the Islanders are under to start well.

Islanders tv report on Thursday had Satan sitting with the origional lines from the Colorado game all reunited. Aaron Johnson dressed in a fourth line spot while Blake Comeau played on the top line. No word on Radek Martinek.

Islanders have to hang in here and find a way to get points, they cannot expect DiPietro to hold them in every game to this degree and they are not going to get the gift goals Luongo allowed.

The seperation in the Atlantic division is starting to be a factor for the Isles too. Calgary, Ottawa or whoever Islanders have to win some games.

Islanders falling behind in Atlantic

Simply put the Islanders are absolultely in the race for the playoffs but it is getting to the point this club is falling back in the division. I do not put a lot of stock in four or five clubs from one division making the playoffs even though it's possible.

New Jersey, Pittsburgh and even Philadelphia are getting some seperation for the first time all season from the Islanders in the standings, despite the recent ties.

Devils when they are not playing the Isles are simply dominating.

Pittsburgh is doing what they did a year ago where they simply do not lose and shot to the too of the division, even without Marc-Andre Fleury or Gary Roberts for starters.

Flyers are red hot also and have broken out of their slump.

Islanders have not won five games in a row since December of 1994, simply put they have to keep pace with teams that are not losing and start winning, despite the Isles respectful record and some overtime points in three of four games.

Either that or this club at best is looking at a fight for a seventh or eighth seed.

Things change quickly, they have to start changing now.

Islander News Articles 1/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Eric Nystrom who grew up a die-hard Islander fan and lives down the street from Rick DiPietro in the summer and trains with him. Miroslav Satan sat out practice but is expected to play.

"It's a little far from home," Nystrom said wistfully. "It would be nice to get back and play a game . But this is great. I'm real excited; I know a bunch of guys on the Islanders, and I'd like to get one on Ricky. I'd have all summer for the bragging rights."

Newsday/countless sources: Report on Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals signing a 13-year, $124-million contract extension yesterday with the Washington Capitals that he negotiated without an agent. It still does not eclipse Rick DiPietro's contract in years which is noted in the article.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Is this why we had a lockout? Seems like this is what owners have to pay franchise players to keep them for their career because if Ted Leonsis did not give him this offer someone else would have as soon as they could. I wonder how DiPietro feels about this and Mike Richards contract because more and more it's proving he did leave money on the table if he does play the entire length of the contract.

Ovechkin did not even need an agent to negotiate this deal. No doubt some of the jealously from Toronto and markets that could not sign him will produce criticism for Leonsis. Congratulations to Ovechkin who will no doubt be featured on the NHLPA site for this deal.

Newsday: Neil Best reports in his blog Newsday.com offers more Islanders stuff than ever and then goes into the seniority list at Newsday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Compared to when Newsday was covering the Islanders when they were winning the Stanley Cup or even in the 2002 playoffs when they were getting close to ten articles in one day's paper?

Islanders now have a Thursday web feature, the Sunday agenda is controlled by the Rangers beat writer which is a disgrace considering John Dellapina and Larry Brooks already do this for the Rangers on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if the club is happy with a coverage increase or if they want Mike Bossy used to talk about which is not just a fair share but what they deserve from the local paper.

Sorry gang, I come from a time where the Islanders could play a weeknight home game against a Western Conference team and draw the backpage of the Times, Post and Daily News. I'm not expecting that again but my point is the Isles as a franchise should not be satisfied or settle for what crumbs they can get here.

Calgary Herald & Calgary Sun: cover the Flames who could have some words from former Islanders Adrian Aucoin and perhaps Eric Godard.

St Cloud Times: Kevin Allenspach has more on college prospects leaving programs with Kyle Okposo the focus and Don Lucia comments.

"I don't think it's a financial decision," said Lucia, 49, who makes it sound like the players respond to a pied piper whenever an NHL representative starts talking. "From the (pro) teams' perspective, why wouldn't you sign someone when it's cheaper to do so now than it was in the past? They use that adage 'Bring 'em all in and see who survives.' They use the curve that 'You're going to have to spend some time in the AHL anyway, you might as well get started now.' I guess I'm getting to be a dinosaur but, to me, it's 'Get your degree.' How many of these players are really going to make a living for a long time playing hockey?"

National Post: Mark Spector has comments from Mike Sillinger and Bill Guerin on steroid use in professional sports.

"It would make you more powerful. I just don't think it would make you a better hockey player," reasoned New York Islanders forward Mike Sillinger. He has played for a dozen NHL teams in 17 seasons, and claims no knowledge of steroid use by a teammate. "The game's played at a high speed, and you have to be able to think the game. [Steroids] might make you bigger, faster, stronger. But it's not going to make you a better hockey player."

"I don't think anyone can even scratch the surface of where baseball is going," Islanders winger Bill Guerin said. "Everybody was doing them."

Calgary Herald: Jean LeFebvre has Eric Nystrom's comments on what the Islanders meant to him growing up and Dubie's mask with his father's picture on it and how it came about.

"He's following the tradition and the legacy on Long Island that my dad had a big part in building," said Nystrom after meeting with Dubielewicz after Thursday's practice. "He was part of those championship teams. There's a strong tradition there and these guys are filling the tradition."

"I didn't really have much of an idea of what I wanted to do with my mask," said Dubielewicz, who has a painted image of former Isles captain Denis Potvin on the other cheek. "Then a couple of guys came up (with the concept) of getting some of the heritage on there and I thought it was a great idea. Like Eric said, there's a strong tradition on Long Island and obviously his father was a big part of it. I thought it'd be pretty neat to get some of that history on a mask."

Albany Business Review: Reports a new business venture for Bob Nystrom as well.

Edmonton Sun: Derek Van Diest reports Robin Figren will be staying with the Oil Kings for the rest of the season with gm Bob Green's comments.

"I definitely wanted to stay," Figren said. "I really enjoy it here and I think things are going really well for me. I think we have a good group of guys and I didn't want to go anywhere else."

"There were future considerations that we could have gotten for Robin in terms of younger players or draft picks," Green said. "But I've been at the draft long enough to know that it can be a crap shoot. There's no guarantee that when you get draft picks for good players that they're going to turn into good players.

"It would have been nice to do that, but by the same token, Robin is a great person to have around. In dressing room the younger players really respect him and he's a good leader."

Sound Tiger News Articles 1/11

Sound Tigers.com: Sound Tiger play by play announcer Phil Giubileo has an interview with Kyle Okposo during the Portland game on Wednesday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio covered Kyle Okposo's first practice and had his commnets on why he left Minnesota and downplayed friction with Don Lucia as well as Matt Keith's first comments along with more changes to the lineup and the upcoming game in Binghampton Friday night. Jack Capunao comments on Okposo as well as him being his coach on the 2005 under 18 team where he was named captain by the players.

