Those who have read my work, whether it is on this web page, or New York Sports Day, or the View from Section 317, know that I try to be a real optimist when it comes down to my hockey team. I always believe that there is a chance that my team can ‘squeak’ it out, and get that win or goal that they need to propel themselves. Hey – what Islander fan had real 100% confidence in Wade Dubielewicz to win those last few games, and get us into the playoffs? I can stare at my keyboard, and with a straight face, say a qualified YES!However, July 1st came into play. That fateful day, in the annals of Islanders history, that made me feel like my heart drop to my toes.

«FULL STORY»

The news crews have left the Coliseum, and the fans will probably not see them there again this season. For a few days, the Islanders were major media stories. I am sure that Chris Botta’s staff was quite busy. Unfortunately, it was not for what the team was going to do in the Stanley Cup Finals.


«FULL STORY»

The salary cap was designed to help a team like the Islanders, but even the newly implemented financial constraints could not give them a competitive advantage in 2005-2006. Despite adding former 40-goal scorer Miroslav Satan, veteran winger Mike York and offensive-minded defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, owner Charles Wang saw his team go a disappointing 36-40-6. They also failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2001. It turns out that 12th-place performance would turn out to be just the first source of frustration for Islanders’ fans. In less than three months, the franchise that was one the model of the NHL added a new coach, two general managers and a new front office operation that relies on equal say for all members. If that whole business model wasn’t unorthodox enough, goalie Rick DiPietro was given a record 15-year contract extension, while Alexei Yashin’s 10-year deal was not bought out.

«FULL STORY»

When Tom Renney addressed his team before the 2005-06 season, he had one goal in mind. It didn't matter to him if the Rangers went to the playoffs, nor what the final win/loss total would be. The coach only had one message for his team - “Be A Ranger”.Renney wanted to reinstall the pride back in the organization, which was lacking since way back into the late 1990s. He wanted his team to play a disciplined, hardworking type of game that would endear itself to the Garden crowd and hopefully make up for the lack of star power after Jaromir Jagr.Needless to say, a 100 point season and the team's first playoff appearance since 1997 brought back the faith in Blueshirt Nation.

«FULL STORY»