This is NOT my brain - but it could be…. There is so much going on inside mine right now.  I work about 55-60 hours a week, so that takes a big portion of it.  My home life takes some too.  We are doing some work around the house with guests coming in November.  So some of my brain is focused on that.  It seems like a lot for my brain to concentrate on…

Then there’s hockey.

Friendly (exhibition to you in the states) number 2 was last night in St. John’s Newfoundland.  The Isles gave up two goals late in session number 1, going toward a 3-1 loss against Boston.  The Isles have scored 4 goals in two games, and all 4 of them were by the defense.  Matthew Spiller with 2, Freddy Meyer, and Chris Campoli got the only one last night.  I hope this is not a sign of things to come, but I know it’s not.

I watched part of the game on Islanders TV last night.  It was great hearing Steve Mears’ voice calling the game.  He impresses me more and more every night with his calling.  He is relaxed in his presentation, and provides passion when needed, and frustration when the team is not performing.  For a man still in his twenties, he has a comfort level about him that guys doing this 2 decades or more wish they had. However, the game had some interesting events.  Kip Brennan taking on the “Sequoia man”, Zdeno Chara, and coming up on top.  Even Josef Vasicek, our new center from Carolina, got into a scrap, showing some passion and energy out there.  Some things I saw, still remain from last year.  Andy Hilbert looked a little lost out there.  The team were taking stupid penalties, things that you would hope would not be a factor.  I know that this is only pre-season game number 2, but habits are hard to succumb.  Discipline has to be a big factor for this team to be a successful one.

Interesting article from Greg Logan today.  It mentions about how Mike Sillinger was left in the dark by one of his best friends, Ryan Smyth, about his move to Colorado.  Silly mentioned that the Isles were there until the last minute.  Smyth wanted to play with one of his heroes, Joe Sakic, and really wanted to stay in the Western Conference.  It doesn’t make me sleep any better, but ok. 

Silly disappointment on July 1 was turned around with the moves Garth made.  He likes the way that the team is molding, and is looking forward to the season starting.  However, one note took me to task, and I really want to talk about it.  This is about the following quote that Sillinger made in the article:

…When some of the big-name free agents turned down top-dollar offers from the Islanders, general manager Garth Snow said the aging condition of Nassau Coliseum was a factor, and Sillinger agreed.

“The building’s not a great sell,” Sillinger said. “It is outdated. If they do build a new facility on Long Island, it will be an easy sell to free agents then.

“But I’m not going to lie. That was the first question Billy Guerin and Mike Comrie asked me. You have to be honest. I told them the organization is great, Long Island is a great place for your family, and you’re in New York. But the facilities are not the best. If they change, it will be a strong selling point.”

Any person that believes that the building is NOT a factor in where a player goes is NUTZ!  I would certainly hope that in your job, you made the conditions on where you work a factor.  We may have a building with great site lines, and a lot of history of great players and teams, but that means NOTHING to the players now.  Amenities, the best of equipment and facilities are what players look to.  Don’t believe that they do not think about this.  I am sure that the Pepsi Center blows away our barn when it comes down to that.  I am sure that was a big factor that swayed Ryan away.  I also know that people will talk about the great facility that Ice Works has come to be.  But that is your practice rink.  It is not your game facillity.

We may never get the real answer to these questions.  But rest assured, they are factors, make no mistake about that.

Well - off to work.  I have been in almost 2 hours now - and I am running like a cheetah (that is not a good sight with this body type, but…)  The Isles are ‘home’ to Montreal in Moncton tonight.  Islanders TV will be covering the game again tonight.  Let’s see what the big boys do tonight.

Have a good day! 

G