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Konopka Miffed & 7 Minutes Garth Snow

February 15, 2011, 8:15 AM ET [ Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
1:25 pm: Nate Lawson in net against the Senators and Jack Hillen back in the line-up. Who will be scratched tonight is the mystery only Capuano knows.

Also, Islander fans get a broadcast treat tonight with Jiggs McDonald back behind the mic for an absent Howie Rose.

7 am:
Yeah, yeah. So Super Mario is angry with the league for not coming down harder on the Islanders and has split the hockey world into those who agree and those who think he's the biggest hypocrite in hockey.

Seems that big Zenon Konopka is in that latter category. Um, I'm standing right next to him but I don't have a poster to tear off my wall. I do have a hockey card I could tear up though if that's making a statement.

In other news, I had been waiting for Islanders GM Garth Snow to have a moment to chat with me about the state of the team. When he finally had a moment to himself, he caught me off guard and sobbing over having to put our pet Dalmatian down yesterday.

Without my tape recorder, questions or even a pen, I kept him on the phone for several minutes asking stream of conscience questions. Some of which (since they weren't what I was really going to ask) received an unexpected response of "I can't answer that." I was more than a little "off my game," I was drowning.

So with no tape to go by and only my fuzzy memory, here goes.

When I answered my cell, I heard "Hey Dee, it's Public Enemy #1." While I know Mr. Snow doesn't spend his time pouring over the trades reading what pundits have to say about the Islanders, obviously he's been informed of some of the strong statements that have been issued in the press.

He remains firm in his stance that he is proud of the way the team competed and came together. Analyze that statement all you want, but don't lose sight of the three wins the Islanders have managed to string together under truly adverse conditions. He is proud that his team of youngsters, who have been decimated by injury have managed to come together and find ways to win.

Many of those discussing the events of last Friday fail to mention that the Islanders went on to win in Buffalo as well. When I told him that some are reporting they believe the events were premeditated, he call that thought preposterous.

One well known Isles reporter actually named Zenon Konopka as the choreographer of the melee on a Canadian morning radio show. I would say that thought process gives big Z too much credit and Jack Capuano no control of his bench.

While it is evident that Konopka has leadership qualities that have been able to keep the young team from drowning in depression over losing, I can't believe he would be willing to put himself and his team mates in jeopardy of suspension and loss of income just to make a statement to the Penguins club.

When I asked Mr. Snow if he was surprised that the Penguins didn't receive a fine as well, he bristled and said he didn't get involved with what happened to other teams. "I'm only concerned with winning hockey games."

Winning brought to mind this year's Islander Cinderella story, Michael Grabner. "He's a hell of a story, isn't he?"

Yes, indeed he is! Yet another one of Garth Snow's sauces stories. As one video blogger put it, "The Islanders have become the land of opportunity." And the opportunities for Michael Grabner are endless.

When I asked if he had already contacted Grabner's agent, I heard a hardy laugh. "Don't worry, Dee. Michael Grabner will remain an Islander."

Glenn Healy, who was one of my favorite Islanders, was on the Ray Ferraro show yesterday morning. He voiced his opinion in strong words.

"This is a group that has figured out they don't have the skill level to play at the ECHL level."

"It's laughable what is going on with the organization."

I was hurt and disappointed with his stance. I think I'll take Konopka's lead and tear down the signed Healy card off my bulletin board.

Healy, you're dead to me now.

On to Ottawa! Another team struggling to win will be looking for the two points at the Islanders expense. They have already won two of three of their last meetings.

With Nate Lawson now off the IR and Mikko Koskinen returned to Bridgeport, the question will be is it Al Montoya facing the Senators or will Nate be spending his Welcome Home party in net.

Michael Grabner, chosen as the NHL's 1st star of the week, will look to increase his point total but team mates John Tavares and Matt Moulson will be right along with him.

Moulson had a bit of a scare in the game in Buffalo, having to leave the game to head to the trainer's room after being hit by what I think was a puck. No one has really said anything about it. The only Islander to have played in every game this season, Matt does not want to break that streak. Battered and bruised, he'll play unless he is forced not to.

Should be interesting!
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