HNIC Elliotte Friedman on Isles/CBJ trade rumor

Good piece here:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/06/new-york-islanders-columbus-blue-jackets-draft-picks-trade.html

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Isles extend qualifying offers to 8; Comeau not qualified by Flames

These players are now considered to be Restricted FAs:

nyi.com

<<The Islanders have tendered qualifying offers to Sean Backman, Justin DiBenedetto, Mark Katic, Mikko Koskinen, Tomas Marcinko, Matt Martin, Rhett Rakhshani and Ty Wishart.>> 

Several of these players are committed to playing in Europe next season, but it does allow the Isles to maintain their NHL rights (ala Jesse Joensuu, who will give another crack at making the NHL this fall).

 
The Dallas Stars recently posted a good explanation of this process, excerpted below:

<<Teams are required to extend a one-year "qualifying offer" to any current restricted free agent by June 25 in order to receive the right of the first refusal or draft choice compensation should that respective player sign an offer sheet with another NHL club. The qualifying offers will expire at 4 p.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, July 15.

Qualifying offers fall into three categories:

1. A player whose prior year salary was equal or less than $660,000 must receive a qualifying offer of 110% of their prior year's salary.

2. A player whose prior year salary was more than $660,000 and up to $1 million must receive a qualifying offer of 105% of their prior year's salary (but in no event shall such qualifying offer exceed $1 million).

3. A player whose prior year salary was more than $1 million must receive a qualifying offer at 100% of their prior year's salary.

If a team does not give a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent, he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and can sign with any team with no compensation required to the player's former club.

>>

Mike Fornabaio notes the Isles did not qualify McNeely, Romano, Riendeau (obtained in the Rolston trade) and Alexandrov (obtained from Boston in late March for futures).  None of these players ever appeared in a game for the Isles. The non-qualifiers will become unrestricted FAs on Sunday.

Also not qualified today: Blake Comeau (per James Mirtle).  The Flames would have had to offer a $2.5 million QO to keep Comeau, who went 5-10-15 in 58 games for Calgary, after starting the season pointless in 16 games for the Isles. Comeau is still only 26, so I'm sure he'll get another chance somewhere, albeit at a significant pay cut.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Columbus Dispatch: Isles Offered CBJ Entire Draft

Others are disputing the particulars on this (particularly whether it was if Murray dropped to #2), but here is the Columbus blog from Aaron Portzline, who has covered the Blue Jackets throughout their entire history.

<<Isles Offered Entire Draft

Posted Jun 25, 2012 by Aaron Portzline

How highly did the Blue Jackets value defenseman Ryan Murray before taking him with the No. 2 overall pick in Friday's first round of the NHL Draft? Enough to turn down an eye-opening offer from the New York Islanders, who, according to numerous NHL sources, offered all of their picks -- one in each round -- for the right to move up from No. 4 to No. 2 for Murray.

That's right, for the Jackets' No. 2 pick, the Islanders offered pick Nos. 4, 34, 65, 103, 125, 155 and 185. The bounty would have given the Jackets the following picks: 4, 31, 34, 62, 65, 95, 103, 125, 152, 155, 182 and 185.

And if that weren't enough, the Jackets could have had the Kings' No. 30 if they wanted it.

Next week's development camp would have required two sheets of ice.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson offered a "no comment" when reached by The Dispatch late Sunday. After Friday's first round, he did mention a "very attractive" trade offer the Blue Jackets declined before selection Murray, a precocious prospect whom many think could play in the NHL this season.

The Islanders, unable to move up for Murray, drafted highly-touted defenseman Griffin Reinhart with the No. 4 pick. But they didn't stop there. The Islanders spent all seven of their picks on defensemen.

-- Aaron Portzline

>>

  http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2012/06/isles-offered-all-their-picks.html

>>

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

NHL Network's Craig Button on the Isles day

On Visnovsky trade:  "I love it...I love what the Isles are doing. I love it.. I love it.. I love it.."  "Second round pick next year? Way to go Garth Snow"

On Griffin Reinhart:  "This young man might end up being the best player in this draft.  He has got untapped potential.  He plays the game at such a high level.  Even though it does not appear he may not be the most intense guy, don't be confused, don't be fooled..  He can do anything the game requires, anything."

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Staios to Leafs front office?

