The Questions LaFontaine WSJ Writer Mike Sielski Could Not Answer About His 4/2/12 Article....

Our entry on Thursday discusses our efforts to gather more details on Mike Sielski's article on Pat Lafontaine, with his response that he can't get into the details of his news-gathering/reporting, citing Wall Street Journal policy.

So New York Islander Fan Central will present our questions sent to him via e-mail with some of our own background information to help try and answer.

Of course, this must start at the beginning with what was specifically requested in our e-mail.

It seems there are a lot of unanswered items in your feature that perhaps you can clarify for everyone because your subsequent radio/webcast interview also did not address any of this. The intention here is to inform our readers as a New York Islander blog with no team or media affiliation.

Many of the questions ask what you knew and when/if you were aware as a reference point for folks to follow, granted that's repetitive.
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1. Outside of one Islander centric article about John Tavares after a game against the Rangers (10/18/2011) have you covered one New York Islander game this season where Msg's team was not the opponent beyond your HU Times/WSJ feature covering the referendum announcement on 5/14/2011?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Mr Sielski's work at the Journal details many local sports, his only Islander centric coverage until 4/2/2012 all season was one singular article after his countless Ranger updates on 10/18/11 after Tavares hat-trick in a win against the Rangers.

Our Thursday entry detailed his 2011-12 seasons work at the Journal.

Mr Sielski covered the referendum announcement writing an article on 5/14/2011 HUTIMES-Wsj (Wall Street Journal) what many also will recall on 7/12/11 WSJ had an article titled " A Stadium’s Costly Legacy Throws Taxpayers for a Loss” where two different WSJ writers release a feature on the cost of the Bengals Stadium in Cincinnati, which some folks cited as a reason for voting no on the Nassau Coliseum referendum in local coverage?

The Cincinnati Bengals website on 7/13/11 issued an immediate rebuttal to the Journal.
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2. When did you speak to Mike Milbury for his opinion and Pat Lafontaine?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
I felt these were very fair question given that Mike Milbury/Pat Lafontaine are long gone from the organization, Mr Milbury has had a lot of things to address in the last year.

Unless Mr Sielski made a special trip to the Coliseum to cover an Islander game without the Rangers, the last time he was there would have been Feb 24th, where his no quote/game article appeared the next day 2/25.

The 2012 archived articles of his work at the WSJ do not reflect any other visits to the Coliseum here.
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2a Was Steve Webb contacted about this given that general manger Garth Snow had no comment?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
If Garth Snow had no comment according to Mr Sielski, it only seems prudent he would reach out to Webb as part of his research, or at least give the same answer.
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3. When did Charles Wang issue his statement to your inquiry?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
See Milbury/Lafontaine.
This story was in the WSJ a day after Mr Wang was on television.
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4. You referenced the Feb 5th 2008 game, writing the Islanders denied LaFontaine a credential for the game, Brian Burke instead provided a ticket for LaFontaine, and the two continued their meeting in a suite reserved for the Ducks' owners.

On Feb 7th 2008 a NY Times Article by Lynn Zinser reported through a spokesman that LaFontaine would have been welcome to come and sit in a suite reserved for alumni as a footnote during a game at Msg.

Were you aware of the Times article two days later and the Isles spokesman's statement before you wrote your article?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Being that he referenced this specific event I was wondering if he read the 2/7/2008 Times Article where the Isles spokesman is quoted about a box for alumni being available?

If you look at the comment section after that article in 2008 this blog asks our questions, and Ms Zinser responded.

She wondered what we wondered.
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4a. You also wrote a former team executive confirmed that LaFontaine was denied a credential to the game, would that be the Isles former media relations coordinator, and Islander sponsored blogger, Christopher Botta, who's credential was revoked in November of 2010, and when was this confirmation provided?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Given Mr Botta is very active insulting the Isles/Wang/Snow almost daily on twitter calling for critical New York Islander coverage while not covering any games, it would only be prudent to inquire if one Ranger centric writer spoke with another for the 4/2/12 article?
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5. Your article reports in September 2011, Lafontaine and former Islander Steve Webb biked 550 miles over 48 hours, from Toronto to New York, to raise money for charity. That the Islanders issued a news release on their website about the event. The release mentioned Webb, but not LaFontaine.

