Visnovsky Has Offer From KHL May Not Be Coming To New York

Given there are now three June 23rd articles with Lubomir Visnovsky's quoted comments since his rights were traded at the NHL draft (please Google translate for yourselves) I feel this now requires a separate blog entry.

NYIFC Comments:
Bottom line Visnovsky could report to the Islanders under the terms of his NHL contract, accept his offer from the KHL (lockout or no lockout), however he can only sign as a player in Slovakia  if there is an NHL work stoppage because there is a standing transfer agreement.

He can retire which would allow him to work for a team in Slovakia regardless of the CBA. 

Visnovsky has only played in Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Anaheim. 

Now we know why he was dealt for only a second rounder, but this could take several months until it's settled, plus it's time sensitive with the CBA because if games are lost he has no reason not to accept the contract offer made already made by the KHL.

The KHL season begins before the NHL CBA expires. 

There are also the circumstances involving the tragic loss of fellow countryman, and friend of over twenty years in Pavol Demitra in the KHL plane crash less than a year ago here.

Absolutely no blame whatsoever to Islander management if he decides to play in the KHL or retire. 

Visnovsky was interviewed by Sound Tigers announcer Phil Giubileo, not Chris King on ITV.
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hokejportal.net: Does a full interview 6/23 with Visnovski with the following:

 Islanders certainly not leading the NHL club. Do not take it as a disappointment?
"Certainly not, want to reinforce the defense, so they took me. They have a team in a lot of clever young players and would like to strengthen. I have basically a veteran and want to get them there a bit steered. You never know what might happen in the NHL, after all, who is now expected that all the Kings win the league? I'm not disappointed. "

Have you even live in Edmonton Kalifornni. What gives you the feeling of New York?
"In the east, I have not played, now it will be the first time. My Family But we love California, but New York could be interesting. 

In early May, you said that you expect in the NHL last season. Still this is true?
"Still, but I can say that I get a bid from Russia and I think about them. He and his wife have already talked about the fact that in New York can not not go and I'll take any offer from the KHL, and because I have such opportunities. We'll see where I end. KHL has signed a contract for some of the NHL and Europe is the only league where I could play in the NHL despite the contract. "

An interesting approach. Can you give a percentage, where you play next season?
"While I do not know it really well so I think in the head. NHL is certainly paramount, but we need to discuss this at home. But as I said, the KHL is a possibility. "

 Certainly expect that you will be asked for your interviews with managers of the Slavs.
"We met, but I did not get an offer. Maros knew that I still have a contract in the NHL, so it probably did not address. But I think also the fact that I finished a career at Slovan, because this is my Heart. In the meantime, do not want to end a career, perhaps waiting for me last season in the NHL, but I hope and believe that it will not last season in his career. "

 And when you offer, that official will come, it is possible that the longer you play next season in Slavic?
"It's possible, this option also exists. But not really in a very theoretical. I do not know if I Slovan wants. "

If we say that the season 2012/13 occurs in the Islanders, it's part of our bold claim?
"Would it be so, so you can write it. However, there are other ideas, as I would like to address. "

The Islanders would probably be disappointed, right?
"Of course. But now I have these things to pass, it's business and I'll deal with it according to what is best for me and for my coming. "

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 Sportky.topky.sk: Repeats many of the quotes above (translated)
 Visnovsky is considering offers from KHL, end career in Slavic.

"NHL is a business and I deal with everything depending on what is best for me and for my coming. I understand that the Islanders would probably be disappointed, however, other ways I would like to address," concluded the interview Visnovsky.

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Sport.aktuality.sk: Visnovsky addition to considering the offer from the Islanders KHL

 "I get a bid from Russia. A fairly even thinking about it. And his wife have already talked about that in New York or not go and I'll take any offer from the KHL, because I have such a possibility. We'll see where I end. Has signed with the KHL no NHL contract in Europe is the only league where I could play in the NHL despite the contract. Well you gotta think in the head. NHL is certainly paramount, but we need to discuss this at home. But as I said, the KHL is a possibility , "he admitted in an interview Hokejportal.net Visnovsky, who also met with the manager Slav Maroš Krajči.

