Tribute to New York's First Stanley Cup 5/24/80 Notables

First class job by Cablevision owned Newsday on Friday, featuring the past work of Pat Calabria, Tim Moriarty, Steve Jacobon, and Joe Gergen, to celebrate New York's first Stanley Cup on 5/24/80.

Islanders website should provide a pdf file to articles here in the next few days for those who cannot reference them.

Updated:
Mark Herrmann, added two late article, which include current comments from Lorne Henning, Bill Torrey, Pat Calabria, Bob Nystrom, Bob Lorimer, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Ken Morrow, and trainer Ron Waske.

Nassau County Executive, Ed Mangano, also reflects on dynasty Islanders, and commented on the club's future, that he would do, " All I can as county executive to make sure the Islanders stay here in Nassau County."

Bill Torrey's comments included past efforts for a new Coliseum, the current Lighthouse Project and felt: " The team is where it belongs " in terms of where the New York Islanders should play hockey.
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NYIFC put up the Dynasty Header to celebrate, with a few pictures, will add a few more images for Monday.
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World Championship's concluded on Thursday for Islander-centric players and Scott Gordon. That section has been moved down the page, and will remain until Tuesday or Wednesday for reference, with host Germany a wonderful story.
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For those on Travis Hamonic signing watch, the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated Calgary in overtime Friday at Memorial Cup who had a goal/two assist here and will face Windsor for the Memorial Cup on Sunday.

Tsn.ca: Recaps the win with Hamonic's comments.
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Tsn.ca: reported on Edmonton's pending arena deal, with several elements of Wang/Rechler LH project, which could be partly paid for with taxpayer money.
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Tsn.ca:Darren Dreger reports (via sources) the city of Glendale has reached an agreement that will ensure the city covers any operating costs up to $25 mil for the 2010-2011 season, as the league looks for local ownership.

NYIFC Comments:
In short, this means Phoenix (worst case) will be run by the league for another year if a local buyer cannot be found. Edmonton taxpayers, will help contribute to their version of a LH (which includes a casino) while in New York, the 20th anniversary of the NY Times first report announcing Isles need new arena, will have been released, next March.
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At this time, no news/update on prospects, Jared Spurgeon or Jyri Niemi, who must be signed by 6/1.
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Per Michael Fornabaio/Ct Post confirmed Belfast Telegraph Jon Gleed has signed in Europe for 2010-11.
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Finally, my apologies for misspelling Travis Hamonic's name for the better part of two seasons, all previous entries with prospect blog have corrected this sloppy mistake.



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Islanders Heading to Saskatoon for 09-10 Camp

Star Phoenix: Kevin Mitchell and Cory Wolfe report a Monday press-conference has been called at Credit Union Centre, where they’ll announce the Islanders have agreed to hold training camp in Saskatoon Sept. 12-20. The NHL team will also play exhibition games in Saskatoon against the Calgary Flames on Sept. 19 and the Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 20.

The deal — brokered by race-car driver and Toronto businessman John Graham — moves the Islanders out of Moncton, N.B., where they’d held camps the previous two seasons.

Islanders director of communications Seth Sylvan said Friday he cannot comment at this time. Mike Sillinger and prospect Jyri Niemi comment on the upcoming camp.

Included are a Sept. 15 game in Prince Albert between the University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ men’s hockey team and the Islander rookies, an alumni/celebrity golf tournament on Sept. 18 and an Islanders’ autograph session during the Saskatoon Blades’ Sept. 18 home opener against Prince Albert.

Moncton official Ian Fowler comments but has not been informed by the club yet.

The current roster includes three Saskatchewan products: Sillinger, Blake Comeau of Meadow Lake, and Brendan Witt of Humboldt.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Billy Jaffe said it would be announced next month. Mike Sillinger sounds like a man expecting to return. Even Jyri Niemi comments?

Folks in Moncton have to be very disappointed, they were a great host from all reports the last two years.

Now we know the Islanders are playing the Western Conference clubs which I think is an all-time first. No doubt this was held back or omitted from the Kings game for obvious reasons by Darren Dreger or the club.