You article also reports the Islanders confirmed these events happened but didn't comment.

My questions would be are you aware the Isles release only covered Webb starting the trip 9/19/11? That NHL.com site reported on it 9/18/11 and them finishing on 9/21/11? Or that the Isles website did a similar release for Webb on 9/12/2010 which NHL.com also featured 9/13/2010, and the Isles website also did this on 9/9/2009 among many Islander website features on Steve Webb's charities?

Also noting the Sabres website issued a release on 9/14/2011 The Ranger website presented nothing on this which concluded in New York City?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Islanders website reported on Webb starting the trip on 9/19/11. NHL.com site reported on it 9/18/11 & NHL.com 9/21 reported on the finish.

The Sabres website issued one one release on 9/14/2011.

The Ranger website has three news articles on Pat Lafontaine and presented nothing on this event.

Isles website did a similar release for Webb on 9/12/2010. NHL.com featured that on 9/13/2010 Isles website also covered this on 9/9/2009 among many of Mr Webb's charity events.

For those who like to check NHL team website searches:
Isles website search results Pat Lafontaine 30 news, 0 image, 0 video.
Sabers website search results: 41 news, 1 image, 6 video.
Rangers website search results: 3 news, 0 image, 0 video.
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5b. Are you also aware the the Isles game recap or " Skinny " written by Msg employee, Eric Hornick, does reference Lafontaine many times in 2012 current game recaps on the Isles website because it was not in your article?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
It just seemed odd Lafontaine's name is all over game updates on the Isles website if his accomplishments are in fact being hidden/delete/removed?

That would include Sunday 4/1/12 (the day before the WSJ article) & 4/4/2012.

Lafontaine to this day is featured in Isles historical section with his picture which does not seem consistent with everything being removed from the clubs website?

Granted the (2:56) Islanders Season Opening Video 10/8/2011 does NOT show the 1987 goal, however it also contains nothing from JP Parise, or the 1975 team. Very quickly the video (43 seconds) goes straight to the first Stanley Cup in the highlights.

ITV Video Feature released 2/22/2012 shows Lafontaine's goal in their 10,000 goals in forty years (1:31) again asking the question if he is being wiped from team history what's his goal doing there in a video produced late in February of this year?

Updated:
The Isles Frozen In Time section of games also includes the Easter Epic here without the Dolan-owned telecast with Jiggs McDonald & Ed Westfall.
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6. Were you aware Lafontaine was at Al Arbour's 1500th game against Pittsburgh on Nov 3rd 2007, he was introduced to the crowd, and was on the ice with Charles Wang during the post-game ceremony despite his resignation in August 2006?

6b. Are you also aware Lafontaine was pictured with Sidney Crosby at the Nassau Coliseum March 22nd 2007?

7. Your article states after Lafontaine's resignation, he called Wang twice in 2006, once in Thanksgiving and once at Christmas, inviting him to meet for coffee, and Wang never called back, but he was obviously allowed on the Coliseum ice and seen with Crosby in the visiting team area early in 2007.

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Because none of this is even in Mr Sielski's article, and obviously all of it happened after his resignation. Even Ms Zinser was aware of it when we asked in the Times in 2008?

Getty Images dated image of Lafontaine/Crosby at the Coliseum not in an alumni box.

I think we all know Lafontaine was as Al Arbour night, and introduced without providing a link on Nov, 3rd, 2007.

Islanders website did include Lafontaine's name in their recap of that night.


(41-seconds)
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8. Were you aware Lafontaine was honored by Charles Wang after his hall of fame induction on Nov 8th 2003 in what was described as a rousing pre-game ceremony, where he specifically requested no personal gifts, or that the teams Hall of Fame began in 2006 by honoring Bob Bourne with many former dynasty players still not inducted to this day, which was only picked up again this season after Mr Wang honored the dynasty teams on many occasions to the point he was criticized for doing so?

