Early World Championship Update

Early update on the 2008 World Championships with exhibition games starting up within the next week and a section created here at NYI Fan Central. Parts of some team rosters have been leaking through but very few official and confirmed lists. No confirmed Islanders to date.

Frans Nielsen will not participate for Denmark between his shoulder injury and his contract status.

Sean Bergenheim I have seen on and off lists for Finland but is restricted and needs a new contract.

Robert Esche was named for team USA for those wondering if DiPietro could participate.

Kyle Okposo was not on team USA early roster, could be a lot of reasons he has not been added but he already participated at WJC.

Miroslav Satan's knee injured will keep him out of the tournament.

Final Poll Results: Who's out at forward?

Final results for this week's poll a bit early, nice job as always on the voting.

This weeks question was who's out among the forwards?

Someone under contract for next season 10
Restricted free agent foward 1
Josef Vasicek 13
Ruslan Fedotenko 19
Miroslav Satan 24

No one voted everyone (all UFA) would be back.

Yashin vs Satan, double standard by Nolan?

I'm not going to claim to be an insider or anything. I have no idea what goes on in the Islander lockeroom, who talks or is popular among the players.

All I see is what happens during the games and to me it begs a fair question be asked and one I have been wanting to ask for a while.

If Alexei Yashin who had an outstanding start and carried the club into December two years ago scored forty percent of the offense with Jason Blake and Chris Simon on his line can be sent home for ineffective play because he was playing hurt and ineffective how come Ted Nolan did not apply the same standard to Miroslav Satan this year and force him to sit until he could be effective?

Let me refresh you to Yashin's circumstances. He injured his knee on a ninety point pace, missed a few weeks, came back early, had a good game but was injured again and clearly could not move on his knee. Anyone watching could see him in obvious pain.

Ted Nolan let him play about eighteen games where he had maybe a goal, was clearly slowed and totally ineffective before he finally sent him home and basically ran him down in the press telling everyone he would not play until he could contribute as if he had no tolerance for a player trying to play with an injury on one leg.

This year Miroslav Satan did not look good early, aside from a few brief flashes. I do not know when he specifically got hurt but after missing a game the team announcing he has an injury that should sideline him for eight weeks kept playing and for the most part was terrible. He did not contribute on the scoresheet.

So how come Ted Nolan did not apply the same standard for Satan, who has been ineffective for most of the last two seasons?

Alexei Yashin when he finally returned produced ten critical points to help the club make the playoffs and two key goals against the Rangers, one in the third period.

Someone needs to tell me what the difference is here because I'm not seeing it. Viktor Kozlov when he signed with Washington also felt there was a double-standard against his friend.

It should be noted Yashin's fifty points in fifty eight games was greater than any one player on this years roster.

If Yashin's buyout was on Ted Nolan's opinion it gives the owner fair reason to ask questions because the loss of his offense hurt the roster whether he was popular with the media or not.

Garth Snow & Ted Nolan vs prospect development

It's fair to write general mangers & coaches are not paid to develop prospects and perhaps take growing pains, they are paid to win hockey games which means some tough choices have to be made where veterans are used first and foremost.

After a while if your not winning with these players, that general manager or coach is going to find himself out of a job. Doug McLean found that out in Columbus and Alan Cohen in Florida is not shy about making changes either as his youth movement has not seen a playoff game in close to a decade.

Prospect movements fail too.

Very sobering thoughts for a franchise that has not won a playoff series since 1993.

Mike Milbury had a choice to make, he decided he was not going to be around to see his prospects unless he started winning so he cashed them in which saved his job and got the fans coming out to the games. He made the same choice when the Milstein ownership bought the club immediately trading for Trevor Linden as he did for Michael Peca.

Sooner or later Garth Snow and Ted Nolan have the same choice, we have already seen Garth Snow make a choice with Ryan Smyth along those lines.

There is no set formula for guaranteed success. One look at Florida and Colmubus should tell Islander fans that Blake Comeau, Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim, Kyle Okposo or whoever else from the draft picks could still be waiting to participate in a playoff game six years.

The Islanders are doing a lot of talking about the plan on paper and the prospects, one the general manager did not follow when he took a good gamble on the Ryan Smyth trade but seems to be willing to go all the way with it now. How much pressure will be on him to improve if his club does not win next season and the fans do not support a prospect movement?

Ted Nolan is a man without a contract beyond next season and no one is sure of Garth Snow's tenure beyond next season. Do they want to put their future job status in the hands of prospects, which the coach did not seem willing to do this season?

It's going to be very interesting when push comes to shove what philosophy will win out here and how it will effect how the general manager and coach make their decisions with limited tenure.

Will the Isles stick with their planners?

Isles said a lot of good things last night, it was necessary and appreciated by this fan.

Having written that the big question is do they stick with Garth Snow and Ted Nolan knowing that they may have to take a few years of growing pains and failure in order to work in the prospects?

We know it's not going to be all prospects with Comrie, Guerin, Witt, Sillinger, Sim, Sutton and a lot of players who want to win now, it cannot be nor does any team working in prospects go that far.

I have written here several times that I think Garth Snow and Ted Nolan's contracts have to be tied together. To extend the coach's term without the gm being extended is not a good approach and if this is a committee your gm cannot have more tenure than the coach.

