On the Islanders Beat

Neither comment above is mine.

Pardon me while I rant here guys and girls.....

But I cannot allow this sin to go unpunished. And I have to comment here cuz....well, I am not allowed to post any comments on the blog where the sin appeared.

Over on my least favorite blog at Newsday, which I often refer to as the Vinal Flore or Pavlov's Blog, some comments were made yesterday by one of the writers which were, once again, inflammatory in nature and have now reached a new low in political incorrectness. And, amazingly, were written by someone who holds the title of SPORTS EDITOR for Newsday.
Mr. Cohen (Chicago Norm) posted a blog announcing the final closing of the deal between Cabelvision and Newsday. All well and good but, as usual, there was the customary out of left field slam at Islander fans. It went like this....

"And now, let the Islanders face-painters begin complaining that we (Newsday) are going to be biased in favor of the Rangers, which are also owned by Cablevision.
We won't, but you can rant anyway."

Well Mr. Cohen, I am ranting because you just DID.
How so? By qualifying your description of Islander fans with an ethnic slur. A slur that might not mean much in Massapequa or Ronkonkoma or Hauppaugue anymore, but nevertheless, a slur that will get you in a lot of trouble in a great many parts of the country. And what surprises me is that you have family in Oklahoma. If you were to call someone in Oklahoma or 505land a "face-painter", well, that would be no different than if I referred to you by one of the derogatory phrases that are commonly used for your religious background.

And if you'd like Norm, I will gladly have a few local Native Americans read your comments and drop you an e-mail about your choice of words.
Take this to heart Norm, the definition of the phrase "face-painter" just might have a different meaning on the other side of Rte 110.

But let's get to the real point. There has been a lot of crap on the Islander and Ranger boards the last few days. Stuff that never occurs on any of the other boards (Yankees, Mets, Knicks). It's about time Newsday did something about the problem. And comments like that by an EDITOR do NOTHING to correct the problem. In fact, I submit that crap like that RASCIST COMMENT provides the ammunition to the idiots and trolls and fuels the flames of animosity between the Ranger and Islander readers.
It is people like you and Mr. Rieber on the Final Score that are part of the problem and not part of the solution to the nastiness and ugliness that occurs on these boards.

Take a long look at your body of work before convincing me of your self perceived "non-bias".

From two time zones away.....where people might take offense to your characterizations.

Hey Greg, just to correct you, the Rangers dealt Hollweg to the Maple Leafs for a fifth round pick. He didn't part via free agency.

Islanders505, calm down buddy, let's not make a federal case over nothing here. He's refering to hardcore Islanders fans obviously when he calls them face painters. Wouldn't you call those who paint their faces hardcore fans? What is this world coming to when a dumb quote by an editor who obviously dislikes the Islanders sparks a reaction like that.

It just proves that passionate fans have passionate opinions. Sigh. I didn't know there was a fued going on in the editorial pages between our fan bases. But it is a shame that it is fueld by a paid employee. That's just wrong.

I'm more concerned about the media monopoly this creates and less concerned about the coverage the Islanders receive. As we already know, the electronic outlets on the net have expanded coverage of our team. As long as they let Greg have his piece of real estate on the Cablevision/Newsday plantation... we should be fine. If not... Then we have a problem.

You guys have to remember, we (Ranger fans) do not come here to cause problems. We come here for a few laughs. The Isles are such a source of amusement, that after a rough day at work, our attitude is like "at least we still have the Isles to laugh at". I mean, from the 15 years without a playoff win, to last in attendance on a year to year basis, the Nolan fiasco, the Neil Smith fiasco, Lafointaine quitting after a week on the job, Dipietro hurting his hip at the Skills Competition........ I mean there is just soooooooo much to laugh at. Why would you want to deprive us this excellent source of amusement? We all need to laugh.... and the Isles are like the gift that keeps on giving.

Anony,

If I were a rag fan, I'd need a few laughs too. Making PO's 3 out of the last ten years. Winning 2 PO series in 10 years. Being a complete failure in terms of record each and every year since the 40's except for that one bright year 94. Knowing that the rags will probably not sniff a cup until everyone in my generation and the one after are long dead. That would make anyone depressed enough to need a few laughs, since there in nothing positive to look forward to being a fan of a consistent loser of a rag team.