The offer of cooperation on the contract but did not get overseas. "I'm thinking also of that career, I completed the Slavs, because this is my bleeding heart. In the meantime, do not want to end a career, perhaps waiting for me last season in the NHL, but I hope and believe that it will not last season in his career," admitted to Hokejportal.net.

"I'm basically waiting for the exchange, is questionable for me was the only club. Neither of which I am not disappointed. I say, it could be expected. With some guys, I was just out for dinner a few minutes after midnight I first phoned Anaheim manager Bob Murray. He told me about the classic sauces how I thank for their cooperation and just informed me that I was traded to the Islanders. soon to my manager phoned Islanders to tell me that looks forward to working and several other greeting phrases. So It goes in the NHL, it's a carousel, I experienced it a few times and after changing to Edmonton to have been either very troubled, "he said in an interview hokejportal.net Visnovsky. Islanders want to strengthen the defense and therefore resorted to the Slovaks. the team need experienced player who would guide the youngsters.

Final Thoughts on 2012 Entry Draft

 Updated 6/23: ITV Posting Video Interviews for most of the players selected during day two (Adam Pelech via phone) Trent Klatt comments on selections..ect

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Posted my comments on Sulia.com with my final thoughts on 2012 entry draft for the New York Islanders.

All blog entries/video now final. Prospect Blog contains profiles of entire draft class. 

Wang, Snow, Visnovski audio interviews. No doubt more coming from Islanders website/ITV.

Next up finding out who is qualified with that deadline Monday. (hopefully we find out earlier)

Likely the heavy concentration on defense means some defenders will not be qualified or stocking up for a trade.

Thank You Very Much......hope everyone enjoyed entries here----also asked Mark Katic on twitter to respond for our German visitors waiting final confirmation, however Mike Mulryan is an excellent professional journalist for the Timmins Times, who covers Katic often in his hometown paper, he had several updates leading up to his detailed report on the signing or I would never post it here.

New York Selects D Jesse Graham/Jake Bischoff

New York has selected D Jesse Graham with the 155th selection in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Niagara IceDogs Profile
Niagaraadvance.ca 6/21/12

Picked the best skater in the OHL Eastern Conference coaches poll, the Toronto native often effortlessly gets the puck out to the Niagara IceDogs blue-line, then shifts into another gear to move into the opposition’s end.

The 18-year-old Toronto native is ranked 125th heading into this weekend’s NHL draft in Pittsburgh, but there has never been any talk of him moving to a forward position because of his 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame.

“Nothing has ever come up like that,” he said, almost bristling over the telephone line at the thought. “In the NHL right now, there are a lot of smaller defecemen who are good skaters and puck movers, so I think that’s my role and I think I play it pretty well.
 
“My skating definitely is a big part of my game, for sure.”
 “Most teams like my skating ability and my strong play with the puck — I’m a good puck mover,” he said with confidence. “They’d kind of like to see me work on my size and get stronger, just add some muscle to my body.”

“Just talking to the guys on the team, (Ryan) Strome and Oleksiak always gave me advice,” he said. “They told me not to get caught up in it all and just kind of wait for your time — and it’s going to come.”

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New York has selected D Jake Bischoff with the 185th selection in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Grand Rapids Hockey Profile
Omaha Lancers Profile
Star Tribune: Verbal Commitment to Minnesota  

New York Selects D Doyle Somerby

New York has selected D Doyle Somerby with the 125th selection
Espn.com
Will be attending Boston University in 2012-13. (verbal commitment)

Doyle Somerby, Kimball Union, D
Scout’s take: “He’s got great size, as a forward turned D-man, so he’s a pretty good puck mover. He’s more of a stay-at-home defenseman, but a big, rangy kid. Good smooth stride for a kid his size and good speed in flight.”
Twitter account
St Mary Joseph Prep Profile

Doyle Somerby is one of four Boston University men’s hockey recruits eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft. He agreed to take over the WTBU Sports Twitter account on the second day of the draft Jun. 23 — and tweet about his draft day experience.