We do not know how long Garth Snow is signed for, we do know Ted Nolan is in the last year of his contract with pressure to produce results.

The goal should be the Stanley Cup, the right things were said.

What also now needs to be said is this is the general manager and coach who will be here for all the growing pains whether they win or lose for now. You commit to a direction you have to commit to the people making the decisions and show patience in what they are trying to do.

Whatever Garth Snow's term is as gm, that should be Ted Nolan's term as head coach.

Open House & Chalk Talk Recap:

Islanders website: Recapped last night's open house and chalk talk with the fans at the Coliseum. Charles Wang, Chris Dey, Garth Snow, Ted Nolan answered the fans questions and talked about the plan for the franchise as well as the Lighthouse. Steve Mears hosted the event, Michael Bossy was on hand.

Newsday: Katie Strang covered last night's event with Charles Wang, Ted Nolan, Garth Snow's comments who also reported he has an agreement in principle with 2006 draft pick Tomas Marcinko of Slovakia on a three-year, entry-level deal.

Newday: Katie Strang provided two blogs on the night's events.

European Hockey.net: Confirms Marcinko's transfer.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
First class by Mr Wang to show up and be there with everyone which is something I felt was very important. A lot got answered without the usual media spin and speculation that clouds a lot of things the club says it's trying to do.

I like the direction and what was said, it's impossible to make full commitments to every single player but Garth Snow and Ted Nolan said seemed like the basis for a good plan and players like Bergenheim and Comeau did get a lot of experience last season. The gm talked about the need for an enforcer, more speed and skill and how he would sprinkle in unrestricted free agents.

Newsday: Editorial section endorsed the Town of Hempstead's approval regarding the Lighthouse project taking the next step with a few words about Mr Wang and Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Kate Murray.

I will also add the full event on the side-bar here for those who would like to watch over the next few days.

Islander/NHL Notables

USA Today: The latest prospect updates from Kyle Woodlief of Red Lind Report includes word came out of Niagara last week that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is done for the season after being diagnosed with mononucleosis on April 6.

Note-Isles did have their in their profile of Pietrangelo a few days ago with even more information.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The USA Today updates are infequent nor is there a feeder to link here from Mr Woodlief's section but his articles will be added to the prospect section.

A must read for all NHL fans year round and critical at draft-time.

Red Line Report's preliminary list of the top eligible prospects for the NHL's 2008 draft in Ottawa on June 21-22.


NO. PLAYER POS HT/WT S DOB TEAM

1 Steven Stamkos C 6-0/180 R 7-Feb-90 Sarnia
2 Nikita Filatov LW 6-0/172 R 25-May-90 CSKA
3 Drew Doughty D 6-0/213 R 8-Dec-89 Guelph
4 Zach Bogosian D 6-2/199 R 15-Jul-90 Peterborough
5 Alex Pietrangelo D 6-3/198 R 18-Jan-90 Niagara
6 Luke Schenn D 6-2/210 R 2-Nov-89 Kelowna
7 Mikkel Bdker RW 5-11/201 L 16-Dec-89 Kitchener
8 Colin Wilson C 6-1/203 L 20-Oct-89 Boston University
9 Kirill Petrov RW 6-3/218 L 13-Apr-90 Ak Bars Kazan
10 Cody Hodgson C 5-11/182 R 18-Feb-90 Brampton

Mississauga News : Reports Islander prospect Luciano Aquino of the Fort Wayne Komets was named IHL rookie of the year and this week was again named rookie of the week.

Aquino placed second in the league in scoring with 91 points, including 41 goals in 74 games is a seventh-round draft choice of the New York Islanders in the 2005 NHL entry draft.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Aquino used to play in Bridgeport, he is a restricted free agent this summer.

Wall Street Journal: Joe Mantone reports former Islander part owner Stephen Ross who today owns half the Miami Dolphins, said he no longer has any stake in the Islanders. He says his only interest and motivation was in the real estate and building a new arena there and that never took place.

Tsn.ca: Reports Carolina Hurricanes winger Sergei Samsanov was resigned to a three year contract today worth 7.6 million. Samsonov will receive $2.3 million in 2008-09, $2.5 million in 2009-10 and $2.8 million in 2010-11.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That cheering you hear in the background is from Miroslav Satan and his agent.

Mr Wang's Town Hall Meeting 2/14/01

Only seems fitting given tonight's meeting at the Coliseum that we look back at a meeting long ago Mr Wang was a part of during his first season.

No, I'm not reposting this to rehash Mike Milbury's tenure or go negative on anyone, just more of a look at how a past fan forum format went with the owners involvement and the ramifications. This meeting was held in season before a game at a time the philosophy were far different at another time in club history.
***********************************************************
Wang: "We're Going to Turn This Around"
From the Islanders website:

Uniondale, NY (February 14 2001) Islanders co-owner Charles Wang made
himself available to a banquet room full of Islanders fans before
Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia to hear their questions,
criticisms and support regarding the current state of the team.

In a 40-minute Town Hall-style meeting, several fans fired questions
at Wang on topics including the status of GM Mike Milbury and coach
Butch Goring, potential free agent signings this summer and plans for
a new arena for Nassau County.

