John Tavares Named Captain

This afternoon, John Tavares was named the fourteenth Captain of your New York Islanders.  Tavares said, "I take this with great responsibility. It's not an easy thing but I don't think too much will change; goal remains the same."

Per islanders.nhl.com, Isles General Manager, Garth Snow had this to say about Tavares, “John has developed into an elite player in this league and become the leader of our franchise both on and off the ice,” Snow said. “He consistently represents our organization with class and respect. John’s work ethic and determination inspires his teammates to succeed, which makes him the perfect choice to lead our franchise.”

Tavares was third in the NHL with 28 and 19 for 47pts in 48 games in the 2012-13 lock-out shortened regular season. Tavares was recognized for his leadership and contributions to his team when he was announced as a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the league MVP.  The biggest team accomplishment for the season was making the playoffs for the first time since 2007.  Tavares lead the Isles with 5 points in six games of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal vs. Pittsburgh.

With international success playing for team Canada at the junior level, Tavares won back to back gold medals in 08' & 09' and was named "MVP" in 09.  He is among the tournaments top goal scorers and will get a chance to play for the Team Canada in the upcoming Sochi Olympics.  In 291 career NHL games, Tavares  has 112 and 137 for 249 pts. for the Islanders.  Per Arthur Staple, Tavares thanked two former Isles captains who helped guide him -- Doug Weight and Mark Streit. "Two guys that mean a lot to me."

Per islanders.nhl.com, Tavares had this to say, “I’m honored to be named captain of the New York Islanders, to represent my teammates, coaches, management and the incredible fans that support this historic franchise is something that I take seriously."  He continued, "My experiences over the past four seasons have prepared me for this responsibility and I look forward to the challenge of leading the Islanders each season as we contend for the Stanley Cup.”

There are several good players on the Islanders roster with strong leadership potential.  As for the Captaincy, there was only ever one choice for this team after the position was vacated.  Simply, the New York Islanders will go as John Tavares will go.  As his supporting cast improves, so will his ability to push for more and more as an elite player in the NHL.  Your New York Islanders already look to him for leadership and now, John Tavares has the spotlight right where he wants it.  On him.  Tavares will continue to step up and own the responsibility of his new role.  A role he has played his whole life, even among older team mates.  Tavares is a winner. And if he has anything to do with it, the Islanders will be as well.

Per Arthur Staple, on his team, Tavares said, "There's a misperception about the Isles.  A lot of that is changing."

Isles Notes:

Per Greg Picker, " Tavares is the first Isles captain drafted by the team since Bryan McCabe ('97-98)."

Per Arthur Staple, Seems likely D Radek Martinek will come to Isles camp on PTO.  Brad Boyes apparently choosing between Isles and one other team."  Garth Snow mentioned Martinek and Boyes could be back at the summer meeting of the Isles Booster Club.   

Per EyeOnHockey, "NHL Rumors: With Clemmensen out, Panthers looking for goalie. Rick Dipietro's name has been mentioned."

Per Ansar Khan, "Chris Osgood joins Fox Sports Detroit as game and studio analyst for 2013-14 season."

Per Newsday, Coliseum plan goes to lawmakers for vote on Sept. 23.

Isles Rookie Camp Notes

Your New York Islanders Rookie Camp roster has been released.  Keep in mind, there is most likely a forward, defensive and it is slightly possible, there is a goaltending position on the big club available to a viable prospect.  However, due to his illness last season, even Nilsson lacks the minimal experience that Kevin Poulin barely has as an NHL back-up.  I highlighted my picks ( * ) for prospects that might be able to crack the line up this season if they look good in camp.  The other way to make the big club is in the event of an injury.

