I figured that I would provide a little picture of a goose bump to get you in the mood…

Hockey season is HERE!

This is my favorite time of the year!  In my mind, we are a contender for the Stanley Cup, no matter what Joe McDonald, or any other naysayer says!

On paper, we may not have the best equipped lineup, but you know that a Ted Nolan team is going to have heart, passion and a definite purpose.

We know that the 15 year contract is a thing of the past, and Ricky is just the #1 goalie, trying to improve himself.

We know that we have two of the best shot blocking defensemen in the NHL in Brendan Witt and newly acquired Andy Sutton.  Radek Martinek is going to enlist in the Prognosticators to keep him healthy all season (my idea - not his…)

This is the season for the real ’step-up’ of the young dynamic duo of Gervais and Campoli.  All of those riveting interviews that Bruno gave during the season are going to help him, as he tells about his GOOD FORTUNE this season.

What will we see more of, stories about Mike Comrie goals, or stories in the tabs about his relationship with a young singing star?  I think Mike has so much to prove, and in the right environment, he can flourish.  Ask Patty L how he played under Ted Nolan….

It should be something to see what will happen in THIS locker room when the Captain speaks?  I think more will take heed than the last man that held that spot.  (Even Carol doesn’t listen much - if you believe the article in the POST yesterday).

This season, the 3rd and 4th lines may not just be a token 7-8 minute per game feature.  We could have scoring depth from 1 to 12.

The Islander office seems to be hard at work, on a lot of things this season.  The crew that are there, seem to get it.  It was starting to come along last season; I think it will be a much improved atmosphere.  Now if only Nassau can get off their collective arses and let Charles get his dream going.

The guys are getting ready - the physicals should be under way.  Then - the flight to New Brunswick for camp.  The games start on Monday.  Can you believe it?  Our home pre-season game is a week from Monday, with another game at Bridgeport on Saturday the 29th.

Wow - and we are almost at 3 weeks until the season begins.  Hope those goose bumps are coming?

During the rest of the week, I am making some predictions, and we will get some feedback from camp.

Are you ready for some Puck!?!?

While enjoying my lunch, I stumbled onto today’s New York Post.  Where I saw the following paragraph, believe it or not, in the Fashion Buzz Section… (believe me - I care less about fashion, but the Headline caught my eye…

MODEL CAROL ALT SURE LIKES TO PUCK

If you want to make time with Carol Alt, bring a hockey stick.  The former model, once married to ex-Ranger Ron Greschner, was spotted backstage in the W downtown lounge with current Blueshir Henrik Lundqvist — not boyfriend Alexei Yashin.

Makes you go hmmmmmm????

 I guess Alexei either got tired of the raw food that she endorses, or she did not want to spend the entire winter in Siberia (literally!!!!)

Now she has a Swedish MEATBALL!

It always helps when a friend hires you to a good job.  And Mike Dunham can thank his friend for that.

Garth Snow yesterday, hired the recently retired Mike Dunham as his goaltender coach for the 07-08 season, replacing Francois Allaire (spelling???).  Dunham, the backup for Rick DiPietro last season, performed admirably for the first 50+ games of the season, but unfortunately, the end of the season spelled disaster.  A lot of early goals and quick hooks from Ted Nolan, and he rode the ‘pine’ for the rest of the season, as “Doobie” became the Islander hero.

At first, I was upset that a “Friend of the Boss” got the backup job over Wade to start the season.  Dubie really had nothing to prove at the AHL level.  But Dunham’s play was excellent at the beginning of the season, especially when the dads were on their road trip with the team, and Dunny had a great game against Florida.  He won me over for a while.

I never dislike Dunny at all.  In fact, he is a consummate professional with a great attitude and work ethic, and that spread throughout the team.  He and Ricky seemed to have a great relationship, kind of that big brother/little brother deal.

I think it is a good move for the team, and Wade and Rick will work well under Mike’s tutelage.

Yes - the summer is over, it is time for HOCKEY once again!

The New York Hockey Report will start its 3rd Season on the Internet Airwaves.

This year though, the time of the show will be different.  We are going on the Blog Talk Radio Network, which prohibits new users from getting “Prime Time” hours.  So to start, we have to go on Weekends.  Which for me, and my work situation will be a lot better. 

I am doing a test show (a 15 minute Islander version) on Saturday, at 9:00 AM.  I really need people to come on and talk for a minute or two - to make sure that the phone numbers, and other stuff about the new network is ready.  So if you are up, check the site, and call in.  The number for the show is (646) 716-7209.

We will be doing a regular show (all 3 of us - Joe, Derek and myself) on SUNDAY at 11:00 AM.  The same phone number to call the show. We will be talking about what we did on our summer vacations, as well as previewing our teams before Camps start.

As always - thanks for the support…. Sorry I have not written in August - been so busy - but I should be back on the keyboard FULL TIME now!

See ya!

Gary