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Dubielewicz made 36 saves through overtime and three in the shootout as the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-2, April 3. On April 5, he made 28 saves in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, April 7. On April 8, he blocked 22 of 24 shots and then two of three in the shootout as the Islanders clinched a playoff position with a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. "It's an honor to receive this recognition from the league," said Dubielewicz. "I'm just happy to be here helping the team reach the playoffs. I give full credit to the guys in front of me who played their hearts out." Dubielewicz beat out Colorado's Joe Sakic and Minnesota goaltender Nicklas Backstrom for the honor.
The 31 year old Quint is an NHL veteran of 9 seasons and he has scored 46 goals and 143 points in 458 career games. This season with the DEL's Polar Bears he recorded 18 goals and 46 points in 52 games played. Quint has played overseas since the lockout season of 2004 and last played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003-04. He's also seen action with Phoenix/Winnipeg, New Jersey and Columbus. He is 6'1" and 182 pounds. As for Simpson, he cleared waivers today but won't be available to the Islanders until Saturday night's game. Just like with Simpson's case, Quint will only be allowed to suit up for the Islanders final 5 regular season game and cannot be inserted into the Islanders postseason roster should they qualify for the playoffs due to guidelines set by the NHL CBA. Other news: Ryan Smyth(leg) and Andy Hilbert(shoulder) were both injured during the Islanders loss to New Jersey Tuesday night and are gametime decisions. Neither practiced Thursday. Smyth was on the ice Friday morning but stayed out longer testing his injury. The Islanders are hurting throughout their entire system including down in Bridgeport where Frans Nielsen and Eric Boguniecki are unavailable for callups and their roster is thin. The Islanders have called up Steve Regier in case one of Smyth or Hilbert cannot dress in Buffalo.
Simpson will first have to clear waivers in order to play for the Islanders. An veteran of 10 NHL seasons, Simpson has played in 580 games between Calgary, Florida, Phoenix, Anaheim, Ottawa, Chicago and Montreal going 14-63-77 while racking up 1,357 PIM's. He is not afraid to drop the gloves which could be a welcome component come April 3rd against a certain crosstown rival. With this move, the Islanders management is trying to show their team and the fans that they are doing everything to get this team into the playoffs. The NHL CBA does not allow Simpson to be a part of the Islanders postseason roster should they qualify for the playoffs. Simpson is from North Vancouver, BC and he is a former teammate of Mike Sillinger with the Florida Panthers between 1999-01.
March 27, 2007: Great News Islander fans. Rick DiPietro could return Friday night in Buffalo if his headaches subside and he feels better. According to Greg Logan of Newsday an earlier report by The Sports Network in Canada that DiPietro had been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome is false. DiPietro's status is apparently listed as day to day because of the fact that he complained of a headache following Sunday's game. As a precaution, DiPietro underwent a neuro-psychological exam. Reportedly DiPietro didn't score well on the exam, but he didn't score poorly enough for him to be pronounced as suffering from post-concussion syndrome. His CAT scans were good and other tests performed cannot be ruled definitely as a concussion. Most indication is that he will start in Buffalo Friday night.
The Islanders playoff hopes took a huge blow today as it has been learned that Rick DiPietro will be out indefinitely with post concussion syndrome. DiPietro first suffered a head injury back on March 13th in Montreal after taking the knee of Steve Begin to the head in a collision. In Rick's absence, Mike Dunham filled in miserably allowing 18 goals in almost 3 full games. The Islanders would not term DiPietro's injury as a mild concussion, instead opting to call it "general body soreness." DiPietro returned to the lineup a week later in Tampa Bay and the Islanders have acquired points in every game since going 2-0-2. But now it seems like the Islanders will be without their last line of defense and it will be unclear for how long with only 7 games remaining in the regular season and the Islanders in the middle of a battle for their playoff lives. Sunday in the Islanders 2-1 OT loss to the Rangers, DiPietro also received a knee to the back of the head by Sean Avery, one of the dirtiest players in the league. So far this season he has speared Brendan Witt in the groin when he was with Los Angeles earlier in the season and Sunday he went out of his way to give Rick a shot to the head. Yet nobody ever says anything about the dirty play of the Rangers. The Islanders have recalled Wade Dubielewicz from Bridgeport of the AHL and it is believed coach Ted Nolan could start him considering Wade would have started the game in Tampa had DiPietro not returned. In 62 games played this season DiPietro has posted a record of 32-19-9 with a 2.58 GAA and .919 save percentage. In 39 games played with the Sound Tigers, Dubielewicz has posted a 22-11-5 record with a 2.59 GAA and .925 save percentage. The Islanders released a statement today: "After
the game on Sunday, Rick told our medical staff that he was The Islanders state DiPietro will be evaluated on a day to day basis after claiming he was suffering from headaches following the game Sunday against the Rangers. He will not be cleared to play until he passes psychological and medical testing. Breaking News The Islanders have also announced that D Freddy Meyer is out indefinitely with a broken finger. They have recalled D Allan Rourke from the Bridgeport of the AHL. In 54 games played with the Sound Tigers he has scored 5 goals and 20 points. He's also a -10. Rourke has appeared in 9 games with the Islanders this season and has recorded an assist. D Bruno Gervais obviously is still not ready to return to the lineup as he rehabilitates a sprained ankle.
