Catching Up On The Islanders

I was away for my Birthday and an Industry Convention over the past week, so I wanted to officially list some relevant happenings.


Corey Pronman ranks the Islanders in 2^nd in NHL prospect depth.  Pronman says, “New York Islanders: The Islanders have one the deepest systems in the NHL. They have great talent as well, of course, with top forward prospects like Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, and Kirill Kabanov to go along with a very impressive group of defense prospects. They have talent and depth at seemingly every position.”  The Florida Panthers are 1^st.

There was a lot of talk about Ed Mangano's bid to seek a developer to try and scramble into another development deal for Nassau's "Hub" project.  Islanders' Owner, Charles Wang has played all of Kate Murray's games and those of the counties political machine, only to come up short each time.  No to the $4B Light House Project, the zoning nightmare and the blind eye by the state.  No to a plan that is pivately funded.  No to a $400M bond vote.  No to a solution for $.26/Week.  Committees and task forces that yielded nothing.  

Is Nassau County a viable option for Charles Wang and the New York Islanders.  No.

Per B.D. Gallof, the “Isles are done. Expect no more UFA moves. No further changes until perhaps new CBA. Highly likely team in October is what you see now.”  He also points out, “If anyone has bothered to notice, except for Isles thus far, rest of division has gotten weaker thanks to free agency.”

Anthony Stabile adds, “replace PAP, Eaton, Jucina and Staois with Boyes, Visnovsky, Carkner, Boulton That is an upgraded roster, when rest of div got weaker.”

This isn't to say after the CBA is restructured, the Islanders won't be attractive to other cap tight teams as trading partners.  This is another way the Isles can get top tier talent that fits into "the plan" for a reasonable price.  It is even speculated that Rick DiPietro would be bought out under the expected amnesty clause.

Isles Notes:

Per the New York Islanders, New Isles enforcer and LW, Eric Boulton will wear #36 this season.

Per Arthur Staple on July 2^nd, “Islanders out of running for Bryce Salvador”  Salvador resigned with New Jersey on a 3-Year deal.

The Washington Capitals have signed former Islanders defenseman Jack Hillen to a one-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Minnesota Wild have signed for Islander, Zenon Konopka.

The Winnipeg Jets have signed Al Montoya to a one year/$600,000 contract.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed F Ruslan Fedotenko and D Bruno Gervais.

Per B.D. Gallof, “Per NHL source: if Isles spent to the cap, sold out every game & went 2 rounds in playoffs, Wang would still lose $10-15 mil for yr.”

Rick DiPietro's $67.5 M deal is now only the 10th biggest in the league.  What was referred to at one time as the biggest joke in the NHL by some is now not only commonplace, but standard practice for big name players of all positions. You would think D.P.’s injuries would be a warning for other GM’s.

NHL:

The NHL & NHLPA held their 2nd round of negotiating sessions for a new collective bargaining agreement last Thursday & Friday in Manhattan.

Vancouver Canucks ended up signing Jason Garrison to a Six year $27.6 M contract.

Zach Parise and Ryan Sutter agreed to terms with the Minnesota Wild on July 4^th.  They were both signed to $98 million/13 year deals.  Per Rich Chere, Parise's contract is front-loaded: $12M, 12M, 11M, 9M, 9M, 9M, 9M, 9M, 8M, 6M, 2M, 1M, 1M.”  Sutter's is said to be laid out the same way.

Pierre LeBrun reports, “So both Parise and Suter each get $25 million in signing bonuses: $10 M payable now, $10 M payable July 1, 2013 and $5 M on July 1, 2014”

Dallas Stars signed Jaromir Jagr to a one year $4.5 M contract.