Montreal 3, New York 0

Islanders website: Has the recap of the Islanders 3-0 loss against the Montreal Canadians Saturday night.

1st period:
Like what I'm seeing at the start. Isles have a lot of jump and getting in the lanes in time to break up Canadians pressure. Comeau, Comrie another very good setup, Guerin beats Komisarek to an icing and nice rush at the net by Park. Berard nice play to break up and two on one. Bergenheim a high stick but got in front of Halak and made a strong play to the net.

DiPietro looks sharp in the opening ten minutes.
Spiller a soft shot from the point.

Steve Regier with a marginal penalty in the offensive zone against Komisarek.
Solid pk against the top ranked club in the league.
DiPietro robs Tom Kostopoulos breaking in.
DiPietro save on Koivu.

End first period: Canadian speed and skill making it tough for Isles to generate much beyond dump-ins and soft angle shots to close out the period. Montreal seems one pass short or the Isles defense is getting in the lanes well.

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Between periods:
Minister of propaganda for Msg Al Trautwig just called Msg the Yankee Stadium of hockey? Cannot stand when Msg does a studio show and people like Mr Trautwig, Stan Fischler or John Giannone talk hockey because it's so biased it's impossible to take seriously.

Richard Park has not scored with all these top six line minutes since 1/19 and has two total goals since his overtime winner against Washington on December 22nd.
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Second period:
Tambellini nice attempt at a touch pass to Guerin, Davison bomb from point but no screen.

Berard nice step and hit.
Regier, Satan, Walter nice setup goes through crease.
Davison nice block off scramble in front, DiPietro holds with good saves on stuff attempt. Another shot off point.
Too many men penalty against Isles.

PP goal after Isles do nice job early on pk. Hamrlik big rebound for easy goal with three Habs in front of goal 1-0 Montreal.

Beautiful save by DiPietro on cross-ice pass.
DiPietro big save on Mikhail Grabovski and a few more after that.

Isles cannot get the puck or generate any shots or powerplays for themselves.

Comeau skating creates a good outside shot with no screen. Davison turnover leads to more pressure and shots on DiPietro.

Bergenheim passes up a good shot, gets a second on another rush.
Satan slap shot from angle.
Hunter step chance blocked by Komisarek, Bergenheim stopped. Montreal very sloppy but Isles working well too. Comeau soft pass to himself on dump in created pressure.

Satan shot missed or block.
DiPietro robs Latendresse in alone and second save on Kovalev.

Islander powerplay finally on Bergenheim takedown.
Meyer-Berard on point.
Guerin outside shot from bad angle with Hab player losing a stick.
End second period. Isles generate little with powerplay and Montreal is just too fast to generate sustained pressure as Isles forwards are easy to read.
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Between periods:
Miroslav Satan four goals since December 22nd.
Islanders defense have eight total goals in lineup (Berard 5/Meyer 3)
Trent Hunter four goals since Dec 21st.
Bill Guerin five goals since Jan 19th.
Mike Comeie eight goals since Jan 13th

Sean Bergenheim seven goals since Jan 22nd.
Blake Comeau five goals since January 8th.
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Third period:
Satan-Comrie-Comeau close powerplay, Berard point shot tipped by Satan and stopped by Halak.

Kostopoulos hit post, Bergenheim stopped by Halak.
Isles pressure, Montreal scores transition goal on perfect setup to Kovalev, no chance for DiPietro 2-0. Martinek got his skate clipped by Kovalev, no call.

Montreal takes offensive zone interference penalty while dominating puck in Isles zone.
Guerin-Tambellini-Comrie start powerplay with Park on point.
Berard point shot blocked.
Johnson shot stopped by Halak, powerplay ends.
DiPietro big save on tipped shot.
Jackman angle shot stopped by Halak.
Guerin angle shot stopped by Halak.
Satan-Park-Tambellini excellent shift, good shot by Tambellini stopped, Satan shot wide before.

Comeau gets a shift with Hunter and Vasicek.
Angle shot stopped off Islanders three on two rush.
Berard good point shot off faceoff.
DiPietro robs Higgins coming in from angle on backhand.
Meyer shot almost found net, second shot save by Halak.
Three minutes left in third.

Tambellini odd man rush great pass to Park who's robbed by Halak.
Latendresse gets past Isles defense and beats DiPietro coming off wing 3-0. Davison may have been beaten in center ice.
Comeau falls, Habs shoot wide.
One minute left.
Isles pinned in zone much of last minute.
3-0 final.
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NYI Fan Central Comments:
Isles had thirty shots, about four good chances, one great chance and almost no second shots. Without DiPietro as well as Isles got in the lanes still gave up chances that could have led to five or six goals.

Not enough offense, not enough team speed, not enough skill to finish. Effort was there but not nearly enough. A few bounces it could have produced a few Islander goals but not on this night.

Nothing else to write about this game aside from Ted Nolan's frustration in the postgame.
**************************************************
AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phantoms 4-2 Saturday at home with Colton Fretter scoring two goals for Bridgport. Sean Bentivoglio scored. Jeremy Colliton had two assists, Kyle Okposo had one assist. Mike Morrison made thirty saves in the win.

Pronger receives eight game suspension

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islander blog at Newsday Chris Pronger was suspended eight games by the league. Ted Nolan wondered why two players with long records of being suspended got a different amount of games.

Pronger's suspension ends for the final game of the regular season so he will be permitted to play in Anaheim's playoffs.

Tsn video has Chris Pronger, Chris Simon and Islander captain Bill Guerin's comment who flat out feels this is unfair.

http://broadband.tsn.ca/?vid=38275

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What can I write that I have not written already on this? Clearly there is a double standard here and a star player must play in the NHL playoffs so he receives just enough games so that he's well rested and ready for them. Colin Campbell's explanation that he was trying to free his skate is a joke. His skate was already free after getting tangled up, he got angry and stomped down on Kesler's leg.

Sad show across the board from the league here.

3/15: New York at Montreal 7pm Msg+

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Montreal Canadians.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I think it's time to end any talk of playoff for the Islanders in these pregames, the injuries, struggles and standings just makes no sense to write along those lines.

