Monthly Archives: September 2009
UPDATED at 9:00 am – A pair of follow-up thoughts to the notes below. Make no mistake: Saturday’s game will be a sellout, maybe even before Saturday. And with Doug Weight likely out for at least the opener, would not be surprised if the Islanders handed out more than two As. This would open the door for both Richard Park and Brendan Witt, plus maybe a youngin.
11:15 pm - A series of notes and observations while in Boston for my paying gig…
The Islanders are hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at the legendary Adventureland. (I mean, what Long Island kid doesn’t have a memory from that joint?). For 15 bucks, you get access to the rides from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. From 11-12:15, players are available for autographs. (Season ticketholders get an extra hour before that). I took a few kids there in August for my son’s birthday. Cost me $25 a head, so even if you don’t get anywhere near Tavares, if you meet a few fourth-liners and FMIV and go on a bunch of rides, that’s not a bad value. Follow the link for ticket info or call 1.800.882.ISLES on Friday. Tell them Botta sent you so they understand people still read the blog.
Since the Lighthouse lease press conference is Thursday, I would think the Islanders will announce their new captain on Friday at practice. I have it as Mark Streit edging out Doug Weight, which is as it should be. Weight will be the ideal alternate and sounding board for Streit. Personally, I’d give Richard Park the other A (and give him another year on his contract when they can), but Garth Snow and Scott Gordon could choose someone else.
As far as I can tell, surprisingly no one has picked up on this. The Yankees hosting a college football bowl game at the Stadium between Christmas and New Year’s for at least the next four years would seem to take the Bronx out of the running for an NHL Outdoor Game. If it’s any consolation, the NHL wasn’t picking the Islanders for the game anytime soon – a disgrace, but reality.
The Islanders sent out a press advisory tonight to announce that there will be no printed version of this year’s Media Guide – at least for the media. Press box bozos like yours truly will only receive the media guide info via flash drive.
The season opener on Saturday night – the NHL debut of John Tavares vs. Crosby, Malkin and the Cup champs – is still not sold out. Getting aggressive, today the Islanders announced a package for the game: purchase a “Lower Bowl VIP” ticket and Tavares Rbk T-shirt for $149.95. The team says this is a value of $205. That must be some t-shirt; if yours doesn’t fit, send them my way for the kids. Email customerservice@newyorkislanders.com to order.
I understand the Nate Thompson stuff. Spit, Nate Thompson understands the Nate Thompson stuff. Fourth-line grinders on last place teams get guff. That’s life. But it’s funny to read the Matt Lashoff stuff. Sure, the Islanders need upgrades at talent and toughness more than anyone, but today the entire friggin’ league passed on the chance to acquire Matt for nothing. Since he couldn’t break the Lightning lineup, now he plays for Norfolk of the AHL. Forgive me for not getting worked up about passing on Lashoff.
C’mon, admit it. I know what you’re thinking. With Calvin de Haan returned to junior, you’re gonna miss what could have been months of my obsessive “They shoulda let CdH go to the WJC” rants.
From the press box of the Boston Garden, I’ll be live blogging/chatting during the season opener on Thursday between the Bruins and Capitals. While we can’t make it all about the Islanders – no really, we can’t – I hope you’ll join me at NHL FanHouse.
1:05 pm - Rechlicz, Thompson and one-way dealers remain. Other than rise of Moulson and pickup of Schremp, camp goes as expected. Reader poll after Lighthouse thread.
10:25 am - As written exclusively here on Saturday and ignored by the “mainstream,” Tom Suozzi is hosting a press conference on Thursday to announce a finalized lease for the Lighthouse. The project and the fate of the Islanders is now in the hands of the Town of Hempstead. I’ll be in Boston for Caps-Bruins for FanHouse, so follow Nick, Lighthouse on Twitter, Newsday and elsewhere. Also remember that the mainstream is convinced Brooklyn is not an option.
WARNING: the following is a “development”-free, one Comment-per-reader zone.
There are at least six teams in the Eastern Conference that at this time I cannot fathom the Islanders having a better record than this season:
Northeast: Boston
Southeast: Washington, Carolina
Atlantic: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Jersey
These six would appear to be mortal locks to make the playoffs, even if they endure some significant injuries. If you think this is the year Brodeur and the Devils hit the skids, we’ll have to agree to disagree.
