Boston vs Islanders 4pm ITV telecast

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/30/2007 05:05:00 AM | | | |


Bruins Website has the early preview here for today's 4pm exhibition finale at whatever the Bruins are calling home ice this season.

For those who remember earlier in preseason Kip Brennan threw down Chara in a fight and he's been out with a shoulder injury since and does not want to talk about it here.

Manny Fernandez is expected to play the entire game for the Bruins.

Islander News Articles 9/30:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/29/2007 09:47:00 PM | | | | | |
Ct Post covered Islanders-Devils here.

"I think I contributed to at least a dozen of those shots, letting up rebounds," said Dubielewicz, who in May signed a one-year contract that should make him the Islanders' backup goalie. "I made it tough for myself."

"He played really well. Dubielewicz is a good goaltender," said Islanders assistant coach Gerard Gallant, who led the bench with coach Ted Nolan away after a death in the family. "He had his best game of the preseason, for sure, at least 20 really good saves."

"I'm seeing pucks well. I'm stopping them well," Dubielewicz said. "My rebound control is still in preseason form."

"It felt pretty good to be back here," Dubielewicz said. "It gave me some sort of a sense of comfort. I felt back in the routine of the past few years."


"The ice made it tough," Dubielewicz said. "You made that extra stickhandling move, you got that extra wobble."

"It was a very good crowd here," Gallant said. "It was a good game to play in Bridgeport."


* The Islanders had a few chances in the third period, but future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur let nothing else past him.

* Former Tiger Jeff Tambellini cut to the net with 13:45 to play but couldn't sneak the puck through Brodeur. Brodeur also stopped Ben Walter, who drove to the net for the rebound. Both teams committed some turnovers, and the Islanders went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Newsday released it's Islander preview tonight for those interested.

NYI Fan Central Comments:

Not sure whether to call this Saturday or Sunday's coverage because it was written on 9/28 and in terms of a preview it's the same tired summmary on the summer that does not mention the players still here or anything about the defense or DiPietro. I don't know how Newsday's headline writer or Logan can call this a preview.

Basically it's more of the same from Logan about who the Islanders lost in UFA and what it took for Comrie and Guerin to sign here as well as bringing up past issues with Comrie. A few new comments but nothing that tells about how the club will do this season or why.

Newsday does do it's overall predictions written by Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay
here and of couruse does not include the Islanders in the playoff mix or tell us why.

Zipay as always outblogs Logan about ten to one in the only paper that covers the Islanders which is not good.

Ct Post also has a feature on Drew Fata here. Sound Tigers lost to Lowell here Saturday night.

Updated Sunday am
Logan updated his earlier article to include some questions about the club here which includes a seventh place prediction and the schedule. Beief update on the game is posted
here.

Updated 10/1:
Aaron Asham had a few words on 9/30 about the Islanders here.

"I know of some places where not everyone gets treated the same," Asham said, referring to the Islanders, whom the Devils defeated, 2-1, last night at the Arena at Harbor Yard to finish the preseason with a 4-2 record.

And which player or players might have gotten preferential treatment?

"(Alexei) Yashin maybe," Asham said.


* Even though there were clearly some issues, and Asham even had a fight with goalie Rick DiPietro during one practice, he did not leave the Islanders with a lot of bitterness. He felt it was time to go and the Islanders weren't devastated that he left.

"The Islanders were going in a different direction and I thought it was time for a change for myself," Asham said. "They had some young kids over there. (Jeff) Tambellini was ready to play and they've got (Sean) Bergenheim. I had some options to go out west. For myself, the east is the way to go. There is less travel and it fits my game."

"There have been a lot of changes on the Island. A lot of things going on," Asham said. "The Devils are always playing to win the Stanley Cup. I figure I have a better chance than anywhere else. I knew they came to play every night. Lou (Lamoriello) and the staff gets the most out of their players. Lou runs a tight ship here. I'm at a point in my career where it's time to get serious and make a bid for the Cup."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
No bitterness but a few upfair comments and no blame for his own inconsistent nightly performance as he got several chances on the top lines and never stepped up
to become a top six forward with skills that say he should be a top six forward.

This is why the Islanders did not keep him and why he did have to take a pay cut this summer and there was no rush of reported job offers for his services.

New Jersey 2 vs New York 1

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/29/2007 09:18:00 PM | | |
Islanders website has the postgame.

Kip Brennan scored the Islander goal for a 1-0 lead.

ISLANDERS
Goaltenders
34 Wade Dubielewicz
33 Mike Morrison

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt – 4 Bryan Berard
2 Aaron Johnson – 44 Freddy Meyer
56 Dustin Kohn – 6 Matthew Spiller

Forwards
11 Andy Hilbert – 63 Josef Vasicek – 81 Miroslav Satan
15 Jeff Tambellini – 29 Ben Walter – 20 Sean Bergenheim
57 Blake Comeau – 51 Frans Nielsen - 28 Tim Jackman
12 Chris Simon – 72 Jeremy Colliton – 37 Kip Brennan

Cory Witt talked about how Bergenheim is playing tonight in his blog.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Walter, Bergenheim, Comeau or any player who played last night and tonight is not allowed by NHL rules to play three straight days so they are out against Boston.

This should also apply to Spiller, Johnson and Morrison.

Have to think DiPietro is going to play one full preseson game. Martinek is due to play a game as well.

Sopel situtation could be trend for Berard

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/29/2007 11:41:00 AM | | | |
For those who did not know former Islander Brent Sopel was invited to Red Wings camp on a tryout, played in the preseason and yesterday signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for 1.5m and left the Wings.

Reportedly Detroit made two contract offers, Sopel refused to play another preseason game for the Wings because he was close to a deal with the Hawks, but traveled with Detroit to Toronto before leaving.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Just because Isles signed veterans like Park and Dunham in camp last season does not mean things are going to go the same with Berard. At this point the Islanders are not obligated to sign him and Berard's agent has every right to work a contract to find his client a job for the season. If he were given a contract offer to play for another club it would not be in his best interest to skate in a preseason game with the Islanders.

Season starts next Friday so the clock is ticking on this and with two games left Islanders must have an idea what they are going to do here. Is there a problem with negotiations where Berard wants more money and the Islanders do not want to overpay? I would guess to say he's had an acceptable training camp and preseason but the question has to be asked with the surplus of defenders do the Islanders decide against offering a contract regardless.

Berard has been injury prone and is a huge signing risk for anyone, including the Islanders but if Sopel got 1.5m a team could step up and offer him an incentive contract at or around a million or more.

Either way Islanders need to make a decision here and sign Berard or let him find a job somewhere else.

Islanders vs Devils 7pm at Bridgeport

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/29/2007 08:14:00 AM | | |
Quick primer on the Devils who assigned many players to the AHL according to this release.

NYI.com preview is available on the website and the game is on Islanders tv for those who want to watch.

Sound Tigers will play on the road tonight while the Islanders are the home team at Harbor Yard.

Once again expect the Islanders to go with a mix of prospects, AHL players and NHL players. Ted Nolan will not be with the club. Sim, Park, Hunter, Fedotenko, were among the NHL forwards used last night.

DiPietro has not played a full game to this point in preseason. Brendan Witt has played one game.

Islander News Articles 9/29:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/29/2007 05:57:00 AM | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Virtually nothing from the city on last night's game aside from writer blogs. The Times, News did not do a game article, the Post did a Ranger centric article while the Devils continue to receive daily coverage and had a Saturday article. The Journal News in Westchester did not do an article for the paper and one ticker/ap report had Dubielewicz in goal for the Islanders when he did not dress.

Newsday has an article on the game from the Islander perspective confirming Sutton was fined for an elbow and that Ted Nolan is expected to return to the club on Sunday for the preseason final in Boston.

* The 6-5 Sutton admitted his elbow came up too high when he hit the 5-11 Callahan but said the height difference was a factor.

"Whether you're 6-6 and [the opponent] is 5-8, it doesn't matter," Campbell said in a conference call. "So as far as a legal blow to the head, that wasn't legal. But there was no injury, and I don't think he made complete contact."


* The Islanders' lineup had the minimum of eight regular NHL skaters, including goal-scorers Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter, rather than risking another free-for-all like Monday's game.

* After the game the other night, top-line forward Ruslan Fedotenko said..

"you don't want anything stupid to happen and have a player get injured with a lot of young guys running around."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Almost sounds like a negotiated deal from Colin Campbell. Sit out Simon, Sutton and DiPietro and Sutton gets off with a fine. Given Downie only left his feet to deliver a hit here in open ice and got twenty game it seems the usual cryptic decision making from Colin Campbell that has no real standards or set parameter (aside from a player getting hurt or popular opinion) will continue to have fans and team executives wondering what's going on with someone who clearly is over his head in his job and has been since he was hired.

The kicker for Downie is the AHL can choose or not choose to honor the suspension or change the amount of games. Does it go back into effect if he becomes a full time NHL player at some point?

