Islander News Articles 3/30

NHL.com: Reports Islander Prospect Corey Trivino -- who was selected in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, opened the scoring in Boston Terrier's win Sunday which sends them to the NCAA Frozen Four.

Calgary Herald: Bruce Downbiggin in a Flames centric article had former Islander gm Mike Milbury taking on media personality Al Strachan about why his record with the Islanders is talked about but not Wayne Gretzky's as Coyotes coach?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What's interesting is Mr Downbiggin defends Gretzky by writing among several reasons the experienced Olli Jokinen was a dud for ol' 99 in the desert.

That would be the same Olli Jokinen who showed up out of shape a decade ago for the Mike Milbury-Butch Goring Islanders and was traded.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport lost 5-3 at Lowell Sunday. Peter Mannino faced thirty five shots (twenty two in the first period) in a game Bridgeport trailed 5-1.

1. LOW Rheaume, (8) (Zharkov, Vasyunov), 5:06
1. LOW Bergfors, (21) (Pelley, DiSalvatore), 14:54 (PP)
1. LOW Rheaume, (9) (DiSalvatore, Eckford), 16:05 (PP)
2. BRI MacDonald, (9) (Sim, Smith), 8:45 (PP)
2. LOW DiSalvatore, (19) (Pelley, Corrente), 12:01
3. LOW Vasyunov, (14) (Zharkov), 5:44
3. BRI Lee, (6) (Hennigar, Marcinko), 6:29
3. BRI Wotton, (5) (Hennigar, Marcinko), 11:25

WB Scranton defeated Hershey 1-0 Sunday.

G W L OTL SOL PTS
1 x Hershey Bears 74 47 20 1 6 101
2 x WB/Scranton Penguins 74 46 24 2 2 96
3 Bridgeport 75 44 23 3 5 96

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had comments from head coach Jack Capuano's on Bridgeport's loss at Lowell who's club got in from Hershey at 5am Sunday morning for a 4pm game with Joe Callahan on the teams loss. Mr Fornabaio reports officials at Harbor Yard were not informed in advance of the Islanders announcement to take the first two playoff games out of Harbor Yard which have yet to be determined along with the Sound Tigers even clinching a playoff spot.

More is expected on this Monday from the team.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio reports Sound Tigers President Howard Saffan was unavailable for comment but had more on Sunday's loss and media relations coordinator Kimber Auerbach's comments on the Bridgeport to New York switch.

Lowell Sun: Has Devils coverage.

Sportsnet reports Joe Callahan on waivers

Sportsnet.ca: Reports Islander-Sound Tiger defenseman Joe Callahan was placed on waivers Monday among several NHL-AHL players on the list that include:

Tom Preissing (L.A.); Sean Avery (DAL-recall); Lawrence Nycholat (Vancouver); Steven Goertzen (Phoenix) and Bill Thomas (Pittsburgh).

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Somewhat interesting. No one is reportedly ready to return according to Mr Botta on the backline as of Sunday and Bridgeport has a game Tuesday, I suspect he will play tonight or this is a paper transaction with clear-day rosters for the AHL coming up soon.

Not the first time Joe Callahan has hit the waiver wire.

Islander defense for those keeping track.
Mark Streit-Twenty nine minutes against Buffalo.
Bruno Gervais
Andrew MacDonald
Radek Martinek
Jack Hillen
Brendan Witt-suspended

Freddy Meyer
Andy Sutton
Tomas Pock

Add eight to tonight's man games lost injury count which is now being tracked on the sidebar.

Islander News Articles 2/10

NY Post: Dan Martin has comments from Mark Streit who could return tonight that the club is still losing because they cannot score but is more competitive and making progress.

Jack Hillen talks about the opportunity he and Joe Callahan have here.

Newsday: John Jeansonne covers practice and reports both Streit and Pock are unavailable for tonight's game with comments from Jack Hillen and Joe Callahan.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
No blog entries or practice reports, the game is not even listed at the end of the article.

One paper says he could play, the other rules him out.

Point Blank: Mr Botta breaks the tie and says in a blog entry (mostly about the trade history between Snow-Paul Holmgren) that Streit is expected to miss his third game in a row.

Was an article titled Avery won't cure Ranger ills by Mark Herrmann killed by Cablevision owned Newsday for the paper today here?

Moose Jaw Times Herald: Matthew Gourlie reports Islander prospect Travis Hamonic out since 1/17 with a strained MCL is close to returning with his comments.

