MLB and NHL draft, What a difference

Tonight was Major League Baseball’s version of a draft, and boy was it BORING! Held in a sound studio at MLB network, their draft felt more like a board meeting than draft. Each of the 30 teams sent reps to sit at a table and essentially smile for the cameras. Unlike the NHL draft, which will be held in 2 weeks there are no fans, no players come up when their name is called and virtually no atmosphere. So with some of my favorite qualities about televised drafts none existent in the MLB’s version I was to say the least bored. I personally love to watch and hear the fans reactions, the players and families reactions when they are drafted and the overall atmosphere it has. So after watching this lackluster excuse for a draft it makes me all the more anxious for the NHL draft.

Roy Boe passes away at the age of 79

Sad news today as Roy Boe passed away at the age of 79. Roy Boe was responsibel for brining professional hockey to Long Island and owned the Islanders from their conception in 1972 to 1978 and owned the Sound Tigers up until 2005 when he sold them to Wang. Boe was beloved member of Islanders and Sound Tigers history. He will be miss greatly and Islanders Crazy extends heartfelt condolences to the entire Boe family.

Just A Thought: Whyd we ditch Osgood and what if he was still here?

As I sat watching the Red Wings shut out Sidney Crosby and the penguins, I thought back to the days when Osgood wore that number 35 jersey in orange and blue and chants of Ozzi rang down from the rafters at the Coliseum. On September 8th, 2001 the Islanders picked up Chris Osgood in the waiver draft to replace the aging John Vanbiesbrouck in net. Osgood helped lead the islanders back to the playoffs for the first time since the 93-94 season and was part of one the most memorable playoff series in franchise history. After the successful 2001-2002 campaign Osgood expressed his desire to extend his stay on Long Island, but since the success he had on the ice Osgood was looking for more money. What happened next is another example of former GM Mike Millbury’s pure stupidity, Millbury low balled a number: 3 years at an average of $3 mill. On the advice of his agent Osgood rejected the offer and the never got an extension before training camp. Osgood’s decision haunted him all year and on the day of the trade deadline Millbury dumped him to the Blues. As he worked out on the ice with the previous games scratches TSN finally broke the news Osgood to the Blues for Justin papineau and that day changed the course of Islanders hockey. Rick DiPietro took over goal duties and the team has been in a bind ever since. The injury prone DiPietro has crippled the team (goalie wise) as his inconsistent play at times and weeks of time spent on the bench injured have forced the Islanders to play every back up goalie they can (especially this season). But when he’s healthy and in the zone he’s very good. But what would have happened if Osgood stayed, would we be playing playoff hockey? Would we be in a rebuild? Would we know the fate of our team? The answers we will never know, but watching him tonight and seeing how he’s won the cup once and may win it again if things work out for the Red Wings it makes me wish Osgood was still an Islander. In any case this rant was merely

Just A Thought

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Getting a shout out and the party keeps growing.

Today On Hockey Night on Long Island, Islanders Crazy got what we hope is our first of many shout outs from other bloggers and media. Alex and Steve mentioned my post about the draft party and how I quoted them here on this blog. I would like to extend my appreciation for this and suggest all readers to check out Hockey Night on Long Island and Listen to see if you can find my call into the show. In other news the Draft party continues to grow as now over 8,000 free tickets have been sold and continue to be sold. The party should be electric. Islanders Crazy will have a full report from Draft party with video and interviews with whoever we can talk with. Here is video courtesy of B.D Galof of last years draft to give a little preview what this years will be like

hockey Meet Hip Hop (Islanders Style)

Lighthouse Brightens the day!

On this ugly, rainy day a beckon of light beamed through the clouds courtesy of the Lighthouse. As corny as that was its true, as the meeting held today between Wang, Rechler, Suozzi, and Murray went even better than anyone could imagine. At one point group were holding hands as they agreed to work together to speed up the approval process, maybe even being able to get Wang a decision by his Oct. 3 deadline. Murray also announced that the draft impact environmental statement will be signed off by the town board at the July 7th meeting. The group also plans to have a timetable of the approvals and make it public within the next 10 days. We enter the weekend of June 5th on a high note as everyone seems to be more than willing to finally site down and work together. With more progress promised and the backing of the Governor of the State of New York backing the project and will to help it finally seems like fans can start to breath a sigh of relief that maybe their team will be her for many years to come.

