Howdy ya’ll! You know it’s funny sometimes, I was just talking with Tom Liodice on AIM on how tonight was going to be a night off from posting - yet here I am feverishly typing away. I will make this one quick though because it’s got my brain working overtime (while trying to relax).

There was a bunch of discussion yesterday after the deadline about a deal that almost happened. Speculation ran rampant on who this player was. Garth Snow spoke of this deal in an interview on the Islanders Website. When asked the following question - The biggest story for some is that you didn’t make what would be classified as big moves. Did you come close? Garth answered:

Yes. To be honest, there was one pretty big deal that was close but just didn’t get done on either side. Things happen and don’t happen for a reason. It’s always something we can look into again down the road.

Greg Logan had tried to squeeze Snow for whatever he could on this non-move, what he did manage to get was interesting and he posted it in today’s story in Newsday:

Snow said he considered trading for an impact player who was not part of any other deal yesterday but decided against it because it would have required him to break up this team for the playoff run. The GM added that he never asked Satan to waive his no-trade clause.

For anyone wondering how the relationship between blogger and mainstream media is - I can tell you that it is good. Greg Logan has been one of the most welcoming voices around and he isn’t afraid to share or give his opinion to us. Just last night we happened to be speaking of this very subject. I pressed Greg for anything he had and he seemed to believe that the team involved was in the Western Conference. I spent the better part of today thinking about WHO this player could be because of the statement from Garth that it could happen again “down the road”.

Thinking back to yesterday’s moves - we dealt primarily with Western Conference teams - Anaheim, San Jose and a mid-western team in Minnesota. I don’t really see Anaheim dealing any impact players as they are pretty much a lock for the post season but they could move Doug Weight. Would they move Getzlav though? Minnesota I don’t know all that much about - but I sincerely doubt that they move Gaborik or Demitra. Do the Wild have any other impact players? This brings us to the Sharks - right off the bat everyone would say names like Roenick, Marleau and Grier. One name that jumps off the page at me is Jonathan Cheechoo.

Cheechoo is a player who has been holding his own for some time; he plays hard, hits hard and is a gritty player. One would say that he is a “Ted Nolan” type player - coincidentally he is the quintessential Nolan type player. Cheechoo was influenced by Ted Nolan growing up and Ted Nolan has helped Cheechoo throughout his career. Cheechoo and Nolan are both members of different First Nations’ tribes - Nolan has been a calming voice, father figure and role model for numerous players throughout the years, including the recently traded Chris Simon.

We may never find out who this deal was originally for, or we may find out if it ever does wind up happening it could go either way. Something that does gives this “almost move” merit is the fact that Garth had been working the phones and obviously dealt with San Jose during the day. Did discussions with the Sharks continue down to the zero hour of the deadline? The only thing that doesn’t change is Cheechoo’s connection and respect for Ted Nolan and this could lead to Jonathan finding himself in an Islanders sweater someday soon.

I think it’s time for another poll!!!

Let’s Vote!

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We are getting set for the opening face off here. This is my very first live blog from the Blog Box and I must say I am pretty excited! Pretty good crowd for a mid-week game, maybe 9k, I would say maybe 10k now that the first period is almost over.

First Period

7:08 PM Big Joe (Vasicek) set to take the draw, clean win and we are under way!
7:09 PM Fedotenko in front forces Conklin to make the stop.
7:11 PM Pens take the first penalty for a change, Staal 2 minutes for holding. ISLANDERS POWER PLAY.
7:12 PM And like that, Fedotenko called for hooking to even things up.
7:13 PM AND JUST LIKE THAT Isles man up again - Pens Ruutu 2 minutes hooking (Way to make a debut Ruutu). Islanders 4-on-3′
7:14 PM 4-on-4 for for 38 seconds
7:16 PM A rare….even strength shift for both teams.
7:19 PM Islanders are out shooting and out hustling the Penguins pretty good here - Pittsburgh is yet to register a shot on goal just yet (as much as I don’t want to say that).

7:22 PM Tambellini with a shot of Conklin’s cage.
7:23 PM Comeau with a nice shot getting it on net, Hilbert controlled the rebound and rimmed it around. Guerin accepts a pass and takes a nice shot that Conklin had to hold on to.

7:26 PM Hunter with a great back check breaks up an offensive zone rush for Pittsburgh.
7:27 PM Malkin frees up in front and gets to a rebound, makes his teams second count shot and it’s 1-0 Penguins
7:29 PM Davison makes his appearance from the locker room, with 7:06 PM. I don’t envy him - showing up late (due to flights) and not knowing many people on the team - yet trying to be your teams difference maker. Best of luck.