Last week's declaration by Wang that Milbury would return next season
was, not surprisingly, the hot-button issue of the night for the
fans. They wondered how Wang had come to that decision. "Well, he's
bigger than me," said Wang, lightening the mood. "It's a done deal.
He's coming back, guys. Milbury starts at ground zero with me. So
let's support the guy and make him feel loved. We're going to turn
this thing around. It's going to take time.

"I believe he knows hockey and I'm going to give him a shot. Whether
it works or not, I have no guarantees. He obviously worked under
different circumstances. Working with me, I told him, `Here's what
we're going to build on. Here's what it is.' He gave me a plan.
Without all these injuries and the chemistry not being right, we may
be better. But we're not, and that's a fact. Still, let's give him
his shot."

Wang also revealed that the fate of head coach Butch Goring was
strictly in Milbury's hands. "We have made no commitment to Butch,"
Wang said of Goring, who has one year remaining (after this season)
on his contract. "We are not going to make any statements other than
that. It is totally Mike's call."

In preaching patience to the fans, Wang used the Ottawa Senators as
an example of how a team can build itself up to be competitive. At
that point, one fan pointed out that Ottawa was an expansion team
while the Islanders are playing in their 28th season. "We're worse
than a new team sometimes," said the brutally-honest Wang, drawing
laughter.

This Town Hall was in stark contrast to the Fan Forums of previous
ownerships, in which since-departed managements told the fans they
had all the answers, only to set themselves up when they didn't back
up the bravado. Wang didn't always tell the fans everything they
wanted to hear. He didn't sugar-coat anything and was not interested
in winning a popularity contest. Wang just gave his team's loyal
supporters the facts.

Wang was feisty, fun and frank throughout, at one point telling the
golden-haired fan more commonly known as Ziggy, "Sit down and shut
up," when the fan hogged the stage after the owner already had
addressed his topic several times. When one fan said the Milbury
issue might result in the team losing ticketholders, he said, "You
can give them up if you want. I'm sorry if we lose you as a fan, but
we have to make the tough decisions and stand by them." When fans
shouted out names of people who should be considered as coach or GM,
he said, "Yeah, guys, I know who [former Sabres coach] Ted Nolan is."
"Ziggy" proceeded to give his exclusive scoop– but false urban
legend – on why the talented Nolan hasn't received a second NHL job.
Wang and the fans groaned, and the subject was changed.

The crowd of approximately 70 die-hards touched on other topics, such
as restoring organ music in favor of taped music, signing some key
free agents as well as re-upping current Islanders whose contracts
will be up at the conclusion of this season.

Wang said he hopes a new arena for the Islanders will be built within
the next four to five years. He stressed the importance of Nassau
County developing the area around the Coliseum, possibly including a
convention center.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Wang spoke individually with some
fans and personally thanked them for their support. "I want to be
able to get together again like this," he said.

*****************************************************************
Of course on 3/7/01 after Butch Goring was fired he had a few words about that meeting and what transpired (above) in this Daily News Article from Peter Botte, a few days later Mr Wang and Butch Goring did meet and things were settled down for those who remember and he was offered a job with the organization.

Most of the blame from Butch Goring in the article (below) was on Mike Milbury for misleading him on running a prospect team that was expected to lose and many of the veteran player.

Anyone who wants the full article please e-mail or ask in the response section.
******************************************************************************
Islanders-Daily News 3-7-2001
GORING RIPS MILBURY, PLAYERS OVER FIRING

"I really felt my days were numbered, particularly after Charles'
open forum," Goring said of a recent fan gathering in which Wang
talked repeatedly about former Buffalo coach Ted Nolan. "I don't
think there's any question my credibility with the players was hurt
with those kinds of statements."
***********************************************

Welcome Home Islanders-SoundTigers

The Isles in their exit interviews on ITV have been doing something called Looking Back-Looking Forward.

NYI Fan Central has decided to go way back, to the beginning which for me is around 1999 when I started Islanders-Sound Tigers on yahoogroups. The old logo is faded, the old mailing list sits dormant but the quality from the members and the topics are still outstanding.

I have been blogging here since last July and have had only a few words about Islanders-Sound Tigers that I stated back in 1999 and owned up through the end of the 2006 season when I decided to close the list. I kept the list active for myself and folks to view the archives and realized today I have been perhaps a little too conservative in not sharing some of the articles and postings with everyone.

That changes today.

Even if it breaks from this season self-imposed rule on copyrighted material because the links to the articles are old and out of date from those publications.

Islanders-Sound Tiger mailing list features becomes a regular item here now at NYI Fan Central as I include some great old articles, some old commentary from myself and even a few laughs at a lot of things I got wrong over the years.

I think the readers of this blog will enjoy it a lot.

I could begin anywhere but why not start with a good one at a time hockey got some attention in New York.
*****************************************************
From Islanders-Sound Tigers 5/22/2001
*****************************************************
NY Daily News
Friday, May 22, 1981

It's Sweeter The Second Time
By Mike Lupica

There are so few moments in sports that are clean and right, moments
burned into memory because the best players have won, and they have
brought grace to their game, and have heard the cheers of their own
at the time when victory is finally theirs. And so it was on a
Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, when a fine old
silver treasure called the Stanley Cup was held high by an injured
captain named Denis Potvin, while a song called "We Are The
Champions" came pounding over the sound system in a marvelous way.

