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.

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Islander News Articles 4/9

Sorry folks, I know the services at this time for direct feeds is down for the media and blog box sidebars.

There are direct links above it for almost all the media site feeds on the and a page viewer, the blog box is tougher but the picture does link to the Islanders website page for everyone’s specific page blog.

For now patience is the word, hopefully the site is simply down.
******************************************************
As always I will fill in the blanks on Thursday.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s coverage going into Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh has former captain Bill Guerin’s comments on leaving the Islanders, his tough final months here, his thoughts on Doug Weight resigning and what John Tavares could mean to their program moving forward.

Tsn.ca/Several Outlets/Islanders website: Has the release on Islanders head coach Scott Gordon named to team USA with general manager Brian Burke’s comments.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & Tribune Review: Has the latest on the Penguins.

AHL.com: Reports Nofolk won in overtime against WBS
on Wednesday which means Bridgeport holds a two point lead on the Pens who still have a game in hand but have even win totals.

1 x Hershey Bears 77 48 21 2 6 104
2 x Bridgeport 78 47 23 3 5 102
3 x WBS Penguins 77 47 24 3 3 100

The first tie-breaker is wins, Bridgeport won the season series 4-2 against WBS.

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Islander News Articles 4/7

Will fill in blanks tomorrow with more coverage.

Newsday: John Jeansonne covered Monday’s practice with comments from Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau and head coach Scott Gordon about missing out on this year’s playoffs but are looking ahead and will be watching while the thirty plus losses by one goal (open net) are touched upon.

Also reported Defenseman Bruno Gervais left practice early after apparently injuring a shoulder, though Gordon didn’t believe it was serious. Veteran forwards Doug Weight and Dean McAmmond both missed practice because of illness. Defenseman Mark Streit (groin strain) returned to practice but forward Kyle Okposo (groin strain) did not. Gordon said three forwards would be summoned from Bridgeport for Tuesday night’s game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Anytime Scott Gordon wants to invite us all over the watch games on that television system sounds good to me.

Newsday: Greg Logan had more about Kyle Okposo who could be named to team with his comments which is essentially a repeat of his earlier blog.

Newsday: Editorial this time singles out David Denenberg (D-Merrick) and claims he has ambitions for higher office, is using his current one to circulate a pretentious petition in support of a project that must still get a lease from the county.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Did you folks really think Cablevision is on any side other than their own which is to save hundreds of millions and expand their own brand? Tom Suozzi reportedly is working on a lease to save time with the developers from Newsday’s own coverage.

Newsobserver.com: Chip Alexander confirms Cam Ward will start against New York on Tuesday with head coach Paul Maurice’s comments.

Matt Cullen is out tomorrow. Jussi Jokinen continued to center the line with Chad LaRose and Ray Whitney in Cullen’s absence. Patrick Eaves, who was a scratch for the Pittsburgh game, was at practice and working on the fourth line with Dwight Helminen and Ryan Bayda. Rod Brind’Amour’s line had Scott Walker and Sergei Samsonov on the wings.

The News.com: Adam Richardson shares a very funny April fools joke played on Jon Sim when he was a Los Angeles King years ago in an article that praised him for his excellent play in Bridgeport with the Sound Tigers in a tough situation for him.

NHL.com: Chuck Gormley has comments from Bill Guerin on his trade from the Islanders.

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Islander News Articles 3/28

Will update early Saturday so we have as many quotes as possible from both sides.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s game recap has goaltender Joey MacDonald’s comments on his first career shutout against his former team in his game recap.

NHL.com: Brian Hunter has comments from Joey MacDonald on his first shutout who credited his team as he talked about his diving save in the second period. Head coaches Scott Gordon and Mike Babcock also discusses the game with Wings defender Nicklas Lidstrom agreeing with MacDonald the momentum swung with the two goals and the big saves.

NHL.com: Larry Wigge does a feature on Bill Guerin comparing his circumstances here vs Pittsburgh and uses Scott Gordon’s rotten apples comment to make his point with the Long Island label slapped on virtually everything despite the head coach’s praise for Bill Guerin.

Kyle Okposo in this NHL feature that has several subjects but leads with Guerin also has Kyle Okposo’s comments about adding a franchise talent or finishing this season strong.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If Larry Wigge who is a long-time respected writer cannot do the homework or only goes for Newsday blurbs where even Greg Logan speculated he was not talking about Bill Guerin how is anyone else going to get these stories right?

