SO-LONG-FOR-NOW-NOTEBOOK: Petrov…Lighthouse…Nino…Snow…DP…MSG…The Wiz
Click here to follow vacationing/on-assignment Chris Botta for the next four weeks on Twitter
Kirill Petrov loved his visit to Long Island and his stay at Islanders prospect camp last month. He has a deep appreciation for Josh Bailey welcoming him into his Nassau home for a few days to show him around the community when camp was over. Petrov’s agent, Sasha Tynjynch, hopes his 20-year-old client will be part of the Islanders organization in 2010-11.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to find out for sure.
The skilled and powerful Petrov remains under contract to the Kazan Ak Bars of the KHL for the next two seasons. Currently, Petrov is with Ak Bars’ top team in their training camp; he played primarily at the “B” level the last two seasons. His shoulder, which was surgically repaired two years ago and kept him out of the NYI intrasquad prospect scrimmage last month (merely as a precaution) is said to be 100%. Petrov will get a good test when Kazan plays exhibition games on Aug. 19 and 21 and takes part in a tournament at the end of the month.
Soon after, we’ll know what Ak Bars has in mind for him.
“The plan has always been for Kirill to attend Islanders training camp in September,” Tynjynch told Point Blank in a phone conversation this afternoon. “That plan has not changed. I would like to see Kirill with the Islanders. I know Kirill would like to be in the NHL, too. What we don’t know right now is whether Ak Bars wants to keep him. One thing I have learned in this business of dealing with top Russian players, the KHL and the NHL – you have to be prepared for anything.”
In the worst-case scenario, Kazan insists on keeping Petrov since he is contractually their asset. This would not, however, be the worst thing for the young player. To play consistently on one of the top lines for a KHL powerhouse like Kazan could benefit his development.
Of course, in the best-case scenario, Kazan lets Petrov go and he battles for a top-nine forward spot with the Islanders. At prospect camp, coach Scott Gordon hinted that he would be a contender.
“Kirill has good feelings about the Islanders – how they have treated him since they drafted him and how they have worked with him,” said Tynjynch. “He is very determined to show the Islanders what he can do and make the NHL soon. Before the Islanders prospect camp, Kirill went to Ottawa to work with a power skating coach for a few weeks. He has put in all the hard work and feels like he is ready.”
It’s just a matter of negotiating an Entry Level contract, and Kazan Ak Bars letting him go. We’ll know in a few weeks.
*
Town of Hempstead attorney Joseph Ra has given up his Islanders season tickets, according to a well-placed source. As some of you may recall, the genial Mr. Ra is one of Kate Murray’s right-hand people in the battle over the Lighthouse Project. Through it all, he has always been public with his deep devotion to the hockey team.
We traded a series of phone messages over the last week, as I attempted to learn Ra’s reasons for ending his run as an Islanders season subscriber. If we connect, I’ll let you know. (The Islanders, citing customer confidentiality, would not confirm). Ra giving up his Islanders seats may not equal the $100 million-plus transaction of Scott Rechler selling the Marriott back to Charles Wang, but when it comes to the Lighthouse – as the guy says in the movie – “It’s a sign”!
At least the Islanders will be playing somewhere in New York in 2015. This is what I have consistently been told by impeccable sources for two years, and I believe them.
*
For the last month, I’ve heard nothing but positivity about the health of Rick DiPietro. This is wonderful news for the Islanders, their fans and a 29-year-old man with several years potentially ahead of him to do what he loves best. This is also in stark contrast to what I was hearing at this time last year, when the Islanders jumped through hoops to deny my August, 2009 report that DiPietro still had a long way to go to get 100% healthy and play a lot of NHL games. He played 13 over the last two seasons.
Nevertheless – and no one needs to tell Rick this – the only way he could begin to say his knee injury is behind him is after he plays 40 games in an NHL season pain-free. All the rest – the team updates, the manicured Twitter Q & A – is noise. Let’s hope for the best for the talented and dedicated DiPietro.
