Islander News Articles 4/12

Will fill in a few things later or Sunday on the Isles in this entry, will give the Sound Tigers their own blog entries with a link to Frozen Four.

Newsday: Greg Logan's game recap of the Islanders 3-2 loss to Philadelphia begins with defenseman Mark Streit's comments he feels his team needs a goal scorer as he felt the defense and the return of Rick DiPietro would be good enough on the backline. Sean Bergenheim discussed what a player like John Tavares or Victor Hedman would do for this team and felt his line could have had a few more goals today.

Head coach Scott Gordon felt his special teams have struggled the last ten games.

Newsday: Mr Logan had features on Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo on how he felt in his return as he was asked about playing at the World Championships here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
ITV Has the full Scott Gordon press conference so you have the exchange with Mr Logan and the media on hand.

Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog around gametime bloged on an early season issue with Doug Weight-Bill Guerin and the beatwriter in an article where Weight was awarded the good-guy award from the local chapter of the Writers before Saturday's game for his cooperation with the media on a team Mr Logan felt has a lot of what he wrote were " good guys " in terms of being accessible.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I find it interesting Mr Logan feels hockey is a sport which the athletes understand their responsibility to promote the game, their franchise and the importance of the media as a connection to the interests of the fans, but the writer himself only did the bare minimum vs his Newsday counterpart in the only paper that covered the Islanders full-time.

That alone mandates far more coverage for all these " good guys " who need to connect to our fans to get people to come to games and promote New York Islander Hockey.

We did not read nearly enough from our beatwriter unless it was about un-named sources complaining about the coach or the Newsday staff that went after the Islanders like no other club in this league that decided to go by the NHL injury policy. When it came time to question Rick DiPietro's health, Mr Logan was all over it but when he started the ASG, he was nowhere to be found.

I don't want to play the role of " bad guy " here and it would be very easy for me to ignore these things but someone has to write this because it has caused damage beyond the on-ice results and hurts the teams exposure and ability to promote itself.

In a few days, I no longer will be writing about it so I hope a few fans see it and ask the same tough but very fair questions moving forward. Mr Logan does not control the print space the editor provides but where Steve Zipay had extra blog entries after games with players quotes and additional information, as Mr Fornabaio does the same for Bridgeport I rarely saw this for the Islanders all season aside from the recent game in Carolina where he did a late night blog with more quotes.

NY Post: Dan Martin's game coverage.

Cherry Hill Courier Post: Chuck Gormley's coverage of the Flyers win Saturday.

Philadelphia Inq/Daily News: Combined Flyer coverage.

Delaware County Times: Also has Flyer coverage.

Associated Press: Reported Boston lost 6-1 to Buffalo on Saturday so they will not win the President's Trophy, finishing second to San Jose but after such a loss will likely want to finish strong heading into the playoffs.

Associated Press: Report the Detroit Red Wings have resigned forward Johan Franzen to an 11-year, $43.5 million deal Saturday, which averages $3.95 million per season for the twenty nine year old.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Funny how the Wings keeps copying Charles Wang with longer term signings but virtually no criticism to keep their core together.

Newsday Islander Insider

Newsday: Greg Logan's Friday Islander Insider had a full review of Josh Bailey's first NHL season with summaries on Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau (where Bill Guerin had some interesting comments about his play) Frans Nielsen and Sean Bergenheim who's World Championship participation is in question because of his groin injury despite returning the last two games.

Head coach Scott Gordon is asked about Joel Rechlicz penalties in the Carolina game and that game itself where Richard Park commented. Bill Guerin also discusses about how tough it was losing this season and felt Mark Streit would be an excellent choice to be named captain.

Other items as well.

Islander-Sound Tiger NHL Notables

AHL.com: Reported Joel Rechlicz was returned to Bridgeport but a lot of these have been paper transactions.

Point Blank: Mr Botta has an exclusive interview with defenseman Jack Hillen.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports Islander Prospect Kevin Poulin is in Bridgeport, with Matt Martin, Justin DiBenedetto to Bridgeport also from the Sarnia Sting possible soon.

Mr Fornabaio apparently is not allowed to say much on Bridgeport's relocation to New York for playoff games but I will let his words speak for themselves.

Newsday: Greg Logan had an Islander Insider on Rechlicz who may stay down in Bridgeport because Sean Bergenheim could be activated among several subjects with a team comparison to the Detroit Red Wings.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Logan does a nice job telling us about the Wings success and how old and run down their facility is, he does even better informing us owner Mike Ilitch receives all the things Smg receives today instead of Charles Wang.

What he fails to point out in his comparisons is the Wings for years were spending anywhere from sixty to eighty million on team payroll that set them up for their current reputation as a model franchise to attract players.

Mr Logan also failed to note the Wings have had attendance problems deep into the playoffs here and reportedly going into the lockout needed to make the finals simply to break even financially here.

The thing about NHL revenue no one writes about is if you spend 120m to generate 100m as a return that is generating a lot of revenue but it's still losing money and plenty of it which no one writes at all in these worthless estimated team financial evaluations.

For billion dollar companies who happen to own sports teams as a sidebar it's a smart risk to take that advantage but it eventually erodes the financial system.

This is what clearly is going on with Dallas and Colorado who could finally not buy their way out of a bad season or sustain their spending with the later maybe qualifying for revenue sharing here.

