Nielsen To Make Season Debut For Isles

Looks like Frans Nielsen will make his season debut tonight for the Islanders. According to the last few days of practice, Jeff Tambellini will also return to the Isles lineup and Schremp and Sim will sit out. Rechlicz, to this point, remains in Bridgeport. Okposo has been moved off the line with Tavares and Moulson and will play wing on the line centred by Nielsen. No word on the defense.

Moulson-Tavares-Weight
Bergenheim-Nielsen-Okposo
Tambellini-Bailey-Comeau
Thompson-Park-Jackman

Isles say Hillen stays in the lineup, maybe Meyer sits?

Building The Isles

This Islanders team does not have the talent to be good now. That said, the current approach, build from within through the draft, supplemented by free agents, as, and when appropriate, is the right approach to building a sustainable winning team (ex. Wings, Devils). Attempting to build your team via free agency has hardly ever worked (ex. Rags, Leafs, Flyers). In fact, has it ever?

This is a long process and the Isles started pretty empty. The team also needs a draft guru; Jersey, David Conte, and Detroit, Jim Nill and Ken Holland, have their guys; I'm not convinced the Isles currently have theirs. The Isles need to stick with this rebuild and in three to four years will be a good on-ice team ready to challenge for playoff success.

Isles say good to see Hillen in the lineup this weekend, he looked pretty good.

Hurting Hillen?

Currently, Islanders defenseman Jack Hillen is not playing. Does this go against Snow's philosophy of not having veterans take ice time from the younger guys? They are moving Weight to the wing, from his career centre position, to accommodate Tavares. Tambellini is also sitting, but he has been given a full shot, over several years, to show what he can do at the NHL level (and not impressed). Hillen is still a developing defenseman; why not sit Meyer and play Hillen? You will need defensive depth over the course of the year, but is Hillen's development best served as just a depth guy playing sporadically?

Isles say Hillen plays in one of the back-to-back games this weekend, but they need to get him more ice time.

Hat Day!

Isles say happy Hat Day!

Isles Go Down In OT, 4-3

In an up and down effort, the Islanders lost to Ottawa last night, in overtime, 4-3. Okposo had a beauty and Tavares got stoned on a cross-slot feed from Okposo. Biron was OK, but should have had the OT winner.

Isles say the powerplay is looking pretty good, but even-strength scoring is still not an Isles' strength.

Tavares Debuts In Canada

John Tavares makes his Canadian NHL debut tonight in Ottawa. Looks like Rob Schremp will be getting time on the second powerplay unit.

Isles say Biron gets the nod in net tonight.

A Game Day Hat Day!

Isles say let's go Islanders! (and Happy Hat Day!)

Schremp To Make Isles Debut

Here are the lines the Isles used at practice yesterday:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Bergenheim-Weight-Sim
Schremp-Bailey-Hunter
Comeau-Park-Jackman
Tambellini-Thompson-Rechlicz

After practice Rechlicz was sent to the Sound Tigers. The newest member of the Islanders, Rob Schremp, will be used on a line with Bailey and Hunter. Looks like Tambellini and Thompson are out for tomorrow night.

Isles say they got Schremp to give him a shot at the NHL level, they should give him 15 to 20 games and decide from there. Tambellini has had his chance.

Weight And Comeau In For Thursday

Doug Weight and Blake Comeau are ready for Thursday's game against Ottawa. With Weight coming off injury reserve someone will have to be moved off the Islanders' roster.

Isles say Rechlicz is sent to Bridgeport, but who else comes out of the game lineup?

Isles Lose in Shootout, Tavares Scores

John Tavares had a goal and an assist, but the Islanders lost to Pittsburgh in their home opener on Saturday night, 4-3.

Isles say a good overall team effort; Okposo, Tavares, Bailey looked good.

Isles Name Weight Captain

The New York Islanders have named Doug Weight as their new captain. The choice was made through a player vote. Richard Park, Brendan Witt, Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo have been given assistant roles.

Isles say a good choice for a still rebuilding team.

Isles Carry Roster Maximum

The New York Islanders are entering the season with the NHL maximum 23 players on their active roster, 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies. Weight (groin), Nielsen (knee), Reich (broken wrist), and DiPietro (knees/hips) are on injured reserve. A game lineup can only have 20 players; who are the odd men out on Saturday?

Isles say they dress 12 forwards and six defensemen; Rechlicz, Thompson, and Gervais sit.

Hat Day Returns!

After taking a little break during the past month, Hat Days (and the Islanders) make a return.

Isles say we start, kickin' it new school!

Isles To Have Classic Uniforms In '10-'11

IslesSay.blogspot.com is back! Whoa... hold the excitement there. lol Let's talk New York Islanders! :)

It has been confirmed that the Isles will be switching to classic '70s style uniforms for both their home and away games next year. Yesterday the Islanders AHL affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, unveiled their new uniforms which pattern directly after the Islanders' uniforms for 2010-2011 (and current 'third' jersey).

Hat Day!

Happy Hat Day!

Isles say an end of summer Islanders lull is about to end with a bang!

Sillinger Retires An Islander

New York Islanders forward, Mike Sillinger has announced his retirement after playing in the National Hockey League for the past 17 seasons.

Isles say a solid player.

Hat Day!

Isles say it's New York Islanders Hat Day at IslesSay.blogspot.com!

Back With The Old?

