On the Islanders Beat

Whoops....just got a call from Sather's office on Zip's blog....

They want to know if Witt can be worked into a deal.

I said Witt is untouchable.....just like Dubinsky.

Told 'em to take Dubinsky off your untouchable list and I'll take Witt off of ours and we can start over.

Hopefully Snow will make some real moves over the next 3 months instead of signing guys like the Wrecker for Bridgeport.
Snow should make some bold moves like signing guys like:
D- Shea Weber (NASH), C - Joe Pavelski (SJ), or LW - Ryan Clowe to an offersheets - Sine the Islanders cannot ever sign a young quality free agent..They just sign UFA's that are either over the hill (Guerin), castoffs that no other teams want (Comrie, Fedotenko, Vasicek), or someone trying to rebound from an Injury the prior year....if they sign Weber, Pavelski, or Clowe to offer sheets totaling 2.3mil per year - they would only have to give up a 2nd round pick - not multiple picks......**Take a chance Snow, you are not going to get anybody anyway and the 08 UFA's aren't that great.**

That is kind of interesting 505 ... but I find that them making that offer shows they are not confident as to the talent they have up and coming. Wanting Filatov when the Rangers have a more pressing need for a solid defenseman with QB ability (Sanguinetti has very questionable defensive issues) more than offense. Looking at the stable of Ranger prospects up front .. they are more in the need of one of the stud D-men available in the draft.

The Rangers' power play doesn't work as well as it could for the same reason the Isles' was stagnant.... no good d-man to move the puck... and yet be responsible defensively.

When I skimmed through the ranks of NHL prospects from 17 - 21 recently I found it devoid of genuinely good all around defensemen. Most drafted power d-men are still developing with the parent club. This draft actually has the best concentration I've seen in one draft class for defenseman in a while. As far as skilled forwards are concerned ... they seem to be more numerous.... even into the early part of the second round.

Also ... the Rangers have the ability to draw experienced skilled NHL caliber players via free agency more easily than most clubs. Why would they want to give up their own first round pick and a stable of young promising players for a shot at Filatov? One player ... who is still unproven at the NHL level... as good as former Ranger Alexi Kovalev is ... Filatov may be no better than he was when he was drafted ..... and the Isles would still draft the Rangers' 20th pick ... or one of the other top 5 teams for that matter ... and the draft is deep ... that would rob the Rangers of some quality youth at the expense of going for that home run draft pick... when they could turn their own 20th pick with good drafting and devlopment into a top quality player also.

As Islander GM ... I'd have to seriously consider that offer all we lose is a 2nd round pick ... for which I believe we still have one left. If they substituted Dubinsky for Dawes or Callahan ... you'd have to start ordering physicals.

I'm sure the top 6 teams in the draft are going to get lots of offers by teams looking to trade up. So if I was Snow ... I'd put my Open for Biz sign up.... just to see what is offered.

We have to consider ... what the other four teams infront of us needs' are to calculate what players are available ... only 2 top ranked forwards in the top 5 .... Stamkos goes #1 even if Tampa's biggest immediate need isn't a center. It makes Lecavalier expendable for another big trade ... giving away Richards to Dallas showed they were targeting Stamkos.... and also giving away Prospal to Philly also showed they were looking to tank.

I think LA is going to grab Filatov ... even though they have 1-2-3 punch across their top forward line ... and 2 other good forwards ... personally .. if I was LA ... I'd grab one of the stud defenseman ... because they are more rare ... and that seems to be part of LA's problem ... a Stud d-man would only make their talented forward squad even better .... Filatov would only bump another talented forward down and make that player less effective ... besides Rob Blake should be retiring sooner rather than later ... and their other top 2 d-men are either turning 30 or already over 30 ... so maybe they'll see that and take a D-man

Atlanta ... well ... they dumped Hossa smartly ... since he wasn't going to resign.... Thrashers already have a stud Russian in Kovalchuck at LW .... does this leave Filatov a few development years? Do the Thrashers need a forward more than a d-man? If they go with the later ... that leaves Filatov for St. Louis.

St. Louis is kinda like the Isles ... except they have a solid young D-man with star potential already playing in the NHL ... The Blues also have a few elder players that are not going to be around in the next 3 years .... so they will definitely not pass up on Filatov if he's available. With Erik Johnson slated to be the big man on D ... and Kariya entering his sunset years on LW ... it will be a no brainer for St. Louis .... sooooooooo the question is .... will the Rangers deal with an old friend (JD) to trade up.

