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"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.
The Islanders originally took 8 defensemen with them on their west coast trip, which begins with a game Thursday night in Phoenix as the new season opens. Joel Bouchard is still questionable so the Islanders starting six Thursday night is shaping up to be: Gervais, Alexei Zhitnik, Brendan Witt, Tom Poti, Sean Hill and Radek Martinek.
According to Newsday, the Islanders could be about to saddle themselves with the Rick until 2020-21. The deal would all but make DiPietro untrade-able. Wang, who apparently hasn't learned a thing from signing Alexei Yashin to a horrible long term deal, is ready to make his next move towards proving to the hockey world that he knows all. At least in his own mind. The deal is believed to be the longest in NHL history and second in the history of major North American professional sports behind the 25-year deal worth $25 million that Magic Johnson signed with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 1981. The positives are that DiPietro's projected $4.5 million deal would only rank him 8th among the highest paid goaltender's in the NHL. Plus, depending on how the salary cap changes in the future it looks like it would be a bargain for the Islanders. But the soon to be 25 year old has yet to really prove himself in the NHL since being drafted #1 overall in 2000. He's definitely not worth $4.5 million now, and while he may soon be a bargain, how bad will this deal look in 10 years when he's way past his prime? Or will it matter? It looks good for DiPietro in the PR department as it seems like he is willing to accept less to remain an Islander. But don't exactly let that fool you. The longterm stability of a 15 year ludicrous length contract guarantees DiPietro gets paid no matter what, unless he gets hurt. And it pretty much guarantees he'll get it from the New York Islanders. What bothers me is what poor foresight Wang and company have. Why do they want to saddle themselves down with one goaltender for 15 years? What if somebody better comes along? Things change so much in the NHL. Who knows what their needs may be three years from now let alone 12? Yet they won't be able to move DiPietro out of the Islander goal for 15 long years? It's mind boggling. The DiPietro talks have increased the last couple of days as the media reminded the hockey world of Wang's imposed rule of no contract, no play when training camp begins. Rick was slated for unrestricted free agency in 2 years. He'll never have to worry about that again. "Charles Wang is trying to show he's committed to a building project, and DiPietro showed he's committed to the team and wants to be on Long Island," an NHL executive said. (must have been an Islander executive. only an Islander exec could spin a positive light out of this latest fiasco). Considering the Isles' losing record and porous defense last season, DiPietro ranked as one of the bright spots in compiling a 30-24-5 record with a 3.02 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. His 63 games played tied for sixth in the NHL, and he also had a 2.28 goals-against average in four starts for the U.S. team at the Turin Olympics in February. For his career, DiPietro has a 58-62-13 record, a 2.85 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Newsday reports it was DiPietro who approached the Islanders about a long term deal. Of course, the ever gullible Wang agreed to the matter. It was reported yesterday that DiPietro was growing frustrated with the signing process, or lack thereof. Even though new Newsday Islander beat writer Greg Logan wrote an almost favorable article today about the subject, he did add this paragraph: "Neil Smith was fired because he couldn't work within Wang's management structure, which calls for decisions to be made by committee. In this case, Wang appears to be a committee of one, and he just made DiPietro his most important partner in determining the future of the franchise." Again, the monetary value is not the problem. But you just DO NOT sign players to long term deals like this. It is islesinfo.com's belief that no player is worth a signing of over 5 yrs. But as we have come accustomed to with the Islanders, they do not do things the right way. Our leader is Charles Wang, and that is no longer a good thing anymore. 3 pm Press Conference Announced The Islanders have scheduled a 3pm Press Conference to announce their embarrassing signing of Rick DiPietro to an unprecedented 15 year contract worth $67.5 million. If it is televised in the Metropolitan region, islesinfo.com will attempt to have the taping of the press conference up shortly after it takes place.
Statement from Charles Wang: Islanders owner Charles Wang announced today that Neil Smith has been relieved of his duties as general manager.
Former Islanders goaltender Garth Snow has retired as a player to become the new general manager of the New York Islanders. islesinfo.com comment: How does Charles Wang know Garth Snow has an eye for talent????? This is the most craziest thing I ever heard. The Islanders franchise is in true shambles. It's like a nightmare that you never wake up from.
