Monthly Archives: May 2011
2:20 pm: As expected, the Nassau County Legislature authorized the Aug. 1 referendum for a new Coliseum. The vote was 11-7. All Republicans voted yes, all Democrats except David Denenberg voted no. The divide along party lines was ugly. The Democrats voting against made two major points: they have no idea what they are voting for and they believe the Aug. 1 date is comical and expensive. This divide mattered little today, but will a lot more when final approval will need more than a majority.
Wayne Wink’s ammendment to hold the vote on Election Day lost along party lines, 10-8, for obvious reasons (and favorable ones to the Islanders and those who want this new arena deal). Again: the idea to open balloting stations and hold the vote on a Monday in the summer – away from the general election in November – is sheer genius, and why it should be an easy win. To be frank, if the referendum is shot down (or is even close), it would be a sad reflection on how this community feels about the Islanders.
The voting, open to all Nassau residents registered to vote, will be on Aug. 1. If you care about this project one way or the other and are a resident of Nassau, make sure you are registered to vote. Specific details on the voting procedure will be made available at a later date.
Details on the deal between Nassau and Charles Wang for the new arena and surrounding property are expected to be released in 2-3 weeks. Expect comment from the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) after the complete details of the agreement are revealed. In the end, before and after the referendum, this could come down to NIFA’s approval.
Comments.
Tuesday, 4:00: Cizikas signing confirmed.
10:35 am: Casey Cizikas needs to be signed by the end of tomorrow, June 1, and that’s exactly what will happen. Multiple sources confirm that the Team Canada workhorse and captain of OHL and Memorial Cup finalist Mississauga/St. Michael’s will be signed by the Islanders to his three-year Entry Level contract in the next 24-36 hours. The happy offseason continues for the NYI, who have another one of their top ten prospects in the fold.
1:45 pm: Among many other items, Picker confirms that Charles Wang will pay for overages beyond the $350 million bonded if more money is needed for the construction of the arena, discusses the August 1 vote, responds to the developers at the ABLI, appeals for support and lends insight into his group’s plan for revenue sharing on the rest of the Coliseum site. Please watch and comment.
The Democrat from District 11, a real estate litigator, on how the vote will turn out at the next Legislature meeting on Tuesday, May 31; what should become of the property around the arena; did the Dems hide after Suozzi lost the election and Kate Murray killed the Lighthouse; his view of whether Charles Wang’s RFP victory in 2006 still holds today; NIFA’s hold over everything; and whether he drinks beer with Republican presiding officer Peter Schmitt. If you want to know what’s in store for the Coliseum property battle and the future of your Islanders, watch this. Next up on SNY PB TV: Islanders Senior VP and Renaissance Properties (Wang’s real estate group) President Michael Picker. Comments on Wayne Wink’s views are invited.
By Kevin Schultz
After 19 seasons in the NHL, and the last three captaining the Islanders, Doug Weight officially announced his retirement at a Coliseum press conference on Thursday morning. The four time All-Star, 2006 Cup Winner and Olympic silver medalist finishes his career with 1033 points and 278 goals. Weight battled leg and back injuries during the last two seasons, limiting him to only 54 games with the Islanders. Despite that, the captain’s presence in the locker room has been invaluable to the young Islanders.
It had been expected that Weight would have a place with the team after he chose to hang up his skates and that was confirmed today. After announcing his retirement, it was revealed that Weight will now become an Assistant Coach and Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Islanders.
Comments on the Captain in this thread.
The Islanders have announced the signing of Kyle Okposo to a five-year contract. With Doug Weight retiring on Thursday, could KO be the next captain? Ken Campbell reports: $14 million, $2.8 mill annual cap hit, escalates to $4.5 million in year 5. Comments on the good news?
For Jason Gregoire and Blake Kessel, it’s nothing personal with the Islanders. Four years after being drafted by the Islanders, three years into their college hockey careers, Gregoire and Kessel appear to be simply utilizing their Collective Bargaining Agreement rights to consider offers from the other 29 teams in the NHL. They hope you’d understand.
“The ideal for me would be to sign with the Islanders,” Gregoire told Point Blank in a phone conversation last night. “They are the team that drafted me and, from the beginning, I’ve had a great relationship with the team. I was at three prospect camps, got to know the area and the staff and come through the ranks with the guys. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization and I’m happy that no doors are being closed.”
It’s not difficult to read between the lines. Gregoire left North Dakota last week, Kessel withdrew from New Hampshire earlier this week. Unable to come to terms with the Islanders on Entry Level contracts to this point, Gregoire is taking advantage of a clause in the CBA that allows college players to become free agents four years after they were drafted. Kessel is said to be considering the same. Both Gregoire and Kessel played a year in the United States Hockey League before starting college.
Everyone, especially the Islanders, knew what they were getting into.
There certainly does not appear to be any hard feelings, not just from the players but when you take a peek behind the curtain. Gregoire is represented by Neil Sheehy, a friend of Garth Snow’s who has done many deals with the general manager before – including the creative contract that brought college free agent Jack Hillen to the club. Kessel’s agent is Wade Arnott, a pro’s pro from Don Meehan’s crew who just a few months ago worked out a three-year deal for Matt Moulson with Snow.
Said Gregoire, “To be honest, I was worried about how this was going to sit with Garth and the Islanders. But he was really first-class about it. He said their interest in me stays.”
It’s unquestionably odd that since Blake Wheeler wiggled his way out of Phoenix, only two players have taken advantage of the loophole (so far), and both happen to be B-level Islanders prospects. Gregoire is projected by most scouts to max out in the NHL as a third-line wing, Kessel as a third-pair defenseman. Both rated only Honorable Mentions in Point Blank’s recent Scouts Poll of the Islanders’ top ten prospects.
And that could be the rub, too. Although the Islanders like Gregoire and Kessel, they may not have been prepared to dig deep enough – in the view of the agents – to sign them. So the players can shop around in a few weeks and see if they can do better.
There’s also this from Gregoire: “The goal is to see where I can be the best fit, where I might get the best shot to play. I feel like I’m a good fit with the Islanders. I have the confidence and ability to push for an NHL job as early as the upcoming season. Let’s see how this shakes out.”
We haven’t heard yet from Kessel, who could still sign with the Islanders in the coming days instead of turning free agent. Gregoire came across as self-assured and sincere about what has transpired with the Islanders and his reasons for considering his options.
“It’s all about seeing where the best opportunity is,” said Gregoire. “It’s nothing personal on either side. The Islanders have been very professional throughout the process, and my agent and I are doing everything by the book.”
Comments on this story are invited.
