ON THE FINAL DAY, CIZIKAS WILL BE SIGNED
Team Canada, St. Mike’s standout will ink his ELC
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.
74 Responses to ON THE FINAL DAY, CIZIKAS WILL BE SIGNED
Team Canada, St. Mike’s standout will ink his ELC
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93 Miracle says:
I cant say its a happy off season based on this signing. I mean we drafted this kid, we should sign him. He is going to be an nhl player and from the sound of it a damn good hard working one.
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I can not believe the depth that Garth is gathering, it is simply awesome. This kid has amazing leadership skills and is definatly a future leader. I have heard him compaired to Micheal Peca. Thats amazing leadership praise.
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Islanderfan19 says:
Kid is a true leader…he wore his heart on his sleeve last night and I’m sure he will do the same when he finally gets to wear the blue and orange
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nyislanders93 says:
Great news and a great start to the offseason by Garth, Charles, and the rest of the organization.
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Oye Comeau Va says:
Good to hear, and just after Jeff Marek wondered out loud on twitter if Cizikas would sign or re-enter the draft. Looking forward to hearing it made official.
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Moonutties says:
Will CC take Comeau’s spot? Isles save money and get younger.
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Staten Islander says:
Get’er done Garth. Make it happen…..PLEASE
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Wang and Snow are getting things done. I am excited, and if this keeps up, I will have to get season tix. I hope the rough patches are behind us. I am proud to be an Islander fan. Come on Garth, realize who your allies are, let’s kiss and make up!
Hey, We’re all Islanders! -
Nah they will resign Comeau! He’s a guy who can score 30 next year w/ the right C. We NEED 2 dump baily! He’s horrible. We ruined him beyond belief. we need to resign konopka nd draft huberdeau or Couturier.
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admin says:
Casey Cizikas in 2011-12 and Blake Comeau are unrelated topics, and not just because they’re completely different players who play different positions. Cizikas is a prospect who needs development time…CB
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joeg says:
Unless Snow goes out and signs some quality players either via free agency or by trades, the Islanders will still be a lottery team. Ill be excited when Snow and Wang take the next step and put a quality product on the ice. Not just sign PROSPECTS and our own players.
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Strummer's Army says:
Has thus far been an excellent summer! Adding Cizikas will make it all the better. He’ll get serious ice time in Bridge this year.
You look at the crop of forwards under contract for next season (just those slated for NHL):
Moulson Tavares Nino
Grabner Nielsen Okposo
Comeau Bailey Martin
Gillies Konopka Haley
Hunter ParenteauIt is clear to add even one guy thee guys need to go. Hunter and Parenteau are the obvious choices. I think the next is Comeau who does many good things but is streaky, soft, and an RFA. I think he’ll be dealt if the Isles intend to bring in a vet forward.
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Kallur says:
Konopka is not under contract for next season. Neither is Gillies, but I bet he’s signed to another two-way because he’s as cheap as they come.
On another note, thanks to CB. Without a credential, whether at the Winter Classic or writing from his basement on Memorial Day, he breaks stories, interviews Wang’s top guy and brings us stories everyne else is too bothered to cover or too lazy or don’t care to write. Thank you.
Most important, let’s not forget the true warriors on Memorial Day.
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isles71 says:
Was a good sign in the opening of last nights’ coverage on NHLTV, that the announcers kept referring to “Cizikas Team”. Think that shows a lot of leadership and is testament to his character, especially since all he has been through.
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bossy2219 says:
I don’t understand why everyone wants Comeau traded. He’s a third line player who scored 24 goals, is good on the PK. If he had steady and quality line mates (sorry JJ,Shremp) he would have had better number. I understand he is frustrating sometimes with his circling around the offensive zone but he is still learning as well. With steady line mates he may add another 5-10 points, which is really good for a third line player. How many people are jumping on the Bergy bandwagon now that he is in the playoffs? People will regret trading Comeau. These are the type of players/point scores you want on the third line.
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Al L says:
Why is it so many of you discount Parenteau and Comeau? The former is a slick, shifty offensive player who doesn’t embarrass himself in the other two zones and at 28 may just now be coming into his own.
Comeau is soft??? I don’t see that at all. Granted in the past he would circle the wagon offensive,but last season he began to make a direct bee line toward the net with speed and power,paying the price.
With Grabner we observed how speed can kill. Comeau provides that along with power foward strength.
Cizikas is definately a willing young player,who may have leadership qualities,but I question how his overall skill level will translate to the NHL. He isn’t very big,nor does he possess much speed on his skates. Hopefully there is an upside in his development.
