Reports were running rampant over the last several days about Islanders defensive draft prospect and Minnesota Golden Gopher Aaron Ness being close to signing his pro contract with the Islanders. His agent, in response to these reports – claimed the rumors as “irresponsible journalism” directed at both blogs and the mainstream media reports alike, in clear denial.

But the rumors just did not stop.

Earlier today, Newsday’s Katie Strang said via Twitter that there was something up with the Islanders and Ness once again.

There was a problem connecting to Twitter.

We all knew how a previous situation played out with the Golden Gophers and Kyle Okposo being lured to the Islanders – this was aired out in the media all over the place, with Garth Snow and Gopher’s head coach Don Lucia verbally sparring. After Ness was drafted and committed to Minnesota – Islanders fans raised an eye brow, and ear marked that page out of curiosity.

Flash forward to today – and the rumors and speculation turned out to be correct. The Islanders announced around Noon today, that they had agreed to terms with Ness on his entry level contract and would be reporting to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders AHL affiliate.

Per the press release and Islanders website:

The New York Islanders announced Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Aaron Ness to a three-year, entry-level contract. Ness will report to the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and play out the remainder of the 2010-11 season on an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO). The entry-level contract will commence in the upcoming 2011-12 season.

Ness, the Islanders second-round selection (40th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, signs after completing three seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota. The 5’10”, 177-pound defenseman appeared in 35 games this season with the Golden Gophers, recording 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and 41 penalty minutes. The 20-year-old blue-liner concludes his collegiate career with 111 games played and 43 points (six goals, 37 assists).

So, Bridgeport will get to see how Ness could help their defensive and offensive woes – the Islanders get to take a look at another one of their defensive prospects, all the while not even burning the first year of his contract in the process. Lastly, Ness will now be under the watchful eye of the Islanders and Bridgeport coaching staff which will help in his development.

Seems like a win, win, and WIN situation to me.

WINNING!!

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The New York Islanders have just announced their official application for Apple devices running iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad).

You can listen to the radio stream, watch videos, order tickets and more! You can download this FREE application in the Apple iTunes store by clicking here.

Here is the release:

The New York Islanders announced today the release of their official app for iOS devices (iPhone, iTouch, iPad). The Islanders app is free and currently available for download in iTunes as well as in the app store on iOS devices.

Fans can now listen to the Islanders live radio broadcast of every game directly from their iPhones. The app will also keep fans more in touch with their favorite hockey team with all the top news, statistics, videos and features from newyorkislanders.com.

The app was developed by Synergy in conjunction with the teams’ radio broadcast partner, WRHU, Radio Hofstra University.

“The advent of smartphones has put the world on to our hand-held devices,” said Paul Lancey, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “Our organization has made a real push in the digital space, this is just the next step. We look forward to watching it take shape, and we couldn’t ask for better partners than our friends at Hofstra.”

Dr. Evan Cornog, Dean of the Hofstra University School of Communication, said: “I’m delighted that the partnership between Hofstra and the Islanders is continuing to grow. We are pleased the role our University plays in broadcasting Islanders games on WRHU as well as in the new media space.”

And some screenshots!

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News straight out of the Islanders morning skate, Islanders forward PA Parenteau has been signed to a one year contract extension. Terms are not yet available.

Parenteau has had a pretty good season so far on the top line for the Isles, many were attributing his success to being on Tavares’ line – but like many players the Islanders have taken a chance on – he has really grown during his time with the team.

Per the Islanders website:

Parenteau, 27, is currently tied for second place on the Islanders in points with 35 (14 goals, 21 assists) through 56 games this season. Prior to signing with the Islanders as a free agent on July 2, 2010, the Hull, QC native had only played in 27 career National Hockey League games.

“I’m really excited to stay on Long Island,” said Parenteau. “The Islanders organization has given me the chance to prove that I belong in the NHL and I look forward to being a part of the success that is building in our dressing room for the near future.”

Originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the ninth round, 264th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Parenteau completed a four-year junior hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2003.  He played his first professional season in 2003-04 with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to joining the Islanders, the eight-year veteran had played in five NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and in 22 with the New York Rangers. Parenteau’s AHL resume includes stints with Cincinnati, the Portland Pirates, the Norfolk Admirals and the Hartford Wolf Pack.  Parenteau scored 166 goals and 237 assists for 403 points in 450 career AHL games.

