Early...

A month ago I would've called myself crazy to be blogging at 6am. My only excuse would have probably been, "I can't sleep, so this is passing the time..."

But I don't have that excuse this time.

Now its "I'm on a train heading to work, so this is passing the time..."

Now that I think about it, I never realized how ridiculously crowded the 5:55am train gets! Don't most people start work at 9am? (I should be talking...)

But seriously, I can't even get a seat! Sheesh!

Ok, ok...on a more serious note, Newsday's Greg Logan is reporting in today's edition that the Islanders have signed Jeff Tambellini to a one-way, two-year contract. Bout time...

Well, actually, the Isles needed to make it one-way because any more reassignments to the AHL and Tamby's gotta clear waivers. Such was evident last year when Jeff was sent down to Bridgeport before most of the other Tigers to help with the playoff push, it was totally because of games played, and not by performance. But the time is now for Tamby to deliver. Garth and the team is putting faith in this kid to produce, and maybe with a new coach, it may come.

(And as I'm typing that previous paragraph, I got myself a seat!)

On the two-way front, Jeremy Colliton and Ben Walter signed two-way, two-year contracts. They will be competing for the final spot on the roster and both made great strides last year in their progress. Walter showed some great tenacity for the net, and impressed in his early debut here on the Island. Colliton matured leaps and bounds from last year, adding a more gritty style of play to his game. We saw him his first professional fights of his career and he took a bigger leadership role in the lockerroom down in the Bridge. Plus, he's one of the most accessible and nicest guys in the lockerroom, so its good to see him back.

Frans Nielsen and Bruno Gervais are reported to have rejected their qualifying offers, but its said the Isles will continue to negotiate with both players. I have no doubts that both will be back with the organization next season.

And tonight I'll be in the "other stadium" -- Shea Stadium, taking in the Billy Joel concert! Will give me some fodder to sepak about tomorrow morning for sure...

Until then, be good, enjoy the day, and for those that ARE going to the show tonight (come on, we ARE Long Islanders!)...enjoy!

(Did I just actually say that...I feel very...corporate shillish...)

Isles Qualify Six Former Tigers

Well it looks like the youth movement is going to be in full effect this coming season, as the Islanders have qualified six players, all former Sound Tigers.

The story on the Isles Official Site

The New York Islanders have extended qualifying offers to forwards Sean Bergenheim, Jeremy Colliton, Frans Nielsen, Jeff Tambellini and Ben Walter along with defenseman Bruno Gervais. All will become restricted free agent if they are not signed prior to July 1st, 2008.

Bergenheim and Gervais spent the entire 2007-08 season with the Islanders. Bergenheim appeared in 78 games, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. Gervais saw action in 60 games and recorded 13 assists and points to go along with 34 penalty minutes.

Colliton, Nielsen, Tambellini and Walter all split time between the Islanders and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. Tambellini recorded one goal and three assists in 31 games with the Islanders while finishing seventh in the AHL in scoring, leading the Sound Tigers with 38 goals, 38 assists and 76 points in only 57 games. Appearing in 16 games with the Islanders last season, Nielsen recorded two goals and an assist for three points. Colliton also played in 16 games and went scoreless while registering eight penalty minutes. Walter saw action in eight games with the Islanders and scored his first NHL goal.