A well deserved award for Hunter, who is currently fourth in the NHL in hits with 225. He has scored many clutch goals for the Islanders this season and has been a key member of the third line centered by Mike Sillinger and flanked by Andy Hilbert.
Hollweg, who took a few stitches in the chin but was not seriously hurt, and two lawyers for the New York Rangers met with representatives from Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice's office Thursday. "They asked me if I wanted to, but I told them I didn't want to press charges," Hollweg told the Long Island, N.Y., newspaper Friday. "I'm not happy about what he did, but I want to focus on making the playoffs. I just want to move on." Rice's spokesman, Eric Phillips, said a decision on whether to proceed would probably be made Monday. Simon was suspended by the NHL for a league-record 25 games for his vicious hit in retaliation for a hard check by Hollweg in the Islanders' loss to the Rangers on March 8. Simon must sit out the rest of the regular season and the entire post-season, if the club gets that far. Should the team play fewer than 10 playoff games, the suspension will carry over to next season.The ban is the longest in terms of games missed in NHL history, and Simon's sixth suspension.
''We're hopeful we'll have a decision by Monday.'' Simon was suspended for a minimum of 25 games for the hit. He will miss the final 15 games of the regular season and the entire 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. If the Islanders do not qualify for the 2007 playoffs, or play fewer than 10 games in the 2007 playoffs, Simon would serve additional games at the start of the 2007-08 regular season to satisfy the minimum term of the suspension. The Islander forward expressed remorse for his actions in a statement released last week: ''There is absolutely no place in hockey for what I did. ''I want to apologize to my team and Islanders fans everywhere. I also want to apologize to the National Hockey League for the damage I have caused this great game of ours.'' A new islesinfo.com comment: What a joke. Doesn't DA Rice have better things to look after than worrying about a hockey game? As for Hollweg not filing charges, the smartest thing he could do. How would a guy known for questionable hits himself face the rest of the players around the league if he pressed charges for receiving 3 stitches? Even more, how stupid would he look the next time he gets in trouble for a questionable hit himself? You know it will happen. The biggest thing that bothers me here is I still don't see how this is the worst infraction in NHL history. Say the Islanders do go far in the playoffs, this suspension could turn out to be 30+ games AND you took away the man's chances to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Chris Simon Receives Longest Suspension in NHL
History The Longest NHL Suspensions: The Rest Of The Season (minimum 25 games) Chris Simon of the New York Islanders, for a slash to the face of the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg in March 2007. Simon misses 15 regular season games plus all of the Islanders' playoff games. The suspension carries over to 2007-08 if necessary to meet the 25-game minimum. The Rest Of The Season (23 games) Marty McSorley of the Boston Bruins, for knocking out Vancouver's Donald Brashear by swinging a stick at his head in March, 2000. McSorley missed 23 regular season games. The Bruins did not qualify for the playoffs. 23 Games: Gordie Dwyer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, for abusing officials and leaving the penalty box to fight in a pre-season game against the Washington Capitals in September, 2000. 21 games: Dale Hunter of the Washington Capitals, for a hit on Pierre Turgeon of the New York Islanders following a Turgeon goal in the 1993 playoffs. The Rest Of The Season (20 games) Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks, for serious injuries sustained by Colorado's Steve Moore when Bertuzzi jumped him from behind in March, 2004. Bertuzzi misses 13 regular season games, plus seven playoff games. His suspension is listed as indefinite, but the following season is cancelled due to a labor dispute and he is allowed to return when the NHL resumes in the fall of 2005. islesinfo.com comment: This is ridiculous! The longest suspension in NHL History?? Longer than Dale Hunter? The same guy who hit Pierre Turgeon after he scored a goal in the NHL playoffs, causing him to miss a playoff round, in 1993 which hurt the Islanders playoff Cup hopes? Longer than Todd Bertuzzi? Who broke another players neck? Longer than Marty McSorley? Who knocked a guy out cold with the blade of his stick? Chris Simon gets the longest suspension in NHL history for smacking one of the biggest cheap shot artists in the NHL, who only received 3 stitches and was right back out on the ice for the next shift? Also, if the Islanders end up playing more than 25 games the rest of the season, the suspension could be longer because Simon won't be allowed to return. I think the penalty was excessive, but I have to admit the NHL probably felt they had to make it a long one or their image would be damaged. But in reality, I just don't think this was