Radek Martinek Up to the Challenge

Radek Martinek has not had an easy career since being drafted by the NY Islanders in the 8th round of the 1999 draft. In his eight NHL seasons, he has never been able to play a full season. His body bears the scars of devastating injury that cut each season short. The 2005-2006 season saw Radek on the ice for 74 games, the highest number of his career. Last season saw him for only 16 games. But this year everyone hopes things will be different.

With the loss of Mark Streit, Radek Martinek will become the defenseman that Scott Gordon relies on most for his experience. I asked Radek if he knew that Scott Gordon called him “Sensational” and one of the best kept secrets in the NHL in his post game interview Saturday night. While Jon Sim leaned against the locker room wall and snickered, Radek gave me a half smile and just simply said “No.”

In all the time that I have been around this team, I have never spoke with Martinek. The 32-year-old Czech was never much for interviews and in the early years, the rumor was the only English word he knew was “stick.” His English as well as his conditioning is vastly improved since those early days.

I asked him what he did differently to prepare for this season.

“Simple. I stayed here all summer working out with our strength and conditioning coach, Jesse Demers. Simple.”

Okay, we are back into “stick” territory.

The way he has worked out this summer and his rehab period he is hoping has prepared him. “I knew it was a good thing to stay here and work out here because I need a little bit, shoulder (to lean on) how to work out after those injuries.”

And Radek’s dependence on his trainer has paid off big dividends for him. He has never looked stronger. Especially against the Devils where he draped Ilya Kovalchuk and helped to keep him off the score sheet. Radek will be facing all the top scorers this season (as long as he is healthy). That is a lot of pressure. I asked if he is ready for it. With a sly smile he told me, “Of course I am ready for it. It is a challenge and I am game for it. It is a challenge to play against those guys. I am ready. I am looking forward to it.’

The Islander fans are looking forward to it as well. But there is always that doubt. We can’t help it. I asked him if he has any good luck charms he will utilize, But not really.

“I can say I would try anything. But there is nothing. Just don’t worry about an injury and hard work.”

Redek has his work cut out for him in so many ways.


Today my favorite hockey writer, John Buccigross posted his 30 team predictions. While his thoughts about the Islanders were not what a fan would want to hear, they were honest. Certainly there are some things that are positive for this team, but there are so many factors that come into play that make the dark clouds gather over another season.

If this is the time that everyone begins to make their predictions about where teams will finish in April, as much as there is hope, I hate to say but I will certainly be carefully researching the top five draft picks of 2011. The loss of Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo has seriously effected my optimism for this season. Add to that the October loss of Rob Schremp and it calls to mind Denis Potvin’s Radio gold when he said “Every point lost in October is worth three in March.” Yep. Not much hope here.


And with a rag-tag camp Scott Gordon has not had much time to develop chemistry in this team. And with only four more days until home opener, I’m guessing we don’t have our usual MSG special.


Also tonight is the news that the NY Islanders are trying to finalize a deal with Hofsra University for this year's radio broadcast. Someone please remind me -- what year is this.

Isles Grab Grabner

Holy Crap! I beat some people to the punch because TSN's Bob McKenzie is quickdraw on Twitter! Isles claim Michael Grabner from the Florida Panthers.

Isles Waiver Wire claim Twitter blip on HB. And a Happy Birthday to him.

And of course, I'm not supposed to be doing this at work. But some times... you just gotta say... what the... ;o)

And if you haven't read this yet today about Zenon Konopka, do so.

Cuts before Opening Day

With more cuts still to come before Saturday, I posted this at HockeyBuzz last night. Yes, I was tired and cranky. Can you tell???

In other news, Bruno Gervais celebrated his birthday with the team at Adventureland yesterday for the Islanders charity event. The weather was good. I should have gone. I didn't.

Sean Bergenheim scored for the Bolts over the Panthers in their exhibition game. Speaking with my friend Dr. David Lubin, the 2004 7thMan for Tampa Bay, I told him Sean would get at least 15 goals this season for them. I've got my fingers crossed. He's wearing No. 10 again there as he first did in Uniondale until he left for Russia and Richard Park was given #10 to show Sean that his place was taken. When he came back, they gave him #20.

Nice guy and slippery player Mike Mottau wore #55 on Saturday during their exhibition game against the Devils. While Morency of the Sound Tigers had already graced the Uniondale ice at least once wearing #55, seeing it on Mottau stung a little. But he said he didn't have an affinity to numbers but would be asking what else was available.

Hopefully there will be word out of the PR dept on the status of Nino Niederreiter and Rob Schremp and the extent of the injuries they incurred over the weekend.

Streit and Okposo wasted no time getting shoulder surgery so hopefully they will have a better picture of exactly when the two key ingredients of this roster will be back.

But... we'll see. All I know is that Scott Gordon and his coaching staff certainly have their work cut out for them this week trying to make a team that works when two pieces are missing.

Isles vs. Devils at the Coliseum 10/2/10

And they're off. Sad to see a #20 jersey out there and have it not be Sean Bergenheim. Sadder to see a #55 when I didn't know there would be. That's new Islander Mike Mottau. I don't know why I have problems spelling that.

So while I had my head down trying to retrieve photos from my camera, DiPietro ended up having to face a penalty shot which clanged off teh post. Once play started again, it was a glove save that kept the Devils off teh board. And I can't get my photos to load.