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Long winded question---granted.
Mr Sielski brought up the Isles Hall of Fame, which began in 2006, I just provided the background of what's this owner has done.

As I wrote the other day it was unclear for this blog what Lafontaine asked for on 11/8/2003, until we did some research and found out.

This blog even found the coverage before and after with the article on Pat Lafontaine's own website which we linked to.
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9. Where you aware in Nov 2000 both Charles Wang, Charles Dolan agreed to a " Charity Challenge ", where both the Isles/Rangers season series loser would contribute to Lafontaine's charity?

(Note-Our e-mail question included the Hummer Metro Ice Challenge Dispute) but that really was after Lafontaine was out, and the Devils in.

WHY NYIFC ASKED?
Call this a throw-away question on our part, I simply wished to know if Mr Sielski was aware of both local teams effort long ago?
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Summary:
NYIFC tried to get direct answers, we were left with more questions, and gave you all the background detail that we could find.

I think these were fair questions our fans would wish to know.

Mr Sielski's career background was presented to the best of our ability with his accomplishments/awards before we wrote this on Thursday, if anything was left out, we will update our earlier entry.

Conclusion:
Charles Wang's first coach was Butch Goring. His firing, did not sit well with the alumni long ago, and now he's in the Dolan's broadcast booth calling Islander games on Dolan's Network. Denis Potvin was reportedly not happy on a few occasions, these things happen in all organizations, sooner or later they are usually resolved.

Mr Sielski's work was sloppy or selective. It took less than an hour to do the research for this entry.

When Yankee Stadium had it's closing ceremony in September 2008, Joe Torre, Roger Clemmens here and others were omitted from the clubs history.

Transparency:
I did not even know Pat Lafontaine's Companions In Courage Website was not listed on our sidebar with many former Islander players until this entry, I thought it was there already.

This blog made sure our historical upgrades this year featured included the 1987 series with Washington. Our long-standing admiration for Pat Lafontaine's career, his incredible charitable efforts over the years transcend hockey, and are an example to everyone.

Good luck finding Jiggs McDonald/Ed Westfall Islander call of the 1987 Easter Epic from the Dolan's archives of New York Islander hockey. McDonald is in one internet video doing the narration for another outlet here.

Our past archives have always featured Pat Lafontaine. I was in Maple Leaf Gardens
on Mar 3, 1984, the night he had a hat-trick against Alan Bester in an 11-6 win.

Thanks for reading.

Pat Lafontaine WSJ Writer Mike Sielski Contacted For Followup

Updated 4/5/2012:
Mr Sielski responded

Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your note and your interest in my story, but I can't get into the details of my newsgathering and reporting with you. It's not Journal policy.

All the best,
Mike Sielski
Reporter
The Wall Street Journal
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Response:
This puts New York Islander Fan Central in the position of making our questions to Mr Sielski public for our readers which will be presented on Friday, April 5th,at 10am.

The twitter box will return at 5pm for Steve Staios 1000th career game.
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On April 5th, New York Islander Fan Central contacted, Wall Street Journal writer, Mike Sielski, asking him many followup questions to his April 2nd feature on Pat Lafontaine.

Mr Sielski also did a WFAN 960 audio interview on 4/4 as a followup to his feature here.

As explained in our e-mail there are a lot of unanswered items that perhaps he could clarify for everyone because the subsequent radio/webcast (above) did not address any of this.

I explained our intention here is to inform our readers as a New York Islander blog with no team or media affiliation.

New York Islander Fan Central hopes he takes the time to respond in the upcoming days.

Mr Sielski's background lists him as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and the author of the book: Fading Echoes: A True Story of Rivalry and Brotherhood from the Football Field to the Fields of Honor.

