New York Notables: Mini Camp 7/6-7/12

Michael Fornabaio of the Ct Post told me Bryce Anelosi signing with Orlando on 7/1 means they retain his ECHL rights, despite signing with Bridgeport on 7/2.

Bottom line Orlando/Anelosi may have something to say if the Islanders/Bridgeport would like Anelosi to play for Missouri.

#isles #bst For those wondering NY prospect mini camp runs from July 6-12, going to Twin Rinks only for 7/7 and Barclay's prospect game 7/8.

— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) July 3, 2015

#isles #bst Filps Buncis not on NYI mini-camp list coming next week to participate: http://t.co/9CYVNnSRXs

— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) July 3, 2015

 Note correct spelling Filips Buncis. 

@nyifancentral Filips Buncis http://t.co/MUCuYZkeB0

— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) July 3, 2015

And hoping for a full & speedy recovery for Howie Rose.

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Okposo Did Not Deserve USA Spot/New York Deserves Better Than Msg's Howie Rose Disrespect

We all like Kyle Okposo.
He had four goals in forty eight games during the 2013/whatever.
American Colin McDonald had three more goals, and only seven less points. (17/24)

Okposo's team is currently dead last in whatever this division is called, despite his numbers. These spots are not decided on part of one season. When team USA hockey sat down last summer to construct a roster the notion of discussing Okposo being included would be comical based on four goals in forty eight games.

The past matters.

Of course Okposo represented team USA/Islanders well for years.
If he puts together five years like his first half he'll be on the next team if there is one.
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Olympic Amnesia? 
Does anyone have any memory of the past?

The New York Islanders had Rick DiPietro, Mark Parrish, Jason Blake representing team USA in 2006, Peter Laviolette was the head coach. No Rangers were on the team. 

That would be the 2005-06 NHL season, the one the Islanders missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000-2001. The one Mike Milbury resigned, and Steve Stirling was fired.

Or the one the Rangers returned to the playoffs after eight years. 

The notion team USA was biased for/against the Islanders (or any franchise) is absurd. 

The NHLPA did not hijack the Olympic teams from amateurs until 1998, many of those clubs were comprised of same former amateurs who turned pro.
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When Will Howie Rose Time End With This Franchise:
Too bad Jiggs McDonald could not stay with the team a few more days.

Was the mini winning streak making Howie Rose so unhappy so he had to come out in the snow, and play the disrespect card, telling us how many opposing fans are in the stands all night long?

Never mind Charles Wang just ate the cost of 13,000 tickets out of pocket for future games while corporate teams never give fans any free tickets, and get taxpayer money to finance their payroll.

Long ago Joe Micheletti said Wang doing this cost him about five hundred thousand dollars. (end of Wang infomercial)

Butch Goring did not play the franchise respect card with Okposo (to make his point) or the team, he is a former Islander head coach who was fired (under Wang) in the last twenty years.

You know how quick the announcer would be fired in Columbus, Florida, and most other franchises for doing what Rose did?

Anyone who's read this website knows I have been very critical of Howie Rose in the past, and would be thrilled with his dismissal. In 2003 the NY Post reported Islanders wanted him out, but we know who hires/fires announcers, and it's not the New York Islanders so he stays. (Maybe Kenny Albert has passed him on Rosen replacement list)

Howie Rose has called Islander games for the Dolan family since 1996 when it was still Sportschannel, and they were just getting started operating Msg with ITT. (after owning the Isles cable rights since 1978 which is how Charles Dolan was able to start Cablevision to amass his fortune) 

Mr Rose is one of the big reasons for disrespect for close to twenty years between his many games off,  quick/constant references to any opposing fans at the Nassau Coliseum (never acknowledging Islander fans at MSG) an absence of doing anything for this franchise besides calling games, and quickly leaving afterward.

Google Rose name, he's pictured more at Msg recently (for renovation) than the Nassau Coliseum, he never met a Ranger interview he did not want to give. 

Howie Rose somewhat snobbish list of what he considers NHL outposts are also insulting to this franchise, and many others. Nashville's David Poile is team USA's general manage, one of his so-called NHL outposts. 

Sam Rosen runs downstairs, and interviews Cablevision's head coach on television after every game, when was the last time Rose went near the Islander locker room beyond telling the fans there should never be a morning skate?

