Islanders beat Lightning 3-1

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP)—Yann Danis is taking advantage of his starts in goal for New York Islanders as they play out another lost season.

Danis made 29 saves, and the Islanders snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

“You go through stretches where the puck doesn’t hit you,” Danis said. “It happens to all goalies, so I just have to battle through it.”

Coach Scott Gordon was pleased with Danis’ play.

“It definitely was a bounce back game for him,” Gordon said. “He felt pretty good.”

Richard Park, Radek Martinek and Josh Bailey scored for the Islanders, who took three of four meetings this season against Tampa Bay. Jesse Joensuu and Bruno Gervais each had a pair of assists.

Matt Pettinger had the only goal for the Lightning, losers of six straight (0-4-2).

Mike McKenna made 18 saves for Tampa Bay.

The Islanders scored 23 seconds after the opening faceoff. From the left side, Park spun around and sent a quick wrist shot past McKenna for his 14th goal of the season.

“I went down in a butterfly,” McKenna said. “It was just a technical error on my part.”

Tampa Bay came out firing pucks at Danis to start the second period, but he turned everything aside. Later in the period, the Islanders capitalized on a power play to take a 2-0 lead.

Off a faceoff, Martinek wound up with the puck at the right point. He moved to the top of the right circle and blasted a shot over McKenna’s glove-side shoulder at 14:52.

Pettinger got the Lightning on the board with a power-play goal at 16:36.

The Islanders gave themselves a bit of breathing room with another power-play goal, this time with Bailey connecting off a beautiful feed from Blake Comeau at 9:14 of the final period.

“It was a play we worked on a lot,” Bailey said. “It was a nice goal to get.”

The Lightning have not given up, even with their record and all the bodies missing because of injuries.

“For me personally, it’s the last year of my contract, so it’s make or break time for me,” McKenna said. “We at least show heart and courage out there. We play hard.”

Notes

The Islanders recalled five players from Bridgeport on an emergency basis: forwards Mitch Fritz, Mike Iggulden, Jesse Joensuu and Joel Rechlicz, and defenseman Jamie Fraser. Fraser made his NHL debut. … Tampa Bay recalled defenseman Vladimir Mihalik from Norfolk.

Islanders Team Report from Yahoo! Sports

Inside Shots

The relatively small amount of fans and media who ardently follow the Islanders might be eyeing the first pick in the June entry draft, but the John Tavares sweepstakes continue to be a taboo topic among the existing players in the locker room.

“We know a lot of people talk about that, but we don’t,” emerging star Kyle Okposo told the New York Post. “Never. We’re trying to win games and play the best we can. That stuff comes with how the results go at end of the year.

“For sure it’s important to us, but you never know how a player’s gonna turn out. I know there’s a lot of good players in this draft, but we’re not thinking about it.”

With the worst record in the NHL through Saturday’s 5-2 loss in Ottawa, the Islanders would pick no worse than second in the draft because teams can’t drop more than one spot via the lottery. An unexpected hot streak earlier this month had threatened to lift them out of the NHL basement, but they have dropped three of four games entering Wednesday’s game against Minnesota.

“I told them earlier that we weren’t going to worry about our record, and that’s still true,” coach Scott Gordon said. “It says a lot about the approach we’ve had. At this time of year, you can have the mindset that, ‘I can’t wait ‘til the season’s over.’ That’s not the case here. It’s almost like our record doesn’t exist.”

Senators 5, Islanders 2: The Islanders netted four second-period goals Friday in Carolina and allowed four in the middle session one night later in Ottawa. Both extremes somehow resulted in the latest two losses for the Isles, who have dropped three of four games overall following a surprising 5-1-1 stretch that briefly threatened to get the NHL’s 30th-ranked team out of the league cellar.

Notes, Quotes

• D Bruno Gervais’ overall play recently has been “leaps and bounds ahead of where he started this year,” according to coach Scott Gordon. Gervais has been playing on the top defensive pairing with All-Star D Mark Streit, and he even has scored two goals in his last 10 games after being held scoreless for 160 appearances since 2006.