I'm still wondering how Colin Campbell did not suspend Gary Roberts from charging Kenny Jonsson from center ice and driving his head into the boards so hard with his hands his helmet broke and even with a five minute penalty was not suspended in the 2002 playoffs. You listen to him now vs his words and comments in 2002 here and it makes you wonder why he still has a job.

Michael Fornabaio's blog here has the lineup and box score with some comments on Bridgeport's 2-0 win against Providence Friday. Ct Post had articles on Maxime Ouellet and Mike Mole efforts in the win and an article on Sean Bentivoglio.

Sound Tigers website has a game article on the win and a picture of a Bruins goalie pads that actually outdo Rick DiPietro.

What's a day without a lawsuit with Msg involved? This time Msg is suing the National Hockey League and the Cablevision/Garden of all organizations is lecturing the league about illegal business practices here with a straight face.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Cannot make this stuff up gang. So let's get this straight, the NHL has a monopoly on how thirty teams advertise, do their websites/promotions/merchandising and a monopoly like Cablevision that sets standards and practices inside their monopoly does not understand this?

Good for the league to fine the Garden until it conforms, Islanders conformed during the summer with their website as did the other clubs.

This die hard hockey fans did not even know the season officially starts tomorrow with a featured two game set between Anaheim and Los Angeles in London starting at 12pm EST on Sunday on Versus going head to head with the NFL here.

Can you say Mr Bultarsky....zero point zero ratings. (animal house)

Prospect Robin Figren who was in Islander camp injured but apparently one of his skates was not sent back with him Edmonton Journal has his comments on his camp, his health and the bizarre circumstances with a skate being lost.

Rangers 5, New York 2

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/28/2007 09:41:00 PM | | |
Islanders website has the game updates and postgame here.

"I think the team competed hard in the first period," said Islanders assistant coach Gerard Gallant. "Then we started standing around and watching the team play in the second and that was the difference. Then in the third, we played well again. For a young lineup against a very good team, I was pretty happy with the performance overall."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess the Isles cannot win every preseason game against the Rangers, seems like it's been a long time since they lost any game at Msg without getting a point much less falling behind 4-1.

Rangers had their entire starting lineup except for Jagr and Avery. Islanders dressed Hunter, Fedtenko and Sim. Witt, Martinek and Berard did not dress and even Ted Nolan was not at the game because his brother died.

Still the Islanders played two even periods where for the most part they outworked the Ranger starters in the trenches after a slow first few minutes and led into the second period after a nice speed bust by Bergenheim and perfect backhand gave the Isles the lead at the end of the first.

The Isles did score a second period goal and just missed taking a 2-0 lead but the goal was called off for goalie interference. Some bounces ate up the AHL veterans on defense for one Ranger goal, MacDonald and Morrison who came in cold struggled on a few second period shots. MacDonald was good in the first and had to be early. Other chances Isles just did not finish or over passed with a lot of kids up front. Bergeron got off a few quality shots.

A few poor penalties away from the puck cost the Isles in the second. Only big mistakes I saw on defense from the vets were from Bergeron who lost a puck to Orr and Campoli who lost a puck behind his goal. Aside from that Isles did get in the passing lanes well and forced chances outside even if shots against may not reflect this.

What was close to a slew foot by a Ranger on Aaron Johnson led to a fight, Isles did good in the fight department with about four fights but overall the game had none of the intensity that was seen Monday and the officials were on their game tonight unlike Monday.

After one goal by Shanahan one of the AHL veterans for the Isles and Shanahan were smiling. At the end Ranger goon Orr and an Islander were smiling as they decided not to fight but held on for a long time.

Comeau, Bergenheim looked good. Hunter and Fedotenko looked very good on a late goal but mostly were invisible. Walter had the early second period shot that did everything but cross the line.

40-22 shots were as misleading as the final score because the Rangers struggled for a good part of the game and were outworked by a lot of prospects and AHL veterans.
Isles pulled the goalie and the Rangers hit the open net for the 5-2 final.

ISLANDERS
Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
33 Mike Morrison

Defensemen
2 Aaron Johnson - 47 Marc-Andre Bergeron
8 Bruno Gervais - 14 Chris Campoli
6 Matthew Spiller - 49 Drew Fata

Forwards
26 Ruslan Fedotenko - 29 Ben Walter - 7 Trent Hunter
16 Jon Sim - 51 Frans Nielsen - 28 Tim Jackman
20 Sean Bergenheim - 10 Richard Park - 54 Gordie Dwyer
27 Darryl Bootland - 57 Blake Comeau - 37 Kip Brennan

Condolences to Ted Nolan and his family. Gerant Gallant ran the bench tonight.

Steve Zipay's Ranger centric article is posted in Newsday.

NYI Fan Central Pediction for 07-08 Isles: Sixth

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/28/2007 02:54:00 PM |
I have posted enough uninformed previews from several websites since the blog started to get me through to next summmer when they start up again. Seems the only one that came close was John McGourty of NHL.com and he did not give any prediction.

Today it's my turn to do my own prediction on the 2007-08 Islanders.

Usually every year I have done this I would claim Islanders could finish anywhere from fourth or fifth to about twelth. This year it really could go anywhere from fifth to fifteenth and the usual factors come into play:

Health, chemistry, talent, competition that could change everything.

Anyone who has followed the conference with the exception of the 02-03 season where an Islander team with eighty three points finished eighth, we all know you need around ninety two points and be about ten games over five hundred, especially in a league where clubs get points for shootouts and overtime.

With that said overall I see this team taking the sixth spot it should have taken last year if DiPietro was not injured.

Why sixth?

* This is a club Snow and Nolan put together. Granted they did not get to keep Smyth and maybe Poti but everyone else they clearly did not want back which is something most of these previews did not tell anyone. In fact, most told us the opposite or talked about Nassau Coliseum which is kind of silly consideing two other home arena's in this division are older.

They did not get their first choices in free agency but they did get players they feel have upside infront of them who will work hard if nothing else. Nolan and Snow both have a year under their belts now and got a good look at the league last year and worked from their list of players who fit what they are trying to do. They also added players used to winning and playing at a championship level. Given individiual player results from last year why would anyone think they do not have a knack for adding players who they can get the most from?

* Most of these previews did not consider DiPietro had to face the most shots per gamde on avg last year and still was sixth in save percentage because they were still too busy talking about his contact or ignoring Lundqvist faced the least shots in the second half. We also know this year's group has more options and will likely not have to use an Alan Rourke or a Drew Fata. They did give up on Poti but he's not a franchise defender and a year ago was hardly in demand. Some of these kids show good potential or at the very least the group should be faster and stay out of the box more. Expectations should be that DiPietro could even improve on last season if protected better.

* It's incredible a club that had a pp-penalty disparity of minus ninety qualified for the playoffs and was in sixth a majority of the time a year ago. Islanders got faster up front and on the backline so it's not unrealistic those numbers take a dramatic cut which would go a long way toward another playoff spot and take even more pressure off the defense and goaltender.

* Isles did not have a first line most of last season outside of when Simon, Yashin and Blake were producing early. Someone tell me why Fedotenko, Comrie and Guerin will be worse when they should be better? Mike York and Randy Robitaille did not produce in the second line center's position, how can Vasicek or anyone else do any worse? Sillinger-Hunter and whoever is the left wing should again have stretches where they produce like a first line. For all Kozlov's numbers last year he would have one great game and then disappear for ten games. Better bet a Bergenheim or Tambellini will be more visible nightly and the same can be said for Sim. Satan had a tough year scoring last year and is in a contract year and now he has more speed on his line.

* Chemistry is a tough thing to forecast on a team with so many new faces this early but most of the players who were a good part of the team chemistry a year ago are back. In the lockeroom Guerin should be a huge upgrade over Yashin in terms of bringing players together which should also help Sillinger and Witt.

On the ice only concern in terms of chemistry lost is what Hill brought when he was on his game with Witt. That said the penalty minutes should go do down as the groups speed goes up. The backline is not durable as a unit but they have more options going in then they did last season. Asking for another healthy year from Witt could be asking too much but on the flip side Martinek should be able to stay healthy.

* One thing none of the club previews talked about was the offensive improvement Bergeron and likely Berard bring to a defensive group that could not score last season. A healthy Campoli should at least provide the numbers he did as a rookie, Gervais is a year older and also led the AHL in scoring for defenders one year, look out if the improvement in Martnek's transition game extends to his offensive game. Any reason Meyer cannot return to his offensive production he had in Philadelphia if he get's a spot on the backline?

As I wrote in the opening anything can happen in terms of injury but all things being even I cannot see this club lower than sixth.

Rangers vs NY Islanders 7pm Msg

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/28/2007 12:46:00 PM | | | | | |
NYI.com has the pregame up for tonight's Msg game against the Rangers.

