Isles Fanatic Zone

Baby comes up healthy and fine...

2009-08-17T15:04:00.006-04:00

As the dog days of summer roll on, and the humid and sticky July weather arrives a month late here in Ottawa, I just wanted to post non-Islanders news on my fanatical site. I am the proud papa of a 7 lbs 15 oz bouncing baby boy. We have named him Lyam. He is now 2 weeks old and I have had my hands full to say the least. It is amazing how the birth of a newborn can change a man’s life. I find myself rocking him to sleep at night while watching Sport Center, and thinking to myself how fragile and beautiful of a baby he is to my eyes.

I have managed through sleepless nights, to keep a somewhat distant eye on the non-goings-on in Islanders land, and I can say that I am not surprised. I have written continuously about what they should/would get this off season, but I am not surprised at what they have not gone after. I was happy to read about the August 4th meeting and the positive turnout, I must admit that on that day, my life changed, as my baby boy was born at 7:26 PM on August 4th. I hope you all undertand that the significance of that day, means alot more to me now...hehehe.

With training camp almost around the corner, I am waiting for my order of Islanders baby clothes to arrive so that I can take a magical photo op. October 8th is also circled on my calendar, as the Islanders will be in town to play the Senators, it will be my first chance to see Tavares in an Isles Jersey, and hopefully, I can bring Lyam along for the ride.

Let the sun shine through...

2009-07-07T15:32:00.004-04:00

I am a simple fan that sits and observes his team from afar, and hopes as all Islanders fans do, for better days ahead. As the majority of Isles Nation is fixated with a Hemstead Town Hall meeting today, I cannot help but think of the John Tavares Press Conference tomorrow and what he will mean to this team over the next season.

As tomorrow’s welcome mat is laid out for John Tavares and everyone becomes aflutter, I find myself lost in thought in regards to what this team will look like and it’s potential with Tavares over the next season. Look, to me this team will be one of the 5 teams that will battle it out for Taylor Hall come June 2010. With the lack of FA signings how can it play out any differently? As an arm chair QB I tend to not only look at what the Isles do during the off season but what the other teams do around them. I see teams such as Tampa, Atlanta and LA, being much better than the Islanders next season. Teams such as Colorado and Phoenix will more than likely struggle to bring up the rear.

By no means is the frenzy over with in regards to free agency or possible off-season trades, but we now have a better view on where teams are trying to get to come October. This is where Tavares comes into the picture for the New York Islanders. As the Islanders trumpet a vital cog in their future wheel of success, as JT smiles and states how excited he is to try and bring back the winning days of old to Long Island, I cannot help but get a little giddy myself. Tavares is important to this rebuilding process not because of the 20-25 goals he will bring to the forefront for 2009-2010; not because he may make others around him better; and not because he is well spoken and media savvy. He is important because he represents hope to all Isles fans out there. His is a face of better days to come, and that will get our fan base energized, excited and the team should benefit at the turnstiles because of it.

The team is starting to take shape, it will still take its lumps, but with kids such as Tavares leading the charge, one can only hope that other Fanatics will be jumping on the bandwagon.

Thoughts on a cloudy Monday…

2009-07-06T13:52:00.004-04:00

Here we are, six days into free agent frenzy, not a speck of sunshine and I am sitting at work with no vacation in sight.

I always love to see how many GM’s seemingly go loopy during the first few days of July but having sat back over the past week to look at the overall landscape, I can say that I am truly impressed at the number that have not gone stark raving. Of course there will always be a few head scratchers, but there just seems to be a lot less of it going around this July.

Can it be that some teams are actually starting to learn from their past mistakes?!??! Hmmm...then again when I think of the Gaborik and Havlat signings, some teams still have lots to learn.

I have also kept an eye (as most of you have) on the cast of characters still out there as the Islanders in July are my favourite Soap Opera to watch. I can honestly say that thus far, I have been surprised; not with the lack of movement by the New York Islanders, but by the lack in depth of players available out there. If one takes a look at the amount of players still available to your friendly neighbourhood franchise, one will find quantity, but not necessarily quality.

I still feel that Snow should sign at least 1 D-man and a bruising forward, but I am no longer convinced that he will do so. It is looking more and more like he is biding his time, patiently putting the pieces together, knowing this season will be another struggle on the ice. I can’t help but wonder if his patience has to do with giving the kids more room to grow, or positioning the Islanders for the 2010-2011 season. It is widely expected that the Salary Cap will drop significantly for that season and the Isles with a very low payroll and plenty of wholes to fill would be in a perfect position to add the necessary pieces to the puzzle of success. With so many teams looking like they might be in a salary bind … I wonder?