"A lot went into the decision," he said. "I mulled it over. I weighed the positives and negatives. I made the best choice, for myself and my career."

"The first thing that comes to mind is, obviously, his character," Capuano said. "We let the kids vote on the captaincy, and it was unanimous: Everybody voted for Kyle. That tells you one thing about him, he's a high-character kid."

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Binghamton Senators
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, N.Y.
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Newsday's page has video of Kyle Okposo's practice.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann had Kyle Okposo's comments on his first practice with Jack Capuano and Jeff Tambellini also giving their thoughts.

"I haven't played a game in professional hockey yet and I'm getting attention," he said in the minor-league Bridgeport Sound Tigers' dressing room as his new teammates gawked at the media cluster around his stall. "A lot of the guys here have already proven themselves. So maybe I'm not as worthy as them. But it's going to happen and I'm prepared for it."

"He's a talented player to start with, so that should help him make the jump," said Tambellini, who has spent parts of the past two seasons with the big club. "He's a great kid, really humble. He should fit right in."

Newsday: Mark Herrmann had a blog on his trip to Bridgeport to see Kyle Okposo's first practice.

"Just trying to get me back in game shape," he said, adding that when you haven't been on the ice in a while, "the legs start to go, the hands start to go a little bit. But I was good at the end."

Press & Sun Bulletin: Michael Sharp who covers the Binghampton Senators has comments on Kyle Okposo and previews the game on Friday.

Kyle Okposo's first practice

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog updates Sound Tigers practice and reports it was the most media ever here for a practice, maybe twice over. No fewer than three New York writers, AP, three photographers, Islanders TV, Sound Tigers TV…

Islanders website: Has comments from Kyle Okposo, Jeff Tambellini and coach Jack Capuano after his first practice. Isles reported Mark Herrmann and Neil Best from the Times (he works for Newsday) covered practice.

“It felt great to be out there and begin my pro career,”

“Because of my experience in the Prospects Camp, I felt more at home than if I came in here cold. I know a lot of the guys, like Jeff Tambellini, so that made me feel very comfortable. After five days between games, and then traveling from the Czech Republic to Minnesota and now here, it might take a little while to get adjusted, but it'll be okay."

Said Tambellini, who will share his house with Okposo: "As a team, we see it as a responsibility that Kyle feels comfortable and that he's ready for this level."

“To jump right in, have a practice and then leave with the team for a road game on my second day is very exciting,” said Okposo. “It’s a great way to get acclimated to my teammates and the coaching staff.”

AHL.com: Announced the Planet USA all-star team. No Sound Tigers were included so Jeff Tambellini will be the only Sound Tiger.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sure is long overdue Dave Andrews goes back to an East-West format to say nothing of schedule expansion so the Sound Tigers can actually play the West Coast. I'm tired of the Norfolk matchups and it cannot be good for prospects never to get on a plane.

I loved those first year trips to San Antonio and the West Coast. I have totally lost interest in the Western Conference in the AHL.

Quick Notables

Sound Tigers tv section on this blog will likely have practice highlights today and comments from Kyle Okposo's first practice so go to the bottom of the page and check for the update if interested.

No doubt Michael Fornabaio will blog on practice and provide great background to what's happening. He already was the first to get comments from Okposo at the game last night for the paper today.

The Eastern Conference reserves for the All-Star game will be announced Friday for those wondering when find who will represent the Isles in Atlanta.

If Radek Martinek is returning to the lineup no one is talking about it. Cory Witt's media blog is providing daily updates on the road trip which is also linked to the feeder section here.

CSS Mid-Season Prospect Ranking

Central Scouting released it's top 20 skaters/top five goaltenders from the North American and European's leagues yesterday.

North American skaters

1. Steven Stamkos C
2. Drew Doughty D
3. Zach Bogosian D
4. Kyle Beach C
5. Alex Pietrangelo D
6. Tyler Myers D
7. Luke Schenn D
8. Colby Robak D
9. Colin Wilson C
10. Cody Hodgson C
11. Zach Boychuk C
12. Josh Bailey C
13. Mikkel Boedker LW
14. Michael Del Zotto D
15. Tyler Cuma D
16. Mikhail Stefanovich C
17. Tyler Ennis C
18. Luca Sbisa D
19. John Carlson D
20. A.J. Jenks LW

North American goaltenders
1. Chet Pickard (WHL)
2. Peter Delmas (QMJHL)
3. Thomas McCollum (OHL)
4. Kevin Poulin (QMJHL)
5. Chris Carrozzi (OHL)

European skaters

1. Nikita Filatov LW
2. Evgeni Grachev C
3. Mattias Tedenby RW
4. Vyacheslav Voinov D
5. Roman Josi D
6. Anton Gustafsson C
7. Dmitri Kugryshev RW
8. Viktor Tikhonov W
9. Kristoffer Berglund D
10. Tomas Kundratek D
11. Joonas Rask RW/C
12. Johan Motin D
13. Tomas Kubalik C
14. Emil Bejmo C
15. Dmitri Kostromitin D
16. Tomi Sallinen C
17. Anton Korolev RW
18. Phillip Larsen D
19. Martin Lundberg C
20. Andrei Loktionov F

European goaltenders
1. Harri Säteri
2. Jakob Markström
3. Anders Lindbäck
4. Rasmus Rinne
5. Dominik Furch

A few words on line combinations

Ted Nolan basically said the Isles line combinations will likely settle back into what they were before the recent scoring slumps. Of course the head coach has also said recently from here on ice time would go only to those who earn it and his patience has been tested.

It was interesting seeing Miroslav Satan on left wing for a while against Vancouver which is not the first time an Islander coach has moved Satan to his off wing because that's something Ted Nolan does not like to do.

I'm kind of stumped on line combinations beyond knowing this team will sink or swim with Comrie and Guerin who look better together as a unit then when they are apart. I also think Richard Park's production is falling off again asking the question should he be on the first line over a young player?

There is just no easy answers here and usually when new combinatons are tried they look lost for half a game or longer before the coach starts juggling again.

I know Bergenheim and Comeau are working hard most games and creating chances and have the ability/composure to hold the puck and make a play.

Second line center they have no answer on the roster if Vasicek is not scoring, same if Sillinger is not scoring as the third line center. Hunter's two goals in twenty nine games cannot be hidden either.

