2:37 pm: With a short Nino update, exactly as I had hoped has happened though -- in German from a Swiss website. Nino's agent has said it was his idea for the trade, but the comments he makes about the Islanders are not going to win him any good deals:
Was the demand your idea or that for a transfer by Nino Nagar?
It was only my idea and I said Nino, what I'll do, and that I accept the responsibility for this. There is no snapshot. I have maturely considered this step and brought from various sites advice.
As you can see no chance for Nino Nagar when the Islanders?
I want to say it openly and honestly: under this General Manager and head coach does not.
Calling out Garth Snow cannot be good when it comes to future negotiations. May I remind people of one Sean Bergenheim who then toiled in Europe only to return the next season with a new agent. Yep. Not a good idea there buddy.
The Isles are heading to Toronto as I write this. Their plane was fully loaded and ready for take off when I passed it across from Wendy's. (Never go to Wendy's if you're in a hurry.)
It must still be Matt Martin day as he chirped on Twitter that he 'graduated to the back of the plane.' David Ullstrom and Casey Cizikas must now be where the rookies usually sit.
Safe travels to Toronto boys.
7 am: I had to sit through Chris Mad Dog Russo yesterday afternoon as he broadcast live from the NHL store (powered by Reebok) in Manhattan. He didn't know the name of the store. He had excellent guests scheduled including Commissioner Gary Bettman, so I listened and prayed my ears wouldn't start to bleed. The tone is painful and the pace is worse. (Probably the way a certain HB veteran commentator feels about me.) But I listened anyway. (Just like he reads any way) Russo asked his producers questions about hockey that he should already know as a sports broadcaster and made his way through the an interview with Henrik Lundqvist.
I'm pretty sure King Henrik had a headache by the time he left interview. He let Russo dictate the speed and the questioning, I would have loved to see the look on his face. But things where different when Gary Bettman finally arrived in the studio. When Russo began with a pointed question about the lockout, the Commissioner quickly answered but half jokingly told him "You're in my store. We'll talk about what I want to talk about."
Gary Bettman is well versed in live radio and even with a head cold came over my speakers in clear, concise tones that let you understand every word. When asked if the league knew the fans would return in droves to the games this past opening weekend, Mr. Bettman emphatically responded "We never take our fans for granted. We are grateful we have the best fans in all sports." He dismissed the notion that the lockout dragged on because the owners felt they were safe and the fans would return willingly.
They may not have 'known,' but I'm pretty sure they assumed it.
"I am passionate about and love this game." And yet you will always hear that Gary Bettman is not a 'hockey guy.' He is.
"Sometimes you make decisions that people don't like, but you have to look at the long term." The long term is now eight to 10 years before we have to go through this again. This shortened season should be "an amazing run to the playoffs…" as every games matters even more than before.
Russo asked if Mr. Bettman was worried about his legacy and the three work stopages under his watch so far. He does not. "I do what I feel is best for the game. There seems to be issues that all sports go through at times. It's not about me personally."
Baseball, Football and Basketball have all had labor issues . Every sport has had interruptions through the years. Labor and Ownership go through growing pains every few years as the markets and revenue streams change.
Mad Dog asked the Commissioner If he worried the players may 'hate' him. "Nobody is a bigger fan of the players than I am." (Okay, I'm guessing maybe not of Chris Campoli.) But the truth is, he doesn't work for them. He works for the owners. They love him.
Olympic participation in Soci is still on the table and being discussed, but there are issues to work out. One thing in favor of participation is the NHL's largest media partner, NBC, has the rights to the games. They'll play a large part in the decision. Maybe even in the scheduling that may get hockey games at better hours than the ungodly hours Canadian viewers had to endure for the World Junior Championship in December.
Russo asked the Commissioner about the Islanders move to Brooklyn. (Note, it was in order to ask about the Phoenix situation) "Are you okay with the Islanders moving to Brooklyn?"
"I'm okay with it. The arena is not configured for hockey, but it will be a whole lot better than the Coliseum." He made note once again regarding the condition of the arena compared to other NHL arenas and the need for it to be replaced should hockey have remained. "But Nassau and the Town of Hempstead couldn't figure out how to do it."
Mr. Bettman continued to say how beautiful the Barclays Center is and how it only took him 22 minutes to get there from his NY office.
So, the Islanders move. Russo didn't ask if the Rangers would have to give their permission or receive any compensation for the Isles moving less than ten miles from MSG, so that question remains and may be a moot point. (Russo also didn't ask Lundqvist how it felt to be pulled at the home opener, but maybe that topic was deemed untouchable.)
I would like to tell Mr. Bettman that while it only takes him 22 minutes to get to Barclays, it would take me 90 minutes and $11.75 -- one way.
As far as Phoenix goes -- still working on it.
Sideboards: Islanders practice this morning before flying out to Toronto this afternoon. This five game road trip is a make-it-or-break-it opportunity for the Isles. Hopefully their plane can take this sub-arctic weather.
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