Patience may be a virtue, but I will be curious to see just how patient Long Islanders will be with the 2009-2010 roster that will be long on youthful enthusiasm and short on grit. There is still time for our GM to sign the likes of Beauchemin, and Tanguay, or a diamond in the rough but the summer is short and I for one am not holding my breath, I just do not have that kind of lung capacity and blue is not my color.

Tomorrow, I will share my thoughts on what the Tavares Press Conference means to all in Isles Nation…stay tuned…

July Follies...

2009-06-30T14:56:00.001-04:00

It is that time of year again. The skies in Canada will be full of fireworks and hockey fans will be dreaming of the next big scoring center, bruising D-man, and managers, well, they will simply lose their proverbial minds.

Yes, free-agency season is upon us all, and I am buckling up for what promises to be an interesting 2009 off-season, not necessarily a busy one. I am looking at this off-season a little differently than most prognosticators, in regards to my favourite team. Most have stated that the Isles will not make any significant signing come July 1, as has been re-iterated by Garth Snow. There is no debating the fact that the New York Islanders will have to over pay to attract anyone, those disagreeing with that are living in a bubble, and yes, that is ok too.

Having said all that, the Isles are significantly below the salary cap floor for the upcoming season and so I believe that the team has no choice but to be active starting tomorrow. They will be looking for a goalie, at least one D-man and a bruising winger that can drop the gloves (I smell Chris Neil).

I can only hope that Tambellini and Sim will disappear within the team’s farm system come October and maybe one of those managers that will undoubtedly loose their minds within 24 hours, will want to trade for one of them (no, I am not on meds), but that will never happen. There is no disputing the fact that the Islanders have roughly $10 million to make up in order to reach the floor of the cap and signing RFA’s Comeau, Thompson and Hillen, will not come anywhere near the amount needed.

It is ok for us all to dream of major signings… that is what hope is all about… but let’s get real.

Final thoughts...before the big day

2009-06-25T16:43:00.006-04:00

I know… I know… I just finished moaning about people continuously re-hashing about this weekend’s upcoming draft, but having said that, if I gave you the choice between drafting Dale Hawerchuk, Bryan Trottier or a defenseman that defies all comparisons, who would YOU choose.

I do not believe that an Islanders fan alive would choose any-other player over Brian Trottier.

Well, on my way into work this morning I was listening to TSN’s Pierre Mcguire on the radio and the hosts of the Ottawa morning show asked him to compare Tavares, Hedman and Duchenes to players gone by and to my surprise, he did just that.

Good old Pierre started off by stating that Tavares is very NHL ready and if he were the New York Islander’s GM, he would draft Tavares in a second, quoting marketing, promotional, and all his qualities….hmmm…sounds familiar. What surprised me was that he compared Tavares’ skill set to that of Hall of Famer, Dale Hawerchuk.

He had difficulty comparing Hedman to any previous defenseman. According to the hockey expert, the young D-man’s skill set is unique (size, speed, mobility…) and could not find anyone to compare him to….interesting!?!?!

When it came time to compare Duchene’s skill set, Pierre Mcguire's take was that the closest player to Duchene was none other than Brian Trottier. As per the TV personality, the young man’s all around game, energy and vision is quite comparable with one major difference-Duchene is a better skater than Trottier ever was.

Now tell me again, who would you prefer?

Time keeps on ticking...but not fast enough

2009-06-22T11:06:00.004-04:00

So here we are, four days prior to the upcoming 1st round draft day in Montreal. The blogosphere is drowning with predictions; people trying to scratch claw for their little bit of “look at me” moments. I just wish certain guys would heed the old adage; “sometimes less is more”.

Seeing so-called experts re-hashing the same old-same old; Tavares… no Hedman… no Duchenes, arguments are annoying at best and sickening at most. I can only hope that Friday gets here fast, if for no other reason than to put this nonsense to bed once and for all.

As far as I am concerned, I do not care who the Islanders choose, as their first pick (notice I did not say 1st overall…hehehe). I simply want them to make a pick out of the top 3, period. For those clamouring for Tavares (which I was one), he will not turn the NY Islanders around over night, he has the potential to be a cornerstone, but not a saviour. Hedman, has the potential to be a top 2 defenseman, with All-Star written all over his towering build. As for Duchenes, well how can any fan in their right mind argue with the fact that scouts are calling him a winner, a guy that will lead you to a Stanley Cup!!?? There is no wrong choice from where I sit.

