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"That's like a 40-degree day. Ain't nobody got nothing to say about a 40-degree day."
--Stringer Bell, "The Wire" Season 3.3
Every time a new report, usually from Newsday, shares details of a politician or developer (but I repeat myself) talking about a new Coliseum proposal, it inevitably gets relayed through the national media as, "The Islanders submit a new arena proposal" or some such poor reading comprehension that overlooks the source.
With Newsday reporting that Nassau officials, the Hofstra president and Shinnecock reps are revisiting the idea of an arena-casino-track complex in Belmont [FanShot here], I suspect that will happen again. Have fun with it and see how it gets translated in other outlets.
(For the record, it's our site policy not to lose sleep every time a new proposal is discussed; but we feel some obligation to mention them, especially for our many readers in the Islanders diaspora around the world.)
Anyway, if that happens some day, cool. But the Isles' 2011-12 starts Saturday. On with the hockey topics, then:
Oh, wait, one more thing. Related to all that: The Long Island Economic Development Council discusses a standard for projects to request state aid.
Ways of Looking at Staios in a Positive Veteran Light
Here's Steve Staios in Newsday on what he thinks he can bring:
"...you can’t make the playoffs today or tomorrow. But you can definitely take steps toward it. You’re going to have ups and downs through the year. I think that’s where maybe I can help out. We have to keep as consistent as possible. It’s inevitable you go through down periods when the team is not playing well. If we can shorten those times, those points of the season are very critical. It’s a grind, it’s a long season. Hopefully, guys can lean on me during that time..."
You know, I have been suspicious of what Staios has left to offer. But I am sympathetic to the psychological and season-long grind side of the game. What he speaks of is generally what you turn to veterans for: Guys who have been there, who keep the young-and-innocent-and-I-get-to-live-forever pups honest.
If Staios and Jay Pandolfo (signed yesterday) can bring that, great. But I bet Mark Streit and Frans Nielsen can do that too, albeit in Central European accents.
Also in that article, more Jack Capuano, talking about the young kids, and showing his motivational speaker side:
"So, for me, they have to step to the plate now. They can’t look back. They have to understand that the chance they were given, it’s over now. They have to win hockey games..."
Cool.
Meanwhile, Ryan Strome was signed yesterday too. Two things to know there: First, he had to sign by yesterday or couldn't sign this season at all (and couldn't, theoretically, be recalled from his junior team once their season ends). Second, a third of his signing bonus will apply to the cap this year, even if he's returned to juniors. I'm still sticking to my longheld assumption that he's going back to juniors. But I'm second-guessing myself, yes I am.
Islanders Links
- Bright Side: Stan Fischler predicts the Islanders will finish third in the Atlantic and seventh in the East. Dark Side: Stan Fischler is kind of crazy.
- Bridgeport updates from Michael Fornabaio: On number changes and such. And a feature on local kid Sean Backman.
- NYI FYI on Pandolfo and Strome impressions.
- Islanders Open House: This select-a-seat event takes place at Nassau Coliseum Thursday October 6th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
- This is it, this is it: Dylan Reese is taking it one day at a time. No truth to the rumor he's dating Bonnie Franklin.
- Power Rankings time! Scott Burnside puts the Isles 20th. Which is fair. So ... who can we ostracize now? [FanShot]
- Strong Isles preview from Puck Buddys.
- Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy is high on the Islanders and especially Frans Nielsen. So he will be spared during the rapture. (I think I'm supposed to capitalize "Rapture" actually. But does it count when you're being irreverent in a sports context? So many rules...)
- Jack Hillen has indeed made the Preds roster.
- No doubt news to you: Zenon Konopka will not be intimidated. Fun Zeke quotes as usual.
- UPDATES SINCE PUBLISHING: The Times' Botta and Z. Klein have a back-and-forth. The Post has their Isles preview up.
Hockey Links
- This was simply funny: Torts on Avery: "We have better players than Sean Avery" - Puck Daddy | Folks have their say on Avery in this FanShot.
- CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION: There are no Islanders on TSN's Top 50. But there are guys I wouldn't want in exchange for John Tavares.
- Bourne off and running with talk from Ron Wilson about coach-player communication. It's fun to survey the varying opinions on this over the years, which generally vary from "tyrant" to "player's coach" and sometimes are captured in the same guy.
- The Flames are like totally getting all into this "using data" thing instead of this "just sign people until the league says you've got no cap room" thing.
- The Flyers will demote Brayden Schenn on paper for one day to save a bundle in cap hit. Shady. Now, in the final year of the CBA rookie potential bonuses count against the cap, so how can this move matter? Because as soon as the season is one game old, Schenn's 82-game bonus is no longer possible.
- Speaking of capumvention, Adam Larsson has made the Devils. Good thing Loophole Lou is anti-bonuses.
- Atlantapeg coach Claude Noel, Noel, is high on top draft pick Mark Sheifele. Really high. The kid has had a great preseason, to be sure.
- If you're into CBA issues (walks toward the ledge), then Pierre LeBrun has a great run-down (looks over the edge) of what is at stake during the next negotiation (jumps off ledge).
- Somewhat deep article from SI's Farber on concussions and Shanabans.
- Old-time fight video: Bobby Schmautz and Dale Tallon go at it as if Michael Grabner is at stake.
Rosters need to be set by 3 p.m. Eastern today. Stay tuned.
Parting thought: I got a flu shot, and my arm hurts -- and not just general soreness hurt; it huuu-wats like I can't speak English because I'm a 4-year-old who doesn't understand the strange restrictions this world poses upon me.