That said here is a patchwork lineup that is new and different but maybe worth a try for a while. Of course when you break up Sillinger and Hunter you break up your shutdown line on defense.

Bergenheim-Comrie-Guerin
Comeau-Sillinger-Satan
Park-Vasicek-Hunter
Fedotenko-Hilbert-Jackman

Either that or go back to the early season combinations:
Fedotenko-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenheim-Vasicek-Satan
Hilbert-Sillinger-Hunter
Comeau-Park-Jackman

Of course if Ted Nolan wants to continue to use Miroslav Satan as a left wing and put his three best offensive talents on paper together he's going to have to play another forward out of position:
Satan-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenheim-Vasicek-Park
Fedotenko-Sillinger-Hunter
Comeau-Hilbert-Jackman

Either way unless some players start working harder and clearly the coach is questioning the effort why are the Islanders holding back Jeff Tambellini?

I absolutely think Comeau and Bergenheim stay here, they have not been part of the problem.

No easy answers at all. Isles work hard and lose that's acceptable, Isles skate like they have the last three games that's unacceptable. Sometimes goaltenders play well and steal points, that has not been the case.

Islander News Articles 1/10:

Newsday: Greg Logan asks Miroslav Satan about his line demotion, the move back to the first line left wing spot later in the game as the combinations were juggled and his shootout goal.

"At the beginning, I didn't know what to think," Satan said. "I just waited for a chance. All you can control as a player is how hard you play your shift. So, when I get a chance, I try to play as hard as I can. It was unexpected. But it could be a wake-up call for our line, basically."

"I was on the left side, which is not the right side. If I can say that," the Slovakian sniper said with a laugh at his play on words. "I don't know if I will play there next game, but if I will, it's going to take two or three games to get the steps and measure up the distances ... But I started basically with the fourth line and ended on the first."

South Bend Tribune: Steve Wozniak reports former Islander assistant coach Jeff Jackson called Garth Snow after his comments about Don Lucia's Golden Gophers program and talks of his own NHL prospect he current coaches and what it means for the Notre Dame program.

"I talked to Garth the day after," said Jackson. "I don't like commenting on these things, because I don't know what happened behind the scenes.

"The only thing with Garth, and I told him this -- was that the player has some responsibility for his development, more responsibility than the coach. A lot more."

Updated 1pm:
Newsday: In a stunner Newsday's Greg Logan released a
mid-morning article with a full mid-season report with the paper also promising a weekly Thursday feature called The 'Insider' which will offer analysis and commentary, plus a minor league report in the future.

"We're way ahead of schedule from where people had us predicted at the beginning of the year, which is a good thing," Nolan said. "But I think the best thing about the second half is that we haven't played as good as we can with everybody playing the same way on the same nights. We haven't played at a consistent level yet with all four lines going at the same time. It's something to look forward to in the second half."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Excellent mid season review by Mr Logan across the board. A weekly on-line feature sounds promising and long overdue with prospect reports.

Was Milbury talking about Charles Wang?

Interesting stuff here from Mike Milbury on the Leafs board running things, but just before he finished he said he had the same thing in New York which begs the question was he talking about Charles Wang's board which he was a part of last season or does his comments go back to hands on ownership or Howard & Ed Milstein, John Pickett or even John Spano or the group that ran the club for Pickett?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Too bad the host did not ask him to elaborate on his comment about New York so we know which owner the former gm he was talking about. Milbury's done nothing but praise Charles Wang for keeping him around when the popular move would have been to fire him from day one. Not very fair if after all the abuse Mr Wang took for his loyalty this is his payback because it cost him a lot in revenue and credibility in hockey circles for years.

My guess is we will never get an answer.

It should be noted last year's Islander hockey board did produce a playoff spot with reportedly Mike Milbury in the same role Chris Dey is currently in which has nothing to do with the on-ice operation.

Sound Tiger News Articles 1/10:

Sound Tigers website: Has the recap of Bridgeport's 5-3 loss to Portland Pirates at Harbor Yard Wednesday. Matt Keith made his Sound Tigers debut as a second line right wing, Jeff Tambellini extended his scoring streak. Dustin Kohn and Frans Nielsen scored.

Kyle Okposo was in the building after flying in from Minnesota.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogged on the game and Jeff Tambellini being selected as an all-star.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game article on the loss is about another team meeting, even though Bridgeport fought back to tie, but gave up the game winning goal afterward.

"We talked about accountability and commitment in certain guys," coach Jack Capuano said. "If we have to take some action," he added, "we will."

"We're trying to stop the bleeding," Tambellini said. "We're at a point in the season where if we get back on the winning track we were on, we can push for the playoffs. If we let it slip, before you know it, you're out."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also got in a quick Q & A with Kyle Okposo where he talks about playing at this level, Minnesota and the WJC.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's Sound Tigers weekly on Jeff Tambellini being named an all-star, the schedule and a varierity of subjects.

Portland Press Herald: Has the Portland Pirates coverage.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Usual outstanding work by Mr Fornabaio and the Ct Post.

Islanders trade Bootland for Matt Keith

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has more on the Islanders trade of Darryl Bootland Wednesday to Ananehim for Matt Keith who the Isles list as a right wing.

"They just decided they wanted to make a move, and I was the lucky guy," Bootland said after a little chalk talk with the coaching staff.

"It's interesting. It's definitely a shock. Got a little wake-up call. There's 12 messages on my phone, I figured there has to be something going on. It's a little shocking, a little exciting."

"(I'll miss) Mostly the guys, I think, a great group of guys," Bootland said. "I got along with most everyone, that was the nice thing. It was a lot of fun, helping out with the young kids."

Matt Keith's career stats are listed here.

Sound Tigers Update

Ct Post: Updates his blog today and report Steve Regier and Jeremy Colliton likely will not play tonight with injury/illness. Bridgeport called up Pierre-Luc Faubert and Brett Pilkington from Elmira.

Bridgeport plays Wednesday night at home against the Portland Pirates.

Robin Figren & Luciano Aquino Updates

Journal Gazette:Justin A. Cohn reports Fort Wayne Komets coach Al Sims often has harsh criticism for his star and leading scorer, mixed in with praise, because expectations of the Islanders 2005 seventh rounder are high. In his recent game he had two goals, but a high-sticking penalty, a misconduct penalty he took for arguing that call and a penalty for having too many men on the ice he caused.

“A lot of negatives come with the positives. It kind of shows, I think ‘maturity’ is the word you have to use with him,” Sims said. “Certainly, he’s a force at this level and one of the leading scorers in the league. He wants to get back to the next level and is trying to go about it the right way and I’m doing what I can to help him.”