Miro Satan back in the blue, white and orange? His agent 'tweets' about contract talks with the New York Islanders, new Newsday beat writer, Katie Strang, writes a mid-summer article about him skating at the Isles practice arena, and the circus begins. The Islanders are a young, rebuilding team, focused on providing ice time to their kids. They do not need Satan (or Parrish, or Tanguay). Finishing high in the draft order one more year won't hurt a thing. I just wonder if the goalies are too good to have that happen?

Isles say Satan will not sign with the Isles.

Islanders Hat Day!

Isles say it's a very quiet Hat Day!

A Solid Defender

Isles say a gritty and reliable defenseman.

Hat Day!

Isles say Happy Hat Day!

Isles Sign Comeau

The New York Islanders have signed the last of their RFAs by inking Blake Comeau to a two year, one-way deal worth an average of $650k per year.

Isles say I have not seen anything that makes him special on the ice.

Support The Lighthouse

Please support Charles Wang and the Islanders by researching and supporting the Lighthouse Project. The long awaited public hearing has been scheduled by the Town of Hempstead, on Tuesday, August 4, 2009.

Isles say this is an important day in Islanders history.

Building From The Centre

Isles say adding a dominant centre has to be a part of this rebuild; know any.

Hat Day! Yay!

Isles say it's New York Islanders Hat Day!

Jack Hillen Inked To Two Year Deal

The New York Islanders have reached agreement on a two year, one-way contract with RFA Jack Hillen (reportedly for $520k per year). The move leaves Blake Comeau as the Islanders only unsigned RFA.

Isles say the Islanders won't be sitting a young defenseman and the veterans are starters, look for a move on the defense.

Supporting The Islanders

Please support Chris Botta and his attempt to keep 'islanderspointblank.com' alive.

Isles say he and his blog are great for the Islanders.

The Old Barn

On August 4th, please support the Lighthouse Project and keeping the New York Islanders on Long Island where they should be.

Isles say she's a real beauty in need of an updating. GO ISLES!!!!

Re-visiting The Roster

2009 - 2010 New York Islanders Roster

Forwards
Comeau - Bailey - Okposo
Bergenheim - Weight - Hunter
Tambellini - Tavares - Thompson
Jackman - Nielsen - Park

Defense
Streit - Gervais
Witt - Martinek
Sutton - Meyer
Hillen

Goalies
Biron
Roloson


Isles say an offensive type veteran and an 'enforcer' will be added before the season starts.

Isles Sign Thompson, Two RFA's Remain

Avoiding an arbitration hearing, the New York Islanders have signed RFA Nate Thompson to a one year, two-way contract. RFA's Jack Hillen and Blake Comeau remain unsigned.

Isles say this is a depth signing and with an improved roster, barring injuries, he'll be with the Sound Tigers for most of the year.

Battlin' Billy

Isles say Billy Smith was the best playoff goalie of all-time.

DiPietro's Career Over?

The New York Islanders have signed former Philly starting goalie Martin Biron to a one year, $1.4M contract.

Isles say, having read all the different stories and speculation on this move, Ricky's injuries are career threatening.

A Distressing Hat Day

Isles say it's a distressing hat day (get well DP).

All-time Best Islanders

So who makes your top five list of all-time best Islanders?

Isles say Bossy tops mine.

New Islanders Assistant

The Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with new assistant coach Scott Allen who will join head coach Scott Gordon's staff for the 2009-10 season.

Isles say this is a very young coaching staff.

Isles Pre-Season Schedule

The New York Islanders 2009-10 Pre-season Schedule

Sept. 14 - vs. Vancouver (Terrace, B.C)
Sept. 16 - at Edmonton
Sept. 17 - at Calgary
Sept. 19 - vs. Calgary (Saskatoon)
Sept. 20 - vs. Edmonton (Saskatoon)
Sept. 22 - vs. Los Angeles (Kansas City)
Sept. 23 - vs. New Jersey (NVMC)

Sept. 29 - at New Jersey

Isles say Tavares' first home game is September 23rd against New Jersey.

Islanders Ice Girls

Isles say I love all things Islanders. :)

Hat Day!

Isles say it's Hat Day at IslesSay.blogspot.com!

Isles Sign Tavares

Today the New York Islanders signed John Tavares to a three year entry-level contract.

Isles say Tavares scores 25 goals next year.

Tavares an Islander!

Tavares as a part of the New York Islanders.

Isles say another piece of the rebuilding puzzle.

Welcome John

The New York Islanders welcomed John Tavares to the organiztion at a press conference on Wednesday. An estimated 500 fans turned out to the event.

Isles say welcome aboard John Tavares.

Hat Day!

Isles say a beautiful Hat Day!

Isles Feature DP In Ads For Upcoming Season

The New York Islanders are now starting to use Rick DiPietro in their ticket ads for the 2009-2010 season.

Isles say this is a good sign.

Needed; A Healthy DP

Isles say the Islanders need Rick DiPietro back, and fully healthy, to really kickstart this rebuild.

Key Lighthouse Project Meeting Needs Public Support

A key public hearing on the environmental impact of the Lighthouse Project has been set for August 4th at Hempstead Town Hall.

Isles say please show up and support the Lighthouse Project moving forward in an environmentally responsible way.

Isles In Discussions To Add RFA Barker

Isles say Cam Barker to the Islanders, via trade, is a possibility.

Royal Blue Beauties!

Isles say our draft picks look pretty good in those sweaters.