New pice up on Islanders Hockey Blog

The new home of Islanders Crazy is up and running for about a week and has fetured some great pieces by Eric ritter and myself. Come Check our amazing new home and help spread the word about the New Islanders Hockey Blog

http://www.islandershockeyblog.com

Check out Islanders Hockey Blog on the bloguin network: the new name and home of Islanders Crazy

Islanders Crazy Is moving on up to the Bloguin Network of sports blogs. The revolutionary site just relaunched this morning in it new portal/ user friendly design. The site features blogs from every major sport including MMA and entertainment blogs. We were approached in late august and the Bloguin team has worked diligently to launch our site. Also under the new site we are changing the name of the site to Islanders Hockey Blog. Eric and I are extremely pleased and excited to launch the new site and ecourage all our readers to head over to the new site from now on and check out all the blog on the Bloguin Network.

Kelly's firing the wrong move?

The decision made, Paul Kelly was officially dismissed as NHLPA executive Director at 3:30 this morning. According to the official press release the board overwhelmingly voted to relieve Kelly of his duties due to what is being reported by TSN “Whispers of unhappiness with Kelly's distance with some players and perception Kelly may have been too close to the NHL commissioners office.” With that weak excuse the NHLPA will have a lot to answer to today when or if they address the media.

Kelly who took over the job in 2007 has had the support of many media and blogger personalities From Tsn and the The Hockey News to Puck Daddy and HockeyBuzz’s Dee Karl. Now all of them are asking what’s next? Who will take Kelly’s place? And why was fired in the first place? Many have now started speculating what the aftermath could be and several have even mentioned another work stoppage in the near future. Although the thoughts are a tad radical they are not out of the question, but in any event this situation does not bode well for the fans or the league. The league, more notable the players take a major PR hit for their more or less shocking news to let Kelly go and have instantly taken a beating left and right for firing what seems to have been a qualified labor lawyer doing a good job of watching out for his players but also managing to work with the NHL cooperatively. Looking at the other side of the spectrum, the fans now have to watch and wait to see who is appointed the new Executive Director and how he will operate with the league, owners and players and if this will have in any way an impact on how the game is played and even another possible work stoppage (which would be a major hit to the league possible alienating their fans once again.) So in short this mess NEEDS to be addressed, and fixed as quickly as possible so no permanent damage is done.

"Silli Times" and DP finally speaks!

After spending 17 years in the NHL, the last 3 of which he spent on Long Island Mike Sillinger hung up his skates for good yesterday ending a career in which this NHL journeymen played for a record setting 12 different teams throughout his career.

"Today is a sad day for my family and I, but it's a new beginning. I'm so grateful to have played so long in the NHL," Sillinger said. "I thank the organizations and teammates who made my career a great success. I'm leaving hockey with many accomplishments and memories."

Following two procedures on his left hip, Sillinger said “things did not feel right and it wasn’t due to old age or his body not healing right “ giving that as his only concern.

“We were very fortunate to have Mike as a member of our organization,” Snow said. “There will be a lasting effect with the impressions he made, especially on our young players.” But Garth snow has decided to fill the void from within but added “they are big shoes to fill.”

In other news the Islanders finally brought Rick Dipietro out of witness protection to address the unintentional challenge by Islanders point blank’s Chris Botta. The very next day after Botta posted on both his site and SNY the Islanders GM and Rick Dipietro called Islanders beat writer Katie Strang of Newsday to tell fans and the NHL world that Rick’s progress is right on schedule (whatever schedule that may be).

"So far, everything has been positive. I've done everything under the sun to get stronger and into better shape…….I'm going to come back and play when I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm not gonna make another mistake and rush myself back." Dipietro told Newsday over the phone.

He also mention his strict rehab schedule which they maintained all along and tried not to get away from. Rick also credits GM Garth Snow for adding depth at the position by signing Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron.

The one thing of concern he mentioned in his interview with Newsday was he still has ambitions to play in the 2010 winter Olympics if he is healthy. "If I'm healthy……why would I not want to play?''
To answer your question Rick, SO YOU DON’T RE-INJURE YOURSELF! I understand the thrill and honor of representing ones country but right now your focus should be on coming back strong and healthy so you can live up to your contract and become a useful member of the Islanders (for other than looking pretty and signing autographs). So for now Rick is slowly coming back and he will be put back under lock and key to every fan and media member.

