Islander-Sound Tiger-NHL Notables

What a surprise (not) Roberto Luongo got a huge front-loaded deal that will pay him ten million dollars starting next season after his current contract expires.

What folks do not get is DiPietro's 4.5m deal (much less than Luongo) was not front loaded which is why he did leave a lot of money on the table because an injury, retirement or perhaps a buyout at some point in the future would cost him money that is basically going to be paid to Luongo earlier as he will have the bulk of his money.

Charles Wang and a lot of owners cannot afford front-loaded deals to where players get 10-20 million early in the contract complete with NTC. Many corporations can take that kind of huge loss on the books which was a loophole in the CBA that needs fixing but most individual owners cannot.
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Which leads us to Paul Kelly being kicked out as NHLPA leader when that CBA is up in about two years. It will be interesting to see if the next person is militant and will want a league with many franchises losing money to simply absorb even more losses that should have a ceiling of about 40m and a floor of about 30m with no front loaded deals.

Pat Flatley resigned when Kelly was fired, I wonder if Glenn Healy will do the same and is the Heals and Flats show over at the NHLPA. I have no doubt if some players who were always about big money and making their own rules (Eric Lindros) are part of the next NHLPA leadership there will be another lockout.
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Here's a real shocker for Islander fans in New York, a market where the media does actually pull for the home team despite a decade of losing had both local writers rip the Luongo deal today because the league questioned the Hossa deal by the hometown Blackhawks in the Chicago Daily Herald & Chicago Tribune.

When the Islanders sign players to long term deals Newsday usually leads the pack with criticism for the home team. Goes to show how some local media in some markets do protect their own team regardless of how long the contract is or for how many years.

What do you want me to write about Katie Strang? She is covering two teams and trying to give blog entries on the Islanders. That's her editor's choice if you are looking to place blame.

Don't worry, we have Mark Herrmann to cover the home team for Newsday (not the Isles) too bad our club does not receive that coverage for a player coming here off a poor season and it sure has been a while since the local paper had a word from John Tavares.
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Congratulations and best of luck to Mr Botta for being added to Fanhouse, his feed and new site was added here for as long as NYIFC is visible, when he finds a new home for Point Blank that will be added as well.

Having written that his comments on Rob Hennigar to me were unfair writing his signing was brutally misguided and that he was a non-prospect. At the very least it required a lot more elaboration if he is going to make such claims.

Hennigar was the 2007-08 Canadian College Hockey Player of the Year and signed with an impressive resume here he put up some good numbers in Utah when he got adjusted to the next level and it's obvious another NHL organization had no problem taking a chance on him.

Hennigar deserved better from a man who a year ago at this time was lobbying to get rules changed so Brandon Sugden could play at the professional level and did such a classy job making his case the rules were waived so Sugden could return.

It should also be noted his recent entry on Charles Wang and honoring tradition was also unfair in a lot of ways. Whenever Wang brought back former teams all we got from Newsday was Wang was doing it to sell tickets and Jim Baumbach questioning whether Al Arbour's win should count which if he pulled that in a market with ten writers who were big time fans of the team they would have eaten Baumbach alive faster than Steve Zipay ripped Ranger fans for ignoring the Bathgate and Howell retirements.

Mr Wang tried to make up for a lot of things John Pickett failed to do and this organization has a lot of former Islanders working here. Bob Bourne should not be the only one in the new Islanders Hall of Fame but let's give Wang a little more time because two years ago he took criticism for Core of the Four Weekend which was absurd and now he takes criticism again?
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So the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Vice President to Howard Saffan is Luke Milbury, who I would gather is the son of our former general manager being Mike Milbury has a son named Luke, why was this hidden from the public until today's release?

I guess to ask this question is to answer it by writing that may not go over very well at all considering all the cutbacks in the Islanders media department, even if he does an excellent job.
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So the public comment period is over for the Lighthouse and it's down to the hearing, adopting a final scope which means x buildings go on x spot and then the zoning is approved or rejected with a vote. What are the fans needed for when they cannot speak or participate?

Especially when the team is basically shutting out any fan who does not live on Long Island?

Believe it or not folks, I actually believe the TOH did not know that was the date of the Kansas City game because most of these people could care less about the hockey team or name five players much less know their preseason schedule. If they really picked the date to bust Wang's chops it just tells me they don't want the project despite all the recent (election year) talk of working together.
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Finally I am almost out of things to experiment with and will likely be done by the time the club hits the ice in Saskatoon. I also added Justin Bourne's THN feed to our media blog feed section with his link and many other professional writers added to the sidebar.

