Isles Home Opener: The Fans Showed Up, The Isles Didn't

It was such a beautiful day at the arena. The parking lot was filled with tailgating fans early in the afternoon for an 8 pm game.

The free concert was blaring as people waited on line for Bobby Nystrom's autograph or to play the Capital One High 5X game. The smell of bar-b-que permeated the air and random chants of "Let's Go Islanders" could be heard between the laughter and the music.

The Islander Mania crew tailgate was in full force and Dominic was grilling up a storm (as usual).

"You're not walking away without eating something! I just put some more hamburgers on, there's hot dogs and I'll make you a lamb kabob." He is an amazing host and this message board throws amazing parties.

But I was there to talk to the fans. The people that came from far and wide just to be part of the festivities. After all, this was our night as much as it was theirs. (I suggest you lower the volume on your speakers before you play the videos. I am loud trying to talk over the band.)

Neil Mairs drove up from Virginia with his son and an SUV full of bar-b-que and jerseys. I caught up with him to ask why he did it.


I made my way back to Dominick's tent to grab a cheeseburger and a video. Here is what Dom and Scott had to say about the impending season.


Also at the IM tailgate party was a tall, thin young man in a Tavares jersey that I had talked to on the IslandersCountry.com message board. This was Sean from Vancouver. He has a twin brother -- who isn't an Islander fan. He didn't make the trip.


Another one of my readers from far away (and I thank him!) is Dean from Ottawa who turned this weekend into a nice little vacation. I was happy to hear that my suggestion of where to take his beautiful wife Kim to dinner on Friday night worked out. They were looking for Italian and I couldn't help but tell them to hit Borelli's. I've loved that place since I was five years old. Not fancy, just good and homey - and they LOVE Islander fans.

Here's what Dean had to say.


Also out on the lawn between the Coliseum and the Marriott taking it all in was none other than Big Angry Man. Yes, he does exist. And while he may be harder to find than Sasquatch, I managed to get his permission to film him and his fellow Islander fan friend Eric before I headed in to go into "New Media" mode.



Yes, BAM said he had November 15th in the RDP Injury pool. We fight daily about hockey. He also texted me every few minutes with his dismay over how the team played last night. (As if I could do anything about it from the press box.)

The last fan I managed to catch up to was a local Twitter buddy named Aaron who goes by the Twitter name of @MacStainless. He is a great guy to follow and as well as an author. We played Text-Tag for awhile, but I finally caught up to him after the first (brutal) period and the Isles were down by 2, where they stayed.



Now for the bad part.

According to many fans, that was the worst display of hockey every played on the Coliseum ice. They couldn't get anything going, turnovers killed, Mottau couldn't stay out of the box, they couldn't get any shots off let alone on net and their shift changes were horrid.

At one point there were probably nine Islanders on the ice and they managed to NOT get penalized for too many men on the ice. In addition the officiating left much to be desired, but it was the play of the Isles that cost them the game.

Travis Hamonic was the bright spot on the team with his fight with Upshall. Matt Martin had five hits and five shots. MATT MARTIN!!

As is his duty as Captain, Mark Streit faced the media post game.


Monday is another game.  There are Family Fun packs available for only $99.  A great value.  Hopefully the Isles will show up this time.

A 6 - 2 Home Coming for the Isles

Notes and quotes from post game with Aaron Ness and Mark Streit located here at HockeyBuzz.com.

As Mark was holding court with reporters for a good 30 minutes, here is the video from the Islanders ITV cameras.

Media Day with the Isles Part 1

The mood was jovial today at Islanders training camp. I didn’t see group A on the ice and only spoke with a few of them in the dressing room after their Jack Capuano torture drills. I did manage to get to media day in time for lunch.

It was wonderful to be at the rink and spend a little time with my fellow blog boxers Christian Arnold and Chris Hessel along with Timo Seppa and a friendly face from Patch.com. Brad Kurtzberg had to leave early due to his 1:30 - 2:30 sports show on Sportstalknetwork.com. That’s what he gets for doing a daily show.

To my surprise, fellow Isles Tweep Gotroot801 was there. He is working with a new gamer site called Unwinnable.com. (Check it out, it’s not a betting site but that video game type site.) I didn’t recognize him without his jersey on. Sorry about that Don.

The local newspapers was there in force, but that was because it was announced that Charles Wang would make a statement at 2:15 pm. It was clear that some had no interest in the business of hockey, but in the business of Charles Wang.