Somerby was selected round 12 #215 overall by Québec Remparts in the QMJHL Entry Draft.

New York Selects D Loïc Leduc

New York has selected Loic Leduc in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL entry draft here.

Eliteprospect.com Profile
Capebretoneagles.com Profile
QMJHL Profile

Capebretonpost.com Defenceman Loic Leduc is ranked No. 209 among North American skaters. Leduc, a 6-6, 190-pound native of Châteauguay, Que., recorded two goals and eight assists in 65 games this season. He’s hoping an NHL team will be looking for a towering defenceman with shutdown ability.

 “I think my defensive ability and I can use my long reach,” said Leduc, who had interest from 10 teams. “They don’t have any huge defencemen in the rankings. I think there are two defencemen that are 6-6.”

New York Selects D Adam Pelech

NHL.com: New York Selects D Adam Pelech in the third round.

Erie Otters Profile

Islanders Website profile:
 Ryan Strome, Islanders first round pick in 2011

Adam Pelech is real steady. We played Erie a lot. They had a bad team, but he was one of the rocks that kind of held them together. He is a real solid two-way guy, and is only going to get better.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development

Pelech doesn’t look pretty on the ice, but seems to find a way to make the play. He is not afraid of physical contact.

New York Selects D Ville Pokka 34th Overall

NHL.com New York Selected D Ville Pokka with 34th selection in 2012 NHL draft.

Eliteprospects.com Profile

NHL.com 6/20: Six Finnish sleepers in upcoming NHL Draft

Ranked seventh among European skaters, Karpat Oulu defenseman Ville Pokka is already a regular starter in the SM-liiga and played at the 2012 World Junior Championship (one goal, four points in seven games) as well as the Under-18 Worlds (one goal, six points). A Western Conference scout compared his NHL upside to that of countryman Toni Lydman.

A smooth puck-moving defenseman with a right-handed shot, Pokka is not flashy but gets the job done. Although he is not especially aggressive in the physical department, the 6-foot, 196-pound defenseman does not shy away from contact.

Pokka started 35 games for Karpat's senior team this past season, recording three assists and 12 penalty minutes. The 18-year-old is likely to remain in Finland for two or three more seasons, and has already signed a contract extension for next season with Karpat.

Islanders website profile:

 Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development

Ville Pokka is a puck-moving defender. His passing and accuracy is good. He has a decent shot from the blue line and is a steady player.

New York Selects D Griffin Reinhart

The New York Islanders have selected D Griffin Reinhart. with the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft.

Thank you so much for the support! Especially the @EdmOilKings go everything so far. And thank you to @NYIslanders organization. Means a lot
— Griffin Reinhart (@GriffinReinhart) June 23, 2012

Islanders Website: Griffin Reinhart's comments with Garth Snow
Tsn.ca: Has a post draft interview with Reinhart in an Islander uniform. (toggle to Islander uniform)

 Edmonton Journal: Has more from Reinhart and the call he received from John Tavares after the draft

“I was a bit star-struck when he called me. I didn’t think they’d do that,” said the Vancouver native, “but it’s really cool that they’re already welcoming me.”

 “I think my playoff run definitely helped. Being on a winning team can’t hurt and, I think, my play just kept picking up. I got a more intense, more physical, and just kept improving,” said the six-foot-four blue-liner. “I knew I needed to improve on that because, when I’m physical, I’m playing my best hockey.”

 “I hadn’t talked to them much through the year, so for me to be picked here is quite a shock. I wasn’t really expecting to go anywhere. I was just having fun with the moment,” he said.

