Islander News Articles 7/2

Newsday: Greg Logan reports Garth Snow signed the 30-year-old power-play specialist in Mark Streit who tied for third among the league's defensemen last season with 62 points, including 13 goals (seven on the power play) and 49 assists.

Garth Snow is quoted that Streit solves his power play and was a player targeted early on, that he will be a solid contributor on the blue line and obviously play a significant role on the power play but his play will determine whether he is top four spot or not. The general manager also thinks Streit is getting better as a great puck mover with speed who is good at making that tape-to-tape pass coming out of the defensive zone with gifted ability on the power play that will add a different element to the team and that he's excited to be an Islander.

With regard to Doug Weight speculation and other free agents again Garth Snow said if we bring in too many players, it will take away ice time from our younger players, and I he does not want to do that but if something makes sense, we'll do it.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A lot like Martinek moving the puck quickly but not in the same league as Martinek on defense. No doubt he will help the powerplay.

Not only did a big name player sign here but they got the player below market value, unlike the team with the older arena in the area.

I guess it's time for the media folks writing no one will sign here need a new act because that one has been put to bed for good tonight.

When I did my breakdown of defenders I wanted Streit, of course I'm thrilled.

Point Blank: Mr Botta seems to think Garth Snow is not done for the night if he did not do the ITV interview.

Updated:
Mr Botta had a final blog last night about some of the moves with some Islander speculation looking ahead here.

NY Post: Dan Martin had a few short paragraphs and part of Garth Snow's statement on the Streit signing.

Daily News went AP only on the signing.

NY Times with three people covering hockey yesterday put the Islanders signing of Mark Streit into one sentence on a Dave Caldwell Devils/NHL centric article that did not include quotes from the club.

Montreal Gazette: Pat Hickey writes he was glad to
Mark Streit cash in with his five-year, $20.5-million deal from New York but felt they overpaid for the power-play specialist, but he did not think they'll be as disappointed as the Oilers paying Sheldon Souray $5.4 million a season.

Edmonton Journal: Jim Matheson in an article on overpaying players notes Mark Streit who had 62 points last year, got a staggering $5 million a year, even though he's basically a power-play specialist in today's NHL and that Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau would play him on the fourth line in large part, rather than have him take a regular shift on the blue-line.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Fair enough but that's not what he signed for each year.

Calgary Herald/CP: Has Mark Streit's comments from the Isles website along with Garth Snow.

Globe & Mail: Eric Duhatschek reports on all the crazy money thrown around yesterday with Chicago gm Dale Tallon's comments who signed Brian Campbell.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Article lists all the deals and trades made yesterday with the dollars.

Swiss info.ch: Report Mark Streit had to choose between ten different contract offers and his signing makes him the second highest earning Swiss sportsman after world tennis champion Roger Federer.

Sportsnet.com: Pierre LeBrun in an article praising agents for getting the clients big money yesterday notes Pat Brisson patiently waited all day long before getting the biggest contract of Mark Streit's life -- $20.5 million over five years from the New York Islanders and asks has anyone see him play in his own zone last year?

Star-Tribune: Michael Russo reports the Minnesota Wild are interested in Kristian Huselius with agent Don Meehan's comments that they will speak again on Wednesday.

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators were looking at Mark Streit as well as Daily News Ranger salesman John Dellapina here.

Globe & Mail: Grant Robertson has an article with comments from Charles Wang about Jump TV as he is about to take over as he spoke about owning the Islanders and how he saw only attended two games before purchasing the club as well as a quick Mike Milbury story.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It should be noted a week ago the owner of myspace tried to buy into this merger and was rejected. Some very interesting hockey stories never reported in Newsday about Mr Wang's Islander tenure that almost qualifies as a must read for Islander fans about the owner and how he does things.

Updated 3:00pm
Espn.com What's a July day without Scott Burnside telling Islander fans the club cannot attract top free agents to the Nassau Coliseum even though they just signed the 10th rated one in this summers class below market value. Mr Burnside gave his grades on the first day signings and gave the club he feels has no business being anywhere but at the bottom of the conference a B for signing Streit.

NYI Fan Central Live Interactive Blog 7pm

I will keep updating the NHL threads and the Isles thread if something breaks but this will be our official blog for the chat which will go live at 7pm.

