Islander Notables

Point Blank: Mr Botta had an update from practice Wednesday on several subjects where one is Andy Sutton returned to practice and will play at some point.

* Head coach Scott Gordon on XM Radio yesterday reported Doug Weight could also return within the next week.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported on the changes at Sound Tigers practice.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I suppose at some point it does not matter if Jack Hillen is returned to Bridgeport for a Sutton return so he can get ready for the AHL playoffs. No open spot down the middle for Doug Weight with Nielsen, McAmmond, Bailey, Thompson down the middle with Richard Park who also can play center but started on wing.

Usually someone is injured and these problems solve themselves before changes are needed to be made.

Islander News Articles 2/28

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog has the transcript of Islanders owner Charles Wang's interview who invited Newsday sports editor Hank Winnicki, news side reporter Eden Laikin, Jim Baumbach, Mark Herrmann and himself to discuss the Lighthouse Project in a wide-ranging interview earlier Friday. According to Mr Logan in attendance were Michael Picker, president of the Lighthouse Development Group, Lighthouse public relations head Paul Lancey and Islanders general manager Garth Snow.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Transcript is too long but this is the version with Mr Wang's direct comments.

Whatever articles with writer opinion beyond this I will post below it but the transcript really is the entire ballgame where Wang-Picker answered anything I could think about the team, this process and the Lighthouse project.

You can essentially bookmark this as the blueprint for whatever happens ahead, seems Mr Wang was completely transparent in every area and did an excellent job.

If I read things correctly the Smg lease will be bought out at some point in the future if the project does move forward.

Newsday: Mr Logan's interpretation of Charles Wang comments.

Newsday: Mr Logan's other article is mostly a repeat of his blog entry on Brendan Witt's suspension with general manager Garth Snow's comments. Nothing from Witt about being suspended at this time, just mostly last night's comments from the NY Post.

NY Post: Dan Martin's Saturday article has Witt's comments from the postgame and added Witt will not appeal the decision with Garth Snow's statement.

Globe & Mail/CP: Report goaltender Rick DiPietro and Andy Sutton of the Islanders will be part of the committee to name a replace for Eric Lindros as NHLPA Ombudsmen this summer as Buzz Hargrove was named to the spot on an interim basis Friday according to Tsn.ca.

Buffalo News: Has coverage from Bucky Gleason & Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo Sabres coming off their shootout loss to Carolina Thursday, they are without goaltender Ryan Miller after being injured last weekend.

Sporting News: Ray Slover has a few words on Bill Guerin waiving his NTC and trade deadline speculation on the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Slover needed to do a better job here and point out what Mr Botta/Tsn included which was he would agree " under the right circumstances " which was left out of his commentary.

These things have to be including because it's simply misleading otherwise.

Sportsnet did an even sloppier job Friday without including that part and went a step further writing Guerin would only accept a trade to an Eastern Conference team here with a nice picture of Doug Weight next to the article which Guerin, Snow or the club did not have a single quote about.

This is how people read information and by the time it reaches outsides sources it is so out of context it's essentially worthless.

Vancouver Sun: Brad Ziemer reports with Vancouver claiming defenseman Ossi Vaananen from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Canuscks now have eight defenders and one coming off injured reserve with depth in the AHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Going to be interesting to see what Garth Snow does with his defense. Not making a move to claim Vaananen leads me to believe Brendan Witt is in his future plans unless a trade brings back a defender, no one is talking about Radek Martinek's status for Saturday.

Windsor Star: Reports former Windsor Spitfire Josh Bailey is among 28 players from 25 different National Hockey League teams who will be participating in the Donation For Minutes Weekend to raise funds for the international humanitarian organization Right To Play, which provides facilities, equipment and training for coaches in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

Each participant is donating funds based on minutes played and honouring a coach or role model that impacted their life as part of the weekend celebration.

Bailey, who will donate based on the minutes he plays in Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, has designated former Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud, who died last year, as his role model.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Spitfire gm Bob Boughner's comments there is zero chance Josh Bailey will be sent to Windsor to play in their upcoming playoffs before Wednesday's deadline and has had no recent contact with the Islanders. The article notes even a long playoff run for Windsor would not go very far beyond the end of the Islanders season for Bailey who is not AHL eligible for Bridgeport's playoffs.

The article also note The New York Islanders appear ready to give Barrie Colts enforcer Peter Stevens a pro chance and have asked the six-foot-three, 219-pound Stevens to join the East Coast Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies once Barrie's season is done which the Times-Herald Record confirmed with his comments a few day ago
here.

Barrie Examiner has a profile article on Stevens earlier this month here.

