Sun 10:56 pm: As the door closes on the first full day of free agency, the Islanders have been active. Of course, they didn't make that big splash that took the net by storm, but no one really expected them too.
While Free Agency is where most teams will get the pieces they need, the NY Islanders are saddled with the fact that their current issues make them undesireable to any player that doesn't come with his own baggage.
No. The best piece to fit will come from a trade when a player has no choice but to show up in Uniondale with his hockey bag or developed through the system. This is a waiting game, but the fans are antsy as hell.
Me? I'm just tired. Tomorrow is another day.
Sun 9:29 pm: In all the crazyness that was today, I basically missed that BOTH ex-NYI Aaron Asham and Michael Haley have been signed by the NY Rangers.
Here's the thing. I know that Aaron likes to stay close to NY for personal reasons (kids everywhere), but Haley too? Do they really need Haley? Interesting.
Asham is 2 years, 2 million. Let's see how the 34 year old manages the coming season.
Haley also signed a 2 year deal but the value is undisclosed.
Sun 9:16 pm: According to prospect blogger Matt Clausen, the NY Islanders only need $2.8 Mil to reach the cap floor. He says that basically 3 entry level contracts. That's a piece of cake.
Sun 8:41 pm: According to Art Staple (who was wrong on Dylan Reese now wasn't he?) the Isles are still in the running for Bryce Salvador. Salvador has a slew of offers that he will wade through and decide tomorrow. Also, according to Art, the Isles have cooled on the idea of Semin.
Sun 8:02 pm: Reading that Brad Boyes made $4 million last year with the Sabres and his contract with the Isles is for $1 mil. Doug Weight had the most to say about the Boyes signing and his past years of excellent goal production.
Sun 6:51 pm: Another depth signing for Bridgeport to replace those who have flown the coop. Matt Watkins has signed a one year, 2-way contract. A 5'11" forward was a Pittsburgh Pirate. Whooppeee....
Sun 6:18 pm: So, with Dylan Reese gone, the Isles signed Sound Tiger Jon Landry to a one year two way deal.
Sun 5:51 pm: Holy Crap! Dylan Reese is NOT signing with the Isles, but with the PENGUINS! HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN???
Sun 4:15 pm: Well, the PA Parenteau era is over. PA signs a 4 year deal for 16 Million for 4 years. A little more than the Isles wanted to pay. This is his pay day. Reminds me of Jason Blake.
Also signed by the Isles is forward Eric Boulton who is also an ex NJDevil. He has to clear waivers and it's a vet minimum deal according to Art Staple of Newsday.
Sun 2:24 pm: Well, looks like Matt Moulson is welcoming Carkner so maybe it's happened! That's TWO so far and it's not even close to 5 pm.
Sun 2:12 pm: The shoe has dropped Brad Boyes has agreed to terms on a 1 -year deal with the Isles. That's what Art Staple said would happen. And it did.
Now, there is some confusion if Matt Carkner has signed with the Isles or elsewhere. Which is it?
Sun 1:32 pm: Not that there was any chance, but Konopka has signed with the Wild for a 2 year deal. Good for him. They also said on TSN that Zach is looking to go someplace he can get a ring and Semin will end up in a "land of misfit toys."
Hello Alexander! Have you met Santa Claus?
Sun 9:02 am: Could Anaheim's George Parros be the perfect replacement for fan favorite & tough guy Trevor Gillies? According to Newsday's Art Staple, it's possible. Well, all in all, he does fit the Isles mold of quality guy off the ice. The 32 year old has the same NHL stats as Trevor. One goal all season. But he did have 3 assists along with his 85 PIMs.
Sun 8:20 am: Nothing going on as of yet with the exception of a NYPost report filed at 3 am this morning that the CBJ report of Garth Snow willing to trade ALL of this years' draft picks to move to the number two spot was "laughable incorrect."
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/islanders/source_no_jacket_deal_n39ehcB8NNkREmWUmBFsoI
Which... I kinda thought it was.
Okay, the deadline begins at noon, but as we discussed, it takes a little bit for the deals to be ratified by the NHL.
Oh... And Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends.
Sat 8:41 pm: If you're curious, it seems Dylan Reese will be resigned. Dylan is recovering from surgery, but has always been sone of the organization's favorites.
There could also be som Free agents out there who did not receive qualifying offers from other clubs. Art Staple is reporting that Wotek Wolski and Peter Mueller could be on the Isles radar at the right price.
Sat 8:14 pm: According to Art Staple, the Isles likely FA target will be Brad Boyes.
Sat 6:14 pm: So I see rumors of Isles in on a Semin deal as well as talk of Jokinen. With the Salary Cap rising as much as it did, not only do the Isles have the space, they have a need to spend. However, Garth Snow will never 'overspend' or strap the organization into a deal that will tie their hands in the long term.
Any quality UFA acquisition will be due to the ability for the likes of John Tavares or Matt Moulson being able to "sell" the Isles organization as a good place to play. Given the status that JT has been given by the NHLPA this week, he just may be able to do so.
The Kevin Schultz sweepstakes ended earlier than I expected with the Edmonton Oilers winning the price. No one could offer more money, so it all had to be in the salesmanship. And... he wanted to stay in Canada anyway.
7 am: If the NHL Draft is like Christmas for the NHL then NHL Free Agent Day must be Boxing Day. "I'm returning this. I'm exchanging this. I didn't like that one, so I want this one."
Yep. Wheeling and dealing and seeing who comes out the better shopper. That's what this weekend will bring. With the salary cap floor being raised to a rediculous height, there are sure to be some crazy deals made this Sunday -- providing the NHL approves them.
We have to remember that every contract must be ratified by the NHL prior to it being "officially" announced by the club. That doesn't mean that the agent and the NHLPA won't be blabbing all over the place before the NHL has even ratified the contract.
It's an an interesting dynamic with the CBA Negotiations going on as well. I can't imagine that with the amount the cap just went up and the two pathetically long contracts that were handed out this week, the NHLPA has much to gripe about. But they'll find something for sure.
For the NY Islanders I will venture to guess that we will loose a player we didn't think we would ever part with, but we won't get anyone that will be monumental. There are too many factors precluding it.
But I will say this. Whatever does happen, please know that the Islanders staff does everything they can to try to improve the team. I read so often where some believe that Charles Wang does not want a winning team. That's not true. They want to win just as much as every other franchise in the league. It's a matter of having all your ducks in a row and being somewhat lucky.
I will try to jump on as often as I can this weekend. Check back here and my Twitter feed:
@7thWoman/Twitter.com
Have a great weekend. Let's get Buzzin'!
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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