Tues 4:39 pm: I was wondering where the hell Art Staple was all day. Geeze. I had to check to see if I was still following. But finally, he has come through. Ryan Strome has signed his ELC just before the 5 pm deadline. With Nino sidelined I would say that means Stromer will get that 9 game try out.
From the official Islanders press release:
“Ryan is a dynamic playmaker who will bring tremendous skill to our young core for years to come,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “He played extremely well in the preseason and throughout Training Camp and we’re happy that he has made this three-year commitment to the organization.”
Last season, Strome was voted the Most Improved Player and Best Playmaker in the OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll. He added 12 points (6g/6a) in 14 playoff games with Niagara and was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team.
“The Islanders are a team that is on the rise and I’m thrilled to have the chance to be a part of this young group of players committed to seeing this historic organization succeed,” Strome said. “I couldn’t be happier to begin my career on Long Island.”
Tues 4:05 pm: The Islanders have agreed to a one year deal with veteran winger Jay Pandolfo. I guess the sweater stays on!
Also, Thanks to Dyan LeBourdais for this update on Nino today from camp:
Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter addressed the media at Iceworks on Tuesday while the team was still on the ice for practice. He said he tested out the waters yesterday, skating by himself, but has an off day today and will skate again tomorrow.
As for when he thinks he’ll be ready for his next team practice, he’s hoping soon, calling what was initially reported as a groin injury, just a Charlie-horse. However, the roster needs to be set by 3 p.m. tomorrow so if Niederreiter is expected to join the team for practice, roster moves would have to be made.
Missing this last week of camp has been upsetting for the rookie winger. He’s currently unsure of his place on the team this year and said he hasn’t had conversations with General Manager Garth Snow or Head Coach Jack Capuano.
“I still don’t know if I am going to stay here or not,” Niederreiter said. “It’s just not easy (sitting out). I would have liked to have another week to show that I am ready.”
Can we think of this from a human standpoint please? Can you imagine sitting there wondering where you're going and no one talking to you?
Tues 7:44 am: Good Morning HBers. Nothing new to report but fellow blog box member Ken Dick posted this great old video called "Here's Hockey." If you haven't seen it, watch it. It's very cool and will get you in the mood for opening day. http://okposo.blogspot.com/2011/10/heres-hockey.html
Also, there is a new site for Hockey written by a different voice called PuckBuddys.com. It is a site for gay hockey fans and there is a writer for each of the 30 teams. The writer for the Islanders is very knowledgeable and not a bad writer at all!
I don't think I can get to camp, although I would like to. But that thing called "PAYING JOB" always gets in the way.
Mon 11 pm: Does Jay Pandolfo sign his name on the dotted line or not?
With 48 hours before 23 man rosters need to be finalized and cuts still needed to be decided, the question becomes; Does Jay Pandolfo keep his Islanders sweater or not?
According to the team website, Nino Niederreiter is basically a lock, however he is on the IR retroactive to 9/30. He played less than five minutes of the first before leaving the game in Newark. (Trevor Gillies also left that game with a groin injury which explains why he didn’t have any PIMs in that game)
It could come down to Pandolfo or Trevor Frischmon. However, Frischmon was placed on waivers on September 28th, cleared and is eligible to play for Bridgeport where there are still roster spots available.
But I can’t help but wonder how a team that was so young last season will now be full of veteran presence. New Islanders Brian Rolston and Steve Staios are both 38-years-old, Marty Reason is 34. Camp try-out Jay Pandolfo is 36. With Mark Streit and Mike Mottau (both 33), and Mark Eaton (34) all returning from injury, that’s a lot of years added to the roster already.
My buddy Matt Clausen feels the lines should look like this if Rolston's healthy: MM/JT/PAP; KO/FN/MG; BC/JB/BR; and MM/MR AND Pandolfo.
When it comes to the kids, Matt thinks Kirill will get a nine game look. I say if anyone does it's Strome. We'll see if anyone gets a nine game taste.
Last season the complaints were the Islanders didn’t have enough veteran presence. Will a line up with so many over 30 make it better?
Well, according to Pierre Maguire today on XM Home Ice, the answer is yes. Actually I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him say the Islanders are going to cause some heartache in the Atlantic Division this season. But someone’s heart is going to break when they don’t make the roster in the next two days.
So this morning I was trying to come up with something and all I could think of was looking at what some NHLers said on Twitter. I found a few things interesting.
Using Twitter to rank on your friends:
@ryanwhitney6 Ryan Whitney
Eberle & Hall in worst hangman game in history Ebs cant spell "banana" and hall cant figure out 2nd word is "split" Wow http://yfrog.com/h6xpsknj
Using Twitter to announce new projects and a little self promotion:
@BizNasty2point0 Paul Bissonnette
Everyone follow my buddy @KevConzzz on twitter. Also known as E from Entourage. Can't wait for the movie. Maybe make a cameo?
Using Twitter in a professional manner (for a change)
@grabs40 Michael Grabner
Pre season is done now..time to get a solid week off practice under the belt then let the real dance begin.. #huntforlordstanley
Getting hash tag happy
@itsRhett Rhett Rakhshani
Pterodactyl starts with a P? #notsmarterthanafifthgrader #thatdoesntmakemuchsense #cantsoundthatoneout
And the winner:
@yanweber68 Yannick Weber
If only women paid as much attention to their breast as men do.#wearpink #breastcancer
It's October, that's more than hockey. Wear pink.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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