Rose is off air five ten minutes after games. Goring goes downstairs to work with Peter Ruttgaizer on postgame, he's starts the pregame from the ice with an interview. 

Rose never talks up this team, playoffs or not between baseball references. He writes nothing/almost never does an interview unless it's Mets/Ranger related. He went to one Islander Casino night, showed up for one Referendum/Lighthouse rally. 

A lot of franchises did not make the playoffs in 2002, 03, 04, 06. Many franchises have never won anything do not put a twenty year referendum of league perception on a telecast.

Never mind Mr Rose true feelings coming out in Atlanta years earlier when he got caught on camera.

On 5/11/13 New York was eliminated from the NHL playoffs.
On 5/23/13: Mr Rose was out selling his book, and talking about his favorite NHL team.
It was not the New York Islanders.

 
 
Howie Rose is one of the biggest symbols of the teams struggles since 1996.

On Feb 6th 2013 he made clear he wants to remain with the Islanders the rest of his career even though he works for Msg here.

If you’re wondering about the chances of Rose ever succeeding either Sam Rosen or Kenny Albert for a Rangers “dream job,” think again. Rose was taken aback in being asked about that:

“I’m not going there, man. I’m with the Islanders for 18 years. I think the work I’ve done here speaks to the committment I’ve made here,” Rose says. “I’m the Islanders play-by-play voice. I’ve actually done it longer than anybody in the franchise’s history. My goal is to do every last hockey game of my career for the Islanders. It’s really a tired subject, I think.”

Beyond one stirring moment, on his short list of possibilities to eclipse that June night from 19 years ago involves his childhood favorite:

“Well, I’ll let you know if I ever get to make the final call of the Mets winning the World Series,” Rose admits. “I still think that’ll be the topper for me.”

“That would be the opportunity for me that would really be the icing on the cake of my career,” Rose says. “More than just the icing, it would be the taste, the flavor, the substance, everything if I actually got to announce the Mets are World Champions.”

Notice there is nothing on the Islanders winning the Stanley Cup as being something special for his career, he'll be gone doing Mets games long before.

He's been "faking it" long enough, our fans deserve someone who feels likes Mr Rose does about the Rangers, and Mets, he'll never be that person for our team. 

It's time for the New York Islanders to publicly request a change. 

Atlanta 2, New York 1 Overtime

Tweet

All you'll see is the 13th straight headlines but it does not tell the story of this one. Atlanta was rested, at home and just came off blowing out Washington, and for a good part of this game they were outworked.

New York played well, they missed chances, hit post or were robbed, but were getting to the net.

Atlanta was forced into a time out in the third and they had Thrashers scrambling and they did it with in back to back games with only five defenders after the first period.

New York skated well, and were creating chances five on five, they even showed a little speed. Grabner was moving very well, Comeau also.

If not for the hand pass goal to make it 1-1, New York wins 1-0, that was just a terrible non-call.

DiPietro was very good in goal.

No complaints with their effort, they work like that on Wednesday they have a real chance to earn two points, saw some good signs today.

Howie Rose is Cablevision's employee, he works for Msg and James Dolan, just like Goring does, and Billy Jaffe did. His unprofessional conduct and explanation for it is fine, but the New York Islanders should not have to tolerate his frustrations/technical issues/whatever, regardless of what Msg pays them to bury most games on their network.

Not calling for his dismissal because of today, that would be for years worth of issues here that have nothing to do with Sunday's game in of itself.

New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page New York Islander Fan Central RSS/not Twitter.

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Islanders/NHL Quick Hits/Notables

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported Yann Danis was back in Bridgeport Tuesday and got a practice in but there is no plan to break up the three goalies right now, so they'll all stick around which could apply to Bridgeport or New York, I'm not sure.

AHL transactions has no update (at this time) of a Danis to Bridgeport move, with the Islanders hitting the road after tomorrow someone is likely going to have to play some games for MacDonald on the upcoming trip whether it be DiPietro, Danis or even Mannino unless they intend to overwork him.

Mr Fornabaio among many items also reported Wade Dubielewicz has left AK Bars which is also prospect Kirill Pertov's club who is at the WJC.

No matter where Dubi ends up, best of luck to him.

Point Blank: Mr Botta reported Joey MacDonald took a puck in the neck during practice among several injury updates and items that folks should visit his blog for.