I want to see if Comrie and Comeau can carry over some of that chemistry they showed against Florida with several good chances. I want to see if Jeff Tambellini with more minutes will finally have that breakout game he needs badly. More of Ben Walter, Sean Bergenheim makes it worth watching for me too.

Overall, Isles are 0-3 against Montreal and have matched up terrible with them head to head this season. The Canadians start the backup in Halak but come off a shutout loss so you can bet they will come out fast to try and bury the Isles who played well against a Florida team on their yearly March hot streak.

Islander News Articles 3/15

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on the line changes and the powerplay. Miroslav Satan, Mike Comrie give their comments.

Brendan Witt skated but is unlikely to play, Bruno Gervais might miss the remainder of the season with his concussion/knee injury.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wonder why Mr Logan is trying to pass this off as a demotion or raise it as an issue with Comrie or Satan? Does this team have a first line on paper at this point in the season? It seems from here the coach wants Comeau where he belongs on the left wing with the teams best center so how is that a demotion?

If Mr Logan wants to play this angle how come he did not play up a Richard Park promotion to first line center?

Is any one line seeing a significant drop in minutes or is it simply a question of finally putting players at the positions they belong in because that's what it looks like to me.

Tambellini-Park-Guerin
Comeau-Comrie-Jackman
Regier-Walter-Satan
Bergenheim-Vasicek-Hunter

A day or two ago Ted Nolan gave the impression Gervais and even Sutton could return by the Montreal game. Any doubts at this point and both players should be shut down for the year. I'm wondering why Satan is even playing with an injury at this point that could cost him big money in free agency or from the Isles.

AP: Chris Simon was very critical of the league for not suspending Chris Pronger what he feels is unfair treatment.

Globe & Mail: Alan Maki reports Chris Pronger's situtation will be looked at again by the league with more from Chris Simon.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Impossible to disagree with his comments.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article was on the Sound Tigers 4-1 loss to WBS Pens and a six on six player brawl with Jack Capuano's comments about all the players called up to the Isles.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogs on the loss and the playoff picture for Bridgeport which is not looking too good right now.

Times Leader: Michael Fornabaio also wrote a WBS Pens-centric article to supplement road coverage.

Citizen Voice: Jonathan Bombulie covered the brawl from the WBS Pens point of view.

Why did Isles fail to make playoffs?

The latest NYI Fan Central Poll is up, and for this one it's your call on why you think the Isles did not make the playoffs.

If you select other please respond here and tell us why and I will add it to the final votes.

With this poll you can select more than one option.

Simply not good enough
Early schedule a factor
Not enough scoring depth
Poor decisons by coach
Poor decisions by gm
Over three hundred man games lost to injury
Isles worked in kids so they have quietly progressed
Second half schedule too much
Other

Early schedule hurt Isles

You do not want to give a team that fails many excuses, however some things do have to be brought up here because they were a factor in the Isles failure this season but that cannot be used as the reason the club will not be returning to the playoffs.

The schedule in the first month where the Islanders played about four games in twenty days after five games in seven days to start the season did turn out to hurt because since Christmas they have not had three days off in a row aside from the
all-star break.

Isles have had only a few two days stretches off also in the month of February.

I'm only using them as an example but by contract the Rangers have had:
Feb 11th-15th five day break.
Feb 20th-22nd three day break.
Feb 25th-27th three day break.
March 11th-13th three day break.


My guess is it would not have hurt the veterans or Rick DiPietro to have that kind of rest as opposed to the schedule they were given where they barely played in October.

Having written that scoring two goals or less fourteen games in a row in the second month of the season does not give them a pass just based on schedule because they were not producing at a time they should have been at their best.

Overall the two hundred and ninety man (and counting) games lost to injury does to a point because that schedule did wear down the veterans as the season progressed into February and the Isles have had to deal with a lot of injury problems.

In the end the nine defenders who started here all were injured/benched and it was not enough depth.

I'm not giving excuses for the teams failure but some things do have to be mentioned along the way that have been a factor.

Islander News Articles 3/14

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Blake Comeau getting powerplay play time with Ted Nolan's comments.

Newsday: Greg Logan's Islander Insider is on the club perhaps calling up Kyle Okposo by Tuesday, the Islanders staking their claim to a possible outdoor game at Yankee Stadium and more on Rick DiPietro's stick handling. Bill Guerin talks about the powerplay, Brendan Witt talks about his efforts with his family to fight cancer and his injury. Chris Pronger vs Chris Simon is brought up and Bob McKenzie defends Pronger because the video footage is not good despite Kessler saying he got his calf with the stomp.

Garth Snow, Ted Nolan, Rick DiPietro comment on several items.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems to me it's a terrible decision if Okposo is called up when he's needed in Bridgeport for their playoff chase. The idea from this point forward should be to make sure one team gets into the playoffs and in this case that's the Sound Tigers.

Kyle Okposo does not need an NHL cameo as much as the Islanders need him to experience a playoff series. It's also been a long and tough season for Okposo, he does not need any more changes and distractions. What he does need to do is continue to play in Bridgeport and after the Islanders season ends have Tambellini, Comeau go back to the AHL and help that group have a long playoff run.

Sound Tigers have a very tough April schedule that ends much later than the Isles schedule.

Not much to say about the outdoor game that I did not write the other day. If the team were marketed as New York they would not have to sell themselves like this now and should be the team regardless of who the opposition is.

NHL.com: Dan Rosen has a feature article on Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt and his work off the ice to help children.

Star Phoenix:Cory Wolfe has a full feature on Islander goaltender Billy Smith who will play in a legends game tonight on a bunch of subjects.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on Kip Brennan suspension ending which will make him available to play Saturday as well as all the roster changes for tonight's game. Jeremy Colliton is back with the Sound Tigers.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Bridgeport Sound Tigers

WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Simon vs Pronger double-standard

Tsn.ca: Reports Chris Pronger, a repeat offender who was suspended twice within the last year will not face any disciplinary action from the National Hockey League for stomping on Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler on Wednesday night.

