Islander News Articles 4/6:

Newsday: Greg Logan's interview with Charles Wang had the owners praise of the teams prospects with his comments that the last few months have proven Ted Nolan wrong and pointed out how many times the coach has been impressed with the prospects recently.

Mr Wang also said philosophically the team will be build through the draft, but he has never said no if they feel there's some unrestricted free agent who could make the big difference. In addition Mr Wang said there is no rift between the gm and coach over how to build the team and that there is not one player here both agreed should be on the team and that the gm and coach are in sync. He also added they certainly weren't always in agreement but their differences make for healthy debate.

As to a contract extension now for Ted Nolan the owner said there's always the last year of any contract otherwise why have a contract? That we will deal with it at the end of the contract like anything else we deal with and spoke as if he expects Snow and Nolan to continue in their roles under contract and did not seem to indicate anyone would be fired.

Mr Wang also talked of the Ryan Smyth trade and said we took a chance, he didn't want to stay, we tried everything we could. We didn't have the right environment or surroundings or whatever it is to keep him and had a few words on the Light House.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
First off Mr Logan did a good job here but of course part of this is to stir things up a little bit too. When you read this you have to separate the beat writer's speculation/opinion from the actual quotes.

Not to read too much into it but maybe the coach is not/was not impressed with too many of these prospects. Last season he felt Comeau was the club's best prospect with the most complete game and so far that judgement seems correct. We all know he's been impressed with Sean Bergenheim.

Jeff Tambellini at this level has not given anyone a reason to be impressed and it is a fair debate at this point how come he has not had more of an impact.

Ted Nolan did not have an agent when approached about his contract, there is nothing from him demanding a contract extension. He has a year left on his term, were not sure how long the gm has, again you cannot give the coach more tenure than the gm.

Of course the gm and coach are not going to agree on everyone but there has to be some trust on the coach to who the gm feels will help and the coach at what NHL players who he feels can help. Ted Nolan is not scouting college players or prospects, that's the gm and the hockey staff while the coach can barely get away from the club for a day and has gone to Bridgeport several times the last two years.

Mostly stock answers on going with prospects and adding a UFA if he will help, most clubs say that for the most part. He gave his honest opinion on the Smyth trade.

Hopefully Islander fans can separate the quotes from the speculation. I think if Ted Nolan or Garth Snow were about to be fired the owner would not give an interview and say these things.

Of course how do both Snow and Nolan feel about not having contract extensions? For
those who recall Mr Wang's history he gave Peter Laviolette a contract extension and it did not matter because he was fired anyway by the general manager.

The silence from the owner about the veterans overall performance spoke volumes.

Peterborough Examiner: Don Barrie profiles local product Zach Bogosian who is eligible for the NHL draft and has a very interesting story on former Islander draft pick Zdeno Chara and what happened to him during the the draft process.

For those curious Peter Laviolette's Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday with Washington's win. Boston also qualified for the NHL playoffs with the eight seeds set.

The Montreal Gazette feature on Bill Smith Sunday is a reprint from a feature over a month ago here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's huge loss with Jack Capuano and Joey MacDonald's
comments.

Lebanon Daily News: Dan Sernoffsky recaps Hershey's big win against the Sound Tigers Saturday.

Daily Gazette: Phil Janack has a full interview with Bridgeport winger Peter MacArthur, how he was scouted by the Islanders and other clubs, his experience in college and Bridgeport so far with Jack Capuano's comments.

Newsday Blog Update/Charles Wang Sunday

Newsday: Greg Logan blogged on the Islanders page Saturday night on a bunch of items around the team. Ted Nolan, Richard Park, Jack Hillen and Kyle Okposo were quoted.

Sunday's Newspaper edition features Charles Wang on the relationship between himself, coach Ted Nolan and general manager Garth Snow and the direction the franchise plans to take next season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems the Newsday sports editor will not even give the Isles enough space in the print section for a second article Sunday so Mr Logan had to use the blog after Mark Herrmann was not around to do an Islander centric feature after their win Friday.

Seems Greg Logan went overboard comparing signing Hillen to making up for giving away last year’s first-round pick in the Ryan Smyth trade because one has nothing to do with the other.

I guess the end of the season wrap up does not merit a second print article so if you do not follow the club on-line you are out of luck.

Of course, half the team went from Msg straight to Hershey after last night's game and who knows when they will be back if at all. Not sure if we are going to get a Rick DiPietro sighting or a Jon Sim, Shawn Bates appearance.

Should be interesting to see what Mr Wang says and how much of it is overblown by the fans in the coming days and weeks.

I expect nothing from the Times, News and Post who again did not even bother covering the Isles. At best we see a Larry Brooks cheapshot or two.

Islanders website: Had more on Monday's lottery with Garth Snow's comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At this point I want to see the general manager talk to his teams fans about the season and give us his thoughts on what went wrong. The owner went on television, the coach has had to talk daily after some tough nights, it's time for a few words from the general manager.

Hershey 6, Bridgeport 3

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 6-3 to the Hershey Bears Saturday night in a devastating blow to their playoff hopes. Jeff Tambellini had two goals, Kyle Okposo also scored. Joey MacDonald was in net.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I added the Sound Tigers free audio link to the top of the blog for anyone who wishes to listen to the live game webcasts. Tomorrow Bridgeport plays Philadelphia. The B2 link for PPV games is in the Sound Tigers section of this blog but it's six dollars to watch a game on your computer.

Devastating loss and likely one that clinches Bridgeport's season ending a week from Sunday. They no longer control their destiny as they drop from three points out of contention to five out of contention with Binghampton ahead of them also. Sound Tigers have a game in hand but no more head to head contests with Hershey or Binghampton.

I listended to part of this game, MacDonald gave up what seemed like a soft goal to Jason Morgan to tie the game early in the third for Hershey, the same player scored again and Bridgeport simply could not get a goal and did not seem to generate a lot of pressure. Hershey scored twice with MacDonald pulled who stopped a breakaway in the third.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had several blogs Saturday. Frans Nielsen did not play with his injury, Kip Brennan did not play for unspecified reasons but will join the Sound Tigers when they return to Bridgeport. Trevor Smith was called home for personal reasons.

NYI Fan Central Final Review of Bill Guerin

NYI Fan Central will be reviewing all players with the gm and coach from top to bottom with one full blog for everyone and a final grade to their performance.

Today we begin that process with the Captain of the 2007-08 New York Islanders.

Bill Guerin:
Bill Guerin during the season said it all comes down to what you do on the ice.

I do not know what he specifically did in the locker room on a day to day basis but have little doubt this was a good group of people behind the scenes but it's veterans played poorly. For all the talk of grit, character and heart as a unit they did not seem to compete as hard as they could when the puck dropped and as captain he has to be held accountable for that.

Many nights the prospects were the best players late in the season while early this was a club that scored two goals fourteen games in a row that should have finished them for the season but did not.

Many nights like against Anaheim, Los Angeles and a lot of other games this team did not show up at all. Isles lost seven in a row but responded with six in a row so he deserves his share of credit also for being part of the turnaround.

Bill Guerin had an awful lot asked of him at this point of his career which may not be fair but comes with the contract, the captaincy and the role he was given and accecpted as a first line player.

Ted Nolan was not happy with his veterans and did single them out pretty much most of the season from his merit system speech down to threatening to skate them every day the final weeks. The captain has to be included in that despite the coach never calling out Guerin and praising him often.

I know Bill Guerin got his twenty goals and showed he still has his hands and a quick step when he needs it. I also know his impact on games most nights was minimal at best as he played on the perimeter for the first few months and also at best was a streaky scorer on a club where it's veteran scoring let them down and had to happen for them to have any chance at all.

In mid-december his play finally picked up, he got to the dirty area's of the ice and he said at the time he was pressing and lacking confidence. I thought the December stretch would finally let him settle in here and relax, but that never seemed to happen.