Updated 5:40pm:
NY Post: Dan Martin was given no space to cover last night's game but today had Doug Weight's comments he loves it here and does not wish to be traded as he praised the organization while Mr Martin points out the reality of the situation. Goaltender Rick DiPietro after taking part in a full practice hads a few words on going slow with his recovery and why he missed last night's game.
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Anyone think building with first round draft picks is easy or a guarantee?

Former Islander 2003 first round pick Robeert Nilsson is making the decision to trade him look like the correct one more with each passing day here which Mr Fornabaio linked to in his blog at the Ct Post.

Former Islander 2004 first round pick Petteri Nokelainien has one assist in twenty one games and is on IR for the Bruins.

Former Islander 2005 first round pick Ryan O'Marra has one goal and four points in twenty six games for AHL Springfield.

Takes patience for a youth movement folks with Comeau and Colliton 2003 second round picks just getting started.

I will write it's a good early sign the assist and points Bailey and Okposo have put up here considering their past first round counterparts at the top of the Islander draft board have not produced to this point.
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Someone e-mailed and asked what I thought of the players personally?

I do not know the players personally. My speculation is they are good bunch of people who give all they have regardless if they play well or not and just because someone like myself writes about how they play does not make me an expert about anything.

You see the Christmas video's shopping and the hospital visits and it's obvious the players enjoy giving back.

On the ice I loved the reaction for Guerin's 400th by Tambellini and how the captain responded when Tambellini got his first the next game. I suspect Bailey pointed to Guerin when he tipped in # 399 instead also when many thought it was Bailey's first.

For this year it will not be enough on the ice with injuries being the biggest part of the story from day one but as an Islander fan I'm proud to pull for this group whether they win or lose.

NHL players for the most part are very easy to root for and usually go all out for the fans regardless of what color uniform they wear.
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Last night was the first game all season this club had Weight, Sillinger and Mike Comrie all in the lineup. With Bailey and Nielsen's eventual return something has to give down the middle.
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I may be the only one but I'm completely indifferent to the NHL outdoor game this year and bored with how it is being marketed to death which the league must do.

I watched bits and pieces last year and without the snow coming down I might have tuned out earlier to what was a good game. It was also a curiosity to see Mike Milbury on television at that time. All I wanted was no three point game with the Islanders competing with Buffalo-Pittsburgh for a playoff spot but that's exactly what I got with Ty Conklin standing on his head.

The novelty of this is going go wear off quickly I suspect sooner than later but I hope Chicago-Detroit gives everyone a good show.

Was it necessary to have them play against one another in Detroit tonight?
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Good news is we get the guilty pleasure of Jiggs McDonald returning to call some Islander games for our fans. Bad news is Howie Rose again treats Islander hockey like a job requirement and does nothing for this franchise other than call games.

Does he ever take vacation during baseball season? I think it's time for a change in the Islander broadcasting booth and with Tim Neverett interviewed here I suspect it's something that has been discussed.

I only wish Mr McDonald could come back full-time but it's more than enough he comes out of retirement to call some games at this point and is a loyal friend to this franchise.

As I wrote last year next Hall of Fame New York Islander should be Mr McDonald.
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Moving forward there will be articles/Panthers game coverage and a WJC update early for New Year's eve.

No articles on New Years Day, I may pre-write/schedule a blog entry.

A few words: Howie, Billy and Deb

I do not want to be critical of the on-air performance because I think in general all three do quality work overall.

Having written that I was taken aback at how little credit Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe were giving the Isles in Toronto. Mr Rose either seems too excited after any chance to score when the Isles are struggling to do anything or when they are scoring barely raises his voice after a great save or play and sometimes both announcers talk through important plays.

Mr Jaffe has a little too much cheerleading in his coverage but Islanders are so starved for someome to show them a little love in the media it's easy to look past it. Only downside to his on-air work is Islanders could play a terrible game and somehow be winning and he see's all the positives or they could be losing and playing well but all he does is point out the negatives.

Of course, I just was critical of both after a good win so that goes in several directions at times. Again, to me the overall work has quality.

But that's not why I'm doing a blog today about them.

Deb Kaufman has full access to Ted Nolan and seems to be leading the media with quesrtions after games, specially on the road in terms of questions for the coach.