Islander News Articles 1/5

Updated:
Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Mike Comrie's latest return to Edmonton (second as an Islander) and the booing from the fans that comes with it from his time as an Oiler. Comrie comments on playing with Kyle Okposo/Blake Comeau, his health and his future along with his relationship with management.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sounds like a man who wants to stay and be part of things long-term. At his age when healthy his offense will not be easy to replace. Nothing would surprise me here whether he is resigned or traded.

Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog had an interview with Richard Park who is now the third forward to hit double digits in goals. Park in the interview says the club is trying to build some good habits and that regardless of results what can be controlled is the teams work ethic and playing right until the end, staying positive and building confidence from the effort. Park feels this is a better club than the one that lost in Boston last month and that they are here to win games.

Mr Logan speculates it would be wise to hang onto Park past the trade deadline and that he is mentally strong enough to handle what is ahead regardless if a Bill Guerin is traded.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Park's been outstanding and brings so much not on a scoresheet to a team and without his huge goals the last weekend of 2007 the Islanders do not make the playoffs. If the team had size, scoring and a top six unit Park makes sense as part of this roster long-term on the fourth line who can be spotted on other lines. He's done outstanding here on every level and been a much better big game player than I have given him credit for.

I would guess he is not going anywhere.

Having written this if I were general manager I would have to move him at the deadline. His career trends do not lie and if Garth Snow is expecting him to become the next Jason Blake that is not likely. Last December he went on a scoring run, beat Washington in overtime and then went thirty plus games without a goal.

As a checking forward this club must get younger, bigger and develop more consistent skilled scorers for it's top lines. This is why they signed Figren, Joensuu, Marcinko and have a lot of other prospects who will push out veterans or prospects.

Richard Park is signed for next season.


Quick word on Sunday morning coverage:
Post-game comments from Scott Gordon & the players did not make it into game story, just a written recap. Not much time for a recap to make the printed version of the paper with the late start time. Good job by Mr Logan to have a recap written while many other teams games do not have an article from the West coast the next day.

ITV had the coaches press conference.

Edmonton Sun & Edmonton Journal: Have the latest on the Oilers entering Monday's game against the Islanders.

Union Leader: Ed Klajman has Blake Kessel's comments on his WJC experience despite not winning a medal as the reporter noted he lead the US in plus/minus entering Sunday's game.

National Post: Had an article on both WJC games Sunday noting Jyri Niemi's goal against Germany.

Ullstrom third period goal, Sweden advances to final

IIHF.com: Reports Islander prospect David Ullstrom scored the 3-2 goal in the third period goal for Sweden in their 5-3 comeback win against Slovakia to place them in Monday's Final at the WJC on a goal mouth scramble.



Jyri Niemi opened the scoring for Finland against Kaz in their first consolation game tonight and won 7-1. Niemi finished with a goal, four shots, penalty and was a plus two.

Canada-Russia went to a shootout with the Canadians winning 6-5 after tying the game with 5.4 seconds left in regulation.
Kirill Petrov no points.

Islander News Articles 12/30

Newsday: Arthur Staple's Ranger centric article includes head coach Scott Gordon's comments his club did not do well in a lot of areas and waited until the last minute to get pucks. Trent Hunter discussed his sore back that prevented him from returning after getting the wind knocked out of him.

Newsday: Mr Logan has comments from head coach Scott Gordon on Rick DiPietro's injury, the decision to play him against the Toronto and goaltender Joey MacDonald's comments on what this means for him as he talked about his communication with the teams number one goaltender.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
The coach defended the decision to play him and said if he had three weeks of practice the same thing could have happened who described it as a training camp injury. Mr Logan for his part questioned why he played while the coach talked about the doctors giving him clearance.

Scott Gordon goes by what the doctors tell him and so does the player. If it's a temporary thing or not DiPietro has to work his way back.

And the beat goes on.

Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog had a late entry on the status of Trent Hunter with his comments. He did not blame the Rangers Ryan Callahan for what happened and aside from being sore apparently had the wind knocked out of him.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann did his Ranger centric dance and spike article after Scott Gomez admitted it's always a big game against the Islanders, Mr Herrmann decided to describe at length why the Islanders beating the Rangers, who he described as a team with a big-city payroll and fancy reputation, is always is a nice step for the Islanders?