Cheers anony! Maybe one day you can stop taking your depression pills if you laugh enough. Sure won't happen following a crappy rag team that goes nowhere.

Hey Greg,

Just a quick correction, Ryan Hollweg was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a draft pick. He wasn't a free agent this past Summer. Other than that, great coverage as always.

Justin
http://www.islesnation.com/justin.htm

You Ranger fans say you come here for a few laughs. Try going to your own blog and actually read it. It is NON EXISTANT. Maybe two bafoons talking to each other about nothing.

Try and compare them to the intelligent people that post on this blog. Night and Day.

So fo a good laugh. Go look in the mirror!

IslesJack,

"He's refering to hardcore Islanders fans obviously when he calls them face painters."

I agree IslesJack, I have no doubt that those were Mr. Cohen's intentions with his choice of words. That does not excuse the choice of words, however. There is a segment of our population that cringe when they see those words.
Is it right? That people are so quickly offended?
Debatable, but the fact of the matter is, that's the age we live in.
What would happen if I used some words (adjectives, not nouns) to describe Norm's new relationship with Cablevision that African-Americans or Jews might find offensive?
(I don't have to write them here, use your imagination).
I would immediately be labelled as a rascist.
Biased. Bigotted.

Which is simply the point of my comment.

Chicago Norm went out of his way to say that he and the "new" Newsday would not be "biased" in their coverage of the Islanders, yet in his declaration of "non-bias" there is bias. Or at the least cultural insensitivity.
So tell me, Islesjack, why should I believe what he says, about the future coverage of the Isles by Newsday when he demonstrates, at least, ignorant bias in his declaration?

And why, did Norm even think he needed to make that point and statement?
Ever hear of "guilty conscience needs no accuser"?

I longed a long time ago that when someone says "trust me", it's another form of saying make love to yourself.

Just my opinion.

Where is that "edit last comment" icon?

Change "longed" to learned.

Spinner, reacting to your comment on the last post.

So you are saying that open debate is a bad thing??? John Adams is tossing in his grave. I agree that reacting to the trolls is a waste of time, but why is it a waste of time posting a comment in reaction to a couple of Rags fans who are debating a point made on this board??? Were they rude or insulting? I didn't think so. Where is the fun in talking about only the Islanders, how about talking about hockey in general? And to do that you need to discuss the rest of the NHL, even the Rags.

So I say, by all means, ignore the trolls. But to ignore a post/opinion from someone who thinks differently than you is short-sighted at best and at worst dangerous given the world we live in.

JESUS MARY AND KEVIN!!!!!!!! What I cant seem to understand is why cant a Ranger fan come on this blog, and make a meaningful, intelligent post....I think there are 2 Ranger fans that come on this blog who actually do that...Not sure of there names though....The Islanders and Rangers are one of the, if not the best rivalry in SPORTS history...Islanders and Ranger fans bleed their teams colors, they will defend their team to the death..Islander fans and Ranger fans, just don't like each other..its simple as that...My brother is a ranger fan...I HATE HIM!!! but only when they are playing each other....But we still have intelligent convo's about each others teams..the good, the bad, who would would take from each other teams, who we wouldn't touch w/ a 6 foot pole....These meaningless unintelligent posts from both Islander Fans, and Ranger fans just need to end...I'm sick of coming on this blog and reading verbal wars between Islander and Ranger fans.... If you don't HAVE ANYTHING INTELLIGENT, MEANINGFUL to say, STAY OFF THIS BLOG!!! I sometimes feel like I'm back in elementary school reading some of the things people say on this blog, YOUR embarrassing yourself......I don't mind good old fashioned intelligent debates....So once again, if you have nothing intelligent to add to this blog then keep it to yourself!!!

I feel like we should hire a guidance counselor to mediate this blog sometimes...Lets get back to some real HOCKEY talk, for the love of Joan Rivers face...

Does anyone want to talk about hockey....? Anyone....?

