The draft party has begun, and as we wait with baited breath to see what the Islanders will do with the fifth overall pick, there's plenty to do on the floor of the Coliseum as fans continue to file in.
Beyond the items up for auction, the interactive exhibits (how hard is your slap shot?), the coolest things are the items brought down from the Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The Islanders items include the five pucks that found the net in the debut game for the Islanders and the Atlanta Flames in October 1972, a 3-2 Flames victory; the stick Mike Bossy used to score his 68th goal in 1980-81; Brent Sutter's jersey from 1986-87; along with Billy Smith's pads and the stick he used when he "scored" a goal against Colorado in 1979.
There's also the skates Gretzky wore in his final game, but I like the old stuff best. Like Ace Bailey's skate blades; the hat Punch Imlach wore while coaching Toronto to four cups in the 1960s (the guy must have a midget based on the size of the hat; perhaps he was the inspiration for the Maple Leafs coach in "The Love Guru" - played by Verne Troyer, of course); Frank Mahovlich's jersey from 1958; Eddie Shore's Bruins jersey from 1932; or the stick Gordie Howe used to score his 220th career goal -- the thing is is flat as a frying pan.
You also learn that these guys save EVERYTHING. Case in point? You can see the socks Sean Bergenheim wore when Finland beat the Czech Republic in the 2001 world under-18 championships.
Dee, they're all yours.
Friday, June 20, 2008
How about this Russian?
Counting down the hours to the draft and the Islanders draft party (starts at 5:30 p.m. - don't be late!) and I'm just putting this out there:
Since the Penguins have so many people to sign and can't possibly keep them all, and since there's usually only room for one superduperstar per team, it's been rumored that the Pens could deal Evgeni Malkin. One rumor had him offered to the Kings for the second overall pick and Mike Cammalleri, who went 19-28-47 in 63 games for L.A. last season.
Could the Isles package the number 5 pick plus one of their second rounders and a young player to Pittsburgh for Malkin? Hmmmmmmmm.
Since the Penguins have so many people to sign and can't possibly keep them all, and since there's usually only room for one superduperstar per team, it's been rumored that the Pens could deal Evgeni Malkin. One rumor had him offered to the Kings for the second overall pick and Mike Cammalleri, who went 19-28-47 in 63 games for L.A. last season.
Could the Isles package the number 5 pick plus one of their second rounders and a young player to Pittsburgh for Malkin? Hmmmmmmmm.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Goodbye, MSG? And hello, Yashin?!
Almost choked on my lunch when I saw this on ESPN.com today:
NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League is threatening to kick out Madison Square Garden, the owners of the New York Rangers, as punishment for accusing the league of violating antitrust laws.
That's right, kids! The league, in a letter signed by Gary Bettman, "asked a judge to agree MSG has breached its contract by challenging league rules and that it can force out MSG."
It all dates back to the Rangers protesting the league's control over all the team websites. Say what you want about the Islanders' past ownership squabbles, but at least the league never threatened to kick one of them out of the league.
That James Dolan is something, isn't he? From the Knicks disaster and Isiah Thomas to this, he seems like one sharp dude. Sharp as a marshmallow.
Just the kind of news that makes me smile. Unlike the report that the Islanders are thinking about bringing back Alexei Yashin.
God help us, no! I don't care what his numbers were for Yaroslavl in the Russian Superliga. And yes, the Isles' offense was pathetic last season. But they bought him out FOR A REASON. They guy is an albatross. There's no way Ted Nolan is on board with this, is there?
Not the kind of news we want to read as we prepare for the NHL Draft on Friday, when the Isles will have a chance at drafting a truly exciting Russian, Nikita Filatov.
Yea on Filatov, nay on Yashin.
Newsday's Greg Logan breaks down the Islanders' possible draft strategy here, noting that Snow could opt to trade down. That would be a mistake. If Filatov is there, you take him. If not, you grab one of the top defensemen who slid down. The Isles have extra picks and should grab the best player they can in the first round, and then use the later picks by either taking players with them or consolidating them into a higher pick at some point.
We'll find out for sure tomorrow night. See you there!
NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League is threatening to kick out Madison Square Garden, the owners of the New York Rangers, as punishment for accusing the league of violating antitrust laws.
That's right, kids! The league, in a letter signed by Gary Bettman, "asked a judge to agree MSG has breached its contract by challenging league rules and that it can force out MSG."
It all dates back to the Rangers protesting the league's control over all the team websites. Say what you want about the Islanders' past ownership squabbles, but at least the league never threatened to kick one of them out of the league.
That James Dolan is something, isn't he? From the Knicks disaster and Isiah Thomas to this, he seems like one sharp dude. Sharp as a marshmallow.
Just the kind of news that makes me smile. Unlike the report that the Islanders are thinking about bringing back Alexei Yashin.
God help us, no! I don't care what his numbers were for Yaroslavl in the Russian Superliga. And yes, the Isles' offense was pathetic last season. But they bought him out FOR A REASON. They guy is an albatross. There's no way Ted Nolan is on board with this, is there?
Not the kind of news we want to read as we prepare for the NHL Draft on Friday, when the Isles will have a chance at drafting a truly exciting Russian, Nikita Filatov.
Yea on Filatov, nay on Yashin.
