Poll: What should Isles do with prospects?

Final results are in on the latest poll and as usual the very knowledgeable readers here responded well as they saw the scoring, injuries and not being good enough as the biggest reasons while not blaming the coach or gm with the schedule being a small factor for some.

Why did the Islanders fail to make the playoffs?

Simply not good enough 23
Early schedule a factor 4
Not enough scoring depth 27
Poor decisions by coach 3
Poor decisions by gm 4
Over three hundred man games lost to injury 24
Isles worked in kids so they have quietly progressed 4
Second half schedule too much 2
Other 1
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I do not release polls here unless I think there is a quality subject matter and I think I have a good one for this week.

What should management do with the prospects the rest of the season? Again I will permit multiple choices.

Islander News Articles 3/22

Newsday: Greg Logan has Wade Dubielewicz and Kyle Okposo comments on the Islanders win and the young prospect's first NHL goal and points and New York moving to 6-1 against the Devils this season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not a printed word from the coach on the teams first win in a long time but a few generic words on a possible outdoor Islander game after Newsday pulled an article off it's website? Seems like Ted Nolan got cut out of coverage so Newsday could correct a mistake.

Here is the report from Newsday which is now a broken link here.

NEWSDAY.COM
7:19 PM EDT, March 21, 2008
Citing "as good a source as I can tell you," MSG Network's Al Trautwig reported on MSG's "Hockey Night Live" Friday that the Rangers and Islanders will indeed play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 1.

Here is what was said on Msg because I taped the game:
"And now the thought that there might be a game on January first in Yankee Stadium seems like it will be a reality. On about as good a source as I can tell you, I have learned that the Rangers will play the Islanders at Yankee Stadium, the last event in that that building, January first." Stan Fischler replied "Good scoop."

Daily News: John Dellapina in a blog confirms Newsday did write such a report and makes sure he gets in his favorite point NBC Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood do not want the Islanders or Devils involved.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders are a New York franchise, they have as much right to be the host team in the New York market at Yankee Stadium as the Rangers and as usual it looks like Al Trautwig put his foot in his mouth or at the very least spoke early. We saw these denials from the league sources last summer.

Bottom line I'm tired of reading NBC Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood trying to hold down the Islanders or Devils because the Garden and NBC have a business relationship.

Ranger ratings on NBC are terrible with Islander, Devil and Ranger fans watching games to help bump those ratings. They were pathetic during last year's playoffs and will be again if they qualify and so will all other twenty nine teams. No doubt John Dellapina does not want the Rangers competition on such an equal stage because it would not help showcase his team. You really think Leon Carver wants to increase Islander coverage or have blogs for our team in his paper with the Islanders playing such a game?

For these folks it's about raising hockey's profile and they do not want that profile to include the Rangers competiton. For me I would love to see the Islanders do something with the Yankees and bring the Canadians in and make it a weekend of sports dynasties with the Isles, Canadians and Yankees while the Ranger fans watch and bump our ratings.

I will be surprised if the Yankees even permit the historic stadium to close with a non-hockey event at a time of major construction because it does nothing to help baseball's business in New York. This will come down to how much money Charles Wang, Cablevision, the league throw at the Yankees. NBC does not pay the league to show hockey but would they pay to control the teams that play?

I wonder who gets hit with a home game off the schedule?

Newsday: Reports the Tribune company discussed selling Newsday and that Cablevision, the NY Post/Ruppert Murdoch and the Daily News Mort Zuckerman could purchase the paper.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So now the three entities that restrict or outright keep the Islanders out of the media want to own the only paper that covers the team? We may be down to only bloggers by the time this is over with if any of these three acquire Newsday.

Daily News: Peter Botte in the one article and six paragraphs fits all coverage department has Kyle Okposo's comments on his goal and Martin Brodeur on how the Islanders were to a certain extent
waiting to get beaten with a few words from Brent Sutter.

NY Post: Mark Everson's Devil centric coverage did not include one word from a New York Islander player on the win or Kyle Okposo's first NHL goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Why did the Times bother going to Bridgeport to cover Kyle Okposo's debut if they are not going to send a writer to his NHL debut or a game in New Jersey? Seems kind of pointless unless they follow up and the time to do that is the night of those games, not a week later.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere reports on the Devils loss
and a second article on the three fights the Islanders lost with Aaron Asham's comments on his ko of Matt Spiller here.

Bergen Record : Also has Devils coverage.

Montreal Gazette : Red Fisher weighs in on Rick DiPietro's injury with some quotes from Newsday coverage and wonders if the fifteen year contract was a good idea?

National Post: Reports former Islander Tim Connolly will also undergo HIP surgery and that his season is over after playing only forty eight games.

Barrie Examiner : Ian Shantz reports Islander prospect captain Tomas Marcinko scored the game winning goal third period goal in a 3-1 upset for the Barrie Colts against the Brampton Battalion in Game 1 of their best-of-seven quarter-final series.

Brampton News : Has more on the game including Marcinko's empty net goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I feel like I'm back covering Islander prospects Cory Stillman and Brad Topping reading about a Barrie-Brampton match up.

Sound Tigers website: Reports on Bridgeport's 5-4 overtime win on Matt Keith's goal Friday at Worcester in a game that was as strange as it gets with the Sound Tigers scoring four third period goals, an empty net goal to make it 4-2 and then allowing two goals in the final twenty seconds to send the game to overtime.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport is off until Wednesday but from there it's four in five days (Wed-Sunday) three straight weeks to close the season. Returning Islander prospects after the season ends would have six games but the first two do not seem feasible considering the New York and Bridgeport schedules unless they play a combined five days in a row.

