Playing Out The String For New York/Notables

Olympics-Not interested. Amateurs should only be participating, but this is when the players act like the league in their sense of entitlement.

Vanek comments on if it were Penguins-The Islanders got the favorable review against Pittsburgh on Thursday in the third period on the 4-5 goal, even if Kris King's explanation was as insulting as television ratings release of Stadium series games or announced sellout on Wednesday.

I like Vanek, however when he was traded he was outspoken, it did not play well then or on Saturday.

Hold the lead for another thirty seconds, problem solved.

Outdoor Game-Not interested. New York should be hosting the Canadians in the Heritage classic featuring only NHL Dynasties. It's the fake Yankee Stadium funded by taxpayers. (Same as the taxpayer funded monument in Queens)

A twice convicted felon (Steinbrenner) got paid, Bernie Madoff's pal, Fred Wilpon got paid all via taxpayers. 

The Cuomo family defend everyone getting taxpayer money with Mario Cuomo celebrating outside of court with Wilpon. (just not the New York Islanders)

The House that Ruth built (dramatically remodeled 1973-76) was reduced to rubble five years ago. 

Only thing more phony will be shaking hands afterward with a team they play again------FRIDAY.

I guess Friday is when the Msg people will be allowed to comment (like Barclay's game/practice they went AWOL) again as did Msg network in terms of live practice coverage.

So after all the Ranger media salesman for years telling everyone they must host an outdoor game, now the spin is they never could to keep their taxpayer handout?

Go figure someone would have reported that over the years. Any neutral site or European home game should have made the tax money forfeit long ago.

The Rangers were the home team against the Devils, in Halifax in November of 1993 in a neutral site game.

It really screams these tiny updates on Islanders at Barclay's Center are just that with no credible confirmed league information with quotes. 

Looks like Andrew MacDonald's burned out, and Hamonic is hurt, sadly I wrote this was coming in November, what's Capuano to do? 


Kevin Poulin took a team from ten under to three under, on a team with no experienced top four defenders, the sixth goal against the Bruins means he's not ready?

Please stop. 

This team almost had it's longest road winning streak in decades with Poulin  in net.

Visnovsky's return, great news, he's signed for next year you keep him healthy-No Olympics. 

Five games under, Islanders now need to play eighteen games over to have any chance at a playoff spot, and they have not had two days off since 1/8. (unlike most teams)

Sorry, however the rest is simply playing out the string. (it's been that way since November)

Do not know where it will go with Vanek or MacDonald, however I expect both traded at the deadline, unless resigned front-loaded. (which Islanders cannot do)  

Wang went to court on 1/28 for opening arguments on Marriott foreclosure, after again hosting the kids for the Lighthouse Tournament.

Islander Notables

Media Blog: Cory Witt in the Islanders media blog reports on the club traveling to Phoenix.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This team could badly use some website written or video updates on gameday, practices, roster moves and injuries. I'm wondering when or if Newsday will be sending someone on this trip?

AHL.com: Reports Yann Danis was returned to Bridgeport with Mitch Fritz who apparently cleared waivers.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
This means DiPietro will have to at least dress for games and with back to back Friday and Saturday should play one.

Arizona Republic: Has the latest on the Phoenix Coyotes.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has comments from Islander players and head coach Scott Gordon who have been part of various past outdoor games in an article about mostly playing this year for this summers top draft pick but making his usual point the Islanders do not have the star power and are too far off the radar for NBC.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What Mr Herrmann wants no part of writing is NY is the baseball capital of the world and hockey here is off the radar in because of poor coverage of the sport for all three clubs.

If Mr Herrmann thinks that is only Islander-centric in New York he is kidding himself because the star power dominating the backpages or coverage has nothing to do with hockey. New York needs the Crosby, Ovechkin matchup to receive any national attention, never the other way around.

Teams like Chicago were playing in front of lower percentage capacity at games than the Islanders for a long time too. Boston for a long time had been a sea of empty yellow seats also for games.

A year ago the Islanders were ahead of Chicago in the standings and in a playoff spot, but Mr Herrmann wants no part of that or this clubs championship history which would be another attraction of them being in an outdoor game.

For those Islander fans on Marian Gaborik watch, according to Michael Russo in the Star Tribune here may be looking at season ending surgery which could well be the end of his time in Minnesota with UFA pending.

Islanders/NHL Quick Hits/Notables

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported Yann Danis was back in Bridgeport Tuesday and got a practice in but there is no plan to break up the three goalies right now, so they'll all stick around which could apply to Bridgeport or New York, I'm not sure.

AHL transactions has no update (at this time) of a Danis to Bridgeport move, with the Islanders hitting the road after tomorrow someone is likely going to have to play some games for MacDonald on the upcoming trip whether it be DiPietro, Danis or even Mannino unless they intend to overwork him.

Mr Fornabaio among many items also reported Wade Dubielewicz has left AK Bars which is also prospect Kirill Pertov's club who is at the WJC.

No matter where Dubi ends up, best of luck to him.

Point Blank: Mr Botta reported Joey MacDonald took a puck in the neck during practice among several injury updates and items that folks should visit his blog for.


Updated 5:40pm:
NY Post: Dan Martin was given no space to cover last night's game but today had Doug Weight's comments he loves it here and does not wish to be traded as he praised the organization while Mr Martin points out the reality of the situation. Goaltender Rick DiPietro after taking part in a full practice hads a few words on going slow with his recovery and why he missed last night's game.
*******************************************************
Anyone think building with first round draft picks is easy or a guarantee?

Former Islander 2003 first round pick Robeert Nilsson is making the decision to trade him look like the correct one more with each passing day here which Mr Fornabaio linked to in his blog at the Ct Post.

Former Islander 2004 first round pick Petteri Nokelainien has one assist in twenty one games and is on IR for the Bruins.

Former Islander 2005 first round pick Ryan O'Marra has one goal and four points in twenty six games for AHL Springfield.

Takes patience for a youth movement folks with Comeau and Colliton 2003 second round picks just getting started.

I will write it's a good early sign the assist and points Bailey and Okposo have put up here considering their past first round counterparts at the top of the Islander draft board have not produced to this point.
**********************************************************
Someone e-mailed and asked what I thought of the players personally?

I do not know the players personally. My speculation is they are good bunch of people who give all they have regardless if they play well or not and just because someone like myself writes about how they play does not make me an expert about anything.

You see the Christmas video's shopping and the hospital visits and it's obvious the players enjoy giving back.

On the ice I loved the reaction for Guerin's 400th by Tambellini and how the captain responded when Tambellini got his first the next game. I suspect Bailey pointed to Guerin when he tipped in # 399 instead also when many thought it was Bailey's first.

For this year it will not be enough on the ice with injuries being the biggest part of the story from day one but as an Islander fan I'm proud to pull for this group whether they win or lose.

NHL players for the most part are very easy to root for and usually go all out for the fans regardless of what color uniform they wear.
**********************************************************
Last night was the first game all season this club had Weight, Sillinger and Mike Comrie all in the lineup. With Bailey and Nielsen's eventual return something has to give down the middle.
**********************************************************
I may be the only one but I'm completely indifferent to the NHL outdoor game this year and bored with how it is being marketed to death which the league must do.

