FLYERS at NYI, 7:05 pm: KO on Rakh…JB on the AHL…Fail vs. Philly…Six games til’ “Fall”…Petrov
11:30 am, the Lighthouse at Wang Island: If you had told Garth Snow that last night Carolina would win in Montreal and Tampa Bay would win in Pittsburgh, I imagine the cool, calm, poised and practical GM would have said, “Holy #@$&*%$*&#@”!
Those upset, but hardly upsetting wins, coupled with the knowledge the Lightning and Panthers meet in the final two games of the season, puts the Islanders in a pretty good position to get a top-four pick or better.
Soundbites
Kyle Okposo on the signing of Rhett Rakhshani: “Great news for us. I’ve known him since we started playing against each other at 14. When we were 15, Bryan Trottier coached us on a USA Select team. We had good chemistry together at my second World Junior Championships and when we were at an Islanders prospect camp. Skilled, smart, shifty player. Kind of on the small side, but he uses it to his advantage. I’m looking forward to being his teammate again.”
Josh Bailey on joining Bridgeport for the playoffs: “As a player, you want to be in the playoffs. I think it will be great for me to get back into a playoff atmosphere. I’ve been following the Sound Tigers and where they are in the standings the last few days. I’m really looking forward to it, so I hope they can get in. Through the prospect camps and training camps, a lot of those guys have become good friends. It would be a privilege to play with them in the playoffs, and a good step for me.”
Starting goalie Martin Biron: “It’s about trying to make something of this season. This last stretch, getting some regular starts and playing well, it feels good. This has been a chance to get back into regular work habits. At this point, it’s not like I want to go out and prove myself. All I’m interested in doing in helping my team win some games.”
Richard Park on the Flyers’ dominance: “They’ve exposed every weakness we had in the games we’ve played against them. They’ve played well. We haven’t for stretches. Things have gone their way. We have to end that.”
Jon Sim on the Flyers: “They are a pain in the ass to play against. I don’t think their size is that big a deal, at least it isn’t for me – and I’m not the biggest guy. A win tonight against the Flyers would be good for morale. We need to win as many of these last six as we can and finish strong.”
I like you, Jon, but no you don’t!
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Notes: Brian Boucher starts for the Flyers, who will be without suspended agitator Daniel Carcillo. Scott Gordon is looking for his first win over Philadelphia. As you may have heard – according to the Elias Sports Bureau – the Flyers have won a whole bunch in a row over the Islanders.
The playoffs out of reach, the Islanders are now offering a TicketMaster special where you can get 40% off tickets for the team’s remaining 2009-10 home games. Seriously.
The Islanders have signed Kirill Petrov to a 12-year contract. In a statement, Kirill the Thrill revealed that his name is really Kenny Peters, he’s from Sudbury and the whole KHL, Ak Bars and “He’s never leaving Russia thing” was a scam so the Islanders could steal him in the third round of 2008. “Meet me at the Lighthouse,” said an exuberant Peters.
Comments on this post and tonight’s game.
62 Responses to FLYERS at NYI, 7:05 pm: KO on Rakh…JB on the AHL…Fail vs. Philly…Six games til’ “Fall”…Petrov
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cgs878 says:
Tonight will be awesome when the Islanders break their losing streak against the Flyers AND Biron is in goal for the win! Let’s go Islanders!!
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Marc says:
Nice ending to your post. Chris. I was hoping you were going to say that Kate Murray is tonight’s starting goalie for the Islanders and won’t wear pads or a helmet. Of course, we’d have to root for a handful of pucks to get past her before a few don’t. She’s a fool year-round, not just in April.
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kurvers28 says:
Tampa also plays Carolina on Tuesday. More good news.
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Lorne says:
One would think the Petrov news was an April Fools gag. Very clever.
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Phil says:
HAHAHAHA – APRIL FOOLS – KRILL THE THRILL!
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Ethan K says:
I think the Rakhshani signing is great. He fits into Gordon’s system well. He won’t be the next Gaborik, but remember what the Red Wings do – they stock their system with players that can jump right in. Having a few clones at the Bridgeport level is a good thing for when we have our surplus of injuries.
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Since72 says:
Kenny Peters from Sudbury. Really funny
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Eric Cup says:
Where would I find this ticketmaster 40% off special?
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Alex Kinkead says:
The Lighthouse at Wang Island lol
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OhNoItsComeau57 says:
Im with #8 whats the code?
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Irish Isle says:
I just hope Kenny has a free parking spot written into his contract
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neologizer says:
It actually more like a 70% discount and its from the lone remaining sucker trying to hawk tickets at the hempstead turnpike parking entrance
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Steve says:
I thought the 40% off ticket price would be the April Fools’ Day joke.
