Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Islanders offseason thus far

The Islanders have had a really good offseason to this point:
1. Signing of Al Montoya
2. Signing of P.A. Parenteau
3. Signing of Matt Moulson
4. Signing of Michael Grabner
5. New Coliseum Announced
6. The Islanders reportedly agree to terms with prospect Casey Cizikias

Today the legislators vote on the referendum for August 1

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Islaners Draft Party June 24th

via Islanders.com

Who will be there??

Draft party passes now available

Meet Islanders players, win prizes, play interactive games, and watch the draft

Monday, 05.23.2011 / 1:44 PM / News
New York Islanders
DRAFT PARTY PASSES NOW AVAILABLE
Player Appearances, Interactive Games, Massive Memorabilia Sale
Highlight Isles Annual Draft Event


The New York Islanders announced today that passes for the 2011 Draft Party are now available to the general public by either clicking on the link above or by visiting the Islanders Team Store in the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Massapequa. The Draft Party is scheduled for Friday, June 24 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Passes to this fan fest are free, but individuals can only reserve up to eight passes. Doors for the Draft Party open at 5 p.m. and the live stream of the NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, MN begins at 7 p.m.

Fans will not only get their first peek at the newest Islanders prospect, but they will also have the chance to meet some of their favorite players at the Draft Party, including John Tavares, Michael Grabner, Matt Moulson, Trevor Gillies, Travis Hamonic, Micheal Haley, Matt Martin and Kevin Poulin. There’s an additional perk at the Draft Party for any fans interested in full season tickets for the 2011-12 season. These fans can view open seating options with an Islanders sales representative and one of the players in attendance.

The Draft Party will also play host to the Islanders annual year-end blowout sale, with every item on sale at an enormous 50% off. This huge sale features huge savings on game-worn jerseys, autographed memorabilia, team apparel for all sizes, game-used equipment and limited edition collectibles.

Interactive activities on the Nassau Coliseum floor will include locker room tours, street hockey contests, I.C.E. Tour inflatable games, video game stations and the Trevor Gillies ‘Stache Station, among others.

The Coliseum scoreboard, which normally hangs well above center ice, will be lowered for up-close, oversized interviews of the Islanders in attendance. The big screen will also feature exclusive, live coverage from IslandersTV at the Draft with interviews with members of the hockey operations staff and behind the scenes post-draft footage.

The 2011 Draft Party will also host Long Island’s first-ever American Red Cross Blood Drive. This event will launch a new partnership between the Islanders and America’s premier emergency response organization. Fans can donate blood in the Coliseum’s exhibition hall anytime between noon and 8 p.m. on draft day.

Passes are also available at the Islanders Team Store at Surise Mall and the Islanders Pro Shop at Iceworks.


All credit and rights reserved to New York Islanders.com and their corporation

A thank you

I would like to thank everybody who has been following this blog.
I am so excited to be starting up for another season  and would definitly welcome your comments on any of the topics discussed. So please place your comments below and I will do my best to respond all the time.
Thank You I am looking forward to another great season.
Let's Go Islanders

The Next Captain

With Doug Weight gone the captain spot is now vacant and to me their seems to be five likely candidates.
  1. Mark Streit
  2. Kyle Okposo
  3. Josh Bailey
  4. John Tavares
  5. Matt Moulson
1. Mark Streit- He is the eldest and veteran player on this team he has been there. Wether or not he has the leadership qualities especially not having been on the ice for a year remains to be seen. Streit looks to be the likely candidate and probably will get the option.

2. Kyle Okposo- With the recent news of his 5 year signing he seems to be the future of this club (for now). He will contest Streit and at a minimum wear the "A" this year. Okposo I believe has all of the necessary leadership qualities and would do a fantastic job lacking only experience.

3. Josh Bailey- Given the inferred problems between Bailey and Capuano early last season he is probably out of the running but he would have been my selection.

4.  John Tavares- I think because he is the most skilled player on this team his name is brought into consideration but I think at this stage of his career it is best for John to continue developing.

5. Matt Moulson- A great scholar once said " If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Why the Kyle Okposo signing is larger than it seems?

The Kyle Okposo signing is larger than it seems because first we have seen the potential Kyle has. We also see the stability he brings to this team. It is not a coincidence that the Islanders really started to turn things around right when he came back. A third reason this is huge because gradually the young core of this team are all starting to sign and commit to Long Island. This should make it a no-brainer for Mr. Tavares next year who will expect a hefty paycheck to stay on Long Island.
  1. Moulson
  2. Parenteau
  3. Grabner
  4. Now Okposo
And Tavares should be next

Doug Weight has Announced his Retirement


Former Islanders Captain and Center Doug Weight has announced his retirement after 19 seasons. He will become an assistant coach alongside Cappy, Allen, and Chynoweth and also a special assitant to the general manager Garth Snow.
JC's Take: This was expected. But it will be nice to see Doug Weight hang around in the organization. It also has me thinking about Garth Snow's ascention to General Manager. All in All Good News Though
In over 1,238 NHL Games Doug scored 278 goals and has 1,033 career points
With The Captain Spot now vacant there will be alot of discussion of who this is awarded to.

Islanders Sign Kyle Okposo to a 5 year Deal

Today the Islanders have announced that they have signed Kyle Okposo to a 5 yr 14 million dollar deal which will lock up the forward till the end of the 2016 season.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The 2011-2012 Season for the New York Islanders

I immensly believe that the August 1 vote will have an impact on the Islanders, I feel if this vote passes the entire air of uncertainty around this club will dissepate allowing the talented youth of this team able to shine throught. A sure result of a passing vote would be better attendance all year long. With a passing vote Opening day will be sold out as many other games throughout the year will be close to capacity.

The 3 Step Plan For A NEW COLISEUM

The process for building any new sports structure is always a long and tedious process but in short this is how it will have to happen.
  1. The Nassau County Legislators will have to vote on the referendum (a fans vote)
    1. All indications show that this should have no problem passing
  2. The Nassau County taxpayers will vote on the Coliseum and the fate of the Islanders on August 1.
  3. Barring any distraction from Nassau Interim Finance Authority all systems would be a go

The Fountain Of Islanders Youth: New York Islanders Info Blog

I was thinking about eventually creating a blog to cover the New York Islanders. But this offseason has been so active I figured I should start now. I am Justin a lifelong New York Islander fan longing for this team to find its way back into the playoffs and to stay on Long Island.
My goal is to cover the Islanders through the summer, training camp and all season long. I want to cover the Islanders using:
  • Small Write ups
  • Videos
  • In game Live Chat
I can't wait to start blogging and I hope all of you enjoy the Islanders coverage.