DOC

Alex:

You are right, I too don't have a problem with spirited debate among folks with differing views. My post was really directed at people who only make statements to goad, poke and insult. These do nothing to spur intellectual discourse and frankly lower the level of conversation to that of a middle school locker room. There are a few Ranger fans that actually post non-offensively, but my comments were not directed at them. Alex, I apoligize if I wasn't clear enough about that in my previous post. The last thing I wanted to do was to get ole John Adams spinning.

Quote from TheStar.com
"Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steve Stamkos, who was drafted first overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft, looks over his shoulder during the team's prospects camp in Victoria, B.C., on July 29, 2008. "

Wake me up!!! They are practising right down the road from me and it's free to attend.

Hopefully I can get the tonight!

Kevin T.

uh oh... we're gonna lose Kevin T. to THE MULLET!

Greg,

I know there hasn't been a lot of news recently, except for the interview schedule. I was wondering if there would be any way to do a complete roster rundown of players that will eitehr be in Uniondale or Bridgeport come September... something for us to chew on for a while.

Thanks

The brawl filled exhibition games of last season were probably the highlight of the season. Passion, old time hockey, and rivalry.

Hockeys love fest with finesse playing has torched once intense rivalries. But, given the Islanders refusal to sign anyone with toughness, I prefer not seeing the Rags stomp us.

Since we don't have a coach yet I'm curious what you all would do with four lines (given our current personnel) if you were the coach. One obvious limitation is the lack of an enforcer and I'm also going witht he assumption that Sillinger is healthy. Here's my initial stab at it:

Tambellini-Weight-Guerin
Bergenheim-Comrie-Ospoko
Sim-Sillinger-Hunter
Comeau-Nielson-Park

What do you think?

Spinner9,

Looks pretty close to what I would imagine. Although, I would like to see Comeau get more minutes that on the 4th line.

SPINNER,.......Not bad but I don't see them splitting up Neilsen and Tambs. More likely to see:

Guerrin---Weight-----Park
Okposo----Comrie---Bergy
Comeau---Neilsen---Tambs
Hunter----Sillinger---Sim

Which leaves Hilbert, Colliton and Bailey on the outside looking in.
Bailey goes back to juniors team. Hilbert and Colliton sit.

Hunter and Silly are one PK team
Park and Bergy are the second team.

I see Guerrin----Weight and Tambs as PP first team.
OK--Comrie and Bergy as the second unit.

Witt---Martinek
Sutton---Campoli
Streit----Gervais

The one problem I see here is that the D has too many left handed shots on the PP. Only Gervais is right handed. Even FMV and Hillen are lefties. So is Bryan McCabe for anyone wondering.

I could also see the new coach putting Sutton and Streit together and leaving Gervais and Campoli as the 3 rd pair.....Sir William

Sir William.

I like YOUR pairings except for the Sillinger question.
Let's "just say" he is physically unable to perform.
Do you move Park down to the 4th Center?
Or put Colliton in the 4th Center?
I'd opt for Colliton.

And I just can't justify Park on the 1st line. Swap him with Bergie.

505..... Comrie---Bergy---Okposo will be the first line by the end of the first month of the season. They will grow into each other.
Bergy brings speed, puck hounding ability and corner play to that line. Comrie will dish and Okposo will finish. Bergy will get lots of garbage goals playing with these two.

Park is a smart player and will be able to compensate for the lack of speed by the other two by positioning himself correctly. Bergy is more of a pinball out there and would never mesh with the two slower players. He's too much of a loose cannon. That's why Park fits in nicely with them. He is a student of the game and will know
where he fits in. This trio will become the second line. If they do not play well you will see them drop to the third line with the kid line moving up.

If Sillinger can't go then either Colliton or Hilbert jumps in. I prefer Colliton because I just do not have faith in Hilbert. I also think that Hilbert will pay a price for being "Nolan's boy." Kind of a cut the ties with the old regime thing. The end of "Nolan type players."
I think that Andy's days with the Islanders are over. Just a gut feeling..........Sir William

I think Isles fans should worry about actually going to games and supporting the team 1st and not worry so much about a newspaper. I go to all 41 homes games every year since 1992 and other than the 01-02 season the fan support is a joke

I also don't think that you will see a traditional first line, second line arrangement here. I beleive that there will be balance with all four lines playing more than on the average team. I see it as more of a 1A and 1B and a 3A and 3B with the second and fourth lines being interchangeable with the first and third lines.

