Josh Ho-Sang Reassigned to Sound Tigers

After the Isles 5-3 win over Arizona, Head Coach Doug Weight said Josh Ho-Sang could be back in the lineup on Thursday when New York visits Minnesota to face the Wild. This afternoon, the Islanders sent Josh Ho-Sang down to Bridgeport. While Anthony Beauvillier got a full season to make his case last year and any of Mathew Barzal’s shortcomings are over-shadowed by his developing offensive threat level, something in Ho-Sang’s game must not be sitting right with management. Its clear age has nothing to do with it. Beauvillier and Barzal are a year younger than Ho-Sang, but are playing their games and getting big minutes. So, you can ask yourself, why was Josh Ho-Sang scratched twice at home, then sent down? I have a poll on twitter to gauge fan reaction and will update this article when the results come in tomorrow.

Ho-Sang is clearly a dynamic forward that can control the pace of a play and move the puck well, enabling his team to score points. He even had 4 points in 6 games and was tied for the team lead in assists going into last night, but he wasn’t shooting enough (6 shots on goal), needs to improve defensively, make better decisions moving the puck and avoid regular turnovers, 6 in his last 6 games. Not earth shattering based on the turnovers committed by other current veteran team mates, but the Isles need him to be better and I’m sure he knows he must be better as well. He has matured a lot over the past year and is a favorite of Coach Weight by media reports. He will get his chance and should take this time to do what Anders Lee did when he was sent down to the AHL during the start of the 2014-15 season, netting 5 points in 5 games. Produce, work hard and impress management while creating chances regularly enough to never be sent down again.

Because he doesn’t need waivers, he was sent down to the Islanders AHL affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers to work on his game and what probably amounts to allowing him to get some premium minutes in big spots for the BST. I know he needs reps with the big club to fine tune his game at the NHL level, but he also needs to get the message. I get the frustration seeing older players, not in the future plan, getting playing time while Ho-Sang is scratched and now demoted, but the team moves players in and out based on injury, need and accountability.  I also see resentment of fans with Alan Quine making the trip to Minnesota (Staple) while Ho-Sang goes to the BST, but there is a plan for the team on the ice and in the locker room. Each player needs to be a working part of the machine and mesh with one another. I also realize Ho-Sang’s game play and snarl got him drafted 28th overall in first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Isles in the first place, but he needs to take the next step to be taken seriously as a pro. I’m not saying Ho-Sang has been backsliding as a player, just that he has room to improve his game if he wants to be a regular contributor on this team. I have no clue why the determination to send him down was ultimately made, other than to tighten up his play and get more big minutes available on the farm.

Let’s look at a defensive model with other young players. Ryan Pulock was a regular scratch, then helped the team get its first PP point after starting 0-20 and has begun to make a case for himself. I’ve always said Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield were closer to a regular role with the team and I think they are proving it. Dennis Seidenberg had a great season with New York last year and he was signed on short term to see which one of the young defenders would secure their spots, especially with talented Calvin de Haan on a bridge deal heading into next summer. The benefit of competition is that it gives each guy a chance to out play the other. It doesn’t work when the player in question isn’t given a fair shake or get enough of an opportunity to prove his worth. Josh Ho-Sang should be a big part of their success moving forward and hopefully makes the most of his time in Bridgeport.

The Islanders are 5-3-1 with 11 points in 9 games (3rd in metro division, 5th in eastern conference) and have scored 10 goals in their last two games and won their last three. John Tavares is trending upwards in a big way coming off his 7th career hat trick and leading the team with 10 points in 9 games played. Brock Nelson scored Isles 1st PP goal at home this season, Jordan Eberle is the team leader in assists with 6 and had his first multi-point game an Islander while Scott Mayfield opened scoring for Isles defensemen (1-4-5 pts/Hornick) for the first time this season. The team is far from perfect, needs tons of improvement on the PP and more of that ever-elusive consistency, but they are starting to do more things to keep them in or climb back in to a game lately. It’s a start.

Isles Notes:

Per Eric Hornick, “Adam Pelech had three primary assists as he became the youngest Islander defensemen with a three-assist game since Kenny Jonsson as the Isles improved to 3-0-1 at home, matching their best home start in 33 years.”

Arron Asham sat in with Shannon Hogan for intermissions & post game during Coyotes game.

Wilpon donates to Cuomo campaign with eyes on new stadium.

Jonathan Ledecky reveals location of proposed Islanders’ arena at Belmont.

10/14   Ken Hitchcock passes Arbour in on NHL’s all-time list with 783 victories.

Sound Tigers Notes:

Steve Bernier, Scott Eansor & others have been big factors lately.

