Toronto at New York 7pm Moved to Msg+2

Islanders got bounced to Msg+2 for Rangers Wednesday (pre scheduled before coaching change) but apparently now have had their game moved the day before to Msg+2 for Thursday's game because Martin Brodeur is starting for the Devils.

Time Warner either no sound, picture or both almost half of the time the Islander games are on this channel now which was the story during the Pittsburgh pregame beyond Knick ads for upcoming games.

It's been tough during pregames all year on this station.

Call this no definition TV when games start with grainy picture. I'm sure it will be ignored when adding up Islander ratings to make the case not a lot of people (Neil Best) watch a team not even scheduled in their cable guide.

What's the over-under on some Leaf media telling us the New York Islanders should not be allowed to draft Jonathan Tavares because the Leafs championship tradition and status merit him playing for their team and not ours?

Maybe we should send them some tapes of the 81 playoffs where Islanders swept Toronto 9-2, 5-1, 6-1 on the way to the second straight Stanley Cup.

Toronto is a team that won two straight in overtime/shootouts against the Rangers and is essentially on a 4-3-4 streak this month playing out the string with virtually no playoff expectations beyond new gm Brian Burke telling us his entire team can be on the block for the right price.

Lately they have not hit the five goal mark but do have two five goal wins this month so they can score on a given night in bunches.

Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
02/18/09 Mike Van Ryn D Lower body IR. Out until at least late February
02/03/09 Tomas Kaberle D Hand IR. Out until at least early March

I'm very happy for Jason Blake. I felt all along it would take a good year and a half between a poor team, expectations set too high with a big contract and this little thing called Leukemia but the winner he is found his game and seemingly finally fits in with Toronto.

Only wish our fans would stand up and cheer the man because he's earned it and gave his absolute best to this franchise.

I guess Joey MacDonald starts? Sure would be nice if Scott Gordon did not hide it like a state secret because I cannot see any coaches on other teams calling emergency meetings to ponder what either one of them starting would alter film or game strategy.

It does not violate NHL injury policy either last I looked.

Does Toskala play his third game in four days? With fifty one games played I would think so. Our friend from 2002 playoffs Curtis Joseph last played 2/12.

I would like Comeau, Nielsen, Bailey with these increased minutes/powerplays to finish a few goals with all the other things they do. The powerplay has to create more quality chances and the coach is giving them opportunities.

It's time to scrap Witt in front of the other goalie with the powerplay, there are forwards like Hunter, Guerin and Jackman for this, no?

He made his point with Witt, this can't be a long-term strategy?

Unless a new injury is announced add eight to your man games lost to injury which is now being tracked on the sidebar.

Updated:
Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islander blog at Newsday has an update on Yann Danis's excellent play with comments from Mark Streit on what the club does with both their goaltenders who have done a very good job with Rick DiPietro out.

Islander News Articles 12/8

Toronto already made callups for Luke Schenn and Nicklas Hagman who are out for Monday's game in Jaime Sifers and Jeremy Williams.

Monday's game preview is set for release at 1pm.

Schenn is out at least two weeks.

Newsday: Mr Logan's article has comments from head coach Scott Gordon and Blake Comeau about how well he played Saturday, why he was sent to Bridgeport and what both feel have to happen for him him to stay as Mr Logan notes Tambellini's future options after his conditioning assignment ends.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good stuff from Gordon and Comeau here but going back to camp the new Islander coach seemed to go out of his way to put down his contribution from a year ago when everyone from the veterans to the general manager praised his play.

I hope Comeau and Tambellini are not a proposition where it's one or the other. In that instance Comeau did more in one game than Tambellini did all season by far.

Going back to last summer: Comeau, Bergenheim, Sim & Tambellini all are left wings which was written about here a lot.

NY Post: Dan Martin was given seven total sentences to quote Joey MacDonald and write about the upcoming crucial stretch starting tonight.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
The Devils who are off until Wednesday and did not play Sunday were given a full article for Mark Everson's article with several player quotes who were on the road.

Espn: Pierre LeBrun in his Espn blogs heads to Florida on what he is calling a significant Board of Governors meeting.

