WebBard is busy this weekend, but he had time to throw together this little memory lane clip at Keith's request:

Meanwhile, I apologize again to everyone who's coming for hockey talk and to get their mind off the referendum. It's just it's such a pivotal moment and dominates the focus at least through Monday. That said, there's plenty of hockey to talk in the following links as well, including New Jersey avoiding arbitration with Zach Parise but only inking his name on a one-year deal, which means he can be a UFA next summer...

Thanks to everyone who keeps adding interesting links via FanShot, too. Exactly how that tool is supposed to work, and it keeps people talking even when us official authors are too lazy to add something new.

In Lou We Trust talks more about the Parise deal here. It's important to remember that just because he signed for one year doesn't mean he won't sign an extension before next summer. In fact, odds are that will happen. But a player in his position won't be able to sign a mid-season extension until after Jan. 1 -- so if things go sour in Newark two years in a row, watch out.

• The Devils, by the way, also issued their support for the Islanders areener referendum.
• Alexei Yashin agent Mark Gandler continues to happily speak with any reporter asking about his client's connection to the Islanders. As far as he's concerned, the acquisition of Brian Rolston does not impact things.
• I prefer Yashin's Zen-like approach: Maybe so, maybe not. If I can help, why not.
  
• Joel Rechlicz continues to be employed with AHL Hershey.
• Draft Wonks: Dobber Hockey looks at the Class of 2012 (already). The Islanders better not get any of those guys.
  
• Justin Bourne on playing what he calls soft defense vs. what I call more aggressive Phaneufian empty-the-chamber defense.
• Also at Puck Daddy: The Kings have finally filed a formal grievance about the Oilers sending them damaged goods in the Ryan Smyth trade. Pity Colin Fraser, stuck in the middle of all this.
  

LHH Reader Question

Copper & Blue does a "top 25 under 25" about Oilers players and prospects. It's a chance to rank, debate, and update the progress of young players in their team's system. My question: Is that something you'd be interested from LHH? Anything you'd do differently? And furthermore, are there other recurring posts/topics that you'd like us to add to our plate?

Nassau Coliseum Referendum Links

Nick with an update on many things, including the Rock the Referendum contest (canceled, sorry) and an incredible bit of dishonesty from the Association for a Better Long Island: They actually turned their own Facebook debate into suggesting voters will be intimidated at the polls, and would require security.

I don't begrudge you if you have political, financial, or other democratic reasons for voting no. But if you engage in bankrupt intellectual dishonesty like that, you are every bit the problem with politics, and you deserve an ill-informed, aging constituency. What a joke from the "association."

• Islesblogger with another good memory to keep Islanders history going where it is.
• Chris Botta with a referendum plus/minus -- essentially a report card on who's behaved well and who's behaved poorly. Interesting tidbit in there: Look for arena concepts/visuals in Sunday's Newsday.
• Eyes on the Isles is another fan of Jay Jacobs.
• Forbes blog weighs in [FanShot discussion here]: Would the Islanders Really Leave? - Tom Van Riper - Fields of Green - Forbes
• As does Craig Custance at Sporting News: New York Islanders' future in Nassau County could be at stake on Aug. 1 - NHL - Sporting News
• And here's Newsday's pro-referendum editorial [FanShot here]: Vote Yes - Newsday: Vote yes for new Nassau arena

If the referendum doesn't pass, I don't want to think about what's next. However, if it does pass (probably will), I doubt this battle is over. Just be ready. (Either way, next week around here will be about hockey, I promise.)