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1972 means I'm Old says:
“…after 38 years of being a provincial organization that demands all of its fans to own cars or not attend our half-empty arena, the Islanders have decided to provide bus service from the Port Authority in NYC to the NVMC before and after each game…”
Now that’s the ultimate April Fools joke…. See you in New Joisey on April 10th, Isles—at least the Devils know how to provide two transportation hubs to their new arena—and they’re gettin’ the dough from me.
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Cannot wait for an article providing info on the top 5 prospects available. I really want #2-3 though.
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CJCB says:
I predict an Isle fight tonight, AHHH April fools!!! Does anyone realize that teams are in the 70′s for team fighting totals, yet the Isles are ranked 27th and have like 25. Yeah i can see peoples points that there is not more fighting in the NHL. Your watching to much Isles hockey, BORING!!!
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I would so love to see Biron get a win tonight over the Flyers! What will it take???
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DoubleW says:
why not a 15 year deal… they have a lot of luck with those!
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Staten Islander says:
7th..it’ll take a whip, a gun and a chair. that said, I want them to finally break thru against the Flyers too
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Jzimm says:
Here’s to Brian Boucher returning to 2000 form. I actually see the Islanders winning tonight… just part of the cruel (not April Fools) joke.
Thankfully we end our schedule against strong teams. As pointed out in an earlier post, Carolina plays Tampa Bay, and in the last game of the season, Tampa Bay and Florida go head-to-head. Go Leafs Go, let’s root to stand pat on April 13th. (Pick 2nd)
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Jerky says:
CB, are you mocking Wang? He’s an accomplished businessman who would never sign a hockey player to a contract longer than 5 years. Especially a goaltender. You mock what you don’t understand!
With regard to the Rakhshani signing, I don’t know anything more about him that what I’ve read on this site but do we really need another small in size player? I’m hoping Snow and his crew reverse the trend of drafting/signing smaller players beginning this offseason.
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Izzy Franchise says:
Quite honestly, any wins over the course of the rest of the season won’t help at all. No need to get all crazy and root for one more win people. C’mon..enough already. We get another top draft pick, hopefully sign a couple free agents and and move on.
However…for me, this is the last draft for us that id like to see a top 1-5 pick.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Great way to wrap it up with the April Fools gag … Oh and I second that statement to Sim … “Oh no you don’t”
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I look forward to seeing Rhett join the team at training campe … Oh wait … they’ll be in China … scratch that. -
hale78 says:
cb do any of your bosses come in and tell you to be bad today..write a dud of an article for fanhouse…no…of course not..you can’t ask these guys to lose on purpose..its just silly
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Eric says:
This is the last draft the Islanders will be in the top 5. Well we better hope for that unless Tavares, Okposo and Bailey all miss 2 months next season. I just dont see the Islanders finishing in the bottom 5 next season unless they have some serious injuries and/or roli gets hurt or just has a terrible season. I see roli playing another 2-4 years in the nhl and I think he has another 1-2 more strong years in him. Since I expect this to be the last time we finish this low, I want to go all out and get a top 3 pick. Here’s to praying we get the 2nd overall pick and get SEGUIN!
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pat says:
Lol i read it like 6 times and was really confused. im glad the posters here could help me out with pointing out todays date.
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Islesfan999 says:
I can only hope we lose tonight and at least 4 of the next 6. Id be happiest if lost the last 6 and got the 2nd pick!!!
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MSA says:
TSN Newsflash – Following a time honored tradition of in house promotions, owner Wang has announced that Goalie Rick DiPietro has replaced Garth Snow as GM of the struggling NY Islanders.
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jeff says:
It’s unbelievable that with all the talent on the TBL, they are likely to grab another top draft choice.
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Onesinceforty says:
CB,
Do you think the Islanders will offer a contract to prospect Sidd Finch? I think he is out of Junior eligibility now. What is his upside?
Will he be at the prospect camp? -
WM says:
# 30, Jeff – have you seen Tampa’s defense and goaltending? Yeesh.
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YabbaDabbaDooDoo says:
CB speaking about Garth Snow: “… I imagine the cool, calm, poised and practical GM…”
April fool, right?
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Brian G says:
I heard a rumor that is you sign on for a 5 year season ticket package you get to go to China with the team for training camp.
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Jim Clark says: Let’s go Islanders and beat the Flyers tonight. That will help our big brothers, the Rangers, in their quest for the 8th playoff spot. After all, NCVMC is the Rangers second home arena when you are honest about it.