I watched bits and pieces last year and without the snow coming down I might have tuned out earlier to what was a good game. It was also a curiosity to see Mike Milbury on television at that time. All I wanted was no three point game with the Islanders competing with Buffalo-Pittsburgh for a playoff spot but that's exactly what I got with Ty Conklin standing on his head.

The novelty of this is going go wear off quickly I suspect sooner than later but I hope Chicago-Detroit gives everyone a good show.

Was it necessary to have them play against one another in Detroit tonight?
***********************************************************
Good news is we get the guilty pleasure of Jiggs McDonald returning to call some Islander games for our fans. Bad news is Howie Rose again treats Islander hockey like a job requirement and does nothing for this franchise other than call games.

Does he ever take vacation during baseball season? I think it's time for a change in the Islander broadcasting booth and with Tim Neverett interviewed here I suspect it's something that has been discussed.

I only wish Mr McDonald could come back full-time but it's more than enough he comes out of retirement to call some games at this point and is a loyal friend to this franchise.

As I wrote last year next Hall of Fame New York Islander should be Mr McDonald.
*****************************************************************
Moving forward there will be articles/Panthers game coverage and a WJC update early for New Year's eve.

No articles on New Years Day, I may pre-write/schedule a blog entry.

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.

Islander News Articles 7/8

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly flew to Zurich to take another shot at working out a player transfer agreement, confirmed reports the NHL will indeed announce this week that the New Year's Day outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings will be held at Wrigley Field, and reportedly said the NHL should look at putting one or two of its troubled franchises in Southwestern Ontario and Winnipeg.

Daily News: John Dellapina has his Ranger spin on the story as to why a game did not take place in New York claiming the mayor's office was on board but with no quotes from anyone but speculates his team could be part of a New Yankee Stadium outdoor game in 2010.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Wake me next summer. I have a hard time envisioning the Yankees agreeing to tear up their new ballfield for this at any price. No way will the Bloomberg administration do anything for Cablevision if they have any say in it at all given the countless millions they have cost the city. Only accurate part of this to me is Dick Ebersol will keep the New York Islanders off his network at all cost because of the Garden's business relationship with NBC that included Knick infomercials during NFL games on Sunday last fall and even a game shifted to the network.

Two years in a row are enough outdoor games. I think after this one the league should not make this an annual event or it will go stale quickly. I have no doubt Mr Dellapina, Mr Ebersol and Mr Dolan are desperate to elevate the Rangers minimal local and national profile just as the Islanders and Devils would like but to shut out one team vs another just is not right nor will any combination of teams at Yankee Stadium produce much of a higher national rating than the other given the poor national ratings with Mr Ebersol's network showing the Garden's team.

New York is a big market, however it's a very small hockey market because it cannot compete with the major sport stories in town, lack of backpages do not lie.

Columbus Dispatch: Aaron Portzline reports in the Blue Jackets blog that former Islander Michael Peca has come to terms on a contract extension that could be announced as early as Tuesday.

Sound Tigers.com: Reports Joe Callahan's contract is a one year/two way agreement.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an article on the signing of Joe Callahan with comments from team President, Howard Saffan.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his Ct Post blog has a few words on Joe Callahan, Peter MacArthur and reports Bridgeport's rookie camp will be in Shelton and that Jack Capuano is in St. Cloud, Minn., this week with USA Hockey's Select 17 development camp before he heads to Islanders development camp next week.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio in the Sound Tigers blog notes Steve Regier's profile is now listed with the St Louis Blues.

Islander Notables/Nolan vs Snow

Point Blank: Mr Botta today has a fascinating blog where he talks about problems between Ted Nolan and Garth Snow where neither one were on the same page with a lot of comments the last month of the season where it seems the coach may not be on board with the youth movement and that both should have handled some statements better.

Mr Botta felt the coach damaged his relationship with a lot of key players toward the end of the season. He also feels that there is not much of a relationship between Ted and Islanders management anymore. Mr Botta also speculates the club needs to lock up the head coach but writes the general manager will be here for the next ten years.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I cannot dispute Mr Botta's blog at all.

He was in the room, around these people daily and knows better than any of us what the politically correct thing to say or do is after countless years of experience working with NHL employees who speak to the media.

Obviously both men did not take losing well at the end of last season and the adversity that came with it. For Ted Nolan this was something I blogged on myself going into last season because he has never experienced losing as an NHL head coach and was a bit concerned how he would react to it.

I did not pick up on all the " we-they " statements as well as Mr Botta did.

I also did not see a club trying to play more defense down the stretch because it was hard to tell anything given so many players injured or apparently playing hurt.

I did notice all the games with a high shot total against and the coach ripped into the veterans. Mr Botta likely can tell how that played behind the scenes.

Bottom line your gm and coach have to be on the same page and work as a team or it's not going to be best for the players, in that case someone has to go.

Is it a fair question for the gm to want to add a coach to Ted Nolan's staff who can mentor the young defenders? I'm not there, I do not know, if they work well together that should not be any problem.

If Ted Nolan is not on board with a youth movement and does not want to be part of a team and build something it may well be time for him to move on because that is not fair to the man who hired him.

If Garth Snow cannot control his comments and wants things to be like a family and kept in house he should start by setting an example by not airing dirty laundry about what the coach may have thought about Wade Dubielewicz, if he cannot do that or work well with the coach it may well be time for him to move on because that is also not fair to the man who hired him.

If both cannot work together Charles Wang has a decision to make regarding both of them and the owner deserves a lot better for what he did for both these men because neither would be where they are today without him.

That's why I feel the contracts of both should be tied together.

Mr Botta did not tell us if Garth Snow was given a contract extension, until I know that I do not feel the coach should be given a contract extension. If Garth Snow was given an extension and Ted Nolan was not in my estimation Ted Nolan has more than a fair reason to be outspoken about his future status and wonder how come the gm got a vote of confidence with job security while he did not given the talent on the roster.

What I can write is fair or not Ted Nolan is considered a great coach while Garth Snow is the former backup goalie who was given the general managers job with no experience who did not hire this coach. If Nolan is fired and Snow retained Mr Wang will be heavily criticized for it fair or not and it could even turn out to be fatal with the fanbase.

Hopefully since Mr Botta left both these man got on the same page or will act as a team better and keep things behind closed doors. Both were at the draft and spoke of the club's future. Ted Nolan's comments in a Canadian paper in May about his future coaching status were not good, almost defiant.

I would have to think the Islanders would not be thrilled with Mr Botta releasing this to the public the day before he intends to close his blog. It will not help the fans perspective but I suppose he's just trying to be honest and give us his take of things. He did not play favorites and was critical of both.

Islanders website: John Hill had an update with comments from Jon Sim.

Star-Tribune: Micheal Russo reports the outdoor game will be announced this week with the game at Wrigly Field in Chicago.

