Islander News Articles 3/16:

Newsday: Greg Logan's coverage on the loss has comments from Bill Guerin, Jeff Tambellini, Ted Nolan on the loss to Montreal and the problems scoring.

Newsday: Greg Logan's other article is on the opportunities the prospects and AHL callups are now getting and it's their opportunity to impress the coach and the organization with Ted Nolan comments about a possible Kyle Okposo callup. Matt Spiller comments.

Montreal Gazette: Has the Canadians coverage on their win.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had goaltender Mike Morrison's comments on the Phantoms who he calls bullies and taunts them for not being able to put Bridgeport away. Jeremy Colliton and Jack Capuano also comment.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog talks about Kyle Okposo's solid play, recaps the win and the scramble for Bridgeport to make the playoffs.

Sound Tigers website: Recaps Bridgeport's 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phantoms Saturday night.

Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News: Combine pages to cover the Phantoms.

Islander News Articles 2/25

Newsday: Greg Logan reports NHL sources say the Islanders are fielding offers for forwards Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Comrie, all of whom are headed to free agency this summer and that the real offers start coming in today.

Garth Snow would like to sign Comrie by tomorrow if he agrees to fit in the salary slot for a second-line center. A lot more speculation here dominates the article with only one unnamed Western Conference personnel expert comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At this point it's up to everyone to separate the fact from the fancy and as always, it is interesting how un-named NHL sources always seem to know the Isles business and talk to the local media which was the same back when Mike Milbury was general manager.

You do not see this as much with the Devils or Rangers.

We will get our answers today or tomorrow. With a game scheduled tomorrow night a sign to look for are possible call ups from Bridgeport in advance to replace traded players to fill a lineup.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a late blog on Bryan McCabe with all the twists and turns from most of the last year including the Sun article posted here last night where he said he did not want to be traded but would be interested if Cliff Fletcher approached him. His speculation is the Islanders would want the Leafs first rounder to take McCabe's contract.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That's my price to add McCabe to the Islander roster and take the Leafs off the hook for his salary. I think Cliff Fletcher would get a lot of grief for trading a top ten pick for a franchise desperate for top draft picks and a rebuilding and doubt the Leafs will part with the pick under any circumstances.

Just remember this is the same Cliff Fletcher who gave the Islanders a first round pick with Kenny Jonsson a long time ago. It says a lot about McCabe if they go to that extreme to move him when a buyout is not part of a no-movement clause according to section 11.8 (b) of the CBA:

A no-move clause may prevent the involuntary relocation of a Player, whether by Trade, Loan or Waiver claim. A no-move clause, however, may not restrict the Club's buy-out and termination rights as set forth in this Agreement.

I also find it hard to see the Islanders having this many defenders under contract going into next season. McCabe, Witt and Sutton all take up over ten million of cap space and none of them are complete defenders who can be considered top two defenders. To do this leaves no space for a franchise defender to solve the problem and limits money to improve the offense with top six forwards.

Pittburgh Tribune Review: Rob Rossi reports Pens Goaltender would love to return from injury and start against the Islanders on Tuesday. He started five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and went 3-2-0 with a 1.41 goals-against average and a
.950 save percentage

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That team has stepped up huge with Crosby and Fleury out, a ton of credit to the Pens who have proven they are far more than about one player and will be a very dangerous team down the stretch. Mike Terrien for all his critics pushes hard and gets results.

Espn.com: EJ Hradek obviously does not feel the way David Amber does about the Butch Goring trade but reviews some other past trades.
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the Sound Tigers shootout loss to Albany with Mike Morrison and Jeff Tambellini's comments.

Micheal Haley got back into the lineup, replacing Justin Bourne. Jeff Dwyer and Andy Sertich were scratched again on defense. Walter was out, the team hopes for the last time, and Kip Brennan served the eighth game of his 15-game suspension.

The three papers covering the River Rats seemed to have provided AP/Staff reports on the game unless the Troy Record here has an update later.

Check back for more incoming updates:

Islander News Articles 2/17:

Newsday: Greg Logan's recap had Ted Nolan's comments on the win, Rick DiPietro praised the teams defensive effort as the best in a while with Ruslan Fedotenko crediting his line mates and for taking more chances offensively. Sean Bergenheim felt the players in front of the goal recently which has been worked on in practice has made a difference but felt Atlanta did not play well. Mr Logan wrote Blake Comeau laughed off what Grant Exelby did to him when he went after him.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This game should earn the club a Newsday back page and a second article Sunday.

Newsday: Greg Logan had an update on Trent Hunter's contract negotiations and the trade deadline.

NY Post: Mike Puma had coverage of Islanders saturday win against Atlanta.

Daily News: Peter Botte should make a note being that he actually attended the game that the Islanders defeated Atlanta Saturday, not Toronto.

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Craig Custance has the recap with gm/coach Don Waddell. All Kari Lehtonen said was he really does not want to remember anything from tonight, except the nice ice girls.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's recap is about a club that has won eight of ten and only two points out of a playoff spot. Bridgeport has allowed 130 shots in the past three games and won them all, Mike Morrison had his fifth shutout of the year. Drew Fata credited the goaltending and feels the defense is clearing the rebounds.

