Brian Strait Signed For 2013-14

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/31/2013 05:34:00 PM |
Islanders website: Announced that defenseman Brian Strait has agreed to terms on a three-year contract..

NYIFC Comments:
This means Strait will likely be a part of the 2013-14 season in New York which for this website is the only subject at this time.

Bridgeport continues the 2012-13 hockey season on 1/31.

Matt Donovan, Nino Niederreiter Named Starters For All-Star Lineup

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/26/2013 06:09:00 PM | |
Matt Donovan, & Nino Niederreiter were named to the starting lineup by the fans for the 2013 AHL All-Star Game in Providence on 1/27-1/28.

Both players thanked the fans on their twitter feeds Saturday.

Bridgeport off losing a third period 1-0 lead on Friday, lost 5-0 in Norfolk on Saturday entering the break at AHL five hundred.

Mr Jaffe Still Defending Msg: " Wasn't Their Call "

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/24/2013 07:15:00 PM |
For those who follow this twitter feed, I had an interesting exchange with current part time Msg employee/guest, former Islanders announcer, Billy Jaffe, on 1/24, who again maintained his dismissal/contract new renewed from broadcasting New York Islander hockey was not Msg's call.

Is it possible something happened beyond the scenes with the Isles where he's right?

Absolutely.

However Mr Jaffe on 12/20/10 went above/ beyond telling us what a great job Msg had done covering Islander hockey, is flat out disingenuous nor am I talking about people in a truck putting in long hours to produce a broadcast.  

I invite folks to read the twitter comments and make their own judgements, no interest in repeating what's been written here countless times in the past about Msg coverage disparity.  

Sure, I understand for Mr Jaffe to be critical of Msg has the likely potential to end any current appearances on their network,  nor was he going to go there in any exchange with me, but praising my passion?

Spare me. I do not do passion, only facts with supporting documentation, when I made my points with supporting links (direct quotes) Mr Jaffe wrote it had nothing to do with him. 

Fair enough, nor did I claim it was.

Having written that on 12/20/10 Mr Jaffe went to absurd heights to defend Msg's coverage disparity of the New York Islanders (and Devils) vs Cablevision's team with former Islanders media relations coordinator. 

Here is the audio link to Mr Jaffe's comments on 12/20/10 where he claims Msg goes above and beyond to cover the New York Islanders

Full 15 minute interview

And of course the 12/20/10 Video in full. 

For those listening to Isles former media relations coordinator here praise Msg for airing all games (they are legally obligated to)  the comical background propaganda of how tough it is airing HD is another insult to our fans intelligence considering Msg refused to air games in HD.

Verizon had to fight Msg for HD coverage until Dec 2011 when the Dolan's lost another lawsuit. 

Sure by 12/31/11 if you had Time Warner, goodbye Msg. 

Even now I'll ask are those +++ channels offering HD? 

I like Mr Jaffe's work, praised him for being positive here when Msg/Newsday employees announced his dismissal from their coverage in my past entries. I knew of his Dec 2010 interview, and considered his defense back then insulting, but if he's still doing this in 2013, it's time to get real.

Of course the same former media relations coordinator defending Msg in 2010 made clear in 2008 Msg hiding Mr Jaffe's ITV pre-season games was entirely about Msg.

Please don't take my word for it, read from the same man who interviewed Mr Jaffe: Sept 27th 2008  when Mr Jaffe's preseason work could not air live on ITV

Islanders TV’s inability to show these ex games in Canada live and in living colour is a more difficult issue, but the reason is essentially the same. Not only does MSG Network have the broadcast rights for Islanders pre-season games, an impeccable TV industry source tells Point Blank that MSG Network also has the right to give the red light to any other company that wants to show the games.

It’s a fair leap to assume MSG opted to block ITV from broadcasting games live in Moncton, London, PEI or anywhere else. Yes, last year they allowed it. This year, nope.

To be clear, it’s not like the Islanders don’t want to have these games on ITV, MSG+ or anywhere else on the dial. MSG is exercising their contractual rights.

For now, it looks like you’ll have to wait to see the Islanders’ own Emmy Award-winning commentator Billy Jaffe on MSG+ when the regular season begins. While you vent, let me look into rumors I heard in Manhattan the other day about the plan to eliminate Islanders pre-game shows (and perhaps a studio analyst) from MSG+ broadcasts.


