Mixin' 'Em Up - Sound Tigers Join Atlantic Division

With three new teams set for play this upcoming season in the AHL, and now with the suspension of another franchise, the AHL announced its new divisional alignment for the 2009-10 season.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers will now move over to the Atlantic Division, and will now become true division-rivals with the Hartford Wolfpack.

Meanwhile, the Syracuse Crunch will cross conferences and take the Sound Tigers place in the East Division.

Here is the new alignment, with key changes in bold italics.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
--Bridgeport Sound Tigers
--Hartford Wolfpack
--Lowell Devils
--Manchester Monarchs
--Portland Pirates
--Providence Bruins
--Springfield Falcons
--Worchester Sharks

East Division
--Adirondack Phantoms
--Albany River Rats
--Binghamton Senators
--Hershey Bears
--Norfolk Admirals
--Syracuse Crunch
--Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

WESTERN CONFERENCE
North Division
--Abbotsford Heat
--Grand Rapids Griffins
--Hamilton Bulldogs
--Lake Erie Monsters
--Manitoba Moose
--Rochester Americans
--Toronto Marlies

West Division
--Chicago Wolves
--Houston Aeros
--Milwaukee Admirals
--Peoria Rivermen
--Rockford Icehogs
--San Antonio Rampage
--Texas Stars

Tavares Debut Most Anticipated Game of 09-10

Every so often, I go on various websites and see these fan polls and think nothing of them. But today I happened to venture over to NHL.com and noticed their latest fan poll. The topic? "Which game of the 2009-10 season are you most anticipating?"

It's a tight race, but right now John Tavares' debut is leading the pack with 24.11% of all votes. That just barely eclipses the 2010 Winter Classic, which has 23.93% of all votes.

The current results are as followed:

John Tavares debut: 24.11%
Winter Classic: 23.93%
Pittsburgh-Detroit rematch: 21.77%
Teemu Selanne's last game: 12.09%
Marian Hossa's return to Detroit: 11.6%
Victor Hedman's debut: 6.5%

As I had said before, the addition of John Tavares gives the Islanders tremendous marketability legs. When was the last time you've heard of fans anticipating an Islanders game?

You'll probably have to go back a long time for that.

John Tavares jerseys are already being sold on NHL.com, and his press conference introducing him to the media and fans hasn't even happened yet.

Not only are the fans and NHL aware of John Tavares, but now, they're finally aware of the Islanders.

Isles Make Minor Moves

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH THREE PLAYERS
Team Signs Munroe, Reich And Westgarth For Next Season

UNIONDALE, NY, July 2, 2009 -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with three players. Goaltender Scott Munroe, left wing Jeremy Reich and defenseman Brett Westgarth all have signed one-year, two-way contracts.

Munroe, an undrafted goalie from Moose Jaw, SASK, has been a part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization for the past four seasons. He received his first call-up to the National Hockey League last year with the Flyers. The 27-year-old net-minder posted a career year last season with a record of 31-19-0-4, a save percentage of .926 and four shutouts. Munroe led the Phantoms to the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. During the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, Munroe made 65 saves in a five overtime contest against the Albany River Rats to earn the victory in the longest game in American Hockey League history.

Reich has played in a total of 99 NHL games scoring two goals and four assists while compiling 161 penalty minutes. The Craik, SASK native has been a part of the Boston Bruins organization for the past three years and played under Islanders head coach Scott Gordon his first two seasons with the team's AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Last season, the 6'1", 196 pound left wing, served as the team captain of Providence, setting single-season career high numbers of 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points in 76 games. Reich was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (39th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Westgarth played the last three seasons in the AHL. Last year, the 6'2", 215 pound defenseman played for the Worcester Sharks, AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, scoring nine points (2 goals and 7 assists) while totaling 137 penalty minutes. Westgarth, a native of Amhertsburg, ON, is a Princeton University graduate who skated for the Tigers from 2002-2007 where he compiled four goals and 20 assists for 24 points.

