A Great HNLI Free Agency Recap Special

With a special date and time, the Hockey Night on Long Island Free Agency Recap was a great episode. Although Alex was unable to attend this episode, Steve was joined by two great guests, both of the NYI Blog Box, Bill from New York Islander Fan Central and Ken Rosenblatt from Islanders Outsider. Thanks to Bill and Ken for joining me on the show, which included an extended archive-only portion at the end. Many topics were brought up, including the Islanders signings of Mark Streit and Doug Weight, the 2008-2009 Islanders roster, and other topics regarding the 2008 NHL Free Agency Period. As always, all of the callers were great, adding a lot to the episode. Stay tuned to Hockeynightonlongisland.com for the date of the next episode, which will occur in about 2 weeks. Be sure to sign up for Feedblitz on the sidebar which will e-mail you with the blog posts from this website and inform you of the upcoming schedule. To listen to the Free Agency Recap episode, you can listen to it on the sidebar in the media player, on the show page or by searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" and subscribing to the podcast in the iTunes Music Store. Thanks for listening and calling into Hockey Night on Long Island and have a great 4th of July weekend!

SPECIAL HNLI EPISODE THURSDAY 7/3 AT 7:30 PM

Be sure to tune into a special weekday episode of Hockey Night on Long Island on THURSDAY 7/3/08 at 7:30 PM EST. Steve will be joined by special guests Bill (Newyorkislanderfancentral.blogspot.com) and Ken Rosenblatt (Islandersoutsider.blogspot.com) to discuss everything that has happened during the NHL Free Agency period, including the signings which the Islanders have made. Also, he will talk about everything surrounding the New York Islanders. As always, listeners are encouraged to call in (718-664-9597), IM (AIM: hockeynightli) and be part of the HNLI chatroom during the show. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com or click on this button:

Vote: Will Hillen Make the Big Club?

One of the most interesting topics on Saturday's episode of HNLI was Jack Hillen's place in the Isles' organization next year. Hillen, who the Islanders signed as an undrafted free agent out of the NCAA last year, has impressed Isles scouts, management, and fans alike between his play in college and the two games he played in New York last year. Blogger Mike Schuerlein, a guest of the roundtable on Saturday's HNLI, proved how impressed he was by declaring that Jack Hillen would make the team out of training camp. While this is seemingly a bold statement to some, Schuerlein cited Greg Logan of Newsday for more praise of Hillen.
What do you think.....VOTE NOW:

Roundtable a Blast on Free Agency Preivew

Saturday's episode of HNLI, the Free Agency Preview Special, didn't exactly go as planned, but was a blast nonetheless. While scheduled guest Paul Kukla unfortunately had a last minute obligation and could not attend, the men of the roundtable stepped it up and had a great hour of offseason hockey talk. The roundtable, which consisted of HNLI host Alex, Tom Mascioli of islesinfo.com, and Mike Schuerlein of islesblogger.com, covered everything from the Isles' plans for free agency, the biggest holes that need to be filled, the backup goaltending situation, the new NHL salary cap, and even the possibility of Jack Hillen cracking the Isles' roster this season. Needless to say, the trio covered everything about free agency and a whole lot more. It was undoubtedly an awesome episode of HNLI that everyone involved had a great time with. If you missed Saturday's episode, check it out on our show page by clicking here or search "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes store to subscribe to the podcast version.

P.S. We greatly apologize for Paul Kukla's abscense from today's episode. Due to certain circumstances, he could not join us today and we are sorry who had looked forward to hearing from him. We hope that you enjoyed the show regardless. All in all, today's episode was a great success.

Kukla to Precede "Roundtable" on Saturday's HNLI

CLICK HERE TO TUNE IN TO TODAY'S EPISODE!!!!!!!

Breaking News:
We are pleased to announced that to make Saturday's HNLI Free Agency Preivew Special even more....well...uh...special, the show will start strong by bringing in Paul Kukla of Kukla's Korner right at 3:30 PM EST to kick off the show with a bang. Paul, one of the most prominent hockey bloggers in the entire hockey blog-o-sphere, will share his thoughts on the upcoming class of unrestricted free agents and shed some light on several players that the Islanders might have interest in. Callers, IMers, and HNLI chatroom chatters are invited to ask Paul your questions about free agency or voice your free agency views on air! HNLI is very excited to once again be joined by the great Paul Kukla.



Also, as previously announced, Saturday's episode of HNLI will also feature a roundtable of Islanders analysts who will discuss their thoughts on free agency and make their predictions on what direction the Isles might be headed in. The members of this roundtable are still "on the down low", but will be released sometime before the episode airs Saturday. So, keep checking hockeynightonlongisland.com for the latest guest updates and most importantly, make sure not to miss a second of Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30 PM EST.

HNLI Preivews Free Agency Saturday

Be sure to tune in to this Saturday's episode of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday at 3:30 PM EST for the final episode of HNLI in the month of June and more importantly before the NHL Unrestricted Free Agency Period begins on July 1. While unfortunately co-host Steve will be unable to man the studio this weekend, Alex will be behind the mic and will be joined by a panel of guests to analyze the upcoming free agency period and possibly determine what approach the Islanders might take.....which as we all know is a daunting task. Like usual, you can interact with HNLI's hosts and guests by calling in, IMing, or joining hosts, guests, and fellow listeners in the HNLI chatroom. The members of this panel are still being determined, so be sure to keep checking back to hockeynightonlongisland.com to find out who will join Alex on this Saturday's episode of HNLI. Be sure to tune in for a can't miss episode of Hockey Night on Long Island this Saturday @ 3:30 PM EST.

Pictures from Islanders Draft Party at the Coliseum

Here are some pictures from the Islanders Draft Party at the Coliseum last
Friday. Enjoy!