Funny, that was the year the Isles lost their pregame in the first month. Eventually a studio analyst full time job was eliminated with no full time replacement for Butch Goring who said he felt detached from Isles when they would go on long trips.

Msg could have paid to bring Goring on the road with Jaffe, and Rose as an analyst, after all the Devils/Rangers have plenty of people covering them full time. 

Like Mr Jaffe I feel good about writing this. 






1/22: Niederreiter Speaks On Wanting To Be First Team All-Star

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/23/2013 02:55:00 AM | |



That's Nino Niederreiter speaking likely on 1/22/13. It must be noted he was named as an all-star on 1/17 so when he says he was just named to the all-star team those comments could have been recorded at an earlier point.

Niederreiter posting this or re-tweeting this on 1/22 however suggest otherwise which he did on both his  twitter/facebook pages.

The Sound Tigers website released this update on 1/22/13.

Note-The team video was released between 10am-11am on the teams twitter feed or before any other updates on Tuesday.

 TheSoundTigers VOTE FOR NINO: @thelnino25 is an AHL All Star but needs your help to make the starting lineup! Voting opens @ 12 today!

1/22/13: Niederreiter's personal twitter feed also RT this update around 10am here.

Niederreiter later added this to his Facebook page on 1/22/13
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Kirill Kabanov is getting very close to returning, it's possible he goes to Norfolk next weekend.

Bridgeport 2012-13 Race For Playoffs Continues

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/19/2013 01:42:00 PM |
The standings do not lie. Bridgeport is at the half-way point of it's 76 game season, ten points out of first place, at best a bubble team that has displayed weaknesses in surrendering goals for long stretches, along with periods where it's been very good.

The AHL adapted a more conventional NHL format of three division winners seeded 1-3, with the next five teams rounding out Calder Cup playoffs. 

The 2012-13 story of Niederreiter, Nelson, Persson, Sundstrom, Donovan, Ness, Nilsson, Poulin continue.

A lot of what happens in Bridgeport/among prospects will determine 2013-14 in New York.

Bridgeport has two games this weekend.
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Information or updates related to the 2013-14 New York Islanders will be the only updates here or on twitter.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers/Islander prospect 2012-13 seasons will be the primary content. 

Thank You



New York Statement For 2013-14: Resign Mark Streit Now

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/16/2013 12:06:00 PM |
No doubt it's a judgement call, no doubt like with Brendan Witt, Trent Hunter (resigned early) it can backfire with someone who already missed a year, who could get injured again before 2013-14. 

It's backfired with many players Streit's age who have been resigned or moved onto other teams.

Long term deals in general turn into poor decisions. 

Having written that Mark Streit is the captain of the New York Islanders, a top flight two-way defender which is rare in this league.

Mark Streit will have huge value entering free agency in a few short months, who likely will command a front-loaded contract on the open market.

This is a player who's ability the organization does not have a replacement for at any level in the near future, he is a player John Tavares went to Switzerland with to be on his team.

Tavares is the New York Islanders signature star moving forward.

Nino Niederreiter is another players who has, and will look to Mark Streit for advice in the years ahead.

This is where management needs to make another statement now by locking up Mark Streit for the remainder of his NHL career beginning with the 2013-14 season. 


2013-14: New York Claims D Joe Finley Off Waivers

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/14/2013 01:17:00 PM |
Joe Finley was signed to a three year/two way contract on 11/29/2011 by Buffalo.

New York claiming him on waivers means unless he is traded (or claimed on waivers at a future point) will be a part of the 2013-14 New York Islander/Bridgeport Sound Tigers. 

Again transactions that have something to do with 2013-14/beyond will be the only ones written about here.

Bridgeport/Prospect Notables

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/13/2013 07:57:00 AM |
1/13-Updated 6:20pm: Matt Donovan scored a pp goal in final two minutes for a 5-4 win. Bridgeport lost a 4-2 lead in last five minutes. Aaron Ness, Costello three point games. Niederreiter two goals.
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Welcome to the American Hockey League, Scott Pellerin.

Today is the first true day as a head coach, with these things called transactions where the AHL affiliate lose players with alarming regularity for many reasons.

Kind of like how Bridgeport has been again struggling recently with games where they have had roster advantages, leads and still were outplayed/lost.

