Islander/Sound Tiger Notables for Tuesday.

Islanders website: Announced on Tuesday Andy Sutton will make his season debut on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers and Jack Hillen has been sent to Bridgeport.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A bit odd Skinner stays in the lineup who played limited minutes Monday unless another change is coming on defense. Either way Hillen seems the better choice to stay over Skinner.

Seems a question of when before the next injury happens.

Newsday: Katie Strang covered Tuesday's practice which included DiPietro watching from the stands and that Meyer is unlikely to play against the Flyers.

Islanders website: Has the latest prospects watch update which will be posted on the prospect blog as all have been archived back to last season.

Newsday: Arthur Staple's turn to help out Greg Logan as former Ranger beatwriters stick together and lob softballs at the house team in comparing both Newsday hockey teams. Mr Staple also questions if playing Jack Hillen, Nate Thompson and Tomas Pock are part of a youth movement or a trivia answer?

In comparing both local teams Mr Staple admits Newsday is making too much of this injury-disclosure stuff but then adds at 2-6 with a bleak future, what else is there to talk about besides DiPietro? He then goes on to blast the Islanders injury policy and completely contradicts himself by writing the injury policy would still be an issue if the Islanders were 6-2.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
As expected the entire Newsday staff is going to take their shots here at the club.

How dare the New York Islanders act like other sports teams and restrict information (per NHL rules) from a paper that has treated the club poorly for years and now is owned by another NHL team with a beatwriter who has been anything but professional giving us retracted headlines Yashin could return.

Funny but the Islanders are getting more coverage now from Newsday then they have since 2002. I thought Greg Logan told us last Jaunary when he could not be bothered blogging about DiPietro getting hurt in Atlanta when he had full disclosure from the club on injuries that coverage would be reduced in the future when he did his interview with Chris Botta who had to go to Atlanta to do Newsday's job for them?

Last I looked isn't Jack Hillen just a year out of college and a player Garth Snow said was like having another number one pick?

Newsday: Anthony Rieber's turn to dump on the Islanders for their media/injury policy in ranking local clubs and writess the Islanders are doing their best to create drama and tension and says how many other pro teams who are covered by one newspaper on the road have a media policy?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
All the drama and tension is on Newsday's side who are acting very unprofessional when Greg Logan writes himself a lot of clubs have the same policy.

Mr Rieber comes off like a man who sounds like Newsday is doing the Islanders a favor providing road coverage. That's the same Cablevision-Newsday who cannot even approve live internet coverage for preseason games or send a writer to Atlanta to cover the goaltender at the All-Star weekend.

Tsn.ca: Has a report on the NHL rookies as the ten game mark hits and in some cases decisions must be made on whether they stay or go back to juniors/AHL.

ECHL.com: Bridgeport recalled goaltender Nathan Lawson with Yann Danis up with the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Considering Bridgeport does not play until Friday draw your own conclusions as to how long DiPietro could be on the shelf for.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio blogs on who Mark Parrish skated with at practice on Tuesday along with a lot of items on the Sound Tigers.

Islander Notables/DiPietro, Meyer, Sutter

AP: Reports Rick DiPietro will see a doctor on Monday for an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play against Rangers, Yann Danis was recalled on an emergency basis. along with defenseman Brett Skinner.

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islander Newsday blog confirmed through a team spokesman Rick DiPietro will undergo a doctor’s examination Monday.

Brett Skinner was recalled to replace Freddy Meyer who was injured in the Carolina game according the the beatwriter on an emergency basis along with Yann Danis.

Mr Logan also writes Newsday (I guess that means not Greg Logan) had questions for general manager Garth Snow who defended the NHL policy as a way to protect his players from being targeted by opponents citing league rules that permit teams to withhold detailed injury information, no quotes from the Islander general manager.