Outisde of some horrible goaltending by Olaf Kolzig in one early season game and some other goals that looked like bad goals given up he seemed to struggle from beginning to end with few stretches he did produce as he had to. I do feel he did all he could and gave his best effort and it was a big adjustment to go back to the Eastern Conference after years out west much less take the burden of being a captain for the first time in his career with a lot of new faces.

His comments about the powerplay in March also have to be a reflection of his performance on it and no doubt he had input as to his role.

Am I going to tell you he quit? No, he could have been playing hurt and looked worn down and played far more games then you expect for this point in his career but having written that.....

This man dove to get a puck to Vasicek for a goal the other night, he dropped his gloves several times this year at a point in his career where he's the one who players should be looking out for. I felt the young players respected him and you could see him talking with them often if you looked close.

On this team Bill Guerin had to concentrate more on his defense which was the club's system which also likely hindered his offensive performance combined with not having a first line talent.

In the end at this point in his career Bill Guerin is a third line support player who is best served on a team with a lot of speed, skill and proven scoring that can get him the puck where he needs it to be most effective so he can get his thirty goals. That is not likely to happen for him here.

Looking ahead:
Guerin is signed for next season and will likely be back with next fall because they need what he brings in terms of leadership with his scoring. With Trent Hunter, Kyle Okposo on right wing (if he makes the team) and neither first line talents with Satan not a first line right wing (if he resigns) it seems for the moment that is where Guerin will play. Garth Snow and Ted Nolan are going to have to make things easier for him by getting him some help because they need him to produce.

Final Grade:
A very generous D based on a bunch of players who seemed to like one another and the fact he stuck up for his teammates who still showed he has his hands combined with a club that concentrated on defense. I think he did all he could but most night's it was not nearly enough to have an impact.

NYI Fan Central Poll: Who's out on D

Time for the latest NYI Fan Central poll which revolves around the current group of defenders and who are the players out moving forward based on the depth chart.

For the purposes of this all the players signed and under contract for next season will be listed as one option meaning if you select this option there is someone from that group you feel should be traded and will not be back. Drew Fata, Matt Spiller will be considered AHL and not included.

Just to review Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek, Freddy Meyer, Andy Sutton, Chris Campoli and Jack Hillen are all signed for next season.

Bruno Gervais is restricted.
If Aaron Johnson is qualfied by the club he will be restricted, Columbus did not do this last summer.

Bryan Berard is unrestricted.
Rob Davison is unrestricted.

Fair to say going into this the Islanders desperately need a powerplay quarterback and a top two defender.

What would you do?
Of course if you care to comment here or on the message board it would make for a good discussion.

Your Bridgeport Sound Tigers

One good thing out of all this is no more of the daily callups to where three or more players were in or out daily. I have never seen an Islander team have a revolving door lineup to that degree. I forgot Matt Keith even played for the Isles Friday.

These are the players who are all eligible to play for Bridgeport against Hershey:
Brennan
Colliton
Comeau
Fata
Keith
Nielsen
Okposo
Mike Morrison

Notes:
Jack Hillen is not eligible to play in the AHL, he season is over.

Jesse Joensuu is eligible to play in the AHL until the playoffs but so far has not dressed for a game, he cannot play for Bridgeport in the playoffs barring injury.

Ted Nolan talked about Nielsen having an injury in the final game.

Just to refresh this was Bridgeport's clear-day roster:
FORWARDS (13) -- Sean Bentivoglio, Kip Brennan, Jeremy Colliton, Blake Comeau, Colton Fretter, Tim Jackman, Matt Keith, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Steve Regier, Trevor Smith, Jeff Tambellini, Ben Walter

DEFENSEMEN (7) -- Drew Fata, Scott Ford, Jamie Fraser, Dustin Kohn, Andy Sertich, Matthew Spiller, Mark Wotton

GOALTENDERS (2) -- Joey MacDonald, Mike Morrison

It should be noted all eight Islanders returning are on the list. All the players listed must dress in the Calder Cup playoffs if Bridgeport qualifies until the depth runs out at a position.

Bridgeport has six games left on it's schedule starting in Hershey Saturday.

Islander Fans determine the plan

I have done no blogs this year about tickets and I made it clear during camp I would not do ticket promotion ads on this blog. The Islanders have to do the business side for themselves and to me have done a solid job with a lot of creative promotions with virtually no media or television support behind it.

I also will tell you hockey tickets are very expensive and I'm not telling anyone who simply cannot afford it to spend money you do not have before you continue reading.

This is not just an Islander issue, we have seen the problems in Boston, Manhattan, Chicago, St Louis where there have been a lot of empty seats for several years, New Jersey has been a model organization and had crowds of eight thousand last year and do not fill the Prudential Center.

Outside of Canada you could pick virtually any US market in it's history and we could talk about empty seats sooner or later. When the Isles were a dynasty Detroit had to give away automobiles to get anyone to attend games in the eighties, everyone
knows the Red Wings could not even fill the building in the semi-finals and play before many empty seats today.

Having written that the Islanders can have a plan and talk about the prospects and taking the pains to develop them but the fans and how we vote with our wallets ultimately determines the direction sooner or later.

This is not a new story for the current management but the only true remaining story from the nineties to talk about.

We all know the history.
Isles needed to get fans coming to the games after Charles Wang's ownership finished 30th his first season after losing seven years in a row because he had to prove his ownership was different from the people before him.

Back in 2001 no one knew what Mr Wang would do in terms of spending or if he would go the extra mile to get a franchise player on a long-term deal.

We all know what happened. Isles gave up prospects/draft picks for players that got the club winning short term and brought a lot of people to the building that sold out more than half the schedule in 2002. No one was complaining on opening night against Detroit, no one complained through the playoffs against Toronto when the building was rocking.

I know it's fashionable for some fans to claim we would still have Luongo, Chara, Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Connolly in a cap league for fifteen years and they would all have won four more cups here for New York at two million but to be honest our fans did not come out and support these players when they were developing so the Isles found players who you would come to games for.

And for the short-term it worked.

Once again we seem to be back at the same crossroads but this time with an owner who has an established record who will try and spend money to improve his club and quietly has spent more on veteran free agents the last two summer than at any point in the clubs history. We know Garth Snow will not have it easy signing prime unrestricted talent as no team does. Front-loaded contracts, corporate ownerships, veterans stars on other teams closer to winning all play into it as apparently does the building the club plays in.

Bottom line the fans once again ultimately determine the direction and how long a club can be patient with it's prospects.

The Isles can be more patient if we are patient and support the prospects by purchasing tickets but sooner or later if you do not support the direction the Isles will again have to find players that will make you attend games because you want a winning team now.

A team cannot survive with the lowest attendance in the league building with prospects because you will not spend your money until they start winning, it simply does not work like that. Prospect built teams fail too, one look at Florida should tell you all you need to know.

Montreal can take a few losing years as they develop prospects, same for
some other markets in this league but that's mostly in Canada. You can bet the Leaf fans are not going to stop going if it means three years of losing to get some young franchise talents, but the management always feels the pressure to win now and in the end we have seen the result.

Bottom line if you cannot be patient and support what management is doing with these kids by purchasing tickets because you want a winner now and will not spend your money until they do start winning, the Isles at some point will look at the bottom line (as all teams do) and make a deal involving quality prospects so they can make a marginal improvement short-term so you start attending games.

I also more than understand the lack of patience after fifteen years without winning a playoff series and your frustration. That I think was Garth Snow's reason for taking what he considered his most expendable prospects and trading for Ryan Smyth, he had a sixth ranked team and wanted a run at a Stanley Cup.

Once again, I am not writing anyone who cannot afford a ticket to spend money you do not have.

What I am is writing what the bottom line is and that for the fans you are once again at the crossroads here and will decide the direction.

Islander News Articles 4/5

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders shootout win with comments from Richard Park and Kyle Okposo and praised Jack Hillen for solid play and remarkable confidence.

