Expecting Nothing Special From New York

I kind of laugh when some are complaining about the Islanders power-play going 0-30/something.  

This is not the 1980's. 

A power play at thirty percent levels off, which was never a good mix of distributed scoring that was sustainable to begin with. Even successful teams don't operate at that number any longer for a season with the equipment goaltenders/players wear. 


Entering Matt Moulson's final game against Philadelphia the unit had ten goals (one 5-3 perimeter goal against Phoenix from Tavares) but was operating at 30.3 percent, while getting virtually nothing from it's defenders.  


Overall the numbers were more anomaly then fact, nothing built to last. Expecting Nielsen or Okposo to keep up their offensive pace was/is not realistic based on their career trends.

Bottom line until this team leans how to win low scoring games, and play some defense, it has no chance. 

Twenty nine other teams are always looking for quality defenders. That kind of player is only available as a pending UFA rental if they waive a NTC/NVC because all of them have this clause.  

Garth Snow's experienced enough by now, and has seen this movie here with Steve Staios, Mike Mottau, Mark Eaton & Milan Jurcina. The team played better without them  because the defense was faster.

Aaron Ness Dodge Holiday Classic MVP

WCHA.com&Gophers Sports: Recaps Minnesota winning the Dodge Holiday Classic Saturday with Islander prospect Aaron Ness named MVP of the two game tournament scoring his first career goal with 8:28 left in regulation after Minnesota trailed 2-1 entering the third period. Ness collected a loose puck and launched a shot from above the faceoff circle into the upper corner of the net.

Ness also set up Minnesota’s first goal, which tied the score at 1-1 late in the first period. The freshman fired in a shot that deflected off the body of Tony Lucia into the goal with 1:27 left in the opening period.

Star-Tribune: Roman Augstoviz had an update on the health of Minnesota coach Don Lucia who had to miss the games but was in the pressbox for the final and is undergoing a battery of tests.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I was sent an-email about Ness early Sunday on winning the MVP and scoring his first goal. He did not get picked for team USA so this was one instance where it worked out well for him.

Best of luck to Gopher coach Don Lucia, despite any problems last season this goes beyond anything hockey related and we hope he is back behind his teams bench where he belongs soon.

Islander News Articles 2/29:

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Isles win with Ted Nolan's comments that it was a bad hockey game and did not like how his club fell apart but was glad they got two points. Rick DiPietro talked about Atlanta's offense and that he should have had the second goal while Hunter and Vasicek talked about their big goals and play in the win. Frans Nielsen reportedly said his x-ray looked good.

Newsday: Greg Logan disclosed in his blog after some speculation about a possible injury to Rick DiPietro he suffered a loss in his family Thursday but still decided to play against Atlanta. Speculation is he could miss a game this weekend to attend a funeral.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Condolences to Rick DiPietro and his family on his loss and highest marks to him for trying to play under very tough circumstances. Dubie will find a way to get himself ready if necessary.

Islander Insider added Friday morning here and linked to Newsday's Islander blog will feature a contrast of this year’s trade by Pittsburgh with the Islanders’ rental of Ryan Smyth, Miro Satan’s contract situation and Sean Bergenheim's development.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
With Hossa already out for a week because of a knee injury in his first game for Pittsburgh so far the edge goes to the Islanders.

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Craig Custance has the recap of Atlanta's loss with Ken Klee's comments where he took the blame and credited Josef Vasicek for a good play to set up Trent Hunter for the game winner.

NY Post: Justin Terranov writes a full preview of Islanders-Rangers for next week with Dave Maloney and Bill Jaffe's comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For all the substandard coverage decisions this season this ranks near the top because it makes no sense.

Dan Martin is out writing on the PSAL, the Islanders win in Atlanta got about sixty words and the Post decides to preview games next week with a full article?

