Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Rick DiPietro was placed on IR effective last Sunday which means he cannot be activated until 11/2 at the earliest meaning he is out against Montreal.
Mr Logan's speculation game on his favorite target now claims the fact DiPietro was not allowed to play in the first four games of the regular season and lasted only seven periods over three games in eight days suggest he’s not in tip-top condition.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
So lets recap, first DiPietro was faking now he was not in top-top condition?
Please stick to the hockey and leave the medicine to the doctors.
Seems this is not about the Islanders injury policy for Newsday/Mr Logan but Rick DiPietro.
How about the Newsday staff put all the injuries under the mircoscope back to last season or at the very least tell us once how many games the club lost to injury?
Mr Logan has not gone this hard after Sillinger, Witt or Bailey among others with injuries so it's not just about the policy. Radek Martinek is this clubs most important player after DiPietro and his absence is enormous to the backline and we have not read a word of speculation from the beatwriter.
Updated 2pm:
Newsday: Mr Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog defenseman Freddy Meyer underwent sports hernia surgery and is expected to miss two-four weeks while Radek Martink skated at practice and speculates on his return based on Chris Campoli's recovery.
A Saturday article will be written on defenseman Mark Streit who faces his former team for the first time Saturday.
Updated 3pm:
Newsday: Jim Baumbach has an interview with Islanders legendary President and General Manager, Bill Torrey who talked about the fans having to be patient with the clubs plan and what role he still has with the Florida Panthers.
Star Phoenix: Cory Wolfe had a two page feature on Islander prospect Jyri Niemi with how awestruck it was meeting a celebrity in Islander captain Bill Guerin.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny stuff from Niemi on meeting Guerin.
Chronicle Herald: Willy Palov reports Moncton Wildcat owner aggressively pursued Danny Flynn two years ago and offered him a four year contract to return as Wildcats coach.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Congratulations to Danny Flynn, would not shock me if he is hired as an NHL coach. I wonder if Ted Nolan would work as an assistant for him?
Tri City Herald: Annie Fowler reports the Portland Winter Hawks which had the worst record in the Western Hockey League made an ownership change this week. Former Islander Rich Kromm was fired as head coach and another former Islander, Travis Green was named assistant coach and assistant GM.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Has it really been that long between playoff series wins Travis Green had a full NHL career and now is an assistant gm? He also scored the goal in game seven to elimiate the Islanders against Toronto.
Quick Hit:
I guess Newsday needed another NHL blog for the Rangers to receive even more space than the Islanders and now Mr Herrmann was given such space to so he can write even more often about the Islanders viability.
I suspect Mark Herrmann's content and commentary will be a lot more about the Cablevision owned team in the most postive light possible and we will see more of the usual negative slant the Islanders in whatever crumbs he provides. Do not count on many features like the one on Mitch Fritz which was very good but the exception for Mr Herrmann, hardly the rule.
Too bad for everyone.
I put the link to it on the blog, it is not Islander-centric only so I am not going to use it in the feeder here.