Here is a statement by Islanders owner, Charles Wang on the referendum that was voted down on Monday.

I know I speak for myself when I say I have guarded optimism that the Islanders will remain on Long Island. It’s only fitting were going through this on the teams 40th Anniversary right?

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They often say that a picture is worth a thousand words – well videos convey feelings and emotions in ways words often come up short.

Flash back to the 2002 Playoffs – Islanders vs Toronto

Shawn Bates is screaming down the left boards and gets taken down in front of CuJo. The Islanders are awarded their third playoff penalty shot in team history….well you know how it ends.

Many people are using attendance as a reason to Vote NO on Monday. History has shown that there are a ton of Islanders fans waiting, wishing and most importantly – WANTING for another shot at the playoffs. The Coliseum can be a loud and intimidating place, many teams have said so and continue to say the same.

Take a listen for yourself, 16,000 Islanders fans – all rooting for Long Island’s only professional sports franchise. If you vote no on Monday, the only thing you’ll here is silence – so go ahead and listen to the amazing sound and excitement the Coliseum is set to hear in the near future:

If you build it, they will come. Jobs will be saved, you’ll help the local economy and most importantly – keep Long Island, specifically Nassau County, a destination for people to come and enjoy for generations.

Without the Islanders and the Coliseum there’s not much more than some white noise and the occasional strip mall – if you can find a store that’s still open anyway.

Do Long Island and Nassau County a favor – Vote YES on Monday August, 1st. Help the Islanders create more history, and complete their Drive for Five!

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I’ve wanted to post something on the Islanders Arena debate for some time now – but being summer and in the HVAC trade, it’s been hard to make time. As you can see though, I’ve added a VOTE YES banner above some time ago that links right to the Islanders page on the arena project.

I know there is a lot of debate on this subject and it’s the very reason why I have such a distaste for politics in general. I wish I could vote on Monday, August 1st – I picked the worst time to become a resident of East Hampton, after living in Nassau for 30 years. That doesn’t mean my support of this Arena isn’t there however.

I’ve preached endlessly to family, friends and co-workers on the benefits of this project, and what COULD happen should the vote not pass. I’m even having my office put out a memo with tomorrow’s paycheck reminding Nassau County residents about the vote Monday and why they should be supportive of this, it does have an effect on everyone, fans of the Islanders or not.

I think that’s the coolest part in all of this, Isles, Rangers and Devils fans alike are all saying the same things in unison – that the Islanders are important to the community and need this arena to survive.

If you listened to WFAN’s Mike Fransesca this week talk to Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs – you’d know the Democrats are dead set against this – it’s a Republican idea after all. Fransesca buried Jacobs in the interview – shooting down his suggestion of PSL’s for seats like in football, among other half wit ideas he threw out there. It was blatantly clear that Jacobs wants HIS cronies to build on this 77-acre parcel in Nassau.

Islanders owner Charles Wang followed and really hit a home run, thanks in part to Jacobs. He addressed taxes, reminded the listeners he’d be on the hook for any cost overruns above $350-Million, cited studies that show how LITTLE taxes would go up of the referendum passes and how much taxes would go up if the Islanders leave Nassau and the arena goes dark.

If Nassau Coliseum goes dark – it will be shuttered. It’s in dire shape and the cost to improve the facility wouldn’t be worth the money with no major tenant. That means no more concerts, the circus, car and boat shows and other shows that come to the arena when there isn’t hockey. In turn, the surrounding businesses in the area would suffer as well – and that’s not good during these tough economic times.

The most important factoid in all of this, the unprecedented revenue sharing deal that the Islanders and Nassau County have agreed to. The Islanders will pay 11.5% of ALL revenue earned, per year towards repaying the “loan” of the bonds. At the bare minimum, based on an independent study – this would GUARANTEE $14-Million a year to the county. Obviously, the better the arena does with events (tickets, concessions, parking ect.) the more the county earns.