The Montreal Canadians have had financial problems too despite any revenue they generate here they have had a history of losing money even being a team that was not spending 80m a year on payroll before the lockout.

Bergenheim, MacDonald out, Mannino recalled

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog among several items reports Sean Bergenheim was returned to New York to be re-evaluated and goaltender Joey MacDonald will likely be joining him on the injured list with a knee injury suffered in the Toronto game. Peter Mannino has been recalled while Richard Park and Nate Thompson are on the road trip and again took part in the full practice and could be activated.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports despite this being clear day in the AHL (roster of those eligible for playoffs) the Sound Tigers have made no trades and none of the pro-tryout players were converted to full AHL contracts so they could be placed on the list. Robin Figren was assigned to Bridgeport by the Islanders is not eligible for the playoffs but can play in games down the stretch or just work out with the team.

At this time the beatwriter was not given the list that will include some current Islanders like Kyle Okposo which team President Howard Saffan commented on recently.

Islander News Articles 3/8

Islanders website: Announced late Saturday night they will play the Vancouver Canucks in a pre-season game in in Terrace, British Columbia, on September 14th with general manager Garth Snow's comments.

Terrace edged out more than 7,100 entries and joins previous Kraft Hockeyville winners Roberval, QC (2008); North Bay, ON (2007); and Salmon River, NS (2006).

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Those who recall the Islanders played in the North Bay game in 2007. I sure would like to see some local games announced around New York for this team.

Newsday: Greg Logan's game coverage Sean Bergenheim, Kyle Okopso, Brent Sutter recaps New York's 7-3 win against the Devils with Trent Hunter's season ending broken ankle here.

NY Post: Mark Everson's Devil centric article included one sentence from Scott Gordon to cover the Islanders side. Jay Greenberg showed up and did an article with the usual negative theme on the Devils.

No Islander centric coverage or article for their home game.

Newsday: Eden Laikin in an article on the Lighthouse specifics again claims Wang's threat to not sign a new lease is buried deep within a portion of the report that surfaced last week was a not-so-subtle ultimatum by Wang.

Town officials have until April 28 to decide whether answers are enough on the documents submitted by Lighthouse Group, and whether the plans are ready for state and county review.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Maybe Eden Laikin only read the documents last week but even hockey fans could go right to the Lighthouse site and read what was not buried deep within a portion of the report that was submitted at the meeting and is very misleading to be called an ultimatum.

I read this as soon as it was posted on the Lighthouse website, it was not discovered last week.

Daily News: Peter Botte's coverage had more Devils quotes and content while Bergenheim received a quick paragraph with nothing from head coach Scott Gordon.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Almost a waste of our time putting up the links to this content if the best we can get is a paragraph from the home team. At least when PA Sportsticker recap is there we actually receive a descent sized article.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere's Devils coverage.

AHL.com: Recap of Bridgeport vs Philadelphia Saturday which the Sound Tigers won 3-2 in a shootout after coming back down 2-0 but went 0-10 with the man advantage.

2. PHI Matsumoto, (23) , 5:09 (SH)
2. PHI Ross, (22) (Sirianni, Kane), 10:37 (PP)
3. BRI Sim, (2) (Packard, Colliton), 7:29
3. BRI Haskins, (8) (MacDonald, Smith), 12:00

10 Tyler Haskins Goal
23 Trevor Smith No Goal
71 Kurtis McLean Goal
27 Junior Lessard Goal

Kris Mayotte is the new Bridgeport goaltender at this time. Apparently Nate Lawson is out of the lineup. Peter Mannino backed up.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage of Bridgeport's shootout win against Philadelphia with blog entries.

Philadelphia Inq/Daily News: Likely last game update ever on the Phantoms who will leaving Philadelphia after this season.

Bridgeport plays at home against Hartford Sunday at 4pm.

Islander News Articles 2/22

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article has comments from Yann Danis and Mark Streit about the goaltenders first Islander shutout.

Newsday: Mr Logan's other article was a recap of the press conference with general manager Garth Snow and head coach Scott Gordon's comments.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has his usual hodgepodge of misery about the team and the Lighthouse with a few words from Bruno Gervais on the trade of Chris Campoli questioning how long our fans can be patient and dismissing them from competing next season already.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Herrmann went nowhere near the Islanders man games lost to injury or that in the four games against the Atlantic this week the Islanders won two, lost a one goal game (less open net) to a team the Islanders are virtually even in scoring with and aside from some self-inflicted mistakes against the Flyers trailed 2-1 on the road last week in the third period before they made a few more.

I get no satisfaction questioning Mr Herrmann but he does not apply the same journalistic standards to the Cablevision-owned team he also covers for Newsday. In fact in their case he goes in the exact opposite direction keeping the glass full at almost all times.

Can the 2009-10 New York Islanders be a bad team and not compete? Absolutely, but not for the reasons Herrmann gives us.

NY Post: Dan Martin's coverage was mostly on general manager Garth Snow's press conference but Bill Guerin and Bruno Gervais also comment on trade/teams direction.

NY Post: Mark Everson's mostly Devils centric coverage did include comments from Yann Danis on his shutout but did recap the game and the Islander goals.

Daily News: Peter Botte's article split coverage and content from both the Devils and Islanders with Garth Snow the only Islander quoted content.

Newark Star Ledger: Rich Chere's Devils coverage and blog entries.