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Of all nights I pick to skip an Islanders game!

I went out to dinner with my girlfriend and some friends of mine last night, so I couldn’t attend the game. I checked on the score via iPhone and much to my surprise the Islanders were up 4-0 after the first period. I got a little involved in dinner and talking…..

Then my phone rang.

It was my Uncle – telling me what I was missing, I could just tell it was something of a spectacle. 9 goals for, countless fights, ten game misconducts, another altercation involving Johnson – outright mayhem it seemed.

After dinner I got home and had to turn on MSG to catch the highlights…..and well, you know some lowlights too.

Where do we start? I’ve been trying to digest what I have seen today both online and on Twitter – so here goes.

A few weeks ago, the unofficial Islanders leader Zenon Konopka gave an earful to some writers in the stands watching their practice – he said “We’re no longer going to accept being called the doormats of the NHL”. I certainly don’t blame him for saying that – the Islanders have been heckled both on and off the ice by their fellow players, the press and even fans for far too long. Sometimes it takes that one spark, the one player with the gusto and personality (and most importantly the mouth) to begin a change. That change is upon us.

In my four and a half years writing about the Islanders, I have seen a lot. I’ve seen leaders come and go, even players you wouldn’t expect, rise up and have a voice. The team has had a high turnover, changing gears, direction, coaches – and often being unable to lure big ticket players for reasons we won’t go into now. For the first time in as long as I can remember, there is a fire and more importantly a DESIRE – to change the perception surrounding the team.

For all the lumps the Islanders have taken over the last few years, Garth Snow has sat back and taken those high draft picks, scooped up players via waivers and free agency – and most importantly, drafted very well. He’s now assembled a team that for the most part, is homegrown. A team born out of necessity, in the image of what a future contender will be. What happens is players begin to buy into the direction, to team mantra and protect one another.

All that starts with a leader. No knock on Doug Weight, he’s been that calming veteran player for the team the last few years (and well, 53 games or so) – but maybe he hasn’t been what this team has needed. I feel as though the Islanders have been waiting for a player like Konopka far too long. A player that isn’t afraid to scrap, to yap, to yell at the press – and the best part, align his team and get them to stand up for themselves. The Islanders have been like that kid who has always been picked on, waiting for their moment to change. Konopka is that kid’s big brother, who teaches them how to stand up and defend themselves.

Just this past week, the Islanders were incensed with the lack of calls and respect for their star players. They spoke of far too many instances of liberties being taken and should it continue; they would make a statement by showing the league they mean business. I guess what occurred last night is a testament to that.

The Game Heard Round the League

I’d like to preface this by saying the fireworks last night weren’t totally directed at the Penguins, Talbot, Johnson or any one particular player. This has been something in the making the last three or four seasons.

Having said that; the Islanders suffered some humiliating losses to the Penguins the last few weeks. They were shut out twice, DiPietro got his face broken and the Penguins just laughed at their expense – on camera, on the bench and in the press.

You mess with one of us, you mess with ALL of us. That is the new mentality the Islanders have taken on for the rest of the season; and my guess is the remainder of Konopka’s tenure with the club. For this, and because he came out and openly said he WANTS to be part of the Islanders future – I hope Garth Snow signs him to an extension. Zenon Konopka is everything you want from a veteran leader – oh, and he’s clutch with faceoffs too.

In a show of support for their oft-injured goaltender Rick DiPietro, and to Blake Comeau who is concussed do to a hit that was deemed clean by Pittsburgh’s Max Talbot – the Islanders made it look mean last night.

The boxscore is chock full of info – goals, assists, penalties, game misconducts, fights – it’s likely the longest and most complex boxscore the NHL has seen this season (aside from Montreal – Boston last week). It’s actually so long, you should just go read it for yourselves.

After that bit of light reading, I think we need to watch some highlights.

And some more:

I think Butch Goring said it best on the telecast, calling it “Old time hockey” – because that’s what it was. There will come some suspensions because of this, no doubt – but the Islanders will take them in stride this season, because they made their intentions known. “We will not be walked on, or laughed at anymore – you mess with one of us, you deal with all of us”.

The Islanders have been through a lot this season – namely injuries being the biggest obstacle to overcome. I find it silly that a team who’s collectively lost over 350 man games to injury and featured almost their entire AHL club in the NHL being called out and “congratulated” for defeating an injured Pittsburgh team. The Islanders scored nine goals on their NHL goaltenders….then beat up the rest.

