Nice signing by the Isles…. We need a real QB on the PP, and he fits the mold. Not the best defensive guy, but I believe that he will be better than MAB was.

Wonder what else Garth has up his sleeve.

Hmmm, Mr. Avery is gonna be a cowboy…. Insert any smart alick remark here… Good riddance. When we were listed on some of the rumor sites, as a possible destination, I almost wanted to hurl!

Will write some more on the weekend. I am staying at my Mom’s this weekend and helping her out, so I will have some free time at the keyboard…

It seems like everyone in this building last night, knows 100x more than the people that represent the team at the draft know.

How much video have they seen, how much writeups have they read… I did not realize that we had so many freaking geniuses out there…

If any of you listened to to xm204 last night, you would hace heard that comments were made about teams trying real hard to rebuild their teams via drafting…

Garth and their staff have a feeling about a player. If they do - believe in them - trust them. Do you think they are out there to ’screw the fans?’

Folks, get off your high horses.

I am so tired of hearing how you are all such “EXPERTS”. I am not necessarily thrilled about not getting players that I thought we should have, but people that have more expert knowledge about the game of hockey that us ‘fat arsed fans’, feel another way….. Get over it and support this team…. If you can not get past this, then just go away. Good fans dont need you!

I am sorry that I may pissed people off, but so be it.

That is so funny, I can not believe that the NHL is serious….

Well….

I know that Roger Farina, the first NHL 7th man, when he had his day as Commissioner of the NHL, he wanted to revoke the Rangers’ charter and remove them from the league….

Who would have thought that just a few years later, his wish may have come true….

The Dolans just think that their s%^* doesn’t stink. Well, get out limburger out of the way, becuase it now has some competition.

They (Dolan) just feel that they can do whatever they want, and screw the rest… All 29 other teams have the same web site, content, etc. They feel they should do things their own way. How elitist are you?

Even the Montreal Canadiens, the most storied franchise in the history of hockey, conforms and does the same thing. If you want your own site, whatever, but the conformity must be there.

Maybe Jim Balsillie can buy the team, and move the team to Kitchener, Ontario…. Well, at least he does not need to change the name of the team…..

I think this was the funniest thing that I have heard in quite a long time….

Shoud be an interesting time at the draft party tonight….

Do we get Filatov? Does he go to LA at #2…

Do we get a stud D-man (as this is one of the deepest drafts in years for the defensemen).

Be interesting to see…

I will be writing an article for New York Sports Day on the Draft Party… Will be a fun night. Hope to see you there…

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 Awards show for the NHL was on last night. I missed most of it, as I was driving home from work at the time…

However, thanks to XM, I listened to it on Home Ice 204. It was well done. The NHL is the only major sport to have a ‘Awards show’ format to their end-of-season format, and I like it. I think CBC did a nice job with the kids, giving info on the players up for the awards, as well as wearing the jerseys of the winners. It is nice when a network ‘gets it’ like CBC does. I thought it was humorful when the old HNIC anthem was brought up (as now - it belongs to TSN). Canadians can make fun of things like that, and it does not turn into scandals.

Was it a surprise that Ovie won the Hart? Are you kidding. Lidstrom - no surprise. Brodeur - same…. Kane - it was a tossup - so not a bad choice. Datsyuk for Byng and Selke…. Would have like to seen Zetterberg get the latter, but not a bad choice. I like the new award that went to Gordie. Guess who will win it next year…..Hmmm…..

Well - next Friday is the draft… Will be interesting to see who gets to come to Uniondale. I hope that it is Filatov. He seems to have a great passion for the game, and I think would work in this setup. I just hope that the Ranger$ don’t try and move up to sweep him from us.

Garth is getting ready to do some serious work now… Time to mold the 08-09 team now. Do a good job!

Have a great weekend everyone. Tomorrow is Flag Day, so make sure you wear your red-white-and-blue proudly. And also - say a Happy Birthday to my wife, Claire.

So, Gary, what are you doing for her special day?

Going bowling!

Yes, how romantic, but our final week of our season is tomorrow, and our team is battling for first place… I got her tickets to Neil Diamond in August (no - not the former Booster Club member, but the singer). But we will have a nice meal to celebrate her day.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Went to the met game last night…..

It was interesting to say the least. I figured Webb (11-2) against Pelfrey. What a dilemma…

However, Pelfrey was incredible. He had command of his pitches. Struck out 8. Even got to hit in the 8th. He gave up a puny hit to start the 9th (just over the glove of Castillo).

Then Randolph has the balls to take him out? Why? The man is having his best outing ever. A shutout, a complete game, a chance to give this pathetic bullpen a rest. He brings in Billy Wagner (who then blows it).

I am just so tired of managers and pitching coaches treating these pitchers like babies. If a pitcher goes 100-110 pitches in 5 innings - that is one thing. But there was NOTHING wrong with Pelfrey. The comment was - the experience factor… That is such bull$%#%. As I write this - Wagner has blown his third straight game.

That is another story. One that should stop opening his ‘redneck’ mouth and start pitching!

God - this Met team gives me the red ass!

Don’t you think that the word is overly used. Every time you get to a game 4 - the word pivotal always seems to break the surface.

Yes, it is a pivotal game. Pittsburgh needs it - to get the series even at 2, making it a best of three. Detroit wants o sneak out of town with a 3-1 lead, going hme to clinch the whole enchilada.

Nice to see that Sidney stepped up to the plate the other night. Berate him, mock him, call him everything in the book. However, he truly is a great player, and only getting better. The debate on TV was interesting… could he be better than his landlord, Mario?

Highly doubt that. I think that Mario would have been the best ever, if the “Big Casino” and back issues did not come to play. His numbers would have swallowed up Gretzky. And the fact that Lemieux was not just for offense only. Oh, there were times that he ‘hung’ around the blue line. But he forechceked, as well as giving and taking hits.

Unfortunately for the Pens, we have not seen the same effort from Malkin. For the Pens to get this series even, they need some contributions from all.

Let’s see tonight.

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.

Amazing what a few days will do to the psyche of a team…

I really expected the Pens to have a chance to ’steal’ a game at the Joe. I really thought the youth and playmaking of the wunderkinds would have allotted to a couple of goals.

Boy was I wrong.

Detroit has totally dominated the Pens in every stretch of the word. The Wings are just so good in transition, as well as making great plays from literally nothing. When it seems that this team is beginning to run around in circles, BAM, not only does a play emerge, but it results in a goal. They just know how and when to pounce on an opponent.

And with this team filled with many ‘vets’, fans are just waiting to see the ball drop on them. However, someone comes out of the woodwork, and makes an impact. Once someone leaves, some late round draft pick will take over and step in like the chemistry NEVER changed.

Pittsburgh should be happy to be at home, and be able to make the last change, as well as get the fans onto their side. They need this big time.

See what happens tomorrow. Will we get a sweep, or will Pitts make a series out of this.

BTW - Islander fans, there will be a Lighthouse Meeting tonight. Here are the details, courtesy of the Islander web site:

The time to support the Lighthouse at Long Island is now!

The Lighthouse project, the exciting redevelopment of the 150-acre Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum site from a parking lot to a vibrant destination, has its second Public Scoping session at 7 p.m. on May 27. It will be held at the Nathan L. H. Bennett Pavilion at Town of Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead.

These sessions are open to the public and anyone interested may enter for consideration their comments regarding possible impacts of the project.

We need you to join us in making the Lighthouse a reality so we can all start to experience the countless benefits of the project.

I hope to make it… See you there!