Ottawa Citizen: Ken Warren had comments from Ottawa gm Bryan Murray on how the trade with the Islanders came together that was worked on for close to a month.

CP: Seemed to have to most comments from Chris Campoli after their loss to Montreal.

Point Blank: Mr Botta had an excellent article on Sean Bergenheim after the Islanders win with a good postgame breakdown with the forwards comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I only feel it's fair to provide a small sampling here because this is Mr Botta's content and you should visit his blog.

Ct Post: Staff reports recap Bridgeport's 3-2 shootout loss to Springfield Saturday with Michael Fornabaio's blog entry here.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio previews Sunday's 1pm home game against Portland.

The Republican: Gary Brown
has Springfield coverage of their shootout win.

Islander News Articles 2/8

Newsday: Greg Logan's game recap of the Islanders loss to Tampa has comments from Bruno Gervais on the game winning goal Gary Roberts got position against him and Yann Danis on the loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I cannot remember the last time a Bruno Gervais quote made it into Newsday.

Newsday: Mr Logan's other article is mostly a repeat of his pregame blog on Bergenheim where apparently he was skating for two weeks but could not get in the lineup because of Nate Thompson with the head coach adding " I think if his focus is on scoring goals, then it's not in the right place, He's got to make sure he's skating and finishing his checks, and the rest will take care of itself."

NYI Fan Central Comments:
You mean like it has for Thompson, Hilbert, Jackman and Park recently? All due respect to these players but they simply cannot carry any kind of offense load for long if at all.

I understand where the coach is going with Bergenheim and wants players thinking defense but to phase out Bergenheim who was getting pushed to the fourth line before his injury (after three goals) for other players without his skills simply does not make a lot of sense in a team that supposedly is going with prospects but leaves first round picks like Bergenheim-Tambellini in the stands while they reside in 30th place?

I have no idea what Scott Gordon sees in Nate Thompson who is virtually invisible when he plays.

St Petersburg Times: Damian Cristodero & Tampa Tribune:Erik Erlendsson has the recap of the Islanders 1-0 loss at Tampa with a very good write-up by both local papers on Mike McKenna for his first career shutout.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Very nice job by both Tampa publications on McKenna.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport finally won a game in Norfolk 3-2 on Saturday. Dallas prospect Tobias Stephan had thirty saves in goal for Bridgeport.

2. NOR Lundin, (3) (Bochenski, Konopka), 4:46 (PP)
2. NOR Keller, (8) (Bochenski, Jackson), 6:18
2. BRI Iggulden, (19) (Walter, Smith), 16:25
3. BRI Colliton, (4) (MacDonald), 11:43
3. BRI Joensuu, (14) (Smith, Kohn), 19:03

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's game (phone interview with Jack Capuano) in Norfolk against the Admirals Saturday with blog entries here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For some reason the Ct Post has not been sending Mr Fornabaio to Norfolk the last few double-headers or for maybe the later game.

Ct Post: Bridgeport plays Sunday at 5pm in Philadelphia to wrap the weekend.

Norfolk Virginian Pilot: Paul White's Admiral coverage of Norfolk vs Bridgeport and Jesse Joensuu's goal in the final minute.

New York at Tampa Bay 7:30pm Msg+

Islanders website: Doing a very classy blog on the Dad's week trip with entries.

St Petersburg Times: Damian Cristodero reports Mike McKenna will start against the Islanders even if starter Mike Smith dresses as backup. Andrej Meszaros, his upper left arm injury likely will keep him out of Saturday's game.

For New York looks like Bergenheim slides into Park's spot on left wing with Nielsen and Hunter while Park takes Thompson's spot on fourth line.

Yann Danis is expected to be in goal based on Scott Gordon's comments before Florida game.

No word on Mark Streit but I guess based on coaches comments Callahan could be the one to replace Pock for the duration of his injury. I guess we will see where that goes vs Jack Hillen.

Islanders give up the chances and let McKenna settle in like he did after going in for Ramo they are not going to win here.

Updated:
Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog reports Sean Bergenheim will return to the lineup, Mark Streit will miss tonight's game.

Head coach Scott Gordon is quoted on Bergenheim along with the left winger who will skate with Richard Park and Tim Jackman. Andy Hilbert moves up to the line with Nielsen and Yann Danis starts in goal.

Sportsnet/several sources: Report Jussi Jokinen was traded to Carolina for two players and a fourth round pick.

Sporting News: Ray Slover insists the Islanders must trade Mike Comrie, Doug Weight and Bill Guerin if possible.

It should be noted Mr Slover did not note Weight's production.

Islander News Articles 12/14

Newsday: Greg Logan's game recap had head coach Scott Gordon on the two goals the Islanders scored that did not count, Bergenheim on how he could have made it tougher on Rick Nash to get the puck off his stick on the breakaway and goaltender Joey MacDonald on how they played better but losing battles on the third goal where two Blue Jackets out battle five Islanders are the ones killing them.

Newsday: Mr Logan has more from the pregame blog on Mike Sillinger's groin injury where he says it could be in correlation to his hip and will have to see. Jon Sim talks about getting back in the lineup while head coach Scott Gordon is quoted about the last two days and what was done to prepare the club on and off the ice.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
All the comments from the head coach were before the game in the second article.