“I don’t know if he’s a perfectionist, but he expects a lot out of me and my line,” Aquino said. “I can’t complain about him. He’s been good to me. Every coach is different and you just have to know Al and his type. He keeps me on my toes. He gives me a kick in the butt when I’m not doing well and he also gives me a kick in the butt when I’m (rolling).”

“It happens to a lot of players where you get stuck in a (NHL’s team’s) system. You think you deserve a chance to play and they don’t give you a chance,” Aquino said. “God’s honest truth, I don’t even worry about getting called up. I don’t even care. Hockey is a game you can’t control. There are so many good players who are in the NHL and so many bad players who are. It’s all about work and that’s what I’ll do.”

Edmonton Sun: Jason Hills has prospect Robin Figren's comments upon returning to the Oil Kings about his WJC experience and the possibility of being traded which he talked over with gm Bob Green.

"Personally, I don't think I could have dreamed for the tournament to go any better."

"I absolutely want to stay here. I am very comfortable both with the hockey and the city. I feel like I am developing the way I need to be everyday," said Figren. "I don't want to go anywhere."

"We've spoken to Robin and he's very happy here and he wants to remain an Oil King and, from our part, it's important to have a player of that quality around," said Green.

"He brings a lot culture-wise to our organization. He's great for the younger guys."

SI Feature on NY goaltenders terrible

Sports Illustrated.com: Michael Farber's feature on the three New York area goaltenders which Chris Botta blog's about in Point Blank here.

Mr Botta's blog also includes a few words on Msg's subjective hockey coverage last night, a few items on Kyle Okposo upcoming coverage and who he could play with in Bridgeport.

"Right now he's managing his game better than he did," Brodeur says of DiPietro. "The only question is [about] how emotional he is. When you're a goalie of that stature with that kind of contract, you become a leader. You're responsible for 19 other guys. You have to be composed, to feel you're in control at all times. I'm not sure that he is. He snaps. He breaks his stick. If you're not in control, how can you expect your team to be in control? When he's stable, and I think he will be within a year, things are going to go...." Brodeur extended his fingers, an airplane angling skyward.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm kind of surprised Martin Brodeur wasted his time being quoted in such a feature when at this time he's the best local goaltender by current numbers and career numbers both DiPietro and Lundqvist will likely never come close to.

Mr Farber did all he could to create a rivalry here also with Brodeur and Lundqvist.

You think Mr Farber would have shown up Mike Richter with such a feature after the lockout in 1996 and asked if Broduer was better back then or if Tommy Salo or Eric Fichaud and his potential back then brings him into the discussion? I don't think so.

Also very sad Mr Farber needed filler from some low grade message board to supplement his recent hockey knowledge on DiPietro or the Islanders when he's going to other gm's and players. He sure went all out to sell Lundqvist while including negative quotes back to DiPietro's rookie year. He did not write one word about DiPietro's style, how he's done this season or the quotes from many players praising him in the past outside of one un-named trainer.

As a hockey fan I'm insulted by this article and the comments about Brodeur. As an Islander fan I'm disappointed but I have grown used to Michael Farber's sell the Rangers angle to most things he writes when the local teams are involved.

Of course Michael Farber knew how many times Lundqvist has given up four goals or more despite his brutal December numbers. He's a transplanted New Yorker writing out of Montreal who spent most of page three telling us how wonderful Lundqvist game is after Brodeur said otherwise. Did Mr Farber even bother writing DiPietro is dominating both goaltenders this year or how wonderful DiPietro's game is or how he has had them in contention for close almost two full seasons on weak offensive clubs and led them to the 2004 playoffs where he played well and drew praise from players on the Lightning?

Of course not. Bill Guerin was quoted on Brodeur, Shanahan on how he would take Lundqvist over both Brodeur and DiPietro.

Rick DiPietro? We read about Steve Begin and a Sabre talking about how they can score on DiPietro, not his fifty five save game or how he came back in the playoffs last season and won game two and kept the Isles in every game.

Usual shoddy work from Mr Farber and SI, too bad Mr Botta sees this is a positive article.

Waste of my time to even blog on it.

Time to produce or move on?

Were a long way from those early season reports of the Islanders reportedly looking to extend Fedotenko, Hunter, and Comrie among others for how great they played.

Simply put what these players do from here will determine their future with this club. Many are making the case a prospect should be given an opportunity based on the numbers and even though hockey is a team game and the Islanders are about playing defense, this group has not produced regardless of the endless patience the coaching staff is showing.

This is supposed to be about character and hard working players, this team has far too many passengers.

Bill Guerin has been terrible until a few weeks ago in terms of scoring, he's officially on pace for thirty goals to lead the club after last night, maybe it takes even longer for some of these players to get back on track?

Fedotenko after looking like he had an impact on every game early has only two goals in his past twenty seven games and looks invisible most night's while Tambellini is tearing up the AHL and makes almost three million dollars begging the question is he playing hurt or was John Tortarella right a year ago?

Blake Comeau is also outproducing Fedotenko on the fourth line.

Vasicek, who is not hurting them on defense but used as a second line center has just two goals in his past twenty four games and living up to his reputation as a very streaky scorer and is reportedly not injured. Someone explain why Ben Walter or Frans Nielsen would do much worse offensively if given a chance?

Mike Sillinger has one goal in his past eleven games and has struggled to score all season. Is age or the role catching up with him because he's not setting up many goals and not scoring many, despite his outstanding defensive play. Andy Hilbert is off that line and looked better without Sillinger.

Sillinger's under contract for next season and a leader on this team, does he go at the trade deadline?

Trent Hunter has two goals in twenty nine games. As hard as he works he's with the same center he had a strong second half with but for an impending UFA does Garth Snow give him the four million he reportedly wanted last summer for this kind of production when Kyle Okposo is a right wing and for that money you can bring in a right wing who can outproduce Hunter on a first or second line?

Satan has no goals in his past seven games and again is showing the one consistent part of his game is that he is streaky as he approaches what will likely be his last big contract. Again with talents like Okposo on right wing or even Jeremy Colliton and Steve Regier is it time to find a replacement?

Garth Snow and Ted Nolan have some very tough decisions ahead because for most of these players it's partly about the numbers but it's also about the inconsistent effort on a team that's supposed to work harder than last year's team. If Berard, Meyer and Johnson can wait their turn on the backline maybe it's time some of these forwards take a seat in the stands?