An earlier profile, does not list his WSJ credential but does list all his 2012 WSJ articles with a very impressive resume of awards, and career achievements here.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers Qualify For AHL Playoffs

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) qualified for the 2012 American Hockey League playoffs by winning Wednesday at home against Springfield 3-2 at Webster Bank Arena here.

Mike Halmo made his debut, Isles draft pick, John Persson (ATO) had his third goal. 

Ct Post: Michael Fornabio's game coverage.

AHL.com: Has standings, playoff format and tiebreakers

Bridgeport has opened up a five point lead in the Eastern Conference, plus controls the first tie-breaker which in the AHL is still wins. (not ROW)

NYIFC Comments: 
NYIFC prospect blog has everything for the Sound Tigers. 

Simply put a remarkable accomplishment for rookie AHL coach Brent Thompson, and his staff with the entire Islander organization.

This was a team 29th in the AHL at the end of the calendar year. Many injuries/call-ups.

From 1/2/12-3/2/12 they lost one game in regulation.

Mark Katic was out since day one of preseason until recently. deHaan, Rakhshani, Colliton, Marcinko also have missed significant time.

Kevin Poulin has played every game since Anders Nilsson's ankle injury (both goaltenders won the award for best goaltender) back to back months.

Looking Back At Pat Lafontaine HOF Induction/Islanders Night Honoring Him In 2003 & Media Coverage

This would be an image of Pat Lafontine before the announcement of the New York Islanders playing the Rangers every year in what was Announced as a " Charity Challenge " in November of 2000.

The article came from Pat Lafontaine's Companions In Courage Website . Charles Wang, Charles Dolan are all quoted as to why they decided to do this.

Even Mr Kumar was in attendance.

Our point in this entry was to look back,  examine the media/Islander coverage for Lafontaine's HOF induction and specifically what the Isles did on Nov 8th 2003, to honor Lafontaine before a game with Atlanta.

Lafontaine was inducted, Monday, Nov 3rd, 2003 in Toronto.

For the first time since the closing of Islanders-Sound Tigers in 2006 changes have permitted New York Islander Fan Central to make available our complete archives, this includes the daily articles from newspapers in full when Pat Lafontaine was inducted and what coverage was provided November 2003  up to the induction and the Isles ceremony.

11/4/2003 Islander News Articles/Lafontaine Coverage

Our archives also include the Islanders website itself. 

To be completely transparent here for everyone. I found an old site out of business today to document the coverage separate of our archives to see if anything was missed here.

I also found something a little extra Companions In Courage's Newsletter detailing what happened on 11/8/2003 page 4 at the Nassau Coliseum.

Islanders Honor Newest Hall of Famer with “Night”

Among those joining LaFontaine and his family on the ice were Bill Torrey and Bob Nystrom. FoxSports’ Howie Rose emceed the event that included excerpts from LaFontaine’s Hall of Fame induction speech. The New York Islanders honored the newest member of the Hall of Fame – Pat LaFontaine – with a special night on November 8th at Nassau Coliseum.

Part of the pre-game event included a brief video retrospective of Patty’s career, along with a presentation on the charitable work that LaFontaine is performing with his Companions in Courage Foundation. The Coliseum crowd was treated to the debut of a video that was created by Display Presentations Ltd. that shows a walk-through of the completed “Lion’s Den” rooms.

Per LaFontaine’s request, there were no gifts presented to him. Rather, he asked that the night be used to present “a gift to the children of Long Island.” He wanted the night to focus on the building of a Lion’s Den room at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park. More than $20,000 was raised through the Islanders and the evening’s sponsor - JPMorganChase.

Andrew Parton of JPMorganChase presented Pat with a check for $10,000 toward the build-out of the room. He also noted that each fan in attendance was given a commemorative Pat LaFontaine puck.

“It’s in keeping with his reputation as a great humanitarian, that Pat would deflect the attention away from himself on ‘his’ night,” said Jim Johnson of the CiC Foundation. “It’s the way he’s conducted himself for the last 20 years.


Why should tonight be any different?”

