Happy Holidays from HNLI

Happy Holidays from HNLI hosts Alex and Steve to all of our loyal listeners and readers. This show would be nothing without all of your support and contributions both on and off the air. Stay tuned to our homepage for blog updates and scheduling announcements.

HNLI Back with a Bang

HNLI was back in business Saturday afternoon as hosts Alex and Steve took the airwaves for an hour of New York Islanders banter. Among the topics discussed were the recent home-and-home with the Rangers, Saturday's matchup with the Montreal Canadians, the Rick DiPietro saga, the development of Josh Bailey and John Tavares, and the upcoming Winter Classic and Winter Olympics. The show also featured several insightful callers, including an eyewitness to DP's second AHL rehab start in Springfield. All in all it was a great hour of hockey talk. Be sure to download the archive if you couldn't catch HNLI today live. Also remember to subscribe to the HNLI podcast by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTune store.

Archive Page

Bloopers Poll featuring Vesa Toskala

Despite a very short tenure with the New York Islanders, most fans most likely remember Rob Davison. While he certainly wasn't the most memorable through his overall play, he certainly ingrained himself into Isles folklore by scoring a goal from over 190 feet away against Vesa Toskala:

Note: This was Davison's only goal as an Islander and one of three in his NHL career


As you can imagine, Toskala got plenty of play in ESPN's "Not Top 10" list for that one. Now, however, Vesa has another blooper that certainly rivals the Davison Debacle. Check out this play from last night's Sabres-Leafs game:


So, we ask the members of HNLI nation....which Toskala blooper is the most embarrassing?

Which Toskala Blooper is More Embarrassing?

• 3/18/08: Rob Davison Scores from 190 ft.
• 12/18/09: Toni Lydman Shot Eludes Toskala's Glove

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Isles Take Round 1, Torts on the Hot Seat?

In a less-than-pretty evening of hockey, the Islanders did exactly what they needed to do to shut down the struggling Rangers and leave Madison Square Garden with two huge points. The importance of this victory cannot be stressed enough. Sure, it's always great to beat the Rangers, but this kind of showing was absolutely crucial after such a brutal loss against Florida on Monday. The Islanders were committed to their game plan in terms of shutting down Marian Gaborik and it paid off big time. The amount of Gaborik shots that the Isles blocked was pretty incredible. Special props to Jack Hillen, who was an absolute beast in containing Gaborik and just about every Blueshirt for that matter.
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Less than a year ago, John Tortorella took the reins of the Blueshirts from Tom Renney with the hope that he was the savior who could put an end to the Rangers' offensive woes. Now, almost midway through his first full season as the head coach in New York, the Rangers are in an absolute freefall and haven't scored a true even strength goal in 4+ games (6-on-5 tonight doesn't really count. Needless to say, the Tortorella era is not exactly going according to plan.

It appeared that Torts' frustration peaked tonight during his postgame press conference. In a rage that caused MSG to break out the bleep button, Tortorella responded in quite a hostile manner when asked by the media why his team was playing so poorly and what he planned to do to remedy the situation. After declaring that he has no "f***ing explanation" for his team "playing like s***", he shoved his chair and stormed off.

(It was really must-see TV.)



So, just how long does John Tortorella have to save his sinking ship? Does Torts have some job security since it's his first full year behind the Rangers' bench or is that overshadowed by just how underachieving his Rangers squad has been?

Alex's Prediction: Tortorella has until the Olympic break to right the ship....otherwise, he joins John Stevens in pink slip land.

Update: Also of note was the fact that Tortorella shortened his bench bigtime in Wednesday night's contest, leaving some of his younger players on the bench most of the game while giving his big guns ridiculous minutes. I'm starting to think he is coaching the Rangers as if they're his 2004 Stanley Cup winning Tampa Bay Lightning squad. Newsflash to Torts: You don't have Lecavalier, St. Louis, and the Bulin Wall to carry this Rangers squad every night.
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The home-and-home resumes tomorrow at the Coliseum. Questions to be answered:

1. What will the goaltending matchup look like? (NYI: Martin Biron or Dwayne Roloson/NYR: Henrik Lundqvist or Chad Johnson)
2. Who the hell is Chad Johnson? (I thought he changed his name to Ocho Cinco!)
3. Will Tortorella make the kind of dramatic change that his postgame speech seemed to insinuate?
4. Can the Rangers bounce back from what is seemingly an emotional low point of their season?

On The Air: HNLI Returns This Saturday (Guest TBA)

Be sure to tune in this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST as Hockey Night on Long Island ends its hiatus from the airwaves. Hosts Alex and Steve will be back, bringing you the best hour of Islanders talk around. Among the many topics on HNLI's agenda will be a recap of the Battle of New York home and home series, a preview of Saturday night's matchup with Montreal, the latest chapter in the saga of Rick DiPietro, and much more. As always, listeners are encouraged to sound off via phone call, IM, or the HNLI chatroom. So, don't miss HNLI's return to the airwaves this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST and make sure to keep checking back here for information on HNLI special guests and upcoming episodes.

Imminent Doom for DP?

The idea that Rick DiPietro could be between the pipes for the Isles as soon as next week seemed a little too good to be true. It was.

After allowing one goal through two periods in his second AHL rehab start, Ricky was benched for the third period due to what the team called "some tightness". The report claimed that the tightness was unrelated to any of his previous injuries, but considering how many lower body injuries Rick has experienced over the past few seasons, it had to be. There was certainly a sense of further disaster in the Rick DiPietro saga.

Tonight, via Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank, comes the following statement from GM Garth Snow:

“Ricky has been seen by the team doctors and most recently a specialist. To make sure we are taking the proper steps in his rehabilitation we will seek an additional opinion and should have a timeline by the end of the week.”

Needless to say, there is nothing positive about this report. The notion that DP could be back this month is officially out the window and now fans will play the waiting game for another announcement. But in all honesty, the announcements just don't really matter any more. DP has proven that he is simply not physically capable of overcoming his plethora of injuries and returning to NHL shape. If four total periods of minor league hockey is all Ricky could muster after 11 months of rehab from his countless number of injuries and surgeries, then chances are he is a lost cause.

Sure, the Islanders won't easily give up on their 15-year investment and "franchise player", but the team is already preparing for the worst. The fact that the team drafted goaltenders in the second and third rounds of the '09 draft in addition to signing two "number 1s" in the offseason was certainly a sign about the bleak future of Rick DiPietro.

Now, with a timeline expected by the end of the week, I'll make the bold prediction that we don't see Rick DiPietro starting between the pipes for the Isles for the rest of the '09-'10 season. While there's nothing more I would love than to be proven wrong, I think it's time that those who haven't done so already begin to face the music. It would certainly be sad to see the career of such a talented, charismatic, and just plain likable guy be cut so short, but to suggest that this is far from the truth is being in denial.

HNLI Quick Hits: 12/13

Isles Open Home Stand with a Bang

The Scoop: Kicking off a three week stretch at home (with 2 games at MSG thrown in there), the Islanders won Saturday in overtime by a score of 3-2 over the Boston Bruins. Frans Neilsen scored the game winning goal on a breakaway after a feed in transition by Blake Comeau. Also of note, Rob Schremp scored his first NHL goal on the powerplay in the first period to open the scoring.

Our Take: What a huge win for the Islanders to kick off their "most crucial stretch of the season". While the team was horribly outshot in the third period, the Isles looked very good in the first two frames and in the overtime. Obviously that's not a model on how to win games, but clearly the team has some confidence and momentum after a big win at home. Also, it's important to note that the Isles managed to score an even strength goal for the first time in 3+ games. Also, it's the first time in 3+ games that somebody other than John Tavares has put the puck in the net. There were definitely some big positives last night and now the Islanders have a chance to take advantage of a mediocre Florida Panthers team and then play two games against the struggling Rangers. Last night's victory makes it very possible for the Isles to get just the start they need for this crucial stretch.

Retro 3rd Jerseys to Become Primary

The Scoop: Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank Reports that the Islanders will be making their retro, royal blue jerseys their primary jerseys next season. The team is in the process of designing a matching white version to be the team's road jersey.