Dwayne Roloson Signs with Islanders: Newsday

2:39 UPDATE: When asked on NHL Live why he signed with the Islanders, he basically said "They offered the second year, and that's about it."

He also says he's got a good working relationship with Rick DiPietro, saying he knew Ricky while he was in college and in the pros, and that's he's excited to be working with him.

Greg Logan is reporting that goaltender Dwayne Roloson has signed a 2-year, $5 million contract with the New York Islanders

The Islanders have reached agreement with Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson on a two-year deal believed to be worth $5 million. Signing a veteran starting goaltender solves their top priority, which was to have a 1A-caliber backup for starter Rick DiPietro in the event his injury problems continue.

More to come.

Islanders to Introduce Tavares Next Weds

UPDATE: I read the release wrong. Its July 8, not tomorrow. My apologies, I saw Wednesday and immediately my brain said otherwise.

The New York Islanders have scheduled a press conference at the Nassau Coliseum to introduce this year's 1st Overall Draft Pick, John Tavares.

Also in attendance will be General Manager Garth Snow, and Head Coach Scott Gordon.

I will unfortunately not be in attendance, due to my day-job responsibilities, but hope to have any information that is conveyed from the press conference to this blog. ‪‬ ‪

Ben Walter Traded to New Jersey

The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders swung a small trade Tuesday. The Devils sent Tony Romano to the Islanders in exchange for Ben Walter and a conditional draft pick in 2012.

Walter, a former fifth-round pick of the Boston Bruins, has 22 games of NHL experience spread over four seasons, including two with the Bruins and the last two with the Islanders.

He played in four games last season while also wracking up 50 points in 65 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. Walter has averaged 20 goals and nearly 56 points per season in the AHL since turning pro in 2005 after spending three seasons at UMass-Lowell.

Romano, 21, the Devils' sixth round pick in 2006, has spent the last two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, first with the London Knights and then with the Peterborough Petes. He had 69 points in 65 games last season with Peterborough.

Tavares to throw out first pitch at Citi Field Sunday

From the Islanders Draft Central Blog..

Entry by: NYI Media
Saturday, June 27th, 2009; 9:45 pm

John Tavares will be throwing out the first pitch on Sunday night at Citi Field before the 8pm game between the Yankees and Mets. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

If you are going to the game, be sure to show your Islanders pride!

A Day in the Life of the NYI Blog Box - Part III

Talking hockey with contest winners...

A Day in the Life of the NYI Blog Box - Part II

From the airport to the hotel...

2009 NHL Entry Draft Day 2 Recap

1:44 - Pittsburgh trades their final pick to Montreal, and we're all done here! That's all folks. Thanks again.

1:14 - Looks like Mike Schuerlein and I will be on Hockey Night on Long Island at 3:30. Click here to listen.

12:40 - Well this officially concludes the Islanders scheduled selections right now with Round 7 still to go. However we are all staying here just incase some late moves do happen.

My thanks to everyone who has tuned in.

If I hear anything, you'll get it here first.

12:31 - The skinny on Anders Lee...

--Ranked #118 of North American skaters

--6'2", 209 lbs.

--2008-09 Stats: 20 goals, 44 assists, 66 points in 25GP

--Not only is he a center, he was also the quartback for his high school football team

12:28 - With the #152 pick, the New York Islanders select Anders Lee, center from Edina High School

12:27 - Pittsburgh is about to make their #151 pick, meaning Round 6 will start very soon with th eIslanders holding the next pick.

12:18 - We're at pick 143 with Vancouver.

12:13 - We're about halfway through the fifth round now. We're flying

12:10 - The skinny on Klementyev? I'm not sure. He's not ranked. That's all I got

11:56 - With the #122 pick, the New York Islanders select Anton Klementyev, defenseman from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

11:54 - Pittsburgh has just made the #121 pick, which means Round 4 is over and done with. Round 5 to begin after a one minute break, which the Islanders will lead off at #122.

11:49 - You should all check out the other bloggers blogs here as well.

Doug Davidson is running a live chat, Mike Schuerlein and Ken Dick are also proviuding their own unique analysis.