Ct Post : Michael Fornabaio recaps the strange win with comments from Matt Keith, Colton Fretter, who had another two goals and Jack Capuano's comments on how the club needed to start moving and they would score a few goals.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio felt the Sound Tigers did have the early effort but felt a lack or urgency or something was missing and then they exploded with four goals. He had no words for two goals in the final twenty seconds allowed after scoring in the empty net for a two goal lead.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette : Bud Barth has the recap of this game that was a stunner on both sides.

New York 3, New Jersey 1

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart has the recap of the Islanders 3-1 win against the Devils in Newark with Ted Nolan/Kyle Okposo's comments on the win, his first NHL goal/assist and how well Wade Dubielewicz played in a game the Islanders took only sixteen shots.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Thrilled with the young players and a great play to set up Kyle Okposo for his first NHL goal and assist and with some individual efforts from Comeau, Bergenheim, Colliton, Martinek and outstanding play from Dubie.

Not happy at all with the overall veteran response (aside from Guerin and Vasicek fighting) and how the Devils dominated play as the Isles took a lot of penalties and again almost gave up a late shorthanded goal with Meyer and Berard too far apart to try a cross ice pass that Meyer could not handle. Isles got a break on the no goal call with the net coming off and the Devils took some angle shots but for the most part after a hard workout and how upset the coach was coming out with only sixteen shots is not good. Comrie found Tambellini in the third on the backhand for one rush at the Devils net but a lot more is needed from both of them.

Heck of a setup for Okposo's first goal from Richard Park and a look on Martin Brodeur as if he was shocked at someone on this roster with a shot like that or the Devils leaving him unguarded in the high slot.

That's a good night for the kids and a little something to keep Ted Nolan and the veterans going for the next two weeks. Hate to write it but it's absolutely true that the kids are outworking the veterans in these games and it's not a good example to set.

For me Dubielewicz is doing exactly what I expect him to do. Since I have followed him in Denver he does not lose many games with poor play and thrives on games like this with a lot of shots and work. I have no doubt we will see more of the same from him as he gets even more aclumated to playing on a regular basis again.

Yashin & Blake's loss hurt Isles

This may be a great group of people here now and the foundation for something moving forward but nice guys finish last as the current Islander team had some fun with Jason Blake as Mark Zwolinski tells us in the Star erecting a mock plaque for him on the Islanders new wall of fame here and Tim Wharnsby in the Globe & Mail here with a sign that said he is a former forty goal scorer that gave him a good laugh.











Both Alexei Yashin and Jason Blake could have failed here this season as they did in 2005-06, that has to be written going into this.

Blake could simply have lost his ability to finish and that might have happened here while Yashin may just be a player who only plays hard for a select amount of games and with age cannot do what he used to do in his twenties without other world class players to help him.

I also cannot debate the merits of not paying Blake that kind of money in that long a contract or walking away from Alexei Yashin which seemed more about not being a quick enough healer for Ted Nolan or much of a talker to the media which won him no popularity contest with the media or public.

Having written that Islanders missed Yashin's world class shot/offensive ability, his strength on the puck in the offensive zone and Blake's ability to carry the puck on a team of players who cannot carry the puck.

On this team the veterans have been a disappointment and underachieved all season statistically. A very good case can be made many nights Bergenehim and Comeau have outworked them and that is completely unacceptable on a team supposedly based on grit, character and heart which seems why Yashin was bought out even though he likely will outscore the entire roster based on his final season where he played hurt and missed significant time with his knee injury.

Jason Blake was the hardest worker every night when he put on an Islander uniform and always did something to get his team going and that has been missing here also.

Blake is still one of the league leaders in shots, but what he did here in handling the puck gave other players room to get in position that on this years team they do not have. It's a skill that clearly is lacking on the Islander roster today and one that fits the Islanders like no other team in the NHL.

Richard Park is never going to fill that role no matter how much he's played as a top six forward as he cannot score and no matter how hard he works

It's also more than fair to say no one on this roster has a shot like Alexei Yashin. Not Mike Comrie, Bill Guerin or Miroslav Satan and all three this season have disappeared for even longer periods of games than Yashin with far less production.

Sometimes you have to look at things for what they are and in this case for year one Yashin and Blake's loss hurt the Islanders.

Ted Nolan said earlier these imports would be judged based on how they played in the second half and that's fair when you have a lot of players coming to a new team, he also talked about a merit system as his veterans went fourteen games with two or less goals.

They lost seven in a row, won six in a row and all season proved the only thing they were consistent at was being inconsistent unlike the 2006-07 club that did go from one game over five hundred record in late Jaunary and finish ten games over five hundred.

Sure a lot of good reasons can be given for why this team failed this year. You lose three hundred games to injury and play with that kind of schedule it's a very tough go and the same could have happened with Blake and Yashin.

3/21: New York at New Jersey 7pm Msg +2

Islanders website/AP: Has the early preview for tonight's game vs the Devils in Newark.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It will be interesting to see how the veterans respond to Ted Nolan's practice the other day and what they have to give tonight in Newark. Another showcase for Okposo and the young players and a chance for Dubielewicz to go up against Martin Brodeur and a team the Islanders have played very well this season.