Mr Herrmann then writes this leaves the Rangers as the only hope that hockey season can be relevant in New York with the Jets eliminated and projects the Islanders as a club chasing the top overall pick.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Herrmann, big city payrolls and fancy reputations do not describe the Rangers who for all their health and urgency tonight earned a win but hardly looked great giving up four goals to a club that has been injured all season.

If not for some bounces and a poor goal by MacDonald the Islanders likely are the club that get the two points.

The Yankees have a big fancy reputation and a big city payroll, so do the Mets, Giants, Jets and Knicks.

Not the New York hockey teams.

Good news is Mr Herrmann did not do his Islanders are moving article #.... I guess he is saving the next one for January 13th.

NY Post: Dan Martin writes it was a wreckless move to play DiPietro so soon despite the coaches comments that he he practiced for two weeks. Game content was less than a paragraph with nothing on Comeau or Okposo.

Scott Gordon also said it was nothing major.

NY Post: Larry Brooks Ranger centric article only had room for a DiPietro cheap shot calling him hockey's American Idle.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny we never saw Mr Brooks pull that on Mike Richter despite all the injuries and rushed attempts to return at the end of his career. As for Dan Martin there was a game for the Islanders to be written about, this is why the Post needs the writer to do an Islander blog.

Why do they bother sending Mr Martin to practices with the club on the road to interview DiPietro? This is not very fair coverage in return.

Daily News: Peter Botte looked like he wrote his article before the game where he took his shot at DiPietro referring to him as Carl Pavano and pointing out his contract as Scott Gordon again defended the decision to start him.

No game content at all with the full Ranger centric article here providing nothing for Islander fans.

Journal News had Sam Weinman's Ranger centric blog and coverage here.

Last time the Islanders played in the city the AP covered the game only for the Times here and it appears to have happened again.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Don't fret folks, we can read updates from games all over Europe.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
With the Islanders hitting the road we may not see much of Dan Martin and especially Peter Botte when they return on 1/13. The Daily news tends to drift away as baseball comes closer and Giant coverage picks up.

NHL.com: Adam Kimmelman in his Atlantic Divison recaps has more on Rick DiPietro with Scott Gordon's comments.

NHL.com: Chuck Gormley compares Islander Prospect Jyri Niemi with former Islander Bryan Berard while NHL director of central scouting E.J McGuire talks about the offensive flair to his game and that he's entertaining to watch in a recap of Eastern Conference prospects at the WJC.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly which includes some questions for Tyler Haskins and some hard work from Jeremy Colliton after rejoining the Sound Tigers with the upcoming schedule.

Islander News Articles 12/22

Newsday: Mr Logan reports no injury updates will be available until Monday, head coach Scott Gordon's comments on the toll they have taken on his team. Bill Guerin comments on the opportunities for the young players.

Point Blank: Mr Botta had a late entry with comments from general manager Garth Snow on Scott Gordon, Brendan Witt, what's been going on in terms of trades and the long-term plans.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Botta puts in the time to provide this information for Islander fans. I feel folks should visit his site for the details.

Hockey Canada: Reports team Canada broke open a 3-3 game with Finland in the third period winning 7-3, Islander prospect Jyri Niemi had a double roughing in the third Canada scored on.

USA Hockey: Reports team USA defeated Latvia Sunday night 13-2 with a whopping 63-12 shot advantage. Islander prospect Blake Kessel was not one of the fourteen players to record a point but had a first period penalty.

Edmonton Sun: Derek VanDiest has Oilers coach Craig MacTavish on former Islander Robert Nilsson who criticizes his play.

Sports Business Journal: Tripp Mickel reports the NHL projects a two percent increase in league revenue for the 2008-09 season. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly comment as the cap could move up or down a million or two for next season.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 4-0 win against Lowell with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, Nate Lawson on his return and the shutout win along with Jeremy Colliton and Trevor Smith.

Lowell Sun: Covers the Devils.

Jyri Niemi on Television Sunday

Tsn.ca: Reports Islander Prospect Jyri Niemi will be on Tsn2 Sunday at 7pm when Finland faces Canada in a WJC tuneup. .

Note-I had no box score for Canada-Sweden to see if David Ullstrom played in the hyped Tavares-Hedman contest Friday, his name was not in the game summary.

Only question for the moment seems to be if Kirill Petrov is a go for team Russia.