Maybe it is that old Cup that always brings such dignity and
emotion to the occasion. More likely, it was the current owners of
the Cup, a group of champions called the New York Islanders, a hockey
team the likes of which we have so rarely seen.

There is nothing at all wrong in Hempstead on Long Island, where a
truly great hockey team plays its games, and where that team won a
second consecutive Stanley Cup by defeating the Minnesota North Stars
5-1 Thursday night. You had to be in the building. You had to feel
the music and hear the cheers. You only had to see Denis Potvin's
face in that first instant when he thrust the Cup into the air, and
sent the cheers out into the spring evening, spreading in all
directions over Long Island.

Bob Nystrom skated joyfully along the boards, slapping high-fives to
any hands he could reach. Bryan Trottier found Stefan Persson, the
injured defenseman, and embraced him. The Islanders, always a team,
always together, began to move around the ice with the Cup, passing
it from one to another, quickly and effortlessly. The symbolism, of
course, was perfect.

Each man had shared in the triumph, "the big guns to the guys in the
trenches" as Nystrom would say later. They win and lose together.
This is a proud Army. Maybe they will begin to disperse someday soon.
But they will always have 1980 and they will always have 1981. No one
can take these two years away from them.

When the celebration moved onto the ice and into the lockerroom,
Trottier and Butch Goring were left on the ice. They embraced once
more. Then the ice was left to Goring, an NHL lifer who has never
cheated for a minute in his life, who has played every minute of a
tough career with splendid effort, and who now had won the Conn
Smythe Award as MVP of the finals.

They needed Goring for an interview at the other end of the ice. And
here was Butch Goring, skating down the middle of the ice, pumping
his arms up and down like some sort of hockey "Rocky," inspiring
another chorus of thunderous cheers.

A few minutes later, Bill Torrey was standing outside the Islander
lockerrom, champagne already staining his blue shirt below the bow
tie. It is Torrey who has been the architect of this team, who has
built this championship team brick by brick, who is 10 years, with a
short bankroll, has made the Islanders into perhaps the most
successful expansion team in the history of sports.

Someone asked Bill Torrey if the second championship was sweeter than
the first.

"Your're damn right it is," said Torrey.

Damn right. It was a damn right night on Long Island. The Stanley Cup
is where it belongs, again. The Islanders are champions, again. They
managed to make professional hockey into something fine. Raise a
glass for Torrey and Goring, for Bossy and Trottier and Potvin. And
for Al Arbour. Raise a glass to all of them.

NYI Fan Central Final Review of Sean Bergenheim

Today's NYI Fan Central Final review is on Islanders forward Sean Bergenheim.

2007-08:
Sean Bergenheim came into this year a player removed from a year long holdout who had to win over a new coach who had never seen him play and once again adjust to the North American game which was asking a lot.

You could see from the early games paired with Vasicek and Satan a player who jumped into the holes, could make a play with his speed and still had the hockey sense where you watch him do a lot of things to help a club win a game that I saw in Bridgeport and his previous callups to the club.

One of the things he did not do often enough (especially early) was control his aggression which led to some penalties which Ted Nolan praised at times but also was frustrated about on occasion which saw a few demotions.

Offensively, he had a nice stretch in January with a few big goals, including one late in Minnesota and displayed a nice knack of raising his game against the Rangers with a few goals. He again showed the knock on his game since his draft which was his ability to finish but many nights was the most visible Islander among the forwards with his hard work, skating in all three zones and finished ahead of the veterans he was paired with far too many nights. He did not receive a real chance on the powerplay.

Looking ahead:
After a holdout two years ago, Bergenheim is a restricted free agent so this bears more attention than usual. He obviously won over Ted Nolan with his hard work but will that translate into a long-term contract which the Isles should be looking to do here?

Bergenheim's offensive game needs more seasoning, he needs some more speed and skill around him but it's painfully obvious Bergenheim is a very good young talent who is only getting better and part of the long-term answer for this organization.

Final Grade:
I wonder what his offensive numbers would have been if the veterans did not hold him back many nights? To me, he was the hardest working player on this roster with Blake Comeau and despite some over-aggressive penalties and better finishing skills, Bergenheim receives an A with a very bright future in front of him.

Islander News Articles 4/16

Newsday: Katie Strang had comments from senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations for the Islanders, Chris Dey about tomorrow's event.

Newsday: Katie Strang did a blog on tomorrow's meet and greet with the fans with her questions for the coach & general manager.

Vancouver Sun: Elliott Pap has a few words about the next possible general manager in Vancover and says in listing Neil Smith fifth that you need one strong voice to call the shots, not a committee like the Isles. Former Islander Steve Tambellini was listed fourth as the writer feels he deserves some blame for the current state of the Canucks.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I did not even know the Cauncks were going to change general managers?

You may need a strong voice to call the shots, having written that how come the writer did not include the same words about the Dallas Stars who also have a committee?

Edmonton Journal: Jim Mathewson reports on Alexander Ovechkin's response to Mike Milbury saying he was playing like a dog in an NBC game last weekend and that he did not even know he was the Islanders general manager.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Milbury better watch himself here. Dick Ebersol and Sam Flood want some controversy to sell these telecasts but if this comes down to a pecking order Mike Milbury rates far below one of the two franchise stars (Crosby-Ovechkin) they are marketing. He can get away with that on Jagr even with the Ranger media fan boys are annoyed but Crosby or Ovechkin can land him off NBC if he's not careful.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had a blog late on Tuesday with some Sound Tiger related items.