I see the so called fourth line playing more than 8 mins a night with the first 3 lines sacrificing a shift. Perhaps one shift each period depending on the penalties and power plays.

I see the first two lines playing 16 - 18 mins a game and the
thrid and fourth playing 12-14 mins. With lots of young legs on this team there is no sense wearing out Guerin, Weight and Sillinger. Shorter shifts will keep them fresher and hopefully injury free.

Guerin and Weight will see lot of time on the PP so cutting out a few shifts should help them stay sharp......Sir William

Maybe we should get a coach first? just kidding.

Not sure I like Streit - Gervais together....Not much defense and muscle in that pairing.

Sir W,
I agree with most of what you say but I am not sure if I am OK with Guerin and Weight getting that much time on the PP. I know we all want to be competitive but at the same time we want our young guys to develop and with that I think they would need to see considerable time on the PP.

I miss fighting.
The last time anyone on Long Island cared about hockey was the brutal 1st round series loss to Toronto. What made that series special? The psychotic passion and hatred.

Bring me a Cairns and Webb and atleast the Islanders wont be pushed around. I read Sir Williams roster or anyone elses and I cringe...who has balls? Any toughness? Will we all be whining about guys like Avery or will we get someone to put a mouth like him through the glass?

bring back parrish! he was put on waivers today by the wild in a salary dump. itd be a great move IMO, not only will it give the isles a trading chip should they crash and burn, but it will also provide some of the kids with a prime teacher for how to get in front of the net and deflect passes/shots....hes one of the best ive ever seen at doing the latter.

JOE IN MASSA....This season will be a learning experience for all concerned. The new coach will have to go with the proven players (Weight and Guerin) until the other players step up and are ready to assume bigger roles. The team and lines that you see in the beginning of the season will be vastly different by the end of the year.

STEADY.....I did say that the coach may switch Streit to play with Sutton and move Campoli back with Gervais. Anyway you slice it Streit, Gervais and Campoli do not have the muscle to move the bigger forwards from in front of the net. I see this as a big problem. FMV is not the answer, so I don't know how this will be addressed. The only real solution is to move either Gervais or Campoli for a thumper. Perhaps Snow is just holding out trying to out wait Fletcher for McCabe. If Sundin comes back to Toronto
then Fletcher has to make the deal on Garth's terms.

On another note, I am glad to see Eric Cairns back in the Islander camp. He might not have been the best defender or best fighter but he gave everything he had. He made the most with whatever talent he had and he wore the Islander sweater proudly. He is exactly the type player thet the Islanders are lacking right now...........Sir William

To all those ripping the Isles over NO goon....Kip Brennan is a monster when called up. The only problem is he will not get a lot of time.

Now on to me being very upset. Quenneville turned us down. I guess he is taking a year off. Isles thow Guerin a bone with Weight, yet cannot throw me one with Quenneville ?? :) :)

God, I hope the Oracle was wrong about a no name. I'm to tired to fight! :)

S.W ... I agree. No matter how you pair those three, one of the lines will be soft. What about putting one of them with Radek. HE at least is a defensive gem. Then put the other two with the bangers!

You would think the Isles would offer the Rangers money to play a exhibition game at the Mausoleum. After all, an Exhibition game against the Rangers would generate more interest than your typical regular season game against anyone else, LOL. Last in attendance year after year. So sad. Way to go Islander fans!

There is nothing to gain by playing the Rangers in an exhibition game. I will always condone fighting in the NHL. It's part of the game, and always should be. Sorry Bossy, I have to disagree with you there.

However I think exhibition Battle Royales are pointless and actually do nothing but rob critical ice playing time from the players who need it most. You lose the manpower of the player who was either A-put in the sin bin for 5 minutes and/or B- that play is given a misconduct penalties and C- the team may end up playing shorthanded for additional minor penalties incurred during a maylay.. .even if it is 4 on 4.

The Islanders and Rangers have nothing to prove by having an exhibition game vs. one another. I think it doesn't help either team. You get those bone headed rookies who think they can make a name for themselves and get on the fans side by doing something stupid.