Newsday: Greg Logan and Arthur Staple present a gameplan to fix the Islanders which starts with the Lighthouse, adding a defensive assistant coach as teams study video and adjust to the overspeed system which is the identity, drafting to fit the system, getting value at the trade deadline and a three year timetable for management for Mr Logan's content.

Mr Staple plays the shockjock game immediately declaring this season cannot be fixed, that Mr Wang should pipe down as Neil Smith was again brought up, Rick DiPietro should shut up and not play until next fall and learn what idle means so he has a chance at being healthy. Also included is for management to dump the veterans and get the kids in any way possible.

Finally the Islanders must change league Newsday staff created perception about the team including it's change-on-a-whim owner and a lack of commitment to consistency.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nothing like those former Ranger beatwriters getting together and putting a good constructive beating on the Islanders with Mr Staple clearing doing the guesswork and Mr Logan doing a good job aside from the part about Mr Wang selling to someone who can move the club.

Mark Herrmann will be back soon enough for anyone who dare purchase a ticket to drive them away for that part, we need not read it again.

Mr Logan will have some more Msg memories for those Ranger profile shows on Msg.

Mr Staple lost his hockey fastball in terms of present day journalism.

Recently Mr Staple had Clark Gillies fourth on a list of NY hockey enforcers with Gary Howatt ahead of him?

Now for those who believe whatever Newsday writes some fair points were made here but having written that............

Charles Wang since 2006 has given Newsday one interview at the end of last season (where he put his foot in his mouth about Ted Nolan) and was not even quoted at Scott Gordon's press conference.

While Mr Baumbach demands he speak up, Mr Staple demands he shut up?

Funny they never pull this on Mr Dolan. Mr Wang also did the WFAN interview last season.

Next up....

Since when did Newsday become the medical staff aside from the unprofessional rants by Mr Logan since the summer and the sports department until the Islanders finally dumped the new NHL approved policy like they were bullied out of it?

No other paper in North American went after a club who followed league policy like Newsday did with our team.

If the doctors say Rick DiPietro can return to play why should he shut down anything?

I did not see these plans from Mr Staple when he had the Ranger beat during their long losing years. Newsday largely creates Islander league-wide perception, some fair and a lot not fair.

Most of the other outlets work off the late nineties plan, in short they no longer follow the club.

If Newsday had been paying attention the Islanders have stuck to their plan aside from going for it one time in 2006 in a weak draft class. No one can be expected to win when you lose four hundred man games to injury one year and pick up that same pace the following season.

That has to be included here at the top if a state of the franchise/plan to fix the club feature is written and a plan is presented. I did not see a call for Witt, Martinek, Sillinger or Comrie to shut it down for the season.

Some very obvious things in Mr Logan/Zipay comments that did make sense on dumping veterans and playing prospects.


Edited: Mr Logan & Mr Zipay edited the article and put their names to the part they contributed since my earlier comments. It was easy enough to figure out beforehand who wrote what.

Columbus Dispatch : Covers the Blue Jackets on their 3-1 win against New York on Saturday.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker Saturday had Windsor gm Warren Rychel's comments on Josh Bailey that they have not talked since Bailey told them he would be with the Islanders but the window to send Bailey back to the Spitfires must be before Jan. 10.

If Bailey plays more than 40 games this season with the Islanders, he's a year closer to unrestricted free agency. If Bailey is returned to Windsor before playing 40 NHL games, the Islanders would lose one year on his entry-level contract, however
Bailey would not be a year closer to unrestricted free agency.

Tsn.ca: Jared Spurgeon had an assist in Saturday's Red-White scrimmage for team Canada.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 6-4 shootout win against the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday.

1. BRI Lee, (1) (Iggulden, Hillen), 0:30
1. BRI Hennigar, (3) (Hillen, Iggulden), 8:16
1. NOR Ward, (1) (Downie, Lundin), 10:31
1. BRI Tambellini, (1) (Walter), 14:21
1. NOR Lawrence, (1) (Downie, Rosehill), 18:30
2. BRI Smith, (12) (Colliton, Iggulden), 14:07
2. NOR Keller, (2) (Downie), 16:34
2. NOR Keller, (3) (Downie, Mihalik), 17:13
3. BRI Smith, (13) (Colliton, Skinner), 16:47
3. BRI Smith, (14) (Iggulden, Hillen), 19:59 (EN)

Peter Mannino twenty one saves. Colliton/Smith +3.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio's newspaper coverage had head coach Jack Capuano on Bridgeport's win on Saturday in Norfolk who credited the Admirals and his own club for getting in front of their big goaltender.

Jack Hillen had three helpers.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had a live blog from Norfolk which includes Bridgeport blowing it's thirteenth two goal lead in twenty four games.

Virginian-Pilot: Paul White has the Admirals coverage.

Islander News Articles 10/17

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap (without lockeroom quotes) notes the Islanders averted a disaster coming out of this one with an overtime win and correctly point out Comrie had an open net for a possible second goal in the first period in his game recap.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Updated article has Scott Gordon praise for Joey MacDonald bouncing back very well after he talked about the turnovers that hurt the club but credited his team for hanging in. Frans Nielsen talked about the play that led to the game winning goal while Trent Hunter talked about the goals he scored and the work that led to them.


