The picture on the back page of the Newsday on Sept 12th, just says it all.

According to sources, Ricky will be signed to a 15 year, $67.5 million contract.  It will be guaranteed.  So that for the next decade and a half, #39 will be patrolling the nets in Uniondale.

With that deal going in the books, the Isles will have another 2.5 million of the cap available, which sources feel will get a viable NHL backup to be with Ricky.  Although this reporter feels that Wade Dubielewicz should get his chance.  He has done well, and deserves his shot.

Is this another piece of work, generated by Mr. Wang?  Seems to be.

What once was a successful and respectful franchise is now turning into a side show, according to reporters and fans throughout North America.  Nothing is ever positive.  Even if something is supposed to be positive, it is moved and twisted to appear to be out of the ordinary.

In DiPietro, we will have the 8th highest paid goalie in the league.  We have a man, who shined brightly after the Olympics, and proved himself to be making a turn into the elite goalies in the league.  He is slowly starting to show why he was the #1 pick in the NHL draft.  He has the skills and the abilities, now he has 15 years to leave his mark in the books of hockey.

I sure hope he does it, and shuts up the critics.

In addition, according to the NY Post, the Isles are going to sign former Devil Victor Kozlov to a one-year contract.  The 6′4″ center, was one of the best in the NHL in the shootout.  He went 8-12 last year for New Jersey, and the Isles now have an excess in the center ice position.  Let’s see what happens in Yarmouth.

Camp is coming…… THANK GOD!

Talk to you tomorrow on the New York Hockey Report.  Please tune in.  We would love to hear from you!  Call in (877) 913-9739.  Joe needs to hear some positive stuff about the Islanders; call him and let him be aware!

Tonight is my first night of bowling in four months.  For those of you that do not know, bowling is MY sport.  On May 4th, 1994, I achieved the ultimate, a 300 game.  I did this the day after my godchildren were born.  It was one of the greatest days of my life, and someday, I would like to experience this again.  Maybe tonight (I doubt that), but you never know.

Speaking of you never know… Mega Millions is $135,000,000. Winning that could buy you a piece of the Isles.  Why not spend a buck and try your luck….

God, I sound like a commercial.  Also - check out my commercial on the NY Hockey Report tomorrow.

See ya,

Gary

It was real fun being back on the air again last night…. Back to the hockey banter with Joe and Derek.  Make sure you all tune in every Wednesday evening at 8:05 for the show.  If you can not, podcast it, and check it out later.

Joe was just being Joe, but it makes the show what it is.  I am not necessarily a huge arguement guy.  I will discuss calmly and placidly, but Mr. McDonald can get in your face right away.  As I said before, he is a great to have on YOUR side.  But in hockey terms, it is Hatfield and McCoy. (Just change it to Harding and McDonald, and you are all set).

Too bad you could not hear what we were talking about during the breaks… That is priceless audio.

But I was thinking about the team last night (after we made our predictions for the Atlantic Division).  I think my Isles will be an improved team.  I know that Ricky (when he signs) will see much fewer shots than in the past.  Having Witt and Tom Poti (Joe’s absolute favorite hockey player), will make this team a little better on D.  It will allow Chris Campoli, who had a surprising rookie campaign, to have less pressure on him.  It will let him be a #4 or #5 man, and get more comfortable in his role.  There were times that he seemed to be a little lost.  

I actually forgot that Alexei Zhitnik is on this team.  He had his moments, but he can eat minutes and spell some guys as well. And by looking at the web site, I have to include Sean Hill in this.  There is some experience here.  Unfortunately, Bruno Gervais may have to be out the outside looking in.  It sucks, but I know that he will get his chance.

Looking up front, having Hilbert, Sillinger and Simon should be able to help this offense.  Hilbert did a real good job playing with Mr. Crosby at the end of the season last year.  Hopefully he can continue on that path.  Sillinger had career numbers in goals, and is an excellent faceoff guy.  I hope he can continue that as well, but he is on the older side, and that will always be a question.  And Simon, well he can still contribute to the score sheet with stuff other than PIM’s.  Also - playing for a First Nation coach will also be a factor. 

The rest of the forwards will have to step up.  I really would like to see Nilsson to move up big time.  We were expecting a lot last year, and he spent some time in the Port as a result of lackluster play.  With Teddy at the bench, I believe that I will just not see that type of excuse or situation happen.  Motivation and hard work is going to be a core factor of this team, and I hope that the record will properly reflect that.

As far as my predictions go, I am trying something a little different this year.  I usually predict with my gut, and stumble.  This time, I will hope a reversal happens this year.

Believe it or not, I actually said this:

1. Rangers
2. Flyers
3. Devils
4. Islanders
5. Penguins

I really felt that the additions that Sather made, will help the Rangers.  Remember, these predictions are, of course, with NO INJURIES and everyone having full squads for 82 games.  I really thought the gap would close a little in the division with all 5 teams improving, especially in Pitt with Crosby and Malkin playing together.  Joe Mac actually picked the PENS to win the division.  Personally, I thought he had too many shots of Jameson Whiskey in the Mets press box with Keith Hernandez.  I am predicting also that my predictions will be DEAD WRONG.

Hope so.

Training camp under a week, and 22 days before the NYR/NYI game at the Coliseum.  Can you feel the excitement.

Gary

- As I type, the Mets are playing a double dip against Los Bravos (Braves).  There was so much rain in the late afternoon, early evening on Tuesday, that the Mets called the game, and set two for this afternoon.

At least the METS will allow fans to get two games for one ticket!  The Yanks have not done that in years.  TO most kids under the age of 30 (hahaha), they have no concept on what a doubleheader really is….  Teams even scheduled them.  It was fun to go to the ballpark, and get to see 18 innings for that one ticket. 

Where has time gone?

- Just heard Ted Nolan on the Fan today.  Some people on the boards were hearing BLAH BLAH BLAH.  Well to be honest…..

They have no CLUE!  (Well - they may - but it is stuff they already heard…)

A great deal was said in that piece, but they just dont hear it for themselves.  For one - he is a person who ALWAYS deals with hard work, and dedication to the job.  We all know that this is what is expected from his players.

I like his comments about Yash.  He may be the top $$ on the team, but if he does not work, he will NOT PLAY!  Agree Teddy, well done mate!

He knows that this team will be conditioned and ready to go.  I expect nothing more.

Give the effort boys, and we will be just fine!

- The NL wild card chase is fun.  Over a half dozen teams within 5 games, going into the last 25.  Nice!  Almost reminds me of the 73 Mets, who were in LAST PLACE at the beginning of September, and won the NL EAST.  Philly is the only one that scares me.  Well, Ryan Howard scares me.  He has been just great!

- Training Camp is in a week… I can’t wait any freaking longer….

- My rivalry game is on Saturday morning.  Everton takes on Liverpool in the Premiership.  The two teams stadiums are only .9 miles apart.  Talk about fan issues…. Should be a cracking match.  Go Toffees!

Predictions:  Jets 6-10  Giants 8-8 (G-men schedule is so tough).   I would like to see them do better, but just can not beleive in it.

If the show is on tonight (technical issues) - will talk to you on the air.  If not - check the blog.

Cheers,

Gary

Just felt like doing some random ramblings.  Just a little to chew on. 

1. The Crocodile Hunter died from a stingray bite… A little anti-climatic, don’t you think?

2. Mets give up ONE HIT, and lose to Houston on Sunday?  Will this team EVER get a no-hitter?  An amazing stat that has never been realized?

3. Andre Agassi - a class act.  When he first came up - people just did not get him.  After 20 years, he got the fans, and the love affair on the court has unfortunately ended.  Maybe we will see him again in another decade or so, when he and ‘fraulein forehand’s’ child surfaces on the tour.

4. Great PINK jerseys that the Ducks wore last night (www.liducks.com).  However, the numbers and the lettering, done in silver and white, were nearly IMPOSSIBLE to read.  THe Ducks do just about EVERYTHING well, but I think this time, the organization did not look into the stands with the jersey before putting this out in public.   A little dark background around the numbering and lettering would have made it PERFECT!  But great job nevertheless.  You can ALWAYS count on the Ducks to do things right.

5.  The Sox (collectively) are DONE!

6.  Football season starts on Thursday and the talk is about the lack of “Big Ben” in the lineup.  With all of the motorcycle garbage in June, you thought that story was over….. Think again!  Will Pitt repeat?  Don’t see it.

7.  Tiger with five in a row!  Only half way to the record of 11 by Byron Nelson in the 1940’s.  If he could do that, then get him a chair next to God.

8.  Who’s excited for the new fall TV season?  YAWWWWWWWWN!

9.  8 Days until training camp.  That is the ONE thing that will get the juices flowing for hockey fans.

10.  Ted Nolan on WFAN on Weds at 11AM.  Must listen for Islander nation.

11.  One more month left - and I get to hear the one word that, to me, symbolizes hockey to me… and that quote is:

      RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Back to work….

Gary

Yes folks, it DOES return.

The New York Hockey Report - a show on the Internet Airwaves, thanks to Broadcast Monsters.com is back starting on WEDNESDAY night at 8:05, and continuing on ‘hump days’ during the hockey season.

The three man ‘tag team’ of Gary Harding, Derek Felix, and moderator Joe McDonald, will once again provide some insight, shtick and banter to the New York hockey scene.

I have really enjoyed my first ‘real venture’ into the broadcasting world.  It has been real fun.  The only thing I wish for is a better team, so the verbal abuse will stop.  Joe is a great guy, he has done a LOT for me, that I really appreciate.  He has helped me venture forward with a path that I never envisioned; and for that, I am grateful. 

However, as a “Ranger fan”, he is this ‘abuse at all costs’, ‘nag nag nag’, ‘cant leave an issue without blowing it up’ kind of guy.  To mark no disrespect to the fans of the Broadway blues, he (Joe) embodies the typical stereotype.  It works on the show, but sometimes, there is no freaking off switch.  But Joe really knows his game, and has really worked hard to get his NHL media accrediation.  He is one guy that you really want to have on your side of an argument.  That’s why you gotta love ‘em!

Derek, he is a good man.  The Devil guy, with a Ranger SEASON TICKET!  Figure out that one…. He could be a candidate for a psychological program, if he tries to apply for it.  Nah - Derek is verk knowledgeable, can back up just about any hypothesis with stats and info.  The one thing that I really like about Derek, is that even though your theory may be opposite from his, he respects it, and will show similarities and empathies.  He is a good bloke.

Me on the other hand….

Someday, I will try to stop doing the um, uh, ah routine.  This past year has been a learning experience.  In most cases, I can speak in front of a crowd well, I can handle that.  However, doing it on the air gave me a large bunch of nerves.  I improved as the season went along, and the one night that I was alone, I actually did pretty good.  I hade my gameplan, and stayed with it.  I just have to learn to deal with the boys, be able to come up with a thought, portray it, and do it without stumbling and bumbling.  That I hope will come along.

Please make sure that you listen tomorrow.  Go to www.nyhockeyereport.com and click on the listen live button.  Or, go to www.broadcastmonsters.com and go that way.  If you can’t get to it live, listen to the podcast.  Call in and talk about your hockey team.

We hope to see you there.

Gary