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!