NYI Fan Central Final Review of Shawn Bates

In honor of tax deadline day a mini review of Shawn Bates.

2007-08:
Not much to write here, he worked his back from the previous season's injury, scored a goal at Bridgeport in a conditioning assignment before another injury struck which again forced surgery, ending his season. It was notable Ted Nolan did not commit to a full time spot for him when he was recovering but injuries/Chris Simon suspension created a spot for him.

Looking ahead:
Bates enters the last year of his three year contract. No updated reports on whether he can continue to play. If he can return my guess is with Richard Park and Andy Hilbert signed combined with many young forwards needing an opportunity it's fair to speculate Shawn Bates Islander career could be coming to an end regardless. As a left wing/center Isles seemed well stocked in that department with the same kind of player and Jon Sim with two more years on his contract and better scoring ability.

Of course I wrote this last summer so we'll see. We all know Bates is not going to help this club with his offense beyond a few games but can help a team with his hard work, skating and penalty killing. His class and character is always something you want on your team.

Bridgeport, Utah, Prospect sections

Thanks to the usual solid work from Mr Fornabaio who makes sure we have an updated player contract status for practically everyone in Bridgeport and the ECHL here at the end of each season I decided to add a Bridgeport/Utah section in terms of players in the Islanders system where every player is profiled.

The Sound Tigers website does not do profiles, the Islanders site only list some players who are usually prospects but not all of them so it was a combination of the Islanders website/AHL.com so everyone has a profile of sorts.

In addition some changes were made to the prospect section depending on where someone played. No point listing Kyle Okposo or Blake Comeau in the prospect section anymore with a new group of drafted players coming in June. Players like Dustin Kohn may be a prospect but he plays in Bridgeport and belongs in that section. Tim Jackman you could flip a coin on as to which section he belongs between the Isles and Tigers. Mark Wotton may have played in the NHL but he's in the Sound Tigers section and signed for next season.

If you see nothing written next to a player they are signed for next year.

Finally contract status for everyone was updated as best as possible, from the prospects who need to be signed by June 1st to Russian Prospects.

I just completed a full blog on this a few days ago for all prospects
here where I expanded a little more on each prospect.

For those checking the sidebar:
*-Denotes a prospect who needs to be signed by 6/1/08
**-Denotes a Russian Prospect who's status is up in the air with the transfer agreement.

Isles have a lot of college prospects who do not need to be signed.

****-Denotes Emile Axelsson who is not from Russia or signed by the Isles but is still listed as a prospect even though he was drafted in 2004.

In other words, I don't have a clue why he's listed and my favorite prospect's name Per Braxneholm is not?

Mr Wang needs to look the fans in the eyes also

I responded in Mr Botta's blog about pod-casting and raised an issue.

I'm not sure if it went along the lines of what Mr Botta's good intentions are in terms of pod casting but I thought I would tell you what I did write here.

I have to be honest with my readers. I wish Charles Wang was on hand to take the fans questions and talk to everyone as Mr Cohen did in Florida and feel if it's at all possible he should make himself available to take the fans questions and perhaps do a blog as Ted Leonsis did during a lot of tough years in Washington.

Mr Wang is the face of this organization and does all the press conferences announcing major events. Mr Dey can talk of the business direction and what they are trying to do as can Garth Snow and Ted Nolan about the hockey product.

I absolutely think Mr Dey has the right idea when he wants the fans to know the plan and look the people in the eyes and tell them when they are trying to do and be up front with them.

Having written that no one needs to be there more than Charles Wang to do exactly that.

More than anyone, Charles Wang has been the face of this franchise since the day he purchased it. He's done a lot of very good things and brought a franchise back to the playoffs that missed seven years in a row under ownerships that hid from the fans and did nothing but create a disconnect with it's fans.

Mr Wang's done all he can to reconnect with the alumni to make up for what other owners failed to do and most importantly he has does far more than anyone to put his resources behind this team despite it being impossible not to lose revenue in a facility this old with an impossible lease for any owner to make a profit even if every ticket were sold. His efforts got a team in Bridgeport for our prospects and saved it a few years ago.

Mr Wang's made some mistakes as an owner with regard to the hockey decisions but that example must begin with him looking the fans in the eye and telling the fans his vision whether they agree or not.

That's how you connect with your fans, that how you get them to believe in a
long-term plan and what you are trying to do.

More than any coach or general manager Mr Wang should be one looking eye to eye in the faces of the people who attend the games and face the though questions tomorrow.

That's how you get them to buy into what you are trying to do.

I hope more than anyone he can make himself available tomorrow and would be willing to do this. It's the best possible way the Islanders can make this connection with it's fan base.

Islander News Articles 4/15

One thing sure is great about playoff time, the amount of articles reminding everyone of the Islanders dynasty and how they are the last hockey team to overcome a 3-0 playoff deficit. It's everywhere along with any mention of playoff beards and the 1980 team creating the tradition.