You can bet we are going to see a Devils team that after coming off of a shootout loss will be very hungry to get a win to kept them in contention for the top spot, I'm not sure if Elias will return to the lineup for the Devils.

I have no doubt some veterans are playing for jobs here next season and I also have no doubt if veterans mail it in the rest of the way Garth Snow and Ted Nolan will look to move these players in the summer whether they are signed or not.

I will not be avaialble Friday night for a game recap, will be done Saturday along with the Sound Tigers game.

Islander News Articles 3/21

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has Ted Nolan's comments about how important the upcoming games are and the privilege of playing in this league with how much fans have to save to attend games. Mike Comrie talks about how the club must go out there and play the best the can and establish a type of mentality and work ethic. Mark Herrmann makes his point the club should keep losing to have a shot at a franchise player in the draft.


Newsday: Greg Logan had another early blog with a full interview with Wade Dubielewicz who would like to resign with the club. He talked a lot about Rick DiPietro playing hurt and how well he played for the club this season and kept them in contention.

Newsday: Greg Logan's weekly Islander Insider on Zach Parise not being an Islander and his friendship with Kyle Okposo who had more on his debut and what he hopes to do. Ted Nolan and Snow being on the same page with trading Chris Simon to give him a fresh start and injury updates to Jon Sim/Andy Sutton with a few words on the Isles having fun with Jason Blake.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny how the Islander Insider is three days behind the Toronto papers covering the funny joke on Jason Blake or that it took this long to find out Ted Nolan wanted to give Chris Simon a chance for a fresh start.

As for Zach Parise the Islanders made a mistake in not drafting him. Having written that so did about eight other teams who had picks before the Isles passed on him and made the same mistake. I don't read anything from Mr Logan or anyone how the Isles made a mistake on not drafting Robert Nystrom the previous year and instead took Sean Bergenheim. The Rangers picked before the Isles and took Huge Jessiman and never hear a word about passing on Parise.

Credit the Devils, they traded up and made an excellent move but please bring up every team that left Parise sitting in the stands that day, not just one of several.

NY Post: Mark Everson of course covers the Devils which means no Islander centric coverage at the Post aside from a few words.

Boston Herald: John Connolly has a full feature on Islander prospect Doug Rogers with comments from Harvard head coach, former Islander Ted Donato as his club will face Cornell in the ECAC semifinals Friday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio previews Bridgeport again at Worcester Friday night with captain Mark Wotton and Jack Capuano's comments on the playoff race and what the team needs to do from here in.

A quick update and Q & A

I added a more Islander centric search entire today to the blog for those interested to the sidebar and included the interviews with Ted Nolan and Wade Dubielewicz Thursday.
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As usual a very good job by the voters on the current poll which runs for another day.
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As for questions and answers which I have been very lax in responding:

Yes, this blog will continue all summer and will be very active as it has been since last July. Between Bridgeport, the AHL prospects, the World Champpionships, draft previews, prospect deadlines to resign by early June and credible free agent rumors to go with articles and my own content this is a year round product that almost always has something of interest. At times I feel like there is more going on in the summer.

I had enough material to get a mailing list and message board through a lockout with plenty to spare.
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No, I will not be covering the NHL playoffs aside from maybe some hotbutton topics like suspensions or something Islander-related in some manner. It all depends on what I wish to write about with an eye on the hockey media also. If Bridgeport does qualify I will start posting their game highlights here and whatever else I can find to supplement the lack of Islander interviews. Utah section has it's updates here but I will not be blogging on the Grizzlies playoffs.
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Regarding continuing as a member of the blog bog which was a question I just received I have no idea what the Islanders are planning for next year with this program and have no idea if they are even going to continue it but I can tell you this...

I'm leaning toward asking the Islanders to remove my link but have not made up my mind just yet. If they want to have a lot more blogs on the page and want to keep this one that's ok too, but my opinion for what it's worth is everyone should get a chance and if they are limiting their blog box members to a select few a new group of folks should get their opportunity and they should also find a new message board. I have had my opportunity.

To me, this is about the fans doing something for the Islanders, not the other way around. The Islanders have been great to add this blog and very generous with their efforts and first class. I have nothing but positives from the experience and would like to see even more folks involved to make up for what the media is not giving our team in the newspapers.

I do not think the Islanders should limit themselves because there are tons of great blogs, fan sites and message boards for the club to add if they wish to continue the program and everyone should feel as welcome as the Islanders have made me feel despite not sitting in the blog box or doing interviews. The folks I have contacted who do sit in the blog box all do an excellent job and have been a pleasure to talk hockey with.

I offered my blog to the Islanders because I thought it would help. I'm very proud of the work here and the incredible response it has received. I will continue to do my blog regardless and have built up a very strong following of supporters.

Islander News Articles 3/20:

Newsday: Greg Logan interviews Ted Nolan on his goaltender playing injured, how much the coach knew about his injury, when he found out and how DiPietro wants to play because he's competitive.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I have followed DiPietro since before he was drafted and I have never seen anyone use the word headstrong as Greg Logan did today with regard to him. To me that is a poor choice of words. It's interesting how tough he has been on DiPietro recently but not players like Bill Guerin or the veterans the coach was upset with last night who have been outplayed by Bergenheim and Comeau for most games.