the worst infraction in the history of the NHL. Simon's Suspension History (14 year NHL veteran) Simon was suspended four other times for violent on-ice acts and received a three-game ban in 1997 after directing a racial slur toward player Mike Grier, who is black. During the playoffs in 2000, Simon sat out Game 2 of a series against Pittsburgh after he cross-checked Penguins defenseman Peter Popovic across the throat in the opener while with Washington. In April 2001, Simon received a two-game ban for elbowing Anders Eriksson of Florida. He then was given a pair of two-game suspensions in 2004 -- for cross-checking Tampa Bay's Ruslan Fedotenko and then jumping on him and punching him, and for kneeing Dallas defenseman Sergei Zubov. Hollweg's Suspension History (2nd year NHL'er) - NHL: 3 games for hitting Philadelphia Flyer R.J. Umberger from behind Mar. 22, 2006. - AHL: suspended 2 games for an incident vs. Lowell Mar. 19, 2005. - AHL: suspended 3 games for an incident vs. Portland Feb. 12, 2005.
Simon suspended for season and playoffs New York Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended for the remainder of the 2006-07 regular season and the entirety of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Simon is suspended a minimum of 25 games, including Saturday night's game against Washington plus the 14 that remain in the 2006-07 regular season. If the Islanders do not qualify for the 2007 playoffs, or play fewer than 10 playoff games in the 2007 playoffs, Simon would serve additional games at the start of the 2007-08 regular season to satisfy the minimum term of the suspension. Simon was suspended indefinitely after he hit New York Rangers' Ryan Hollweg with a stick swing to the face on Thursday night. The Ranger forward needed stitches but was not seriously hurt. Colin Campbell met with Simon early Saturday to discuss the incident. ''The National Hockey League will not accept the use of a stick in the manner and fashion in which Mr. Simon used his Thursday night,'' said Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations. ''As a consequence of his actions, Mr. Simon has forfeited the privilege of playing in an NHL game again this season, regardless of how many games the Islanders ultimately play.'' The Islander forward expressed remorse for his actions in a statement on Saturday, "after watching the tape the morning after Thursday's game, I was disgusted. There is absolutely no place in hockey for what I did." "I want to apologize to my team and Islanders fans everywhere. My actions Thursday night played a major part in our team losing a crucial game. I also want to apologize to the National Hockey League for the damage I have caused this great game of ours." The 35-year-old Simon has 10 goals with 17 assist and 75 minutes in penalties over his 67 games this season. Simon has spent 14 seasons in the NHL and has complied 1765 penalty minutes over that span. He has been suspended five times for various infractions over his career. "Chris Simon has played a major role in our success this season and we will miss his presence in our lineup," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "His regret is clearly evident in the statement he released last night. Our entire organization supports Chris every step of the way." Based on his $1-million contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season, Simon forfeits a minimum of $80,213.90. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Chris Simon's Statement After watching the tape the morning after Thursday's game, I was disgusted. There is absolutely no place in hockey for what I did. I want to apologize to Ryan Hollweg. I was grateful to learn that Ryan is okay and that he returned to the game. My hope is to reach out to him in the near future. I want to apologize to my team and Islanders fans everywhere. My actions Thursday night played a major part in our team losing a crucial game. I also want to apologize to the National Hockey League for the damage I have caused this great game of ours. What you saw Thursday is not the person, player and competitor that I am. I know my teammates and opponents over my 14 years in the NHL understand that. I do not remember much about Thursday's incident. When I saw the tape on Friday morning, it explained a lot to me when I saw the look on my face after being hit into the boards. I was completely out of it. When I met with the media about 30 minutes later, I still was not feeling well. I met with our medical staff briefly Thursday night and underwent a series of tests on Friday afternoon. They have told me that I suffered a concussion when I hit the boards. Because I was not cleared by our doctors to travel, I would like to thank Colin Campbell for traveling to New York for today's hearing. I need to make clear that this is not justification for the danger I put Ryan Hollweg in and the damage I have caused the game. I understand disciplinary action will be taken. Since Ryan is thankfully okay, what hurts the most is knowing my actions will result in me losing the privilege of being in the Islanders lineup. Finally, I want to thank my Islanders teammates for their support throughout this process. It means everything to me.