Too good to be true?

It seems like a century ago that we were ready to pack up and head out to one of the five boroughs. Today more good news transpired from a meeting with Governor David A. Paterson as he expressed his support for the Lighthouse Project. Paterson has reportedly assigned a member of his staff to be a liaison to help expedite the process. Also the Governor will help obtain funds for state road to help mitigate traffic concerns. Even Kate Murray seems to coming along tell Newsday that she’s going to ask Mr. Wang's permission to send the Lighthouse's environmental report to state agencies so they can start their review. The almost 360 degree turn which has come this week has offered cautious optimism to Islander fans, something that fans could use as they continue to speculate who the team will draft on June 26th. Tomorrow Lighthouse principles Charles Wang, Scott Rechler, Town supervisor Kate Murray, and County executive Tom Suozzi will meet tomorrow in the Suozzi’s office to discuss the process of the project which once again is a step in the right direction. With all the major players sitting down to talk, fans can have some hope that maybe they will someday meet at the Lighthouse

Brooklyn we go small

Back in 2001 Mayor Rudolph Giuliani left his mark on Brooklyn(for better or worse) when he brought baseball back to the borough in the form of the Cyclones and promised to help revitalize the area with private investment. Well it seems like Bruce Ratner is helping out a little, now 8 years later Ratner is playing into that theory as he is trying to revitalize the downtown area including building a brand new arena for the Nets of the NBA who currently reside in the IZOD center. With the situation on the Island being uncertain and the recent court victory for Ratner, fans have now plotted Brooklyn on their wish lists for alternative homes of Islanders hockey. But the notion that Brooklyn could be the new home for hockey might not be a reality anymore. Today Bruce Ratner announced the dismissal Frank Gehry as the architect of the Barclays center. The reason, the $1 billion design became too expensive and they opted for the cheaper $800 million design by Ellerbe Becket, an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Mo. (isn’t that ironic). The new design is a cross between Consaco Fieldhouse and an airplane hanger(odd very odd). The former arena architect Frank Gehry who was born in Toronto and is a hockey fan himself told the New York Times back in January 2006, while speaking to challenges of the design Gehry said "how do you make it come alive for the game and solve the problem of identity for this basketball team and I hope someday a hockey team." But with Gehry out and Becket in the room for hockey has been subsequently eliminated. According to Norman Oder of the Atlantic Yards Report with Gehry’s design gone for a smaller one has left the room for professional hockey out. Oder later on says in his post “But the failure to leave space, at least, for hockey means one potential source of additional tax revenues--and arena activity--would be precluded. So Ratner's decision might not benefit the city and state in the long-term.” Hopefully not to many fans were banking on Brooklyn too much as a possible home for Islanders hockey because today’s news might just have sent the Barclays center “outta here.” With the economy ruining everything the Atlantic Yards project isn’t immune from it either and the arena size is dwindling along with hope that the Islanders would stay should the Lighthouse fail.

Charles Wang on WFAN at 5:30 (POSTPONED)!!

Due to the Length of the Mets game Wang's interview on WFAN will be postponed for a later date.

Islanders owner Charles Wang Will appear live today with Mike Francesa at 5:3o. The past few days Francesa has reported many inaccuracies about the light house project on his show. Tuesday i even called to let him know but he wouldn't let me get my point across, Wang will get a chance to inform the listeners and set the record straight. Goes live at 5:30 so encouraging all to tune in, and if you cant find a radio Click Here to listen live on the web.