 

Forwards

Clark, Jason                                    6'2              202 lbs.
Crus Rydberg, Victor                     5'11            186 lbs.
Diamond, Joe                                   5'8              172 lbs.
Halmo, Mike                                     5'11            196 lbs.
*Kabanov, Kirill                                6'3              196 lbs.
Lee, Anders                                    6'3              219 lbs.
Miller, Greg                                      6'0              187 lbs.       
*Nelson, Brock                                 6'4              200 lbs.
Persson, John                                 6'2              219 lbs.
Quine, Alan                                     5'11            190 lbs.
*Strome, Ryan                                  6'1              188 lbs.
Sundstrom, Johan                         6'3              196 lbs.
Wetmore, Riley                                6'0               195 lbs.

Defensemen

Burroughs, Kyle                            5'11             184 lbs.
Cantin, Marc                                   6'1               205 lbs.
Dalhuisen, Mike                              6'2                231 lbs.       
*de Haan, Calvin                            6'1                187 lbs.
*Donovan, Matt                              6'1               198 lbs.
Graham, Jesse                              5'11             168 lbs.
Jackson, Dallas                              6'2                198 lbs.
Keenan, Mike                                 6'0               180 lbs.
Leduc, Loic                                   6'6               213 lbs.
Mayfield, Scott                             6'5               206 lbs.
*Ness, Aaron                                  5'10              181 lbs.
Pedan, Andrey                              6'3               208 lbs.
Pelech, Adam                               6'3               211 lbs.
Pulock, Ryan                                6'1               214 lbs.
Reinhart, Griffin                           6'5               205 lbs.

Goaltenders

Milner, Parker                               6'0               184 lbs.
*Nilsson, Anders                          6'5               227 lbs.
Reiter, Ken                                   5'10              173 lbs.

 

 

The Islanders organization has signed seven of those players to tryout contracts.

"The New York Islanders announced today the signing of seven players to NHL tryout contracts. Goaltender Ken Reiter and defenseman Dallas Jackson agreed to professional tryout contracts (PTO) while forwards Greg Miller and Riley Wetmore, defensemen Mike Dalhuisen and Mike Keenan and goaltender Parker Milner all signed amateur tryout contracts (ATO)."

 

Isles Notes:

Former Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro has put his Upper Brookville home on the market for $5.9 million dollars.

 

 

##   I will be away for the weekend, but plan on catching up on any camp news that happens by early next week.   ##

Training Camp & Captain Tavares

Your New York Islanders will open for business this week at NVMC starting with a rookie camp from Sept 6th thru the 10th.  The remainder of the Islanders players arrive on Sept 11th for check-in and team physicals.  Then, the 2013-14 NYI hit the ice as a team at the Barclays Center on Monday, Sept 12th to open the team's first official practices in Brooklyn.

Details are as follows:

Per Dominik at Lighthouse Hockey, "For the Sept. 6-10 prospect camp, the roster includes Calvin de Haan, Matt Donovan, Kirill Kabanov, Anders Lee, Scott Mayfield, Brock Nelson, Anders Nilsson, Andrey Pedan, Ryan Pulock, Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Strome, Johan Sundstrom "and other Islanders prospects."

Per Arthur Staple, " Isles will hold first training camp practice at Barclays Center on 9/12, as per @KMaherNews12. Session in Bklyn is not open to the public .... They will have their new captain in place by the start of camp, I'm told -- @91Tavares will be named early next week."

 

Isles Notes:

Per Isles Booster Club, " Catch @NYIslanders GM, Garth Snow on @IslesSection317's radio show this Sunday at 9:40 pm on @sportsradiony!"  KoC supports Gary Harding and the NYI's Booster Club.

Per Brian Compton, " Former Isles draft pick David Toews has signed with the ECHL's Reading Royals."

NHL Notes:

 

Per Chris Botta, "NHL's 2012 tax filing shows Gary Bettman's salary as $8.3 million. NHL financial data in this week's @SBJSBD."

Thank You Trevor Gillies

With a more consistent coaching effort and the continued evolution of super-star, John Tavares, the New York Islanders have improved a lot in past 3 seasons, culminating with a playoff appearance in the 2012-13 campaign.  Matt Moulson, Frans Nielsen, Michael Grabner,Travis Hamonic, Lubomir Visnovsky and Evgeni Nabokov are just a few players who share in the teams enhanced play.  This years batch of call-ups should make the team even better.  Garth Snows plan is finally showing signs of paying off.

