Monthly Archives: December 2010
POINT BLANK HOLIDAY PARTY – THURSDAY!
RSVP – YES only – at THIS LINK
Lawson Starts in 4-3 Shootout Loss: The Islanders tonight started Nathan Lawson, their No. 4 or No. 5 goaltender in the system, over Dwayne Roloson, their No. 1a or b, and lost 4-3 in a shootout to Phoenix and its backup goaltender.
I was assured today that the tenderness around Rick DiPietro’s surgically repaired knee is very mild at this point, and he is expected to start one of the Islanders’ two games this week. So there.
Why not start Roloson? Anything I could bring to the table on that subject would be pure speculation, and you know I never like to do that!
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An Apology: In my recent interviews of Bill Daly on SNY PB TV and with Mike Francesa on WFAN, I made references to the Islanders’ decision to not place Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo on Long Term Injured Reserve for salary cap purposes. In doing so, I gave the impression the Islanders were electing to not take advantage of a mechanism in the CBA that would give them the opportunity to improve the team by spending for more talent.
As Daly pointed out to me in a follow-up correspondance, Long Term Injured Reserve is essentially a non-issue when it comes to the Islanders.
“The Islanders could have applied,” clarfied Daly, “but they do not need ‘relief’ for the players’ salaries. One-half to two-thirds of our clubs don’t use LTI because they don’t need it.”
My misunderstanding of the CBA was completely my error, lugheadedness on my part, and I apologize to my readers and the Islanders. When it comes to the CBA, it likely wasn’t my first mistake and most definitely will not be my last. LTI is a place to provide relief for salary cap-crunched teams like the Flyers (see: Mike Rathje) and this year’s edition of the Devils.
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Cool Free Stuff at Holiday Party: Thanks to our friends at Reebok, the free raffle for guests at Point Blank’s “Home for the Holidays” Party has stepped up to an even higher class.
Besides the John Tavares and Travis Hamonic jerseys, Islanders tickets and Easton Zdeno Chara-model EQ50 composite stick, Reebok has generously donated the following merchandise from the Winter Classic:
Washington Capitals WC jersey from Alexander Ovechkin
Pittsburgh Penguins Winter Classic jersey
Plus: Capitals and Penguins Winter Classic wool hats, scarves and shirts.
All of these fine goods are available at shop.nhl.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods and the NHL Store Powered by Reebok in Manhattan.
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A Message to PB Readers: I’d like to respond to the readers who have contacted me about Point Blank’s lack of previews or recaps for most games since the Islanders opted to no longer provide credentials for my coverage.
Point Blank, in its team-sponsored form and in the 16 months since, has never sought to be the kind of blog that merely re-purposes mainstream and team-produced reports. By covering your Islanders as closely as possible when they were practicing or playing in New York, I tried to publish original material whenever possible.
There are several sites – in my opinion most notably Dominik’s Lighthouse Hockey – that superbly cover the team without regular access. My hat is off to them. There are also the invaluable message boards, including the unfathomable effort and time Lisa P. and her moderators put into Islandermania. (Links are on the right column).
To be sure, those are not the kind of sites Point Blank is or will ever be. In my primary positions of employment, I cover the NHL for AOL FanHouse and The New York Times blog, Slap Shot, with access to every other arena and major NHL event. SNY continues to support PB and has taken it to another level in terms of video content. If I’m going to cover the franchise ten minutes from my home, it’s not going to be by watching games on television and writing about it.
What I have done over the last month is attempt to come up with quality content with the resources I do have. These include the incredible staff and facilities at SNY and a pretty good list of contacts on my Blackberry. Islanders columns will also continue, when there’s something I feel strongly about.
In the time between now and should the Islanders’ credential ban hopefullly ever end, I’m just going to do the best I can for you. All I ask is that you continue to keep the Comments section to the topic at hand and bring your passion and thoughts to the other sites as well.
The ban and subsequent cutback in content was not in my plans, so I’m very sorry for that. As in past years, Point Blank will take a holiday/Winter Classic hiatus, but we’ll have plenty through Dec. 23. I’ll be back soon with 15 minutes of solid on-camera Islanders talk and I look forward to seeing you at SOCIAL on Thursday night.
Complete Islanders talk is up next. Comments on whatever you’d like are welcomed.
Please read and react at FanHouse.
POINT BLANK HOLIDAY PARTY, Dec. 23
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on Charles Wang, revenue sharing and what the league can and cannot do about the current state of the Islanders.
Comments regarding the content of this interview only are welcomed.
Who might be available before the deadline for prospects and picks? Please read and react at AOL.
RSVP – YES only – at THIS LINK
Are you ready for the 2010 Point Blank “Home for the Holidays” Party? So far, it looks like we’ll have a pretty big crowd.
In response to so many Islanders fans who asked for a Point Blank Night when they were home for the holidays from college or wherever else, we present…the 2010 Point Blank Holiday Party. The date is next Thursday, December 23 from 7 – 10 pm at SOCIAL, across from the Coliseum. I know it’s a busy time, but see if you can come out for an hour or three. Here’s the deal:
ALL AGES WELCOME! (21 and older to drink, of course).
FREE ADMISSION. You don’t have to spend a dime.
A FREE raffle – everyone gets one chance. Prizes include a John Tavares jersey, a Travis Hamonic jersey, the latest composite stick (valued at more than $200) from Easton and ten pairs of Islanders tickets.
Islanders at Devils on 24 screens.
Free buffet from Danny Gagnon of “Top Chef” and beer and drink specials from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Complimentary shots after each Islanders goal.
To add to the event - shhhhh…do not tell their fans that sold out Irving Plaza - Ryan Hunter and Brian Byrne of the great Long Island band Envy on the Coast will honor us with a two-song set during one of the intermissions. At my request, they will perform their fantastic cover version of a classic rock song almost everyone should know. Ryan (second from left) and Brian (last on the right) - huge Islanders fans – are also working on an Islanders-themed holiday song. Thanks, guys! Click here to see their music video filmed on the Coliseum ice surface.
And like every Point Blank night, you never know what else might happen – or who else might show up.
Valet parking available. There isn’t an event at Hofstra Stadium next door (unlike last time, when the Islanders beat Tampa Bay), so there should be no hassles.
SOCIAL is at 1002 Hempstead Turnpike across the street from the Coliseum. Before and after every home game, SOCIAL gives 10% off the bill to Islanders fans.
Who knows what the rest of the season will bring? So let’s raise a toast to the members of Islanders Country – and let’s finish 2010 strong.
Please confirm your attendance – YESSES ONLY, please – at this link. Contact me via email at cb@islanderspointblank if you have questions. Looking forward to it.
POINT BLANK HOLIDAY PARTY, Dec. 23
The Hall of Fame defenseman on his new life in broadcasting, his hopes for the Islanders and their fans, his participation in the rivalry, the art of defense and his deep respect for Denis Potvin. I’m very appreciative to Brian for coming on.
Comments on this interview only are welcomed.
If you have the time, please read and react at The Times.