Scott Gordon was on XM radio and praised Guerin earlier this week, that did not make it in this article at all.

Canadian Press: Has Bruno Gervais and Josh Bailey’s comments in their recap along with MacDonald.

Detroit News: Ted Kulfan has the recap of New York’s 2-0 win in Detroit.

Michigan Live: Ansar Khan also has a game recap.

Detroit Free Press: Also has Red Wings coverage on their loss.

Journal-Star: Kevin Capie reports Islanders scout Ken Morrow was one of at least five NHL teams scouting the Peoria Rivermen against the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio previews Saturday’s big game in Hershey with head coach Jack Capuano and defenseman Andrew MacDonald’s comments.

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Islander News Articles 3/15

Newsday: Greg Logan recaps the Islanders 2-1 loss Saturday afternoon in Boston with head coach Scott Gordon’s comments.

Boston Globe: Fluto Shinzawa game coverage and live blog has a few words on Jackman vs Lucic.

Boston Herald: Coverage of Saturday’s game with Providence Journal paper that covers Scott Gordon’s old AHL team.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann’s interview with prospect John Tavares where he talks about the Islanders among several subjects.

Edmonton Journal: Had Bill Guerin’s comments on his trade from the Islanders and the time he was away from the team before he was sent to Pittsburgh.

Slam Sports: Steve Simmons has comments from John Tavares agent, Pat Grissom who says ” I know (owner) Charles Wang is trying to get a new building and that his feeling is, it will be his way or the highway and that if it were Grissom, he would avoid Tampa, Atlanta and the Island at all costs but it’s not his choice and his client respects the process and the league. “

NYI Fan Comments:
It’s one thing when the Canadian shock jocks like Mr Simmons (who went in this direction a while back) push for things like this but obviously Tavares agent does not think his client should play for the Islanders or a few teams which could make negotiations hard not only now but when the time comes he is a free agent.

Daily News: Elliot Olshansky has an outstanding feature on Jacques Lamoureux, about his very tough fight to overcome depression and as a sophomore who leads the NCAA with 29 goals for the Air Force Academy is a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award this year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
That’s just a remarkable story and my thanks to Mr Olshansky for e-mailing it to me to post here for our readers. I know I’m rooting for Jacques Lamoureux to win the Hobey Baker and be signed by an NHL team if that’s what he aspires to. I’m sure some folks remember what former Islander Claude LaPointe went through after he left the Islanders along with Shayne Corson who Islander fans will only remember from his famous fight with Eric Cairns.

Sarnia Observer: Dave Pual had a Saturday feature on Islander prospect Matt Martin who was the prospect on television between periods this week who plays for the Sarnia Sting with fellow draft picks Justin DiBenedetto and Mark Katic.

AHL.com: Recap of Bridgeport’s 6-3 loss at Hartford Saturday night which has the Sound Tigers trailing 3-2 at the end of the second period.

1. HFD Moore, (22) (Fahey), 1:04
1. HFD Sauer, (4) (Urquhart, Ouellette), 17:34
1. BRI Walter, (16) (Smith, Lee), 18:26 (PP)
1. BRI Walter, (17) (Lessard), 19:13
2. HFD Sauer, (5) (Denisov, Rissmiller), 15:10
3. BRI Lessard, (10) (Smith), 3:05 (PP)
3. HFD Weise, (8) (Moore, Sauer), 8:12
3. HFD Potter, (8) (Dupont, Parenteau), 19:03
3. HFD Dupont, (13) (Owens), 19:21

Kris Mayotte again started in goal for Bridgeport. Robin Figren did not make his AHL debut.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s coverage of Bridgeport’s loss at Hartford Saturday with quotes from Ben Walter who had two goals and head coach Jack Capuano with blog entries here and a brief preview of Sunday’s big game against the Bears in Hershey at 5pm here.

Hartford Courant: Covers the Wolfpack win on Saturday and had an article on the Boston Bruins win.

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Islander News Articles 3/6

Will fill in the blanks where I can tomorrow, but it may be later than usual.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s early recap (without quotes) notes the Islanders outplayed the Rangers for most of the game but their inexperience caught up with them combined with a few mistakes. Head coach Scott Gordon praised his teams effort, Jack Hillen comments.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Only game all sesson I can recall Mr Logan getting quotes from the other coach, considering Kate Strang and Steve Zipay’s Ranger centric articles the Islanders should have had a full article.