“One thing I’ve been noticing is that players are a lot more relaxed now, and I think skill comes out when guys are relaxed,” Gervais told Newsday. “I used to feel every loss was the end of the world…You bring your best effort to the rink, but people around you don’t deserve to pay for your performance. You want to win; you’re intense, but I have a rule. When it turns midnight, it’s a new day.”

• C Doug Weight is skating and trying to make it back to the lineup from a knee injury before the season is over. The veteran pivot and pending unrestricted free agent also has expressed interest in returning next season after the Islanders took a chance on him last summer.

“Let’s put it this way: there’s nothing that’s making me run from Long Island,” Weight said recently. “I love it here and I love this organization and the guys on the team. There’s nothing I’d like more than to get something done for next season.”

Quote To Note: “If you have a good night, it makes it a lot sweeter if it’s a ‘W.’”—Center Josh Bailey, after the first two-goal game of his career was wasted in a 5-2 loss Saturday in Ottawa.

End of Two, Islanders lead 3-1

Islanders goals scored by Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey (#3), and Kyle Okposo.

I don't want to use the 'O' word, but the system is really working well these last few games. The kids come up from Bridgeport where they've been doing it all year and no one misses a beat. Tambellini's been heading to the net which is just incredibly nice to see.

With Hunter out for the year, Kurtis MacLean was called up from the Bridge.

Billy Guerin has three points so far today for the Penguins.

Islanders Beat Thrashers 5-4

In the nine games previous to the All-Star break, the Islanders scored just 17 goals.

In the first period last night, the Islanders scored four.

Let me say that again: four goals. One period. Four.

Then they had to hold on at the end to beat the Atlanta Thrashers 5-4.

Good news, though: the mighty Thrash had beaten our boys three times in a row and even with that win, the Islanders are still "leading" the Entry Draft ping pong ball derby.

The veteran-to-young guys hand-off is in full bloom and last night, at least, the kids looked like they belonged. We had to wait for Drastic Measures, I suppose, but seeing Scott Gordon go with lines of Comrie-Weight-Guerin and Comeau-Bailey-Okposo was kind of exciting. It was like a showcase for all six guys: here's what we have for you to scout and here's what we have coming up.

The third period was pretty interesting as the Thrashers made it a game.

Mrs. NYIFORLIFE reports that the Thrashers' announce team of Daren Elliot and JP (What? No soccer?) Dellacamera were claiming that the Islanders were rattled (they were) and that they were ripe for the picking (kinda) but our boys hung on after Danis let in three third-period goals (Bogosian; Peverley, and Reasoner) before Kyle Okposo broke up the party at 12:39 with his second goal of the game. New linemates Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau had the assists.

Of course, Ilya Kovalchuk scored in the last minute to make it interesting, but the Isles were able to escape the last 58 seconds and leave Atlanta with two points.

Interesting first period, though. We all know that a 2-0 lead is the scariest lead to have in hockey, but 4-0 with these Islanders is kind of scary too. Foreboding, even. When you score too much too fast and the other guy has plenty of time to get back in it, you have to be careful to keep your foot on the accelerator.

The Isles have had this maddening great period / crappy period thing going on all season. You get four in the first (Hunter :55; Okposo 7:29, Jackman 10:25, and Weight at 13:17) and then nothing happens in the second. Then the third starts and you're holding on for dear life.

It's just been a strange, strange season.

Isles lose in Phoenix; Weight gets 1000; Bailey gets #1

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year.

I of course, fell asleep before midnight but made it to after 11PM this year. Something of a personal best. I'm quite proud of it.

I had some help though. The US played Canada in the World Juniors on New Year's Eve and yes, it was a heck of a game. I'm sure you've all read and heard about it on other blogs...or watched it for yourselves. All I can say about the was that the Americans were outclassed by the Canadians; who started out nervous and watched as the Americans posted a very-early three-goal lead. I immediately got the same sinking feeling that I got in that infamous Giants-Niners playoff game where the G-Men went out to this ridiculous 30 point lead and I knew that they had scored too many points too fast.