She has a blog at Msg that was updated on Feb 1st and 6th here but before that had not written one article since October 22nd?

Mr Jaffe has had a few recent sit downs with Chris King on Islanders television and sometimes does the practice reports. We all know on occasion he's on Versus for games as well. But he also has a blog at Msg here and outside of one blog on Feb 1st, has done only two blogs this season for the team aside from telling Islander and Ranger fans to respect the national anthem.

Mr Rose also has a blog at Msg here which has not been updated all season but had two blogs in the playoffs against Buffalo and one on March 29th 2007.

My question is if they are around the club on game days and have a blog why not give the fans some information on a consistent basis? I'm sure Ms Kaufman still has to do pregame interviews and get the coaches comments but overall the pregame has been eliminated from Islander television coverage this year for the most part.

Devils have Steve Cangialosi, Ken Daneyko, I'm not sure if Mr Fischler has been to Newark. Butch Goring's appearances have been infrequent.

I think these are fair questions. I know the updates have been so rare I do not post them here nor am I asking for daily blogs but how about once a week?

Butch Goring is not included for those wondering.

You may ask why did I not include Chris King and Steve Mears in this?
1. They do not have blog space at Msg because they are not employees of the Garden.
2. Both do most of the practice reports on game day for Isles TV and do postgame shows from the Coliseum on the radio.

Some quick pre-game hits

Took a quick look at the blog stats yesterday morning and figured someone posted my blog somewhere or the radio appearance with Alex and Steve Saturday got some folks interested?

I'm kind of lazy in terms going to the bottom of the page and looking because it is just is not a big deal to me personally.

Half way down I get caught up reading the articles from all the feeders too and just get distracted and forget.

Of course I figured out what happened. Today I found record numbers for hits and first time visitors but not returning visitors so I guess a lot of first time visitors read the update from the Islanders.

What more can I write but thanks again to the Isles for the kind words about the blog and another unexpected plug which I'm losing count of because they have been so kind about doing this out of nowhere.

To answer a question I got by e-mail yes, it's a surprise to read something and see your name and work listed. I did a quick double-take like it was a mistake or something? Nope.

Maybe I'm wrong on this but I thought the Isles had fourteen bloggers but I only saw thirteen? I have looked at the other excellent blogs at times, but only a few on a regular basis like Tom Liodice Tiger Tracks because his game breakdowns are so good they make you feel you are at the game and that's a talent that cannot be taught and one I do not have.

Fourteen/Thirteen?

I guess they forgot to cut my blog from the list.
Tomorrow's another day.....LOL

Kind of a quiet day unless you want to count former Islander cup winner Paul Boutilier announcing he will resign from his positions as Executive Director of the World Curling Tour (WCT) and President of the World Curling Players' Association.

Justin Bourne's callup was in the Ct Post blog with his recall a day or so.

Mark Herrmann: Has a quick blog praising Jiggs McDonald and the quality of the NY hockey telecasts, a fight he saw in Bridgeport with Kip Brennan and Versus not available in the Coliseum pressbox.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mixed feelings on this. Forgetting the people involved and how much I love Jiggs McDonald calling Islander games whenever he can and Howie Rose quality work my
thoughts on this is the baseball radio person should have taken his time off in April because the hockey television job in the middle of the season is more important and there is only two people to call televised hockey games while the Mets are currently looking for another radio person to work with Howie Rose.

Sure if it was not Jiggs McDonald coming in to call games I would be more outspoken about it. Amazing how often I read he's at games before he goes on trips with the team so he's preparred. He even went to Moncton to prepare for games he never even got a chance to call when the Mets missed the playoffs.

I'm glad Mark Herrmann took the time to tell us the Coliseum press box does not carry Versus which is a little surprising but it helps us as fans when we read how a writer would see something as we would from television or a seat in the pressbox. Having written that I watched the first period again today and for the lack of shots credited the Isles did work hard and generated chances which is not how Mr Herrmann's work read, perhaps that's why?

Also curious a few of Mr Logan's articles recently have not had a single quote like they are written during the game, I don't know. I wish he would take the time to tell us because it's kind of rare but something you notice because it's different.

Mr Logan's second article has the quotes, like I wrote it's only been a few times.