Here was the " Skinny " on the Isles Website
LaFontaine Honored

Hockey Hall-of-Famer Pat LaFontaine was honored before the game.
Legendary Islander General Manager has the line of the night,
saying, "I drafted him, I signed him, I traded him." After the fans
booed, Torrey continued, "Two out of three's not bad."

LaFontaine's Honorable
Patty refused to accept any personal gifts in honor of his induction.
Both the Isles and Chase Bank donated $10,000 to his Champions in
Courage Foundation.

These were the articles on gameday 11/8/2003

Media Disgrace:
Islander News Articles 11/9/2003

NYIFC Comments: 
There were always questions from my end on the Isles retiring Lafontaine's jersey that day, obviously Lafontaine did not want any gifts. Did the Isles offer, or did Lafontaine turn that down?

We don't know.

Alan Hahn largely had other things to write about at Newsday.

Peter Botte did his usual lazy job and these days works much harder not covering the Isles beyond twitter insults. Evan Grossman from the Post I guess could not be bothered that day. Ron Dicker was the Times last full time beatwriter.

I thought folks would enjoy this.

New York Signs Brock Nelson

Islanders website : Reports Brock Nelson has signed an entry level contract. 

Isles twitter reports it's a three year ELC. 

UND.com Also confirms signing and that Nelson will turn pro.

Michael Fornabaio reports Nelson is expected to join the Sound Tigers in the near future on an amateur tryout.

NYIFC Comments:
As much as folks may have been disappointed with Anders Lee not signing yet/returning to school, Brock Nelson was the one Garth Snow traded up for that draft experts were very impressed with.

Nelson was the player Snow needed to get under contract after Kessel/Gregoire used the Wheeler loop-hole to sign elsewhere. 

Nelson on an ATO with Bridgeport would not make him playoff eligible because he's was not on clear-day/residence list. He could get a game before the season ends.

New York Pre-Season Game In Barrie/Notables

Islanders website announced a preseason game in Barrie against the Ottawa Senators on September 30th.

“The New York Islanders are excited about the opportunity to host a game in Barrie, one of Canada’s true hockey communities,” New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said.  “With several of our players such as John Tavares, Josh Bailey and Matt Martin having been a part of the OHL, we know how passionate fans are about hockey.”

NYIFC Comments:
For those scoring at home:
Edmonton Oilers, September 27th, Regina SK.
Ottawa Senators, September 30th, Barrie.
New Jersey Devils Oct 2nd, Brooklyn.

What's of note is the Isles are hosting the game in Barrie, with the Isles controlling the arena in Bridgeport, plus the usual Coliseum game, it could mean a longer preseason.

If there is a season.
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Obviously by now folks know Matt Donovan was recalled, he will debut vs Devils.
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Lottery Watch:
New York's weekend dropped them back into the lottery. Toronto/Anaheim controls the ROW as the first tie-breaker. Isles control the tie-breaker vs Minnesota.

Any wins/points could change the entire mix.
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Notables:
NYIFC twitter feed fired back at an article on Pat Lafontaine, where this blogger believes it comes from and pulled no punches in the comment section.  

This blog was one of the few to be critical of the Isles for not using it's website to rally support for Jason Blake when he announced he had Leukemia.

Management was praised by Jason Blake for their support in his first year when he left the club long ago.

This blog was critical last summer when former coach Steve Stirling was hospitalized during the AHL finals, and it was ignored by the Islanders/teams peripheral media.

In the past we have seen the clubs website chronicle the finals exploits of Brent Sopel and Aaron Asham. Let's be clear the Isles not inserting an image of Pat Lafontaine on the teams 40th anniversary website calendar is not a big deal but perhaps a bit petty?

Omitting his efforts with Steve Webb's earlier this year in an article is not appropriate because NHL.com did include Lafontaine and Webb together, and has featured Lafontaine/Webb/Royals.

To the other side of that, the teams skinny (game recap) has consistently detailed Lafontine's career accomplishments vs games played or records during the 2012 season. 

