And this is by no means, a ‘buttering up’ for the lad!

Great show last night - BD was on - and it was a great conversation, touching all sorts of topics, from Dey not getting a congratulations gretting card, to Gordon’s philosophy, to the lineup, and the 2 on 1 assaults that BD got with his Ranger fan siblings.

Must have been quite a household….

Anyway - great interview, but unfortunately, I am peeved, because the last 60 minutes of the show did not appear in the podcast. I have a call into BLOGTALKRADIO to find out what happened. If it corrects, I will let all know.

It was a great show, and I am working on a guest for next week. Keep tuned to this blog for further details.

Have a great Thursday… The weekend is coming.

GH

Have not been on in a while, and I hope the other two are with me tonight, or it will be a quick update, and off.

I am off to the NHL Booster Club Convention next week, so I am not sure that I will be on then. Maybe a call in - we’ll see…

Nothing new going on in Islander land, so no need to post at this time. Just hearing that names are coming by to stop and talk to Mr. Snow.

From late July - to early September, it is real tough to talk puck… Except —

Interesting move by Minnesota to release Mark Parrish with 3 years left on the contract. They said it was a salary cap move. You release a hometown boy with 8 million left on a contract, 32 years old and 3 years remaining, and two weeks before you sign Owen “I am ready for Medicare” Nolan to a contract….???

Hey Doug Reisbrough, are you on Dope? (Great Question, Mr. Hand…)

Now - I can hear Isles fans saying… “Let’s get him back!!!”

Interesting thought - but no.

A good piece of news in Islander country for a change…

Sean Bergenheim, fresh off the removal of his old agents, got a 2 year deal, for just under 2 million. Here is the quote from Newsday.com.

Forward Sean Bergenheim, who was the only Islander to file for arbitration, avoided a hearing when he reached agreement today on a two-year deal worth $1.725 million. It appears Bergenheim’s recent decision to change agents facilitated the process.

Bergenheim switched to Allan Walsh. His previous agents, Mark Gandler and Todd Diamond, have clashed with Islanders management several times in the past. Once he made the change, negotiations began in earnest. Bergenheim, who will have one more season as a restricted free agent when the contract ends, will make $800,000 this season and $925,000 the following season.

“We’ve always had a high regard for Sean,” general manager Garth Snow said. “The events that transpired a week ago allowed us to get this done.”

Following a trend started a year ago by captain Bill Guerin, Bergenehim plans to donate a significant amount of money to the Islanders Children’s Fund.

First of all - well done by Sean by removing himself from Gandler and the rest of the ding-dongs in his office. Remember this is the guy who is from the village that is missing an idiot (Thanks MM). He lost a year of development by letting his agents dictate some ‘crap’. But now - Sean is the better a person because he has representation that apparently, has a pulse.

Tambellini also got a deal as well. Only Bruno is to be done, and he can’t because the Islanders are sending him all over the place on the summer tour. But that will get done in good time.

Heard Bailey skated on a line with Okposo at camp… Future dream team? Might be….

Wonder where Sundin is going? He is so wishy-washy… get the damn deal done, so we all can shut up about it!!!

Looks like Teddy wont be in LA LA Land?? Terry Murray, who has waited almost as long as Teddy to be a coach in the NHL again, should be announced today. Long overdue… Other than the Islander job, that is the last NHL coaching vacancy.

Who is my hope for the job?

I like Hartley. He is in the middle between angry man, and softie. He knows when chew the proverbial head off, and when coddling needs to be done. I like Tortorella. A USA guy with a Cup on his resume’. However, he can “LOSE IT” at times, and with a team such as this will be, I think that is not the kind of person that should be at the helm. Would I be disappointed if Torts gets the job? Hell no. I just like Hartley better, and that is my $0.02.

Schedule comes out tomorrow at noon. Check the NYIBC site tomorrow night, and we should have trip information out…. Anybody up for a trip to Chicago on New Years??? Also - from what I hear, we open at the ROCK, and then have the Blues the next night at home. Also - I have heard that we have a FLORIDA trip in the middle of October. We will see tomorrow..