I went back to the media room to check work emails before the others were done with lunch. My timing was perfect. By the time I headed back to Doolins (that now has tables, chairs and barstools (real-live-barstools!) to grab a cup of coffee, group B was heading out onto the ice and was piled up in the tunnel.

There they were, like kids waiting to hear the bell for recess, joking and laughing and pushing each other around. I could do nothing but smile -- and try to snap photos with my less-than-professional camera since my good camera’s lens is lost somewhere in that building.


Mark Streit looked good. Real good. He was talking with Nino Niederreiter who seemed to be hanging on his every word. At that moment I knew. This was the next Captain of the New York Islanders. There was no doubt.

This was also the first time I had caught a glimpse of Evgeni Nabokov. He was not what I expected. He looks younger than his years, but that may have something to do with the haircut. Once on the ice, making himself at home in the crease, he became a wall. I watched shot after shot get gobbled up by the veteran. They came in rapid fire. I watched Mark Streit take a shot on him just a few strides over the blue line. You could hear it echo off Nabby’s pads as he made the stop. I’m surprised it didn’t go through him.

Mark Streit seems to have regained his shot. I hope they have invested in more plexi-glass. I believe they will need it.

As Nabokov stopped everything that came near him, I did watch one puck manage to get by. It was one shot by Matt Moulson’s brother-in-law, Sean Backman. I watched as the next time the youngster skated in and parked himself in front of the crease, Evgeni hooked the rookie’s feet out from under him. I searched the ice surface to see if Moulson was going to come in for protection. But no way. This is training camp where the men are separated from the boys.

I sought out Backman after the skate to ask about what happened. He was in the visitor’s dressing room with the others who “don’t have contracts.” I did it again and made the mistake of asking David Hochman which one Sean was. “He’s right over there Dee. Under the plaque with his name on it.”

What David doesn’t realize is that when I walk into a room of young men getting undressed, the last thing I want to do is have to spend time gazing around the room. (Yes, I’m still uncomfortable with this five years later.)

I’ll admit, I had said that Backman looked very small out on the ice. But standing face to face with him, I take back the tweet that he is “Gerbe small.” He’s not. When I asked him why Nabokov hooked him, he chuckled. “I guess I deserved it. I came in a little close and sprayed snow on him. It was all in good fun. He was laughing about it with me.”

I told him he was the first one to get the puck behind the vet. “Really? Yeah than maybe that had something to do with it.”

Back in the Isles dressing room, Nabokov was holding court with the press from his stall. Chris Hessel was amazed that he answered questions almost before they were asked. He is a pro at this. I didn’t speak with him.

But I did speak with Rick. More on that later.

Congrats Mark Streit, the 13th Captain of the NYI

As I expected, Mark Streit has been named Captain of the NY Islanders. Leave it to the MSM to tweet it out while we were all in the room waiting for the announcement. But at the end of the day, the good thing is, Mark is healthy, happy and ready to play.

The Islanders have always been one for firsts, and this time they are the first NHL club to have a Swiss born captain. They may soon be the first club to have two Swiss NHLers on an active roster in North America. (mark.my.words)

More on today after work.

Later!

Weathering the Storm on LI

How you doing Isles fans?  Make it through Irene okay?  Mother Nature proving once again who is boss.  I don't know what was worse; the fear and panic leading up to the storm or actually having to live through it fearing the house would collapse around you.

As if the devastating wind and rain weren't enough, they had to add a tornado watch in there too.  It was 48 hours of non-stop storm coverage on almost every channel so you couldn't escape it.  So we packed our "go bags," boarded up the big windows and hunkered down in the lowest part of the house with mattresses on the floor and battery powered lights waiting for the inevitable power loss -- that luckily didn't happen for my block.

However, this is a hockey blog and we should be talking hockey as September fast approaches.  Let's see what we can do considering I haven't been able to get straight answers out of anyone for weeks and my contact list is short.

So, are the Isles "Open for Business"? Unlike my local Stop&Shop that had to board up quickly as Montauk Highway is a flood zone, the Islanders ARE open for business as the new season fast approaches.

We've all heard the rumors and rumblings that Garth Snow is trying to add to the roster that many feel could be a playoff team this year. They are "that" close. Youth, talent and enthusiasm can only take you so far. Also, as injury prone as they have been the past few seasons, contingency plans have to be in place as well.