New York signs D Mark Streit

4:00pm
Newsday: Greg Logan reports in Newsday's blog a lot of speculation on the players signed already with the focus on Ron Hainsey and Doug Weight for New York but no comments from the club one way or another as he writes about some of the moves already made around the league vs what each move could mean looking ahead.

Updated 8:00pm
BULLETIN: Isles sign Mark Streit
The Islanders just landed their power-play quarterback. Former Montreal defenseman Mark Streit, 31, just agreed to a five-year deal. Streit totaled 13 goals, 49 assists and 62 points last season.

Newsday: Greg Logan has another blog on the Mark Streit signing with contract details.

Islanders website: Has a full update with comments from Garth Snow and Mark Streit on the signing.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Flat out steal for Garth Snow at those years and that price considering what other defenders got. Upgrades the powerplay and the offense from the point huge.

Isles paid below market value for a franchise defender.
So much for the condition of the Coliseum.
Or the reports no one will sign here.
Or they would have to pay huge to sign anyone.

They signed a franchise defender tonight for below market value.
Myths busted tonight.

Best UFA signing in club history.

Hats off to Garth Snow.

Point Blank: Mr Botta has a blog about the clubs signing of Mark Streit where he gives them full credit for the signing.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I wonder why he thinks Islander fans would be complaining about this signing?

For those curious:
TSN POLL Results (as of this blog update)
Which defenceman will provide the best value for his new contract?

Brian Campbell: 8-years, $56.8 million - 30%
Wade Redden: 6-years, $39 million - 21%
Mark Streit: 5-years, $20.5 million - 48%

Billy Jaffe was on Msg and loved the signing.
NYI Fan Cenntral Comments:
That NYI Voices blog could use an update.

7/1 Free Agency/Completed Deals

Ok, here we go.

Signings/trades many moves determine what general managers feel they can sign which players.

Will keep updating here as moves filter in.
TIME (ET) TRANSACTION

9:58PM Boston sign forward Michael Ryder to a 3-year deal worth $12 million

9:50PM Rangers re-signed goaltender Steve Valiquette (undisclosed)

8:06PM New York Islanders sign defenceman Mark Streit to a five-year contract worth $20.5 million

7:59PM Minnesota sign forward Craig Weller to a two-year contract worth $600,000 a season

7:44PM Tampa Bay Lightning sign forward David Koci to a one-year, two-way deal worth $525,000 in the NHL, $100,000 in the minors

7:37PM Rangers sign UFA defenceman Wade Redden to a six-year contract worth $39 million

7:18PM New Jersey Devils sign UFA forward Bobby Holik to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million

6:42PM Toronto Maple Leafs sign UFA forward Niklas Hagman to a four-year contract worth $12 million

6:42PM Rangers re-sign UFA defenceman Michael Rozsiva to a four-year deal
worth $20 million

New Jersey resigned Barry Tallackson & David Clarkson

6:34PM Vancouver Canucks sign UFA forward Darcy Hordichuk to a two-year deal

6:33PM Philadelphia Flyers sign UFA forward Nate Raduns to a one-year

6:32PM Philadelphia Flyers sign UFA forward Glen Metropolit to a two-year deal

6:24PM New Jersey signs UFA forward Brian Rolston to a four year deal worth $20-million

6:15PM New York Rangers sign UFA forward Patrick Rissmiller to an undisclosed deal

6:06PM Philadelphia signs UFA defenceman Ossi Vaananen to a one year deal worth
$1-million

6:01PM Columbus signs UFA defenceman Mike Commodore to a 5 year deal worth $18.75-million

5:40PM Chicago signs UFA defenceman Brian Campbell to an 8 year deal worth $56.8-million

5:04PM Buffalo signs UFA goaltender Patrick Lalime to a 2 year deal worth $2-million

4:27PM Ottawa signs UFA goaltender Alex Auld to a 2 year deal worth $1-million

4:14PM Tampa Bay signs UFA goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a 1 year deal worth $1.5-million (plus bonuses)

4:02PM Colorado signs UFA forward Darcy Tucker to a 2 year deal worth $4.5-million

3:49PM Vancouver signs RFA forward David Backes to an offer sheet, 3 years
$7.5-million. St. Louis has seven days to match or accept a 2nd round draft pick as compensation.