No way do I see Ted Nolan being blamed like Butch Goring, Peter Laviolette, Steve Stirling were for second year clubs that struggled with consistency.

Islander News Articles 1/9:

Newsday: Greg Logan's early article on the game has no quotes at this time but does have the entire game article written with DiPietro's outstanding play and how poorly the club played early, including what he writes is a dog house line of Satan, Fedotenko and Vasicek.

"The way we responded, we didn't compete," Nolan said, naming the worst sin in his book. "It has nothing to do with our goaltending; it has nothing to do with our lack of goal-scoring. It has something to do with the lack of competitiveness. If we don't compete, we'll get beat on most nights."

"It's still there, but I just think, in the first two periods, our competitive level wasn't where it had to be," Guerin said of the Edmonton game. "These are good hockey teams we're playing, and if we don't compete as hard as them, it's going to be tough to generate offense. We need second and third efforts."

Newsday: Greg Logan's postgame article was on the Islanders not competing as they hit the half way point in the season with many of the trends resurfacing from when they were not scoring.

Newsday: Greg Logan's pre-game blog was again on the trade of Luongo and more coming from SI's Michael Farber on the local goaltending debate and how much DiPietro has improved.

Vancouver Sun: Iain MacIntyre compared Vancouver goalie Robert Luongo to Rick DiPietro since the last time the Canucks have seen him in 2006 in his game review with Henrik Sedin and Naslund favoring their own goalie as expected.

"It seems like he has really taken a lot of steps since the last time we saw him," Henrik Sedin said diplomatically. "He was unbelievable tonight."

Vancouver Sun: Brad Ziemer in his game coverage had Canuck coach Alain Vigneault crediting DiPietro for his play.

"It shouldn't have been close, but it was close," said Canuck coach Alain Vigneault. "Obviously the factor in this game was their goaltender. He was real good.

Vancouver Province: Jim Matheson has more from Garth Snow on the Islanders decision to trade for Ryan Smyth and also defended former prospect Ryan O'Marra for taking time to develop.

"I'd do it all over again ... we gave up some good young players and a high draft pick, but we went for it," said Snow.

"We wouldn't have made the playoffs without Ryan. Ricky [goalie DiPietro] got hurt and we had the suspension to Chris Simon, which took a little wind out of our sails. The trade made a statement to our fans and the players in our dressing room that we had a chance [in the playoffs]."

Vancouver Province: Jason Botchford has comments from Bill Guerin on Rick DiPietro in his game coverage.

"We were in it for one reason and that was Ricky," Guerin said.
"Ricky played out of his mind again."

Vancouver Province: Jason Botchford also had nightly awards to individual players where Freddy Meyer was singled out for his name and Andy Sutton for not fighting in the third period.

Vancouver Province: Ben Kuzma's game coverage was how this was a strange game where the Canucks should have won handily given the play disparity but Luongo let up two strange goals.

Said Guerin: "Sometimes, you just get lucky. You put it on net sometimes and it goes in. It wasn't anything planned. We needed a break and we got it."

Vancouver 3, New York 2 shootout

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 3-2 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Strange game.

DiPietro flat out stole a point for a team that again came out and was not working giving up forty five shots and drawing only one powerplay. Canucks are hardly an offensive powerhouse.

Too bad DiPietro could not win the skills competition and gave up a goal to Linden and a defender. Islanders miss Kozlov in shootouts. Blake Comeau made a great move in the shootout but a great goalie made a big save.

Islanders were lucky to get out of the first period and very lucky that goal by Guerin counted even if Luongo played it poorly. If offsides is not to be reviewed and the puck was in why did they go to a replay?

Too many times shorthanded again and a lot of undisciplined plays. as usual a lot of passengers.

Ted Nolan again shortened his bench. Comeau's goal was huge and off another Luongo mistake. Of course Islanders gave it right back which was a weak goal and really had only one good shift where they got chances in the third period (about five minutes left) and overtime with Fedotenko coming close. That's unacceptable.

Islanders got a point. Pittsburgh won their seventh in a row, Philadelphia, New Jersey all won, it's not enough.

Islanders have to keep pace, three overtime losses in four games is better than nothing and I have been calling for points in every game if not wins.

Vancouver crowd was classy with DiPietro, our fans could learn from that.

Sound Tiger News Articles 1/9

With the Isles on the west coast and articles not available until later in the day for the East Coast combined with a bump in coverage for Bridgeport with Kyle Okposo for a short time I'm going to break up the news updates so our Sound Tiger fans do not have to wait for daily articles.

Might be for only a few days or until the Islanders come back to the East coast, all depends on how much Okposo's games are covered.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the penalties hurting the Sound Tigers and the media crunch expected for Kyle Okposo's first practice Thursday.

"I think special teams goes in spurts," Capuano said. "Early on, our PK was good, but we weren't winning games. We go through a spurt where the PK's not so good, and we win some games."

"We're trying to develop," Capuano said. "We gave (Sean) Bentivoglio and (Ben) Walter and (Trevor Smith) Smitty some time killing now. They didn't kill too much.
It's an adjustment for some guys."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog is on Joe Rullier now playing in the Swiss league, injury updates and Kyle Okposo being given number twelve.

NHL.com: Brad Holland's NHL blog from the WJC did not have Kyle Okposo or Rhett Rakhshani in his top ten but did note their performances.

NHL Starters for ALL-Star Game Announced

Starters for the All-Star game were announced Tuesday:

Eastern Conference:
F: Sidney Crosby, Pens
F: Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning
F: Daniel Alfredsson, Senators
D: Andrei Markov, Habs
D: Zdeno Chara, Bruins
G: Martin Brodeur, Devils

Western Conference:
F: Henrik Zetterberg, Wings
F: Pavel Datsyuk, Wings
F: Jarome Iginla, Flames
D: Nicklas Lidstrom, Wings
D: Dion Phaneuf, Flames
G: Roberto Luongo, Canucks

NYI Fan Central Comments:
One player from each team has to be selected. My guess is from the Islanders it's Rick DiPietro or Brendan Witt.

Goaltenders are tougher to get in with only two spots so I'm not sure DiPietro is one of them.

Cannot see Martinek, Campoli or a forward.

1/8: New York at Vancouver 10pm FSN

Islanders website/AP: Has the preview of tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Media Blog: Cory Witt will likely have an update after the morning skate with lineup changes which could be possible after Brendan Witt blocked that third period shot.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Simply put, this club has to step up and play a sixty minute game here and put some screens in front of Luongo and a few of Ted Nolan's passengers on the roster better start skating or others will be taking their spot. Usually when a club struggles like this to score another shutout could be coming but Garon played well and at times and had some luck with Sillinger hitting the post in the third off a great Comeau pass.