Do the Isles have enough power to get them into the post season? Much like the battery shelves on Friday night, the feeling is the Isles are lacking some power on Defense. While Mark Streit will reportedly "be ready for camp," I am not sure if they should put that much pressure on a man who is just recovering from two surgeries and didn't play an entire season.

Are the shelves bare? When we look at the list of remaining available UFAs that are still shopping for a home, there are drawbacks with each of them. There are those that may be too old, too inconsistent or too injury prone to make the difference on the Island or fit well in that locker room. Then throw in the report that a certain veteran native to the area was offered an invite and declined "for now," and you have to start to wonder if Garth Snow will be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and come up with that D man he's been shopping for.

The problems with the arena situation have long been deemed an issue in obtaining quality free agents. I believe the public rejection of the referendum for a new arena has made it worse. While their situation is difficult, it will not make them change their master plan or become financially irresponsible just to put a name on the roster.

Could it be that the only "new" names we see on the roster come October, are the Three M's we finally get back from injury: Mark Streit, Mike Mottau, Mark Eaton? Wait, have the Isles reached the cap floor yet?

Issues abound for the once proud team from the Island. Could there be just TOO many issues to overcome this year? Will the loyal and beleaguered fan base be able to put up with another year of failure and problems?

Or is there still be a rabbit in that hat.

Side note: Prospect game tickets now on sale for only $10. Come see Ryan Strome and all the young guns and start the season in September!

Mark Streit: A Season Lost

There was always hope that Mark Streit, the diamond in the lump of coal that was the Islanders 2009-2010 season, would be able to play at some point before the regular season end. Well, for the fans at least. Perhaps Mark actually knew better.

It took five months of physical therapy after shoulder surgery to be cleared just to skate with the team. But he knew if he wasn't cleared for contact with enough of the season left, there really would be no point.

Along with the physical aspect of a player injury rehab, there is the mental aspect that has to be far worse. As Mark Streit told the media a few weeks ago and reported by Dyan LeBourdais, "It's tough. You realize how much you miss hockey. It's been a long year. It was tough, but it made me realize how fortunate I am to play this game."

Knowing the season is was ending, I made the financially irresponsible decision to head to practice on Saturday morning, full well knowing I'd have to drive all the way back there at 5 pm. That's 110 miles on my car and $20 in gas (or two drinks at the Coliseum.) But after I sat in on Jack Capuano's pre-game Q&A and watched Deb Placey do her thing with the MSG cameras, I went back out to the ice.

Rick DiPietro, who knew he wouldn't be the starting goaltender for the game against the Hurricanes was in net with Mike Dunham to his right. At the blue line was Mark Streit under the watchful eye of Assistant coach, Scott Allen. There were small orange cones set up and Streit had to skate around them and shoot on Rick. I watched and took photos, but I noticed they were taking it very seriously. Over and over Mark skated and RDP went down to block the shots. One or two even got by him and hit the back of the net.


When Rick thought they may have been done, he skated towards the gate. No such luck. Allen called him back and the resumed the drill at the other end of the ice. It's a long and arduous process coming back to peak form after surgery. But the Islanders know that better than anyone.

Kyle Okposo was luckier than Streit. He did make his return to the roster. Doug Weight and Streit did not. Mike Mottau's season was cut short along with Mark Eaton's. You could honesty say if not for bad luck, this team would have no luck at all.

When Rick was finally allowed to leave the ice, I asked him how hard it is to work at rehabbing and not actually playing. "It's terrible. It's the worst thing in sports." And losing a corner-stone of the team for an extended period of time just wasn't easy.

"It's rough for everybody. I went through the same thing. You rehab as hard as you can with the hope that you'll get a chance to come back, but at the end of the day it's more tough mentally than physically. (Mark's) dealing with a lot of it now. The disappointment of not only not getting a chance to play, but not making the playoffs. It's just been tough all around. Period. I think the mental aspect of professional sports is the hardest to cope with."

I tend to believe him. The first year I was blogging, I mentioned countless times how hard it was to watch Jon Sim stand in the tunnel and just watch the game through the glass, night after night.

"The common misnomer that people talk about is that guys can't stay healthy. It's not like guys go out there and try to get hurt. You play hard and things happen. Unfortunately for us the last couple of years, not just myself, but pretty much 90% of the team has had to battle through almost season ending or half season ending or some kind of serious injury. That's the way things go. Especially for us." Said the man on the NHL team with more than 550 man games lost to injury. Yeah. Especially to them.