For those who did not see the play:





NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's decisions like this that make me wonder what's going on in the league office and if it's about the popularity of a player that determines discipline because this is just a disgrace and a complete double-standard that even makes me wonder if Chris Simon was treated fairly?

At the time Chris Simon received his suspension for thirty games I thought it was not enough and felt he should be suspended for the season and the Islanders should not enable this conduct by allowing him to play or they are a part of the problem.

Now a player who was suspended twice in last year's playoffs and recently returned in January commits an act just as bad if not worse than Chris Simon and not only does he not draw a suspension along the same lines as Simon but is not disciplined at all for a stomp at a man's leg?

I don't blame Chris Simon, Garth Snow, Ted Nolan if they have some reaction here because if the idea is to set a standard for conduct it has to apply to everyone equally in situations like this or why have any rules?

Meanwhile Islander fans will cheer Pronger and boo Simon if he returns in another teams uniform next season.

This is just a disgraceful decision by the league but the norm with Colin Campbell and why there have been so many problems with him in this job for years now. He does not have it easy making decisions but after looking at both video's how does one play merit no action and the other thirty games, especially after Pronger was suspended twice in last year's playoffs?

Updated Friday pm:
Point Blank: Mr Botta has more on this in his blog with the league perhaps re-opening this after new footage shows it looked intentional which even Bob McKenzie now has reconsidered his early article here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The updated video with the better angle has replaced the first video for those who viewed this here already.

The first video even had the announcers comments that it looked deliberate. Now the league may reopen this and suspend Pronger after announcing no disciplinary action?

That sound is Chris Pronger, Brian Burke and his agent contacting the NHLPA and more well deserved criticism for the league.

Sorry Mr Botta but Isles created this problem

Point Blank: Chris Botta today in his blog discusses the Islanders involvement for two years in trying to be one of the teams selected to play at Yankee Stadium.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Botta, all due respect but the Islanders created this problem for themselves and if they are excluded from an outdoor game in New York Islander Country which includes the Bronx and the entire tri-state area they have no one but themselves to blame for it.

Do you really think the Ranger salesman and spin doctors in the local print media were going to push to put the Rangers competition on an equal New York stage for a big event? This is about the Ranger media and the garden trying to give their team badly needed exposure because hockey cannot compete with the major sports and of course that's why the New York Islanders want in.

Judging by the strong Islander turnout at Msg and in New Jersey this cannot be marketed to the public as only a Long Island team but that's the direction ownership has gone in to such an extreme it's coming back to hurt the club now in situations like this.

Dick Ebersol, is well connected to the Garden and even airs Knicks games on NBC to market the club on free television. He does not want the Islanders or Devils in any competition with the Rangers under any circumstances on his network nor do they care how low the Ranger ratings are on NBC nationally. They would not even change their schedule last spring to telecast Islanders-Devils on Easter Sunday which was a huge ratings game here so a meaningless Sabre-Flyer game aired which was the scheduled game. NBC would not even schedule Islanders-Rangers this April for a game at the end of the season.

NBC used to have a personal stake in the Garden according to Business Week in 1997 here and Mr Ebersol lobbies constantly for the Garden and any event to be played there.

NHL personnel like former Ranger Daily News writer Frank Brown or former Ranger employees Colin Campbell or Mike Murphy will not do a thing to help the Isles here if they have any say in it at all.

For years now the Long Island mantra has been placed on everything coming out of this organization from player comments to any team release and now fans inside the city limits and tri-state area are almost made to feel you are rooting for the wrong local team if you are a New York Islander fan. That's a major mistake that has hurt on a lot of levels including the box office in my estimation. There are days Newsday has cut out Islander coverage in the city limits edition of the paper and if you cannot read about your team you tend to stop watching after a while.

I understand the urgent need to make the local community feel it is a part of the team and connect with them as the club tries to bring in a new generation of fans after years of trying to get back it's older generation of fans but it's given the city media a reason to stop covering the club as a New York based franchise and it's hurt the Islanders ability to market themselves outside of Nassau and Suffolk County and now it may cost them the outdoor game.

Isles never struck a balance with that and putting some ads in one Manhattan electronics store last year is not enough.

New York City is not a major hockey market. Playoff ratings last year and indifference by the media does not lie and has not this year either. Buffalo doubled and tripled up hockey ratings in New York last spring so this is not a number one market for hockey. It's a market that preferred NASCAR to playoff hockey in New York by thirty eight percent last spring as Richard Sandomir in the Times confirmed last April here.

The idea that the Rangers are the host team in the Bronx makes no sense given how Cablevision kept YES off television for a full year and them did all they could to keep the Jets out of New York and all their past problems with the Mets and the city itself. To say nothing of the strong Islander fan support they receive inside the city market for games.

Michael Bloomberg I'm sure would have no problem with the station he owns the Islanders radio rights to being the host New York team given his relationship with the Garden since the West Side Stadium and how Sheldon Silver has a vested interested in Msg himself here and as an avid Ranger fan is given special treatment according to this NY Post article from Tom Topuousis in Dec 2006 here. Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoff is a former Islander minority owner as well.

Cablevision did a deal to make sure only one team they owned got two games televised on free television on channel 9, despite all those FSN-2 dates for the Isles this season. This teams fan base expanded in huge numbers with the games being played on channel 9 a long time ago.

Cablevision does not own the Islanders television rights today to help them expand the fanbase, it's always been to limit their exposure.

New York Islanders means New York, not just Long Island and the ownership needs to start to address all it's fans in tri-state area.

As for Mr Botta it's up to him and the New York Islanders to get the Yankees to make sure the Islanders are involved in this after being the team to initiate the idea.

New York vs Bridgeport

It's getting interesting as some tough decisions have to be made here that may compromise Bridgeport's playoff chances by taking too many of their roster players and take away prospects opportunities to participate in the AHL playoffs. It clearly was a distraction in last night's 6-3 loss with a roster put together in less than twenty four hours with several familiar names who have played for Bridgeport but at this time of year you need chemistry.

I do not consider Matt Spiller a prospect but the question has to be asked was Drew Fata left in the AHL because he had a look or because he can help Bridgeport more than Spiller?