DiPietro made some great saves late in that game, it's the goals you expect him to stop like the first Oiler goal that cannot happen for him.

Vancouver has not lost in regulation in about fourteen straight games at home so they are due for a clunker on home ice. Markus Naslund will be taken off the Sedin line and skate with former Islander Taylor Pyatt and Jason Jaffray but this is not a great offensive club. They score some goals but play defense and put the game in Luongo's hands.

Islanders are in last place in this division and even with the overtime point's recently need some wins to keep pace.

Islanders at the half way point

With game forty two tonight in Vancouver I thought today would be a good time to do a half way point review. A win puts at Vancouver puts the Islanders on a ninety point pace.

Jiggs McDonald had the numbers during the final minutes of last night's Islander game as they approach the half way point of their season in comparison to a year ago at the same time.

All in all the record was virtually identical but the scoring is a major problem.

January 9th 2007: 20-19-3/119 goals/116 goals against
January 8th 2008: 20-17-4/98 goals/114 goals against

Bad news is from Janauary 9th through March 5th that Islander team lost only four games in regulation to move to their high point of ten games over five hundred which is where they finished.

Bottom line: The defense has been about the same with different kinds of contributions, the even strength play much worse and the scoring way down makes it remarkable the club has virtually the same record.

Not going to do a full paragraph on each player, just a few quick words. You can writge for most of these players they are making a good or above avgerage effort on defense outside of Mike Comrie.

Bill Guerin-Needs to keep up what he started recently or a bust this year.
Mike Comrie-Not contributing as a first line player, streaky at best.
Richard Park-Not a first line player but hardest working alternative.
Miroslav Satan-Usual inconsistency.
Trent Hunter-Not enough offense but does other things to win games.
Ruslan Fedotenko-Has been invisible most of the last twenty games after great start.
Josef Vasieck-Two goals in twenty games not enough for a second line center.
Mike Sillinger-Not scoring like last season when needed.
Sean Bergenheim-Works for high quality chances nightly but must start finishing.
Tim Jackman-Solid in his role and works hard, not hurting club.
Blake Comeau-Shows spurts he can play in this league with good offensive skills.
Andy Hilbert-Played his way off third line not scoring, looks better on fourth line.
Chris Simon-Marginal impact when not getting suspended or returning from one.

Brendan Witt-Has been a warrior on a club with no margin for error most nights.
Radek Martinek-Some mistakes but overall outstanding before injury in expanded role.
Bruno Gervais-Just keeps getting better with quiet consistent defense.
Chris Campoli-Overall game keeps improving in expanded role.
Andy Sutton-Has been consistent and not hurt the club much recently.
Marc-Andre Bergeron-Great shot desperately needed, less mistakes recently keeps him in lineup.
Freddy Meyer-A few mistakes but mostly solid, quiet games he does not hurt the club.
Bryan Berard-Seems like the odd-man out until someone struggles.

Rick DiPietro-Making the tough saves, but letting in more soft goals than a year ago.
Wade Dubielewicz-Did his job and more recently.

Bottom Line-This club has it's work cut out for it in the second half because it cannot score enough at even strength like a year ago and it's pp has struggled badly overall. This is a team that needs more offense to get games to overtime to build the point total.

I'm skeptical but as Ted Nolan said recently what happens in the second half is what everyone remembers. Islanders are going to have to show this group's character is superior to last year in games from this point.

Islander News Articles 1/8

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article did not make it into the print edition of Newsday in the city today. It has comments from Bergeron, DiPietro and Ted Nolan on the loss against Edmonton.

Marc-Andre Bergeron:

"We turned the puck over," he said. "It's no secret. We had our chances in the first and played well, but we couldn't take advantage."

Rick DiPietro on playing Roberto Luongo:

"Yeah, it's going to be fun going against him," DiPietro said, "but at the end of the day, it's another game and another huge two points we need."

Newsday: Greg Logan's article on Mike Comrie where he talks about his past in Edmonton and some off ice things did make the morning print edition.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's interesting Mr Logan has covered Mike Comrie since last summmer nothing Comrie said yesterday was reported once until he got to Edmonton and their media got him to talk.

"For me, I chose to want to move. It probably wasn't handled properly. But I'm happy now to be an Islander."

Note-The Post did not have Jay Greenberg stick around Edmonton an extra day to cover the Islanders after the Rangers left.

Edmonton Sun & Edmonton Journal: Joanne Ireland provides the Oiler centric coverage of their win.

Vancouver Sun: Elliott Pap has Roberto Luongo's comments on being traded from the Islanders almost a decade ago and what it means now to play a team he has been 4-9-2 against in 15 decisions with a save percentage of .920.

"Obviously I was disappointed when the Islanders traded me but, at the same time, I was younger and more naive," Luongo said. "I didn't really think about it that much. I just went to Florida and it was great because they gave me a chance to really start my NHL career."

"I've played them a bunch of times already so that feeling is gone," he said.

Edmonton Journal: Reports Robin Figren who just won a silver medal for Sweden at the WJC could be traded by the Oil Kings at the trade deadline in two days according to gm Bob Green. Teams are only allowed to have two European players on their roster and that would force other European players off another club to make room for Figren.

"As each day passed in the tournament I was getting more and more calls about him. He has certainly garnered a lot of interest and deservedly so," said Green.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported in his blog yesterday Jason Pitton's reassignment is official, with Mike Mole, Ryan Kinasewich and Tyler Haskins going back to Utah.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Business is about to pick up on the Bridgeport front with the crush of media that will be following Kyle Okposo. Should be a lot of fun for Mr Fornabaio who has not had a franchise prospect like this to cover since Rick DiPietro played there.

Denver Post: Mike Chambers has comments from Denver Pioneer coach George Gwozdecky on the Islanders signing Kyle Okposo. Islander prospect Rhett Rakhshani plays at Denver and is about to return from the WJC.

"What happened with Okposo in signing with the Islanders set a precedent, and hopefully it won't happen a lot," Gwozdecky said. "I'd like to think that the great majority of NHL teams respect these young players and the development process that their draftees are going through, and once the college hockey season ends, the page will turn."

Edmonton 4, New York 0

Islanders website: Has the recap of Monday's 4-0 loss against the Edmonton Oilers.