New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page

New York Islander Fan Central Audio-Podcast Homepage

Islander News Articles 10/6

NY Times: Matt Higgins has the story of Brandon Sudgen's release from the Islanders with his story and comments along with those of Brendan Witt.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I think the bigger shock was the Times doing anything New York Islander releated in it's print edition if they cannot be bothered to cover the new coach being hired.

Of course best of luck to Brandon Sugden and his family. Classy work by the writer in Syracuse, Mr Botta in getting out his message for reinstatement, deputy comissioner Bill Daly, the teams changing their votes (the Rangers) to allow him to attend camp.

Sun-Sentinel: Steve Gorten previews a Panther club with twenty six roster players at this time and a lot of lingering injuries themselves as they play their only home preseason game tonight at BankAtlantic Center.

Miami Herald: George Richards also previews a Florida club with three players fighting for roster spots.

Delaware Online.com: Staff reports announce the Philadelphia Flyers have released former Islander Bryan Berard.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on Bridgeport's final preseason game where head coach Jack Capuano discusses how he is trying to get the players used to Scott Gordon's overspeed system and how the process will go in terms of cuts and practice as he credited the extended roster that played several games in the last three days with a lot of lingering injuries and felt some players could make his squad.

Sean Bentivoglio is quoted in the article.

A second brief note is made on the number twelve as it relates to the club here.

Updated 6pm Monday:
Mr Fornabaio has the first wave of cuts from Bridgeport here and is waiting for the Islanders moves which are expected tomorrow.

Roster Speculation/Sudgen Released

One more preseason game on Monday, at this point unless Scott Gordon is playing for no injuries Monday in Florida we should see something close to his opening night lineup outside of perhaps giving Martinek-Witt another game off so that key pairing start the season healthy.

Fair to write it looks like we could have a few set lines on paper given the preseason so I'll do a little speculation.

Sim-Weight-Guerin
Comeau-Comrie-Okposo
Tambellini-Nielsen-Hunter
Bergenheim-Hilbert-Park
Bailey-Sillinger

Scott Gordon says for Bailey to make it he has to be on the top three lines, with Sillinger behind this group I see that as virtually impossible at this point unless there is another injury or someone sits down the middle for this to happen. Comrie has moved around a little but this seems to be where he fits best so if you want to play Bailey and move Comrie to the right someone out of Guerin, Okposo, Hunter, Park takes a seat.

Unless Comeau displaces a right wing on the top three lines I do not see a spot for Bergenheim on the left in the top three unless Tambellini slumps badly.

Fritz/Jackman have played the last two games if the club carries an enforcer or Rechlicz is called up.

Colliton is getting a lot of fourth line looks like they are trying to force things with the 2003 pick, this could be the last call for him because he's here and Hennigar (who's older/with Walter) did not even make it to New York. For Colliton to stay I would guess someone out of Park or Hilbert has to go.

Let me write again where does this go when Sillinger is ready and the group is healthy?

Backline you can pencil in Witt-Martinek as a lock, aside from that it seems wide open with Streit, Meyer in the mix with two other defenders. When Campoli-Sutton finally return if the group stays healthy this is a very deep defense in an organization where this defense history screams you can never have enough depth.

But like last year you cannot carry nine.

Even with the injuries Gervais is not getting on a combo with anyone you would project to start the season despite Chris Lee's goal unless Gordon pulls a shocker and Lee (or Skinner) stay which on paper seems impossible without a Hillen demotion which would be inevitable when Sutton/Campoli return.

Meyer has played with Streit and Pock, I just do not know how that ends up.
Hillen has played with Streit and Skinner.
Pock paired with Skinner and Meyer.

Seems a competition there as a new player gets aclimated while a college player with skill gets the full shot in camp.

My absolute guess is whatever we see Monday will decide things, my speculation for today is Gervais is on the outside looking in to start. Hillen does not require waivers, Pock does so in that event if it's close you play it safe and keep both or demote Hillen now and give Lee/Skinner the spot.

My projections:
Witt-Martinek/Witt-Martinek
Streit-Hillen Streit-Meyer
Meyer-Pock/Gervais-Pock
Gervais/Lee or Skinner

Soon as Campoli-Sutton are ready Hillen/Lee/Skinner go down or a trade is made.

Begs the question could Scott Gordon go eleven forwards, seven defenders?

And if you think that's easy good luck deciding on Danis/MacDonald because both have played very well. My guess here is MacDonald gets the spot because of the one-way contract and he was in the organization last season but neither seemed out of place
against two teams playing virtually their opening night rosters and facing heavy pressure stood up well.