I'd rather watch some good hard playing, physical hockey with the occasional fight when the fight actually means something. Just MO.

19 Isles. You haven't posted on here. Are you still working that hockey camp?

Gordon's Fishermen?

I'm an Islander fan for life, and undoubtedly Scott Gordon is a qualified coach, but c'mon Garth...you're practically writing troll material for them lol

It's too easy, make them work for it. These are the same brilliant minds that think Steve Somers is saying "Icelanders" without even thinking about what he means....

Anyway, I lurk here a lot, but hardly post. Just wanted to say that I'm more excited to see year's team than any roster in the last couple of years. Looking forward to coming down 4 or 5 times to watch Kyle, Blake, Sean, and, god forbid, Jeff develop and succeed.

and...bring up Joel Rechlisz!

I think you'll see Sim and Bergy expected to play the agitator role, but this team definitely still needs an enforcer somewhere in the lineup, and not on an "as needed basis."

Someone like Kip Brennan is needed every night to send a message to every team, not just when we play the teams in our division or conference.

So, take your lines and figure out where some kind of enforcer fits, and then tell me what you do with Park, Hilbert, Colliton, etc.

On Parrish line - I think it would be great, but there is just no room for another RW on this team at this point.

STEADY

Lets see if we notice a trend here everyone ...

Steady has been complaining about the Islanders hiring a "retread" coach ...now he's complaining about them hiring a "no name" (and just because Steady doesn't know of him it appears that said coach is a no name) ...he probably complained when they hired Laviolette because he was a "no name" then probably complained when he was fired because he then knew about him ...

So, to review - complains when Isles hire "no names" yet complains when they look at "retreads" ...well - who else is there other than "no names" and "retreads" ??

Seems like the Isles can't win in the eyes of Steady ...

The only thing this clown is steady about is his complaining ....you are now to be known as Capt. Complain ....

Off topic, but I think we need to sign Mark Parrish immediately now that Minnesota has bought out his contract.

Flats4Life - they've already got a full lineup and still need to find an enforcer, so who's the odd man out? You may quickly say Park, but can Parrish replace his PK skills or even maybe his speed? You're not gonna sit Sim, Bergy, Comeau, KO, Guerin, or Hunter, so who are you gonna trade out of that gang to make the space for both Parrish and an Enforcer?

I like the idea in theory, but just don't see it happening myself.

Then you also have to ask: did Garth like him when they played together? Cause if not, no way is he coming back...

Hey anon....I said I predicted the Isles would get a no name coach. I said I WANTED to get Quenneville. If I thought typing slower might help you I would. I loved Nolan and he was a retread! I liked Quenneville and he is a retread. My God are some people really this dumb?

To the regulars with a brain: Did you see that the Blackhawks did what I was BEGGING Wanger to do ???? Get a hockey GURU to help right the ship !!! They put Scotty Bowman in charge of all hockey operations as a senior advisor !!!

Absolutely brilliant move by them. Why not us Wanger ??? You could of been a hero getting him !!!

POST AT 13:54 NOT ME.This is everyone's site who wishes to post here.

I am glad that Quenneville chickened out. He obviously didn't have the sand to accept the challenge. Good. Better to find out now than later.

So who's bandwagon do the Quenville supporters jump on now?

I still want Torts and if Snow hires Gallant or another unproven coach, I'll take back all the good things I said about him this past summer. The last thing we need here is another Stirling.

We need a big name to gain some respect around the league, I hope Snow has the brains to realize that.........Sir William

I agree with D-Money, no real room for Parrish. Unless Sillinger can't go and then you could move Park to center but that would still probalby mean 4th line minutes for Parrish behind Guerin, Okposo and Hunter. Personally, even though I've always liked Parrish, I don't think signing him makes a lot of sense right now.

Sir William:

I'm starting to come over to your side regarding Tortorella. Perhaps he could add some excitement and instill some real personality into this team. I wouldn't be horribly disappointed with Hartley or Maurice but you've worn me down and now that Quenneville's out of the running I'm starting to lean towards wanting Tortorella.