"But you try to keep positive." They all try. "It does give other guys an opportunity to try to step into roles that otherwise they wouldn't be playing in. It was a chance to develop the young talent." Young players who made a lot of people stand up and take notice of them. One player's misfortune is another player's opportunity.

Would 20-year-old Travis Hamonic been given the chance to be half a first line defense pairing if not for necessity? Hardly.

So like the fans, Mark Streit will set his sights on next season and the hope it brings. But the for next few days, I think he'll still be skating with conviction, even if it's just around little orange cones in an empty arena.

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.

Islanders All Star Weekends

The All Star break is a mixed bag of tricks for players and fans alike. It can sometimes destroy the momentum a team has built up but it can also be a welcome break for players in need of healing. For hockey fans, it's a four day wasteland of catching up on shows. In other words -- I hate it.

Brendan Shanahan's school-yard draft format change last night was well received. But I still had no interest in watching it. But many people did just to see who would be picked last like the chubby 3rd grader with the glasses during gym class.

Hello Phil Kessel. For his painful ordeal of being humiliated on camera (much like his time with the Leafs), he received a $20,000 charity donation in his name and a new car. Not bad.

However, with the amount of injuries that have sprouted before the weekend, the question and debate has become the timing of the weekend. I was very interested in the idea that was floated on XM's Home Ice with Mike Rossi. What if the All-Star game happened at the BEGINNING of the season, in late September, using all the statistics from the previous season?

Would there be insurance issues? Would players be in better or worse shape than in January? Some may not have contracts or have changed teams, but would that matter in the format of teams based on Captains and not division?

Personally, I'd like to see them try it one year and see how it goes. What a great way to kick off Hockey season while it's still baseball season.

Here's a look at the Islanders All-Star representatives from Michael Grabner to Jason Blake.


This year's All-Star representative from the NY Islanders, Michael Grabner, with Deb Placey and others showing off his keen fashion sense before he shows off his rocket speed. (From the very entertaining Flikrfeed of @NYIslanders.


NY Islander Mark Streit at the 2009 All-Star game takes a little tumble after the shoot-out.


And who can forget Rick DiPietro's visit to the All-Star game when he announced to the world (accidentally, of course) "I blew out my ****ing hip." Ex-PR Director Botta has an interesting story about that one.

Islanders ITV had cameras following both Rick and Jason Blake the year prior in order to give Islander fans a behind the scenes view. The videos posted were not as telling as the conversation I had with then Media Director Josh Bernstein who explained that while the word to describe Jason Blake during the weekend was "aloof" the word to describe Mr. DiPietro was "elusive." I'm pretty sure the word to describe Mark Streit was "charming."



In 2007, it was Jason Blake making his All Star debut as an Islander. If I recall correctly, all Islander fans wanted to see him in the fastest skater competition, but he was not chosen. What I do remember is seeing him carry one of his young children around the ice. For the players involved, the All Star weekend has become a family event.

Damage Done

Yesterday morning I found something I never thought I would see in an Islanders Point Blank blog: an apology. It seems that the Islanders ex-PR Director, and card-carrying member of the PHWA, made a mistake regarding something he had been repeating during his recent round of interviews. We all make mistakes. We’re all human. But when statements are made by people who seem to be “in the know” or who are looked at as having “inside information,” they are not looked at as opinion but as fact. Many times others, writers and readers, will pick up that shred of information as if it were gospel and use it themselves.

Such was the case of the notion that the Islanders were doing something underhanded to circumvent the cap rules by not putting Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo on Long Term Injury Reserve. Not only was it picked up by other media outlets, especially many in Canada, but it became a battle cry for despondent fans against the organization.

Why? Why? Why? They must be doing SOMETHING illegal, underhanded, and despicable! Right? The media attention became worse as there were highly prominent writers that called for the League itself to intervene and snatch the Islanders organization away from its owner to save it.

Wow. Imagine the League coming in and taking the Islanders over from an owner that is consistently losing $20 million a year on the franchise. The same owner who is at almost every game, who attends practices, who speaks to the players and threw money into making them comfortable in their work place.

Well, too bad that tidbit of information about LTI was in error. Even more entertaining to me -- I knew it was incorrect days ago. On December 10th, David Shoalts from the Globe & Mail used it in his 500 word article about “the sinking Islanders.” On December 11th I wrote to him to let him know he was incorrect. Needless to say, I am not making friends in the MSM (or the bloggosphere for that matter).