Islandes roster lists the following players:

Goaltenders
33 Mike Morrison
34 Wade Dubielewicz
35 Joey MacDonald
39 Rick DiPietro

Defensemen
2 Aaron Johnson
4 Bryan Berard
6 Matthew Spiller
8 Bruno Gervais
14 Chris Campoli
24 Radek Martinek
25 Andy Sutton
32 Brendan Witt
44 Freddy Meyer
47 Marc-Andre Bergeron
49 Drew Fata

Forwards
7 Trent Hunter
10 Richard Park
13 Bill Guerin
15 Jeff Tambellini
16 Jon Sim
18 Mike Sillinger
20 Sean Bergenheim
26 Ruslan Fedotenko
27 Darryl Bootland
28 Tim Jackman
29 Ben Walter
37 Kip Brennan
51 Frans Nielsen
54 Gordie Dwyer
57 Blake Comeau
63 Josef Vasicek
89 Mike Comrie

Greg Logan has a new blog update here where he writes Bootland, Brennan and Jackman are expected to dress for tonight’s Rangers rematch at the Garden because the Islanders likely will sit out veteran Chris Simon.

Both Bootland and Brennan are quoted in the article.

Islander News Articles 9/28

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/27/2007 09:53:00 PM | | | | | | | |
Newsday's Friday article centers around team toughnesshere. The article says indications are it's unlikely DiPietro or Simon play Friday at Msg and again the lineup will feature many players from the Sound Tigers.

Andy Sutton and Chris Simon are quoted.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Don't think it's a big deal that DiPietro plays against the Rangers Friday, but were getting down to the final three preseason games and so far he has not played very much. Also seems Ted Nolan is not sticking to his earlier quote the last three of four games the club would go mostly with the lineup for the season.

Of course with three games in three days upcoming that's something not possible. I would guess were going to see close to the opening night lineup and in Bridgeport against New Jersey on Saturday or against Boston on Sunday.

Sound Tigers also have games Friday, Saturday and Sunday but with both groups combined are carrying close to sixty players.

Former Islander commentator Joe Micheletti had this in the NY Post today.

Q: The Islanders lost their two best offensive players, Ryan Smyth and Jason Blake. Is there any chance they can make the playoffs?

A: I see a chance to make the playoffs because of Rick DiPietro. He alone gives them the chance. He is as fiery a goaltender as there is in the league, and he keeps improving. But there are many question marks surrounding this team. The players they brought in - Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie - are nice players, but are they going to give them enough offense to stay competitive? We will have to wait and see on that.

Ct Post had articles on Trevor Smith and Pascal Morency. The Sound Tigers released defenseman Sean Offers and forwards Mitch Woods, Rob Sirianni, Aaron Slattengren and Matt Scherer from camp late Wednesday.

Almost half of the 38 players remaining in camp will play in tonight's exhibition game against Providence, at 7 p.m. at The Rinks at Shelton. Unlike Wednesday, Capuano said, this lineup will include more of the team's expected regulars.

"Now, it's game on," Capuano said. "We've got to put guys in there to do the job."

Join NYI Fan Central Message Board

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/27/2007 09:08:00 AM |



Two months and we have had over five thousand visitors.

For a blog that is only two months old with only a handful of folks contacted a few days ago that is a heck of a response and again all I can do is thank everyone.

We seem to have a nice thing going here with a lot of page views, several e-mails from folks telling me how much they like the blog. Yesterday we had over fifty first time visitors to this blog and the usual hundred to hundred fifty page views which seems to be the avg most days with a few days topping out at around two hundred views or more.

I installed a little low grade message board for the forum (which is a nice way to say it did not cost anything) and put a link on the side of this blog for folks to subscribe and join so everyone could talk hockey. I'm going to keep adding hockey topics for comments but I would love to see some of our visitors come and start some hockey topics of their own.

http://pub30.bravenet.com/forum/2518882821

It's a very quick and painless sign up process for the message board.

One of the best at updating prospects daily was kind enough to help out and my thanks to Mr Prospects with this because it's something I wanted to add to the forum since the beginning. His updates are always excellent.

Please don't be shy, sign up and let's get some good Islander hockey discussion's going. All I ask is your discussion is respectful so we can build a small but good group with quality Islander related or hockey topics and discussion.

Thank You again for all the support and kind e-mails and hope to see you on the board.

Islander News Articles 9/27:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/26/2007 10:38:00 PM | | | | | | | |
Newsday has it's Thursday article posted on the state of the Islanders defense, who can go down and how it looks in terms of the numbers game on the backline.

"We don't want to get into the political side of hockey where, because someone has a two-way contract, that gives them less of a chance to make this team," Nolan said. "No, we want to have the best people on this team. Their contracts shouldn't have an effect on them making this team or not."


* Meyer is the most vulnerable. He's making $525,000 in the final year of his contract, so it wouldn't be a major risk for the Isles to expose him to waivers, and a team looking for defensive help wouldn't have to invest much to claim a two-year veteran.

"I would hope that if I was passed through waivers that some other team would be interested in me and I'd have a place to play," Meyer said. "But I'm still here, and I'm trying to make this team as one of the top six defensemen. Coming into camp, everybody knew the situation -- nine guys who are NHL players. It's obviously tough for the coaches to make their decision."


And of course what's a day without another Islander preview picking them last Sports Illustrated. As usual it mentions the Nassau Coliseum like it'a a factor at all in how the club on the ice works during a game.

Even E.J Hradek of Espn today picks the Islanders last in the Atlantic.

9/27: Updated 8am
New Jersey papers did little beyond a.p reports/boxscore on the game. Lowell papers to this point have not done an article. Islanders tv has Tambellini, Sim and Gervais with post game comments. Poor start, learning system, stuck together, credit opposition were the things touched on.

Sound Tigers won their pre sesson opener against Hartford in another game with a lot of fighting according to Mike Fornabaio's blog here
along with news articles in the paper on Joey Mac Donald here and Jeff Dwyer here SoundTigers.com has the post game on the 3-1 win for Jack Capuano in his AHL coaching debut.


Ryan O'Mara was cut by the Edmonton Oilers here.

Islander Previews Shows on FSN/News 12

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/26/2007 10:05:00 PM | | |
Islanders season preview will be FSN Thursday according to NYI.com and this year's version will be an hour long.

News 12 will have it's own preview show for the Islanders that will be shown several times this weekend here.

Both programs advertise several features.

The final Islanders Fifteen to Remember is the final game of the regular season vs New Jersey from Easter Sunday that will be shown on Friday at 5pm/FSN so when it's over fans can switch to Msg for the televised Islanders-Rangers game on Msg.

It will be run a few more times early Saturday for those interested.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good job all around. An expanded show to an hour from Msg/FSN network and the common sense to schedule the fifteen to remember at an earlier time. Very impressed with News 12 going to Moncton and doing a full preview for the club and those who watched Islanders tv saw Bob Popa from that network with a few features.

New Jersey 6, New York 1

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/26/2007 09:50:00 PM | | |
Islanders website has the early recap of tonight loss vs New Jersey here.

The Islanders' lone goal came from Gordie Dwyer early in the second period off a feed from Richard Park. Dwyer also participated in one of the game's four fights. Tim Jackman dropped the gloves twice, while Darryl Bootland was involved with the game's other scrap.

Wade Dubielewicz gave up four goals on 20 shots, playing in 31:21, while Joey MacDonald surrendered two goals on eight shots in 28:39 of playing time. The Devils out shot the Islanders 28-26.

ISLANDERS
Goaltenders
34 Wade Dubielewicz
35 Joey MacDonald

Defensemen
4 Bryan Berard - 8 Bruno Gervais
14 Chris Campoli - 24 Radek Martinek
44 Freddy Meyer - 2 Aaron Johnson

Forwards
16 Jon Sim - 18 Mike Sillinger - 7 Trent Hunter
15 Jeff Tambellini - 29 Ben Walter - 57 Blake Comeau
20 Sean Bergenheim - 51 Frans Nielsen - 28 Tim Jackman
54 Gordie Dwyer - 10 Richard Park - 27 Darryl Bootland

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Missed the game, will watch tomorrow. Seems on the surface none of the young players impressed in what could be their last look at least in terms of scoring.

More fights the last two games then maybe all of last season?

Anyone on the roster sit the last two games like Brendan Witt?

Devils vs Islanders 7pm ITV Telecast

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/26/2007 04:37:00 PM | | |
NYI.com has tonight's preview up for the game against the Devils at Lowell.

Islanders tv will be telecasting this game free through center ice.

Michael Fornabaio as usual is ahead of everyone and in his blog today reports Tim Jackman, Ben Walter, Gordie Dwyer, Frans Nielsen and Joey MacDonald are on their way up to play tonight for the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A little surprising but Bridgeport has two huge groups of players and more than enough to play their own preseason opener tonight in Stamford vs Hartford. I guess the Islanders want to give these players another game.

Islander News Articles 9/26

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/26/2007 05:01:00 AM | | | | |
Newsday starts off Wednesday's coverage with more comments from the Islanders on Monday night's brawl.

Michael Fornabaio it the Ct Post had two updates one on Olivier Labelle the other on Steve Regier.

Here's a mini updated on the state of the Devils here as Brent Sutter meets his former team as a head coach for the first time tonight in Lowell.