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Islanders Website: Garth Snow's comments on selection.

“Our organization is fortunate to have already developed a formidable young core, which gives us the flexibility to allow elite prospects like Griffin to develop,” Snow said. “He is a highly skilled defenseman who has been very impressive in his first two WHL seasons. Griffin’s size and defensive instincts will be another piece to help solidify our lineup for years to come.”

Islanders website pre draft profile with Trent Klatt's comments.

Will make several edits to this posting as more information becomes available.

New York Islander Fan Central will also be twitter/sulia/updating during day two along with the prospect blog.

Charles Wang did an interview on the Coliseum, and last years team in Dolan's paper which I posted on Sulia. 

New York Trades For D Lubomir Visnovsky

Islanders website announced today that they have acquired Lubomir Visnovsky from the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for the team’s second round selection in the 2013 National Hockey League Draft.

 


Tsn.com Scott Cullen has a fair breakdown of the trade for a player who will become a free agent at the end of 2012-13.

NYIFC Comments:
Obviously a boom or bust pick for an aging defender, with a high contract/cap hit. His 2011-12 season not very good, his 2010-11 season outstanding. You look at what the Devils gave up for Zidliclk from Minnesota (Washington’s second round pick at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux, d-man Kurtis Foster, and a conditional 3rd round draft pick in 2013) this seems like Snow did very well on paper.

On paper Snow landed a top four defender with offensive ability. 

Bottom line it comes down to what happens on the ice. 

Garth Snow's Comments

For an outlet like the NY Post that goes out of it's way not to cover the New York Islander hockey games, (when they are not ripping the team) or even providing them a team page, Garth Snow continues to speak to them here.

Snow is also using that rebuilding word he said he hated to use virtually every time he is interviewed. 

Here is what Snow had to say entering Friday's draft:

“All options are on the table,” If we can move prospects to get a player that is going to come in and going to help us and get us where we want to be, we’re going to make that move. It’s a situation where we’ve gone through a rebuild, we have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, so now it’s an easier decision for me to make moves to get us help immediately "

“We’re looking the trade route, and if we don’t have success in that area, then free agency starts in a week.”

“We’re looking to add two or three veteran defensemen,” Snow said, noting that Mark Eaton, Steve Staios and Milan Jurcina all are purged from the payroll as they become unrestricted free agents.

  On Calvin deHaan, Aaron Ness, Matt Donovan making the 2012-13 defense: 

         “If two come out of training camp and deserve it, great,” he said. “Right now, we project at least one of those guys to step up.”

“We can use the selection [or] we can trade the pick and get a player that’s ready right now,” Snow said. “I really don’t have a clear picture right now.”

Steve Staios Possible Job Scouting For Maple Leafs

Toronto Sun : Has comments from senior vice-president of hockey operations Dave Nonis, on the possible future of Steve Staios.

Steve Staios was spotted walking around Toronto’s draft hotel headquarters on Friday with a Maple Leaf golf shirt on, but he’s not coming as a player. The team has some sort of off-ice role in mind for the 16-year NHL veteran defenceman, who played his 1,000th game at the end of the 2011-12 season.

“He could be scouting for us,” said senior vice-president of hockey operations Dave Nonis. “We’re looking at a couple of things.”

The Hamilton native was set to retire last year when agent Pat Morris made a strong case to have the New York Islanders give him a chance at camp.

NYIFC Comments:
Like Mike Sillinger, Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, Staios would be a valuable asset for any organization in this league with his experience of over a thousand games. Despite my criticism, he was in a role beyond his ability at this point in his career, but worked to the maximum of his ability.

TBN News: Has comments from a goaltender named Matt Murray that the Isles were one team that visited him.

“The (New York) Islanders have sent somebody up here strictly to talk to me. He came in for a couple of hours just to watch me and then went right back to New York.