Newsday: Greg Logan's second article also goes back to Sabre game and was on the penalties the club took against Buffalo with head coach Scott Gordon's comments that the club has to skate and must get away from hooking and holding as a substitute. Mark Streit comments on his expanded role as a defender playing shorthanded that Scott Gordon has had him on the ice for twenty five minutes on avg, as he feels he can do better and is very happy about it.

Sean Bergenheim comments on what he thought was his first career NHL fight against Buffalo and that you have to stand up for your teammates.

St Pete Times & Tampa Tribune along with Erik Erlendsson's outstanding blog coverage by period here recap the from Bolts media viewpoint.

Star-Tribune: Roman Augustoviz has a preview of the Gophers
freshman players which include comments from Islanders second round selection from last summers draft, Aaron Ness along with coach Don Lucia.

Karen Paurus has as an audio interview of all the freshman players with Aaron Ness
interview here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Gophers are the same team Kyle Okposo was playing for a year ago at this time for those curious. A bit surreal he is playing in the NHL now when you compare how far he was come so quickly.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio interviews former WBS Pens forward Kurtis McLean as he makes his return in an opposing uniform Friday with head coach Jack Capuano's comments on McLean does that makes it easy to suggest to the Islanders who should get the call when a player is needed. Ct Post also previews the game on Friday here.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
WHEN -- Tonight, 7:05
WHERE -- Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
ON THE AIR -- Webcast and Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

More Friday:

Florida at New York 6pm (Summerside)

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against Florida at 6pm from Summerside.

Sound Tigers.com: Has an interview with team captain Bill Guerin where he talks about camp, how he feels Tambellini and some of the other young players will do as the website also has a preview for tonight's game.

Islanders website: Recaps camp from Moncton with comments from several players.

Newday: Greg Logan's blog update wraps up training camp from Moncton with Scott Gordon on more injuries and a limited group of veterans skating tonight in Summerside against Florida with Andy Sutton joining the list of injured players. The coach also wonders if his practices contributed to the injury situtation that has held back things he has tried to do the last few days and comments he has never seen this many nagging injuries.

Mr Logan is promising blog updates (depending on wifi connection) from Summerside for tonight's game against Florida.

General manager Garth Snow comments on the health of Rick DiPietro and what's ahead along with talking about the experience at Moncton and despite the small crowds whether they should return.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
What can I write about a training camp that virtually none of us got to see beyond a few video clips, it felt distant and sure it seems the coaches system is something a technically flawed club needed. Having written that the injury problems that have been a constant with so many of these players throught their careers are lingering.

New York Islanders lost four hundred plus man games to injury last season which led the NHL, it's not conicidence some players are breaking down even if Tambellini and Bergenheim have not been a part of that for the most part in their young careers.

As for Moncton no knock on the folks there, the New York Islanders need to hold camp on Long Island and in New York City to bring as much attention to the club as possible.

This is a New York team, time to tone down the Long Island mantra and connect with your fan base all over New York, that's how you sell tickets and market your product.

Bergenheim resigned by New York

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog Sean Bergenheim has avoided arbitration with the club signing a two-year deal worth $1.725 million who will have one more season as a restricted free agent when the contract ends. Bergenheim will make $800,000 this season and $925,000 the following season. Garth Snow comments on the signing.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Another good signing by the general manager, obviously his former agents were a major problem in negotiations. Bergenheim gets another two years to improve his value and the club keeps his negotiating rights when the contract ends.

SoundTigers.com: Have the release on Tambellini's signing with general manager Garth Snow's comments.

Updated 4pm:
Islanders website: Had a release with Garth Snow's comments on Sean Bergenheim's extension.

Schedule Notable:
Islanders open at at New Jersey with home opener the following night against St. Louis. A lot of home Saturday night games, several matinees including holidays.

Tambellini signed, contract updates on RFA

Newsday: Greg Logan reported in the Islanders Newsday blog forward Jeff Tambellini agreed today on a two-year deal worth $1.175 million.

Mr Logan reports Tambellini, who made a salary of $882,000 last season, including bonus money, actually took less than his qualifying offer of $660,000 for the chance to prove he belongs in the NHL in exchange for a one way contract where he will make $550,000 next season and $625,000 in 2009-10.

In addition:
Ben Walter and Jeremy Colliton both accepted the two-way qualifying offers yesterday before the 5 p.m. deadline.

Frans Nielsen and defenseman Bruno Gervais declined their qualifying offers but are continuing negotiations.

Sean Bergenheim still is headed for arbitration, but is gm said he is making progress with his new agent, Allan Walsh, which could avert a hearing.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Gervais and Nielsen's situtations get very interesting because neither have a roster spot guaranteed with Freddy Meyer under contract along with five other defenders.

Were almost to the day Campoli signed last summer.

Tambellini on a one-way contract now has to prove himself at this level or the club has a player to move if it does not work. Given our poll results no one knows where to seem to play him.

Early Poll Results show it will be tough for Nolan

I had a good feeling about this poll from the minute I thought of it and right now we have ourselves a heck of a fight.

Just shows how tough it's going to be on Ted Nolan, Garth Snow and most important the player who's on the fourth line. If you were coach/gm with a one year contract and had to play one of these players on your left side what would you care about most?

All I ask of everyone is if you decide to pick a player as your first line left wing, do not put the next player as your first line pick also. Make your lineup as if you were coaching and had to pick one player for each line.