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islanders1984 says:
Top 3 would be awesome. Kesler better pan out for the leafs. I can’t beleive they don’t own the rights to that 1st round pick, which will likely be top 3
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IslesRock says:
I wish Rakhshani all the best, but the Isles will never become a serious playoff team by drafting, signing, or trading for undersized players. I hope this long term trend is broken in this years draft and FA signings.(If any)
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Jim Clark says:
Sidney Crosby is 5′ 11″. I wonder if the Islanders were to get him in a trade, fans would complain he’s undersized….
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RAMen says:
love the Sidd Finch reference!
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Strummer's Army says:
#40 Crosby is 5’11″ (same as me) but he’s not undersized at all. He’s famous for his tree trunk legs (like Paul Leboutillier), verys strong core and increasing upper body strength. I don’t like Sid’s whinny attitude and dirty play but he trains hard and plays with aggression. Isles fans don’t like small guys or even big ones who play soft and don’t train hard. Ovechenkin is talking about how is goal this summer is to get up to 245 lbs. Haven’t heard any of the Isles mention anything like that. Thing I remember them most excited about this year was their big trip to Mexico during the Olympics. How long has Hunter been here and he’s added no size.
This year if it is close between two prospects Isles need to take the bigger guy who plays with an edge.
Anyway, someone posted last night that Isles would be serious when they were playing in the propsect tournament and not going to China (excellent point)!
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Rob76 says:
Why do you guys want to see a win tonight over Philly? So that we can beat them when it means nothing other than ruining our Lottery chances. Lets break the streak against them NEXT year when we have a playoff shot and have Seguin or Fowler in the lineup
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B says:
Top 3 is what we need!! Yeah i hate seeing them lose, but if it lands us another top notch player, then im all for it. Lose every game 6-5 haha; go out there and try some new things, have fun and be creative-it will help for next season…Kenny Peters come on down!!
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Metalcoconut says:
Hey CB,
Don’t you mean that they signed Yashin to a 12 year contract? Sadly enough, the 12 year contract is not that too far fetched considering the moves that have been made. Your joke is almost believable.
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EAF says:
top 3 would be nice. but who is “another top notch player” that we have. I don’t think we have any
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#40, Jim Clark, I know CB does not like the back and forth with posters, but studs like Sid the Kid do not come along that often. The Isles have a long history of drafting, trading for, and signing undersized players. Our “power” forwards are Hunter and Jackman. Our best hitting d man is Freddy Meyer (5’10″), and our 5’11″ studs” are Tamby, Sim, Park, Schremp, Nielsen, Weight….. and lets not forget old friends like Hilbert and Comrie.
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Bri On LI says:
thanks for the April Fools joke, CB! Damn near threw up on my laptop.
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Nobody says:
#18, how boring were the red wings when they were last in the league in fights and winning cups? I want the excitement of winning/playoff hockey (where ya never c a fight). Who gives a rats a** about number of fights? Give me more GF fewer GA and more wins…screw the rediculous and unnecessary calculation of number of fights!!!
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The New Isles GM says:
So we’re hoping for Tampa Bay and Florida to win the rest of their games…and have them split the last two? Also, assuming the Isles lose the rest…I’m down with that.
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bob l says:
#49, actually, split the last two in SO fashion,
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Chris Mc says:
Hello,Islander fans…Top 4 will be fine. Although you can’t argue with Hall or Seguin (I’d rather Hall on the wing for this team), the best pick for this team is Erik Gudbranson. At almost 6’4″, 200 lbs, this kid is what we need on our blueline, size coupled with offensive ability. And if we had the 4th pick, Fowler wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.
I’ll be at the game tonight and I’ll be rooting for a win…we need to get this Philly monkey off our back before next season starts.
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Seguin all the way!
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4theisles says:
Rhett is 5’10″ 170lb. but he is 22 – so don’t expect him to fill out much. Decent points at Denver and I wish him luck, but can’t we draft bigger players?
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#48 i never said that i thought the Red Wings were a good watch, couldnt watch there boring style either???
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Ok, winning was boring… I get it…. Guess we can move on.
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Frans Dish says:
wait so did we sign kirill petrov to a 12 year deal or is this april fools?
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kevo says:
we need tyler seguin!!! lets go Toronto catch up!
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schnip says:
Still not sure why people love Petrov, every one of his season stats are terrible… sounds like another Kvasha. People on this board would have been gushing for Olegs size as well if we never seen him play.
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gary says:
i hope we lose all the remaining games, and don’t even score a goal. this franchise is dilusional
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delusional….
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Quagmire says:
Lets all hope that Panthers/Tampa games at the end of the season both go into overtime!!!
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admin says:
Comments thread closed.
LOL CB, way to April Fools it!