NYI Fan Comments:
Wake me when it's finally official. The schedule should be out this week so it's not unlikely the game is announced. Last year this was not confimed until September by the league.

Quick Hits:
It's Sunday and we know that means a Larry Brooks cheap shot or two at the Isles.

Funny how the Isles payed a lot less for Mark Streit than Wade Redden while no one took a discount to sign with camp Cablevision but Mr Brooks omits that part. Next time anyone takes a discount to play at Msg will be a first.

Or course a quick dig at Doug Weight's age but not Markus Naslund as he lobbies for a possible Shanahan return.

A few notables for Sunday

I only took one day off and I added in the final preview on Tim Jackman which was scheduled to be released here.

Monday and Tuesday will be very busy next week, I will not have time for early updates either day beyond pre-scheduled automated blogs.

Time & Transcript: Gerard McLaughlin on Saturday reported Moncton will play it's only preseason home game against the Islander rookies Sept. 22.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For those putting together a pre-season schedule:
New York vs Florida, Sept 27th at Summerside.
New York vs Boston, Sept 23th at Moncton.
New York Rookies vs UNB Sept 24th at the Aitken University Centre.
New York Rookies vs Moncton Sept 22 at Moncton Coliseum.

One thing for sure, the Isles pre-season and regular season will be beginning a little later this year unless they have no intention of playing any preseson games in the tri-state area before opening night. Isles were done playing in NB by Sept 19th in 2007, pre-season ended on Sept 30th after several games in the New York area or in Bridgeport/AHL affiliates.

For those wondering Rangers opening in Europe means they will be not be around for a preseason game. Prudential Center should be open for business and my guess is a game at Harbor Yard could be possible.

Of course no law against another day game with all the school kids at the Coliseum, good way to market to the kids. No law against two or three home preseason games at the Coliseum.
________________________________________________________________
The Blake Wheeler sweepstakes started Sunday. Isles should have no reservations making an offer with Kyle Okposo on the telephone. Of course both play right wing but Wheeler was drafted two years before Okposo.

Funny thing is if Isles did sign Wheeler he would likely take Okposo's spot next season as a second line right wing. Guerin and Hunter are not left wingers and with Comeau, Bergenheim, Sim and Tambellini on that side there is no spot for them.

________________________________________________________________
No shock in the paper that does not have the financial luxury to cover the Isles properly with a professional writer and a blog on Sunday Larry Brooks decided to take his usual dig at Rick DiPietro and Garth Snow about Chris Osgood being the most successful goaltender of the Charles Wang era to open his Ranger-centric feature?

Larry Brooks ever consider if he covered hockey better all these years when they gave him more space he would not be reduced to reporting on baseball while the important US hockey markets never have to send their hockey writers to another sport in summer?

Boston Globe had a five part article today, several major hockey markets had full coverage today with the draft and free agency approaching.

Hope you enjoyed what you help create for hockey fans in New York Mr Brooks?
_________________________________________________________________

NY Times has all these professional writers around to blog, why not let one of them cover the New York Islanders exclusively and provide a dedicated blog? Do they really think feature articles on selling equipment or this SI type coverage that has been a total failure for two years is helping hockey in this market when the finals
ratings for New York are coming in at 24th and 36th among US cities?

The European league coverage is more dedicated than the New York coverage. It is interesting the paper fills in articles with blogs from fans which seems to be a growing practice for papers who need hockey filler to make up for lack of content.
__________________________________________________________________
I did a little looking back and I have to ask how come Newsday's Mark Herrmann did a Ranger playoff features raving about Jagr here defending his poor season/problems through his career, then when the Rangers were losing in five did not write about how they took a step back and barely qualified, that they spent 90m on two centers that could barely play with Jagr?

I did not see these features on Yashin when he had his good playoff against Toronto nor did he ever refuse to participate in shootouts and I did not see him defended by Mr Herrman when he was hurt in the playoffs for the Isles?

If Garth Snow added 90m in forwards and he had Jagr's poor season guys like Mr
Herrmann would be lining up to rip him but he has a good game in a series his club trails 3-0 and we get a feature that reads like someone who's more fan than beatwriter?

What happened the day the Rangers were eliminated?

Mr Herrmann did a feature completely ignoring the loss about a family from California who were die-hard Ranger fans who left the house with them losing which prevented an accident. He then made sure to point out the former LI family were not Islander fans here.


It sure would be nice if a few of these reporters simply dropped the pretense and said what teams they were fans of going into an article. This way when Mr Herrmann is selling one team and putting down another we can figure out whether to take it seriously?

I did not see any articles from Mr Herrmann last spring when the Isles were eliminated in the same five games about a family of Islander fans in another market
instead of articles calling for changes?

Sorry folks, I think these are very fair questions to ask.

Of course with Cablevision coming in to run Newsday this may become the standard for hockey viewpoints in the paper. Good article for the resume Mr Herrmann.
__________________________________________________________________
The Islanders resigned Campoli for three years last 7/16 for those perhaps looking for a time line on Gervais or other RFA. These things seem to get done in bunches.
__________________________________________________________________
Buyout time is coming soon in the NHL with the date around 6/15. I highly doubt the Isles will go that way with Hilbert or Bates because between waives and trades they could help fill out a deal.

Of course the Islanders could keep and play both if healthy. That would create one heck of a numbers game with the prospects.
___________________________________________________________________
Nothing updated on an outdoor game folks. Don't let Cablevision and NBC keep the Isles out of this one, contact the Mayor's office and demand the Isles are included or no construction be done on the current Yankee Stadium and the game shipped out of town.

If there is a game in New York the Isles have to be in it at all cost for the future of the franchise on a lot of levels, including the Lighthouse. If Mr Ebersol does not like that let him take his coverage elsewhere.

Do you part and send a quick e-mail. Mr Bloomberg will not give Cablevsion the time of day but he may do it for the New York Islanders.

Islanders 5/31 Update

Islanders website: John Hill has a very early Saturday am update on the Isles at the prospects combine with comments from Ryan Jankowski, the Islanders Assistant GM/Director of Amateur Scouting on the process and what the club is looking for.

National Post: Michael Traikos also had a few words from Mr Jankowski in an article on the defenseman defining the draft class after the first selection.

NHL.com: Evan Weiner does a feature on Bobby Nystrom and his Stanley Cup winning goal in 1980 against Philadelphia and asked the legendary player if taking a misconduct on a hot day helped get him a rest?

Toronto Star : Rick Westhead claims a secret document on NHL revenue shows the six Canadian teams account for thirty one percent of the $1.1 billion (U.S.) in league ticket revenue with the Isles among eight clubs that generated less than half the amount of ticket revenue of the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators with the Coyotes generating the least ticket revenue of any club.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The fans had to sit out an entire year for this agreement, both sides agreed to full disclosure and there is revenue sharing so why not simply release the full accounting of each team from an independent arbitrator without secret documents leaking to the media?

If the Canadian dollar is strong of course they are going to take in more revenue along with markets that increase the price of tickets. In many markets this still does not offset the huge overhead to run a franchise in places like New York where many things are more expensive.