I have seen some things that he is on the roster but not sure he will play.

Team Russia plays against Kazakhstan Sunday night at GM Center in Oshawa
here in their first camp game.

I will see if Oshawa papers have something on the game Monday.

Team USA with Blake Kessel has it's first game Sunday against Latvia at K-Rock Centre
here.

I have been adding WJC pages and blogs from NHL.com to the WJC section.

Islander News Articles 12/7

Newsday: Greg Logan has the recap of the Islanders 5-1 loss to Atlanta, head coach Scott Gordon credited the effort and pointed to the disparity in chances his team had along with how few sustained chances the Thrashers got. Andy Sutton talked about the penalties and said the team has to stick to the system while goaltender Joey MacDonald talked about how he has to play better and felt he let the club down while Mr Logan brought up the issue of fatigue.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If MacDonald says he is fatigued that is one thing but I cannot put any of those goals on him or any kind of wear given where they were scored. If Scott Gordon wants to say his team put in the effort where were the quality chances for all the disparity in play/shots against? Hedberg needed one very good save on Jackman to show for his nights work and another on Sillinger in the first, that was about it.

Edit-Add in Comeau's two early chances. Someone have another I would like to know?

Daily News: Peter Botte's game article (no quotes this hour) but some on last years youth movement with Gordon vs Nolan.

NY Post: Dan Martin's article was on a club looking for positives about losing to a club 5-1 with the worst record in the Eastern Conference with Scott Gordon, Andy Sutton, Joey MacDonald & Blake Comeau.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Mike Knobler recaps the Thrashers win and has blog coverage.

Star Phoenix: Cory Wolfe & Kevin Mitchell has Mr Wolfe traveling with the Saskatoon Blades through B.C. who sat down with defenseman Jyri Niemi who talked about being named to team Finland for the WJC & Christmas traditions back home.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 6-3 loss at Harbor Yard to Norfolk on Saturday.

Scoring
1. NOR Potulny, (3) (Bochenski, Konopka), 3:31 (PP)
1. NOR Kearns, (5) (Mihalik, Heward), 7:47
1. NOR Kearns, (6) (Simek, Ward), 16:54
2. BRI Smith, (10) (MacDonald, McLean), 0:23 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (10) (Konopka, Potulny), 10:37 (PP)
2. NOR Bochenski, (11) (Potulny, Konopka), 11:43 (PP)
3. NOR Segal, (9) (Ward), 9:00 (SH)
3. BRI Smith, (11) (Walter, Iggulden), 13:06 (PP)
3. BRI Iggulden, (14) (Smith, McLean), 17:51 (PP)

Jeff Tambellini had eight shots and was a minus one.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had head coach Jack Capuano and Mike Iggulden on the Sound Tigers loss with the head coach not happy with losing the physical game or having the legs under them in this one.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport will see a lot of Norfolk in the next few weeks. Jack Capuano seemed to have no problem going to Utah for toughness.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has Jeff Tambellini's comments who talked about having to create time and space to get his chances when he returns to New York after his conditioning assignment along with a preview of Sunday's game in Lowell here.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio's blog includes Bridgeport goaltender Nate Lawson getting injured on a hit from a Norfolk Admiral (Jason Ward) and not returning after he relieved Peter Mannino who allowed all six Norfolk goals on thirty three shots.

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: Covers the Admirals.

Jyri Niemi Named to Team Finland

WHL.com: Reports Islander defenseman Jyri Niemi has been named to Team Finland for the WJC.

Saskatoon Blades.com: Confirms Niemi selection with profile.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Still working on the complete team Finland roster, will add full roster to WJC section on Friday.

Islander Notables/Quick Hit

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Rick DiPietro was placed on IR effective last Sunday which means he cannot be activated until 11/2 at the earliest meaning he is out against Montreal.

Mr Logan's speculation game on his favorite target now claims the fact DiPietro was not allowed to play in the first four games of the regular season and lasted only seven periods over three games in eight days suggest he’s not in tip-top condition.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So lets recap, first DiPietro was faking now he was not in top-top condition?

Please stick to the hockey and leave the medicine to the doctors.

Seems this is not about the Islanders injury policy for Newsday/Mr Logan but Rick DiPietro.

