The sun is out (with a little clouds, but nevertheless, a dry day today), and it is sunny skies for the Isles on their preseason debut.

Albeit, half the team is youngsters and junior players looking to make a squad, but it is still the Orange and Blue, no matter who is donning the sweater at this point.

Nice to see Jon Sim back and playing. There is betting at Ladbrokes (a UK betting firm) to see if Sim makes it to more than 5 periods this season. I am betting that this will happen…. Sim will make a big presence on this team for the 08-09 season. He is the type of guy that if he can play to his potential, he will allow other players to be able to maximize their potentials. You look at the Atlanta Thrashers two seasons ago, and Sim was a major pain in the butt on his opponents, and we all know what happened to the Thrashers in 06-07? They won the South East Division for the first time. Yes, the Rangers beat them in a sweep in the first round, but the contribution of Sim to the Thrashers team was crucial to their success. That need to continue for the Islanders this season.

Rumor mill… We are hearing once again – that Ricky may not start the season. From others in the know – I would seriously DOUBT that statement. Patience and restraint will need to be placed on #39 shoulders, and I know that coach Gordon will do just that.

I see that Campoli had an undisclosed injury last night. This scares me – and we need to keep our d-men healthy for this team to be successful.

Good start for the guys. I know we have another game tonight (not sure on opponent, because I have not surfed that much today). We have to keep the momentums going. With a young team like these guys, preseason success can mean a lot. It is the veteran teams that it does not matter as much if the team goes 8-1 or 1-8.

As for Orlando – chance of rain all week, but the weather held out for the most part. Went to Epcot yesterday – always a nice place to go…. Friday, it is off to Ocala for my nephew’s wedding. By the way, I have a time share at the Marriott Grande Vista. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone. To check it out, go to this link
If you are interested in checking it out – please let me know. I could get you a deal on a vacation visit (with NO OBLIGATION – but a 90 minute visit to the sales office), but honestly, once you go, you may get hooked. We did, and I do not regret it for one second.

As they say here – have a GRANDE day!

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

The words that many a NHL fan can not wait to say…

“Training Camp is about to begin!!!”

The Isles will start on Thursday with their physicals and head to Moncton, NB, for a week of intensive training. Scott Gordon will have his first chance to get his new players to read into his new system, and hopefully it is a transition that the players will not only take seriously, but pick up and master along the way.

Some early questions???

With Sillinger not ready to start the season, how does one of the newest Islanders, 1st round pick Josh Bailey work himself into this group, and find a chance to head to Long Island in October.

Will Kyle Okposo take a giant step forward in his rookie season (eligible for the Calder this year), and be the person that everyone expected him to be when he was drafted a few years back?

Are we FINALLY going to see the NHL caliber play of Jeff Tambellini, or are we just going to see him fade away…? (Truthfully, this is the one question that can make huge dividends for the Isles, if Jeff comes through)

Will Scott Gordon be able to curtail Ricky just a little, so that he has rest and injury free days for all season? The over/under for Joey McDonald (or other backup) starts is 10.

Will Marc Streit be the answer to a struggling power play? Was his year in Montreal good, because of the teammates, or his play?

Basically, will this team be healthy? We can not endure another year of 12 men on the IR.

Now these questions that we were asking in July and August, are now major topics of conversation. The time is here, get the pads on boys. Time to start skating. Time to get your shooting skills in order.

Hockey is back, and I love it!

And the best part – my season tickets came in the mail yesterday, and I am so stoked!

Other notes:
On a personal note – my mom is doing better. She should be heading to a rehab center shortly. Thanks to all for the kind wishes. I will not be on the NY Hockey Report tonight, as I have so much work to do, before my vacation starts on Friday. I will be in Sunny Orlando Florida when camp begins, so I will have my ears to a large coke bottle, and will try and report as much as I can. Add a little flavor, if you will.

Posted under Islanders 08-09, NY Hockey Report

With new coach Scott Gordon in place and goalie Rick DiPietro coming back, the New York Islanders seem to be ready to go into 2008-09.

A strong start, though, may be the key to sell New York Islanders Tickets. The team will need to get the fan base excited about a playoff run in order to keep the Nassau Coliseum filled for the entire season.

But even if the Islanders do falter, Long Island is the best place to get cheap NHL tickets, with Madison Square Garden being sold out and the Prudential Center charging premium prices.

Regardless, Islander Hockey is a great place to watch young players play. Kyle Okposo is an up and coming star with the Isles working on getting other youngsters from Bridgeport up to help the club.

If it works, tickets to Nassau Coliseum may become as popular as New York Giants Tickets or Broadway shows and musicals, which is the way it was for the Isles back in the 1980s.

Posted under Islanders 07-08

Going to Mets games for nearly 40 years, I got a chance last night, that not many people get to do. I was so honored to be on the field for an presentation to my wife and I and another NYI 365 member. We were given Mets Spirit plaques for our support of the Islanders. It also helped that we were all METS fans too.

It is amazing how large Shea actually is, when you are there. The ball field is no bigger than any regulation size field. But when you add the seats, it becomes so large…. When you compare it, to say, Citibank Park where the Ducks play, you really get the feel of the hugeness of it all.

So Claire and I got to get our pictures taken with Mr. Met, and then got to walk out with Chris Dey and be on the jumbo tron, as well as be on Islanders TV (probably later today).

After the photo op – we went over to the picnic area where we were given Mets bucks, and had some dinner. Early in the second inning, my buddy Bobby and I decide to go back down to get a beer (for him) and peanuts (for me). No sooner did we move down to the bottom of the section, when the Nationals Elijah Dukes cranks on a Pelfrey fast ball, and the screaming hit comes not only to the picnic area, but if I was still sitting in my seat (the top row of the picnic area), I would have taken a chest wound. Figures… the one time to get a ball, and I miss it for a bag of nuts!

Anyway, I saw some pictures of Bill Guerin and Doug Weight taking batting practice (courtesy of Josh Bernstein). Got some interesting info about things coming up (you will see info on it real soon….), and just took in the whole experience of being at Shea. Oh BTW, I saw Darryl Strawberry, he is still a big presence, and he looks like he could still lace up the cleats.

Well folks, one week until training camp….. Get pumped!

I am putting the pictures down on the bottom here, enjoy!

Gary

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Mets 08, Ramblings

Actually, you will see Claire and I on the field. We were asked by the Islanders to be on the field for some presentation before the game.

I have been a MET fan all my life, and in this last season of the stadium, I will get to be on the field. It is real exciting for me, and I am so looking forward to it.

But it is a happy occasion, and right now I need it…. My mother is not doing well. She is in ICU at Winthrop. She has COPD and the disease is getting worse and taking a toll on her both physically and emotionally. All I ask, is that if you are a person of faith, to please remember my mom, Ethel, in your prayers. The family are hoping that in this trying time, that God will keep her as comfortable as possible, and try to comfort us as well in our time of need.

Thanks, and God bless.

And tomorrow – don’t forget to take some time, and remember the folks who lost their lives on that sunny morning seven years ago. Remember who we are, and what we stand for. With all the political ‘bitchiness’ going on – let’s drop the party lines, and remember that we are Americans, standing tall for our great country and people.

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Mets 08, NY Hockey Report, Ramblings

I am starting up a free fantasy league. It will allow 16 players. It will be an auto-draft, based on your preferences. If you do not want to detail them – it will be random…

It is rotisserie style, based on a great deal of categories. You will have a 25 man roster, basically, 4 lines, 6D, 2 goalies, and a 5 man fill in roster that you can move back and forth.

No charge, but I will see if I can get some ‘prizes’ to use….

If you are interested – please go to the link below. (Click on the Bold text)

Thanks,
Gary

You have been invited to join nyibc1@aol.com’s custom league in Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Hockey.

In order to join the league, follow the link above or go to game front page, click the “Sign Up Now” or “Get Another Team” button and follow the links to “Join a Custom League”. When prompted, enter the League ID# and password below.

League ID#: 4278
Password: njdnyinyr

We will send you a confirmation with further details once you have completed the registration process.

Posted under Cool A-C League, NY Hockey Report