Check out the NYHR tonight - I think all three of us should be on. Call the show (646) 716-7209. Let’s hear what you think of these last few weeks….

I think I will be covering the Ducks game Sunday against York. Should be a piece on it here on Monday.

Had the “ISLANDER” version of the New York Hockey Report last night… Had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I did it solo, because my buddy, Patrick Hickey did not make it.

However, I had Billy Jaffe as my guest. We had a nice 20 minute conversation, about all things Islander, as well as the coverage he had during the playoffs.

Thanks Billy, I really enjoyed our conversation, and I know that I can get him again…

So - we believe the following:

1. Filatov is on the radar screen big time… I hope he comes.

2. Dubie should land in a good spot (we are hoping for Vancouver for his sake - being close to home).

3. JM Liles would be a nice fit for the team.

4. Billy would like the team to be younger, and build that way…

Had a lot of IM’s and messages from folks.. It was a great time… Thanks to all for listening!

Tomorrow is the draft party at the Coliseum. Garth is off to Ottawa with a bunch of jerseys… Which one will he give to the next pick? Tune in and find out.

Randolph.. should he have been let go? I dont think so. This team is an embarassment! I want to say more, but I want this blog to be PG rated.

I just hope that the team rebounds… (They have won 3 out of 4 - so that is a step in the right direction)

If you are at the draft party tomorrow - say hi!

The show will be on tonight, as the 3rd period is happening in Pittsburgh. Hope the Pens show some more effort and score some goals. They have the last change, so will be able to match up to Detroit better.

They need this, or it’s over Johnny on Friday!

Went to the Lighthouse Scope Meeting at Hempstead Town Hall last night. Some interesting insights happening, and many people, especially in the Hempstead, Uniondale surrounding area, have some concerns…

1. Affordable housing. This was supposed to be an Environmental Impact Study meeting, but it turned into getting more affordable housing. On Long Island, that is a very hot and important topic. However, this meeting was for other issues.

2. Trolley/Light Rail concerns. Garden City vehemently disapproves of any light rail system going through Garden City. I realize that something along these lines is needed to make this a success. However, I think Garden City is going to be a thorn in the side.

3. Water/Sewage Concerns. I know that this is a hot topic, as you are going to increase the 5% usage of the land to 90%, you are going to have major concerns about seqage, water consumption, the water table and environmental issues. From meeting with the Lighthouse group last month, we know that Mr Wang and Mr Rechler have not only identified the issue, but are putting major $$ into feasibilities and methods to make this not only feasible, but green as well.

4. Jobs. Many are interested in seeing this project get involved in the local job market and create apprenticeships and internships for men and women in the local area. This is a great idea, that I am sure that will be a focus in the Wang/Rechler project.

5. Transportation in General. And no ma’am, the parking is not going to be above ground, but BELOW! Wang/Rechler are spending millions in studies to see what needs to be done to try and limit and/or alleviate transportation concerns. Parking will be invisible, and ma’am, the county gets the revenue. Not one dime goes to the Islanders, so please ask Mr. Suozzi for that.

I am also so glad, that Islander fans (my wife included), got up and spoke about the importance of this project to the arena and the team. Yes, the Islanders are the major tenant, but other events, concerts, etc., are held there. I am sure that nearly every adult has been to that building at some point in time. This can be the showplace of the entire island. As for us Islander fans are concerned, that LOGO with our home on our chest, is SO IMPORTANT, that it needs to be emphasized, that without the Islanders, this area would be tumbleweeds, and NOTHING.

Mr. Wang has done SO Much for this team, spending millions on refurbishments to a building that he does not even own. Getting SMG’s collective arses out of the building will be the first step in a long line of improvements that will allow the Islanders and Nassau County be happy to call Uniondale (Not Garden City East) home.

Tune in next time in the continuing saga.

My NY Hockey Report partner - Derek Felix, writes for a blog call the BATTLE FOR NY (battleofny.blogspot.com).  He wrote a nice article about Ricky, that I wanted to share with you all.