Newsday's Greg Logan breaks down the Islanders' possible draft strategy here, noting that Snow could opt to trade down. That would be a mistake. If Filatov is there, you take him. If not, you grab one of the top defensemen who slid down. The Isles have extra picks and should grab the best player they can in the first round, and then use the later picks by either taking players with them or consolidating them into a higher pick at some point.
We'll find out for sure tomorrow night. See you there!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wings over America; Milbury does it again
Belated congratulations to the Red Wings, who took the Cup in six games -- as I predicted -- over the Penguins, who should be the favorite in the East again next season, depending on what happens with their many potential free agents, and coach Michel Therien, who may or may not be very well-liked in the Pens' clubhouse.
And we know how player revolts go around here, don't we?
Meanwhile, Mike Milbury opened his mouth last week, which often doesn't end well. Responding to an off-the-cuff remark by Tiger Woods about how he didn't follow the NHL playoffs ("I don't think anybody really watches hockey anymore") Milbury called Woods "Tiger Wuss" and then went on about how tough hockey players are compared to pretty much everyone else.
I always liked Milbury's personality and he has had some great quotes over the years. For a long time I was one of the few Milbury defenders in Islanders Nation, until the evidence engulfed me like a landslide. And he is brash and opinionated, which makes him an interesting voice. But this was silly and just makes Mad Mike look insane. Take it down a notch, Mikey. For everyone's sake.
Looking ahead, the Blog Box will be well-represented at the Islanders Draft Party at the Coliseum June 20, with some surprises in store.
And if you want a peek at the list of 2008 free agents, here you go.
And we know how player revolts go around here, don't we?
Meanwhile, Mike Milbury opened his mouth last week, which often doesn't end well. Responding to an off-the-cuff remark by Tiger Woods about how he didn't follow the NHL playoffs ("I don't think anybody really watches hockey anymore") Milbury called Woods "Tiger Wuss" and then went on about how tough hockey players are compared to pretty much everyone else.
I always liked Milbury's personality and he has had some great quotes over the years. For a long time I was one of the few Milbury defenders in Islanders Nation, until the evidence engulfed me like a landslide. And he is brash and opinionated, which makes him an interesting voice. But this was silly and just makes Mad Mike look insane. Take it down a notch, Mikey. For everyone's sake.
Looking ahead, the Blog Box will be well-represented at the Islanders Draft Party at the Coliseum June 20, with some surprises in store.
And if you want a peek at the list of 2008 free agents, here you go.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Remember when
When is the next time the New York Islanders will make it to the cover of Sports Illustrated? The way the NHL is covered in this country, 'never' may be the best answer.
So enjoy this trip back in time, when the venerable E.M. Swift penned the SI cover story on the Islanders' victory over the Canadiens in the 1984 conference finals.
It's all there - the greatness of Bossy, the toughness of Gillies, the outstanding play of rookie Pat Flatley, the tenacity of Billy Smith. Swift goes on to predict the Isles winning a fifth straight cup, but his piece includes many signs of Islander vulnerability: too many penalties (especially by Trottier), a more time on the PK than the PP, injuries, and lower production from players like Potvin.
Still, it's a great reminded of the glory days, and I'll say it again - DAMN, were we spoiled!
So enjoy this trip back in time, when the venerable E.M. Swift penned the SI cover story on the Islanders' victory over the Canadiens in the 1984 conference finals.
It's all there - the greatness of Bossy, the toughness of Gillies, the outstanding play of rookie Pat Flatley, the tenacity of Billy Smith. Swift goes on to predict the Isles winning a fifth straight cup, but his piece includes many signs of Islander vulnerability: too many penalties (especially by Trottier), a more time on the PK than the PP, injuries, and lower production from players like Potvin.
Still, it's a great reminded of the glory days, and I'll say it again - DAMN, were we spoiled!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Detroit looks dominant in game one
The Red Wings looked pretty unbeatable in the opener of the Stanley Cup finals, shutting out the Penguins, 4-0.
Over at ESPN.com, Scott Burnside asks the question: Do the Penguins need to fail in order to win later, as did the Oilers in 1983? Avid readers of this space recall that on May 20 I predicted a Red Wings victory in six games and noted that, like the Oilers, the talented Penguins are just not there yet and could follow the same path the Oilers did.
Short-time Islanders GM Neil Smith -- who was with the Isles in the Cup years -- comes to a similar conclusion in the article , and Kevin Lowe notes that it's a matter of learning how to win. Butch Goring confirms the legend of the defeated Oilers passing by the Isles locker room and seeing less celebration than relief, a sign that the Isles left everything out on the ice while the Oilers hadn't yet reached that level of comittment.
One can see the same scenario playing out this season.
Over at ESPN.com, Scott Burnside asks the question: Do the Penguins need to fail in order to win later, as did the Oilers in 1983? Avid readers of this space recall that on May 20 I predicted a Red Wings victory in six games and noted that, like the Oilers, the talented Penguins are just not there yet and could follow the same path the Oilers did.
Short-time Islanders GM Neil Smith -- who was with the Isles in the Cup years -- comes to a similar conclusion in the article , and Kevin Lowe notes that it's a matter of learning how to win. Butch Goring confirms the legend of the defeated Oilers passing by the Isles locker room and seeing less celebration than relief, a sign that the Isles left everything out on the ice while the Oilers hadn't yet reached that level of comittment.
One can see the same scenario playing out this season.
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