I still say the Islanders pick a stud d-man ... I know we need a center big time ... but waiting to later in the draft or next season doesn't seem like that big fish d-man is out there. It seems the really good defensemen in the next two drafts are all in the top 10 ranked skaters in this draft.

This years' draft is deeper at forward in the later rounds .... and deeper at forward next year..... after all ... we are also contemplating next season ... the Isles focus on youth and recent signings tells us the commitment to youth is intense ... so next year is a bottom 5 finish again. Nothing wrong with that for us diehards ... we know there is a reward for growing pains ... and they can use that extra year of growth to develop the defenseman we'll need a few years down the road.

Bottom line .... when it comes to both the Islanders' and Rangers' individual prospects ... both teams are devoid of top 50 forward prospect ranked players ... Isles have Okposo and the Rangers have Cherepanov ... no other forwards in the top 50 are Isles or Rangers prospects ... so I guess I can see why both teams would be interested in shoring up their forward ranks.

With Figren now locked up .... does that mean that Rhett Rakhshani isn't to far behind?

From previous blog

Netminder..

"As far as trading, i wouldn't trade the pick unless I'm blown away with a steal of a deal".

My thoughts behind the option of trading the number pick are these:
Yes, I would only do it if it was an offer I could not refuse.
As much as I would like to grab a "franchise type" player with the 1st pick....that franchise type player may still be 1-2 years away from actually becoming one.
THIS FRANCHISE has some immediate needs both from a short and long term competitive aspect as well as a frustrated and "diasporic" fan base.

I would only deal away the pick if I had an offer that included some established YOUNG players with demonstrated abilities and potential.

19Isles

"Wanting Filatov when the Rangers have a more pressing need for a solid defenseman with QB ability"

SHUSH!!!
I'm trying to close a deal here.

19 Isles, Rhett Rakhshani attends the University of Denver. I don't know why this happens, but Pioneers usually stay the 4 years.

Correct me if I'm wrong ... but as I read the article on the Islander website about Figren's contract ... the Isles are basically PAYING him to play in Sweeden? Can the Islanders recall him if needed?

I'm not sure about that, but since his Junior eligibility was likely up the team needed to get him in the fold so he didn't become an FA or re-enter the draft (not sure of the mechanics).

Yeah 505 ... Any team would have to blow me away in order to trade up at this point ... unless it's another top 10 drafting team ... because we'd still be able to address one of our other top needs .... and could have a shot at still reeling in Wilson, Boedker, Hodgson or Beach. ....

Sorry 505 ... I'll Shusshhh .. I didn't know that deal was still on the table.

Yeah Nick ... I suspect that the Isles didn't want him re-entering the draft... I think if he wasn't signed this year he gets thrown in as a 20 year old. If not drafted ... then becomes a free agent.

Unless a player opts for college ... that is different. I just wonder why they wouldn't sign him and have him develop at the Bridge. Is he that far off? They are willing to pay him? I wonder what the terms are ... is it the minimum entry level contract? If so .... that isn't too bad... BTW ... other teams have done the same thing in the past .. I've wondered why they have to do that.

I would draft the d-man first, but i would not be surprised if Beach was available in the early second round. Imagine that possibility.

I'm really interested in knowing who'll be there in the second round.

I wouldn't be surprised if Beach had a Patrick O'Sullivan sort of situation, where concern about his family life led him to drop to Round 2. Questions about Beach's attitude and fragility could drop him down, especially in a draft as deep as this one. Last year you could've afforded to take a chance on the possibly too-intense Esposito or the possibly too lazy Cherepanov, but this year there are so many quality players out there I don't know why you would. I could see him falling, and if he's there at 35 he'd have to be worth a look.

I agree Netminder ... the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th rounds are the key to the draft .... if the Isles vet out ALL draft eligible players correctly ... they can make a few steals ... and coupled with good development ... they can make some strides in the next several years.

I've wondered if the Isles invest heavily in ECHL development .. because you can take some diamonds in the rough and hone them into very good players. Remember .. every player drafted doesn't have to make the Islanders ... they just have to become good enough to entice other clubs to desire that player's services for possible future trades. No rental players please.

As crude as it seems .... players are commodites.

Nick

can I put your link on my site?

if yes, which one can I use.

Thanks

Nick -

"I don't know why this happens, but Pioneers usually stay the 4 years."

Come spend 2 days at my house, a matter of blocks from DU, and take a few trips up and down the streets, into the restaurants, etc. and you will realize that the female "talent" is probably why Pioneers usually stay the 4 years.

Class of 2006 may be a productive one for the Isles ... all decent or better prospects ....

Okposo, Figren, Marcinko, Joensuu and Rakhshani ... all well regarded in their respective leagues / class of play. Okposo goes without saying of course.

Hopefully the Isles can make 2008 a great draft.

D-Money

".and you will realize that the female "talent" is probably why Pioneers usually stay the 4 years."

Interesting....DU was 505JR's second choice among institutions of higher learning.
He is a freshman at ASU in Tempe.
I love parent's weekend.
This past year, I simply grabbed a chair just outside his dorm building and sat there for hours pondering the greater cause of mankind (and longed to be 25 years younger and 30 pounds lighter).

Netminder - www.lighthousepetition.com is the easiest way to get to it. We need a new spike in signatures, it's flattened out a bit.

Thanks!

Wondering...

With Chris Botta's resignation .... does that mean he'll participate with us on this blog now? That would make things even more interesting on here.

I just look at his resignation as an ominous sign ... more so because we the fans lost a talented insider that shared what he could with us ... also ... the fact that Chris Dey seems to be centralizing the "family" power base of club ownership .... which means we'll see more of ONLY what Wang wants us to see.

When the ShangHaislanders have their first training camp in China .... we'll all know Wang's alterior motive of using the Islanders more as his political pawns than be interested in creating a winner ... but I'm sure even he knows a winner gives him more clout ... so not a total loss .... he'll be committed to the success of the team if he sees that is the case.

I wish the Islanders would have these "stake holder" meetings on a day I'm off.

Nick ... the Islanders should post your petition on their website. Islandermania too.

We linked to it on IslanderMania. Since our citizen group is independent (and already suffered from accusations that we're on the payroll - TRUST ME, WE'RE NOT) we're leery to be seen as too close to the Islanders or the project itself. I posted it on Botta's blog, and he thanked me for it at the last open house, but that's the extent to which I'll do these things.

19 Isles

"I wish the Islanders would have these "stake holder" meetings on a day I'm off."

Okay, I'll respond in the old tried and true and obvious mini-flame..

19Isles....if the Islanders held a "stake holder" meeting on a "day" that your were off.....so that you could attend...and ask questions....and rant on....there would be no "DAY' involved. More like a coupla days.....a week maybe.
And then EVERYONE would have to get a WHOLE BUNCH OF TIME OFF.
Not to mention the added costs of hiring a coordinator/translator for the attendees who are "19Isles attention span impaired"

;)

505 ~ Then so it shall be!!! A week's holiday for ALL in Islander country. ;)

19Isles

"With Chris Botta's resignation .... does that mean he'll participate with us on this blog now? That would make things even more interesting on here."

As much as having a stellar individual such as Mr. Botta in here (what would his handle be? "Muzzled Islander?"... "FLATTENED Islander?"..."Dey's Black Night?" .... "20 Years in the Hole"?), I suspect that it would NOT be in his best interest to jump in here and start waxing away with us.

It would be inappropriate, unethical and possibly illegal for anyone to go on a blog of a former employer and start "contributing" to the flow of ideas and info. (Although I would give him major props if he had the cojones to do it).

Hmmm..that makes me wonder....I delivered newspapers for Newsday for 2 years back in the 60's......I wonder if I should talk to a labor attorney?

505 ~ I can understand that premis.... BUT ... Botta didn't work for Newsday ... so what's wrong with him contributing to the Logan's Blog .... ya think Dey would welcome Botta to the Blog Box? LOL ;)

Lets see if a REAL Stanley Cup Contender blows a 3-Goal lead.

Well ... I'm going to put my following comments in over a few posts .... I've tried to submit 5 times ... and it keeps holding my comments for review .... which btw ... never gets reviewed or published ..... no swear words or questionable language .... only some sharp criticism of DP .. but I also added praise .... well .. here goes nothing ... I'll try a few paragraphs at a time.
-----------------------------------------------

Well ... Osgood didn't blow the 3 goal lead ... 4 goals actually.

Someone refresh my memory .... why did we trade Osgood for Papineau? Ozzie is sooooooo technically sound. Plays the angles, makes his defensmen's job easier, comes up with huge saves, leadership by example... I couldn't of thought of a better goalie to mentor and guide DP ... DP would just have to swallow his big ego to become a champion ...