It's fun looking at the early results as the votes for now suggest only Tambellini, Comeau or Bergenheim should be the first line center, only one voted for Sim to play with the first line veterans, most have him on the third of fourth line.

Everything else is wide open.

How did I vote?
Bergenheim was my first line left wing because he got in the corners and is the oldest with a good scoring touch, I think he has the most upside entering next season to have a breakout year.

Comeau was my second line left wing because I want him with Okposo on the right and his skills are maybe a year behind Bergenheim but is such a complete player and in three zones I do not want him any lower than my second line. A potential qusi/second line of Comeau-Comrie-Okposo should have a good impact.

Jon Sim was my third line left wing because he has produced at the NHL level and his speed should be a good fit with Sillinger-Hunter as a checking line.

Jeff Tambellini has to earn his spot and starts on my fourth line because I'm in this to win games and the other kids have had more impact. If I am coaching he is not handed a top six spot unless he outworks his competition and right now in my depth chart he has not been visible enough in games. He shows something for now he can challenge Sim's spot and get more minutes but a top six spot on my lineup is earned, not given out.

What do I mean by showing something? Creating some scoring chances and using his excellent hands and shot.

But that's only my take.

Islander News Articles 7/12

Newsday: Greg Logan reports in the Islanders Newsday blog Sean Bergenheim fired both his agents
(Mark Gandler/Todd Diamond) this week and that General manager Garth Snow just began negotiations toward a contract with his new agent that could make an arbitration hearing unnecessary.

Mr Logan also reports Jeff Tambellini, Frans Nielsen, Jeremy Colliton, Ben Walter and Bruno Gervais have until 5 p.m. Tuesday 7/15 to accept their qualifying offers or negotiate a deal before those offers expire, also Garth Snow said he has deals beyond those initial offers for Tambellini/Gervais, expects to hold talks with Nielsen’s agent and that it’s expected Colliton and Walter will accept their initial offers.

After July 15th if an RFA is unsuccessful negotiating a contract or does not accept his qualifying offer the final option is a holdout.

Mr Logan also asked the Garth Snow if he has any interest in Ladislav Nagy or other unrestricted free agents but the gm did not rule out anything while the beatwriter does some speculating that Radulov's situation may open the door for the Isles to bring in Kirll Petrov.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Fantastic update across the board from Mr Logan and a lot of information the fans want to know about.

I do not know what to take of Bergenheim firing his agents a few days after we had quotes from both of them. Apparently if they were fired earlier this week it had to be right after their comments appeared in Newsday.

Bottom line Bergenheim wants a better contract than he's offered and until it's settled, anything is possible regardless who his agent is.

As for the rest of the players we'll see how this pans out. If they do not come to terms it could open the door for pending trades and there will be players all over the league in the same spot.

Bergenheim files for arbitration

National Post/Several news services: Report New York Islanders forward Sean Bergenheim was one of fifteen NHL players who filed for salary arbitration.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good news/bad news scenario here.

Good news is he will be awarded a contract after a hearing and will not be a holdout so there will be no Wang-law scenario.

Bad news is this means for now he could not come to an agreement with the club. The Isles can walk away from the award making him unrestricted but that is highly unlikely.

Of course up until a hearing he can come to terms with the club at any time.

This is not a normal signing here and one that bears closer attention considering he sign in Russia and the Isles would not let him return when it did not work out and because his agent has been a problem at times for several clients.

In a few days we should know what date the hearing is scheduled for.

Note:
Who were those masked men in the front row behind the Dragons bench at the Wachovia center tonight? Great game, horrible finish by any football standard.

The man seated behind Mr Dey looked a lot like Garth Snow.

The announcers on Espn even called them New York all night, playing at the Coliseum seemed the same as playing anywhere in New York as the broadcast had New Jersey Giants highlights.

Of course Mr Wang was there only for the Lighthouse project. (sarcasm)

Newsday: Mark Herrmann had an article about the Nets moving back to the Coliseum but partly about the Lighthouse with comments from former VP of Communications Chris Botta about how slowly the process has been moving and that the addition of the Nets with Lebron James could push it over the top.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I sure am getting tired of Mark Herrmann shock jock articles telling us about the Isles long-term viability with comments that the clubs plan to go with youth does not have the public supporting the Lighthouse more because they drafted Josh Bailey.

The idea that the New York Islanders owe anything to the Nets is comical much less that they were the reason the Nassau Coliseum was built in the first place. Isles even had to give a draft pick to bail out Roy Boe long ago.

Islanders played in Newark we get one of these articles, anything regarding any one's new building we get one of these from Mr Herrmann, it's always negative.

This franchise proved New York could be successful at the gate and in the New York market when it won in the seventies and eighties at the Nassau Coliseum and did so again during the 2002 playoffs and late in that season when they sold out the second half. They have leases until 2014, 2015 on the Smg lease/Nassau County lease and a television lease that runs until 2030.

Mr Wang can opt out of the Nassau County lease if the Lighthouse is not approved but these articles from Mr Herrmann have gotten very old and Mr Wang has not gone in that direction.

If Mr Herrmann wrote this way about all the teams at least that would be consistent, only thing consistent about his reporting is the glass is mostly empty for one team and mostly full for the other.