Mr Logan also noted many teams choose to provide specific injury information, including recovery timetables, but others do not.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What a shock the New York Islanders are the only sports team either way who take nothing less than an outright assault from their beatwriter among all the clubs who do not provide specific injury information which is the rub here for those who have not had enough of this yet.

Apparently the Islanders must do what the Cablevision-owned Newsday beatwriter wants or this is how he will report. Are fans of other clubs being put in the middle of this by their beatwriters?

Not a chance.

Aside from everything else I wrote about Mr Logan's coverage our fans need to understand this is the same Greg Logan who is employeed by a company that does not give our team a pre-game, did not show one preseason game or even allow live internet preseason coverage from camp.

They did not even give us live television coverage when Scott Gordon was hired.

Where was Greg Logan to complain about this for us being that he seems to be playing the fan card on the injuries and our need to know, he sure did not play the fan card on our television coverage or our pregame coverage?

But then Mr Logan would have to complain about his new employer and Cablevision/Msg policies which is never going to happen, Neil Best would not even touch that instead turning it around on the team.

You want to impress us Mr Logan being that this is all about our access to information blog and ask our fans what they wanted more, television coverage, preseason televised games, a pregame or specific injury reports?

I bet the television coverage wins hands down.

I know our fans complained about that, where we you aside from sitting on the sidelines in silence?

You did not even complain about the lack of live internet games by Cablevision in the preseason.

Finally for all the time Mr Logan and Newsday had full disclosure about injuries in the last year it's kind of ironic our beatwriter never wrote once the team on his beat led the National Hockey League in man games lost to injury with our four hundred.

Sure seems hypocritical to me but NYIFC is only a team-sponsored blog because it's linked to the blog box?
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It just does not end with the injuries, now Freddy Meyer? No team can stay competitive with all of these players going out injured. I wonder if Scott Gordon is starting to regret what he signed on for here despite the real hockey story being how good his system has looked at times the last two games?

In an attempt to end the day on a good note AP: Brandon Sutter was released from a local hospital Sunday.

Mark Parrish should be reporting to Bridgeport today.

Islander News Articles 10/24

Newsday: Greg Logan's article has comments from head coach Scott Gordon, Freddy Meyer who felt there are going to be some glitches when guys 'double-think' as opposed to reacting with this system. A team meeting was held afterward which Mr Logan says Bill Guerin described as typical.

Newsday: Jim Baumbach does what baseball writers do and that's go all out on the Tampa Bay Ray angle (see Johnette Howard recently) somehow trying to compare a hockey team that made four of the last six playoffs with a baseball team that never made a playoff until now (after doing the attendance/Coliseum dance) to make his point about an Islander youth movement in the long run.

Mr Baumbach also reported Bill Guerin called a players only meeting and speculated Guerin and Doug Weight are not here for a youth movement.

Daily News: Peter Botte made sure to point out attendance first and after quoting Bill Guerin on the special teams and Scott Gordon on the team play did not even know Wade Dubielewicz is no longer on the club or that's what folks were chanting?

NY Post : Dan Martin's game recap has Bill Guerin's comments on the pressure the penalty kill was under along with Scott Gordon who defended his goaltenders play.

Dallas Morning News: Has the Stars coverage along with Star-Telegram Tracy Myers article.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's update is on defenseman Chris Lee who is ready to return after his pre-season concussion against Florida in the Islanders final preseason game.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also has a preview for Friday's game.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Portland Pirates
WHEN -- Tonight, 7
WHERE -- Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine
ON THE AIR -- Webcast and Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

NYI Fan Central Final Review: Freddy Meyer

Today's NYI Fan Central review is on defenseman Freddy Meyer and his wild ride in 2007-08 which I'm not sure has precedent.

Entering 2007-08:
Entering 2007-08 there were a lot of tough questions to be asked of Freddy Meyer.

Garth Snow traded for him from Philadelphia in 2006-07 and never really was healthy long enough to get a good idea what he could do beyond a good rookie season with Philadelphia. To be fair he hung in with hand problems as long as he could before shutting it down late in the season. He was praised by the club for playing with the injury as long as he did.