-- end of part 1 ---

-- part 2 --

If Hasek and Osgood, who BOTH have enough hardware and medals to start an armory ... can be man enough to share goaltending duties... Why did Mike Milbury feel that a wet behind the ears kid who had done ZERO at the NHL level that he drafted #1 overall deserve to be the #1 with Garth available to rest DP now and then? Was it MM's own self pride? Forcing DP to live up to his #1 overall status. Did we all drink that Kool Aid?

Don't get me wrong ... I know the Wings have a superior team .. part of that also has to do with the players' confidence in their goaltender ... and the fact Ozzie makes their job easier by making the smart plays ... but Ozzie is stronger than DP in every way except for maybe making that outlet pass ... and if I'm correct ... that really isn't the most important part of a goalie's skill set. We stole Ozzie in 2001... and let him go for Papineau?

Where is Papineau anyway? Last I remember he was with Bridgeport during the lockout. Did he go to Europe and stay?

Didn't we get a draft pick with Papineau too? Think it turned out to be Colliton ... maybe. I forgot. Even so ... Colliton isn't good enough to balance that trade out.

I like DP ... when he's on .... he's a top 5 NHL goalie .... when he's off ... he's back in the NCAA Hockey East level. The problem is .. he's inconsistent .. and more the later than the former.

He's gotten his last injury pass from me. No more concussions, no more hips, no more knees ... it's time for him to put up or shutup. It's hard to tell that I really like DP after reading this ... but he was drafted 8 years ago... he should be stealing victories for the Isles in the playoffs by now.

-- the end --

WOW ,... it was some word in the first paragraph in part 2 that was causing trouble .... all I did to get it to go through was remove the words pitched shutouts, donuts and zeros. I also took out deserve the crease and used #1 instead ... and subed Garth for Snow .... lets see if this post makes it now.

well ... it accepted my last post .... go figure ... I have no idea what the trigger words were that prevented my post from going through .... there really was no other major key words other than the character 0's for zeros ...

Didn't think there were any descriptive provocative words ... oh well ..... 505 ... take it from here ... 2 time zones away.

Hey 19 Isles, great idea to break it into smaller posts and substitute certain words to get it through. Wish I had thought of that.....LOL........Sir William

you guys are boring. where is the loud mouth Steady? at least that pompus pr^ck is funny!

Now there is a player, Figren. Not only played but dominated at the world juniors, not like Okposo. DP STOP THE PUCK WHAT'S NEXT TORN KNEE CAP HAIR. Snow get some more PLAYERS, not just bodies. Can't wait for the folk's on the Island to see the WRECKER. YOU SHOULD AND WILL BE VOTED OFF THE ISLAND.

Yo 19:

I believe that DP has made tremendous strides in his play last 2 years.. He gets minus points for playing injured. It seems that his goaltending skills are not a question...but his ability to play a full season (and hopefully playoffs) is. I'm with you on the injuries.. I've had enough of this crap. What good is a Ferrarri with no brakes? I blame the coaching staff for letting him run the show....

Good to see all this youth signed...won't do us good for now....but at least they're moving in the right direction. I'll be completely convinced after I see what they do during free agency

Riley ~ Yeah ... Figren looks like a good player ... he's rated high for his skill and ability to manuever and play at a high rate of speed. I hope it translates to the NHL level ... where the room to do those things are a lot less.
--------------------------------------
themass ~ I agree ... DP made strides in his play the last 2 years ... however I was questioning the wisdom in drafting him #1 ... and using him to replace Osgood ... who by far is the superior goalie in resume, experience and the core skill sets required of a goalie.

DP was drafted 8 years ago .... I expect nothing less than him improving over that time. I like DP ... however his insistence in playing all the time when he lacks the durability of Broduer is the folly of coaches and management. DP has to play to his strengths .... and his attempt at playing 70 games a year isn't his strength.

505- That's a riot...I feel the same way about living near DU, but my stats are more like, I wish I was 10 years younger and 15 pounds lighter.

Id sign Very--energy, antagonizer etc...he's worth 3mm a year--and more than ANY Isle currently.

Figren was good at WJC but his stats are extremely average for a 20 year old at the Junior level. Extremely average! Maybe even below average for a third round pick who is considered an offensive player.

