NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Peter Botte reported a week ago that NY Islanders GM Mike Milbury wasn't happy with the play of his roster this season, and will be looking into the reasons why. Botte doesn't expect the Isles to go shopping for help via the free agent market, as their payroll of $38 million US is lslated to go up "internally" next season due to raises stipulated in several players contracts, and there are concerns over the upcoming labour negotiations in 2004. One player who could seek an extension beyond next season is defenceman Roman Hamrlik, whom Botte notes is coming off an All-Star season and could be shopped for someone who can play on Alexei Yashin's line.
Spector's Note: Botte also noted the Isles have $9.75 million tied up in three defencemen - Hamrlik, Janne Niinimaa and Adrian Aucoin - and have to re-sign Kenny Jonsson this summer. Hamrlik's name was kicked around in trade rumours earlier this season, and he seems the most valuable trade bait the Islanders have if they're seriously looking for someone who can play with Yashin.
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche 4:3 (4:2/2:3/0:3/1:3/3:2/3:2/3:2) Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks 3:3 (3:4/3:2/2:3/2:3/7:2/5:1)
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
NEW YORK POST: Evan Grossman reports sources claim Islanders defenceman Kenny Jonsson could opt to play in Sweden next season if his upcoming contract negotiations become prolonged and heated. Jonsson apparently told a Stockholm newspaper of his intentions, claiming he hoped his contract talks are completed "smoothly and amicably". It's believed Isles GM Mike Milbury, a big fan of Jonsson, wants to get him under contract as soon as possible, although there are concerns over the number of concussion injuries he's suffered over the years.
Spector's Note: Perhaps Jonsson is using the "I'll stay home" ploy to ensure those contract negotiatons go "smoothly and amicably"? If he follows through on this, expect the Isles to go shopping for a blueline boost.
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche 4:3 (4:2/2:3/0:3/1:3/3:2/3:2/3:2) Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks 4:3 (3:4/3:2/2:3/2:3/7:2/5:1/4:2) Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Mighty Ducks 0:3 (0:1/0:2/0:4)
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
MSG NETWORK: Stan Fischler wondered if NY Islanders GM Mike Milbury would take back former Isles winger Mariusz Czerkawski at a reduced salary. Czerkawski failed to stay in the Montreal Canadiens lineup and has even been benched by their farm team during the AHL playoffs.
Spector's Note: Somehow, I doubt that very much, although Canadiens fans would be thrilled if someone, anyone, would take "the Polish Prince" off their hands.
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
NEWSDAY: Alan Hahn reports NY Islanders GM Mike Milbury is warning of "personnel changes" to come in the wake of his firing Peter Laviolette as his club's head coach. Hahn writes the club's obvious need is a scoring winger for Alexei Yashin, but while several players have been mentioned in rumours (Buffalo's Miroslav Satan, Philadelphia's Tony Amonte, Boston's Sergei Samsonov and LA's Ziggy Palffy), Milbury has thus far been unsuccessful. Milbury suggests it may be more difficult with more teams being "budget-conscious" due to the upcoming labour talks in September 2004. Hahn also suggests Milbury might consider shopping team captain Michael Peca, who has the second highest salary on the team and was criticized by the GM late in the season. In addition, Milbury has to decide if he'll re-sign goaltender Garth Snow or let him go via unrestricted free agency. Hahn points out Milbury has a "surplus of top defencemen" and could consider shopping either Roman Hamrlik or Kenny Jonsson, both of whom are restricted free agents seeking raises this summer.
Spector's Note: After a one-year respite, it appears turmoil has returned to Long Island. Hahn also noted Milbury's favourite time of year for trade theatrics - the June entry draft - is fast approaching. It wouldn't surprise me if MM opts to make a major move at that time. If not, expect trade rumours to dog this club throughout the off-season
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports NY Islanders ownership has ordered GM Mike Milbury to "radically slash payroll" before next season. Brooks claims the Isles are "attempting to unload defenseman Roman Hamrlik ($3.6M) and winger Mark Parrish ($2.35M) as quickly as possible", and suggested team captain Michael Peca may no longer be an untouchable.
Spector's Note: My thanks to all of you who sent this in. Anything seems possible on Long Island in recent years, but I think Milbury will want to keep the roster intact to see how they respond under their new head coach. Still, it's been rumoured for months in various publications the Isles could move one of their RFA defencemen (Hamrlik or Kenny Jonsson) for either a scoring winger for Alexei Yashin's line or a goaltender
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
NYISLANDERS.COM: reports the Islanders didn't make qualifying offers to forwards Steve Webb and Randy Robitaille, thus making them unrestricted. GM Mike Milbury did not pick up the option year in goaltender Garth Snow's contract, but said talks with Snow's agent on a re-structured deal continue.