And of course the Toronto Sun for some reason compares a player in the league's substance abuse program (Mark Bell) who will be heading to jail vs Simon and wonders why Bell cannot play the preseason in a comparison that seems outlandish.

Chris Botta's blog update feed (on main page of this site) says league did not contact the Islanders as of last night regarding Chris Simon.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders have every right to play Simon if that's what the rules allow to get him ready to play the season. For those curious Sean Hill has not been in a Minnesota Wild boxscore or NHL.com just does not have his name and number in the Wild preseason database yet.

Final thoughts on Fight Night

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/25/2007 09:03:00 PM | | | |
The media will call the final result a sidebar to what happened and as we all know preseason does not tell us much unless a club has glaring weaknesses.

Fights are nice and if your going to fight you might as well win, but there was more to last night's game then the fights.

Last night's game told me a few things about the 07-08 club that I had questions about.

Will Simon change his game in light of a record suspension at this teammates expense?

Obviously not. That may seem like a foolish question on the surface but sometimes you see a player get that kind of suspension and change their game to make sure they do not get in trouble again and they are not the same player willing to do anything for his teammates by instinct. It had me wondering if Simon needed a change of scenery back to the Western Conference before he was resigned.

Does the team have any character?

Forget the lineups, the team rallied down 4-1 and won the game 5-4 in a game the opposing coach had his best defensive pairing for over twenty minutes. You can call the power plays that generated the goals poor goals, you can blame the goalie on the other team for questionable goals, but Isles at least showed a little character to turn the game around and on a team with so many new faces it is something that maybe they can build on.

New Coaches?

Again, say what you want about the pp goals but this is a new assistant coach running the powerplay and his plan produced goals. That helps the new players and Gerard Gallant, who was fired by Columbus settle into a job and builds their confidence in what they want to do.

Lineup impressions?

Things can change tomorrow but given how they were used and played, Tambellini looks like the second line left wing and generated chances early. Berard on the ice with the top line when the game is on the line combined with his performance says he makes the club if he wants to sign while Aaron Johnson looks too good to send down giving Garth Snow a very tough decision.

The first line produced like a first line, even if it was all on the powerplay and usually five on three powerplays.

Vasicek charging the net, scoring and making sure he runs over the goalie is exactly what this team needs from him if he's going to be a second line center every
game. He did the same thing late in the game too a second time before losing the puck and that's an element Kozlov never showed to his game last season. That must continue for this signing to work out this season. If it's one highlight in another six goal year, it's worthless.

Fedotenko scored a goal and easily could have scored in overtime. On this day he looked like the player the Islanders need him to be.

Sutton sent his message, now he has to show he can play defense. Bergeron I think played over twenty five minutes. Martinek showed no effects from his injury, neither did Meyer. The pass Martinek set him up with for that rush is something few on this roster can do and outstanding.

Bergenheim looked like a fourth liner or someone headed to Bridgeport. Hilbert fought but other than that just did not make much of an impression.

Meyer getting Shanahan to blow up was also interesting.

I wonder if the Islanders change the plan for the goaltenders against New Jersey tomorrow. Only two goalies are in camp.

Aside from that there is more to see. Competition for spots on this roster are going to be very interesting going into opening night.

One other thing already that seems clear, Ted Nolan seems to be able to get this group to respond to his coaching like last year's group.

Best early sign of all.

Colliton at Sound Tigers practice Tuesday

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/25/2007 08:02:00 PM | | | | | | |
Michael Fornabaio updated his blog Tuesday Jeremy Colliton was at Sound Tigers practice. Also provided is what seems like the Sound Tigers preseason lineup for the first game on Wednesday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Unofficially subtract Collition from Islander roster in terms of the remaining forwards. Would not be surprising to see Brennan kept around until after the Ranger game Friday. If by some chance Simon's suspension is extended Brennan may stick around as a healthy scratch into the season but both those senario's at this time are unlikely.

Sound Tiger News Articles 9/25: Camp opens

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/25/2007 12:02:00 PM | | |
Ct Post kicked off Sound Tigers camp Monday with an update on Frans Nielsen.

"I'm a lot stronger when I do have the puck," said Nielsen, who played 54 games for the Sound Tigers and 15 for the New York Islanders last season. "No one is pushing me off the puck."


* The front office added bigger players this summer to keep guys like Nielsen from getting pushed around. Nielsen took matters into his own hands, too.

"He put it on in the right places," coach Jack Capuano said. "He came back with a toned upper body."


* Nielsen said he likes the added strength, though his legs will have to get used to carrying 15 more pounds. But adaptation, Nielsen understands. He needed about a month to adapt to the North American game; he was used to the European style of carrying the puck over the blue line, so he felt a step behind when his teammates would dump it in and chase it. Once he figured it out, the points came in a rush. He had four points in his first 11 AHL games; he scored 40 in his last 43.

"Last year, you look at the guy: The hockey sense is there. The character is there. The leadership is there," Capuano said. He had a goal and an assist with the Islanders, becoming the first player trained in Denmark to skate in the NHL. "Hopefully I'll be ready soon to go back up," Nielsen said. "My big goal is to be there next year."


* Albany finished with 81 points, just over .points-500, to take the final playoff spot; Bridgeport finished two points back, just under.

"Not being able to play the fun stuff, it's not fun," Nielsen said. "We need to be a playoff team."


"All we're looking for is guys who have some passion, guys who want to be held accountable, guys who want to play hard," Capuano said.


ARRIVALS — The group includes 13 players on AHL contracts, including returning captain Mark Wotton, second-goalie candidates Maxime Ouellet and Mike Mole, returning centerman Gregg Johnson and his younger brother Keith, tough Pascal Morency, Kazuma Takahashi of Japan, and youngsters Justin Bourne, Christian Gaudet, Tyler Haskins, Mitch Woods, Martin Frechette and Jordan Hart. Another 14 players are on tryouts, including New Canaan's Jeff Dwyer and — no relation — veteran Gordie Dwyer. Another tryout, forward Olivier Labelle, played for Syracuse last season.

Sound Tigers website had a report on day one of camp.

Preseason games are as follows:
9/26: vs Hartford
9/28: vs Providence
9/29: at Lowell
9/30: at Hartford

Season begins 10/6:

Post Fight: Islander News Articles 9/25:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/25/2007 12:21:00 AM | | | |







Newsday starts off the post game coverage for Tuesday with the Islander perspective here and the Ranger perspective here.

"You don't want to see that much fisticuffs in hockey, but sometimes, it has a tendency to bring a team a little closer," Isles coach Ted Nolan said. Asked if he was worried about his goal.tender suffering an injury, Nolan added, "Ricky is a team guy first. He saw Simon get jumped by two guys, and he jumped in to help his teammate. You don't want to see a guy like Ricky do that, but he did it for the right reasons."


* When Montoya came out of his net, DiPietro instructed him to drop his gloves and take off his mask and then pulled Montoya down and pummeled him.

"Any time you see a teammate fighting two guys, two good fighters, you've got to jump in and make sure he doesn't get hurt," DiPietro said of Simon, who left without talking to reporters. "It's good to see guys stand up for each other."

"It's a great rivalry," said Guerin, who got his first taste of it. "There was some bad blood from last year. Some things needed to get sorted out, and they did."


Said Renney: "I thought Chris Simon was out there to play hockey tonight. I thought his first intention was to play a strong game of hockey and get himself ready for the season ... It's a spontaneous game and things can erupt ... Both teams were finishing their checks. I don't think anybody was looking for a number on the back. I don't think anybody was out to hunt anybody down."


"I didn't really have a choice, you had to stick up to your teammates," said Montoya, who said the lump over his left eye was caused by a puck in practice, not a fist. "I wanted to showcase my talents but obviously, he wanted to get something going."


Here is the second peirod brawl and goalie fight in full:



Already Scotty Morrison of CBC sports is blaming the league and Simon for him being allowed to play the preseason here even though he apparently did not watch the game and needed reports of actions by players. He also wonders about the response in the US to this.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Morrison is kind of funny here, does he honestly think anyone cared about this game either way in the US? Not like it's going to kick Jobba Chamberlain off the back page in a dress up as a team initiation. I don't think he understands no one is going to notice this at all locally except maybe someone looking for the usual justification to not cover hockey.

Updated:
Greg Logan updated his blog Fisticuffs and fraternity to include last night's game and wonder if Simon could have games added on to his suspension. He also wonders if DiPietro fighting after two concussions was the right decision.

“I saw he got a match penalty,” Islanders coach Ted Nolan said of Simon. “That was no way a match penalty. We saw it on tape. Everything in preseason, they’re a little rusty. That’s one of those things where Garth [general manager Snow] will speak on that later.”

“I believe in man-to-man combat, not man-to-two-men combat,” Nolan said. “Somebody can take care of themselves, but not having two guys jump on one guy all the time. That’s what they did. Simon handled himself the first time pretty good, but he got jumped the second time from behind, so, that’s why Ricky jumped in.”

