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Who Will Be The Next Unsung Hero For The Isles?

by Rob McGowan

on 08/28/2010 - 14:42

Every once in a while there is a roster player on every team that suddenly has a stand out year that came out of no where. Last year the Vancouver Canucks got solid production from Alexandre Burrows, a player that went undrafted and was signed to an NHL contract in 2003. He put up decent numbers in the AHL and came into the Canucks line-up as a bottom-six forward. He ended up with 67 points on the 2010 season, following a 51 point season in 2009.

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DiPietro Shoulders The Weight Of Next Season

by Rob McGowan

on 08/17/2010 - 11:31

Rick DiPietro was still recovering from his multiple surgeries at this point last season, and it wasn't a mystery as to whether or not Rick would be starting in goal for the 2009-2010 season. With Martin Biron signed to a one-year deal in the middle of the summer and Dwayne Roloson signed to a two-year deal just a short while after free agency began, it was all but certain that Rick was going to miss opening night.

In fact, his return to the NHL didn't happen until the winter time after a few appearances with the Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

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One-on-One With Josh Bailey

by Rob McGowan

on 08/08/2010 - 21:06

Check out my interview with Josh Bailey over at The Hockey Writers! Please feel free to leave comments!

http://thehockeywriters.com/one-on-one-with-josh-bailey/

-Rob McGowan

Follow me on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/IslesRM

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Isles Take The SIMple Route

by Rob McGowan

on 08/03/2010 - 19:52

The New York Islanders have re-signed veteran winger, Jon Sim to a two-way contract for next season. At 32 years of age, Sim will be returning for his fourth year with the team (although his first year lasted for two games before he suffered a season-ending knee injury).

Last year was a bit of a roller coaster season for Sim. He started with the Isles, was placed on waivers and went untouched, went down to the Isles farm team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and then ended up getting re-called to join the team when roster space opened up due to injuries.

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Wizzing By: Isles Add Depth At D

by Rob McGowan

on 07/31/2010 - 11:42

Just the other day, I was asking the web if Garth Snow was done with making moves to his roster. The line-up looked almost identical to last year with a few minor tweaks; the team got tougher, the blue-line added a veteran presence, and young guys were getting a chance to have their day as Matt Moulson. But other than that, the team was exactly the same.

A cause for concern was the fact that the defense, although filled with veterans such as Mark Eaton and Milan Jurcina, had lost the element of physicality. Or in other words, a replacement for Andy Sutton.

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Your 2011 New York Islanders?

by Rob McGowan

on 07/28/2010 - 11:20

After a brief hiatus that involved a family cruise to Bermuda, I am finally back at The Checking Line to talk some Islanders hockey. I apologize for the drag in blog frequency...but I figured now is as good a time as any to talk about the Isles roster since I've had plenty of time to think (and I am home sick from work).

The first question is whether or not the Isles are done with sprinkling free agents into their lineup. They've done well so far, adding enforcers Zenon Konopka and Jeremy Yoblonski (who will probably be an AHL call-up), as well as youngster P.A.

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Grading The Isles Moves Thus Far

by Rob McGowan

on 07/07/2010 - 19:45

July 1st came and went with plenty of Free Agent action for many fans' delight. But for Isles fans, it was a quiet day. For those who read the many blogs that are available just a click away on the Internet, many knew to expect minimal movement, if any, by GM Garth Snow.

It wasn't until the following day that the Islanders decided to get their hands dirty. Former Pittsburgh Penguin Mark Eaton was signed to a two-year contract to start off the fun, just before defenseman Milan Jurcina was signed as well. A few moments later, P.A.

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Isles Create Roster Space, Changes Coming July 1st?

by Rob McGowan

on 06/29/2010 - 00:16

The Islanders have decided to not tend qualifying offers to Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini, making them set to become Unrestricted Free Agents on July 1st. Nathan Lawson, Dylan Reese, Dustin Kohn, Rob Schremp and Matt Moulson were tendered their offers, extending the Islanders rights to keep them with the big club. You can expect that they are likely to accept their offers with little or no negotiating.

So what does this mean for the rest of the roster?

Jon Sim, Tim Jackman and Richard Park are still without contracts and heading into free agency most likely looking for new homes.

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Gearing Up For The Draft

by Rob McGowan

on 06/23/2010 - 14:14

If you haven't bought your tickets, now is the time...the Islanders draft party is set for this Friday at the Nassau Coliseum with the 5th overall selection solely in Garth Snow's hands. Yours truly, (as usual every year) will be unable to attend due to work obligations...but here is a brief primer of the scenario's that I think might go down on draft day.

In order...

1) Rick DiPietro is traded to Edmonton for their first overall pick.

HA! No, I'm not that crazy. But it was worth a shot.

Speaking of goalies, I don't see the Isles drafting any this year.

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Between The Pipes

by Rob McGowan

on 06/14/2010 - 15:12

Dwayne Roloson answered any question that lingered about who would be the Isles starter by the end of the 2009-2010 season. During last year's off-season, the Islanders signed Roly to a two-year deal to be Rick DiPietro's 1-A back-up that could handle a heavy work load if he were to injure himself for the umpteenth time. However it became clear that Rick wouldn't be ready once Martin Biron was signed to a one-year deal.

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