NY Times: Michel Schwirtz has a full interview with former Islander Alexei Yashin and his wife Carol Alt on players from the NHL coming back to Russian as the league builds itself to one that they hope surpasses the NHL and the preimer league.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nothing negative or Islander-related for those curious. Congratulations to Yashin for getting married and best of luck. I miss his big shot. Too bad he never spoke up for himself or let the fans get to know more about him because it did not help him in the end. That written he never said a bad word about anyone and many players spoke well of him.

USA Today/AP: Dave Campbell in an article on efforts made to create new rules regarding college prospects leaving school has Kyle Okposo's mother who recaps why his son decided to leave school along with what seems like new quotes from Don Lucia, Garth Snow.

Bill Daly is also quoted as is former Islander Mark Parrish, who also left school early to sign with Colorado in 1997. The writer adds his personal speculation Okposo will see some games with the Islanders this season.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan's comments about acquiring Colin Fretter, Jason Pitton on his season ending shoulder injury and more on the clear day roster as injury status for Bridgeport is updated.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog updates the fallout in the Sound Tigers division from the trade deadline and how it effected teams in terms of clear day.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sorry folks, I thought lists were released the day they were due. Mr Fornabaio got everyone the advanced version but it still has to be approved by the league for their official news release.

Islander News Articles 2/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan goes one on one with Garth Snow, who is not giving up on the season and expects his team to get back into playoff contention with a draft ahead that is much deeper than a year ago.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I did not know Miroslav Satan has a no trade clause which he would have to waive if the Isles did make a trade that involved him. Bergeron is restricted and will be a very close call.

Daily Local:Anthony J. SanFilippo reports Flyers winger Simon Gagne suffered his third concussion in five months on Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Colorado Springs Gazette: David Ramsey is calling for Gary Bettman to get involved and change the rules so NHL teams cannot take prospects from college's during the season and cites the Brock Trotter, Kyle Okposo situations.

Denver Post: Mike Chambers points out the rules in juniors prohibit NHL teams from signing players after ten games and that this is a rule that the college program needs with Minnesota coach Don Lucia's comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I agree there should be a rule that prohibits NHL teams from signing players and taking them out of school after a certain point in the college season like juniors, but having written that these kids get hurt in college and they are potentially risking millions. In the end it's up to the NHL and the NCAA to work something out.

Let's call it what it is here too. The College's want their money/exposure and for high profile players like Okposo and DU leading scorer leaving does not help the business of college hockey.

Islander News Articles 1/21:

Newsday: Katie Strang reports Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek will play Monday with Witt's comments about wanting to play against the opposition's top lines and his ten days off while Ted Nolan talks about their contribution and what the Isles need to do Monday against Carolina. Chris Campoli did not practice and will meet with the team doctors to re-evaluate his injured shoulder.

Newsobserver.com:Covers the Carolina Hurricanes who are coming off a 7-4 win against Edmonton Friday and a weekend off.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio grades the Sound Tigers by position at the half way point in the schedule and highlights several games as the best and worst and reports on the return of Steve Regier with his comments here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio blogged on the Sound Tigers who have struggled in the three game in four night's format as they will meet the Pirates in Portland at 1:05pm Monday afternoon.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Portland Pirates
WHEN — Today, 1:05 p.m.
WHERE — Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

NHL.com: Lindsay Kramer has an outstanding feature on Kyle Okposo where he talks about his transition to pro hockey with three games in three days, his departure from Minnesota and the fanfare he did not want to happen with what he has to do to improve. Jack Capuano and Don Lucia's comments about his transition and their impressions of his game.

NHL.com: Chuck Gormley in his Atlantic Division notes has Bill Guerin's comments where he praised Ted Nolan for what he's trying to build here and credits his team for their efforts this season and how Nolan is a calming influence and keeps the club together and the opportunity here for players like Mike Comrie. Flyers goaltender also credits the Islanders for their hard work and his former coach in Buffalo while defenseman Freddy Meyer credits the goaltender and the leadership and how he would like to have all these players back next year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Gormley was in town with the Flyers but does a good job here letting Guerin, Biron and Meyer talk about the coach and what the Isles are trying to do. Very good article where Mr Kramer also just let's Kyle Okposo tell his story which brought out some things I did not read previously and a good job by Don Lucia adding his comments and putting his departure aside.

