Islander News Articles 3/16

Newsday: Greg Logan has the recap of New York's 4-2 win against Chicago on Sunday afternoon with comments from goaltender Peter Mannino and head coach Scott Gordon.

Newsday: Mr Logan had a six paragraph entry in the Islanders Newsday blog noting that Mark Streit not only passed Mike Comrie's point total that led the club in scoring last season but noted his strong defensive play and the extended minutes he and Bruno Gervais saw against Chicago. Streit for his part praised Peter Mannino's strong goaltending as the beatwriter says he know's he'll be writing more about Streit in the next few days.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Logan should be hyping up Streit for the Norris. Once again the Cablevision-owned club in Newsday received more print space Sunday, three blog entries and a live game blog while the Islanders are simply not treated as the primary hockey team in the local paper.

Jay Greenberg is allowed to travel/provide additional Ranger coverage at the Post with Larry Brooks but are only providing full time coverage for two teams?

If the Post finally has revenue to assign Mr Greenberg do extra hockey coverage it should be for the New York Islanders. He should have been sent straight to Chicago after being assigned to Montreal to provide more coverage for Martin Brodeur on Saturday or he should have been in Boston on Saturday for the New York team, then Chicago.

Associated Press: Also recaps the game.

Chicago Tribune: Chris Kuc game and blog coverage also has Peter Mannino's comments.

Chicago Daily Herald: Tim Sassone's game coverage with the Islanders blocking nineteen shots and losing sixty four percent of faceoff's Sunday.

Edmonton Sun: Cary Sastanga has an article on former Islander Bob Bourne, how he has some problems with his weight/health and what he does now to stay in shape. He also discussed the rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers as he will be part of the NHL Oldtimers' Hockey Challenge skates in Edmonton on Wednesday, when the NHL legends take to the ice against the Edmonton firefighters team at Rexall Place in support of the local chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Chicago Sun Times: Len Ziehm's game coverage had comments from head coach Joel Quenneville on the loss.

AHL.com: Recaps Bridgeport's 3-2 loss at Hershey Sunday afternoon.

Mike Mole started in goal for Bridgeport. Sound Tigers dominated the third with ten shots before the ten minute mark but could not get the tying goal. Andrew MacDonald's goal was a five on three pp goal.

1. BRI Sim, (7) (Lessard, Callahan), 15:28 (PP)
1. HER Bourque, (18) (Wilson, Gordon), 16:22
2. HER Osala, (21) (Lepisto, Kronwall), 13:32
2. HER Giroux, (47) (Perreault, Bourque), 16:11 (PP)
3. BRI MacDonald, (7) (Sim, Walter), 16:27 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage of Bridgeport's loss 3-2 loss at Hershey Sunday with blog entries here where Trevor Smith, Mike Mole discuss the game and head coach Jack Capuano's praised his players character at the end of a 14-5-0-3 stretch in thirty eight days, including a 13-1-0-3 run in the middle that gave it a three-point lead Friday night over Hershey.

Robin Figren made his AHL debut with no stats for Bridgeport.

York Daily Record: Dan Sernoffsky covers the Hershey Bears along with Harrisburg-Patriot News here.

Islander News Articles 3/4-TRADE DEADLINE

Added in Tsn rss feed even if we get a few non-hockey stories. Once deadline heats up it will be all hockey trades.

Live Radio links added to a second spot with coverage usually starting around 9am.

Tsn.ca: Had a staff 2am update on some of the potential players to be traded that did not include any New York Islanders.

Newsday: Greg Logan/Katie Strang report on the trade deadline with more speculation about on Bill Guerin's destination who the beatwriter says contact has been very limited with while Doug Weight had the following from the Islanders optional practice Monday:

"I don't want to speak for Billy. It's been a crazy year. The last 72 hours, the situation kind of spun out of control a little bit with him and it's unfortunate.

"Everyone's trying to do the right thing and he's stuck at home and that stinks. But Billy's professional and we'll all get through it and Wednesday, we'll find out what team and what destination we're all gonna be whether it's here or somewhere else."