Our Take: This was certainly long overdue. There has been a movement among Isles fans since the team held retro night and the Isles once again sported the royal blue. There is no doubt that in many ways the Isles missed the mark with their current uniform design and it is definitely the right move to switch (back) to the beautiful royal blue.

Stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com for upcoming scheduling information and more commentary and analysis! Lets Go Islanders!

Sutton Recognizes Importance of Home Stretch

As I wrote on Thursday, the Islanders' attitude about being fortunate to survive the recent roadtrip must shift to an attitude of dominance at home.

Per Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank, Andy Sutton clearly sees things the same way.

Andy, who told reporters that he was completely miserable missing the last two weeks, said playing 8 of 10 at home is huge. “We weathered the storm half-decent on the road,” said Sutton. “Now it’s time to dominate at home.”

Good to see that Sutton, and presumably the rest of the team, recognizes the cruciality of being extremely successful in this upcoming home stand. Hopefully, with a few days off before taking the Coliseum ice on Saturday, the team prepares itself for a make-or-break type run.

For JT, PPGs Come in Pairs

Despite coming out on the short end of their last two contests, it appears that the Isles have figured out how to use John Tavares to his fullest potential on the powerplay. Both Tuesday's contest in Philadelphia and Wednesday's contest in Toronto featured John Tavares potting a pair of goals on the man advantage. It's incredibly striking just how similar the four goals are. In all four situations, Tavares had himself positioned on the back post. Tuesday, it was Tavares hammering home rebounds from point blank range, while Wednesday night it was burying a pass from just outside the crease. Check it out:









As I wrote yesterday, the Isles return home Saturday for their most important stretch of the season. While clearly the Islanders need a lot to change for this home stand to be a successful one, hopefully JT can keep the powerplay magic alive.

Survival on the Road Must Shift to Dominance at Home

After just about every Islanders game, my HNLI co-host Steve and I make it a priority to have a few minutes of discussion on the game. As I whined after last night's 6-2 loss against the Flyers about the Islanders' inconsistency and failure to show up for every game, Steve snapped right back saying that after playing 14 of 17 games on the road, it says something that the Islanders are still even hanging around the .500 mark and the (admittedly early) playoff race. Now, the Islanders will have the luxury of coming back to Long Island and sleeping in their own beds for the next three weeks. The team's only two "road" tilts in their next ten games are a short ride away at Madison Square Garden.

Now, with the Isles' return to the Coliseum, the attitude must change drastically. Showing up every other night and hanging around the playoff race may be considered a blessing on an extended road trip, but over the course of the next three weeks, the Isles must make a major surge in the right direction. For better or for worse, this home stand will determine the direction of the Islanders' season. A .500 showing won't be enough over the next 10 games, as this block of games needs to set the pace for the second half of the season. While the competition isn't particulary easy, the team needs to take advantage of playing at home and produce an effort similar to February home stand of 2007.

So, whether the Islanders win or lose tonight in Toronto, the most crucial stretch of the season begins Saturday at the Coliseum.


SAT DEC 12, 2009 BRUINS @ ISLANDERS

MON DEC 14, 2009 PANTHERS @ ISLANDERS

WED DEC 16, 2009 ISLANDERS @ RANGERS

THU DEC 17, 2009 RANGERS @ ISLANDERS

SAT DEC 19, 2009 CANADIENS @ ISLANDERS

MON DEC 21, 2009 LIGHTNING @ ISLANDERS

WED DEC 23, 2009 MAPLE LEAFS @ ISLANDERS

SAT DEC 26, 2009 ISLANDERS @ RANGERS

SUN DEC 27, 2009 FLYERS @ ISLANDERS

TUE DEC 29, 2009 BLUE JACKETS @ ISLANDERS

HNLI Advances to Round 2 of Isles Blog-Off

Round 1 of The NHL Arena's Isles Blog-Off tournament came to an end Sunday. Of the 18 Isles blogs represented, only the top 9 could advance to the second round of the tournament. Well, we're proud to say that thanks to you, our readers and listeners, that HNLI is on to Round 2! It is an extreme honor to be put in the same company as some of the most popular Islanders blogs on the web and we at HNLI thank you all for your support.

Now that we've reached Round 2, head over to the Isles Blog-Off Poll and select your five favorite blogs from the list (including HNLI, of course). Only the five blogs with the most votes will advance to Round 3 so it's important that you make your voice heard for HNLI.

p.s. If you're not already registered at The NHL Arena, you'll need to take 30 seconds of your time to create an account over there.

As always, keep checking our homepage for updates on our next HNLI episode, as well as Isles commentary and analysis.

HNLI Quick Hits

Ricky D Returns Tonight

The Scoop: After an eleven month hiatus from game action and a ton of rehab time, Rick DiPietro gets back between the pipes for the first time in a long time tonight. While the big club is in action in Tampa Bay, DiPietro and the Soundtigers take on the Springfield Falcons at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport tonight at 7pm.

Our Take: It's about time! As Chris Botta points out today on Islanders Point Blank, the Islanders put up the facade that Ricky would be able to make an appearance around the middle of training camp. Three months later, DiPietro will face twenty to thirty minutes of minor league action. Give it at least another few weeks before any kind of starting goaltending controversy ensues.

Former Isles Coach Takes the Reigns in Philly

The Scoop: The Philadelphia Flyers made John Stevens the first coach of the young NHL season to get the boot and were quick to find a replacement. Peter Laviolette, the man who brought the Islanders to the playoffs after an eight year drought and won a Stanley Cup in Carolina, will take over behind the bench for the Flyers. Full Story at TSN.

Our Take: The Stevens firing seemed inevitable and who better to fill the slot than Laviolette. To this day I detest the decision by the Isles to fire Laviolette, who has done great things everywhere that he has been. For the Flyers, things can only go up with Laviolette behind the bench. The Isles take on the Flyers Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com for upcoming scheduling information and more commentary and analysis! Lets Go Islanders!

Isles Obscurity: Classic Islanders Hit Songs

Whether these are new to you or a blast from the past, we hope these songs make your day like they did ours.



Harken back to the summer of 2002. The Islanders were coming off of their best season in years after falling just short in a magical seven game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fan spirit was at a peak and the Islanders decided to hold a pep rally in Eisenhower Park to build excitement for the upcoming 2002-2003 NHL season. Little did those in attendance know, however, that they would be treated to an incredible musical display....

Seven years later, we remember Lukepance and the Jingleberries' "The Islanders Song"



http://www.mydatanest.com/files/goalmachine15/30868_bnkdk/01%20The%20Islanders%20Song.mp3

Our next ditty is brought to you by the fine folks at WGR 550 Buffalo. Back in April of 2007, the Islanders had just squeaked into the playoffs after a magical shootout victory in the last game of the regular season. The Islanders drew a matchup against the top-seeded Buffalo Sabres in Round 1 of the playoffs. Hence the inspiration for this next gem, entitled "Beat the Isles", in which Sabres fans have a little too much fun mocking their first round opponent.


http://audio.wgr550.com/m/audio/17608388/beat-the-isles.htm?pageid=28479

Finally, this last number has recently developed a cult following and can be heard being obnoxiously yelled by fans in Loudville. Another smash hit by the Isles' PR team:

Vote for HNLI in the Isles Blog-Off

The Islanders blogging community is an extremely diverse one with a ton of insight from different people, in different forms, and with different styles. Now The NHL Arena is giving readers (and listeners) the chance to vote for their favorite Islanders blogs on the web. Round 1 of the "Isles Blog-Off" tournament is now underway. Of the 18 sites in contention, voters can select nine that they would like to see advance to the next round of the tournament. Like always, HNLI is seeking some fan interaction and encouraging you to click on over and vote!

Keep checking back to hockeynightonlongisland.com for blog updates, episode scheduling, and much more!