Several sources are reporting that Steve Staios will indeed retire from the NHL and join the Maple Leafs front office.  http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/21/staios-on-verge-of-new-leafs-gig

Staios played 65 games in what now appears to be his final NHL season, reaching 1,001 career games in total.  He had 8 assists for the Isles and served as one of the team's assistant captains.

Staios was a -86 for his career, but that may be more of the result of the teams that he played on than his actual contribution.  He played in the playoffs only three seasons (33 games), escaping the opening round only in 2006, when Dwayne Roloson led the Oilers to the finals.

Staios, who will turn 39 in July, was drafted 27th overall (2nd round) in 1991 by St. Louis -- one pick after the Isles selected Ziggy Palffy. 

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Isles Sked: Lots of back to backs -- few miles

A couple more schedule notes-- these courtesy of http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2012/6/21/3105520/nhl-super-schedule-travel-miles-team

He has computed that the Isles will travel 30,072 miles this season -- the 2nd fewest in the NHL.  The league wide average is 39,792.  (Philadelphia is the lowest --27,541)

The Isles will play 16 back-to-backs, tied with several teams, including NJ for the league lead.  The leaguewide average is 13.4.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Isles schedule note: March to the finish?

One thing that immediately sticks out in the schedule is the bizarre March schedule.

The Isles will play 16 games in March (matching the franchise mark for any month), including 4 sets of back-to-backs.  Eleven of those games will be on the road -- the first month in franchise history that they have ever played 11 road games.

They'll get that back a bit in April, playing 5 home games -- tying most in history except for 1995 (lockout season).

Of course Messers Bettman and Fehr could make all of this irrelevant.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

2012-13 Schedule

All times Eastern; road team listed first.  

First NYI-NYR game is on 11/13 at Coliseum.  Teams played there on Tues 11/13 in 1979 as well; a lot of chili was distributed. :)

