Visnovsky Signs " No Move " Contract Through 2014-15

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/30/2013 07:38:00 AM |
Islanders website: Announed defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has resigned with the New York Islanders through the 2014-15 season. 

Agent Neil Sheehy had the only comments so far on the signing via twitter, and like Islander prospect, Brendan Kichton, had some criticism for the media which again screams Arthur Staple of Cablevision another NHL owned team at Newsday. 

More importantly Sheehy, said this is a no-move contract, which means little if Visnovsky at some future point wishes to be traded. Bottom line another player comes here, finds it a place they wish to be, and resigns which say everything about how this franchise is run.

Yes, if Visnovsky decides to retire or stay home the Islanders have themselves a cap hit with no player so there is a risk here. 


  1. Islanders announce Visnovsky signing. Lubo never had issue with NYI as media continually and falsely reports and signed "No-Move" contract.
  2. Expect an announcement from New York Islanders regarding Lubomir Visnovsky's future with the Club. Lubo loves New York! :-)
  3. Lubomir Visnovsky is impressed with Garth Snow and his teammates on the New York Islanders. Lubo wants to help the organization win.

New York/Bridgeport Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/28/2013 07:44:00 AM |
Sorry folks, there will be no trade deadline updates beyond New York Islander related transactions for the 2013-14 season, or unless it's a player that helps Bridgeport down the stretch.

There was no official clear day for the AHL this year.

Sean Wiles was released by Bridgeport after a goal, and two assists, apparently that was the intended plan as he returned to the ECHL for their playoffs. Defenseman Jordan Hill continues to be used as a forward.

Bridgeport needs a winning in regulation streak to gain the ground necessary, last weekend was mostly more time knocked off the calendar. Rick DiPietro has been very good, Ken Reiter's been even better. Anders Nilsson backed up a game, it will be interesting to see if he continues to practice with the goal of playing.

Nilsson is the latest drafted pick since the 2005 CBA to receive first round money, that means his contract is virtually identical to that of Ryan Strome.

As for the 2013-14 New York Islanders, the lockout will end here with the conclusion of the forty eight game whatever whether that is in late April or late June. An announcement of a preseason game is not worth an entry here.

Deepest condolences on the loss of former New York Islander assistant, Wayne Fleming.

Bridgeport's Last Stand? Wiles, Keenan, Diamond, Clark

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/21/2013 11:46:00 PM | | | |
Winger Sean Wiles is reporting to Bridgeport on a ATO here, who's leading his team with  14 goals and also posted 10 assists to go with long resume of penalties.
Forward Joey Diamond has signed with Bridgeport out of UMaine.
D Mike Keenan out of Dartmouth signed an ATO on 3/20.

And of course C Jason Clark was recalled after not playing/injured for about a month in the ECHL.

Sound Tigers website did a feature calling the weekend: " Pivotal "

Sure Bridgeport can get 3/6 points (even less) and we can keep doing these big weekend/game entries. Reality is they step up now or it's going through motions, too many teams in front of them.

Defensively the team has been better, and they are getting the goaltending from DiPietro/Reiter.

Brenden Kichton On Signing With New York

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/20/2013 09:56:00 PM | |
Spokesman.com: Has Islander prospect Brenden Kitcton's comments on signing with the New York Islanders, and his teams playoffs along with Chiefs head coach, Don Nachbaur 

 Kichton said the Islanders’ plans for him are murky.

 “We haven’t come to terms with anything on a contract, so we’re kind of in a waiting stage right now, to see what they’re going to do and what my agent wants from them,” Kichton said.

 “Not many kids have accomplished what he’s done, whether it’s games played, whether it’s the awards, the goals or the assists,” Nachbaur said. “He’s had a tremendous career and he’s going to be a good pro.”
NYIFC Comments: 
And this is what happens when your teams primary beat-writer is an employee of a company that is owned by another NHL franchise.  Don't believe everything you read unless the player is quoted, now we have Brenden Kichton's comments.

New York has until 6/1 to complete a contract or he can re-enter the draft so the pressure is on Islander management. This is not a late round pick in Jared Spurgeon, who the Isles did not sign, and then made a team on a tryout (Minnesota) before sticking in the NHL over many of their current NHL roster defenders.

It's also not Andy Chiodo, who made Pittsburgh for a time after the Isles did not sign him.

Some will recall Justin Mapletoft was also drafted in the 5th round, and signed a three year contract with the Islanders off winning WHL player of the year 6/1/2001 for Brent Sutter's Red Deer Rebels. 

Many CHL players with great numbers did not translate into great/good NHL players, some times those players seek max contracts as in first round money.
***********************************
The latest drafted player who received max entry level contract in the last CBA was New York Islander prospect, Anders Nilsson, who according to the Ct Post practiced with Bridgeport on 3/20 who discussed his health issues.

Nilsson's contract is virtually identical to Ryan Strome's ELC.

Jason Clark Recalled To Bridgeport-More Changes

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/19/2013 01:36:00 PM | | |
Connecticut Plus-Reports Jason Clark has been reassigned to the Sound Tigers by the New York Islanders from the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, defenseman Marc Cantin has been reassigned by the Islanders to the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL, and forward Adam Huxley has been released from his professional tryout contract (PTO).