If the Islanders can't complete a deal for Guerin, his return could be awkward?
"It's strange right now but it'll take all of 10 minutes," Weight said of the adjustment. "He's easy to get along with and he's got the respect of everyone in the room. It wouldn't be a problem at all."

Also reported Trent Hunter has a walking cast on his left ankle, but he said it's not broken.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess that means the Islanders did not lie and violate league policy Saturday when Hunter took warmups and they reported an injury, right Mr Logan?

For myself, Garth Snow has an obligation to improve his hockey team, if Bill Guerin being traded or sat is part of this to help improve his roster.

It's also Garth Snow's job to listen to all offers or he would not be doing his job properly.

Doug Weight is correct that's it's been a crazy year for the Islanders, however considering his earlier praise for Gordon, how he was traded and then a healthy scratch for Anaheim last season with the media writing him off, why did he give what bordered on ultimatums (to me) a few times in the media about his playing time?

Did he do that to Brian Burke or their head coach last year when he was on their fourth line or outright benched?

I have no doubt Weight will be classy and professional (as Guerin will) but those comments a while ago took me aback. He can say whatever he likes but the Islanders may have helped extend his career and were very classy about his honoring him when he hit a thousand points. Scott Gordon gave him a role here few teams would have and Weight's repaid them with some very good production.

Giving him that spot on the left powerplay point was a big reason Chris Campoli was not on that side with Mark Streit last fall before Kyle Okposo starting playing that side on the powerplay.

Sure, it's been a terrible year in terms of the standings. Everyone should be very frustrated about that or they would not be the right players to turn it around moving forward.

Newsday: Mike Casey in Newsday's hockey blog (written at times by Mark Herrmann) reports the following players were scrachted Tuesday.

Florida's Nick Boynton, Atlanta's Eric Perrin (waivers), Columbus' Michael Peca and Tampa Bay's Marek Malik and Mark Recchi.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Casey incorrectly reported Hagman was a healthy scratch but corrected himself than wrote Guerin sat out the last three games when he only sat twice so caveat emptor with a lot of stuff written even by the media at this time because everyone is rushing or over-speculating and in this case making outright sloppy mistakes.

Columbus Dispatch/several outlets: Tom Reed and Aaron Portzline also reported Michael Peca was injured in a recent game so Mr Casey got that wrong also.

Even I knew that one a few days ago.

NY Post: Dan Martin writes the trade deadline is now a " fiasco " for the Islanders as he repeated Doug Weight's comments to Newsday in an article on Bill Guerin.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 3-1 loss at home to Norfolk with Trevor Smith, head coach Jack Capauno and goaltender Peter Mannino with blog coverage here.

Mr Fornabaio also reported it was not clear if winger Jesse Joensuu would stay in Bridgeport or return to New York but was in Bridgeport on tuesday. Goalie Nathan Lawson sat out with a sore shoulder.

Trevor Smith had Bridgeport's goal.

Norfolk Virginian Pilot: Paul White likely was not dispatched for the trip to Bridgeport but here is the link to Admirals coverage.

Islander News Articles 1/12

Newsday: John Jeansonne has Bill Guerin's comments about the role of captain and how tough it's been with a team struggling badly while head coach Scott Gordon also discusses the role of captain in a teams structure.

Freddy Meyer and Rick DiPietro are out for Tuesday's game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bottom line if Guerin-Gordon are not on the same page, the lockeroom will be in question. Both Weight and Guerin have praised this coach repeatedly but this is a results oriented business and there is supposed to be a lot of frustration.

It's kind of funny we do not see Newsday staff do these kind of articles on the Cablevision owned Knicks virtually every other day which would hurt ticket sales and the club's perception with the public and advertisers. Guerin and Gordon's comments are fine here but the writer quips are pathetic with the old movie and Titanic references.

The writers in Atlanta, Tampa do not pull this in the local paper on the Thrashers and Lightning.