3:43PM Chicago signs UFA goaltender Cristobal Huet (undisclosed)

3:41PM Florida signs UFA forward Cory Stillman to a 3 year deal worth $10.6-million
3:40PM NY Rangers sign UFA forward Aaron Voros (undisclosed)

3:40PM Pittsburgh signs UFA forward Eric Godard to a 3 year deal (undisclosed)

3:38PM Tampa Bay signs UFA forward Adam Hall to a 3 year deal worth $1.8-million

3:24PM Toronto signs UFA goaltender Curtis Joseph to a 1 year deal worth $700,000

3:24PM Toronto signs UFA defenceman Jeff Finger to a 4 year deal worth $3.5-million a season

Note-Who the heck is Jeff Finger? I guess this means McCabe will be forced to stay home given their blueline?

3:09PM Phoenix signs UFA forward Todd Fedoruk to a 3 year deal (undisclosed)

3:07PM Detroit signs UFA G Ty Conklin to a 1 year deal worth $750,000

3:07PM Montreal re-signs RFA forward Andrei Kostitsyn to a 3 year deal worth
$3.25-million a season

3:03PM Colorado signs UFA G Andrew Raycroft to a 1 year deal worth $800,000

2:53PM Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)

2:50PM Phoenix signs UFA D Kurt Sauer to a 4 year deal (undisclosed)

2:02PM Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign UFA D Mark Eaton to a 2 year deal worth $2-million

1:58PM Minnesota Wild sign UFA forward Andrew Brunette (undisclosed)

1:33PM Vancouver signs RFA forward Kyle Wellwood to a 1 year deal worth $997,500.

12:55PM Boston signs UFA forward Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract.

12:42 pm Radim Vrbata signs with Tampa Bay Avg. yearly value:
$3 million Length of contract: TBD

Carolina resigned Anton Babchuk after playing in Europe.

12:07 PM Curtis Joseph signs a deal with the Leafs.

12:04PM Anaheim re-sign forward Corey Perry to a five-year deal worth $26.625-million which will average $5.325-million a year.

11:58AM Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward Pascal Dupuis to a three-year deal which will average $1.4-million per year.

11:58AM Detroit Red Wings and veteran defenseman Brad Stuart have agreed to terms on a 4 year contract that averages 3.75 per year.

11:35AM New Jersey re-signs forwards Jay Pandolfo (undisclosed) David Calrkson (undisclosed) and Barry Tallackson (undisclosed). Declines option on forward Sergei Brylin.

10:21AM New Jersey agrees to terms with defenceman Bryce Salvador to a four-year deal worth $11.6 million (average of $2.9 million per season).

8:45AM Washington re-signs defenceman Mike Green to a four-year deal worth $21 million (average of $5.25 million per season).
*********************************************************
Trades:
Sportsnet.ca -- The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired Patrik Hersley and left wing Ned Lukacevic from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Denis Gauthier and their second round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the teams announced Tuesday.
********************************************************
Nashville trades defenceman Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota for prospect Ryan Jones from Miami of Ohio and a second round pick.
********************************************************
The Oilers have traded left winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 21-year-old centre Gilbert Brule, and sent defenceman Joni Pitkanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Erik Cole.
********************************************************
The Calgary Flames have acquired restricted free agent forward Rene Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a future second-round draft pick.
********************************************************

Islander News Articles 7/1

First off my thanks at the NHL for moving the start of free agency to 12pm as opposed to midnight.

Newsday: Greg Logan has Garth Snow's comments that he just does not want to bring in older players that would force some young players to Bridgeport and that he wants to give the young players an opportunity to come into training camp and earn their spot. The gm also said if some of the young players perform at the level they finished at last season, it won't be an issue but that he has to strike a balance between veterans and young players. He also was quoted that many clubs in this league win with a young roster and does not buy it will be a season of losing and learning.

The gm was asked about offer sheets to group II players but said it's not something he's looking at but will never say never.

Mr Logan for his part speculated about a dozen or so players and added although Garth Snow might bid on a high-end goal scorer such as Marian Hossa it would be a long shot to sign him, but he might add an experienced veteran who could mentor young kids who will be playing to take some pressure off them. He also notes an opening at center and mentions Doug Weight because he played with Bill Guerin in Edmonton.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I hope like the draft no one expected Garth Snow to tell us his exact plan. We will see if he is interested in bidding on any unrestricted free agents today and in the days ahead by his actions but it seems he needs one player up front and one on the backline unless he expects his current roster to replace the forty goals that seem to be departing in Satan, Fedotenko and Vasicek up front to go with Berard and even Bergeron who was moved at the deadline.