No doubt Steve Regier and Tim Jackman off the Sound Tiger roster with Ben Walter up already is a big hit to that roster. Jeremy Colliton did not make it back to Bridgeport in time to play and did have the flu but this could be more of a paper transaction where the Isles are trying to make sure their prospects have a playoff series while being able to field an AHL team.

If the organization was going all in for the Isles would the move to be recall Trevor Smith and Sean Bentivoglio?

I'm wondering at this point if the plan is to provide Bridgeport enough to make the playoffs or the Isles to survive the season with some level of being competitive?

Seems the urgency here should now be to get the Islanders prospects a playoff series to participate in Bridgeport.

Personally I see no circumstances Kyle Okposo makes his Islander debut over the final nine games if the goal is to give him playoff games to participate in.

Hopefully an eventual return of Frans Nielsen and Bruno Gervais helps both teams strike a balance.

An even better question then Kyle Okposo making his NHL debut for me is would it make sense if Jesse Joensuu is not eligible to play for the Calder Cup and reportedly is going there only to practice why not give him a few NHL games now if he is healthy and in condition so Bridgeport can take back a player who can help them qualify for a playoff spot?

Islanders website: Has an update on Jesse Joensuu with Chief European Scout Vellu-Pekka Kautonen comments today.

Islander News Articles 3/13:

Newsday: Greg Logan's pre quote game summary on the Islanders loss to the Florida Panthers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Logan wrote Jeff Tambellini saw his first his first chance to play on the top line this season as he described his play to get the puck to Richard Park who fed Guerin for his goal. Tambellini did play a game as a first line left wing with Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin as a first line left wing earlier this season.

Tambellini was sent down days later after the line struggled badly in that game and one shift where they could not get the puck out. I'm not sure Tambellini-Park-Guerin was the first line in this game either with Comrie on a line with Comeau.

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article is on the injuries with Ted Nolan getting to learn the new players and his praise for Bill Guerin and Rick DiPietro in a losing effort.

Miami Herald Palm Beach Post & Sun Sentinel : Has the Panthers coverage on their fifth straight win.

Star Phoenix: Reports A trio of players from the New York Islanders dynasties of the early 1980's will be taking part in the of the Oldtimers' Hockey Challenge Friday in Saskatoon with forwards Bobby Bourne and Brian Trottier as well as goaltender Billy Smith and a host of other members of the Legendary Hockey Heroes will be lacing up the skates against the Saskatoon Police Blues.

NHL.com: Dan Rosen has a full feature on Mike Comrie.

Ottawa Citizen:Hugh Adami reports in a full feature former Islander Alexei Yashin wants to return to the NHL next season in a long interview with his agent Marc Gandler.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's loss and the callups with Jack Capuano's comments.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly on Jason Pitton's surgery and the upcoming games among several items with Jack Capuano's comments.

Press & Sun Bulletin: Michael Sharp has full coverage of Binghampton's win in Bridgeport.

Florida 4, New York 2

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart has the recap of tonight's 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers with Ted Nolan's comments, who praised his teams effort starting with Bill Guerin.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Isles played a team mostly even game against a club on a four game winning streak until the third period where Florida took over a little bit. Hard to put Skrastins goal on DiPietro because he was screened by Spiller and he played very well all night and kept the team in the game with some very good saves in close. He made one good save on Weiss before he popped in the rebound.

Comeau looks like a very good player on left wing where he showed it all night in this game beyond his powerplay goal which was just a great shot. Great first period rush and shot, he did everything but finish with the goalie pulled and Richard Park made a good play after getting kicked out of the faceoff circle. Comrie needed to finish that setup Comeau set him up for.

Strong play on the boards from Tambellini, some good shifts from Hunter and Bergenheim. Park made a nice play to Guerin for his goal. Regier was not very visible in this one but did a few good things along the boards. Jackman made a very nice play where he just got position and charged the Panther net but Vokoun made it look easy on the backhand.

Isles defense had problems with David Booth and a few Panthers speed. Meyer lost the puck on a odd man rush for a goal against. Spiller had problems in the third.

Nothing else to write. Isles did what they could here in tough circumstances, it was not enough to get a point but it easily could have been.

AHL.com: Reports a makeshift Bridgeport roster lost 6-3 at Harbor Yard to the Binghampton Senators Wednesday. Trevor Smith had two goals, Kyle Okposo an assist on a third period shorthanded goal, Mike Morrison faced forty shots.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogged on the Bridgport Grizzlies and the lines as to all the callups on the AHL roster from the ECHL.

Islander Notables: More callups

Newsday: Greg Logan blogged this afternoon and reports Rick DiPietro will start against Florida.

He also writes Rick DiPietro needs to be reminded that he earned his All-Star selection by playing with greater self-discipline and control over the first half of the season and that as much as DiPietro can help his defense with his puck handling ability, he also can hurt when he starts running around too much and when opponents recognize it, they turn up the pressure around the net to force the chaos that often ensues. The frustration over the injuries are also mounting as Brendan Witt talks about shutting it down for the season.

DiPietro is only quoted on not starting the Ranger game, Bill Guerin comments on his goaltender handing the puck and feels restricting him could hurt his play and that his goaltender only does what he can to help make the club better.

Islanders will announce callups around 5pm which Mr Logan says will be updated in his blog.

AHL.com: Notes changes to the Bridgeport website and has Jeremy Colliton back on the Bridgeport roster with Matt Spiller, Tim Jackman and Steve Regier off the roster so expect them to be the players recalled.

Ted Nolan confirmed in pregame interview (sidebar) Hilbert and Fedotenko are out, Vasicek felt better today at practice and Witt is a game time decision. Gervais will not return until he is a hundred percentage after sustaining a concussion.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's disappointing a thirty year writer in Greg Logan is not following the games he actually covers very well to suggest DiPietro has not been the same goaltender in the second half and makes his discipline and composure an issue.

By the goals against the goaltender has not been the problem for this team and it seems Mr Logan will not let go of him not starting the Ranger game like the Newsday staff makes post Ranger hangover a major issue as it's asked to the players constantly to get response to create an issue.

Very poor work here by Mr Logan and makes me question does he watch Islander games when he's not on the beat or just rallying the masses against Rick DiPietro?