“You don’t usually worry about a guy like Si, but when he’s trying to fight two guys, you’ve got to get your nose dirty,” DiPietro said. “Whatever I can do to help out a teammate in need, I’m going to do it.”


* Asked if he considered the risk of another concussion.

“No, at that moment, you’re worried about your guys. That’s all that matters at that moment is protecting your guys, protecting each other. I thought we did a good job of sticking together. That’s what good teams do. They stick together and fight and do whatever they have to do to get a win. We did that tonight.”

“Simon has to get game-ready because he’s going to miss the first five games of the regular season,” Nolan said. “We didn’t play him in the game tonight to [fight]. We played him to get him ready for when he misses five games at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, that happened, so, we’ll make up our lineup in the next couple days heading into the Garden.”


Larry Brooks of the Post sort of wrote one Islander centric article
here his Ranger centric article with quotes from DiPietro are
here.

Fight Night: NY Islanders 5 vs Rangers 4 ot

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/24/2007 07:27:00 PM | | |

Islanders website doing in game updates. I'm watching and thought I would give mine.

Good webcast, no problems. Mears, King on the call.

First period:
Lot's of fights in the first three minutes before things settled down, empty seats downstairs.

Sutton immediately threw a huge elbow at Ryan Callanhan, Isles killed the penalty and hit him for a breakaway as the pp expired but was stopped by Al Montoya.

Colliton Orr immediately fought Sutton who got one hand free and threw all the punches before the take down. Seconds later Jason Strudwick and Kip Brennan squared off which was more a wresting match. Seconds later Hollewig/Simon both got into it but no fight, minor penalties, Isles got a pp out of it.

Tambellini had only quality chance for Isles on that pp, not many shots and choppy play on both sides. A few giveaways by Isles defense.

Fedotenko-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenheim-Hilbert-Comeau
Tambellini-Vasicek-Satan
Simon-Colliton-Brenan

Aaron Johnson looked very good stepping in for a hit and moving the puck, Martinek looked very solid in transistion as he did last year.

Rangers had the better pressure and chances, Tambellini has the best chances for the Isles.

Firsr peirod shots Isles 7, Rangers 5.
Ice choppy according to game reports.
*****************************************************
Second peirod:
Missed the start of the second and apparently missed a lot starting with an Islander goal. Three more sets of fights with Hilbert, Simon and Sutton going with Dubinsky and two Rangers which is where I come back in.

After that Berard a penalty, Johnson a double minor and two Ranger pp goals by Drury and Hollewig followed. Immediately a huge brawl breaks out with Simon-Hollewig and all players on the ice. DiPietro get's involved and Al Montoya comes across center ice. After being reluctant to take off the helmet Montoya does and got the takedown before DiPietro rolled over and pounded Montoya.

Both goalies ejected, another five minute major to Simon and another ejection. Isles
got a pp but Rangers eventually get another three minute advantage. Three fights or penalties between Simon and Hollewig in half a game. Refs calling everything and a Guerin high stick leaves man power at three on three before another long Ranger five on three.

Rangers lead 2-1 pp's lead to an 11-1 shot disparity only eight minutesd in. Five Rangers in box with Simon/DiPietro ejected and Studwick/Montoya ejected for the Rangers.

Rangers given a 3-1 goal on a replay on a play it looked like Dubie saved and was called no goal on the ice by the official.

Apparently DiPietro had no problem fighting and went off to huge cheers, he wanted to fight and got involved.

Rangers given their third five on three of the peirod after another penalty to Meyer. Another goal as the five on three expires makes it 4-1 before we finally get back to even strength.

Shots for peirod now 15-1 Rangers.

Islanders pp creates a few chances against a prospect goalie in net for the Rangers, before Bergenheim takes a penalty before another Ranger penalty evens things up.

Andy Hutchinson a dangerous cross-check on Tambellini that was only called two minutes. Isles five on three produces an bomb by Berard that Comrie put's in the empty net on to make it 4-2. Malik takes a penalty to give Isles another five on three which Guerin scores in the final seconds to make it 4-3.

Islanders four shots, three goals.
Rangers twenty second peirod shots.
Seven pp goals in peirod.
End of second...Amen
*************************************
Third Period:
Isles pp to start third period.
Hilbert penalty
Byers penalty for Rangers
Hilbert slashed coming out of box.
Another Islander five on three.
Comrie dove for puck and got body diving to keep puck in but penalty.

Sutton pp time.
Bergeron and Berard shots blocked are hurting the Ranger defenders. Some chances by Islanders but not finishing.

For the moment things are at even strength.
Isles first line did all the pp scoring with Berard a huge factor.

Vasicek comes flying off left wing for the tying goal 4-4 on a great cross-ice transition pass from Martinek and Bergeron. First even strength goal of the night for either team.

Isles buzzing.
Shanahan to box, Isles pp.
Isles tenth pp.

Meyer penalty away from play.
Ranger pp.
Comrie looks good shorthanded.
Johnson another clear.
Martienk stand up and clear at blue line.
Sutton cut by puck into bench.

Drury left alone, Dubie stops him.
Isles some pressure with Guerin line, Ranger prospect goalie is called Weekman as opposed to Kevin Weekes. Dubie good save on Dawes.

Going to overtime.
Broadcast felt Bergenheim played well.
Third period shots 8-6 Islanders.
***************************************************
Overtime:
Dubie good save on Shanahan after setup from Drury.
Isles icing.

Vasicek again breaks in and drives the net. Fedotenko shot blocked.
Meyer hit Drury and Shanahan went back at him.
Four minutes Shanahan
Two minutes Meyer
Islanders ot pp.

Berard only defender on ice.
Comrie takes puck at net, assisted by Berard. Could have been Fedotenko too.
ISLANDERS WIN IN OVERTIME.

Comrie four point game first star.
Berard third star.
*************************************
Summary:

First line produced, second line with Tambellini looked good, Berard looked like he could help and a lot of character to come back down 4-1 to score four unanswered goals. More fights than any game all last season.

No doubt the media will be talking about all the fights and especially a goalie fight and we may see more coverage than usual. Wonder what a five minute major does to Simon's suspension.

Montoya looked like a car with no breaks flying over center ice and skating right by DiPietro, that by itself was very funny.

That was a lot of fun for preseason, everyone got their money's worth tonight.

Fair to say these teams do not like one another?

More tomorrow.

Greg Logan blog update 9/24:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/24/2007 04:34:00 PM | | | | | | |
Greg Logan updated his Newsday blog monday afternoon with a few interesting items as always including tonights lineup.

Among the highlights:
Mike Comrie:

We’re all trying to get ready for the first regular-season game, but we all want to work hard and show each other we’re ready to play. It’s always a lot of fun playing against an organization’s rivals.”

As athletes, we worry about ourselves and what we have to do as a team and not so much about our opponents as individuals. Playing with Billy and Ruslan [left wing Fedotenko], we know we’ve got to be ready to play, especially the eight games that we play against each of our division rivals.


Bill Guerin:

“It’s pretty important,” Guerin said. “For us these are the biggest games of the year against the Rangers, and we’re at home. You want to get off on the right foot. You don’t want to stumble out of the gate. The best thing is just to relax and play, but there is some importance for us.

“You’ve got the guys who were there all the time, but the new guys coming in want to be a part of it right away. They want to show they belong. The best stage to do it on is against your biggest opponents.”


* Islanders coach Ted Nolan said he expects to go with a predominantly veteran lineup in the Rangers games tonight and Friday at Madison Square Garden and in the final exhibition Sunday in Boston. More young players will be added to the lineup for road games against the Devils Wednesday at Lowell, Mass. and in a rematch Saturday night at Bridgeport.

* Five of the Islanders’ six free-agent signees will be in the lineup tonight, including Comrie, Guerin and Fedotenko on the top line, second-line center Josef Vasicek and defenseman Andy Sutton. Only Jonathan Sim will sit out along with linemates Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter. Others scratched tonight include veteran center Richard Park, forward Darryl Bootland and defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais.

* Vasicek will center a line with Miroslav Satan and Jeff Tambellini; Sean Bergenheim, Andy Hilbert and Blake Comeau, likely will skate on the third line, and the fourth line consists of Chris Simon, Jeremy Colliton and Kip Brennan.

“I still think the intensity will be there whether it’s an exhibition game or a playoff game,” Nolan said. “The intensity’s always there when you play your archrival, but we have to take into consideration that it’s still training camp and we’re still evaluating. We’re trying to give people a chance to make the final roster.”

The remaining roster spots available

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/24/2007 03:59:00 PM | | | | | | | |
Islanders listed the remaining players currently with the club today.

Fair to say we now have a good idea of how few spots are available unless a trade happens or someone like an Andy Hilbert(with a new two year contract) are put on waivers to play in the AHL which is very unlikely.

DiPietro and Dubielewicz are the two remaining goaltenders so the goal tending is set.