How about the Newsday staff put all the injuries under the mircoscope back to last season or at the very least tell us once how many games the club lost to injury?

Mr Logan has not gone this hard after Sillinger, Witt or Bailey among others with injuries so it's not just about the policy. Radek Martinek is this clubs most important player after DiPietro and his absence is enormous to the backline and we have not read a word of speculation from the beatwriter.

Updated 2pm:
Newsday: Mr Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog defenseman Freddy Meyer underwent sports hernia surgery and is expected to miss two-four weeks while Radek Martink skated at practice and speculates on his return based on Chris Campoli's recovery.

A Saturday article will be written on defenseman Mark Streit who faces his former team for the first time Saturday.

Updated 3pm:
Newsday: Jim Baumbach has an interview with Islanders legendary President and General Manager, Bill Torrey who talked about the fans having to be patient with the clubs plan and what role he still has with the Florida Panthers.

Star Phoenix: Cory Wolfe had a two page feature on Islander prospect Jyri Niemi with how awestruck it was meeting a celebrity in Islander captain Bill Guerin.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny stuff from Niemi on meeting Guerin.

Chronicle Herald: Willy Palov reports Moncton Wildcat owner aggressively pursued Danny Flynn two years ago and offered him a four year contract to return as Wildcats coach.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Congratulations to Danny Flynn, would not shock me if he is hired as an NHL coach. I wonder if Ted Nolan would work as an assistant for him?

Tri City Herald: Annie Fowler reports the Portland Winter Hawks which had the worst record in the Western Hockey League made an ownership change this week. Former Islander Rich Kromm was fired as head coach and another former Islander, Travis Green was named assistant coach and assistant GM.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Has it really been that long between playoff series wins Travis Green had a full NHL career and now is an assistant gm? He also scored the goal in game seven to elimiate the Islanders against Toronto.

Quick Hit:
I guess Newsday needed another NHL blog for the Rangers to receive even more space than the Islanders and now Mr Herrmann was given such space to so he can write even more often about the Islanders viability.

I suspect Mark Herrmann's content and commentary will be a lot more about the Cablevision owned team in the most postive light possible and we will see more of the usual negative slant the Islanders in whatever crumbs he provides. Do not count on many features like the one on Mitch Fritz which was very good but the exception for Mr Herrmann, hardly the rule.

Too bad for everyone.

I put the link to it on the blog, it is not Islander-centric only so I am not going to use it in the feeder here.

New York claims Thomas Pock/Niemi injured

Islanders website: Reports general manager Garth Snow has claimed defenseman Thomas Pock from the Hartford Wolfpack/Rangers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Pock has been on waivers before and played only one game for the Rangers, draw your own conclusions what this means on Campoli given we are not going to be told about injuries or if it's a depth signing for Bridgeport.

I have read a few things on the Rangers not wanting to expose him to waivers.

Now the question is has anyone claimed someone the Isles placed on waivers?

Updated:
Mr Botta reports what I thought folks already knew. Pock is on a one-way deal which is why the Rangers during the last year were very reluctant to force a recall because there were concerns in the paper he would be claimed.

Now the Islanders have the same problem except he is stuck at the NHL level and to send him to Bridgeport means he has to clear waivers again. This is kind of like the situtation with Freddy Meyer.

My Point Blank: Mr Botta has plenty from day one of camp for New York and apparently Mr Martin from the Post along with Arthur Staple and Mark Herrmann were also on hand with Mr Logan.

I guess that means the Daily News has no interest in this club at all along with the Times, Journal News, NY Sun, SI Advance & Newark Star Ledger who should all be covering New York Islander hockey daily with full columns and blogs.

I would hope baseball season ending might send one writer to a live event but it's baseball gossip time which is even bigger than the games.

You can bet Mr Logan, Herrmann, Staple and Martin will be coming after the injury policy big-time along with DiPietro and it's been a few weeks since Mark Herrman made the clubs viability an issue so he's due to rub that in the fans faces.

Montreal Gazette: Dave Stubbs has Yannick Weber's comments about fellow Swiss product Mark Streit.

Star Phoenix: Reports Islander prospect Jyri Niemi was injured during the rookie exhibition game with the Boston Bruins in Shelton, Conn where he had a small fracture in his lower back with his comments along with praising his training camp experience and in particular Bill Guerin and Rick DiPietro.