This kind of treatment only seems reserved for the New York Islanders among struggling local clubs. Former Islander beatwriter Alan Hahn was lobbing some big time softballs for Knick gm Donnie Walsh in a similar article today when the paper is not running down Stephon Marbury in a staff effort to save the company money in a future buyout.

National Post: Tom Blackwell has Mike Bossy comments on the advantages of playing at home vs the intimidation of playing in Philadelphia back during his playing career.

NY Times: Nathan Sandals in the Times hockey blog had a few words on Islander prospect David Toews scoring in a win.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabauio has Trevor Smith's comments about his callup to the Islanders, his first NHL goal and what it was like watching Bill Guerin and Doug Weight. Head coach Jack Capuano also comments.

Islander News Articles 1/9

Another blog entry has already been written and is scheduled for released around 3:30pm. If there is an Islander Insider I will try and get that in first.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap (no quotes at this time) reviews the game and the key moment which was the goal twenty three seconds after the Islanders tied it on Tambellini's second of the season.

Note-Mr Logan's early game article above was altered into almost a full update on Rick DiPietro with far less about the game. Thursday night's edited version shortly after the game is a lot different than what is in Friday's newspaper.

Newsday: Mr Logan had more from head coach Scott Gordon and Rick DiPietro on the goaltenders condition and why he did not play in Calgary with a reevaluation coming when the team returns to New York.

Newsday: Mr Logan's article has Mark Streit's comments on being named to the all-star team.

Canadian Press: Has Mark Streit's comments on making the all-star team in an interview and what it will be like returning to Montreal.

Globe & Mail/Canadian Press: Recaps Calgary's win against the Islanders.

Calgary Herald: Scott Cruickshank recaps tonight's 5-3 win by Calgary against New York.

Calgary Herald: Vicki Hall has Kyle Okposo's comments about playing against his boyhood idol, Jermome Ignila as both players comment while Scott Gordon praised Okposo's play.

Calgary Sun: Has Flames coverage on the game while Steve MacFarlane had Eric Nystrom's comments that it's tough to see the current Islanders struggle based on his experience growing up around the club but be back on top soon. Mike Comrie also talks about how brutal losing is and the toll it takes but feels the Islanders have some great young prospects that are learning as they go.

Sarnia Observer: Reports at press time there have been no trades involving the Sting heading into Friday's noon trade deadline in the OHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sarnia a while back was one of the teams considering trades because they were struggling but won some games. Matt Martin, Mark Katic, Justin DiBenedetto are Islander prospects who play for Sarnia.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's article is on goaltender Peter Mannino who had struggled recently but also has not played in almost two weeks with the limited games and the Islanders situation in goal forcing Danis to get a start. Mannino and head coach Jack Capuano comment.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio previews Friday's game against Scott Gordon's old team in Providence.

The Hour.com: Mike Madar has an article on Mike Iggulden and Andrew MacDonald being named to the Canadian All-Stars and has a complete Sound Tigers report.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Excellent report, very well detailed, surprising for a paper not providing daily coverage.

Islander News Articles 1/3

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article has comments from Doug Weight on his 1000th point as he credited Wayne Gretzky's franchise for being first class and wished it would have meant the Islanders tied the game. Head coach Scott Gordon talked about the penalty by Chris Campoli on their only powerplay costing them while Rick Dipietro discusses the third goal he wanted back but said he got through the game with no injury problems.

Newsday: Mr Logan also has an article on Trevor Smith and why he was called up with comments from Scott Gordon.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
The competition is on here big time at left wing now with Bergenheim, Tambellini, Comeau and now Trevor Smith. Not sure what this means for Jon Sim unless someone is injured or Tim Jackman sits and someone shifts to the right.

Arizona Republic: Jim Gintinio recaps the Coyotes 5-4 win against the Islanders Friday.

San Jose Mercury News: Has the latest on the San Jose Sharks who put Claude Lemieux on waivers to be recalled and cleared but for now is still in the AHL.