Newsday: Steve Zipay's Ranger-centric article had Ted Nolan's comments on how Trent Hunter played giving up his body shorthanded.

Steve Zipay two post-game Ranger blogs, one pre game blog.
Greg Logan only reprinted the Islander Insider today.

NY Times: Lynn Zinser's Ranger-centric article includes comments from Ted Nolan who felt there is always something to play for.

Windsor Star: Bob Duff does a pretty unfair rip job on the Islanders farm system and giving away prospects claiming no team in the league needs Sarnia Sting centre Steven Stamkos more but will get a good player if they do not deal the pick regardless.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Only thing with this article here is Mr Duff cannot selectively include some prospects but not others. Nielsen, Tambellini, Colliton also have be mentioned in that mix along with prospects in college and those having success on Junior teams.

Adam Baruch on the Islanders website here talk about Jason Gregoire and defenseman Blake Kessel in a group of three finalists for the USHL Forward of the Year and Defenseman of the Year awards respectively. Beyond that you also have to mention Figren, Joensuu, Marcinko and a host of others all who look like excellent prospects.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the Sound Tigers big win with Jeff Tambellini's comments on his third career hat-trick and Jack Capuano's comments. Blake Comeau and as many as seven players could be returned to Bridgeport.

Bridgeport 80 points with six games left.
Hershey 83 points with five games.
Senators 81 points four games to play.

Bridgeport plays at Hershey Saturday.

Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News: Combined Phamtoms coverage.

More Saturday...

New York 4, Rangers 3 shootout

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 4-3 overtime win against the Rangers. Kyle Okposo had his second career NHL goal, Richard Park scored a goal for the Islanders shorthanded five against three.

Okposo, Comeau & Park scored in the shoot out with Park scoring the deciding goal. Wade Dubielewicz made forty eight saves. Isles lost a third period lead and gave up a fluke goal before that.

Islanders are the fifth seed entering Monday night's lottery.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Unreal but fitting a club that gave up all those shorthanded goals gets a big one down five against three.

These kids simply were the best players on the ice again for this team, Richard Park, Hunter did a very good job and was diving to block shots shorthanded.

Neither team seems to feel comfortable in their own building against the opposition in this series, almost like the home team tries to do too much which leads to mistakes. John/Jack Hillen his first career NHL point and hardly looked like a kid who was in college a week ago, very impressed.

Dubie was fantastic. I have a feeling some organization will give him a chance to be a number one goalie. Islander fan in me wants him to resign, fan in me who's been impressed with him since Denver wants to see this man get a chance as a number one goaltender. I have no problem with him playing here full time if DiPietro cannot go.

Full recap tomorrow of game.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers won 6-5 against Philadelphia Friday at Harbor Yard in overtime.

Jeff Tambellini had the hat-trick, the game winning overtime goal off a Dustin Kohn assist and a five point night. Ben Walter, Jamie Fraser, Colton Fretter also scored. Joey MacDonald was in goal. Jeff Dwyer returned from Utah. Tim Jackman, Matt Spiller and Steve Regier also dressed for the Sound Tigers. Philadelphia tied the game in the final two minutes.

4/4: New York at Rangers 7pm Msg+2

Islanders website: Has the preview for the final game of the 2007-08 season against the Rangers in Manhattan.

Not much to play for on the ice aside from pride. Only thing in doubt is will the Isles enter the lottery as the five seed or four seed with Mike Bossy representing the club in Toronto Monday night. St Louis needs to go 2-0 for the Isles to drop into the four spot.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Let me start by thanking everyone for the incredible support for this blog since it started last July and your kind words and e-mails. Even with the Isles having nothing to play for down the stretch folks keep visiting in huge numbers, it's just been a fantastic experience from day one. It's also been great to see so many old friends from Islanders-Sound Tigers and Hockey's Future as part of this blog.

Also a very special thanks to Mr Prospects for all the time he has invested putting his prospect updates on our message board and his dedication because he did something I simply could not do and his work as always was fantastic.

My thanks to the New York Islanders media relations Chris Botta/Cory Witt and the entire management for including NYI Fan Central in the blog box and for their kind words and generosity all season. First class people who make me proud to be a fan of this franchise which is something never measured by any game.

My congratulations to the other blog box members on an outstanding job for everyone and my sincere hope those who wish to become members of the print media work toward a career so our fans to receive more coverage, it's been my pleasure to talk hockey with most of you here or on your blogs which are excellent.

I also want to thank Alex and Steve from Hockey Night on LI & Steve, Pete, & Tony from Islander Nation for their outstanding Internet radio shows and for their generosity in having me on as a repeat guest through the season. When I started this blog I had no clue there was even such a thing as Internet radio and both have created an excellent resource and I hope both understand this is something the Islanders need for their fans moving forward.

Of course having written all this NYI Fan Central will be business as usual from Saturday morning through the summer right into training camp so the games may end but New York Islander Hockey on this blog never does.

NYI Fan Central Picks for NHL Awards

Globe and Mail:Eric Dhhatschek reports on the NHL award voting works and that the writers have received their ballots early.

The writers vote for the Hart, Norris, Selke, Lady Byng and Calder. The broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams and NHL GMs get to vote for the Vezina, which goes annually to the goalkeeper "adjudged to be the best at his position."

I'm going to keep it Easter Conference centric and also exclude awards like the President's Trophy or something decided by leader in a stat like the Maurice Richard Trophy. I'm also excluding Lester Patrick, King Clancy because that's just as much for off-ice things that is just impossible to know.

Calder Trophy/Rookie of the Year:
Jonathan Towes will win this one but for Eastern Conference purposes Nicklas Backstrom is my pick.

Frank J. Selke Trophy/Top Defensive Forward in the NHL:
No idea unless somehow a high scoring player like Heatley or Crosby get nominated, shut down forwards are hard to notice unless it's on your team and usually it's not about numbers. Even Viktor Kozlov has a great plus minus but is not a great defensive player. Writing names like Rod Brindamour or John Madden for this year would simply be a guess on my part and not a good one.

Hart/NHL Most Valuable Player:
Talking Eastern Conference to me it's Malkin over Ovechkin because he carried his team without Crosby to first place while Washington is in a scramble for the eighth seed. I do not expect the voting to favor Malkin because these things do come down to a popularity contest and Malkin is not a big time interview.

Jack Adams Award/Coach of the Year:
He's not going to win but playoffs or not how Claude Jullien took a team predicted fifteenth with those injuries to the final days merits him being selected and is my pick for the Jack Adams. My guess is Guy Carboneau wins because Montreal was another club predicted to be terrible in many circles and it is a popularity contest. How does Mike Terrien not get consideration for all the injuries his club had and still winning it's division? How can you not also write down Brent Sutter's name or Bruce Boudreau in Washington?

James Norris Memorial Trophy/Top Defenseman in the NHL.
Lindstrom will win as usual but for me this one goes to Zdeno Chara for being a rock on the backline in Boston, not about big numbers for me this time.

Vezina Trophy/Top Goalie in the NHL:
To me it's Martin Brodeur's award to lose out of the Eastern Conference with Nabakov in San Jose and yes Chris Osgood for an outstanding year in Detroit. To me Rick DiPietro deserves mild consideration because he kept the league's lowest scoring club in contention and played well right through his final game against Montreal as does Ty Conklin and Tim Thomas for playing great hockey for months and holding their teams in contention. Or course DiPietro will never be a media favorite among the New York media as Brodeur will never win a popularity contest despite both going out of their way for the press.

That loud noise from the Western Conference was Roberto Luongo's Vancouver Canucks not making the playoffs, my guess is that will cost him with the other general managers.

Funny thing with these votes is no one tells us how many each teams writers or broadcasters receive? Do the Islanders get a NY Post vote or a Peter Botte vote from the Daily News or does Larry Brooks and John Dellapina take three votes for all three local teams and make it all centric for his own team? Does the Times get an Islander vote without a beatwriter?