You would never know this club won six games in a row last month or this goaltender held in the lowest scoring club in the NHL this season that went fourteen games with two goals or less. Even after Saturday's game where his play did hurt them he wrote DiPietro looked solid in stopping repeated breakaways and odd-man rushes.

I just reviewed Rick DiPietro's second half, game by game, how come Greg Logan seems to write about four goals against in four of five games like he wants to make an issue here of the goaltenders discipline?

Of course Newsday would not even pay a writer to go cover the Islander goaltender named to and starting the All-Star game.

To blame DiPietro is completely unfair

It's kind of funny looking at the various internet sites and so many folks who only see stats and numbers and put a ton of blame on Rick DiPietro for poor goaltending and do not even bother looking at the games unless it's to complain for reasons that are frankly ridiclous.

Hard to blame the fans when all they see are lazy writers who only go to the numbers themselves and print stories based on them begging the question what games do they watch?

I thought I would go back to the all-star break and see where Rick DiPietro has been killing this team with his play and break down the goals because it's easy to do with Isles TV.

All some folks see is the goals against and the save percentage and assume he must be hurt or struggling. I'm not buying it because I watch each game and outside of one or two games I have not seen his play as the reason for the club losing in my game reports.

For me it's kind of like a player minus ten but has had one turnover so everyone claims his defense is killing the team.
I highlights all the goals I felt were poor goals where his play hurt the team.

Where else should I start but right after the all-star game against Ottawa:
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1/27/2008-Senators 5, Islanders 2:

Metzaros point shot off a big screen in front where it looked redirected.
Phillips shot coming in from inside faceoff circle.

Dean McAmmond left alone in front of DiPietro for several seconds point blank with defense watching.

Bergeron turnover Neil passes to wide open Fisher for open side goal.

Empty net goal off Guerin turnover.

Overall-I did not see any goals as a result of poor goaltending but horrible defense where the goalie was left out to try. Bergeron was horrible on two goals.
*********************************************************************
2/2/2008-Montreal 4, New York 1:
DiPietro holds Islanders in entire first period with great play to keep the game scoreless. Red Fisher wrote after this game and praised DiPietro for holding his club in as long as he did.

Plekanec scores shorthanded to open second period from bad angle that I would say is not a good goal for a goaltender to allow but a brutal turnover to start the play.

Streit comes in off the point for an empty net goal on a great setup, no chance for goalie. Sutton and Gervais talking afterward after allowing play.

Kovalev shot off rush on a screen not a good goal to allow but not a poor goal.

Dandenault scores after several great saves by DiPietro where defense again was awful and Montreal just dominated.

Overall-Without DiPietro Isles would have lost this game about 8-1.
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2/5/2008-Anaheim 3, New York 0
Niedermayer powerplay goal from faceoff circle, not a great goal to allow.
Todd Marchant backhand screen from angle off post, not a good goal to allow.Weight scores on a setup where DiPietro had little chance coming in.

Overall-Isles did not score a single goal, if folks want to write it should have been a 1-0 loss that's fine but tough to put this all on the goalie when you are shutout seems wrong.
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2/7/2008-Pittsburgh 4, New York 3
Ryan Whitney backdoor pp goal, no chance for DiPietro.
Malone deflects in point shot off faceoff, tough to put that on goalie.
Whitney pp goal backhand from dead center fifteen feet out.
Chris LeTang shot hits Witt and redirects to far post for game winner.

Overall-DiPietro played well, the defense reversed the puck around the net which led to LeTang getting the puck.
**************************************************************
2/9/2008-Minnesota 4, New York 3, ot
Foster point shot for goal, bad goal.

Rolston scores off James Shepperd play where he carried the puck and shot through a big screen. DiPietro played very well as Isles were scrambling in their end.
Rolston ties game off rebound off a two on one post shot.
Burns scores off two on one overtime rush where a forward got turned around.

Overall-One poor goal and without several great saves Isles do not get a point.
***************************************************************
2/12/2008-New York 4, Philadelphia 3
Briere scores off a big scramble on powerplay, DiPietro down made several saves.
Hartnell scores off play he's fed for a clear path to net.
Lupul shot from point deflected in off defense to make game 4-3 with minute left.

Overall-Hard to put any of these goals on the goaltender.
****************************************************************
2/14/2008-New York 5, Toronto 4
Stajan pass redirects off Tucker for a goal.
Sundin goal all alone off pp shot rebound behind goalie.
Stajan powerplay goal from close in.
Ponikarovsky scores off scramble in final seconds with goalie pulled.

Overall-DiPietro won the game with his goaltending in the five on three in the third period. Hard to blame him for a redirection goal but three goals were high quality chances.
*****************************************************************
2/16/2008-New York 4, Atlanta 1
Todd White goal in final minute off point blank rebound. Only ten shots faced.

Overall-DiPietro was horrible here, send him to the AHL.
*****************************************************************
2/18/2008-New York 3, San Jose 2
Goc allowed to come out from behind net and hit far side on DiPietro.
Joe Thornton scores from slot off a scramble.

Overall-DiPietro robbed Cheechoo late in the second, no fault on any goals in this game.
******************************************************************
2/20/2008-New York 3, Washington 2, ot
Semin breakaway with the defense falling asleep. DiPietro already robbed Kozlov all alone in front before that.

Laich powerplay redirection off a Mike Green point shot.

Overall-DiPietro was only fantastic to get the game to overtime before the Isles won it.
*******************************************************************
2/21/2008-New York 1, Tampa Bay 0
Overall-I guess there is nothing to complain about here.
*******************************************************************
It should be noted at this point the Islanders are playing every other day and still they have won five in a row with a lot of injuries piling up.
*******************************************************************
2/23/2008-New Jersey 4, New York 2
Meyer pp turnover, Elias point shot through big screen hits far side.
Satan giveaway on point leads to Madden scoring a two on one shorthanded goal.
Johnson losses puck, Parise flies past him and scores on breakaway.
Point shot rebound goal by Gionta.