Thanks And Best Of Luck: Katic, Rakhshani, DiBenedetto, Gillies

 NHL.com released it's 2012-13 schedule quickly and quietly.

Just as quietly the team announced it's blue-white scrimmage game will be played on 6/28 for prospects the team never formally announced are having a mini-camp despite player tweets here.

That game will be played at Iceworks,  there are only 250 tickets available for the scrimmage due to seating capacity. The Nassau Coliseum is booked June 26th-30th.
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One thing I have been a bit regretful for over the last few days in somewhat of a rush to put out entries, is not thanking our players who have signed with other organizations.

Whether they are qualified, or not by 6/25, Mark Katic, Rhett Rakhshani, Justin DiBenedetto, and Trevor Gillies were here for a long time, and gave everything they had to offer.

Katic/Rakhshani were all stars for Bridgeport, all of them were part of the Sound Tigers only first place team since their inaugural year. DiBenedetto had twenty goals/forty one points in fifty five games last season.

Ct Post Michael Fornabaio had DiBenedetto's comments.

 "I just think it's a good opportunity for my development as a player. I'm looking forward to it," DiBenedetto said. "I just explored all my options at the end of the year, and this opportunity came. I'm just looking forward to getting over there. The main thing's to become a better player every day, every year. That's the main thing, and go from there."

Folks can argue the suspensions of Gillies, which could not be defended based on his actions, but he was a very popular team player here, and will be missed at the Coliseum on Friday.

Zenon Konopka's comments did register with me last year here.

" You look at Trevor Gillies,” Konopka said, according to the Ottawa newspaper. “He’s a first-time offender. He hits a guy, throws a few punches, he gets a nine-game suspension. The guy’s got a wife, two kids and plays in the East Coast Hockey League and AHL most of his career and now he’s going to lose $35,000. And it’s not right. Obviously, the league has their job and not mine, but in here, we feel for him. It hurts not to have Trevor in lineup for nine games. It hurts me, personally, my buddy, out $35,000.”

Their new teams will be even better with them, the enormous reaction from Berlin over Katic signing makes me nothing but thrilled for their fans.

Want to thank all of my teammates, staff, & fans from #BST & #Isles for all of the memories and love over the past 2 yrs. I'll miss u all!
— Rhett Rakhshani (@itsrhett) June 21, 2012

I wish them nothing but the best of luck moving forward, which of course extends to any future departures.

New York Islander Fan Central Proudly Owned By Bill Barrett

As anyone who has followed New York Islander Fan Central from day one (like it's Islander-Sound Tiger predecessor from 2000-2006) it has always been about the New York Islanders hockey team, never it's owner, page-views, profit or any kind of hockey/media career.

This is the only place I wish to write, it's been a non-profit site, and will remain that way until it's final day. 

I'm very proud of New York Islander Fan Central, it's content, and honored by the incredible support it has received since July 2007. 

It's purpose has been to tell our teams story to the best of my ability, it's been positive/critical of media members, teams, ownerships, never personal.

NYIFC has also been about doing the right thing. 

Having written this a former member of the Islander blog box (I was an on-paper only blog box member for it's first two years which is well documented here) an individual named Brian Daniel Gallof, who humiliated himself in January 2009 with a pathetic alias known as the NHL Masked Avenger, who's conduct unprintable has decided to make my private identity public along with where I live for alerting readers to his past transgressions.

WFAN/CBS gave him writing privileges, I used my twitter account to repeatedly make my point on their disqus page such an individual has no business writing there, encouraging others to Google his NHL Masked Avenger alias, requesting ownership of that site to assign another writer to represent our hockey team.

I made clear this was not a personal issue. 

I have also used my twitter account to alert subsequent sites linking to any of his work. 

When Gallof was quietly removed from all sites that had anything to do with him in 2009 (including Chris Botta) I never wrote one single one word about it, many others were vindictive, his explanations insulting.

James Myrtle of the Toronto Globe & Mail  exposed his disgraceful conduct. 