Note the pdf file included says the Isles revenue from ticket sales went from five hundred thousand per game to five hundred fifty thousand per game. Seems estimated in many teams cases or at the very least rounded off.

Many of these reports come off like fabricated Msg/Versus press releases on television ratings or announced attendance at games off Espn links. It's practically as bad as all the folks who take the Forbes yearly estimate released around December as gospel even though they have no access to any teams books.

My point being with a lack of credible information folks will believe anything that anyone says or writes.

Telegraph-Journal: Nathan White and Marty Klinkenberg had comments from Ted Nolan on the passing of his former player in Luc Bourdon, former Islander Steve Tambellini also comments. Islanders website also released an article with the coaches comments
here.

Tsn.ca: Has an article on the prospect combine taking place in Toronto with player comments and provided a full blog on the days events here.

Isles profiled prospect Zach Bogosian on the website, I added it to the prospect section.

USA Today.com: Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report profiled the top fowards in the draft with Stamkos, Filatov a cut above the rest.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Added to sidebar, must read for Islander fans.

Newsday: Neil Best who has the media beat reports New York finished with a 1.6 rating for game three of the finals which was 34th among 56 major markets and claims it must be baseball season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's always baseball season in New York, Mr Best. This is why your paper needs to put in more New York Islander coverage and lower Ranger content in the paper but you only seem to be interested in your favorite team, it's hurt local interest in the sport across the board.

What's funny is folks like Mr Best will be the first ones telling us his Rangers in the finals will be good for the sport but here is Detroit-Pittsburgh and New York could care less.

So why will it be different for other markets if a New York area team did make a final if New York is thirty sixth for a great matchup like this?

Daily News: Ranger reporter John Dellapina who has been selling the Rangers at Yankee Stadium since day one has Bill Daly's comments the big meeting regarding this will take place next week which involves the Mayor's office. The article says NBC wants no part of the Isles involvement or a local matchup and that being excluded could anger the club.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Keep sending e-mails to Mayor Bloomberg folks if you want the New York Islanders involved because it's down to the Mayor's office and a meeting next week. If Mr Ebersol, Dellapina, Flood and the Garden do not want the Isles in that game let them pick another city. Isles put in all the work for this and should not only be in the event but the host New York team as the championship hockey tradition in New York Hockey.

Finally nothing new on the Ridderwall-Johansson front.

Ratings game/Outdoor game

NBC sports: Released their version of the ratings for game three
announced as earning a 2.8 overnight rating and a 5 share, the best overnight rating for a Game 3 in six years. (2002 – Carolina-Detroit, 3.8/8)

The Penguins 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings garnered an 18.2/28 in Detroit, trouncing the Detroit Pistons-Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Conference Final
head-to-head by more than 14 percent in "Hockeytown" (15.9/24).

The 2.8/5 was an 87 percent increase over last year's Game 3 on NBC (Anaheim-Ottawa, 1.5/3) but that was a Saturday night game which is traditionally a lower rating night.

Wednesday's Top Markets:
1. Pittsburgh, 33.1/47
2. Detroit, 18.2/28
3. Buffalo, 6.2/9
4. Columbus, 4.1/7
5. Minneapolis, 3.7/7

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A ton of spin both ways. Ottawa-Anaheim game three was played on a Saturday night which is traditionally a lower rating night.

I think it says a lot about how far hockey as fallen when Pittsburgh-Detroit is competing with Carolina-Detroit for ratings.

2.8 is not even in the same universe as Dallas-New Jersey about a decade ago. The Wings beat out the Pistons with basketball on cable and hockey on free television but with both on cable the Pistons won across the board.

NBC finished fourth for the night on broadcast with ratings down 34% from the programming they showed a year ago which is not good.

New York did a 1.6 according to WFAN and Francesa-Russo laughed off the New York hockey fans claiming a WNBA basketball game here had a higher rating than a conference finals hockey game last week.

Tsn.ca: Is confirming Detroit will play Chicago in the next outdoor game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Wake me when the league announces an official game, we have a few too many unofficial/official confirmations, someone call Al Trautwig.

Islander/Finals notables

Thanks for the e-mails on the outdoor game folks, but please just send your e-mail to Mayor Bloomberg, not to me. I have done what I can with this, it's up to you.

I will leave the link up until a decision is announced on the game. If you want our team involved you have to do your part, I do not know if it will help but it sure cannot hurt. Isles put in two years trying to make this game happen and I feel our team deserve to be in this game or no event like this should ever take place in New York.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Eliteprospects.com
Has three rumor reports Tuesday of Islander prospect Kim Johansson moving to Sundsvall, Nyköping or Nybro with all three linked to a blog here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Take all this with a very large grain of salt but with Johansson needing to be signed within a week I listed it. I'm leaning toward cutting out eliteprospects.com from our updates because a few of them like this are linking to blogs I'm not sure are legitimate professional media sources and they have not been as reliable as they have been in the past. _______________________________________________________________________________
Finals notables:
My finals predictions of Pittsburgh in six from Hockey Night on LI Saturday with Osgood being exploited because he is not one of the new age goalies wearing all the extra padding is not looking too good right now. Guess that home ice advantage not being a big deal in today's NHL has me 0-3. (Laughing)

Having written that I did also say these clubs have never met and we'll see what will be the over-riding factor and that anything could happen.

It is getting old reading these 83 Oilers comparisons, Pittsburgh did not dominate during the regular season like Edmonton did in their conference that year. Fact is this Pittsburgh team is looking more like the 81-82 Oilers but played two average clubs in Philadelphia-Rangers who struggled to make the playoffs and a Ottawa club in a free fall but their overall talent and long-term potential is excellent.

Now they are meeting a good team playing well that dominated their conference all season, but Pittsburgh is going home and this will tell us whether we have a long series or a short series if their home winning streak is broken.

Gary Roberts looked like he did in the 2002 playoffs going after Jonsson's head last night. Only this time he's too old to charge in from center ice, garbage play.

These Versus ratings are not exactly great, are they double last year because they have more outlets in year three for people to watch? What does 1.8 on Versus translate to on a network with limited affiliates?

I guess we will find out when NBC takes over for game three. Personally I do not think any market makes that big a difference, the fact so many media did not even go to Detroit says all we need to know about what the sports editors think of hockey in general.

The New York media is not even showing the game highlights.

Best articles I have read from the major media on the finals are the ones wondering why Gary Bettman opens his press conferences with softball questions from NHL network to set the tone as David Shoalts in the Globe & Mail pointed out here.

It's about as pre-packaged as those rating reports coming from Versus media people.
__________________________________________________________________
Newsday: Mark Herrmann does a feature with Robert Borzomi from Sunday, who has painted the Nassau Coliseum ice since day one which the Isles website linked to today with comments from Bryan Trottier, John Tonelli and Lorne Henning.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nice feature and well deserved, but it's long overdue for an update on pending free agents and a state of the Isles. If there is room in the print edition for a two part feature on this there should be room in the budget for information on the team. Kind of sad only Steve Zipay's Ranger blog is going live for the finals but all I can do here is point it out to everyone and ask why the Islander blog is not covering the finals?

