Suitcase made a "C"ase for Weight

*Thanks to MMinge from NYIC for the shot of Doug Weight

A few weeks ago, I was brave enough to ask Garth Snow if he had given any thought to who would wear the "C" next season. He had no real answer for me. That was understandable, considering he is the one who surprised Bill Guerin at his introduction press conference with the "C"on his new Islanders jersey as media and guests looked on. Guerin was truly surprised. So was everyone else.

As we head into the 2009- 2010 season, a new Captain needs to be named. There are some valid candidates for the honor. However, after hearing Mike Sillinger talk about his buddy Doug Weight's excitement over this coming season, in my mind there really can be no question as to who the rightful candidate is.

Dear Garth: The only logical Captain for the Islanders this season is Doug Weight. Seriously. An ex All-Star, a Stanley Cup Winner, an ex-Olympian for the US, a proven leader in the locker room and a guy who came to be rejuvenated by Scott Gordon's high energy system when others were getting lost. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT FROM HIM?

After looking over all of Dougie's career accomplishments, I can't think of a better candidate for Captain for this rebuilding team. Sure, Witt is a proven veteran presence, but maybe not the leadership personality that would be best to train our young stars.

Richard Park is also an admirable hockey player. But when you compare accomplishments, there is no comparison.

John Tavares may have been the first overall draft pick, but PLEASE! Don't put undue pressure on a young hockey player in his first year as a pro.

Sure, I'm probably stating the obvious, but hearing the smile in Mike Sillinger's voice yesterday afternoon talking about his conversation with Doug Weight, it just seemed so perfect. Weight is looking forward to playing with John Tavares in his first NHL season. He's looking forward to watching Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo spend another season honing their skills. He's happy to be here on the Island. Thinking of the fun Weight will be having this season, Sillinger was jealous.

Last August, Doug Weight was the first "real" interview I ever did as a blogger. (Meaning I actually opened my mouth and spoke!) It wasn't even my idea. It was BD Gallof's idea. He basically had to drag me into the locker room that night. I thought I was going to puke on my shoes. Especially since I had my info wrong when I asked him my question about his time on Team USA.

But Doug was professional and engaging as he gave two Islanders bloggers five minutes and 30 seconds of honest answers and wide smiles. Check BD's YouTube video. Looking back to just last August, it's priceless. (Newsday's Katie Strang is in the background for a moment and Inside Hockey's Brad Kurtzburg asked a few questions as well.)

No, the NY Islanders next Captain should be Doug Weight. And if Garth Snow doesn't agree with me... I'll expect an explanation in painful detail!

Mike Sillinger Leaves a Big Hole to Fill for the NYI

Our 4 pm conference call sounded like a HAM radio in a wind tunnel, but I managed to get the real meaning of the call.

Mike Sillinger is reluctantly retiring because he really had no choice.

And Garth Snow is sad to see him leave... for more than a few reasons.

Story here with hopefully the correct punctuation and just WAY too many quotes. But seriously, I'm a secretary, not a reporter. It's what I do!

Good Luck Mike! You'll be missed!

"Sillie" Thoughts for a Sunday Morning

While we wait for Hurricane Bill to hit the Island, but it never did, I stayed home last night just mindlessly watching television and hitting keys on the laptop.

For some reason, I thought of an ex Islander and where he would land this year, if any where.

Sunday morning musings of Mike Sillinger at the attached HB link.

Now I REALLY need to get my day started before I get in trouble.

Sean & Joey Mac get bitten by the Bug

It wasn't until late this evening that I finally found out the fate of Sean Bergenheim, even though I had asked about it since last night.

Sad to say, it had to come from a message board post and not from the PR Dept. Sean has been returned to NY for evaluation for a groin strain he suffered during last night's game.

MacDonald seems to have a knee injury and has also been returned to NY and will not be playing in Thursday's match up.

My only question is: Was Joey's injury related to the accidental collision he suffered with Jason Blake?

While there is no one in hockey who has protected that little bug more than I have, I was upset with what happened behind the net when Blake collided with MacDonald. I know this was not intentional, but it speaks to an inherent problem with Blake's play; he keeps his head down far too often.