Once the Canadians calmed down and let the butterflies float away, they came back and reigned all over the US squad. John Tavares had a hat trick and it ended up being a 7-4 final.

The Americans were obviously shocked at that stunner because they bombed out yesterday versus Slovakia and are now out of the medal round of the tournament.

Earlier in the day, the Isles played Florida on the Island. Still great to hear Jiggs McDonald in there subbing for Howie Rose. Trevor Smith made his NHL debut as a call-up and played very well. By that I mean you noticed him out there. He was also named third star of the game by the partial Islanders off-ice officials.

Smith's story is an interesting one: undrafted, he was signed by the Islanders as a free agent out of college. He struggled early last year with the Sound Tigers and admits to having been a bit intimidated by playing professional hockey. He was actually sent back to the ECHL to get his game in shape and once he returned, he went on a tear for Bridgeport and scored like crazy as the Sound Tigers pushed through the regular season.

Before his call-up, Smith had 18 goals and 29 points in 33 AHL games. He has shown a real nose for the net and an ability to push hard toward the goal. With the youth movement in full swing, there is porobably going to be a place for Smith going forward if he keeps playing like this.

Also, let's face it--in the American League there is a ton more time for practice and Jack Capuano has had the luck to be able to teach Scott Gordon's system to the Soung Tigers than Gordon has had with the big club.

The bad news: Smith's spot opened up because Mike Sillinger was placed on the IR with a hip issue. Our best goes out to Mike. We've been a fan of his for a long time.

OK, so on New Year's, Mike Comrie scored 2 goals and had an assist. Are we all wondering if Hilary Duff is in town?

Seriously, Mike's been on a bit of a tear since returning from his own hip injury. He doesn't even look like the same guy who tried gutting out a few games early in the year. This, of course, makes him a more attractive, tradeable asset come March, if he keeps this up. Don't think that Garth Snow isn't thinking of these guys as chess pieces. He has to. With a one-year deal that he signed over the summer, he makes for an intriguing rental possibility.

And, of course, if he stays on the Island, that is fine with us too.

Last night was one for the books. Sure, the Isles lost 5-4 and DiPietro looked garden gate rusty, but classy Doug Weight added two points to get over the hump and now stands at 1001 points in his career. Fitting that both points we assists, eh? The first one came on a pass that bounced at least twice cross-ice and landed on the stick of Richard Park, who knocked it home with 3:06 left in the game to make it 5-3. Park immediately rushed to grab the puck as Weight's teammates congratulated the admired star; who had thirty members of his family at the game.

Bailey beat Phoenix's Mikael Tellqvist on a one-timer from between the hashes earlier in the third period to get the Islanders within two at 4-2. Sean Bergenheim also scored his second in two games for our boys, who have now lost three of four and face the Sharks in San Jose tonight. Gulp.

Back from the brink of Christmas

Sorry for the lack of updates...and so much has gone on in Islanderville over the past few days.

Of course, the first thing we need to mention is that the vile ten-game winless streak is o-v-e-r thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, the same Leafs who were told in their local papers that the day-after-Christmas game with the worst team in the league was a late Christmas present of two points.

You have to love the Toronto media. Lose two in a row and the team is a bunch of bums and all of managment should be fired. Win two and the 42-year Cup drought is over and we need to start booking the parade down Younge Street. We need to get the entire Canadian media some Paxil to help with their mood swings!

Big news in that game was that Billy Guerin potted his 400th career goal. His 399th came on a deflection on a shot from Josh Bailey and the deflection was so obvious that I was scratching my head wondering why Billy and Howie were talking about the kid getting his first NHL goal when it was plain as day that Guerin was going to get it.