I see no reason why there is any reason to push DiPietro early, both these goaltenders can hold the club in if they start with no rust on them to begin the season and have seen NHL action in their careers. The test for them will come later when DiPietro does finally play a big stretch of games and they have some rust from sitting and have to step in.

Good luck Garth Snow and Scott Gordon.

My inclination is someone is going to end up on waivers who was a regular here last season or Garth Snow is going to make a small deal.

Any questions now why this gm was not signing players many UFA this summer or bringing back his own UFA because it sure had nothing to do with the building.

All I can add accoring to Mr Botta's blog Brandon Sudgen was reportedly cut who sent him a classy e-mail thanking him and the fans.

Expect a ton of activity also on the Utah-Bridgeport-Odessa fronts also, some of those moves can give us an idea how things will go here.

Islander News Articles 10/2

Newsday: Greg Logan has the game recap with head coach Scott Gordon's comments along with Kyle Okposo after New York's 3-0 loss to New Jersey.

Mr Logan also reported Scott Gordon announced goaltender Rick DiPietro will work out with the team Friday morning.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Anyone think of the club received better television and newspaper coverage more folks would be in the stands? I do.

What can I wrote folks beyond it's preseason and Scott Gordon has a lot of players who have not been able to play and who knows how limited they are in practices. I do not like the two shutouts and the Isles did win two games against clubs on the second of back to backs.

Have to produce regardless who dresses and not show obvious weaknesses beyond the roster.

As for the Devil game taking Bergenheim, Guerin, Weight, Sillinger, Park, Bailey, Campoli, Sutton and whoever else I missed out of this mix is not a small thing at all.

It does leave a new coach trying to fine tune his team in limbo as these games seem to be survival mode and not getting in geared up mode. Not good circumstances for anyone much less someone trying to prove himself at this level and sell his concepts to these players.

On the television front Msg finally showed the first report from Moncton tonight that was at least eight days old before the first game in Moncton was played. The Isles season preview show will be Friday at 6:30pm.

The Star-Ledger had a blog and a game article from former Daily News Islander beatwriter Colin Stephenson here and here where Martin Brodeur comments on how the Devils defense played tough against the Isles.

New York Islander Coverage?
Dan Martin's editor did not bother sending him after going to practice the other day while Mark Everson reported on the Devils. Daily News did a very small AP article.

Georgina Advocate: Jim Mason has an article on Brandon Sugden who feels he has a good chance to make the Islanders.

Sound Tigers.com: Has the recap with highlights of the loss in Albany.

Ct Post: Staff report had a recap of the game in Albany.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio has an article on Utah/Bridgeport/Islander goaltender from last year in Mike Mole.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a full blog update with head coach Jack Capuano's comments after the loss to Albany on Wednesday which also had Bryan Trottier behind Bridgeport's bench along with Pat Bingham and the full box score.

Side Note:
I did see Mark Herrmann's article on goaltending coach Mike Dunham playing golf, I just saw virtually no Islander content so I did not bother posting it here.

I'm a little surprised Garth Snow did not put in a bid on Tampa forward Michel Ouellet and his seventeen goals, perhaps if he hits recall waivers at 600k?

Islander News Articles 9/21

Newsday: Greg Logan's article has Rick DiPietro's comments that he has not been cleared to take shots in practice and the medical staff wants to go slow with his recovery as goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj comments on what can be done to get him ready.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I may be in the minority here but if the Islanders felt Rick DiPietro would not be ready for the opener they would add an experienced NHL goaltender. For now I think they are going to be conservative and protect his long-term health which of course is the correct move as the other goaltenders get an opportunity. Flyers added a goaltender because of Antero Niittymaki's injury and I suspect we will see something along the same lines if it comes to that.

Which of course we be a problem unless that goaltender can hold the club in.

Having written this it's not that long until the opener, not for DiPietro, Sillinger or anyone else who cannot go.

What did interst me is where is Garth Snow's goaltending coach, Mike Dunham or is he working with other prospects? Seems like Sudarshan Maharaj since the tail end of last season has been back with the club in some capacity.

Newsday: Katie Strang has a feature on Brandon Sugden with his comments along with his father on the opportunity he has to compete in training camp and what it took for the league to allow this.

Islansers website: Jason Lockhart had Saturday afternoon updates on day one of camp with comments from Head Coach Scott Gordon, Doug Weight, Kyle Okposo, Bob Nystrom, Chris Campoli, Mark Streit and Chief European Scout Veli-Pekka Kautonen on 2006 Draft pick Jesse Joensuu. A second update here: has captain Bill Guerin comments on practice while Scott Gordon felt the players grasped the overall system following five straight hours of practice but like rookie camp felt there was some indecisiveness that will improve.