If a club has more beatwriters/announcers like in Toronto do they have a built-in advantage here? Does Butch Goring, Chris King and Steve Mears get votes? Do people with a business interest for themselves like ESPN's Scott Burnside get a vote here as they pick markets with an ESPN-zone to help promote their work? Do the TSN personalities get a vote like Mike Milbury?

No one breaks down who is officially entitled to a vote here at all, it seems were kept in the dark on purpose.

Friday Islander Insider

Newsday: Greg Logan has the Friday Islander Insider on Mike Comrie playing injured, Bruno Gervais and the problems he has had with his concussion. The club's overall lack of scoring and injury problems with Richard Park and Trent Hunter the only players who will participate in all eighty two games. Wade Dubielewicz on his contract status. Sean Bergenheim was placed on a temporary roster for Finland but that could change before the World Championships, Miroslav Satan with his knee problems will not be participating.

More also on the lack of scoring with the Isles being the only NHL club without a fifty point player and the loss of Alexei Yashin being a move the locker room approved of, despite his production. Ted Nolan talked about the upside of his young players but felt there is a long way to go. Greg Logan used unnamed player comments about Jeff Tambellini, with one player feeling he tried to impress in the corners while another felt he simply did not do enough and had a fair look with veterans.

Newsday: Greg Logan also links to the article in his blog.

Islander News Articles 4/4

Newsday: Greg Logan had Ted Nolan's comments on what clinching a potential lottery pick that could land a top prospect could mean and on Jack Hillen who Bill Guerin praised for how he handled himself while, Hillen comments on how he tried to get the puck to players on the Isles powerplay.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann in his Ranger centric article on Jagr had Kyle Okposo's comments that he hurt the Isles on the powerplay. Bill Guerin lamented the loss and said his club must learn from it.

NY Times: Lynn Zinser's Ranger centric coverage had Bill Guerin praising his teammates as a good group of people here and it's not an easy time but they are showing up and playing hard.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Of course the Post, News did not have one single article or quote from an Islander player as the bad news twins at the Post (Larry Brooks/John Dellapina) had on their Ranger pom poms. Even with the Devils playing Philadelphia tonight Mark Everson made sure to make the Rangers the topic for the Devil players. Peter Botte was not allowed to cover the game with one minimal Ranger article from John Dellapina burried among a mountain of baseball, Knick and NCAA coverage.

London Free Press: Ryan Pyette has Islander prospect Mark Katic's comments about Sarnia team mate Steve Stamkos who is expected to be the top selection in this years draft.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's tough not be critical of the veterans here because they cannot score but there are teams out of it in this league mailing in games with Toronto losing 8-2, other clubs losing 7-1. Isles have been in every game, if they finished some chances it would have been a different story.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio talks about all the players finally returning to Bridgeport after Friday's Islander game. Jack Capuano is not sure what lines he will have. Jeff Tambellini who was the leading scorer was not named to the AHL first or second team because of all his callups.

Bridgeport has seven games left and trails fourth-place Hershey by four points, with a game in hand.

Phantoms 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

Rangers 3, New York 0

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart has the recap of tonight's 3-0 loss to the Rangers. Ted Nolan talked about the difference between the experience of both clubs and felt the Isles competed hard and gave his comments on Jack Hiller. Kyle Okposo gave his comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wrote a good thing would happen tonight, Isles clinched a lottery pick that could bring them the top pick in a great draft as of Monday.

Toronto got bombed 8-2 tonight in a rivalry game. Kids as usual put up a better fight than the vets.

Tough night on the ice for the Isles against a desperate team that had not qualified for the playoffs that would have been in trouble if they did not win here. Okposo's shot goes in early it becomes a different game. Kids got some chances and took some hits but when the opposition gets seven powerplays and scores on two on a team with that trap and such a limited offense, it's not going to happen. The recent offensive numbers for the Isles do not lie.

Not going to put the goals on Dubie, even though all three were outside shots, Martinek's clear on the second goal did not clear the zone and he could not get over on the shot. Straka and Jagr both has the puck in good shooting position. He made a great save on Drury and caught a break at the end of the second.

Too bad Bergenheim did not finish one either, he seems to be the hot shooter against the Rangers and did everything but finish. Hillen did not look bad, going from college to this situtation is asking for an awful lot.

Cannot play under these circumstances and give up two powerplay goals or allow the opposition seven powerplays.

One more tomorrow, hopefully these veterans give these kids something. Always seems the road team has less pressure.

Brennan and Davison get another shot at Avery tomorrow.

Listened to Mr Wang's interview with Howie Rose when I got back. You do not have to like everything he does but the man at least comes on television and tells the fans what he's trying to do and no doubt he is not happy about the club's record.

I know maybe for some of the younger readers you may not understand this but our team had owners before him that were AWOL for years that had zero respect for the fans, complain if you want but give the man his due for at least standing in front of the camera after a losing season.

We used to have owners here who made no effort at all to connect with the fans.

4/3: Rangers at New York 7pm Msg+

Islanders website/AP: Has the preview for Thursday night's final home game against the Rangers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
To me it's all good at this point and a bonus with a solid prospect making his debut.

Something positive for Islander fans will happen on Thursday night, that's how our fans should take tomorrow as we root for our team and then see where things stand on Saturday.

So what's good you may ask?
1. Isles will improve their odds of getting a franchise player in Monday's lottery if they lose the game and having a very realistic shot at Stamkos who can set this franchise up for a decade between him and Okposo. You going to be upset Monday if a loss here gives them a first overall pick in a great draft?

2. Isles win they put the Rangers in a very tough spot for another day in terms of them making the playoffs which puts a ton of pressure on them Friday in the rematch, Washington's schedule says they can run the table and Carolina then enters the race for the final spot with Boston and Philadelphia.

Wade Flaherty stole a few meaningless games for the Isles one year that kept them from a franchise changing prospect, will that be what the next two days brings with a few wins no one will remember next season?

I expect Isles to play a good game and keep things close because frankly that's what they are doing against New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and what they did when they beat the Rangers in March. The idea they are not playing competitive hockey just does not add up as they have been in every single game. The Rangers are hardly an offensive powerhouse.

I have no doubt Dubie will give them every chance to stay in the game. Can the Isles generate something from their offense?

Will Renney drop his trap and attack knowing the Isles cannot score, will that create chances for the Isles?

That could play into Ted Nolan's hands here. Can that powerplay give them anything but grief for one night?

Ted Nolan's been talking about Gervais making his return the final games, it's now or never in that department.

One other good thing, half the current Islander roster will be playing Saturday for Bridgeport.

Today's changes:
Michael Fornabaio reported in his blog Joey MacDonald is back with Bridgeport, Mike Morrison got the call up to the Islanders along with Matt Keith and Drew Fata.

Jeff Dwyer/Ryan Cruthers are up from Utah as is Mike Mole.

Ryan Cruthers signed with Bridgeport

It should be noted Ryan Cruthers reported to the Utah Grizzlies on 3/26 and some sites have this as an ECHL signing here.

Cruthers made his ECHL debut a week ago here with his comments after his first game with Utah.

Robert Morris Unversity here reports in a release on 4/2 this is an AHL signing with Bridgeport as several other players also were signed from this program.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Staff and wire reports confirm Cruthers as an AHL signing as of 4/3.

Quick background:
Ryan Cruthers finished four years at Robert Morris University as the team's leading scorer with 17 goals and 20 assists in 34 games is a Farmingdale LI product.

Daily News: List Ryan Cruthers as the third leading scorer in division I NCAA hockey. LW Pete MacArthur who is currently playing for Bridgeport out of Boston University was eighteenth.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Utah has qualified for the ECHL playoffs.

Islander News Articles 4/3

Newsday: John Jeansonne interviews new Islander Jack Hillen, with Ted Nolan's comments. Hillen had impressed Islander scouts Rob Cowie and Toby O'Brien repeatedly this year.