Islander News Articles 1/11:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Eric Nystrom who grew up a die-hard Islander fan and lives down the street from Rick DiPietro in the summer and trains with him. Miroslav Satan sat out practice but is expected to play.

"It's a little far from home," Nystrom said wistfully. "It would be nice to get back and play a game . But this is great. I'm real excited; I know a bunch of guys on the Islanders, and I'd like to get one on Ricky. I'd have all summer for the bragging rights."

Newsday/countless sources: Report on Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals signing a 13-year, $124-million contract extension yesterday with the Washington Capitals that he negotiated without an agent. It still does not eclipse Rick DiPietro's contract in years which is noted in the article.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Is this why we had a lockout? Seems like this is what owners have to pay franchise players to keep them for their career because if Ted Leonsis did not give him this offer someone else would have as soon as they could. I wonder how DiPietro feels about this and Mike Richards contract because more and more it's proving he did leave money on the table if he does play the entire length of the contract.

Ovechkin did not even need an agent to negotiate this deal. No doubt some of the jealously from Toronto and markets that could not sign him will produce criticism for Leonsis. Congratulations to Ovechkin who will no doubt be featured on the NHLPA site for this deal.

Newsday: Neil Best reports in his blog Newsday.com offers more Islanders stuff than ever and then goes into the seniority list at Newsday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Compared to when Newsday was covering the Islanders when they were winning the Stanley Cup or even in the 2002 playoffs when they were getting close to ten articles in one day's paper?

Islanders now have a Thursday web feature, the Sunday agenda is controlled by the Rangers beat writer which is a disgrace considering John Dellapina and Larry Brooks already do this for the Rangers on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if the club is happy with a coverage increase or if they want Mike Bossy used to talk about which is not just a fair share but what they deserve from the local paper.

Sorry gang, I come from a time where the Islanders could play a weeknight home game against a Western Conference team and draw the backpage of the Times, Post and Daily News. I'm not expecting that again but my point is the Isles as a franchise should not be satisfied or settle for what crumbs they can get here.

Calgary Herald & Calgary Sun: cover the Flames who could have some words from former Islanders Adrian Aucoin and perhaps Eric Godard.

St Cloud Times: Kevin Allenspach has more on college prospects leaving programs with Kyle Okposo the focus and Don Lucia comments.

"I don't think it's a financial decision," said Lucia, 49, who makes it sound like the players respond to a pied piper whenever an NHL representative starts talking. "From the (pro) teams' perspective, why wouldn't you sign someone when it's cheaper to do so now than it was in the past? They use that adage 'Bring 'em all in and see who survives.' They use the curve that 'You're going to have to spend some time in the AHL anyway, you might as well get started now.' I guess I'm getting to be a dinosaur but, to me, it's 'Get your degree.' How many of these players are really going to make a living for a long time playing hockey?"

National Post: Mark Spector has comments from Mike Sillinger and Bill Guerin on steroid use in professional sports.

"It would make you more powerful. I just don't think it would make you a better hockey player," reasoned New York Islanders forward Mike Sillinger. He has played for a dozen NHL teams in 17 seasons, and claims no knowledge of steroid use by a teammate. "The game's played at a high speed, and you have to be able to think the game. [Steroids] might make you bigger, faster, stronger. But it's not going to make you a better hockey player."

"I don't think anyone can even scratch the surface of where baseball is going," Islanders winger Bill Guerin said. "Everybody was doing them."

Calgary Herald: Jean LeFebvre has Eric Nystrom's comments on what the Islanders meant to him growing up and Dubie's mask with his father's picture on it and how it came about.

"He's following the tradition and the legacy on Long Island that my dad had a big part in building," said Nystrom after meeting with Dubielewicz after Thursday's practice. "He was part of those championship teams. There's a strong tradition there and these guys are filling the tradition."