AHL.com: Recaps what is likely Bridgeport's final visit to Philadelphia in a 4-1 Sound Tiger win in Peter Mannino's return in goal.

1. BRI Joensuu, (16) (Iggulden, Colliton), 7:49
2. BRI Bentivoglio, (7) (Wotton, Fraser), 5:22
2. PHI Laliberte, (17) (Matsumoto, Curry), 7:50 (PP)
2. BRI Haley, (2) (Bentivoglio, Haskins), 9:05
3. BRI Walter, (15) (Joensuu), 15:29

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage with comments from head coach Jack Capuano and Michael Haley's line that keyed the win with Saturday's preview report no one at this time has been recalled for Brendan Witt (and maybe Radek Martinek) who left Thursday's game with blog entries on the win here.

Philadelphia Inq/Daily News: Combined Phantoms page with game coverage.

Rangers at New York 7pm Msg+

I found it kind of interesting Jim Cerney who used to call games for the Islanders now writes pregame articles on the Ranger website so I posted their preview here.

They had no problem getting the coaches comments/players available for the fans on video.

No excuse for the Islanders not doing the same for our fans.

Outside of Naslund missing practice the Rangers come in with no reported injuries which tells most of the story of this season for both teams. One team has less than ten man games lost to injury, the other two hundred sixty plus.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A lot of things working against the Islanders tonight.

Injuries, disparity in records against the opposition, the recent losing streak and a team that lives and dies by it's trap with the home ice disadvantage a big factor against with bypartisin crowds in both buildings. The breakdowns by the Islanders on defense have been damaging and show no sign of letting up.

Islanders whenever they get a few days off come out and have played with a lot of rust and are coming off a long trip.

Can Scott Gordon's skaters create quality chances and force the Ranger defense and goaltender to make mistakes or will it be an early Ranger lead followed by lockdown mode with shots but few quality chances? Lundqvist despite his two recent shutouts has given up a lot of goals when Tom Renney's trap fails in front of him and lets up more than his share of softies. For the Islanders defense that has Martinek back but lost Meyer can they tighten up, cut down the turnover and protect Joey MacDonald better?

The Ranger powerplay looks a lot like last year's Islander powerplay in how many shorthanded goals they surrender, no doubt Richard Park and the Islanders will be going for it shorthanded.

Chess-hockey against Tom Renney is not very entertaining and demands a lot of patience but this is how he demands his club plays. They take few shortcuts and give the younger players their minutes and have strong survival skills in games to secure that regulation point.

For me this is just another game and will not be memorable in a lost season when it's over regardless of what happens unless one of the kids delivers a hat-trick or something along those lines.

All the Islanders are working toward is the lottery, no one game can change the standings.

Updated:
Not game related but Mr Logan in the Islanders Newday blog reports Rick DiPietro is seeking second opinions with the recent swelling in his kneehere.

Andy Sutton has to have additional surgery and is expected to miss an additional eight-ten weeks.

Atlanta Thrashers.com: Reports the Islanders traded defenseman Brett Skinner to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange forward Junior Lessard.

Lessard (leh-SAHR) has played in 41 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League this season, recording six goals and five assists for 11 points. The 28-year-old Quebec native has played in 27 career NHL games with Dallas and Tampa Bay, scoring three goals and adding one assist for four points during parts of three seasons. Lessard has also played in 298 career AHL games, recording 86 goals and 92 assists for 178 points in five seasons.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Don't read a lot into this an a possible NHL trade, Okposo, Hunter and Jackman seemed locked in on right wing and Guerin has a NTC. At best Iggulden gets a callup for Jackman for a few games at some point. Skinner did a nice job here earlier at a time the Islanders were winning/competitive but with the competitive part of the playoff chase out of reach if someone is recalled there is a big mix of veterans and prospects.

Best of luck to Brett Skinner.

AHL.com reported Yann Danis was recalled to backup Joey MacDonald.

ITV finally had some comments from the coach and players today which I put on the sidebar. Scott Gordon had a little fun when Howie Rose asked a question by saying who's the new guy which cracked up everyone.

Islander News Articles 12/21

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders 1-0 loss to Nashville. Head coach Scott Gordon's comments about the injury to Doug Weight along with his clubs play while goaltender Joey MacDonald credited his defense and Joe Callahan who was called up.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Scott Gordon did not talk long in the ITV postgame but he said a lot about the club on offense in terms of getting to the net.

Not a lot of speed.
Not physically imposing.
Do not get the puck to the net when they do get there.
Do not have the personnel that are going to bury chances.

He did credit his club and discussed the injuries also.