Islander blogs in Newsday on 4/2: Steve Zipay 5, Greg Logan/John Jeansonne 0.

St Catherins standard.com: Bill Potrecz reports the Islanders were one of several clubs with scouts at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff between the Thorold Blackhawks and the St. Catharines Falcons.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost to the Manchester Monarchs Wednesday 5-1 Jeff Tambellini scored, Mike Morrison started in goal.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 5-1 loss with Jack Capuano's comments his club did not have the intensity needed, backed off and did not deserve to win. Steve Regier talked about having to cash in on the early chances but if not they have to be resilient.

Manchester Union Leader: Covers the Monarchs.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly which includes the playoff race upcoming games, the rules explaining why Jack Hillen cannot play for Bridgeport at all after Friday with Peter MacArthur's comments about his future contract status.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogged on the lineup changes, the loss to Manchester which puts Hershey's magic number for eliminating Bridgeport at eleven. Scott Ford missed the third after blocking a shot.

Rapid City Journal: Jim Holland has an interview with former Sound Tigers assistant coach, Joe Ferras of the new Rapid City Rush in the inagural season in the Central Hockey league.

Islander/Sound Tiger Notables

Isles TV has interviews after Jack Hillen's first NHL practice with the website likely to follow.

Ted Nolan intends to pair him with Radek Martinek.

SoundTigers.com: Preview's tonight's only Sound Tiger visit to Manchester during the regular season.

AHL.com as of 4pm does not have any changes listed for Bridgeport or New York.

Michael Fornabaio does not have a blog update yet so we'll see if anyone goes to Manchester from New York.

Practice combinations:
Bergenheim-Vasicek-Guerin
Comeau-Park-Okposo
Nielsen-Satan-Hunter

Brennan-Aaron Johnson as a quasi fourth line.
MacDonald-Dubielewicz in goal.

Gervais skated, Jack Hillen wore # 38 on his helmet.
Absent from practice and likely going to Bridgeport from Chris King/Steve Mears:
Jeremy Colliton, Matt Keith, Matthew Spiller and Drew Fata.

NHL lottery on television Monday at 8pm

THN.com: Jordan Samery reports the NHL lottery will be held this coming Monday, April 7th at 8pm live in studio with NHL deputy-commissioner Bill Daly revealing the results live on-air. This is the first time the draft lottery has been aired live on television since the 'Crosby Draft' of 2005 and for only the second time in 13 years.

TSN will be dedicating a half-hour to the draft lottery at 8 p.m. The lottery will also be simulcast live on the TSN.ca, NHL Network, NHL.com and Versus in the U.S.

The bottom 14 (non-playoff) teams in the NHL will be eligible for the lottery, where odds are weighted by least amount of regular season points.

The winning lottery team can move up no more than four spots in the draft and no team can move back more than one.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm glad the NHL is doing this on live television for the fans. I hope it remains the policy for good because it's an event and has a little drama from just issuing a quick release. I'm also thrilled were not being forced to watch a game to view a lottery.

Will be a lot of fun if the Isles finish in the bottom five which seems likely with St Louis and Columbus having head to head games before the season ends and someone having to win.

Islanders website: Released a full update on who will be covering the event for each network with more details.

Blaming Isles on Parise getting old

Drafted By Player
1 Pittsburgh Marc-Andre Fleury
2 Carolina Eric Staal
3 Florida Nathan Horton
4 Columbus Nikolai Zherdev
5 Buffalo Thomas Vanek
6 San Jose Milan Michalek
7 Nashville Ryan Suter
8 Atlanta Braydon Coburn
9 Calgary Dion Phaneuf
10 Mtl. Canadiens Andrei Kostitsyn
11 Philadelphia Jeff Carter
12 NY Rangers Hugh Jessiman
13 Los Angeles Dustin Brown
14 Chicago Brent Seabrook
15 NY Islanders Robert Nilsson
16 San Jose Steve Bernier
17 New Jersey Zach Parise

Great draft class. Zherdev almost held out but outside of one apparent bust all of these players have helped their clubs. Bernier was just traded for Campbell.

Granted Parise is an excellent player who has had two thirty goal seasons in a row and had a knack for scoring big goals who is only getting better, but having written that how is this only an Islander mistake when seventeen other teams passed on him before Edmonton did not want Parise and gave up it's pick to New Jersey?

I remember that draft, at the time I would have been happy with Parise, Nilsson or Bernier. If many recall Parise dropped like a stone on draft day because of his size. For the Isles Robeet Nilsson's play making ability stood out and he had good family lineage from his father, Kent Nilsson.

Does it really come down to Pierre McGuire's rant on draft day that year where he plays arm-chair prospect expert for a few hours and simply blamed the Isles because he was not a Mike Milbury fan back then?

How come McGuire did not go off at Chicago for Brent Seabrook or the Rangers for taking the only player who has yet to sniff the NHL in that outstanding group?

It's not like the Isles went off the board here and took a player projected for the second round, or did what Phoenix did with Blake Wheeler. It's not like Nilsson was Mike Rupp, who now plays for New Jersey also.

Do you draft based on family lineage or ability to help your team win?

Eric Nystrom was available the year before (in a far weaker draft) where teams after the top ten selections were unloading first rounders to stock up on picks, Isles kept their pick, did not move up and Sean Bergenheim looks like a solid player. At the time Bobby Nystrom felt the pressure of his son being an Islander would have been a problem, today he has yet to break through with Calgary.

Los Angeles drafted Jeff Tambellini who has Islander lineage with his father and here we are two years later and we are still waiting for him to break through after he was traded for Mark Parrish.

Bottom line, you credit New Jersey for making a great trade to move up and for Parise for proving the experts wrong. You give the Isles credit for making a great run at a top player when trading for Smythe and you credit Robert Nilsson for his obvious progress in Edmonton.

This idea the Isles are the only team who made a terrible decision here just makes no sense.

I do think Parise is going to haunt the Isles for a long time on the ice just like all the other teams that passed on him.

Islander News Articles 4/2

Newsday: Greg Logan's postgame is on the Isles not being an easy out despite the injuries and gave the Devils all they could. Ted Nolan has praise for MacDonald with the goaltenders comments and credit to New Jersey.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere or former Daily News Islander beatwriter Colin Stephenson on the Devils beat.

Bergen Record: Devils coverage.

AP/CP: Had the most complete Islander coverage with Freddy Meyer, Joey MacDonald and Martin Brodeuer, who praised the Islander goaltenders efforts in the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Post/News: Total joke all a.p coverage or Mark Everson's Devil-centric article. These are the people who want to purchase Newsday?

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on Steve Regier, Matt Spiller, Tim Jackman and all the hockey they have played with Jack Capuano's comments on how he handles his bench under these circumstances.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Manchester Monarchs
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, N.H.
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

New Jersey 2, New York 1 ot

Islanders website/Adam Scharff and Chris Musto: Has the recap of tonight's 2-1 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not much to write about this one.

MacDonald was outstanding and very sharp on his skates as he came out to challenge and played the angles well and did a great job controlling his rebounds. Isles generated very few quality chances but kept New Jersey to the angles. Guerin's dive to get the puck to Vasicek for his goal was just a fantastic play. Brodeur barely saw a quality shot with the Isles usually one play short when they did set up a good cycle in the offensive zone which either came from Park, Okposo, Comeau or Guerin, Vasicek.

Madden almost ate Berard alive on a rare Isles powerplay which was the worst moment of the game.

Devils did everything but score in the first on the powrerplay, Meyer look like he robbed a Devil on an open net. Elias finally got a puck through for a goal on an Okposo penalty.

Devils simply could not finish one, neither could the Isles. Overtime came and went quickly with a tip and Parise doing what he does best, making the play to decide the game.

No one looked terrible among the callups, many did a solid job defensively which is half the battle with no glaring mistakes, scoring is the other half.