There are many reasons why the Islanders have not added another major league goaltender to the roster, but two essential ones. For starters, management has no interest in having an encore of the Roloson-Biron-DiPietro show from last season. If DiPietro misses game action, Nathan Lawson will back up Roloson and get the occasional start. Should Lawson ever go weeks without playing, he could be sent to Bridgeport for action and Mikko Koskinen could join the Islanders.
On top of this, there is simply no urgency to sign one of the NHL goaltenders still available. Should the Islanders be faced with having to add an experienced goalie in November or January or whenever, they should be able to locate a fine one inexpensively. If the Islanders add one in the next month or two without trading Roloson, it will tell you a lot about DiPietro’s latest prognosis (none of it good). From the good reports I’m hearing about DiPietro’s knee, I doubt they’ll add another goalie before camp opens.
By the way, it says a lot about the respect DiPietro has around the league that in every NHL locker room I reported from last season, opponents asked about him. To a man – some who know DiPietro, some who don’t – they expressed concern, along with respect for his skills and dedication. They all know it could happen to them.
*
Could Fred Wilpon have come off less interested in the Islanders-to-Queens story when he was asked about it last week? There was one obvious PR clue: he couldn’t even bring himself to mention Charles Wang – a man of stature in business and sports in New York – by name. It’s up to “the owner” and what “he” wants to do. Said that a few times. Pretty dismissive. On the other hand, it’s Wilpon’s son, Jeff, who is more hands-on in any possible move of the Islanders to Queens.
I get these kinds of emails a lot, but this one from Dominick D. made me laugh out loud when it arrived on the Blackberry just as we were walking out of church on Sunday:
Chris: Need some more updates on the arena situation. Everything else (camps, jobs in the organization, retread signings) are not important. Want to know what the latest plans are for Wang and his group to stick it up the Town of Hempstead’s ___. Thank you.
Sorry, Dom. There won’t be any news here on that subject for a few weeks. Unlike other places, I don’t invent this stuff. You need people to talk. This site was ahead of everywhere else on Hempstead’s Lighthouse pushback by more than 48 hours. You could ask the Islanders or the Lighthouse group, but as you know, they’ve hardly said a word since opening night of last season.
On Wednesday, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano is hosting an open forum at the Long Island Marriott seeking the public’s “input to help plan for future transportation options to serve the Hub.” This event has been scheduled for weeks and Mangano has been a friend to the Islanders lately. Yet the team so far has not utilized its own resources like its Twitter account and website to promote the event. The event is from 6-8:30 pm.
Wild to think that about ten months ago, the Long Island Press reported that the Lighthouse Project office had been shut down and several staffers re-assigned. The story was written by Michael Martino, who now heads the press office of…Ed Mangano.
*
More than two weeks after the news broke about the Islanders’ blocking of MSG Network’s new contract for Islanders analyst Billy Jaffe – Cablevision-owned Newsday confirmed PB’s report that it was the team’s call – a replacement has not been named. Keep in mind that when MSG acknowledged the Jaffe sacking on July 23, the network said in a statement that it would “announce a new Islanders TV analyst in the near future.” I still don’t understand why the network didn’t have its (likely) popular choice as a successor to announce simultaneously and minimize, if not completely stifle any Jaffe backlash.
I hope the ground rules for the new hire are being presented by the Islanders during the interview process. Before accepting the job, it’s only fair that the new commentator understands what he can and cannot say and whom he can and cannot speak with.
If you think this is just conjecture and not fact, watch the broadcasts during the 2010-11 season. Perhaps, in a twist on the drinking game, we can donate money to a charity for every discouraging word on the Islanders’ broadcast.
Another insider’s theory: the Islanders are pushing for a short-term deal for a new analyst so he could keep the seat warm for someone else who could be available in a year or two. Either way, MSG Network – which will pay the Islanders more than $20 million this season – was not pleased that the Islanders eliminated the popular and league-wide-respected Jaffe after they executed a multi-year contract with him.