But, hey, who is complaining. The Isles got the win and Ricky was back in the net. What's more, he played a great, no nonsense, conservative game for the 4-1 victory.
Saturday night, the impossible happened. The Isles play a lackluster 58 minutes (well, not Joey MacDonald--he was pure fire) and then our boys tie up the Sabres with two powerplay goals with MacDonald pulled to send it to OT. Chris Campoli, who loves that top shelf, wristed one past Ryan Miller with 2 seconds left. Sure, the Isles coughed up the shootout but the way things have been going, one point is one point.

And here's a surprise: the Isles play the Rangers tonight and wouldn't you know it, Larry Brooks' man crush on Sean Avery made the papers again yesterday as LB is trying desperately--a little too desperately--to get his boy toy Avery back to MSG.
Look, I understand that everybody has favorite players but Brooks is just making us all a little uncomfortable with his gushing and defending of Avery. He can say whatever he wants about the Rangers needing an edge or whatever. It's just all a bit too much, Larry. You don't want us making the hostage face you made on live TV a few years ago at the NHL Awards, do you?

The "RANGERS (are not) SCREAMING OUT FOR AVERY", Larry. You are.

AND for all of those complaining (like me) about the Isles not releasing Josh Bailey to play in the tournament, did anyone consider that notorious complainer and whining curmudgeon Pat Quinn is the coach of the Canadian team? Methinks Garth and Scott may not have wanted Josh to be subjected to the Quinn negativity.

We'll have more about the Isles tomorrow and some insight on what we've seen while watching the World Junior Championships.

Islanders Team Report

Yahoo Sports

The No. 9 pick in the draft has gotten to Game No. 10.

And with that, the Islanders announced Saturday that first-round pick Josh Bailey will remain with the team “for the rest of the season” instead of being sent back to his junior team, the Windsor Spitfires. Bailey, 19, had five points in his first nine appearances, and the first year of his entry-level contract kicked in once he appeared in his 10th game Saturday night against Ottawa.

“Obviously, there were times I was sitting in my hotel room thinking it was almost a matter of time before I went back to junior,” Bailey said. “Once they told me I was staying … I told them I’m starting to get my confidence as a player.”

Bailey has shown enough glimpses to prove he belongs in the NHL, although it didn’t hurt his case that Isles centers Frans Nielsen, Mike Comrie and Mike Sillinger are on the injured list. Sillinger figures to return Thursday at Washington after completing a three-game conditioning assignment at AHL Bridgeport Saturday night. And Comrie resumed skating lightly Friday for the first time since shutting down his surgically repaired right hip on Nov. 11.

But Bailey has averaged more than 17 minutes per game in his last six appearances, quickly gaining coach Scott Gordon’s trust with his vision and passing ability, particularly on the power play.

“I think it really comes down to the maturity of the player, and Josh is a mature player and person,” Gordon said. “Like I said, he’s done everything right that we’ve asked him to do … Whoever he’s going to play with down the road is going to be a better player because he’s one of those players who can make something out of nothing. That’s an exciting thing to have because those players are hard to find.”

Islanders 4, Senators 2: Throughout their sixth game in nine nights, the Islanders had the energy level and willingness to forecheck relentlessly that coach Scott Gordon thought was missing one day earlier in a blowout loss in Boston. Led by two goals by low-scoring defenseman Freddy Meyer and a clampdown in the third period in a month filled mostly with meltdowns, the Isles skated to their third straight win over Ottawa, a team they had defeated only 12 times in 59 tries in their history entering this season.

“I thought our energy level was great tonight. Right from the get-go our guys, I think, made a statement they wanted to forecheck, which is obviously the key to our success,” Gordon said. “Like I said to the guys after the game, it’s one of those things where we just came off playing six games in nine days, and the game we had Friday (in Boston) should’ve been the game we had tonight. But for me, the guys came out and they showed it’s mind over matter.”

Notes, Quotes
• C Mike Comrie hasn’t provided much return since the Isles’ handed him a $4 million contract extension for this season at last year’s trade deadline. Comrie underwent season-ending hip surgery late last season and has missed the past 10 games with inflammation in his right hip. He had two goals and six assists in 14 appearances before he was assigned to the injured list on Nov. 11.