Isles have given up a hundred shots the last two games and have two overtime points, if only this happened more earlier?

Full marks to MacDonald, if he was not outstanding it could have easily been a 6-1 game.

Atlanta lost in regulation.
St. Louis gave up a 3-0 lead to Nashville and lost in overtime 4-3 so Isles stay even with them for lottery position.

Quick Isles/Tigers notables

Newsday: Greg Logan has more from Ted Nolan on Kip Brennan, Drew Fata, Matt Keith what their roles will be, the Sound Tigers setting on a lineup, the Isles signing Jack Hillen and what's happening in terms of securing a lottery pick that could net New York a number one draft pick.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports Hillen practicing/playing for the Isles will make him ineligible to play for the Sound Tigers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I will repost the clear day list in the next day or two. If Bridgeport qualifies for the postseason that will be the list of players who must play before anyone can be added.

In other words, Joensuu or anyone else cannot play unless there are a lot of injuries. That's why clear day is a very big deal in the AHL.

Updated:
Aaron Johnson out, Matt Spiller in.

Espn.com: John Buccigross feels the NHL should include the Isles in the outdoor game and credits Mr Wang for Isles TV.

Ken McKenna's sloppy reporting for HF

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported forward Peter MacArthur recently signed a straight ATO contract with Bridgeport, that is the only media source that has issued any release as to his contract status.

Updated:
As of Tuesday afternoon Mr Fornabaio responded in his blog he confirmed this morning from MacArthur he does not have a deal beyond the ATO. No inside info on my part, I asked in his blog, he responded and said he spoke to the player today.

Managing Editor Ken McKenna of Hockey's Future as usual jumped the gun and make an incorrect claim in the sporting news a few days ago that the Boston University product was in fact signed by the Isles, despite no other professional media outlet in North America confirming this here much less the Islanders themselves the last few days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems little has changed in two years at HF in terms of poor coverage and why it's prospect information is something our fans should take with little more than a grain of salt if not outright avoid. I stumbled upon the article a few days ago in the Sporting News and suspected Ken McKenna got it wrong so I did not post it here without confirmation from a credible media source.

Sad that the sporting news provides Mr McKenna with any access but we all know the sporting news stopped covering hockey with professional writers long ago outside of rare Kara Yorio updates.

Alan Hahn used to have a weekly report for the Isles at the site.

This is not about the HF volunteers writers who when I was there always worked hard for the fans but the decisions at the top that only hurt the writers efforts during my time. When Holly Gunning was made staff editor things fell completely apart and our prospect page on the Isles site paid a heavy price.

Most of the quality writers stopped writing when she was named staff editor or she removed them for asking what he credentials were to be an editor? I just wanted no part of writing for her almost immediately and stopped writing.

When I started we had folks like Mark Fishel and the people running the site did a fantastic job. I had a great time and our page was updated the day someone was signed with full backgrounds. The folks at other sites like Russianprospects.com with
Eugene Belashchenko were great and provided updates as did most of the college teams who would always respond with e-mails from the AD office or the hockey staff.

The damage done between Mr McKenna with Holly Gunning as staff editor really hurt that site the final years I was there for prospect information with sporadic updates and rankings that were thrown together along with a prospect rating system that read like playing a game of battleship B4, C6 that made no sense. Who was I to tell people what Per Braxenholm's NHL potential was based on reading an article or looking at a stat line and maybe two quotes a year from the Isles?

Ken McKenna never figured out this is very real to some people. Frans Nielsen's relatives used to send me updates and were very nice about it.

This is why you have to get it right and do more than throw something together.

After I stopped writing the person who took my spot could not get a password to update the page for a full year.

Having written all that it could turn out that way in the end with MacArthur signing with New York after the season but to report someone is signed in the sporting news when clearly it is not correct is just poor research/journalism but the usual sloppy standard by Ken McKenna.

Islanders sign Jack Hillen

Islanders website: Announced the signing of defenseman Jack Hillen who just completed four years at Colorado College by being named defenseman of the Year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 2007-08. Garth Snow and Jack Hillen both comment on the signing. In 41 games this season with Colorado College, the 5-11 200-pound native of Minnesota had six goals and 31 assists for a Division I-leading 37 points among defensemen.

He will join the Islanders for practice on Wednesday and could make his NHL debut later this week.

Inside College Hockey: Jess Myers has a full interview from March 19th with Hillen.

Espn.com: Notes Hillen was eligible to be drafted in 2004 when he played for Holy Angels. (USHSW)

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Any signing that can help the defensive prospect depth is a good one for this organization and obviously this is a player who many teams were interested in signing. Dustin Kohn is a second rounder in his first AHL season, Blake Kessel has had a good year, Mark Katic is a promising pick. Andy McDonald, Shane Simms, Tyrell Mason, Simon Lacroix, Emile Axelsson and Alexei Stonkus round out the defensive depth chart.

Isles go into this summer with Witt, Martinek, Campoli, Sutton and Freddy Meyer signed and Bruno Gervais a restricted free agent along with Aaron Johnson who played with Hillen. Columbus did not qualify Johnson but if Isles do so he will be restricted.

4/1: New Jersey at New York 7pm Msg+

Kind of a quiet couple of days on the news articles front so I gave myself a break and let the feeders do the work here for me Monday with daily news articles.

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart previews tonight's game against the Devils and has Ted Nolan's comments on all the new callups. Joey MacDonald starts in goal for New York.

Newsday: Katie Strang covered Monday's practice and had Richard Park's comments on working with Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau and what advice he gave them.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his blog and AHL.com here report the following changes to the Islanders and Sound Tigers.

04/01/2008 Matthew Spiller (D) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders
03/31/2008 Drew Fata (D) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders
03/31/2008 Jean Desrochers (C) Bridgeport DEL Released from PTO
03/31/2008 Joey MacDonald (G) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders
03/31/2008 Justin Bourne (RW) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to Utah (ECHL)
03/31/2008 Keith Johnson (C) Bridgeport DEL Returned on loan to Utah (ECHL)
03/31/2008 Kip Brennan (LW) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders
03/31/2008 Matt Keith (C) Bridgeport DEL Recalled from loan by N.Y. Islanders
03/31/2008 Michael Mole (G) Bridgeport ADD Returned on loan from N.Y. Islanders

In short Matt Spiller gets to stay in Bridgeport and Drew Fata gets another game, Matt Keith gets a look. MacDonald will get another start. Kip Brennan gets to fight the Devils or Rangers if necessary.

By Saturday the Sound Tigers will set their roster which will have to be based on the clear-day roster submitted.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Another showcase for the Islander prospects, a critical game for New Jersey who dropped in the standings and are close to losing out the division to Pittsburgh but want to keep a four seeding and home ice.

Anything could happen but at this point it's fair to speculate Comrie and Gervais are done. No point letting Gervais play if his concussion kept him out when an extra six months are waiting to fully recover.

One thing for sure the Devils have problems scoring a lot of goals so the Isles should stay in the game if they protect MacDonald.

Media blog: Cory Witt reports in his blog Jiggs McDonald will call tonight's game but Howie will be back for the Ranger games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
As much as I love Jiggs McDonald calling games when is Islander hockey the first priority for Mr Rose? Isles have no control of those circumstances as Mr Rose is an Msg employee, he is not employed by the Isles as Chris King and Steve Mears are. He is not around at the beginning of the season if the Mets are in the postseason and now the early Met games are more important than the Isles games?

Combined with that he does not blog for the team on the Msg website or doing anything to raise the club's profile.

Is there that much competition in the radio booth for the Mets he cannot wait until the weekend or take his vacation during baseball season?

Quick side note:
The Islanders do intend to continue to carry the link to NYI Fan Central after I asked if they wanted to hold the spot for another blog. I felt it important to ask out of respect and courtesy for their first class efforts for me all season as I spoke about recently.