Included:
Defenseman Derek Joslin up from Worcester, forward Jamie McGinn down. Douglas Murray skated and said he hopes to be back tomorrow after missing Wild game with lower body injury, so Sharks might have eight healthy defensemen. Todd McLellan said he might experiment some, including playing Alexei Semenov at forward.

Jeremy Roenick skated with team, doing everything except contact drills.

Canadian Press: Recaps Russia's 5-1 win against the Czech republic on Friday along with Slovakia's win against the US which drops them out of any medal contention.

Lewistonhockey.com: Reports the trade of Assistant Captain Michael Ward and Stephen Horyl to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles has elevated Islander prospect Maxim Gratchev to assistant captain.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's comeback win with Jeremy Colliton talking about his deflected tying goal with a little over six minutes left, Yann Danis on how well he saw the puck in his first game/win in a while & head coach Jack Capuano discussed one of the Sound Tigers better systematically structured efforts/forecheck all season.

The Sound Tiger coach also credited Phantom goaltender Scott Munroe for his strong play.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Has combined coverage with Daily News on Phantoms.

Islander News Articles 12/28

Will add to this blog entry tomorrow morning with more articles as available.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap credited the teams strong defensive play and pointed out they played a part of the second shorthanded for over five minutes but only trailed by one entering the third period.

Head coach Scott Gordon, Mike Comrie, Kyle Okposo discussed the Islanders effort in coming back to tie the game.

Newsday: Mr Logan's second article was mostly a repeat of his blog on Bill Guerin in the future along with Scott Gordon's comments about Rick DiPietro likely being sore but he had not spoken with him. Mr Logan speculated on a possible trade to Columbus for Weight and reported the Blue Jackets had a scout in Buffalo.

Star Tribune: Michael Russo wrote Saturday afternoon with Derick Brassard out for the season in Columbus because of a shoulder injury, the Blue Jackets are reportedly inquiring about the Islanders' Doug Weight.

That rumor seems to be what was floated in the Columbus Dispatch blog Saturday here in sports columnist Michael Arace's shared blog.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed reported the Dispatch has learned the Jackets have been in trade talks with six or seven teams. Gm Howson would not confirm a total.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
We'll see when Weight gets close to returning if anything comes of this but it's interesting. Islanders put a lot of effort into Weight's countdown only two points short but if Garth Snow feels this improves his club it's something he has to do even if Bill Guerin is not thrilled.

I do not think Kyle Okposo was in his spot on the powerplay the way you would spot someone when there is an injury.

It has to be noted Columbus also has a forward Garth Snow tried to trade for last spring in Kristian Huselius here who has a club-worst minus-9 rating (ten goals) and fewer assists (11) than defenseman Mike Commodore (13).

Kristian Huselius is signed to a four-year, $19- million contract.

Hilbert is a left wing who is out, Sim cleared waivers but Trevor Smith is also a left wing. Columbus would have to take back some salary to make this work.

Buffalo News: Has John Vogl's coverage.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 5-4 at WBS Pens Saturday. Peter Mannino had nineteen saves in net.

1. BRI Smith, (17) (Skinner, McLean), 5:54 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (15) (Stone, D'Aversa), 6:45
1. BRI Skinner, (1) (Hillen, Walter), 9:03 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (16) (Engelland, Stone), 19:04
2. BRI Smith, (18) (Iggulden, McLean), 19:10 (PP)
3. WBS Johnson, (2) (Letestu, Cashman), 2:25
3. WBS Minard, (23) (Stone, Taffe), 2:48
3. BRI Pitton, (1) (Hillen, Haskins), 11:23 (SH)
3. WBS Minard, (24) (Taffe, Pesonen), 11:29 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the recap of Bridgeport's 5-4 regulation loss to WBS Pens on Saturday with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, who did not feel his team created enough but credited his goaltender. Brett Skinner and Trevor Smith also talk about a game Bridgeport was outscored 4-0 at even strength but had three on the powerplay.

A separate feature was done on local prospect Jaime Sifers of the Toronto Maple Leafs by Mr Fornabaio here.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Covers the Penguins along with Citizens Voice here.