The Islanders new head coach also talked a lot about pushing the play in all three zones and that the players have to be conditioned in practice while learning the system and this is how practice will be all the time while not just going through the motions to learn as this is the message he wants to send to everyone in the Islanders system at all levels.

Also for the early part of camp and preseason because of players who will not be in the lineup the coach will not be working on special team until later after the first game on Tuesday or beyond.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is a very technical coach Garth Snow hired and unlike one I can recall seeing here maybe going back to Al Arbour. A lot differnt from Ted Nolan who was not known
as a systems coach.

I hope Garth Snow has his back if anyone does not want to play his system or work as hard as he wants them to, this coach will not be going through the motions and it all sounds very impressive and at the very least he has a plan for this specific roster.

The big question is can he find twenty players not only willing to buy into his system but the ability to play it?

Daily News: John Dellapina reports he is leaving the Daily News to become NHL media relations coordinator.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wonder if Chris Botta applied or reached out for the position? Not good news for the New York Islanders with another Ranger salesman joining his former counterpart in Frank Brown or Colin Campbell (among many for Rangers) at the league office.

Given the New York Islanders are not represented with a full time beatwriter with an blog no replacement should be hired but there is a coverage double-standard in this market when it comes to NHL hockey and a replacement was named.

Islanders Arrive in Moncton/Notables

Islanders website: Has a report on the team arrival in Moncton with comment from Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Doug Weight.

Islanders website: Has the prospects primer for the forwards.

Tsn.ca: Scott Cullen's thirty teams in thirty days previews New York.

THN.com: Ken Campbell had a followup up blog after his comments about Brandon Sudgen recently which apparently included a conversation with his father Travis who is battling cancer as his son traveled to Moncton today with New York.

Islander notables

Newsday: Greg Logan has a blog update with head coach Scott Gordon's comments where there is a lot of speculation about early line combinations and who could play center in Mike Sillinger's possible absence during camp.

Mr Logan felt there will be attention on Josh Bailey as prospect camp opens with his opinion he could benefit from another year in junior hockey.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I have no idea why Greg Logan thinks it was interesting Gordon did not include Ben Walter in his list of possible centers, he did not include Jeremy Colliton or Rob Hennigar either according to this.

All he had to do was ask the coach about Ben Walter, what he thinks of his game and if he had input into the trade for Petteri Nokelainen.

We just have to see how this plays out and hope the players make it a very tough decision for Scott Gordon and Garth Snow because they did well.

Espn.com: Scott Burnside does an Eastern Conference preview and as usual makes Rick DiPietro and how he gets along with his coaches issue number one (after he brings up the last fifteen years to make up for his lack of current information) even though he is not around the club and feels Mark Streit's contract is a whopper of a deal and Doug Weight is the next John LeClair waiting to fall off the map during the season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
No shock Mr Burnside had his usual negative preview where he goes right after the goaltender despite this young player never saying a negative word about anyone in print going back to the day he was drafted. What a surprise Mr Burnside did not feel Wade Redden at ten million more did not get a whopper of a contact but Mark Streit did?

Of course Newsday treats Rick DiPietro poorly in print, looks to make it about his personality and his contract every chance they can so no shock Mr Burnside and the outside media take that angle and run with it every chance they can. His speculation is fair about the lack of scoring on the roster but the rest was virtually worthless.

By my count Rick DiPietro has played for John Anderson, Butch Goring, Steve Stirling, Peter Laviolette, Brad Shaw as well as a few tournaments and no one wrote about how he got along with those coaches until he got his long-term contract.

I have never read one word about a fan being treated poorly by him for what that is worth since the day he was drafted either.

Of course Greg Logan took off all-star weekend from blogging like he wanted no part of DiPietro as an all-star.

CBS Sportsline: Wes Goldstein placed Doug Weight ninth in players who desperately need a turnaround noting his defensive role in Anaheim with Ryan Smyth playing eleventh.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Is it that tough to look at the stats before writing incorrect statements? If Doug Weight has been in decline since the lockout how come he had his best single season goal total since 2000-01 in 2006-07?

Fifty nine points and a plus ten is hardly a poor season or reflects a player in decline but how he does now will tell us the story.

In the very interesting department:
Media relations coordinator Cory Witt sent out a press release out announcing Mr Botta's Point Blank blog will be carried by the club in it's current version or a new version beginning September 25th which will not be subject to approval by Islander management.