Please make comments, and I will pass them along to Derek.

Thanks - and have a great weekend.

Gary

At the time, Milbury had another No.1 franchise goalie which led to second guessing on why he went for DiPietro when Roberto Luongo was still there. That same day, he shipped Luongo to the Panthers along with Olli Jokinen for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. Not one of his finest hours.

The thinking was that DiPietro was a much better stickhandling goalie than Luongo, who turned into a great puckstopper and one of the game’s elite goalies. Had Milbury not taken the cocky kid from Massachusetts who Fishstick fans refer to as “Di-Pi” after big saves, he could’ve selected either Dany Heatley or Marian Gaborik changing the entire look of the franchise.

You can always look back and say, ‘What if.’ It’s much easier to do that than to notice how well DiPietro is playing today. Now 26, he’s carrying his team to victories- frequently turning aside a lot of rubber in stoning opponents who leave the rink baffled at how they couldn’t beat the first-year All-Star.

The latest victim was his favorite opponent in first place division rival New Jersey. After standing on his head to the tune of 37 saves including turning aside 15 of 16 in a busy final stanza, DiPietro was not surpringly selected the game’s No.1 Star in their 3-1 road win at The Rock Wednesday. Against a quality opponent, he improved to 4-0 this season while his team made it a perfect five-for-five with backup Wade Dubielewicz doing his part in their prior win at Nassau Coliseum when DiPi was out.

On a team which doesn’t score a ton (112 GF, 2.43 Avg in 46 GP) and whose D isn’t lights out by any stretch, DiPietro usually is asked to be his team’s best player. He sees better than 28 shots-per-night. Despite his team giving up 14 more goals than they’ve scored, their 23-18-5 record for 51 points under second-year coach Ted Nolan has them sitting seventh in a crowded East only four behind the Devils and Pens.

The biggest reason is DiPi. Both teammates and opponents are taking notice.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, does it?” explained Devils left wing Patrik Elias to the Associated Press of his team’s recent struggles against the Isles after being robbed point blank by a DiPietro glove in the second period. “They are playing well against us. They are playing well against Philly and us.

Those are big points to lose. We had our opportunities to get back in the game, but it’s still disappointing to lose. Their goaltender played awesome tonight.”

The biggest stops came on Devil captain Jamie Langenbrunner with under six minutes left and Dainius Zubrus with less than 90 seconds to go before teammate Bill Guerin sealed the victory with an empty netter- his second of the night.

“There were a couple of pucks whacked away and I was able to get my glove up on it,” DiPietro admitted later of the Zubrus quality chance within 10 feet.

It was easy to see why the Islanders won. Something Nolan referred to pointing to the man “between the goalposts.”

“Tonight, Ricky saved us a couple of points,” Islander captain Guerin pointed out.

“I thought we played a solid game, but when they turned it up and got good scoring opportunities, Ricky was there. He saved at least four goals I can think over. He kept us in it. He’s been doing it all year for us.“

As he’s been all season for this gritty resilient bunch who want to shock the hockey world by making the postseason for a second straight year when nobody gave them a realistic chance after leading scorer Jason Blake (signed w/Leafs) and Ryan Smyth (Avs) left for richer pastures.

The Islanders have taken eight of the first nine against the Devils (5-0-0) and Rangers (3-1-0)-turning the Battle of New York into a one team show because of No.39 who will get his opportunity to shine in Atlanta less than two weeks away. He’s the first Islander goalie to become an All-Star in 30 years since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1978. Not bad company. We’ll bet Fishstick fans are hoping for similar results.

Every night, he gives his team a chance to win. He’s faced 30-or-more shots a jaw dropping 19 times posting a respectable 9-6-4 record with a 2.60 GAA and an outstanding .927 save percentage.

His big saves are what keeps the Islanders in these type of pressure games. If they’re to continue winning, it will once again fall on the broad shoulders of their franchise netminder. It took a few years but it looks like Milbury’s mad gamble is finally paying off.