Perhaps I should have published something at the time, but then it may have just looked like sour grapes from a blogger on the bottom of the food chain. (Truth is, I just didn’t have time.) So instead, Bill Daly explained the letters of the CBA on an SNY web episode of Islanders PB TV where he dismissed the notion the Islanders were doing anything wrong.

In his blog follow-up to the webisode, this explanation from Mr. Daly appeared on IPB. “LTI is a place to provide relief for salary cap-crunched teams like the Flyers (see: Mike Rathje).” As the Islanders do not need “relief” from their cap situation, there is no need for them to apply. So, will the same media members who used that piece of (mis)information be back to pick up the apology that appeared in Saturday’s blog? I doubt it.

The damage is done. Perception is everything and the perception is that the Islanders were screwing with the fans and the players. It was the cherry on the “let me tell you how bad the Islanders are” sundae that so many like to serve up.

Another perception born of perpetual publicity: the Islanders fired a well-liked on-air personality for petty reasons. In what seems like an effort to soften that stance, PB TV did an interview with now NATIONAL broadcaster Billy Jaffe. Ah… yes… it’s all good. All good. As indicated during the interview, the new opportunities that Jaffe is now exploring would not have been offered to him had he remained on Dolanvision MSGPlusPlusPlus.

And what a great opportunity for Butch Goring as well. (Who has improved exponentially since taking the position in October.) When I said that it was an opportunity for an ex-Islander great, I was publicly scoffed at. But hey, time heals all wounds, right?

Certainly the Islanders have numerous problems and are at the bottom of the standings. They have lost 171 man games due to injury; a roster filled with kids; sagging attendance and budget cuts. They have the lowest payroll in the league, but that probably won’t be the case come next season.

I lifted this from LighthouseHockey.com, the guy I go to for all my statistical information that I don’t have time to gather:

A quick preview of that matrix: The Islanders have just 10 bodies on the NHL roster (active or IR) who are signed for next season (4F, 5D, 1G), totaling roughly $23.4 million in cap hit (including the Yashin and Witt buyouts). However, they have eight RFAs (including Josh Bailey, currently in the AHL) that will boost both figures. And they have other existing contracts like Nino Niederreiter, Rhett Rakhshani, and Calvin de Haan, who might make the roster in 2011-12.

They do not deny they have plenty of cap space. (Perhaps by design.) Hopefully they will use it wisely next season since this one seems to be a ditch they can‘t dig themselves out of.

So whether or not the media and the fans pick up on the technical error and apology, the damage is done. They continue to include in their coverage the failing attendance, low payroll and “penny-pinching” practices. Is it any wonder why no one is going to the games?

Well, perception is everything and the damage is done.

Other Notes: Matt Martin was suspended for two games for his hit on Saturday night. While I do believe the league is trying to send a strong statement about head shots, there are others that seems to slip through the cracks. Martin did not. He will forfeit almost $7,000 in pay for the infraction and be put on that NHL bad boy list. Shame since he is such a good kid.

Rick DiPietro did not practice again today and while Jack Capuano said that Rick’s knee is “better” but “there is no sense in pushing it.” My husband is going to be looking to cash in on that bet we had in September where he said Rick would be out of the line-up by Christmas. Dear Rick, get back on the ice or you can pay for my divorce attorney.

Mark Eaton was practicing today and Kyle Okposo was skating with the skills coach. No word on Mike Mottau who was said to have been cleared for activity a few days ago and although suspended for two games by the league, Matt Martin was skating on a line with Gillies and Konopka. Also no word on Captain Doug Weight.

Andy Strickland said 30-goal-scorer Matt Moulson will walk if he doesn't get his price from the Islanders to which I say two things: 1) That's why they have cap room and 2) BITE YOUR TONGUE!

Then there are the articles today regarding Brooklyn-born billionaire Nelson Peltz’ desire to buy the NY Islanders. No word on whether or not Charles Wang is actively looking to SELL the Islanders. But with the type of press the Islanders get, I really wouldn’t blame him.

Okay, rant over. Game day tomorrow against the Bolts. Another point or two would do the struggling Islanders some good.

Saturday In LA

Not me, of course. The Islanders. Me, middle of November and I finally decided I should walk a beach. Considering I can throw a rock to one, I don't know why I waited until now. Dumb on my part.
LA Kings have a beautiful color scheme in royal Purple and black. They also have twice as many points as the Islanders after 14 games. Twenty-two points in two fewer games played.