HNLI Season 4 Episode 5

HNLI is back for an episode full of special guests tomorrow (11/7) at 3:30 PM EST. First, Steve will be joined by special guests Ken Rosenblatt (Islanders Outsider Blog) and Bill (New York Islander Fan Central) to provide an excellent bloggers roundtable talking about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. From the recent winning streak to the roster to the Lighthouse Project, be sure to listen! Also, Steve will later be joined by special guest The Falconer (Bird Watchers Anonymous) to talk about the Atlanta Thrashers and preview that night's Isles-Thrashers game. As always, callers are encouraged to call in (718-664-9597), IM us (AIM: hockeynightli) and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show to set topics to discuss. Remember to listen to HNLI tomorrow, 11/7, at 3:30 PM EST here!

HNLI Season 4: Episode 3

Be sure to tune into Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow, 10/16, at 5:00 PM EST. Steve will be joined by special guest Nick Giglia (Let There Be Lighthouse Blog) to talk about the very busy week of Lighthouse Project news. Also, Steve will talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. Additionally, he will be joined by special guest David Olesky (Die By the Blade Blog) to preview that night's game against the Buffalo Sabres. As always, listeners are strongly encouraged to call in (718-664-9597) and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show. Remember to tune into a special edition of HNLI tomorrow at 5!

Season 4: Episode 2 Tomorrow at 5PM!

Be sure to tune into Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow (10/9) at 5:00 PM EST as Steve will be joined by special guest Christian A (IslandersHockeyBlog.com). The two will talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders, including a recap of the Home Opener and tonight's game vs. Ottawa, John Tavares' NHL debut, the Lighthouse Project and much more. Of course, call-in with Isles questions/comments and participate in the HNLI Chat Room on the episode page. The episode will conclude with a special segment with Kevin Rozell (ZellsPinstripeBlog.com) to analyze how the Rangers season has begun and provide some talk regarding the Yankees. Remember to tune in at the special time, tomorrow (Friday) at 5:00 PM EST. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com

UPDATE: Steve will be joined by Matt Kalman (TheBruinsBlog.net) at 5:40 PM to preview Saturday's matchup against the Boston Bruins!

HNLI Returns for Season 4!

HNLI is back for another exciting season tomorrow, 10/2, at 5:00 PM EST! After an exciting offseason with the Isles drafting John Tavares, Steve will preview the 09-10 New York Islanders Season. He will discuss the Isles Home Opener on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Another big story will be the Lighthouse Project and Charles Wang's deadline of October 3rd. As always, listeners are encouraged to call in, IM and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the episode. Be sure to tune into this can't miss episode at a special day/time, tomorrow (10/2) at 5:00 PM EST. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com

Training Camp Update

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great summer and are getting excited for the upcoming hockey season. Training camp has gotten underway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and there are already some headlines. First, Kyle Okposo has a mild concussion after being hit by Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames in an exhibition game. Okposo is a major part of this team and his injury will be monitored very closely by Islanders fans. Next, John Tavares participated in his first NHL exhibition game earlier this week and looked pretty good Tavares has generated so much positive attention towards the team so it will be interesting to see how the media covers his first few regular season games. The much-hyped preseason game in Kansas City takes place on Tuesday. As training camp continues to progress, there will be increasing momentum as the Islanders home opener approaches on October 3 against the Penguins. Be sure to keep checking Hockeynightonlongisland.com for continuing updates on our show schedule!

HNLI collides with Blueshirt Radio

Rarely do we at HNLI start promoting an episode so early in the week, but we feel that this weekend's special event certainly warrants it. HNLI hosts Alex and Steve will host a special roundtable discussion with the guys from Blueshirt Radio. With both Islanders and Rangers fans in the same studio, who knows what might unfold. Among the topics on the agenda will be how free agency unfolded, what both the Islanders and Rangers have done to improve, the outlook for the Atlantic Division this season, and much more. We'll have more updates throughout the week on what to expect this Saturday, so stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com. And mark your calendars: "Blueshirts @ HNLI...Saturday at 3:30 pm EST"

Sunday Afternoon Banter

Sunday's special Prospects Camp edition of Hockey Night on Long Island featured an eclectic agenda that would entertain any Islanders fan. Among the topics discussed by HNLI hosts Alex and Steve were John Tavares mania, the Prospects Camp thus far, the Islanders' goaltending depth, the 2010 Winter Classic, a very interesting perspective on the Scott Gomez trade, and much more. The episode reached just about every corner of the hockey world and was certainly one that didn't have dull moment. If you missed Sunday's extravaganza, be sure to check out the archive on the show page!

HNLI Prospects Camp Special Sunday!

Be sure to tune into a special Sunday edition of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:00 PM EST as hosts Alex and Steve discuss everything going on during a very exciting time for Islanders fans. On the agenda will be Sunday's session of Prospects Mini-Camp with commentary and analysis on the beginning of the John Tavares era. Also up for debate will be some of the Islanders' actions (or lack thereof) in the free agent market and much more. Be sure to share your thoughts via phone, IM, or the HNLI chatroom! It's another HNLI that you won't want to miss...Sunday @ 3!

JT Day at the Coliseum

While it was far less exciting than the recent Islanders draft party, there was plenty of buzz at the Nassau Coliseum this afternoon as John Tavares was introduced to the media as a New York Islander. In front of a crowd of about 350 fans and a sizable amount of media, Tavares was presented with the #91 sweater. Following introductions from MC Howie Rose, Garth Snow, a several minute tribute video, and the jersey presentation, Tavares spoke about being "excited, thrilled, and humbled to be with the New York Islanders and in this community."

Unfortunately for the fans, however, Tavares faced only a few questions from the media before Tavares and the reporters moved to a private area for the remainder of the press conference. Still, the day seemed to be more about ceremony than hard-nosed journalism.

I hope you all enjoyed the HNLI twitter updates throughout the afternoon and will enjoy the pictures above. Stay Classy, Long Island

HNLI Alex to Tweet from Tavares Press Conference

Be sure to stay tuned to the Hockey Night on Long Island twitter feed for updates and thoughts from the John Tavares Press Conference!

Twitter Updates

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A Slap In The Face: Only One Day of Camp Open

For the past several summers, diehard Islanders fans congregated daily at Islanders Ice Works in Syosset for a week to get a look at the organization's young talent. The openness of Prospects Camp, an event which many Isles fans plan their summers around, has been an example of just how amenable the Islanders have been to its fanbase. Now, however, following the addition of #1 overall pick John Tavares, the Prospects Camp has taken a turn for the worse.

The 2009 installment of Islanders Prospects Camp will be held from Thursday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 15. For the first time in a number of years, however, a majority of this event is closed to the public. In fact, only the events of July 12 will be open to the public. At one of the most exciting times to be an Islanders fan in a number of years, restrictions are suddenly being placed on the fans' access to the team.

The idea of a closed Prospects Camp came as a complete shock. While last year blogs like HNLI were able to provide in-depth daily coverage of the camp's events, the closed camp this year makes for an uninformed fanbase. Not to mention, by closing all but one session of Prospects Camp, the one open session is sure to be an absolute zoo. It is impossible to fathom just how many Isles fans will show up ON A SUNDAY to watch John Tavares lace up for the first time on Long Island. By opening up more of the weekday sessions, the Isles could make for both a more comfortable viewing experience while allowing the team's truest fans complete access to the camp. Instead, a team that prides itself in being a fan-friendly one is leaving its fans in the dark.

Beggars Can't Be Choosers: The Dany Heatley Saga

In possibly the most intriguing storyline of the opening day of NHL Free Agency, Dany Heatley has refused to waive his no-movement clause to go to the Edmonton Oilers despite demanding a trade out of Ottawa. In an extremely unique situation, because Heatley was not traded before 12AM EST Tuesday, the Senators are contractually obligated to pay Heatley a $4 million bonus. Realistically speaking, this could very well increase what the Sens feel they need to compensate losing Heatley and ultimately could ruin any chance Heatley had at getting out of Ottawa.

Clearly, Heatley is not familiar with the old addage that "Beggars can't be choosers." Presumably, Heatley must've been pretty desperate to get out of Ottawa if he had to resort to demanding a trade. So, clearly Heatley shouldn't feel that he is in a position to pick and choose potential destinations. The Senators were much more accommodating than they needed to be in going out of their way to shop Heatley and they managed to find a suitor in Edmonton. Heatley does not have the right to say "I don't like Edmonton, try again." Beggars can't be choosers, and if Heatley really wants to leave Ottawa, he is certainly a beggar.