Niemi is expected to be out from two-four weeks where his coach in Saskatoon also comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A bit disconcerting Niemi played with an injury until he says he could barely walk and that the Islanders/NHL injury policy did not release this until he got back to his junior club.

Media Blog: Cory Witt reports Cablevision has decided to promote long-time Islander producer Kevin Meininger who will now fill a similar role for the Garden's three teams. Mike Santini, who produced NY Mets broadcasts for MSG when they had the television rights
has been named his replacement.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems like a matter of when before Cablevision pulls this teams coverage entirely, not saying tomorrow but bet on it in the next few years. They pay this money to the teams to control competition and limit exposure.

NYI Fan Central Update:
Espn's Pierre LeBrun is doing Atlantic Confercnce Previews with analysis from former Tampa GM Jay Feaster. My guess is we'll see the Isles shortly and hopefully we will get the quality Scott Burnside's updates painfully lack.

New poll is up and I think it's a good one where some decisions have to be made with the opener a week from Friday.

On my club Colliton stays over Park and Hilbert. MacDonald stays for Danis but it's close. No enforcer/fighter is carried full-time, Bailey goes back to juniors and Hillen stays.

Cannot do anything to put Tomas Pock in the poll either way. My personal speculation is if Ben Walter had to clear waivers a club may take a chance so I'm waiting on Mr Fornabaio's report to see if something happened or if he was at practice.

Isles at Team USA Camp

USAHOCKEY: Reports in Tuesday's US/Blue-Finland game, Islander prospect Jyri Niemi had a few penalties, including a hit from behind and a ten minute misconduct.

Blake Kessel also had a penalty.

In the second Tuesday contest which paired USA/White vs Sweden, Islander prospect David Ullstrom opened the scoring.

Wednesday's games:
Aug. 6 USA White vs. Finland 4p.m.
USA Blue vs. Sweden 7 p.m.


NHL.com: Shawn P. Roarke is again live blogging from Lake Placid and answering questions as to what's happening in Wednesday's games with the line combinations.

Tuesday notables/Quick Hit

NHL.com: Adam Kimelman does a full feature on the Islanders prospects along with comments from Garth Snow and assistant gm Ryan Jankowski.

A second article is done on prospects Travis Hamonic and Jyri Niemi with their comments here where Garth Snow says no player is guaranteed a spot and if someone comes in and opens some eyes, that player will be on the team.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A few of the comments were from the draft but excellent articles that even touched on some of the players in Bridgeport like Trevor Smith.

Boston Globe: Fluto Shinzawa reports in the Bruins blog former Boston coach Dave Lewis was not retained as an assistant by Los Angeles who recently hired Terry Murray.

THN.com: Ryan Kennedy has his top ten players to watch for next year's draft.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog Colton Fretter signed with Buffalo among other items.

Quick Hits:
I would guess were getting close to Garth Snow finishing up his first group of interviews, narrowing his list before he does second interviews or outright makes a hire.

Total guess on my part here but I think were about a week away from a hire.

Quick Hits

Team USA National Evaluation Camp: Got underway Friday with Islander prospects Blake Kessel and Aaron Ness representing the US squad. David Ullstrom will be coming over with team Sweden as will Jyri Niemi representing Finland.

The list of games in Lake Placid will be as follows:
Aug. 5, U.S. Blue vs. Finland, 4 p.m.
Aug. 5, U.S. White vs. Sweden, 7 p.m.
Aug. 6, U.S. White vs. Finland, 4 p.m.
Aug. 6, U.S. Blue vs. Sweden, 7 p.m.
Aug. 8, U.S. White vs. Sweden, 4 p.m.
Aug. 8, U.S. Blue vs. Finland, 7 p.m.
Aug. 9, U.S. White vs. Finland, 1 p.m.
Aug. 9, U.S. Blue vs. Sweden, 4 p.m.


Yahoo Sports: Has the Islanders team report which is basically a review of recent events along with signings and prospects.

The Boston Globe had comments from Providence Captain about how good a coach Scott Gordon will be.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Still a little way to go here. We have no idea if there is someone who did not make it on the media's list of interviews. My guess is Mr Botta will know on Sunday and tell us how it will play out before everyone if he blogs.

