NOt much, how about you???

Lyrics from an old 70’s song, kind of work here.

This summer has been a trip for me to say the least.  I am running about 60-65 hours a week at work, and it is taking a toll on me.  I am losing my mind slowly.  I apologize for not writing as much as I would like, but I am going to try and make an effort to do more in the future.

So what has happened lately????

1. Trent going to arbitration.  His numbers will hurt, but his effort should get him some more $$$.  The Nystrom award winner last year should get a lift, and hopefully see his numbers lift as well.  I really hope that we can sign him before the arbiter gets the case.
2. Arbour for game # 1500.  If this does not say what kind of class Ted Nolan is…. I think this will be a fun night, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Al will play to WIN!  Looking forward to that game.
3. Campy signs for 3 years.  Great to lock him in..
4. I like that the new guys are getting involved in the community - without even asking, they guys are just doing… That is a great sign to see

Hey- let me ask you - the readership of this blog, what would you want me to comment about?  Give me some topic ideas, and I will try to bounce them off of you.

I am not going to ramble too much until the start of camp - but if something from the gallery comes up that tickles my fancy - well - you know….

Thanks - and talk soon.

Gary

As I sit in the press box at the Ducks Game, just thinking of some things:

1. The Isles still need a quality D man.  Losing Hill and Poti equals about 48 minutes of time per game.  I think that Campoli and Gervais need to get the chance to step up and get their chance.  However, an extra man with some serious experience would be of help.  Derek Morris or Danny Markov would be that choice.
2. The Rangers are back to their spending ways.  Who are they going to get now, Sidney Crosby?  They are going to be so far over the cap, that they are going to have to unload a great deal of money as well.  Just remember where the Rangers were when they were just dumping money to players?  That’s right, the mid April tee times of Westchester County.
3. Brent Sutter, with his vague comments at his press conference last week, seems to be perfect for the Lou Lamoirello school of “HUH?”
4. I think Philadelphia is going to have a much better team this season.  However I think they still need some work on D.  Biron is a big help, but the defenseman are either young or incredibly slow.  Speaking of Philly, Inquirer writer Tim Panaccio commented when the schedule came out, that the Flyers were playing the hapless Islanders.  Hey - when your team starts to get out of last place and look like a repsectable team, please let me know…Until then, shut your pie hole!
5. Isn’t it great to talk hockey in July?

The Ducks had a tough end to the first half, losing some critical games in the stretch run, and ended up in third place in the first half, behind Newark and Bridgeport.  PJ Rose (son of Pete) is leading the league in batting average with .352 before todays game.  Alfonzo is hitting about .265 and playing a great defensive shortstop.

Off to Virginia for buisness for two days, and them some vacation time in North Carolina for a few days.  If anything serious Islander information happens, I will talk about it.

Gary

The Isles today introduced the newest Captain, Bill Guerin, along with his new 3 teammates, Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko and John Sim.

From the sounds of the conference, Guerin is humbled and honored to take the C from Alexei Yashin, and move this team forward.

“I’m completely surprised, but thrilled about this tremendous honor,” said Guerin. “I want to thank the organization for the vote of confidence and I will not take this captaincy lightly. Thank you Garth. Thank you, Charles. I’m excited about joining a team with such a wonderful history. I speak for all four of us when I say this is a group of players that wants to be here and play as team.”

Guern and Mike Comrie already reached out to the community and have bought 25 tickets to give to children with cancer for every game this season.  A great step to bring some good news to Islander country.

As for the C, I already hear that many are not happy with that.  They (the unhappy ones) thought that maybe Witt or Silly should get it.  Maybe they should.  But with these guys, I do not expect any animosity.  BIll Guerin is a heads-up classy guy, that has earned respect from everywhere he has been.  He has a couple of Stanley Cups under his belt, and that helps.  And considering the last man that wore the “C”, it is a marked improvement.

Notice that Garth has a real good smile on… He looks real happy, as we all should.  I hear that there is one more big move coming… Will it be that big defensemen that we think will bring the team to an even higher level?  Time will tell.

Well - how did we do, you ask?  When you look at the division, I think we ended up holding our own.  Let’s look at the other 4 teams in the division.

Rangers - signing Drury and Gomez will be big, but between the forwards and Lundqvist, you have the defense, and I can sum that up in one word.  YUK!  I see a lot of 8-7 games in their future.

Devils - Major losses (Rafalski, Gomez) will bring Marty’s numbers back to earth.  He will break the records of Monsieur Roy, but it will not be a walk in the park anymore.

Pens - pretty much the same, just a year older and another step scarier.

Flyers - night and day difference.  Will not be a cakewalk for a while.

If this division is not the best in the NHL next season, I will be severely surprised.  But we should be able to hold our own, and the coaching staff will make sure we do just that.  OK Garth - take the pics and get that D man.

Who needs the Cyclone when you have the job of being an Islander fan.

The excitement that now is a part of being a fan gets into frenzy mode once July 1 becomes upon you.  By the end of the First, it seemed like the Gods threw a giant anvil on our management, making us look like Wile E Coyote standing there with a sign saying “HELP”!

To most fans, that is exactly what they expect of the Islanders.  They just feel that we are not worthy to even be around.  Just another chance for Jim Balsillie to get a franchise and move it to Hamilton.

However, Garth Snow is still getting that NHL media imposed reputation that he is a nobody that can not be able to handle the operation of a franchise, working for a owner that is a total quack.

Guess what folks, we are quacking back!

The acquisition of Guerin and Comrie in the last 24 hours, along with getting some minor league SIZE and strength, SHOULD show people that the Islanders do indeed mean business and will do whatever to recoup for the loss of Smyth, Blake, et al.

Fans, myself included, expected Snow and Company to be active at 12:01 PM on July 1.  I know that they were ringing the phones and making inquiries.  Just the fact that we were at a -5 on the loss department and a 1 on the gain, they thought we were done for the season.  Pack up the truck and leave.  Way to shut them up with the two moves yesterday, and getting “tank” Fedotenko on the 4th.

I think there is more coming.  We do need one more D man, capable of going 23 - 27 minutes a game.  There are a couple out there, and I am sure they are being looked after by Garth and Kenny Morrow, among others.

As the Boss said, keep the patience, things will work out…  I, as you probably too, wanted to see Ryan and Blakey stay, but it is not to be.  I am peeved at Ryan.  I think his short time here, gave the team a reason to strive harder, work more diligently, and show a sense of class and dignity.  Guerin also fits that role, and I really like the fact that he has a ‘no movement’ clause in the contract.  In other words, he WANTS to be here.

Well - I will probably not be around the computer for the weekend.  Have a great time, enjoy the summer heat, but if something important goes over the wire, we will talk about it here.

SO - what do YOU THINK ABOUT THIS????   Come, come, elucidate your thoughts!

OK - With Fedotenko and Guerin in the fold, and a possibility of Mike Comrie - we are not looking as bad as we did 24 hours ago.

If everyone just gets off Snowy and let him do his job - we will be fine…..

More talk to follow… Whaddya think????

Well - it was a fun Sunday for us, wasn’t it.

Smyth - GONE

Blake - GONE

Poti - GONE

Zednik - GONE

Kozlov - GONE

Well - at we least we still have SHAKEY!  And now John Sim to… (saves the stichers on lettering!)

I am totally gutted….  So many movers - so much salary going to these guys.  Do not blame Garth - I am sure that he worked as hard as he could.

But alas - the naysayers and doubters and complainers that we all know and love will be sticking their heads out.

Please vent - I could use the love and support of fellow fans.  I wonder how many people will be calling for their season ticket money back…… It is tough to be an Islander fan today, but chin up!