Monthly Archives: July 2010
8:30 pm: Garth Snow made a great trade Friday evening, acquiring James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional third round draft choice in 2011. Wisniewski, signed by Anaheim this afternoon to a one-year, $3.2 million contract, makes up for the loss of physicality in Andy Sutton and at a much younger age.
The 5-11, 200-pound defenseman is 26 and averaged more than 24 minutes of icetime with Anaheim last season. The Ducks have several young defenseman ready to make their club, while the Islanders had the need and the salary cap space. Wisniewski could become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
Read the last two paragraphs from this post of a week ago. Tonight, the Islanders are a much better hockey team because of Snow’s acquisition of Wisniewski.
Your comments on the Wisniewski acquistion are welcomed.
Garth Snow said last season they would not put Brendan Witt on waivers to make him available at half-price to teams. But even at $1.5 million, based on the market this summer for depth players, it’s unlikely a team would have taken the veteran defenseman’s tab. He was placed today on unconditional waivers.
A buyout is probably in his future. The Islanders still carry seven defensemen on one-way contracts for the 2010-11 season. If they buy out this last season of his contract, the Islanders could add the cost as they reach the salary cap floor.
Best of luck to Brendan, as tough and as passionate a player as the franchise has seen in the Charles Wang era.
Comments only on Brendan Witt.
FanHouse: Kyle Okposo’s offseason training with Parise, Stafford and pals
While writing my offseason piece for FanHouse on Kyle Okposo, I held back a few of his quotes I knew would be of particular interest to Point Blank readers.
Is there added excitement for the upcoming decision because Garth Snow is giving you and the rest of the young core an opportunity to grow together?
That’s exactly what it is. I don’t know if you’ve talked to John (Tavares) recently, but I have to tell you – he sounds like a different person. I mean it all in a positive way. I’ve talked with him a lot since the end of the season. It’s only natural that he’s grown a lot over the last year, when you think about everything that he’s gone through. John is so excited about the season and sounds so confident, in a good way. He expects big things from himself, as I’m sure everyone else does. He’s a great player.
Then you think about Bails (Josh Bailey). Look at the strides he has made. Have you seen him lately? He’s bigger, stronger. That guy has worked his tail off to become better. He’s going to take another step this season. So you put together all these young players and see that almost everyone is returning next season and we have some great veterans leading us…yes, I’m very excited.
You’re entering the last year of your Entry Level contract. Any thoughts on working on a new deal before this one runs out?
There hasn’t been any discussion as far as I know, and that’s not where my focus is. I haven’t thought about it. My approach is to just play hockey and let’s see how everything plays out. I love Long Island, I love New York, I love being part of this team and the support we get from our fans. The Islanders know that. I don’t have any thoughts on playing anywhere else, so the rest should take care of itself.
As much as I know you like spending the offseason in Minnesota, do you know when you’ll head back to the Island to get ready for camp?
Yeah. I’ll be there at least a few weeks before camp opens. I want to start skating and working out with the guys. I’m sure a lot of players will be in early. There’s also always personal stuff you want to take care of and get out of the way so all you have to think about is hockey when camp opens. I want to get my own place. Now that it’s almost August, I can’t wait for the season to start.
Comments on Kyle Okposo and this post. If you’re not familiar with them, please take a moment to read the Comment Guidelines.
Please read my summer story on Kyle Okposo at FanHouse.
FanHouse: Brent Sutter on Olli Jokinen
FanHouse: Islanders re-sign Matt Moulson
10:15 am: Moments prior to their scheduled 9:00 arbitration hearing this morning, the Islanders and the agent for Matt Moulson agreed on a one-year contract worth $2.45 million. The 30-goal scorer could become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Comment threads closed. See you Wednesday.
10:15 am: Not surprisingly, Ryan Jankowski was able to land on his feet despite the challenge of being a scout looking for work in July. The former Islanders assistant general manager has been added to the staff of the Montreal Canadiens, for whom he will scout players in the Western Hockey League, United States Hockey League and Minnesota high schools.
“I’m extremely excited about this chance to work for a great and historic organization like the Montreal Canadiens,” said Jankowski.
The ex-amateur scouting director for the Islanders (the position no longer exists with the franchise) expressed only positive sentiments about the team that did not offer him a new contract after it expired at the end of June.
“I was very privileged to have spent eight wonderful years with the Islanders,” said Jankowski. “I’m thankful for the opportunities given to me by ownership and management.
“I’d like to thank the Islanders’ fans for their support over the years, and also my staff with New York for their commitment and dedication. I’ll always be proud of the work of our staff. Although my focus and loyalties are with the Canadiens now, I still look forward to the continued development of our Islanders prospects from the last few years.”
Comments on Ryan Jankowski only are welcomed in this thread. Please review the Comment Guidelines.
6:30 pm: With the two sides still far apart, the Islanders appear willing to let Matt Moulson‘s next contract be determined by the arbitration process. (That’s what it’s there for). The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 am in Toronto. Barring any difficulties, a decision should be rendered by Thursday afternoon.
11:30 am: Vancouver 25-goal, 52-point man Mason Raymond gets a two-year contract for $2.5 milllion and $2.6 million in a settlement prior to their scheduled arbitration hearing. Provides a decent benchmark for a Moulson deal, if the Islanders and his agent get together.
3:00 pm: Looks like any hope for a contract settlement between Garth Snow and wing Moulson before an arbitration hearing will have to come down to Monday. According to a source, there has been no recent progress on a short or long-term deal for Moulson, who scored 30 goals for the Islanders last season and was one of the NHL’s happiest stories.
Still, do not rule out an agreement before the Tuesday, 9:00 am hearing in Toronto. It’s not uncommon for teams to settle with players, even the night before when their legal teams are on their flights to Canada. Either way, chances of the Islanders walking away from Moulson in 2010-11? Somewhere around 0%.
Since I’ll be away on another assignment, please check my Twitter on Monday and Tuesday for any updates.
