4:47 pm: At least Darren Dreger from TSN.ca gets it. One on One with Garth Snow. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=345612
1:26 pm: In the good news dept., "defenseman Milan Jurcina is participating in his first full team practice since injuring his hamstring Oct. 29 vs. Montreal. " YEAH!
Also, Mike Mottau has been cleared to play. But I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean - Tomorrow.
From the Twitter feed: "lines from practice at Coliseum: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Grabner-Nielsen-Joensuu; Sim-Schremp-Comeau; Gillies-Konopka-Martin"
Okay, everyone freak. Parenteau back on the line with JT.
No word from anyone as to who will be in net tomorrow. Also, no word if tomorrow's morning skate will be "optional" as Jack likes to make them on game days. Either way, I may very well be there!
Newsday's Katie Strang seems to have a follow up to my (and everyone else's) entry regarding Doug Weight's leadership role here. I believe it's dropped it's paywall for Christmas. (thanks EvilDolanEmpire)
The videos of the Isles shopping for toys for charity was played during the pre-game as well as between periods on MSGPlus. They do that every year and it helps a lot of Long Island children that wouldn't have a very Merry Christmas enjoy the holiday while they are in the hospital. Just one more charitable thing that Charles Wang pays for that doesn't get much notice.
I will never look at a Justin Beiber doll again without thinking of this video.
Yesterday, team members visited local hospitals handing out those toys. Here are the Tweets from yesterday. Grabner, Gillies, and Parenteau visited Andrew at St. Mary's Children's Hospital in Bayside. I'm sure today they will post the photos and article about the rest of the team's visits to various hospitals.
The only news yesterday was that Rhett and Dylan were returned to the Sound Tigers. With the next Islander game schedule for tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks, I suppose they are waiting to see if any of the walking wounded will be ready to hit the ice before making a decision as to who they need to call back up.
Due to the lack of any Islander news yesterday, when the news of the NJ Devils placing Rolston on waivers hit, the questions started flying. At 35 years old and with two years remaining on a contract over $5 million a year it's a pretty good bet no one will claim him on the way down. However, he may get claimed on re-entry. Could the Islanders, a team with a lack of veteran presence right now, use him and his cap hit? Certainly. Will they? No clue.
But when I did ask Garth Snow a few days ago if he was willing to add a high-priced veteran or skilled presence to the youthful locker room (no matter what the price) he told me emphatically that he'd "be all over it." But he will not give up any of the young players currently being groomed to be a key piece of the Islanders. That has been his plan all along.
Years ago he told the Booster Club the biggest problem with being a new GM in this industry was that everyone was trying to "pick my pocket." The bigger offers he received have always included losing the likes of an Okposo or Bailey or one of the top picks. (That's why the Campoli deal was such a shock. Good move, good return.) So wheeling and dealing in this NHL is not easy and there is no quick fix for this team.
Brad Kurtzberg and I chatted about what may or may not be done by the December 19th roster freeze. It wasn't much. Look for more changes at the trade deadline in March and paint this season memorable for the record breaking losses.
Gotta say I like this one by Chris Botta at Islanders Point Blank. I will be printing that out for future reference.
NOT happy with the article in the latest THN by one of my favorite writers, Adam Proteau. No, they don't like the Islanders and much of the article seems to be tubthumping what they've read by other writers they are close to. Not really a surprise from THN, somewhat a surprise from Mr. Proteau.
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