I just got this press release from the Islanders a little while ago:

BAILEY TO REMAIN AN ISLANDER FOR 2008-09

Islanders 2008 First Round Draft Pick to Stay with Team This Season

Uniondale, NY, November 29, 2008 — The New York Islanders announced today that 2008 first round draft pick, center Josh Bailey, will remain with the Islanders for the 2008-09 season. Bailey, who was selected ninth overall this past June, has played in nine games and has recorded five points — all assists. Bailey, who signed a three-year contract with the Islanders on his 19th birthday on October 2nd, will play in his tenth game tonight versus the Ottawa Senators at the Nassau Coliseum.

“My goal ever since I was drafted was to make the team out of training camp and to stay with the Islanders for the entire season,” said Bailey. “I would like to thank (Islanders General Manager) Garth Snow and (Islanders Head Coach) Scott Gordon for the opportunity to play for the Islanders. I would also like to thank the entire Windsor Spitfires organization because I would not be where I am today without their help. I look forward to making Long Island my home.”

Said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow: “In a short time, Josh has met and exceeded all of our expectations of him both on and off the ice. We look forward to watching him continue his development this season as an Islander.”

Bailey made his NHL debut with the Islanders on November 11th versus the Philadelphia Flyers. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on November 13th at Ottawa. Bailey missed the first 14 games of the season with an injury.

Prior to being drafted by the Islanders, Bailey spent the previous three seasons with Windsor and Owen Sound of the OHL. In 191 career OHL games, Bailey scored 58 goals with 125 assists for 183 points.

Great move by the Isles! There is absolutely NO reason for Josh to continue his OHL career with Windsor – that is leading the league by leaps and bounds. There is no additional development goals that would have been made by Josh at that level. As it was stated in the release, he has show so much both on and off the ice, that you rarely see by a man at the tender age of 19.

Now – the pressure is off tonight, Josh… Get that first goal under your belt! I know you can do it, and so do all of us Islander fans!

See ya at the Barn!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Even when Nate got that goal 2 minutes in, I did not have that comfy feeling in my bones that we were going to get out of Boston with a point.

Was I right.

With Buffalo – I knew that the team was not doing it. With Boston – it is just seeing a strong, united team that is playing on all cylinders, but the best part about Boston, is that it is a very young team.

Is Lucic going to be a great player in this league for a long time to come. He is on 21. Kessel is only 21 as well. This team is got the foundation for a very good team for a long time to come.

But enough about the competition. Let’s talk about our ineptitude.

First statement – Tambellini MUST GO! This so called experiment has to end now! He is not mustering up anything in this level. A few weeks ago – Billy Jaffe made a great point about #15. He said (and I am paraphrasing), that he needs to make a stand and if he feels that he needs to change his game if needed. He is not making it with the skill set he has now. Too many chances and not enough results.

Him and Franz Nielsen at the same time were called out on this blog. Lately, Nielsen stepped up and did the job, until Mike Mottau from the Devils snapped and knocked #51 out for 12 weeks. He stepped up the game, but Tambellini did not!

Nate came back and got a goal right away, which I was happy about. He replaced Fritz, for which I was glad to see. We can not have a guy up here, playing 2 minutes a night, and getting in a fight. This team does NOT need that.

Well – Ottawa, this year’s whipping boys for the Isles come in for the second and final time tomorrow. Simply – the third period must be better. Nine goals in the last 2 games in period 3 is NOT good.

Start praying folks!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

It was a touch locker room after the game last night. To a man, they mentioned the PP in the second period that seemed to cast the stone for the Isles.

Bailey is so nice, he is so respectful and answers completely to every question that was asked of him. I feel real confident that he will continue to be this way as he gets older.

The Isles had an early evening flight up to Beantown for a noon game on Friday. I am really looking forward to seeing how the team responds.

Hope your Thanksgiving is happy and enjoyable for all.

Will write on the game tomorrow. If you are on the computer and on AIM, send me an IM (NYIBC1).

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Notes:

Fred Man returns to the lineup… Great to see the whole D returning to the lineup. It is nice to see. I hope that they take the time and get Meyer going slowly. They do not have to pressure him that much. I would hope to see about 17-18 minutes for him.

