Now that the Turkey is all gone, I’m hoping the Turkey that the Isles have been all November is gone as well. The ‘November Swoon’ as it has been called in previous years was made even more intolerable since hopes for this season were so high after a playoff appearance. But the Injury Ninja and just poor play has plagued the Isles once again. Same story, different names.

But it’s December, the month of “good will” and “good cheer.” Let’s hope so.

So, we’ll leave the bad in November and look at the good this month is starting with. Once again the Islanders went toy shopping for children who may not make it home from the hospital this holiday season.

Thanks to a generous donation from Package All Corp, the Islanders picked out 500 gifts at the Toys R Us on Hempstead Turnpike at an insane hour this morning. The Isles will personally deliver these gifts to six area hospitals on Dec. 18. It’s always a great day for everyone involved as they bring just a few smiles to children that may not have much to smile about.

Speaking of smiles, the man who has a smile that lights up any room he enters, Doug Weight, was inducted in to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame tonight at the Motor City Casino in his hometown of Detroit. He’ll be inducted alongside the same man that brought him here to Long Island, Bill Guerin. While not as well known as the Hall of Fame in Toronto, the US Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, is still worth a trip for any hockey fan. Hey, it’s only 3 hours from Minneapolis. I suggest going in the summer.

Another Islander receiving accolades this early part of December is Ryan Strome. Strome was selected as the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for November. WAIT! NOVEMBER! Okay, never mind. But it’s good to know that Strome tallied five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 12 games for Bridgeport last month. Keep it up!

Defensemen Brian Strait and goaltender Evgeni Nabokov were seen at practice this morning skating for the first time since their injuries. Still no word on Lubomir Visnovsky. Anyone else really concerned?

GM Garth Snow was in the news the last 24 hours saying that Jack Capuano’s job is safe and that he has been trying to trade for a goalie. As usual, no one knows what is really going on in the front office except those in the front office. But personally, I don’t see Jack Capuano getting an early exit, no matter how bad things get.

So tomorrow’s game against the Penguins will not be a determining factor in whether Capuano is on the unemployment line or not. Now, should they win the game, and we know that is possible, maybe it would take some of the fan’s heat off him. That would be nice.

But if they lose… I don’t even want to think about it.

Join the Discussion: » 12 Comments » Post New Comment

» Boychuk for Seven

» Good Ain't Good Enough NYR 2 - NYI 1

» The Return of Isles' Capt. America

» The JT Show in TO in OT

» Kennedy's Debut