Shortly afterward, Gallof decided to visit my old HF site to explain himself, Myrtle called Gallof  explanations " a ton of nonsense that's just flat out not true."

Mr Gallof in disclosing my personal information seems to think New York Islander Fan Central is about me hiding anonymously.

Never mind I gave my name/where I reside to the Islanders on the gm show previously (first question) & did many radio interviews with my name/location.


Unlike Gallof's countless alias's, NYIFC will always be about our hockey team's best interest. I guess you can write it's about the front of the jersey for me, not the name on the back. 

I formally recommend you contact the webmaster of WFAN/CBS, requesting Gallof not represent the New York Islanders as any kind of writer for their site because of his conduct.

If you are an aspiring writer interested in covering our team request the opportunity to write for them because that is in your best interest.

My name is Bill Barrett from Queens, & New York City, the Islander-Sound Tiger archives would tell you more of my personal story which was re-opened by yahoo groups this summer.

You can wake up now. 

New York is on the clock Friday night at the 2012 NHL draft. 
Time to get back to work.

Thank You Very Much

Mark Katic Signs With Berlin

Timmins Times: Mike Mulryan reports Mark Katic has signed in Germany.

Mark Katic has signed to play for Berlin next season. Katic has more than one reason to play there next season and they are all good. Katic was much coveted by many elite teams in Europe. He has settled for Berlin and is happy with his choice. I talked to more than one team in Europe that were extremely interested in getting Mark’s name on a contract for this season. Now the pressure of getting a deal done is off and he can concentrate on his upcoming wedding.

NYIFC Comments: 
Timmins Times is the hometown paper or record that covers Katic regularly, even on the ice time he was able to get earlier this month. Mr Mulryan reported Katic's new contract would be announced this week. 

Like Rakhshani, this is a significant loss because he had a realistic chance of making the NHL roster, but no doubt his shoulder injuries held down his opportunities, and perhaps younger picks were now ahead of him on the depth chart. Having written that the defense depth chart in Bridgeport may be thin come September depending on who makes the Isles from that group.

Again, we have to see what the Isles decide in terms of a qualifying offer to retain Katic's NHL rights, his 2010-11 cameo showed a player with NHL level skating/puck handling.

Justin DiBenedetto Signs With Red Bull Austria

NYIFC Sulia Entry with Austrian Red Bull release on signing translated.

Just to be clear check our Sulia channel or twitter feeds for these kids of stories moving forward.

NYIFC will not post an entry anywhere until we have official confirmation from the team itself or a professional media outlet. 

NYIFC Comments:
Nothing I can add that was not already written about the loss of Rakhshani on Tuesday.

It all comes down to who the Isles qualify out of their restricted free agents by 6/25. DiBenedetto knows the Isles depth chart, and despite a very good year for Bridgeport has to make the best possible decision for his career moving forward as do all players.
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Bridgeport Sound Tigers released a partial list of their 2012-13 schedule 

Rhett Rakhshani signs with HV-71 for 2012-13

HV 71 SEL  Official website reports they have signed Rhett Rakhshani for the 2012-13 season.

NYIFC Commets:
This is a big loss to the Islanders, and why you never have enough prospects.

Their number one scoring right winger on a point per game pace the last two seasons, who improved every year in college. Like Jesse Joensuu who signed with the same team, if the Isles qualify Rakhshani, they retain his future NHL rights.

This could also make the Isles negotiations with Parenteau more urgent for them unless they have an alternative.

Bottom line a lot of players who have waited for years see the depth chart, there is a reasonable chance of an NHL lockout, the players need a guaranteed income.

Our Sulia feed has translated article on Trevor Gillies official signing in the KHL.

New York Notables

Monday's entry has a few words on the NHL draft, a preseason split-squad against Edmonton, the latest taxpayer handout (including selective editorial coverage) to subsidize a local sports team, with a few other items.