Parrish is not comming here. Snow learned his lesson last year with Tank and Joe V. The Isles do not need stopgaps who are just in the way of the younger players. Snow has committed to youth and that's how it's gonna play out........Sir William

who does Eklund think he is fooling by throwing the Isles name down as a new contender for Sundin - as big a fan a i am and all of you "real" posters on here are - you all know that there is more of a chance of MIlbury coming into coach our team than us ever ever ever landing Sundin - Not to say i would be upset if we got Mats but come on now Hockeybuzz - you actually think he is going to turn down all those offers after mulling his decision for two months to say - you know what how about joining Dougie Weight and finish up my career on the Island???

Anon ... calling me a baby as he hides under his "anon" and answers everything I say. Too funny.

No one has talked about the fact Scotty Bowman went to Chicago?? Funny that no one thinks that would of been a nice move for the Isles to get a true hockey guru to guide them.

As for my new pick as our coach??? I have no clue. They fired my guy and Quenneville wanted nothing to do with us.....I guess Torts is as good as any. Who knows with this circus act. just get someone soon!

Does Snow or anyone else in our comittee have a father they can call to come help us ?? :) :)

echo echo ?? Bueller ? Voodoo economics?

Captain Complain strikes again ...

This time he complains that it's taking too long for the Isles to name a coach. But we all know he will complain regardless of how much time it takes and then will complain regardless of who was hired ...

And he's complaining about Bowman to Chicago ...but would complain if he came here ...but he's too stupid to realize that the Blackhawks are much closer to a Cup than our beloved Islanders so obviously Bowman would rather head there than come to the Island ...Maybe if Ted Nolan show cased some of the younger players on the team the Islanders would be closer to seeing what they have or don't have ...but alas ...Captain Complain would find a way to cry about that aswell ...

Lets see how many times Captain Complain can post without complaining about something - anything ...

Al Arbour has some sort of fancy title with the Islanders. I have no idea if he has any real input or if the title is just ceremonial. But since he is considered by many to be the second best to Bowman
why would the Isles look outside the organization?

Unless Bowman is planning on coaching again what real impact will he have on the Hawks? I see this as more of a publicity stunt than anything else. More of a "let's show the Hawks fans we mean business" type deal.

A nice, but useless, title.........Sir William

What's the difference if the guy/gal posts under anonymous? Is your name really Steady? And Anonymous, this is where fans come to complain and voice their opinion. Who in their right mind would ever listen to Steady in person. I personally am starting to think between all of the complaining and the smiley face punctuation that Steady might be a female. But in all fairness; Steady is the Oracle and is a big time fan who probably wants the Isles to start winning as much as any of us on this board (excluding Frei).

On too the coaching selection: If I were Snow and I had some new found power I would want a young coach who would allow me to mold them in to the style of coach I envision. Maybe just maybe another so called bobblehead. Yes Mr. Snow, Yes Mr. Snow. I will play Tambellini on the first line and give him powerplay time. Yes Mr. Snow he has wonderful skills and is great in the dressing room. In all seriosness though, a guy like Torts would be butting heads with Snow after the first 6 months. Torts seems to be a guy who likes some control and not a bobblehead.

Oh jeez I can't wait until October already.

Thet didn't resign Brennan. They did sign Mitch Fritz who is 6'8 and a complete animal. He is a career AHL'er at 28 yrs old. Youtube his fight against Colton Orr. He makes Orr look like Richard Park.

How about Nick and 505 getting mentioned on DB's blog on hockeybuzz. By the way, does anyone know how to comment on that site?

Funny how Islander fans say there is no action on the Ranger Blog and that we just come here. Neil Best reports today that the Ranger Blog is #1 in hits. And to think, this is the main Islander Blog ou there, and the Newsday Ranger Blog outhits it.LOL>

CORAL.....What you say makes a lot of sense. This will tell a lot about Snow. If he hires the best coach available (I like Torts, but Harttley or Maurice are big time coaches), he shows the team that they come first. If he hires some lapdog then the message goes out that Snow is just all about Snow consolidating his power base.

I am hoping that he proves to be the bigger man and does what's best for the team..........Sir William

Anony,

From Neil Best's blog:

"Even though I was on vacation for the first 13 days, we shattered the WatchDog record set in June by 20 percent.

