"Oh Rob!!" What's the Deal?

Oh boy, is it ever AUGUST.  When there is a Twitter buzz over Rob Schremp leaving the NHL and heading to Sweden, you know things are really slow in the hockey universe. Yes, Rob Schremp signing with MODO of the Swedish Elilte League was big news yesterday.

While I really didn't pay attention to the news yesterday morning, I started to think about it THIS morning.

Why DIDN'T Atlanta Winnepeg present Schremp with a qualifying offer? Was it strictly his numbers? (In five seasons and 114 career NHL games, Rob has 20 goals, 34 assists and has a minus- 23 rating. That's like Brendan Witt numbers.)

Granted the Edmonton first round draft pick has been a bit of a disappointment on the score sheet. But he does offer the fans a little fun. Schremp is always high energy, always moving and often difficult to keep on track during interviews.

Another defector from the NHL for MODO was Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson. But didn't that one make sense? Also, Hockey great Peter Forsberg took a position in the MODO front office after (finally) retiring from the NHL.

Well, because I personally really liked Rob as a person, I wish him well in his new league in Sweden. (At least he should fare better there than in Russia.)

But it's August and I've got NOTHING!

Welcome Back Rob Schremp

*Thanks to @NYIslanders Flickr Account
10:49 am: DP will have to break in those pads another time. Al Montoya gets the start tonight against Atlanta.


As reported from practice this morning by @NYIslanders Twitter feed, Rick DiPietro is on the ice and sporting some new Orange pads. Now, sometimes he does not skate in morning practice on game days that he will be playing, so this will be interesting to see who starts.

Doug Weight and Mark Streit are also skating this morning, but there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that we will see either of them any time soon. (Wait.... Did I say that out loud?) As a matter of fact, Mark Streit has been shut down for the season. He will NOT make a return in the remaining weeks.

Rob Schremp returns to the Island tonight. He Tweeted that he had a great view of the Coliseum from his hotel room yesterday. Tonight, he's on the other side of the ice and I'm sure he'll be looking to make the Isles pay.

Happy 28th Birthday PA Parenteau. Maybe there's a birthday goal for him tonight. However, I'm going out on a limb and saying it's Matt Moulson's night to score again. Just a hunch.

Also, if you can't make it to the coliseum tonight for the game, you can catch me and The Ice Creeps on their Blogtalk radio show from 5:30 - 7 pm live from Doolin's. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hockeythisweek/2011/03/24/live-broadcast-from-doolins-pub-inside-the-nassau-coliseum

I'm sure I'll screw up one way or another.

More as it comes over the Twitter feed, for now.... back to work.

One Less Family Member in the Locker Room

I have been reluctant to sit down and actually write about today. I didn't think that anything big would happen today. I was correct.

I also didn't think I'd be that upset today being a jaded blogger and all. I was wrong about that one. When the news that Rob Schremp had been claimed on waivers by the Atlanta Thrashers, I felt that familiar twinge. You get attached to these guys being around them so often.

Rob Schremp was a great interview, but he was also the first to smile, say hello and call me by name. I'm going to miss him.

other trade day thoughts here at Hockeybuzz.com.

Schremp & Lawson On Waivers

And so it begins.
Rob Schremp and Nate Lawson have both been placed on waivers by the Islanders. Nate Lawson will still back up Al Montoya tonight and Rob Schremp may or may not be in the line-up as well.

Schremp may have a few takers at this point, but should he clear, I'm guessing he will be sent to B-Port.

Nate Lawson on waivers, however, begs the question -- so who will come back to back up Al Montoya? Joel Martin or Mikko Koskinen?

With the excitement of the WhiteOutTheRed Night and the social media gathering today, I will probably not update this blog or my hockeybuzz.com site during the game. Instead, join me and others on the Islanders main site for the live chat with The Rookie and the Reporter.

News breaks there first any way.

Later. Gotta go iron that white shirt I'm wearing!

I Hate NHL Trade Deadline Day

No, really. I do hate it. But I know it's part of the business and we have to deal with it. For many, it's like Christmas. But I look at it a little differently. I think about the families that are broken up for months and the potential heartbreak of leaving a place that was home.

For many NHLers, especially those that don't have families, it's a great time for new starts and a change of scenery. Change is good, it's how you look at it.