"This is the second game in a row we didn't skate," said head coach Ted Nolan. "We showed spurts but we need a consistent effort from everyone all game. We can't have 50% or 75% of our guys working. We have to play as a team. Our whole game has been in a funk the last two games. If you don't work you won't get any chances. We have to get back to grinding out games. In the second period there was a lapse and we didn't skate. It gets frustrating when we do this. We had everything prepared, everything seemed right before the game and then we just laid a big egg."

"Edmonton feeds off transition," said DiPietro. "They did that in the second period, creating those two-on-one chances. On those odd-man rushes they found a way to put the puck in the net."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Shutout by a team that has not won a game in regulation since early December. Two games against two weak teams and one goal by Tim Jackman. Islanders cannot afford another stretch with no scoring.

Islanders are not giving DiPietro much help either, nor did he bail them out of a few goals but you don't score and you likely will not get any points. If this is the game the Islanders wanted to prove something I hate to see one they could care less about.

Robert Luongo, Calgary and Ottawa up next. Those last two games were the easiest games on the schedule.

Newsday: Greg Logan had two of his longer blogs of the season. One with in depth comments on the paths of Robert Nilsson and Marc-Andre Bergeron. The other his second most passionate blog ever which was about an eighteen hour trip from Denver to Edmonton.

“I don’t really care. I’m not an Oiler anymore. I still have some good memories from here. It’s an old saying: ‘Talk good or bad, but just talk about me.’”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If Cablevision is allowed to fly Billy Jaffe, Deb Kaufman, Howie Rose, Chris King and Steve Mears on the Islander team plane why not just give Mr Logan or the local print media a seat unless it's against league rules?

As for Mr Logan see how easy it is for him to write when he's passionate about something? This is what the Islanders need (positive or negative) from their hockey writers.

1/7: New York at Edmonton 9pm FSN

Islanders website: Has the preview of tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders play a team that has not won a game in regulation since early December but came within seven seconds of breaking that stretch on Saturday. The fast surface in Edmonton combined with the Islanders not playing good defense in front of DiPietro the last game cannot carry over into this game.

Islanders have no time to worry about Ryan Smyth, Ryan O'Marra, Denis Grebeshhov, or Robert Nilsson. They need two points from this game and start the night last in the division, despite the 5-1-2 record in eight games with a stretch of upcoming games that are very tough.

Raffi Torres is likely out for the season with an injury, Robert Nilsson was benched his last game. Edmonton is an outstanding shootout team which has carried them with a league high in wins in the skills competition.

Islander News Articles 1/7

Newsday: Greg Logan writes about former Islander Robert Nilsson among several former Islanders and Oilers who have been traded that will meet up tomorrow with something to prove. An update on Radek Martinek was also given.

"He's highly skilled, but there's a difference between having skill and having the competitiveness to play at this level," Nolan said. "He didn't show too much at training camp. Robert has the skill to play a long time, but with myself, the No. 1 thing is that people have to earn their jobs and not have it handed to them. We had to give up something to get Ryan Smyth."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I suppose going to Edmonton the story line has to be all the players who used to play in New York and Edmonton, but why not more hype for DiPietro who stole a point for his club and less retrospectives on old trades?

Aren't there better things to use Islanders limited newspaper space for than how the Oiler fans react to Mike Comrie or Marc-Andre Bergeron?

Edmonton Sun: Robert Tychkowski has a full feature on the ups and downs of Marc-Andre Bergeron as well as some comments from Ted Nolan on Robert Nilsson, who was a healthy scratch his last game.

"It's a roller-coaster ride," admitted the 27-year-old. "It's been a tough year. I'm playing good, I'm playing bad, I'm playing good ... lately it's been better."

"I need to be more consistent," he said. "I've played some great games and I've played some games where 'I'm holy cow, why did this happen?' I talked with Teddy a few times and he's 'How can you play so good one game and so bad in another?'

"And it's true. I think I'm at an age where I need to realize that when I don't feel as good, simplify my game and be reliable."

Edmonton Sun:Robert Tychkowski's other article is on former Oiler Mike Comrie who also talks about his time in New York so far.

"I'm having fun (on Long Island). It's a great group of guys who want to compete every night. A great goaltender who gives us a chance to win, a coaching staff that makes it fun to be around the rink. It's been great living in New York - staying out of the spotlight."

Edmonton Journal: Also covers the Oilers.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage was on the four powerplay goals Bridgeport allowed the Phanton's in Sunday's 6-2 loss and the fantastic scoring run Jeff Tambellini is on while the rest of the club is not producing.

Mr Fornabaio also repeated the Islanders website statement on Kyle Okposo with Jack Capuano's comments he has heard nothing official from the Islanders on Okposo yet.

"I can't even describe the game," Capuano said. "We were ready to play, they came out and got a couple of power-play goals right away."

Philly.com: Combines Phantoms coverage from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News.

Islanders statement on Okposo

Islanders website: Chris Botta was told by GM Garth Snow that Kyle Okposo will likely arrive in Bridgeport on Wednesday in time to watch the Sound Tigers' home game that night against Portland. Okposo will have his first practice with the Sound Tigers on Thursday and make his debut on Friday night in Binghamton.

"We discussed it at length as an organization and we feel it is best for Kyle to continue his development under coach Jack Capuano in Bridgeport," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "As we do with all of our prospects, we will monitor his progess daily and he will be brought along the right way under the tutelage of Jack and his staff. Kyle is a very exciting young prospect who is a vital part of the Islanders' future."

"Kyle Okposo is too important to the New York Islanders for us to ever consider rushing him along," said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. "This decision is without a doubt what's best for him. When he's ready, he'll be an Islander and he's going to be a very exciting player for our franchise."

Sound Tigers.com: Has the recap of Bridgeport's 6-2 loss at Philadelphia Sunday. Jeff Tambellini set two new team records in the loss.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogs about the loss and some other things.

A few words: Kyle Okposo to Bridgeport

Seemed like a foregone conclusuion given he's a right wing on a team with Bill Guerin, Miroslav Satan and Trent Hunter. I supose you could demote Tim Jackman but is it worth it for this young player to being played limited minutes on a fourth line?

Best thing for Okposo to do is get used to the pro game and see expanded minutes in the AHL for now.

Even though it's later in the season because Okposo signed before the beginning of the new year if he plays more than nine games with the Islanders he losses his rookie status and his contract counts as a full year. Islanders I'm sure do not want a Luongo situtation where the Milstein's sent him down to avoid him playing enough games to get him a bonus which caused friction.

We may see Okposo up for a few games if he dominates in Bridgeport and the Islanders need him down the stretch but the more likely senario is if he comes up at all it will be because a right winger is traded.