Simon was ejected, and Petr Prucha scored on the resulting long power play to lift the Rangers to a 2-1 win and a sweep of the home-and-home series between the local rivals. "The best retaliation is to score on that power play," Hollweg said. "I couldn't feel any better than when that puck went in." The hit was reminiscent of often-replayed clips of Marty McSorley's swinging stick shot to the head of Donald Brashear, and Todd Bertuzzi's blindside punch against Steve Moore. Those both drew lengthy suspensions, and Simon could conceivably be shelved for the Islanders' remaining 15 regular-season games. "I feel bad for taking a penalty that led to us losing the game," said Simon. "I've always been known as a team guy, and I feel real bad about letting the team down." Simon was ejected after the slash and slapped with a match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure. "I didn't really have time to react to it," Hollweg said. "It's scary to your health but in the back of my mind I couldn't believe he did it."
(AP) UNIONDALE , N.Y. -- A stick-swinging hit by New York Islanders forward Chris Simon during an NHL game against the New York Rangers is being reviewed for possible criminal prosecution, a spokesman for Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Friday. "No decision has been reached; we are going to review the tape," spokesman Eric Phillips told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Simon was suspended indefinitely by the National Hockey League on Friday for hitting Rangers center Ryan Hollweg in the face during Thursday night's 2-1 loss to the Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum. He was given a match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure late in the game. The length of the suspension won't be determined until after a disciplinary hearing. That hasn't been scheduled but is expected to take place next week, likely in Toronto. Simon has been suspended several times before by the league, and that could carry weight when the latest punishment is handed out. "I've always been known as a team guy, and I feel real bad about letting the team down," said Simon, who scored the Islanders' lone goal Thursday. "I think I'll wait until I talk to the league office, and then I'll answer all questions afterward." Simon was back at Nassau Coliseum on Friday morning for the Islanders' team picture, but he didn't participate in practice. General manager Garth Snow declined to comment until after the hearing. A prosecution of Simon would not be unprecedented in the NHL. The Canucks' Todd Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to causing body harm in Vancouver and missed 20 games for a blindside punch that left Colorado forward Steve Moore with broken bones in his neck on March 11, 2004. Bertuzzi missed the final 13 regular-season games and the playoffs, but the banishment was extended to 17 months and prevented him from playing anywhere during the yearlong NHL lockout. He was reinstated by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman before the 2005-06 season. And Ranger Marty McSorley was convicted of assault with a weapon, also by Vancouver authorities, for slashing Vancouver's Donald Brashear in the head with his stick in February 2000. islesinfo.com comment: I'm sorry, but this incident should not be compared in no way to the Bertuzzi incident or the McSorley incident. I am in no way absolving Chris Simon of anything. He did a bad thing. But if you saw following the hit, Hollweg looks at the referee before acting like he was out cold. The NHL should and will take into account the result/severity of the injury occurred. Hollweg wasn't hurt in the play like Brashear and Moore were in their separate incidents. That will play a big factor in the final suspension ruling. It's unfortunate that this incident is being compared to the Bertuzzi and McSorley incidents, and even more unfortunate that it is happening to an Islander player. The media, especially those that hardly ever cover hockey, will see this as a black eye to the sport and that is something the league nor the Islanders need. Plus we got a league that can't even make the right calls with video replay, so the NHL has a few problems right now and are unfortunately going to probably look to make a statement with the ruling of this incident. As far as the DA getting involved I think that is a joke. The rules of every day life should not apply to the rules of sport. When players take the ice, as much as you want to believe something like this should never happen because the players like Simon should have common sense, there is a foreseeable chance that something like this could happen. I think politicians should worry about doing their jobs than worrying about what happened during a hockey game. Let the league, the NHL, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, whoever deal with this the