Islander News Articles 2/18

Newsday: John Jeansonne does a very good job with an article on Frans Nielsen where head coach Scott Gordon praises the young center for his makeup and smarts on the ice while the center discussed how Gordon talked to him every day which helped him be less afraid to make mistakes.

NY Times: Bryan Heyman has an excellent feature on Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo with comments from head coach Scott Gordon, general manager Garth Snow and team captain Bill Guerin which looks like it was put together last week around the time of the Devils game in Newark.

NY Post: Dan Martin has the first comments from head coach Scott Gordon about his job security with a few words on Frans Nielsen.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess my only question would be did Gordon adjust his defensive strategy for his job security, but like a professional he will do his job and whatever happens beyond that is out of his control. Given Snow's earlier endorsement and the injury circumstances I do not see a change unless the draw of Peter Laviolette proves too much but that's doubtful and a long way off.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport defeated Norfolk Tuesday in overtime 3-2.

Tobias Stephan started in goal and had twenty three saves for the Sound Tigers.

1. BRI Bentivoglio, (6) (Lee, Callahan), 1:59
1. NOR Segal, (17) (Smolenak), 19:22
2. NOR Segal, (18) (Smolenak), 12:27
3. BRI Walter, (12) (Iggulden, McLean), 0:29 (PP)
OT. BRI Fraser, (6) (Smith, McLean), 4:39


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's recap of Bridgeport's overtime win against Norfolk with blog coverage here has Jamie Fraser on his overtime goal, Ben Walter and head coach Jack Capuano.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio also previewed Wednesday's game against Hartford who now has Dallas forward Sean Avery for the same reasons Bridgeport has Stephan who has won a lot of games for Bridgeport in goal.

Mr Fornabaio reported there is a chance Joel Rechlicz could be called up to Bridgeport.

Norfolk Virginian Pilot: Usually has staff reports as opposed to Paul White's coverage for road games.

Ottawa at New York 7pm Msg+2

Ottawa Sun: Don Brennan reports on the Ottawa Senators who come back to New York on a two game winning streak and playing some good defense. Head coach Craig Hartsburg praised the Islanders as one of the surprise teams in the league.

According to Mr Brennan Alexandre Picard is out, Brian Lee & Zach Smith were recalled with the later making his NHL debut if Shean Donovan cannot go. Hartsburg reportedly will keep the Heatley-Jason Spezza-Daniel Alfredsson line together tonight.

Luke Richardson decided to retire yesterday when Ottawa placed him on waivers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders come in a very fragile club that have to be a little tired and banged up while Ottawa was waiting in New York and no doubt remember the two losses to them.

You can bet like Pittsburgh & Boston teams are watching films of the Islanders leaving the middle of the ice open.

Only question (at this time) is whether Okposo gets back in the lineup now or he gets another five days by resting tonight. MacDonald will be back in goal according to the head coach yesterday and will have to put yesterday behind him.

Okposo plays and I expect another right wing in Jackman is the odd-man out but it could just as easily be Colliton unless the coach is running out of patience with Tambellini.

Gordon has space here to rest a defender if he wants.

Overall this is almost a must game for the Islanders, standings do not lie and all these regulation losses are simply too much to remain in any feasible contention for long unless they have a long winning streak in them again.

Regulation losses in this league are killers, this is why you have to get games into overtime.

This was expected to be a very tough stretch and it has been. 2-3 is hardly terrible
but it needed to be better considering the record coming in and one of those wins came off a gift goal.

Updated:
Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog
in reporting Bailey's signing also had Kyle Okposo skating with the injured players meaning he will not return tonight.

A second blog by Mr Logan again mostly about Josh Bailey includes Yann Danis was recalled today with Peter Mannino heading back to the Sound Tigers.

Mr Botta at Point Blank here reports Thomas Pock has been placed on waivers.

Islander/Sound Tiger News Articles 6/26

Barrie Examiner: Ian Schantz reports signed Islander prospect Tomas Marcinko is expected to go pro this year according to assistant gm Jason Ford.

Windsor Star: Dave Waddell reports Islanders first round selection Josh Bailey was among the 45 players invited by Hockey Canada Wednesday to attend the Canadian national junior team developmental camp which will be held July 25-29 in Ottawa.

York Region News:
Mike Hayakawa and Jim Mason have comments from Islanders second round pick Cory Trivino.