"I didn't really have much of an idea of what I wanted to do with my mask," said Dubielewicz, who has a painted image of former Isles captain Denis Potvin on the other cheek. "Then a couple of guys came up (with the concept) of getting some of the heritage on there and I thought it was a great idea. Like Eric said, there's a strong tradition on Long Island and obviously his father was a big part of it. I thought it'd be pretty neat to get some of that history on a mask."

Albany Business Review: Reports a new business venture for Bob Nystrom as well.

Edmonton Sun: Derek Van Diest reports Robin Figren will be staying with the Oil Kings for the rest of the season with gm Bob Green's comments.

"I definitely wanted to stay," Figren said. "I really enjoy it here and I think things are going really well for me. I think we have a good group of guys and I didn't want to go anywhere else."

"There were future considerations that we could have gotten for Robin in terms of younger players or draft picks," Green said. "But I've been at the draft long enough to know that it can be a crap shoot. There's no guarantee that when you get draft picks for good players that they're going to turn into good players.

"It would have been nice to do that, but by the same token, Robin is a great person to have around. In dressing room the younger players really respect him and he's a good leader."

Islander News Articles 12/22

Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from Ted Nolan on how his line changes worked in reverse with the fourth line carrying the club in the third period with Blake Comeau asked about his opportunity here, Andy Hilbert talks about the coach going with the players who play well.

Ted wanted a few guys to put a little spark in the lineup ... Whether I'm out there for one shift or 10 shifts, I try to make an impact every shift."

Teddy has stressed the last week or so that he's going to go with the guys who play well. We saw a little bit of that in getting a shot on the power play," he said. "Everyone knows you have to come out and play. It doesn't matter who you are."

Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from Jarkko Ruutu/Sidney Crosby about Chris Simon. Crosby also calls Brendan Witt one of his toughest opponents.

"I don't want to blow the whole thing up," Ruutu said. "It doesn't serve a purpose. Everybody can see it online and on TV and form their own opinion. I don't have a comment on the whole thing. It's in the past. We've just got to move on."

"Witt goes out of his way to finish hits," Crosby said. "He wants to establish that physical presence. You have to be aware. If you get caught sleeping for a second, you get hit pretty hard. He's a guy who prides himself on that."

All A.P for the Times, Post and Daily News out of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Dave Molinary prints what Greg Logan did not provide in his game coverage which was Blake Comeau's comments about his first NHL goal.

"When I looked at the net, I heard guys yelling, 'Shoot,' and there were bodies there and a lane was open," Comeau said. "I put my head down and tried to shoot it as hard as I could, and it ended up going in."

Pittsburgh Post Gazettte: Shelly Anderson asked Penguins coach Michel Terrien and Ted Nolan about Chris Simon's suspension.

Pioneer Press: Bruce Brothers article today has Don Lucia's response where he defended his twenty year record. WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod blasted Garth Snow for his comments, while Wild Gm Doug Risebrough gave his thoughts on signing college hockey players in season. Athletic director Joe Maturi wondered why Snow did not come out and watch the program before passing judgement. Snow's former college teammate at Maine, Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Carney defended Snow but did not know the circumstances.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What is notable in this article is Mr Brothers comments the Islanders asked Okposo to give up his college eligibility and play a season of junior hockey in Canada this winter before joining their organization. He said no and announced in June he would return to the Gophers. This was not reported last summer.

Again I ask the same question?

Why couldn't Don Lucia have simply respected Okposo's decision and wished him luck and kept his criticism of the Islanders behind closed doors? This promoted Garth Snow's response which led to all of this which is only going to hurt this kid moving forward.

All due respect to Joe Maturi, but it was reported in Greg Logan's blog back on December 2ND here that Garth Snow had intended to visit Kyle Okposo.

“I’ll be visiting Kyle in the next few weeks,” Snow said. “We’ve had Bryan Trottier, Kenny Morrow and Steve Webb from our staff see him on a regular basis and talk to him on the phone. Things aren’t going to go perfect the whole season. He’s not putting up the points, but he’s playing a well-rounded game and he looks like a man playing with boys. We think very highly of him.”