You fall behind 5-0 with roster advantages, come back to lose 5-4, then take a 2-0 lead in your next game with same advantages, your team should not surrender that lead, losing 6-3. 

Four regulation losses in the last five games.

Goodbye: Travis Hamonic, Ty Wishart, Jon Landry, Colin McDonald, Casey Cizikas and David Ullstrom, with more changes coming.

That's life in the AHL.

On Sunday, Bridgeport plays it's third game in three days, traveling from Providence to Bridgeport to Atlantic City (not Albany)  against the Devils 4pm.
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Until the NHL or NHLPA release an official copy of it's CBA which will cover the 2013-14 season, not much to write on this subject.
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It would appear the rules on college prospects, deadlines to sign CHL drafted players still apply at two years which mean decisions have to be made by June 1st under normal schedule circumstances.

Anders Lee is a junior, he is under no deadline to be signed until 8/15/2014 if he graduates. 

Mitchell Theoret was traded to the Barrie Colts on 1/10/13, per previous CBA he must be tendered a contract because he was drafted in 2011.

Brenden Kichton-6/1/2013
Andrei Pedan-6/1/2013
Cody Rosen 8/15/2013


Unless It's 2013-14 Related For New York...Not Interested

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/08/2013 05:16:00 AM |
New York Islander Fan Central is only setting up the 2013-14 season.

Beyond that the lockout here continues, there will be no game coverage here at all, no Islander-centric twitter updates from this point forward. 

I'm sorry. I would respectfully suggest folks who feel otherwise please visit another New York Islander content related website until the forty/whatever games conclude.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers play Tuesday night at home against Hershey, prospects world-wide have games to play.

These are the games/twitter updates for 2012-13 at NYIFC.

I'm well aware players in Bridgeport who have done their part will be leaving for New York, and have earned the opportunity to be in the NHL.

Unless it has something to do (there are subjects which will overlap ) with 2013-14 there will be no interest in writing about it here even if the Islanders are undefeated, win the Stanley Cup, and go down the Canyon Of Hero's.

If the Islanders add to their Hall Of Fame that is something which will be written about here, not the game which will follow it.

Yes, it's time for Jiggs McDonald, John Tonelli, Butch Goring, and a large majority of the Core Of The Four to be inducted before the club relocates. 

If the Islanders sign, trade, invite a player for only this season, it will not be written about at all here, the same will apply to injuries unless they impact 2013-14.

No trade deadline coverage unless an acquired player is signed for 2013-14. 

GM/coaching/staff interviews/hiring/firing are an overlapping subject to be determined as we go, the plan is to concentrate on 2013-14.

I have no interest in Charles Wang, Garth Snow, Doug Weight, Brent Thompson, or any staff/player interviews about the product related to the forty/whatever games.

Only 2013-14.
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2013-14:
What division (or conference playoff format) will be the new model in 2013-14?  (remember that approved  playoff format last year the players wanted with only four available playoff spots)

At usual the professional media cannot even figure out what day players/owners will be ratifying this brutal CBA agreement so expect nothing but the usual poor work full of worthless sourced based contradictions.

The NHL.com version of the final ratified CBA will be posted on the sidebar here when official. 
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Media:
I'm done writing about media until 2013-14.

My advice is it's your turn to see things for what they are, and speak out when you know things are unfair regardless of a teams record.

This blog has done more than anyone on criticizing poor, lazy, selective, sourced based, biased reporting with an agenda for their own market/whatever.

If you are so upset with the NYI product that you accept anything reported via sources or people who do not even cover the team (ex: Katie Strang) which is factually incorrect that's your choice.

My respectful advice has always been to be educated on such matters or lower your standards to accept anything written. (even treating fan blogs as professional which they are not starting with this one)

Be positive or critical based on what's factually fair. 

If Dolan's laughingstock Knicks can be treated like gold by NYC media salesman (who need Msg ad dollars) with one playoff win in a decade (less than the NYI) it's your choice to contact media, editors, and demand the double-standards stop or rally fellow fans not to accept such reporting bias.

My take is you are entitled to a fair balance, nothing more. 

Or remain silent, and expect things to stay the same/get worse. (is that possible?)
Again, your decision.
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Unless there is something to write regarding Lubomir Visnovsky for 2013-14.....not interested.