 

After drafting John Tavares in 2009, the rebuild that started in 2006 really came into focus.  While Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey have recently started to show more and more examples that they are finding their game, the Islanders struggled to fit their new blue chip prospects into skilled positions and produce the offense required by the organization.  1st overall pick, John Tavares also struggled while he adjusted to the pro-game with his strength and man-to-man skating early on.

 

To me, it all seamed to change when a career minor leaguer named Trevor Gillies was signed by Garth Snow only a year after saying that his Islanders didn't need true enforcers in the line up.  Gillies played in only 14 games his first year with the Isles, 39 in the second and just 3 in the third before being sent down to Bridgeport for the final time, scoring just 1 goal and 3 assists for the Isles with a combined 240 PIM's.  He lead by example and his snarl seemed to fire up his team mates. 

Just look at the Feb 12th game from the 2011-12 season known unofficially as "the brawl."  The Islanders chose to make a big statement to the rest of the league that they weren't going to sit back and be pushed around by anyone.  After taking a big lead, the Isles had to answer for "liberties" being taken by Pittsburgh and did so in a big way, while outmanning the depleted Pens and winning the game in a 9-3 blowout.

No one would say that Gillies was a goal scorer, but what they didn't need to speak about was his level of competition, heart and commitment to his team.  So much so, that with him in the line up, a not so good Isles squad had a winning record and young Islanders like Matt Martin and Michael Haley seemed to follow his lead, or at least feed off his fiery play.  Gillies brought an energy and mean streak similar to a Rich Pilon or Clark Gillies.  With him in the line up, the tone of games were grittier and seemed to tolerate much less in the way of physicality by visiting teams.

Although Michael Haley is no longer with the team, Matt Martin's maturation as a physical player and a team leader has been evident.  New Isles additions, Colin McDonald and Casey Cizikas are high energy, impact players who are part of a revamped Isles physical brand of play beyond just offensive and defensive responsibility.  Need further evidence?  When Nino Niederreiter was no longer expected to fill a role in the future of the New York Islanders, he was sent to the Minnesota Wild for Cal Clutterbuck.  Clutterbuck is from the same mold of grit and offense, and a seasoned pro who will make the Islanders even more difficult to play against both now and for years to come.

I credit Garth Snow and the Isles Organization for drafting players like Martin and Cizikas and signing under the radar free agents like McDonald as a part of the system.  They may end up to be more complete hockey players, better equipped for the modern game. 

After not being resigned by the Islanders, Trevor Gillies signed with Chekhov Vityaz of the KHL in 2012 and this year, per Juha Hiitela, Trevor Gillies signed with HIFK in Finnish league to continue with his pro career.

 

To some, Trevor Gillies is an aging tough guy whose talents are only viable in Europe and over seas.  To me, Trevor Gillies is part of a dying breed of enforcer, who is always a fan favorite where ever he plays.  His value is more than just protecting a teams star player or trying to jumpstart his team mates in a struggling effort.  His presence for a team in the locker room and from their bench is also a big part of his game.

I am grateful that he came along when he did, because even though he was in the Islanders line up for just barely over 2 seasons, the example he set will be timeless to a team that needed his spark.  He was at very least, a style of play, character and heart that will act as a resounding echo for future Islander teams. 

 

 

Isles Notes:

Per News 12, Kevin Maher, The New York Islanders will kick off camp on Thursday, Sept. 17th.

AUTOGRAPH SIGNING REMINDER: @ColinMcDonald13 will be at the NVMC Team Store Wed. September 4th at 6 PM.

Per Steve Lepore, "Devils will have one pre-season game on TV (against, yes, the Rangers), Isles will have none. Disappointed game at Barclays isn't on TV.  ... Islanders: 65 games on MSG Plus, 13 games on MSG Plus 2, 4 games on NBCSN. ... Devils and Islanders will both have 13 games on MSG Plus 2 this season. Was much further out of balance in the past."