As I have previously stated, Tavares should speed up the rebuilding process, but that only means the build might take 3 years rather than five. To all the fans screaming that they will cancel their season tickets if the team drafts anyone else other than Tavares, give me a break and get real.

For all the loyal followers on the Island, go to the draft party; enjoy it for what it is; a breath of hope, a sneak peek at what might be and dream of better days ahead. As for me, I will be sitting on my comfy chair and enjoying every moment of my team being in the spotlight on this much anticipated day.

As the world turns....and turns....and turns...

2009-06-04T11:18:00.002-04:00

The past few months have been rife with rumours, innuendos and political shenanigans on Long Island. As fans we should be excited about our team’s number one pick. We should be counting the days to the upcoming draft extravaganza, but the ongoing soap operas that continuously surround the team just seems to be sucking the life out of what should be a renewed time for hope.

I have been quiet over the last little while, because as most fans, I have been mesmerized by the Lighthouse saga, and the political hot potato it is turning out to be. As intriguing as the fight for the Lighthouse has been, the saga surrounding the will he or won’t he pick Tavares, has been as nerve racking.

I do not live on the Island, so I cannot fully understand the ins and outs of the local politics, but as a fan of the team, that wants nothing more than a good product on the ice, and a place that will be attractive to players, I remain speechless, and what appears to be a short-sighted, unwillingness to see the big picture stance of Mrs Murray and her band of merry men. Without a major league team occupying the Coliseum, it will be flattened within 5 years and the area will not have any other venue to attract, well….anything. If that is the will of the people of Hempstead and area, then so be it, (do not shed a tear when the team is moved), but if the local fans want to keep the team, they need to make a serious move and cause the powers that be to worry about the upcoming election, as of this date, I still do not see that happening. I read a lot of talk, but I see very little action.

If I could say one phrase to Garth Snow right now, it would be “please, make the right call, for all the right reasons.” Personally, Tavares is my choice, having seen him play in juniors and at the world championships; he has no equal within this draft class. He can be a marketing dream as well as a valuable asset on the ice. He is no Crosby, but he can easily be the Isles version of Danny Heatly. If Garth is interested in building the Isles faster, Tavares will be his choice, if he is choosing the slow boat approach, look for Headman to be the man. Regardless, the clock is ticking and a whole lot of fans are waiting for it to chime… One false move by the GM, will result in a marketing backlash and even rougher seas for next season.

...Tuesday Tidbits...

2009-02-24T14:00:00.001-05:00

With thoughts of Tavares dancing in our heads as fans and with all the drama surrounding the Lighthouse Project development, improbable injuries, and possible moves, this season has been anything but boring. As the team continues to take its lumps, it is evident that this year was going to be a tear down year, as all first years are in a rebuilding process. All good contractors will tell you... “ya gotta tear it down before ya can build er’ back up”!

As “trade deadline day” looms closer ever more, fan opinions seem to be flying all over the place (thoughts of Edward Scissorhands trimming the neighbours hedge keeps coming to mind) and yours truly is no different in this regards. Rumours will be the soup du jour from here on in, as trade slurps will be found on every hockey site until the clock will strike on the March 4th deadline. The closer teams get the more feverish the anticipation will become. Fans of teams that will be buyers seem to think they can get a veteran for next to nothing and fans of teams that are sellers seem to think they can get the moon for a 3rd line over priced toss away. One thing is for certain, all fans love this unofficial holiday. Hockey fans across North America will have their Computers, laptops and blackberries tuned into the various live news feeds, videos streams, or however else they can get their fix of up to date information.

Islanders fans are no different in this regards but with Comrie and Campoli already gone to other pastures, Doug Weight injured and a limited amount of healthy bodies that can at least attempt to compete at this level, the options are limited to say the least.

As most bloggers and reporters are predicting, Brendan Witt will most assuredly be the next Islander to get kicked off the Island, with opinions split down the middle on whether Guerin will be far behind?? From my point of view, there will be serious interest in the Islanders captain, so it will be interesting to see whether he decides to go or if he will inform Garth Snow that he will stay....again, time will tell.

Agree or agree to disagree with what Snow and his dwarves are doing in regards to the rebuilding of this organization, but from my perspective it was long overdue and hopefully, we are on the right path. There is still plenty to cheer about and plenty of reasons to watch the Islanders from now until the end of the season, Okposo is showing signs of coming into his own, Comeau is giving it his all, and I am really enjoying Neilsen out there, showing us why he belongs in the long term plans of this team. I will be curious to see how Hillen will play from now until season’s end.