way it should be. I honestly don't think Simon should be suspended for the playoffs, but we will have to wait and see what the NHL decides next week. Simon Decision Not Yet Rendered NEW YORK (CP/TSN.ca) - NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell met with New York Islanders forward Chris Simon and team representatives Saturday morning, but made no immediate decision on a suspension. Earlier today, TSN.ca posted a story stating that Simon had been suspended for 15 regular season games and seven playoff games, an inaccurate report that should have been attributed to Madison Square Garden Network. TSN regrets any inconvenience this may have caused. The league suspended Simon indefinitely after he drilled New York Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg with a two-handed stick swing to the face in a game on Thursday night. Hollweg took a few stitches in the chin but was not seriously hurt. Simon, a veteran of 14 NHL seasons, has 27 points (10-17) and 75 penalty minutes in 67 games this year. islesinfo.com comment: Sportsnet.ca is also reporting this, but they often get their stories from TSN. It's actually not a bad decision if it comes to be true if you ask me. Simon's worst previous offense was a 5 game suspension back in 1994. The Islanders made a statement last night that Simon received a concussion on the hit from behind by Hollweg. That certainly doesn't absolve him of his responsibility though. Most of those calling for Simon to be suspended long term are Ranger fans who look away every time Hollweg hits someone from behind or finishes his check when perhaps he should have the sense to pull up. In Simon's defense he did pull up on his swing which looked more like a clothes line swing than a full baseball style swing. All that being said I wouldn't be surprised if Simon was told his season is over. But by assessment is he should get 15 games. If he gets 15 games and 7 playoff games, than so be it. But I'm sure there will be many who believe it wasn't enough especially if he is allowed to come back at some point this season.
This is the first All-Star Game since 2004. The Islanders were represented by Adrian Aucoin that season. Blake is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2006-07 season.
"It says a lot about him that he continued to play during the Rangers game and the whole game the next night in Ottawa because he didn't want to take himself out of the lineup. "But this is the right thing for him. As much as we'll miss Radek, and we know how much he hates being out, we look forward to getting Radek back at 100 percent." The 30-year-old Martinek is in his fifth NHL season, all
with the Islanders. He had two goals and 11 assists with a plus-15 rating,
tops among the team's defencemen, while playing in New York's first 36
games. islesinfo.com comment: This is a huge loss to the Islanders blue line. Hopefully Radek will only miss no more than 10 games. If the Islanders are lucky, Martinek could return following the All-Star break. It's also too bad Freddie Meyer is not ready to play yet. I guess we'll have to do with Rourke for now.
Last Saturday, Islanders GM Garth Snow acquired D Freddie Meyer and a conditional third round pick from the bottom dweller Flyers in exchange for enigmatic D Alexei Zhitnik. Meyer, close to returning from back spasms, is 9 years younger than Zhitnik and makes close to $3 million less. As for York, he was originally acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for former captain Michael Peca, a deal made by former GM Mike Milbury during the summer of 2005. York was brought in to be the Islanders second line center. He had a mostly up and down, inconsistent 2005-06 season centering Miroslav Satan and Trent Hunter. He did go on a hot streak in November but by season's end amassed only 13 goals. Overall he had 52 points in 75 games played. This season, following York's shootout game winning goal on the Islanders season opening West Coast trip, York seemed to totally disappear. There were too many nights this season where he basically looked disinterested in being an Islander. York became the odd man out as he wasn't contributing to the Islanders success this season. Through 32 games in 2006-07 York has produced 6 goals and 13 points. He is a team worst -9. In his Islanders career York went 19-46-65 in 107 games played. As for Robitaille, this will be his second go round with the Islanders. He was previously acquired by the Islanders back at the March 2003 trade deadline. In 10 games with the Islanders he recorded a goal and 3 points. He also added a goal and an assist in the Islanders 5 game playoff series loss to the Ottawa Senators. Robitaille is known to be a good faceoff man. He is currently 31 years old and is from Ottawa, Ont. "We're very happy to acquire a strong playmaker in
Randy Robitaille," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow.