10/11   Eamon McAdam (G) has been reassigned to the @RailersHC.

Isles Arena News: Ownership Answers Yormark, Adds Intention is Belmont

On October 9th, Brett Yormark of the Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment group gave an interview to John Lombardo of sportsbuisnessdaily.com. Yormark contends his aim is a Brooklyn centric approach to marketing the Barclays Center. When asked about the Islanders relationship while playing at the Barclays, Yormark said, “The economics just don’t work. It’s a Long Island team trying to create a fan base in Brooklyn, and to date it has been met with very modest success and not at the numbers we have hoped.” In January, Bloomberg News reported, "the owner of both Barclays and the Nets, Mikhail Prokhorov, shared a financial projection with prospective investors that showed the Islanders won’t contribute any revenue after the 2018-19 season.

John Ledecky, co-owner of the New York Islanders responded in kind with Newday. “I guess he’s saying that perhaps that the people on his side didn’t make a good deal … Unfortunately when the facility (Barclays) was built it was not built with hockey in mind,” Ledecky said.” The bad ice coupled with the many obstructed views and bad sight-lines has been a sore spot for most fans since the Islanders signed a 25-year lease in 2012 (started in ’15-16) that has an opt out clause built into the agreement for either side.

Yesterday, Jim Baumbach and Robert Brodsky wrote how Ledecky feels about the Islanders and their future venue plans. Those plans are to focus on putting a new state-of-the-art building on the Belmont property. Per Kevin Maher on Ledecky, “Islanders will win the RFP for Belmont site. At one point he corrected himself while talking to say "when we win it."

“We are locked and loaded on Belmont,” Ledecky said at a luncheon with reporters in Manhattan. “We have blinders on for Belmont. We are not looking at other places or other opportunities. We want to make Belmont a reality.” Newsday repeated, “The Islanders last month confirmed that they ‘submitted a comprehensive proposal to create a world-class sports and entertainment destination at Belmont Park.”

Brian Compton’s point is well taken on other destinations or rumors the team will move, “Ledecky and Malkin have pumped $60M into practice facility. Doesn’t sound like a team leaving town to me. Ledecky said he wants his legacy to be getting this building done and winning more Cups.” He wants it to be a legacy project for the franchise in an area that is “strategically located” with easy access to LIRR.

Jon Ledecky says Isles are contractually obligated to play at Barclays Center next year. He had no comment when asked where the team would play if the Belmont bid was turned down or even accepted and not ready for the team the following season. Per Newsday, “Ledecky said the Coliseum, which underwent a $165 million renovation and seats 13,900 for hockey, was not in consideration, citing its capacity and lack of luxury boxes and suites. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said last month that the Coliseum “is not a viable option” for the Islanders, even on a temporary basis.”

“Nassau and Suffolk lawmakers have urged the team to return to the Coliseum, with many expressing concern that a new Belmont arena could irreparably hurt the Coliseum’s ability to attract shows and drive revenue to the county.” Ledecky says total focus is on securing Belmont arena.

“We don’t want to be nomads,” he said. “We don’t want to be wandering folks. We want to be in our own home in a custom-built arena.” I think John Tavares and a legion of fans would agree.

The most used KoC JT picture in blog history because its awesome.

Isles Notes:

The Islanders are 1-1-1, 3 games in and sit 6^th in the Metro ahead of the Penguins and last place NYR. They play in Anaheim tonight at 10pm, SJ (10:30pm) on Saturday and LA on Sunday at 10:30pm. They conclude their road trip against the Rangers in MSG on Thursday, 10/19 at 7pm before a 2 game homestand against SJ (10/21) and ARI (10/24).

Sound Tigers Notes:

Eamon McAdam (G) has been reassigned to the @RailersHC.

The Islanders had 22 AHL grads on their opening night roster. There were 640 league wide.

Isles Ready For Friday After Strong Pre-Season

I must admit that this is the most excited I've been in years heading into game 1. Let's hope Islanders are brewing their perfect storm after a great preseason and team bonding, finishing with a 6-0-2 record. While the warm-up schedule isn’t usually games against full rosters or matched pairings, it was still a platform for the new look Isles to evaluate a few unset combinations themselves.

They could see a little more of what they had in some of the new guys and how some of the vets would rally behind the team’s mission this year. “I think they do count — we’ve got good vibes, confidence, the experience to be gained from winning a bunch of close games,” Weight said. “It bodes well for our group. We had a lot of our youth in those early games and we didn’t just win, we outplayed teams.” -Staple

Yesterday, the Islanders put Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier on waivers (cleared) and returned Devon Toews back to BST as well, despite a strong showings when called upon. It gives the Isles depth with two reliable, hard-working two veteran forwards and an exciting, speedy blueliner very close to making his presence felt in Toews. Per Stan Fischler, “Sorry to see two of my favorites, #StephenGionta and #SteveBernier put on waivers by @NYIslanders. Hard workers give way to ready kids.” That helped them get down to 23-manroster with Quine and Prince on IR. 13F, 8D, 2G, per Staple.