With 6:54 left of the first Zach Parise gets the Devils on the board with an amazing shot from the left of the net while Rick had to do everything he could to fight off Kovalchuk and Tallinder. He was sprawled in his crease and Zach picked the top corner and nailed it.


7:38 pm: Nice to see the Radek Martinek is healthy enough to strip Kovalchuck of the puck. SOG are 10 - 8 Islanders and Trent Hunter had an excellent opportunity off a Wiz that would have doubled the score. Gotta get those Trent. You're a vet now. Everyone's depending on you.

When they announce the 1 minute remaining mark, I always tense up for Rick. That is usually his worst time. Tavares skates out with the puck into the Devils zone and what looked like it was going to be an amazing play um... didn't. But no harm no foul as the Devils and Islanders head to the dressing rooms tied at 1.

8:14pm: with 9:39 left of the 2nd the SOG are 13 - 10 Islanders. Devils back up goalie Hedberg has been pressured and often out of position, but nothing is getting to him.

8:34 left of the 2nd and Konopka's presence in the crease causes a whistle and stoppage of play. No penalty. That's good.

Rick Skates out to the far right to play a puck, but thank goodness, thinks better of it. and retreats, so did the play back towards Hedberg. Nielsen just absorbed a huge hit by Clarkson. Hopefully, he's fine.

I will say this game is a success under the following conditions: Keep Kovalchuck off the scoresheet and no one requires an MRI in the morning. Thank you.

There was almost an incident as a broken Devil's stick went FLYING into the stands, but two men around a little girl protected her and she goes home with a souvenier that doesn't require stitches. good Guys.

2:25 left of the 2nd and Blake Comeau manages to get a shot past Hedberg. SOG now 18 - 12. JT and Hunter both recieved assists on that goal. While it's nice for Comeau to hit the score sheet, I'm not going to get too excited because there's a lot of hockey to be played. And we are coming upon that dreaded "One minute. One minute left..."

With 26 seconds left of the second, I'd like someone to tell me that Rick DiPietro isn't feeling just fabulous as he mad a sliding save that would have tied the game. He kept his eye on the play and kew where the puck was at all times and made sure he made the save. Brilliant!

Third period begins while I was walking back to the elevator after seeing @Icecreeper downstairs. Rick is still in net and the SOG are now even at 19. But the news that came over my phone about Nino Niederreiter who was slashed in the back of the legs by Cammalleri had me worried and angry. We cannot afford another injury.

Meanwhile, Martinek took a tumble on the ice and I held my breath. He's okay though.

Moulson Gets Two At the Rock

Well, the Friday night tilt between the Isles and the Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark was only aired on WFAN66 am radio.

Jesse Joensuu scored early on Marty Brodeur, but then the Devils scored two goals in the 1st period and 2 in the second to make it 4 - 1.

Matt Moulson then made it somewhat respectable by cutting the Devil's lead in half off a Doug Weight feed, and then late in the third he scored again. But with the flurry of activity late in the game and with Dwayne Roloson pulled from the net, the Isles could not get that fourth goal on Brodeur.

They will have a chance to see what they can do against another Devils squad tomorrow night at the Coliseum where it is reported Rick DiPietro will be facing off against - uh - not Brodeur.

Rob Schremp went down awkwardly and left the ice. He did not return and hopefully, he is not seriously injured. Also, according to the stats machine for the NHL, Kirill Petrov managed 6:05 of ice time and 2 PIMS. An amazing feat from Russia


Also, a nice read about one of Long Island's own hockey players from Patch.com

Ladies & Gentlemen: It's finally HOCKTOBER!!!

Yes, the day we didn't think we'd see way back in April has finally arrived. It is October 1st and we are in the Month Of Hockey!

Last night, while I was at the Boulton Center, the Islanders were featured on one of my favorite shows, 30 Rock. I didn't get to see it, but there are clips floating around the net where a character in a Tavares jersey chirps Matt Moulson.

Well, you certainly know you've arrived when you're featured on a network sitcom during prime time. Matt Moulson: YOU have arrived. I'd love to know who made this happen. It's awesome. Not that what Kevin Conolly does on HBO isn't great, but COME ON!! This is NBC! This is 30 ROCK! This is awesome! What's next? Rob Schremp does a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live? It could happen!

So while the Islanders can be featured on a major network during prime-time, Cablevision has decided not to air the Islanders preseason games. I understand that when the games are being played in a local arena in Saskatoon. I don't understand when the games are being played at the Prudential Center against another Tri-state team that is prominently featured on the MSG networks.

So while the Devils will play the Islanders tonight, I have no idea how to follow the game other than Twitter updates and pirate websites. Personally I think that's a pathetic decision on the part of MSG.

Saturday, October 2nd the Islanders will be playing their only pre-season game at the Coliseum. At least I'll be able to see that one - in person.

Sidenote: Richard Marx and Matt Scannell performing as an accoustic "Duo" (the name of their CDs) are nothing less than impressive. Talented, funny and engaging they spent two hours going through old songs and new ones as if reading from a personal diary with raw exposed emotion.

Scannell of Vertical Horizon and Richard Marx of the 80s Mullet have a special chemistry together that brings out the best in each other. See them if you can, buy the CD if you can't.