So, I did reach out to Garth Snow today and received basic information. (very basic information.)

So unless someone starts passing me notes in the press box tomorrow, this will be my only pre-trade deadline post.

Looking forward to seeing those coming to the game tomorrow for the #WhiteOutTheRed night at the Coliseum. Meet you at Doolin's before the game. And don't forget to check in with Dani at the Social Media desk when you get there.

RDP Faces the Sabres Tonight

Confirmed by Jack Capuano, Rick DiPietro, who did not skate this morning will indeed be in net. His veteran presence, confidence and 'personality' will be evident!

On the ice this morning was Kyle Okposo, not in a yellow jersey. It was nice to see.

Bruno Gervais will not be taking off the cage any time soon. When I asked him he told me "Not this year. Next year." I asked again and got the same answer!

Also Rob Schremp: Jets!


Here's hoping that Matt Moulson has a little extra "luck" out there tonight on the ice and can add to his totals again. Also looking to score again is big Trevor Gillies who left the rink today, smiling, telling one of the reporters. "...and I'm going to get another one!"

I'm looking forward to it!

Isles vs. Pens 12/29/10 SO Win!

For post game locker room quotes and notes, please check HockeyBuzz.com.


Considering how crowded the concourse was tonight, the seats are just a little light. Good LOUD crowd. And Rick has already stopped a Sidney Crosby chance at close range.

I am not sure why Capuano put Jack Hillen and Bruno Gervais together. To me that looks like a guaranteed Penguins goal.

Heard here in the press box "I think I'll just start calling turnovers 'Hillens.' Even though I like him." I totally understand.


The first fight of the night came at 9:07 as Adams and Zenon Konopka push Fluery and his net out of the way after Adams tied up Zenon by putting his stick between his legs. They both got five for fighting but I don't understand why there was no tripping call. Anyone?

Josh Bailey has displayed some nice moves as has PA Parenteau, but none of these moves have been able to garner them the first goal.

The shots, however, are even at 8 with 3:38 left of the first. Kunitz goes to the box for crosschecking and PA goes for roughing. Rick takes a shot from Letang and gives him no rebound.

What looked like a Sidney Crosby goal was actually Sid shooting the puck over the crossbar in a straight line.

So with the score even at zero, they head to the locker room. Believe it or not, in the first twenty minutes the Islanders have been able to keep Sidney Crosby to one shot on goal and one blocked shot. Not bad considering.



So, on the concourse I found two new items. I had to giggle.

19:26 of the second and Josh Bailey puts the Islanders on the scoreboard with his sixth of the season and does a little Rob Schremp move to celebrate. Shots are now even at 12, just like Josh. Travis Hamonic gets an assist.

While the Islanders got away with a few tripping penalties, Pascal Dupuis is called for high sticking at 3:12. Can the Islanders power play unit find a way to get around the Penguins PK? Nope. Islanders could do nothing with their power play, but the shots on goal are still pretty even at 16 - 15 Pens.

Matt Moulson ALMOST had a goal. I say ALMOST because he managed to get one passed Fluery about a half second after the whistle had blown. Not a good night for MighyMattMoulson!

Chris Letang got hit in the backside with the puck and it looked like it stung. There was a scuffle at the side of the net as Jon Sim and Brooks Orpik exchanged a few words and pushing. Both get two for roughing.

Nice to hear the crowd roar with appreciation for Rick Dipietro.

Michael Grabner took an excellent pass from Jack Hillen (Yes, Hillen)and had a close range change that everyone moaned over when it didn't go in.

Matt Martin skates in to make a hit on Talbot and ends up hitting the ice himself and grimacing as he tries to get up. He gets two minutes for boarding and while other Pens joined in, the penalty on Martin was the only one called.

Hamonic makes some excellent clears during the PK and the power play for the Penguins ends with hardly any shots registering, if any.

AS the penalty expired and Matt Martin was out of the box and Chris Conner ties the game at 1 with 3 minutes left of the 2nd. Rick lays face down on the ice in his crease for a few moments. He really wanted that one back.

Shots on goal are now 17 to 21 in favor of the Penguins

Rick looked very solid in the second period, but the Islanders have not been able to get any shots off past the Penguins defense. They must feel energized by tying up the score.