He lost control, Joey wasn't looking either and Blake tumbled over him and was caught up in the back of the net. That would have been fine, had Blake's skate blade not come precariously close to MacDonald's neck.

Had it not been for the neck guard, MacDonald would not be heading to NY for evaluation. He would be headed to NY in a body bag.

I know how sharp those skates of his are. I was a schmuck and bought a pair from on Ebay. You can slice tomatoes with them.

This was a frightening moment with only a knee injury coming from it. But players have to make a conscious effort to keep their heads up and know what's happening in front of them.

If they don't, there will be more jobs in the NHL and no one to fill them. They'll all be on the IR. How many Sound Tigers do we have to bring up before we start bringing them up from Utah?

Viewing party tomorrow at Dave & Buster's in Westbury with recovering veteran Mike Sillinger @ 7:30 pm. I'm considering it.

The Muppet Man Returns No More.... :-(

I walk away from the machine for a few hours and I miss stuff.

At 5:50 pm the sad announcement hit my email box, but I was not there. Mike Sillinger, man of 12 NHL teams has once again gone under the knife.

Thirty-seven is not old by any stretch of the imagination, unless you're a pro athlete. Sillinger has been in the NHL for 18 seasons. When he first came to the Islanders the question was how did the other teams let him go.

After missing the final 29 games of last season, Sillinger will once again not be able to play out this season. It's a shame. He will be missed.

Happy Birthday to --- Me. 11-10-08

I would normally be waking up in North Conway NH on my Birthday. This is the first time in eleven years that I am not. Here I am taking a little time away from work for the one thing that may ease my soul a little. I'm here at Iceworks awaiting practice to start.

I should actually be at the Hamm Ice arena lacing up my own blades, but oh well. This is the year that's different. Let's hope it's the start of a good one.

Okay, before we get into the Islanders, let's talk about... me and what I remember from birthdays passed.

I remember seeing a shooting star last year as we were driving to our time share in Bartlett. I remember a few years ago when Vicki called me from here at Iceworks on my birthday, very upset. It seems that she tried desperately to get Jason Blake to say happy birthday to me in her phone. Some of the other players laughed at her and one said, "Are you kidding? HE wouldn't do that for his own WIFE."

But that's my friend, putting herself out there trying to make me happy.

I remember the year that Danno made his friend Billy run around ragged all over North Conway buying me gifts and flowers while he spent the whole day with me making me think he had completely forgotten about me. At dinner, I opened a gold ankle bracelet and a great card. I haven't taken that ankle bracelet off since.

And lastly, there's my birthday rose. Every year, my garden offers up it's own birthday present to me. Even though all the yellow tomatoes and Japanese eggplant are long gone, my rose bush continues to bloom until it finally offers up one perfect rose for November 10th.

It may be a wonderful year, and it may not be. The future is the gift we open daily and the one we need to be the most appreciative of.

Happy Birthday also to Mr. Chris Botta. Wishing you a spectacularly successful year ahead.

Okay... and they're on the ice. How do you like that? And I thought I was going to miss it. Nope. There is some sort of school group here in the stands with signs and huge smiles. This has to be making their day.

Don't anyone ask me line combos, I have no idea. But at least Sillinger is on the ice in that yellow jersey, skating pretty well. Although he was beet red a little while ago as he had been warming up before everyone else.

My personal opinion here, like anyone really cares, Gordon should skate them till they puke. Or at least for SIXTY FREAKIN' WHOLE MINUTES. I'm sorry.... did I say that out loud?

For some reason, I can't get the camera to NOT use the flash, so it's not getting anything of use. I have to learn how to use this blasted thing.

Hey! Look at all the familiar faces on the ice! Martinek, Sillinger, Bailey. But Goalie for life is no where to be found. He could have been sitting with the kids, that would have made their day even better.

I have to say, Guerin is just so happy. He looks like he really enjoys himself on the ice for practice.

Gordon is working them hard, but there's not as much ear piercing whistle blowing like Paul Maurice does... THANK GOD.

I managed to get the flash not to go off. I will post photos at lunch.

I do enjoy heading down to practice, even if I don't get to talk to anyone. It still makes me feel good.