Times & Transcript: Neil Hodge had a full updated interview with Ted Nolan, including his denial he will not be returning to Moncton to replace his former Islander assistant Dany Flynn as he talked about the Islanders season right up to tomorrow nights meeting with the fans and that he plans to return for the final season of his contract.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Great interview. I learned more here from the coach than I did in any of the Newsday exit interviews. Sad that we have to wait for a report from a Moncton paper to learn things about what our coach thinks but just another example of how poorly Newsday (and the city media) covers our team.

Total guess on my part but I have a feeling Greg Logan may not be back for a third season. From his reporting it seems only like a job and a paycheck anyway where he does what's professional and required but little more. He's entitled to all the vacation time he earns like anyone with long-tenure at a job but it does not help the coverage when the only full time beatwriter has this many vacations. I do not accept the explanation he does longer blogs so he does less. He knows the media situation around the club and should understand the urgency to provide as many blogs as possible for a team that does not have them in the other five papers as they should.

Newsday: Katie Strang reports from the ESPN announced attendance links that the Islanders finished last but more than eighty three percent of the building was filled on average which was better than some other clubs. Chris Dey reports on what the club will be doing to bring more fans in while former Ranger Daily News beatwriter Frank Brown, who today is a long-time NHL spokesman gave his comments as to what impact the Lighthouse project will have.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
First Anthony Rieber, now Katie Strang? It's coverage by committee once again for the New York Islanders. Should be interesting if they follow up on it with coverage of Wednesday's events.

Newsday linked to an independent youtube video today to supplement it's hockey coverage so perhaps Islander fans should youtube the event tomorrow.

Palm Beach Post: Brian Biggane reported Panthers owner Alan Cohen in his meet and greet with the fans was not happy with Jacques Martin. In the article itself Mr Biggane in throwing out many coaches under contract included the Isles.

Edmonton Sun: Derek Van Diest reports the Oilers signed former Islander defenseman to a one year contract with terms undisclosed but believed to be for 1.5m a year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Kevin Lowe is really hurting the NHL salary structure with some of these contracts.

What does this mean for Bruno Gervais and how does Chris Campoli feel about his
long-term contract now? One gm overpays and it sets a precedent and as solid as Grebeshkov was at times 1.5 million seems like an overpayment.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the Sound Tigers season with comments from general manger Garth Snow, Jack Capuano, Jeremy Colliton who talked about the teams strong second half and Kyle Okposo while Mr Fornabaio examined the roster and it's needs moving forward as the roster was reviewed in terms of player contacts.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his blog had a lot of items on the Sound Tigers as they head into the summer. As always this time of year he gives out the list of the status of the players on the roster in terms of contract.

Islander/Sound Tiger notables

Newsday: Anthony Rieber reprints Michael Fornabaio's game article today from the Ct Post with the focus on prospect Jesse Joensuu in a Newsday blog.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Shocking. I have never seen Mr Fornabaio's excellent work picked up by Newsday with the Islanders almost never giving him credit for outstanding coverage for years but today a little known prospect who barely got a word written about him by Greg Logan gets a write-up from Anthony Rieber who I cannot recall covering one game all season?

It begs the question why can't Newsday do more Sound Tiger updates or at least put the link to Mr Fornabaio's page on the teams site for updates all the time?

I asked Mr Fornabaio last week in his blog how come Newsday cannot do anything for the Sound Tigers given the Wolfpack have had coverage in Newsday with a link. He replied and told me what I knew already that Newsday and the Hartford Courant share the same parent company. If anyone has looked at the Courant format it's the same as Newsday.

Islanders website: Report Rick DiPietro will be in the Versus studio's the next four nights to provide commentary with the goaltenders comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I knew this earlier but doing an update I threw it in here anyway.

Nothing new for DiPietro who went into Manhattan for SNY to do playoff updates for them two years ago. Too bad SNY did not provide better Islander coverage in return all season. I kind of liked the person who said the Islanders were playing the Devils in the playoffs a few days ago.

USA Hockey: Had a release on the upcoming World Championships today and a partial roster as did team Canada on April 8th here.

The World Championships exhibition games begin on April 26th and the tournament is being held in Halifax and Quebec City from May 2 to 18.

For a little background and some updates check the IIHF website here along with the hockey Canada
here for the latest.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Like the World Junior Championships NYI Fan Central will have full coverage.

Next question is does Kyle Okposo get an invite, will Bergenheim get an invite for Finland or Tambellini/Comeau for Canada. Will any veterans be appearing like Richard Park?

My guess is Okposo has a spot if he wants it just as DiPietro did early in his career. Fair question if players like Thomas Marcinko, Robin Figren and a few others get a call.

During the lockout this tournament was huge and it's never been a small event, one look at the people running the US and Canadian teams make it clear this will be another great one.

Should be fun to see if Kenny Jonsson or Zigmund Palffy return to North American to participate. For that matter will Alexei Yashin be making the trip for the Russian team as a little showcase for his services come July.

Yahoo sports: Issued an Islander team report with a lot of old, repeat comments among their own speculation that could have been from the AP but seemed like a little more. No one's name was credited with the article.

NYI Fan Central Final Review of Bryan Berard

Today's NYI Fan Central Final Review puts the spotlight on defender Bryan Berard.

Bryan Berard:
The 2007-08 season for Berard was one where he had fallen so far in NHL circles he had to join a team on a tryout, prove he could stay healthy and produce at a high level. The years prior to this he had barely played and could not stay healthy.

