“Wow, what’s the point?” posted by Jeff Ponder

The point is getting pretty clear right about now.

The New York Islanders turned some heads in late-January when they claimed former NHL all-star Evgeni Nabokov off waivers.  That is not what the media is talking about though; after all, NHL followers are used to players getting claimed off waivers after playing in Europe, getting a contract from an NHL team then having to go through the NHL’s questionable waiver process.  Just ask the St. Louis Blues.

Nabokov was obviously upset over the Islanders’ decision to claim him, hanging up on Islanders’ GM Garth Snow when he called him for the first time (Nabokov claims he thought he was a member of the media).  He refused to report to practice, staying in his home in California.  After hanging up on Snow, Nabokov found a media member at ESPN.com that he trusted to tell his side of the story.

"I think I'm going to stay home for now, I'm sticking with my decision," Nabokov said a few weeks back. "It's nothing against the Islanders and their organization. It's nothing to do with that. It's just that I'm at the point in my career where I want to help a team win in the playoffs. I don't see how I could help the Islanders or what I could do for them. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. And I hope they understand that.

"I was surprised they picked me up. I was like, 'Wow, what's the point?’”

Currently 15 points out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders are looking at another post-season that they will watch from home.  It is true that Nabokov would be playing on a non-Cup contender, but the Islanders brought him in for other reasons.
Continue reading "“Wow, what’s the point?”"

Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

Islanders Could Have a Logjam in Goal posted by Jeff Ponder

The New York Islanders have made a plunge into the free-agent goalie market this summer, locking up Dwayne Roloson on July 1st and Martin Biron on July 22nd.  This seems like a good tandem for a team that faced its fair share of struggles last season.  There is just one little problem that the Islanders seem to be forgetting; they own a 15-year, $67.5 million goaltender that was once considered the “franchise goaltender.”

Rick DiPietro, an American-born goaltender who was selected to the 2008 NHL All-Star Game, played in just 5 games last season.  Since receiving his long contract extension, DiPietro has played in just 53% of his team's games.  The injury list piles on and on for DiPietro:  groin injury, neck strain, extended headache problems, knee injuries, and hip and knee surgeries.  When asked about all of his unsuccessful recovery, DiPietro was very outspoken.

“I've seen quite a few doctors who are pretty positive about the future. That's the whole point of this season is to make sure I'm 100% and ready to fulfill my contract,” stated DiPietro back in February of this year.  “Worst thing in the world you can do is sit in a rehab center and try to get healthy. Mentally, I can't take much more of this.”

Roloson, signed away from the Edmonton Oilers, received a 2-year, $5 million contract from the Islanders.  He was brought in as insurance to DiPietro, who is expected to begin skating in August and to be ready by training camp.  Roloson, who will be turning 40 on October 12th, said that he is ready to play alongside DiPietro and that he expects “everything is going to be great.”
Continue reading "Islanders Could Have a Logjam in Goal"

Islanders sign Dwayne Roloson to 2-Year, $5 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

The New York Islanders announced the signing of former Oiler Dwayne Roloson.

Roloson is coming off of a decent year with the Oilers.  Going 28-24-9, the veteran goaltender stole a lot of games for the Oilers.  He is big in important situations, especially late in games or in the playoffs.

New York is still looking for the all-important answer to the question of what needs to happen when Rick DiPietro goes down with yet another injury.  The Islanders starting goalie has suffered injury after injury since signing a 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006.  DiPietro has played in just 130 games out of a possible 246 games since signing the long deal.  Roloson may be able to step in and help with the goaltending woes for the Islanders, who shuffled between four goaltenders in 2008-09.  With John Tavares being picked up in the draft and Roloson brought in, this team just got a whole lot better.Continue reading "Islanders sign Dwayne Roloson to ..."

Pressure on John Tavares posted by Andy Charles

If, as expected, he is taken with the first pick of the NHL draft on Friday in Montreal, John Tavares will have the weight of Long Island on him.

The New York Islanders are a franchise coming out of two of the toughest seasons in their history and they need a face – a real star in the making – to be the answer towards finally helping them out of what has been a very dark hockey basement.

But are the expectations of the junior star, probably the biggest name to come into the sport since Sidney Crosby, too high assuming he beats off late competition from Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene to become the No 1 pick.

Although Tavares has put up gaudy numbers on his way to finally entering the draft (a year later than he wanted to) and managed to draw quite ludicrous comparisons to Wayne Gretzky, the transition to the professional ranks is going to be tough, most likely on a team that has forgotten how to win.

The Islanders won just 26 of their 82 regular season games last season, a decrease of nine on 2008 when things looked bleak enough, and although the arrival of Garth Snow as general manager seems to have made things at the Nassau Coliseum a little more professional, this turnaround is not going to be an overnight occurrence.

Tavares scored more goals in his time in the OHL than any player in history, and his experience coming into the bigs will be an advantage when it comes to placing a hockey bet – remember he is older than most players in the draft and was only five days too young to have been drafted in 2008.

Pressure on John Tavares posted by Andy Charles

If, as expected, he is taken with the first pick of the NHL draft on Friday in Montreal, John Tavares will have the weight of Long Island on him.

The New York Islanders are a franchise coming out of two of the toughest seasons in their history and they need a face – a real star in the making – to be the answer towards finally helping them out of what has been a very dark hockey basement.

But are the expectations of the junior star, probably the biggest name to come into the sport since Sidney Crosby, too high assuming he beats off late competition from Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene to become the No 1 pick.

Although Tavares has put up gaudy numbers on his way to finally entering the draft (a year later than he wanted to) and managed to draw quite ludicrous comparisons to Wayne Gretzky, the transition to the professional ranks is going to be tough, most likely on a team that has forgotten how to win.