Mark Herrmann when the Rangers got eliminated ignored they spent 90m on two centers who could not play with Jagr and instead wrote about a family in California who left their house early when the Rangers fell behind in game four may have saved their lives because of an accident, this was after he did an article praising Jagr at length for scoring a goal in their only win against Pittsburgh. If his name was Yashin and scored a big goal to win a game in a 4-1 series loss it would only produce an ariicle from Mr Herrmann about how bad Yashin was, even in 2002 when he had seven points in seven games or in 2003 when he had four points in five games.

Meanwhile we get this garbage from Mr Herrmann and articles from guest amateur writers going about as far out of their way as possible to put down the club.

Mark Herrmann ever consider if the club was given extensive covereage in Newsday starting with Steve Zipay's Ranger beat eliminated entirely so he could double up Islander coverage with Mr Logan there would be more fans to lobby Nassau County to approve the Lighthouse project?

After all that seems to be the standard at the Times, Post and Daily News, so why not at Newsday?

Forgot, by August the Islanders may not be covered at all in Newsday.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Bergenheim and random notables

Sean Bergenheim did not play in Russia's 4-0 win friday against Finland.

Finland will play Sweden in a game for third place.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Tough WC for Islander fans. One player who's been hurt aside from a few games and no one else participating. I'll keep checking through Sunday when the tournament concludes but I would be surprised if he plays again.

Islanders website: Reports on the latest meetings regarding the Lighthouse project and requesting the fans support.

Dates and times: May 22 at 10 a.m. and May 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Nathan L. H. Bennett Pavilion
Town of Hempstead Town Hall
One Washington Street
Hempstead, NY
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Regarding the NHL playoffs it's amazing how much tradition and story lines keep coming back to the New York Islanders. From the comeback against Pittsburgh and comparisons to the 83 Islanders/Oilers matchup with a possible Pens-Oilers series to the playoff beards.

Seems like this time of year everything comes back to the New York Islanders incredible traditions. Seems like the Isles should be an original six team for all they mean to hockey this time of year.

Philadelphia-Dallas extending their series and getting games on NBC is good for the league this weekend.
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Looks like all that Yankee Stadium construction I talked about for months is becoming a factor. Easy for me to spend Mr Wang's money but he pays for work on the field to get the Isles in as the host team it will help the Islanders exposure. If the Rangers are the other team they can be the visitor and not lose a home game but part of that deal should be Islander fans get majority of tickets.
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Jacques Martin signing a long-term extension must make for a marvelous day for Olli Jokinen. It would not shock me to see him moved this summer and no I cannot see him wanting to come back to a franchise he demanded out of a decade ago.
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I appreciate Garth Snow telling us about the draft and know he cannot give out specifics. Having written that it does not make for anything entertaining. Even a Ridderwall, Johansson update would have worked for me.

I wonder when the gm is going to respond about the coaches own comments that he's in a difficult situation?

If Ted Nolan feels this way the subject is now fair game to be asked by Mr Logan or anyone.
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I have mixed thoughts on Mr Dey's approach to reach out to the kids. Part of it is a good idea and the right way to create new fans and always something you should be trying to do. Having written that it seems like they know they have done all they could for the long-time diehard fan and if they cannot get those people back must get a new generation of families vested in the product.
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Regarding some television shows for the Isles that's nice but Msg owns the stations and if the Isles get one program while the competition gets countless shows each day I cannot see it helping much.

Msg wants to impress us why not show all four Islander wins against Pittsburgh this week from 1993? Get Jiggs McDonald in there and have him do half hour shows with every Islander great they can bring in.
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It's funny the Pittsburgh papers did a short article on the 93 series, meanwhile our friends at Newsday did not write a word?

Like I said I do not get any pleasure being critical of the media/Newsday but this is just terrible coverage and it hurts the team at the gate.
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For those wondering the Post is going up to fifty cents next week yet they have enough revenue to send Jay Greenberg back to his former stomping grounds in Philadelphia to cover games while the Isles go all season without a full time beatwriter or a blog?

Cutting out Larry Brooks on Sunday should save a few bucks. Why is Mark Everson providing full time Devils coverage again or why is the post paying to travel to road Ranger games?
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Responding to a few e-mails:
I have not found a good poll worth doing and do not want to do one just to generate response. If anyone has a good hockey suggestion for a poll I would be happy to go with it. I was thinking of a poll for coaches who you would want to replace Ted Nolan but given the club has said he will be back it's kind of pointless to ask.

I have no idea how a live draft blog will go here in terms of participation. All I know is I will be here and anyone who wants to talk Islanders draft in the blog will be welcome to do so also.
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No, the Islanders do not provide me scoops nor am I interested in that sort of thing. I am not an insider and have no desire to be. I take things as they happen with the club and try and be fair whether it be positive or negative.
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Mr praise for Mr Botta has very little to do with the blogbox, he's done a great job representing this franchise for two decades. I have never met him and do not participate in the box as someone who goes and sits there but I can tell my readers the Isles have been first class in how they have treated me because that's the way it is.

My blog comes from a viewpoint of the traditional fan watching without access and that's the way it will stay. If there was a reason to be critical of Mr Botta I would be. I have blogged and disagreed with some things he has done this year too but I have nothing but respect for him.

Islander Notables

Islanders website: Recaps Wednesday's open house with comments from Garth Snow, Chris Dey, Ted Nolan & Bruno Gervais.

Newsday: Katie Strang attended the open house and has Garth Snow's comments on what he's looking for at the draft.