NY Post: May have Dan Martin’s coverage but likely will go all Larry Brooks Ranger-centric with salesman Jay Greenberg’s Ranger centric article.

Dan Martin was not dispatched the home team which is disgraceful if part time at best writer Greenberg was around who has been selling Msg teams more recently.

Daily News: Peter Botte’s game coverage of the Rangers 4-2 win includes head coach Scott Gordon crediting his team’s play, Blake Comeau and Trent Hunter also comment.

Old time Ranger guy Vic Ziegel was brought in to sell Sean Avery.

NY Times: Lynn Zinser’s coverage was all Rangers/Avery centric.

Journal News: May assign road coverage.

NHL.com: Reports Bill Guerin had an assist and five shots on goal in Pittsburgh’s forty plus shot win against Florida.

NHL.com: Reports Chris Campoli had his first goal for Ottawa, Mike Comrie had a goal and an assist in the Senators win Thursday.

Globe & Mail/several sources: Report former Islander-Sound Tiger Jeff Hamilton was signed by the Maple Leafs.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Jon Sim on what he can bring to the Sound Tigers along with head coach Jack Capuano as Friday’s Bridgeport-Binghampton game is previewed along with the AHL notebook here.

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Islander News Articles 3/5

Islanders website release notes Tomas Pock also was activated off injured reserve with Nate Thompson. Mr Botta contradicts this and reports those players are not ready and Callahan-Hunter will play.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s article has comments from Bill Guerin who did not know it was Pittsburgh who praised the Islanders and discussed the trade while general manager Garth Snow comments on the trade and the club’s direction moving forward.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is why we need ITV conferences with the media, so we get the full story.

No surprise Greg Logan needed to stir up something writing Snow took issue with Guerin’s notion there was a done deal by Saturday’s game and that it was a weekend soap opera extended nearly five days.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Been quite a week for Greg Logan, he airs the dirty laundry with every anonymous quote he can print and keeps it part of every article with the coach, then he practically accuses the club of breaking league rules by implying an injury was false on Hunter Saturday who was wearing a cast at practice, now Snow takes issue with Guerin and it was a soap opera for five days?

Maybe this writer just looks for the negative slant on things.

Newsday: Anthony Rieber & Eden Laikin claims Charles Wang’s Lighthouse group made a direct threat to relocate after 2015 that is tucked deep into the 6,000-page draft environmental impact statement submitted that the club will leave after 2015 if the Lighthouse is not approved.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
READ MY WORDS CAREFULLY….NOTHING CHANGED, WANG DID NOT SAY ANYTHING NEW, TWO PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR NEWSDAY FINALLY LOOKED AT WHAT WAS SUBMITTED AT THE MEETING IN THE DOCUMENTS AND PICKED TODAY TO MAKE IT A STORY.

NOTHING WAS TUCKED AWAY ANYWHERE.

THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER COULD NOT EVEN READ IT WELL ENOUGH TO TELL US THE CORRECT SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT.

ALL RIEBER-LAIKIN DID WAS LOOK AT SECTION 7.0 of the EIS here which has the following that everyone knew even before Newsday sat down with Charles Wang last week:

7.1 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The no-action alternative assumes that the physical conditions on the subject property remain as they currently exist. However, as explained in Section 2.0, if the
transformation of the Coliseum is not accomplished, the New York Islanders and the
New York Dragons1 will cease to use this facility, and the existing lease, which expires in 2015, will not be renewed.

THAT’S THE ENTIRE BASIS FOR TODAY’S STORY YOU JUST READ WHICH IS NOTHING NEW.

Are they both for real or is this the latest Cablevision we want our three hundred million back for television rights article back so let’s create some negative perception and play on their fans after a day they did little at the trade deadline?

This is even more lame than Ms Laikin claiming only Islander fans were at the meeting or interviewing three fans to create perception only hockey fans care about the project.

It’s in one of the top spots in Newsday, if I recall the approval meeting was buried with some late articles released where Greg Logan even blogged to defend the staff for slow timing.

No kidding Mr Wang if he still owns the team six years from now can relocate and likely would sell to someone sooner if the Lighthouse is turned down in the next few months.