December update on 2008 draft class...

2008-12-03T10:43:00.002-05:00

The link below to Hockey's Future website, has a December update on the top draft picks from this past draft, along with an update on how they are doing....

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10739/islanders200809_junior_prospects_update/

For all the fanfare that the "quantity"over "quality" approach to this past year's draft, the waters are still as muddy as ever.

The boys are back in town...

2008-11-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

FINALLY!!!....The New York Islanders are in town. I know, they may be lagging slightly behind in the standings but it will be the first time that I get to see them live this season, so I will be there with bells on. Tonight’s game will be an interesting one for sure. From the Islanders perspective, the Isles seem to be ready to start Bailey at center with Okposo and Hilbert. I will be looking forward to seeing these two youngsters together to see how they mesh. I am also primed to see Bergenheim create some havoc on the ice.

From the Senators perspective, it will be an intense one as they are on a two game losing streak and also lagging in the standings. There were quite a few blow outs at yesterday’s Senators practice...with players supposedly not putting any effort. Alfredsson busted a glass along the board and a few others got into shoving matches. After such a practice, tonight’s game will go one of two ways....a 5-0 blowout by the Sens or a 3-2 squeaker by the Isles... time will tell.

One thing is for sure, I will be there with my Isles jersey cheering them on....Let’s go Isles!!

What to do about rumours…

2008-11-04T13:43:00.001-05:00

Hockey rumours seem to be the “soup du jour” on the net through various websites…. Innuendo simply appears to be part of the professional sports landscape in North America and I tend to not place much stock in them.

Having said all that…

Driving into work this morning while half listening to my local sports radio station (in my usual matinee fog), there was a discussion in regards to the Islanders involving the show hosts and Pierre Maguire. One of the hosts is apparently very good friends with Mike Comrie’s dad, and the host was stating that there is dissention in the room due in part to the fact that Weight and Guerin are “very” good friends with coach Gordon and that it’s causing a rift within the room...

i.e.- Comrie’s disinterested play for the most part this season…

Pierre Maguire all but confirmed this while explaining the history between Gordon, Weight and Guerin. Maguire even stated afterwards that the radio host had a very good source and should listen to it.

Needless to say, my ears tingled and my jaw simply dropped…. Could this be true??? I took the initiative to Email Chris Botta to see if he got such an impression from his extensive access to the team. His response confirmed my usual thought process towards rumours, as he stated he did not get that impression but it did not mean it was not true… Made me think that maybe he will be doing some digging on his own….Time will tell…

As most rumours, this is probably much ado about nothing, but a possible rift within the dressing room could explain why Comrie and a few others are playing like they would rather be in a Siberian prison then on the ice with an Islanders jersey this season.

...and the beat(ing) goes on...

2008-10-27T10:54:00.003-04:00

... Injuries to the right of me, injuries to the left of me,... Just another day in the lives of our New York Islanders. As a fan, I am forced to ask myself if the team is just unlucky when it comes to the old injury bug, especially to its defensive corps, or is there something more to this. How can this team’s defence continually get decimated time and time again by injuries? With tonight’s match-up versus the dreaded Rangers looming, the team is faced with the possibility of playing without Witt, Martinek, Sutton and now Meyer.

As much as I am a huge fan of Witt, I must admit that on a top team, he is not a 1/2 guy but a 3/4 guy, when it comes to minutes played. Martinek talent wise on a contending team is at best a 4/5 guy and would not be getting top 2 minutes. Players such as Gervais, Meyer would be a 7 defenseman on a good team at best, if not relegated to the rafters on a nightly basis…etc…

My point through all this is as follows: Are the Islanders overextending these guys and is this resulting in a ridiculous amount of injuries to their top 7 defensemen. If a guy should be playing 10-15 minutes per game and is playing 20 minutes +, he is tired, overextended and often will lead to him being put into situations that he cannot compensate for. A player playing in a role over and above his abilities will be continuously put in situations where there is an increased likelihood of injuries, caused by a lack of ability to adjust due to a diminished skill set.

Am I wrong in my supposition, maybe, but these questions needed to be asked, and explored?

As we are now in 15th place after 7 games, the season will only get more and more stressful as it plays out, I can only hope, the team learns to overcome the injury bug, once and for all...