Grabner, Moulson and Tavares all scored their 20th goals of the season, Micheal Haley had a goal and assist, and something like 400 penalty minutes in his season debut, Jesse Joensuu got on the board after some strong play in Montreal, Josh Bailey and Travis Hamonic mixed it up with some Penguins and had a few points each. I liked what I saw for the most part – the Islanders definitely showed the league they won’t be taken lightly any more.

Keep in mind the Islanders have one game against Pittsburgh remaining – that’s one I will certainly have marked on my calendar.

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Dealing with the injury to rookie netminder Kevin Poulin, who suffered a dislocated kneecap last night during warmpups, the Islanders suddenly found themselves in serious need of veteran goaltending.

The rookie who’s job it was to back up the rookie Poulin; Mikko Koskinen – was thrust unexpectedly into the Islanders lineup in relief of his fallen Bridgeport and Islanders teammate. Koskinen did not fair well though, allowing two goals on his first four shots and then allowing five before the night was over. The Islanders summoned Joel Martin from Bridgeport on an emergency basis and he arrived at the start of the third period of last nights game.

Earlier today, Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said he was actively searching for veteran goaltender help today – apparently finding Al Montoya.

The cost? A sixth round draft choice in 2011 went to the Phoenix Coyotoes in exchange for Montoya, who coincidentally was involved in a fight with Rick DiPietro during a preseason Rangers game a few seasons ago. The Islanders immediately assigned Montoya to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers where he will most likely wait for the Islanders to return home from Montreal.

Per the Islanders press release:

Montoya, 25, has an 11-8-0 record with a 3.19 goals against average (GAA) and a .891 save percentage (sv%) in 21 games this season with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. The Chicago, IL, native has played in five career NHL games, all with Phoenix, and posted a 3-1-0 record with a 2.08 GAA and a .925 sv%.

Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Montoya has played in 197 career AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and San Antonio, compiling a 96-72-7 record with nine shutouts. Prior to his professional career, the 6’2”, 195-pound goalie enjoyed a three-year career at the University of Michigan. He led the nation in minutes played (2358:51) in his final season (2004-05) and finished his college career tied for the all-time best career save percentage (90.8) in U. Michigan history, third in GAA (2.36), third in shutouts (13), and fourth in wins (86).

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Just in case those in Islanders country expected otherwise, or just haven’t noticed that Trent Hunter has been missing a while – the Islanders confirmed today that Hunter will sit out the remainder of the season with a torn MCL.

Katie Strang had the scoop today (subscription required) – saying Hunter would undergo surgery at some point this afternoon.

Hunter apparently tried to rehab the knee and push the surgery for the offseason but couldn’t, as his knee only got worse.

The 30-year old Islanders forward, played in only 17 games this season – scoring a goal and three assists.

Earlier this season I had posted an entry on the Islanders man games lost to injury. That number (back in December) was 162. Since then, the number has DOUBLED and is now sitting at 336.

As I was writing this, the Islanders apparently had EVEN MORE bad luck – Kevin Poulin was helped off the ice after what appeared to be an injury to his knee during warmups. Mikko Koskinen will likely get his get his first NHL start unless Poulin is no worse the wear – we shall see.

The puck is set to drop against Toronto shortly.

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The last week and a half has been rough for Islanders fans. We went from a high profile waiver claim holding out and being suspended, to fans around the league blasting the organization for the claim, to a few losses to end the week prior to the All Star break.

Let’s not forget to mention the NHL snubbing the Islanders by not choosing a player to participate in the actual game on Sunday in Raleigh. Instead, and rightfully so; Michael Grabner will represent the team in the skills competition tonight.

There was a bright spot this week though, and it wasn’t even the result of snow blindness – pending unrestricted free agent Matt Moulson has been signed to a three year contract extension.

Moulson had been quoted in Newsday last week saying that he wasn’t interested in playing anywhere else, despite the murmurs that he could potentially be dealt in a trade either before or on the deadline. It’s not often as Islanders fans that we hear players wanting to play for the organization, let alone basically begging to stay.