Having written this there are two sides to a story, selective reporting/questionable standards either way should never be ignored.

Pat Lafontaine was honored by the team in Nov 2003 with a night after he was inducted into the Hall Of Fame. To the best of our knowledge, Lafontaine declined to have his number retired.

Lafontaine was announced at the Coliseum on Al Arbour, night and was on the ice. He is pictured with Sidney Crosby on another occasion at a different game.

Before the Metro Ice Challenge fiasco, the Islanders and Rangers agreed to donate to Lafontaine's charity based on head to head game results.

In short, everything is placed on the table for transparency here, otherwise why bother? 

Jack Capuano's Return Is The Correct Move

I feel it's important to start this entry by noting the Islander website archives go back to the summer of 2005.

Within seven days, the club announced two new assistant coaches for Steve Stirling after the lockout. Dan Bylsma on 8/18/2005 & Jack Capuano on 8/25/2005.

One left the Islanders, the other stayed, both became head coaches in the American Hockey League, both replaced coaches at different stages in their teams progression/circumstances.

Jack Capuano's Islanders had success against Dan Bylsma's Penguins at home last year, Capuano's team just became the only one to pin back to back losses on the Penguins since Jan 10th-11th.

Capuano's job status was a subject this blog pondered over several times, as even Mark Streit was called out indirectly by his head coach, and the captain fired back. It was pondered over with Kyle Okposo riding the bench with Josh Bailey, who played a lot of games out of position where the coaching was again questioned here with management.

Michael Grabner has also seen some time in the stands with Nino Niederretier, and several other veterans.
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The Decision Had Been Made Coach Stays:
What Charles Wang said on Sunday was expected regarding his general manager/head coach.

On 2/2/12 (15:08) Garth Snow appeared on Gary Bettman's NHL Hour, and praised the job his head coach had done in detail. At that time the Islanders were two games under five hundred.  (same as 4/1/12)

Garth Snow discussed, Capuano's great relationship with the players/communication skills, x/o's second to none. (cue goals off faceoffs as part of that comment)

Mr Snow on 2/2, also employed the rebuilding word  which he avoided for years which was blogged about in detail here also. 

Is Coaching The Problem? 

2010-11:
Capuano inherited a 4-10-3 club that bottomed out at 5-18-5 losing over six hundred man games to injury, his team in Bridgeport was struggling when named the interim coach. 

From that point Capuano got his teams overall record to 29-33-12 before a final wave of injuries in mid-March.

This blog documented the thirty plus regulation losses by one goal/open nets. There were signs this team had a deep offense, a defense with some mobility, there were reasons to expect what happened in the second half combined with the return of Streit/Okposo would produce a playoff team with a chance to win a Stanley Cup.

The praise for the hard work shown by the 2010-11 New York Islanders was a theme opposing coaches used often which was not token praise. 

Reality:
Then we discovered every year is different, games are not played on paper, and for every player who progresses there is one who takes a step back, the mix changes, and with it things that worked.

2011-12:
The changes altered the chemistry, some of those decisions made upstairs doubled-down on the problems that cost Scott Gordon his job by the same players returning from injury. 

Some fair gambles in free agency did not work, they forced Capuano to fall into the trap of his predecessors with Blake Comeau, a notorious poor producer in the first half even when left at one position.

Okposo returned looking  as slow, tentative, as the player who was still working his way back from injury, his 2010-11 stats hidden somewhat by the success of  Michael Grabner on left wing.

New Captain, Mark Streit,  in his thirties, returned from a year injured to find Steve Staios as his opening night partner on defense, who's trade value in March 2010 equaled former Islander, Aaron Johnson/3rd rounder.

It was a flawed team with obvious weakness from opening night, which looked nothing like the club from the second half of 2010-11.

