Coliseum/Sound Tigers Update

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/30/2016 07:03:00 PM |

New York Signs Kyle Schempp to ELC

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/29/2016 10:39:00 AM |

New York Signs G Eamon McAdam

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/23/2016 10:59:00 AM |

It should be noted Christopher Gibson was injured Saturday (considered minor) , and Stephon Williams has played very well since coming back from ECHL as Bridgeport is making a big push for the division lead with eleven games remaining in their season. Parkner Milner was recalled from ECHL, and is with team for 3/23 road game.


Halak Out At Least Six Weeks

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/09/2016 05:22:00 PM |
It's Greiss, Berube with three games of NHL experience, and Christopher Gibson/Stephon Williams trying to get New York/Bridgeport in the playoffs.

Mikko Koskinen signed a two year contract 5/1/15 in KHL. 

Given the Islanders schedule ahead, how exhausted this team must be already after seven straight road games with only Kevin Czuczman, Jesse Graham, Loic Leduc (red shirt at practice) and Matt Finn available on defense with NHL contracts on defense, out for weeks (Mayfield, Burroughs, Pelech) it's unlikely there is any path here to a playoff spot or any run if they qualify.

Greiss will have to become a full time #1/play as such. It's not impossible the 18-6-3 Greiss, can outplay the 18-13-4 Halak, he has the better gaa/save percentage, but career trends matter.

This schedule/lack of rest will likely only lead to more injuries. 

No defenders need to be signed in organization who have been drafted so far from college.

No Justin Schultz, Kevin Czuczman, or Jack Hillen options coming from college ranks or announced around the NHL.

At Toronto, at Boston, Florida, at Pittsburgh, at Nashville, at Dallas, Philadelphia, Ottawa, at Tampa, at Carolina, Carolina, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Tampa, at Washington, at Rangers, Buffalo, Philadelphia.

Two day breaks? Two.

Flyers, Carolina (despite selling) even Devils (without Schneider/Camalleri) are not going away.

They are doing more than I expected to scratch out ugly wins, it will have to continue somehow. 

Al Arbour Memorial Celebration 4/7/16

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/08/2016 09:51:00 AM | |
Al Arbour website
CIC16 Foundation is Pat Lafontaine's Companions in Courage website.

6 p.m. - VIP RECEPTION - A limited number of tickets are offered to join the Islanders alumni in a private reception prior to the doors opening to the public. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served at this once-in-a-lifetime event.

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. AL ARBOUR CELEBRATION - Dinner, dessert and cocktails offered throughout the evening. - Islanders-Rangers game telecast from Madison Square Garden - Between-periods panel discussions hosted by Jiggs McDonald and featuring Islanders Alumni reminiscing about the great coach. - Acknowledgement from Claire Arbour and the Arbour Family.

 - The Stanley Cup on display! Photo opportunities for you and guests - The Jack Adams Award on display! (NHL Coach of the Year) - Al Arbour’s Hall of Fame Display items!

- Opportunity to meet and chat with four decades of Islanders Alumni! -Maybe the last chance to meet this many alumni on L.I.

- Raffles featuring local merchants, NHL and Islanders memorabilia - Limited live auction featuring one-of-a-kind Islanders items. - Unique Al Arbour print. Perfect for autographs.

All net proceeds benefit the AL ARBOUR FUND.

New York To Practice At Northwell Health Ice Center Through 2026

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/07/2016 04:12:00 PM | | |
Long story short we found out 3/7/16 what became of what was Charles Wang's former agreement at Cantiague Park for the 5.1 million dollars he was owed from the Lighthouse project back in escrow from 6/5/2015: (See past entry)

Islanders agreed to move all practices to Northwell Health Ice (aka Twin Rinks) beginning 9/1/16, they had their third practice there this season on 3/7/16.

Cantiague Park get's one million for upgrades to it's rink, no mention of the Islanders involvement.
No mention of the other 600k. (5.1m vs 3.5+1m last summer)
No mention of Iceworks which Wang still owns. 

County legislature of course cleared room, and went into special session for a long time before Islanders lawyer took a few questions, most from one representative about agreement being binding and construction being within footprint of current building. NIMBY/Parkland.

No mention was made of Charles Wang, Jon Ledecky or Scott Malkin as this passes to new majority owners if they do pay money for team/take majority control.

This has nothing to do with the Nassau Coliseum nor was that brought up.

If the Islanders violate terms or in fact move from NY area before 2026, Nassau can only collect from the 5.1 million LH escrow money. Wang would still own Northwell Health rink regardless because he bought it last summer. 

Bottom line:





Bottom Line For New York: Something Changes Or No Playoffs

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/01/2016 03:37:00 AM |
Ok, so the players believe in the management, and at the trade deadline Garth Snow made clear by his actions (no quotes) the feeling is mutual beyond the third traded for Shane Prince.

No team traded a 1st rounder (unless conditional) at the deadline, Snow did not have a second/fifth.

People do not like to read this again---- nor do I like writing it---again, but this is largely a very young team, maybe it's just not their time or it never will be for this group. 

We all know it could take 4-5 years for Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang/ect to become reliable NHL players via Bridgeport or wherever the Islanders have an AHL team.

As I wrote a while back it seems the league has figured this team out, but for now the record reflects a playoff team that has won a lot of ugly games where the coach/players are critical of themselves afterward.

The scheduled/lack of rest will only keep getting worse, they will not see poor opposition goaltending gift wrap soft goals, the best players must carry this franchise, the young players have to produce for any chance.

I do not see many Matt Martin/Casey Cizikas/Thomas Hickey goals keying enough 1-0, 2-1 wins, the pressure/stakes will keep going up.

What has worked (penalty killing/other positive intangibles) with solid goaltending must continue.

Folks know where I stand based on most of the first sixty games, and from day one of camp. I just do not see a playoff team here based on how they have been outworked far too often for large portions of games.

Maybe they prove me wrong? I'm absolutely hoping they do.

This is all I can contribute to the end of the season regardless what date that is.

Now they play hockey games----a lot of them, we get our answers.