Sean Bentivoglio and Ben Walter scored 15 seconds apart that tied the team record for its fastest two goals set Feb. 3, 2002, David Morriset and Jason Podollan.

Matt Keith and Andy Sertich returned to the lineup. Jeremy Colliton had another big game with a goal and several big plays.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's second article was about Harbor Yard's makeover from a basketball court to a hockey rink.

Hartford Wolf Pack at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN - Today, 4 p.m.
WHERE - Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR - No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Islander News Articles 2/14:

Newsday: Erik Boland covered practice and reports on Chris Simon's return with comments from Ted Nolan. Several Islanders felt his suspension was excessive.

Also reported is Brendan Witt is expected to be out seven-ten days, while Bruno Gervais is expected (rib muscle strain) is probably out five more days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not much of a preview for an important game tonight by Mr Boland. Those injuries could be a season killer because it means Bergeron-Berard-Johnson must play a regular shift with Martink, Meyer and Sutton. All three must provide offense by getting the puck to the forwards without hurting the club on defense.

Daily News: Peter Botte was actually permitted to go out and cover an Islander practice which is a bigger headline here beyond his article on Chris Simon with the player and Ted Nolan's comments.

Also reported is Brendan Witt could miss longer than seven-ten days with his knee sprain.

Sound Tigers website: Reports on Bridgeport's 3-0 against Worcester Wednesday. Trevor Smith, Tim Jackman and Kyle Okposo each recorded a goal and an assist in the victory.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps the Sound Tigers win with Mike Morrison and Jack Capuano's comments.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the Sound Tigers weekly with the upcoming games and a lot of information on several team subjects. Dustin Kohn is recovering from his shoulder injury with more on Kip Brennan's suspension.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also has a game recap in his blog.

Globe and Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports on the Maple Leafs 1-0 loss at Buffalo with Mats Sundin's commments "We have another game [tonight] and if we play as good as we did [against Buffalo], we'll have a good chance of winning,"

Islander News Articles 12/16:

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article on the loss, Witt vs Crosby and Chris Simon's actions with comments.

"Crosby and I are shoving each other," Witt said. "I got cross-checked four times. It's one thing to even it out, but for [Crosby] to come out with nothing doesn't surprise me. He's going to get a lot of calls that way. I voiced my opinion to the referee. He thought I was playing him too tough. There's no liberties for special guys. The same rules apply ... I thought we should have both went."

"He probably was penalized because he started it," Crosby said. "I'm not going to say I wasn't doing anything. But we probably had an even amount of whacks and maybe they saw he started it and that's why he got it."

Dripping sarcasm, Crosby added of Witt, "He's a pretty clean player, so he probably was in the right there."

Newsday: Neil Best has an article on NHL center ice with comments from Josh Bernstein, the Islanders' VP of marketing and communications.

Newsday: Greg Logan also has comments on possible steroid use in hockey with comments from Brendan Witt and Ted Nolan about former Islander Sean Hill. Rick DiPietro commented on the Mitchell report.

"I think it's cheating," defenseman Brendan Witt said yesterday. "I would have been the last to think it was in hockey, but obviously, there was a guy last year and he was on our team. You never know until that urine test comes back.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
All due respect to Greg Logan but the Islanders need to be interviewed about issue's closer to home starting with their play on the ice. If Newsday wants to give him more space for this fine, but his space should not be used for the players to talk about baseball after a hockey game.

Newsday: Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay got some very classy comments on the Islander dynasty from Wayne Gretzky when he was in with the Coyotes in his Ranger centric coverage.

"It's a pretty unique place," said Gretzky, almost 47 and weathered by the off-ice side of the game, "because the Bossys, the Trottiers, the Potvins, Smiths, Nystroms, they built a dynasty here; they built something pretty special. There's always this sort of Oiler-Islander matchup rivalry, but the reality was, in a lot of ways, we idolized what the Islanders did. I think that part of our success was because we did respect them so much, we understood how hard they worked and we understood how committed they were to winning championships."

NY Post: Dan Martin's game coverage was on Sidney Crosby's special treatment from the Islanders side of things with Mike Sillinger accusing Ruutu of maybe faking his injury a bit.

"It's frustrating," said Mike Sillinger, who had a great chance to tie the game on a breakaway in the third, but his shot sailed high over the net. "You want to see it called both ways."

"They called what they called," Sillinger said. "I think [Ruutu] may have faked it a bit, as well."

Daily News: Peter Botte was allowed to cover this home game and in his limited space got comments on the Islanders version of special treatment given to Sidney Crosby.

"I can't figure out how two guys have a pushing match, and two of their guys jump on our guys, and we end up shorthanded," said Isles coach Ted Nolan. "Someone has to give me an explanation how that works."

Arizona Republic: Jim Gintonio did a full feature article on Mike Sillinger where he talked about how he likes mentoring the young players, the lockout, his well traveled career with a few comments from Ted Nolan about Sillinger and former Coyote, Mike Comrie.