They go to the locker room all even again.

The Islanders get two power play opportunities early in the third period. And Jack hillen actually managed to take down Sidney Crosby behind the net. Not only am I amazed he did it. I'm amazed there was no call on it.

With 23 seconds left of the power play the noice meter was evoked for the 14,345 patrons. Power play ends and the Islanders don't get a shot on goal.

Rick DiPietro almost gave the game away by skating out of the net to try to make a clear that doesn't happen and luckily the puck squeaked passed the net. Rick gave a look up to the heavens to thank them for that. Had that resulted in a Penguins goal, he could have gotten an assist on the play.

Rick makes three great saves on a loose puck in his crease but Hillen gloves the puck and the Pens are awarded a penalty shot for Letang. OMG! The Crowd cheers DiPietro on while we wait. And Rick makes the stop and the crowd is literally on it's feet. He gets a tap on the pad by Jurcina.
(and I put away my camera cord)

The pressure is on Rick, but he is holding up. If the defense can hold on, this may be good.

Rick pushes Kunitz around in his crease and a scuffle breaks out. Nielsen is called for something. Probably for jumping Crosby. Kunitz goes to the box as well for roughing.

Konopka ends the game pushing Sidney around and the two have words. Konopka gets a game misconduct, of course. Keeping up his PIMs stat. But the Islanders have broken Sidney's point streak in regulation.

Shoot out!

Rick gives up a rebound that almost results in a goal, but is swept away before it can hit the net. Josh Bailey skates the puck toward Fluery and another Islander shot is registered on the Pens. SOG now 23 - 29 still in favor of the Penguins, but with only 6:09 left, I never would have thought the Islanders would have held up this good.

Fleury basically robs Jurcina grabbing a puck out of the air and holding on.

With one minute left of the third Matt Moulson parked himself in front of Fleury's net. But for all his effor he couldn't get it in the net. A little heart attack city at the 35 second mark as the Pens rush back towards Rick. The defense does an excellent job keeping the puck away from Rick and the game went to overtime.

Did anyone see the Islanders taking a point away from the Penguins? Seriously, raise your hand if you did.

A-Mac's stick broke in half and Michael Grabner handed his over to MacDonald. It was a tense few seconds before MacDonald was able to skate it up ice with @Grabs40's stick and pass it to Josh Bailey. Beautiful play, but no goal.

Rick made yet again a dangerous clearing attempt as the puck was almost batted out of the air in his zone. The cheers and the tensions were running high until the whistle blew at 1:14 left of overtime for a too many men on the ice call. Josh sits in the box and Pittsburgh takes a time out. Scotty Allen is behind the bench calling the penalty kill to the players on the ice. He is very animated.


But can they hold off the penguins for 1:14 and get this to a shoot out?

They certainly did. Rob Schremp, Frans Nielsen and PA Parenteau all scored for the Islanders while Letang and Malkin (who "made me look stupid." Rick said) scored for the Pens.

The two points were huge, the points against this team were even bigger. There was great respect in the room for the Penguins. This was just one game. One that showed what the Islanders can do when they work at it.

No Goals, No Points, No WAY!

It wasn't the ending I or any other Islander fan expected. We're pretty used to the Islanders walking out of MSG with two points and a few bruises. Not tonight. I thought for sure after last night's hard fought loss, it would be a repeat of intensity with a different outcome. The Rangers won 2 - 0 with one earned goal and one empty netter.

Rob Schremp had talked about intensity and a little luck. The Islanders had neither tonight at MSG while Yahoo's PuckDaddy threw a party across the street. Hopefully that crowd fared better than the Isles.

Jack Hillen returned to the line up and replaced Dylan Reese (BTW, there's an article on him on the main website.) Jack played 21 shifts and blocked four shots. Trevor Gillies, who yesterday set the tone at 3 minutes into the contest, sat on the bench tonight for all but 3:27 and spent no time in his second home -- the box.

Zenon Konopka who is usually dominant on face offs went five of eleven for a FO% of only 45%. Good by many standards, but not good enough for a Ranger game.

The pin-ball that is Matt Martin, who won the fight decision last night over Michael Sauer managed only two hits tonight.