*
In other news (cough), still no contract announcement for Doug Weight? The captain still not listed with the other 11 forwards on the Islanders’ website?
It has been two months since Doug texted Pierre Lebrun to confirm he had reached an agreement with the team to play for another season. Hmmm…The Islanders don’t want to make it too obvious that their bonus-filled contract for the captain will get them to the salary cap floor, do they?
*
When you look at the long list of acquisitions during the NHL offseason, Garth Snow’s trade of a conditional third round pick for defenseman James Wisniewski stacks up – value for value, or really value for crapola - as easily one of the top ten moves in the league this summer. Maybe top five.
More good news on the blueline as Radek Martinek has been 100% since the beginning of the summer. The veteran defenseman has had bad luck with injuries the last few years, but when healthy is a very capable No. 4 defenseman who can log 22 minutes.
*
Funny thing happened when I had a lengthy interview with Rick Dudley for a three-part series on his overhaul of the Atlanta Thrashers. Prior to the draft, few scouts had future Islanders right wing Nino Niederreiter in their top five. However, when I asked Dudley about his selection of Alex Burmistrov with the eighth overall pick, he was kind enough to volunteer the identities of the other young players his staff was looking at.
“Right after the top two of Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, who we knew we couldn’t touch even with a trade up, we had three forwards in what we considered the next group: Burmistrov, and the two kids with Portland (WHL) – Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter. We loved Niederreiter’s skill and battle level. There’s no question in my mind that the Islanders got a good one there.”
For many years to come, it should be fun to follow the flock of forwards chosen around the El Nino pick. While they may have different styles of play, all are players with offensive ability:
4. Ryan Johansen, Columbus
5. Nino Niederreiter, Islanders
6. Brett Connolly, Tampa Bay
7. Jeff Skinner, Carolina
8. Alex Burmistrov, Atlanta
9. Mikael Granlund, Minnesota
That’s what makes the draft so fun.
*
Garth Snow continues to tell his inner circle that his attempts to land a top-six forward for the Islanders are far from over. As you know from following the daily transactions around the league, business is still being conducted. Gone are the days when hockey operations departments went quiet from late July through most of August.
For all the die-hards hitting the official team site, Twitter and Katie Strang’s blog every hour, my hope is the Islanders make an acquisition of impact. Snow is rightfully proud of his team’s 18-point improvement last season, but has to know those last ten points to be a legit contender in the Eastern battle for 6-7-8 are the hardest. If Snow can pry a scorer loose at a price similar to what he paid for The Wiz, it would greatly enhance the Islanders’ chances of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
*
Anyone remember this quote?
I tend to agree that most people on the outside didn’t have much belief in us. But the guys in the room and the people in our management group believed in this team. We knew if we played to our capabilities we’d have a really good shot at being where we are now, if not even a little bit better.
That was Garth Snow to Mike Brophy of Sportsnet, as the Islanders went on a roll and climbed to three games over NHL .500 in mid-January at 23-20-8. The Islanders proceeded to go 3-12-1 in their next 16 games, but that’s not the point. The quote is proof that Snow wasn’t strategizing to see his team end up with a top-5 draft pick. The quote is proof that the general manager had much higher expectations.
Whether you agree with Snow’s assessment of his roster or not, for 2010-11, the pressure will be on Scott Gordon to get this team into the playoffs.
*
Point Blank has learned that the Islanders are looking to have one of their second-half games serve as a tribute to Michael Mulhall.
The 22-year-old Michael – an Islanders fan, hockey player and Camp Anchor counselor – was killed in a car accident last month on the Meadowbrook Parkway along with Jamie and Paige Malone. We wrote about Michael here. Very, very good on the Islanders. Stay tuned for details, and let’s work together to make sure the game is sold out.