The Schwenningen Wild Wings have signed former Sound Tigers defensemen,  Ty Wishart.

The Winnipeg Jets have signed former Islanders prospect defenceman, Brenden Kichton to a three-year two-way contract. AAV of $620,000. 2013 7th round pick.

Per Brenden Kichton, "Thanks for all the congrats! Very excited to have signed my first contract with the Jets! Ready to get started on a great year!"

 

Hockey Notes:

 

Per Associated Press, "US judge: NFL, players reach proposed $765M settlement of concussion-related lawsuits. (4,500 litigants.)"  How might this affect the issue among players in the NHL?

Who & When, Is Who Playing ... Where?

While Individual Islanders tickets will go on sale Sept. 3, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers have released their 2013-14 season schedule.  They open against W/S Pens and are home for their first 5 games of the AHL season.  Their games are a great time for any Isles fan.  If you haven't gotten to Bridgeport, you should do so soon.

 

Recently, there has been a bit of a fan ripple about even where the Sound Tigers will play after the Coliseum development plan was announced with Forest City Ratner at the wheel.  Ed Mangano mentioned the Islanders' owned, Sound Tigers would be coming to play at the Coliseum soon, despite being contractually obligated to their CT. home for another 8 years.  Sound Tigers President, Howard Saffan says the team is committed to Bridgeport and are focused on their 13th home opener on October, 5th.

 

Michael Fornabaio mentions that If the Sound Tigers move on, Harbor Yard's active sports agreement mandates a professional hockey tenant in the facility.  Its no secret that if the BST move, the Hardford Wolfpack would probably be the most obvious tenant for the building.

 

 

 

 

 

"It's wonderful that Barclays is the developer," Saffan said. "We wholeheartedly support that. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

So Ratner and Mangano spoke on more details for the development of the Coliseum.  It seems the Isles will fulfill the final year of their lease and open the 2015 season in Brooklyn. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Isles are still expected to play 6 games in their newly renovated, former home when applicable.  Chris Botta nails it when he mentioned the press conference regarding the development of the NVMC HUB property, "Nassau County politicians lost the New York Islanders and are now taking bows at the site where 4 straight Stanley Cups were won."

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

Isles forward @ColinMcDonald13 will be at the NVMC Team Store on Wednesday, September 4th!

Per nhlfreeagents.com, Former Isles (F) Petteri Nokelainen signed by Brynäs of the SHL (Sweden).

Per @EyeOnHockey, "NHL All-time teams: Today it's the New York Islanders."  

 

NHL Notes:

 

The NHL salary cap could reportedly rise to $80 million by 2017-18.       

 

 

**My thanks to all of my readers who come to me from Facebook and similar sources.  As a fan blogger, my only intention is to share Isles information and give my position on the team and its future.  All I ever want to do is be a fan with all of you and I feel fortunate to give you my take on the New York islanders in this way.**

The Coliseum To Be Developed By ....

After Charles Wang and Nassau County struggled to agree on a plan to redevelop the NVMC HUB over several years and after Millions of dollars were spent in planning research, there was little hope the Isles would remain tied to the Coliseum in any way.  Things would get even more strange when the rival Rangers only got a 10 year lease extension after a pricey renovation of MSG and the floundering Devils apparent bankruptcy looming before being sold along with the Prudential Center today to Josh Harris and company, The Islanders finally found a home at Brooklyn's state-of-the-art Barclays Center for a long time to come.  But Nassau County and their crumbling Coliseum would remain without any real plans of resurrection, until today.

 

Nassau County has announced Forest City Ratner, Barclays Center has won the right to redevelop Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  That meant James Dolan and MSG were out maneuvered and out worked in an attempt to land the HUB project.  This came as a great relief to most Isles fans who weren't too excited about shrines of MSG in the hallowed halls where their Islanders celebrated the achievements of bringing four straight Stanley Cups to Long Island.  Isles Fans-1, Dolan and MSG-0.