Neil Best in Newsday told us Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay's blog generated one of the top page views at the paper.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I cannot do all the heavy lifting here and keep pointing out Greg Logan can and should blog more because this is not something that cost the print edition space because frankly I'm tired of blogging on it. If Mr Logan blogs more the Isles will get more page views at Newsday, if folks want to keep defending the longer blog theory is the same it's not because it does not mean as many page views.

You can do long blogs and short blogs. To keep interest going you have to have a steady influx of information. Mr Logan falls painfully short in this department and he should take it personally the only paper with an Islander blog is outworked by his Ranger counterpart consistently.

Prospect Camp/Islander/NHL notables

Islanders website : Has a feature on Jyri Niemi, the Islanders third-round draft pick in 2008 with his comments as he features a ninety seven mile an hour shot.

Islanders TV have several video blogs from the players in prospect camp and did a great job putting it together, too many names to list.

Sound Tigers website : Had an article on day two of mini-camp.

Telegraph Journal: Nathan White has comments from Ted Nolan who would not be opposed to coaching this season in the major junior league but for now he plans to return home to the Garden River First Nations reserve and contemplate his future. He had no regrets about taking the job, talked about having no offers for almost ten years, was thankful for the opportunity he wad given and that he judged his coaching on how hard the players competed and worked but felt with what he had the players gave what they had to give.

Christian Gaudet, who was captain for Moncton 2006 and played last season for Utah
felt Nolan leaving was unfair and that he is a great guy, person and coach and talked about his ability to communicate and motivate with his speech-making abilities.

Chris Morehouse, a member of the 2005-06 team who wore the captain's "C" for the Wildcats this season, said he was shocked, did not not think it was a smart move by the Islanders and that Ted Nolan is a really good coach and knows how to get players to play and he discussed the Memorial Cup run and brought that team together with his ability to relate to players, communicate combined with how he cares more about the person than the player.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems Ted Nolan had to take a lot shot at the end his players did the best they could given their talent or lack thereof, was that really called for but it is those papers in the smaller towns he seems to be most comfortable with speaking.

Espn: EJ Hradek reports Los Angeles may be interested in former Washington/Philadelphia coach Terry Murray and felt Ted Nolan's comments should have led to his dismissal but like many questioned the timing.

He also reported the NHL schedule will be released on Thursday and that the press conference on the outdoor game in Chicago will be announced next week.

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports the Kings are in the process of finalizing a contract with Murray.

Ottawa Citizen: Ken Warren speculated Bob Hartley could be on Garth Snow's short list to be named head coach and was a finalist for the job in Ottawa.

Newsday: Kevin Allen blogged on the Islanders situtation regarding Ted Nolan and felt this was inevitable going back to the season but waited because this was Charles Wang's hire.

THN: Ryan Kennedy felt Garth Snow and Ted Nolan should have just admitted it was a firing and kept it real in his words if Greg Logan's reports were correct and also questioned the timing.

Tuesday's plan at NYI Fan Central

I think the blog is in good shape in terms of updates for Tuesday.

I have the NHL crawler set up as a ticker, the free agent tracker links seem to update enough to include the Greentree/Ramholt trade and the Rostislav Olesz signing for six years today. Of course the media section in the lower portion of the blog includes virtually every major site in North America that has a feed or links to them if these sites do not have it covered.

For myself I will do the early Islander updates, if I'm correct UFA begins at noon or midnight? I have some other work to do but also have the NHL network for tomorrow so I should be ready as things happen.

Unless it's a major signing or Islander centric I will let the feeds do the work for me and not post a seperate blog.

At 7pm we will have the live interactive blog for everyone wanting to talk Islanders for as long as it goes. Of course everyone is welcome to participate nor is any registration required.

Hope to speak with everyone on Tuesday.

Other Notables:
Islanders website reported prospects Blake Kessel and Aaron Ness will be part of team USA heading Lake Placid from August 3rd in the United States Junior Development Team Camp with assistant general manager Ryan Jankowski's comments. Prospects Jyri Niemi (Finland) and David Ullstrom (Sweden) will travel to upstate New York with their respective countries.