*
Just like this time last year – but for completely different reasons – Point Blank will mostly disappear for the next four weeks. I ventured to provide August Islanders player profiles like the one on Kyle Okposo on FanHouse and here, but it was not meant to be. That’s understandable (you can’t please all the bloggers), and fact is I could use the break. Instead, it’s time for some vacation, an oblication, to conduct some business and take up AOL FanHouse on their invitation to cover the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadow. As a longtime tennis player and follower, I’m really looking forward to that experience.
If the Islanders do something big, either I’ll pop on if near a computer or perhaps a guest writer will provide a recap and his or her insight. To talk about it with fellow fans, the few of you who haven’t already should sign up for Islandermania. Although it is no longer the official message board of the Islanders, I’m not aware of a better place for fans to congregate on the internet. I also hope that I have not failed in my mission to encourage all Islanders fans to read and comment daily at Lighthouse Hockey, Dominick’s invaluable blog about the team on SB Nation.
When Point Blank starts up again in earnest about a week before the opening of NHL training camps, I should have an additional sponsor. I’ll do my best to provide some different stories out of Islanders camp in New York. During the season, you may see some changes in how I approach the blog – hopefully, all for the better.
I’d like to thank my family, friends, colleagues, the AOL FanHouse staff and especially Point Blank readers for putting up with me during my true rookie year on a different side of the business. For those of you who may have understandably given up, maybe someday I’ll figure it out and win your respect back. Thanks also to the 90% of PB readers who religiously do not waste any of our time with rumors from blogs with uzz in the title.
While I’d like to go back and fix my mistakes, I wouldn’t change a thing about the opportunity I have been provided. The reason I have the opportunity is you, so thanks again from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy the rest of the summer and I’ll see you soon…CB
Comments relevant to this post are invited. Here are the Comment Guidelines. The forum will be shut down by Wednesday night. Thank you.
95 Responses to SO-LONG-FOR-NOW-NOTEBOOK: Petrov…Lighthouse…Nino…Snow…DP…MSG…The Wiz
-
Les Beaver says:
At least this summer we don’t have to worry about IPB being shut down. So that’s nice.
Enjoy your summer.
-
Good luck at the open, enjoy your hard earned vacation, thank you for your work, and we’ll see ya back later!
-
Patrizio says:
Have a great Vacation!.. Selfishly, I don’t want you to go and I would like for you to write more, but thanks for last long post. I’ll enjoy it for a couple of days. Remember, if this was ever a pay site, I’ll be the first to sign up.
-
kurvers28 says:
Am I the only one who took away that Weight is the man they are waiting for in a couple years to be the analyst?
-
Adam says:
Chris, you are an Islanders hero.
Enjoy your well deserved vacation, and thanks for another stellar year of reporting and Islanders insight.
-
VinnyMoose says:
Hey Chris, I’ll be working the US open on behalf of NYC Parks and Rec., serving as security for the Park Rangers. Feel free to drop a line.
Enjoy the vacation and the assignment bro. Have a great summer.
-
Hishutzi Skorz says:
Good news about DP and Radek.
After seeing what’s going on at Citifield, I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be extremely happy if the Wilpons and the NYI were never mentioned again in the same sentence!
Enjoy your holiday!
-
Vas says:
Great stuff CB! Enjoy the vacation and we will see you back her in a month!
-
Jon says:
Thanks for the post Chris! Islanders fans appreciate your work more than you know. Enjoy the break and the chance to cover some great tennis!
-
Mike from Sarasota says:
Enjoy the break CB! It’s well deserved. Though I do hope you are forced to pop back in for a quickie because the Isles landed a top-6 forward.
-
JD says:
Enjoy your vacation Chris. This was one of your best posts. See you next month when training camp starts.
-
IslesRock says:
Thank you, great job, enjoy.
-
IslesFanInTN says:
CB-We are lucky to have you.
-
stevek1510 says:
as usual, great piece….enjoy the break
-
JerseyIslander says:
Enjoy your vacation CB. Great job this year!
-
Spartiarti RVC says:
great summary piece. Enjoy vacation CB.