I see the same player in Jason Gregoire who is bigger. It would be interesting to know why Garth prefers Casey. Perhaps it lies in $$$$$? -
big daddy says:
Knew that was a great pick when he was drafted
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Isle Be Damned says:
While Casey may not be the best Islanders prospect, I feel that he is the safest bet to fulfill his potential. He’ll never be a top 6 guy, but Casey looks assured to have a very long career in the NHL as a grinder/PK/Pain in the butt type. I hope he’s able to get at least a year and a half in Bridgeport before coming up.
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Ethan K says:
I think he can turn into a great fourth liner, which is what we’ll need in a couple years. Until then, he’ll play a third line role in the AHL for at least a season.
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the kid’s come a long way and it’s only the beginning. i will not cap him as a 3rd or 4th liner…sounds like he has a huge heart, that can take him further!
sign him up! -
Im a BIG Comeau fan, I just dont see how anyone is going to bash this guy. He is so fun to watch and yes is streaky but so what he scored 24 goals and you know he will score more down the road because he has a hell of a shot, which by the way is accurata(goes top corner), he can skate the puck in over the blue line, can pass the puck well, and guess what hes only 25 he can still get better. Hes on our THIRD LINE! He has 2nd line potential. The bashing on him is crazy. Its not like the Islanders made the playoffs this season and he did not show up. Comeau also scores big goals against the ranger$ as well as Parenteau, but we must find a 1st line winger not PA for Tavares and Matty Ice. I like our offense now and even more so for the future. If we make the playoffs or do not this season, it will be based on how our defense plays.
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bonzolives says:
no duh.
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kabbage19 says:
What separates a guy like Cizikas from a lot of players is his compete level. Ever hear of a guy like Goring or Tonnelli? He may not ever put up huge numbers in the show but he is the type of guy other players follow in the trenches and to the Stanley Cup parade.
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Mike239 says:
Whats not to like about this?! This will eventually mean cutting some “dead wood”. Who will it be? Stay tuned…
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dose says:
I can’t say I’ve seen him play a lot, but everything I’ve seen projects Cizikas as a solid if not spectacular two-way centericeman with leadership potential. He seems a lot like a tougher version of Bailey, and that’s not a bad thing. Bailey isn’t even 22 yet and people are already giving up on him. Not me. Whether or not it’s because the team put too much on him too soon – I still suspect getting Joba’ed back and forth from center to wing held him back at least as much – Bailey clearly still has a lot of developing to do. It may still take another year or even two, but I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t happen. Meanwhile, Nino might be the only kid in the fold with real BIG TIME star potential, but the G.M. has done a helleva job collecting a bunch of kids who – even if only half of them blossom as projected – are going to fill out a contending roster. Not to mention who else he might bring in, given the brighter picture an arena deal would bring, and even modest loosening of the spending restraints he’s operated under for 4 years. As for Comeau, I’ve never been his biggest fan. I think he still hasn’t figured out what kind of player he is. If they stick with him I guess that fine, but what this team still needs most is better, younger and tougher defensemen, and if spending Comeau as a chip can help in the regard, I say do it.
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Irish Isle says:
Cizikas is going to be kid that everyone loves. Anyone that hasn’t seen it yet, youtube Cizikas penalty kill against Russia in WJCs. He will be wearing the hardhat alot.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Cizikas = Thickening of Stanley Cup Contention depth potential.
There are a lot of star players in the history of the game that aren’t drafted in the early rounds. Casey (Mighty Casey) is said to have first round talent. He’s going to be a beloved Islander (see John Tonelli, Bobby Ny, B. Sutter, M. Pecca etc) … That’s what my gut says.
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Cizikas plays with heart, he hustles and gives 110%, I would take 10 more just like him. Every team needs a guy like this and now we have one, aka Tonelli/Goring..
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JoeB says:
5’10 – 193 LBS
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Kbelanger33 says:
#12 joeg- took the words right out of my mouth. 100% correct…slow down on the praise of garth/wang..still more work to be done-free agents.
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Brian G says:
maybe there will be a competition for the 4th line center role?
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alan says:
With this signing, more and more I feel like we are going to get the 1 defenseman (Larsson or D. Hamilton) that Jersey doesn’t take. Nugent-Hopkins, Landeskog and Huberdeau should be drafted in the top-3. Still, this offseason we must take that next stop and make a splash. A top 2 Dman and a top line winger must be acquired, and I don’t believe either will be taken in the draft. Could Philly, who is desperate to shed approximately 6 mill off their payroll, dangle Meszaros, Coburn or Carter in our face. We must listen and move forward.
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IslanderFAN says:
Im glad some of you arent GM of The Isles!!.
If Huberdeau is still available at number 5, Snow has to draft him!