You won’t find many complaints on Long Island.

 

Fri 11 Jan 2008

I will be on NY Hockey Talk (WGBB 1240) Sunday 9-10PM

Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08 , NY Hockey Report , NY Hockey Talk
[2] Comments 

That’s right - I am going mainstream radio this weekend!

Rob Kowal, who hosts New York Hockey Talk, which airs on Sundays at 9PM Eastern, on WGBB 1240 AM, does a real nice show.  He has great guests, and really does a great job in covering ALL aspects of New York Hockey (I also like that he includes the Buffalo Sabres in this as well).

Rob has had a number of bloggers, and staunch fans of the local teams appearing as guests on the show, and this week, I have been asked to be a part of this cast of characters, of which I am proud to be included with.  I really think you should check out the show.  If you can not get to it live, the next day or so, the interviews will be on his web site, which is www.nyhockeytalk.com. 

Check it out… I am really looking forward to being a part of it.

Now - all I am going to say about my Islanders, is that I HOPE that smarter heads prevail, and the team returns to the form that had gotten points in 7 out of 8 before this Western Canada Saga.  Getting a win tonight, would be huge… It would confirm that the Rangers are in LAST PLACE in the division.

Now - speaking of them boys in Manhattan, isn’t is rich that after the half way point, the local team that most ‘experts’ that had them planning their Cup winning speeches and hand waving gestures to the crowds along the Canyon of Heroes, are slipping heavily into the drudges of the league?  I was concerned on the way home from work last night, when I was told that the Rangers had a 2 goal lead, and Hollweg got both… He had 1 point in 40 games before this, and he had 2 goals in less than 20 minutes.. Ugh!

Then when I got home, my wife yells from the other room, “2-2!!!” 

Then, “3-2!”

Then, “4-2!”

Once I turn on MSG, I hear the boo-birds…  Music to my ears…

I am sorry Joe McDonald, but if the Rangers don’t make a big turn-around, then I really think that Renney’s job should be in serious jepoardy.  He was expected to take this team to the promised land, and he is so far from the Mason-Dixon line, that these guys are starting to look as frustrated as “Larry the Cable Guy” looking for extra bisucits and gravy at an Waffle House.  GIT R DONE!!

Have a great day, and a great weekend, Islander fans!

 

Thu 3 Jan 2008

Wont be there tonight - Great NYHR show last night, but…

Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08 , NY Hockey Report , Ramblings
1 Comment 

For whatever reason, the first 30 minutes or so, were not recorded due to some technical glitches at Blog Talk Radio.

However, the John Buccigross interview is fully in tact.  He is a great guy, and covered a myriad of topics, and he got Joe.  In the part that was missed, Joe was arguing with me, that an outdoor game would never sell.  Even with all 3 teams, we would not fill up a Giants Stadium, or Meadowlands.  He basically does not give the casual sports fan a chance in hell to get interested in a game like this.  He thought that other teams fans (if it was Isles/Rangers - the Devils, or move the Isles/Devils around), would not go.  I told them that he has no faith in the New York Sports fan.  Buccigross, when asked that same question, said the game would ABSOLUTELY work.

Nice job Bucci!  Way to SHUT the Big TOE!

Anyway - due to my Year End Accounting Close, I will not be at the game tonight.  Hoping Ricky will have a strong game, and get the team ready for the big upcoming 5 game road trip.  I also hear the Ryan Smyth is out for the Avs.  Too bad.  I am sure some guys would have liked to give him a little hello…..

Enjoy the game tonight - I will be listening intently.

Gary

 

Wed 2 Jan 2008

A good week for the Isles - Mid Term Reports and Bucci on the NYHR tonight!

Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08 , NY Hockey Report
1 Comment 

Ottawa was just too much, but on the Overall point - the Isles had a good week, with wins over the Devils and the Canes to end the year.  Dubie did a great job filling in, as the Panthers will get to see Ricky return to the nets.