"When I signed here, they wanted me to play a role here and groom the young kids and be a role model for the young kids."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Dave Molinary & Tribune Review: Rob Rossi has the Penguins coverage of the game.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage on the Sound Tigers 2-1 win against Binghampton is on Jamie Frasier returning to the lineup and making the play to set up Ben Walter for the game winning goal. Coach Jack Capuano and Jamie Fraser talk about the win. Ryan Kinasewich, Dustin Kohn and Olivier Labelle where scratched. Fraser, Comeau and Bootland returned to the lineup. Bryan Trottier was behind the bench with assistant Pat Bingham; assistant Bernie Cassell was in the press box.

"I thought it was important, after what happened the last game, to keep it simple and try to play well," said Fraser, who did. "It was a great team effort, too. Everybody played simple and played hard."

"Jamie skated really well," Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano said. "He used his legs and made some tremendous passes offensively."

Albany River Rats at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN - Sunday, 4 p.m.
WHERE - Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR - No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a full feature article on goaltender Mike Morrison.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio's blog had more on the game from the line combos to Joe Rullier's ejection to a lot of odds and ends. Jeff Tambellini had the other Sound Tigers goal.

Press & Sun Bulletin: John Nash covered the Senators loss at Harbor Yard.

Pioneer Press: Bruce Brothers has a full feature on the struggles of Kyle Okposo who is off to the World Junior Championships with comments from his father, coach and some current and former teammates.

"People doubt you when you don't play well," Okposo said.

Rocked by the early pressure of being a returning first-round draft pick, he said at times he felt "I was just going through the motions. I didn't feel good about where my game was at all."

Islander News Articles 10/20:

Newsday: Greg Logan's Saturday article is about the penalty killing going into Saturday's game against the Devils and why once again the Islanders are shorthanded so much.

"The way Andy Hilbert penalty-killed and Richard Park doing the five-on-three," coach Ted Nolan said, "these guys don't get the notice of guys who score hat tricks or the guys who stop goals, but they're just as important."

"Probably the biggest reason is that most of our killers are carryovers from last year's team," Park said Friday after practice for Saturday's game against the Devils at the Coliseum. "Being familiar with each other's tendencies is a pivotal ingredient to having a good special team."

* Asked why the Islanders draw so many penalties, Park said:

"I can't pinpoint the reason. It's not like we're hooking and going for a ride. I think the biggest thing that's real positive is we haven't focused our energy on the referees too much for calling penalties and let that frustration set into our game."

AHL.com: Reports the Bridgeport Sound Tigers won at home against Hershey Friday night 3-2. Ben Walter had two goals, Blake Comeau had the other goal. Mike Morrison stopped twenty one shots for the win.

Updated Saturday:
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the recap on the Sound Tigers win.

"I felt pretty good," said Morrison, who got his first start; Joey MacDonald was home in Canada as his wife prepared to give birth. "I wanted to get those first couple of early saves in, to feel it off my body."

"Mike played really well," coach Jack Capuano said. "He gave us a chance to win the game."

10/18 Washington vs New York 7pm FSN-2

Late day getting started so combining daily articles and game previews.

NYI.com Has the pregame and reports Marc Andre Bergeron will be a healthy scratch.

Newsday: John Jeansonne has reaction from Guerin and Hunter on the line changes.

"Oh, my god," Guerin said when asked to calculate the number of line changes he has experienced during a career of junior, international and NHL hockey. "Thousands. Thousands."

"Sometimes it's game styles that suit each other [in putting together a line]," Guerin said. "Sometimes it's personalities. And sometimes something goes well for a while, and then you have to break it up a while and come back to it later."

Washington Post:Washington Times: Semin is unlikely to play against Islanders, Jeff Schultz was recalled and will likley take former Islander John Erskine's spot tonight. Boyd Gordon is questionable for tonight. Since beating the Islanders the Capitals (3-2-0) have been outshot 94-51 in back to back losses, Oleg Kolzig is expected to start.

Joe Motzko and Tomas Fleischmann might be the first- and second-line right wings, respectively, tonight for the Capitals, who ranked 25th in the league with 2.20 goals per game through Tuesday. Motzko and Fleischmann have a combined five goals and 60 NHL games to their credit. In practice, Motzko skated alongside all-star Alex Ovechkin and center Viktor Kozlov, and Fleischmann played with rookie Nicklas Backstrom and center Michael Nylander. Brooks Laich replaced Gordon on the checking line, playing between Matt Pettinger and Chris Clark.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is about Mike Morrison who was recalled while goaltender Joey MacDonald
is home in Canada for a few days as his wife gives birth.

"There's got to be an environment where success is not only wanted, but it's worked toward," Morrison said. "That's what's nice about this organization, and coach Jack (Capuano)."

"He likes to take shots before and after practice. He competes hard," Capuano said. "We know he'll battle."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
With the Devils scoring goals (and giving up goals) coming to the Coliseum Saturday, Islanders could use a breakout game here offensively from the players struggling up front. Another good game from Bergenheim would go a long way toward him being the second line left wing beyond a few games.

Kolzig always makes it a tough game and considering the Caps have lost two straight I'm not expecting another game where they take twelve shots against the Islanders and come at them on home ice.