I wonder if Mr Logan has a problem with DiPietro for other reasons because I listened to his ITV interview with Ted Nolan today and he seems to go above and beyond here to make a point DiPietro calls the shots over the coach as to when he plays. Ted Nolan acknowledged others players are also playing hurt. If anyone has noticed we have seen few if any comments from DiPietro recently in Newsday.

Ted Nolan's quotes and his ITV interview which Mr Logan's comments are written around are two different worlds where he seems to exaggerate on what the coach says to make his own point.

All I can tell the readers here is to read what Ted Nolan says vs what Mr Logan writes and make up your own mind and listen to the ITV interview where Ted Nolan is laughing. To me Mr Logan seems to be stirring something up and on a team at the bottom in scoring it's curious how hard he's working the goaltender as being a problem with his statistical argument.

Somehow Ted Nolan's comments about the players work ethic and the hard practice made it to the Islanders website but not the newspaper?

Newsday: Greg Logan updates the Islander blog at Newsday early this morning with Ted Nolan's comments on the hard workout and that he does not care where the team drafts and will not allow losing to creep into the organization for a better pick in June. Mr Logan also notes DiPietro's successful hip surgery reported by the Isles website last night here.

NY Post: Dan Martin has the Islanders release on DiPietro's successful hip surgery.

Daily News: Peter Botte's article has Ted Nolan's comments on Rick DiPietro and the teams workout Wednesday and notes the same doctor operated on Mike Sillinger and Shawn Bates earlier this season.

Edmonton Journal: Jason Hills who covers the Oil Kings speculates Robin Figren will sign with the Islanders this summer but no quotes.

NY Sun: Kevin Greenstein has a few words on the Islanders to open his power rankings while noting the Rangers have another three day break.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That's about the fourth of fifth break of three days or longer in about a month and a half while the Islanders have not had a break that long since December aside from the all-star game. They will get about a seven month break starting two weeks from Saturday.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 4-2 in Worchester Wednesday night with Jeremy Colliton and Trevor Smith giving Bridgeport a 2-0 lead.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on Bridgeport's loss with Ben Walter's comments that his team played well but Worcester got some lucky goals that redirected off Bridgeport players. Jack Capunauo plans to have his team skate, akate and skate on their off-day before the Friday rematch as Bridgeport is three points out of a playoff spot with thirteen games left.

Jeremy Colliton, Matthew Spiller and Steve Regier went back up to New York to prepare for Friday's game at New Jersey.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the loss and breaks down the Sound Tigers schedule in a graph vs the teams they are fighting with for a spot and a few words on Brandon Nolan.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly which includes the playoff format in the AHL and Islander prospect Masi Marjamaki signed with Ilves Tampere for next season which was rumored and reported a while back.

Former Islander Jeff Hamilton cleared re-entry waivers.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette: No writer listed but a full game article on the Sharks win.

Ted Nolan cancels off day

Islanders website: Ted Nolan cancelled today's scheduled off day and instead put his players through the hardest workout of the season that included thirty minutes of laps and sprints.

The coach praised the young players and talked of the upcoming games but pulled no punches on his clubs performance with today a taste of what he's planning if the club's effort continues to waste time with a non-competitive performance in games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I completely agree with Ted Nolan here. Losing like this must be new and frustrating for him, however there is no excuse for some player performances and the kids outworking the veterans.

Islanders website on DiPietro surgery

Islanders website: Report on Rick DiPietro's surgery today with Garth Snow's comments.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a blog last night suggesting Rick DiPietro as much as he admires Devils workhorse Martin Brodeur, maybe isn’t built to maintain his ironman pace and that whoever his backup is should be given more games.

Mr Logan also writes it’s time the coaching staff made it clear to the franchise goaltender that he is going to be rested on a regular basis and that he needs the mental break as much as the physical break and if he gets it, DiPietro might attain a level of consistency that is necessary for him and the franchise to take the next step toward true contender status.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
To me Mr Logan's speculation is his own and he's entitled to it but he's not a doctor or an expert on when hockey players need a break. Worst of all his background information here is not consistent with what's happened.

He should know DiPietro in fact played as many games this year as last year before he got his first concussion so how has he been differently if he's at the same sixty two/three game mark?

If he did not get hurt would have approached seventy games both years? Mr Logan if he's good at looking at numbers should have reported the shots against DiPietro are down close to a hundred and forty from a year ago so his workload has been less.

Also anyone can get hurt at any time, DiPietro got banged up on the opening roadtrip a year ago and it had nothing to do with consistency or wearing down.

If Mr Logan watched him play since the all-star break and not just looked at numbers to make up for his absence on the beat he would know the numbers do not reflect the quality chances in front of the goaltender and he was consistent. He was part of the winning streak in goal too which carried them into contention which is not even mentioned.

Also Mr Logan makes it come off as if the goalie tells the coaching staff when he plays and not the other way around, despite the fact he was held out of the Ranger games by the coach.

Very poor work today by Mr Logan as if he's trying to rally the fans against the goalie for trying to help the club. Did Mr Logan feel this way when DiPietro blanked the Lightning 1-0 or after he made forty saves against the Devils in a game he was the only one who showed up and gave the team a chance as he did Saturday in Montreal?

To me DiPietro's been a lot more consistent then Greg Logan here.