Point Blank: Mr Botta for his part did not think those comments were the right thing to say out loud in a league where the fans pay to see the games and where you never want your players to give up.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At least we heard the word " We " a lot which our fans did not get last year from Ted Nolan which Mr Botta brought to everyone's attention.

Nashville City Paper: Matt Wilson recaps the Predators 1-0 win against the Islanders on Saturday.

Nashville Tennessean: Is the Predators primary paper.

Tampa Tribune: Erik Erlendsson had more than a few animated comments from Martin St.Louis after Tampa dropped it's fifteenth one goal game of the season with head coach Rick Tocchet also talking about his players.

Tampa remained 30th in the NHL for those wondering.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I posted this because the question is how long before we start seeing some of this from the Islander veterans or Scott Gordon?

Atlanta visits Tuesday.

Updated:
Late Sunday Morning Mr Logan had an entry in the Islanders Newsday blog
here where Andy Sutton talks about his injury and the team having to play with so many players and credited the coaching staff for working so hard to teach the players. Joe Callahan talked about his opportunity and praised his roommate from camp (Sutton) while Bill Guerin acknowledged it's time to give the kids more opportunities even if they are in a tough spot.

Mr Logan is trying to find out more on Doug Weight for later today or tomorrow's article but sometimes it takes a few days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sutton went out of his way to praise the staff, good stuff from him and Callahan. I wanted more from Guerin who understands prospects have it tough but also must be very disappointed with where this season has gone and what it will likely mean.

Nice job by Mr Logan getting us more on a Sunday after a lot of travel for him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 4-1 loss to the Binghampton Senators with former Sound Tiger Drew Fata scoring twice. Jeff Tambellini, who had Bridgeport's only goal and head coach Jack Capuano comment on the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tambellini talked like a man not sure if he will be coming back. He either returns or has to clear waivers to stay with Bridgeport. With Weight's injury the roster spot is there for him to come back but they may need to recall a center also.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also previews Sunday's game against Lowell at 4pm.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also blogged on the loss.

Press Connects: Michael Sharp covers the B-Sens.

Islander News Articles 12/7

Newsday: Greg Logan has the recap of the Islanders 5-1 loss to Atlanta, head coach Scott Gordon credited the effort and pointed to the disparity in chances his team had along with how few sustained chances the Thrashers got. Andy Sutton talked about the penalties and said the team has to stick to the system while goaltender Joey MacDonald talked about how he has to play better and felt he let the club down while Mr Logan brought up the issue of fatigue.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If MacDonald says he is fatigued that is one thing but I cannot put any of those goals on him or any kind of wear given where they were scored. If Scott Gordon wants to say his team put in the effort where were the quality chances for all the disparity in play/shots against? Hedberg needed one very good save on Jackman to show for his nights work and another on Sillinger in the first, that was about it.

Edit-Add in Comeau's two early chances. Someone have another I would like to know?

Daily News: Peter Botte's game article (no quotes this hour) but some on last years youth movement with Gordon vs Nolan.

NY Post: Dan Martin's article was on a club looking for positives about losing to a club 5-1 with the worst record in the Eastern Conference with Scott Gordon, Andy Sutton, Joey MacDonald & Blake Comeau.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Mike Knobler recaps the Thrashers win and has blog coverage.

Star Phoenix: Cory Wolfe & Kevin Mitchell has Mr Wolfe traveling with the Saskatoon Blades through B.C. who sat down with defenseman Jyri Niemi who talked about being named to team Finland for the WJC & Christmas traditions back home.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 6-3 loss at Harbor Yard to Norfolk on Saturday.

Scoring
1. NOR Potulny, (3) (Bochenski, Konopka), 3:31 (PP)
1. NOR Kearns, (5) (Mihalik, Heward), 7:47
1. NOR Kearns, (6) (Simek, Ward), 16:54
2. BRI Smith, (10) (MacDonald, McLean), 0:23 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (10) (Konopka, Potulny), 10:37 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (11) (Potulny, Konopka), 11:43 (PP)
3. NOR Segal, (9) (Ward), 9:00 (SH)
3. BRI Smith, (11) (Walter, Iggulden), 13:06 (PP)
3. BRI Iggulden, (14) (Smith, McLean), 17:51 (PP)

Jeff Tambellini had eight shots and was a minus one.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had head coach Jack Capuano and Mike Iggulden on the Sound Tigers loss with the head coach not happy with losing the physical game or having the legs under them in this one.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport will see a lot of Norfolk in the next few weeks. Jack Capuano seemed to have no problem going to Utah for toughness.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has Jeff Tambellini's comments who talked about having to create time and space to get his chances when he returns to New York after his conditioning assignment along with a preview of Sunday's game in Lowell here.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio's blog includes Bridgeport goaltender Nate Lawson getting injured on a hit from a Norfolk Admiral (Jason Ward) and not returning after he relieved Peter Mannino who allowed all six Norfolk goals on thirty three shots.

