Niederreiter Signed by NY/Media Press Conference/Notables

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Playing catchup, sorry but not available Tuesday, or a good part of Wednesday.

Islanders website: Reports Nino Niederreiter signed a three year entry level contract, with comments from GM, Garth Snow.

NHL.com: Brian Compton had a feature on Niederreiter signing.

NYIFC Comments:
Congratulations to Nino Niederreiter, this is a player who just turned eighteen.

We have seen this with Bailey, Tavares and both played immediately in the NHL, in Niederreiter's case that may not happen beyond the nine games. I believe the available depth here now gives the Islanders time based on what they will see from Neiderreiter/prospects in camp or what players may become available to Garth Snow from clubs desperate to get under the summer cap in possible trades.

Islanders website: Tuesday has it's media day/or lack thereof given few questions from same people, with Owner Charles Wang, GM, Garth Snow, Head Coach, Scott Gordon with Cablevision/Newsday employees.

NYIFC Comments:
Charles Wang said the team will be here through it's 2015 lease, that's another five years. Mr Wang did it in a way where it seems whatever happens off the ice will not be a distraction for hockey, and to me that is the perfect way because he left media sitting there with nothing to add or speculate on.

Given the outbursts in Edmonton from Mr Katz, subsequent owners, this man who years ago said this is a church that will not be open forever, seems to love owning this team enough to stick with it for the time being.

He has more patience than even I would frankly, a lot of other owners in markets with far more financial resources/media to sell product have been far more critical.

Scott Gordon after a while got some hockey questions, while Snow gave stock answers on many subjects which is fair enough and what we have heard before for the most part. The approach with DiPietro in terms of working himself back was a big part of early questions, the gm will decide if the coach will remain beyond the final year of his contract, as it should be.

Gordon on players/rebuilding comment being over was his best moment. All in all a good media conference, whatever it's spun into by our laughingstock of a hockey media, is another matter entirely, and reflect on them more than the club.

Tsn.ca: Also had a very brief article on Mr Wang's statement.

Islanders website: Released television schedule in Cablevision-Msg stock release. At least seventeen games will be on Msg+2 where access is limited/ratings will be lower. It appears Stan Fischler Msg's contract will again have him attending more Islander games as what is being called an " NHL correspondent", which in effect means no Islander personality will be hired to replace Butch Goring's Msg contract in their studio.

That means this scam with Jaffe/Goring absolutlely saved Msg money on a contract above all.

Did not see the New York-New Jersey preseason games scheduled to be televised from the Coliseum on 10/2 on that pdf. Msg is of course spamming the house team on television.

Not sure what IMG is and what they will be doing with club in terms of some kind of future television show. Hopefully they can keep it entirely out of Cablevsion/Msg access.
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Kirill Kabanov, was late for warm-up and was again disciplined by club, it's his NHL career and frankly he's pushing his luck.

Tom Poti, received a two year extension of over five million from Washington.

QMI Agency: Steve MacFarlane has Flames coach, Brent Sutter on, Tim Jackman, on both winning the Bob Nystrom award with the Islanders.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio, had an interview with Tomas Marcinko, and a few other items.

Hopefully that catches us up.

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Islander News Articles 3/7

The game previews will be released at 10am on Saturday and Sunday.

Newsday: John Jeansonne covered practice and reported on all the changes this season/possible callups for Saturday as the Islanders took their team photo Friday. Head coach Scott Gordon did not feel it was a training camp atmosphere with all the turnover and credited Bridgeport playing the Islanders system to make the transition easy for everyone called up. Trent Hunter took what the coach called a " maintenance " day off Friday.

In the biggest shocker of the season head coach Scott Gordon according to John Jeansonne told the media Joey MacDonald would start Saturday in goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess the Devils can call off the emergency team meetings now that they know who is starting. Injury policy was a league-wide decision, but doing the articles daily here coaches all the time report who will start in advance. Scott Gordon has hidden this like it's a state secret from the media declaring before the season he would not reveal his starting goaltender.

Newsday: John Jeansonne's article was on how unsettling it can be for veteran players like Dean McAmmond and Bill Guerin to pick up and move during a season with McAmmond's story coming to the team he grew up rooting for. Head coach Scott Gordon praised the play of McAmmond and his faceoff ability while McAmmond discusses his future and what it's been like to play here so far.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Where I sit you can have Dean McAmmond or Nate Thompson next season and that's if Mike Sillinger retires.

NY Post: Dan Martin had a small update with Bruno Gervais comments on his scoring struggles, all the posts he had hit in recent weeks and his recent goal against Colorado and also covered the Devils side here.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere has Devils head coach Brent Sutter's comments about the last time the Islanders defeated New Jersey while the writer reports Mike Rupp and Andy Greene will not play. Jay Pandolfo will remain in the lineup while defenseman Niclas Havelid will make his Devils' debut.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport defeated Binghampton 6-5
at Harbor Yard Friday night.

1. BNG Hamel, (22) (Lee, Mauldin), 1:01
1. BRI Haskins, (7) (Lee), 3:17 (SH)
1. BRI Colliton, (6) (Iggulden), 8:33
1. BNG Cavosie, (8) (Fata, Petruic), 17:22
2. BRI Lee, (4) (Haskins), 1:23
2. BNG Mauldin, (14) , 2:19 (PP)
2. BNG Petruic, (1) (Zubov, Smith), 12:33
2. BRI Smith, (26) (McLean, Walter), 16:53
3. BRI Sim, (1) (McLean, Lee), 7:42 (PP)
3. BRI Lessard, (7) (Haskins, Wotton), 19:00 (EN)
3. BNG Karlsson, (6) (Mauldin, Lee), 19:35 (PP)

Peter Mannino had twenty four saves in goal. Jon Sim his first AHL goal.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 6-5 win against Binghampton where head coach Jack Capuano praised his defense along with Chris Lee while Tyler Haskins comments and previews Saturday's game at home against Philadelphia here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog entry among several items (Dustin Kohn injury) speculates Islander prospect Robin Figren is in Bridgeport and if receives approval to play from his team in Sweden, he might actually play here more than previously thought.

Jesse Joensuu and Joe Callahan were already sent back to the Islanders in the latest paper transactions.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
For those who recall Figren signed a contract with the Islanders last summer but wanted to play in Sweden this year before coming over. This is a little different than an Jesse Joensuu without a contract last year sitting on the sidelines before Bridgeport's final games last season.

I'm not sure if he needs to sign an AHL contract being that he is Islander property already.

Press & Sun-Bulletin: Michael Fornabaio also provided coverage for the Senators with an article centric to their team in the loss.

NHL Notables

NHL.com/several sources: Dan Rosen reports Craig Hartsberg has been fired as coach of the Ottawa Senators forty eight games into his three-year contract while general manager Bryan Murray talks about trying to make the playoffs.

Cory Clouston from from the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League will take over for the rest of the season behind the bench.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
How many coaches can Bryan Murray fire before he pays with his job. Paddock, Hartsberg, he even kicked himself back upstairs. Maybe Garth Snow will be allowed another coaching choice.

I would be shocked if Murray is general manager beyond this season, the defense and goaltending the general manager provided was not nearly good enough and this problem began last season.

NY Post: Jay Greenberg magically appears on a Devils off day to get the players talking about Brent Sutter not returning as head coach next season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Greenberg just appears to do an article for the first time on the Devils in who knows how long (nothing recent) and in his article after Sutter does not know where the rumor came from writes:

But this newspaper does and considers the source, one close to Sutter, to be credible.

Seems to me like the Post and Mr Greenberg wanted to create a distraction for the club because they are playing so well. The Post does not even know the length of Sutter's contract which in Newsday/Islander reporting country would be big headlines about management contracts being kept private.

With the Devils it's just a footnote.

Call me cynical but I think Mr Greenberg and the Post wanted to rock the boat a little here.

Bridgeport 4, Philadelphia 2: Sillinger/Hunter

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog has Trent Hunter's comments on the hit by Mike Mottau against Frans Nielsen while the beatwriter had some very strong criticism for Colin Campbell where among several things felt his actions undermined the precedent he was attempting to set when he suspended Thomas Pock.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
One of the rare times Mr Logan has come to the defense of the club during his tenure as beatwriter. He is correct here that when a player goes for the head/neck area and it results in an injury it should be considered the same thing while Trent Hunter also made a good point that sometimes in a game it's tough to control where your hands go as play moves quickly.

Having written that if there is a grey area in the rules here with what is considered head vs neck vs upper body it's up to the league to fix it and display some common-sense thinking in the decision making process which is the continual knock against Colin Campbell he deserves.

One player went out of his way to go high on another player and as a result he is now out eight-twelve weeks as a result which should have been a factor in this decision.

I wondered last night if Sean Bergenheim had that on his mind just before the Sabres second goal because he seemed to have a player in his sights for a similar hit and just let him go but that's a total guess on my part.

It sure has been quiet around Scott Gordon on this subject, considering he sent a fax after Pock's suspension I would like to know what he thinks of this?

As for as the Islander team officials, complaining to the media solves nothing. This has to be handled behind the scenes and anyone who thinks otherwise has gotten far too used to Mike Milbury way of doing things here.

Newark Star-Ledger: Rich Chere has comments from Devils head coach Brent Sutter Sunday on the suspension and felt it was a neck shot and different while he was critical of Trent Hunter receiving a ten minute misconduct for sticking up for his own teammate. The Devil coach also comments that players have to settle things themselves on the ice but that shots to the head must be condemned.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers defeated Philadelphia 4-2 Sunday at Harbor Yard.

Yann Danis allowed two goals on twenty four shots in his second day of work before a possible recall and start against the Canadians.

Mike Sillinger returned with a vengeance.

1. BRI Joensuu, (8) (Sillinger, Comeau), 2:06
1. BRI Comeau, (3) (Fraser, Sillinger), 5:43
2. BRI Kohn, (2) (Walter, Bentivoglio), 11:59
3. BRI Walter, (3) (Sillinger, Comeau), 7:31 (PP)

Blake Comeau was named first star, Sillinger third star with three shots.

Islanders Website: Has a full report on Mike Sillinger's Bridgeport debut.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his Sound Tigers blog reported Sillinger wore Tim Jackman's number and was an assistant captain in his game coverage.

Islander News Articles 11/22

Newsday/AP: Has the early recap of the Islanders 5-2 loss to the Devils.

Newsday: Apparently Newsday is having some web problems so Mr Logan had the game article at this time in the Islanders Newsday blog where he asks head coach Scott Gordon why Mitch Fritz did not get on the ice in the third period or play much? Bill Guerin expects to see a suspension for Mottau's actions while Brent Sutter defended his player which drew criticism from Mr Logan because he was very outspoken about the hit against Brandon Sutter.

Updated:
Newsday: Mr Logan's article for Saturday's paper with Bill Guerin's comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I kind of see where Scott Gordon is going with over extending his bench with no Nielsen, Hunter (after his fight) and if it was fair to put Fritz in cold but on the other hand no doubt Fritz has a lot of games where he goes in cold to fight to change momentum or at least stand up for a teammate at the risk of his safety.

Mr Logan got it correct, if dressing Fritz is overtaxing a roster that has three games in four nights and he is not going to play he has no business being here at all. I can understand if the head coach felt the Islanders still had a chance and did not want to throw it away with a penalty but again they needed a skater with finishing skills in this game and should have had one so no one is taxed or looking ahead to the next game.

I'm a little disappointed in Brent Sutter here but if he said he did not see the hit or the replay I will give him the benefit of the doubt until he does. After that I expect to see him be just as outspoken as he was when his son got injured on a completely clean hit.

Bill Guerin and Doug Weight defended Pock as a clean player but no one criticized the five game suspension among the players and in fact supported the excessive action to protect everyone.

Newark Star-Ledger: Rich Chere had comments from Bill Guerin on Mottau while Brent Sutter and Kevin Weekes downplayed their teammates hit in the game recap along with the notebook which included Colin Stephenson here who used to write Islander game articles in the Daily News.

Daily News : Kristie Eckert in the Devils recap had Bill Guerin's comments calling for a suspension of Mike Mottau while Ms Eckert reports Scott Gordon said after the game that Frans Nielsen may have a head injury to go with a right knee injury.

NY Post: Mark Everson has the Devils centric coverage on their win points out along with Mike Mottau's comments on a possible league review that the Islanders have scored more than three goals twice all season.

NY Post: Dan Martin has comments from Islander defenseman Mark Streit about playing at the Nassau Coliseum vs Montreal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
All this print space for a long article with Mark Streit that could have been written back in October for all we know but no game coverage?

Daily News: Eliot Olshansky in Devils Prospect article for the news on Friday also included Islanders prospect Jase Weslosky, a goaltender at St. Cloud State, shared WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors with 48 saves on 51 shots as St. Cloud swept then-No. 4 Denver & prospect Blake Kessel, a defenseman at No. 13 New Hampshire, scored the first goal of his collegiate career on Saturday in the Wildcats' 8-6 loss to No. 5 Boston College.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This has by far been the best hockey work at the Daily News for all three local clubs this year with the Islander prospects receiving their fair amount of space and more. Just hard to know when it will be released because that aspect has not been consistent.

Enterprise News.com : Glen Farley has an interview with Steve Carlson from the movie Slapshot where he talks about Islander head coach Scott Gordon
about his playing days and what he would bring to the Islanders crediting the job he has done with comparisons to Bruins head coach Claude Julien.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in the Sound Tigers blog notes Mike Sillinger will not be reporting to Bridgeport until Sunday for those wondering if he could now be recalled to the Islanders instead?

Islander News Articles 11/21

NYI Fan Central opens for the weekend in it's new third-jersey look with a bigger text. The darker blue will return next week.

Newsday: John Jeansonne had comments from Brendan Witt & Mike Sillinger on the work they have done to return along with comments from head coach Scott Gordon.

Mr Jeansonne also reported Kyle Okposo was wearing a brace on his right wrist.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I suspect from Mike Sillinger's comments he is not going to get much better and it's time to see if he can get back into NHL game-shape. After at least two reported knee injuries for Brendan Witt it's time the Islanders keep him healthy and productive.

The way things from a distance look on paper Sillinger's time in the AHL will run a bit longer than Josh Bailey's nine game trial if he plays the weekend after Thanksgiving with Bridgeport.

Something has to give with Weight, Bailey, Sillinger, Nielsen, Comrie & Park if everyone finally is healthy and we are getting close to a point Nate Thompson should be able to resume skating based on his two-four weeks.

NY Post: Dan Martin's preview ran about as long as the blurb on Scott Gomez in the Islanders article while Mark Everson recapped what the Islanders will be facing here based on the Devils play against Florida.

Newark Star-Ledger: Rich Chere in his recap of the Devils win on Thursday has comments from head coach Brent Sutter he has not decided on his starter for Friday's game against the Islanders.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from head coach Jack Capuano on the Sound Tigers 13-3-0-2 start as he credited his player while Ben Walter talking about his return also praised the work of Blake Comeau & Jeremy Colliton.

Mr Fornabaio also wrote about the injuries and roster changes from Mannino/Fritz to extra defenders. Mike Sillinger has not reported yet for his conditioning assignment which begins with Sunday's game at Harbor Yard.

Northern Daily News: Had an article written by Kimber Auerbach who also writes for the the Sound Tigers website about Kirkland Lake product Kurtis McLean and defenseman Chris Lee with their comments.