USA Today.com: A.J Perez has a feature article on Islander center Doug Weight who among many topics talks about misconceptions about playing here and the direction of the organization.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's big comeback shootout win with head coach Jack Capuano crediting goaltender Peter Mannino & his team for not giving up after the tough fights at the end of Saturday's game which Sean Bentivoglio talks about.

Rob Hennigar talked about his line with Bentivoglio & callup Dennis Packard having to play solid in all three zones.

Mr Fornabaio also had a big post-game blog here.

Lowell Sun: Has Devils coverage.

Isles trade down twice select Joshua Bailey

Islanders website: Islander drafted Windsor Spitfires center Joshua Baily with the 9th overall pick after trading down twice with Garth Snow, Josh Bernstein, Ryan Jankowski and Jason Lockhart's comments along with NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards & Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Deep breaths folks.

Obviously Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski targeted Bailey and when their turn came with Schenn, Filatov, Boedker, Wilson decided to go in this direction.

For tonight it will not be what the fans wanted, it will not be considered a franchise player in a draft class of franchise players and it will not bring a buzz to the Coliseum (or sell tickets) and likely anger a majority of the fans claiming this gm decided to be somewhat unconventional and gamble.

I do not know enough about Jousha Bailey at this time beyond what I saw on television and what was said about him and the pick. It's not fair for me to run him down or project he could be a franchise star for New York. It's possible Filatov could be in Juniors and Bailey centering Okposo, he has the numbers for what that is worth and only projected behind Stamkos in some areas.

Bottom line, Isles traded down in a draft several teams wanted to trade up. They got a good return in a strong draft, we'll have to see what tomorrow and years ahead bring.

For the moment it will not go over well whether that's fair or not.

Newsday: Mr Logan had five blog updates on the selection of Bailey, trading down, the draft itself and comments from Bill Guerin.

Islanders website: John Hill reported on what happened at the Coliseum with Robin Figren's comments.

Islanders website: Jason Lockhart/John Hill has Joshua Bailey's comments upon joining the Islanders at the draft party via hookup.

Note-Here are the details on the draft picks which I updated in the crawl
at top of blog.

Via two trades, the Islanders earned three extra draft pick. Earlier, the Islanders acquired the ninth overall pick and the 40th overall pick in 2008 from Nashville in exchange for the seventh overall pick. Prior to that, the Islanders acquired the seventh overall pick and the 60th overall pick in 2008 and a 2009 third-round pick or the 68th overall pick from 2008 and a 2009 second-round selection from Toronto in exchange for the 2008 fifth overall pick.

The Islanders will have until tomorrow to make their decision.

Daily News: John Dellapina's Ranger centric article had Joshua Bailey's comments he's ecstatic to be drafted by the Islansders and felt when the club started trading down he thought I might have a shot to be picked by New York. Garth Snow felt he would be able to select Bailey at No.9 and had first hand knowledge because he played on the same OHL team as coach Ted Nolan's son Jordan and this was the player we targeted from the beginning, a center who makes other players around him better - the type of center we need in our system.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Joshua Bailey's comments he did not expected to be selected this hight as he talked about a crazy media presence where his comments were broadcast live back to fans at the Nassau Colliseum, then on to the Madison Square Garden network, the NHL Network, New York Islander TV and several papers, that he had met Ted Nolan a couple of times, but don't really know him, but he's going to go to camp with the full intention of making the hockey team.

Durham Region: Has Joshua Bailey's comments to go the NHL is an honour in itself and to go that high to such a great organization, it just meant everything.

More in Saturday's news articles in a new thread. Isles TV had several interviews and pre draft blogs. I selected Bailey's press conference.

Saturday's live draft chat begins at 9:45am. Isles have a ton of picks.

Thanks again to everyone for an incredible turnout Friday at the live blog and hope to see you Saturday.

Monday afternoon update

Bloomberg News/Several sources: James Callan reports JumpTV will combine with NeuLion to increase sports programming with Charles Wang purchasing ten million dollars in stock. The purchase will give the Toronto based company access to National Hockey League games, the International Fight League, with television shows from China and the Philippines.