7:32 PM Pittsburgh takes ANOTHER penalty, Gonchar 2 minutes for holding. The Islanders NEED to get on the board here.’
7:33 PM NOW THEY REALLY NEED TO SCORE, 2 MINUTES DELAY OF GAME PENS, 5-on-3 Islanders just over a minute and a half.

7:35 PM Decent puck movement by the Islanders, but they need bodies in front. Half minute remains for the 2 man advantage.
7:36 PM Nothing really going for the Islanders, Gonchar sprang into the Isles zone and Satan made a nice play to break things up. Vasicek the other way - Conklin with the save.

7:40 PM Off the face off Park called for 2 minutes holding the stick.
7:41 PM Another shorthanded odd man rush, Hunter takes the shot and Conklin juggles it. Play comes back the other way and the Islanders are penalized again; 2 minutes hooking on Gervais.

7:43 PM 2-0 Penguins, despite being outshot 21-3. Pens still on the power play as the last tally came shorthanded.
7:45 PM One minute left in the first period, thank goodness.

No matter when the Islanders outshoot their opponents by a wide margin, I cant ever really help but to be worried because the lack of scoring always comes back to haunt them. This period, without all the penalties and power play goals - would’ve seen the Islanders fairing a bit better than 2-0 on the scoreboard. Tom and I knew that the Pens would come out fired up after all their teams wheeling and dealing today, but we also thought the Islanders would put out a decent effort given their GM kept the team relatively intact. Hopefully Ted Nolan talks to the guys and gets them settled down for the second period.

Second Period

8:04 PM Second period begins.
8:05 PM Penguins penalty, 2 minutes high sticking on Staal (maybe he ran the stairs too hard today)
8:07 PM Conklin gloves down a point shot by Berard (I think). 30 seconds remaining in the Islanders man advantage.
8:08 PM Islanders 0-5 on the power play tonight, cannot win hockey games (or come from behind when you cant score even strength or men up).

8:11 PM Delayed penalty on Pittsburgh. 2 Minutes hooking Laraque - do or die time boys.
8:14 PM Another power play by the wayside - as the Islander blow a 2-on-0 break.
8:15 PM The boo birds are out in force tonight after an icing (the first of the game we think here in the box) by the Islanders.
8:19 PM Nielsen sharp angle, shoots - he SCORES!!!!! 2-1 Pittsburgh.
8:24 PM Davison with some booming shots from the point - Tom, Ken and I comment on him being a replacement in a sense because it hit the glass (high and wide) pretty hard.

8:27 PM Laraque 2 minutes high sticking, yet another chance for the Islanders on the power play.
8:30 PM Islanders called for icing - come up empty on the power play due to some sloppy passing, including a give away in their own zone.

8:34 PM Pittsburgh penalty on Letang, 2 minutes for slashing.
8:35 PM One minute remaining in the second period - power play carry over if they cannot convert here.

The Islanders will begin the third period on the power play with 34 seconds remaining. I don’t think I have ever said this before - but the team needs TO BE MORE SELFISH. The Penguins had a bunch of turnovers in prime goal scoring territory, but the Islanders either made entirely too many passes or held onto the puck too long. They need to SHOOT when they are in the position to do so. The team is now 0-8 on the power play - and given they are trailing in a game where they are out shooting their opponents, this needs to change. Score one at even strength and one on the man advanatage then continue to play their game and they could take this one. We shall see which team comes out in third.

Third Period

8:57 PM Late getting back to the blog box - appeared the goal crossed the line, but it was ruled otherwise.
8:59 PM Conklin slows down a shot from the point, offensive zone draw won by Pittsburgh.
9:02 PM The trail referee just called holding on Martinek, who was doing an outstanding job keeping his man wide.
9:08 PM I am having a hard time juggling blogging, and taking pictures - kudos to Tom and Dee for doing this almost every game.
9:13 PM Offensive zone draw here, the Islanders need to keep the great pressure on the Pens.
9:15 PM Pens scored on a delayed Islanders penalty; looks like Staal and it’s 3-1 Penguins. Crowd is now starting to head towards the exits.