1-A Goalie in the Bag: Dwayne Roloson

The Islanders answered a major question heading into the upcoming NHL season by signing goaltender Dwayne Roloson to a 2 year deal worth $5 million. Props to HNLI Guest and Newsday Beat Writer Greg Logan for being the first to break the story.

All in all, a decent signing by Garth Snow. The need for a solid backup goaltender was there with the question marks surrounding Ricky's health, and Roloson is certainly a guy who can step in a perform. Roloson played extremely well for Edmonton last season and posted very good numbers.

28 Wins-24 Losses
2.77 GAA
.910 SV%

Granted, he's 40 years old, but for 2 years and a relatively small cap hit, the age is a non-issue. Roloson has proven to be a true professional throughout his career and he is somebody who will be able to step in and perform when if DP gets hurt again.

Keep following HNLI Alex's twitter updates today at twitter.com/hockeynightli or in the blog post below!

Alex Twitters July 1st Free Agency

Be sure to follow Alex's Free Agency thoughts and scoops throughout the day on July 1st! Also, check out the Scott Clemmensen rant in the post below.

Alex's UFA Udpdates

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No Respect for Clemmensen?

While reading HNLI Guest Chris Botta's UFA Preview on Islanders Point Blank this morning, I was shocked to see the lack of respect for former Devils goaltender Scott Clemmensen.

Said Botta:

Scott Clemmensen…really? Besides watching him back-stop the cautious Devils in a pinch for a few months last season on MSG Plus, has anyone really looked at what the 32-year old has done in his career? Give a look and let me know if this is the man for the Islanders.

Clemmensen, who played in only 28 NHL games before his 31st birthday? Clemmensen, who was average-at-best for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL in 2007-08?

Through my work as a hockey photo editor last season, I had the opportunity to watch a ton of New Jersey Devils hockey and a ton of Scott Clemmensen. Despite the fact that Mr. Botta seems to slight his performance last season, there is no denying that Clemmensen is the major reason that the Devils managed to survive their injury plagued season. Mr. Botta points you at Clemmensen's numbers in an effort to knock him, but I say look at his numbers from last sesaon.

2.39 GAA
.917 SV %
25 Wins (only 13 losses)

Clemmensen was invaluable for the New Jersey Devils and he should definitely be given a serious look by the Islanders. While Marty Brodeur was injured, Clemmer was phenominal. Should Rick Dipietro take his annual fall this season, Clemmensen will be able to step in and keep the Isles firing on all cylinders. Scott Clemmensen was a savior for the New Jersey Devils last year and could be even more valuable as an Islander.

Youtube video comment says it all:

"they are just flat out blessed that they had him, if they didnt their season would be over."

SPECIAL HNLI EPISODE TODAY @ 3:30 PM!

There will be a very special episode of Hockey Night on Long Island today at 3:30 PM EST. We will be joined by special guests Tom Liodice and Michael Schuerlein, who will be LIVE at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal providing great insight on everything surrounding the New York Islanders. John Tavares, the Draft Party at the Coliseum and all of the other Isles picks will be discussed. As always, listeners can voice their reactions to the Draft by giving us a call, sending an IM or participating in the HNLI Chat Room during the show.

HNLI LIVE Twitter Updates from Draft Party

HNLI Steve will be providing live twitter updates from the Draft Party at Nassau Coliseum tonight with thoughts and observations about the draft. These updates can be followed below or at www.twitter.com/hockeynightli

Twitter Updates

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Alex's Final Draft Thoughts

The stage is set. Thousands donning Orange and Blue will gather tomorrow at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to watch what is sure to be the biggest draft in quite some time for the New York Islanders. It is a draft that will be looked back on for years to come as a turning point, for better or for worse, in the history of the franchise. It is one of the organization's only chances to acquire a true game-changer considering the team's lack of luck in free agency.

So, as both an observer and a fan, I hope the Islanders make the smart choice tommorrow night. There are times for risks and going with hunches, but this is not one of them. Take the guy who has been the consensus number one for years...not the guy who just emerged on the scene. Take the guy who every GM north of border is coveting. Take the guy who has broken records, changed rules, and won international titles. Take John Tavares.

Draft Coverage Archives

With just days leading up to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, be sure to catch up on the last few weeks of Hockey Night on Long Island's coverage by checking out the show page. Only after listening to an hour with Michael Oke of International Scouting Services and an hour with Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank can you say that you a truly ready for this Friday's events.

Chris Botta Joins HNLI Saturday

This Saturday at 3:30 PM EST, Hockey Night on Long Island's coverage of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft reaches a climax as hosts Alex and Steve are joined by Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank. Botta, called the "blog father" by many in the Islanders fan community, is also the former head of public relations for the Isles and is considered the source for Isles news, commentary, and analysis. Make sure to be listening when Botta joins HNLI to discuss the ins and outs of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, the Tavares/Hedman/Duchene debate, the goaltending situation, and everything New York Islanders. HNLI will also be taking your calls, IMs, and chatter in the HNLI chatroom. Don't miss Chris Botta this Saturday on Hockey Night on Long Island!

HNLI Welcomes ISS this Saturday

Hockey Night on Long Island's coverage of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft continues this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST with a guest appearance by International Scouting Services Chief Scout Michael Oke. Mr. Oke will provide both hosts and listeners alike with in depth analysis of John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and the rest of the top prospects. Oke will also discuss the scouting process, who the Islanders should take with the top pick, and the strengths and weaknesses of the draft class. Like always, HNLI's phone lines will be open for your questions and comments. Also available are the IM feature and the HNLI chatroom. So, be sure to join HNLI for another exciting segment of Draft Coverage this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST.

HNLI Announces Draft Coverage: Kicks off Saturday!

Ladies and Gentlemen...Alex and Steve of Hockey Night on Long Island are proud to reveal what we have in store for our official coverage of the 2009 NHL Draft. Over the next 3 weeks, starting this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST, HNLI will feature several guests that are among the best in the business. The lineup is as follows:

June 6th at 3:30 PM EST: Special Guest Scott Cullen of The Sports Network (TSN)
Mr. Cullen is a well-known columnist and blogger for TSN.ca and has a vast audience from across both Canada and the United States. He has guested twice on HNLI before and has provided excellent insight on both the NHL as a whole and specifically the Islanders. We were particularly impressed last time with his in depth knowledge of the Islanders' prospect pool.


June 13th at 3:30 PM EST: Special Guest Mike Oke, Chief Scout for International Scouting Services (ISS)
This marks the third year that HNLI will be teaming up with ISS to provide an exciting NHL Draft Preview segment. ISS is considered an elite scouting and consulting firm and is consulted by every NHL team. This year, with Chief Scout Mike Oke, HNLI will take an in depth look at the top prospects in the draft, discuss who might be sleeper picks, and learn about the entire pre-draft scouting process.

June 20th at 3:30 PM EST: Special Guest Chris Botta of Islanderspointblank.com
Mr. Botta is the former Public Relations President for the New York Islanders and now runs an independent blog covering the team. After just one year of blogging, his work is known around the league for being one of the first to break news regarding the Islanders and being one of the best hockey reads on the internet. On one March day, in fact, his blog received over 1 million hits as he "live blogged" about the Bill Guerin trade hysteria.

All of our experts will be ready to field your questions and comments! So, be sure to tune in for some can't miss hockey banter that all leads up to the 2009 NHL Draft!

"The View" Joins HNLI This Saturday

Don't miss this Saturday's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30 PM EST as hosts Alex and Steve are joined by the always opinionated Gary Harding of The View From Section 317 blog. Harding, who also hosts the New York Hockey Report and once served as president of the NYI Booster Club, will help the HNLI tackle the latest in Islanders Country including the latest Lighthouse progress, the Islanders' NHL Draft strategy, the first overall draft pick, and much more. The trio will also preview the Stanley Cup Finals and make some predictions. Feel free to share your two cents on anything and everything hockey by calling in, sending an IM, and joining the banter in the Hockey Night on Long Island chatroom. This Saturday's episode of HNLI is sure to be a blast...make sure to be a part of it!