The Islanders won just 26 of their 82 regular season games last season, a decrease of nine on 2008 when things looked bleak enough, and although the arrival of Garth Snow as general manager seems to have made things at the Nassau Coliseum a little more professional, this turnaround is not going to be an overnight occurrence.

Tavares scored more goals in his time in the OHL than any player in history, and his experience coming into the bigs will be an advantage when it comes to placing a hockey bet – remember he is older than most players in the draft and was only five days too young to have been drafted in 2008.

Cheechoo - Should he stay or should he go now? posted by Brian Winett

Jonathan Cheechoo is the San Jose Sharks highest valued trade bait.  Jonathan is a young player coming into his prime with an acceptable contract for any team to handle for a second line scoring winger.  Everyone knows what Cheechoo has done, so let’s figure out what to do with him now.

TRADE HIM:

Jonathan’s trade to another team will free up a prorated $3M against the cap which right away will allow the team to bring up Kyle McLaren (providing Kyle doesn’t get picked up on re-entry waivers) from the AHL adding depth at defense for the playoff run and the playoffs when the rosters expand after the trade deadline, not to mention freeing up cap space next year for resigning Ryan Clowe (and extending Pavelski and Setoguchi).  Jonathan is stuck on the third line, a checking line, and whiffs on nearly every check.  Trading Cheechoo for a draft pick isn’t the best way to go, so who could take Cheechoo and who could the Sharks get back in a trade.  At the beginning of the year I fantasized of a Michalek and Cheechoo for Kovalchuk trade, let’s look at some lower profile options however:

Nashville Predators NEED a scoring winger and do I mean badly.  Nashville’s defense is good to go along with inconsistent goaltending and still the Preds are on the hunt for the playoffs even though their offense is 28th in the league in goals scored.  The need is there for Cheechoo, I am just not sure who we could get for him, although a first round draft pick would be nice.  That being said, the fact that the Predators are so good defensively points to the fact that they have a t least one good strong grinding winger who can fit into the Sharks’ third line as a checking/grinding defensive minded player.

Welcome to JFro Sports Journalism posted by John Frascella

Dear readers:

I'd like to begin my blogging on this account by thanking each and every one of you who have taken the time to read my content in the past, and those of you who will do the same in the near future. A special, personal thanks goes out to the readers who have provided me with direct feedback.

If you've been unable to check out my writer profile, my name is John Frascella, and I am the author of "Theo-logy: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land." The book is centered on Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, and is set for an April 1 release. If you'd like, check it out on Amazon.com. (That's the direct link to my book's info page.)

I was formerly the lead sports columnist at the University of Connecticut, and don't hesitate to read my final column from that portion of my career, entitled " Why We Love Sports." At UConn, I covered the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA Men's Basketball (of course, the Huskies themselves). 

In recent months I've been blogging and discussing sports actively at FanNation.com. I have a couple of other blogs, as well. I know I'm signed on as a New Jersey Nets blogger here, but I'll also be discussing the Knicks, Mets, Jets, and Huskies, in addition to some general MLB, NFL, and NBA content. 

I hope you'll enjoy the work I provide in the coming weeks and months. Look forward to hearing from some of you.

Best Wishes,

John Frascella

JFrascella@hotmail.com (for questions about the book, or even the blog) 

Inbound link contest winner announced! posted by Earn Money Blogging

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the "Inbound Link Contest".  We have a winner!  A big congratulations go out to Marija.  Thank you for all your hard work on this.  While we had a lot of people participate, Marija was able to win with only 4 links!  So it wouldn't have taken a lot to win this contest!  We'll be having another contest soon so stay tuned.

The whole purpose of this contest was to get our bloggers networking with other webmasters and to start to build up their inbound links which will help their traffic.  Even a few links can help you with the search engines as they will see you as more of an authority on your topic the more inbound links you have.

To learn more about marketing your blog check out this post: http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/sports_content-rev_share_faq.html#my_faq_2971

Marija's blog can be found here.  If you're a Knicks fan, check it out: http://www.newyorkknicksnews.com/marijak

The original post announcing the contest can be found here: http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/bloggers/weblog/2984.html

And if you're not already signed up with Google AdSense and making money from your blog, check out our Revenue Share FAQ page: http://www.nbabasketballonline.com/sports_content-rev_share_faq.html

Inbound link contest - Win $100! posted by Earn Money Blogging

To try and motivate our bloggers to get inbound links we're going to have a contest to see which blogger can get the most inbound links to their blog. The contest begins now and ends July 31st, 2008. To be entered in to the contest all you have to do is go out and get as many websites to link to your blog as you can and at the end of the month send us an email listing all those links. All links must be active from August 1st through August 7th when we'll be judging the entries - a winner will be announced on August 7th. All entry emails must be received by Midnight on July 31st, 2008. You can email them to sportsfan@nbabasketballonline.com

We're going to impose some restrictions on the types of links you can get so please see below for the full list of links that do NOT count.

To get started simply go to Google and find other websites and blog that are about the sports and teams that you write about. Email the website owner and ask them for a link by explaining that you think your blog would be a good resource for their readers. Or offer to write a guest post for them with your by-line and URL at the bottom of the article. Or offer to exchange links with them by writing a quick write up of their site and a reciprocal link back to them. Some webmasters will be happy to add you to their blog roll even if you don't give them a link back (which is ideal) but some may want you to link back to them - you can easily do this with a quick blog entry on your blog about their website.

To learn more about inbound links and marketing your blog in general check out this post:

Bettman: Brooklyn would be hard for Islanders fans (Yahoo! Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says Brooklyn may not be a viable potential destination for the New York Islanders because it's hard to reach for the team's fan base in Long Island and Queens. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports