Bergenheim update/Late notables

Newsday: Greg Logan has a late Monday update on arbitration/contract negotiations for Sean Bergenheim with comments from his agent, Todd Diamond who said on Monday his client plans to accept the arbitrator's decision rather than seek a better deal in Russia. He also expects the Islanders to opt for a two-year deal in arbitration. According to Mr Diamond Bergenehim will be an RFA the next three seasons.

Mr Diamond's partner, Mark Gandler also commented about the arbitration process and how/when things go well vs when they poorly with a team but did not have anything specific with regard to Bergenheim.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Now we know Todd Diamond is Sean Bergenheim's primary agent but Mr Gandler is still involved in some manner. I thought Mr Gandler was still exclusively calling the shots. I guess we will get a hearing date tomorrow but if the agent said his client is restricted for the next three years there is a lot of room for both sides to work with.

Mr Gandler for his part just kept it basic with regard to negotiations for anyone and did not seem to stir the pot.

Bottom line Bergenheim will accept whatever he receives in arbitration, hopefully the Isles keeps things as classy as they were with Hunter a year ago.

Point Blank: Mr Botta updated his blog with a bunch of things and is considering keeping it open.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I hope Mr Botta does keep updating as I have written several times, no law about how often someone has to update a blog.

Mr Botta answered my question and wrote to his knowledge Garth Snow has not been given a contract extension. Until we get an answer on that there can be no talk of a Ted Nolan contract extension unless folks want a plan in place that is unconventional where the coach has more term than his general manager.

As for some other things Mr Botta wrote a few words on Larry Brooks I disagree about. He should understand more than anyone if folks read Mr Brooks Sunday column it is only because they are that interested in any hockey information they can find and in the absence of credible journalism will take anything because that's how far things have fallen in this market which Mr Brooks coverage has contributed to.

I was reading Mr Brooks back in 1980 too so I can speak from experience on this subject when I tell my readers garbage is still garbage, no matter how long the writer has still been around.

I can also appreciate Mr Botta's loyalty to Greg Logan but it also has to be written some of Mr Logan's speculation has been unfair at times and caused damage to a franchise where what he writes carries greater weight than ever because of the lack of coverage locally among several things items I have brought up here as a problem with Newsday coverage.

Islesnation.com: Special guest Steve Mears joined Steve and Tony on the program and recapped the Islanders draft/unrestricted free agency.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Excellent job as always. Sorry Tony but I did not see your invite until too late after I got home. Folks can listen to the recap on the sidebar here along with Tony's blog entries or on their website.

Vancouver Province: Ben Kzuma reports the Anaheim Ducks will sign Brendan Morrison to a one year contract that will be announced Tuesday despite a no comment from Brian Burke and a denial from his agent Kurt Overhardt when reached Monday at his Denver office.

Tsn.ca: Reports the Tampa Bay Lightning signed Mark Recchi to a one year contract with incentives.

Danny Markov saga finally ends

Tsn.ca: Reports the Dany Markov saga for at least this season has finally come to an end with his signing a two year contract with Moscow Dynamo, his agent Jay Grossman confirmed Friday, he can opt out of the contract this summer.

NYI Fan Central:
Too bad Islanders could not get something done with Markov in the summer. I admit I was critical of the club considering what they paid Andy Sutton but in the end according to this article he only got two million for two years so apparently they knew what the market was for his services and would not overpay, in the end no club did.

Even better news he did not sign with the Devils or a team who would have faced the Islanders eight times a year. I still perfer his game to Andy Sutton who to me is a bad signing by the club but we'll see.

Hey Garth, sign Markov and add him to Sutton..

It's possible Snow signed Sutton first.

I know that's highly unlikely now that Charles Wang just handed over three years and nine million dollars of his money to Andy Sutton but if you cannot sign franchise forwards, load up in other area's.

Between Witt, Sutton and Markov on the back line no one is going to push this club around in it's own end of the ice and all three will feed off one another which also becomes contagious with Hunter, Bergenheim, Fedotenko and Sim and others feeding off that which is Ted Nolan hockey at it's best.

A player like Dany Markov will always be worth something on the trade market for the same reasons teams want Sillinger and he brings championship level experience if it does not work out. This also allows the club to move Brendan Witt at the trade deadline if it's not in contention with a year left on his contract.

Is this realistic? Perhaps not. All the reports claim the Isles were signing Markov or Sutton and that's all. But Markov seems to be looking for top salary in Russia according to reports or overplayed his hand with Snow, but nothing is etched in stone here and if the Isles step up and meet his price it's likely he will sign here and the Isles will have a player who's considered a prime UFA defender.

Aaron Johnson played sixty one games for the Blue Jackets a year ago. Freddy Meyer has a friendly contract (pending UFA) and could turn out to be a good two-way defender as he was in Philadelphia as a rookie. The Matt Spiller's of the organization have some NHL experience as well so there are cheaper and less talented alternatives.

Markov will help the younger defenders improve quicker and provides depth if Radek Martinek again is injured in his final year before UFA. It does not replace Poti's puck moving ability but if you cannot load up on top forwards, load up on defenders who can run them over.

In my opinion Garth Snow should meet Markov's price and add him to Sutton, Witt.

Dany Markov Update

Websites in Russia and Detroit are updating the status of UFA Dany Markov for those wondering if he could still sign with the Islanders.

Dany Markov looking at Russia

I know there has been some talk of Markov signing with the Islanders (mostly rumor)but he would be the best possible replacement on paper for Hill at this time.