Point Blank: Chris Botta agrees with Greg Logan and feels today he would be a fool to even try to counter his argument today that DiPietro should miss about twenty-twenty five games a year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Going by the amount of shots significantly down from a year ago, the same amount of games played the last two seasons at this point and how he helped carry the lowest scoring club back into contention it's the perfect day to counter a writer who did not review his play since the all-star break and is only going to stats to make his point.

The fact DiPietro played virtually the same amount of games a year ago makes Mr Logan completely wrong here.

A few words defending the Isles

I kind of laugh at some of the stuff I read at times.

* The Islanders should have shut down Rick DiPietro, he was hurt at the all-star break and has been hurt ever since.

* The Islanders should have traded everyone at the deadline and been sellers despite just having won six games in a row to climb within a few points of the final playoff spot.

There are times to be critical and times to take a step back because some of this stuff is over the top unfair. No doubt anyone writes anything about the Islanders in a paper that goes in this direction the fans jump all over it to second guess.

Let's take these one at a time:
* I reviewed Rick DiPietro's performance game by game since the all-star break last week and every single goal he allowed. I did not find anything that would suggest he was hurting the club by playing with an injury and in fact most of the time the goals allowed were about the plays made by the opposition or poor defense by the Isles. A lot of games he kept the Islanders in the game and he was in goal during the winning streak which no one talks about.

Long time hockey fans read all the time at this point in the season everyone is playing with a few injuries and no one is completely healthy. Why should DiPietro shut it down if he and the medical staff felt it would not be a problem to continue to play and any problem could be dealt with later?

* As for the trade deadline I thought Islander fans wanted a general manager who was willing to not be like Mike Milbury and settle for trades that help the opposition while only giving the Isles a marginal return or maybe would have traded Okposo, Bergenheim or Blake Comeau for some short-term scoring?

What gm breaks up a team that fought to get back into contention by trading it's core veterans for second round picks or lower? What team in this league in contention dumps it's players for picks at the deadline this year and decides to play for next season?

Already seems like that third rounder for Bergeron came at a high price of his point shot but with all the defenders under contract for next year or restricted they clearly had enough of Bergeron's defense.

Garth Snow reportedly wanted a first round pick for Mirloslav Satan and the player had the option to decline any potential trade. Did you really want the Islanders to hand another team Ruslan Fedotenko or Josef Vasicek for a marginal pick after these players helped the Isles get into contention?

I'm not thrilled with Bill Guerin or Mike Comrie's overall performance but keep in mind you move these players for draft picks ou have no one to keep you in contention after working to get back in that position and come July will have a major problem signing anyone to play with Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter who would be the only veterans left.

And please let's be realistic, Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie are not Marian Hossa or Brian Campbell or Brad Richards. We saw what the market was for them, if you expected that kind of return for any of these players in this kind of draft class I suggest that's not realistic.

Hard to find any blame here for anyone beyond the fact last year's team had a little more skill and this years team lived up to what many considered a lack of speed and scoring.

I like Richard Park, but for all his hard work he's a fourth line player and so is Andy Hilbert because neither one can score enough to play on a club's top three lines. Josef Vasicek is not a reliable first or second line player and Ruslan Fedotenko at best has been inconsistent as he was in Tampa and has proven he's a third liner. Bill Guerin is not a first line winger and Mike Comrie is not a first line center. Miroslav Satan hurt or not has been disappointing for the better part of two years and it's fair to write he is not a first line talent any longer.

One other thing. Given all the injuries that have happened since the trade deadline and all the callups there are not many more players that can be called up.

The good news is they have worked in Bergenheim for a full year and he looks like a player who is better many nights than the veterans around him. Blake Comeau looks good too as does Colliton and Frans Nielsen. Kyle Okposo and another franchise talent at forward make for a very good group moving forward which does include Jeff Tambellini.

Steve Regier is closer than some may notice after a good year in the AHL. Ben Walter had a good year. Trevor Smith, Sean Bentivoglio and injured Jason Pitton are also part of this and not AHL depth veterans. On the backline Dustin Kohn is getting his seasoning as a second round pick. Robin Figren, Jesse Joensuu, Rhett Rakhashani, Tomas Marcinko are only getting closer and better.

Entering last summer the Islanders had no prospects in their lineup. You wish to be critical that's fine but let's see the big picture and be critical for the right reasons.

Islander News Articles 3/19:

Newsday: Greg Logan reports has Kyle Okposo's comments on his debut and the move he made for his third period chance. Ted Nolan questioned his veterans play and credited the young players for their hard work in the loss.

Newsday: Greg Logan reports Rick DiPietro for the second time in two seasons will have season-ending hip surgery Wednesday at Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado an NHL source said. DiPietro is expected to recover in time for training camp in September.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At least it's not the same hip he had surgery on last year. He looked great against Montreal and solid against Florida so hard to tell if anything was bothering him. Ted
Nolan put to rest any rift reported by outside media like Bruce Garrioch who clearly did not watch the Tampa game.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann's article goes from Kyle Okposo's debut to the state of the franchise back to 1993 and how they have to improve while giving them their due but need more scoring to go with their grit and perhaps some luck to land a franchise player in this year's draft. Ted Nolan comments.

TheStar.com: Mark Zwolinski covers the Leafs win.