He's the perfect example of why it's best to ignore this forty plus game cash grab, who's wasted more of our important time since June of last year than any player in New York recorded memory. 

Beyond that please educate yourselves about Rick DiPietro's contract.

Unless Charles Wang in 2006 could not get insurance on his contract for his later years, and RDP is injured entering 2013-14 there is no reason at all for a buyout.......NONE. 

Beyond that If RDP cannot play entering 2013-14 insurance would pay the remainder of his contract, his cap hit removed without a buyout.

I hope he's healthy, and productive so this discussion for 2013-14 ends. 

Thank You Very Much

Bridgeport home Tuesday.

Pending Approval NHL, NHLPA Reach Framework For New CBA

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/06/2013 06:59:00 AM |
NHL, NHLPA Reach Framework For New CBA

"Don Fehr and I are here to tell you that we have reached an agreement on the framework of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the details of which need to be put to paper," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We have to dot a lot of I's and cross a lot of T's. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the basic framework has been agreed upon. We have to go through a ratification process and the Board of Governors has to approve it from the League side and, obviously, the players have to approve it as well."

NYIFC Comments: 
Again in terms of 2012-13, NYIFC will not be covering games because this is not a legitimate season regardless of the New York Islanders performance on ice. This blog will examine moves that will impact 2013-14.

My hope is Charles Wang, and seven other owners (updated-perhaps only majority needed) turn down any agreement where a CBA begins with huge permanent spending disparities between corporate teams willing to use their personal business to write off red ink for advantages, vs other owners without large corporations who need their NHL investment to be a sustainable business. Most franchises as stand alone businesses cannot spend fifty million dollars much less sixty or seventy million, massively front-loading, with a cap ceiling that will at some point approach one hundred million dollars.

Do I expect eight (perhaps only majority) of owners to reject what Mr Bettman agreed to? No.

This is why the league needed to be shut down last September? 

A system that will now likely include buyouts to correct mistakes which will lead to more overspending?

It's a terrible business model, one designed where there will be a lack of financial competitive balance for many/most franchises that were losing money spending fifty million much less a system now that likely will begin near seventy million.

When the 2004-05 lockout ended there was no front-loading, a system that previously saw 28 million dollars payrolls vs 80m dollar payrolls (with UFA beginning at age 31) become a balanced system with a ceiling at 39m.

This system will begin with a 26 million dollar disparity that will only get worse, with UFA for players in their prime, with front-loading continuing on a large scale, and now buyouts for mistakes to increase the disparity even more. 

It appears Mr Fehr won handily on every issue, giving NHL a permanently broken system like MLB. 


2012-13 NHL Season Cancelled At New York Islander Fan Central

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/02/2013 02:59:00 PM |
It's not 1994-1995. This writer saw one of those seasons long ago at a time a lockout was something new/different at a time before there was social media.

In retrospect that NHL season was nothing short of an insult to NHL fans. I do not consider any possible 2012-13 season as legitimate or wish to participate. 

Of course everyone wants their money, the hockey media wants their paychecks/pageviews. 

This is not a New York Islander issue directly related to  the management/team beyond being an NHL franchise or about any individual member of the NHLPA who would wear a New York Islander uniform.

If it's the final Nassau Coliseum season that would be a disappointment, however it's beyond our control or the correct reason to write about games here.  

Having written this New York Islander Fan Central will not be writing or doing twitter updates about the 2012-13 New York Islander on-ice games under any circumstances whether they win a Stanley Cup Championship or finish 30th if games eventually take place at all. 

The content presented here will be related to setting up the 2013-14 season (if one takes place) along with what's happening in Bridgeport, and teams prospects with the NHL draft.

That will include trades/personnel changes, signings that need to be made (Anders Lee) when terms of a cba are established with regard to prospects or departing players.
 
CBA terms will be published when an agreement is eventually made because that will setup the 2013-14 season.

The on-ice 2012-13 New York Islander/NHL season has been cancelled in terms of New York Islander Fan Central regardless of what is eventually decided in CBA negotiations. 

My apologies to our great, loyal readers, everyone has their own decision to make on this subject.

New York Islander Fan Central as promised will remain viewable until October 2013.

No decision regarding the future of this site or it's predecessors back to 2000 has or will ever be made based on team performance, off-ice issues or CBA negotiations.