All due respect to Bruce Brothers but how come he did not include this in his article being that he's getting reaction from the college level and the Minnesota Wild? The entire story should be told from all sides.

Washington Times: Corey Masisak has an article on former Islander Viktor Kozlov's frustration over not scoring.

Sound Tigers Website: Has the recap of Bridgeport's 2-1 at Hartford Friday night.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the Sound Tigers fourth straight win, a 2-1 shootout win at Hartford Friday. Joey MacDonand's had thirty three saves, Jeff Tambellini scored the Sound Tigers lone goal to tie the game with less than two minutes to play and won the shootout with another goal.

"I made the save when I had to. It didn't look good for a while. We took some penalties, but we stuck to it, and we got a greasy goal."

"We just tried to stay in shooting lanes," Tambellini said. "Joey did a good job. He hadn't played in a couple of nights, and he came in and did a pretty good job."

Hartford Courant: Bruce Berlet who's paper has an association with Newsday provided Wolfpack coverage and had a few words from Jeff Tambellini on his goal.

"A couple of guys had lost an edge, so I just threw the puck at the net to get it to the front," Tambellini said.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blogs on the Sound Tigers win and includes the " non-concrete rumors " were the Islanders were speaking with Okposo before Simon-Ruutu. Also an ECHL all-star update was given with Trevor Smith, Michael Haley selected and former Islander prospect Ryan O'Marra.

Garth Snow responds to Minnesota

Star Tribune:Brian Stensaas reports Garth Snow blames Minnesota coach Don Lucia's coaching which led to Kyle Okposo leaving the university and responded to speculation this was done because of Chris Simon's suspension. Lucia responded to Snow along with Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi who was dumbfounded by the gm's comments.

Asked for specifics, Snow said, "[Okposo] just wasn't getting better -- bottom line. And to me, that's the frustrating part. We entrusted the coach there to turn him into a better hockey player, and it wasn't happening. We feel more comfortable in him developing right under our watch."

"Whether it was Kyle or another player, until things change in that program we'd probably make the same decision. There should be a coach there that looks in the mirror."

"Obviously, it's Kyle's decision whether to stay or leave," Snow said. "But we contacted Kyle and asked how things were going. And that's why we're where we're at."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A few publications defended Garth Snow who is a product of the college system for his decision here. One pointed to Ted Nolan at Moncton using some US college players but not sure of specifics.

Why Don Lucia could not have shown some class and respected Okposo's decision and wished him luck without assigning blame here is not in the best interest of Okposo moving forward whether he understands this or not. It's not as if the Islanders issued a press release blaming Don Lucia until the coach put this on the team with his NHL rights.

Bottom line Don Lucia can blame the Islanders all he wants but his player decided he has had enough of playing under this coach and his program. Okposo could be right or wrong in the end but it's his decision.

This is a Minnesota paper so of course things are going to be a bit slanted toward the University's side with them getting the final word because when all is said and done they will be covering Don Lucia's team and Joel Maturi's sports programs but Garth Snow had his say and explained why the Islanders did what they did. Islanders have had a lot of high draft picks this did not happen with.

This just puts a big shadow and more pressure on Okposo at the WJC and especially when he returns and has to speak about it or perhaps does come to an agreement with the Islanders. That's why Lucia should have kept quiet if he really had the best long term interest of the player which should always be the priority.

Joel Maturi had no place speculating on a spot for Okposo with the Islanders.

CSTV.com: Elliot Olshansky has comments from Tim Whitehead, the head coach of Maine which is Garth Snow's alma mater, former Islander assistant Jeff Jackson who is head coach at Notre Dame and Michigan coach, Red Berenson. This was also not Don Lucia's first time having problems with an NHL team he spoke out about. Jack Johnson's situation is also brought up here for discussion as well as the new cba changing the relationship between college and NHL organizations.