The Oklahoman: Bob Hersom does a very good three part interview with former three time cup winner with the Islanders, Mike McEwen who talks about what is was like to play on those championship clubs.

Telegraph-Journal: Scott Briggs has a feature on former cup winning Islander Yvon Vautour who will enter New Brunswick sports shrine Saturday as he talks about being a part of a championship team with the Islanders.

Newsday: Noel Rubinton in the business blog of Newsday has more on Cablevision's purchase of the paper with more criticism for the deal and a link to the LI business news article on 5/23 and a Times article on the history of Newsday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I sent Mr Rubinton an e-mail about a week and a half ago asking what this means for the New York Islanders and their hockey coverage, to this point he did not respond.

Point Blank: Mr Botta answered a blog on the Islanders Hall of Fame regarding Bob Bourne and did a second video blog as a new feature (nice work) on John Tonelli.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A few years earlier a relative of Bob Bourne sent the Sunday Post Soundoff of all places an e-mail about Bourne being under appreciated. As usual Charles Wang stepped up and did something about that to make up for past owners because it was the right thing to do. Hopefully names like Goring, Tonelli, Persson, Westphal and company also are added to that list in the coming years.

In the prospect section Igor Volkov transferred to another Russian club over the weekend.

The Star: Kevin McGran reports the draft prospects combine is underway in Toronto with the Isles (among several clubs) having wined and dined Paul Myers who is the fourth-ranked skater in North America according to the NHL's Central Scouting bureau. Meyer and as Alex Pieterangelo are asked and comment about being drafted by the Leafs.

E-mail Mayor Bloomberg, No Isles, no outdoor game in NYC

Folks, the New York Islanders need your help now.

I'm asking for my fellow New York Islander fans reading this blog to get involved in something that should only take a minute of your time and could help our team be a part of the outdoor game in their own market or make sure no game is held in New York at all.

Spread the word to as many folks as you can.

Please save the time you take e-mailing me back/responding with a discussion and use it to send NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg an email and then get your fellow Islander fans involved.

It's down to the end of the process with the league expected to announce a host city for the next outdoor game according to Gary Bettman's Stanley Cup press conference.

It looks like that comes down to the City of New York granting approval for the construction/winterizing projects that have to take place in the current Yankee Stadium to host an outdoor hockey event that need city approval. This means the Bloomberg administration is the final word here.

Spread the word, let the Mayor's office receive a few thousand e-mails from New York Islander fans demanding our team is involved in this event or no approval be granted by the city for any work on the current Yankee Stadium to make this event possible.

Mr Bloomberg's radio network owns the rights to New York Islander hockey. Former deputy mayor Dan Doctoroff used to be a minority owner of our team.

Not political here folks, it's simply about the right thing being done.

Fill out the forum and demand the New York Islanders be involved in the outdoor game or the city not approve any construction/winterization on the current Yankee Stadium so Cablevision/NBC/Dick Ebersol, Sam Flood can once again cut the New York Islanders out of their own market while only their own special interest take precedent.

If the New York Islanders are not involved in this game, the city should not grant the Yankees approval to make a game possible.

New York is the Islanders market. The club has put in all the work to make this game a reality for almost two years according to Mr Botta while NBC/Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood and likely Cablevision want no part of the Islanders involvement despite our strong fan support at Msg and in New Jersey.

If Dick Ebersol does not like it and wants the Garden's team involved at all cost let them go on the road to play an outdoor game. New York is the Islanders market and if they are not part of it no game should ever take place in New York.

Anyone who thinks Cablevision is paying the New York Islanders close to seventeen million a year or Devils about the same to give them equal billing on television and build a larger fan base I'm afraid I cannot do anything for you.

This is the same Cablevision that killed the West Side Stadium & the Olympics with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and his former chief of staff Patricia Lynch, a Garden lobbyist. The speaker himself has been accused of special priviledges at Ranger games by the NY Post here.

To this day Msg is still receiving tax exepmtions from the early 80's to keep from moving back then and want no part of ending that practice here with again Mr Silver pulling all the strings for Cablevision.

Our team needs this game and the exposure from it. The Islanders put in the groundwork for it and are the championship hockey tradition in New York. They belong in this event as the only other New York pro team with four or more consceutitive championships with the Yankees. It may even help them get the Hub approved with that many Islander fans in one place rooting for the team sending a message to the politicians in Nassau County with the attention the club will receive in the media from being a part of this.

This is the link to contact Mayor Bloomberg:
here.

You can bet Mr Bloomberg will be more than happy to step up and take something away from Cablevision after all they have taken from New York if the Islanders are not included. The mayor would not even get involved in a friendly wager with the City of Buffalo last spring when the Rangers were in the playoffs while Mr Suozzi did a friendly wager for the Islanders in the opening round.

It's up to you and I think it's a time for everyone to take a few minutes and do something to help. I hope you decide to send the mayor an e-mail and spread the word to help our team.

Thank You for reading this.

Hockey Night on LI, Isles Notables

Just finished up Hockey Night on LI with Alex & Steve who as usual did a great job as we talked about several Islander subjects (draft, media coverage, fan meetings) as well as the NHL final. They always make it a pleasure for me to appear.

For those wishing to listen to the show it is posted on the sidebar of the blog as is the links to their website to follow their upcoming/past programs.
_________________________________________________________________________

On other fronts Mr Botta in his Point Blank blog Saturday gave his thoughts on the Islanders efforts for New York to land the outdoor game again here and points to Larry Brooks article in the NY Post today here where he makes his point Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood do not want the a New York Islanders (or Devils) vs Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Other than Mr Botta's insights, the only value here is what the Yankee rep said on the subject. I'm kind of talked out on Mr Ebersol/NBC's long friendly association with Msg to where the Garden is promoted by NBC sports at all costs and have had a vested stake in the past with the Garden. The poor ratings the Rangers have produced when featured during the regular season & the playoffs the last three seasons on national television say all we need to know about the hockey market in the city and it's marginal impact on a national level.

Pittsburgh, Buffalo carry the Eastern Conference ratings.

If the New York Islanders are not part of the game I encourage our fans not to attend or watch. I encourage the Islanders to schedule a game themselves at the same time if possible.

All I can add beyond that is Mr Brooks speculates on a decision being made in two weeks. That reads well but a year ago nothing was officially announced until training camp opened and unofficial confirmation did not hit the Pittsburgh papers until August 25th according to Rob Rossi in the Tribune Review here.

I suppose anything can happen in that regard but it seems off-base for anyone to claim something must be done within two weeks if that was not the case a year ago.

Updated:
Gary Bettman in his finals press conference intends to announce the teams and venue for the winter clasic shortly here.

_____________________________________________________________________

Islanders website: Release it's best of 2007-08 with a feature of Al Arbour night.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I do not want to be the bad guy here but perhaps given the calander says 5/24 the club could have done something on the 1980 team and held that for another day?