“I want to come back the way I started the season last year when I was fully healthy. I want to feel I can help make a difference in the game and that the team can rely on me,” said Comrie, who resumed light skating Saturday. “Before I was hurt this year … I felt like I wasn’t at the level I needed to be and that was the reason why.”

• G Yann Danis was recalled from a sharpening stint at AHL Bridgeport to serve as G Joey MacDonald’s backup after demoted G Peter Mannino allowed three goals on eight shots in barely 13 minutes Friday in Boston.

“It definitely helped,” Danis told Newsday about his three games at Bridgeport. “It was good to feel the puck a little bit and get back into some sort of rhythm. Played three in a row there….Things went really well last night. It was good to get back into it and get some confidence, too.”

Quote To Note: “Enormous. Obviously, Friday left a bad taste in our mouths and we wanted to play a good game and did that. It’s tiring because it’s six (games) in nine nights, but overall this was one of our best efforts of those six games.”—Winger Andy Hilbert after the Isles rebounded from a blowout loss to Boston on Friday with a complete 4-2 home win over Ottawa.

Roster Report
Goaltenders: Joey MacDonald, Yann Danis
Defensemen: Mark Streit, Radek Martinek, Brendan Witt, Andy Sutton, Freddy Meyer, Chris Campoli
First Line: Sean Bergenheim, Doug Weight, Bill Guerin
Second Line: Andy Hilbert, Josh Bailey, Trent Hunter
Third Line: Jeff Tambellini, Richard Park, Jon Sim
Fourth Line: Nate Thompson, Jeremy Colliton, Tim Jackman

Player Notes:
• D Freddy Meyer, who entered this game with 12 goals in 184 career NHL games, scored twice and added an assist in a 4-2 win Saturday over Ottawa.
• RW Trent Hunter became the first Islander to reach 10 goals this season with an empty-netter with 1:01 remaining.
• LW Jeff Tambellini, who hasn’t scored in 41 games dating back to last season, played just 7:35, including two shifts in the third period.

MEDICAL WATCH
• C Frans Nielsen will miss 8-to-12 weeks after suffering multiple leg injuries, believed to include a high-ankle sprain, Nov. 21 in New Jersey.
• G Rick DiPietro underwent arthoscopic surgery Oct. 31 on his left knee. He will be sidelined at least 4-to-6 weeks after suffering his latest in a string of injuries on Oct. 25. DiPietro also underwent hip and right-knee surgery during the offseason.
• D Bruno Gervais was placed on injured reserve and missed his third straight game with an undisclosed leg injury. He’ll be eligible to return for the Isles’ next game Thursday in Washington.
• RW Kyle Okposo has resumed practicing with the team but missed his sixth straight game since suffering a hand/wrist injury Nov. 17.
• C Mike Comrie, who underwent offseason surgery on his right hip, missed his 10th straight game since Nov. 11 with inflammation. The Islanders have issued no timeframe concerning his return, although he has resumed light skating on his own.
• C Mike Sillinger was set to complete a three-game conditioning assignment Saturday at AHL Bridgeport, and is expected to make his first appearance since February hip surgery Thursday against Washington.

End of One: Islanders 2, Penguins 0

Just thought I'd jump in with a quick update.

Isles are up by two on goals from Weight and Hunter. Bailey has 2 assists and almost scored his first professional goal.

Yeah, um, I am betting he will still be around after magic game #9 on Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Josh Bailey Debuts Today!

Point Blank is reporting that Islanders' first round pick Josh Bailey will make his NHL debut today vs. the Flyers.

Home Opener: Isles 5 Blues 2

What I liked:

--Well, the whole first period. The way the guys were crashing the net and moving without the puck kept the Blues back on their collective heels for most of the night. When the forecheck is working, it is a beautiful thing to watch.

--Joey MacDonald. The guy made what Billy Jaffe called a "sick" save in the second period with a lunge across his crease to deflect a sure Blues goal with his catching glove. He also stopped T-Chuck on a breakaway. The fans were into it for sure, chanting "Jo-ey!" in the same cadence they cheer for DP. Stellar.