I read the report too released on Lighthouse website here (you really think Anthony Rieber read it all?) it discusses at length what the loss of the team would mean to the local economy. I did not see a threat of relocating but they will cease to use the Nassau Coliseum and not sign a new lease, the corresponding documents go on to explain what the loss of the Islanders (and Dragons) would mean to the region with plenty of financial estimates.

Bottom line this is simply Newsday stirring up the pot and playing on the fans, one writer does it on the lockeroom the other on the Lighthouse front.

Mr Botta must be very busy to not address this and only link to it while so far not following up his promise to address Greg Logan’s locker-room anonymous quotes articles.

It’s been busy, I suspect at some point he will but the silence is deafening or he simply does not want any part of it.

NY Post: Dan Martin’s article has Guerin’s comments from his Tsn interview and Garth Snow’s comments on the trade deadline.

Daily News article was written on 3/4 and included with trade deadline coverage by Mr Botte.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette & Tribune Review: Have articles with comments from Bill Guerin but mostly about the Pens. Snow’s Newsday comments praising his leadership are in one article.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has team President Howard Saffan’s comments on Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau as paper transactions yesterday with several other current Islanders as the clear day list is set for release March 11th.

Nate Lawson comments about his new NHL contract which was signed before the trade deadline that replaces his AHL contract signed last summer. Lawson is leading the AHL in save percentage (.938) and sitting second in goals-against average (1.81).

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Final Review of Islanders Trade Deadline

All in all Islanders did not have a lot of options with Bill Guerin in a trade deadline the salary cap absolutely was an issue for many teams.

Garth Snow was obligated to sit out Guerin if there was trade he wanted to make to improve his club whether it fell through or not and the player had his NTC.

Having written this other clubs did get second rounders for players with less career playoff cache than Bill Guerin and considering what Phoenix did with some marginal pending UFA it begs the question should Snow have gambled on altering his mix by trading a Martinek, Witt or even Hunter for some of the players the Coyotes received from Philadelphia and the Rangers?

I’m not considering the trade for Jokinen, that was a financial deal the Coyotes had to make. I’m talking Upshall, Dawes, Prucha.

Numbers don’t lie on Guerin’s recent play but it looked like Snow he dealt from a position of weakness after he sat out and got less than one would expect for a player who was worth a first rounder two years ago who led a poor offensive club in scoring.

Overall the first rounder was the prize coming out of this deadline in the Campoli deal.

Moving forward this means Witt, Martinek should be part of the team. Doug Weight I thought could be in play but now he has no playoff prospects and should be in no rush to return to the lineup. If he does resign it will likely be without Guerin if he decides to continue his career at all.

Only big loser on this day for the Islanders was Jon Sim, who cleared waivers despite his recent play and was sent to Bridgeport. Obviously Nate Thompson is Scott Gordon’s player, he seems bullet-proof and will be in the lineup as long as he is healthy.

I suspect Jon Sim is heading for buyout country this summer if his recent play was not enough to keep his roster spot.

Point Blank: Mr Botta has the highlights of Garth Snow’s press conference with the media.

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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.

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Quick Update on Guerin…( 5pm) " Deal not dead "

I’m sure many have read this earlier today but it does have his agents comments.

Espn.com: Pierre Lebrun has comments from Bill Guerin’s agent, Bob Murray Tuesday on his client’s trade status.

“There’s nothing new at this point,” Guerin’s agent Bob Murray told ESPN.com on Tuesday morning. “I spoke with [Isles GM] Garth [Snow] early evening yesterday. Hopefully we’ll know more today.

“Bill is pretty frustrated. He’s in limbo and is anxious to get this resolved for him and his family.”

According to Mr LeBrun, Guerin accepted the mystery team in question Sunday; but, in the interim, the Isles still haven’t been able to pull off the transaction. It could be because the team in question has cap issues and needs to move a body to accommodate Guerin, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 and is earning $4.5 million this season.

Updated 5:00pm
Espn.com: Pierre Lebrun’s blog had the following late afternoon on Guerin’s trade status among several rumors.

Bill Guerin was still in limbo late Tuesday afternoon, but apparently the deal the New York Islanders have been working on since Saturday was not yet toast.

“It’s not dead,” a source close to the situation said around 4 p.m. ET.

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