** 12:50 pm: More news has come from the NY Islanders Twitter feed that good-guy defenseman Brendan Witt has been placed on unconditional waivers. He is one player that I have been hard pressed to get a definite answer as to his future status with the organization in his last year of his 3 year contract. It was a lot of money to put in Bridgeport, but they did it and Brendan accepted the role.

This is the hard part of hockey. It is the (assumed) intent of the Islanders to buy out hte remaining $3 million year of Witt's contract. The questions arise as to why they did not do it sooner. No one but Garth Snow knows that answer and I doubt he will be telling it to anyone soon

According to @Russostrib, the Isalnders are showing interest in Eric Belanger.

Requiem for a Hockey Fan:
It was a sad note that I received in my email in-box from the Islanders Booster Club. Gary Harding had the tough job of announcing the passing of Bill Hayes, one of the Islanders staunchest fans.

Bill Hayes, "Mr. Bill" to many who knew him, passed away on Wednesday at 85-years-old after losing his long battle with cancer. Hayes was with the team from day one. He had attended over 1500 Islander games in his lifetime. These last years, frail and sick, he would walk from his assisted living residence on the other side of Hempstead Turnpike and slowly make his way to the Coliseum and take up his seat in 309.

He was a fixture at the games and at the events. He would attend the club meetings and ask questions of the guests, such as Mike Milbury, Garth Snow and Ted Nolan, with conviction and passion. Sometimes he'd ask them twice. Sometimes you'd have to yell for him to hear an answer. But he was there.

Gary and his lovely wife Claire would make sure he was looked after and would often make sure he returned home safe. They would visit when he couldn't get to games himself any longer. They cared.

There is nothing harder for the human soul than to age passed ability to do what you love. It is heartbreaking. For years the season ticket holders in Section 309 watched Bill Hayes decline. But he was always treated with the respect he deserved.

On March 1, 2008, the NY Islanders did a small video presentation to honor him on Fan Appreciation day. Yesterday, Islanders Country mourned his passing.

Rest in Peach Mr. Bill. We'll never forget you.

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