Were a generation away from his trade to the Islanders as a young prospect, but his return was a notable one.

Berard did a credible job in camp, still showed he has good offensive intincts and even though he had to wait for an opening was signed by the club after the season began.

Offensively it was a respectable year for Berard on a low-scoring club. He had a few nice individual efforts that led to goals, including a five on three powerplay goal against the Rangers early. He also got hurt early which put him out for a few weeks, when he returned found himself benched often for poor defensive play with extra defenders waiting for an opportunity. Occasionally Berard also displayed a physical edge but did have a breakdowns in front of his goaltenders and is not a player who is going to clear the crease.

What was interesting to me is he still showed the speed to avoid penalties in the defensive zone.

Berard has to share in the blame for the Islanders powerplay problems, especially the turnovers that led to shorthanded goals against with one play in Ottawa that hurt the club.

Funny thing happened along the way, when this teams depth caught up with it, Berard looked solid and did not hurt the club on defense and proved remarkably durable for all his health problems. His play on the point did not improve the offense but it's not fair to put that on any one player.

Looking ahead:
Given the depth on the roster already and the need for a defender who can quarterback a powerplay, it's tough to see him back just based on his defensive play. I do think he extended his career with his performance which will earn a contract with another team and will not have to try out again.

If Isles did not have Campoli, Gervais, Hillen and especially Meyer signed for the next two years I could see a spot for him here.

Final Grade:
It's easy to fault him for his defense at times, but given where he came from going into this year and how steady he played down the stretch combined with some flashes of offensive skill on a flawed club, Berard gets a grade of C and a welcome back to the NHL for the long-term because he earned it with his play this season.

We've only just begun

Nine pre-season Islander games.
Three Islander prospect scrimmage games.
Four Sound Tiger pre-seaon games.
Eighty two Islander games.
Eighty Sound Tigers games.

From Moncton to the final game in Bridgeport NYI Fan Central had updates for a hundred and seventy five total hockey games with pregame/postgame/daily articles and a boatload of commentary for the 2007-08 season while Mr Prospects did a great job updating the keeping us all up to date on the Islander prospects.

A great ride for the first season here and my pleasure, wish our teams had won more games but it's been amazing.

The games are over but New York Islander Fan Central is a year-round Islander blog so the hockey never ends around here.

In fact, we've only just begun......
Thanks again.

Islander News Articles 4/14

Newsday: John Jeansonne makes his point the Islanders and Devils will never be as popular as the Rangers with Chico Resch's comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What was the point of this with such limited space for hockey coverage?

With all the lack of attention on hockey was this really necessary or was Mr Jeansonne annoyed his favorite team lost and just had to take a shot or two at the other teams in the area, the ones who help make the rivalries which generate what limited buzz there is?

I don't know where John Jeansonne was when the Islanders were winning Stanley Cups but they were very popular all over New York. They sure got the full back pages in all the city papers which is something Ranger playoff hockey does not get today at all and should know better than quote announced attendance reports which never tell the true story. Msg for hockey is not Montreal or Toronto, opposing fans have easy access and many seats are empty for games.

Always has been.

What is it with the Ranger fans in the media who always resented the Islanders and Devils success and will not write about them other than to make sure their favorite team is the topic?

Ron Duguay and three Rangers got a Sasson Commercial, Denis Potvin did not. That's the full extent of Madison Avenue's exposure to hockey in the thirty plus years I have been a fan. Madison Avenue is not interested in Canada's game and never will be.

Where was Mr Jeansonne when Msg sounded like home ice for the Devils in the final game in 2006 when they swept or some of the Islander games at Msg the last few years with the media reporting on the strong Islander fan turnout at the Garden for several seasons? Perhaps he would like to listen to Howie Rose on Easter Sunday when the Isles tri-state area fan base was at the Meadowlands on a day's notice in huge numbers despite not winning a playoff series since 1993?

What's next the baseball writers will cover Red-Sox/Yankees and report hockey does not matter in New York and take shots at the sport?

Mr Jeansonne, one look at your own paper is proof hockey is a niche sport in New York, have a good look at the backpage of your own paper and the lack of coverage.

Too bad you did not do an article on how great Martin Brodeur is.
Forgot. That may make some kid a Devils fan and you do not want that.

This is just bush league from Mr Jeansonne, it would be like an Islander fan in the media doing an article like this in 2002 when the Isles were playing Toronto as the Coliseum was rocking while the Garden sat quiet again.

Do some hockey stories on the players, Mr Jeansonne or don't bother at all.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's final game of the season with comments from Jesse Joensuu, Jack Capuano, & Trevor Smith.

Jeff Tambellini lost out to former Islander, Jason Krog for the AHL scoring title but had thirty eight goals in fewer games played.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I think Mr Fornabaio's words say it best, a very long summer for the entire Islander organization.

No one connected with the organization should be happy with the end result of both the Islanders and Sound Tigers this season.

You look at Bridgport from a distance and wonder why they had so many problems holding leads and getting games to overtime which like the Isles was a big problem for them because you need those extra points. I know they got a lot of good individual contributions but collectively never seemed to mesh but I guess with so many constant changes and the Isles injury problems, that's asking a lot. I'm not sure about Joey MacDonald but he has a one-way contract and looked great in his second game against Philadelphia.