That was good for second among Newsday sports blogs, surpassed only by a monster month for the Rangers blog - manned by my able sports media critic predecessor, Steve Zipay."

You understand he is talking about breaking previous records, right? Having a blog that 5 people view on a given day jump to 10 views is pretty big, such as the Rangers blog. Moron. Take a reading comprehension class before writing you idiot. LOL

If you want some NHL dirt, here a great column. They don't stretch out each topic into separate articles. "NHL Notebook" from the Vancouver Sun.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=cd7b67e1-5388-4fee-b996-0063276eb75f

cheers,
Kevin T.

First he gets on TSN, now he gets on CBC!

"One week after Mike Milbury signed on with Hockey Night in Canada, former NHL coach Marc Crawford was announced yesterday as a game analyst for the show."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080801.TRUTH01/TPStory/TPSports/Television/

Kevin T.

Has anyone else realized that Bruno Gervais' name has been taken off the Islanders website as of today? Any word on why that is?

themass.....

"By the way, does anyone know how to comment on that site?"

Register for the site with a sign in and you are on your way.

It is so simple a cave man can do it.......just not Newsday.
And Newsday can't- or won't- do it cuz it would cut down on their page hits, eliminate the trolls, and certain reporters would have to concentrate on their real jobs instead of impostering me (see comment at 18:31) and others all over the Newsday blogs.

Just got back from a coupla days away and I see the boy at the Vinal Flore/Pavlov's blog is still at it....

And I am ROFLMAO at this little reference to me.....

"-- Oh, and we had to permanently ban one commenter for the first time in The Final Score history. This person is free, however, to visit and comment on Newsday's other blogs."

That's right, Reiber... I'm not only free to visit and comment on other blogs, but since your little petulant hissyfit, after I cut your legs out from under you, one of your baseball compadres has referred to me as "legendary", while another requested my professional (?) assistance in writing a blog about Manny.

And I can't help but laugh at the fact that I apparently do a better job than a certain blue pill in keeping you aroused enough to even mention my banning two weeks or so after you got blown away on your own blog.

What's the chances of me being mentioned in your year-end review?

Coral...You call me a girl and than use all my bobllehead line????....Tell you what. Come to opening game. If I am a girl I will give you a kiss. If I am not, you can buy me beers and I will get you an ice pack and oranges for your eye and teeth! Cool?

No problem to disagree with me or argue, but to throw jabs at regulars is nonsense. Heck I argue with Bill all the time, yet stuck up for him when the trolls came along. I guess that is just the type of guy I am. You showed your stripes as well. Too bad!

The reason I called out "anon" is b/c he is on here just throwing jabs at me for no reason. Not one word about hockey. It is my belief that "anon" has another sign-on and is hiding behind the "anon" tag, which is why I told the rat to use his real sign on. That or he is a troll. Either way it is amusing to me that I can get someone so worked up! Life is funny!

As for our coach to be named.....I already said what I felt. I took a stand and stated my opinion, I am not flip flopping. I had picked a couple of guys that got passed over like Fredo or passed on us. By the way, to say Quenneville did not have the "b^lls" to coach the Isles is ridiculous. Just b/c someone does not want a job that does not interest them does not make them a coward. Especially this team. I mean come on.

I am all for a guy with experience. MY FEAR and predicition was they pick a puppet. We shall see. The eyes are on thee bobbles.......Get it done!

p.s To say Scotty Bowman cannot add something to an organization is a little mind boggling to me. You would not want him helping guide Snow? Or a man like him which is what I was suggesting? Might help bring players here if nothing else, no ???

To say Chicago is way ahead of us is even funnier. Sometimes I wonder if some people even watch hockey or just come here to have something to do !!! Anon aka Duhhhhhhhhhh Your new nickname....DUHHHHHHHHHHHH

Wow - I apparently made a scene thanks to a 1-line comment over on the Final Score. Fun stuff happens while I'm on vacation...

Quenneville went after the San Jose and Toronto jobs. When he didn't get them he all of a sudden "needed to take a year off."

I would have had more respect for the man if he just came out and said something like " I don't think that I am a good fit for the Isles job. They seem to be going in a different direction then I would like to and I am not interested at this time."