Matt Moulson and John Tavares both had four shots on goal out of the 17 that managed to get anywhere near Henrik Lundqvist.

On the other side of the ice, the 41-year-old goaltender faced only 21 shots. The difference was that so many of them were quality shots. Dwayne Roloson gave up one goal. One single goal. He should not have faced a loss for letting one puck get by him.

But there were a lot of "should not have's" in this game.

Ryan Callahan should NOT have clocked Frans Nielsen into next week and caused everyone to hold their breath. Jesse Joensuu should NOT have been given
19 minutes of penalties for having to stick up for his team mate.

But my biggest problem with the game, besides the loss of course, was the treatment of Jon Sim by the officiating staff. Twice Jon was called for goaltender interference when he was visibly pushed into Lunqvist and once given a diving penalty. It was apparent to me that Jon must have run over someone's puppy because these seemed to be very personal and retalitory calls.

Sean Avery was not as lucky tonight as he was last night. A roughing and Misconduct call in the first and a boarding call in the second. Avery being Avery once again.

Dwayne Roloson would not condem the officiating staff for the job they did tonight. However, I can. It was miserable.

But the bad calls that were just outrageous didn't change the fact that the Islanders could not find a way to get past Henrik. The last nail in the coffin was a puck that clanged off the post so loudly, it reverberated through the MSG cameras.

The Isles are still at the very bottom of the standings while other teams are racking up points. The Metro challenge will not be theirs this year, but a top five draft pick very well will be.

With all this happening, a Twitter buddy asked me how I continue to stay positive in these dark days. Truth is, I can't help it. I know that everything ends eventually, even bad times.

Andy MacDonald has returned and ultimately Milan Jurcina will return along with Kyle Okposo and maybe even Doug Weight. Hey! Think of it! It's December and Radek Martinek is still in the line-up.

But this is emotional ownership because not only do I love the game, I have grown to know these men quite well. It's the same as my daughter's softball team. I don't go to their houses and have dinner, but that doesn't make me any less concerned for them or less willing to cheer them on.

I may not agree with everything this organization does as an organization, but I can't help but feel strongly about the players on the ice. They want to win as much as we want them to. While we are angry at a loss to the Rangers -- again, they are too.

Now we have to worry about Sunday.

Matt Moulson Explains the System at HB

*Dear Canadian Media: If we only have one person covering the Islanders, why are there reserved seats all the way around the press room? #imjustsayin'

Well, it was a fun morning at the rink today. Spoke with quite a few of the players as well as meeting new media types. Matt's explanation for me is here at HockeyBuzz.com.

Quick hits are as follows:

Jesse Joensuu is happy to be here and working with Jack and looking forward to being on a line with Zenon Konopka.

Matt Martin feels the same. He thinks they had a lot of energy and scoring chances last game and knows Jack is a smart man and had probably worked all night getting ready for the Panthers.

Matt Moulson feels he is lucky to have been wearing a visor and that there is no place in the game for hits like the one he sustained.

Michael Grabner @Grabs40 will have a "getting to know you" piece on MSG tonight with Deb Placey. He doesn't mind Tweeting. It just takes a few seconds and keeps the fans connected. SMART MOVE @Grabs40! Keep it up.

Robbie threw his socks in the laundry bin and they almost landed on my head. Gee thanks.

The streak stops here. I thas to.

Let's get this going!

Howie Rose & Garth Snow discuss Gordon

Because some of you don't watch the pre-game and some of you can't GET the pre-game on Center Ice. Howie Rose did a great job asking Garth Snow a wide range of questions about Scott Gordon and the team.

Things I found interesting was the explanation of the advisory position Scott Gordon will hold. But note "He'll spend some time with his family." Don't expect to see Gordon around until after January 1 if it all. Just my guess.

Jack is interim coach because he knows the team, the organization and -- he was easy to find. Personal opinion? Finding a new NHL coach for the NY Islanders will be a tough challenge for Garth Snow. Their reputation as a tough organization to work within preceeds them. That will be a far larger factor than the talent pool. Many coaches would love to work with the young players and help them develop. Actually, Garth, my buddy Steve Carlson said he was available and wouldn't mind a coaching gig again. Just a thought.