In the poll for the Isles website I gave them a B and it would have been an A if they simply beefed up the championship information and articles on this teams incredible past. They should have year-round access to old articles/backpages, photos, game highlights all over the site. Few teams have the Isles storied championship tradition and it's something that's needs to be addressed and should not be very hard to incorporate into the teams website.

You cannot just market the past on core of the four weekend or Al Arbour night to a new generation, that information should be available all the time.

This should be an easy one. A few snippets from the book Pride & Passion are not nearly enough.
___________________________________________________________________
As for the blog itself:

Unless something major breaks in terms of the New York Islanders, I'm going to take a few days off here for the holiday that could run well into late Tuesday. The Ridderwall, Johansson signing watch continues along with the unrestricted/restricted free agents.

The current media poll will run through the next few days as well.

The feeders all over the blog provide Islander-related updates as well so visitng here you will miss nothing.

Everyone have a good memorial day weekend, thank you as always for the great support.

Saturday notables

Sean Bergenheim did not play for Finland Saturday in the game for third place against Sweden at the WC.

Finland defeated Sweden 4-0.

The championship game between Russia and Canada is on Sunday at 1pm EST.
__________________________________________________
Both eliteprospects and europeanhockey report former Islander Chris Simon has signed with Vityaz Podolsk/Chekhov.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For now we have to see if this is a contract he can opt out of if he signs with an NHL team in July but it is a sign he is looking to make sure he has a team to play for. Either that or he was offered a high salary and this deal locks him in as Alexei Yashin's contract locked him in.
__________________________________________________

Islander fringe prospect Vladimir Gorbunov has transferred from CSKA Moskva to HK MVD Balashikha.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I write fringe because with no transfer agreement technically the Isles still own his NHL rights.
__________________________________________________
Dallas earns a trip back home for a game six and a little pressure now goes on the Wings. Reasonable now for a little 75 Islanders talk but we saw this in the San Jose series.
_________________________________________________________________
I cannot be bothered linking to Arthur Staple's Yankee Stadium outdoor game article with his un-named NHL sources claiming they do not want to offend the Isles or Devils so they may not have a New York game. Mr Staple is so far behind on this story he's writing about a November game for an event that will take place new year's day. That is the only thing everyone can agree on and he could not get that correct.

Islander News Articles 3/22

Newsday: Greg Logan has Wade Dubielewicz and Kyle Okposo comments on the Islanders win and the young prospect's first NHL goal and points and New York moving to 6-1 against the Devils this season.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not a printed word from the coach on the teams first win in a long time but a few generic words on a possible outdoor Islander game after Newsday pulled an article off it's website? Seems like Ted Nolan got cut out of coverage so Newsday could correct a mistake.

Here is the report from Newsday which is now a broken link here.

NEWSDAY.COM
7:19 PM EDT, March 21, 2008
Citing "as good a source as I can tell you," MSG Network's Al Trautwig reported on MSG's "Hockey Night Live" Friday that the Rangers and Islanders will indeed play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 1.

Here is what was said on Msg because I taped the game:
"And now the thought that there might be a game on January first in Yankee Stadium seems like it will be a reality. On about as good a source as I can tell you, I have learned that the Rangers will play the Islanders at Yankee Stadium, the last event in that that building, January first." Stan Fischler replied "Good scoop."

Daily News: John Dellapina in a blog confirms Newsday did write such a report and makes sure he gets in his favorite point NBC Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood do not want the Islanders or Devils involved.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders are a New York franchise, they have as much right to be the host team in the New York market at Yankee Stadium as the Rangers and as usual it looks like Al Trautwig put his foot in his mouth or at the very least spoke early. We saw these denials from the league sources last summer.

Bottom line I'm tired of reading NBC Dick Ebersol/Sam Flood trying to hold down the Islanders or Devils because the Garden and NBC have a business relationship.

Ranger ratings on NBC are terrible with Islander, Devil and Ranger fans watching games to help bump those ratings. They were pathetic during last year's playoffs and will be again if they qualify and so will all other twenty nine teams. No doubt John Dellapina does not want the Rangers competition on such an equal stage because it would not help showcase his team. You really think Leon Carver wants to increase Islander coverage or have blogs for our team in his paper with the Islanders playing such a game?

For these folks it's about raising hockey's profile and they do not want that profile to include the Rangers competiton. For me I would love to see the Islanders do something with the Yankees and bring the Canadians in and make it a weekend of sports dynasties with the Isles, Canadians and Yankees while the Ranger fans watch and bump our ratings.

I will be surprised if the Yankees even permit the historic stadium to close with a non-hockey event at a time of major construction because it does nothing to help baseball's business in New York. This will come down to how much money Charles Wang, Cablevision, the league throw at the Yankees. NBC does not pay the league to show hockey but would they pay to control the teams that play?

I wonder who gets hit with a home game off the schedule?

Newsday: Reports the Tribune company discussed selling Newsday and that Cablevision, the NY Post/Ruppert Murdoch and the Daily News Mort Zuckerman could purchase the paper.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So now the three entities that restrict or outright keep the Islanders out of the media want to own the only paper that covers the team? We may be down to only bloggers by the time this is over with if any of these three acquire Newsday.

Daily News: Peter Botte in the one article and six paragraphs fits all coverage department has Kyle Okposo's comments on his goal and Martin Brodeur on how the Islanders were to a certain extent
waiting to get beaten with a few words from Brent Sutter.

NY Post: Mark Everson's Devil centric coverage did not include one word from a New York Islander player on the win or Kyle Okposo's first NHL goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Why did the Times bother going to Bridgeport to cover Kyle Okposo's debut if they are not going to send a writer to his NHL debut or a game in New Jersey? Seems kind of pointless unless they follow up and the time to do that is the night of those games, not a week later.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere reports on the Devils loss
and a second article on the three fights the Islanders lost with Aaron Asham's comments on his ko of Matt Spiller here.

Bergen Record : Also has Devils coverage.

Montreal Gazette : Red Fisher weighs in on Rick DiPietro's injury with some quotes from Newsday coverage and wonders if the fifteen year contract was a good idea?

National Post: Reports former Islander Tim Connolly will also undergo HIP surgery and that his season is over after playing only forty eight games.

Barrie Examiner : Ian Shantz reports Islander prospect captain Tomas Marcinko scored the game winning goal third period goal in a 3-1 upset for the Barrie Colts against the Brampton Battalion in Game 1 of their best-of-seven quarter-final series.

Brampton News : Has more on the game including Marcinko's empty net goal.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I feel like I'm back covering Islander prospects Cory Stillman and Brad Topping reading about a Barrie-Brampton match up.

Sound Tigers website: Reports on Bridgeport's 5-4 overtime win on Matt Keith's goal Friday at Worcester in a game that was as strange as it gets with the Sound Tigers scoring four third period goals, an empty net goal to make it 4-2 and then allowing two goals in the final twenty seconds to send the game to overtime.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bridgeport is off until Wednesday but from there it's four in five days (Wed-Sunday) three straight weeks to close the season. Returning Islander prospects after the season ends would have six games but the first two do not seem feasible considering the New York and Bridgeport schedules unless they play a combined five days in a row.