Instead, he made up some lame excuse about taking a year off which everyone in hockey knew was a lie because he had already sought two other head coaching positions.

Stand up and be a man and tell it like it is. Quenneville showed what kind of guy he is. Good riddence.

Bowman would never step on Arbours toes by coming to Long Island. It's just the way it is among the greats. It would be like Arbour taking Bowman's old job in Detroit. Not happening.

Snow is attempting to flex his own muscles, so why would he want someone looking over his shoulder? It's bad enough that he's got Wang and Dey........Sir William

I said someone like Bowman.....Snow should have someone with a HOCKEY BRAIN looking ove his shoulder....Not dumb and dumber!

Steady...There is only one person who would fits that bill and that is Jimmy D from Detroit. This franchise has never recovered from losing him. Whatever it takes, Wang should bring him back here to be in charge of hockey operations and to teach Snow......Sir William

Well ... seems Trolls have had a holiday.

Sir William ... for the first time I think I can honestly say I agree 1,000,000% with you on Jimmy D.

The Isles have needed Jimmy D or comperable since Torrey left ... and even in the later years of Torrey's reign.

I have a bunch of tidbits for you guys to digest. Spent the better part of a week helping instruct at a hockey camp where I was under the tutorlage of a former AHL coach who asked to remain anonymous if I mentioned any of what he shared with me. Could affect his future job security. I'm still debating with myself if I should even bring some stuff up. Because it's an amiguous opinion that may have no reflection on the Isles, but does make you think.

There already is to much hearsay mentioned in blogs from all sites. I just found some of his behind the seens observations interesting.

I tried to read through the previous threads to catch up .... but seems pointless after reading some of the trash the trolls contributed.

I'll try and get back on here later. I have lots of things to catch up on today.

12:15 is NOT me, even though it's a fair comment.

C'mon Troll.....give it a rest please?

MARC CRAWFORD is added to the selection for our coach vacancy! how does everyone feel about that?

21:55 is not me.

To Chicago Norm,

Please accept this as an unqualified apology for my comments of July 30, 2:05 that were directed at you and Mr. Rieber on this blog.
In the spirit of the goodwill initiated by Mr. Rieber yesterday, I extend this apology and promise to do (write) everything possible to nurture and grow the goodwill between us from here on out.
I am sorry, Norm.

Let's put all of this ugliness and nonsense behind us.
I will do my part.

Islander505

I was thinking about this the other day... I am 25 and a die hard Islanders fan. The only true superstar talent I have ever seen on the Islanders is Ziggy Palffy and Pierre Turgeon. That really puts into perspective how awful the Islanders have been.

I thought this would be fun during the summer doldrums...

What would be your all time top 5 Islander goal scorers?

Mine is ...
1. Bossy
2. LaFontaine
3. Trots
4. Ziggy
5. Turgeon

I'm pretty sure the future looks bright for us. Read this from NHL.com

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379341

Ok so this summer we're rebuilding from the farm. A focused goal with potential. Many teams have tryed to adopt this method. Rangers, Wild, Detroit etc.
So is it safe to say that like the Rangers our high end talented prospects will not be on any trading block from now on? (unless the deal is out of this world I'm sure)
Snows intentions aside, how long will Wang tolerate not being a playoff contender? How long has Wang given Snow to succeed?
It seems like only yesterday we were listning to Wang praise Nolan for his abilities and style and that he was going to grow this team with talent and prospects... there was a phrase he used 2 years ago... something to do with unity, teamwork and commitment to vet talent? Anyone remember???

Team owners are like politicians; they flip flop all the time. The saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it; well for the Isles it has been a case of "It ain't working; and thankfully they are trying to fix it. One too many rejections forced the Isles into a rebuild and that may turn out to be the best move in quite some time. At the trade deadline this year Snow announced on TV that the team did not make any moves and the goal is to build and keep their prospects. Later after the season was over Logan wrote that the Isles were trying to land Huselias from Calgary but he rejected that trade. I think that may have been the icing on the cake for Snow with regards to the direction of this team. You can't build a team with Vets when a majority of them do not have you even on the radar.

Steady, where ar