Friday Islander, Sound Tiger/NHL Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 12/14/2007 08:29:00 PM | | | | | | |
Newsday: Greg Logan does a blog update on the club having to concentrate on defense because of it's struggling offense, Mike Comrie comments on Rick DiPietro getting involved maybe too big a risk which the coach intends to talk with his goaltender about while the Islanders goaltender talks about the Pittsburgh Penguins.

You’ve seen it with so many teams that are successful,” DiPietro said. “They play a smart defensive game and capitalize on their chances. We have to play that same way. We’re not going to be a team that goes out and scores five or six goals a game and plays run-and-gun. We have to keep it simple and do a good job of eliminating other teams’ opportunities.”

“We were all holding our breath,” forward Mike Comrie said of that brief scuffle. “It’s who he is, though. When you see Ricky in practice, he tries to go an entire practice without letting in a goal. That’s the reason he’s so good is his competitiveness. You don’t want to see your goaltender involved [in a fight], but you realize he wants to win.”


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogs and reports Comeau, Bootland and Fraser are all scratched for tonight's game against Providence with Haskins, Ford and Labelle all in the lineup.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Likely some benchings to follow the recent shakeup, but could also be signs of a possible trade.

ECHL.com: Confirms the callups of Scott Ford, Oilver Labelle and Tyler Haskins, with the demotion of Andy MacDonald.

Fox Sports: Lyle Richardson of course if far more tempered with his comments on Mike Richards's signing than he was when the Islanders signed Rick DiPietro.

THN.com: Ken Campbell, who's been taking his share of shots at the Islanders recently apparently now is also revisiting long term contracts and notes that owners who supposedly won the lockout are paying more now than ever. Mr Campbell also acknowledges Rick DiPietro and that Mike Richards may never have the on-ice impact that DiPietro might have someday.

Of course this all appears after Campbell calls on Edmonton's current management to sell the team.

ESPN.com: Reported Andy McDonald, was traded Friday to the St. Louis Blues for Doug Weight, Michal Birner and a seventh-round pick in next year's NHL entry draft.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That's the center I wanted the Islanders to try and add because he could score and was signed for the next two years. Anaheim get's their cap space for next summer when Weight becomes an UFA.