-
Donna says:
Have a great vacation and enjoy covering the US Open. See you back here when kids are back in school and hockey camp is in session.
cheers! -
j says:
enjoy the time off CB. thankfully fornabaio is back from his vacation. at least we can keep up w/ some soundtiger news.
-
Joe in Massapequa says:
CB, enjoy yourself over the next few weeks. I am glad this summer we know IPB will be back. It is almost like a kid counting down the days till Christmas morning – I feel like I’ll be doing the same waiting for the next article.
-
JPinVA says:
Nice summer wrap up. have a great vacation, and hopefully when you get back you’ll be moderating a debate on whether or not a potential 30-goal scorer was really worth a second rounder. (Ha!)
-
Tom says:
Of course Martinek is 100%, he hasn’t been playing any hockey. Just keep him away from ice, pucks, and sticks and he’ll be fine.
-
Dave says:
Enjoy your vacation & we’ll see you for training camp…
-
Jay says:
Enjoy the break and can’t wait for a great Islanders season.
-
JoeB says:
Thanks for a great year Chris, see you in September. Come on Petrov!!
-
John says:
I am so sick of waiting for DP to come around. He is more injury prone then Mr. Bill (OH NO!!).
-
Staten Islander says:
CB, thanks for the hard work this year and enjoy the much deserved vacation. as the commercial says we’ll keep the light on for you.
-
Cary says:
Enjoy your time off and thanks!
-
4theisles says:
On the issue of the LH, it would be nice if Charles Wang would at least give us a heads-up statement of his thinking. This would be appropriate after all the fan support from Isle’s fans and others over the past couple of years.
Enjoy the rest of the summer.
-
Daryl says:
Enjoy your break Chris!
-
Brian says:
CB, enjoy the vacation, you’ve earned it. Thanks for the great coverage and I look forward to this coming years coverage. Imagine what this blog would be like when the team is good… this might be the year.
-
orngfan says:
thanks for the REAL long post. that should keep me satisfied til about 5pm.. when i’ll be itching for more islanders news!
-
Irish Isle says:
Wow, thanks for one last super post before leaving. Before, I get started, let me join the long list of those wishing you an enjoyable vacaction. Though that wont stop me from checking in everyday.
Thinking it really shows the maturity and leadership of Bailey, that Petrov was staying with him during camp. Hopefully Petrov gets to spend more time with Bailey this season.
kurvers28 (@ #5), you are not the only one.
If both Martinek and DP stay healthy, that could go a long way in determining if the Isles are playoff contenders or pretenders.
Finally, an interesting read on the Fred Wilpon/Wang relationship. Although you are right, in that it seems that Jeff is the one pushing for the Isles to come to Queens.
-
Nyslefan says:
Is there really a top-six forward available (other than Kovy) who could make enough of an impact to make this team playoff-worthy? PIT, WAS, PHI, NJD, BOS, OTT, BUF all seem out of our league and you’ve got to expect a good showing from at least MTL, ATL, and TBL this year. Hoping for the eighth spot even before the season starts means we’re in bad shape.
-
James says:
Great write-up, great year, enjoy the vacation, see you in September!
-
Healy says:
Enjoy the vacay CB and all Isles fans. Its been an interesting, bumpy ride, and I really just can’t wait for the puck to drop.
-
Swan says:
Thanks for the excellent update, CB. Enjoy your time off.
-
onesinceforty says:
Forget It! No Vacation Allowed!
-
Lou Z says:
CB, you say from a famous movie “its a sign”. If you are referring to Ghostbusters, the correct response would be…”yeah, its a sign all right, were going out of business”.
-
Hock says:
CB – We will all starve while you are on vacation!!! But don’t feel guilty…Enjoy!
-
Oye Comeau Va says:
Enjoy your vacation and covering the US Open for fanhouse. While there, scout out a nice location for a new Islanders arena.