John Tavaares: media Time line (sort of)

As draft day draws closer the debate continues and the “experts” up in Toronto continually talk about John Tavares’s flaws and how the Islanders should consider trading the 1st pick. The timing of the criticism can be called coincidental or intentionally started after the islanders secured the first round pick at the draft lottery held on April 14th. But the controversy started before the lottery as Leafs GM Brian Burke stood in front of the Toronto media and proclaimed his love for Tavares, igniting a firestorm of reports of how the Leafs can pull off such a move to gain Tavares. The day after the Burke paraded in front of the media reveling he had spoken to both the Lightning GM and Islanders GM Garth Snow. The same day Snow went on to Leafs Lunch to explain the Isles draft procedure. The next issue that arose was the out of the blue criticism from various scouts and media outlets( notable all of the Canadian media.) Red Line scouting ranked Victor Hedman higher than Tavares and added Matt Duchene as a more serious contender as a choice for the Islanders. The criticisms have continued about Tavares’s skating and other aspects of his game and this past week The Hockey News blogger Rory Boylen suggesting the Islanders trade the pick. In the article, Boylen numerous times suggest that only Tavares “would not help out the team right away” but, to trade the pick and get a good return would benefit the rebuilding process by speeding it up. Which makes sense in a way, but personally hope the Islanders take Tavares. Boylen does start to make unrealistic statements later on as he suggests to quote the article….”If they deal Tavares for a stronger base on which to build, the worst-case scenario for the Isles is they struggle their way to another last-place finish. All that would do is put them in a position to select Taylor Hall in 2010, another can’t-miss prospect who would go high in this year’s draft.” The notion that the Isles could do that bad again or even that the fans would put up with another season that bad is unrealistic. With the development of the young kids the team has shown its capable of winning against and playing against good teams. On THN Shootout: Draft talk, Rory Boylen was on and reiterated his idea that the Isles should trade the pick. But John Grigg, another blogger for The Hockey News said the Islanders should take Tavares because he provides a much more than just a talent they can build around the ice, he can help Wang push the lighthouse project off the ice(something iv said before). Tavares has time and time again said he will play for what ever team drafts him.
"I'd love to go No. 1, but then again I'd love to go to any NHL team. I feel like I can contribute in a good way. If it happens, I'll be honored and very excited. But I'll be just as honored and excited if it doesn't happen." Tavares told NHL.Com from Pittsburgh on Tuesday. And Tavares addressed the Canadian media’s countless calls for him to refuse to play on Long island by saying “there’s been so much garbage out there. It’s really bothered me.” So when all is said and done I believe the Islanders should take Tavares. He is a key person to build around and would be an amazing addition along with Bailey, Okposo , the returning veteran Doug Weight and other youngsters this team could be a playoff contender in a matter of time.

Today more encouraging new came out of Islanders country as Islanders Point Blank spoke with John Tavares, the projected number one pick in this years Draft. In the phone interview Tavares said this to Chris Botta,
“Once and for all, I want to be clear that it would be a privilege to be drafted by the New York Islanders. Please let everyone know that. I can’t believe some of the stuff that’s been out there. I like the Canadian media and I’m on the web reading like everyone else, but some it has gotten out of hand. I don’t know where they get that stuff.”Tavares is showing his commitment to playing for whatever team picks him by searching out Chris Botta to get his message directly to the fans of Long Island. Tavares also discussed his meeting on the Island with Management including reveling he spent the two nigh two day affair at Garth Snow’s home. Also Greg Logan reported that Snow has a pretty good idea about what he plans to do with the top pick this June. Wang will once again make a stop on WFAN tomorrow this time with Mike Francesca at 5:30 so encourage all my readers to tune into WFAN 660.

Round one is over

In what felt like a Tyson vs. Holyfield boxing match (without the ear biting), Supervisor Murray and Islanders owner Charles Wang sat in a room with each other and talked lighthouse for the first time since Jan 23rd. The meeting put together by the Long Island Planning counsel was packed with packed with media and residents to watch the soap opera like story play out. The meeting tense but pretty much the same answers, “ tell us yes or no” by Wang and “the ToH has moved at unprecedented pace o expedite the project” by Murray (for better coverage visit Newsday’s website). In the end a cautionary optimism was in the air as Murray and Wang planned a second meeting (round 2) for Friday in County executive Tom Suozzi’s office. This is a good sign, at least for the time being because it means that finally there will be dialog between town and developer along with hope of keeping the Isles here. Just to sum this up, I’m no political expert and don’t like to write about the lighthouse all to often. But it seems that there is no escaping it and it must be addressed. I will continue to update lighthouse news but not more than I have to and for more in depth analysis of the Lighthouse and its politics my suggestion is to hit up Let there be Light(house).com. More hockey and draft news to come.