NHL Drops the Ball on "Sucker Punch"

In another example of Colin Campbell's brilliant disciplinary judgment, Hurricanes forward Scott Walker will get off scott free for an absolutely heinous punch to the face of Boston's Aaron Ward. The act, which occurred during the third period of last night's game 5, has been deemed "not a sucker punch" by the league despite the fact that there could not be a better way to describe the cheap shot than "sucker punch".

Take a look for yourself:



On several different grounds, Walker should be suspended. First, the NHL's Rule 56, also known as the instigator rule, reads as follows

A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major for fighting, a ten minute misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension.

The action in question, which occurred with under 3 minutes remaining in the third period, clearly should fall under the jurisdiction of this rule. There is no denying that Walker starts the altercation between himself and Ward. According to the rulebook, Walker should receive at least a one game suspension.

Second, Walker is clearly the "second man in". The initial altercation is between Ward and Hurricanes' forward Matt Cullen. Walker takes it upon himself to jump in between the two and, without warning, deliver a crushing blow to Ward's face.

Third, it is undeniable that Walker intended to injure Ward and did so in a vicious manner. The latest reports state that Ward may have suffered a broken orbital bone.

The lack of action against Walker is another glaring example of inconsistency and idiocy on the NHL's disciplinary record. The hypocrisy of not suspending Walker despite the league's "continued effort" to teach the players to respect each other is astounding....almost as astounding as the fact that Colin Campbell still has a job.

HNLI Back on Saturday

Don't miss this weekend's edition of Hockey Night on Long Island at its regularly scheduled time, Saturday at 3:30 PM EST. Hosts Alex and Steve will be joined by Islanders Blogger of the Year Patrick Hickey Jr. of The Drive for Five for the latest on everything New York Islanders. This weekend's agenda will include the never-ending draft debate, the latest on the Charles Wang saga, a look ahead at the offseason, a look at the NHL playoffs, and the most current Isles news. Be sure to connect with the show by calling in, sending an instant message, or joining fellow listeners in the HNLI chatroom. Make sure to make HNLI a part of your Saturday!

HNLI Today @ 3:30 PM!

Be sure to tune into today's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30 PM EST. Along with Tom Mascioli of islesinfo.com, hosts Alex and Steve will discuss Newsday's latest look at the Islanders' financial losses, the sluggish state of the Lighthouse Project, the possibility of an Islanders' move, and something about some guy named John Tavares. We encourage your calls, IMs, and chatroom comments on today's HNLI episode that is sure to be a hub for some heated banter. Don't miss it!

HNLI Programming Update

The next episode of Hockey Night on Long Island will be Sunday May 3rd at 3:30 PM EST. Host Alex and Steve will recap the 2008-2009 Islanders season, preview the offseason and continue to discuss who the Isles should select with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Of course, listeners are encouraged to call in during the show to talk about the Isles. Last week's episode was great with special guest Tom Liodice (TheTigerTrack.com) and can be listened to on the right sidebar. Be sure to keep checking hockeynightonlongisland.com for updates on who the special guest will be on Sunday.

HNLI Returns This Sunday

After an unanticipated hiatus, Hockey Night on Long Island will be returning to the airwaves this Sunday at 3:30 PM EST. Hosts Steve and Alex will be joined by special guest Tom Liodice (TheTigerTrack.com) for sixty minutes of intense hockey talk. At the forefront of the banter will be the Islanders' position going into the NHL Draft, the recent criticism of John Tavares, the Bridgeport Soundtigers' playoff series, and of course the NHL playoffs. You can throw in some more topics or give your two cents on any of these by calling in by phone, sending an IM, or joining other listeners in the HNLI chatroom. It is going to be an exciting episode that no hockey fan should miss!

Hockey on SportsCenter

Yes....that's "SportsCenter" spelled the American way. It's both funny and sad that I find it newsworthy that ESPN devoted almost 5 minutes of this morning's SportsCenter to hockey. The bulk of this airtime surrounded Boston University's comeback victory in the NCAA hockey championship last night to beat Miami of Ohio. The segment featured both highlights from the game and an interview with BU Coach Jack Parker. ESPN also compiled a countdown of the top 5 plays of the 2008-2009 NHL season. Richard Zednik's goal against the Islanders was featured as #4. Mikka Kipprusoff's incredible save against Kyle Wellwood topped the list. Interestingly enough, the NHL.com "Save of the Year" by Joey MacDonald was absent from the list. Still, in my mind, Kippur's save was the top stop of the year by far. While clearly this little hockey moment on ESPN isn't nearly the attention the sport deserves, it brought a little smile to my face to see a little bit of hockey on ESPN.

Also worth noting is that both Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby were absent from this segment. Bizzare much?

HNLI Sunday Postponed

Hockey Night on Long Island unfortunately will not be on the air this Sunday as previously scheduled. Be sure to stay tuned to Hockeynightonlongisland.com for information about the next episode of HNLI.

Happy Easter & Passover from HNLI!

And We Have a Winner......

With a 6-1 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Islanders are officially the winners in the NHL's race to last place. With this "victory", the Islanders will have the best odds at grabbing the first overall draft pick (48%) in Tuesday night's draft lottery and are guaranteed either the first or second pick. But what exactly does that mean?

-The Islanders will either pick John Tavares or Victor Hedman in the 2009 NHL Draft.

-There is a very good chance of being able to grab John Tavares. Despite the fact that the Isles' odds of picking first are only 48%, there is a good chance that if the Lightning or Avalanche get the first pick, they will go with Hedman. I feel strongly in this regard about the Lightning due to the fact that they drafted forward Steven Stamkos last year and already have offensive weapons in Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. They need to sure up the blue line. So, I'd say the Isles' shot at Tavares is over 50% despite what the lottery odds may say.

-The hype around this team will absolutely skyrocket after Tuesday night's draft lottery. Even people outside of hockey circles realize the hype around John Tavares and the impact he will have on a franchise like the Islanders.

Further Reading
Be sure to check out a great blog entry by Chris Botta on Islanders Point Blank about what the Islanders' PR staff should do if the Islanders get the first overall pick on Tuesday night.

Okposo Net's Ken Dick wrote a nice entry about finishing last as well.

HNLI Mid-Week Update

The latest in Islander Country:

NHL Draft Lottery TV Info: The NHL has announced that both TSN and Versus will be broadcasting the 2009 NHL Draft Lottery live on Tuesday, April 14 at 8 PM EST. The Islanders, who are close to clinching last place, may very well be guaranteed the first or second pick in the draft. Click here to check out the announcement from NHL.com.

Magic Number Down to 2: With the Islanders' 9-0 loss last night in Carolina and Colorado's 1 point in an overtime loss to San Jose, the Islanders' magic number to clinch last place is 2 points. The Islanders can clinch tomorrow night with a loss against former captain Bill Guerin and the Pittsburgh Penguins (until then Tampa technically has a shot)...and speaking of Bill Guerin......

Conditional Pick Now a 4th Rounder: Thanks to some key losses last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff berth. For the Islanders, this means that the conditional pick that the team received in the Bill Guerin trade has appreciated from a 5th rounder to a 4th rounder. If the Pens advance past the first round of the playoff, the pick will become a 3rd rounder.

Isles Sign Weight to a 1-year Extension: In what is being applauded by fans as a win-win kind of deal, the Isles signed a contract extension with Doug Weight. With a cap hit of just over $2 million next season, the Islanders will continue to get great veteran leadership and a guy who hustles night in and night out.

Interesting Roundtable and Lighthouse Discussion

Saturday's (April 4) episode of Hockey Night on Long Island was certainly a memorable one. With an tumultuous situation surrounding the chase for last place, hosts Alex and Steve were joined by "representatives" from the blogging communities of both the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning. Needless to say, putting fans who have become used to losing together on the same program makes for some interesting banter. This one-of-a-kind segment is definitely worth catching on the archive if you missed Saturday's live broadcast. You can also subscribe to the podcast version by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes music store.