One thing that can be said with some certainty is that this is not a problem that is specific to the Islanders. "I happen to know [Islanders general manager] Garth Snow," said Tim Whitehead, head coach at Snow's Alma mater, the University of Maine. "He's a great man. I think this must have been a very unique situation. Garth was fabulous with us last year with [the pursuit of undrafted free agent] Teddy Purcell, so I think this is a very unique case. I think every case is unique, each player's situation."

Updated 9:30am
CSTV.com: Elliot Olshansky has a full update and response to Snow's comments and the article from the Star Tribune.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Forgetting Don Lucia's comments about Calgary having a similar ring to his Islander comments it's a good discussion on the changes through the cba. The days of teams going European under this cba (at least for the moment with rumblings of changes to this) and keeping a players rights forever have ended so the gm's now look to the college level which can give a gm four full years or more before a club has to sign that prospect.

Of course this is completely contrary to Kyle Okposo's current circumstances.

Kyle Okposo leaving Gophers for Isles

kfan.com: Jeff Dubay on a Minnesota sports radio program had reported through their sources Islander first round pick Kyle Okposo will play for team USA at the World Junior Championship but will leave the University of Minnesota and sign a contract with the New York Islanders when he returns from the tournament.

This was talked about at length on this program with comments that Okposo told his teammates he was not coming back.

KFAN.com Opinion page makes it clear this is an unconfirmed rumor but the same person who wrote this said reliable sources are reporting Okposo is done with Minnesota and will sign and report to the Islanders. It was not made clear if that means Bridgeport or New York and the person breaking the information did not know.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders still have to negotiate a contract in season here folks, it's not going to be an inexpensive one and will be a hit to the cap if he plays in the NHL.

Not much of a shock given Okposo's comments recently about how much of a struggle he has had his second year playing out of position on a club with injuries but this does upset the balance of college hockey for him to leave school in season and will bring a backlash. I even read he wondered if he should have went back to school so it looks like we have our answer.

As for Islander precedent's some may recall Sean Bergenheim was signed out of the WJC a few years ago but returned home after the tournament to see limited ice time.

First Chris Simon now this on the same day plus a game? Too much all at once.

Minnesota's coach Don Lucia has his weekly radio show on Wednesday night at 7pm
here for those curious because no doubt we will get confirmation or a quick denial.

Check back for more updates

Updated 3:30pm
Usatoday.com: Kevin Allen confirmed Okposo story around same time the radio station did.

Updated 4:22pm
Newsday: Greg Logan's blog reports Kyle Okposo is in the process of negotiating a contract with the Isles according to sources at the NHL and collegiate level. The Golden Gophers have called a news conference for 5 p.m. ET to announce Okposo’s decision.

The Islanders offered no comment about the situation and have not scheduled any formal announcement of a signing. After he returns from the WJC, Okposo will join the Islanders organization and could be assigned to either the Isles or their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Startribune.com: Brian Stensaas reports a university athletics department spokesman confirmed Okposo leaving the Gophers this afternoon with Coach Don Lucia expected to release a statement around 4 p.m. today.

Updated 5:20pm
Gophers sports.com: Gophers coach Don Lucia in his press conference blames the Islanders for putting Okposo in a very difficult position.

“While I’m disappointed Kyle is leaving at this point of the season, his dream has been to play pro hockey,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “It is unfortunate that the Islanders put him in a very difficult position. I think our team has made strides the last few weeks and I’m looking forward to the second half of the season

Updated 6pm:
Islanders website: Has learned that Islanders general manager Garth Snow and Okposo’s representative Neil Sheehy are currently in negotiations on an entry-level deal.

“We’re extremely excited about the possibility of Kyle joining our organization soon,” said Snow. “He’s a great talent, one of the most exciting prospects in the game. Kyle has the dedication and character we want for our franchise.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm not sure how the Islanders put him in a very difficult position here? They were supportive of him going back to school last summer and all the comments of Okposo struggling have been from the player, not the Islanders.

Bottom line it is Kyle Okposo's decision as to whether he stays in school or signs a pro contract at this time or plays somewhere else. The Islanders can not force him to do anything.