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby has Bryan McCabe's comments on the win along with Leaf centric coverage along with the Toronto Sun here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports the Sound Tigers have signed Tyler Mosienko, grandson of the legendary Bill Mosienko, to a pro tryout contract with his comments at Jack Capunano's.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Worcester Sharks
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Toronto 3, New York 1

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 3-1 loss to Toronto where Ted Nolan felt the prospects outworked the veterans.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ted Nolan hit the nail on the head and has a right to be upset at his veterans and the leadership who were outworked by the kids tonight. He did not name names but I will because Bill Guerin, Vasicek, Comrie and Miroslav Satan were outworked for large parts of the game against a terrible team without it's best player and another good forward in Antropov. That's a terrible example to set for these kids.

If they are hurt sit them down, no excuse for that kind of collective effort. The merit system the coach talked about has been abused enough by the veteran players.

Guerin fanned on a shot, it went to the corner and he just took a lazy turnaround shot from an impossible angle that Toskala easily scooped up.

Without Dubie it could have been 4-1 or 5-1 because he was that good and of course the Islanders horrible powerplay almost giftwrapped another goal. Meanwhile how many great saves did Toskala have to make? Colliton had a great chance early, Okposo had his wrap-around and a nice pass to Richard Park for a good angle shot and did look like he belonged in the NHL. Bergenheim, Comeau, Colliton all produced good chances and were very visible with Bergenheim finding Comrie for the Isles best chance at the end. Steve Regier had a very good first period chance also.

Tambellini through his first period hit but was he held back by the veterans on his line?

On defense Dubielewicz bailed out the defense but the Toronto forwards skated better than the Islanders and pushed the play with Jason Blake getting a lot of good chances. Berard had some good plays at both ends, so did Meyer and Martinek.

Pathetic crowd again booed Blake, terrible SMG ice surface gave Davison his goal.

Ted Nolan has a right to be very upset at his veterans here, if he is coaching with his job on the line no doubt his veterans are playing like do not care or playing hurt.

No excuse for being shutout outside of a fluke goal by this brutal Toronto team coming off a shutout in Montreal. Mike Sillinger, Andy Hilbert, Ruslan Fedotenko have been inconsistent all season on offense at best.

Russian Prospects update/Sound Tiger notables

Russian Prospects.com: Reports Islander prospect and upcoming Russian free agent Igor Volkov scored his sixth playoff goal in six games for Salavat Yulayev in the Russian superleague playofffs.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The prospect who will not go away drafted 246th in 2003 is again having a strong year in the Russian Superleague and at twenty five years old having been an over aged draft pick and reportedly was unrestricted as of November 2007. I remember writing his profile on HF a long time ago and for an organization that needs snipers it seems overdue the Islanders see what this player can do in North America.

Considering Matt Keith, Tim Jackman, Justin Bourne, Tyler Haskins, Pascal Morency & Olivier Labelle are the current right wing depth chart in Bridgeport at the moment with Kyle Okposo in New York for now signing a forward with sniper potential would not be a bad move moving forward. I do not recall Igor Volkov ever being part of an Islander prospect summer camp.

Of course this changes quickly with Colliton and Blake Comeau considered right wings at the time they were drafted in 2003. Petteri Nokelainen went from a center when he was drafted to a right wing before he was traded for Ben Walter.

It should be noted because there is no transfer agreement between Russian and the NHL, the Islanders keep the rights to all Russian prospects regardless of when they were drafted. This includes Dmitry Chernykh, Evgeny Tunik, Sergei Ogorodnikov and Alexei Stonkus. It does not work this way for other European prospects since the new CBA has a two year limit. Islander Maxim Grachev (Rimuski) was one of only nine drafted Russian prospects last June.

Ogododnikov here who was on the verge of being bought out by last summer in our last update is off the Islander prospect page. Tunik who played sixty one games with Bridgeport in 2005-06 before returning to Russia here is still listed. Alexei Stonkus also is still listed on the Islander prospect page here and apparently still playing after suffering a serious life threatening neck injury several seasons ago that left him practically paralyzed.

Dimitri Chernykh came to North America and played in the ECHL with the Dayton Bombers last year here before returning to the Russian league this season here for those curious.

SoundTigers.com: Erin Willey reports several Sound Tiger players shaved their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer in supporting the St. Baldrick's Foundation and "TeamBrent" with Msg's Deb Placey's comments.

3/18: New York vs Toronto 7:30pm Msg +

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rick DiPietro will go for an MRI on his hip today, Wade Dubielewicz will start in goal, Joey MacDonald was recalled.

Based on practice:
Tambellini-Vasicek-Guerin
Bergenheim-Comrie-Hunter
Regier-Colliton-Satan
Comeau-Park-Okposo

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A big game to determine if the Isles can maintain their standing in terms of being in the NHL lottery or break their long losing streak but little else other than Toronto's last stand in terms of any miracle hope for a playoff spot. Dubie has a win at home vs Toronto this year.

Okposo's debut with a center who has two goals since December is not exactly going to help unless Richard Park can pull his offensive weight. No real first line or second line here or much sembelence of a checking line.

No Antropov, Sundin for Toronto. Jason Blake returns for the second time, hopefully he is treated better but the fans this time around.

Another MRI for DiPietro's HIP after an injury and surgery last summer and problems with it at the all-star break? Fair to speculate it's time to shut him down and protect him for the long term and just play out the string.

Not sure if I will have a postgame tonight or late tomorrow.

Islander News Articles 3/18:

Newsday: John Jeansonne returns to the beat and covers Kyle Okposo's first NHL practice with his comments. Miroslav Satan and Rick DiPietro were given the day off.