Norwalk Plus.com: Has an article where the team announces the first annual MS Skate-a-thon Saturday, March 7 with Sound Tiger President Howard Saffan's comments. Skaters throughout the region are asked to recruit family and friends as sponsors and then join Sound Tigers on-ice March 7.

The MS Skate-a-thon will be followed that evening with a home game against the Philadelphia Phantoms. For more information on the Sound Tigers MS Skate-a-thon and to secure sponsor sheets, please contact the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 203-334-4625. To learn more about multiple sclerosis and the many ways the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter helps, please visit www.ctfightsms.org.

Islander News Articles 2/5

Time to roll out the dynasty header to celebrate Dad's Week for a few days.

Islanders website: Reports Tomas Pock will miss about a month with a hand injury, Mark Streit is day to day.

Joe Callahan and Jack Hillen were recalled.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Fun never ends with these injuries.

Newsday: John Jeansonne has head coach Scott Gordon's comments he never felt he was losing his players during the losing streaks in December/January and that the recent play has helped the team building process. The coach also praised his veterans as the coach has given more opportunities to younger players because of the clubs record.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Are we missing something here?

Granted Mr Jeansonne is going to have a negative theme to his questions but where has Guerin or Weight's opportunities been cut with them on every first powerplay unit and seeing a regular shift along with Richard Park a powerplay regular?

Doug Weight made it clear recently if he was contributing he expected to be on the ice.

NY Post: Dan Martin's only real difference from Mr Jeansonne's article was a few words from Mike Comrie about gaining experience and the big picture.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The big picture is other than Guerin-Comrie-Weight being put together as a line the youth movement has taken a hit with Jeff Tambellini being benched without a reporter getting a single word from the head coach on the subject.

NY Times: Brian Heyman has a feature on Islanders captain Bill Guerin who was praised by Scott Gordon for his leadership in tough times as the captain talks about his season, the no trade clause while Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and Doug Weight credited Guerin for what he has done for them.

General manager Garth Snow discussed Guerin's NTC after saying he's a New York Islander and praised his value with the younger players.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
As Guerin said, never say never if the Islanders come to him with the right trade or circumstances but I think a trade is unlikely.

AP: Ronald Blum reports Bob Nystrom was among the clients who invested with Bernard Madoff, according to a court filing released Wednesday night.

The family of Lighthouse co-developer Scott Rechler also had a limited exposure here with Cablevision on the list of 14,000 who were caught up in this according to Newsday
here.

St Pete Times: Damian Cristodero reports once again forward Jussi Jokinen was placed on waivers. GM Brian Lawton said he has had contact with another team that expressed interest in Jokinen. We will find out at noon Thursday whether he was claimed. If not, Lawton said Jokinen and his $1.875-million salary will be shipped to AHL Norfolk.

Newsday: Former Ranger beatwriter Arthur Staple tells us the Rangers are in trouble. not Islanders trouble, but our two local teams aren't playing for the same thing right now.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Since when is a team covered by Newsday that plays in Manhattan " our local team " given the city papers do not extend the same courtesy to the Islanders with Larry Brooks pushing our team out of NYC market every chance he can and the other papers editors providing token coverage at best.

Nothing like the paper being owned by the other team telling us we have two teams which is why Arthur Staple was shifted to hockey.

Plenty of pressure on the Islanders win or lose, btw.

Updated:
Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog that Mark Streit did not practice but could play.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on Bridgeport's pk with comments from head coach Jack Capuano and team captain Mark Wotton.

A defender will be recalled from the ECHL to replace Jack Hillen/Joe Callahan.

Islander News Articles 1/31

I will add what I can to this entry on Saturday which at best will most likely be a NY Post article previewing the game.

The pregame blog is set for release around 1pm. Panthers had three papers do a pregame for them.

Newsday: Barbara Baker covered Islanders practice with comments from head coach Scott Gordon about the chemistry between roommates Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo while Doug Weight compares Bailey to himself when he was a young center.

NY Post: Dan Martin's article ignores Bailey's game in Atlanta entirely, his assist total and goes right to the standings, Kansas City rumors and his earlier injuries while both he and Scott Gordon comment in a limited space preview.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Did Dan Martin even watch the Atlanta game or see his play making, was this absolutely necessary to drive away anyone who may want to become a fan of this kid?