Forwards (18)
7 Trent Hunter
10 Richard Park
11 Andy Hilbert
12 Chris Simon
13 Bill Guerin
15 Jeff Tambellini
16 Jon Sim
17 Shawn Bates
18 Mike Sillinger
20 Sean Bergenheim
26 Ruslan Fedotenko
27 Darryl Bootland
37 Kip Brennan
57 Blake Comeau
63 Josef Vasicek
72 Jeremy Colliton
81 Miroslav Satan
89 Mike Comrie

Nineteen skaters for what are eleven spots if Nolan has to dress seven defenders as the club's website said he would do a few days ago.

You take Bates (injured) Bootland, Brennan, Colliton off that list and you are down to fourteen skater for eleven spots. This does not count a suspended Simon for five games who can only play preseason at this time which starts us at thirteen.

Then take Comeau, Tambellini, Bergenheim off the list and we have ten forwards, when Simon returns they have eleven forwards so right now three players are fighting for one temporary spot for five games if seven defenders dress or one permanent spot if six defenders dress.

Of course there will be injuries to present opportunities but this is what it boils down to. I would suggest watch where Nolan uses Tambellini, Comeau and Bergenheim more than the other players.

On defense:
Defensemen (9)
2 Aaron Johnson
4 Bryan Berard
8 Bruno Gervais
14 Chris Campoli
24 Radek Martinek
25 Andy Sutton
32 Brendan Witt
44 Freddy Meyer
47 Marc-Andre Bergeron

If seven defenders dress two players have to go and we know unless a trade happens Martinek, Sutton, Witt and Bergeron are going to play on this team. That leaves five players for three spots and all of them who played significant NHL minutes last season. Campoli, Meyer would have to clear waivers.

This includes signing Bryan Berard which is not a lock for a lot of reasons.

For argument sake you want to get down to seven defenders without a trade just to start the season. You take Gervais and Aaron Johnson and send them to the minors because neither one have to clear waivers. Even if this happened your left with an extra defender to find time for each game which is not the best situation and you have at least one defender in the AHL (Gervais) who should not be there while the other (Johnson) has been impressive in camp reports and played sixty one games in the NHL last season and may not belong in the AHL either.

Of course that is for the present. This is a group of defenders with a long history of injury problems.

Still for right now it's going to be a very interesting week to see who does make this team and what Garth Snow and Ted Nolan do to improve the roster if someone is available who can help.

Updated 5:30pm
Islanders website this afternoon had more on this as Nolan singled out Comeau, Colliton, Tambellini for their work as well as Aaron Johnson. Isles also gave the combos from practice earlier today with comments from Fedotenko and Johnson about tonight's game.

ESPN Scott Burnside NY Islander Preview

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/24/2007 02:27:00 PM | | | | |
Like the proverbial piano waiting to drop on your head, today was the day resident ESPN Islander critic Scott Burnside did his
Islanders season preview.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I think Burnside's opening sentence says it all about my perspective on his work which is always lazy and sloppy on the Islanders. There's just something about Scott Burnside's Espn perspective that begs you to be dismissive of him.

It's not the worst prewiew I have read from him given his past articles on the club but it does not work hard to tell us information. In the end just the usual throw together preview that anyone writing about thirty teams in thirty days will do because he's too busy doing other features for ESPN.com today than do some actual work on previewing our team.

Goes without writing it Isles are predicted fifth in the Atlantic and near the bottom in the East.

Burnside makes sure the arena is front and center on almost every issue he writes about despite the fact the last two summers the Islanders have never done better in UFA with Guerin, Comrie, Sillinger and Witt and makes it seem like a miracle Garth Snow could get anyone to sign here.

He ignores that DiPietro faced the most shots per game in the league last year when discussing his save percentage and starts off with his contract and that he has to keep proving himself. The teams powerplay to penalty kill disparity is never mentioned.

Like I wrote I have seen far worse from Burnside, who had very selective amnesia in forgetting the club was in sixth place for a good part of last season. The obligatory dig at Yashin had to be thrown in for good measure and for some reason Burnside seems to think Ryan Smyth scored all his goals in an Islander uniform last year.

Just read John McGourty's NHL.com preview that was posted on this blog a few day's ago, put's this to shame in every possible way.

Islander News Articles 9/24: Rangers 7pm ITV/Radio

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/24/2007 01:55:00 PM | | | | | | | | |
Greg Logan's Newsday article today centers around Jon Sim but claims at the end the Islanders were expected to place several players on waivers last night for the purpose of sending them to AHL Bridgeport.

"I was some happy," Sim said of his surprising contract. "I'll try to earn it. To be signed July 1st was big for me. I wasn't sure when I was going to get signed or by who. When the Islanders called that soon, it was great. So far, the organization has been top-notch."

* Vasicek, who had two assists in Friday's OT loss at Montreal, most often has been paired with wingers Jeff Tambellini and Miroslav Satan in the early going. Although Nolan wants him to be more aggressive, he's pleased by how well Vasicek has played at both ends.

"I was impressed with his defensive responsibility," Nolan said. "We've just got to get him to play a little harder and more aggressive on the puck. If he does that with his skill level, we've got ourselves a player."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
How many times does Greg Logan have to write the Islanders tried to sign Drury and Gomez? This is about the third or fourth time meanwhile Logan never once mentions the front loaded contracts both received which pay them around ten million this season.

Michael Fornabaio already told us who was in Bridgeport last night so it's not too hard to make a guess at who was placed on waivers if anyone was.

Vasicek has to do some scoring if he's going to be on this club's second line, same for Sim if he's going to play in the top six forwards.

Steve Zipay's blog in Newsday here
reports, the radio broadcast is on Bloomberg 1130 and let's us know the Rangers lineup for tonight's game at the Coliseum.

Islanders website reports tonight's game is on Islanders TV and Bloomberg Radio.

Below is the list of the 29 players currently with the Islanders, while the rest are at the training camp of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. However, note that with four exhibition games remaining and decisions still to be made, nothing is set in stone.

Goaltenders (2)
39 Rick DiPietro
34 Wade Dubielewicz

Defensemen (9)
2 Aaron Johnson
4 Bryan Berard
8 Bruno Gervais
14 Chris Campoli
24 Radek Martinek
25 Andy Sutton
32 Brendan Witt
44 Freddy Meyer
47 Marc-Andre Bergeron

Forwards (18)
7 Trent Hunter
10 Richard Park
11 Andy Hilbert
12 Chris Simon
13 Bill Guerin
15 Jeff Tambellini
16 Jon Sim
17 Shawn Bates
18 Mike Sillinger
20 Sean Bergenheim
26 Ruslan Fedotenko
27 Darryl Bootland
37 Kip Brennan
57 Blake Comeau
63 Josef Vasicek
72 Jeremy Colliton
81 Miroslav Satan
89 Mike Comrie

You take Bates (injured) Bootland, Brennan, Colliton off that list and you are down to fourteen for eleven spots. That does not count a suspended Simon for five games who can only play preseason at this time which starts us at thirteen.

Then take Comeau, Tambellini, Bergenheim off the list and we have ten forwards.

Seems like three players for what will be one spot on the roster until Simon returns.
If they dress seven defenders on a regular basis after Simon returns

Updated 3:40pm:
Cory Witt updated his media blog on what new things fans will see when they come to the Coliseum tonight.

First Unofficial cuts made

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/23/2007 09:04:00 PM | | | |

Michael Fornabaio of the Ct Post in his blog here basically announced the rosters for the Sound Tigers (and cuts for the Islanders) which begins tomorrow in Shelton.

CAMP, Day 0: Getting started
They had a team meeting tonight to get organized. Skulking around outside produced this list:

Group I
G--Morrison, Bucchino, J. MacDonald. D--Fata, Fraser, Kohn, Frechette, Offers, Ford. F--Bentivoglio, Haskins, K. Johnson, Regier, G. Johnson, Labelle, Cavosie, Gaudet, Haley, Morency, Nielsen, Sirianni.

Group II
G--Mole, Ouellet, Jaeger. D--Spiller, Hart, Wotton, A. MacDonald, J. Dwyer, Sertich. F--G. Dwyer, Walter, Takahashi, Woods, Damon, Bourne, Scherer, Smith, Jackman, Marjamaki, Slattengren, Pitton.

Among those still with the big club: Colliton, Comeau, Brennan, Aaron Johnson.

From the list we had a while ago, Jason Deleurme isn't here, but add Aaron Slattengren.

Practices begin Monday morning at 10 at Shelton, Group I first, then Group II.

Chris Botta's Point blank blog had a lot of off topic items but claims the club could be down to thirty skaters by tomorrow nights game at the Coliseum.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A little surprised a veteran like Frans Nielsen did not get to see a few NHL games considering what Nolan saw from him last season. Aside from that a team desperate for coverage and exposure to the point they need fan blogs, should be releasing player cuts for the media as several teams do.

Ben Walter cut this quick on a team that needs a center? Not a very good sign at all considering they gave up a first round prospect for him.

These are the kind of updates the fans are interested in. Michael Fornabaio in the Ct Post understand this and updates his blog while the organization will do blog updates on everything but what the fans are looking for.

If your going to do lineups, please do cuts. New York Islander fans and Sound Tigers fans are interested.