Saturday's HNLI also touched upon the chaos that is the Lighthouse Project, the Soundtigers' playoff stint at the Coliseum, college free agents, the final four, and much more.

HNLI Home Stretch Episode Saturday

As we enter the home stretch of the 2008-2009 Islanders' season, HNLI is excited to bring you what should be another awesome episode of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST. With just 5 games remaining in the season, HNLI will spotlight the race for last place and the first overall draft pick with a truly one-of-a-kind round table. Hosts Alex and Steve will be joined by bloggers from both the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the remaining teams in the Tavares sweepstakes, to discuss the high stake conundrum that could change the future of three franchises. In addition to draft talk, HNLI will feature the latest in Islanders' news and the big time developments in the Lighthouse saga. Like always, we encourage our listeners to call, IM, and join us in the HNLI chatroom for the best banter around. Don't miss what is set to be an entertaining hour of hockey chatter.

The "Biggest Loser" blog can be found just below. Be sure to keep checking Alex's commentary on the race for last place.

The Quest to Be the Biggest Loser

Update (Saturday, April 4 @ 11:30 PM EST): The Islanders' 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay tonight keeps Tampa Bay in the race and gives both the Avs and the Bolts a legitimate hope of "catching" the Islanders in what MSG+ is calling "The Race to the Bottom". As we said on today's episode of HNLI, the Islanders were guaranteed the last place finish if they acquire 5 points or less going into tonight's game regardless of what the other two teams did. Now, that number is 3. Once the Islanders get 3 points, destiny is no long entirely in their hands. I would not put it past Tampa or Colorado to lose the rest of their games this season. Therefore, the Islanders would truly be jeopardizing their future by winning any more. That said, the Islanders have a tough schedule coming up that will allow me to sleep this evening.

Update (Saturday, April 4 @ 11:30 AM EST): In the only action in the "Race for Last Place" last night, the Lightning lost to the New Jersey Devils.....IN OVERTIME!!! This expands the Islanders' "lead" over Tampa to 7 points, while the cushion with Colorado is idle at 5 points. This is all guaranteed to change tonight when the Islanders take on the Lightning on home ice. Expect to see plenty of Isles fans verbally rooting for Tampa tonight. Nobody wants to see the Isles miss the opportunity to draft a gem like Tavares.

Update (Friday, April 3 @ 6:30 PM EST): Last night's loss against Montreal brings the Islanders down to 5 games remaining in the season and a 5 point cushion seperating them from Colorado. The Tampa Bay Lightning are the third team in contention with just one more point than the Avalanche.

If the Lightning beat the Islanders tomorrow night, however, it would virtually put them out of contention for the first pick. Without Vinny Lecavalier, however, it's anybody's guess who will come out on top in the game that nobody wants to win. As for the Avs, their next contest is on Sunday night against the Vancouver Canucks. With 8 straight losses, it looks as though the Canucks will be a tough test for Colorado.

I personally believe that Colorado is not going to start winning. It is up to the Islanders to "win" this race on their own.



With less than half a dozen games left on each team's schedule, the Islanders and the Colorado Avalanche are both vying for last place in the standings and more importantly a 48% chance at the first overall draft pick. With this pick, the top team will have the choice between Canadian phenom John Tavares and the Swedish D-man Victor Hedman.

The most recent standings have the Islanders with 59 points and the Avs with 64. Still, nobody should be counting out the Avalanche just yet. In addition to the fact the Islanders still have one more game to play (and potentially gain points in), the Avalanche are on quite a tear as of late. Colorado has lost a ridiculous 8 games in a row and is showing no signs of turning things around.

According to HNLI statistician Steve, the Islanders' magic number currently stands at 7 points (pre-Islanders v. Montreal). This number can be reached via the Islanders losing points (2 for a regulation loss, 1 for an OT loss) or the Avalanche picking up points (2 for a win, 1 for an OT loss).

Needless to say, emotions are running high amongst Islander fans. With the Avalanche plummeting, it seems it might be up to the Isles to continue losing. Despite losing 2 in a row, the team has looked pretty good as of late. Wednesday evening's game against Washington showed signs of a disaster before Mike Green pulled it out for the Caps. With 6 Islander games left this season, I don't think any fan can even pretend to be rooting for the Orange and Blue.

Sweepstakes At A Glance (Remaining Schedules):
Islanders: Montreal, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston
Avalanche: Vancouver, San Jose, Dallas, Vancouver, St. Louis

Listen to Greg Logan on HNLI Tomorrow at 3:30 PM!

Be sure to tune into a special guest event on Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow, 3/28, at 3:30 PM EST as Steve and guest co-host Ken Rosenblatt (Islanders Outsider Blog, NYI Blog Box) will be joined by Greg Logan, the Islanders' Beat Writer for Newsday. We will talk with Greg about the Lighthouse Project, including Thursday's Educational Outreach meeting and of course New York Islanders hockey. They will look ahead to the remainder of the season and continue to preview the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. As always, listeners are encouraged to call in, IM us and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show. Be sure to tune into what should be a great episode of HNLI tomorrow, 3/28, at 3:30 PM EST. To listen, click here.

Lighthouse Meeting Commentary

Just returned home from the Marriot and I am still trying to take in everything that was brought up at this evening's public forum on the Lighthouse project. For a complete recap of tonight's event (virtually speaker-by-speaker), check out Chris Botta's entry on Islanders Point Blank. As for my blog, just a few notes:

-Charles Wang proved tonight why he is such a successful businessman. He is one of the most charismatic people I have ever seen. His wit and humor made Charles seem just like a regular guy. During the Q and A portion of the evening, Wang told an anecdote about asking Mike Milbury when halftime was during his first game as the Islanders' owner. At another point, Charles Wang looked up in mock prayer at the mention of the first overall draft pick. There were half a dozen times when he had the room in stitches. Still, despite some comic relief, Wang showed his commitment to this project and gave the genuine impression of doing something great for Long Island.

-The crowd was overwhelmingly pro-lighthouse, almost affirming Kate Murray's stance that this was more of a pep rally than a constructive meeting. I happened to be seated next to the lone anti-lighthouse couple in the building. As Uniondale residents, the pair was extremely angered about the congestion and traffic that this type of development would create. At one point, the woman stood up and said that she "didn't want this in her backyard" to which an obnoxious lighthouse supporter yelled "LEAVE". I truly wish this couple had more of an opportunity to voice their opinions and weren't so severely outnumbered.

-All of the politicians who spoke were in favor of the project and basically said the same things. The representative for the district of Uniondale, Kevan Abrahams, was particularly insightful in his support of the project. He urged his constituents to express their concerns at this point so that they can be worked out and won't ultimately interfere with the big picture. He encouraged his residents to look at the project as the area's stimulus package and to think about the drastic effect that a vacant coliseum could have on property values in the area.

-There was a major focus throughout the night on how Long Island is "losing its future" in the sense that many Long Islanders between the ages of 24-34 are moving off the Island or not coming back to Long Island after going away for college. As a high school senior, I was particularly intrigued by this topic. Tom Suozzi asserted the fact that young people are looking elsewhere due to a lack of housing for rent on Long Island and that the residential area surrounding the Coliseum would be an optimal place for young people on Long Island. While I'm not sure where I will be after college, I certainly know that I would consider a development like the one proposed in the Lighthouse project.

-Overall, it was a very interesting night. I think many fans expected something huge to happen tonight, but I don't think we saw anyone drop a major bombshell. Suozzi told us bluntly that if the project doesn't happen that it would be nearly impossible for the team to continue playing the Coliseum, but I don't think this was really news. As far as a time frame goes, October seems to be the make or break month for approvals. Tom Suozzi said, however, that we should know by mid-April just how well things are progressing. Well.....lets cross our fingers.

Feel free to comment with any questions about the meeting or any commentary of your own

Come Support the Lighthouse

Make sure to be present at what Islanders Point Blank blogger Chris Botta is calling "the most important Islanders event of the decade". Charles Wang, Scott Rechler, and the rest of the Lighthouse Project team are holding a major meeting in support of the Lighthouse Project this Thursday at 7pm at the Marriott next to the Coliseum. This is sure to be a major event for the Lighthouse Project and there is a notion among Isles' fans that this Thursday is going to be much more than just a pep rally. Charles Wang just might have something up his sleeve. HNLI hosts Alex and Steve will be there Thursday night to catch all the action and you should be there too.

p.s. Be sure to check back here after the meeting for commentary and analysis.