My Introduction and My first Blog

Hello everyone, my name is Eric Ritter and Christian A. has asked me to join the ranks of the Islanders Crazy Blog and I am very happy to do so. Some of you may recognize my name if you have seen any of my Youtube videos throughout last season, my channel name was TalkinHockey. Christian discovered me on there and asked that I join this blog and bring overall NHL coverage outside the normal Islanders he and other Long Island diehards post; and I will be happy to do so throughout the year. If you like my work, there are a few other places I'd like you to check out. One is hockeytube.com/us/ the domain owner for that website also discovered me on Youtube and ask that I be the NHL analyst for his site. It is a very new site and just launched and is still in its early stages, but as we get rolling closer towards the NHL season the site will start to take shape. The other place I'd like you to visit is my Twitter, please follow me at EricHockeytube. I promise no personal tweets, only short quips about the NHL that are noteworthy, but not necessarily deserving of an entire blog or video. Checking out my Twitter and hockeytube.com/us/ would mean a lot to me, but being a part of this blog is also important to me and I hope to bring reading worthy blogs to your fine site.
Below is the first blog I would like to post on your site, it is about the San Jose Sharks and I wrote shortly after they were eliminated from the playoffs back in April. So while the main idea of the article/blog may be a bit outdated, the general idea/opinion is still there, plus it gives you all an idea of my writing style and ability. I look forward to any and all feedback, questions and comments and look forward to spending this season with the Islanders Crazy blog readers. Thanks for welcoming me, I'm quite happy to be aboard!

Time For San Jose Roster Renovation is Now

It seems as if heading into October each of the past three seasons, all you heard was that “this is San Jose’s year.” With a new head coach in rookie bench boss Todd McLellan and a face lifted defense, that was enough for prognosticators to overlook three straight years of second round playoff exits and proclaim the Sharks favorites to win the Stanley Cup in the 09 season.
And when you consider the start San Jose got off to, many doubters started to become believers.
The Sharks burst out of the gate going 16-3-1 in the first quarter of their 08-09 campaign. They shot to the top of the league standings and camped there most of the season.
Despite struggles during the third-quarter of their season, the Sharks pulled it together down the stretch, setting team records for wins (53), points (117) and winning the franchise’s first ever Presidents’ Trophy.
Heading into the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Shark fans and players alike felt confident with their opponent. Anaheim seemingly did its best down the stretch to not make the playoffs despite getting in as the eighth seed. The Sharks won the season series 4-2 over the Ducks and boasted 11 more wins and 26 more points than their California adversary.
But six games in, the Sharks were out.
After an abysmal start to the 05-06 season coming out of the NHL lockout, it took the acquisition of Joe Thornton to turn the team and the season around. Thanks mainly to the Thornton trade and solid goaltending by Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose made the postseason that year, and the next two years to follow.
The Sharks had been good for one series win each of the last three years, but had also been good for getting the boot in the second round.
So how could San Jose regress and not even win a series the same year they set franchise records and lead the league?
When Detroit eliminated San Jose from the playoffs in 2007, the speculation of a roster renovation in the offseason began. But the team kept its primary pieces together, only to again get eliminated in the second round by Dallas last year.
But rather than redoing the roster, former coach Ron Wilson was fired, and McLellan was brought in. Having been groomed under Mike Babcock in Detroit, Sharks Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson thought that the puck-possession style of play McLellan would teach the players would be more beneficial than blowing up the roster and starting over.
The success achieved in the regular season now means nothing since McLellan and the Sharks were sent home in the first round for the first time since 2001. The six game series loss gives San Jose a 20-21 playoff record since the lockout; a losing postseason record for a team that has won 197 games in the last four regular seasons.
The top players always receive the largest amount of blame, so fingers once again are likely to be pointed at the likes of Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo and now former team captain Patrick Marleau, none of which are older than 30. The team as a whole is primarily young, the only two players on the opening roster that were over 35 were Jeremy Roenick and Rob Blake.
So, in a league where a large percentage of the superstars are under 25, why would San Jose want to have a fire sale and shake up the roster? The answer: Chemistry.
Chemistry is one of, if not the most important aspect of a hockey team. No matter how good a roster may look on paper, if there is no chemistry, there is no success. Just look at the rosters of the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals at the turn of the century for proof; all-star players littered their line up, but that still wasn’t enough to get either team close to the playoffs.
It’s apparent after four straight years of failure in the post season that San Jose has a group capable of great things during the regular season, but they also have a group that lacks the spark necessary to collectively raise one another’s game come April.
San Jose shouldn’t move any of the 25 and younger players on their roster, they are the true foundation. And Nabokov logically isn’t going anywhere. So revert to the aforementioned Thornton, Cheechoo and Marleau, trade them for pieces that could better benefit your team.
Thornton is one of the top set-up men and playmakers in the league, the type of center Columbus has been searching for to play with Rick Nash. Cheechoo can be a brilliant goal scorer; there's a team on Long Island that had trouble finding the back of the net last season, give them a call. And Marleau is a gritty veteran that can score but isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. There’s a mess in Ottawa a leader like him could certainly help to clean up and San Jose has shown interest in Dany Heatley. Heatley for Marleau anyone?
Big disappointments calls for big change, and after four years, it’s time for San Jose to pull the trigger on some blockbuster deals that’ll shake up the appearance, and hopefully success, of the team. With a solid cast of young players on both offense and defense, and one of the best goalies in the league manning their net, San Jose may be just a trade, or three, away from finally bringing a Cup to the fans at the Shark Tank.
-ER