-
Steve says:
I really hope DP comes back and lead the Isles to the Cup, but he should be eased in first.
-
Islebethere4u says:
enjoy your well deserved vacation CB.Already can’t wait for the season to start. Would LOVE to see Petrov stay. Hope we get that top six sniper.Now that Kovy is technically free, we can dream for a few nights anyway. Kovy, Kabanov and Petrov would make a nice trio, don’t you think? Thanks again for Pointblank and I’ll keep dreaming.
-
hathead68 says:
Thanks for the long post CB, and enjoy the vacation. Hopefuly ther wil be planty of positive, exciting stories and news to report on when you get back and throughout the season.
-
Islander57 says:
Thank you for all the hard work you put in. It is much appreciated. Enjoy your time off, and cannot wait to read more posts in a few weeks. Thanks
-
Dack1972 says:
I’m driving 10 hours on Oct 29 to see the Islanders play Montreal….can’t wait. First came on Long Island for me.I’ve seen them in Toronto on a couple of occasions Any suggestions on hotels that’s a reasonable in price.
-
Brian G says:
Chris Thanks again for doing this Blog
This is the only place for REAL Islander news and Opinions.
-
Eric says:
Nino is ganna be a player! Cant wait to watch him play this season or next.
-
On Edge says:
Chris – I don’t always agree with what you write here but I have to say that this site is the first one I check to get my NYI fix and am always happy to see a new post. You have the best Islander related site on the net IMO. Good job and thanks!
-
Scott VanVoorhees says:
Enjoy the time off, somehow it seemed like you may be leaving for good. Hope that’s not the case. You have turned me on to Lighthouse Hockey, there twice a day.
As for a sponsor, looks like Zappos is everywhere… -
Nick says:
CB — Rest up, we’re gonna need you this season! Hopefully working sa little extra time. Have a great vacation. This blog is truly one of the best.
-
CB,
Hope you and the Fam have a great vacation. Get some well deserved rest. Enjoy the Open, its always good fun. I’ll be counting the weeks, days, even minutes until you reappear. Love your blog. Have a great summer. The country will be watching.
Hey Dack1972, stay next door to the NVMC at the Long Island Marriott. Not cheap, but not over the top either. Plus, walk 200yards to the game. Safe travels.
-
raúl17 says:
When will the Jaffe resoning be explained? Good luck Radek! A good player who needs to stay healthy!!
-
Darryl says:
YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!! (Just kidding) Great last post, the void will truly be unfilled for the next month or so, but you deserve the hiatus. Enjoy the vacation and the best tennis on Earth, and I’ll be looking forward to your insights as the race to the playoffs begins in earnest (finally!).
-
isles71 says:
Just hope Kiril doesn’t get away like Jaffe!!! Go Isles and enjoy your break
-
5fourFightin says:
Your finger tips must be bleeding, I know my eyes are! LOL Seriously, I enjoyed it and look forward to next time.
-
greg says:
Much thanks from a Canadian Islander fan!!
-
Eric Cup says:
Lots of info and insight this time. I hope you can check in a little during the next 4 weeks. As you and I have met and spoken many times, I wish you some enjoyable rest time with whomever you choose to spend it with(Family I’m sure).
-
A lot to digest. I hope KP gets over to the team and I hope we still sign a top6 forward.
Lighthouse, Jaffe….?? I try to block from my mind.
Enjoy the month CB, I gotta make sure to check back on the tennis stuff, I’ve been wanting to get back into it.
-
Travelchic59 says:
Enjoy the rest of your summer, Chris. See you back here in about a month. (It’s so nice to be able to say that. LOL!)
-
LES says:
great news all around sounds like a great start in october to me . awesome cant wait
-
mbk says:
Enjoy your vacation – thank you so much for taking the time to maintain this blog – it is all of our window into the workings of our favorite team.
-
19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Excellent way to wrap up the Summer off-season CB!! Thanks for the 100000000% effort you put into this venture.