Islander News Articles 9/23:

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/22/2007 10:39:00 PM | | |
Michael Fornabaio in his Ct Post blog wrote the the Isles will do their usual trick of not announcing official cuts at the start; they'll split them up into a Bridgeport group and a Long Island group.

Newsday coverage has an article on Sean Bergenheim.

Among the highlights:

* The call came in January. It was from Islanders owner Charles Wang, the man who told Sean Bergenheim in the fall of 2006 after he left his Russian team that he couldn't return to the NHL for another year because he wasn't signed for training camp.

"It was a really good call," Bergenheim said. "This is what happens sometimes in business. You've got to be able to forget a little bit the bad part about business. He called and said, 'Let's start all over.' We didn't talk about any contract for the next year. He just wanted to say, 'Let's not think about what happened anymore.' "

"Even though it was a pity I had to go over there, it was my decision in the end," Bergenheim said. "I'm not happy with the way it went, but I had a really good year over there even though I didn't play in the NHL. I don't really like talking about last year because I'm here now, and this is where I want to be.

"Garth [general manager Snow] and Charles and everybody has kind of forgotten about what happened last year. At least, I have. I'm just doing everything I can for the Islanders."


* For much of training camp, Bergenheim has been relegated to a fourth-line role, but he's not complaining because he wants to maintain a harmonious relationship with the organization and his new coach, Ted Nolan.

"I know I can play much better than I've played so far," Bergenheim said before turning in an energized effort in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens Saturday in Montreal. "It's a little bit of an adjustment for me to get back to the North American style. My style actually suits playing here.

"I don't consider myself only being a checking line guy. Skating is my strong point, but I also want to be a smart player, not just a guy who runs around. I want to do some damage, scoring goals and playing a smart, two-way game."


* For now, Bergenheim is trying to make the adjustment to the smaller rinks and quicker reaction time required in the NHL, as well as to Nolan's system. If he has to pay his dues a little longer to win a larger role, Bergenheim is prepared to do it.

"It's up to the coach, and for me, I accept everything I get," Bergenheim said. "Whatever Teddy wants me to do, I will do. But certainly, I believe that if I play well, I can earn a higher spot on the team. It's all up to me."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm not in camp with the team, did not see Bergenheim play last season but have seen how the Islanders seem to be using him so far. During the lockout Mattias Weinhandl led the SEL in scoring but came back here and could not earn a chance and now he's back in Europe. Tambellini has paid his dues and is a first round pick and a left wing same as Bergenheim. Having seen the overall NHL body of work from both players in NHL games Bergenheim seems the better bet to stick in the NHL and has the more complete skill set and an edge to his game Tambellini does not seem to have.

Not a lot of 2007-08 information applied to this but we all know for Ted Nolan it's about what a player shows him now, not what he did two years ago, we saw that with Campoli.

As Bergenheim said himself it's a adjustment to go back to the smaller rinks and it will take time. If it were my team he would make that adjustment in the NHL right now for better or worse.

If seven defenders dress there does not seem to be a spot for Bergenheim, even with Simon out.

Depth chart:
Fedotenko-Comrie-Guerin
Vasicek-Satan
Sim-Sillinger-Hunter
Hilbert-Park-Simon

Tambellini-Bergenheim-Comeau
Walter-Bates

What's next at NYI Fan Central?

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/22/2007 06:53:00 PM |

First of all my thanks to everyone who have visited the site and reached out to me since this blog began in late July. I cannot believe the feedback or new members who visit daily despite no promotion until today.

I'm going to do my best to make the message forum more active now that I think the blog has a strong balance of information combined with blogs for every news source that covers the Islanders.

Today some friends and I reached out to some folks I know would make a fine addition to our board with their quality of their hockey information and discussion. My plan here since day one is to build a strong small group of quality posters who will make for a small but great Islander discussion forum as I add to the blog while others can comment there or in the message forum.

Please spread the word to friends you feel will also help make the blog
discussions and our message forum better. Simply put, I'm looking for quality and could care less about quantity.

As for the blog itself, I think it provided a ton of information with a lot of news articles and sources in camp and that's how things will work here year round as updates will be made daily as I can do them or as our news feeds all over the blog will do for us.

I think there is a solid influx of Islander, Sound Tiger and NHL news sources for everyone here whether I blog or not daily. Those who have visited know this blog or know me from Islanders-Sound Tigers or HF understand this will be a very active blog and likely the most active of all Islander blogs.

Those who also know me understand I go find information from local papers outside New York and do not wait for the team to provide it from inside management whenever possible.

For a summary of what this blog will provide:
* News Articles on all things Islanders related.

* Occasional NHL items and hot button topics.

* Outside professional writer media blogs. (ie: Greg Logan/Mike Fornabaio)

* NYI Fan Central Commentary on everything hockey.

* Game Previews/Summary and personal commentary on the games both for the Islanders and Sound Tigers.

* All prospect information and reports I can find or others can provide.

* If possible guests blogs from other fans who would like to provide hockey perspective.


For a summary of what this blog will not provide:

* Off topic commentary about myself or who Mike Comrie is dating.

* Anything political.

* What happens on other fan blogs/websites, boards or mailing lists. I do not care who releases information or gossip first on trades/waivers/rumors. On this blog I want the information to be correct and from professional news sources.


My Thanks again to everyone, as always your comments and suggestions are welcome.

NYIsles1/IslesTigers.

Islanders Saturday Scrimmage Report

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/22/2007 04:51:00 PM | | | | |
Islanders had their scrimmage in Summerside as we noted in some earlier blog updates. Mike Comrie had another hat-trick. NYI.com has a report on the scrimmage.

"A lot of guys come from small Canadian towns, so we appreciate playing in places like this," said Mike Comrie. "The people of Summerside were very welcoming, and we thank them for their hospitality."


Guerin had two assists in regulation and Rick DiPietro played one period of shutout hockey for Team White.

Just past the midway point of the first period, Team White struck first. Derek Damon drove by Jordan Hart and pushed the puck past Joey MacDonald with the assist going to Miroslav Satan.

With 7:18 left in the first period, White scored again. Mike Sillinger found Trent Hunter at the side of the net for an easy re-direct.

Blue cut the lead to 2-1 when Guerin and Comrie teamed up. Guerin fed Comrie for a semi-breakaway. Comrie slid the puck under Maxime Ouellet at 4:24 of the second period.

It was all tied up at two when Guerin danced through the defense and found Comrie, who rifled home a slapshot at 9:56 of the second period.

White re-gained the lead when Jeremy Colliton found the back of the net 3:09 into the third period.

Aaron Johnson found Comrie for his second breakaway of the game and third goal.

TEAM WHITE
Goaltenders
39 Rick DiPietro
1 Maxime Ouellet

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt - 4 Bryan Berard
6 Matthew Spiller - 24 Radek Martinek
43 Andrew MacDonald - 56 Dustin Kohn

Forwards
7 Trent Hunter - 18 Mike Sillinger - 81 Miroslav Satan
20 Sean Bergenheim - 52 Tyler Haskins - 38 Marc Cavosie
10 Richard Park - 72 Jeremy Colliton - 64 Olivier Labelle
37 Kip Brennan - 59 Derek Damon – 48 Steve Regier


TEAM BLUE
Goaltenders
35 Joey MacDonald
60 Mike Mole

Defensemen
25 Andy Sutton - 44 Freddy Meyer
2 Aaron Johnson - 14 Chris Campoli
49 Drew Fata - 68 Jordan Hart

Forwards
26 Ruslan Fedotenko – 89 Mike Comrie – 13 Bill Guerin
54 Gordie Dwyer - 65 Chris Gaudet - 42 Jason Pitton
27 Darryl Bootland - 51 Frans Nielsen - 28 Tim Jackman
58 Masi Marjamaki - 40 Justin Bourne - 77 Trevor Smith

Kimber Auerbach also had the scrimmmage report on the Sound Tigers website.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Don't take the posted lines on NYI.com as etched in stone for entire scrimmages, Bergenheim fed Sillinger for a goal.

Was is etched in stone is we are down to six preseason games, Sound Tigers camp is going to open, players have to be returned to junior teams, there are cuts to be made and the staff has some tough decisions to make.

New York Islanders are returning home to New York.

Moncton media was great to the Islanders and the club seemed to have won over the community. Times and Transcript wraps it's coverage with two articles Islanders ‘love it here’ and Islanders classy.

New York Islanders NHL.com Preview

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/22/2007 12:14:00 AM | | |

Seems that 9/23 preview NHL.com was supposed to release on the Islanders was ready on 9/21 or they are going to write more later on. John McGourty does the preview.

Examining the New York Islanders

Six part Preview:
Introduction Goaltending Defense Forwards Numbers Schedule Roster.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
McGourty provides the best preview to date on the Islanders, packed with information and numbers to back his viewpoint. A must read for Islander fans that does not go out of it's way to force a prediction at us but only tells us about the club.

Montreal 3, Islanders 2 OT

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2007 11:50:00 PM | | |

NYI.com has the recap of the Islanders 3-2 ot loss to the Canadians at the Bell Center Friday.