Marc-Andre Fleury is out – Sabourin is in – they Isles need to take advantage and get shots on the net quickly and with a great deal of frequency.

I have my Hoptical Illusion, and we are ready to go.

Weight – 74 seconds in takes a penalty. Referee Banfield calls #39.

Loudville chanting PRINCESS CROSBY – classic! Pitts PP looks good moving the puck around. Joey – 5 saves already in the first 3 minutes.

Isles get a power play 5 1/2 minutes in – time to gear it up… Got a 5-3 for 21 secs. Pitt looking a bit shaky. Too any times, the team takes too long to give the opponents the puck.

Goal – Isles – the 5 on 3 just ended – but it’s a PP Goal! Bailey – 1st Goal as an Islander – great job! My vote is for him to STAY – no MATTER WHAT. Whoops – Weight got the goal – and Bailey got another assist. Ok!

Hunter – goal – 2-0 Isles! Great set up by Amazing Andy Hilbert. Bailey gets another assist! Great job! Pittsburgh looks pissed not! Talbot just went off the ice on one leg.

Godard and Fritz – started out OK – but a draw…. God – he is so freaking HUGE!

Boarding on Amazing Andy Hilbert. Pat Sajak just said, ‘Rangers SUCK!’ on the video wall. That was brilliant!

Great job – excellent period – off to see the wife and get a new beer!

Prognosis for the second period – continue the pressure, keep the skates moving, and hope that the Hoptical Illusion.

Three great opportunities in the first few minutes, including an open met missed by Jackman. But the Beer is good.

These guys are definitely into the system. I can just hear Rick Moranis scream, LUDICROUS SPEED NOW!

They took away Bailey’s point on the first goal. Now we went from thinking he got his first goal, to not even be on the scoresheet at all….

This box is crazy. They are watching You Tube videos of Family Guy while the Pens are getting a lot of chances on the Islander net. The D is holding up real nice.

Dina is hanging out in the Blog box with us, and my blog mate is in heaven, although he wll not readily admit it! She is even guest blogging on one of the sites.

Power Play Goal – Isles – Guerin with a knuckler – 3-0. Dina MUST STAY HERE! Sabourin out – John Curry in – who the hell is this guy! – Checked on HockeyDB – it is his first NHL game. Usually for us, that means no more goals. Let’s erase that…

This team is so far beyond what the team looked like in mid to late october.

Isles on PP – but ens had 3 opportunities with breakways that were either off, or great stops by Joey Mac. Ricky who?

I hate 3 goal leads… This is like a “F” word to someone…. But the Isles are not holding back.

Pens score with 18.7 left to make it 3-1 – a deflection of a Dupuis shot – I think Satan got it. FIgures… Could he have scored at least one that way last season. You can only hope that the Isles, let that go away, and play hard in the third stanza. Gordon has to tell the boys to keep applying the pressure and make plays.

After 2 – Isles outshooting Pitt 19-16. 2 for 4 on the PP. Being outhit 15-11 but 4-8 on giveaways. Streit and Martinek with over 15 minutes of ice time. Bailey is just under 10 minutes, and Fritz is at a measley 1:35 of ice time. Once again, the Isles need to keep that newfound 3rd period pressure and keep Pitt of the “A” game.

And away we go….

About 3:40 in – Crosby slams into MacDonald with the Puck, and the play is under formal review. NO Goal – what a call.

The Isles, at this time, need to remember the first two periods.

And just as Doug called it – here we go – Malkin sets up Crosby and it is 3-2, with 13:42 left in the 3rd. OK Scott – get the troops going and get these guys in gear!

Malkin ties the game… Oh crap – here we go again! We need a shot of something. Maybe my hoptical illusion. Malkin does it again a minute later. Now we are down 4-3.. Visions of Montreal again. I do not put blame squarely on MacDonald. He could have made some of those saves, but he D left him to dry.

What is the freaking problem with these guys – they just simply lost it, and the Captain now takes a penalty and totally lost his composure to boot. See – we had a three goal lead, and now – we are at a deficit. This stinks!