Also, their PK rate is 91.5% so the Islanders will not have any help there should their power play get a chance to work. Again, face-offs are the only place the Islanders excel. It may not help with this game.

The Islanders may lose their tenth straight or the Kings could break their winning streak and leave it at five. They have one all seven of their home games so far this season. This does not bode well for a young, struggling team.

Will Dwayne Roloson get the nod in net tonight too? So far many people are calling for it because his stats prove he is the one for the job. But Rick needs to play and has not played the last two games of the road trip. Should Scott Gordon save him for Wednesday the 17th at home against the Bolts and give Roloson the vote of confidence that he can get the job done in LA, no one will be angry with him.

Guest appearance by Mark Streit tonight -- on MSG for Hockey Night Live. I'd really prefer to see him in his jersey with a stick in his hand rather than on a Dolan backed hockey panel. But that's just me.

I'd also like to see Rob Schremp get to play and I'd like to know when the hell Milan Jurcina will return. Again -- that's just me!

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.

Garth Snow vs. Bloggers, Chapter 3

Scott Gordon Year 3
This will be Scott Gordon’s third year as head coach of the NY Islanders. It is also the final year of his contract. There was much optimism heading into this season, but it didn’t take long it to disappear.

A healthy Rick DiPietro, an improved defense corps and a little grit were sure to help Scott Gordon improve the team’s ranking in the standings yet again. When the Blog Boxers sat down with the Isles GM, I asked him what Scott would have to do in order to obtain -- job security. Knowing that the Islanders do not discuss contract specifics, I knew the question itself would be met with raised eyebrows. It was.

“I can tell you from my own perspective, our team did make an 18 point increase in the standings last year with a much younger group. We expect to make the playoffs. Scott and I have a great relationship. I would never talk about anything in regards to what you’re alluding to. We all want to make the playoffs and be in a position to compete for a Stanley Cup. Everyone has different situations whether it’s a player in the last year of his contract, if it’s a player with a five year contract. It doesn’t matter. We all need to win today.” That was actually three sentences more than I thought I would get out of our GM on the subject.

Winning. That was the thinking two months ago, two weeks ago and two days ago. It was also the same thinking during the press conference when Nino Niederreiter was signed to his entry level contract.

Garth Snow said it to the media -- again. “Obviously the goal is to make the playoffs and compete for a Stanley Cup. Nothing short of that is acceptable.” However, the key word here is “compete.”

Charles Wang agreed. “We have high expectations for the team. We’re getting closer and closer to what we believe is a real competitive team and a fun team to watch. And obviously, we want to win.” Competitive and entertaining.

While there was no big splash in the off season in free-agent acquisitions, there were some comfortable changes made. “We’re in a position where we’ve upgraded our defense in talent level and leadership. The depth is there. At forward another year of maturity and they’ll be ready to take that next step. We’re excited about the group that we have.” Garth Snow is pleased with his defense corps he has assembled with Mark Streit leading the way.

Streit is so important to this team, he was a focal point of the press conference. Scott Gordon admitted that Streit had to play almost 30 minutes a game out of necessity last season. But, he indicated he was a more comfortable heading into this season. “The signings that he (Garth Snow) made are huge.” There was finally dept at the position.

The Islanders took a skilled player that was being used as a forward in Montreal and transformed his career as a defenseman for the New York Islanders. A top four defenseman at that.

But everything changed on Saturday when Streit left the ice with a dislocated shoulder and a torn labrum and rotator cuff. Even when Scott Gordon didn’t know the full prognosis, he told the press immediately after the game, “Any team that loses one of their top four defensemen has a hole in their line-up.” Streit is leaving not just a hole, but a crater.

And while Gordon told reporters “The challenge with starting a new year is to have everyone on the same page.” Gordon will be facing a raft of new challenges including figuring out exactly WHO will be trying to get on that same page.

Scott Gordon’s job just got a lot tougher while Charles Wang’s vision of a competitive team just became a little blurrier. Additionally, losing Kyle Okposo for any extended amount of time would just be another blow to what should have been an exceptionally exciting and entertaining season.

Scott Gordon truly has his work cut out for himself. I hope he is up to the challenge.

Really, Really BAD News

So while it is being reported that Mark Streit is out "indefinitely" and will require surgery, the other bad news is Kyle Okposo is still out and will also need to see someone about his shoulder.

Just great.

Five players have been added to the training camp roster. Don't get excited. They are veteran bodies needed for the upcoming split squad games.