The onus is on us, Long Islanders, Nassau County residents, the young and old – to correct past mistakes and help build towards a brighter future on Long Island. Enough of the political games, Long Islanders DESERVE a destination and it would be a tragedy to lose an arena, and more importantly Long Island’s only professional sports franchise – due to politics.

This Island used to be something special, people came here in droves to make a better life and live life to the fullest. Well, the Island is becoming a dry desert – businesses shuttered, corporations leaving New York due to the cost of doing business, the “brain drain” of Long Islands youth that leave for college and never return. This can all stop, if you go out on Monday August 1st, and VOTE YES for the Arena Referendum.

Do your small part to save long Island, and help the local economy.

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With the 2011 NHL Free Agency period beginning at 12 noon Eastern today, the Islanders have already struck out when they traded for the rights to Christian Ehrhoff earlier in the week.

Looking back to last year, the team suffered the same fate when Paul Martin and Dan Hamhuis spurned the Islanders for “better” teams.

Apparently, Jesse Joensuu has opted to sign in Sweden with HV71 of the SEL for two years, as opposed to the Bridgeport to Islanders shuttle he’s ridden the last few seasons here in North America.

This has been Confirmed by the Islanders this morning.

Update: translated link to HV71

While this doesn’t have too much of an effect on the Islanders – the Sound Tigers lose a pretty integral piece.

While the organization loses Joensuu for the time being, they will retain his rights and could always wind up back in North America.

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With the Islanders first round draft choice in the fold (Ryan Strome, 5th overall) the team has a number of picks in rounds two through seven on the second day up Minnesota.

Here is a breakdown of their remaining selections:

Round 2 – 34th overall
Round 2 – 50th overall
(Acquired from Montreal in Wisniewski trade)
Round 3 – 63rd overall
(from 4th round 2010 draft selection dealt to Colorado)
Round 4 – 94th overall
Round 5 – 124th overall
Round 5 – 126th overall
(from two 6th round 2010 draft picks dealt to Atlanta)
Round 7 – 184th overall

The three picks in the second and third round should enable the Islanders to select three talented players. I’d imagine GM Garth Snow to pick up another talented forward and a defenseman or two, as he has done the previous years.

Day two of the Draft goes much quicker, the teams do not bring up players to the podium – they announce the name and bring the player to the media rooms to be interviewed.

You also generally see more trades occur on day two as well, as teams package together later round picks and future considerations in an attempt to move up in the second round – targeting players who have slipped out of the late first round.

I’ll do my best to keep things updated this afternoon – I’m also working on an updated Ryan Strome post.

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The New York Islanders have selected Center Ryan Strome with the 5th overall selection of the 2011 entry draft.

Great pick, no movement in picks – mystery over.

More to come.

By the way, Strome has worked out with BOTH Tavares and Moulson – he’s also on Twitter, trying to figure out his name.

@strome18

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Up in section 203 here is a panoramic shot of the floor here at the draft party!

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As the clock ticks down to the start of tomorrow evenings First Round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, I thought it would be best to post up a little update.

For the last three years, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of covering the draft LIVE from the event. Unfortunately, due to reasons beyond my control – I could not attend this years draft in Minnesota.

My lead up to the draft, coverage of prospects as well as draft rumors – missing in action, and I apologize. This is the busiest summer I have had work wise, and my blog has suffered (as it has been) as a result.

Fret not Islanders Country, for I will be live blogging and tweeting from tomorrow nights Draft Party at Nassau Coliseum.

Don’t forget that there is an Isles Draft Party Meetup before the event at Doolins, and I’ve been asked to help out at the Islanders Social Media table. Stop by and say hello to your fellow Fans and Tweeps alike.

Will Garth Snow trade his fifth overall selection? Will he package his later round picks to move up in the the later part of the first round? Will we see other transactions?

One never knows, that’s the beauty of Draft Day and what makes it so exciting!

Later on this evening I’ll be taking a look at who should be available to the Isles at the fifth pick, and continue my tradition of “Islesbloggers Draft Wish” that I have done the last several years.