Fri Oct 12, 2012 IslandersPenguins 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 13, 2012 FlyersIslanders  7:00 PM
Tue Oct 16, 2012 IslandersLightning  7:30 PM
Thu Oct 18, 2012 IslandersPanthers  7:30 PM
Sat Oct 20, 2012 SabresIslanders  7:00 PM
Mon Oct 22, 2012 PanthersIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Oct 26, 2012 Maple LeafsIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Oct 27, 2012 IslandersBruins  7:00 PM
Tue Oct 30, 2012 SenatorsIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Nov 2, 2012 IslandersHurricanes  7:00 PM
Sat Nov 3, 2012 StarsIslanders  7:00 PM
Tue Nov 6, 2012 IslandersKings  10:30 PM
Fri Nov 9, 2012 IslandersDucks  10:00 PM
Sat Nov 10, 2012 IslandersSharks  10:30 PM
Tue Nov 13, 2012 RangersIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Nov 15, 2012 IslandersPredators  8:00 PM
Sat Nov 17, 2012 DevilsIslanders  7:00 PM
Wed Nov 21, 2012 BruinsIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Nov 23, 2012 IslandersBlues  4:00 PM
Sat Nov 24, 2012 SabresIslanders  7:00 PM
Tue Nov 27, 2012 CanucksIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Nov 29, 2012 FlyersIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Dec 1, 2012 CoyotesIslanders  7:00 PM
Sun Dec 2, 2012 IslandersRangers  7:00 PM
Tue Dec 4, 2012 CapitalsIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Dec 8, 2012 FlyersIslanders  1:00 PM
Sun Dec 9, 2012 IslandersFlyers  7:00 PM
Tue Dec 11, 2012 BlackhawksIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Dec 14, 2012 IslandersJets  8:00 PM
Sat Dec 15, 2012 IslandersWild  8:00 PM
Tue Dec 18, 2012 DucksIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Dec 20, 2012 IslandersRed Wings  7:30 PM
Sat Dec 22, 2012 PenguinsIslanders  7:00 PM
Wed Dec 26, 2012 DevilsIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Dec 27, 2012 IslandersCapitals  7:00 PM
Sat Dec 29, 2012 PenguinsIslanders  1:00 PM
Mon Dec 31, 2012 IslandersDevils  1:00 PM
Sat Jan 5, 2013 IslandersHurricanes  7:00 PM
Wed Jan 9, 2013 IslandersOilers  9:30 PM
Fri Jan 11, 2013 IslandersFlames  9:00 PM
Sun Jan 13, 2013 IslandersJets  3:00 PM
Tue Jan 15, 2013 RangersIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Jan 17, 2013 IslandersSabres  7:00 PM
Sat Jan 19, 2013 Blue JacketsIslanders  7:00 PM
Mon Jan 21, 2013 JetsIslanders  1:00 PM
Tue Jan 29, 2013 PenguinsIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Jan 31, 2013 IslandersDevils  7:00 PM
Sat Feb 2, 2013 IslandersCanadiens  1:00 PM
Tue Feb 5, 2013 WildIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Feb 8, 2013 PanthersIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Feb 9, 2013 LightningIslanders  7:00 PM
Tue Feb 12, 2013 CanadiensIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Feb 14, 2013 IslandersRangers  7:00 PM
Sat Feb 16, 2013 AvalancheIslanders  7:00 PM
Mon Feb 18, 2013 SenatorsIslanders  1:00 PM
Tue Feb 19, 2013 IslandersSenators  7:30 PM
Thu Feb 21, 2013 IslandersMaple Leafs  7:00 PM
Sat Feb 23, 2013 IslandersSabres  7:00 PM
Tue Feb 26, 2013 BluesIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Mar 1, 2013 IslandersFlyers  7:00 PM
Sat Mar 2, 2013 IslandersCanadiens  7:00 PM
Tue Mar 5, 2013 BruinsIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Mar 7, 2013 RangersIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Mar 9, 2013 CapitalsIslanders  7:00 PM
Mon Mar 11, 2013 IslandersSenators  7:30 PM
Tue Mar 12, 2013 IslandersMaple Leafs  7:00 PM
Thu Mar 14, 2013 IslandersLightning  7:30 PM
Sat Mar 16, 2013 IslandersPanthers  7:30 PM
Mon Mar 18, 2013 IslandersRangers  7:00 PM
Tue Mar 19, 2013 HurricanesIslanders  7:00 PM
Fri Mar 22, 2013 IslandersPenguins  7:00 PM
Sat Mar 23, 2013 CanadiensIslanders  7:00 PM
Tue Mar 26, 2013 IslandersCapitals  7:00 PM
Thu Mar 28, 2013 IslandersFlyers  7:00 PM
Sat Mar 30, 2013 IslandersPenguins  1:00 PM
Mon Apr 1, 2013 IslandersDevils  7:00 PM
Tue Apr 2, 2013 JetsIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Apr 4, 2013 Maple LeafsIslanders  7:00 PM
Sat Apr 6, 2013 LightningIslanders  1:00 PM
Tue Apr 9, 2013 HurricanesIslanders  7:00 PM
Thu Apr 11, 2013 IslandersBruins  7:00 PM
Sat Apr 13, 2013 DevilsIslanders  7:00 PM

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick 

Mouslon Captures Most Votes in Lady Byng, Finishes 3rd

A review of the voting from the Lady Byng Award finds that more voters cast ballots for Matt Moulson than for any other candidate.  However, the Award is given on points (10-7-5-3-1 basis), allowing Brian Campbell to capture the honor.

1. Brian Campbell, FLA 582 (31-22-13-15-8)

2. Jordan Eberle, EDM 518 (18-23-23-17-11)

3. Matt Moulson, NYI 517 (13-28-26-15-16)

4. Loui Eriksson, DAL 448 (21-12-20-13-15)

Moulson was named on 98 ballots, Eberle 91, Campbell 89 and Eriksson 81.  (147 ballots were cast)

Two other Islanders, John Tavares (0-2-3-2-0 for 35 points) and Frans Nielsen (1-1-1-2-0 for 28 points) finished 17th and 20th respectively.

The Isles were the only team with three players in the Top 20. (Detroit was the only other team with at least two.)

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

NHL Schedule to be Released

Apparently David Poile responded to a question today that the schedule will be released on Thursday (which is the same relative date that it was released last year).