Maybe he's better on a larger ice surface with Swedes as his linemates.

Think about it, Luciano Aquino, an Islander draft pick scored 72 points in 32 games in juniors a year or so back.

Figren had 31 points in 36 games this year.

With all these younsters being signed I believe that Nolan's contract needs to be extended. Let him know that the team needs stability with the system they are going to play, and he is the man they want to do it. Nilson is a good player but was let go because he doesn't fit our system...if the coach gets changed again who's to say that this won't happen to our current prospects...and then we're back to square one. Its Teds job to stick with the players he thinks will give the team the best chance of winning. Give him a team full of youth and then he will have to play the best youth... Just a thought.. I hear a lot of "we need a first line"... True, but we also need stability and that is easier to attain at this point.

jon ~ FYI .... Figren ... who is not a franchise player by any means ... is the BEST player on the Edmonton Oil Kings ... I was asking a coleague (Julien) of mine who works for a pro-scouting company about Figren and he said he's a "potential" 2nd line NHL player. He said Figren plays on one of the worst teams in Junior Hockey ... and he has 18G and 13A ... not the other way around as this article reported .... he played exactly "HALF" the amount of games (35) as the next highest goal scorer on the team (who played 70 games) .. that player had only 16 goals to Figren's 18 goals .. so that shows you how good Figren was on a bad team ... a horrible team actually.

Julien also told me he is the first Edmonton Oil King in recent memory to sign an NHL contract ... we all saw what Figren can do (WJHC) when he plays with other players of equal talent ... so you can expect more when he plays with NHL level talent.

Granted ... all I know about Figren is what I've read, what I've seen at WJHC .. and what Julien told me about him ... oh and that You Tube video of him ..... right here .... excuse the Swedish language announcers .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwBU7vcDaSk

I'm really looking forward to seeing him develop ... he's only 20.

Hearing great compliments about him from a Hab fan in the scouting business encourages me about Figren.

Also ... he had some great things to say about other Isles prospects drafted in 2006 and 2007 that made humungous strides since their draft ... Kessel and Katic are getting even better ... Gregorie (sp) has improved tremendously and will be getting even better has he has more contact with the Isles development team.

Julien also had great things to say about Joensuu, Marcinko and the two recent free agent signings ... Hennigar and Hillen ... he called them diamonds in the rough.

Julien also praised Brian Trottier's player development team ... he said with the Isles drafting in the top 5 they are gauranteed a stud player. They are safe if they go for a forward or defenseman .. either way they get a quality player.

Julien also mentioned to me that Tambellini playing with a playmaking NHL center would instantly become a 30 goal potential player... especially on the Power Play.

Speaking of left wingers ... expect Sim to to come back strong on the left side for the Isles. We still have not seen the great things that Sim brings to the Isles yet.

Overall ... the Isles will ice a very young team that probably will not make the playoffs in 08/09 ... but as Julien put it ... expect the Isles to be the 2006-2007 Flyers of next season .... and with two back to back top 5 draft picks from 2008 and 2009 ... and ONE good FA stud in 2009 would vault the Isles back into playoff contention.

Julien said mapping ahead with Isles prospects and potential draft pick placement along with development ... the Isles could become a top 10 team ... in the early part of next decade ... especially since they expect DP to be a more solid player playing 60 - 65 games spread out more effectively.

More on Figren ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXWXiHSv8Ds&feature=related

or even this one .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AasrTKtsM5k ... incredible angle shot .... he was a foot from the goal line and threaded the needle ...

how about this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBfQCPznKRM&feature=related ... another goal after being taken outside ... he never gave up on it .... he's a hockey player.

Hot Topic ~~

My brother and I were debating earlier ... about whether or not the Pens are going to sign both Crosby (signed to 2013) and Malkin (signed to 2009) to extensions that take them both to 2019 before they become UFA & RFA respectively ....

I figured that the pens wouldn't even worry about Crosby till maybe 2011 before offering an extension ... both player and team would have to see how that marriage is working out for them before an extension .... it gives Crosby financial security ... but he may be worth a lot more in 2013 than what the Pens are prepared to offer .... so on his end I'd say hold out ... Also, I say Pens hold pat till at least 2011 ... Crosby becomes a millionaire (contract speaking) next season.