--Sean Bergenheim played breakneck and got a goal. Trent Hunter also scored with a nice wrister from just above the circles. The Isles are going to need improved offense from these two to be successful this year. If Trent rediscovers his nose for the net and Bergie buries just half of the chances he seems to have all the time, both guys are going to have good offensive numbers.

--Scott Gordon, who got his first NHL win last night in the home opener.

What I didn't like:

--Radek Martinek went down behind his net again with an apparent shoulder injury. I love Radek as a player and there is no denying that he and Brendan Witt are the team's best pairing but we need to find a way to keep Martinek on the ice. He sure misses a lot of games and he is important to the team.

--The "Somewhere in California" commercial that they play EVERY FREAKING BREAK on the Center Ice package.

--TSN.ca speculated (without giving a source, by the way) that DP was going to be out for a while and was spotted with an ice pack on his knee after the game the other night. Yeesh. These guys really like kicking the can of conspiracy and always like to dig at our boys. If Rick was truly hurt, would they risk putting him on the bench as the backup goalie when he may have to get into a game? What in the name of Bob McKenzie is going on up there?

--Newsday reports that coach Gordon says that Blake Comeau's conditioning is not up to his overspeed standards.

--Josh Bailey is also reported to be out two- to four-weeks with an injury.

Josh Bailey makes the team

Islanders first-round draft pick Josh Bailey was named to the Islanders opening day roster NHL roster. The Isles also put Mike Sillinger, Chris Campoli, and Andy Sutton on injured reserve.

This is from Greg Logan's Newsday blog:

...Bailey was on pins and needles before meeting with coach Scott Gordon and general manager Garth Snow, saying, "I have no idea what to expect."

We'll have more on the final roster later this week. The Isles open on Friday at the Devils.

Islanders sign first-round pick Josh Bailey to three-year, entry-level contract

NewYorkIslanders.com reports that Josh Bailey celebrated his 19th birthday today with a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. Bailey, a center, was selected ninth overall in the draft this past June and has been attending Islanders training camp. The contract is a standard NHL entry-level contract.

“This is an exciting day for the organization as we continue to build our team with young players like Josh who have very bright futures,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow.

Click here for the full story.

Islanders Team Report

Courtesy: Yahoo! Sports

Inside Shots

Islanders general manager Garth Snow is taking his time and talking to men of various experience levels in searching for Ted Nolan’s replacement as head coach.

Since Nolan was axed on July 14, ostensibly for not being on board with the franchise’s stated youth movement, Snow reportedly has interviewed at least five candidates. Those range from Bob Hartley and John Tortorella, who won Stanley Cup titles with Colorado and Tampa Bay, respectively, to veteran NHL coach Paul Maurice.

Former Bruins coach Mike Sullivan, who was an assistant to Tortorella last season with the Lightning, and AHL Providence coach Scott Gordon also were on Long Island in late July to meet with Snow.

According to Newsday, former St. Louis and Colorado coach Joel Quenneville also declined an invitation by Snow to interview for the vacancy.

Notes, Quotes

• The Islanders announced their 2008 preseason schedule, including one home game at Nassau Coliseum, Oct. 1 against New Jersey. With training camp to be held in Moncton, New Brunswick, for the second straight year, the Isles will play host to Boston at Moncton Coliseum on Sept. 23. They also will play Philadelphia in London, Ontario, on Sept. 25 and Florida in Sumerside on Prince Edward Island on Sept. 27. The Isles also play in New Jersey, Boston and Florida in early October.

Quote To Note: “Communication is key, along with the ability to provide structure to the team, to be able to discipline players and to hold players accountable. I’ll look for a coach who has integrity, an inspirational, motivational, knowledgeable coach. Those are the ingredients I feel a great coach has. I look forward to the process of finding our next head coach.”—GM Garth Snow, on the Islanders’ coaching search.

