Isles Notes For 7/31

Per Randi Marshall, “County has confirmed four submissions for Nassau Hub RFQ.  So four developers for Hub RFQ - Monti, Blumenfeld, Baldassano and Breslin.  Baldassano Architecture in Patchogue says they submitted to Hub RFQ- only want to develop 30 acres, not including arena.”

Per the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Defenseman Nathan McIver has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders.

Isles RFA enforcer and “Hitman,” Matt Martin remains unsigned.


Per BD Gallof, “Visnovsky issue not talked about: had #ducks told #isles about clause, might have used pick/$$$ in different direction at draft or 7/1.”  Kevin Hartmann adds, “Sec 11.8 of cba states,“If players traded or claimed on waivers prior to NTC/NMC taking effect,the clause doesnt bind acquiring.”

So far, we have heard nothing on the fate of Visnovsky and the Islanders.  Hopefully, some news will come soon.  Feel bad for Garth and Ownership.  The needed a top Defensemen, got one and now this.  Our luck as got to change soon, right?

Per Chris Botta, “Production has begun on a documentary about John Spano's felonious 1990s purchase of the Isles. Planned for ESPN.  The Spano doc will be for ESPN's "30 in 30" series. Actor/NYI fan Kevin Connolly has been asked to narrate.”

Per Tom Mascioli,”2012 second round pick D Ville Pokka will compete for Finland at USA's WJC Summer Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid Aug. 4-11.”

“Former Isles great Bryan Trottier was among the inaugural group of players inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame Saturday.”

Per Brian Compton, Former Islander Defensemen, “Steve Staios officially retires, joins Leafs as Player Development Adviser.”


Per Dee Karl, "Scott Allen has been hired by the St. Louis Blues to be the assistant coach for their Peoria farm team...."

Per IIHF, Former Islanders Coach, “Ted Nolan extends contract as coach of Latvian nat'l team for 1 year including Olympic Qualification & Worlds.”

 NHL Notes:

Per @DenisGorman: “Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league has submitted all of their proposals to the NHLPA.  The NHLPA will not make a counterproposal to NHL offer today.”

Visnovsky Files Grievance, Claims NTC vs. Isles

Remember when Evgeni Nabokov didn’t want to play for the New York Islanders?  Well, he ended up playing here last year and liked it so much; he resigned to play on Long Island again for the coming NHL season.  Well guess what?

The Lubomir Visnovsky trade comes into the forefront again in Islanders country.  A few weeks ago, it was said Visnovsky may want to stay in Slovakia to play or even head to the KHL in Russia.  He denied it went on record to say the Islanders were his first choice.

Well, as reported by Arthur Staple today, “Lubomir Visnovsky has filed a grievance through the NHLPA to void his trade to the New York Islanders, claiming his no-trade clause is still valid.” 

When Visnovsky was traded from Edmonton to Anaheim, he agreed to waive his no trade clause.  The question at hand is when a NTC is waived initially and the trade is made, does that trade clause reset and become available again if the player becomes eligible to be traded again to another team like the trade between Anaheim and New York on Draft Day.

Neil Sheehy, Visnovsky's agent is quoted as saying, "This isn't an issue with the Islanders, It's a matter for the NHLPA/NHL to decide. He (Visnovsky) has a no-trade clause."

Sheehy reiterates,  "It's not about Lubo saying he doesn't want to go to the Islanders, He likes what they say. This is about establishing what's right."

Staple adds, “No arbitration date has been set for Visnovsky. If he wins, the trade would be voided; he could still go to Islanders, but back to square one.”

Per Helene Elliot, “NHLPA confirms that it field a grievance over Visnovsky trade to NY Islanders. Grievance was filed June 30.”  So the grievance wasn’t just filed and brought up today as first speculated, rumor has it that the Islanders knew about it three weeks ago, but revealed it to the papers today.

Isles Notes:

Per Chris Botta, “Visnovsky may not want to play for Isles, but Alexei Yashin and Miroslav Satan do. Satan could return.”

NHL Notes:

Per Darren Dreger, Rick Nash and a cond.3rd (goes back to CBJ if NYR make Cup final) and minor leaguer Steve Delisle are traded to the New York Rangers for Anisimov, Dubinsky, Erixon and 1st round pick in next years entry draft.

Per Capgeek, Cap hits of Dubinsky, Anisimov and Erixon: $7.825M. Cap hit of Nash: $7.8M. 

Isles Notes For 7/18

Today, the New York Islanders announced Scott Pellerin as the next head coach of Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  Pellerin was an assistant coach with the Manchester Monarchs (L.A. Kings affiliate) of the AHL since 2006.  He had this to say about the team in Bridgeport, "If you asked any players in Manchester what teams were toughest to play against last year, the BST were a top-3 team".  Pellerin replaces Brent Thompson who was recently promoted to an assistant coach with the Islanders. 