Spector's Note: My thanks to "Larry". I'm surprised they let the popular Webb go. His physical presence will be missed. If the Isles can't come to terms with Snow, what will their options be? Trade for Curtis Joseph? Mike Dunham? Re-sign Felix Potvin? They cannot go with Rick DiPietro as their starter, so some kind of trade or free agent signing must be in the works if they cannot re-sign Snow.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CP) - The New York Islanders have re-signed defenceman Kenny Jonsson to a two-year contract. Financial terms weren't immediately available. Jonsson had eight goals and 18 assists in 71 games while posting a minus-8 rating last season, his ninth in the NHL. The 28-year-old Swede was a restricted free agent with salary arbitration rights. ``I'm very happy that it was done so quickly,'' Jonsson told the team's official Web site from Sweden. ``I had a few things on my wish list and (GM) Mike (Milbury) was first-class about it. My agent said it was one of the smoothest negotiations he's ever been a part of, so I really appreciate that.'' He earned $2.5 million US last season, his eighth with the Islanders. Jonsson's career year came in 1997-98 when he had 40 points (14-26) in 81 games with the Isles. ``There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't want to have Kenny Jonsson as one of their defencemen,'' said Milbury. ``The Islanders and Long Island are fortunate to have such a good player, and a true professional, battling for us night after night.'' The Islanders still have to re-sign restricted free agents Arron Asham, Trent Hunter, Radek Martinek and Justin Papineau.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Defenseman Radek Martinek re-signed with the New York Islanders on Monday.
Financial terms of the two-year deal were not disclosed.
Martinek, a restricted free agent, had two goals and 11 assists in 66 games last season.
With the signing, the Islanders' top seven defensemen from a year ago are returning. The others are Roman Hamrlik, Kenny Jonsson, Adrian Aucoin, Mattias Timander, Eric Cairns and Janne Niinimaa.
nhl.com
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- The New York Islanders signed unrestricted free agent Mariusz Czerkawski to a one-year contract Thursday. Czerkawski, whose contract was bought out by Montreal earlier this month, was traded by the Islanders to the Canadiens in 2002 in exchange for forward Arron Asham. Czerkawski, who scored 35 goals in 1999-2000, had 120 goals and 246 points in 389 games with the Islanders from 1997-2002. He has 182 goals and 376 points in 629 career NHL games. Czerkawski struggled in Montreal and finished the season with Hamilton of the AHL. He had five goals and nine assists in 43 games with Montreal.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- The New York Islanders re-signed goalies Garth Snow and Rick DiPietro to one-year contracts Tuesday.
Snow, who turns 34 next Monday, was 16-17-5 with a .918 save percentage and career-best 2.31 goals against average last season. He became the starter after Chris Osgood was traded to St. Louis.
DiPietro, the No. 1 pick in the 2000 NHL draft, split last season between the Islanders and their AHL affiliate at Bridgeport. He was 2-5-2 with a 2.97 goals-against average and .894 save percentage with the Islanders and was 16-10-8 with a 2.14 goals against average at Bridgeport.
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 - Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 - Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
Islanders sign C Bergenheim to three-year contract
UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) - The New York Islanders on Wednesday signed center Sean Bergenheim, their first-round pick in the 2002 draft, to a three-year contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Bergenheim, the 22nd overall pick in the 2002 draft, played last year for Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. He also had two goals and five assists in six games in the World Junior Championships.
"Sean definitely deserves a shot," Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said. "We really like his skills, his work ethic, his determination. He's the kind of player you need to have to win. We're excited to see how he'll do in training camp."
Bergenheim participated in the Islanders' conditioning camp for prospects last month.
"I really had a lot of fun on the island," he said. "That's just one of the reasons why I'm so glad the Islanders have signed me. I'm going to camp with the goal of making the team."
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 - Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 - Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- The New York Islanders signed Sean Bergenheim, their first-round pick from last year's draft, to a three-year contract on Wednesday.
The versatile forward was chosen by the Islanders with the 22nd overall selection in the 2002 draft.
Bergenheim, 19, didn't receive regular ice time with Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League last season, but he impressed the Islanders at the World Junior Championships where he had two goals and five assists in six games.
The Islanders believe he has a chance to make the team in the upcoming season. By signing Bergenheim and bringing him to training camp, New York will decide whether he plays in North America or returns to Europe.
"Sean definitely deserves a shot," Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said. "We really like his skills, his work ethic, his determination. He's the kind of player you need to have to win. We're excited to see how he'll do in training camp."
The Islanders also signed right wing Cail MacLean on Wednesday. He spent last season with Hershey of the AHL, recording 16 goals and 13 assists in 74 games.
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 - Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 - Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
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...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
