Tim Jackman has been signed to a one-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season.

The Isles have rewarded the committed Tim Jackman with a one-year extension.

We're thrilled for Tim, who is the kind of guy the younger Islanders can look up to for professionalism and dedication to the game. He's been called a leader while he was in Bridgeport and with all of the call-ups and kids involved with the big club, it's believed that Jackman's natural leadership will be key as the Isles move forward in 2009.

It's been talked about and written elsewhere how Jackman rededicated himself to his career by hiring a trainer and improving his skating--and all that hard work has paid off.

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.

Capitals 2 Islanders 1 -- OT

Well, the good news is that the Isles got a point against the Capitals. Ovechkin had 2 goals and Kyle Okposo scored on the power play for the Isles.

WHAT I LIKED: Okposo. You see today that he's just scored his sixth goal and that doesn't sound great or anything but over the year, Kyle has seriously improved. He's made the proverbial leaps and bounds. He's aggressive and always going to the net. He's confident on the puck and we also get to see that burst of speed that we all had heard about. He clearly missed playing the point on the power play with Doug Weight but he is making pretty good decisions with the puck on his stick from the point. There are hiccups as he learns but overall, seeing the improvement since he's returned from injury bodes well for the future of the team.

Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman: these two guys know how to play within themselves; Billy Jaffe talked about it during today's game. They keep everything simple, play to their strengths, and give the team good energy from the fourth line.

Yann Danis: he made some excellent stops today and really reigned in those rebounds. Probably played his strongest game as an Islander.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: the cheap slashing call on Brendan Witt in overtime. It was totally ticky-tack and a hard call to make in overtime. It really shouldn't have been called. And yes, with Witt off the ice, that allowed Ovechkin a lot more room without 32 riding him all over the ice.

The Isles are back to entertain the Ducks on Wednesday and then they're off until the following Thursday in Atlanta.

Islanders sign Jackman to extension

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (TICKER) —The New York Islanders on Monday signed right wing Tim Jackman to a one-year contract extension through the 2008-09 season.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 26-year-old Jackman split last season between the Islanders and Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. In 36 games with New York, Jackman registered a goal and three assists.

“Tim proved to be a versatile player for our organization last season,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow. “He provided toughness and leadership in Bridgeport and served as a great role player with the Islanders when called upon.”

Jackman signed with the Islanders as a free agent on July 5, 2007 after stints with Columbus, Phoenix and Los Angeles. He was originally taken by the Blue Jackets in the second round of the 2001 draft.