I watch Tambellini in the AHL and he looks like a superstar. In the NHL I would be satisfied just to see him create chances like he gets in Bridgeport because that did not happen here at all, just like it did not happen two years ago. Tim Jackman the last two years looks like a star player in the AHL near a point a game pace, here on a limited role he rarely created a quality chance when he was on the ice.

We all know Jason Krog never turned into an NHL scorer and there are tons of AHL stars who simply cannot play in the NHL.

Should be very interesting to see what Garth Snow, Howard Saffin decide with regard to Jack Capuano. Dan Marshall was out after a year, Jack Capuano is a holdover from Steve Stirling's staff. Is he the answer to developing prospects for the Isles while keeping Bridgeport competitive?

Hartford Courant: David Heuschkel recaps Hartford's win at Harbor Yard Sunday.

Hartford 3, Bridgeport 2

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport lost it's final game of the season 3-2 against Hartford Sunday. Jeff Tambellini and Trevor Smith scored, Mike Morrison had thirty one saves. Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau, Ben Walter & Matt Keith had assists.

Jesse Joensuu made his professional debut with two shots.

Sound Tigers website: Recapped Sunday's game.

Ct Post: Micheal Fornabaio had several blogs, including a very interesting one about Jeff Tambellini.

NYI Fan Central Final Review of Andy Hilbert

Sunday's final review of the Islanders puts the spotlight on forward Andy Hilbert.

Overview: Hilbert was signed at the beginning of UFA last July for two years.

Season: Andy Hilbert seemed to pick up right where he left off from a year ago after being injured down the stretch but was praised by Ryan Smyth for hanging in to help the club.

His defense game, his work in the corners, his work on the penalty kill and his speed are noticeable. Having written that he also simply cannot score as he did two years ago with Pittsburgh and that's what the Isles needed most from him.

He started this year back where he was before the Isles traded for Smyth with Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter (after Jon Sim's injury) but unlike the year before that line did not produce or help win many games with it's offense as it did in the second half. He saw time on the second line before Bergenheim took the spot and has the stronger impact. Eventually he found himself on a fourth line as a center where he has a descent scoring stretch and finally found himself on the first line for an extended period where he played well defensively. He got his chances but again simply could not finish in a position that demands production.

Looking ahead:
Andy Hilbert is signed for 2008-09, the coach has praised his for his work on several occasions. Having written that how many players can this team carry who simply cannot score and show no signs of developing into scorers who cannot make an impact on the score sheet? How do you justify holding back a prospect who needs a real opportunity on left wing or center, do you cheat your defense which Hilbert brings for more skill and scoring and perhaps rookie mistakes from a player who is not as strong defensively?

I like Andy Hilbert, on another team with scoring he would be a good checking forward. I just do not see him as the answer on this club and I think someone who could do more deserves his spot, even if that means he is placed on waivers.

Final Grade:
I cannot give a poor grade to a player who worked hard who simply does not have scoring skills. For me it was an average year where he skated and did a solid job at what he does best. To hold it against him for not being what he is not would not be fair. Andy Hilbert receives a C.

New Poll: Who's out at forward?

This week's poll follows the theme from the defense and asks who is out at forward with the following options:

Someone under contract for next season
A restricted free agent: Bergenheim, Nielsen ect
Josef Vasicek
Miroslav Satan
Ruslan Fedotenko
ALL UFA will be resigned

I put in all UFA will be resigned at forward because I have read reports during the season the Isles were looking the get something down with Fedotenko, Vasicek and Miroslav Satan who reportedly was offered a two year contract recently.

No rule here the Isles cannot trade from it's signed group of players and resign their UFA.

Islander News Articles 4/13

Islanders website: Reported defenseman Jack Hillen was named a first-team
all-American with Garth Snow's comments.

AP: Reports Boston College defeated Notre Dame 4-1 on Saturday night for the NCAA championship.

Calgary Sun: Randy Sportek profiles Robert Nystrom of the Calgary Flames, who played twelve minutes for the Flames in a recent playoff game.

Note-Robert Nilsson was signed to a three year contract by the Edmonton Oilers that will see him make almost five million dollars.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I saw this a few days ago when it was reported and did not see it as Islander news. Robert Nystrom has the ties to his father which makes it Islander-centric. Glad Robert Nilsson has security and a good contract annd congratulations to Robert Nystrom and hope he gives the Flames what his father did for the Isles.

College Hockey News: Adam Wodon reports Bridgeport will be one of the hosts for the NCAA tournament with games played at Harbor Yard next year.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's loss and has a full features on Sound Tigers captain Mark Wotton with his comments here.

Hartford Courant: Has the Wolfpack Coverage.

Hartford 5, Bridgeport 2:

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport was eliminated from the playoffs Saturday with a
5-2 loss to the Hartford Wolfpack after giving up three goals in the final period.

Hershey won it's game which would have eliminated Bridgeport regardless.

AHL.com: Has a full recap of the game.

Tim Jackman scored both Bridgeport goals, Joey MacDonald made 22 saves.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport fell behind 2-0 before tying it, second goal against was horrible communication on defense. MacDonald made a ton of great saves, Sound Tigers got some good chances but did not finish.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had pre and post game blogs.

Bridgeport's season concludes Sunday at 4pm when they play Hartford in Bridgeport.