5:19 pm: More players on the move out of CT, Steven Oleksy will be leaving the Sound Tigers and heading for the Hershey Bears.
12:20 pm: As expected Eric Boulton has cleared unconditional waivers and has officially agreed to terms on a 1-year, $550,000 contract with the Isles.
10:30 am: Also added to the BPort fold is Colin McDonald who also played for the SWB Penguins last season. Both Brandon and Colin are on two-way deals. (both forwards and one is pretty young. Depth signings)
9:58 am: Thanks to ex-Blog Box Buddy, BD Gallof for the information on a new signing by the Isles:
BDGallof @BDGallof
Brandon DeFazio "fast and physical fourth-line play" played 1 season w/ Willes-Barre Scranton of AHL. Moved up from ECHL in 10 games. #isles
Another player from NHL stock Brandon is the son of Dean DeFazio who played 22 games for the Penguins in the '80s. You remember those. Big hair; parachute pants. Good times.
7 am: Day One of NHL Free Agency netted the Islanders three names for Uniondale and a few fill-ins for Bridgeport.
According to Art Staple in this morning's Newsday, "Garth Snow hit three of his targets on the first day of the open market...." As in "target," I hope he means need and not name. I'm sure (or at least I hope) Snow made phone calls for days to some of the more sought after free agents.
He would probably be promptly dismissed, but the calls would have been made.
Brad Boyes isn't that bad of a replacement for PA Parenteau. The Islanders have done well with skilled players who were discarded by other clubs giving them the oppportunity to shine. (Wait, wasn't PA discarded by the Rangers? He can thank Snow for the opportunity to turn into a 4-year, $16 million player*(
sucks when you know you made a typo & you're at the gas station & can't do anything about it. Actually, he should thank JT and Moulson.) Boyes is jumping at the opportunity, and I don't blame him.
On yesterday's broadcast, the TSN analysts called the Islanders (and Columbus) 'A land of misfit toys.' While I can't disagree with him on some levels it just proves the point that no matter how much money Charles Wang is willing to throw at a player, the perception leaves them saying 'Thanks, but no thanks.' Dreams of Zach Parise promptly died.
During all the Season Ticket Holder Q&A's and even at the Booster Club, the fans were begging for "toughness" to protect prize possession John Tavares. Well, Snow addressed that desire by bringing on Carkner and Boulton while the Rangers signed two EX-NYI tough guys Asham and Haley.
Yuck. I have no idea what Sather was thinking on that one, but then again, I'm no real fan of Matt Carkner either. No one needed another reason to fill an arena for an Isles/Rangers tilt, but they certainly got one.
History dictates that Garth Snow does well as July and August wind down and free-agents are left twisting in the wind wondering where their next paycheck will be coming from. This may be smart business or the sad fact that the Isles have too many strikes against them (and growing) to make them contenders in the FA market. We all know what they are, but I'd like to add one that should cause a little angry discourse.
You are. Yes. I said it. YOU, the fans. Or should I say 'lack there-of.' Not those passionate, die-hard, through thick and thin fans that every radio personality who covers hockey knows so well. No, the average fan that -- doesn't show up to games because 'they're not winning.'
If every out-of-town (and sometimes IN-Town) hockey writer comments how players don't want to play in a run-down, empty arenea. My friends, you just became part of the bigger problem.
As Mike Rossi on XM's Home Ice Hockey This Morning show said "If you want to keep your team -- Show up."
You want to attract better free agents? It might help.
Day Two may net the Isles another piece or two from all the phone calls and work over the weekend. But the work will continue well into the summer. Since the Islanders right now may not be that much better -- just a little different.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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