2007-08:
Having written all that Freddy Meyer was clearly on the outside looking in entering training camp with nine spots for six defenders. Once Bryan Berard was finally signed it seemed someone was going to go and sure enough it was Meyer placed on waivers who was claimed by Phoenix who demoted him to the AHL.

This is where things got kind of strange. Isles situation suddenly changed on defense with players starting to get hurt or were ineffective. Phoenix put him on
re-entry waivers, Garth Snow claimed him back at a percentage of his contract and the Coyotes had to pay for someone they never gave a chance to play.

It took a while for him after that to finally get a chance from the Isles. He got little press when he left and it was barely a footnote he was reacquired.

He finally stepped into Islander the lineup in early December and we got to see the healthy version of Freddy Meyer, who was not the scorer he was as a rookie with Philadelphia but someone who adapted well to Ted Nolan's system and looked like a stopper on defense. He won the puck in the corners, made the safe, smart play to get the puck out of the slot and held his position well.

He never was scratched again.

Here is where things got even more strange.

As quickly as he was placed on waivers, Garth Snow just as quickly signed him to a two year contract extension and both sides never looked back after only a few weeks of solid play. His two goals were critical in the Isles six game winning streak in February and on a club deep in negative player ratings, Meyer finished with a plus six.

Moving forward:
It was about as strange a season as it gets for Freddy Meyer but next year he enters camp with his two year extension and a spot in the top six if healthy. Isles need his offensive game to improve but would likely more than settle for the same steady defense he gave them last year.

Final Grade:
I cannot hold it against him not being played by the staff or placing him on waivers, he came back and did an excellent job when he got a chance and did it with a lot of adversity on the backline with a very poor offense. Ted Nolan put his name in the lineup every game after he returned and he earned his spot.

Freddy Meyer receives an A for overcoming a ton of adversity and showing what he can do for a club when healthy and given a chance. It was not flashy but it was impressive.

And it was one heck of a wild ride.

Islander News Articles 2/23:

Newsday: Roderick Boone reports Drew Fata has been returned to Bridgeport and Bruno Gervais will make his return against the Devils Saturday while Rick DiPietro talks about how much fun it's been and that the club has a chance as long as they play solid hockey. Ted Nolan talks about the Devils being a big test while Freddy Meyer feels they have to bring their 'A' effort every game with every two points critical and that there is no letting up.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's great news Gervais is coming back. I was very impressed with Fata in his callup and he had an assist on the Isles only goal against Tampa and was on the ice in overtime against Washington. Johnson played a lot with Fata so where does Gervais slot with given Meyer and Martinek's chemistry?

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers fired 43 shots at Michael Leighton of the Albany River Rats on the road but lost 4-1 Friday night. Jeff Tambellini had nine of the shots and was -3 in his return. Drew Fata was not listed in the lineup. Trevor Smith scored Bridgeport's goal, Dustin Kohn had an assist in his return to the lineup, Pascal Morency played.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Jack Capuano who felt some guys were interested in doing what they wanted to do but credited Tim Jackman for his ten shots because he listens. Jeff Tambellini felt his club did not get traffic in front of Albany's goaltender and was sloppy at best combined with the wingers needing to do a better job retrieving the puck. Scott Ford commented on leveling Brandon Nolan, who left bleeding and did not return.

UP NEXT - Today at Hartford, 7 p.m.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had a pregame blog and confirmed the word is Fata will be back Saturday. He will also likely have a postgame to recap the loss.

Times Union: Has the Albany River Rats coverage.

Islander News Articles 2/20:

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Andy Sutton out four-six weeks with Freddy Meyer's comments on how they used to have nine defenders for six spots.