The Islanders youthful depth at D will be ultimately tested -- along with Scott Gordon's patience.

Longer post at HockeyBuzz.com.

Just a Scrimmage?

Well, I would not be there today, but many of the Blog Boxers were. I did watch the entire thing on ITV. In actuality, I probably enjoyed it more on ITV because I had the pleasure of listening to Chris King.

Ken Dick was there and offered up his thoughts on the 'events.' Great to see Rick DiPietro play a full 60 minutes, even though he was up to his usual tricks of making me scream "Get back in NET!" Wow! The Old Ricky is back! I did a quick hit this afternoon on HB.

Of course everyone will have an opinion on the injury to Mark Streit's shoulder. The extent of the injury should be known by Monday. But as my Twitter buddy @MattClausen said, the depth at D this season will keep any loss of Mark Streit from being catastrophic.

Here's a panoramic shot of the Coliseum
today from the camera of Islesblogger.com.

And our friend Dominic had an open thread going. Wish I had known~!

Well, that's one. Next up those split squad games. On Wednesday 9/29/10 they'll be playing against the Flyers in Philly and against the Flames in Saskatoon. Friday October 1st the Islanders travel to Newark to face the Devils and then on October 2nd the Islanders will play their only pre-season game in Uniondale against the Devils while their second squad will play the Canadiens in Quebec.

They will have just one week to make all final cuts and decisions before the season officially opens on Saturday October 9th.

Hey! People! Is it Hocktober yet? ALMOST

Leave Mark Streit Alone!

So this article on the IIHF website caused a real rift in the hockey world today. It seems that they feel that all players who have come up through their national systems have a debt to be paid to them forever. Sort of like endentured servants. But I tend to disagree with this writer who supposedly is just a PR guy.

Here is my $5 worth, because we know pennies ain't worth anything anymore.

It probably wouldn't have gotten under my skin until I noticed he mentioned Mark Streit. Then I had a hissy fit.

Garth Snow: When The World Calls

Islanders head coach Scott Gordon will be heading to Germany for the World Championships this month to represent his country once again. Hearing that John Tavares would be on the Canadian National team seemed almost a given, but when I heard that defenseman Jack Hillen will be joining Kyle Okposo on Team USA, I was surprised and elated. I’ve come to think of Jack as one of the Islanders’ best-cultivated talents.

Continued here at HockeyBuzz.com

And more infor about the World Championship by another Islander blogger here http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2010-articles/may/2010-iihf-world-championship-team-usa.html
Up next, contract negotiations and the salary cap.

It's the Curve of the Stick

That's what seems to be the difference in Blake Comeau's scoring ability. According to Scott Gordon, he's using Hunter's sticks.

The Man of the Hour, the guy with the hat trick, stood in a puddle of stuffed bean bag toys surrounded by the media. They asked him about each goal. He took them through them, one by one. Considering how often Comeau has been a healthy scratch, he can relish every second of this.

The Twitter feed confirmed the difference. As per Point Blank, in Comeau's first 151 games in the NHL he had no multi-goal games. He's had two the last two games he's played. Scott Gordon said he didn't remember the last game and smiled. He also said Hunter should hide his sticks or he wouldn't have any.

When the media abruptly left Comeau, they surrounded Dwayne Roloson. The man with the gray hair in his beard, who had just faced 44 shots and was the second star of the game, stood in the bright lights of the cameras and spoke in calm, quiet tones.

The question of the night was if this was a showcase game for the veteran goaltender. Roloson brushes it off as just part of the game. It is un-nerving, but they know it could happen and someone may need to leave tomorrow or in an hour. He accepts it and understands it. I would never be able to handle such upheaval. But then again, when it's coupled with a few million dollars, I would probably try to make it work.

Scott Gordon is always in a good mood when they win. He was in an exceptional mood tonight. More than likely not just because of the win, but because of the break from his normal routine. He made a joke about the Assistant Coaches doing something different while he was away that made the team react differently after the first period. Everyone chuckled.

But the Islanders, with the exception of Mark Streit, were a rested team with two defenseman back in the line up from injury. "As far as playing up to their speed, I thought they put up a lot of pace in the first period. I thought we were a step behind them and we didn't get the puck in and we were too slow to move it."

The Islanders were badly out shot in the first period. But Dwayne Roloson (showcase or not) kept them in the game with save after save. Gordon stuck up for Roloson when the tough stretch he had gone through had interrupted the Islanders winning streak. "Dwayne hasn't been that far off. He's had some lapses but I'm not critical of his play, we just couldn't score goals."