With December just around the corner, the Islanders will know what their position will be for trade deadline. Garth Snow has always said that his hands are not tied when it comes to spending money on the team in the way of talent. Finding willing talent is the problem. No matter what the argument, arena or other, top talent turns their nose up at offers from Uniondale more often than not. One possible way to get a top talent Free Agent here will be another Ryan Smith type deal where one team wants to punish a player for something and surprises him with a trade.

Malkin isn't pissing off anyone in Pittsburgh is he? No. I didn't think so.

One last rant before I get ready for work.

Hey Jack! I'll start saying to you what I said to Scott Gordon a few times last season. LET ROBBIE PLAY!!!!

Your roster has too many centers? Okay, give someone else the night off and put the man on the ice! His energy and attitude will be a benefit if not a distraction to the opponent. Oh yeah, he may even find the back of the net if you actually LET HIM PLAY!!!

Bolts losers of 5, Isles losers of 10

Yep, this game is going to get chippy for sure.

So I'm here tonight at the Coliseum with some of my closest friends in this very intimate setting and all I can think of is -- WHY is Rob Schremp a healthy scratch? @IceCreepsMike said it was just to upset me. They are succeeding.

Dylan Reese is in the line up for Jack Hillen who at first was said to have the flu but now has a concussion. Yeah, I can see how you can misdiagnose that: not.

I had a very pleasant conversation with Sean Bergenheim this morning, but I don't have time to write it up today since I had to work, but I will get to it.

Suffice it to say that when I asked about tonight's game, he said yes, both teams would be playing to win and that no, he wouldn't be telling his team mates too much about Jack's style of coaching. The Isles have only had two days to practice with Jack and while he may have made some changes to the system, he said the Bolts didn't pay much attention to anything but their own game.

Photos and more as the game progresses.

5:02 left of the first and the Islanders are on the PK with Dylan Reese in the box for stick holding or should I say stupidity. When this game started the Islanders were outshooting the Bolts, now they are behind 9 - 12 and Roli has had to make numerous close rang saves and Steve Downie fanned on a puck right in front of the crease, so that helped kill the penalty.

With only 46 seconds left, Bailey was sent to the box for slashing and Stamkos scored on Roloson with only .3 seconds left. The goal was reviewed, but it was good. The ended the first period down by one.

With the second period going full force, teh Bolts are already at 25 SOG to the Isles 11. While Roloson has made some excellent saves, he's also been pretty damn lucky as the rebounds have sat waiting to be pushed in. This is a game of missed opportunities for both teams so far.

It is a good thing that Scorpios have such hard heads because Matt Moulson was charged at and his head bounced off the glass. JT took offense and had to spend two minuts in the box for roughing. (he he he... JT) Ritola got five for charging and the Islanders had a 3 minute power play once JT was sprung. And... nothing.

However, while Trent Hunter was in the box, the Bolts scored and with only 3;00 left of the second, the shots are now a very unbalanced 32 (bolts) to 23 (Isles.) yep.

Matt Moulson seems to be the one man playing tonight with a purpose and with 2:34 left has cut the lead in half. He doesn't look happy, just resigned. But it does get the Isles that much closer to saving face tonight

With 3:45 left of the third, the Isles are still down by one. The SOG have become a little better and currently stand at 33 Isles and 38 Bolts. But it looks like this will indeed go to 11.

In these final minutes it looks as if someone finally woke up Blake Comeau and Dan Ellis isn't having any problems tonight. He's managed to stop everything that's come his way since Matt snuck one by him. But we'll see.

Not AS Bad?

That's the line that bothered me most in this morning's article in Newsday by Katie Strang.

"So even though the streak was extended, this loss wasn't as bad as the two that preceded it."

Granted, she's taking her cue from Scott Gordon who said it was a step in the right direction and told Rob Carlin they had to start somewhere. But still.

No matter what you may want to think about who is in net for the loss, the truth is, they're not losing by one goal. They're not scoring. Matt Moulson had to fight for his fifth goal of the season and that was all anyone could get.

Shots are going wide, they're soft, they're hitting sticks. They were credited with 29 shots on goal, 17 blocked and 7 missed. There were 25 hits and they won 57% of the face offs. Rob Schremp won 7 of the 9 he took. But even winning the face offs didn't help them this time.