Roster Report

Draft Picks Of Note:

Corey Trivino, 6-1, 170, OPJHL Stouffville, 36th overall: The speedy center scored 69 points in 39 games in the Ontario Provincial junior A league, plus four goals for champion Team Canada at the World under-18 Junior tournament in January.

Aaron Ness, D, 5-9-1/2, 157, Roseau HS (Minn.), 40th overall: The undersized defenseman was Mr. Hockey in Minnesota in 2008, with 72 points from the blue line in 31 games for his high school team. Interestingly, Ness will attend the University of Minnesota and coach Don Lucia, who took issue with the Isles and with Snow for signing 2006 first-round pick Kyle Okposo away from the Golden Gophers in the middle of the college hockey season last winter.

David Toews, 5-10, 175, Shattuck-St. Mary’s HS (Minn.), 64th overall: The younger brother of Chicago rising star Jonathan Toews had 100 points in 51 games (44-56) for Minnesota’s top high school program. The younger Toews is headed to the University of North Dakota.

Kirill Petrov, 6-3, 198, RSL AK Kazan: 73rd overall: The Isles took a chance on Petrov, the No. 2-ranked European skater (behind No. 6 overall selection Nikita Filatov) by NHL Central Scouting. Petrov plummeted in the draft because he is under contract for the next two seasons in Russia. The right wing was named the top forward at under-18 worlds last winter with five goals in six games.

Free Agent Focus: After signing center Doug Weight, power-play quarterback Mark Streit and third-string goalie Yann Danis, the Isles boast 24 one-way contracts for 23 roster spots for 2007-08. When asked by Newsday if that means he’s likely done shopping on the free-agent market, GM Garth Snow replied, “I would say so, but I’ll still poke around and make calls.”

Player Notes:

• C Frans Nielsen, a Denmark product who has appeared in 31 games for the Islanders the past two seasons, received a four-year contract worth $2.1 million.

• D Bruno Gervais became the last returning Islander to land a new contract, signing a three-year deal worth $2.225 million on July 25.

From Newsday: The New Islanders

After trading down twice in the first round to take Windsor Spitfires center Josh Bailey at No. 9 on Friday night, the Islanders traded down once more in the third round yesterday with Chicago, adding another pick in the fourth round. That gave them a total of 13 picks in the NHL draft. Here's a look at the 12 chosen yesterday in rounds 2-6 to add to Bailey, including each player's overall draft number, position, height, weight, birthdate and junior team:

36. Corey Trivino

C, 6-1, 170, 1/12/90, OPJHL Stouffville: Scored 69 points in 39 games in the Ontario Provincial junior A league, had four goals to help Canada win the World under-18 Juniors in January.

40. Aaron Ness

D, 5-9½, 157, 5/18/90, Roseau, Minn. HS: Minnesota's Mr. Hockey in 2008 scored 72 points in 31 games (28-44-72) for high school team, member Team USA at under-18 Worlds, headed to University of Minnesota.

53. Travis Hamonic

D, 6-0, 192, 8/16/90, WHL Moose Jaw: Physical, stay-at-home D was 5-17-22 in 61 games in first season with Moose Jaw and was member of Canada's under-18 world champions.

66. David Toews

C, 5-10, 175, 6/7/90, Shattuck-St. Mary's, Minn. HS: Winnipeg native is younger brother of Chicago's Jonathan Toews. Had 100 points in 51 games (44-56-100) for Minnesota's elite high school program; speedy with good hands.

72. Jyri Niemi

D, 6-2, 192, 6/15/90, WHL Saskatoon: Finland native led WHL rookie defensemen in scoring with 34 points in 49 games (14-20-34), power-play QB shoots left and has slap shot clocked at 97 mph.

73. Kirill Petrov

RW, 6-3, 198, 4/13/90, RSL AK Kazan: No. 2-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting was 4-6-10 in scoring in 47 Russian Super League games; named top forward at under-18 worlds with 5-2-7 mark in six games.

96. Matt Donovan

D, 5-11, 185, 5/9/90, USHL Cedar Rapids: Oklahoma native was second-leading goal scorer among USHL defensemen with 12 and 18 assists for 30 points in 60 games with a plus-19 rating; headed for Denver University.