 

Kevin Schultz of IPB notes, "I think a lot of people underestimated the Wang-Ratner-Mangano connection. All three have worked with each other on various phases."

 

Per Laura Figueroa, "Ed Mangano says he will join NEC (Forest City Ratner) officials at Nassau Coliseum Friday at 11a to announce plans for programming."  In addition, "Mangano said there has been "no talk" about Isles breaking Aug 1 2015 lease to play at coliseum. NEC plan would bring team for 6 games."  Figueroa mentioned, "Mangano said Bruce Ratner proposal offered $1.4M more annually in revenue than MSG."

 

Another scenario to keep in mind would be for the Islanders Organization to relocate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Isles top affiliate (AHL) to a renovated Coliseum. Per Murphy Siegel, "Every single Isles fan needs to hold their horses. Sound Tigers' lease in CT doesn't terminate until 2021. Nassau will have to wait."

 

I was just as thrilled as everyone else when I heard the news this morning, but fans need to be realistic.  They need to understand although this move "may" enable the Isles to get out of their lease and start playing in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center a year early, it WONT mean the Isles could return to the Coliseum.  That is a long term deal and a business venture by all involved.  The Islanders will improve in Brooklyn.

 

Per Chris Botta, " MSG statement on Coliseum (excerpts): MSG still feels it has best "and most realistic" plan for Nassau ... So MSG will put up a fight, Mangano decision has to go to Legislature, and there's an election in November. Coliseum saga not quite over."

Raised in a Barn T-Shirt available from Tri-State CO-OP.

 

Per Brett Yormark, "Next up nassau. Really excited to bring the best to long island. Work starts now."

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes For Early August

Members of the New York Islanders and New York Rangers along with the New Jersey Devils met with NHL executives met at Yankee Stadium Thursday, August 8th to discuss their involvement in the 2014 Coors Light Stadium Series.  Islanders, John Tavares threw out a first pitch (with Greene and Girardi) at a game between the Yankees and Tigers in the stadium the following day.

The Islanders will host the Rangers on January 29 seen on the NHL Network, three days after the Rangers and Devils do battle in similar fashion.

Per islanders.nhl.com, “It sure will be a great event not just individually, but as a team to showcase where we want to get to and where we're headed,” Tavares said. “Growing up with backyard rinks and ponds in Canada, it's going to have a special feeling. To be playing in New York, at Yankee Stadium – we probably won’t realize just how special it is until afterward or maybe during the game while we’re taking it all in.”

 

 

Per Arthur Staple, Moulson on contract situation: "Thats what I pay my agent for. I’m going to try to help this team win games and make sure my mind’s on that."

 

Per nhlfreeagents.com, "Former Winnipeg Jets (F) Jason Gregoire signed by Södertälje of Allsvenskan (Sweden2)."  Gregorie was a former Isles prospect who used a contractual loophole to leave Isles organization along with Blake Kessel who is currently an unrestricted free agent without a team.  Grass looks greener, huh guys?  How about you Brenden Kichton?

IPB:  Coliseum Developer to Be Announced Wednesday.

UPDATE:

Per Chris Botta, "Coliseum announcement postponed until tomorrow (Thursday) in wake of news of Nassau police officer Mohit Arora's shooting."

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Bridgeport Sound Tigers signed (F) Justin Johnson, (F) Ben Rosen, (D) Mathieu Coderre-Gagnon, (D) Sean Escobedo and (G) Parker Milner.

 

NHL Notes:

Per Adam Proteau, "For what it's worth, I heard from a veteran hockey executive today who thinks the NHL's next expansion will put teams in Seattle...& Vegas."

Hockey Notes:

National Junior Evaluation Camp finals: USA 5, Canada 1. SOG: USA 13 (25 total), CAN 5 (25 total). Shore scores twice, Gillies stops 24 shots.

 

The Long Island Dragons Hockey Team is back!

 

Incredibly sad news: A 16-year-old junior hockey prospect has died after collapsing during a QMJHL training camp.