NYIFC Comments:
Bottom line defender Jordan Hill dressed as  forward last weekend, scored a goal, in a game Bridgeport trailed 2-0, tied the game, then lost in regulation shorthanded in the last two minutes. Cantin returned to play his first games since mid-Feb on defense during the weekend.

The effort for the most part was there, the defensive game better, Ken Reiter stole a point Saturday after a four hundred mile trip, Rick DiPietro had a shutout Sunday after the team traveled half that distance for a Sunday 3pm game. 

Bridgeport had two shutouts on Saturday/Sunday, lost one game in overtime, a three out of six point weekend where they failed to gain ground on the clubs in front of them.

New York Resigns Colin McDonald Through 2014-15

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/15/2013 09:21:00 PM |
Islanders website Report Colin McDonald has been resigned to a 2 year extension.

NYIFC Comments:
Given how he's been used, it's likely a one way contract, another player signed very early for the next two years based on a short body of NHL games, and a long AHL resume.

Of course in this cba even if sent down (via waivers) he would receive his full salary.

Bottom line another part of the 2013-14 season for New York.

Updated:
Islanders website confirm this is a one-way contract with McDonald's comments.

Questionable Moves Out Of Bridgeport Jack Combs Traded

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/15/2013 12:21:00 AM |
On 1/9 Jack Combs and Chad Costello, former teammates were reunited in separate signings for the remainder of the 2012-13 season with Bridgeport. Combs came in on a tryout earlier.

Jack Combs was traded in the AHL on Thursday to San Antonio for future considerations, leaving Bridgeport likely a forward short for a very important three game weekend with John Persson still hurting, and Kirill Kabanov in and out of the lineup frequently.

AHL trades of players signed for a full season traded like this for future considerations at this stage of the schedule is unusual.

Both are now gone, with ECHL league leading scorer Costello, being very critical of how he was used. Articles were posted (via twitter) with Scott Pellerin's Ct Post response.

Bottom line here a team that has had allowed this many goals, that has struggled at franchise record levels to score one goal on the powerplay, with two seven game losing streaks, now with an ECHL player asking out, and another being given away shorting your roster reflects very poorly on, Scott Pellerin, who has had the benefit of very few NHL call-ups taking his depth.

This did not happen in the Dan Marshall era at Bridgeport, along with some other very poor seasons.

It's the kind of thing that can take a team getting some marginal traction defensively, with a modest streak going, and sink it for good.

The New York Islanders do not have an official ECHL affiliate.

How Does This Play Out?
I'm not really sure given the new CBA. Jason Clark can be recalled from the ECHL but has not played for close to a month, and struggled statistically here. 

Max McKay can be returned from his loan to Wheeling.

Perhaps someone signs an ATO from the college free agent ranks?

The new CBA seems to allow the chance of a player who was qualified by the Islanders (Justin DiBenedetto, Rhett Rakhshani IE) to sign upon conclusion of their respective season in Europe, but these were players who turned down staying in Bridgeport despite the qualifying offer.

Mitchell Theoret was traded to Barrie, his team's regular season concludes on 3/16, but they are division champions. He must be signed by 6/1 by New York or his rights are forfeit so the answer will not be an ATO as we have seen with past Islander prospects.

All I do know is there is no hiding from the limited depth at the forward position or the points behind in the standings.

New Conference Format A Total Joke For New York/NHL

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/14/2013 03:37:00 PM |
NHL.com/Islanders website announced new conference format that will be in place for the next three seasons. 

NYIFC Comments: How poor a format is this for the Eastern Conference, much less the New York Islanders? This is even worse than the CBA that within five years will have 90m dollar payrolls packed with front-loaded contracts with a floor near sixty million that many teams cannot keep up with now that were losing money at fifty million heading into the lockout already.

A sixteen team conference vs one with fourteen, but each conference has eight seeds?
Now if one conference is Southeast-like terrible, they have three automatic playoff spots regardless? Does anyone remember the eighty point Canes getting a division title third seed in 2002, that pushed the ninety six point seeded New York to the 5th seed vs Toronto, and four road losses in round one?

Then add in two wildcard spots. 

Under this poor format, it's division playoffs all the way, one conference champion will emerge to play what will likely be the mild, mild west to produce finals that will not be of high interest.

Anything to make Little Ceasars Wings owner, Mike Illitch, lead Amway sponsorship happy with Columbus? 

Gary Bettman/BOG/NHLPA never figured out the old 1-16 format that worked until the early eighties was easily the best. Anyone could play for a Stanley Cup or in any playoff series.

Last I looked air travel has improved since that era.

The road for teams not front-loading in the Eastern portion of this poor three year system just got much harder.

The NHL product overall just got much weaker.

It's Getting Late For 2012-13 Bridgeport SoundTigers

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/07/2013 09:37:00 AM |
Updated 3/8: Sundstrom, Persson are expected to return to the lineup.

Standings do not lie

It's getting late.