11:38 - Halfway through Round 4...

11:29 - Cizikas looks as he's not here. So that might make Kosiken the only one we see today.

11:22 - The skinny on Cizikas...

--Center

--Ranked #92 of all North American skaters

--2008-09 Stats: 16 G, 20 A, 36 PTS in 55 GP

11:20 - With the #92 pick, the Islanders select Casey Cizikas

11:19 - Round 4 will begin after a one minute break

11:17 - TRADE: Islanders trade the #91 pick to Phoenix for the 3rd round pick in 2010. Islanders will select after Phoenix at #92.

11:12 - Round three is coming to an end soon, which means the Islanders #91 pick is not far behind.

11:08 - We're flying here and almost done with Round 3. Up to the #86 pick, which belongs to Boston

10:59 - A little confusion here, as E.J McGuire announced the Islanders as the #77 pick. It actually belonged to the Minnesota Wild, who took Matt Hackett.

10:49 - Alls quiet until the Number 91 pick, which is a little bit away.

10:46 - Nilsson doesn't look to be here, nor is there any photographic evidence of his face.

10:42 - The skinny on Nilsson...

--Ranked #7 of European goaltenders

--Another BIG boy...6'5", 220 lbs.

--2.05 GAA, .927 SV% in 37 games

10:40 - Islanders select Anders Nilsson, goaltender from Lulea, Jr. - SWE Jr.

10:39 - Round 2 is overwith, onto Round 3 and the Islanders first selection.

10:37 - The picks the Islanders acquired were actually their original picks that they traded away yesterday.

10:35 - This ends the Islanders Round 2 action. They'll start things off in Round 3.

10:33 - TRADE: Islanders trade the 56 pick to Columbus for Picks #62 and #92

10:31 - Islanders are waiting...might be a trade?

10:30 - Islanders will be making the Number 56 pick very soon.

10:26 - Koskinen is a big boy. Say's he's actually 6'7"

10:14 - We originally thought that Koskinen wasn't here, but looks like he is. We'll try to get a

word with him.

10:09 - The skinny on Koskinen....

--Koskinen is the first goaltender selected in this draft.

--Ranked #2 of all European goaltenders

--6'5", 187 lbs., Vantaa, Finland

--Posted a 1.91 GAA with a .931 SV% in 33 games with the Espoo Blues

10:07 - Islanders select Mikko Koskinen, a goaltender from Finland

10:06 - The Bouwmeester trade has just been announced to the crowd.

10:05 - The rights to coveted Jay Bouwmeester was traded to Calgary for Jordan Leopold and a third round pick.

10:03 - The Islanders faithful is still here. Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski will be making the selection.

10:02 - Montreal Canadiens announced, to an almost tepid reaction.

10:00 - And we're getting ready to start soon. Very light turnout in the crowd, which is surprisingly. The public address announcer is starting things up and announces E.J McGuire, who will start the roll call.

9:58 - Game time is approaching for the New Yorkm Islanders, and the second round of the draft will start momentarily.

9:55 - EJ McGuire is at the podium and asks for Draft Floor members to take their seats at their respective tables.

Meanwhile, a short little "behind the scenes" moment appeared on the scoreboard showing Tavares introduction to the Islanders.

9:47 - There's a video retrospective of all last night's draft picks on the scoreboard right now. I'm still convinced that this scoreboard is the best in hockey.

9:38 - The arena is not as full as it was yesterday, for obvious reasons, but the Draft floor is still hopping.

9:35 - We're safely inside the Bell Centre now in the Media Risers, I have Steve Mears, Islanders Radio Play-by-Play man right next to me as well.

The draft action gets started in about 25 minutes.

9:20 - Mike Schuerlein, Doug Davidson, Ken Dick and I are just about ready to head over to the Bell Centre for Round 2-7 of the NHL Draft.

The Isles will get things started off real quickly with Number 31 pick.

Rounds 2-7 are rapid-fire with all teams making the picks from their tables.

We'll see you at the Draft