Nino Niederreiter

What Does It Say About Who The Islanders Brought to Long Island At Season's End?

May 5, 2013

The New York Islanders made the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season and a week ago, as a prelude to the beginning of their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team called up several players. The players called up to the big club were Matt Donovan, Calvin De Haan, Brock Nelson, Aaron Ness, Anders Nilsson, John Persson, Ryan Strome and Johan Sundstrom.

So what does that mean? Why were they recalled?

Needing Wins The Sound Tigers Offer A Diamond Mine of Entertainment

March 31, 2013

Mike Flannery

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The Sound Tigers have ten games remaining in their season and while they still have a chance to make the playoffs, the chance is remote. It is likely the team would have to run the table in order to extend the season.

Ten W’s in ten games is a lot to ask of a team whose record in ‘Tweetish’ (140 chars. or less) to date is: ‘#BST-W-W-W-L-W-L-W-L-W-W-W-L-W-W-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-W-L-W-L-W-L-W-W-W-W-L-L-L-L-L-W-W-L-L-L-L-W-W-W-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-W-L-L-W-W-L-L-W-L-L-W-L-L.’ It does not look good for the playoffs, but tables have been run and there are still some compelling reasons to visit the Webster Bank Arena for the remaining games.

The Isles Need To Continue Re-Signing Veterans Beyond This Season

March 31, 2013

Rob McGowan

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As reported previously this week, the New York Islanders locked up defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky with a two-year contract extension worth $9.5 million.

GM Garth Snow has once again managed to acquire a valuable veteran through the trade market and convince him to stay longer than planned after he previously tried to avoid joining the team (Photo Credit: Robert Kowal/Flickr).

The first player that went through a similar scenario was goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, who is also playing in the final year of his contract. However, it has already been reported by Arthur Staple of Newsday that he appears to have an interest with staying with the team.

Last Week Was Right So This Week is Left On Wing For The Islanders

March 27, 2013

Donovan Brooks

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Last week in this space, the Islanders prospect depth at right wing was put under the microscope so it only seemed appropriate that the left wingers get the scrutiny this week.

For the Isles, it is better than the right, but not nearly as good as center or defense, at least in depth.

It's Time To Buy On The Island

March 26, 2013

Rob McGowan

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This is the year that the New York Islanders should look to be buyers at the trade deadline.

It is only just eight days away, and the Islanders presently sit with 31 points, just two shy from tying the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot with only 16 games remaining in the regular season.

Typically at this juncture, the Isles are on the verge of collapsing into the final three spots of the Eastern Conference and increasing their chances of winning the draft lottery. Although that is still a frightening scenario that can still play out for Garth Snow's squad, it is time for the Isles GM to make a statement that the rebuild is over.

Sound Tigers Scoring Needed

March 20, 2013

Mike Flannery

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Connecticut Post writer Mike Fornabaio described Sunday’s game as “… just another day at the office for Rick DiPietro in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ net.” DiPietro led his smiling teammates off the ice after registering his first shutout in Bridgeport since Dec. 4, 2002. (A 1-0 victory over the Providence Bruins, goal by Trent Hunter)

Sound Tigers Win Child's Game

March 13, 2013

Mike Flannery

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Tuesday night the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the division leading Springfield Falcons in another hard fought contest at the Webster Bank Arena. Hell they’re all hard fought, but this time of year with the playoffs on the horizon it’s like being twelfth in line for an Eric Church concert with only eight seats left and you don’t want to miss the show.

The Bridgeport team dominated play from the beginning outshooting the Columbus Blue Jacket’s affiliate 13 to 8 but could not get the red lamp lit. Not that the Tigers didn’t have their opportunities because they did.

The Islanders 2010 Draft In Los Angeles, Revisited

March 12, 2013

Donovan Brooks

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New York, as many knew, was weak on defense and several experts had elite defensive prospects such as Cam Fowler slotted for Long Island.

What would Garth do? The Islanders General Manager decided to go with the Swiss born Nino Niederreiter. It raised a few eyebrows, but not because the power forward lacked talent. It was surprising merely because he was not a blueliner.

Would the Isles select a defenseman this day? Would there be any reaches?

Let's take a look at that draft and see what happened.

Sound Tigers - The Last Stand?

March 11, 2013

Mike Flannery

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In the last twelve games the Sound Tigers have scored more than three goals only three times, each time they came away winners losing the other nine, but there is hope here as well. The franchise record 0 for 41 power play slide ended on Tuesday, Nino Neiderreiter is out of his mini slump and the UPS (Ullstrom, Persson, Sundstrom) or ‘Swedish line’ is back.

The goal tending tandem of Ken Reiter and Rick DiPietro could be as good as the team has had all year. The defense is playing better than they have all season and there is every reason to hope that the offense will regain their swag. Missing from it all will be the teams’ heart.

Paging Kyle Okposo

March 4, 2013

Pete Paguaga

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The former 7th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft has been invisible this season for the Islanders and it’s time that the organization looks to trade Okposo, if they haven’t started already.

Many players had to shake off rust from their time off during the lockout, but the rust should have come off during the first two weeks of the season. Through 22 games, Okposo has two goals and six assists for a measly eight points, which is good for seventh on the Islanders.

This is absolutely unacceptable for a former top pick and especially on a team that is in need of some scoring from players that aren't named Tavares, Moulson and Boyes.