No hiding from the trends of the 2012-13 Bridgeport Sound Tigers, enough games have been played since October to identify them.

Head Coach, Scott Pellerin, does not seem to be able to put an imprint of his own on this team that stands out. Whether or not he plays Jack Capuano's system has not been stated as with past head coaches, but likely given Isles staff, and Capuano himself spending time in Bridgeport during lockout.

Bottom line two seven game losing streaks usually write the defining story of a season at any level.

The league or conference leading goals against have been a season long issue regardless who's in goal.

Nino Niederreiter since his agent spoke has largely been a non-factor (which goes beyond production but involvement) most games, even with a few deflection goals. Anyone who watches/listens can see/hear the difference. Sure it could be the injuries on the club or the grind of his first full season where he has not missed significant time, still anyone who follows Bridgeport has noticed.

Brock Nelson is showing signs he's finally getting back his game since his injury, much more involved in recent games. Seems Jack Combs is forward most involved lately.

Kirill Kabanov obviously with his injury, has not adjusted to this level yet. With John Persson/Johan Sundstrom out, Cizikas/Ullstrom gone, with injury to Brock Nelson that's a lot of offense to lose so that could have also played into things for Niederreiter.

Mike Halmo's offense has not translated to this level. Cizikas was -15 with Bridgeport, Ullstrom +11, Colin McDonald -9 so there are trends in numbers that make them less important.

On defense Matt Donovan has been solid, Aaron Ness has played well, but as a unit defensively this Sound Tiger team does not stand up to opposing pressure well most games or take back momentum easily.

Jon Landry has been a nice story. Ty Wishart has not shown major progression statistically.

Anders Nilsson's illness is a huge story with the loss of Calvin deHaan.

Kevin Poulin's largely ineffective play reflects defensive problems combined with some poor performances.

Rick DiPietro needs this work desperately.

The numbers ahead do not lie for the 2012-13 Bridgeport Sound Tigers, for any chance this team needs to go on a serious run of wins, they have to be able to earn points in games they do not score more than a goal or two.

Bridgeport has to play at a level. they have not shown capable of doing for long stretches to make that kind of run possible.  

Overall I do not see a playoff spot for this team. There have been moderate signs the defensive game is improving, however it seems the best players (veteran/prospects) for other teams have been better than Bridgeport's when two points are on the table.

This team also surrenders goals in huge bunches, they have struggled to find offense. 

Bridgeport Losing Streak Ends At Seven: RDP Win

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/02/2013 09:50:00 PM |
Bridgeport ended it's second, seven game losing streak of the 2012-13 season 4-3, it's first regulation win since Feb 2nd.

Rick DiPietro made 22 saves, allowed two powerplay goals, one during a delayed five on three.

Brock Nelson came out of the box, converted a feed from Matt Donovan for the winning goal, and the end of that penalty. 

Bridgeport's franchise high for not scoring on the powerplay now stands at thirty three.

John Persson, Johan Sundstrom remained out, Kirill Kabanov was benched for part of the second, Nino Niederreiter had another very quiet game.

Bridgeport is home again Sunday afternoon, the Ct Post reports, Ken Reiter, is expected to start. 

Dolan News12LI/Newsday Make Something Of Absolutely Nothing On DiPietro

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/01/2013 08:35:00 AM |
Is it that personal, vindictive or are the Dolan controlled outlets simply that incompetent?

Only one backtracking here is Dolan's assigned beatwriter, Arthur Staple, for Dolan's owned News12LI, all under the Cablevision/Msg/Newsday umbrella. 

Dolan's Newsday was too cheap to even go to Bridgeport, and interview him, copying Michael Fornabaio's interview after Arthur Staple at first left out praise from Nino Niederreiter/Matt Donovan, of course that meant no Islander coverage that day. 

Direct Quotes Anyone?  

Find me a direct quote from Rick DiPietro where he said he was suffering from depression?

Fine me a direct quote from Rick DiPietro where he said fan hatred?

That's right there is no direct quote. 

Dolan's News12 salesman did a nice job going out on the ice by himself (in the edited version) to discuss DiPietro's contract, and make his ridiculous claim.

On 4/6/12 Rick DiPietro said the following to the NY Times.

Half-joking, he said: “There were times I was driving over the Throgs Neck Bridge and I thought I’d veer right and end it. It’s tough times. This is a tough business. Physically, it’s hard, but mentally, it’s incredible. I always say you’ve got to laugh to keep from crying, because there are those days when you sit in the stands, and your teammates are like a family.”

I remember reading that, and not one media outlet in North Amercia wrote one word about the comment at the time while Dolan's Islander beatwriter was moving on to cover Dolan's hockey playoffs. Among RDP other comments that day he joked:

“I talked to Snowy about maybe putting me in some bubble wrap throughout the summer to make sure nothing happens, I wish the season could start right now.”

As for RDP direct comments on being waived, that is quoted so it's accurate, and an internal matter with the team where they should be not be happy. 

Another Dolan created circus for absolutely nothing. 

Now it's time for everyone to keep quiet, while the hockey player, plays games if management allows.

Of course now if he plays, another distraction.