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Dave says:
won’t pretend i know more about Cizikas than what i’ve read, but what i’ve read has been lights out since we drafted him. why does signing one player mean to some that we automatically can make plans to get rid of another? there’s no problem trying to build depth for once….you get trade pieces if the team starts to click and you get injury replacements, which lord knows this team always needs.
all i know is i might actually go to some Sound Tigers games next year with the (for once) interesting prospect lineup they’ll have on the ice
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bergie says:
34 – yeah because you’ve seen all these players play in person a hundred times and know everything. And Snow has been the GM of one of the worst teams in the NHL so he obviously knows all. Really buddy, give it a rest.
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Al says:
Newsday confirmed your story 3 hours after you wrote it (they didn’t give you credit) so now it’s official!
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Hey strummers army, the team is not gonna break up the PA Moulson JT line, if anything they will do a comeau baily el nino line. PA will stay nd ps KONOPKA IS AN FA!!
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Denis says:
This team actually finished one position lower than the year before. Stop drooling everyone.
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Spittin'chicklets says:
I’ve been watching the Round robin tourney last few weeks and let me just say this… this kid is legit. Hard working, do anything that needs to be done, in the corners mucking it out in the dirty areas and can contribute some points as well.
Be happy we will have this kid in the fold, he will be one of those guys that sort of fly’s under the radar a little bit but will be a very big contributor to the team. -
Fee-Show says:
If he develops into a Mike Sillinger type, 3rd line C, PK, he’s a key piece of the puzzle. And less we forget, this is a top 45 talent who was drafted in the 3rd round with one of Garth’s “trade down” extra picks.
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19inarow says:
Can’t wait to see ‘em playing with us. Awesome news.
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lyle #39. Ya everyone knows Konopka is a FA and should be resigned. Same with Gillies and Haley.
The Isles are going to break up the Moulson, Tavares, Parenteau line because they want to win and PA is not a good enough player to be playing on the first line or PP. He held the other two back last year and is brutal on defense. Compton, Botta, Placey, Hradek, several of the TSN commentators have all said it. Days of the Isles shining up a turd and tricking some fans into believing it’s a Snickers Bar is over. Plenty of talent now.
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Trevor says:
I wish I knew what was up with the fans who come on here and message boards and act like they have all the answers. “Good thing you’re not the Isles GM” Please buddy.
The Isles GM hasn’t won anything and hasn’t come close
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This post is about Cizikas, how did this turn into the optimists vs. the cynics? Garth is close to signing a good prospect, should be a win-win situation here.
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BIGSAVE77 says:
This is great news. I think Cizikas can potentially move up to the top two lines. He has heart and a solid skill set that would be welcome on Long Island. I think a year or two on the bridge is in the cards but if we develop him properly we will be rewarded with a solid hard working player who can score goals.GO ISLES.
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Jim Clark says: A few more signings like this and we will be as good as the Toronto Maple Leafs. Onwards and upwards!
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charlie says:
Very happy everything worked out for Casey and the Isles!
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nhl80 says:
Congrats Casey!
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jack blakc says:
Strummer’s Army, they should re-sign Konopka and Haley, dump Gillies. He is useless on the ice, isn’t a very good locker room presence guy and is an outright THUG! No place in hockey for that guy, get him out!
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Bababoey to you all says:
Comeau got 24 friggen goals! Fellow Isles fans dont deserve him. Hes a 3rd liner at the very least and thats what we expect.
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Claude says:
Wow! They gave ko 3 mill a year. That is one huge bowl of mistake.
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Tim F says:
CB must be away on the holiday. When he sees how this thread covered just about everything besides Cizikas, he’s gonna flip! LOL
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keep adding talent where ever possible, whenever possible. when its free agents, for the right price. never read a GM complain about having too many prospects, or too much talent, or too much cap space.
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Cizikas has a lot of heart, never to many of those guys. As far as Comeau, he is an excellent 3rd liner. Every player is streaky and goes through ups and downs. He can score, can kill penalties, and brings good energy. Why the hell would you ever want to give him up? Weight retired= good news. Hunter= if he does not show up in preseason, he should be gone. Bruno= should be the team chef instead of playing D. It would be great to have a talented vet signed as a free agent, but even if very little is done, they can stabilize the goalie situation, and our young studs can produce at a decent rate, we will be playoff bound. This team is not far from being very good.Honestly, some of you would be complaining even if they were in the cup finals! Welcome Mr. Cisikas!
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gdmike says:
Leave it to Isles fans to bash some of our leading scorers
Parenteau had a nice year for his 1st full year in the nhl. I agree he is not a 1st liner, but he is an excellent passer.