Overall-DiPietro was outstanding in this game and held the club in for two periods, Islanders did very little in third.
********************************************************************
2/26/2008-Pittsburgh 4, New York 2
Malkin scores after a few saves by DiPietro with a great shot from fifteen feet out.

Taffe finally scores pp goal after several great saves by DiPietro where he could not hold rebound. He robbed Malkin on the delayed penalty.

Staal goal on delayed penalty after DiPietro robbed Malkin in alone again.
James all alone on a powerplay break in pass where DiPietro had little chance.

Overall-Islanders took over fifty shots and Pittsburgh had most of the quality chances. Without DiPietro robbing Malkin several times it could have been 8-2.
********************************************************************
2/28/2008-New York 5, Atlanta 4
The day DiPietro plays after he suffers loss in his family.

Perrin shorthanded taken down, scores on penalty shot.
Ken Klee scores coming in from point on odd-man rush, given the shooter not a good goal but a very good shot. Kind of like Sutton's lone goal against New Jersey.

Zhitnik scores from circle after coming in from point off a centering pass behind net where DiPietro did not have far post. Great shot but hard to put that on the goalie.

Holik scores dead center on screened wrist shot about twenty feet out to tie game. I think that's one DiPietro should have stopped.

Overall-Under the circumstances he played pretty well and at best two goals you could put on him.
*************************************************************
3/1/2008: Philadelphia 4, New York 1
Witt knocks stick out of DiPietro's hand, Carter scores from point blank, impossible to put a goal like that on a goaltender.

DiPietro turnover led to Gervais penalty in defense zone and a Flyer pp goal where Coburn took a shot from an angle on a set play DiPietro had no chance on.

Knuble's shorthanded goal off Satan pp turnover at point where DiPietro robbed Carter in alone and the rebound found Knuble.

Empty net.

Overall-Did not see a single goal here that can be placed on the goaltender but his turnover led to a penalty by Gervais that led to a powerplay goal. Satan on the point sure did not help things.
*******************************************************
3/8/2008: Philadelphia 4, New York 1

Briere five on three shorthanded goal in an open net after hitting Park and deflecting. DiPietro penalty hurt the club and set up the goal.

DiPietro turnover behind the goal shorthanded, Carter goal. That's the goaltenders mistake and bad goal.

Hartnell scores off a Coburn tip in shot from point on powerplay after some saves by DiPietro.

Hartnell another power play redirection for goal in front.

Overall-DiPietro's decisions cost his team two goals, Isles defense gave up several powerplays and scored once. You can put it on the goalie if you want but take away the two goals and it's still a 2-1 loss.
*************************************************************
Last night:
DiPietro turnover led to opening goal by Ouellet, poor play by goalie.
LeCavalier five on three shot from angle was a questionable goal.

DiPietro came out and overplayed a Bolt forward after Martinek fell down, Halpern scored in open net on centering pass. DiPietro clearing puck to center was a turnover that set up rush so that goes on the goalie.

Tarnasky beats Comeau to a rebound where he has no business as a center from point blank.

Davison overpowered by LeCavalier as he came out of corner and stuffed puck in.

Keystone kops on the last three goals where DiPietro's defense was worse than he was all night, he had little chance on any of the three.

Overall-You can put the loss on DiPietro but he sure had a lot of help between the flu, injuries and poor play in front of him. He only saw about forty four shots so he must have made a few good saves too.
********************************************************
Someone care to explain after breaking this down how Rick DiPietro has been horrible since the all-star break.

I guess it's easier than actually watching the games and goals scored when you can go to the stats which in this case do not tell the story at all.

Greg Logan's gone to the numbers as well and not doing a very good job if that's the basis for his coverage of the goaltender.

3/12: New York at Florida 7:30pm Msg +

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Florida Panthers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If there have been any other callups, no word at this time out of the Ct Post, Newsday or the Islanders.

Not much to write about this game, Isles are a very fragile team that's struggling and Florida no doubt remembers the fifty three shot game and no goals recently. Panthers cannot generate any momentum or make a much of a run of their own so in seems both clubs are going nowhere, Florida has had the Isles number and goes for a sweep of the series tonight.

Going to be very tough days around this team as no doubt there will be a lot of frustration and should be because the team as it was built for this year in the end has now failed. Personally Satan looks lost as a left wing as the coach tried to create as close as he could come to a first line, he needs to be back on right wing.

The injuries may create a situation where all the left wing prospects here (Bergenheim, Comeau, Tambellini) can all play left wing. Comeau has not been the same player on the right side and should not be playing center.

If Witt and Satan are playing hurt maybe it's time to look out for both players future and shut them down.

We'll see what happens tonight or if the Isles go back to Dubielewicz who played well against Florida, no doubt some callups will be made.

Miami Herald: George Richards reports Tomas Vokoun will start for the Panthers. Jozef Stumpel (shoulder), Noah Welch (shoulder) and Mike Van Ryn (wrist) will not be in the lineup for Florida and Richard Zednik is out for the season.

Will the second year trend cost Ted Nolan his job?

Back on August 2nd I did a blog on the trends of second year Islander coach and the eventual fate they suffer during or at the end of that second season here with all of them being fired.

At time time I felt Ted Nolan should stay regardless of on ice results with the limitations of this roster if it fails or takes a step backwards.

Regardless of record I still feel the same way and hope Mr Wang and Garth Snow break a trend that has held over Mr Wang's tenure of owner and that Ted Nolan returns for next season.

I think this coach is part of the long-term answer and took this group as far as he could this season. Clearly the injuries took a major toll on the group as did the lack of scoring or a first line powerplay qb from day one. No doubt this is a well respected coach given so many players comments this season and the re signings of Mike Comrie and Trent Hunter.

Sometimes you have to take a a step backwards to take a bigger step forward and as long as they keep working in the young players and give them opportunities they will find a bunch of players won can take this team to the next level. Given the progress of Blake Comeau, Jeff Tambellini, Jeremy Colliton, Frans Nielsen and Sean Bergenheim the plan to inject youth into the NHL lineup is going to continue as Kyle Okposo works toward a spot in the NHL.

Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli are products of the Islanders farm system also.

Hopefully the fans understand this, show some patience and forget the past because this gm and coach can only answer for their tenure, not the prior one.