This club never won more than three games in a row.
Terrible on home ice. 
Was one of the worst five on five teams in hockey.
Terrible production on the back-line.
Blocked the most shots in the league as a reflection of the pressure on the slow, low-hitting defense.
Horrible holding leads.
Poor under pressure where games hung in balance. 
Almost no easy nights. (5-1 Tampa games)

Despite all those obvious weaknesses. The club basically remained in a box between six under and five hundred after October, to this day never entering serious playoff contention.

As soon as a free-fall seemed apparent, the club rallied.

The clunkers seemed to pace most other clubs, the ugly wins reflected the overall roster's weaknesses. 

Talent, Coaching?
There was individual progress, however players who took steps back.  Yes, there were questionable moves by the coach with his pulling of goaltenders at odd times.

Character? Fan blogs are not in locker-rooms, only the people in the room/management can speak to an individuals character in terms of how they play hockey.

Folks who go there on the outside are wasting your time.
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Playing To Your Career Trends Not On Head Coach:
I did not see the weakness incorporated into the lineup or their failure as the fault of Jack Capuano.

Marty Reasoner, was hurt in camp and never got started.. I cannot put what I saw on the head coach, sometimes you discover why a player is a free agent beyond statistics.

Brian Rolston had a very strong second half for the Devils a year ago, he cleared re-entry waivers in Dec 2010, he played to his lesser trend. Capuano cleared positions, power-play minutes to get the best out of his performance. Finally/correctly, he decided it was not going to work.

Staios, Mottau, Jurina, Haley, Pandolfo, Reese, Moulson, Nielsen, (beyond short-handed goals), Bailey all played to their career trends, outside of Frans Nielsen all those players were scratched.

Nieslen's five on five production was consistent with his career offensive struggles, despite his recent improvement. 

Michael Grabner played to his 2010-11 trend before his injury. Andrew MacDonald played to his very early career trends with Travis Hamonic which is good on a team with this many weaknesses.

Tavares progressed as a first overall pick should. 

PA Parenteau took a big step forward statistically.

Evgeny Nabokov finally got healthy, and showed his trends from San Jose as a reliable starter. Rick DiPietro's recent trend of injuries made him a non-factor. Al Montoya played to all his career trends late last season, and as a struggling AHL backup prior to his acquisition.

Matt Martin's scoring did not progress as you would hope, despite hit totals.

Kevin Poulin, Anders Nilsson both played to the trends you would expect with highs and lows.Calvin deHaan, Mark Katic's injuries are part of their trends.

David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, Rhett Rakhshani, have no NHL trends, they did not seem held back by the coaching of Jack Capuano. 

Okposo, Streit looked like players who missed a year or were asked to do too much. Both looked closer to their career trends recently in terms of their impacts on games.
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Ultimately:
Based on what I have written and seen since October, Jack Capuano should return as head coach for 2012-13.

Capuano was as good (or bad) as the talent (and weaknesses) on the roster provided to him.  

Those weaknesses should improve with talent/natural progression from inside the organization.

Having written this we wrote that a year ago after Ty Wishart played twenty second half games at a plus five, and seemed very reliable on defense entering his 5th NHL season. The former first round pick never got more than a token look as the veterans struggled badly on the backline.  

In 2011-12, I did not see a coach who lost his team, the losing was always met by a team that rebounded with wins which speaks to the coach.

No doubt Jack Capuano was one reason some players wanted to resign here who had options.

Overall I saw nothing long-term that Capuano cannot produce the success Dan Bylsma did when they finally reach that next level.

The 2011-12 roster was not that team from opening night.

The remaining question here is does Jack Capuano want to return?

Charles Wang's 4/1 Interview In Ottawa Pregame

Comments on the loss to Ottawa are on twitter. 

Our earlier summary via twitter comments on Charles Wang's Interview out of context




NYIFC Comments:
Only so much time we can wait for the Isles website via Msg to make this available.

For those looking for inconsistency from the owner, the GM spoke with Gary Bettman on  Feb 2nd, and made clear at that time he was satisfied with Jack Capuano as his coach with the club two games under five hundred.
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Matt Martin has won the Bob Nystrom award.