I also think that Malkin who turns 22 this summer will be offered a max of 7 years .... the formula for the average players decline in fitness ... which affects skills begins around 28 .... I figured the Pens wouldn't want to tie up 2 center positions with hefty contracts by 2 players in their 30s ... assuming that by the time they are in their early 30s they begin to decline below their current level .. which would still be good ..... see this article ... http://www.thephysicsofhockey.com/documents/fitness.pdf

That article is for your 505 ... courtesy of the NHL Network Coach ... he asked me to pass it on to New Mexico's finest.

I wouldn't read to deep into the article ... but what it does illustrate is the decline in players and skills after 30.

So ... would you want to tie up both Malkin and Crosby past their early 30s with hefty hits to your salary cap without knowing what it will be down the road? Don't forget .... they still have a solid center prospect in Staal.

Me ... I'd make sure they are both signed through 30 if I could ... I'd extend Malkin before this season so that he's signed for 7 more seasons after the next one ...and after that I'd tack on 5 more years to Crosby's contract after 2011.

The only way Tambellini will ever score 30 goals at the NHL level, is at practice. How's the vision on the Island, because you guy's are BLIND. DP STOP THE PUCK, WHAT"S NEXT SLIGHT EAR LOBE STRAIN. I may have figured it out why DP is so soft, spent a few years with YASHIN. Still getting paid.

Tamby sucks. Period.
Sign Avery.

********Julien also told me he is the first Edmonton Oil King in recent memory to sign an NHL contract ... we all saw what Figren can do (WJHC) when he plays with other players of equal talent ... so you can expect more when he plays with NHL level talent**********

Well, 19 ISLE in NJ 22, you can tell JULIEN, that considering this was Edmonton's inaugural season, it's not surprising that he was the first player in RECENT MEMORY (lol) to sign an NHL contract.

"I wouldn't read to deep into the article ... "

I didn't.
I made it through a paragraph and pulled my bullschit stamp out.

There is a simple "physics of hockey", in fact any sport, that succinctly takes into account the longevity of any athlete.

It's called the Mickey Mantle Theorem.

The longevity of any athlete is directly related to the looking for sex plus the consumption of alcohol divided by the number of nights spent on the road.

PERIOD

And there is an "I" in period.
But there is NO "I" in team.

Hi guys. I always enjoy reading your entertaining blogs every weekend, but as a NY area transplant that remains a diehard Edmonton fan I have to correct the record. The Oil Kings are not a new franchise. They are a revived franchise. I wouldn't expect Americans to remember the Oil Kings, so I think that guy Julien was speaking as an elder as I understand it.

Growing up in the 60s early 70s as a native of Edmonton playing in the various youth hockey programs my goal was to play for the Edmonton Oil Kings. I had to settle for a lower tier team since I didn't make the cut.

The Oil Kings recently re-started their Junior program. They were the Kings of Edmonton before the Oilers came to town. Once the Oilers were admitted into the NHL that spelled the inevitable doom of the Oil Kings who were experiencing some hard times.

I follow both teams from afar as I still have strong ties to Edmonton even after 25 years of living in NY. I've seen the Oil Kings play this past season but Figren the subject of this article was injured so I can't vouch for his play. I do know this much. He's been raved about by my friends and family.

You Islander fans should be in for a treat, because for Figren to get the numbers he has on a team as poor as the Oil Kings says a lot. Anytime you want to trade your good prospects to Edmonton feel free. Keep up the intuitive posts Islander and Ranger fans. I find your insights refreshing in this NY hockey desert. See you at the Coliseum and the Garden.

Edmonton Oiler ~ Yeah ... as an American as you put it ... I'm not that familiar with the newly "re-vived" franchise of the Edmonton Oil Kings ... I was just relaying what a guy that works for a scouting service told me. Honestly I'm not really concerned about Figren being their first NHL signing .. or the first since the revival of the Oil Kings ... I'm concerned with his development no matter what team he's on.

If the Oil Kings are as bad as you mentioned then Figren's accomplishments fighting through injury is actually more impressive. Thank you for your insight and informing me of the Oil Kings' previous history... I'm sure it's not going to matter looking forward towards Figren's development since he signed that 3 year entry level contract and will be playing in his homeland Sweden.

As for the troll who Anomonously posted b/c he cowardly called out my post without IDing himself .... What is your point? .. maybe Julien brought that up because for a developing Junior team to have one of their own signed is something for them to be proud of. Lots of players are drafted year after year ... but only some Junior teams that aren't known power houses actually have a player signed ... that said ... Figren was drafted before the Oil Kings re-emerged ... so he's less a product of their system and more of just a feather in their cap since they'll probably claim they aided in his development. Who knows?