Islander team President Chris Dey and Mr Botta comment about what they are looking to go with this.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Obviously great news for all New York Islander fans, his tenure ended far too quietly with no formal announcement and his link quickly pulled from the site.

Seemed a bit cold from an outsiders point of view but obviously the Islanders need all the folks willing to write about this club with objectivity they can find.

My only suggestion if possible is keep the same link and blog site, most folks know where it is already and the club's media voices blog is set up the same way because facebook seems like a lot or work that seems limited to the general public.

Mr Botta has a few words on this and as usual credits is very classy and thanks the fans for the support here.

24/7 Coverage? Be careful what you wish for in that department, Mr Botta.

THN.com: Ken Campbell rips the NHL for reinstating Brandon Sugden because of NHLPA pressure, a feel good story and what he calls the media apologists and those in hockey who refuse to acknowledge Sugden and his ilk are a blight on the game. Mr Campbell feels anything that can be used to keep him out of the game is a good thing because he is nothing short of a goon who could seriously injury some one's prospect. He goes on to further write the Islanders by extending an invitation to him goes a long way to explain why they’ll almost certainly be prime players in the Victor Hedman/John Tavares sweepstakes this season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The only thing that matters here are the rules, not the ilk of someone you have never met face to face Mr Campbell or what kind of player he is. More than fair to question changing the rules to accomodate Sugden but the rest of this has no place here.

Islander News Articles 9/14

Point Blank: Mr Botta reports he received a call from Brandon Sugden that he has been cleared by the league and can attend Islanders training camp which Darren Dreger of Tsn.ca confirmed last night.

Syracuse.com: Lindsay Kramer who reported on this story in the Cruch blog from the beginning has Brandon Sugden's comments about the phone call from Bill Daly and how he will be fighting long odds to make the Islander roster.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Highest marks to Chris Botta and Lindsay Kramer who went to bat and worked hard to make this a story for folks to rally behind, praise to the Rangers and the other three clubs who changed their stance allowing Brandon Sugden to return because they stand to lose the most if Sugden dresses for an NHL game against them.

An invite is one thing but signing a contract and making an NHL club is quite another but now he receives a chance here and regardless where he plays you wish him and his family the best of luck moving forward.

For all the negative things Greg Logan jumps all over where was he to get out the message in Newsday to Islander fans about Sugden? If it were a negative story I have little doubt he would have been all over it.

It was kind of interesting Yankee salesman Michael Kay had to defend his ripping the Yankees the other day but at the end made it clear he cannot rip them all the time to make everyone feel miserable about being a fan of the club to where they no longer care to watch.

Somewhere along the way that kind of media attention is the only kind the New York Islanders receive.

When a good story like Sugden comes along we get nothing but silence about Islander management, the same kind of silence like when clubs copy things Mr Wang does first.

Islanders website: Has the highlights of Saturday's events at the Coliseum when individual tickets being put on sale.

Newsday: Greg Logan has his article with coach Scott Gordon where he talks about how he will work with his players and what he will do to increase the clubs scoring and speed.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Scott Gordon had a lot of interesting things to say about Jeff Tambellini and what his problem have been in terms of confidence. I'm a bit surprised Scott Gordon feels he can get more speed out of his players by better positioning and how fast players can play slower but he is correct and if you know hockey you understand that. He repeated one comment about where his players will know where the stand with him but overall he said a lot of things I was looking for because replacing forty eight goals on one the lowest scoring clubs in this league will most likely define how this club will do.

The New York Islanders not only need to replace those goals but add another fifty goals to that and play defense.

Newsday: Greg Logan also has the coaches comments about how has worked in the past with changes at Providence and how he will work with general manager Garth Snow. To this point the duties of assistants John Chabot and Dan Lacroix have not yet been determined.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ted Nolan is one of the brightest and most respected coaches around, he knows when a player has the talent and when he does not. Just because he is no longer here does not automatically mean his judgement was incorrect about Jeff Tambellini, Robert Nilsson or any other player he did not give more minutes to. Only Snow and Nolan know if they held back Tambellini but it was clear enough Comeau and Bergenheim won over the coach so the idea he does not trust young players does not completely add up.

Scott Gordon is correct in that he will disagree with his gm but how it's handled with define the working relationship.

From Saturday afternoon:

Boston Globe: Kevin Paul Dupont has an interview with Bryan Berard where the writer claims Berard's opinion was his early season groin injury placed him behind the eight ball with Ted Nolan and is quoted as saying he felt it was time to move on as he gave his thoughts about Mark Streit's acquisition.