Ct Post : Michael Fornabaio recaps the strange win with comments from Matt Keith, Colton Fretter, who had another two goals and Jack Capuano's comments on how the club needed to start moving and they would score a few goals.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio felt the Sound Tigers did have the early effort but felt a lack or urgency or something was missing and then they exploded with four goals. He had no words for two goals in the final twenty seconds allowed after scoring in the empty net for a two goal lead.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette : Bud Barth has the recap of this game that was a stunner on both sides.

Islander News Articles 3/14

Newsday: Greg Logan's article is on Blake Comeau getting powerplay play time with Ted Nolan's comments.

Newsday: Greg Logan's Islander Insider is on the club perhaps calling up Kyle Okposo by Tuesday, the Islanders staking their claim to a possible outdoor game at Yankee Stadium and more on Rick DiPietro's stick handling. Bill Guerin talks about the powerplay, Brendan Witt talks about his efforts with his family to fight cancer and his injury. Chris Pronger vs Chris Simon is brought up and Bob McKenzie defends Pronger because the video footage is not good despite Kessler saying he got his calf with the stomp.

Garth Snow, Ted Nolan, Rick DiPietro comment on several items.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Seems to me it's a terrible decision if Okposo is called up when he's needed in Bridgeport for their playoff chase. The idea from this point forward should be to make sure one team gets into the playoffs and in this case that's the Sound Tigers.

Kyle Okposo does not need an NHL cameo as much as the Islanders need him to experience a playoff series. It's also been a long and tough season for Okposo, he does not need any more changes and distractions. What he does need to do is continue to play in Bridgeport and after the Islanders season ends have Tambellini, Comeau go back to the AHL and help that group have a long playoff run.

Sound Tigers have a very tough April schedule that ends much later than the Isles schedule.

Not much to say about the outdoor game that I did not write the other day. If the team were marketed as New York they would not have to sell themselves like this now and should be the team regardless of who the opposition is.

NHL.com: Dan Rosen has a feature article on Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt and his work off the ice to help children.

Star Phoenix:Cory Wolfe has a full feature on Islander goaltender Billy Smith who will play in a legends game tonight on a bunch of subjects.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on Kip Brennan suspension ending which will make him available to play Saturday as well as all the roster changes for tonight's game. Jeremy Colliton is back with the Sound Tigers.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Bridgeport Sound Tigers

WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Sorry Mr Botta but Isles created this problem

Point Blank: Chris Botta today in his blog discusses the Islanders involvement for two years in trying to be one of the teams selected to play at Yankee Stadium.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Botta, all due respect but the Islanders created this problem for themselves and if they are excluded from an outdoor game in New York Islander Country which includes the Bronx and the entire tri-state area they have no one but themselves to blame for it.

Do you really think the Ranger salesman and spin doctors in the local print media were going to push to put the Rangers competition on an equal New York stage for a big event? This is about the Ranger media and the garden trying to give their team badly needed exposure because hockey cannot compete with the major sports and of course that's why the New York Islanders want in.

Judging by the strong Islander turnout at Msg and in New Jersey this cannot be marketed to the public as only a Long Island team but that's the direction ownership has gone in to such an extreme it's coming back to hurt the club now in situations like this.

Dick Ebersol, is well connected to the Garden and even airs Knicks games on NBC to market the club on free television. He does not want the Islanders or Devils in any competition with the Rangers under any circumstances on his network nor do they care how low the Ranger ratings are on NBC nationally. They would not even change their schedule last spring to telecast Islanders-Devils on Easter Sunday which was a huge ratings game here so a meaningless Sabre-Flyer game aired which was the scheduled game. NBC would not even schedule Islanders-Rangers this April for a game at the end of the season.

NBC used to have a personal stake in the Garden according to Business Week in 1997 here and Mr Ebersol lobbies constantly for the Garden and any event to be played there.

NHL personnel like former Ranger Daily News writer Frank Brown or former Ranger employees Colin Campbell or Mike Murphy will not do a thing to help the Isles here if they have any say in it at all.

For years now the Long Island mantra has been placed on everything coming out of this organization from player comments to any team release and now fans inside the city limits and tri-state area are almost made to feel you are rooting for the wrong local team if you are a New York Islander fan. That's a major mistake that has hurt on a lot of levels including the box office in my estimation. There are days Newsday has cut out Islander coverage in the city limits edition of the paper and if you cannot read about your team you tend to stop watching after a while.

I understand the urgent need to make the local community feel it is a part of the team and connect with them as the club tries to bring in a new generation of fans after years of trying to get back it's older generation of fans but it's given the city media a reason to stop covering the club as a New York based franchise and it's hurt the Islanders ability to market themselves outside of Nassau and Suffolk County and now it may cost them the outdoor game.

Isles never struck a balance with that and putting some ads in one Manhattan electronics store last year is not enough.

New York City is not a major hockey market. Playoff ratings last year and indifference by the media does not lie and has not this year either. Buffalo doubled and tripled up hockey ratings in New York last spring so this is not a number one market for hockey. It's a market that preferred NASCAR to playoff hockey in New York by thirty eight percent last spring as Richard Sandomir in the Times confirmed last April here.

The idea that the Rangers are the host team in the Bronx makes no sense given how Cablevision kept YES off television for a full year and them did all they could to keep the Jets out of New York and all their past problems with the Mets and the city itself. To say nothing of the strong Islander fan support they receive inside the city market for games.

Michael Bloomberg I'm sure would have no problem with the station he owns the Islanders radio rights to being the host New York team given his relationship with the Garden since the West Side Stadium and how Sheldon Silver has a vested interested in Msg himself here and as an avid Ranger fan is given special treatment according to this NY Post article from Tom Topuousis in Dec 2006 here. Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoff is a former Islander minority owner as well.

Cablevision did a deal to make sure only one team they owned got two games televised on free television on channel 9, despite all those FSN-2 dates for the Isles this season. This teams fan base expanded in huge numbers with the games being played on channel 9 a long time ago.

Cablevision does not own the Islanders television rights today to help them expand the fanbase, it's always been to limit their exposure.

New York Islanders means New York, not just Long Island and the ownership needs to start to address all it's fans in tri-state area.

As for Mr Botta it's up to him and the New York Islanders to get the Yankees to make sure the Islanders are involved in this after being the team to initiate the idea.

Islander notables

Daily News: John Dellapina reports on the possibility of a hockey game closing Yankee Stadium and seems to feel the league and NBC will cut the Islanders out of it. Chris Botta's comments are included as to how many times the Islanders have been involved in negotiations.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Dellapina sure is working overtime to get his favorite team some badly needed publicity and cut out any chance of New York-New York and both local teams sharing the stage for this event. Last I checked New York Islanders also means New York.

You can bet Dick Ebersol and Sam Flood want to keep the Isles out for the same reasons they keep them off NBC for games and Mr Ebersol's past involvement with Madision Square Garden to where Knick games also are appearing on NBC. What they have not figured out is no game will generate big ratings anywhere involving any team. Rangers and Islanders combined have problems posting legitimate sellouts so why would the corproations and their fans go out in the cold on January 1st?