Comeau is a very nice player. 24 goals is pretty solid considering he is not on the top power play unit and spends a lot of time killing penalties. Don’t put amateur players in successful nhl players spots.
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Another undersized forward with heart. No big deal. We need talent.
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Orange&Blue says:
Looks like a future 3rd line and PK standout for us in a year or two. Well rounded players are always welcome.
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CM says:
Hey Claude #53. Too bad you feel that way. Must be lonely being in the minority.
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gary says:
anyone have a feeling hunters days are numbered with all the young talent developing?
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Who are the others(if any) that have to be signed by June 1 or go back into the draft?
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onesinceforty says:
Remember who scored that goal against Philly when I was 13? Some guy that was a below the radar, character, depth, and utility player that gave his everything to improve and be “Mr. Islander”! You never know when you sign depth guys but you have to sign the prospects to see who pans out. You can’t let them slip away and I’m glad this one apparently won’t.
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Guys, you don’t pawn off 25 year old forwards who are perennial 25-30 goal/year players just because they haven’t fully matured. I know its not the same thing, but how many of you had a bitter taste watching Bergy realize his potential in a Tampa Bay uniform this year?
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Bob E says:
Cizakas will be exactly what you want him to be. 3rd or 4th line centre and PKer.
Hate to say guys Gillies not going to be on Isles starting roster.Hunter will be 4th liner. along with Martin unless Martin shows otherwise in training camp.
look foward to CC signing today or tomorrow. He’ll be top centre in bridgeport all season. That will help him develop just nicely.
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Big Daddy on May 31st, 2011 08:18:53 said: Guys, you don’t pawn off 25 year old forwards who are perennial 25-30 goal/year players just because they haven’t fully matured.
You do if they bring back more value in return. That’s what a GM’s job is.
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SCLI says:
Bergy has not, is not, nor ever will be a 25-30 goal scorer in the NHL. He is what he is. A 3rd/4th line energy player. Who BTW never played as well with the Isles as he did in the PO’s with TB. No regrets here seeing him doing well as one of Tampa’s bottom 6. Just remember how streaky his play was and is. Fortunately for him and TB, he hit a streak during the PO’s. As for Cizikas, glad to have him aboard. In a couple of years he’ll be paying dividends for us. And Comeau. He and Parenteau are the bargaining chips that just may bring us that top line wing we so desperately need to complement JT & MM. We have a few kids ready to break into the lineup this year. We are over stocked. Some one or two must go. We have the chips to up grade our top line and our top “D” pair. The time is coming to turn the corner.
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D in Big D says:
Don’t see the logic behind all the excitement of this signing.Good depth signing but he was our pick right?He may be good/solid 3rd liner(2cnd @ best)right?Well we already have several of those guys(some better than others)but most of the posts here want to trade our best developed one in Comeau.What are you people thinking?If Garth did trade him and used the same type opinion of him as most of you,he’d be fleeced!!Also people WHEN are the Isles actually going to start winning some games?My answer to that is when they start making the right moves not the fan favorites.If they don’t keep Comeau but rather elect to OVERPAY ko(who has done NOTHING) that will be the most obvious inept move this organization has made in a long time.CB would love for you to throw in a question to your next 10 or so guests to see who holds more value(in their opinion)around the NHL,Ko or Comeau.I think the results would be shocking to most.As for post 63 name the last trade in which the Isles clearly got more value in return.
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post66 dose,not 63.
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Rich 55 says:
More than other sports, a hockey players surroundings contributes significantly to their development and personal success. What surrounds them on the ice, in the locker room and the culture of the organization can turn a 15 goal scorer into a 30 goal scorer and vice versa.
Great job signing CC. Depth creates job competition. Competion separates the men from the boys. Keep Comeau, Baily, and PA. At the end of the day, and it’s finally coming, it will be evident who stays and who gets traded for picks. It’s a continuing and repeatable process and the Isles are getting it right for the first time in 20+ years.
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Louie da puck says:
2008 and 2009 really were great drafts…. One more to go and we are set for a decade….Its finally almost here..
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terry99 says:
When Cizikas was drafted teams wouldn’t touch him because of his unfortunate situation. The Isles took a chance on the kid and I believe that has something to do with him signing and not opting out and go free agent. Loyalty is a beautiful thing. All these recent signings are very good publicity and at least somewhat are connected to the Aug. vote. Good pub = yes votes.
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john z says:
dont let the snowjob fool you with all these signings….ITS THE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS THAT WILL IMPRESS ME!!!!!
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WavepooL says:
When can we expect to see Cizikas in the big show?
CC will be an important part of…Stanley Cup team on Long Island…