Finally.

There’s not much to say more than this….except one thing. How will this bond be paid for?

One thing Newsday kind of glanced over was this issue. They wrote:

The $400-million debt service would be spread out over 30 years — the same length as a new lease between the county and the Islanders, which would be crafted after the referendum passes. The debt would be paid through revenue sharing between Wang and the county.

See that one line in there were Wang pays it back? This needs to be highlighted just a bit more. Charles Wang will be paying this bond back as well. He needs to receive more credit for this. After all is said and done, he still won’t own the building, but he will be paying down debt for it. The Coliseum is the Islanders home, but there are many other events in the building that bring revenue to this County. The fact that the Isles owner is putting this kind of stake in a public building is…well, unheard of. 

It’s just more evidence of his commitment to Long Island and to the team.

The Islanders are streaming the press conference live on their website. I am planning on watching. I hope more media outlets pick up on this point.

skatesonaplane:

newyorkislanders.com revealed a new splash page today (screenshot above).

Maybe someone should tell Grabs that the whole “orange and blue paint splatter” thing has been done already.

Dude already has, like, 100 times as many twitter followers as me, and now he’s stealing my web art? That’s a low blow.

What’s next? Is he going to start insisting on using his middle initial because he shares a first and last name with an Oscar-nominated (Michael Cerra wannabe) actor?

You know who else just completed a pretty prolific rookie season with the Islanders, completing the post-season media guide today AND writing a completely ridiculous blog post with psycho-grade illusions of grandeur?

This guy.

I’m taking a nap.

@jessedeisenberg

This has been a fun blog to follow during the season. Looking forward to more posts in the summer.

skatesonaplane:

In the second most exciting season finale taking place this week at Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders’ staff took to the ice today for their final pickup game of the regular season.

Led by team captains Garth Snow and Ryan Ward, this group of coaches, trainers and hockey-ops personnel has played at least once a week throughout the season.

The teams change daily, with Snow and Wardo going head-to-head in a draft before each game.

That said, two things are always the same:

1. The two smallest guys on the ice (Wardo and myself), a.k.a. the two guys that Garth loves burying into the boards, are never on Garth’s team.
2. Arti Verdi plays net, and will stop everything that comes close to his glove.

Here’s a look at the talent pool:

General Manager                 Garth “The Head Hunter” Snow

Assistant to the GM             Kerry “The Immovable Object” Gwydir

Islanders Captain                 Doug “I’m actually still an elite hockey player and shouldn’t be wasting my time with you bums” Weight

Scout                                Chris “Dangles” O’Sullivan

Assistant Coach                  Dean “First Rounder” Chynoweth

Assistant Coach                  Scott “The Machine” Allen

Goalie Coach                      Mike “I’m never playing goalie again” Dunham

Goalie Consultant                Sudsie “I’m the third legitimate goalie here who’s insisting on playing forward” Maharaj

Skills Coach                       Bernie “More Moves Than A U-Haul” Cassell

Strength Coach                  Jesse “The Body” Demers

Equipment Manager             Scott “The Agitator” Boggs

Equipment Assistant            Arti “The Cat” Verdi

Video Coordinator               Ryan “Bed Head” Ward

Director of Comm                Kimber “The doesn’t want to be included in this story” Auerbach

Comm Coordinator               Jesse “Danger” Eisenberg

Hockey Ops Intern              Nick “The Heart Break Kid” DeSalvo

When we all give the power
We all give the best
Every minute of an hour
Don’t think about the rest
And you all get the power
You all get the best
When everyone gets everything
And every song everybody sings

And it’s life (nanananana)
Life is life (nanananana)

skatesonaplane:

For fans of Zenon Konopka and Arty Verdi’s nightly wrestling match:

Tonight the equipment assistant’s long pondered “fake blood” idea came to fruition, as he exploded a ketchup packet in his hands while clutching at his face midway through the bout.

He had Konopka fooled for about a half second,…

He’s back. Good to hear. Hope his face is feeling better and that the knee trouble is behind him.

I’m glad he’s back. I’m glad Garth Snow found Al Montoya to fill in so well for DP. I’m glad that while DP was out, we - and the rest of the NHL - got to see just how deep the Islanders are in the crease.

DP is a talented goaltender, who, after all that he has been through, has to be one of the most mentally tough players in the game. When his health meets the talent and his mental strength, he’s going to prove the “haters” wrong.

No. You would not have. Neither would I.

To watch this team play the way it has since January is - unbelievable. To say, this late in the season, that we are not eliminated from playoff contention is - uplifting.

The November - December stretch of wretched losing that cost Scott Gordon his job is most certainly behind the guys in that room. All of us should raise our glass to toast the job that Garth Snow and Jack Capuano have done.

Now that we know this team can win and beat good teams, what happens now? When does Grabner get re-signed? What does Snow do about the string of talented goalies that have shown so much potential? Well Zenon Konopka return? Will Capuano be the coach of this team next year?

These are not questions that anyone can answer. Only Snow and Charles Wang know what cards are on the table and what will happen next, anyone who pretends that they know, is just, well, pretending.

The future is bright Islanders Country. Let’s enjoy the ride.

This picture was taken from the Islanders Twitter stream, @NYIslanders

skatesonaplane:

The “JT Flow Watch” came to an end yesterday, as John Tavares sheared his reckless brown locks to reclaim his signature high-and-tight look.

In a courageous act of solidarity, linemate Matt Moulson took an inch-and-a-half off of his own flow.

Critics were overheard wondering why the player with…

skatesonaplane:

Andrew MacDonald paraded around the locker room in his new Michael Grabner All Star jersey tee today after the morning skate.

The rookie of the year candidate was nice enough to autograph the shirt… Nice to see he hasn’t forgotten the little people.

skatesonaplane:

#isles Zenon Konopka interviews John Tavares with a goalie stick. Not to worry, the media flocked to Zenon as soon as JT wrapped.