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

2008-10-21T15:42:00.001-04:00

As I read various blogs and articles across the vastness of this great web, I am astounded at what seems to have become the norm...analysing hockey teams and its players after a mere 5 games. The New York Islanders are not exempt from hockey crazy fans pondering on what has gone wrong and what needs to be done to right the wrongs of the failing ship that is the 2008-2009 season.

Are you all (collectively) kidding me???

Five games does not a season make and we all need to take a step back and breath... I feel odd saying this, as I have stated on numerous occasions that the Islanders will finish at best 14th in the conference but trying to analyse individual performances after 5 games seems downright silly to me. With the rookies on this team, the organization will only be able to make a proper evaluation of their potential and development with maybe 15 to 20 games left in the season and so should we. In regards to the vets (31 and up club), did any hockey fan truly believe that they would be anything else but what they are and will in all likelihood show for the remainder of the season?? Come, come now...

Anyhow, I am looking forward to Thursday’s game versus the road weary Stars, to see what Bergenheim can do with two grizzled old vets such as Weight and Guerin. No doubt that the increased ice time will help him in his development and give me reason to watch what might be a fun game...indeed!!

Follies of Fall

2008-10-14T21:37:00.004-04:00

The training camps are but a distant memory, the regular season is in full bloom and the Islanders are once again causing quite a stir within its small fan base. The season is but 3 games old and the blogosphere has been ripe with write ups ranging from rage to disgust to what’s all the fuss about.

The team’s misguided refusal to disclose let alone discuss injuries to their players has been reviewed and lamented on repeatedly by fans and media alike. How can the New York Islanders treat us fans in such a manner, is beyond most fanatics comprehension.

Now the on ice product is much as yours truly predicted prior to the season, a roller coaster ride from game to game. The so-called rebuilding process full of has-beens and never will-be’s is not going to be pretty or easy to watch...who on this youth movement team is under the age of 24 again???

Three games into the season and still no Rick Dipietro appearance, the team wants us to believe all is well and they were just ridding the hot handed Joey Macdonald....hmmm...a 7-1 spanking and letting poor Macdonald hang out to dry is doing wonders in convincing us, the fan base, into believing the poop Snow and his minions of dwarfs are peddling...

Through this season of coming turmoil and disappointing losses, all we as fans look for is some kind of professionalism, respect and credible leadership. Three games in, and the New York Islanders are doing wonders in these departments... Oh the follies...

...The bug is back...

2008-09-24T12:23:00.006-04:00

The New York Islanders are six days into training camp with one exhibition game in the books and the team has their first casualty. The oft injured Campoli left last night’s tilt looking shaken up from a hit by Boston’s Michael Ryder. The team has yet to reveal the details of the injury this morning, only indicating that Campoli is undergoing further evaluation back in New York and that has Islander fans everywhere a little nervous to say the least.

I had high hopes for Campoli this season, fingers are crossed in hope that the injury bug leaves him alone from here on out. However, the possible seriousness of his injury makes one ponder on what moves the Islanders may make; will Hillen get a legitimate shot at starting the season with the big team if Campoli is truly down and out for an extended period of time or will Snow focus on trying to get Schneider from the Ducks??....hmmm... that could be interesting.

Here’s hoping the team continues to focus on their youth movement and that they give someone like Hillen, (if he proves that he belongs) a chance to crack the line up. As much as Schneider is still a good defenseman, the team needs to bring along the younger guys in this fanatic’s humble opinion...

On a more positive note, the team seems to be reacting well to coach Gordon’s approach and to the style of play he expects from his players. I am curious to see how the opposing teams will react to it once the regular season begins... Can “overspeed” keep the team in contention for a playoff spot, or will the new concepts be all for not...

...fall is in the air ...

2008-09-19T12:42:00.006-04:00

As the Islanders travel to my old stomping grounds in Moncton (oh the memories!!!) and training camp is on the verge of blessing us with an appearance; I cannot help but reflect on the similarities between Islanders fans and the ever changing shades that September inevitably brings to trees everywhere, as leaves slowly twist and turn into vibrant works of art.

As my Friday afternoon moves along ever so slowly, I see this beautiful red leaf and it reminds me of the ever passionate Islanders fan that is always full of hope, watching the puck drop on opening night. The falling yellow one that is whisked away by the breeze brings thoughts of the ever negative fanatic. They just seem to always to be blown away by the prospects of doom and gloom that media forecasts for our beloved Isles. The sun beaming on two orange coloured leaves just makes me think of how resilient the team is going to have to be to weather this coming storm called the regular season.