Bridgeport is off until next Friday.

Islander News Articles 12/22

Newsday: Mr Logan reports no injury updates will be available until Monday, head coach Scott Gordon's comments on the toll they have taken on his team. Bill Guerin comments on the opportunities for the young players.

Point Blank: Mr Botta had a late entry with comments from general manager Garth Snow on Scott Gordon, Brendan Witt, what's been going on in terms of trades and the long-term plans.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Botta puts in the time to provide this information for Islander fans. I feel folks should visit his site for the details.

Hockey Canada: Reports team Canada broke open a 3-3 game with Finland in the third period winning 7-3, Islander prospect Jyri Niemi had a double roughing in the third Canada scored on.

USA Hockey: Reports team USA defeated Latvia Sunday night 13-2 with a whopping 63-12 shot advantage. Islander prospect Blake Kessel was not one of the fourteen players to record a point but had a first period penalty.

Edmonton Sun: Derek VanDiest has Oilers coach Craig MacTavish on former Islander Robert Nilsson who criticizes his play.

Sports Business Journal: Tripp Mickel reports the NHL projects a two percent increase in league revenue for the 2008-09 season. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly comment as the cap could move up or down a million or two for next season.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio recaps Bridgeport's 4-0 win against Lowell with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, Nate Lawson on his return and the shutout win along with Jeremy Colliton and Trevor Smith.

Lowell Sun: Covers the Devils.

Islander News Articles 12/16

Mr Botta earlier Monday with Islanders website confirmed an injury to Nate Thompson of two-four weeks with a fractured ankle, while Josh Bailey is now day to day.

Newsday: John Jeansonne has head coach Scott Gordon's on the Islanders injuries and what they have meant to what he calls an offensively challenged roster already with comments from Kyle Okposo and Mike Comrie.

NY Post: Dan Martin has Scott Gordon on DiPietro traveling to Minnesota and Mike Comrie on injuries.

Mr Martin also reports as many as three callups could be made for tonight's game.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I think this goes beyond normal team injuries when we see players expected out weeks come back early and get reinjured or others projected out for a day or two all of a sudden are downgraded to a month or longer.

Gervais went from healthy to a few days to off the radar entirely. Okposo went from a few days to a few weeks to an additional four-six weeks to where he is back at practice?

Now DiPietro goes from Monday to Friday? How many times can Nate Thompson have ankle problems before it's time to ask questions?

Josh Bailey is on his third injury if he sits tonight.

Not blaming anyone but I have never seen such a thing on any NHL club to this degree and there have been Islander seasons when they go through fifty players.

Just not like this where injury prognosis change as quick as the temperature.

Washington Post: Tarik El-Bashir has updates from Washington's practice on Monday.

Washington Times: Corey Masisak reports the following on the Caps:

*Nicklas Backstrom is fine and will play tomorrow.

*Alex Ovechkin and Alexnader Semin were just taking the day off and will play tomorrow.

*Jose Theodore will not make the trip to New York, Brent Johnson will start in net. Simeon Varlamov will back him up.

*Sergei Fedorov will not make the trip.

*Tyler Sloan will make the trip but he is not sure if he will be able to play.

*Both Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr will make the trip, but their availability is also in question.

*John Erskine and Chris Clark did not practice.

Sarina Observer: Dave Borody reports Islander prospects Matt Martin & Justin DiBennedetto could be on the trade block for the struggling Sting and that defenseman Mark Katic could return to the OHL next season for his fifth year, but word has it the New York Islanders will sign him after this season and he will turn pro next year.

The Star.com: Rick Westhead reports when word got out Kirill Petrov was content to play for a one million-plus salary and stay near his family in Russia, his stock plummeted allowing the Islanders to select him in the third round.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed reports Islander head coach Scott Gordon is not a proponent of the three-point format for NHL games awarding an additional point for a skills competition like a shootout according to the reporter.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's update is a feature on Sound Tigers winger Trevor Smith with comments from head coach Jack Capuano.