Stay tuned!

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There is nothing like fantastic news after the first blazing hot day of the summer.

It’s been a slow few weeks in Islanders country, although – not in terms of talks with Nassau County on that whole new Arena business. The Islanders however, have announced today that they have agreed to terms with Kyle Okposo on a five-year contract.

Per the Islanders press release:

The New York Islanders announced today that forward Kyle Okposo has agreed to terms on a five-year contract.

“I’m very excited to commit to the Islanders for the next five years, especially with the news of the new Coliseum,” Okposo said. “This team really showed its potential in the second half of the season last year and I’m excited to be a part of getting the franchise back to the playoffs.”

Okposo, 23, scored five goals with 15 assists in 38 games for the Islanders last season. The St. Paul, MN, native missed the first 44 games of 2010-11 due to a shoulder injury, which he suffered during training camp.
“Kyle has been a critical part of our young core over the past few seasons,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “He is a high character guy that brings size and a scoring touch to our lineup.”

The Islanders selected Okposo in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He has served as an assistant captain since 2009-10. In 192 career NHL games, all with the Islanders, Okposo has scored 116 points (44 goals, 72 assists).

The 6’0”, 210-pound forward has also played in 35 American Hockey League games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and he’s represented the United States at two World Championships and two World Junior Championships.

Before beginning his professional career, Okposo spent one season in the United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers, followed by two collegiate years at the University of Minnesota.

Now that Okposo is in the fold for the next while, Garth can look to some of the other players who are also restricted free agents and deserve some longevity as well.

Kyle didn’t really show us what he could do to the fullest potential this past season – due to his shoulder injury in camp and I was personally disappointed. He is one of those players who may not always wind up on the score sheet, but is ALWAYS in position defensively and makes those important offensive plays as well. He’s not afraid to hit and has shown he has that razzle dazzle with the puck on his stick.

The Islanders certainly solidified themselves for the long term with this contract, as they did with Michael Grabner’s contract a few weeks back.

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It was 1983, the Islanders were on their way to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup and the then young official Kerry Fraser called what he even admits was a bad game. He recalls the feeling like a young school boy being scolded by Arbour, and gives a fantastic insiders look into what goes on within the officiating community – especially during Playoff time. Fraser’s remarks came from a TSN column on make up calls.

Here are a few tidbits:

In 1983, I worked a game in Chicago Stadium between the New York Islanders dynasty team coached by the legendary, Al Arbour. Discipline was the trademark of those Arbour-coached teams. Al seldom raised his voice. When he did, I knew I screwed up. Ten minutes into this game, I had given the normally disciplined Islanders four penalties. It wasn’t that they were playing poorly; it was just that I was that awful.

The fourth penalty put the Islanders two men short and Al stood in the open door of his players’ bench with his hand on his hips while I waited in the end zone for him to place three players on the ice. His icy glare drew a bead on me as he waived his arm at me and yelled, “Kerry, get over here!”

I had such respect for Al, I skated over upon his command and stood before him like a school kid in front of the principal. Al said, “Kerry, what the hell are you doing out here tonight?” With my eyes focused on my skates beneath me I replied, “I don’t know Al. I’m really struggling and don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Finally, I raised my eyes to see this coaching icon scratching his head and staring back at me. He pressed his lips together and said, “Well get the hell out there and try harder.” Like a little kid that was scolded by his father I responded, “Okay, Al, I’ll do my best.”

There is certainly a lot more to read and it’s a great to see that Fraser continues to contribute to hockey even in his retirement. As much as he has taken his digs from fans with all those now famous chants, he was always one of the referees I would hope to catch a glimpse of – there was always something about the way he skated and officiated.

Then there was the fact that he was one of the last officials to forgo wearing a helmet, oh and how could I forget – the hair.

In an off season that has seen some crazy stuff during the playoffs – at least there was some talk of the Islanders, and it wasn’t even draft related!