In his post extension interviews with Katie Strang of Newsday, Moulson was elated. He talked about his excitement of the chance to stay with what he termed “the best group of guys he has ever played with” and wants to be part of the organizations turn around and ultimately wants to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Over the last two seasons I have witnessed a player blossom from someone trying to find his game, to a thirty goal scorer, and now into a young veteran who’s about to prove his success wasn’t a fluke. Moulson has confidence and most importantly a skill that many lack – the ability to drive to the net and score gritty goals. For his play, he has justly been rewarded with the three year extension worth just over $3 million a year.

One quick note worth mentioning, holdout Evgeni Nabokov and Matt Moulson share the same agent – Don Meehan. Clearly, Garth and Don continue to share a good professional relationship – a very important and necessary evil in professional sports.

The Islanders will have to visit extending several more pending UFA and RFA players in the coming months – one of which is a player I’d like to see locked up long term as well in our All Star, Michael Grabner.

Better times are ahead of us – patience is certainly something that Garth Snow will reward us for. You’ll see.

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Just like how many guessed that Nabokov would be claimed by the Islanders, we were also correct in guessing he’d fail to report and ultimately wind up suspended by the team.

Our comrade Evgeni decided he didn’t like his “raw deal”, so he can now sit comfortably on his duff in his lavish California home pondering what his next move could be – until at least July, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The option to “toll” his contract still exists for Garth Snow and the Islanders, so he may eventually wind up on Long Island even of he’d prefer not to.

The catch with tolling a contract, it would have to get through both the NHL and the Players Union (NHLPA) first. If it does, dear Evgeni would be on the hook for the majority of NEXT season instead of the remainder of THIS season.

You wanted to play the game, check – your move Evgeni.

Speaking of games, an interesting theory to rise out of this debacle – what if Garth Snow played this situation the exact way he wanted? For arguments sake, let’s say that he heard rumblings that Nabokov was on the verge of signing and knew he’d have to clear waivers. By filing a claim, we know it prevented other teams (even KEY teams in the Western Conference playoff race) from acquiring the goaltender. But what if he flat out knew he’d refuse to report. Is Garth Snow savvy enough to parlay a holdout for a bargain basement price into a contract for 2011/12? What’s more, what if he was savvy enough to get 4 months of good hockey out of Nabokov next season and then flip that sweet contract to a contender for a cap clearing player or players and picks?

These are certainly things that make me go hmm.

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Step right up folks, men, women and children of all ages – give the wheel a spin. Everyone is a winner!

Round and round she goes, where it stops nobody knows – injuries for everyone!

Ok, ok – before we begin, I have many questions. Does losing and injury go hand in hand? Do injuries happen more to teams in that downward and never ending spiral towards the league basement? Do the Islanders require some sort of spiritual intervention to help rid them of the dark and evil forces that have taken over their teams health?!?

I admit, I may have gone a tad far with the last question – but inquiring minds want to know.

We are two years removed from a season that saw the Islanders lose a league record man games lost to injury (and one that earned us the right to draft Tavares first overall) – and it appears they are looking to shatter that poor statistic this season before we even hit the midway mark. Just a little while ago, Newsday’s Katie Strang tweeted that defenseman Mike Mottau who nearly lost an eye in Atlanta last month (and was just recently cleared to play) will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury that requires surgery. She claims that the injury was lingering and actually happened prior to the eye injury.

If that’s not enough, the oft-injured Rick DiPietro has been placed on injured reserve with swelling on his right knee. The jury is still out on this curious move, as the swelling has been called minor and his being held out as “precautionary”. One always fears it could be more than meets the eye, but it could also be simply for book keeping purposes.

Let’s recap shall we?

Player – Games Missed
Mark Streit – 30
Kyle Okposo – 30
Milan Jurcina – 18
Andrew MacDonald – 15
Doug Weight – 12
Trent Hunter – 11
Rob Schremp – 11
Mike Mottau – 10
Jack Hillen – 7
Bruno Gervais – 4
Mark Eaton – 3
Michael Grabner – 3
John Tavares – 3
Radek Martinek – 2
Josh Bailey – 2
Rick DiPietro – 1

Total: 162 games lost to injury

The longer players such as Okposo, Streit, Mottau, Weight and now DiPietro stay out – the more this total increases by FIVE every single game the Islanders play. The totals do not include games scratched – for those wondering as it’s not a game lost to injury.

But you know, the games lost to injury have NOTHING to do with a long losing streak or a lack of scoring, right? It may not be the SOLE cause – but it’s a large one.