I do not want to make a big deal out of this part but the Islanders not only wish to keep the blog but are going to provide me a luxury suite for all eighty two games next season, full limo service to and from every game, full access to the press box and a page itself on the Islanders website for this blog along with a writing staff of my own choosing.

I cannot believe their genoricity. Mr Wang is also going to speak with me about this in the near future.

THN Ranks Garth Snow Nineteenth

THN.com: Ken Campbell of the Hockey News ranks the thirty general managers with Garth Snow placed at nineteenth. In it he felt the Islander gm has made some pretty solid moves, although it wasn’t as if Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedotenko were flooded with free agent offers but has done a reasonably good job of giving himself latitude by keeping his players on short-term contracts, particularly veterans who can sometimes become albatrosses.

Here is the list, I will give my thoughts in a sentence.

1. Brian Burke, Anaheim-Cup winner get's top spot, despite questionable moves.
2. Lou Lamoriello, New Jersey-Keeps finding ways, is Sutter safe into next year?
3. Ken Holland, Detroit-Keeps winning.
4. Bob Gainey, Montreal-Bad summer but his prospects and Kovalev have been huge.
5. Darryl Sutter, Calgary-How long before Keenan causes problems?
6. Doug Risebrough, Minnesota-High grade considering one cup run and a mediocrity.
7. David Poile, Nashville-Given ownership firesale circumstances he's done well.
8. Brett Hull/Les Jackson, Dallas-Is he kidding with this, Dallas is third.
9. Doug Wilson, San Jose-Should even be higher.
10. Paul Holmgren, Philadelphia-Won Nashville firesale, but pressure on.
11. Jim Rutherford, Carolina-Quietly has done better than a ninth ranking.
12. Francois Giguere, Colorado-Spent money for Smyth, does that make him smart?
13. Ray Shero, Pittsburgh-Inherited some great talent, Hossa trade goes on him.
14. Peter Chiarelli, Boston-Made a great coaching choice who should be Jack Adams.
15. Darcy Regier, Buffalo-It's on Golisano for not spending or Regier should go.
16. David Nonis, Vancouver-He robbed Florida for Luongo, deserves better.
17. Glen Sather, New York Rangers-Maloney did a great job with late round picks.
18. Don Maloney, Phoenix Coyotes-Does not take skill to claim waiver, why Montoya?
19. Garth Snow, New York Islanders-Fair ranking and review.
20. Jacques Martin, Florida-I think he's gone before Jokinen, great move for Vokoun.
21. George McPhee, Washington-Prospects look fantastic, but it took forever.
22. Dave Tallon, Chicago-Getting better but some moves were outright busts.
23. Cliff Fletcher, Toronto-How can he get a ranking for not moving players with NTC.
24. Bryan Murray, Ottawa-Will find a way to lose when it matters most.
25. Scott Howson, Columbus-First year, still a work in progress but how much longer?
26. Larry Pleau, St. Louis-Davidson the broadcaster should be listed with him.
27. Dean Lombardi, Los Angeles-Dave Taylor's prospects producing, how much longer?
28. Don Waddell, Atlanta-Time to go, despite Enstrom and making most of Hossa trade.
29. Kevin Lowe, Edmonton-Finishing strong, unfair ranking, has right to sign RFA.
30. Jay Feaster, Tampa Bay-Paying for contracts off that cup now, should stay.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Interesting stuff and of course very subjective. I'm not sure if it's based on this year only or the collective record before and projecting ahead? Handing over Ilya Bryzgalov to waivers and Andy McDonald for Doug Weight seem like questionable moves to be kind even if it cleared future cap space for Mr Burke. At least he put John Davidson's name behind some of Larry Pleau's moves. I'm not sure why Darcy Regier is rated where he is unless Mr Campbell is putting the blame on Tom Golisano.

How can Brett Hull/Les Jackson committee be put in the top eight for working in the prior general managers prospects?

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems since the Isles went to the West coast and got to tell their story to the media face to face they have gotten better treatment from the media or at least they tell the Islanders story a little better. Mr Campbell met with Rick DiPietro at the all-star break in Atlanta for those wondering.

So what's next at NYI Fan Central?

As I wrote a short time ago just because the Islanders season is over does not mean this blog stops working.

I expect Newsday will wrap Islander coverage a day or two after the season ends with a few blogs sprinkled in. My guess is we see virtually nothing in the Post, Times or News the final days.

* First off I will do as much as I can on the Sound Tigers in their chase for a playoff spot and if they qualify will be covered through the playoffs. Bridgeport game interviews and highlights will replace ITV game features on the sidebar, the articles will continue as always from home and away.

* A full blog for each player will be written with a final grade including a full review of the general manager and coach.

* I will release my prospect rankings from top to bottom of the organization.

* Full World Championship coverage will also be on this blog.

* I will also step up prospect coverage as the focus shifts to who the Islanders have to offer a contract to by June 1st.

* Trade rumors, signings, draft previews, nhl lottery will all be covered here in full.

* Some hot button NHL topics I wish to bring up that may concern the playoffs and of course I will be on top of the media covering our team. I only hope it's fair and well done.

* The draft will bring huge coverage here along with whatever happens on July 1st.

* Of course I will keep adding new features to this blog to increase the volume of quality information.

The six months before this club goes back to Moncton are going to go by very quickly on this blog.

My thanks as always to everyone for their kind words and support.

It was not all about the injuries

Point Blank: Mr Botta had a blog this afternoon and wrote he felt the right moves would be made moving forward and more players would be added to Rick DiPietro and Kyle Okposo.

He also wrote Garth Snow or Ted Nolan would never use injuries as an excuse but pointed out the huge list of players injured and wondered how any team could stay in contention under those circumstances?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
On the surface Mr Botta is correct and you do have to look at the injuries as a reason for the club failing which began all the way back with Jon Sim and his production which is a very big deal on a team like this but the cold reality is this was a very flawed team on several levels since day one and it cannot all be chalked up to man games lost which will go over four hundred when it's all done.

We can say injuries finally did them in but a team that scored two goals or less fourteen games in a row in November and December when it was mostly healthy should have fallen off the playoff map back then. Around mid-December the New York Islanders had a grand total of eleven first period goals for the season. It had a powerplay that was terrible for over five months that seemed to allow more goals then they can score too many nights and the worst I can ever recall in all my years as a fan.

The goal-less streaks by the veterans counted on to produce for the most part lasted from beginning to end.

I never went into games wondering would an Islander powerplay give the opposition momentum in all my years as a fan. This year it seemed a matter of when, not if before they would make a mistake. Everyone was part of the blame from Guerin's cross ice pass in Montreal to Bergeron, Berard and Satan turnovers. It was a team effort here led by the veterans and it had little to do with injuries.

This was the lowest scoring Islander team in decades for a while and one of the lowest scoring clubs in the league from beginning to end. It killed penalties very well and cut it's powerplay to penalty ratio but little else improved besides what the kids provided.

Worst of all the Islanders ability to play five on five was gone from a year ago with most of the roster deep in negative plus/minus ratings which is why they could not get games to overtime.

The veterans did not produce with any consistency with Guerin struggling badly into December, Satan having a second poor season in a row and you can go down the line with who was counted on for offense between Sillinger, Hunter and Fedotenko who faded after a strong start. Mike Comrie at best was average for the talent around him.

I also have no doubt some players were hurt but hung in as long as they could led by Satan who was supposed to be out eight weeks but missed one game. Having written that Satan's been struggling for two seasons plus, I cannot tell if it's all about injuries.

Part of the reality here is to write what everyone knows. Richard Park gives all he has to every game but he cannot score with the consistency required for the minutes and role he was given, same for Andy Hilbert. Josef Vasicek for a player who had six goals a year ago gave all he had but is not a player who can produce enough to be a second line center, not on a club with so many other players in offense roles with no scoring resume.

Then came the January losing streak of seven games in a row where the club dropped out of it's playoff spot, never recovered and the injuries finally started mounting, despite the character from the players and their replacements to grind out a six game winning streak, they never got all the way back to being in the top eight.