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby has an article on the 1975 Islanders with comments from Lorne Henning and Clark Gillies.

Sean Bergenheim did not play in Finland's 3-2 overtime win vs US at the World Championships on Wednesday. Finland lost a 2-0 lead in the final minutes before winning in overtime after the US tied the game.

Finland's semi-final game will be on Friday.

NY Times: Jeff Z. Klein is doing a live blog at the times and lists Bergenheim on his lineup sheet but he's not playing.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The Times has been all over the WC but barely cover the three local teams or provide blogs to supplement New York Islander coverage?

Apparently the budget allows for Dave Caldwell to cover Pens-Flyers.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio is blogging on the AHL playoffs, providing some Utah coverage for the Finals, the WC and reports Islander prospect Luciano Aquino's Ft Wayne Komets won the Turner Cup in triple overtime coming back in the series.

Ft Wayne Journal-Gazette: Justin A. Kohn has blanket coverage and blogs on the Komets Championship.

NY Times: Richard Sandomir also questions Cablevision's ability to be objective as the owner of Newsday and writes about Garden media policies in the past restricting writers and content.

NHL Notables, Bergenheim, Wilson fired, Yashin

Updated 8:30pm:
Sean Bergenheim did not play in Finland's 6-3 loss vs Canada Monday.

Globe & Mail: Eric Duhatscheck reports neither Chris Osgood or Mike Riberio will be suspended by Colin Campbell after Osgood provoked Riberio into a baseball-style love tap at the end of game two which received a match penalty.

Mr Duhatschek also asks isn't everyone getting tired of talking about the 1975 Islanders or Leafs if Dallas cannot win game three?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm not going to tell anyone this was a Chris Simon like hit to some one's head but my point is Riberio did go after a players chest with his stick and if the so-called precedent is to suspend for such action once again Colin Campbell only applies his personal standard of what the rules are. It sure does seem like there are different rules for different players at different times. Osgood looked like he butt-ended Riberio in the head.

The show goes on. The Stars will have their leading scorer in the lineup and the Red Wings will have their starting goalie - which is the way Colin Campbell and both teams want it.

If his name was Chris Simon he would have been made an example of again with another thirty games. If his name were Chris Pronger he would have gotten a slap on the wrist or a game and only because the media would have brought up his number of suspensions which would have influenced Campbell.

This is why it's impossible to respect Mr Campbell who seems over his head in his job. There were teams that had their seasons decided on penalties in deciding games in overtime (Washington) with the rule to call everything at all times but when the person in charge of player discipline is under that pressure with plenty of time to get it right from his office (unlike officials who have to make split-second decisions) he constantly makes up his own rules as he goes.

As for Mr Duhatschek and the 42 Leafs/75 Islanders sidebar getting tired perhaps he should give the Ranger media fans a call for the spam show selling us the thirty three year angle (42 Leafs/75 Isles) that this was the Rangers time as JP Parise and Clark Gillies were contacted at a point the series was 3-0.

Speaking of spam shows Cablevision announced it has acquired Newsday Monday here with details of the announcement. Mr Wang had a few words of praise for Charles Dolan a few days ago here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A newspaper featuring the Cablevision agenda?

If it's run like Msg network people will be laughing at the content if Garden events receive space on the backpage over the major sports stories. Considering the Garden's sport properties lost a combined 19m in the first quarter of 2008 don't they have enough problems with what they already do own?

Not like the Isles coverage can get much worse at Newsday then what they are getting already. It will be fun reading the horror stories as long-time employees get the Marv Albert treatment for their content and shown the door. This is a media company that has restricted or turned off Islander coverage completely over a decade doing a ton of damage to local hockey ratings by restricting content.

Going to get interesting when we start seeing tons of advertising for Cablevision owned teams all over Newsday. Will the Isles even be allowed to advertise in the local paper anymore?

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch has Alexei Yashin's agents comment that he's not going to be available to sign by July 1 because he'll already be committed to going back to Russia but would like to return to the NHL if the right offer happens now.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A Bruce Garrioch article with actual quotes from someone involved to confirm his update for once may be the bigger story? Yashin through his agent is talking himself out of the NHL forever with statements like this from his agent. Cannot have your agent tell teams sign me now or I'm not waiting.

Tsn.ca: Reports the Nashville Predators resigned RFA Martin Erat to a contract worth $31.5 million contract over seven years.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Somewhere Trent Hunter and his agent must be wondering what's going on here because even though Erat's production has improved a seven year deal for that kind of salary seems very high or Nashville is sending it's message they are not going to lose any more players like last year.

Updated 8:30pm:
Tsn.ca/several sources: Report San Jose Sharks General manager Doug Wilson (brother of Ron) today fired long-time head coach Ron Wilson.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Shows how out of touch I am with the Western Conference when I do not know the general manager is the head coaches brother or how hard it is to follow the other conference with such limited coverage? Second round of playoffs obviously not enough for Bob Wilson. I sure loved the peace and quiet of Jeremy Roenick in San Jose last season and he did a great job for them.

Time to update the fired coaches list:
Quenneville, Hartley, Hanlon, Maurice, Wilson, Paddock.

Am I missing anyone on the list? Nonis was Vancouver's general manager. Waddell is still in limbo with reports he may be back or was asked to step down.

For that matter why does Mike Keenan still have a job after what he did to his franchise goaltender in the deciding game?