Globe & Mail: David Shoalts reports Garth Snow at the general mangers meetings in Naples, Fla made a lenghty presentation about limiting the size of goaltenders equipment with the focus on Robert Luongo. NHLPA's new director, Paul Kelly, Colin Campbell and a few general managers had comments.

Toronto Star: Damien Cox reports Garth Snow gave information on how he used to use his equipment to add blocking area at the meetings.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has defenseman Matthew Spiller's comments on losing the coin toss to Drew Fata who he felt was playing well and deserves a call-up. Jack Capuano praised both Spiller and Fata, who he feels have both played great, are big and physical who move the puck well as he talked of the leadership they have provided.

Norfolk Admirals at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

College Hockey News/Several sources: Report Niagara junior forward Les Reaney has chosen to leave school to sign a professional contract with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. He will immediately join the Springfield (Mass.) Falcons, the Oilers' AHL affiliate.

Islander News Articles 2/19

Newsday: Greg Logan reports on the Isles comeback with Ted Nolan's comments about the Sharks goalie being injured or shaken up, Mike Comrie on his goal and the move he made and Freddy Meyer on the game winner.

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article is on the death of Brandon Nolan's teammate, injury updates to Andy Sutton and Blake Comeau and Isles inspire program.

NY Post: Dan Martin's game coverage has Mike Comrie and Ted Nolan's comments.

Daily News: Peter Botte's limited space article.

San Jose Mercury News: David Pollak reports on the Sharks loss to the Isles.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog reports Drew Fata was called up to the Islanders today.

Yahoo Sports: Ross Mc Keon feels the Islanders despite the winning streak should be big sellers because he thinks they probably have to pass too many teams to have a legitimate shot at the postseason.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Isles are one point out of a playoff spot with some teams falling quickly, hard to see them as sellers because it's still too early with a week left.

New York 5, Toronto 4

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 5-4 win at Toronto with Ted Nolan's comments praising his club's sense of urgency and his powerplay with Freddy Meyer's thought's.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Excellent win, loved the hard work in the corners and how hard all the lines competed in this one. Outside of the first goal DiPietro was very solid and was his best when they needed him to be.

I don't know what game Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe were watching but I thought that was a heck of an effort top to bottom tonight and the Isles deserves a lot more credit than they were giving them.

They easily could have had another three or four goals with the chances they were earning.

Islanders were the better team on the puck, won the battles in the corner and earned the power plays they got and made the most of it.

Power play was outstanding with cross-ice passes to players cutting to the net like Bernard for a goal, or a beautiful pass to Comrie for another, with Vasicek getting a high quality chance which Fedotenko buried. Satan made some great passes to set up some goals.

Just a good team effort in this one.

Despite the pp goals the Isles scored the kids were outstanding early with Bergenheim hustling all over the ice and that kid group setting the tempo. The shift at the end of the first period when Comeau, Nielsen and Tambellini had the puck for a minute with the goalie pulled on a delayed penalty was one of the best shifts of the season that I have seen from this club and it was a joke Nielsen got
cross-checked without a second penalty coming to Toronto.

Of course nothing's easy and a goal find it's way in off a deflection to make it 1-1 and a second goal off one point shot makes it 2-1, but the Isles did not panic and got it right back and regained the lead which they extended into the third.

Goes without saying the calls were going to start to even out and in the third they did. Park and Hilbert made some great reads to kill the five on three and Sutton did all he could to be Brendan Witt when he had to be with a big block.

Freddy Meyer's first Islander goal with an open net made it 5-3 which was the game despite the Leafs making it 5-4.

I liked what I saw tonight from the Islanders, the chances and how they worked to get into high quality area's was very impressive.

They needed a regulation win in Toronto for the first time since before 2002 and got it. AP claims they won in regulation March 28th 2002 at Toronto but I was sure that was a 5-4 overtime win.....whatever.

Fedotenko's playing like he was earlier this year, very visible with the chances he was getting, now his shots are going in as he's getting to the high quality area's.

For Fedotenko and the Isles, it has to continue.