There is also a chance Bridgeport could be a playoff team but right now they look like a low seed at best if at all.

Not too sure how an Okposo callup would sit would his Bridgeport teammates either at some point given how long Tambellini, Nielsen, Colliton and several players have waited their turn. Of course were talking right wings when it comes to Okposo and it comes down to what the staff thinks.

For now Islanders should just let him rest up, perhaps do a little press conference and get him ready to make his pro debut late next week.

Islander News Articles 1/6

Newsday: Greg Logan reported in his blog Kyle Okposo will report to Bridgeport and likely make his pro debut Friday or Saturday with comments from Garth Snow. Details about his contract are also discussed.

Newsday: Greg Logan's post game coverage was on DiPietro's outstanding play with comments from Ted Nolan.

"That's a good offensive team," DiPietro said. "They have a lot of young, skilled players, and they did a good job of cycling down low and kept a lot of pucks in. They had the puck in our zone for a while [in overtime], and they kept moving it and moving it until the puck finally bounced over to Svatos and he made a nice shot."

"We certainly needed Ricky tonight to get this one point," Nolan said. "He was sensational. For whatever reason, we didn't have it on offense. The altitude does affect you."

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article was on Ryan Smyth, who did not talk to the media but had several players over his home for dinner. Garth Snow & Ted Nolan defended his decision to make the trade and several Islanders commented.

"I'd do the same thing," Snow said. "We made an evaluation on the players we gave up. We just felt we were better as an organization to do the deal. The first-round pick came up in our meetings that it was a very weak 2007 draft. In the middle of the round, it would be at best a third-line player or a fourth-line player."

From Ted Nolan:
"The only thing I can do is let him know how much we'd like him to stay and be part of us. He has to do what the best thing is for him and his family. He thought this would be better. You never want to fault a guy for that."

"Ultimately, we finished two points out of the sixth spot," Snow said. "All you can ask for as a player is that your management team believes in you and gives you every opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. We gave ourselves a chance."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
They did give themselves a chance, no doubt about it. At the time the trade was made the Islanders were playing some very good hockey. A lot of things went against them after that from DiPietro's injury to Simon's suspension to some replays that were the reasons the club did not finish sixth. Satan, Zednik left the club for games.

Islanders gave Buffalo a tougher series that few gave them credit for, a few things fell into place this team could easily have advanced to at least the second round.

Clearly they traded two players who were not in the long-term plans and a draft pick from a draft that was not very strong. Robert Nilsson looks like a keeper for Edmonton on that fast surface, O'Marra is an ECHL all-star.

Newsday: Greg Logan had hopefully the final update on DiPietro's pads with the goaltender, Ted Nolan and Garth Snow commenting.

"I've never seen it before," coach Ted Nolan said. "It maybe could have waited until after the game, and we live with the consequences if there was something wrong. But we didn't do anything wrong.

"Does it play with a guy's psyche? It certainly does. I've never seen it before, and hopefully, I never see it again."

"At the end of the day, Rick was not using illegal equipment," Snow said. "That's the bottom line. He didn't need to, and he never has. I'm just glad he's back into the same pads."

Denver Post/AP: Pat Graham covered the Avalanche ot win with a lot of the focus on DiPietro's pads. Bill Guerin comments on his club's effort.

"Really, they're just a pair of pads," said DiPietro, who had 37 saves. "They are just newer."

"I felt really good," said Theodore, who made only his second start in 11 games. "To be honest, he (DiPietro) played unbelievable. I am going to play the way that I can. If I do that, I can match and outplay any goalie in this league, and that's what I tried to do."

"We definitely let them skate too much," Guerin said. "They are a good, young, talented team, and we gave them a lot of room. They made the most of it. I would have liked to have seen us play, generate more offense, instead of just hanging around with a one-goal lead."

Rocky Mountain News/AP: Early Sunday Avs coverage.

Sound Tigers website: Has the recap of Bridgeport's 2-1 loss in the second of back to back games at Norfolk Saturday. Jeff Tambellini scored for Bridgeport.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio was not in Norfolk to cover the Sound Tigers loss but did blog on it and Okposo being assigned to Bridgeport along with some WJC coverage.

Virginian Pilot: Has the Admirals coverage.

Pioneer Press: Tom Powers covered the Gophers and even thought they won, the focus is still on Kyle Okposo leaving school. I'm not sure in the article if the writer is critical of Okposo or coach Don Lucia.

"We can just hope for the best for Kyle," junior defenseman R.J. Anderson said. "It's not something you'd give him grief about. Best of luck to him."

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio previews Bridgeport vs Philadelphia Sunday.

WHEN - Today, 5:05 p.m.
WHERE - Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia
ON THE AIR - No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Colorado 2, New York 1 ot

Islanders website: Has the recap of Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

"This is a point that we probably should not have gotten," said head coach Ted Nolan. "Ricky was sensational, but he didn't get much help from the start of the game. We didn't play a very intelligent game.

One thing about Ricky is that we wouldn't be in the position we are in now without him. He'll stop a majority of the shots, but we need to give him some more help. We had way too many turnovers. It wasn't a good game. They're a proud group and they know when they haven't played well."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Without DiPietro this game is four or five one by the end of the second period. He made about five outstanding pad saves and Colorado missed a few great chances.

For a team struggling as much as Colorado there was no excuse for this poor an Islander effort as they were out skated and outworked almost the entire game.

Theodore was a goaltender waiting for one quality shot to beat him, it never came.

Long stretches the Avalanche controlled the puck in the Islander end of the ice and made Wolski look like Gretzky. In one second period shift at even strength he had the puck and was able to set up like he had a powerplay.

Avs got breaks on both their goals but made those breaks, the first goal after an Islander powerplay expired the Islanders just were backed in, even if it produced a lucky bounce.

Islanders offense gave them virtually nothing all night, even after Theodore gave Jackman half the net on his goal and the Islanders drew another pp which looked lost all night and in overtime. Bergeron and many of the defenders were watching as Avalanche players took the puck and skated right at DiPietro.

Expensive night with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh winning again and the Rangers getting a point. Islanders were playing a team they easily could have gotten two from with the effort DiPietro gave them if he had any help.

Good news is they did add to the point total. Bergenheim, Comeau looked like the two best forwards. Islanders pp late in the game saw Colorado clear the puck shorthanded, DiPietro take the puck and shoot it up to Guerin and he still had not cleared the zone which brought an intentional offsides.

Not buying any altitude excuses after the first period, especially from a team with Western Conference players like Guerin, Comrie, Sillinger.

The fast surface in Edmonton is up next for the Islanders.