NHL Draft Special Exceeds Expectations

Saturday's NHL Draft Recap Special on Hockey Night on Long Island turned out to be an incredible hour of New York Islanders talk with some of the best in the business. Steve, manning the studio on his own, was joined by co-host Alex remotely, but only after live reports from Tom Liodice and Mike Schuerlein at draft in Ottawa. Both Liodice and Schuerlein reported on the experience of being live at the draft, as well as their views on the Islanders' moves on draft day. Also joining in was special guest Tom Mascioli of islesinfo.com, who like always provided incredible insight on the draft and all of the newest Islanders prospects. With a very busy phonebox and a rocking HNLI chatroom, Saturday's NHL Draft Recap Special was truly an episode for the ages. If you didn't catch HNLI Live on Saturday, be sure to check out the archive by clicking here, or searching "Hockey Night on Long Island" in the iTunes store to subscribe to the podcast version.

Draft Recap Special Today at 3:30

Remember to tune into the Draft Recap Special of Hockey Night on Long Island today at 3:30 PM EST. Along with guest co-host Tom Mascioli (Islesinfo.com), I will be joined by Tom Liodice and Michael Schuerlein (Islesblogger.com) who will be LIVE FROM THE NHL DRAFT IN OTTAWA. Be sure to call in (718-664-9597) early to ask them questions as they will be on at the beginning of the show. To listen, visit www.show.hockeynightonlongisland.com or click on this button:

Islanders @ The Draft: Never a Dull Moment

Well, like it or hate it, you can't deny that watching the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft couldn't have been any more exciting for the Islanders. Only time will tell, however, whether all that excitement pays off on the ice. The crowd at the Nassau Coliseum sure didn't expect it. Lets recap last night's events in Islanders' Country starting right after the Blues selected Alex Peitrangelo wit the 4th pick overall.

Gary Bettman approaches the podium: "The 5th Overall Pick in the 2008 NHL Draft belongs to the New York Islanders"

Coliseum Draft Party Crowd Chants: FILATOV! FILATOV! FILATOV!

Darren Dregeer of TSN Reports: Garth Snow is very busy and there could very well be a trade in the works. Cliff Fletcher, Leafs GM, is now confirming that the Islanders will trade #5 to the Leafs for #7. The Leafs are looking to draft Schenn.

Coliseum Draft Party Crowd Reacts: UH OH UH OH UH OH

Gary Bettman approaches the podium: Sorry for the delay. We have a trade. The Islanders trade pick #5 in this year's draft to Toronto for pick #7 in this year's draft and the New York Islanders' option, pick #60 this year and Toronto's 3rd round pick next year OR pick #68this year and Toronto's 2nd round pick in 2009.

Coliseum Crowd responds: Huh? BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

HNLI Alex defends the move: If we still get Filatov at 7, Snow looks like a genius.

Mike Penny of the Leafs approaches the podium: With the 5th pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, the Tornoto MapleLeafs select from the Kolona Rockets, Luke Schenn.

Ottawa Fans at the draft react to the newest Leaf: BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gary Bettman approaches the podium: The 6th pick belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

TSN Reports: Bluejackets are looking to acquire RJ Umberger.

Gary Bettman approaches the podium: We have a trade to announce!

Colisuem Crowd: Uh-oh. Somebody's swooping in to take Filatov!!!!!

Bettman Continues: Columbus trades pick #19 and #67 for RJ Umberger and pick #118.

TSN Reports: So Columbus still has the 6th pick overall and it looks like they're looking at Filatov.

Coliseum Crowd Reacts: BOOOOOOOOOO!

Bluejackets Bigshots(sorry lol) approach the podium: With the 6th pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, the Columbus Bluejackets select......from CSKA Moscow, Nikita Filatov.

Coliseum Crowd Reacts: SNOW MUST GO! SNOW MUST GO! (First wave files out of building)

HNLI Alex: Looks like Garth screwed up bigtime on this one. Wonder who he thought Columbus would take. Unless he didn't want Filatov. Probably will be Colin Wilson at #7 now.

Gary Bettman approaches the podium: We have another trade! The Islanders trade pick #7 to Nashville for pick #9 and pick #40.

Coliseum Crowd: HUH?!

HNLI Alex: Garth is trying to get a monopoly on the second round.

Predators approach the podium: With pick #7, the Bluejackets select from Boston University, Colin Wilson.

HNLI Alex (and Steve): UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Coliseum Crowd: BOOOOOOOOOOO!

HNLI Steve: Boedker better fall to us at 9.

Wayne Gretzkey of the Coyotes approaches the podium

Ottawa Fans provide standing ovation for The Great One

Back to Gretzkey: With the 8th pick, the Phoenix Coyotes select Mikkel Boedker.

Coliseum Crowd: PICK SOMEBODY! ANYBODY!

TSN Wonders: WHO DO THE ISLANDERS WANT?! We knew everything that went on in the top 10 would depend on who the Isles want. It's a mystery at this point.

Garth Snow finally approaches the podium: First we'd like to say hello to our fans at the draft party at the Nassau Coliseum.

Coliseum Crowd: BOOOOOOOOO! You Suck! Snow Must Go!

Snow continues: With the 9th pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders select Josh Bailey.

Coliseum Crowd: WHO?!

TSN Reports: There were whispers about this last night that the Islanders really wanted Bailey. The Islanders' moves will be judged by comparing Luke Schenn and Nikita Filatov, to Bailey and whatever comes of those second and third rounders.

Well, like it or hate it, it was one hell of a night. Nobody could've possibly fathomed this sequence of events, except for maybe Garth himself. Only time will tell if all this craziness turns into greatness on the ice.