First Place New York Islander Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/20/2010 12:31:00 AM |


The first place New York Islanders phrase fits quiet well, so for now enjoy it, along with a new NYIFC header honoring Bill Torrey, who will have a night from the Florida Panthers in a few days, with the New York Islanders the opposition.

You think by the way some Leaf media reacted, they were a first place team in March? The New York Islanders beat most first place teams all of last season.

I guess Leaf media has to write something to justify interest/page views for themselves in October, some were fair about correct on-ice calls made, others not.

For all the grief the officials receive that was a heck of a call on ice to notice the high stick on a Leaf non-goal. If an Islander scored a goal that way and it was negated you credit the officials just the same.

I hope that's how the calls are made in March, April, May and June regardless of what teams are involved.

It's October, there have been some very good things happening beyond the injuries, but the New York Islanders could have won or lost every game, and the same could have been said a year ago before the shootout win vs Carolina.

The hard work has been there and that is the mindset the players dressed must continue to have, regardless of result.

Last year they went to Washington twice and gained points, this year they lost in regulation 2-1. Last year early, they lost close games, this year they are winning them.

The local/national media by and large are a joke, who barely can write about the primary team they are assigned much less others so you will have to excuse their laziness in terms of hockey knowledge.

The 2010-11 New York Islanders are 3-1-2, it's October, not March. Of course they can be in first come March, or they can be in last.

If they stay reasonably healthy, they should be in contention.

For now, they have to survive any possible time without Bailey who looks like a franchise center in his natural spot ready to break out. His loss is huge to this roster. They have to keep getting results from Comeau, who also is likely injured but playing the best hockey of his career. Nielsen has to contribute, Tavares, Moulson have to score their goals, along with others.

Weight is giving Scott Gordon, no reason to cut his minutes or his role, he's in on most goals this team is scoring with the powerplay.

Bailey's franchise center potential vs Nielsen or Schremp is the decision down the road to be made. Would Bailey have done this as a wing? Great question but his natural position and these results have come with him as a center.

Hunter, is out temporarily.
Schremp, Okposo, Streit are out.

When everyone finally returns, management will have some very tough choices to make.

The bend, but not break defense has done the job, some mistakes and potential for breakdowns, but no worse than other clubs. Not a fan of Jurcina, or Mottau, who's mistakes can be big ones, but they have also provided some steady play.

Martinek's been the same steady (and more) player he has always been, who has proven invaluable. Wisniewski is steady but you see some mistakes too with potential.

MacDonald's been good, once he buries a goal, he'll even be better. Disappointing Hillen has no spot, but his time will come over 82 games, same for Gervais.

Roloson and DiPietro have both played well. Konopka did not fight Cooke in Pittsburgh (NY given powerplay) after DiPietro got run the second time, he needed that more than a fight by appointment vs Colorado. DiPietro's classly interview and efforts for BCA was excellent.

New York has five more chances to get even with Cooke, why would any team want to run mediocre Brent Johnson?

Gillies dressing for now means this team rolls three lines and mixes things up, Sim needs a goal or two, or Matt Martin/someone should be pushing someone's spot.

Put me in the group that likes Michael Grabner's speed/hands. No one finishes a two-one on this roster like he did Saturday against Colorado, then take the puck from one end to the other after that which he did after a Roloson save.

Parenteau is getting his points and making plays, he needs some goals to go with those minutes given.

I'm more impressed with Tavares faceoffs, defense, than his one-timer against Toronto. He does look faster/better this year for limited body of work.

We'll see. Seasons are not decided by October 20th. The New York Islanders if healthy could very well be a top team, they may be one anyway, whether the media spin doctors like it or not.

For now New York heads to their Bermuda Triangle in Florida and two teams that have dominated them down South. This is where they prove to me if things have changed because Tampa (bow down when you write the name Yzerman) is improved on paper but still it's Gagne, Bergenheim, Moore.

Looks like it may not include Lecavalier.

New York outscored the Stamkos Lightning a year ago.

Bill Torrey tribute night vs Florida will follow that game.
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Not sure what happens by next week with Nino Niederreiter after he plays his 9th game. The trends with Bailey, Tavares suggest he stays, and does not go to the WJC.

Niederreiter is almost a full year younger than Tavares/Bailey were as rookies. It could go either way. What's disappointing is no one in Bridgeport played well enough to give them more time.
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David Ullstrom had his first professional goal credited today via video reversal.
Kevin Poulin had his first professional win, I held off on that because I thought he may have had one in an earlier cameo.
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Nate Lawson cleared waivers, three goalies in Bridgeport for now.
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Cablevision hired Christine Simpson today to enhance Devils coverage. Pat Flatley was absent Saturday so Mike Keenan could review New York Islander hockey games on a night the Dolan's team did not even play, with Trautwig, Maloney and Daneyko.

This is entirely about Cablevision saving money on New York Islander hockey. Goring
has not been bad, lot's of enthusiasm/knowledge but it's all about who had a contract vs who's was expiring in Jaffe. Howie Rose keeps the candle lit waiting on Sam Rosen's job between vacations and off air five minutes after games. Stan Fischler works the locker-room for home games.

ITV makes up for all of them with complete interviews so you can get past writer viewpoint/bias to the quotes.
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Michael Fornabaio in the Ct Post says there is no agreement with Louisiana IceDogs, of SPHL, their site has owners comments and a team release saying there is.

I added section to prospect blog for them so we'll see.

Former draft pick Wes O'Neil, is with ECHL Kalamazoo Islanders affiliate.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL
Kalamazoo Wings ECHL
Odessa Jackalopes
Louisiana Ice Dogs



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