What a letdown. I am turning the computer off, in preperation for going downstairs. I will add comments in the morning, depending on the situation, as well as my mood.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and I hope you take the time to share your love of friends, family, and everything that is important to you, on this special day. And for those not in the United States of America that are reading this blog, have a Happy Thursday!

Isles in Boston – 12 Noon. Will try and blog from home.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

We got one early, that’s for sure.

In one of the most bizarre finishes in the club’s history, the Islanders get a break they so desperately needed, when Ryan O’Byrne put the puck in his own net, giving the Islanders the tie score with under 4 minutes remaining.

I really do feel bad for the kid. Especially in that hockey crazed town, known as Montreal. He has to feel the weight of millions of French Canadian fans on his head.

However, his mistake is our gain.

I said a few weeks ago – when we were in the midst of our 6 game slide, that the Islanders needed a bonafide miracle. They needed that “Mark Parrish off the butt” goal. Lately, the team has been getting just that. Deflections off sticks, body parts, etc. Good teams, or teams that are riding on a positive note, get those goals. And yes, the road team got that last night.

No one will remember the goals by Park and Guerin in the shootout. No one will remember, the great saves that Joey MacDonald made.

They will remember the own goal.

As Billy and Howie said last night – they have to get the kid back in action immediately, and for the Habs, they have a road contest to do it in, so that will help.

You know – you always hear how great the Canadian fans are… However, did you hear them jeer at O’Byrne as the team left the ice? Real class! (I know I may ge grief over it – but tough. I think that was real sad!)

Well – the Isles are 9-10-2. No one thought this team would be that close to 500, especially with the dreadful start. The team is working well, without their #1 goalie, a few d and forwards out, and constant lineup juggling.

The system seems to work, doubting Thomas’s of the world. I just love how people just assumed the absolute worst, and thought the team would never get out of the funk. Eat crow!

Bring on the Pens. Let’s get to 500 and move forward!

I will be blogging at tomorrow’s game. Have a great day everyone!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

The main thing that I noticed about the recent winning streak, is that the guys were always moving, and the the battles were mostly being won by the Islanders.

Last night -this was jiust not happening.

It was a touch time for Joey too. Jut some difficult bounces and nearly impossible shots. Especially the one that was bouncing and hit a skate before passing the netminder.

In typical cliche fashion, the boys have to get themselves back on the horse, and get ready for a Buffalo team that has been in shambles.

They lost 7-4 on Wednesday night against Boston, where Ryan Miller looked lost. He was also in net for the 4-0 loss to the Flyers. The Sabres had a few 5 on 3′s but did not take advantage. They come home tonight and can be a team in distress, as well as pissed beyond belief.

This is a similar situation as was the game against Ottawa last weekend. A team in distress. The Isles have to tackle this team in the same manner than they did with the Sens.

Not just making plays, but causing havoc, and putting shots to the net. That is the goal of the game. They have to reverese the beating of opening day weekend. This is good time to make the opportunity to reverse the game.

Good to get on the wagon less than a day after a tough loss. Now, the Isles are 1-3 in the Metro mug standings. Well – we will enjoy the trophy for as long as we can, because I just do not believe that we will hold it after April of next year.

Posted under Islanders 08-09

Wow – good news, #32 is back in the lineup.

He is one that was sorely missed in the lineup. Although others have admirably stepped up their games for him, it will be nice to have the guys play their normal time and usage.

Also this is a major increase in the team’s physicality. I can see a more stronger team both on the puck and on the boards making nuisances. Also having Fritz up with Jackman, gives the team a strong presence.

Tonight – they are facing a Devil team that won last night – so it is up to the team to get the system moving quickly, and make the home team chase and make mistakes.

Tomorrow – they have Buffalo who were really spanked the other night, and may be a little peeved. Especially Ryan Miller, who gave up a seven-spot, and usually is so good against Long Island.

Monday – Montreal – they are sliding a little, but as we all know in person – don’t give them a moment of breathing room, because you will be chopped down, to say the least. And those damn 3rd periods have killed us this year. However, in the past few games, this team has handled them and survived; getting out of the basement to boot.

Let’s hope this weekend will continue that trend. Have a good weekend.

Posted under Islanders 08-09, Ramblings

This is the article from the Vancouver Province on Monday, regarding the game vs. the Islanders.