HNLI Saturday with Lighthouse Hockey

Catch your weekly dose of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST. Hosts Alex and Steve will be joined by Dominik of Lighthouse Hockey for an hour choc' full of the latest happenings in Islander Country. The exciting agenda includes the new contract for Tim Jackman, the John Tavares sweepstakes, the big buzz surrounding the Lighthouse Project, the backup goaltender debate, and much more. You can also be a part of the HNLI team by calling in, shooting over an IM, or joining your fellow fans in the Hockey Night Chatroom. It is going to be an exciting bit of banter this weekend on Hockey Night on Long Island....don't miss it!

P.S. We'll make sure to have a bit of back-and-forth about March Madness and fill you in on just how busted our brackets are so far.

HNLI Game Chat & Post-Game Episode Saturday

Be sure to spend your Saturday afternoon with Hockey Night on Long Island as the Islanders take on the Boston Bruins in a 1 PM EST matinee.

GAME CHAT
While watching the game, be sure to log into the Hockey Night on Long Island chat room for Isles-Bruins banter throughout the entire game. Both HNLI hosts and listeners will be present and the discussion will be fast and furious. It should be fun so make sure you follow the instructions, make a listener account, and join the chatroom at 1 PM EST on Saturday.

HNLI On Air Post-Game
Immediately following the game (3:30 PM EST), hosts Alex and Steve will hit the airwaves for your weekly dose of Hockey Night on Long Island. Joining hosts Alex and Steve to recap the day's game and talk Bruins hockey is Matt Kalman of "The Bruins Blog". Matt is the Boston-area chairman of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and has followed the Bruins' beat for years. Needless to say, he should provide plenty of great insight.

In addition to talking about the day's game, the guys will cover all of the latest in Islanders country. The phone lines, IMs, and HNLI chatroom will all be open for you to give us your two cents, so be sure to interact with HNLI. HNLI Saturday is going to be a blast for Isles fans, so tune in right after the game for an hour of awesome hockey talk.

HNLI Follows Big Win with Youth, Tavares, and Lighthouse Chatter

Saturday's post-game episode of Hockey Night on Long Island was another awesome hour of puck talk as hosts Alex and Steve covered a wide array of topics. Aside from recapping the Islanders' 7-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils with John Fischer of "In Lou We Trust", the episode covered the recent NHL debuts of a few Islanders, the latest in the John Tavares sweepstakes, and a very informative Lighthouse Project discussion with Nick of "Let There Be Light(house)". If you missed any or all of Saturday's HNLI, be sure to check out the archive on the show page or search "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes music store to subscribe to the podcast.

HNLI At-A-Glance
-Hockey Night on Long Island will return to the airwaves on Saturday, March 14 at 3:30 PM EST following the Islanders' matinee against the Boston Bruins.

-The HNLI Chatroom will be open throughout that game against Boston for live banter throughout the game with both HNLI hosts and listeners. The game gets underway at 1 PM EST.

HNLI Post-Game Saturday

Be sure to tune into Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday immediately following the Islanders' day game against the New Jersey Devils. HNLI will hit the airwaves at 4:30 PM EST for an hour of commentary, analysis, and banter regarding the game and everything new in Islanders Country, including the latest Lighthouse threats. Joining hosts Alex and Steve for some back-and-forth regarding the game will be John of the "In Lou We Trust" Devils blog. You can also give us your two cents on all of the day's topics via phone, IM, or the HNLI chatroom. So, be sure to tune into HNLI post-game at a special 4:30 time this Saturday!


Update: At 5:10 PM, we will be joined by Nick of Let There Be Light(house) blog to talk about all the news surrounding this project.

HNLI Deadline Coverage: The Aftermath

Despite it being a lighter trade deadline than in past years, this year's NHL Trade Deadline was an absolute blast. Hockey Night on Long Island covered a lot of the news as it broke for 90 minutes and it was an extremely fun episode for both hosts and listeners alike. If you missed it and still need to satisfy your fix for trade deadline analysis and commentary, feel free to check out the archive.

More analysis to come...but the highlight of deadline day hands down for me was Brian Burke's reaction when pressed for details on the Leafs' last unconfirmed trade of the day. I hope I can get a clip of that posted on this site very soon. Stay tuned.

THE GUERIN TRADE:
I received a comment on my facebook wall from a long-time HNLI listener asking my opinion on the Guerin trade and I thought it summed everything up pretty well:

Michael wrote at 4:02pm
Alex, don't you think you guys should've gotten a little more for Guerin? Maybe one more draft pick or even a prospect?

Alex wrote at 5:26pm
Well, considering all of the hype around Guerin being traded over the past few days I would've hoped for more, but quite frankly I think the Islanders got around fair market value. There was no way the Isles could take Guerin back after this saga and the relationship he has had with Gordon and his contract is soon to expire anyway. While it was a letdown compared to some of the other deals of the day and certainly compared to the hype that was surrounding Guerin over the weekend, I think Garth did what he had to do and got what could potentially become a third rounder.

Don't get me wrong...at first wind of this trade I was pretty frustrated, but after looking it over and seeing the climate of this year's deadline, it puts things into perspective.

Of course, all of us in Islander country now have added incentive to keep rooting for Bill Guerin as every win his new team gets brings the Isles one step closer to a Third Round draft pick.

Best Deadline Day:
In this salary cap era, teams generally tend to fall into one of two categories at the trade deadline. First, there are the buyers. These teams are trying to stock up for the playoff run by picking up the pieces that will put them in the league's upper strata. Then, there are the sellers. These teams, of course, are out of playoff contention or close to it and are stocking up on assets for the future (younger players, prospects, and draft picks). With that said, here are HNLI's deadline day standouts.

Best Buyer:
Alex's Pick: Calgary
Steve's Pick: Calgary

-Acquired Olli Jokinen
-Acquired Jordan Leopold

Best Seller:
Alex's Pick: Phoenix
-Sent Derek Morris to the Rangers for Kalinin, Dawes, and Prucha
-Sent Dennis Carcillo to Philadelphia for Upshall, 2nd Round Draft Pick

Steve's Pick: Colorado
-Sent Leopold to Calgary for Nycholat, Wilson, 2nd Round Draft Pick

HNLI Live Trade Deadline Coverage WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday at 3 PM EST marks the NHL trade deadline and one of the most exciting times on the sports calendar. Be sure to spend Deadline Day with Hockey Night on Long Island. Hosts Alex and Steve will hit the airwaves immediately following the deadline (3 PM SHARP) with all of the latest on the deals that went down, last minute information, and plenty of commentary and analysis. With trade talks surrounding several Islanders, including Bill Guerin, and many notable names around the league, it is sure to be one crazy hour of hockey talk.

Like always, HNLI invites you to join the Deadline Day banter via phone, IM, or the HNLI chatroom. So, when the clock strikes 3 on Wednesday afternoon, be sure to tune in to Hockey Night on Long Island!

Exciting Greg Logan Piece in Sunday's Newsday, Guerin Trade "In Place"

Update (Monday 9:50 PM)
I am finally back on Long Island after a long day in the deep south. On my flight, I was tuned into the NHL Home Ice channel on XM radio where Guerin talk was in full force. Still, despite the talk, there is little new information. Both my co-host Steve and I are predicting that Guerin will not be dealt until Wednesday (aka Deadline Day). He was out of the lineup again tonight during the 4-2 victory over the Avalanche and has likely played his last game as an Islander. With Chris Botta officially ending his live Guerin updates, I expect bits of information to be few and far between until Guerin is actually dealt. So, I guess that means this blog post must come to an end as well. Still, be sure to keep checking back here for commentary and analysis as the trade deadline approaches.