102. David Ullstrom

W, 6-3, 198, 4/22/89, Sweden HV 71-Jr.: Scored 54 points in 40 games (27-27-54) in his final junior season before move to Sweden's second tier; has strength, size, speed and finishing touch, but needs to improve defensively.

126. Kevin Poulin

G, 6-2, 210, 4/12/90, QMJHL Victoriaville: Seventh-rated North American goaltender had an 18-24 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and .887 save percentage that reflected his inconsistency.

148. Matthew Martin

LW, 6-2, 192, 5/8/89, OHL Sarnia: Rugged power forward scored 25 goals, 38 points and 155 penalty minutes in his second season with Sarnia and went 3-3-6 in nine playoff games.

156. Jared Spurgeon

D, 5-8, 175, 11/29/89, WHL Spokane: Had 43 points in 69 games (12-31-43) for WHL Spokane with a plus-36 rating. Helped lead Chiefs to the Memorial Cup championship.

175. Justin DiBenedetto

C, 6-1, 185, 5-11, 194, 8/25/88, OHL Sarnia: Scored 93 points (39-54-93) to finish just 12 behind teammate Steve Stamkos, who was drafted No. 1 overall. Had 10 points in nine playoff games.

Islanders select C Bailey with ninth pick

OTTAWA (TICKER) —After trading down twice, the New York Islanders on Friday selected center Josh Bailey from the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires with the ninth overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

New York, which entered the day with the fifth overall selection, traded that pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the No. 7 pick, which it in turn shipped to the Nashville Predators for the ninth selection.

Bailey, 18, registered 29 goals and a team-leading 96 points in 67 games for Windsor last season. His 67 assists ranked third overall in the OHL.

“I was just ecstatic to be chosen by the Islanders,” Bailey said. “Just to be selected by an NHL team is an honor, but to be selected by such a wonderful organization, words just can’t describe it. … I was hoping it would be New York because of the guys they’ve got from the top all the way down. It just seems like it’s going to be a good group of guys to play with.”

A native of Bowmanville, Ontario, Bailey finished the campaign with a nine-game points streak, notching five tallies and 18 assists as the Spitfires finished third in the Western Conference. The 6-foot, 188-pounder participated in the OHL All-Star Classic and netted a pair of goals in the Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game.

Bailey is not expected to be a high-end offensive player in the NHL but has good skating ability and vision on the ice. Said to have the makings of a future captain, he figures to be a mainstay on a checking line and the penalty-killing unit.

“Obviously, I’m going to work as hard as I can to make the team next year,” Bailey said. “I’ll do whatever it takes, and if I get sent to Windsor for another year, I won’t be upset. We’ve got a good team down there, so I’m just going to work as hard as I can to hopefully improve. I’m going to try to play my game as much as I can at the next level by getting into even better shape.”


NYIFORLIFE.com REACTION: Well, it wasn't a boring ride to say the least. I'm still shocked that my wife watched the whole first round with me; even if she was reading most of the time. Seriously, any woman who will stick by you while you're watching the NHL draft is a keeper. A little free advice to all of you hockey fans out there. Were a full service website!

Regarding the trading down stuff, I am guessing that with the fanbase that this is seen as fairly controversial but you have to give Garth and Ryan Jankowski one thing: they got the guy they has their sights on and they added more picks to play with later today. There's all sorts of rumors going on (like the ever-present McCabe stuff) regarding what the organization is planning but one thing is true: they are going with the kids and they're stockpiling options in what is universally described as a very deep draft.

One thing Bob McKenzie mentioned regarding Filatov stuck with me. He mentioned that without an agreement between the Russian Federation and the NHL, Russian players could come here, find out that they don't like it, and just go home to play in the new Super League for a lot more money. That makes Filatov a double-jeopardy pick.

Anyone else kinda creeped out by Pierre McGuire's reaction to the Leafs taking Luke Schenn?