Chatham Daily News: Mark Malone has comments from Islanders fifth round selection Matt Martin about how the Islanders decided to draft him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the changes in Bridgeport with Steve Regier's comments that he is disappointed but will move on and try and find another home somewhere else but will not be looking at Europe. He also commentst he enjoyed my time with the Islanders, it was good for him and his development and that they have the right people in place both at the NHL and AHL level.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog that after speaking with Howard Saffin. Micheal Haley, Tyler Haskins and Andy Sertich are all signed. Pascal Morency will be given a tryout invitation. Scott Ford and Colton Fretter are among those who probably won't be back; tryout kid Daine Todd is probably going to college. Peter MacArthur isn't signed but it sounds like he'll be coming to Kiddie Camp. Saffan also mentioned that Drew Fata had been talking about Europe.

Updated 6pm:
NHL.com: John Kreiser in his NHL blog has Islander scout Eric Cairns and his experience at attending the NHL draft.

Islanders website: Reports the club has a league high five players invited to attend the Canadian Junior Development Camp in Ottawa from July 25-29 with Ryan Jankowski's comments.

Josh Bailey (2008, 1st round), Travis Hamonic (2008, 2nd round), Mark Katic (selected in 2007 in the third round), Jared Spurgeon (2008, 6th round) and Corey Trivino (2008, 2nd round) were the players invited.

Point Blank: Mr Botta blogs on Bryan McCabe and the price it would take for the Isles to take back his contract along with his thoughts on the Isles and Leafs draft along with how the media spin out of Canada.

Islander News Articles 6/25

Minnesota Daily: Brian Deutsch writes how Islander prospect Aaron Ness will fit on the Gophers this fall is one of the biggest mysteries in college hockey right now, along with the writer including Ness did not have much to say or was happy about not being drafted in the first round Saturday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Should be interesting if Ness follows through on his comment he will come up to the Islanders when they think he is ready. Seems as though Aaron Ness is giving early notice to Don Lucia that the NHL is the priority for him.

Sarnia Observer: Dave Borody reports Jon Sim, former Islander Alan Letang, Justin DiBenedetto, Matt Martin, Sound Tigers Jamie Fraser will participate in the annual Sarnia Sting Golf Tournament for Sunshine, presented by Bell and Labatt, July 24 at Huron Oaks Golf Club.

NY Times: Michael Brick had former Islander Brent Hughes comments about the Austin Ice Bats club he coached twice ceasing operations along with the promotion guaranteed fight night for it's fans.

Toronto Sun: Lance Hornsby reports the Isles could have interest in waived forward Kyle Wellwood and that Andrew Raycoft, & Scott Clemmenson were also placed on waivers along with Darcy Tucker being bought out of the final three years of his contract by Toronto as of Wednesday.

Sportsnet.ca: Chris Nichols does a fantasy breakdown of the top picks in the NHL with a profile Islanders selection Josh Bailey.

Los Angeles: Eric Stephens reports on Ducks owner Henry Samueli was suspended indefinitely by the NHL for his role in an alleged stock option scheme but he will remain an the owners and that it will be business as usual for the most part but they won't be involved with the team until an August 18th hearing.

Nashvill Tennessean: Brad Schrade has more on Predators investor William Del Biaggio entering bankruptcy court as he lists his share in the Predators as his top asset showing he owes creditors $88.4 million but that the Nashville-based investors that makes up the other owners, led by former medical waste company owner David Freeman say this will not effect operations.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I always find it kind of sad when Gary Bettman gets the blame for situations like this where people buy sports teams or attempt to purchase teams with no revenue to do so but try anyway and are good at hiding their trail for a while. The Ducks situtation is obviously different from Nashville.

Of course it's easy to get annoyed at Bettman when a con-man like John Spano surfaced and defrauded many but he tried to purchase a lot of teams before the Islanders so they did have plenty of opportunity to investitage him in advance. You can only put so many safeguards into a system in the end.

Also despite some perception Bettman is an elected king with authority beyond anyone else he answers to the others owners and what the decide is what he has to do in most instances.

That's why there are so many Board of Governors meetings.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his blog is already hoping to get some RFA answers for the deadline which is today.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is what I expect Greg Logan to be promising for Islander fans in Newsday's blog today.

