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!

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.

Saturday Show 3 PM EST: Free Agency Special with Shawn P. Roarke

Be sure to tune in to Hockey Night on Long Island on Saturday, June 30, at 3PM EST. On the eve of an exhilarating free agency period, hosts Alex and Steve will be joined by Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com to preview all the madness that July 1st will surely bring. We'll talk about Smyth, Blake, Gomez, Drury, and a whole bunch more. In addition, Alex and Steve will share their thoughts on the Islanders Prospects Camp and take calls from listeners about everything hockey.

Be sure to tune in at: show.hockeynightonlongisland.com.

Prospects Camp Update: Okposo Impresses, Marcou Hits his Stride

The New York Islanders Prospect camp has been underway for 2 days now at Iceworks in Syosset and there are still 4 more days to look forward to. Aside from being a great place to hang out with fellow Islanders fans, the camp is a great chance to see the progress that the Islanders' young guns have made and to see the future of the franchise. So far, we've only seen drills as scrimmages don't start until Saturday, but there is still plenty to report.

Kyle Okposo, the Islanders' 2006 1st round pick, has looked great through the first two days. Kyle's skating ability was surprisingly impressive for such a big guy. He is clearly a strong guy and has a great wrist shot. While Okposo has decided to play at the University of Minnesota for his upcoming season, he could be lighting it up for the Isles in the near future.

As expected, Jeff Tambellini also impressed me. Tambs looked more polished than any of the other prospects, most likely due to the advantage of having a lot more pro experience. He showed his sniping ability by hitting the top corners on just about every shot. His skating was superb. After seeing him perform at this camp, I'd be shocked if he didn't make the big club in the upcoming NHL season.

Max Gratchev, the Islanders' 2007 4th round pick, was very impressive at the camp, particularly on Day 2. He shot the puck very well and hustled through every drill. His skating ability was very good as well, especially his ability to quickly turn and change direction.

As a group, the 4 goaltenders that attended looked extremely unimpressive. On Day 1, it was a rarity to see anybody stop anything. Day 2 was a bit better, but still nobody stood out as a reliable option if DP or Dubie should go down to injury.

Finally, HNLI favorite James Marcou attended as an undrafted and unsigned prospect. While he looked very jittery on Day 1, Marcou found his groove on Day 2. Despite his size, Marcou is very skilled and pulled off plenty of nice moves. And I wasn't the only one who noticed. Isles' prospect Jeff Tambellini agreed that Marcou stood out.

When asked which of the younger players stood out in his mind, Jeff Tambellini responded by saying James Marcou, the 5-7 camp invite from Kings Park. "He's more like 5-5, but he has incredible hands," said Tambellini. "He was making some impressive moves around guys out there."

Remember that the Islanders' prospects camp is still going on. Just come down to Islanders' IceWorks in Syosset to see the future of the New York Islanders.

Marcou Update: James at Islanders Prospects Camp

One of the sad substories of the 2007 NHL Draft was the fact that local boy James Marcou went undrafted. We have talked on several occasions about maybe seeing Marcou in Orange and Blue. But it looks like despite passing over Marcou in the draft, the Islanders are going to give this hometown kid a shot. Today the Islanders announced the forwards that will be attending the Islanders Prospects Camp this week at IceWorks. On the list is Marcou, the undrafted and unsigned forward.

I'm sure that our good buddy Steve from Setauket will be thrilled to hear this and I for one am very excited to see James Marcou make an appearance at the Prospects Camp. Here's what the Islanders Prospects Camp Primer had to say about Marcou.


James Marcou (C/W)
Born: Feb 19, 1988 -- Kings Park, NY
Height: 5'7
Weight: 150

A local boy from Kings Park, Long Island, Marcou comes to Syosset as an unsigned, undrafted invitee. Marcou's point totals with Waterloo of the USHL jumped from 32 in 2005-06 to 71 the following season. During the 2006-07 season, Marcou led Waterloo in assists with 47 and in points with 71.

Everyone here at HNLI is really pulling for James Marcou and hoping that he can really impress the Isles at the Prospects Camp.

To check out James Marcou and the rest of the Islanders' Prospects, head down to IceWorks in Syosset this week:

Wed. June 27: On ice from 10:30 am-1 pm
Thu. June 28: On ice from 10:00 am-12:20 pm
Fri. June 29: On ice from 11:15 am from 1:45 pm
Sat. June 30: Scrimmage from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm
Sun. July 1: Scrimmage from 11:30 am to 1 pm
Mon. July 2: Scrimmage from 10:00 am-12:00 pm