Jeff Tambellini and Radek Martinek each scored a goal, while Josef Vasicek added two assists. Wade Dubielewicz stopped nine of ten shots in a period and a half of work, while Morrison turned aside nine of 11.

"I was impressed with the play of some of our young guys, especially Comeau and Walter," said head coach Ted Nolan. "Walter was particularly smart with the puck."

"It was here that Martinek got hurt last year," said Nolan. "But he came back and scored a goal. Time heals all."


*Despite not putting up any points, the Islanders' most dominant line was made up of young guns Sean Bergenheim, Blake Comeau and Sean Bentivoglio. The three of them sustained pressure in the offensive zone for many of their shifts and generated a multitude of scoring chances.

* Thoughts from Chief European Scout Vellu Kautonen

"Jeremy Colliton and Ben Walter are two of the younger guys, who were definitely better this period. Tambellini continued to play well, scoring a goal. For the veterans, Jon Sim has been working hard and looking good out there."

"Bergenheim stood out for me in that period. He had some jump, and had a big hit in the corner. Jamie Fraser had a good showing on the power play. Besides hitting a post, he showed poise with the puck. Tambellini, as always, had an energized period, which always helps the team."


Robin Figren (Edmonton – WHL), Tomas Marcinko (Barrie – OHL), Max Gratchev (Rimouski – QMJHL), Simon Lacroix (Shawinigan – QMJHL) and Mark Katic (Sarnia – OHL) were re-assigned to their respective Canadian Junior clubs.

Goaltenders
34 Wade Dubielewicz
33 Mike Morrison

Defense
14 Chris Campoli - 47 Marc-Andre Bergeron
2 Aaron Johnson - 24 Radek Martinek
62 Jamie Fraser - 8 Bruno Gervais

Forwards
15 Jeff Tambellini - 63 Josef Vasicek - 16 Jon Sim
12 Chris Simon - 27 Darryl Bootland - 11 Andy Hilbert
20 Sean Bergenheim - 57 Blake Comeau - 67 Sean Bentivoglio
54 Gordie Dwyer - 29 Ben Walter - 72 Jeremy Colliton

Newsday's feature was on Radek Martinek and Friday's game. To this point Logan has mostly made the game a footnote at best.

"Martinek looked really good, and Johnson continues to impress," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said. "Marty was a big loss last season. He was in our top pairing with Brendan Witt, and losing him was a big blow. Watching him here tonight, I thought time's a great healer."

Interview with Bill Guerin

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2007 07:59:00 PM | | | |
Kimber Auerbach who has been posting on Sound Tigers website had an interview with Bill Guerin and his impressions on some players among other things.

Out of the rookies, who are some of the guys who have made an impression in your mind?

Andrew MacDonald played really well. He seems extremely poised with the puck and makes simple plays. I have also liked the play of Blake Comeau. He goes into the corners without any fear and hits anyone who stands up to him. He has a lot of potential to be a great player.

One player that has said he's learned a lot from you the way you carry yourself on and off the ice is Jason Pitton. Can you talk of his play?

Jason Pitton has had a good camp. I see a lot of the same tendencies in him that I had when I was younger. He does a lot of simple things needed in a game that are hard to do like clearing puck out of zone the first time and not turning the puck over in the neutral zone. He has no fear of standing in front of the net and taking a beating for the good of his team.

Now wearing the C for the first time in your pro career what are some of things youve spoken to the young guys about on what they should concentrate on at camp?

Two things...1. Work Hard 2. Have Fun. It is a hard task to keep them relaxed but I try and tell them to keep those nerves to put into the game situations. Believe it or not theyll be much more confident with their nerves than without them. When you play with a few butterflies, youre mind is more in tune to the game as opposed to being overly confident and lackadaisical.

Logan Blog: Watch out for Blake Comeau

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2007 07:34:00 PM | | | |
Greg Logan updated his Newsday blog and apparetly Blake Comeau, who impressed Ted Nolan last year is doing so again.

* That means Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim and Andy Hilbert, all of whom came to training camp ahead of Comeau on the depth chart, shouldn’t look back because Comeau might be gaining on them. All four forwards are scheduled to play in the Islanders’ exhibition game against Montreal tonight at Bell Centre.

* On Wednesday in Moncton, Nolan gave Comeau a shot to play on a line with veterans Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter in the Isles’ 3-1 win over the Canadiens. The coach liked what he saw.

“We want the 20 best players,” Nolan said. “Sometimes, people think you have to get the best skill players. No, we’re looking for the right players. Comeau is making a good fight for it right now. I just like his hockey ability and his hockey sense.”

“You look at Andy Hilbert last year, and I don’t think he had a point for 25 games. We just want people who have some intelligence and compete.”.


* Nolan has praised Hilbert for his work ethic and for the way he played hurt in the playoffs, but Hilbert could be dropped to the fourth line. Veteran Jonathan Sim is penciled in with Sillinger and Hunter, while Tambellini and Bergenheim tentatively are listed with the second and fourth lines, respectively. However, it’s clear Nolan always has been partial to Comeau.

“I think he’s got a bit of confidence in me,” Comeau said. “He’s put me out there in situations where I’m killing penalties and playing four-on-four. I think he wants to give me an opportunity in preseason to see the kind of player I am and see what I can do. I like to play the power forward style and play physical. If I do end up making the team, it’s going to be because I am playing gritty and working hard.”


* For now, Comeau is trying not to get too excited about his prospects or read anything into the opportunity he’s being given.

“You start thinking a whole lot,” Comeau said, “and your game usually goes downhill. I’m trying not to think about it.”


NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's getting interesting, things change quickly. Still Hilbert just signed a two year deal, Bergenheim has a one way contract and Tambellini was praised last weekend.

Nolan said wait for the last three or four games to get an idea of what's going to happen. Islanders have six more pre-season games.

Greg Logan brings up other items in his blog for those interested.

Log Jam on Defense & TV schedule out

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2007 07:04:00 PM | | |
Ted Nolan admitted today there is a good chance the club will carry seven defenders as he talked about the log jam on defense.

* The Islanders already sported a defensive core that included Brendan Witt, Andy Sutton, Radek Martinek, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Freddy Meyer, Chris Campoli, Bruno Gervais and Aaron Johnson, who played in 60 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season.

Of those eight, only Gervais and Johnson have two-way NHL-AHL contracts, meaning those two can be sent down to Bridgeport without clearing waivers.

Despite Nolan's inclination – based on last year – to not carry extra players, he indicated today that "it's safe to say that we'll dress seven to begin with, but once the season progresses, we'll see. One good thing about Bridgeport being so close is that they players can keep their game sharp there, instead of practicing with us for two weeks and not playing."


"Berard played okay in his first game," said the head coach. "As the games move on, we'll see how he fits in. Campoli, Gervais and Meyer are all playing well, and so is the Johnson kid. To say who is going to get those six and seven spots, now, is tough. Once the dust all clears at the end of preseason, hopefully we'll have the best seven defensemen available."


"We really wanted to instill at the start of Training Camp that spots won't just be given away," said Nolan. "It's the best league in the world and one of the most competitive businesses, so they need to be earned. Things have a funny way of working themselves out."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
This was easy to see coming and no surprise to this point which is why it's very possible we could see a trade. I cannot see Gervais back in the AHL after Nolan saw him up close last season. If seven defenders do dress Tambellini and Bergenheim will not have a spot. Seems like it's not possible Aaron Johnson could make the club if he can be sent down.

One thing for sure, this group is very injury prone. To expect six defenders to play eighty two games is not going to happen. We saw what happened last year when the lack of depth caught up to the club and that was with Witt, Hill and Poti healthy most of the season.

Msg released the Isles television schedule today.

No surprises, only Msg exhibition game is televised, about fifteen FSN-2 games. Thursday 9/27 at 7:00 on FSN that they are having the Islanders season preview show.

Milbury joins NHL on TSN broadcast team

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/21/2007 06:54:00 PM | | |
Tsn reported Mike Milbury will be joining TSN as part of their broadcast team.

"Mike has a reputation for being one of the most entertaining characters in the world of hockey," said Mark Milliere, Vice-President, News & NHL on TSN. "He's controversial and quotable, and will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game to our broadcasts."

"I've appeared on TSN numerous times for my antics as a player, coach and GM, but this time around will be an entirely different experience," said Milbury. "I'm really excited about the opportunity to interact with such a talented broadcast team, while offering my insights on the NHL to Canadian viewers, who are without a doubt the most passionate hockey fans in the world."

* Milbury, who never shies away from the media spotlight and has provided more than his fair share of memorable quotes, once described himself as follows: "I'm a 1978 Toyota with 86,000 miles on it, rust spots, and a hole in the floorboard, but hey, I start every morning."

NYI Islander Fan Central Comments:
As always Milbury is entertaining with his comments, he is good for hockey and everyone in the media business seems to want to hire him. Despite his mistakes here he is entertaining and this game badly needs that. Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury make for must see television.