More at HockeyBuzz.com if I ever get my Internet working properly again.

I've had Fios for less than a week. Last night the modem decided to freak out and refused to connect to the Internet. I was on the phone with a technician for over an hour and a half. Nothing would work. Interesting. Maybe the cable guy who was wandering around in my drive way today had something to do with it.

Happy Friday.

Game 12: Isles vs. Hurricanes

12:30 pm Updated: So Rick DiPietro gets the start in Raliegh and Jon Sim gets a hat trick for the Sound Tigers! Gotta love Twitter!

hockeyflan @7thwoman Sim with a hat trick, 25 mins left in game. Tks for the loan.

The headline reads “Slumping Isles visit struggling Hurricanes” Both teams are stalled at ten points and frustrated with only enough wins to count on one hand after playing 11 games so far this season. The Hurricanes have yet to score a goal on their own ice.

The Islanders power play is barely effective at 22% while the Hurricanes’ efforts hardly register at 12%. Scott Gordon had the Islanders practicing PP drills on the smaller ice yesterday at Ice Works before leaving for Raleigh. The Hurricanes worked on their face-offs. The Islanders, with the likes of Zenon Konopka, stand at 51% face off wins to the ‘Canes 37.4%.

If you’ve got over 5 minutes, you can listen to Scott Gordon break-down preparation with SNY’s Islanders Point Blank TV. (below) Painfully detailed and one chuckle.

This could be anyone’s game. Rob Schremp is going to do everything possible to make it belong to the Islanders. Rob will make his season debut tonight and it’s about time. Rob is one of the players I was most interested in watching this season, and now he is already behind in his stat-pack. The way he plays his high energy game, it wasn’t really feasible for him to play all 82 games, but now he’s starting out with only 71 ahead of him. Still, as hard as it was to sit out and watch his team play while he was on IR, it had to be better than watching the team play while he was a healthy scratch.

I asked a retired NHLer what the Islanders could do to break this losing streak and get back on track. His answer was “one.” “One shift, one period and one game at a time. Win every one-on-one battle, win every shift.” Sounds simple, right?

It isn’t.

Not sure if it will be Dwayne Roloson or Rick DiPietro tonight as each is assured one game on this road trip. Scott Gordon will alert the media as late as possible I'm sure.

Line combinations from those who were there yesterday look like this.
Matt Moulson-John Tavares-P.A. Parenteau

Josh Bailey-Rob Schremp-Blake Comeau

Doug Weight-Frans Nielsen-Michael Grabner

Matt Martin/Trevor Gillies-Zenon Konopka-Trent Hunter

Go (home) HABS, Go

Nah, just kidding. It's good that they prove they are such a rabid fan base as to travel all that way to support their team. Gotta love it.

Rob Schremp is a Sound Tiger (for now).
Bruno Gervais is a forward (for now).
Trent Hunter will play tonight (as of NOW).
Dwayne Roloson gets the nod in net for tonight. (how now brown cow.)

Here's a great article written by my friend Su Ring that has her take on Nino going to the Winterhawks. Su was very familiar with his play long before I even noticed him. Check it out.

All Isles fans heading tonight to the barn, I will see you there at the meet-up at Doolans or at the Tim Horton's stand. Let's Go Islanders!

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.

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

Rob Schremp: Rock-Solid

**While I work on my next entry, take a listen to Su Ring's CCPT Hockey show on BlogTalkRadio from last Sunday. It was all about training camps and I called in at about the 10 minute mark to discuss the youngsters. Mind you this was BEFORE Nino signed his contract - which I predicted (because it was a no-brainer.)

Rob Schremp was still full of energy even after the on ice session on Tuesday. I found him in the tunnel playing a spirited game of ping-pong with Kyle Okposo. He would run in place every time Kyle had to go to the staircase to retrieve the ball. Kyle would smile and Rob would yap at him. I waited against the wall for them to finish their game. I had no idea how long a ping-pong game should take.

“Hey! It’s Dorothy! Look at those shoes!!” Rob caught a glimpse of my bright red Mary-Janes out of the corner of his eye.

I didn’t know whether I should hide or say thank you. I knew I couldn’t keep his attention for very long. He was hungry. And you don’t come between Rob Schremp and lunch. No, that’s dangerous.