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) last week were invited to attend the Canadian Junior Development Camp in Ottawa from July 25-29.

Point Blank: Mr Botta has four new updates about free agency today on several players.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That is a blog that should not be ending on 7/7, cannot keep writing that enough.

Islander News Articles 6/27

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in Newsday Islander blog that forward Shawn Bates is expected to be bought out Friday with general manager Garth Snow's comments that even though he is completely healthy a buyout will be done so more young players can get an opportunity.

Note-The print edition has this in the briefs section of the paper. The on-line paper does not carry this information, only the blog.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If Bates is healthy as the general manager reports, why not try place him on waivers/re-entry waivers? I would guess the general manager did try to include him in a deal or two for virtually anything.

Nothing bad to write about Bates, he gave all he had and more the entire time he was here. That first year it was an excellent signing where he produced as a second line player with Mark Parrish and Michael Peca and he provided a highlight for the ages in the 2002 playoffs that even included his first career fight. I wish him luck and hope he is healthy enough to continue his career.

Updated:
Islanders website: Report Bates was placed on waivers with Garth Snow's comments.

Timmis Daily Press: Vincent Man has director of player development Bryan Trottier's comments as he particpated in fourth-annual Mushkegowuk Council Youth Golf Tournament where he was the guest speaker at the tournament's banquet.

Ottawa Citizen: Thulasi Srikanthan has a few words about NHL prospects graduating high school yesterday which include 2007 Islander draft pick Simon Lacroix.

European Hockey.net: Has the list from the CHL import draft which include Islander draft pick Jyri Niemi was again selected by the Saskatoon Blades.

Updated:
Islanders website: Has second round pick Corey Trivino's comments about why he choose hockey over soccer in a feature.

Early Evening Monday Isles Update

Islanders website: Website/Publications Coordinator Jason Lockhart looks at the Sarnia connection with Isles OHL area scout Tim MacLean, 2008 picks Justin DiBenedetto, Matt Martin along with comments from 2007Islander selection Mark Katic.

SI.com: Adam Muir in the NHL draft winners and losers article has the Islanders in the honorable mention department for making hay with potential first-rounders Corey Trivino, Aaron Ness, Jyri Niemi and Kirill Petrov on Saturday.

Toronto was hit was a loser tag because they gave up draft picks in a skill draft for a defensive-defenseman in the top five?

THN.com: Brian Costello of THN also was very critical of Cliff Fletcher for giving up prospect depth.

Montreal Gazette: Has Mark Renaud, father of former Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud comments regarding the Islanders selecting Josh Bailey along with the Spitfires' centre statement he dedicated his selection in Renaud's honour.

Colmbus Dispatch: Michael Arace reports Jacket fans are not too happy with the overall draft, that Filatov was another third-liner and another mercurial Russian dangler combined with asking who's drafting Russians. For the sake of balance he includes Filatov looks a lot like Zherdev -- but without the baggage, and with an apparently clear path to North America.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess we shall see. Means nothing until they hit the ice at this level and then we get a good idea as time passes.

Quick hit:
Espn/several outlets report Barry Melrose will be officially announced as new coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Ray Emery of the Senators has been bought out after clearing waivers. Washington Capitals Ben Clymer, Carolina Hurricanes, Jeff Hamilton (former Islander) and David Tanabe have been placed on waivers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Carolina seemingly has the former Islander-Sound Tiger on waivers every other week.

NYI Fan Central Blog Notables:
New York Islander Fan Central does not acknowledge amateur/guest fan writers as acredited professional writers regardless of their content in the main news section of this blog which is why something written on the club in Newsday late monday was not included here.

For what the Isles pay Newsday for advertising they deserve a professional writer at the very least.

A little surprised on the poll for the Islanders draft given the reaction on Friday. I gave the Isles overall a C.

Moved Draft center just above prospect center, will be adding in profiles of the
2008 draft class to prospect section as made available.

I think I did all I could do to get my message out here on the Islanders playing in the outdoor game and have now removed the links to contact Mayor Bloomberg, anyone
wants the link again please contract me privately.

I'm considering another live interactive blog for July 1st given the big success of the draft chats both days last weekend. I need to decide on a time where its possible but it's possible nothing could happen regarding our team.

Of course suggestions regarding that would be helpful.