Mark Herrmann got it right on Kip Brennan's fight, I watched it again.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio pointed out what anyone who follows the AHL and the Sound Tigers already know, they are at a point where the odds do not favor a playoff spot and had a graph to illustrate why.

Along those lines:
Some time next week or around the break I'm going to do one of my favorite features which is to project out the schedule and how many points the Isles will get. Most of the time I have not done badly, but I try and get the Isles to ninety two points based on the schedule and the trends.

Not going to be easy folks to project this year, the trends of beating Boston and Florida and losing to Ottawa have changed from other years. Washington is 4-0 against Ottawa. The word is parity, I think.

I'll take some good guesses however and we can make fun of how much I could be wrong in the end. I always update it each week regardless to see how well or poorly I'm doing but once I make my picks next week they are final.

Impress me Colin Campbell

If Colin Campbell is really interested in preventing injuries it's hits like this he has to give out suspensions for and set a precedent. Orr got four minutes for this, he clearly he was going for Comrie's head with his elbow and just missed his jaw.

The league should review it. If Comrie had to be carried off he would have been ejected and then we would have seen Campbell do something. And if it were Comrie doing it to Orr the same precedent has to be set. Injury or not Colin Campbell has to hold players accountable for actions like this, not just when the Flyers injure players on the Boston Bruins.

Sure seemed like Hollweg was going after Martinek's stitches. Billy Jaffe is a former player he knows when someone is trying to go after a players injury. Howie Rose has seen enough hockey to know immediately when it's intentional and said it also during the telecast.

I'm sure folks by now know Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe are paid Msg employees, they do not work for the Islanders.

Guerin out, Bergenheim in vs Flyers

Bill Smith looks sharp in the legends game this weekend. No picture of Butch Goring who also played.


Newsday: Greg Logan gives an update on Bill Guerin who did not travel with the club to Philadelphia because of an eye injury but could return against Pittsburgh. Sean Bergenheim returns to the second line left wing position and Richard Park moves to right wing in Guerin's spot with Sillinger and Hilbert. Simon, Ben Walter and Tim Jackman make up the fourth line again. No mention is made of Berard or Meyer.

“Bergenheim is ready to go,” Nolan said. “His hands were a little rusty this morning, but that’s to be expected. I’d rather have some rusty hands than a rusty attitude. One thing about him is that he’s full of energy and he should add a little spark to us.”

Media Blog: Cory Witt reports Howie Rose will miss tonight's game. Steve Mears will call his first NHL game on television, with Chris King taking over play by play on the radio end. Butch Goring will move to the radio side to provide commentary.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
You keep Bill Guerin out until he's ready and do not risk a second injury to his eye, regardless of how long it takes. Good news is Comrie was not on that injury report because it did not look good Saturday and he's had shoulder problems in the past.

Interesting that Bergenheim who was played on right wing several times in preseason comes back from injury and get his second line left wing spot which is the right move to me because that's where he can help the most and his skill set in terms of offense is better than Richard Park. A third line of Hilbert, Sillinger and Park are likely not to do much damage but are due for a huge breakout and go in with some practice time. The work ethic will never be lacking from them.

Islanders need some offense from that fourth line tonight, Walter looks like he's very composed with good offensive instincts and Tim Jackman knows what to do when they are on the ice. Simon has the hands to convert some goals and is due, even though he's been spotted on the other lines and has seem a limited role.

NHL.com: Did not include Miroslav Satan and his two game winning goals in the top three for player of the week.

NHL.com: Long time Flyer writer Chuck Gormley does a full feature praising the Islanders for their excellent start with Paul Holmgrem credititing gm Garth Snow and notes the Islanders are the second least penalized team in the league at this time. Solid work all around here from Gormley.

“We're a resilient bunch,” said goaltender Rick DiPietro, who was tied for third in wins with eight entering this week’s divisional games against the Flyers, Penguins and Devils.

“This is a real good character kind of team that doesn't quit,” echoed Nolan.

“It’s pointless to analyze it,” Satan said. “I'm just glad to help the team.”

“I think Snowy did a great job over the summer,” Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said. “He picked up some players who were leaders and he’s got a very competitive team. And (Ted) Nolan has always been a good coach.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Part of the penalty story is the lack of games played but make no mistake this was a club that had a minus ninety disparity last season. It's a critical jump to be second, especially with the five on five numbers not nearly as good.