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Michael Grabner’s fantastic year is only getting better and better! After a breakout season with the Islanders, and an All Star Appearance, he saw the birth of his first child and has now been named a Calder Finalist. Grabner will be one of three players nominated and will attend the NHL Awards in Las Vegas this coming June.

From the Islanders release:

The National Hockey League announced today that New York Islanders forward Michael Grabner has been named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the league’s top rookie. Grabner is one of three finalists who will attend the 2011 NHL Awards Show on June 22 in Las Vegas, NV.

Grabner, 23, led all NHL rookies and all Islanders this season with 34 goals, while his 52 points ranked third amongst league rookies and fourth overall on the team. The Villach, Austria, native also led all rookies and finished second in the NHL with six shorthanded goals this season, and he ranked first amongst rookies and tied for second overall with seven shorthanded points.

Ten of Grabner’s 34 goals this season came during a stretch in February in which he scored goals in six consecutive games to match the NHL’s longest goal-scoring streak of the season. Grabner’s 26 even-strength goals also led all rookies and trailed just seven players overall.

To go along with his goal-scoring prowess, Grabner posted a team-high +13 rating this season and was one of six Islanders to finish with a plus rating. The two-way forward also recorded fewer penalty minutes (10) than any other Islanders player who appeared in at least 21 games.

At the season’s midway point, NHL Hockey Operations selected Grabner to represent the Islanders at NHL All Star Weekend in Raleigh, NC. He made his mark on the weekend and helped Team Staal earn a victory at the Honda Superskills event by winning the Bridgestone Fastest Skater competition.

Grabner made his NHL debut last season with the Vancouver Canucks, playing in 20 games and posting 11 points (five goals, six assists). He was traded from Vancouver to the Florida Panthers this offseason, before the New York Islanders claimed him off of waivers on Oct. 5, 2010. In 96 career NHL games, Grabner has scored 39 goals with 24 assists for 63 points with a +15 rating.

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Once again, it’s that very special time of year for the NHL – The Fall of the Balls.

That’s not a crazy innuendo for something either, it’s just reality. This season though, it’s not just called the Draft Lottery, the NHL decided to change things up and re-name it – the NHL Draft Drawing

Each year once the season has completed and right before the playoffs – the NHL hold their annual draft lottery drawing live on television. The teams all have a specific weight (or number of balls in the machine) that will determine where they will select in the NHL Entry Draft in June.

It’s a convoluted system that I only understand because I have been watching closely for a few years now, as the Islanders have now been a lottery team the last four consecutive years. It’s easiest to explain for the bottom five place teams in the league (teams that finish 30 to 26). Those bottom five teams have the best chances at moving up and picking number one overall – and the chances drop off pretty significantly after those spots.

Take a look (emphasis added on the Islanders chances):

Odds of winning the NHL Draft Drawing
Edmonton (30th place) – 25.0 percent
Colorado 29th place – 18.8 percent
Florida 28th place – 14.2 percent
Islanders 27th place – 10.7 percent
Ottawa 26th place – 8.1 percent
Atlanta 25th place – 6.2 percent
Columbus 24th place – 4.7 percent
New Jersey 23rd place – 3.6 percent
Boston (Via Toronto) 22nd place – 2.7 percent
Minnesota 21st place – 2.1 percent
Colorado (conditional/optional from STL) 20th place – 1.5 percent
Carolina 19th place – 1.1 percent
Calgary 18th place – 0.8 percent
Dallas 17th place – 0.5 percent

Some simple rules, no team can jump up more than five spots and no team can move down more than one – so the very worst the Islanders can do tonight is the 5th overall selection, if they retain their selection – it will be the 4th overall selection, and if their 10.7% chance comes in – they will pick first overall for the second time in three years.

Here is a handy chart that I had made last year, and have since updated for this years Lottery:

Who do you think that the Islanders will draft out of the top pics? A defenseman or a forward? Let’s hear what you think.

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