Newsday: Mark Harrington has more on the deal with a statement from Mr Wang.

Fox Business News: Has more details of the agreement.

Globe & Mail: Grant Robinson also had details.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Anything that helps the New York Islanders television exposure is a good idea. Mr Wang's company was a big part of ITV which the entire league used. It says a lot to the detractors who after a full decade of losing money owning a hockey team who could still think he's only in this for a land purchase that he spends ten million to increase sports programming?

Yahoo Sports.com: Ross McKeon placed the Islanders 27th in his NHL power rankings this week and wrote the Islanders bungled negotiations with Wade Dubielewicz.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
All due respect to Mr McKeon, I know he's doing a paragraph on thirty teams but unless he was with Garth Snow and Wade Dubielewicz agent he has no idea what was offered or rejected.

I did notice Joey MacDonald will be making an appearance on LI at a team event later this summer in the Trent Hunter appearance update but all the players listed are subject to change. The Isles are likely moving on without Dubielewicz but to write anyone bungled anything without being in the negotiations or a quote from someone saying that's what happened is not fair.

Dubie at this point should be looking for a chance to be a starter.

Windsor Star/countless articles: Michael Traikos reports the Maple Leafs have an agreement with former Sharks Ron Wilson to become the new head coach that will be made official tuesday as former Islanders Jason Blake & Bryan McCabe are mentioned by the writer but not interim gm Cliff Fletcher.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wonder if the Toronto media can complain enough to get Brian Burke out of his job as Ducks gm if that's what he wishes to do or if Cliff Fletcher stays the interim figure head for Richard Peddie the next year?

If Leafs do buy out Blake or McCabe they can do so within the next week.

No way do I see Burke taking marching orders from Richard Peddie or anyone. I do not think Ron Wilson will take anything from Mr Peddie either.

Islanders website: Has a profile of prospect Tyler Myers from Friday which I already added to the draft center.

Quick note-I'm not sure why Mr Botta/Mr Witt's blogs are not updating on the feeders here. It could be a blogger issue or something they did with their feeds. For now just click the links to their site for updates.

Jason Blake Update

Toronto Star: Kevin McGran reports today that Jason Blake will not be bought out by the Leafs but would not put up a fuss if he were traded if that was the decision made by the organization with his comments and that of interim general manager Cliff Fletcher as well as updates of his health being good.

Tsn.ca: Also picked up on Toronto Star report regarding the Masterson finalist here.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
The great news is Jason Blake is doing well health wise.

The sad part is someone writes a headline titled Blake would welcome trade out of Toronto but if you read the article there is no comment from Blake where he said he would welcome a trade. Seems like the star headline writer had to stir the pot.

As for interim gm Cliff Fletcher saying he will not be bought out that may not be the next gm's take if/when a full time gm is hired and it could be posturing by the Leafs who may just buy him out if they cannot create a trade market for him before late June.

I do not see a trade for Jason Blake anywhere given his huge contract and poor season combined with his future health. Also after one season you would think they would not buy him out and see what he does in year two but stranger things have happened.

Should the Isles be interested?
No.

Not with that cap hit for his contract for that many years. A year ago they were not interested before his health problems coming off a forty goal season. There is no trade that makes sense for the Isles in that regard unless Toronto wants to start including top draft picks and their own top prospects with Blake and takes Bates/Hilbert contracts off Garth Snow's hands.

Even that is not enough to give back in contracts for this to make sense for the Isles and Toronto is not giving up their first round pick when they can do a buyout.

If Blake were bought out by Toronto then it could make some sense for the Isles in the short term to sign him. Both sides obviously missed the other last season as Blake can carry the puck which was/is lacking among the current Islander forward group where on other teams they have several players who can do that. What is disturbing is Blake's shot total did not decline and still he did not produce.

Islander News Articles 3/19:

Newsday: Greg Logan reports has Kyle Okposo's comments on his debut and the move he made for his third period chance. Ted Nolan questioned his veterans play and credited the young players for their hard work in the loss.