Islander News Articles 3/12

Newsday: Greg Logan has Ted Nolan's comments about the game where he was not happy with his goaltender over handling the puck and DiPietro's response after the club allowed the three fastest goals in franchise history.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Of course this is now going to blown into something much bigger than it should be, especially when the headline reads Nolan at odds with DiPietro after blowout loss.

After the last time something like this was done Mr Logan had to claim an error was made by the person writing the headlines. A bit much that Ted Nolan is at odds with his goaltender in a game the entire club played poorly outside of a few players and is clearly shorthanded with the injuries and the flu.

A coach or player frustrated after a tough loss does not mean anyone is at odds with anyone.

Mr Logan wrote two articles, did he go to anyone else for quotes or did they not make the print edition of the paper?

Postgame press conference and player comments are on the sidebar for anyone interested in the full version.

In fairness this team gave up eight goals and the goalie was responsible for about two with his stick handling and the five on three goal which may have been deflected but was from an angle you expect your goalie to make a save on. The three goals at the end can hardly be placed on the goalie nor can the one off Comeau or the one where Lecavalier blasts through the defense and Davison could not stop the jam play at the goal.

Newsday: Greg Logan's second article is on Vasicek getting the flu and the scramble to get Ben Walter to the game in time and the injury to Andy Hilbert leaving the Isles short a forward. Bruno Gervais skated and if symptom free could return against Florida with Ted Nolan's comments who also talked about Sean Bergenheim's penalties against Philadelphia but praised his hard work.

Tampa Tribune & St Pete Times Forum: Recaps Tampa Bays win against the Isles.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage for Bridgeport's Wednesday game against Binghampton at Harbor Yard with comments from Jack Capuano and Drew Fata on how the club must perform with some very tough games ahead.

Bridgeport is expected to bring centerman Jean Desrochers up from Johnstown (ECHL) on his second pro tryout of the season. Defenseman Mark Wotton may be a game-time decision. He has missed three games with a groin pull but practiced this week.

Binghamton Senators at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com
RECORDS — Binghamton 28-27-6-4; Bridgeport 33-27-1-2


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog should have very early word on possible call ups for New York and Bridgeport to fill out both rosters.

Tampa Bay 8, New York 4

Islanders website: Has the recap of Tuesday's to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders looked like they mailed this one in top to bottom against a goaltender in Kari Ramo who looked like a bad goal waiting to happen and a Tampa team going nowhere that from the middle of the second period outworked the Isles in every area of the ice and just pinned them in their own end aside from a few odd shifts.

Guerin had a nice shot for his goal but it seemed Ramo just did not play it well. Hunter's pass to Fedotenko was a very good play that the goalie finished off himself by kicking it in with his pad. Richard Park hit a post early but he's not a scorer and is not going to carry this team in that role. Walter's tip goal was his first goal of the season.

Fair to write as usual Sean Bergenheim seems to be the most visible Islander and there is no excuse for the veterans after a few days off against a team fifteenth in the east.

Worst of all Rick DiPietro's play is costing his club goals against with poor stick handling and positioning. Islanders for two periods could only draw one powerplay while once again they allow a five on three which yields to a goal that you expect DiPietro to stop from that area of the ice.

No desperation at all from Isles. Tampa threw the bigger hits and owned the walls most of the game and the Isles had trouble with their speed. Blake Comeau has no business as a center and being moved around like this is not helping him and cost them a goal.

Walter looked lost on a third period turnover that led to a Bergenheim penalty. Park clipped for a double minor and then after Fedotenko goes off with a knee on knee injury that looked terrible Lecavalier powers through Davison out of the corner for the 5-2 goal at four on four.

Hunter-Guerin awful powerplay turnovers. Witt icing. Another dump in Tampa forwards have plenty of time to turn and make an easy clear.

Hunter draws a penalty, the kid line scores on the powerplay with Comeau taking a shot from the outside that looked like Ben Walter tipped it in for his first goal.

Jeremy Colliton not playing much tonight for having the flu. Ben Walter arrived around the warm up.

Richard Park turnover, LeCavalier hat-trick on the two on one, Satan turnover goal, Davison turnover goal off Meyer for another goal. Nick Tarnasky buries Davison in a fight. Garbage time goal for Comrie against Ramo.

Islanders were outworked by the worst team in the East and deserved to lose and outclassed top to bottom in a must game. There is no excuse that can be made for it or the problems scoring and playing defense. If the defense and goal tending are not playing well they have no chance against any team. Tampa is a team that cannot defend a lead in the third period and just ran over the Islanders when the game got to 5-3.

Kind of effort that gets a general manager and coach fired, despite the injuries.

Now they have to find replacements for maybe Colliton, Hilbert, and Fedotenko who has a knee sprain

Ted Nolan's postgame was very interesting where he showed frustration at his goaltender and coaching so many Bridgeport callups and said Brendan Witt should not even be playing. Fact is his prospects are outplaying his veterans in too many games but this kind of losing is new for him at this level and clearly he has to be frustrated himself.

Projecting out the standings Pt V

Been a while since this feature was updated back on 2/29 where the Isles were a point behind my projected pace of ninety three points by going 5-1-1 here.

That loud crash was the Islanders falling well off the projected pace in the recent games.

