Islander News Articles 12/1

Canadian Press: Reports the situation in Thialand is growing increasingly worse at the airport with empty planes being flown out of the area.

CTV.ca: Has Jiggs McDonald's comments on a situation that only appears to be getting worse on every possible level.

Newsday: Greg Logan had Mike Comrie's comments on his HIP surgery and the expected time frame for recovery vs playing in Scott Gordon's system.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wonder if the club knew how much he was hurting before they signed him just before the trade deadline? Within a few weeks he had to stop playing, obvious he was not very effective down the stretch.

His injury was much worse than reported given a time frame of November-January back in the summer.

Comrie has to be given a lot of credit for being ready to skate and play in camp given this information. No one is going to be able to play an effective game for long under those circumstances which somewhat explains Scott Gordon moving him to a wing.

At this point the only questions left are when will he not only return but be completely healthy? His offensive skills are something this roster absolutely needs.

Unfortunately Comrie's track record is that of a player who does not play eighty two games.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker had Josh Bailey's comments that he plans to be back often to visit his former club and hopes the Spitfires win a championship. General manager Warren Rychel said Islander gm Garth Snow called and thanked them for his development while Mr Rychel credited the Islander coaches and Bailey for going in and doing a great job earning a spot.

Bailey targeted March 27th when the Islanders visit Detroit as when he could be visitng Windsor.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Classy stuff from the Windsor general manager and a reflection of a first rate organization.

Josh Bailey Stays With Islanders

Note-Islanders have issued a brief release with comments from General Manager Garth Snow and Josh Bailey here.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker reported Josh Bailey has informed the Windsor Spitfires he would not be returning to the club at this time, general manager Warren Rychel & head coach Bob Boughner comment.

Mr Parker reports the Islanders could still opt to send Bailey back to junior before OHL rosters are frozen Jan. 9 but at this point if he plays tonight the first year of his contract counts.

My Point Blank: Mr Botta noted the article last night and the Saturday announcement.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Hopefully the folks in Windsor are not critical here and let Bailey enjoy this.

I'm not sure if this is the right move in 08-09 for Bailey but it's obvious he has the ability to play at this level now and with Nielsen out there is a spot for a young center. That pass to Hilbert in the second against Boston was just another example he can make plays at this speed.

Just before Hunter scored against Pittsburgh he was already ahead of him.

Quick Saturday Update

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has an article on Windsor Spitfires training camp that has a few words on Josh Bailey.

Sports Illustrated: Alan Muir puts Islanders defenseman Mark Streit in his top five of players who could be a potential failure of a signing putting him ahead of Jeff Finger (Toronto), Michael Ryder (Boston), Jose Theodore (Washington) and Ryan Malone. (Tampa Bay)

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Muir's reason's for Mark Streit failing here are reasonable but he failed to note he has steadily improved the last few years and is not a player with a lot of NHL mileage with his best likely ahead of him. It's hard to say what will happen here because the test will come when he struggles on defense and Scott Gordon considers using him as a forward as Montreal did to get his offensive skill in the lineup.

Some of the players Mr Muir did not list in the top five have seem to have more potential for failure than Streit.

Sure would be nice if SI finally did anything positive on the Islanders, there are a lot of players here with some upside but I guess it's not good for page views, it's amazing how the BlackHawks have been hyped along with St Louis the last few years.

edited-Jeff Gordon is not the Islanders new coach, someone contact NASCAR.