“Scrimmage or Golf outing, what do you want to talk about?” I asked him speaking as quickly as possible.

“Scrimmage. Scrimmage.” Great, I had golf questions in my head.

“So, what are you looking forward to most about Saturday? Playing against the new guys?” (Geeze Dee. That was the best you could do?)

“With training camp it’s more about soliciting a spot and making sure you’re better than the next guy and the guys coming up. So it’s competing against your teammates but at the same time the prospects come up and you have to show them what it takes to play at this level. It’s fun to be challenged like that by younger guys. I am getting a little older now,” and he chuckled, “and they’re here to take spots. It’s a challenge.”

The split squad games were still in the working stage on Tuesday because when I asked both Rob Schremp and Rick DiPietro if they knew where they were going they told me they had no idea. But that didn’t matter to Rob.

“We’re all just kind of eager to just get out and have a game-like atmosphere. This is a lot of practice to have before a game. With the China stuff not coming through, everything is pushed back now. Usually, by now you’re getting ready to play a game. We’re all itching. We want to play. Practice is only so much fun.”

With camp being on Long Island, I again asked if it was hindering the development of team chemistry. “I don’t know. I kind of like this. I’ve never done a camp like this, or when they’ve gone elsewhere. But I feel like with the setting and the new room and the new additions to our team, I feel like we’re setting a base for ourselves being here. The season’s coming up, and you build as a team. We’re home doing it and you’re in your own bed. We’re Long Island and we’re getting ready. You get back into the routine of the season. You’re here and you can focus.”

Rob is visibly thinner from last season so I asked him how his summer training went. “I just dieted well. I did it last year too. Last summer I had a really good year workout wise. It was probably a big factor in why I made the NHL last year, it was how I did my off-ice training. This year was no different. I went back to the same trainer and routine. I was a little more strict and disciplined with it, so I got the results I felt I needed. I had to do it with my knee as well. I had to do whatever it took to get into shape. I had to get my body ready for it. Now I have to be rock-solid for my knee, because I only had the surgery six months ago. It has to be ready, and I feel like it is.”

The way I have seen him skate these last few days, he looks like he has healed just fine. But there was something missing.

“It sucked having a six months summer because we didn’t make the playoffs, but from my perspective, it was probably the best thing I could have had. It would have been tough to rush back.”

And knowing Schremp, he probably would have tried. Better he has come to Uniondale in great shape and ready to go.

Monday Mash-up

Which basically means, I don't have anything really to report so let's just throw out some quick hits and see what sticks.

Rob Schremp is still trying to get to 4400 followers on Twitter so that he will then announce his contribution to the Special Olympics. You can help him out if you haven't followed him yet on Twitter.

Along with Rob's charity work, Bruno Gervais has teamed up with the Clark Gillies Foundation for one particular event that will be held on September 19th in Melville, NY at the Rosewood Inn on Route 111. There are 22 men willing to shave their heads for charity, including Clark himself who has pledges of $1570 so far. Fellow Dynasty member Bobby Nystrom has also volunteered for the task, yet has NO pledges as of yet. Hmmmm... Maybe because Nystrom doesn't have quite as much hair as Gillies.

But this is about getting pledges for Bruno. You can click on here to see the donation pledge. You know any amount helps him out. While you're there, check out the rest of Clark's site.

Over the weekend, when I was in PA and not thinking about hockey very much, I was receiving DMs asking if Garth Snow was going to go after Stempniak. I did receive an answer, but you already know it -- Nyet.

Speaking of "Nyet" -- so like is the NHL going to say "Nyet" again to the latest incarnation of the Kovalchuk deal? Is the cap hit REALLY $6.66 million? Is this one written to be less a circumvention of the cap than the last contract? Oh, we'll just have to wait and see now won't we. All I know is -- If the Devils sign Kovalchuk and it makes it difficult to keep Zach Parise, then I hope the Islanders would do anything in their power to snatch him up.

The latest issue of Hockey Quarterly is now available on ling and just as all the others, it's done exceptionally well. Clayton Hansler and his editing staff do an exceptional job putting this website together and coming up with the ideas. This issue is all about the "Big D." Check it out, no matter what team you are a fan of.