* Kirill- Although I’d love to see him play this season … I know the Isles aren’t going to be plowing through the East just b/c he’s on the team. I just want him to develop, and in a couple of years he’ll be a huge corner stone of the team.
* Ra – Oh Well.
* DP – I can’t wait to see him back in All-Star form. That would be huge for the moral and performance of this young team.
* Wilpon – Something tells me he’s waiting on an answer from Charles on whether or not they can make a deal that provides good synergy between Mets / Isles.
* Jaff / Weight? Could they be holding that commentator position for the Dougster?
* Nino – Look forward to see him light it up for years to come.
… Thanks for this huge update CB … and enjoy the rest of your summer. Maybe I’ll see you at the Open. My company is providing some production and satellite solutions for it. Have fun!!
-
jim says:
CB your the best! BTW I must have missed something, you made a mistake? I think you did a spectacular job and we owe YOU a thank you because nobody gives a damn about the NYI but the fans and you. Enjoy!
-
RAMen says:
Enjoy your well deserved time off.
-
jonsson3 says:
You’re still the best! Enjoy
-
Thomas says:
Chris enjoy your break! Great stuff as always. It would be nice if you got a decent signing to write about upon your return but I won’t be holding my breath.
-
Michael Delman says:
Great stuff…guess I’ll have to stop checking this site 5 times/day for a while
( -
thanks cb for being the only real voice of what really goes on with the isles since you cant read on line the only paper that covers the isles.i wonder why you cant read about the isles in the paper? its not like the rangers owned the paper. lol. p.s. even if you could, wang wont let any negative comments in the paper or he would not let the reporter in the press box.
-
princetonace says:
Thanks for everything, CB…have a great break…look forward to your in-depth interview with Brooklyn Decker at the Open
-
Jerky says:
Chris,
Thank you for all your efforts this past year. I truly appreciate the forum you have created to stay on top of all things Islanders, particularly given my location in LA.
Enjoy your time away as well as the US Open action and I look forward to another great year of insight and debates!
-
Isles fan in CA says:
Enjoy the US Open! Catch ya in a few weeks.
-
Diane says:
OH GOD Chris please come on here and tell us that Lou Z has the wrong movie!
On the flip side, a healthy Martinek would be a great help to the Islanders and I for one hope his injury riddled years are behind him!
Kurvers you are not the only one with that thought.
Enjoy the next month, summer will be over before we know it. Get out and play! -
Fluffhead says:
Unbelievable. For a guy in his 30′s (me) and being a relatively new hockey fan and big Isles fan, this site is the best. I will be able to speak intelligently to my now 2 yr. old son about all things Isles and hockey. Enjoy Chris.
-
Numbers65 in Ohio says:
CB clap clap
CB clap clap
Have a great vacation. We’ll miss you. I hope the US Open gig opens even more doors and provides you with more vocational enjoyment!
Thanks for all your work and this nice last unexpected long piece. Looking forward to your next one. You deserve a break, it will do wonders for you and the fam… Just got back from one! -
IslesFaninFlorida says:
Well deserved vacation, cant wait to get one myself when i come back home to NY. I just want to say you do a amazing job with thos blog, and its my favorite site to read everyday. Have a great time at the US OPEN and cant wait to read the next story. THanks again for all your Hard Work!!
-
StevieL says:
CB! Enjoy the vaca and the Open!!From Kabanov and Petrov to Sharapova! Not too shabby an assignment! This PB sight is a God send and the only beacon of light in these dismal Islander years! Keep up the great work!!
-
Have a great Vacation while I dream of the Future Isles…
Petrov-JT-KO
Kabanov-JB-Nino
Moulson-Neilsen-Comeau
Joensu-Nelson-MartinStreit-WiZ
Dehaan-Hamonic Koskinen-Poulin
AMac-Hillen
DonovanHome Grown Baby!!!!!