Espn.com: Scott Burnside has the new Lightning owners along with new coach Barry Melrose and adds if the NHL had more owners like that, and fewer under investigation, the league would be a much more happening place.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
To be fair here Mr Burnside does talk about the potential downside of hiring the now former Espn announcer nor does he hide Melrose past coaching record. Having written that when Charles Wang took those kinds of chances writers like Mr Burnside were not this open-minded with the commentary.

Funny how in this article the new Bolt ownership is also going all out to copy Mr Wang in giving out a huge long-term contract off the bat.

Late Saturday Islanders Update

Updated 11:15pm:
Newsday: Mr Logan's article has Garth Snow's comments along with Ryan Jankowski as to why they targeted Joshua Bailey as opposed to Nikita Filatov along with how the prospect pool was built up with the thirteen selections.

Newsday: Mr Logan's profiles of the tweleve selections the Islanders took on Saturday.

Newsday : Mr Logan's late blog on the draft centers around Kirill Petrov with the 73rd overall pick, what reaction was when Snow selected him along with reviews and comments on the other Islander selections as well as more insight into the trades including Toronto gm Cliff Fletcher's take.

Mr Logan writes he will be posting another blog in a few days explaining what the club saw in top pick Josh Bailey and on Sunday he will write his analysis of Snow’s trade-down strategy along with thumbnail sketches of Saturday's selections.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Part of that could be above article as it's edited to include draft picks, excellent work top to bottom and more than fair to point out consequences if Bailey does not exceed Filatov or the other selctions Isles passed on.

Islanders no doubt will keep updating along with ITV updates. Larry Brooks of the Post went to Ottawa and did an Islander centric article but seemingly knows little on prospects based on his reporting so expect the usual Sunday bash the Isles-fest if any content at all.

The Oklahoman:Robert Przybylo reports Islanders draft pick Matt Donovan was just sitting on the couch and watching everything and that the Islanders are a good fit for him, but the truth is any team is. He would have been excited no matter where he ended up as he will be attending the clubs July minicamp.

Gophers website: Has a profile on Minnesota defender Aaron Ness, last season’s Minnesota state high school Player of the Year and an incoming recruit at the University of Minnesota.

National Post: Reports New York had a league high thirteen selections Saturday.

THN.com: Ryan Kennedy reports Kirill Petrov seems a lock to stay in Russia for several years and New York also provided the first big surprise of the afternoon by tabbing Matt Donovan out of Cedar Rapids in the USHL in the fourth round because he was not listed at all by central scouting.


Espn.com: Scott Burnside had Garth Snow's comments on drafting based upon lineage that he does not read much into it, with regard to David Toews, the younger brother of Chicago star Jonathan Toews because he is a professional athlete and his brothers weren't very good athletes. Mr Burnside adds David Toews is expected to play at his older brother's alma mater, the University of North Dakota, this season and although he put up big numbers at Shattuck (181 points in two years) he isn't expected to be the offensive force his brother was and is.

Espn.com: Gare Joyce writes on the Islanders selecting Josuha Bailey that the Islanders always zig when everyone else is zagging, that Bailey is more in the 12-20 range than top 10, heads were scratched after Isles traded down twice to get him.

St Louis Post Dispatch: Jeff Gordon reports from central scouting that Cory Trivino has the ability to see the ice well and to move the puck, needs to get stronger , but isn’t always winning the puck. He’s got a goal-scoring touch and he’s good on face-offs with good skating ability, not necessarily high-end skating, but good.

Islanders website: Linked to Mike G. Morreale's pre draft article with Kirill Petrov's comments that he really wants to play in the NHL and only in the NHL, with his agents comments he is prepared to do whatever it takes to make his client's wishes come true despite a three year agreement remaining with his Russian club.

Saskatoon Phoenix: Cory Wolfe has a pre-draft update on Jyri Niemi (pronounced nee-EM-ee) with his agents updating us on his minor surgery on his left hip when he returned to Finland in April, that he resumed skating this month and is currently helping out at a hockey school and is expected to be in top form by July.


Edmonton Journal: Reported back on June 1st that Jared Spurgeon who the club selected at 156th might be a late round draft pick in June because he's diminutive but there's a good chance the defenceman will be one of the 44 players invited to Canada's world junior summer camp in Ottawa on July 25. Al Murray, Hockey Canada chief scout said Spurgeon partnered with Jared Cowen, a likely top-six pick in the 2009 draft, on the Spokane blue line and did a lot of covering up for Cowen.