9:18 PM DiPietro hears jeers from the crowd for making a catch, Davison just levels a Penguin along the penalty box boards.
9:19 PM Islanders will eventually register their 50th shot on goal, despite being down by two goals.
9:21 PM Islanders getting called for a tripping penalty here, Fedotenko heads to the box. Maybe the Islanders can find some magic while down two men?
9:24 PM Well….that plan didn’t work. Pittsburgh just scored on the power play for the second time tonight.
9:24 PM Comrie with the fight! Jon Sim giving Comrie a pat on the back as he heads to the locker room.
9:29 PM Malkin off for tripping, Isles score a late power play goal. Fedotenko banging home the rebound alone in front.
9:30 PM Well the Islanders tried, out shot their opponents 52-20 and came up two goals short. Off to the press conference!

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I intended to post this right after the Garth Snow press conference, but my website obviously had other ideas for me. While we were waiting for Garth to come in and address the media, we saw one of the equipment managers bring in Davison’s jersey - which sent us all into a flurry asking if he would be playing in tonights game.

Rob Davison will be wearing number 3, but only if his flight makes it here from Columbus on time. This is all per Chris Botta - so we consider this fact.

Here is a picture of Garth Snow from the press conference:

Tambellini is also on his way up from the Bridgeport Sound tigers - and like I said earlier, he will likely find his way into the lineup permanently. There are some who feel that Tambellini will suffer the wrath of an angry Ted Nolan now that Chris Simon has been traded. Ted was clearly unhappy that Simon was moved, but I felt that this was more of a positive than a negative. The Islanders showcased Simon earlier in the week - and only managed two penalties (not exactly spectacular).

It is unclear if Pittsburgh will have enough time to make the necessary callups or if their new players will make the game in time. Should be an interesting game to watch though.

The Islanders proved that they were more builders than sellers.

You can also catch a video that Jim Baumbach had taken of Tom, BD and myself on Newsday’s site, check it out!

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Just wanted to apologize for the downtime, but it’s a positive in a way - as there were so many hits. Sort of brought an awkward smile to my face during the press conference when I found out.

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The Islanders have now shipped out Marc-Andre Bergeron to the Ducks for a 3rd round pick.

My reaction, well…..I know for a fact that there will be a reaction in defensive gaffes for the Islanders. Berard should see steady ice time and power play time - when he has been given consistent time, he has been a powerhouse and I think he will excel with the chance. Brendan Witt is also set to return for the game this Saturday - which is a pretty big development in and of itself.

Per the Islanders website:

“We appreciate all the good things that Chris and Marc-Andre have done for the organization, but these trades allow us to play our younger kids especially Jeff Tambellini,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “Jeff is going to have an opportunity to play here and for us to reunite the ‘Kid Line’.”

Tambellini has played in 16 games with the Islanders this season and has scored one goal while splitting his time with Bridgeport. In 46 games with the Sound Tigers this season, Tambellini leads the AHL with 29 goals and is fifth in the league in scoring with 58 points. He was acquired by the Islanders at the trade deadline in March of 2006 along with Denis Grebeshkov for Mark Parrish and Brent Sopel. In 64 career NHL games, Tambellini has scored four goals with ten assists for 14 points.

Bergeron, who was in his second season with the Islanders, has scored nine goals with nine assists for 18 points in 46 games. He was acquired by the Islanders last season with a third round draft selection for Grebeshkov. In 69 games with the Islanders over the two seasons, Bergeron scored 15 goals with 24 assists for 39 points.

Here is the take of TSN:

The Anaheim Ducks added some blueline depth on Tuesday, acquiring Marc-Andre Bergeron from the New York Islanders for a third round draft pick.

Bergeron, who has nine goals and 18 points in 46 games this season, has spent part of the last two seasons with the Islanders after being acquired in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers.

In 258 games over four-plus seasons, he has 48 goals and 127 points.

Au Revoir Marc-Andre, thanks for the memories!

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Chris Simon has been traded to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th round draft pick.

My reaction, as I just told Jim Baumbach - I am happy that the distraction and negative image that Simon has brought this organization is no longer our worry. Simon was not offered a contract extension and this now opens up a spot for Tambellini to play out the season with the Islanders.

Per the Islanders Website:

Simon, who was also in second season with the Islanders, played in 28 games this season scoring a goal with two assists for three points. He was signed by the Islanders as a free agent in July 2006. In 95 games with the Islanders over the two seasons, Simon scored 11 goals with 19 assists for 30 points.

Per TSN:

The Minnesota Wild added lots of toughness on Tuesday, acquiring Chris Simon from the New York Islanders for a sixth-round draft pick.

Simon has been limited to 28 games this season after serving a 30-game ban for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu in December at Nassau Coliseum.

He joins a rugged core of Wild forwards that also includes Todd Fedoruk and Derek Boogaard.

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