Maybe they should ALL use Hunter's sticks! Scott also said the difference is shooting instead of passing the puck. "He had a good shot before he changed sticks. Just getting him to understand to use his shot if he has the opportunity instead of looking for the pass. It's no different with Josh. Josh is always pass first mentality. And Garth said to them one day, the guys that make the money are the ones that score the goals. So, you might as well be one of those."

The question will be, who is paying the money. With Sean Bergenheim a healthy scratch tonight along with (two guesses) Jeff Tambellini. Maybe they are both packing. Maybe not.

Trent Hunter, who stayed out of practice yesterday, took one hell of a hit in the third period and was walking around after the game with an ice pack on his right shoulder. Hopefully, it doesn't turn into something major.

Jack Hillen played 19:10 in his first game back. Tim Jackman played 12:43 and was a +2. Mark Streit, the iron man of Switzerland, played a team leading 26:06 and was a +3.

This is how they needed to start the last stretch of 20 games. There are now 19 games left to the season. It will either end in April in disappointment or continue on a little while into the Spring. That is what Scott Allen told me I should be hoping for. He was very serious.

Tomorrow the NHL loses their minds for a few hours. I'll be at work with the computer on overload waiting to see what else Mr. Snow has up his sleeve.

MSG POLL - Log On & Vote

Direct from Rob Carlin of MSG: Attention #Islanders fans.. We are taking a poll at MSG.com on the best NY area hockey players, by position.. Log on and vote!!

and considering how well Mark Streit is doing... I think we should VOTE! Don't you?

Team USA wins again!

Congratulations to Team USA and Coach Scott Gordon for pulling out a 6 - 1 win over Norway. While it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for this morning, it was still enough to earn 3 points. But adjustments still need to be made if Team USA plans on making it to a medal round -- and winning.

Meanwhile, someone forgot to tell the Swiss that this is Canada's game as it took until a fourth shoot out round to determine who would get the second point for the game. Babcock had to put Sidney Crosby back in the shoot out after his first attempt on Hiller was stoned. Hiller and Brodeur stopped three shooters each. But someone had to win. But it wasn't easy.

Thoughts on this afternoon and this evenings' CAN-SUI game here at HockeyBuzz..

Note to Shaun White: Perhaps playing air guitar during the national anthem while you're on the podium isn't the best idea you've had. UGH!!

This Time, They Got The Job Done 4 - 3

**I have to drink more coffee if I'm going to write so far passed my bedtime.

It was a good night to be on the couch watching the Isles vs the Caps. There wasn't the Matt Moulson goal within the first 55 seconds. No, there was a goal by Alex Ovechikin at 4:41 to put the Caps up by 1. But that would be the only puck he would get by Dwayne Roloson for the rest of the night and the only point he would put on his stat sheet.

But Frans Nielsen would see the back of the net twice and Kyle Okposo would get his third of the season in the first?. It was a beautiful goal, earned by keeping his head up while he skated around the Capitals. Sean Bergenheim, with lots of hustle and a few good chances, managed one assist point. The same as John Tavares who was held off the score sheet until overtime.

The biggest story was the story between the pipes. While Dwayne Roloson had to check his temper after the second goal by Tomas Fleischmann, he managed to come up big facing 40 shots.

The Islanders face off percentage wasn't as good as previous games, and their penalty minutes increased. But the outcome was still admirable as they managed to take the additional point home on the plane with them.

While Stan Fischler called Wednesday's game against the NY Rangers the Islander's "turning point," this game just solidified one thing: The Islanders are NOT an easy team to play. And that says a lot.

It's no secret that the roster is not perfect, but they are finding their way. Their way may lead them further in the standings than everyone had expected of the team that ended 30th last season.

There was a baseball game style celebratory group hug when Streit blasted a shot passed Joseph at :53 into Overtime. On the bench Scott Allen let out a yell. Scott Gordon was even caught on camera smiling. This was a big two points and it showed. Ofcourse their celebration can only last as long as it takes to return from Washington. Tomorrow it's back to business against the Sabres who spent the evening beating the Maple Leafs.

Will I even see the words "Ranger hangover" in the morning paper? I hope not. I'd like to leave that theory behind. I'd also like to leave Mark Streit's penchant for sitting in the box behind as well. Can we try to make that happen please?