The ability from a year ago to manufacture enough goals to send games to overtime in seventeen of twenty games after they were a game over five hundred at the end of January 2007 was gone from day one, replaced by a lot of regulation losses where the veterans did not seem to work as hard as they could many games. Last night I pointed out that was the second home Coliseum shootout all season and the first of any kind in close to a month, survival skills to grind games out to overtime was missing all year.

I'll never forget the game before the all-star break against Boston. Ted Nolan afterward talked of his team looking forward to getting away while Marc Savard said how desperately they wanted to win that game after coming off a bad loss. We saw a lot of bad losses where this team could not score or generate much of anything like against Anaheim or Los Angeles.

To me games like that defined the Islander season a lot more than the injuries which have to be talked about but cannot be used as the over-riding factor for the club's failure this season.

It also cannot be ignored how many of these kids have outworked the veterans for months, the coach has said it several occasions.

Also moving forward the cold reality is players like Brendan Witt, Andy Sutton are going to miss a lot of games with injuries because that is their career resume. Bill Guerin is not getting younger and neither is Mike Sillinger. Mike Comrie's resume has a lot of injuries. For Bryan Berard to hold up enough to complete a season and play as much as he has in the second half had to be considered unexpected at this point in his career.

Point Blank: Mr Botta did a second blog on this because he felt some flame throwing was going on about his earlier blog.

In it he includes the disclaimer his blog was not a commentary on the woes of the power play or the struggle to score goals and with the knowledge Ted Nolan gets as much out of his players as any coach in the league if everyone (including Jon Sim) were healthy do you really think the Islanders would be in the playoff hunt this week?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I hope Mr Botta knows and understands this blog does not engage if flame throwing but only asks the questions from all angles and is critical when something deserves criticism. Of course when he reaches out some will flame him regardless which to me only hurts what I feel are good intentions and giving his thoughts like any of us.

He is not required to blog and share his thoughts with anyone, instead he goes out of his way to talk hockey like one of the fans.

I again reiterate as above on the surface Mr Botta is correct that the injuries were a big issue but it cannot be ignored this club had major issues in other key area's that were even bigger factors that I wrote about in detail.

To me everything has to be taken into account.

I have to admit he asks a fair question and a good one. Do I think if everyone were healthy would the Isles be in a playoff hunt this week? I do not know for sure what Jon Sim would have done here but I can speculate like everyone else his production would be down from where it was in Atlanta like everyone else.

Having written that I could be wrong there too, Sim could have had a career year with his quickness and skill that carried the club and got more out of other players he had seventeen goals on a third line in Atlanta.

To be fair I can also write no team goes eight two games without some significant injuries.

To answer Mr Botta's question the Islanders even with the injuries and losing seven in a row hung around until the final two weeks of the season, so sure I think if they were healthy they would be in contention now if everyone was healthy because it's obvious even now there is no team in this division the Islanders cannot win against on any given night.

In March they beat the Devils, Penguins, Rangers and were ahead against Philadelphia all night before losing a shootout.

Still this was a flawed team on a lot of levels for six months, but what team is not?

A good question for Mr Botta to ask is how come Howie Rose on the telecast Saturday made it seem like it was almost a waste of time for the Islanders to finish eighth again, lose in the opening round and just do a rebuilding around the young players?

Anyone think Mr Rose will be saying that about the Rangers if they are fighting for eighth come Friday?

Hartford 4, Bridgeport 3 shootout

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 4-3 in a shootout Sunday at Harbor Yard to the Wolfpack. Bridgeport for the second day in a row lost a 2-0 lead. Joey MacDonald made forty one saves. Ben Walter, Trevor Smith and Jamie Frasier scored for Bridgeport.

Jeff Tambellini had two assists. Steve Regier had an assist and Matt Spiller playing his fifth game in five days on defense had an assist and was plus one. Tim Jackman and Steve Regier also recorded points.

Jesse Joensuu did not make his debut this weekend for Bridgeport.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the shootout loss after Bridgeport scored two very quick goals with Jack Caupano's comments in front a crowd of over eight thousand. Jackman, Regier and Spiller all played five games in five days. Kip Brennan could be called up to the Islanders.

Hartford Courant: Bruce Berlett covers the Wolfpack.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog turned out to be prophetic with the Sound Tigers leading 2-0.

Hershey lost 5-2 Sunday at home to the Monarchs. Binghampton lost a 3-2 lead in the final minute and lost the shootout against Rochester. Justin Mapletoft missed in the shootout for Binghampton.

A few words about Mr Dey's plan

For starters let me write Mr Dey and the folks at the Islanders work very hard in the business department to reach out to the fans and have come up with some very creative concepts this season (and last season) to bring the fans back to games.

I don't know what Mr Dey specifically does beyond the job title, nor Mike Bossy/other alumni or the folks behind the scenes on the business end.

What I do know is they have worked very hard to get their message out with very limited, skeptical media who only seem to surface to be critical.

Mr Wang has been very generous to release ticket plans to get folks to the building and deserves better for his efforts. The hockey staff and the players have gone all out to meet the fans and talk to them directly for several seasons.

Of course, despite discounts the prices are a problem along with a small corporate fan base they have a tough job to bring in.

What I also know is past ownerships even in the late nineties were giving free tickets to anyone who used to be on a season ticket list if they could still be found, companies in Queens got literature to attend games for discounts in groups so the outreach has been there before. A friend even got seats in a suite for free one year so it's not the first time the organization has reached out to it's fans in a big way.

Folks in the media business will talk about the team being last in attendance but that's also a reflection of being last in media who have done a terrible job promoting our team to the public or giving the fans any chance to make a connection with these players thought their work unless you own a computer now. Anyone who follows the attendance knows early season games in such a huge baseball market have been a problem now for a good five years which was evident early in the 2002-03 season.

If the Islanders had three articles a day in Newsday and backpages for every game, home or road with two full time writers and bloggers, they would have more fans reading about them and wanting to attend games. Same goes for all five newspapers.

The newspapers, the television media create the buzz which gets folks talking which gets people to want to watch and see what happens. We all know Msg will never give the Isles appropriate television coverage because they pay to control and limit their competition.

The Islanders used to get the backpage for regular season games in the city papers against any team on a given night. That was a long time ago but critical in bringing fans to the games along with road games on free television. For the old time fans home games on television were virtually unheard of before cable television, finals games were on radio when the Islanders won some of those championships.

Still, every seat for a decade was sold out.

The media sold the product with coverage, today that's gone. The Islanders spend the money for advertising space as we have seen the ads in Newsday, a year ago the Post had backpage Islander ads for ticket and never replaced the full-time beatwriter for the money the team spent.

Today the sports editor gives hockey token coverage so unless you own a computer you lose touch with the club and do not attend games or follow the players and some papers barely give the team any coverage and no blogs.

As for Mr Dey's plan no matter what he is fighting an uphill battle before the words are out of his mouth between skeptical media influences skeptical fans. Many feel it's the same old thing after the writer makes his point and do not even take the time to read further before they tune it out.

I may not agree with everything the Islanders have done but they are going above and beyond for the public and that's what counts and a message worth your time to listen to and give a fair chance.

It should be noted Greg Logan edited his article with Mr Dey on the attendance increase which went from an exact number to something that now reads as a little more than a thousand fans per game so I'm not sure what else Newsday re-edited from the original article here.

What I can tell you is reading the interview with Mr Dey he concentrates on the business side of things and keeps things general about the hockey side unless it's to tell us Kyle Okposo will be involved with helping market. Only Mr Logan tells us the club will keep the kids and try and add a free agent, not Mr Dey.

In the end I like what Mr Dey said the Islanders are trying to do on the business front. The hockey decisions will come down to the hockey people.

Either way I like the plan and want to hear more, a lot more. I hope the fans will give them a chance.