Personally the Islanders have been lobbing for this harder and longer and should be the team playing in Yankee or Shea Stadium.

A Montreal-Islander match up involving the three sports dynasties would be a fantastic sell for hockey in New York City.

Times like this the Islanders should regret selling the Long Island angle to every media statement coming from the team.

Newsday: Ranger beatwriter Steve Zipay also has basically the same article where the league has no comment and no set plans.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's Chris Botta once again vs the Ranger fan/beat reporters because the Islanders do not have anyone in the media who will lobby for them here and if there is nothing to stir things it will be made up for public consumption as an implied problem between the general manager and coach. Mr Botta basically had to take on the Ranger media alone regarding Rick DiPietro sitting out Thursay to where he had to do a blog update a few days ago here.

Islander blogs at Newsday since March 7th?
Rangers 7, Islanders 0

Newsday: Greg Logan finally blogs and reports the Islanders have nominated Brendan Witt for the Masterson Award with his comments about how he has been playing hurt after running into Bill Guerin and the state of his teams chances for the playoffs.

Islander News Articles 1/19:

NY Post: Dan Martin was allowed four small paragraphs today as a game preview where Mr Wang said he was pleased with the club winning three of their last four games and that the club was doing a heck of a job as the injuries/call ups Friday were included.

Philadelphia Daily News: Ed Moran confirms report the other day, Martin Biron will start in goal.

Philadelphia Daily News: Ed Barkowitz reports
Scott Hartnell (hand) and Scottie Upshall (ankle) skipped practice yesterday but both are expected to play against the Isles while Rory Fitzpatrick is scheduled to have surgery today for a sports hernia.

Phillyburbs.com: Wayne Fish writes about the Flyers power play which is currently ranked number one in the league.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported Frans Nielsen's goal came off a Ben Walter shorthanded block as he exited the penalty box and found himself with a breakaway. Dubie was not happy with his rebound control or footwork and felt he was rusty but credited his defense, while coach Jack Capuano praised his teams composure.

Ct Post: Wade Dubielewicz talked about his conditioning stint which likely ends after the game against Albany Saturday and felt the games he saw recently with the Islanders helped him get back into a groove.

Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News: Had brief staff reports on last night's game.

Globe & Mail: William Houston writes about NBC's hockey coverage and their flex schedule which begins today and Mike Milbury's role who said he is not like Bob Costas and will tell everyone when he feels a player is dogging it. NBC's Sam Flood who produces their hockey coverage talks about Sidney Crosby's impact and the complaining about last year's regional schedule which prevented Western Conference fans from seeing him play.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I have little doubt former Msg shareholder Dick Ebersol's spam the New York City market plan will be the overall format regardless of the poor ratings showing the Manhattan product not only on NBC but Fox and ABC before that. This was a program last year that did not show Islanders-Devils on the final day of the season or make plans to add the game which produced record TSN viewers here. NBC even shows what amounts to Knick infomercials these days as filler during other networks football games so clearly they still have a good relationship with the Garden if not a vested interest outright in marketing for them.

My advice to Islander fans is to not help the New York ratings by watching Sunday because all it does is keep our team off future telecast and validate their Ranger centric format strategy. Sunday's telecast to me is a test where they sell the Manhattan-Boston rivalry for a possible outdoor game in the future.

I suspect the Rangers want to keep the Islanders out of any outdoor game because it risks putting both New York teams in an event on an equal footing and could be embarrassing for the garden if a large number of Islander fans attended an event like that inside the city limits. Don't think for a second the Dolan's took on the Isles long-term contract with sportshannel when the networks merged to help their popularity. Charles Dolan may go to Islander playoff games and may have been a fan long ago but his family owns the Garden and it's competition's television rights which is what they do to control content.

If you feel I'm incorrect here by all means let the New York Times tell you as Richard Sandomir told us back in 1998 here which is why Islanders-Toronto in 2002 went right back on the limited metro channel when one Islander playoff game got a local rating equal to two hundred thousands homes which was far higher than any Ranger playoff game last year and when WFAN'S Chris Russo asked James Dolan about it he simply smiled and laughed during an appearance.

In the end I see no way the Yankees allow a non-baseball event to close their historic stadium nor do I see a demolition delay for possible future things built on that land as soon as the Yankees finish playing next season at a time there will be huge construction activity in the area.

However if it were to happen................

I would love to see the Islanders play the Canadians at Yankees Stadium as the home team and cut the Rangers out entirely. Make it a weekend for sports dynasties only and have the Isles dynasty players go against the Canadian dynasty players from the seventies and take down the Long Island label for a few days because this is a New York team called New York Islanders with a strong city fanbase.

It's not like the Islanders are the football teams that play in the New Jersey Meadowlands parking lot and plaster New York all over everything while everyone ignores it.

You can bet the Steinbrenner family do not have short memories of keeping YES off Cablevision for a year and the Dolan's lawsuit against the NHL this year.

This is one format the Dolan's cannot control which is why they are paying so much for the television rights to all four New York area teams, including the Buffalo Sabres to regulate telecasts and content.

It's also a great opportunity to expand the Islander fan base inside the city limits which has always been very good but neglected recently which has contributed to the media reducing the city coverage to all-time lows. Perhaps something like this brings more coverage and exposure for the Isles inside the city limits full time which ends the subjective coverage.

Islander News Articles 1/3

Newsday: Mark Herrmann had comments from several Islanders regarding a possible Yankee Stadium outdoor hockey game in the future.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I did a blog on this back in August on a possible outdoor game here. I just have very little to add beyond it other than to write I do not think New York has that many passionate hockey fans. In terms of ratings in the NY market Michigan-Florida drew 4.5 percent of homes to 2.4 for hockey. Buffalo against Pittsburgh also had the Canadian fans come in from over the border and the buzz from that helped ratings also.

The novelty from this from this event will also go stale soon enough if they plan on doing it every year.

NY Post: Dan Martin did an article on the return of Rick DiPietro.

No Outdoor Game for Islanders

Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported today Pittsburgh will play Buffalo in an outdoor game next season on January 1st.

Several NHL officials said today that the game between the Penguins and Sabres on Jan. 1, 2008 will be played at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Bills. In a made-for-television event -- the game will air nationally on NBC -- the Penguins and Sabres will skate on an outdoor rink in front of what the NHL hopes will prove the largest audience ever to watch an NHL game in the United States.

"If and when we have something to announce we will make sure the announcement gets heard," NHL vice president of media relations Frank Brown said.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's the right teams in the right setting and the game should go over very well. Sabres and Penguins are two of the top ratings clubs in the NHL for television locally.

I guess this puts to rest any idea of an Islander game played at Yankee or Shea Stadium. By January 2009 the race will be on for both local baseball teams to open their news ballpark's and demolish Yankee/Shea Stadium at the same time. Meadowlands may still have football and likely will also have major construction on that site.