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: Covers the Admirals.

Newsday Friday Islander Insider

Newsday: Greg Logan has the Friday Islander Insider which includes a lot from Andy Hilbert who is just concentrating on playing vs scoring and has ten points in twenty two games with Scott Gordon on how he does not cheat the system.

Other Topics:
* Mr Logan on the working relationship between coach and general manager with regard to Garth Snow's choice as in Scott Gordon with Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff's comments.

* Sidney Crosby on his former Halifax neighbor in Joey MacDonald and how happy he is to see him in the NHL.

* Scott Gordon about how players who would not seem the best fit for his system on paper can do well in it citing Trent Hunter because he is dedicated to it with the theme how will Mike Sillinger play when his conditioning assignment ends after Saturday?

* Brendan Witt talks about the third period breakdowns, Andy Sutton compared when happened to him vs Ryan O'Byrne of the Canadians on Monday.

Newsday: Mr Logan had an update in the Islanders Newsday blog where he feels Josh Bailey is a lock to stay based on the coaches reaction as he praised Bailey while the Islander coach said he has not gotten any official word on it and ultimately his opinion will be ask for but it's the general managers decision.

Mr Logan also reports Manny Fernandez starts in goal with Boston playing Detroit in it's next contest.

Sound Tigers.com: Previews tonight's game at home against Hartford.

Vancouver at New York 7pm Msg+

AP: Recaps the Canucks win at home against Toronto where Pavol Demitra returned to the Canucks lineup and had three assist.

Sports Network: Reports Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa will miss 2-to-4 weeks with a fracture of the metatarsal bone in his left foot. Vancouver recalled defenseman Lawrence Nycholat from Manitoba of the American Hockey League.

Vancouver Sun: Has Roberto Luongo's comments about returning to the Coliseum once again and what it means to him and a few words on his shutout streak ending. Alex Edler is expected to return to the Canucks lineup after missing Saturday's game with the flu.

Updated:4pm
Islanders website: Had a good feature on goaltender Joey MacDonald where Andy Sutton comments.

Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog had a few words from head coach Scott Gordon and Doug Weight on the club's mindset on playing with a lead among several subjects.

NHL.com: John Kreiser had an an excellent feature late Sunday on Josh Bailey with his comments and head coach Scott Gordon.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tonight's the big night, the latest return of a former Islander to the Coliseum in
Rob Davison Roberto Luongo who was acquired at the trade deadline last season.

In all seriousness Islanders finally get a little break after Monday and need this game considering what's ahead after Friday. The wins/points have to start happening now. This club badly needs a good ten game stretch without a loss in regulation because that's what it's going to take to get all the way back in the playoff hunt.

Last time Canucks were here it was not pretty in Brad Shaw's second game as interim coach but last season Luongo frankly was terrible in a game DiPietro stole a point by carrying the club to a shootout loss. All that along with Luongo back to his Florida days means nothing as he makes his first trip to the Coliseum as a Canuck.

Islanders have to get their three goals and give MacDonald a chance to see the puck and hope he continues this stretch where he is seeing the puck well.

Martinek with a game under his belt should only play better, the Canucks despite the record are not a power house offensive club and maybe a win on home ice finally gives the club some confidence at the Coliseum.

Or not.

New York at Philadelphia 7pm Msg+

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Philadelphia Flyers with comments from head coach Scott Gordon and defenseman Andy Sutton who will make his return to the lineup and be paired with Mark Streit.

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog Jeff Tambellini will sit for Mitch Fritz as the left wing gives his comments on sitting tonight.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Considering Scott Gordon is shaking up his lines and this is a very fragile club already that does not react well to changes playing a Flyer club that is in it's hot stretch I have a feeling this may not go well for New York tonight.

Islanders may need a high scoring effort tonight from a club that has not shown that to it's game often this year.

I would not have benched Tambellini for Fritz, it's the last thing Tambellini needed for at best a cameo dance or two with Asham unless Fritz is on a top six line.

If Fritz must dress Park or Hilbert have to sit, never a young player.

Will be interesting to see what a Sutton-Streit pairing brings tonight. I would have kept Hillen over Skinner.

One thing for sure is Islanders have to start getting some points or they are going to find themselves in a hole they cannot climb out of by thanksgiving with any realistic hope of any playoff contention over.