-
JayK says:
I hope that you’re right about 2015, but at this point, I don’t know how that declaration gets made. The Lighthouse is dead, and both Queens and the casino project will probably take more time than is needed to be ready for opening night 2015. The one scenario I could see is that they play in Brooklyn in the smaller hockey configuration for a few years before Queens or the casino/Coliseum becomes reality. I wonder if Joe Ra got grief from fans at the game; I know I thought if I saw him I’d give him hell, but knew in reality I wouldn’t. It’s not his fault he works for somebody with their vision locked firmly in the 50′s.
-
Hey CB have a good vacation man you deserve it! Thanks for all the hard work and entertainment it’s appreciated.
-
cgs878 says:
It would be great to see DP have a solid 2010-11 season in goal after so many years of disappointment. On Petrov, I have no opinion on NHL vs. KHL, as long as he’s getting the experience that he needs to further his development into a solid player by 2012. Please report on where Billy Jaffe ends up; he’s a decent guy who deserves to land on his feet.
Hope you enjoy the US Open & your
much-deserved vacation! -
Dan says:
Chris,
Enjoy your vacation. I hope DP has a good season. Islander fans can only hope..
-
Tim F. says:
CB, thanks for another great year of coverage and opinions concerning my favorite team. Enjoy your well deserved vacation. I’m looking forward to another season of information and insight from IPB.
Go Islanders! -
marioe says:
You are a class act Chris. I enjoy reading every day. Enjoy your vacation.
-
#1 I’ve seen enough hockey in my life to know dipietro, even if he plays often this season he will likely be injured more then 50% of the time over next 5 years. Knee injuries of his sort never heal %100 like a broken leg will
#2 isles management is very negative. Banning hotta interviews at times…getting rid of a tv guy? Cmon this is child like behavior. Bryan cashman makes media relations a priority. It’s free advertising. Isles? They go opposite as they believe everyone is beneath them.
-
Have a great vcation CB. The Islanders are really a lot of question marks. What bothered me most about last year–despite the highler level of points, was that when another team raised their game, we often couldn’t keep up, i.e., we folded at crunch time.
Also, even if Radek’s knee is 100%, the years have taken their toll. He used to excel with speed and could turn on a dime in getting pucks in tight spot in the corners and along the boards behind our net. I’ve seen none of that in the last two years and don’t expect it this year–even with a healthy knee.
-
Joe says:
CB, GREAT READ AS ALWAYS, HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VACATION SEE YA WHEN YOU GET BACK!
-
Thanks Chris, you truly deserve to have some quality time off. Since I usually check the blog about 4X a day, I know I will go through some deep withdrawal symptoms, but hey, I might actually pay a little attention to my family and friends now! Don’t take too long to come back—since you have spoiled us with your honest reporting, and wonderful insight. As far as the Isles, I believe they have some really good young players in the mix, and if goaltending and defense can hold up, we will make the playoffs. As usual, money is a big factor with this team. Since the L.H is not happening, I think Wang is quiet because he himself has not decided what to do next. I love this team, and pointblank. Everyone who posts on this site seems to be intelligent, with much hockey knowledge. I am proud to be an Islander fan with such awesome people. Let’s go Islanders!!!
-
kevo says:
If dipietro can get strong and stay healthy he is no doubt top 12 goalies in the NHL. He has something to prove now and he has the potential for sure. Alot of people knock DP but at the end of the day its not his fault. It’s not his fault wang signed him to a 15 year deal, its not his fault he has had bad luck with injuries. The bottom line is that if healthy DP is a good goaltender. I am pro DP
-
cm33 says:
i lost faith in the whole DP situation a few years ago..please cut the ties already…thanks and enjoy your vaca.
-
michael says:
CB- You and this blog are like family. Enjoy a little summertime vay-kay, looking forward to training camp.
-
Alex says:
Thanks for the continued great work during the summer dog days CB! If DiPi actually returns to good form this year and Rolli keeps up his stellar play, this team can make a BIG leap forward. That’s a big if though…
Enjoy your well deserved vacation