Even stranger the Post had someone named Howard Kussoy do a small game preview with Kyle Okposo and Scott Gordon's comments here after starting with a foolish line to open an Islander playoff spot is as likely as a Mike Tyson Presidency.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Only thing less likely is the Post actually doing two articles about the Islanders on an off day. The Post wants to impress me have someone blog and go out on the road like Mark Everson does. They did not even send Larry Brooks to Pittsburgh to cover the Ranger game.

All this limited space there is only time for player and coach comments, not junk.

Palm Beach Post: Brian Biggane has the latest on the Panthers along with George Richard's coverage in the Miami Herald with print and blog coverage here.

As always the Islander Prospect Watch Updates are listed on NYIFC prospect blog which has the last year archived.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport lost 3-1 in Hartford on Friday night. Peter Mannino returned from the Islanders to backup Nate Lawson.

1. HFD Moore, (14) (Parenteau, Sauer), 13:21 (SH)
3. HFD Owens, (8) (Fahey), 15:21
3. BRI Smith, (23) (Wotton), 18:17 (SH)
3. HFD Ouellette, (9) (Owens, Sauer), 18:48

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's print coverage has head coach Jack Caupauno who felt there were some passengers for his club which was blanked for the third time in five games. Joe Callahan also comments with postgame blog here with the Saturday pregame vs Portland written here.

Hartford Courant: Covers the Wolfpack.

Islander News Articles 1/10

Newsday: Greg Logan had head coach Scott Gordon's repeat comments from his post-game in Calgary on playing more young players, Doug Weight for his part does not want to become a player with a lesser role as long as he is productive.


Earlier Friday:
AHL.com: Reported Yann Danis and Trevor Smith were sent to Bridgeport.

Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog speculates that Trevor Smith's demotion means Frans Nielsen could be ready to return.

Friday's Islander Insider was pushed back to Saturday.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ask me again on Tuesday if this actually matters. Danis is going to have to play in the NHL soon if DiPietro cannot so I would expect he see another start in Bridgeport.

NY Post: Dan Martin has comments from Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo and Mike Sillinger on how the veterans are helping the Islander young prospects and their role.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not sure when Dan Martin got these quotes from Mike Sillinger or the players on the road trip.

Point Blank: Mr Botta had a few words from general manager Garth Snow on Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey not being named to the young stars team.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
As always I feel NYIFC readers should visit Mr Botta's outstanding blog for the comments he produces. I will only give a short overview here.

Kind of ironic the first overall pick, Steven Stamkos has one more point (14) than Okposo (13) who has played forty games was selected. Josh Bailey has only three less points than Stamkos.

The Guardian of PEI: Reports former Islanders Bryan Trottier, Bill Smith, Bob Bourne and Cliff Ronning will be part of the Oldtimers’ Hockey Challenge Monday at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Daily Gleaner: Reported on Rob Hennigar's game winning goal for his ECHL team after being send down from Bridgeport recently.

Los Angeles Times: Diane Pucin has a few words on the KHL all-star game today (telecast details inside) which will be an outdoor game in Red Square with one squad named after former Islander Alexei Yashin.

Calgary Sun: Reports former Islander assistant coach Wayne Fleming apparently quit as coach between periods for Avangard Omsk who is captained by Jaromir Jagr.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Dave Molinary reports former Islander Ruslan Fedotenko is out four-six weeks after breaking his hand in a fight during a recent game.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tough break for Fedotenko. I would guess Michael Terrien has about two weeks left to turn things around at best in Pittsburgh regardless of his contract. He was fired from Montreal 1/17/03 for those looking for a connection.

Sarnia Observer: Dave Paul reports on Sarnia's shootout loss. Islander prospect Mark Katic was the number one star of the game with a goal in regulation.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
No trades for Sarnia involving Islander prospects at the deadline.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports Bridgeport lost 4-1 at Providence Friday, Joe Callahan who scored the lone Sound Tiger goal and head coach Jack Capuano comment.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio's blog does a good job breaking down the matchups and explaining where the game was lost here along with other items.

Saturday Bridgeport is home to Hartford with nothing on weather canceling the game at this time.

Providence Journal: Has coverage of Providence win against Bridgeport at home Friday.

Islander News Articles 12/21

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders 1-0 loss to Nashville. Head coach Scott Gordon's comments about the injury to Doug Weight along with his clubs play while goaltender Joey MacDonald credited his defense and Joe Callahan who was called up.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Scott Gordon did not talk long in the ITV postgame but he said a lot about the club on offense in terms of getting to the net.