Elite Prospect.com: Profiles Islanders fourth round prospect David Ullström.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Islander selection Matt Martin's comments going into Friday's draft that his agent felt there was a good chance he would be selected, he spoke to ten-twelve clubs and hopefully it would work out as he hoped for the best.

Usa Today.com: Kyle Woodlief in his pre-draft review of goaltenders felt that Islander selection Kevin Poulin at 148th started the season as a sure-fire first-rounder based on his great physical gifts and performance last year but he was a perplexing mystery to scouts all season alternating between the occasional utterly dominant vs many nights when it appeared he couldn't stop a beach ball. He has great size (6-2/208) and superb athleticism with flexibility. His movements are fast and crisp and he's big enough to cover the top corners in the butterfly. But he's shown a propensity to lose his angles, has a very shaky catching hand and his mental toughness has become a real question mark.

NHL.com: Adam Kimelman had a full profile of Islanders selection Jyri Niemi back on June 18th with his comments.

NHL.com: Mike Morreale has a full feature of Islander draft selection Travis Hamonic back on June 16th with NHL's Director of Central Scouting, E.J. McGuire's comments along with B.J. MacDonald.

Updated Sunday 10am:
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his Sound Tigers blog has his analysis of the Islanders 2008 draft and how long it could take some of these players to even make it to Bridgeport.

Still working on something for Justin DiBenedetto from the Sarnia Sting, some
hat-trick games and a lot of past updates.

Quick notes:
Change on sidebar

Tony from Islesnation.com link here was changed to a feeder so everyone can get the latest from his outstanding blog which had some great updates on the draft. Mr Stabile updates will appear next to his latest radio show here at NYI Fan Central where they did a live show from the Coliseum yesterday which is archived on the sidebar here.

Another excellent show on Hockey Night on LI here Saturday as Alex, Steve recapped the draft with Tom Mascioli of Islesinfo.com here.

All the blog box members worked as hard as possible this weekend with Mike Schuerlein from Islesblogger.com & Tom Liodice from Tiger Tracks here who did a fantastic job for everyone this weekend up in Ottawa and also appeared on Hockey Night on LI which is archived for everyone.

My personal thanks to the New York Islanders ownership & media relations staff on their outstanding efforts this weekend to keep us all updated on the draft who went above and beyond with too many names to list but start with Mr Witt, Bernstein, Lockhart, Hill and of course thanks as always to Mr Botta for his first class efforts over the years.

Sorry if I missed anyone in writing this about the media relations staff.

Once again my thanks to everyone for the amazing turnouts at NYI Fan Central for the live interactive chats both days and the quality contributions from everyone.

Both live blogs and the links to information/Tsn reviews posted by everyone are available to everyone for review in the chat.

Islander News Articles 6/21

Islanders TV: Have several interviews starting with Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski as to why they decided to trade down and select Bailey. Tim MacLean Islanders Ontario Scout, Domenic Peca who is color analyst for Windsor Spitfires also give their thoughts.

Joshua Bailey's two ITV interviews are also included.

At this time I'm going to pull all ITV content from the sidebar so the page loads quickly for everyone. The links to all ITV updates are included.


Newsday: Greg Logan reports Garth Snow's trades were greeted with boos by fans attending the Isles' draft party at Nassau Coliseum when Bailey's name was announced, there was an air of befuddlement followed by a quick exodus for not selecting a franchise talent like Nikita Fliatov or Luke Schenn.

Garth Snow's statement is repeated along with a recap of major NHL trades, which included Olli Jokinen to Phoenix.

Joshua Bailey wondered how come a club picking fifth had an incentive for bringing him in for an interview and was told they didn't know what they were going to do and said they might trade down which gave him a bit of hope, that when he got home he told his family he thought New York would be a great place to play, he did not know what to think of the rude reaction Snow's moves brought but he hopes he can impress and become a fan favorite.

NY Post: Larry Brooks comments that the Islanders knew better than everyone else with their decision, beyond that a lot of repeat quotes from Bailey and Garth Snow.

Tsn.ca: Bob Mc Kenzie gives his comments on the Islanders drafting Joshua Bailey that it's a good all-around pick, he will be a good player in but ultimately, we will look back and note that the Islanders could have had Luke Schenn, they could have had Nikita Filatov.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I could do a huge long blog but at the end of that day that's what this boils down to for now until these players make the NHL and we find out who is better. On this day Filatov, Schenn, Wilson and Bodeker are considered better than Bailey by most of the experts who do this for a living and few if anyone felt Bailey is a franchise superstar with the potential of the players the Islanders did not select. In this kind of draft where even a prospect poor club like Toronto gave up picks it's fair game to question Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski's strategy.