Newsday: Greg Logan reports Rick DiPietro for the second time in two seasons will have season-ending hip surgery Wednesday at Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado an NHL source said. DiPietro is expected to recover in time for training camp in September.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
At least it's not the same hip he had surgery on last year. He looked great against Montreal and solid against Florida so hard to tell if anything was bothering him. Ted
Nolan put to rest any rift reported by outside media like Bruce Garrioch who clearly did not watch the Tampa game.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann's article goes from Kyle Okposo's debut to the state of the franchise back to 1993 and how they have to improve while giving them their due but need more scoring to go with their grit and perhaps some luck to land a franchise player in this year's draft. Ted Nolan comments.

TheStar.com: Mark Zwolinski covers the Leafs win.

Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby has Bryan McCabe's comments on the win along with Leaf centric coverage along with the Toronto Sun here.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports the Sound Tigers have signed Tyler Mosienko, grandson of the legendary Bill Mosienko, to a pro tryout contract with his comments at Jack Capunano's.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Worcester Sharks
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
ON THE AIR — Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Toronto 3, New York 1

Islanders website: Has the recap of tonight's 3-1 loss to Toronto where Ted Nolan felt the prospects outworked the veterans.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Ted Nolan hit the nail on the head and has a right to be upset at his veterans and the leadership who were outworked by the kids tonight. He did not name names but I will because Bill Guerin, Vasicek, Comrie and Miroslav Satan were outworked for large parts of the game against a terrible team without it's best player and another good forward in Antropov. That's a terrible example to set for these kids.

If they are hurt sit them down, no excuse for that kind of collective effort. The merit system the coach talked about has been abused enough by the veteran players.

Guerin fanned on a shot, it went to the corner and he just took a lazy turnaround shot from an impossible angle that Toskala easily scooped up.

Without Dubie it could have been 4-1 or 5-1 because he was that good and of course the Islanders horrible powerplay almost giftwrapped another goal. Meanwhile how many great saves did Toskala have to make? Colliton had a great chance early, Okposo had his wrap-around and a nice pass to Richard Park for a good angle shot and did look like he belonged in the NHL. Bergenheim, Comeau, Colliton all produced good chances and were very visible with Bergenheim finding Comrie for the Isles best chance at the end. Steve Regier had a very good first period chance also.

Tambellini through his first period hit but was he held back by the veterans on his line?

On defense Dubielewicz bailed out the defense but the Toronto forwards skated better than the Islanders and pushed the play with Jason Blake getting a lot of good chances. Berard had some good plays at both ends, so did Meyer and Martinek.

Pathetic crowd again booed Blake, terrible SMG ice surface gave Davison his goal.

Ted Nolan has a right to be very upset at his veterans here, if he is coaching with his job on the line no doubt his veterans are playing like do not care or playing hurt.

No excuse for being shutout outside of a fluke goal by this brutal Toronto team coming off a shutout in Montreal. Mike Sillinger, Andy Hilbert, Ruslan Fedotenko have been inconsistent all season on offense at best.

3/18: New York vs Toronto 7:30pm Msg +

Islanders website: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rick DiPietro will go for an MRI on his hip today, Wade Dubielewicz will start in goal, Joey MacDonald was recalled.

Based on practice:
Tambellini-Vasicek-Guerin
Bergenheim-Comrie-Hunter
Regier-Colliton-Satan
Comeau-Park-Okposo

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A big game to determine if the Isles can maintain their standing in terms of being in the NHL lottery or break their long losing streak but little else other than Toronto's last stand in terms of any miracle hope for a playoff spot. Dubie has a win at home vs Toronto this year.

Okposo's debut with a center who has two goals since December is not exactly going to help unless Richard Park can pull his offensive weight. No real first line or second line here or much sembelence of a checking line.

No Antropov, Sundin for Toronto. Jason Blake returns for the second time, hopefully he is treated better but the fans this time around.

Another MRI for DiPietro's HIP after an injury and surgery last summer and problems with it at the all-star break? Fair to speculate it's time to shut him down and protect him for the long term and just play out the string.

Not sure if I will have a postgame tonight or late tomorrow.