Update (Monday 1:10 PM)

I am currently sitting stranded in Atlanta, GA due to the inclement weather in New York that is delaying my return flight. Needless to say, I have had plenty of time to keep up on all things Bill Guerin over the last 48 hours or so. So (also needless to say), I am as frustrated as the rest of the Islanders faithful with the lack of developments since Guerin was pulled from the lineup against Buffalo on Saturday night. And according to a recent TSN.ca story, Guerin is as irked as the rest of us. The article states that "sources tell TSN that Guerin has become frustrated by the ongoing uncertainty and has done nothing to complicate, or stall the trade from going through." Speculation by Chris Botta, among other hockey pundits, points to the Washington Capitals as the Islanders' trade partner. Still, there is very little certainty about that or anything else in the Guerin situation. Assuming I'm not lucky enough to get on a plane back to New York anytime soon, I'll have commentary and analysis here as it breaks on islanderspointblank.com or tsn.ca. Stay tuned!


Update (Sunday 10:27 PM)
When I wrote my last update just over 12 hours ago, I truly believed that I would have an update a few hours later at most with commentary on the Bill Guerin trade. The entire day, however, has been nothing more than an over-hyped period of silence. The most sickening "development" came just hours ago when Chris Botta reported that according to the team "there will be no news tonight" and "there is no timeline for any announcements". While Botta still is holding out belief that we'll know about the deal tomorrow, I'm growing more and more pessimistic. While some seem to believe the delay is being caused by some kind of bidding war or finalization of terms, I'm starting to lean towards the notion that the deal simply fell through. I'm hoping some news tomorrow will prove me wrong. In the meantime, I'll be checking Botta's blog for the latest.

Update (Sunday 10:26 AM)
The Greg Logan story is up on Newsday.com and it was certainly worth the wait. The piece reveals an incredible deal of turmoil between Scott Gordon and his veteran players. The details outlined by Logan certainly do not bode well for this organization. As Logan alludes to, it is going to be even more difficult than usual for the Islanders to sign veterans if the team has a reputation for treating the vets poorly. I encourage you to read the article. After reading it, my views of Scott Gordon have certainly changed.

Meanwhile, there is still no further information (of substance) on the ongoing Bill Guerin trade saga. Chris Botta at islanderspointblank.com has a great "live blog" going on for this saga that I currently recommend as the primary source for the latest updates. Once the deal is done, be sure to check back here for commentary and analysis.

(Saturday 10:45 PM)
Those who tuned in for today's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island expecting to hear from Greg Logan were unfortunately disappointed as he was forced to cancel the appearance due to intense work on a major piece for tomorrow's paper. With the fury of news and speculation going on in Islanders Country tonight, it appears Logan's absence on today's HNLI will be well worth it.

According to Greg Logan's blog on Newsday.com, the piece will feature details of the "rocky relationship" between Bill Guerin and head coach Scott Gordon. The story is said to be a feature regarding tensions between the Isles' veterans and Gordon. Logan's foreshadowing of the story comes with the news that Bill Guerin is said to be contemplating a trade that is "in place".

For the latest on the Bill Guerin trade situation, I highly recommend checking islanderspointblank.com as often as possible and heading back to Hockey Night on Long Island for commentary and analysis. It is sure to be an exciting evening and early morning for the Islanders!

Guerin Waiving No-Move Clause Would Be Beyond Classy

REMINDER: This latest Guerin development will be the latest of many topics that HNLI will be covering on this Saturday's episode with Greg Logan of Newsday. Be sure to tune in for what is going to be a great episode.

After a lot of talk that Bill Guerin's no-move Clause would contribute heavily to a quiet deadline day for the Islanders, it appears this may not be the case. According to tonight's update on Chirs Botta's Point Blank blog, it appears that Bill Guerin is willing to waive his no-trade clause under certain conditions.

Time and time again throughout both his NHL career and his stint with the Islanders, Guerin has proven himself to be one of the classiest players in the game. Waiving his no-move clause in an effort to help out the Islanders would, in my mind, go above and beyond expectations. So many veteran players refuse to budge in this type of situation because it is simply too much of an inconvenience for them (i.e. the 2008 Toronto Maple Leafs). Still, Guerin clearly wants both to be as accommodating to the Islanders as possible and to be a contributer to a team in a stretch/playoff run.

I'm sure I speak on behalf of the Islanders' organization and its fans in saying that I will not be upset if Guerin is still with the Islanders on March 5th. But if he does waive the no-move clause, I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up. For the sake of the future, it is in the team's best interest to try and deal Guerin for a pick/prospect package. Besides, maybe Bill will be an Islander once more come July 1.

Greg Logan of Newsday to Join HNLI SATURDAY

For a very special Trade Deadline Preview episode this Saturday, Hockey Night on Long Island host Steve and HNLI regular guest Tom Liodice (TheTigerTrack.com, NYI Blog Box) will be joined by Islanders beat writer Greg Logan of Newsday for an action packed segment of hockey talk. Logan, who has made several HNLI appearances in the past, always provides great insight into what is going on behind the scenes and makes for an outstanding guest. Like always, you can talk to our special guest by calling in and we will be taking your questions via IM and the HNLI chatroom. In addition to the upcoming trade deadline, this week's HNLI will cover everything from the Islanders' most recent games to the recent Lighthouse Project progress and of course to the latest on John Tavares and the NHL Draft. Be sure to tune in for an intense episode of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST.

Reminder: Special HNLI Sunday Episode Tomorrow 3:30 PM EST

Be sure to tune into a special Sunday episode of Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow, 2/22, at 3:30 PM EST. Alex and Steve will be joined by HNLI-regular Gary Harding of The View from Section 317 Blog and NYI Blog Box to talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. They will discuss Friday's big trade with the Ottawa Senators, recap the week of games and of course continue to preview the NHL Trade Deadline and 2009 NHL Entry Draft. As always, listeners are encouraged to call in, Click to Talk on the episode page, IM us and participate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show to give their thoughts on the trade. Remember to tune into this special Sunday episode of HNLI tomorrow. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com

Programming Update: HNLI News

Here are some HNLI Programming Notes:

• As you may have noticed on our upcoming schedule, we have changed this week's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island from our normal Saturday time to SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22nd at 3:30 PM EST. Stay tuned to hockeynightonlongisland.com for updates on the special guest for this episode. HNLI hosts Alex and Steve will talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders, including the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline. Be sure to tune into this week's episode!
• Also, Alex and Steve will be making a guest appearance tonight at 9:30 PM EST on The Sports Docket, another great BlogTalkRadio show. We will be recapping the games against the Rangers and Hurricanes, talking about the Isles prospects and discussing the Atlantic Division. To listen, click here:

Thanks for listening to Hockey Night on Long Island, your source for everything New York Islanders!

Post-Game HNLI This Saturday

Be sure to tune into this Saturday's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30 PM EST immediately following the Islanders' matinee game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

FYI:The Islanders take the ice at the Wachovia Center at 1 PM.

While regular host Steve will be absent this weekend, HNLI Host Alex will be joined by a special guest co-host, Mike Schuerlein of islesblogger.com, for post-game analysis and the latest in Isles news and buzz. Also joining in on the banter will be Mike from the Flyers Fan Central blog for a Philly perspective on the afternoon affair. All throughout the show, the HNLI panel will be taking your phone calls and instant messages so you can jump into the conversation. And like always, the HNLI chatroom will be buzzing with ongoing Isles banter. So, be sure to make an afternoon of this Saturday's Isles game and join HNLI for a post-game extravaganza!

HNLI LIVE TOMORROW 2/7 3:30 PM EST

Be sure to tune into Hockey Night on Long Island tomorrow, 2/7, at 3:30 PM EST. Hosts Alex and Steve will be joined by special guest Andy Facini (Islanders Castaway Blog) to talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. They will talk about the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline, the NHL Entry Draft and much more. Also, they will be joined by Cassie (Boltsblog.net) to recap Tuesday's game against the Lightning and preview that night's game. Of course, listeners are encouraged to call in (718-664-9597), IM us (AIM: hockeynightli) and partcipate in the HNLI Chat Room during the show. It should be a great episode of HNLI tomorrow at 3:30 PM. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com