This week in Islanders hockey (and patrick Kane's arrest)

Well my first post in over a week was going to be purely about the recent Islanders news, but low and behold I head over to TSN.com to see the following headline, KANE ARRESTED. That’s right, Patrick Kane Chicago’s star center was arrested along with cousin for allegedly assaulting and robbing a cab driver this morning in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. This is just the latest in series of summer messes for the resurgent Blackhawks, who made it all the way to western conference finals this past season. The off-season is where things have started to unravel. From the NHL investigation into the mishandling of qualifying offer contracts, the firing of Dale Tallon as GM, the bust that may be the Marian Hossa signing, and the ensuing investigation into his 12 year contract. Now Kane has added another chapter to this off-season to forget for Blackhawks fans.

Now back to news from Long Island, last Tuesday RFA Blake Comeau signed a 2 year, one way after initially rejecting his qualifying offer for more money and a one way deal.

Tuesday was the big Lighthouse hearing at Hofstra university which was covered by every Isles/hockey blog except mine. I wont be writing about it because by now its been all covered. If you still want coverage check out the blogroll.

Next on the list is The Hockey News’s preseason predictions are being revealed one by one each day and on the first day of revealing the predictions THN has them last in the eastern conference. Although there points are pretty dead on about why they could finish last in the Atlantic division, they fail to convince me why they could finish last in the conference. With the improved goalie situation and the improvement in the Isles young players I don’t see why they couldn’t at least be ranked 12 or 13. THN writer Adam Proteau isn’t as glum about the Islanders as his colleagues are giving them a shot to land anywhere between 12 and 14 in the east.

This Saturday individual tickets for the Islanders season finally go on sale after much anticipation following the release of their schedule. It features the yearly favorite Islander-Ranger rivalry games, but this years hot ticket will be the home/season opener which is a match up that features the defending Stanley cup champion Pittsburg penguins. Oh and to make the game even bigger it will be John Tavares’s NHL debut.
Tickets go on sale at 10 am at the team stores in Hicksville and Massapequa and it will be a fun event to stop by and pick up tickets because sparky, a couple islander players and chances to win Islanders prizes will be going on all morning.

That’s all for now check back later for more Isles new.

Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank speaks: Focus on Tuesday's Lighthouse hearing.

Gov. fully behind project.

I wont type everything that happened at the Lighthouse meeting, but if you would like check out Islanders Point Blank,Let There Be Light(house), and for some pictures check out Islanders 7th Woman. here is the official press release from Governor David Paterson:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 27, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON URGES STATE AGENCIES TO EXPEDITE REVIEW OF LONG ISLAND DEVELOPMENT

“Lighthouse at Long Island” Would Create More than 90,000 Jobs, Generate More than $70 Million in Annual Tax Revenue

Complex Would Also Keep New York Islanders Hockey Team on Long Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Governor David A. Paterson today urged State and county agencies to expedite a multi-billion-dollar development project that will yield tremendous economic and recreational benefits for Nassau County and New York State. The Governor spoke from the future Lighthouse site and was joined by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and other local officials.

“The Lighthouse Project has the potential to be one of the most important economic development initiatives we have ever seen on Long Island and is precisely the kind of economic stimulus that we need here,” Governor Paterson said. “That’s why I am directing our State agencies to expedite their review of this project. Our government agencies need to work diligently and swiftly to ensure that this project can move forward as quickly as possible so that we can begin to put people back to work right here on Long Island.”