Daily News: Peter Botte has Kyle Okposo's comments that he feels he is ready for the NHL with a few words about why he left school.

NY Post: Dan Martin writes for a second day and has Ted Nolan's comments about Kyle Okposo's first practice while Mr Martin notes Okposo did not tear it up in Bridgeport after bolting Minnesota in midseason, causing a rift between the school and the NHL team. Mr Martin also writess Okposo didn't apologize for his decision.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Martin is given four small paragraphs, does not have a single word from Okposo and brings up Okposo apologizing for his decision to leave school?

Sounds like a man who would rather be writing about anything else. For a man used to writing about kids in school with the PSAL beat would think this young prospect deserves a little better from a paper AWOL for about fifteen days?

Los Angeles Times: Eric Stevens speculates that Marc-Andre Bergeron fell out of favor with Ted Nolan. Bergeron comments that it was a tough year for him in New York as he is getting an opportunity in Chris Pronger's absence and glad he was traded.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Marc Andre Bergeeon is entitled to his opinion and is closer to the situation then the fans. His shot has been missed badly from the point in the recent games that may have produced a few big goals and won a few games. What has not been missed is his poor defense which he can put on the coaches if he likes but in the ends seems most about his performance not only here but back to his time in Edmonton.

Isles this summer have several defenders under contract already. Unless they tendered Bergeron a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent with an automatic raise they would have lost him for nothing or been stuck with his contract on a team that needs a top two defender who can play at both ends of the ice.

Toronto Sun: Mike Zeisberger reports Leafs forward John Pohl left the Leafs to be with his brother who was seriously injured in a game this weekend playing for Kyle Okposo's former college team. Forward Alex Foster hopes to make his NHL debut tonight with fifteen goals and twenty three assists in fifty six games for the Marlies.

Simcoe.com: Jim Barber has an article on Barrie Colts forward Colton Kennedy who has a few words on being on a line with Islander prospect Tomas Marcinko.

Edmonton Sun: Jason Hills in an interview with Oil Kings general manager Bob Green feels Islander prospect Robin Figren will not be back with his team and felt it was not for him to say where he will sign or if it's with the Islanders.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an update on Colton Fretter and the solid impact he has had for Bridgeport with Jack Capuano's comments.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog Mike Mole has been called up to replace Joey MacDonald.

Latest from Mr Prospects

Mr Prospects does an amazing job on the message board here updating the game by game reports on the Islansder prospects for everyone. Here are his latest updates.
***********************************************************
March 14
QMJHL-Quebec 2,Rimouski 1-Maxime Gratchev,1 assist,+ 1.
OHL-Brampton 5, Barrie 0-Tomas Marcinko, even.

College Play-offs
ECAC-Clarkson 1,Colgate 0-Shea Guthrie,Tyrell Mason,Clarkson,Brian day,Colgate, no points, each.

Harvard 11,Quinnipiac 0-Doug Rogers,1 goal(12),2 assists.

WCHA-Denver 6,Minnesota-Duluth 3-Rhett Rakhshani,no points, + 1.
St. Cloud 3,Wisconsin 0-Jase Weslosky,24 saves.

USHL-Waterloo 5, Omaha 2-Blake Kessel,1 goal(16),1 assist, even.
Lincoln 4, Des Moines 2-Jason Gregoire, 2 goals(30,31), + 1.
***************************************************************
March 15

OHL-Mississauga 4, Barrie 1-Tomas Marcinko,no points,-1.
College Play-offs

ECAC-Colgate 4,Clarkson 3-Brian Day,Colgate,3 assists,Clarkson, Tyrell Mason, 1 assist,Shea guthrie,no points.

WCHA-Denver 1, Minnesota-Duluth 0-Rhett Rakhshani, no points, even.
St. Cloud 4,Wisconsin 3 (OT)-Jase Weslosky,43 saves, 46 shots.

USHL-Cedar Rapids 4,Lincoln 2-Jason Gregoire,1 goal(32), even.
Waterloo 4, Soiux City 1-Blake Kessel, 1 goal(17), 1 assist, even.
****************************************************************
March 16

QMJHL-Baie-Comeau 4,Rimouski 3-Maxime Gratchev, no points, -2.

ECAC Play-offs:

Colgate 3,Clarkson 2(2 OT)Brian Day Colgate, no points,Tyrell Mason, Clarkson, 1 assist,Shea Guthrie, no points.

Harvard 3,Quinnipiac 1-Doug Rogers, 1 goal(13), 1 assist.

Islander/Sound Tiger Notables

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog that Jeremy Colliton has joined Kyle Okposo in New York. Tim Jackman and Ben Walter practiced in Bridgeport.

Micheal Haley and Ryan Kinasewich were sent to Utah.

Andy Sertich will miss the week with an injury.

Point Blank: Chris Botta in his blog writes about the balance on covering Okposo's debut without overhyping and what the team is planning.

Islanders website: Covers Kyle Okposo's first practice with his comments and Ted Nolan's.

Side bar has Okposo interview.

Sports Illustrated/AP: Has a report on Islander practice Monday with Mike Sillinger's comments that he has a son almost Okposo's age as the vetetran forward was on crutches. Ted Nolan and Okposo also comment.

Islander News Articles 3/17:

Newsday: Greg Logan reports on Kyle Okposo's callup with comments from his Bridgeport teammate Ben Walter.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a few words on what Okposo's recall means for Bridgeport in their playoff drive with speculation on who could be returned to the AHL.

