We're not moved here by each grandstanding public meeting around the Nassau Coliseum land, nor swayed by each blog forecasting how the latest rumors affect the endgame. But we feel some obligation to pass along what's being said when it makes headlines. The latest:
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has offered Islanders owner Charles Wang an exclusive period to come up with a privately financed plan to redevelop the 77-acre Nassau Hub before the county seeks other options for the site.
Gee, if only Wang had offered to build-- Wait, what year is this again? That's from Newsday, but if you'd prefer the Cliff Notes to save your constitution, Dave summarized the main points [FanShot] last night.
Meanwhile, in the main topic area for this site, the Islanders hockey club is two points back of the Jets, their regulation time victims last night. In a rare case, all last night's results turned in the Islanders' favor, except for your usual Rangers hate (they shutout the Bruins), and unless you think they can still catch the Devils (they beat Buffalo).
Recaps of the 3-1 win over the Jets: LHH recap (with some audio links from Illegal Curve) | Newsday and Mark Herrmann's recap | The Winnipeg Sun has the Jets disappointed in their powerplay | The loss has the Jets captain clamoring for scoring help | The Sun had called it a must-win though | The Free Press called it a wasted chance | Arctic Ice Hockey shares disappointment | IPB glows in the victory
- Newsday uses the occasion to compare Winnipeg (which lost a team and is gonzo over the NHL's return) to Nassau County (which risks losing a team it will never get back).
- They also compare Ty Wishart to ... some Jeremy Lin guy.
- From yesterday, our look at how the Islanders need to approach the trade deadline: By all means, keep pushing for the playoffs, but the deadline decisions must be made with an eye to next year.
- There must be some mistake: Readers keep telling us it's the Islanders players who are easiest to intimidate.
Hockey Prospectus' Timmo Seppa on Atlantic should-be trade deadline targets:
Puzzlingly utilized for a disproportionate number of offensive-zone draws by coach Jack Capuano over the first few months of the season, the 34-year-old was a predictably ineffective square peg in a round hole. Intriguingly for the faceoff-challenged Devils, though, Reasoner's most productive season since 2005-06 occurred for DeBoer's Florida Panthers in 2010-11 (7.8 GVT), when he scored a respectable 1.6 even-strength points per 60 minutes despite just 42 percent offensive-zone starts. Reasoner's former coach could be the key to maximizing the veteran's overall value, while his faceoff skills (54.1 percent) are undeniable.
- James Wisniewski not only scored the tying goal in the BJ's win over the Blues (the Isles' next opponent) last night, he saved a goal against in the most dramatic way possible [video].
- An Oilers blogger disappointed in Steve Tambellini? Get out!
- A Capitals blogger distressed by their villain behind the bench.
- Winnipeg has lots more home games before the deadline: Strength of schedule comparison: Florida Panthers and conference rivals - Litter Box Cats
- Good question: Tuesday's notes: Are shootouts more common as the playoffs approach? - On the Forecheck
- Well, this is messed up: Hockey star facing assault charge after concussing own teammate in practice fight | Prep Rally - Yahoo! Sports
- Turns out the center red line injured Sidney Crosby all along: Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma supports putting red line back in, slowing game down | Puck Daddy
Your fortune for the day: Just as life is a cycle that repeats, so too shall you be asked to do something you were already asked to do in 2007. Just accept it like it's a favor.