So, that means rookies Mathew Barzal, Josh Ho-Sang and Ryan Pulock all made the cut along with Anthony Beauvillier, Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech. That’s an infusion of youth that the new look coaching staff will expect big things from this year on both sides of the ice. “It starts with our coaches,” Casey Cizikas said. “They’ve drilled it into our heads from day one that anything mediocre isn’t acceptable. Every shift, every game, every practice, you have to bring your hard hat and get to work. Now we need a good few days of practice so we’re ready for Friday when the bell rings.” John Tavares has 3 points in 3 games, Anders Lee had 5 points in 5 games with a 23% shooting percentage and Jordan Eberle looked comfortable (1 & 2 in 5 games) on his new team. Even Clutterbuck (3 assists) and Cizikas (2 assists) made some early noise in 4 games. Ladd and Nelson (2 points in 5 games) along with Josh Bailey seem poised to benefit from some of the new speed expected to be found up front.

Mathew Barzal has been awesome (27% sp, 3 & 4 for a huge 7 pts in 5 gp /1.4 pts/game) along with Anthony Beauvillier (23% sp, 3 & 1 for 4 pts in 5 games) and have complimented each other well. "I think he's playing Friday," Weight said of Beauvillier. "He's been excellent in every aspect of the game. He's really taken on the PKs and he's an engine, he's working, he's skating better, he's put work in and he's a heck of a player." Josh Ho-Sang (3 helpers in 6 games) has really opened up the ice and been a presence during the preseason, just where he laft off from last season. And let’s consider the way the guys are standing up for each other. “Ho-Sang on his cross check/punch to Manning after Barzal hit: "Nobody messes with my boy." He was laughing when he said it.” – Staple.

Defensively, the Isles infused some youth to add speed and replace the toughness lost by the departure of Travis Hamonic. Ryan Pulock can add some transition and heat from the point while Pelech can stabilize from the Isles zone. Those additions along with Mayfield’s grit and confidence starting the odd-man rush, the young Isles D have a chance to shine this season under a new defensive scheme that won’t block as many shots, but one that’s poised to join the rush offensively. Per Arthur Staple, “Weight said tonight (final game vs Philly) was Pulock's best game of the preseason. Felt Mayfield was #Isles best player Friday in Buffalo.” The players seem to feel the same way. “I think we all accomplished the first goal, which is making the roster,” Mayfield said Sunday night. “Now you want to be a guy that can be an every-night player, someone who can be relied on to play a big role. That’s what all three of us are competing for and I think that competition made for good camps for all of us.” Couple them with some of the veterans on the blue-line and New York looks good on the back end. Johnny Boychuk (3 pts in 3 games) appears back on track and Seidenberg, Leddy, Hickey and de Haan look ready to get things started.

Jaroslav Halak (2-0 in 3gp, .974Sv% and .75gaa) and Thomas Greiss (2-0 in 3gp, .961Sv% and a 1.13gaa) seem ready to get their tandem duties in check and fight for the number one spot. Gibson, McAdam and Gudlevskis will fight it out on the farm and should offer the Isles some good depth in net when called upon.

While the PK has been consistently good, the Isles PP needs to be much better. I would again venture to say that it will dictate the success of their season. Perhaps some of the new blood and new overseers will help its cause. One can only hope. Isles open the season Friday night in Columbus.

"There's a lot of confidence," Beauvillier said. "We've played strong preseason games and it's fun when you win, it's always more fun. I just can't wait for Friday. Let's get it going."

Isles Notes:

Time to give up on Islanders’ return to Coliseum?

Per @HockeyGoalieEh, “Interesting - Tavares leads all NHL forwards in 5v5 ice team over the last three seasons at 3646.94.”

Sound Tigers Notes:

Casey Bailey (RW) has agreed to terms on an #AHL deal w/the #SoundTigers.

Seventh-year forward Ryan Bourque has agreed to terms on an #AHL deal.

NHL Notes:

10/2 Per Elliotte Friedman, “Jagr is done to CAL. $1M+$1M in bonuses. I think it might not be announced until he gets to the city, but there is a commitment.”

10/1 per Bob McKenzie, “DET has released P.A. Parenteau from his PTO.”

J.F. Berube was waived by Chicago yesterday.