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

Toronto Sun to Tavares: "Steer Clear of Islanders"

I was absolutely disgusted to wake up this morning to a column by Steve Simmons in the Toronto Sun that calls for John Tavares to "pull a John Elway, an Eli Manning or an Eric Lindros. And find a way to get out of playing for the Islanders."

Click here to read the article yourself before I rant.....

Now, whether you are an Islanders fan or just a sports fan, this is absolute garbage. For a writer to suggest that a top prospect look for a way to get out of being drafted by the team that rightfully deserves him is ridiculous on so many different levels. The fact that players are able to wiggle out of playing for a certain team is a major problem in sports and it is certainly not a move that should be encouraged by a columnist (despite where his rooting interests may lie).

But let me placate Mr. Simmons and answer a question posed in his article...

If you think about it, why would anyone with dreams and aspirations of greatness want to play for the Isles?

If John Tavares has dreams and aspirations of greatness, he would be chomping at the bit to take on the challenge of revitalizing a franchise like the Islanders. If he has aspirations of greatness, he would want to be the focal point of a franchise and have it built around him. If he has dreams and aspirations of greatness, he would seize the opportunity to bring pride back to Long Island and make one of the greatest dynasties of all time a contender once more. I can assure you that anyone with dreams and aspirations of greatness would dream of the chance to carry his team from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of greatness. No team gives Tavares that opportunity like the Islanders do and if he has dreams and aspirations of greatness, he would be perfect for the Islanders and the Islanders would be perfect for him.

But dreams and aspirations aside, should a player simply be able to weasel his way out of playing for the team that wins the lottery? Reality has shown us, of course, that this is in fact possible. But no one with any sense of integrity could possibly consider refusing to play for the team that drafts them. It is an honor to be drafted into the National Hockey League and nobody is above that honor to the point where they can say that they'd rather play for somebody else.

New Yorkers, of course, have been on the other side of this debate with the Eli Manning situation. Giants fans were obviously thrilled to be able to steal Eli from the Chargers, whom he and his daddy both refused to be associated with. Of course, for the Giants it worked out great. But I knew at that moment, that I would never have the same respect for Eli Manning. Both Eli and his daddy thought that they were too good for San Diego. But to me that really says that they weren't good enough to take on the challenge of turning that franchise around. The Chargers wound up with a kid named Philip Rivers who has been one heck of a quarterback and has elevated the team to a level that they had failed to reach for years. While a Superbowl may still be a few years off for Rivers, I know that I will personally be applauding when the Chargers, led by Philip Rivers, are able to hoist that trophy.

Now, hopefully that will not be the case with John Tavares and the New York Islanders. I personally don't expect Tavares to pull a Manning, but rather that Simmons' article is just a stunt to draw a few more readers up in Leaf Town. Either way, it is despicable for any player to refuse to join the team that draft's them and it is even more disgusting to see this type of action proposed by a columnist.

Opinions? Thoughts? Sound off in the comments section!