As for Mr Logan he did a lot of speculation on players after reminding us who left last July 1st (when the Isles decided not to resign them) and had a few names I did not have on my list and some good ones. He did correctly ask Snow if his comments about prospects mean a season of losing and learning which the general manager did not buy but could turn out that way and has to be written.

Note:
Mark Everson reported on the Devils, Larry Brooks reported on the Rangers like he draws a second salary from Cablevision. New York Islanders did not have one word written about them going into the first day of free agency. The Daily News was it's usual Islander no-show with coverage. It is hysterical reading Mr Brooks defend Jagr for the same things he used to bash Alexei Yashin for, even after Jagr admitted he picked his spots last season.

Good news is Mr Brooks was so busy playing rotisserie Rangers he did not have space to bash the Isles. Although it does beg the question why did the Post interview Snow before the draft and not before free agency?

Point Blank: Mr Botta writes in his blog the Islanders will sign Doug Weight within the next two weeks and makes a case for why he should be added to the team. He also has another blog about why the club should make a run at UFA Brian Campbell.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not much else to add if Mr Botta says the club will sign Doug Weight within two weeks and writes it as if it's a done deal.

I'm not a big fan of the move at all because he did not have a good season last year and is the kind of player who needs talent around him to generate his numbers at this point in his career. Contrary to Mr Botta's perspective he just does not seem like the correct center to ride shotgun for Mike Comrie next season if your plan is to work in prospects or go with franchise talents to replace veterans.

If your going to sign Weight it begs the question why not just give Vasicek another contract extension because he is younger and outproduced him a year ago?

Brian Campbell I gave my comments on yesterday, not much else to add other than Mr Botta is going all out as usual and whether I agree or disagree with the blogs I sure appreciate the hard work and effort.

Tsn.ca: Bob McKenzie reports because the current cba is only four years until the NHLPA decides whether to extend it for two more years it will be tougher for teams to include bonus money in contract offers because it would have to count against this years salary cap.

Kukla's Corner: Paul Kukla's site from the NHL has a list of all outlets to watch/listen to free agency coverage on Tuesday.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I picked out the two free radio/webcast outlets and put them on the sidebar for everyone to access. Many of these other outlets require pay subscriptions (XM) or to this point have not provided a live feed like Tsn who will only be on television for a limited time because of Wimbledon.

Note:
My thanks to the folks over at Kukla's Korner who were kind enough to add tonight's live chat here to their list of hockey-related events. Anyone who is having a live blog (I know Tony Stabile at Islesnation.com) is having one around 12pm or 1pm feel free to contract them and ask it be included and as always Tony will do a great job.

NHL Network here is scheduled to show XM radio from 12-2pm, with Tsn's free agency show scheduled from 5-6pm & 7-8pm.

Note-If anyone has anything free for folks to access on live radio/webcast please respond and tell me so everyone has some access.

Boston Globe: Kevin-Paul Dupont reports former Islander Petteri Nokelainen, agreed to terms with the Bruins on a two-year contract that will pay him an average of $850,000 per season according to a league source.

Courier Post: Chuck Gormley speculates among a bunch of players listed the Flyers could have an interest in Bryan Berard.

Times & Transcript: Neil Hodge reports the Russian Federation is threatening some of its best young players if they come to North America and don't make the NHL next season, they will be suspended from playing for Russian national teams for four years with Nikita Filatov's quoted comments in an article that mentions Islander pick Kirill Petrov but also has a few words on this from former Islander assistant coach, Danny Flynn.

Journal News: Rick Carpiniello in a sports uppdate takes a little shot at Garth Snow asking that somebody tell Islanders GM Garth Snow that the object of the NHL draft isn't to see how long you can go without making a pick.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Journal News with writers like Andrew Gross used to give the Isles the same amount of coverage the News and Post do now. Mr Carpiniello always was good for a few cheapshots at the Isles and always seemed a big time Ranger homer.

CBS Sportsline: Wes Goldstein apparently has done a lot of his reading in Newsday as he reports the Nassau Coliseum is why free agents will not take the Islanders money in a thirty team review heading into free agency where this is the only NHL club that had this written about them.

Medford Local/Transcript: Christopher Hurley has a few comments from former Medford High hockey coach Charlie Driscoll, who coached Bates while with the Mustangs on his being bought out by the Islanders.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a blog update and is promising more for Tuesday.

Finally:
I wanted to add a poll for today but blogger has been having problems with this feature.