As hockey season fall’s upon us many questions have yet to be answered. We need to remember that hope spring’s eternal and that one season does not a franchise make. We have plenty to look forward to over the dreary winter blues as the kids will progress, the veterans will lead, and the team will continue its youth movement over the summer months.

One thing that is for certain, this season of change will be fun to arm chair analyse. How will the team progress over camp and over the coming season? Will they regress in order to move forward long term?? Potential story lines abound and I cannot wait to see Coach Gordon’s new system in action. How will the veterans react to continuous fast paced practices, can they adapt?. Can the likes of Tambellini, Comeau and Bergenheim step it up and become contributors to the future success of this franchise and how will Okposo react to a grinding 82 game schedule....I feel lightheaded already. Where is the start of the new NHL season... Are we there yet??

Oh how sweet it is... fall is in the air...

...and here we go...

2008-09-15T11:52:00.004-04:00

...with the beginning of rookie camp in Syosset, the Islanders 2008-2009 campaign is finally upon us and we can look forward to a time of year full of promise and hope. All teams are on equal footing in September and all the players coming into camp talk the positive walk. As the thoughts of sugar plums and various rookie prospects full of potential and bright futures dance in my head, I cannot help but reflect on a few pestering points that seem to reverberate through my hockey rotting brain.

Is the team truly in a rebuilding mode or is it a thinly veiled disguise of half truths and broken pieces? The Islanders have stated they are on a youth movement, and want to give their young players more ice time in order to develop. On the surface, I looked at that repeated statement with excitement, anticipation and glee, yet when I delved deeper into it I came across glaring pieces of information that contradict the new Islanders mantra. The Islanders have 9 players over the age of 31 signed to a contract for this coming season...making the average age of the team the 3rd oldest in the NHL for 2008-2009. That fact scared me at first, how can a team that is supposedly so bent on rebuilding through youth be the 3rd oldest team in the league???

The "kids need leadership and guidance" chant reverberated through the internet like a zombie mumbling the word “”brains”” all summer long from fans everywhere. Having to agree with that statement to a certain extent does not mean that I agree with Snow’s position on signing players well past their prime (ala, Doug Weight). Making such moves goes against the philosophy of a youth movement and delays the development of a team as a whole. You want current team veterans to bring them along not a player grasping at his last chance to play in the NHL. This move was done 5 years too late.

Retro reunion- To the fans that are looking forward to the Weight/Guerin reunion, I feel that you are in for one heck of a disappointment this coming season.

Rightly or wrongly, the not too distant future of this team depends heavily on players such as Tambellini, Bergenheim, Comeau, Campoli, Gervais and Okposo, not to mention Bailey and the rest of the 2008 draft class. These players need to not only show they belong, but that they can contribute, excel and flourish at the NHL level for the team’s youth movement to progress and continue. If they fail, it will spell the end of the Snow regime on the Island and will bring about more uncertainty for this struggling franchise.

I am but a simple Islanders fan, all I ask is.....do it right this time!!!

... and here we go!!

The dawn of a new day...

2008-09-10T15:04:00.004-04:00

Early morning hits, I wake up, slowly stretching like a fat old cat lying comfortably in the sun. I sense something is different today but I am too confused and tired to realize why. The smells of coffee and burnt toast fill the air of my place, and as I do every day, I walk over to the kitchen window and stare aimlessly outside at what is the end of another fun filled summer. Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning, I was giddy, smiling like the Grinch as he realized how he could stop Christmas.

Hockey is finally upon us!!!

We have the rookie camps on the verge of kicking off everywhere and the main training camps merely days away. Islander fans will be in for what will be an intriguing if not interesting season. Now yours truly will not debate the fact that the Islanders will probably struggle in the standings this coming season but we have reason to be optimistic, watch and cheer.

Bailey, Okposo, Comeau and Tambellini, are but a few of the young storylines that will dominate our landscape over the 82 game grind that awaits our blue and orange crusaders. Is the team on the right rebuilding path? Is Gordon’s “overspeed” concept really a good idea with so many unproven players on a roster and will Dipietro remain healthy for an entire season? The day is flying by and I cannot remove these ponderings from my ever wandering imagination.

I will be keeping a close eye on how the team will handle Josh Bailey, will they keep him or return him to juniors?...I wonder... Will Tambellini finally have a breakthrough season?...I can only hope... will Streit help right the lost ship that was last season’s dreadful powerplay? Let's cross our fingers ....WOW...The mere thought of the upcoming season and need for some serious Islanders hockey is making me feel like a hungry lion glaring at a herd of wild gazelles on the endless plains....

A new day?...Indeed...