BTW - was that game in Buffalo just too cool?  Well - a little snowy, but an exciting game; and don’t it figure that Sid the Kid would notch the game winner in the shootout?  Just what the NHL wanted, to see the NHL star, light the lamp.  Hopefully this can be the start to turn people onto our great game!!!!  Tune in and find out…

Well - the mid term report card (a little early, but it will be a quick, down and dirty comment and grade for each of the Islanders.  I will go by uniform number.

2.  Aaron Johnson - coming back in a few weeks.  A good soldier.  Grade:  INC

4.  Bryan Berard - great start, but deeply inefficient of late.  He is not needed now.  Grade:  C-

7.  Trent Hunter - hitting and working hard, but not getting results.  Grade:  C

8.  Bruno Gervais - always improving - great job of late filling in for Martinek.  Grade:  B

10.  Richard Park - slowly looking like a Team MVP - or Nystrom winner to me…. Grade:  A-

11.  Andy Hilbert - coming along of late, 4th line may be his chance to spark.  Grade:  B-

12.  Chris Simon - out for 30, and should no longer be an Isle.  Sorry.  Grade:  F

13.  Bill Guerin - The captain showed some Yashinitis, but seemed to rid himself of it.  Grade:  B

14.  Chris Campoli - slowed down a little, but overall a great improvement:  Grade:  B

16.  John Sim - Out for year:  Grade:  INC

17.  Shawn Bates - Out for year.  Grade:  INC

18.  Mike Sillinger - stats are dissipating, effort is there (see T. Hunter).  Grade:  C

20.  Sean Bergenheim - 08 version of energizer bunny.  If numbers were better, his grade would be great.  Grade:  C

24.  Radek Martinek - does all the little things without fanfare.  Grade:  B

25.  Andy Sutton - miserable start - great last 10 games.  Keep this up….. Grade:  C+

26.  Ruslan Fedotenko - if he just did not get hurt so often… just the way he plays.  Grade:  B-

28.  Tim Jackman - hustles, and hustles some more.  Grade:  B-

32.  Brendan Witt - defensive MVP - does it all, and pisses off the opposition.  Grade:  B+

34.  Wade Dubielewicz - last few games - we saw the YODA of April past.  Grade:  B-

39.  Rick DiPietro - The glue, big toe, call it what you want… Grade: B+

44.  Freddy Meyer - looked lost, but seemed to find his way..  Grade:  B-

47.  Marc-Andre Bergeron - a tale of two years.  I like the second one better.  Grade: C

63.  Josef Vasicek - Best pickup of the year.  Slowed a bit of late, but still a force to be. Grade:  B

81.  Miro Satan - End of contract year, shows signs of elite, but can slip to mediocrity.  Grade:  B-

89.  Mike Comrie - if he can just try to keep it simple and not look for the homerun play to impress the girl, he would be an all-star for sure.  I criticize, because I like his game and he can be just so much more for us.  Grade:  B-

That will do it for the Isles.  John Buccigross from ESPN, and a friend of hockey indeed, will be our guest on the NY Hockey Report tonight.  Make sure you tune in and listen.  It should be a great show…

See ya, and HAPPY NEW YEAR.  May your days be filled of fun, laughter and excitement!

 

 

 

Fri 28 Dec 2007

Great New York Hockey Report show last night

Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08 , NY Hockey Report
1 Comment 

For those of you that did not catch it live, we had Ken Campbell from the Hockey News on.  He talked about his book, and got into some great discussion on who and who did not made the list, as well as some Hall of Fame issues.

Check out the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/nyhockeyreport.  You can always replay the show at any time, or podcast it if you like…

Tough loss last night.  That penalty to Bergie at the 20 minute mark started the trend, unfortunately.  And no - I am not saying he should be gone as a result of it.  I saw that talk on the boards already today, and that makes me sick.  It is unfortunate, but we have to move on.

The Devs are coming in, and we have to get back on track.  Ricky between the pipes should help.  Hopefully he will be ok to be back in the net.

Have a good weekend.

Gary

PS - I will do my grading of the Isles on Monday.

 

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