Per Michael Fornabaio, "His (Pellerin) 12 year pro hockey career consisted of 328 games in the AHL, and 536 games for 7 NHL teams."  

Per Katie Strang, “Pellerin, by the way, has history with GM Garth Snow. Played with Snow at University of Maine from 1990-92.”

The Islanders announced thay have signed, third round, 82^nd overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Jason Clark to a three year ELC.  The 20 year old Clark played 35 games over two seasons.  Per Tom Mascioli, “Jason Clark got into only 35 gms over 2 seasons with UW due to hip surgeries & a concussion. Recorded 2 assists in very limited role.”  Clark played in the Blue and Orange prospects game where he played on the blue teams second line and must have made an impression, although team Blue was scoreless for the contest, losing 6-0 to team Orange.

Per Arthur Staple, “Ty Wishart signs 1-year, 2-way deal with the Islanders.”  Last season, Wyshart, 24, had 5 and 14 for 19 points with Bridgeport.  In his 26 NHL appearances with the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders, Wyshart had 1 and 5 for 6 points and a +5 rating.  Wyshart was the San Jose Sharks first round, 16^th overall pick in 2006.

Per the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers are very interested in Mark Streit, but Garth Snow isn’t interested in trading him.  Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal writes,” Despite his age, Streit would have been a good fit in Edmonton. He’s been a consistently good offensive defenseman, both as a passer and shooter – he’s topped 40 assists three times in the last four seasons, and hit double-digits in goals three times in that same span. He would instantly have become the Oilers best offensive option on the back end, a gap the team still needs to fill – despite the addition of Justin Schultz and the progression of Jeff Petry, the team doesn’t have a guaranteed top offensive option. If Ryan Whitney can rebound this season they will have one; Streit would have given them a second offensive defender.”

Per Dee Karl, “Awesome few minutes with a very healthy & happy Rick DiPietro at his Iceworks goalie camp.”

Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports G, Kenny Reiter (@Reiter35) will sign an AHL/ECHL contract with Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

NHL Notes:

Per Katie Strang, “NHL/NHLPA meetings lasted 2.5 hrs, majority of which was devoted to more detailed explanation of NHL's 1st proposal.”

"NHL and ‪NHLPA still plan to meet thurs and fri; no counter-proposal yet from PA. Still gathering info on NHL's initial proposal."

Isles Notes For 7/16

Isles Notes:

Chris Botta and B.D. Gallof continue to keep Isles fans informed about the Arena Saga of the New York Islanders.  After Ed Mangano’s latest feint at finding a Developer for the Nassau Hub and facility for your New York Islanders, more details are revealed on the growing likelihood of Brooklyn or bust. 

Greg Wyshynski lays out the important stuff as reported by Botta and Gallof here at Puck Daddy.

  

The Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn will be able to seat 14,500 fans in its hockey configuration, putting it at the lowest seating capacity in the NHL, but bring the Islanders into a modern facility and sell tickets to a loyal fan base looking for the stability to attract top tier free agents. Barring a lockout, the Islanders are scheduled to play against the New Jersey Devils in a preseason game there on October 2, 2012.  The KHL will send teams to the Barclay's center for a showcase of what their league has to offer to American fans as well.

Matt Martin & Ty Wishart did not accept their qualifying offers. They remain restricted free agents at the moment, but I wouldn't panic unless someone swoops in and overpays.

Forward and relative to Matt Moulson, Sean Backman agrees to terms w/ ‪Islanders on one-year, two-way deal.  The popular Backman had 18 points in 67 games with the Sound Tigers last season.

The Rick DiPietro Goalie Camp is a go.

The Ottawa Senators sign former Isles G Prospect, Nathan Lawson to a one-year two way deal.

NHL Notes:

KHL & NHL have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to respect player contracts in both leagues.

The Washington Capitals announce they've signed Mike Green to a three-year deal worth $18.25 million.

It Takes A Village

As of today, the New York Islanders roster looks like this.

Forwards

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
12	Josh Bailey	6' 1"	190	Oct 2, 1989	22	Bowmanville, ON, CAN
36	Eric Boulton	6' 1"	225	Aug 17, 1976	35	Halifax, NS, CAN
	Brad Boyes	6' 0"	204	Apr 17, 1982	30	Mississauga, ON, CAN
40	Michael Grabner	6' 0"	185	Oct 5, 1987	24	Villach, AUT
17	Matt Martin	6' 3"	210	May 8, 1989	23	Windsor, ON, CAN
26	Matt Moulson	6' 1"	205	Nov 1, 1983	28	North York, ON, CAN
25	Nino Niederreiter	6' 2"	205	Sep 8, 1992	19	Chur, CHE
51	Frans Nielsen	6' 0"	184	Apr 24, 1984	28	Herning, DNK
21	Kyle Okposo "A"	6' 0"	205	Apr 16, 1988	24	St. Paul, MN, USA
16	Marty Reasoner	6' 1"	205	Feb 26, 1977	35	Honeoye Falls, NY, USA
91	John Tavares "A"	6' 0"	206	Sep 20, 1990	21	Mississauga, ON, CAN

Defensemen

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
	Matt Carkner	6' 4"	237	Nov 3, 1980	31	Winchester, ON, CAN
3	Travis Hamonic	6' 2"	203	Aug 16, 1990	21	St. Malo, MB, CAN
47	Andrew MacDonald	6' 1"	196	Sep 7, 1986	25	Judique, NS, CAN
2	Mark Streit "C"	5' 11"	193	Dec 11, 1977	34	Bern, CHE
	Lubomir Visnovsky	5' 10"	197	Aug 11, 1976	35	Topolcany, SVK

Goalies

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
39	Rick DiPietro	6' 1"	190	Sep 19, 1981	30	Winthrop, MA, USA
20	Evgeni Nabokov	6' 0"	200	Jul 25, 1975	36	Kamenogorsk, KAZ

That leaves a slot for a new asset or an opportunity for a prospect to step up on the Forward lines or Defensive core.  No trades or signings are likely before the new CBA details are hashed out and the Isles minor league system may be more than enough to provide an answer for the Islanders needs this season.  

I see players Like Kyle Okposo and Brad Boyes poised for a breakout season.  You can be sure Jesse Joensuu (who has a one way-euro out clause contract this season and isn't even listed yet) will be the most prepared the talented forward has ever been to play for the Isles.  Nino Niederreiter will have a lot to prove as well.  Lets be honest, the whole Organization has a lot to prove to the critics and haters and I think they will take another step towards proving it this season.   

The team has cap space and money to commit for the right free agent or trade, but the future arena uncertainty will be enough to scare away some players.  Although, those same players could find more than a home with a team that is only a few moves away form getting it right, in this blogger’s opinion.  Some other free agents could be courted or appealing veterans be traded for as well.

The Isles prospects are deep here, but are they ready?  Players like Cizikas, Strome, Nelson, Ullstrom, Sundstrom, Theoret and Kabanov will make it tough for coaches to cut them from camp. 

It is possible that the likes of Jamie Benn (Grp 2), Petr Sykora (Grp 3), Kristian Huselius (Grp 3) or Kris Versteeg (Grp 2) could find a place to shine with New York this year?  Guys like this could be signed away, but may not be worth the compensation afforded by the compensation and right to match clause.  A trade could be explored.

Isles “D” prospects like Donovan and Ness got noticed last season and are poised for training camp.  Calvin de Haan is ready to make a play for the big leagues while Kichton and Mayfield are not far behind. 

But maybe a player like Jaroslav Spacek (Grp 3) could fit in nicely on the blue line for the short term.  A player like Mike Green (Grp 2) might be a tall order, but he could use some time on the Island to find his game and regain his elite form as an NHL defensemen around an improving D-core.  He rejected the Caps qualifying offer and may want to play elsewhere, but will he want to come to the Islanders?

The Net is Evgeni Nabokov’s spot to lose despite Rick DiPietro still being listed as a #1.  It is more likely that Kevin Poulin or Anders Nilsson will have an opportunity to fill the back up position.  I know I will enjoy watching the competition.

We know the Isles have improved on paper and the other teams in their division got "weaker."  What will this mean for the upcoming season?  Let's watch the team and find out.

Isles Notes:

The New York Islanders 2012-2013 schedule has been announced and is now available for down load here at the teams website.

The Phoenix Coyotes have inked former ‪Isles tough guy Joel Rechlicz to a one-year, two-way deal.

Former Isles and Bridgeport Goaltender, Steve Valiquette has announced his retirement.

NHL Notes:

The NHL has presented the NHLPA with an initial offer of a new CBA with several changes and amendments of Friday.  Renaud P. Lavoie reports, “NHL proposal to players: 1-reduce players hockey related revenues to 46% from 57 %. 2-10 seasons in NHL before being UFA.”  Also, “3-contracts limits to 5 years 4-no more salary arbitration. 5- entry-level contract 5 years instead of 3.”  Larry Brooks also reported that the NHL’s proposal would eliminate signing bonuses and have equal value for each year of a multi year contract.

Mike Modano, Eddie Olcyck and Lou Lamoriello have been named as 2012 inductees for the USHHOF.