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I don’t know if it is because I have been playing way too much Call of Duty: Black Ops or not – but I will chalk this up to the “intel” variety.

My source with Cablevision graciously provided me with an employee memo earlier today regarding the broadcast of MSG+2 in HD later this month. Several people have questioned me on the validity of this development citing a lack of a formal announcement to subscribers.

The memo outlines the launch of a new sports channel that will feature MSG and MSG+ overflow games named iO Sports HD.

This should put that to rest:

Thanks to all the Rangers and Devils fans who have been visiting the blog and spreading the links around, this is a positive development for us all. It’s just a shame it’s taken Cablevision this long.

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Over the course of these last ten losses the Islanders have been handed, you could feel the pressure building from the outside. With each step, each mistake and each time the hole got deeper and deeper it was only a matter of time before someone suffered. That person was Scott Gordon, as we found out this morning.

Ten losses in a row is unacceptable in professional sports, although it is a little easier to cope with in the NHL with the long season and parity in the league. Regardless, when teams are spiraling out of control management will do all it can to right the ship by shaking things up, more often than not that starts with a coaching change.

News first hit this morning via Twitter and then an announcement on the Islanders home page. Islanders GM Garth Snow was quoted as saying: “We believe we need a change in direction and, with the majority of the regular season still ahead of us, our goal remains to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs”. And followed with “Scott has made tremendous strides with our team the past three seasons and I look forward to continuing our relationship in an advisory capacity.”

Yes, although technically “fired”, he was reassigned to a front office gig.

Gone now are the days of “overspeed”, or are they? Jack Capuano has been coach of the Islanders AHL affiliate since the 05-06 season, but when Gordon was hired by the Islanders – the Sound Tigers adopted the same systems so the players would be familiar with the big clubs system once they were brought up. It was a good idea in theory, with just one problem – the system clearly had some flaws.

Arguments are already being made that switching coaches with the same players playing the same flawed system isn’t much of an answer or a change. What I want to point out however, is that Capuano could revert back to his systems utilized prior to switching in Bridgeport. I guess time will tell. If I could offer any advice for Wednesday – it would be that he allows them to go out there and play hockey.

Garth Snow Press Conference

So, I happen to be home sick today (I am always amazed that this stuff happens when I can barely breathe and have no voice…) and lucky for me I got to call into the press conference this morning.

When I signed in at 11am, there were already 31 other people on the call – with more coming before the 11:15 am start.

Garth Snow shot right out of the gate and began his press conference by saying their focus was on a big game coming up against Tampa on Wednesday. He wants a big win in front of the home fans. When asked why he chose Jack Capuano, he said “Capuano has experience with our organization and our players so he can come right in and feel comfortable so there is no “feeling out” period”.

Garth was then asked if he was disappointed it had come down to a coaching change and if the decision was a difficult one to make. Garth replied by saying “Yes, it was disapointing as Scott is an excellent coach and a good friend, it was an excellent experience these last three years. Sometimes, decisions are tough and you have to go with your gut”.

When asked what the biggest issues the team would have to overcome, Garth said “I think the biggest issue is confidence, we are looking to get that swagger back that we had early in the season”.

When asked if he had spoken to any available NHL coaches, Garth skirted the question and said he wasn’t really looking past Wednesday and reiterated he was comfortable with Capuano because of his familiarity with the team and players.

Jack Capuano cannot be expected to be brought in and work miracles, however from what I have seen of him down in Bridgeport he is a likeable and talented coach. As we have seen before, the Islanders have promoted their AHL coaches with mixed results (See Steve Stirling). For once, as a fan – I wish to see a coach turn the team around and give some stability to a franchise in desperate need of stability.

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I just posted this on Twitter, but it’s also worth a mention here.

For the last several years, a bone of contention among Islanders and Devils fans has been the horrible broadcast of the teams when it is on overflow channels on Cablevision (MSG+2). There really hasn’t been a reason for it, the feed is sent out in HD, but Cablevision decided to keep the channel in standard definition, which made it look HORRENDOUS to say the least.

A source with Cablevision just confirmed for me tonight that the feed will be going to HIGH DEFINITION starting November 19th.

I know there have been a few threads on the various Islanders message boards and a few posts around the blogosphere on this subject – your voices have been heard.

Islanders fans rejoice, well – about something anyway.

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