That may mean absolutely nothing down the road, I think it's fair to write all New York Islander fans are hoping Snow is correct and public opinion is not but Garth Snow is fighting Mike Milbury's legacy of passing on franchise talents at drafts for players who were shorter term immediate fixes or other players who were eventually traded.

Fair or not that is what he also will be judged against at this time and fair or not Mr Wang will likely pay at the box office this summer for this decision. Along with that Joshua Bailey unfortunately will have this on him as well, fair or not.

Nashville Tennessean: Predators general manager David Poile explains why he was willing to give the Islanders the 40th pick to move up.

Daily News: The Daily News sports editor cannot spring for a blog for the Islanders or send Peter Botte to Ottawa for Islander centic draft coverage but for some reason the entertaimment writer at the News blogged about Islanders Illustrated.

Isles trade down twice select Joshua Bailey

Islanders website: Islander drafted Windsor Spitfires center Joshua Baily with the 9th overall pick after trading down twice with Garth Snow, Josh Bernstein, Ryan Jankowski and Jason Lockhart's comments along with NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards & Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Deep breaths folks.

Obviously Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski targeted Bailey and when their turn came with Schenn, Filatov, Boedker, Wilson decided to go in this direction.

For tonight it will not be what the fans wanted, it will not be considered a franchise player in a draft class of franchise players and it will not bring a buzz to the Coliseum (or sell tickets) and likely anger a majority of the fans claiming this gm decided to be somewhat unconventional and gamble.

I do not know enough about Jousha Bailey at this time beyond what I saw on television and what was said about him and the pick. It's not fair for me to run him down or project he could be a franchise star for New York. It's possible Filatov could be in Juniors and Bailey centering Okposo, he has the numbers for what that is worth and only projected behind Stamkos in some areas.

Bottom line, Isles traded down in a draft several teams wanted to trade up. They got a good return in a strong draft, we'll have to see what tomorrow and years ahead bring.

For the moment it will not go over well whether that's fair or not.

Newsday: Mr Logan had five blog updates on the selection of Bailey, trading down, the draft itself and comments from Bill Guerin.

Islanders website: John Hill reported on what happened at the Coliseum with Robin Figren's comments.

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart/John Hill has Joshua Bailey's comments upon joining the Islanders at the draft party via hookup.

Note-Here are the details on the draft picks which I updated in the crawl
at top of blog.

Via two trades, the Islanders earned three extra draft pick. Earlier, the Islanders acquired the ninth overall pick and the 40th overall pick in 2008 from Nashville in exchange for the seventh overall pick. Prior to that, the Islanders acquired the seventh overall pick and the 60th overall pick in 2008 and a 2009 third-round pick or the 68th overall pick from 2008 and a 2009 second-round selection from Toronto in exchange for the 2008 fifth overall pick.

The Islanders will have until tomorrow to make their decision.

Daily News: John Dellapina's Ranger centric article had Joshua Bailey's comments he's ecstatic to be drafted by the Islansders and felt when the club started trading down he thought I might have a shot to be picked by New York. Garth Snow felt he would be able to select Bailey at No.9 and had first hand knowledge because he played on the same OHL team as coach Ted Nolan's son Jordan and this was the player we targeted from the beginning, a center who makes other players around him better - the type of center we need in our system.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Joshua Bailey's comments he did not expected to be selected this hight as he talked about a crazy media presence where his comments were broadcast live back to fans at the Nassau Colliseum, then on to the Madison Square Garden network, the NHL Network, New York Islander TV and several papers, that he had met Ted Nolan a couple of times, but don't really know him, but he's going to go to camp with the full intention of making the hockey team.

Durham Region: Has Joshua Bailey's comments to go the NHL is an honour in itself and to go that high to such a great organization, it just meant everything.

More in Saturday's news articles in a new thread. Isles TV had several interviews and pre draft blogs. I selected Bailey's press conference.

Saturday's live draft chat begins at 9:45am. Isles have a ton of picks.

Thanks again to everyone for an incredible turnout Friday at the live blog and hope to see you Saturday.