The Lighthouse at Long Island is slated to transform the 150-acre Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum site into a mixed residential and commercial center, featuring a variety of housing, retail, shopping, athletic and entertainment venues. The project has been proposed by the Lighthouse Development Group, a joint venture between Charles B. Wang, Owner of the New York Islanders, and RXR, Long Island’s largest owner, manager and developer of commercial real estate.

The $3.74-billion project is expected to generate $71 million in annual tax revenues, create 75,000 construction and 19,000 permanent jobs. This mixed-use development will be designed to be Long Island’s largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), or certified environmentally friendly, project, transforming the Nassau Coliseum into a state-of-the-art arena that can accommodate 17,500 fans for hockey, 18,500 for basketball and 20,000 for concerts.

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy said: “The Lighthouse presents a huge opportunity for Nassau County that will help grow our economy and create jobs. I am pleased that Governor Paterson has lent his support to this important project, which will be a major economic driver and create thousands of jobs. With the development of residential and commercial space, a large recreational park, and an improved sports and entertainment venue, the Lighthouse project will bring increased revenue to Long Island, attract new business, and place a spotlight on the Island for residents and visitors alike. Long Island needs the Lighthouse project and I am proud to stand with the Governor and call for the development of the project to be expedited so we can help rebuild Long Island.”

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi said: “The Lighthouse can’t come soon enough for Nassau County and all of Long Island. This project will bring thousands of jobs to the area, breathing life into new suburbia and jump-starting our economy. Now, more than ever, we need everyone in government to work together to get this project done, and I thank Governor Paterson for his support.”

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray said: “Hempstead town officials are focused on innovative and progressive development. The key in reviewing all development proposals of the magnitude of the Lighthouse project is to be thorough and complete in our work. After all, the decisions we make today will affect our children and grandchildren.”

Charles B. Wang, principal and founder of the Lighthouse Development Group and owner of the New York Islanders, said: “We appreciate the support and direction from Governor Paterson and look forward to the progress he will help foster between the State, Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to finally bring certainty to this project by the start of the next hockey season. The Lighthouse will be a catalyst to kick-start the Long Island economy and will be a destination for all Long Islanders to live, work and play.”

The Town of Hempstead Board has scheduled a public hearing for August 4 and has invited community members to make official comments on the project.


The following quotes were provided in support of the Lighthouse at Long Island project:

Senator Brian X. Foley said: “As a member of the Senate Economic Development committee I see the importance of this project as an engine for the creation of jobs and expanding the tax base for the Long Island region. This will also enable sports franchises to stay on Long Island, providing recreational outlets for our Long Island residents.”

Senator Kemp Hannon said: “Whether you are a fan of the Islanders or fan of the economy, this is one project to root for.”

Senator Craig M. Johnson said: “The Lighthouse Project has the potential to significantly bolster Nassau’s economy and its tax base. We need to do everything we can -- especially in these tough economic times -- to ensure that this, and similar projects, are subjected to a thorough review process, but avoid becoming trapped in red tape.”

Assemblyman Robert D. Barra said: “The Lighthouse Project is the most important initiative of our time. The potential for job creation and tax revenue stability is astounding. We need this project to get Nassau County working again so we are not being taxed out of our homes, and to one day bring the Stanley Cup back to Long Island where it belongs.”

Assemblyman Charles Lavine said: “I am hopeful the Lighthouse project will become a reality because of the many benefits it will provide Long Island, including housing, retail space and thousands of jobs. This undertaking can be achieved only with the cooperation of State and county agencies and the input of residents. I am hopeful that when it is completed, Long Island will have a world class facility not only for professional hockey and arena football, but a concert venue that will replace the nearly four-decades-old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.”

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel said: “The Lighthouse Project has the ability to accomplish many of Nassau County's goals such as offering a variety of housing opportunities, promising economic development through new job creation, and significant mass transit upgrades. It would be a Long Island hat trick. I am proud to support Governor Paterson and County Executive Suozzi as they move forward on this project.”

Assemblyman Rob Walker said: “As one of the youngest members of the State legislature, I have seen firsthand the negative impact of the downturn in the economy particularly on those young people who cannot afford to live on Long Island anymore, including many in my own family. The need for common sense development is essential and I look forward to working with all levels of government to move this project forward in order to provide the economic boost that our region needs.”

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg said: “Today’s announcement is a positive indication of progress that has included the cooperation of officials from State and local levels cooperating on a bipartisan basis to enhance the Long Island economy. With the input from the community, the Lighthouse development could provide much needed housing and retail space as well as much-needed new arena for Long Island’s signature sport franchise, the Islanders. My thanks to County Executive Suozzi and Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray for their leadership in coordinating this effort.”

Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro said: “I am encouraged to see the Lighthouse project gaining significant support and momentum. This is a high priority for Nassau County. The Lighthouse will create jobs, stimulate our regional economy and revitalize our mid-Nassau business center. I thank Governor Paterson for his much appreciated support. Working together we will move the Lighthouse forward!”

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dot Goosby said: “I’m eager to build a prosperous future, but I am also seeking to ensure that our environment is protected and that whatever may be built here will enhance the local quality of life.”

President of the Long Island Federation of Labor John R. Durso said: “The Lighthouse project is the most significant project in Nassau County in decades. The jobs it will create both during the construction and post construction will have a significant impact on the economy of our County. This project will expand our tax base and bring millions of dollars into our schools and our communities. We in the labor movement applaud this project and will continue to work with all parties involved to bring this to a successful conclusion. The suburbs were born on Long Island this project represents the re-birth of our suburbs.”

Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors Association Marc Herbst said: “The Lighthouse project is the perfect opportunity for a locally-driven stimulus for our regional economy. Our construction industry is suffering from 35-40 percent unemployment. Long Island should seize every opportunity to stimulate our economy, employ our workforce and deploy our skilled expertise to advance such locally important projects.”

Executive Director Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island, a Smart Growth planning organization, said: “Vision Long Island applauds Governor David Paterson and New York State agencies for expeditious review of the Lighthouse project. The Lighthouse is the premier Smart Growth project for Long Island and has the support of local business, civic and community leaders as well as Smart Growth advocates and planners. Groundbreaking cannot come soon enough!”

Executive Director Sarah Lansdale of Sustainable Long Island said: “Sustainable Long Island applauds the leadership and partnership of Governor Paterson, Congresswoman McCarthy, County Executive Suozzi, Supervisor Murray and the other local officials who are ensuring Long Island’s economic recovery through projects like the Lighthouse. Collaborations with government, community and business lead to innovative development projects that will ensure our economic future.”

Satan coming back to the Island? and Tompson signs deal

According to Islanders Point Blank Nate Tompson has signed a one year, two way contract today. Also according to Allan Walsh, Miro Satan's agent they are currently in talks with the Islanders on a contract.

Charles Wang on WFAN

The Charles Wang, Mike Francesa interview finally happened today at 4 pm. It featured a lot of Lighthouse talk and some hockey talk for about what seemed like an hour (could be more, could be less). In retrospect it showed a few things about each person we did or didn’t know.
First off, Wang is still very confident that his Oct. 3rd deadline will be met with a positive green light for the project to continue. Wang explained the process and gave a nice “shout out” to the Town of Hempstead for a good job on going through the zoning approval. Charles also told Francesa that he is planning to attend the September 22 game in Kansas city but their has been no negotiation with Kansas city or any other Municipalities. Later as the talk shifted to hockey Wang let the cat out of the bag sort of speak revealing that head coach Scott Gordon has 2 years remaining on his contract with the Islanders. He is positive that the Islanders have a better team on the ice this year and is confident that there will be much improvement. When asked what his biggest regret was while owning the Isles Wang responds by surprisingly say that he regrets not hiring Garth Snow as the General Manager over Neil Smith the first time(interesting). Later on Wang Thanked the fans for their patients and tells them they are going to stick to the rebuild process.
There is way more to the interview than just that , Something Jim Baumbach of Newsday noticed today was that Mike Francesa knows nothing about the Lighthouse Project (something I already knew after calling one time to correct him about wrong information he said on the air in which he proceeded to tell me I’m wrong). Baumbach wrote this in his article on the interview:

“Francesa really knows very little about the Lighthouse Project and the issues surrounding it. He also seems to pushing Kate Murray's talking point that he should rebuild Nassau Coliseum instead of the Lighthouse Project. Which leaves out the fact that Nassau County owns the Coliseum, not Wang. Francesa has as much right to re-do the Coliseum as Wang does“

