Newsday: Greg Logan has more on Marc-Andrew Bergeron, who's six goals in twenty three games almost matches the rest of the defense with eight goals in thirty eight games. Bergeron credited the coaches for keeping him ready to play despite him and Gerard Gallant having words on television a while back.
"The assistants have been really nice with me since the beginning of the year because I've been in an out of the lineup," Bergeron said. "They made me feel like I was a good player and kept me in good shape. I have nothing [bad] to say. I would have said it if I had something to say."
"It's a tough league," Bergeron said. "Everybody wants to be out there. So it's not a sure job. You've got to make sure you keep doing your job every night and you're doing it well. I think it's more up to me."
NYI Fan Central Comments:
What's the deal with Greg Logan? First he writes Bergeron's moody, now he makes the point if Bergeron's frustrated he does not pull his punches and brings up all the time Dubielewicz sat?
If Greg Logan wants to give tv updates on Bergeron that's fine because what happened earlier was a story but how come he did not comment on the assistants and Bergeron going off the ice in Carolina congratulating him on television? Doesn't this work both ways?
If there is no room in Newsday to hype the players so they stop getting the
under-rated label slapped on them around the league there should be no room for this either, but of course there is.
As for Bergeron he seems to understand if he does well he will play and if he does poorly he will sit. Given how Bergeron, Berard and Meyer have played it is up to them and how much they do to help the club win games. With Radek Martinek's return, Ted Nolan has a tough choice.
Denver Post: Mike Chambers reports Ryan Smyth is out indefinately with an ankle injury and is unlikely to play against the Islanders. Joe Sakic is already out with an injury.
Miami Herald: Pete Pelegrin reports from Jacques Martink that Panthers backup goalie Craig Anderson could play against the Islanders. Branislav Mezei is coming back from a benching tonight against the Devils.
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had an update on how well Jeff Tambellini is playing for Bridgeport and reported Ben Walter and Joey MacDonald were sent back to Bridgeport on Tuesday.
"Every aspect of the game, he's playing well right now," coach Jack Capuano said. "Are there things he needs to get better at? He knows that. He's a very gifted player. He's got great speed and vision and a very accurate shot, a deadly shot."
"If I'm playing well, if I'm in the game, I'm hitting guys, I'm talking," Tambellini said. "There's a big difference between playing like that and just going through the motions."
Sound Tigers website: Had a Q & A with Jeff Tambellini.
Islanders website: Has more on Rick DiPietro and Mike Sillinger's return to the lineup on Thursday. Radek Martinek will not play against Florida but will go on the road trip with the club and suit up at some point.
SI: Reports the NHL classic in Buffalo was a huge ratings hit for the league which was the highest rated game since 1996.
The Buffalo and Pittsburgh markets led the ratings, at 38.2/58 and 17.7/30, respectively. But markets such as Sacramento, Calif., St. Louis and Denver also drew strong ratings, even though the game went up against a number of college football bowl games, including an intriguing Capital One Bowl between Florida and Michigan.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
I enjoyed the game but of course felt all along somehow it would be a three point game with another Atlantic team on the kind of streak that makes what the Islanders are doing only hold their place which is at the bottom of the division, even if things are very close. Ty Conklin seemed to play the game of his life.
How many times could Bob Costas bring up Milbury and his shoe attack? You could tell Milbury did not enjoy it but did look comfortable behind the camera.