Not a lot of speed.
Not physically imposing.
Do not get the puck to the net when they do get there.
Do not have the personnel that are going to bury chances.

He did credit his club and discussed the injuries also.

Point Blank: Mr Botta for his part did not think those comments were the right thing to say out loud in a league where the fans pay to see the games and where you never want your players to give up.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At least we heard the word " We " a lot which our fans did not get last year from Ted Nolan which Mr Botta brought to everyone's attention.

Nashville City Paper: Matt Wilson recaps the Predators 1-0 win against the Islanders on Saturday.

Nashville Tennessean: Is the Predators primary paper.

Tampa Tribune: Erik Erlendsson had more than a few animated comments from Martin St.Louis after Tampa dropped it's fifteenth one goal game of the season with head coach Rick Tocchet also talking about his players.

Tampa remained 30th in the NHL for those wondering.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I posted this because the question is how long before we start seeing some of this from the Islander veterans or Scott Gordon?

Atlanta visits Tuesday.

Updated:
Late Sunday Morning Mr Logan had an entry in the Islanders Newsday blog
here where Andy Sutton talks about his injury and the team having to play with so many players and credited the coaching staff for working so hard to teach the players. Joe Callahan talked about his opportunity and praised his roommate from camp (Sutton) while Bill Guerin acknowledged it's time to give the kids more opportunities even if they are in a tough spot.

Mr Logan is trying to find out more on Doug Weight for later today or tomorrow's article but sometimes it takes a few days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sutton went out of his way to praise the staff, good stuff from him and Callahan. I wanted more from Guerin who understands prospects have it tough but also must be very disappointed with where this season has gone and what it will likely mean.

Nice job by Mr Logan getting us more on a Sunday after a lot of travel for him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 4-1 loss to the Binghampton Senators with former Sound Tiger Drew Fata scoring twice. Jeff Tambellini, who had Bridgeport's only goal and head coach Jack Capuano comment on the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tambellini talked like a man not sure if he will be coming back. He either returns or has to clear waivers to stay with Bridgeport. With Weight's injury the roster spot is there for him to come back but they may need to recall a center also.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also previews Sunday's game against Lowell at 4pm.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also blogged on the loss.

Press Connects: Michael Sharp covers the B-Sens.

New York at Nashville 8pm Msg+

AP: Has the preview of tonight's game in Nashville against the Predators.

Nashville Predators
S. Nichol Upper body
S. Sullivan Back
************************************
Nashville Tennessean: Jessica Bliss reports the struggling Predators will have Martin Erat on the checking line tonight.

The Predators have scored only 21 goals in their past 11 games but are 5-4-2 in that stretch. Vern Fiddler has two goals and an assist in his past seven games with a plus-two rating. Captain Jason Arnott has two points and no goals in his past seven games.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ok, here we go again.

Another club with only one win in five games (Dallas) that has scored six goals in four games and has not had a four goal game since November 28th.

Nashville was Steve Stirling's final game as head coach in 2006, nothing would surprise me on that front given the chances this club is giving up combined with the five on five play.

You can bet Barry Trotz is looking at game films, his players will turn it up and look to put up a big number against the defensive system. Every team struggling seems to be able to do it. MacDonald must be upset to play that well and have nothing to show for it, he has to be a little tired also.

Spin the wheel on who gets a call and how late they arrive unless Comeau dresses and they play five defenders. Skinner, Callahan?

This Islander team is in a free fall. I have never seen a version of this club play worse (were talking thirty years) at even strength including last year when they could not score but at least played some defense to keep them in games.

This year we have a club that cannot score at even strength but looks just as bad on the defensive end. Only thing they have going is that powerplay goal a game.

Seems most of the games they have been competitive lately the other club is not playing very well themselves or just having an off night (Flyers/Caps) and not putting in their best game.

Another two weeks of this they are going to be double-digits out of fourteenth.

Maybe for this game we can get some sound.


Updated 12:40pm
For those wondering Erik Erlendsson reported here Jussi Jokinen has cleared waivers this afternoon and will play tonight against Atlanta. Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said that as of now there is no intention of sending down to AHL Norfolk and possibly putting him on recall waivers.

AHL.com: Reports Joe Callahan was called up to replace Andy Sutton.