Mississauga News: Gary McCarthy reports defense Alex Pietrangelo of the Niagara IceDogs is currently ranked among the top five players in the Ontario Hockey League in an interview.

Edmonton Sun: Cary Castagna has a full interview with Bryan Trottier on how he stays healthy, all the legends games he plays, how he relishes his job with the Islanders and plans that he is not ruling out a return to coaching.

Toronto Sun: Mike Zeisberger reports Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov will not play against the Islanders Tuesday.

Star Tribune: Michael Russo has Chris Simon's comments Sunday that he was treated unfair by Colin Campbell and will be speaking to his agent about this matter with the writer speculating there could be legal action.

Three blind mice...see how they report

It's that time of year folks where the media takes it's extra little kicks at the Isles and stirs the pot with anything they can dig up which of course becomes the perception for fans because someone/anyone writes or says it somewhere.

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garroich speculates a feud between Rick DiPietro and Ted Nolan based on leaving him in against Tampa for eight goals in his weekly article with about twenty different subjects.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems Mr Garrioch did not even watch this game because if he did he would know pulling DiPietro in the final minutes when the Isles allowed the final three goals in forty two seconds would have been completely pointless nor were any of those final goals on the goal tending.

Mr Garrioch did not even note Ted Nolan praised DiPietro after the Florida and Montreal games where he played well because this footnote to his article was likely already written during the week.

I wonder if he wrote this when John Paddock was fired with all the feuding in Ottawa this season?

NY Post: Larry Brooks who's paper has not had an Islander centric article since March 2nd takes his shots today at Ted Nolan and suggest he has been pouting since Chris Simon was booed at the Coliseum upon returning from the 30-game suspension and traded to the Wild & the coach suddenly has begun to resemble one of those guys who forever is complaining.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Yes folks, the same Larry Brooks who on February 24th here wrote there is no team in the NHL or in the New York market that has managed to do more with less than the Islanders and that Ted Nolan should be neck and neck with Wayne Gretzky for coach of the year.

Does Mr Brooks really think people do not see through his act at this point?

No wonder in the struggling NY hockey media market at the height of the hockey season along with this article he is reduced to having to do something on baseball today because hockey does not matter in New York.

A large majority of the fans and media do not agree with the double-standard for Pronger vs Chris Simon including Larry Brooks by this article who does a lot more complaining than the Islanders coach.

Ted Nolan has a right to complain about this even if Larry Brooks does not like it nor should he be thrilled with this many injuries and losing which is new for him.

Also Ted Nolan is asked questions about this so it's not like he's calling hockey writers to make his own headlines given his team has not had three days off since the all-star break and callups barely making games during warmups.

When WFAN visited the Coliseum recently Pierre McGuire in an interview praised Ted Nolan and felt he should be coach of the year if the Isles made the playoffs, today he felt Nolan was doing a poor coaching job covering the Pittsburgh game against Philadelphia for NBC.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
How did he become such a bad coach so quickly Mr McGuire other than the fact the injuries and lack of scoring finally caught up with a roster with eight or nine callups on it?

Folks want to write Ted Nolan was part of building the club so he deserves blame for it's failure that's fair and reasonable, but most of what I'm reading just sounds and reads like media people who like to hear or read themselves rant.

It seems done just to stir the pot, too bad some Islander fans will buy into it.

Today was just about three blind mice making noise to stir up the Islander fans and create opinion.

Islanders recall Kyle Okposo

Islanders website: Announced the recall of Kyle Okposo to the Islanders Sunday with Garth Snow and Kyle Okposo's comments.

Islanders website: Has an inteview with Jack Capuano on Kyle Okposo.

Ted Nolan, Steve Mears and Chris King have video interviews on the recall of Okposo.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This seems more about his contract no longer counting for this season with the remaining games because if he were ready why not call him up weeks ago when they needed him most to keep the Islanders in the playoff race?

This takes him out of Bridgeport's mix at a time they sent back another prospect who should be here in Jeremy Colliton if the club is going by the same standard and likely hurts the Sound Tigers playoff drive even more.

I think this is a mistake and I hope it's not for publicity because it sure does not seem like it's the best interest of Kyle Okposo who needs to be part of a playoff race in Bridgeport more.

Oh well, it will interesting to see if he can handle the speed of the NHL level after just getting used to the AHL. Not sure what right wing gets demoted for this, I would think Tim Jackman goes back to the AHL.

Islander News Articles 3/16:

Newsday: Greg Logan's coverage on the loss has comments from Bill Guerin, Jeff Tambellini, Ted Nolan on the loss to Montreal and the problems scoring.

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article is on the opportunities the prospects and AHL callups are now getting and it's their opportunity to impress the coach and the organization with Ted Nolan comments about a possible Kyle Okposo callup. Matt Spiller comments.

Montreal Gazette: Has the Canadians coverage on their win.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had goaltender Mike Morrison's comments on the Phantoms who he calls bullies and taunts them for not being able to put Bridgeport away. Jeremy Colliton and Jack Capuano also comment.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog talks about Kyle Okposo's solid play, recaps the win and the scramble for Bridgeport to make the playoffs.

Sound Tigers website: Recaps Bridgeport's 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phantoms Saturday night.

Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News: Combine pages to cover the Phantoms.