Smith worked as a television analyst after being fired by the New York Rangers after the 1999-2000 season. Smith replaced Mike Milbury, who announced in January he would step down from the position after helping find a replacement. Over the last three weeks, Smith made quick improvements to the lineup by adding free agent forwards Chris Simon, Mike Sillinger, and Andy Hilbert, as well as defencemen Brendan Witt and Tom Poti. islesinfo.com comment: This is an absolute shock! What is going on? I really cannot believe this. This is the last thing the Islanders and their fans need right now. Lots of speculation as to why will surface until the Islanders announce what the reason is behind this. They should make a statement soon today. Perhaps Smith was uneasy with the new hierarchy the Islanders had set up with him and Ted Nolan reporting directly to Charles Wang. Or have the Islanders found somebody they are more comfortable with? Can't think who that would possibly be. Or is it some medical reason? Like I said we can only speculate right this moment. More to come on this later in the day. Update: TSN.ca has changed their report to reflect that Neil Smith has definitely been relieved of his duties(read Fired) by the Islanders. Some of the rumors going around are as follows: - Michael Peca signed a one year deal for $2.5 million with Toronto today. Reportedly the Islanders offered him a 3 year deal for $7.5 million. Ted Nolan and Mike Milbury really wanted Peca back and Smith wasn't as involved. Supposedly they were working on the deal without Smith. - Smith and Nolan were already clashing heads. Nolan, who has often been blamed for the firing of John Muckler as GM in Buffalo years ago, has the spotlight put on him again as a possible reason. Owner Charles Wang asked for a scenario like this by hiring the GM and coach all at the same time and not creating a natural order of hierarchy.
But you have to figure there is a good chance they won't return. The Islanders wouldn't be saving a whole lot by not giving these players a 10% increase. Especially in the case of Godard, who was making the NHL league minimum of $450,000. If Godard and Erskine are not resigned the Islanders most likely will be in the market for an enforcer as both players were the only two on the Islanders who stuck up for anyone by dropping the gloves. Godard went 2-2-4 in 57 games played in 2005-06. He accumulated 115 PIM's and missed most of the final month of the season after receiving a concussion during a fight. Erskine was a pleasant surprise after his acquisition from Dallas. The Islanders and their fans were no disgusted with the play of Niinimaa that just about any kind of effort would be valued by the faithful, and Erskine played hard. Yet, if the Islanders are going to improve in 2006-07, their defense corp needs an infusion of talent. In 34 games played on the Island Erskine recorded one goal and 99 PIM's. Islanders who did receive qualifying offers were: Rick DiPietro, Chris Campoli, Trent Hunter, Sean Bergenheim, Mike York, Denis Grebeshkov, Arron Asham and Ryan Caldwell. As for DiPietro, word is his agent is working on a long term deal with the Isles. DiPietro has stated that he wants to spend his entire career with the Islanders. This would be a good move, but DiPietro still has a lot to prove and no way should he be signed to a ridiculous long deal like the rumored 15 year deal that came up last year. Because if he doesn't get something done with the Islanders real soon he could see himself on the trading block at some point in the not too distant future.