Projections vs game results.................93 points projected.
Jan 29, Senators-Loss 54 points 24-21-6.....Isles lost
Jan 31, Kings-Win 56 points 25-21-6.........Isles lost two points below pace set.
Feb 2, at Canadians-Loss 56 points 25-22-6..Isles lost
Feb 5, Ducks-Loss 56 points 25-23-6.........Isles lost
Feb 7, at Penguins otl 57 points 25-23-7....Isles lost three points below pace.
Feb 9, at Wild W 59 points 26-23-7..........Isles lost ot four point below pace set.
Feb 12 Flyers L 59 points 26-24-7...........Isles won two points below pace set.
Feb 14, at Maple Leafs L 59 points 26-25-7..Isles won even with pace set.
*******************************************************************
Feb 16, Thrashers W 61 points 27-25-7.......Isles won even with pace set.
Feb 18, Sharks W 63 points 28-25-7..........Isles won even with pace set.
Feb 20, at Capitals ot L 64 points 28-25-8..Isles won ahead of pace set by one pt.
Feb 21, Lightning W 66 points 29-25-8.......Isles won ahead of pace set by one pt.
Feb 23, at Devils L 66 points 29-26-8.......Isles lost ahead of pace set by one pt.
Feb 26, Penguins W 68 points 30-26-8........Isles lost behind pace set by one pt.
Feb 28, at Thrashers W 70 points 31-26-8....Isles win behind pace set by one pt..
************************************************************************
Mar 1 Flyers ot-L 71 points 31-26-9........Isles lost behind pace set by two pts.
Mar 2, Panthers W 73 points 32-26-9........Isles lost behind pace set by four pts.
Mar 4, at Rangers W 75 points 33-26-9......Isles won behind pace set by four pts.
Mar 6, Rangers ot-L 76 points 33-26-10.....Isles lost behind pace set by five pts.
Mar 8, at Flyers L 76 points 33-27-10......Isles lost behind pace set by five pts.
************************************************************************
five points off a projected pace of ninety three points now brings the total to eight eight points which will not be a playoff spot.
************************************************************************
Projected results going back to all-star break for remaining games:
Mar 11 at Lightning W 78 points 34-27-10
Mar 12, at Panthers otl 79 points 34-27-11
Mar 15, at Canadiens L 79 points 34-28-11
Mar 18, Leafs W 81 points 35-28-11
Mar 21, at Devils L 81 points 35-29-11
Mar 23, at Flyers W 83 points 36-29-11
Mar 24, Penguins W 85 points 37-29-11
Mar 27, at Penguins otl 86 points 37-29-12
Mar 29, 2 Flyers W 87 points 38-29-12
Apr 1, Devils W 89 points 39-29-12
Apr 3, Rangers otl 90 points 39-29-13
Apr 4, at Rangers W 92 points 40-29-13

I cannot see any less than ninety two points for the eighth seed and it may take more than that.

Islanders need to go 12-0 to finish with ninety five points. In other words lose one game and the best they can do is ninety three points.

If I had to give an honest guess now I see an eighty-eighty three point team.

3/11: New York at Tampa 7:30pm Msg plus

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
On the ice everyone knows the score with the Islanders and the playoffs. If they have any outside hope of having any chance to get back in the playoff race they have to be able to work through a teams defense and goaltending and finish some quality chances starting tonight against a Tampa team playing competitive hockey and have a lot of new faces since the Brad Richards trade.

At this point it will be interesting to see if the Islanders play as if they are resigned to not making the playoffs which would go against the mantra of the character of this group.

Usually when this is pushed this far back against the wall the push back. I'm not sure they have that much more fight left in them.

No word on a possible Bruno Gervais return tonight.

The Msg-plus era begins in the latest scheme by Msg to put even more Garden control on all Islander content. I highly doubt we see any additional Islander or Devil programming because the idea behind owning the television rights has always been to control and limit the Garden's competition.

Updated 6:30pm:
Newsday: Greg Logan reports in Newsday's Islander blog Josef Vasicek may not play with the flu and Ben Walter has been recalled from Bridgeport. Ted Nolan comments on the move along with an update on Bruno Gervais. Rick DiPietro talks about the challenge in front of the club to get back into playoff contention.

Islander News Articles 3/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan has more on Brendan Witt being nominated for the Masterson with Ted Nolan's comments as to how valuable he has been to the team.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has more on Jesse Jonesuu joining the Sound Tigers perhaps as early as later this week with Jack Capuauo and Howard Saffin's comments.

Daily News: John Dellapina is continuing to work the Rangers are the host angle for a possible Yankee Stadium outdoor game like he's on the Garden payroll.

Tampa Tribune: Carter Gaddis reports the team wants Andre Roy to take some games off after a recent incident against the Flyers.

Islander notables

Daily News: John Dellapina reports on the possibility of a hockey game closing Yankee Stadium and seems to feel the league and NBC will cut the Islanders out of it. Chris Botta's comments are included as to how many times the Islanders have been involved in negotiations.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Dellapina sure is working overtime to get his favorite team some badly needed publicity and cut out any chance of New York-New York and both local teams sharing the stage for this event. Last I checked New York Islanders also means New York.

You can bet Dick Ebersol and Sam Flood want to keep the Isles out for the same reasons they keep them off NBC for games and Mr Ebersol's past involvement with Madision Square Garden to where Knick games also are appearing on NBC. What they have not figured out is no game will generate big ratings anywhere involving any team. Rangers and Islanders combined have problems posting legitimate sellouts so why would the corproations and their fans go out in the cold on January 1st?

Personally the Islanders have been lobbing for this harder and longer and should be the team playing in Yankee or Shea Stadium.

A Montreal-Islander match up involving the three sports dynasties would be a fantastic sell for hockey in New York City.

Times like this the Islanders should regret selling the Long Island angle to every media statement coming from the team.

Newsday: Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay also has basically the same article where the league has no comment and no set plans.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's Chris Botta once again vs the Ranger fan/beat reporters because the Islanders do not have anyone in the media who will lobby for them here and if there is nothing to stir things it will be made up for public consumption as an implied problem between the general manager and coach. Mr Botta basically had to take on the Ranger media alone regarding Rick DiPietro sitting out Thursay to where he had to do a blog update a few days ago here.

Islander blogs at Newsday since March 7th?
Rangers 7, Islanders 0

Newsday: Greg Logan finally blogs and reports the Islanders have nominated Brendan Witt for the Masterson Award with his comments about how he has been playing hurt after running into Bill Guerin and the state of his teams chances for the playoffs.

Islanders sign Prospect Jesse Jonesuu

Islanders website: Reports the club has signed prospect Jesse Joensuu to a 3-year entry level deal that will begin in 2008-09 season with comments from Ryan Jankowski, the Islanders assistant general manager and Director of Amateur Scouting.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This confirms the report in the News articles on 2/13 here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog Jonesuu will go to Bridgeport for some practices but is likely not to participate in games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Jonesuu was not on Sound Tigers clear day roster for those wondering.