That leaves only two playoff spots. So which of the other teams in the East will the Islanders be superior to in 2009-10?
The Rangers? I don’t see it – not with Lundqvist in net.
Buffalo? Toronto? Montreal? I doubt it.
Ottawa? Florida? Maybe one of them.
Tampa Bay? Add Victor Hedman in front of a healthy Mike Smith and the Bolts shouldn’t be so bad.
Atlanta? The Thrashers seem to have trouble getting out of their own way, so it’s possible. I do like them finally realizing giving Kovalchuk some pals to play with is the way to go.
Look, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about development. No question, Josh Bailey is going to be better. John Tavares will score enough goals to make everyone happy. Hopefully, the Islanders do the right thing with Calvin de Haan. For this discussion, the subject is the Islanders in the here and now. This thread is not for, “As long as X gets better and the kids progress in Bridgeport and juniors,” or “The season will be a success if Y gets 20 goals and…”
No, no, no. There will be plenty of other days for that. Those days will likely be known as “March” and “April.”
Last I checked, the Islanders were charging NHL prices. (As a matter of fact, they’re charging fans even more for certain games on certain dates against certain teams – including the still-not-sold-out home opener). Last I checked, the Islanders were charging $380 for an authentic jersey lettered and numbered. Last I checked, the Islanders came in last in 2008-09. Where is the bar set for this season?
So today’s question is black and white: where will the Islanders finish in the Eastern Conference standings in 2009-10? And if you believe the Islanders have any chance of making the playoffs, please identify the seven teams they will be better than. I do not.
The Point Blank forecast: the Islanders will finish 8 games below NHL .500 – good for 12th in the East.
This is a one Comment-per-reader thread. Please stay on point. Thank you.
9:28 - Final.
9:19 – Rechlicz takes his third fighting major, pushes Colin White as he leaves the ice with game misconduct.
9:15 – Brendan Shanahan makes it 4-2 off a feed from Bergfors.
8:37 – Parise to Zajac makes it 3-2 with two minutes left in the second.
8:30 – Streit and Rolston PP goals make it 2-2. Dwayne Roloson throws a punch.
8:12 – Devils tie it up on a goal by You-Know-Who.
8:06 – Jack Hillen power play goal early second gives Islanders 1-0 lead. Matt Moulson picks up his 5th assist of the preseason.
8:00 pm - Fourth line challenger Jeremy Reich broke his wrist in a first period fight.
Early contender for Tweet of the season by Katie Strang: “(Rechlicz) has definitely shown he can take a punch.”
Here’s the Islanders’ lineup for tonight’s preseason tilt in New Jersey. The D is set. It’s only a question of whether they sign and keep Calvin de Haan (out with groin strain) for the start of the season. Matt Moulson has been the good surprise of camp. He will likely stick. Most other decisions at forward revolve around the availability of Kyle Okposo, Trent Hunter and Doug Weight for Saturday’s season opener. The addition of Rob Schremp is not good news for Greg Moore.
The game can be heard with Devils announcers Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross calling the action on wfan.com. With de Haan out, this game has few storylines for Islanders fans to follow. Besides Moulson, bubble players are merely playing to be injury replacements for Saturday.
Bergenheim – Tavares – Moulson
Tambellini – Bailey – Sim
Smith – Moore – Comeau
Reich - Marcinko – Rechlicz
Streit – Martinek
Witt – Hillen
Sutton – Meyer
Roloson
Biron
Commentary by Scott Gordon, Martin Biron, Mike Bossy, Peter Laviolette, Tavares and others, along with some predictions from the press box. Please discuss at FanHouse.
11:50 am - The Islanders have claimed center Rob Schremp on waivers from Edmonton. The former first round pick comes with a reputation for cockiness. Especially with Frans Nielsen out, this is a worthwhile, cheap pickup for the Islanders.
It will also present quite a challenge for Scott Gordon. As skilled as Schremp may be, several teams in the league passed up the chance to trade a draft pick for him. Although we have heard reports of Edmonton’s AHL affiliate being a mess last season, Schremp posted pathetic numbers in the minor leagues for someone of his ability: 7 goals and 42 points in 69 games. Robbie Schremp, this is your wakeup call.
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