Owner Charles Wang was said to have discussed the position with Trottier at the 1980 Stanley Cup Celebration back on March 4, 2006. Apparently, Wang discussed the General Manager position with Trottier but Bryan was uncomfortable taking a position he is not yet qualified for. "I don't think I have enough experience," he said. "I've been away too long to jump into those shoes. I don't want to be Superman overnight." This will be Trottier's first job in the NHL since 2002-03 when he was fired 54 games into the season as head coach of the New York Rangers. Since then he has spent his time on various business ventures and spent time with his 4 year old son Christian. Trottier, who has won the Stanley Cup 7 times, 6 as a player and one as an assistant coach with Colorado in 2001, has a long term plan to get into management but right now says he is totally devoted to player development. He will be working very closely with the incoming coach and staff, whoever they may be. Trottier said his role will be similar to what he did as an assistant with both Colorado and Pittsburgh. He is especially credited with helping groom young players in Colorado like Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay and Chris Drury. As far as the GM, Trottier says he is eager to work with whoever Wang hires. "I'm sure he's going to make the right choice," Trottier said. "He's certainly made this abundantly clear to me: He wants a hands-on, personal involvement on it . . . And when he does make the final decision, whoever it is, I'm looking forward to working with him." Another former Islander was brought back to the organization last week when the Islanders hired 31 year old Steve Webb as director of grass roots hockey programs. Webb will be responsible for the creation of programs to promote and develop youth hockey around Long Island. More Quotes: "I've always considered myself an Islander, but it's an amazing feeling to be back home in an official and important capacity,” said Trottier. "The relationship I have with the people of Long Island is very special to me. I want to thank Charles Wang and Mike Milbury for making this happen." "Just as I was mentored when the Islanders drafted me,” said Trotter, "I want to help talented and eager kids like Jeremy Colliton, Ryan O'Marra and Petteri Nokelainen become the best players they can be.” "This is exactly the role I was looking for – to bring young players along but also be an integral part of the Long Island community again,” Trottier said. "We've wanted to bring Bryan back to the Islanders for some time,” said team Senior Vice President Mike Milbury. "The timing just worked out perfectly for Bryan and the organization, and we couldn't be happier. In his years as an assistant in Pittsburgh and Colorado, Bryan developed a strong reputation as someone who was very effective mentoring young players. This is a great day for the Islanders and our fans.” "To learn from a legend like Bryan Trottier is the chance of a lifetime,” said Islanders 2005 first round pick Ryan O'Marra. "When someone like Bryan has something to say, you listen." islesinfo.com comment: Very excited by this move. Bryan Trottier is a quality hockey coach. He is one of the former Islander greats who does have a good coaching pedigree. There were some rumors that he was considered for the head coaching position and as it was written today Wang talked to him even about the GM position. But this will be an important role for him. And it will be a lot more important than the position the Islanders gave him about 10 years ago which some may remember was only a publicity stunt. Hopefully he will learn more where management in concerned and the Islanders will always have him to fall back on if a situation arises like the current situation the Islanders are in(searching for a GM for 6 months, etc).
York recently missed two games with what was diagnosed as a mild concussion when he was hit in the head by Andy Sutton of the Atlanta Thrashers. He scored the game winning goal Saturday night in the Islanders huge 5-1 win over Atlanta. As for Collins, he was returned from the Islanders before last weekend and recorded a 5 point game(1 goal, 4 assists) in a 6-3 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Saturday night. The Islanders remain 8 points behind both Montreal and New Jersey for 8th and 7th in the Eastern Conference with a game at hand on both clubs. The Islanders have 12 games remaining in the season. New Jersey is in Ottawa tonight.
Zhitnik out for season ATLANTA -- The Islanders' playoff hopes took a major hit
when it was revealed on Wednesday that the team's top defenseman, Alexei
Zhitnik, will be out the rest of the season with a fracture to his left
ankle. Zhitnik, who leads the team in ice time with 24:30 per
game, suffered his injury midway through the second period of Tuesday's
6-1 win over the Devils at Continental Airlines Arena. His ankle crumpled
under his body weight and he had to be helped off the ice. Zhitnik had
just recovered from a high-ankle sprain to his right ankle in February.
That injury caused him to miss playing for Russia at the Olympics. islesinfo.com comment: Well this really sucks! I don't know how the Islanders are going to replace these guys, especially Zhitnik. They may have to keep an eye out on the waiver wire, or Milbury might have to go out and see if there is anything he could sign. It's a bit late in the season so that will be pretty much impossible. Asham is listed as 4-6 weeks, but there are only 5 weeks remaining in the season. Who will replace these guys Thursday night in Atlanta? Well, there's the usual guys: forwards Jeff Hamilton, Rob Collins and Jeremy Colliton; Bruno Gervais on defense. I know some people may be apprehensive about inserting more rookies into the lineup but the Islanders need to replace Asham with an up and down banging winger. That's why I think they should perhaps give a look at Steve Regier or Masi Marjamaki. This is Regier's second year in Bridgeport and he may be ready for a look. On defense the Islanders need a veteran to replace Zhitnik and maybe Bouchard. Allan Rourke has yet to get a look and there's always Tomi Pettinen, much to Islander fans dismay. If the Islanders have to call up two d-men Gervais will most likely be one of them. Ryan Caldwell hasn't proved to be ready yet. Update - 5:30pm: The Islanders have called up D
Bruno Gervais and C Jeremy Colliton. I'm glad they are sticking
with the kids. Another two hungry young guys added to the lineup.
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1998-2007 Tom Mascioli