"Randy will help us on the power play and he's good on faceoffs. We
add another draft pick, which is always good news. And while we acquire a
player in Randy whose production is equal to Mike's, we also gain
additional cap flexibility. Robitaille has appeared in 27 games for Philadelphia recording five goals and 17 points. He led the Flyers with a 53.6 faceoff winning percentage, was tied for third on the team in scoring and was second in assists. Robitaille was signed by Philadelphia as a free agent this past July. York was awarded a ridiculous arbitration this summer of a one year contract for $2.85 million. Robitaille is making $600,000 this season. Once again the Islanders save another $2.25 million. They have put themselves about $8 million under the cap which gives the Islanders alot of flexibility to add another offensive player sometime down the line. From Mike Bossy's Blog Today: "Another good move by Garth! We need players who are 100% dedicated to the cause. Ted and Garth are putting their mark on this team. I like what they are doing. I like the attitude, spirit and effort they are showing." More on the Deal The deal was completed before the holiday roster freeze at midnight ET Tuesday but wasn't announced until Wednesday. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said he's happy to get a young forward who has posted solid offensive numbers over his career. "We think that he is going to upgrade our offence," Holmgren said in a release. "He is a player who is a right-handed shot, can play centre or right wing and he gives us a little more versatility and a little more scoring. "He is a highly competitive player." "It is always a little bit of a shock when you first get traded," said York. "I'm going to a new team and getting a new start, so I am excited about that. Hopefully, I can help turn the Flyers around in a positive way. "I'm a fresh face and new blood coming in here. I have been in this situation before. We still have over half the season to play. There's a long way to go, so hopefully I can help the team improve." A seven-year NHL veteran, the 28-year-old York has registered 117 goals and 183 assists for 300 points and 123 penalty minutes in 481 career regular season games with the Islanders, New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers. Over parts of the last 10 NHL seasons with the Islanders, Flyers and six other teams, Robitaille has recorded 68 goals and 136 assists for 204 points and 161 penalty minutes in 413 regular season games. islesinfo.com comment: Wow, didn't expect this so soon after the Zhitnik deal. Garth Snow really seems to be on the pulse of the fans in the matter of who should go. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I'll have to think about it a little more. I'm not a big Randy Robitaille fan. But the Islanders might just have had to acquire him in order to get rid of York. Or Robitaille might have been all the Islanders could get. If he continues to play well he might fit better on this current team than he did last time. But I really feel the Islanders need a bonafide second line center. I have been hearing rumors that Jason Allison is currently in New York and he may be having physicals for one of the two New York Team's. Stay tuned on that one. I'm just really glad we got rid of York. islesinfo.com was calling for him to be dealt during the summer. It makes you laugh now remembering how Snow stated he wanted to sign York to a two year deal. Was he just talking from the side of his face on that one? Been giving the deal some more thought. It's another great deal. I'm seeing a ton of people posting on message boards that it's not a good deal because "why would you trade someone when the team is playing well?" My answer to that is WHY NOT? Why do some people have the mentality that you can't make deals even if you are doing well? Would Bill Torrey have not traded for Butch Goring in 1980 because the Islanders were already a good team without him? Come on. Randy Robitaille I think will make a bigger difference here than last time. The Islanders won't falter because York is gone. It really doesn't matter who we got back in return just as long as York is gone. Zhitnik and York are NEVER going to come back to haunt the Islanders as members of the Flyers. Trust me on that. Here's the fact of the matter folks: in today's salary cap, if a guy is signed to a large contract like Zhitnik and York certainly were, if you don't do what you were brought in to do....if you don't produce, you HAVE to be moved. Potential means diddly squat. Leave potential for prospects. To repeat, some fans have to stop whining about salary cut because to them those words are equal to not trying to win. Just because a player making a ton of dough is traded for another player who doesn't make as much doesn't exactly mean it's a bad trade. Finally, did Wang just pull these moved because of poor attendance, who knows. Sometimes the game is a business. Sometimes good business decisions make your team better. The Islanders will not skip a beat.