Isles look like team in oldtimers league
Many of the names are familiar, but their legs are creaky, writes Gordon McIntyre
The Province
Published: Monday, November 17, 2008
General manager Garth Snow has put together a pretty good squad — if it was the 2001-02 season.

But Mike Comrie, Bill Guerin, Doug Weight and Mike Sillinger are all past their best-by date.

And, yikes, is that Richard Park wearing an ‘A’ and logging up to 19 1/2 minutes?

Head coach Scott Gordon, last year’s AHL coach of the year, probably wishes he had his Providence Bruins lineup on many nights.This once-proud franchise has long been a joke and owner Charles Wang is hinting he will leave town or sell the team if the decrepit Nassau Coliseum, long past the glory years of Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy, isn’t replaced.

The Isles are last in league attendance, officially averaging 13,233 fans (but most nights there are far fewer bottoms in the seats), and Wang claims he loses $20 million US a year.

That someone might be interested in buying a team that owes Rick DiPietro $4.5 million a year until 2020-21, when the oft-injured goalie will be 39, is beyond comprehension.

With all the uncertainty surrounding the Isles off the ice and a weak roster on it, the team did manage to beat Ottawa back-to-back in a home-and-away series on Thursday and Saturday.

They did it largely due to goalie Joey MacDonald, a career journeyman who is 6-6-2 in the abscence of DiPietro, who has been injured for all but three games.

In fact, with the Islanders’ recent record of 4-2-1, they’ve clawed past Flordia out of last place in the Eastern Conference.

“It feels like we’re playing in front of a guy who feels good about himself,” Weight told New York reporters. “We feed off his energy and with Ricky out, he’s been huge.”

Still, the Islanders have a penchant for blowing late leads — they squandered multi-goal leads in four of five games early in the month.

“Not that it’s behind us completely, but I don’t think anybody’s thinking about that anymore,” Gordon said after watching the Sens score two late goals to pull within 3-2 on Saturday.

The Isles will be missing defenceman Thomas Pock, suspended for five games after getting a major and being tossed from Thursday’s game for elbowing former Canuck Ryan Shannon in the head in his debut with the Senators.

Comrie, their leading scorer last season with a measely 49 points, and Sillinger are doubtful with hip injuries.

gordshockey@hotmail.com

The e-mail address is there – maybe folks should send a nice note to him about last night’s game… Other than a 1 minute blip to start, I thought the game was well played and a great success. OT was outstanding, and are you getting more and more impressed by Franz?

Joey – well – he is just Joey!

Great job boys! Great effort, and I am glad to see you shut up the Canadian media who thinks their poo does not stink!

Check your pants boys!!!

Posted under Islanders 08-09

No – not my Uncle Louie, but of course Roberto Luongo. Remember him?

Three shutouts in 5 games, for Vancouver, as they are battling for the NorthWest division lead. The Isles are 2-0-0-0 in their last two against Canadian teams, as they take into battle tonight at NVMC.

I will not be there tonight, as I am working late again. What am I looking for from the guys tonight?

1. Continuation of the inspired play of Sean Bergenheim. Bergie and the Good ‘ol boys are looking well together, and I would hope that the combination of them keeps sparking the rest of the team.

2. An increase in play and responsibility of Radek Martinek. Marty did not look out of place in his 15 minutes tonight. Would like to see that number approach 20. Give Streit a chance to take a little blow, after his nearly 30 on Saturday. They have 3 days to rest, but still…

3. Keep the PP going, and make sure that the feet are moving and traffic comes in front of Luongo. The easiest goal a scorer can have, is the one that the goalie can not see. Throwing bodies in front can accomplish that.

4. Make sure that vehicle that is the Islanders is constantly heading towards Route 60 and Utopia.

GO Isles – get to 3 in a row!

Posted under Blog Box, Islanders 08-09, Player Analysis

Pock suspended 5 games for his hit on Shannon during last night’s game. Since Ruutu got 2 for his questionable hit – 5 seems to be the modus operandi.

Welcome back Marty!

Also _ Barry Melrose canned after 16 games…. Grow the mullet back – we missed you!

Posted under Islanders 08-09, NHL Stuff