Frans Nielsen has been subjected to a Twitter Q&A today. Answers should be posted some time tomorrow. He has also received quite a few accolades this week. A lot of people are really looking forward to seeing what he can do this coming season.

Spend $30 or more at the Isles team store this week and you'll get a Matt Moulson t-shirt. I remember when they couldn't keep the regular shirt in stock
And at least unlike Rob, Matt didn't change his number.

We are so close to training camp, but even closer to those two prospect games in Boston on 9/15 & 9/16. I am STILL trying to find a way of getting to Boston for at least one of those games, but no one is taking the bait! UGH! So if you're going, I'm jealous.

Kraft Homestyle: Not exactly fast food, it actually took me a long time to make but the new homestyle Mac and Cheese is about as close to grandma's baked with love
product that you will get. Next time I'm throwing lobster and peas in it and serving it for company.

Wednesday's Notes

Not to be outdone in his charity work by fellow team mate Rob Schremp, Bruno Gervais has teamed up with the Clark Gillies organization for a "hair raising" (or removing) fundraiser set for September 19th here on Long Island. Donations in any denomination will help Bruno out, who probably has the best chance of his hair growing back based on the lot of participants that includes both Islander legends Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom.

What's On?:
While I was busy working yesterday, the The National Hockey League officially released their national television schedule.

The Islanders have the possibility of a total of three nationally televised games including an NBC game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

On January 23, the Islanders will host the Buffalo Sabres at the Nassau Coliseum at 3 p.m., with the game currently sitting as one of the three possible games that NBC can exclusively cover. The other two choices are the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the Philadelphia Flyers and the Florida Panthers taking on the New Jersey Devils.

This season, the Islanders will have two of their road games televised on Versus, with only the first, set for October 13 at the Verizon Center against the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m., having exclusive broadcast rights. Versus will also cover the Islanders game on February 2 at the new Consol Energy Center against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m.

As was pointed out on Twitter, the fewer National games the Islanders are on, the less money they lose on their TV deal with MSG.

Working for a Living:
I have always told this woman she works too much, now there's an article to prove it. Check "A Day in the Life of Ann Rina" on the Islanders main website.


By the Numbers:
Yesterday, the official NY Islanders Twitter account announced:

Two number changes to announce: Rob Schremp will wear 44 and Matt Martin will wear 17. #isles

Rob then Tweeted his delight over the change and apologized to anyone that has already bought a #13 jersey. (all three of them.)

I'm a little disappointed with the change as I felt that #13 suited Rob. It really isn't unlucky, and it's half of Matty #26.

Oh, I'm in trouble for that one.

HIlbert: A Hisey Fit?

Okay, so they weren't the signings I was expecting. I am waiting (patiently) for the Doug Weight contract to be finalized which was (hopefully) to be done some time this week. Well, sometimes these things take longer than expected.

But I never expected to see (Amazing) Andy Hilbert back in an Isles jersey. Not that I have anything against him. I do remember a few games where I actually exclaimed "Wow. I actually NOTICED Andy Hilbert tonight." I am just surprised. But it is a one-year, 2-way deal so I'm sure this is a well thought out insurance policy for Gordon and Capuano with a seasoned vet who already is well acquainted with their system.

Also along with the Hilbert surprise is a relative rookie pro named Rob Hisey from the AHL & CHL. While Hisey may be short in statue (making Jason Blake look tall) he is supposedly tall on skills. We'll have to see. One quote I found yesterday said he makes Rob Schremp look like an amateur. That's a mighty TALL order if you ask me.

Two seconds on politics: I'm really annoyed with this whole deal with the Montaukett tribe trying to keep the Shinnecocks from gaining federal recognition. It's BS plain and simple. This is the CT owners group from Mohegan Sun trying to keep the Long Island tribe from building and taking away some of their revenue. It's a crock. This is not something I would have expected from a proud native people. This is a bunch of money hungry lawyers at work.

I'm a life long Long Islander and very proud of our Indian heritage for our little strip of land. When I was a braid-wearing youngster, I dreamed of finding out I actually had some native blood in me. Every Thanksgiving pageant in school I didn't want to be a pilgrim; I was an Indian and there was no getting around it.

GIVE OUR SHINNECOCK TRIBE THEIR FEDERAL RIGHTS!!!