Greetings Deadspin readers

If you're here from Deadspin, yes this is a hockey blog.

Yes, I know it hasn't been updated in forever.

No, I don't plan on stopping it.

and yes, tell your friends.

Tamby and Biron. And who really is clueless?

I've been watching Jeff Tambellini playing now ever since he arrived to the Islanders organization. Now that's not really something special, but I like to feel like I've gotten an extra-special look at him from my consistent travels to Bridgeport over the last four years.

Over my time heading to Bridgeport, I was able to see why exactly the Islanders brought Jeff Tambellini over to the organization:

Jeff can score. Plain and simple.

I've seen him score 40 goals in 65 games in Bridgeport. I knew he was good for something, and I've defended him ad naseum in my pieces and radio appearances.

Now, after missing five games as a health scratch, he's tied for the team lead in goals with six.

Could this be Jeff Tambellini coming into his own? Has he finally realized how tot succeed in the National league?

As I wrote in yesterday's post-game report, Coach Gordon is noticing this.

"I think the biggest thing is that he's getting his shot off," Gordon said. "He's also going to the front of the net."

Now, as special as his hat trick was last night, there was another special moment to recognize as well, and that was Martin Biron's 200th NHL victory.

Biron has had many opportunities this year to secure number 200, but as I wrote in last night's post-game report, it was a long time coming.

"This is my sixth game this year and I had one last year before the end of the season to try and get it," Biron recalled. "It's not that I was focusing on it but it's fun to know that its there. It took me a little longer than I wanted, but Ill take it."

Now the $64,000 question last night was, who do I lead with? What do I recognize first?

Yeah, it's Jeff's first hat trick. It's special for him, but in reality, you have to look at career milestone's, and Biron and his phenomenal game trumped that.

This is why I was shocked to read Islanders Point Blank today and Chris Botta's opinion on last nights three-star selections.

Minus: Perhaps Andre Agassi’s dealer was in the press box when whomever made the Three Star selections. Way to not embrace the moment. Clueless.

Clueless? Way to not embrace the moment? Isn't that a little harsh?

Actually, I was one of those that voted for Biron as first star, and I fully stand by my decision.

As for not embracing the moment, I think I was embracing the moment in its fullest, and I think that Biron's 200th win may have gone a little unnoticed.

A milestone of that caliber for a veteran is very important to recognize, and by honoring Biron with the first star in my opinion was the right thing to do. He stood on his head the whole game, made 38 saves and easily kept the Islanders in the game after Buffalo easily controlled the first 15 minutes of the first period.

Tambellini, to his credit, played a great game, but if he was a second too late on the third goal, that hat trick would have been for naught.

Biron gave the Islanders a 60-minute effort in net, and for a veteran of 13 seasons in the NHL, he deserved the recognition.

10/24 Morning Skate

Hi guys, here's a little something to report from this morning's foggy skate:

-- Dwayne Roloson gets the start tonight for the Islanders. Theodore for the Capitals.

-- Bruno Gervais in, Freddy Meyer out.

Coach Gordon said of Bruno: "We want to see him simplify things. His mistakes have been self-inflicted. We're believers in Bruno."

--Top line of Matt Moulson - John Tavares- Kyle Okposo is back together again after spending the last two games broken up.

Gordon: "We know we've had success there. We're trying to get the other lines going because we know we haven't established any secondary scoring."

--Deb Placey pointed out that Jon Sim against the Capitals: 24 points. Best against any team in his career.

Did Gordon put him in because of that?

Gordon (with smirk on his face): "Absolutely."

Tonight's lines:

Moulson - Tavares - Okposo

Sim - Nielsen - Bergenheim

Tambellini - Bailey - Comeau

Jackman - Park - Thompson


Gervais - Streit

Witt - Martinek

Sutton - Hillen


Roloson

Biron

Shenanigans?

Oh, hi Lighthouse. How are you doing today? Listen, I know I don't talk about you much, but I saw that you made the Newsday front cover. That's great.

Oh you're welcome. How's the rest of your day been?

What? You're going away? Who said that?

The who?

I didn't know they talked much about you.

They must really know something that we don't, huh?

Okay, it's really me this time.

Now, I know you've heard this shocking news that the Lighthouse is reportedly being abandoned by Charles Wang and everything is not going to happen.

Now yes, my eyes bugged out a bit when I first saw it, but it got me thinking.

Is this really true?

First, and foremost, let me make this clear. I don't consider myself a Lighthouse expert. I support the project to the Nth degree, but I simply keep mum about it and let the others that have much more knowledge and insight about it than I do, specifically Katrina Doell, Nick Giglia, Chris Botta, and Dee Karl. Because if I start talking passionately, I might misspeak and not get my facts straight, because lord knows this has been such a complicated process over the past few months let alone years.

This conveniently leads into my point.

Who is reporting this story? It's the Long Island Press.

Now from what I've known over these past few tumultuous months over the certainty of the Lighthouse project, that if there's a story to be read about it, it usually comes from Eden Laikin and the rest of the Newsday crew, or Botta.

Never has anything of real substance or newsworthy come from the Long Island Press.

Okay, lets say they really got it. Newsday can't be far behind, right? I mean, they're usually up to date on all Lighthouse news.

Lets just say its late at night, and there's a blog post from them, not a news story.