Just a bit of news, Bergenheim won't play today against team USA. Apparently he's injured and didn't finish practice.

Update on Bergenheim's injury. He says it is something that bothered him during the later part of the NHL season already and that it has bothered him during the World Championships tournament as well. He can't divulge any details yet. Whether he can still play in the tournament will be decided on Monday after consulting doctors. The injury is rumored to be groin and back related.

Anyone catch that team USA vs. Finn game today? I got it off satellite at work ... I don't know if it was on any sports network ... well ... Finn scored a goal ... that went through the side of the net ... clearly ... video replay even showed it .... they reviewed it from several angles ... they still showed the puck entering the cage from the side ....... the ruling? Goal stands!!!! Huh?!?! I guess it was reviewed in Toronto.

Just want to know if anyone else saw it.

And Cablevision is now buying Newsday.....I'm now taking bets on how many seconds it will take the Dolans in the introductory press conference to announce Logan is now doubling up on the Rangers beat and this blog is shut down.

Sad days, people. Sad days.

Relax people.

We have to sign Avery and Jagr.We have enough cap room to do it so Snow,just get it done.The more Rags we sign the better chance we'll have to make the playoffs and win a round or two.

RE: Team USA vs. Finn ....

I got my answer regarding the goal going through the side of the net's mesh. It was infact confirmed .... and the IIHF fired the video review goal judge.
-----------------------------------------
Yeah Nick ... I heard about the Cablevision / Newsday acquistion ... in the days of intense anti-trust scrutiny ... that deal might not go through ... not because of the Islanders being in the Long Island market .... and their arch rivals purchasing the newspaper in that market ... but because Cablevision also provides the only dedicated television news outlet for Long Island ... I don't know to what extent Cablevision has a strangle hold on the Long Island market ... or if it really even matters ... but I doubt very much Cablevision in today's media environment will have any problem getting approved to purchase Newsday.
---------------------------------------
Islander's super fan super model Christie Brinkley is on FOX n Friends .... doing dancing exercises ... she could of slipped in a few Islander promos there .... and maybe tell the folks at Newscorp to step up the offer for Newsday ... sheeeeshhh ... take one for the team Christie.

Where's everyone??

MSG owners buying Newsday has no bearing on the Islanders... geezzz... a lot of conspriacy theorists out there.

I am a lifelong Islander fan... since 1975/76 and the last thing Dolan is worried about is owning a Newspaper and how it affects the Islanders.... because there is no effect. It's a business decision... he is a big boy with big toys and wants to own as much stuff as he can.

DOC

I hear that Isiah Thomas was named Editor in Chief of Newsday
today...Sir William

Yes, I admit it. I do use a double standard. There for, Ribeiro and Osgood will not be suspended for their indescretions at the end of Game 2. Simon and a player to be named later wearing an Islander Jersey this Fall will serve 5 game suspensions in their place. There also will be further disciplinary action against the Islanders should Detroit fans throw octopuses on the ice and ice manager for Detroit, Al Sobotka twirls an octopus around. A $10k fine will be imposed by the NHL against the Isles, and the Isles will be accessed an automatic 5 minute penalty for each offense starting with the first game of the season. Don't bother writing my office complaining about this since this plan has the endorsement of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

WOW....Even in the off season the TROLLS are using my sign on.....Some people need to really get a life! Sad actually.

Been quiet lately....Hope you are all well....I stopped posting since there is not much to talk about.

The real Colin Campbel is an absolute joke...His double standards are legendary.....What a loser....Ever since Gillies knocked his a^^ out on the way to the cup he has hated our team.

Hope all you regs have a great summer. I will check in now and then....I am sure my TROLL buddy will keep you on your toes pretending to be me in the mean time. Below is some stats to get him pissed off while I am gone...Enjoy Gary aka Sommer aka JD aka LOSERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

**Lundquist....LMAO.....Say what you want....Game one... up by 3 and he blew it....Changed the whole series.....Avery...my belly hurts...wahhhhhhhhhhhh wahhhhhhhhhhhh....Rutuu completely out played him in the pest role...Jagr played great...He is going to look good out west next year....Druruy...LMAO...Buy him a gold watch cause he should retire........Pitt wins the cup !!! Starts a dynasty.....FACT SAYS THE ORACLE !!!! ***