Note-As of this time the article does not appear on the Sound Tigers website.

Quick Notables

Islanders website: Reported Trent Hunter and Rick DiPietro will be the lone New York Islanders on the ballot when all-star voting opens November 12th.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So Price from the Canadians gets a spot playing half a season along with Wade Redden who had a terrible season it Ottawa and Mark Streit who was one of the highest scoring defenders in the league last season was not listed?

Why not simply list every NHL player and let the on ice results win out?

NHL.com: Dan Rosen reports Martin Brodeur will have elbow surgery and be out for three-four months with comments from Lou Lamoriello and head coach Brent Sutter.

Islander News Articles 3/26

SoundTigers.com: Previews tonight's game, reports prospect Jesseu Joensuu this week signed an ATO contract (amateur tryout contract) and could play as soon as the weekend for Bridgeport with assistant coach Bernie Cassell working with him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio outlines all the players returned to Bridgeport with Jack Capuano's comments. C Ben Walter missed practice Tuesday with a grion injury.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Kingston Whig Standard: Patrick Kennedy reports Bryan Trottier and Bill Smith will be playing in a legends game.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazettte: Dave Molinary has Sidney Crosby's comments that he wants to return against the Islanders Thursday and Brent Sutter talks about some things Al Arbour taught him about coaching.

ECHL.com: Florida Everblades Derek Damon talks of almost being signed by the Islanders after a good camp last summer but they decided not to.

Point Blank: CHris Botta in his blog wonders how come the Rangers and Devils are barely noticed in the media these days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I hate to break it to Mr Botta but it's been this way since before the lockout ended and long before that. Cablevision controlling and limiting the Islanders and Devils have hurt the Rangers.

When NASCAR outdoes a Ranger playoff game with Islander, Ranger and Devils fans watching to help ratings in New York by thirty eight percent there is no longer any hiding from the truth unless Barry Watkins, Al Trautwig or someone on the Cablevision payroll has to do so to keep their job.

Ranger fans in the media like Larry Brooks (between baseball articles) John Dellapina, Sam Weinman, Jay Greenberg will all be out in force selling their team come playoff time regardless if anyone notices. I would guess Mark Herrmann will be doing likewise in Newsday with Steve Zipay if the Rangers qualify. Mark Everson will keep the glass half-empty for the Devils in the Post until they win a cup and then make sure to tell the public how no one is noticing if they do win.

The Islanders few Newsday backpages are the only full backpages for any hockey in New York this season besides small snippets. Someone wins a cup it will be a story for a few days but first big Yankee-Met-Sox game comes along that's it for hockey and you can bet the baseball writers which are a huge following make up a large influence over what the editors do.

Baseball is enormous big business for the papers,the editors and that's where the advetising dollars go and what the fans want.

Eight million people will attend baseball games this year in New York.

Just a recap:
September-October:
Baseball-football with a heavy emphasis on baseball fallout from losing and gossip with tons of rumors. Knicks gossip and turmoil. Mets were a soap oprea and a huge storyline with Yankees losing division. World Series, baseball playoffs, Torre not resigned.

November-Baseball gossip/rumors signings, football, more Knicks gossip and complaining about the team losing. Hew Yankee manager announced, anything Alex Rodriguez.

December-Winter meetings, football big games and tons of media gossip. Indifference to Knicks finally settles in media, College football bowl games.

January-Football playoffs, a little less baseball unless steriods surfaces than it dominates media at all times. Anything Tiger Woods.

Februay-Superbowl, spring training dominates with tons of media in Florida.

March-More baseball rumors and gossip. March Madness college basketball, right up to opening day for baseball.

April-Baseball begins, huge storylines, Masters Golf, NFL draft, first big rivalry games. Final years at Yankee and Shea Stadium.

Anyone who does not believe me feel free to purchase a newspaper snd how much baseball and other sports content you have to see before finally finding that one small article for hockey in New York.