Step One Make Playoffs (Updated 4/1)

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/31/2015 11:18:00 PM |
The theme continues, step one is for the 2014-15 New York Islanders to qualify for the playoffs.

Boston 7 (six if NY holds ROW lead by 2) Bruins won season series 2-1.

Ottawa 5 (New York leads by six in ROW with Senators having six remaining games. Season series tied head to head (first game in NY does not count) teams tied. NY holds goal differential lead of only four.

Florida-Can no longer catch NY in standings.
Two games against 7-0/10-1 Columbus, nothing's been easy.

Head to head points/ROW tie. NY wins vs Pittsburgh, losses vs Washington.

New York Signs Ross Johnston To ELC

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/31/2015 10:43:00 AM |
NYIFC Comments: 
The clock is ticking on Vikor Crus Rydberg 5/31, Kyle Burroughs 5/31, and Robbie Russo (graduation or 8/15/15) to be signed this summer.

Expect big changes in Bridgeport among the forwards this summer with Dal Colle, Ho-Sang, and Sebastian Collberg, and standout Alan Quine the only forwards signed.

John Persson/Johan Sundstrom are both pending RFA at a time players tend to move on or not be qualified.

Several defenders signed ELC within the last two years so Bridgeport has a prospect base on defense with the biggest decisions on Aaron Ness/Kevin Czuczman. 

The Calgary Flames purchased the Islanders ECHL affiliate, Stockton Thunder, who will join the AHL. 

Step One Make Playoffs (Updated 3/30)

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/17/2015 11:56:00 PM |
The theme continues, step one is for the 2014-15 New York Islanders to qualify for the playoffs.

Boston 7 (six if NY holds ROW lead by 4) Bruins won season series 2-1.

Ottawa 5 (four if NY holds ROW lead 6) NY tied in season series points, first game in NY does not count. 1-1.

Florida 2 (NY clinched ROW)

Still a long way to go with the schedule giving them teams that frankly made that very tough at the Coliseum.

The rest is just a lot of words that have no value.

New York Resigns Johnny Boychuk

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/12/2015 03:11:00 PM | |
Islanders website: Announces Johnny Boychuk has signed a seven year contract extension.

“Johnny’s influence in our dressing room, both on and off the ice, has been immeasurable,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “His veteran presence is an asset that we are thrilled to help lead our club.”

“Ever since I came to the Islanders, the organization has been incredible to both myself and my family,” Boychuk said. “I am proud to be an Islander and look forward to competing every night in front of such a passionate fan base for many years to come.”




 USA Today: Kevin Allen reports Boychuk signed a front-loaded contract.

NYIFC Comments: 
This would be the first front-loaded contract signed in New York Islander history, virtually everyone signed here is back-loaded. (including Tavares)

Great day for the New York Islanders at their final team photo day at the Coliseum, for an ownership that continues to lock up it's core players as they have done for years and for Johnny Boychuk, who get's to be a big part of an excellent defense that will only keep getting better, and another complete endorsement of how this team's management is respected by the players in that room.

And it's a great day for this fan base.

Simply put Mr Boychuk was not added to the header here because it seemed he likely would test free agency.

That can now be changed.

For New York Nothing's Changed/Step One Make Playoffs

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/04/2015 05:15:00 AM |
2/23/15: For New York Nothing's Changed/Step One Make Playoffs.

There is nothing new I can add from that entry, ultimately this is where things stay until/if the New York Islanders qualify for the 2014-15 playoffs before we look to the next step.

As some may recall I did write the Islanders may need 105 points just to qualify when 9th seeded Florida was on a 102 point pace after 40 games.

Florida (still the 9th seed) now needs to go 16-1-1 for 102 points.

RW Tyler Kennedy, G Michael Neuvirth Traded To New York: Johnson, Conacher, Leggio Gone

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/02/2015 02:28:00 PM | | | | | | | | |
Tsn reports: The San Jose Sharks have traded right wing Tyler Kennedy to the New York Islanders in exchange for for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2016.

Islanders website reports on trade w/conditions:
The condition is that San Jose will receive either the Islanders seventh round selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, or the Tampa Bay Lightning’s seventh round pick in 2015 (previously acquired by the Islanders). If the Islanders win the Stanley Cup and Kennedy plays in at least 50% of the games in the Final, the Islanders will instead trade the later pick of either their third round pick in 2016 or Vancouver’s third round pick (previously acquired) in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Neuvirth spoke after trade was announced.

Islanders website release on Conacher-Jeffrey trade
Islanders website on Lewis-Leggio trade.





NYIFC Comments: 
Johnson was signed through next season, Neuvirth is an UFA this summer, and at this time an upgrade who can give Halak more rest.

It goes without writing it Johnson's mostly been a disappointment.

Garth Snow's July signings not looking too good today.

Kennedy helps the forward depth with current injuries.

Who knows if Kent Simpson hangs around now in AHL with Leggio traded? 
Mark Lewis/Dustin Jeffrey both UFA this summer.
Prospect blog updated to reflect changes. 

New York At Trade Deadline

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/02/2015 07:37:00 AM |
Expecting a quiet day but obviously the club has needs.

With Colin McDonald, and Harry Zolnierczyk already in the current lineup there is little depth left to offset more injuries with Grabner/Clutterbuck injured often, and Nielsen/Bailey/anyone possible to get hurt.

No guarantee Okposo, Grabovski, Cizikas, Boulton return at all.

Hopefully this is correct......

For those scoring at home and expecting Garth Snow to go all in again, these are their remaining picks in the next two years he would have to include in any possible trade.
2015:
3rd rounder-Unless Boychuk traded in Eastern Conference at some future point before July. 
3rd rounder-Trade with Florida at 2014 draft. 
4th
6th
7th
7th-from Tampa

2016:
1st round
3rd round
3rd round-Pedan trade with Vancouver
4th
5th
6th
7th


2015: 1st round-Buffalo/Vanek trade.
2015: 2nd round pick for Andrew MacDonald was sent to Boston for Boychuk from Philadelphia.
2015: 2nd round pick belongs to Buffalo in Vanek trade.
2015: 5th round pick belongs to San Jose for Dan Boyle.
2016: 2nd round pick belongs to Boston in Boychuk trade.

Ct Post Speculates On Sound Tigers Moving To Coliseum, Howard Saffan Says He's Been Told Nothing Regarding Move

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/01/2015 01:55:00 AM | | | |
Ct Post 3/1/15: Has a lot of speculation from beatwriter Michael Fornabaio on the Sound Tigers moving, but team President, Howard Saffan, makes clear he's been told nothing and team has a lease until 2021. 


NYIFC Comments:  
So basically Webster Bank Arena per the lease agreement means an AHL team (or better) must play at the arena. 

Nothing like kicking a team with no regulation wins since 1/9/15 when they are down and in 15th place with virtually no road coverage from Ct Post beyond a call to Brent Thompson afterward.

As usual Mr Fornabaio pushing the Rangers failed brand which has been soundly rejected by die-hard Whalers fans since 1997, who only drew 1,100 people there for a playoff game in 2012.

The language here suggests it's not clear if part of Charles Wang's sale of his majority stake in the Islanders includes the Sound Tigers or the operation of Webster Bank Arena at all.

And of course it must be made clear, Charles Wang operates Webster Bank Arena, and Howard Saffan works for him, this is not Mr Saffan's decision at all.

Mr Saffan left operating the Coliseum for the Islanders to go work in Bridgeport. 

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have a lease until 2021. If a Ratner renovation happens on time, the Coliseum will likely not be available for any team until September 2017 as was made clear on the Islanders website.