Doug Weight

Islanders Get Hammered Up By The Sharks

October 30, 2011

Depending on who you speak to after a game, you might find someone who is very eager to say that the refs cost the home team a game. But in regards to last night's Islanders game against the Sharks, that person might be right.

The New York Islanders decided to honor the 1992-1993 team prior to puck drop, with several memorable players making their way onto the ice. Such players included Benoit Hogue, Mick Vukota, Darius Kasparitis, Vladimir Malakhov and of course, Pierre Turgeon. Al Arbour could not be in attendance but had a recorded video air on the overhead to try to inspire the current squad while paying their respects to a team that many thought would make their way to the ...

Isles Files: New Captain, New Arena Proposal

September 22, 2011

Rob McGowan

1 Comment

Media day came and went yesterday with a grand announcement: Mark Streit is the new captain of the New York Islanders.

The Swiss defenseman is the first ever Swiss captain in NHL history and is also the 13th captain in Islanders history.

My original belief was that the Islanders were going to consider giving the "C" to John Tavares, but once his contract extension was announced at a press conference with only the six-year deal to discuss and nothing else, I started to think more and more that Streit would be their man.

Streit carries veteran leadership, a respected presence in the locker room and is a contributor on and off the ice. He is the anchor of the blue...

One-on-One With Brian Rolston

August 18, 2011

Rob McGowan

4 Comments

The Islanders went into the off-season with a game plan of finding a top-six forward that could help the team transition from the rebuilding phase into a playoff contender. With Marty Reasoner signed to round out the bottom two lines, the Islanders traded oft-injured winger Trent Hunter to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for 18-year veteran Brian Rolston.

Rolston carries a booming slap shot along with an impressive resume that will add veteran leadership and depth to the Islanders line-up.

With training camp just a few weeks away, Rolston called me this afternoon to discuss his expectations for the upcoming year, his experiences with the Devils last season and the potential ...

We're All Islanders: Reasons For Voting Yes

July 30, 2011

Rob McGowan

1 Comment

I originally lived in Brooklyn, NY, which for those of you outside of New York is not very far from New York City, Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers. I lived in Brooklyn as a kid for most of the 90's but couldn't tell you a damn thing about hockey. My closest friend and his father were die hard Rangers fans so every now and then I used to see a game on TV, especially when they were in the playoffs. But still, I couldn't say I knew much. Only when I went to my friends house would I pick up a plastic stick and fool around with a ball in his driveway, but other than that, the game of hockey was a complete unknown.

I moved to Long Island with my family in 1996. ...

Who Will Be Next To Captain The Islanders?

July 9, 2011

Rob McGowan

0 Comments

There have been many great hockey players who have played for the New York Islanders that were honored in wearing the C on their jersey as captain. The most recent is Doug Weight, who announced his retirement a few weeks back and has accepted a new role with the team as an assistant coach. His leadership and advice will continue to serve well in the locker room and on the ice, but it will be time for someone new to fill the void.

Many feel that Mark Streit would be fitting for the next captain. He's one, if not the most reliable veteran on the team and produces consistently as the team's offensive defenseman who quarterbacks the power play. He arguably has been one of Garth ...

Hall-bound Leaf Heroes; Burke's Qualified List

June 28, 2011

Owen Durkin

1 Comment

The Leafs qualified a number of free agents on Monday, in order to retain their rights with the organization. Luke Schenn, Tyler Bozak, Clarke MacArthur, Matt Lashoff, Luca Caputi, Ben Scrivens and Greg Scott all remain with the club, while Brayden Irwin, Christian Hanson and Fabian Brunnstrom did not receive offers. C-Mac was plucked from the Thrashers organization last year when the club balked at his arbitration award. While he appears to be headed for arbitration once again, it is still possible that an accord can be reached both pre-and post-judgement. His work on the Grabo line makes him an attractive ...