With the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Campoli has recorded 3 goals and 6 points in 15 games played. As a rookie with the Islanders in 2005-06 Campoli scored 9 goals and 34 points in 80 games played. Blake Comeau, who was called up on an emergency basis, has been returned to the Sound Tigers after appearing in 3 scoreless games for the Islanders, mostly on the fourth line and with limited ice time.
This move clears up salary for the Islanders, who owed Zhitnik another $7 million plus on his contract. Meyer is currently under contract for this season and the next at only $525,000 a year. With Meyer currently out of the lineup because of a back injury, the deal may free up a spot for Chris Campoli or Joel Bouchard who have been playing with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. In 89 career games with the Islanders Zhitnik recorded 7 goals and 40 points. Three of his goals came on the power play and one was a game winner. He was a +17. In 30 games with the Islanders this season, Zhitnik has recorded two goals and nine assists for eleven points with 40 penalty minutes. In return the Islanders get Meyer, a native of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, has played in 83 games over the course of three seasons in the NHL. In his career, he has recorded eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points with 47 penalty minutes and has a +6 plus/minus rating. The 5-10, 192-pound Meyer signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted player out of Boston University in May of 2003. In four years at Boston, Meyer recorded 17 goals and 55 assists for 72 points in 126 games. He often gets a chuckle around the league because he signed his contract as Freddie Meyer IV. Meyer is also a former teammate of Rick DiPietro at BU during the 1999-2000 season. isleinfo.com comment: Guess I owe an apology to Garth Snow. He actually pulled off a deal today and showed he's not afraid to do so. Kind of comes as a bit of a shock. Perhaps Snow is looking to somehow alleviate some of the penalties this club is taking. Meyer when he gets healthy could be a nice addition. I think right now this could be a positive move whether it clears up a spot for someone else or it's Meyer. It's a shame though Snow couldn't throw Mike York into the deal and somehow come away with Simon Gagne. That would have been a great deal.
Colliton this season with the Sound Tigers has scored 5 goals and 10 points in 22 games played. In his last 3 games played he has recorded 3 goals and 6 points. Last season he played in 19 games with the Islanders towards the end of the campaign and recorded a goal and 2 points. With the Sound Tigers he went 21-32-63 in 56 games played as a rookie.
Viktor capped off the week with a career high 4 goal performance last night, December 3rd in a 7-4 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Kozlov became only the fifth Islander to ever score 4 goals in a regular season game on the road. The last to do it was teammate Alexei Yashin in a 9-2 win in Chicago on March 25, 2003. The other three were Ray Ferraro, Patrick Flatley and Mike Bossy. Kozlov beat out Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin and Atlanta's Marian Hossa for this week's honors. On the season, Viktor is third on the Islanders in scoring with 11 goals and 20 points in 26 games played. He is a +10.
The Islanders have called up C Eric Boguniecki from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to replace Yashin on the Islanders roster. Boguniecki has 3 goals and 8 points in 18 games played this season in the AHL. 12 of those games have been with Bridgeport following a trade with Syracuse(Columbus). Garth Snow acquired Boguniecki on October 25th n exchange for D Ryan Caldwell, his first deal as Islanders GM. What will be important now for the Islanders is how they react. "It's a big loss, no doubt, especially with Yash playing so well, but every team has to deal with injuries," said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. "It's up to everyone else to step up their games and take advantage of the opportunities they're provided." Nolan will once again get an opportunity to show his skills as a coach and motivate this team to stay positive and continue to play well. One player who may be hurt the most by the loss of Yashin might be Jason Blake, who was enjoying a career year of his own thanks in large part to his linemate Alexei. But the Islanders have played well in the past when Yashin has missed time due to injury and hopefully the same will be said here. It will be an opportunity to other players to step up. Miroslav Satan hasn't fully woken out of his slump as of yet. Andy Hilbert still hasn't registered a point in 22 games played. The second line consisting of Satan, Trent Hunter and Mike York need to start chipping in more offensively like they have in the past. islesinfo.com comment: This is bad news. But like Nolan said injuries happen. It's just unfortunate the way Yashin was playing. Alexei is a very strong player. So I'm guessing, or perhaps hoping, he will be back in 3 weeks and the best case scenario, 2 weeks. He was on pace for a 100 point season. But the most important thing is winning and getting him back in the lineup as soon as possible. There is a very good attitude around this team thanks to Ted Nolan, so I do not think the Islanders will falter too badly.
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1998-2007 Tom Mascioli
