Islander News Articles 3/14

I had time to do Saturday articles.

For those still scoring at home the Islanders tragic number is four to be officially eliminated from the NHL playoff race.

Unofficially that happened around mid December depending on your point of view.

Carolina 78 points
New York max points (14-0) 82 points.

That's points gained by Carolina or lost by New York which means it could happen on Saturday.

Newsday: Greg Logan's article has comments from head coach Scott Gordon that his team is no longer an easy two points and it does not matter who the opponent is. He goes on to say since getting rid of a couple of bad apples (as the beatwriter speculates Campoli-Comrie)at the trade deadline the chemistry is better as the team pulls together and plays with a purpose.

Kyle Okposo discusses the Canadians game and what the club must do on a game by game basis.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Campoli and Comrie never said anything directly to the media about the coach or the team, was it really necessary for Scott Gordon to go in that direction considering how he has his team playing?

It's going to be fun when the Islanders head to Ottawa and their media reports that quote next week.

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports Jason Blake did not wish to speak with the media about his season-long streak without scoring despite six assists in his last ten games with head coach Ron Wilson's comments.

Chicago Tribune: Chris Kuc reports the Chicago Blackhawks lost to Columbus on home ice Friday 5-3 with former New York Islander x2 Wade Dubielewicz getting his first NHL win since returning to the NHL in only his third start with the Blue Jackets.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Imagine if Dubielewicz did clear waivers? He would have played three games during his first week here to warm up. Considering what Danis and MacDonald have done since things for now have worked out very well.

Dany Sabourin for those wondering started against Bridgeport tonight.

Congratulations to Wade Dubielewicz who I will be rooting for if the Jackets qualify for a playoff spot with Michael Peca and Raffi Torres.

National Post: Keith Howell reports Jordan Nolan was suspended on Friday for 20 games by the Ontario Hockey League after an altercation last weekend that left a Plymouth player with head injuries.

The league did not release any further details of the incident.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 3-2 shootout win against Springfield Friday night.

1. SPR Linglet, (5) (Stone, Chorney), 14:05 (PP)
2. BRI Lessard, (9) (Lee, Walter), 12:38 (PP)
3. BRI Sim, (6) (Joensuu, Colliton), 1:36
3. SPR Linglet, (6) (Brule, Young), 12:26

9 Ben Walter No Goal
23 Trevor Smith Goal
6 Jesse Joensuu No Goal
16 Jon Sim No Goal
27 Junior Lessard Goal

Kris Mayotte had twenty six saves in goal for Bridgeport with Mike Mole backing up.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's recap of Bridgeport's 3-2 shootout win and blog entry here which has head coach Jack Capuano's comments on Mike Mole and Robin Figren getting a game this weekend.

No callup to the Islanders at this time and according to an earlier update from Mr Fornabaio Kurtis McLean has an injury that is not day to day.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I expect they will not play shorthanded again. Either someone gets a callup or Richard Park is ready to play.

The Republican: Gary Brown recaps Bridgeport's 3-2 shootout win against the Falcons Friday.

Islander News Articles 7/17

Newsday: Hark Herrmann tells us what he feels should be the requirements of the teams next head coach and gives his reasons for suggesting Joel Quenneville (as he also mentions Paul Maurice & Greg Gilbert) as the man Garth Snow should hire.

He also talks about what he calls Ted Nolan's firing even though he admits he knew nothing about what went on behind the scenes but felt they team played hard for the now former coach and that outside of Okposo there are no franchise level talents on the roster and that the veterans know Charles Wang's telephone number number also as he wished the next coach good luck.

Mr Herrmann also credits Snow in an interview at minicamp Wednesday for not only emphasizing rookies but the next coach has to communicate with veterans, nor does he equate "rebuilding" with giving up and expects his club to compete and that wins and losses do not always indicate how successful a coach is.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's amazing how little Mark Herrmann for all the games he covered seemed to know about the club. This team did not play very hard too many nights, he was around early on the beat covering some of those games when they scored two goals in fourteen straight games and went well into the second period before generating one quality chance. The game they took fifty three shots and did not score they worked hard, you can work hard and still not score but anyone watching can tell the difference.

You can also score a bunch of goals and play terrible. Is giving up close to forty five shots and scoring three shorthanded goals against Carolina a team working well or another team that was just as bad?

Obviously Mr Herrmann is picking up on Mr Logan who had Queneville added to the list but it would be ironic if the coach Ryan Smyth decided to sign on and play for last season signed here?

Speculation?
Quenneville would not touch the Messier-Sather Rangers a few years ago and work in the East. At least here he would know his role but given how long coaches last here it could be a tough sell, no doubt he has plenty of experience with Weight and Guerin and would be a replacement that would command respect on all levels.

Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from Kyle Okposo in minicamp about how he has to fill the void along with a player like Blake Comeau and how last year does help now that he played at this level in terms of not getting down on himself.

Mr Logan adds the name of AHL coach of the year Scott Gordon to the list of potential Islander candidates for head coach along with Quenneville in his article.

NY Post: Dan Martin has a brief update on the signings of Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini with general manager Garth Snow's comments.

Ct Post Mr Fornabaio has a late blog with some comments and will be at camp tomorrow.