Of course, it won't mean much if the League and its players do not agree on a new CBA.  Otherwise, it will be as useful as this:

2004-05 Islanders Schedule:

16-Oct-04	Vs	Carolina
19-Oct-04	Vs	Boston
20-Oct-04	@	New Jersey
23-Oct-04	@	Washington
26-Oct-04	Vs	New Jersey
28-Oct-04	@	Boston
30-Oct-04	Vs	Los Angeles
1-Nov-04	Vs	Tampa Bay
3-Nov-04	@	Minnesota
4-Nov-04	@	St. Louis
6-Nov-04	Vs	Florida
9-Nov-04	Vs	Toronto
11-Nov-04	Vs	Nashville
13-Nov-04	Vs	Dallas
15-Nov-04	Vs	New York
17-Nov-04	@	Philadelphia
19-Nov-04	@	Atlanta
20-Nov-04	@	Washington
22-Nov-04	@	New York
24-Nov-04	Vs	Montreal
26-Nov-04	Vs	Pittsburgh
27-Nov-04	Vs	Philadelphia
30-Nov-04	Vs	Ottawa
3-Dec-04	@	Buffalo
4-Dec-04	Vs	Carolina
6-Dec-04	Vs	Washington
10-Dec-04	@	Philadelphia
11-Dec-04	@	Pittsburgh
14-Dec-04	@	Toronto
17-Dec-04	@	New York
18-Dec-04	Vs	Washington
21-Dec-04	@	Detroit
23-Dec-04	@	New Jersey
26-Dec-04	@	Ottawa
30-Dec-04	Vs	Anaheim
31-Dec-04	@	Carolina
2-Jan-05	Vs	Detroit
4-Jan-05	Vs	Florida
6-Jan-05	Vs	New Jersey
8-Jan-05	Vs	Buffalo
11-Jan-05	Vs	Colorado
14-Jan-05	@	Pittsburgh
15-Jan-05	Vs	Phoenix
18-Jan-05	@	Toronto
20-Jan-05	@	Edmonton
21-Jan-05	@	Calgary
23-Jan-05	@	Vancouver
25-Jan-05	Vs	New York
27-Jan-05	@	Buffalo
29-Jan-05	Vs	Buffalo
1-Feb-05	Vs	Philadelphia
3-Feb-05	Vs	Ottawa
5-Feb-05	Vs	Columbus
6-Feb-05	@	Montreal
9-Feb-05	@	Carolina
10-Feb-05	@	Tampa Bay
15-Feb-05	Vs	Atlanta
17-Feb-05	@	Tampa Bay
19-Feb-05	@	Florida
21-Feb-05	Vs	Pittsburgh
22-Feb-05	@	Montreal
24-Feb-05	Vs	San Jose
26-Feb-05	@	New Jersey
28-Feb-05	@	Boston
4-Mar-05	@	Pittsburgh
5-Mar-05	Vs	New York
7-Mar-05	Vs	Atlanta
11-Mar-05	Vs	Montreal
13-Mar-05	Vs	Boston
15-Mar-05	@	Phoenix
17-Mar-05	@	Los Angeles
20-Mar-05	@	Chicago
22-Mar-05	Vs	Tampa Bay
25-Mar-05	@	New York
26-Mar-05	Vs	New Jersey
28-Mar-05	@	Philadelphia
29-Mar-05	Vs	Pittsburgh
1-Apr-05	@	Florida
2-Apr-05	@	Atlanta
5-Apr-05	Vs	Toronto
8-Apr-05	@	Ottawa
9-Apr-05	Vs	Philadelphia

When I posted that in July 2005 I noted "Laviolette's back for Opening Night! Here's a look at this
year's schedule.  Opening Night is 93 days away...I hope."

Of course, none of those games were ever played.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Looking ahead to 2012-13

One thing is for certain about next season -- it will start late.  Well, later than recent seasons have opened anyhow.

The Caps announced their pre-season schedule and it runs through Sunday, October 7th (which will be the 40th anniversary of the Isles' first game).  Thus, it looks like the regular season will face off towards the end of the following week.  This means that the Isles will not host a regular season Columbus Day matinee for only the 2nd time since the lockout.

Other than the lockout-shortened 1995 season, which began in January (following a Stanley Cup win by a team in one of the top 2 TV markets -- sound familiar?), the Isles have not opened later than October 10th in any season since 1985, when they opened on October 12th for the second consecutive year.

The Isles home opener has been on a Saturday in every year since 1987, except for a Sunday afternoon opener in 1999.  

The home opener has been in October in every year except 1994 (when they opened in January 1995) and in 2004(when they didn't open at all).  Let's hope that we don't add a third year to that list: 2012.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

Read it and Vomit (Kate Murray/Newsday)

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/highlights-of-interview-with-kate-murray-1.3766158?qr=1&p

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick