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