But one person close to the developer who would not speak for the record — not Wang himself — told Newsday Wednesday night the project has not been abandoned.

Representatives of the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County did return calls — to report that they were unaware of any change in the Lighthouse proposal.

I'm sorry Long Island Press, when it comes to Lighthouse news, I'll believe Newsday more than you.

I know we'll definitely find out more in the morning, hopefully from a statement from Wang and partner Scott Rechler.

But for now, I call shenanigans.

Goodnight Lighthouse, I'll see you tomorrow.

Thoughts on Rechlicz

So a couple of days ago, Joel Rechlicz was returned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by the New York Islanders after just one game this season.

We would also like to note that in that one game he played less than three minutes.

Now I'm sure the recall is not indicative of his performance, but I think this is just a problem of the roster just being way too crowded at this point.

With new captain Doug Weightreturning from injury, Rob Schremp ready to step into the lineup, along with Frans Neilsen about two weeks away from returning, something just has got to give.

Rechlicz is a young player who needs the regular ice time (and the fighting experience) that he will surely get down in the minors.

This probably isn't the last you'll see of him however. There's just no place for him right now.

Hello again, its hockey season

Oh hi.

No, I haven't disappeared, just have had life get in the way. I've been concentrating more on the professional part of my life for the better part of two months and I'm glad to say I think I have all that covered.

If you follow my twitter page, you may have gathered that I've recently started a new gig with the upstart high school sports network, MSG Varsity as a web manager and reporter over there. But don't worry, my responsibilities to the site will not diminish.

I may not be able to get up to the Bridge as much as possible but I will still have your Sound Tigers news daily.

I will still be the weekend home-game recapper for newyorkislanders.com.

I'm still here.

Hockey is here.

Let's get it started.

Islanders Sign Matt Martin

Just came in from the Islanders Media Relations team...

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MARTIN
Windsor, Ontario Native Agrees to Three-Year Entry Level Deal

UNIONDALE, NY, Sept. 4, 2009 -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward, Matt Martin to a three-year entry level contract.

Martin was originally selected by the Islanders at the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft in the fifth round (148th overall). Having spent the last three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's, Sarnia Sting, Martin had a career year in scoring last season ranking third on the team with 65 points (35 goals, 30 assists) and amassed a team leading 142 penalty minutes.

"We are excited to have Matt in our organization," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "He brings that special combination of size and ability that provide him a bright future as a professional."

The Windsor, Ontario native accumulated a total of 109 points (63 goals and 46 assists) during his three seasons with the Sting.

Isles Trade Hennigar to Carolina, Acquire Hughes

Just in from the Islanders front office...

ISLANDERS ACQUIRE HUGHES FROM CAROLINA
Send Hennigar to the Hurricanes

UNIONDALE, NY, August 31, 2009 -- The New York Islanders have acquired Bobby Hughes from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for center Rob Hennigar, pending a physical.

Hughes played the last two seasons for the Hurricanes' American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany River Rats. The Richmond Hill, ON native totaled 23 points with the River Rats in 53 games played over the course of the two seasons. Hughes was originally selected by Carolina in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2006
NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with he team on April 10, 2007, making his professional debut for Albany in the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Hershey Bears. The 5'10", 180 pound center played four years in the Ontario Hockey League for the Kingston Frontenacs where he finished his career with 103 goals and 150 assists for 253 points in 243 games.

Hennigar split last season between the Islanders AHL and ECHL affiliates, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Utah Grizzlies. He accumulated 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) in 34 games played for the Sound Tigers.

Mike Sillinger Retires

SILLINGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
17-Year NHL Veteran Finishes His Career as an Islander

UNIONDALE, NY, August 26, 2009 -- New York Islanders forward, Mike Sillinger has announced his retirement after playing in the National Hockey League for the past 17 seasons.

Originally drafted eleventh overall in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Sillinger played a total of 141 games for the Islanders the last three seasons. Sillinger also served as the team's assistant captain while scoring 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points.

"To play the sport of hockey, something I've had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true," said Sillinger. "From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever."

The Regina, SASK native holds the record for most teams played for in a career with twelve starting with the Red Wings in the 1990-91 season. He also skated for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and the Islanders. Sillinger’s 151 games played with the Islanders were the most he competed in with any of the twelve teams he suited up for in his career.

"Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future."

Throughout his career, Sillinger has played in 1,049 career games, scoring 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points. His most prolific season was in 2005-06 when he scored 63 points in 79 games while splitting the year between St. Louis and Nashville.

Islanders Agree to Terms with Nathan Lawson

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH LAWSON
AHL All-Rookie Team Net-minder Signs One-Year Extension

Uniondale, NY -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Nathan Lawson.

Lawson spent the majority of last season with the organization's American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 31 games with the Sound Tigers, Lawson posted a 19-9-2 record with a .927 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. He had a nine-game unbeaten streak to open his career in the AHL, going 8-0-1.

Lawson, who began the season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, was named to the AHL All-Rookie at the conclusion of the season.

"Nathan had an impressive season last year in Bridgeport," said Garth Snow, Islanders General Manager. "His competitiveness increases our organizational goaltending depth."

Prior to last season, the Calgary, Alberta native played the 2007-08 in the ECHL for both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Utah. From 2004-07, Lawson played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage of the WCHA. During those three seasons, he played in 75 games while posting a .906 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average.