Guys are getting healthy on this team right now….

I am just not used to saying that, especially from last year’s woes. The Captain, Doug Weight, is skating with authority, and will be ready to go on Thursday, as the Isles head to Canada for their road opener against the Sens.

“The team is pretty healthy, and that’s important. With a young team, if you’re not healthy, that can be a big problem”, said Weight to the media after practice yesterday.

This is a good sign.

Also – Blake Comeau was also out on the ice, after an illness forced him out of the opener on Saturday. Defensemen Brendan Witt took a nasty shot to the skate at practice, but like the warrior he is, is back out on the ice, and should be ready to go.

Newly acquired Rob Schremp is also skating and will play on a line with Josh Bailey and Jon Sim on Thursday. The Syrcause, NY native is highly looking to show the naysayers what he has in the tank. A self-professed Rangers fan growing up (for which he CAN be forgiven — everyone has their mistakes), he is “ecstatic” to make his mark on this team, and get to play every day.

Joel Rechlicz was sent back to Bridgeport to make room for the new guys in the lineup. Hopefully the raw talent will get some significant playing time in the “A”, which is just what he needs.

Already, the rumor mill is buzzing. According to reports from ESPN.com, Marty Biron is actively on the Red Wings radar. After sub-par efforts from both Chris Osgood, and Jimmy Howard (another player that just has not gotten the proper chance to prove his worth), the Wings can see a benefit from getting Biron – who has proved himself in both Buffalo and Philly. I think Garth will definitely wait a good amount of time, before making any kind of decision as to moving a goaltender.

The Isles, on Saturday, will continue onto Boston for a Saturday night showdown with the big bad Bruins. I will be in attendance that game, and will have some commentary about the game, as well as the Hartford Whalers Booster Club, who got me the tickets for the game. I will talk about their loyalty to the Whale after over a decade out of the NHL game. They are an interesting story, and a great bunch of die-hard fans, who deserve an NHL team to call their own again.

Have a great day, all…

Posted under Islanders 09-10