IM GLAD SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT! Mike Francesa started by mention the light rail system (which is non existent in the project) and was immediately corrected by Charles Wang who said that is not a part of this project. This is the issue I battled with Francesa over, Where he told me I was wrong, wouldn’t let me get my point across and cut me off so he could go on god for saken rant on a subject he even admitted to know little about!( sorry that still makes me angry even a couple months later.) Anyway moving back to the interview Francesa touched upon the idea of just an arena and we all know why so I will not go into why its not economically feasible or how the county doesn’t have the money to renovate or build a new arena. Later Francesa asks (with his usual nasty tone) “why are you playing a game in Kansas City?” Wan responded simply and gentlemanlike because the LA kings wanted us to play them there and the game was no way intended to be a threat, in fact it was scheduled prior to all the Lighthouse downturn during the winter months. Throughout the interview Francesa made factual mistakes or misread information. At one point the misspoke (or actually thought) there was a hearing on Oct 3, which is the deadline Charles Wang has set for a ya or nay on the project . Wang quickly corrected him yet again and said he is optimistic that they will get a green light for the project. Also later on Francesa misread an Newsday article and kept saying Dipietro could miss the season and when he asked Wang he seemed shocked by even the mention of that. Wang later said DP is on course and "some of these media reporters should be GMs they seem to know more.” Once again Newsday’s Jim Baumbach had an opinion on Mike’s miscue:

“Francesa misinterpreted Arthur Staple's column today, repeatedly mentioning a story that said DiPietro could miss the season. Don't know where Francesa read that. Not here. Wang basically said, "What are you talking about?" Francesa then read the beginning of Staple's column without ever mentioning what he was reading or what paper it was from”

I also got the feeling at times that even though Francesa admittedly knows little about the project he seems to have an opinion already formulated in his head. Near the end of the interview Francesa called the Lighthouse “outrageously expensive” , I mean don’t get me wrong $3.7 billion is a lot of money, but Francesa makes it seem like the whole project is outrages. The Hot headed Mike Francesa that we all know but may not love also showed up for a brief appearance while debating Charles Wang. The brief debate happened as Mike said he feels there are enough people on Long Island but got the statistics wrong and was once again corrected by Wang and disagreed on what Long Island’s identity is and what it should be. It was finally wrapped up by Wang saying that after Oct 3 all options are on the table including a possible refurbished or new Nassau coliseum ( just to name one) but, that he is still confident they will get a positive answer on the deadline.
At points this may have seemed like I may have bashed Mike Francesa but that was not my intention. He is a highly respected media personality in NY sports and knows a lot too. Hockey and the Lighthouse really aren’t things he knows a lot about as Jim Baumbach and I have noticed during the interview with his slip ups in information and his misinterpretation of Newsday’s hockey writer. Im glad that Charles Wang finally got on WFAN and gave some more press to the Islanders and the Lighthouse project. I also give credit to Mike Francesa although wrong and at times hot headed, for at least trying today understand some more about the Project, even promising Charles Wang that he will look into the project more and if he sees it helps Long Island he will become a supporter. Click Here to listen to the Interview and defiantly check out Jim Baumbach’s opinion on today’s interview.

BREAKING NEWS: Islanders sign Martin Biron

Breaking News: The New York Post is reporting that the Islanders have singed free agent Goalie Martin Biron to a 1 year deal worth $1.4 million. The 32 year old would be the second pro goalie the Islanders have signed and the second biggest free agent signing since the signing of Dwayne Roloson. Biron went 29-19-5 with a 2.76 GAA last season while sharing duty with Antero Nittymaki and helped lead the team to the playoffs last season before loosing to Pittsburg in the opening round. This could be a sign that Rick Dipietro, the franchise goalie who was drafted 1st overall in 2000 might take longer than expected to comeback to full health this upcoming season.

Islanders let go of their radio broadcast team

Today The Islanders let go of their radio broadcast team in what has been called a cost cutting move. Steve Mears and Chris king who have been worked the radio booth together for the last 3 season were let go and next season the Isles radio broadcast will feature a TV simulcast of Billy Jaffe and Howie Rose. The simulcast which will start next season is similar to the simulcast agreement which MSG has with the Buffalo Sabres. King told Newsday’s Greg Logan that the Islanders have offered him a position in the Islanders pre and post game shows and a possibility of a full time position in the organization. Also MSG will not renew C.J Papa’s contract and no replacement has been announced (could it be Chris King?) Many fans have weighed in calling the decision sad and calling the Islanders a classes organization, Yes its sad that they lost their jobs but to the Islanders classless is a stretch. A hockey team is a business and sometimes business have to cut costs and good people loose their jobs ( especially in today’s world). They are also both professionals and know its nothing personal. Also this isn’t another sign that the Islanders are moving anywhere as some fans might speculate. Just because a team changes it’s staff up doesn’t mean they are getting ready to pack up the trucks and leave. One thing I will miss from the Mears, King broadcast was the post game shows at Doolin’s Pub, hopefully they will somehow keep that going in one way or another.