We knew it was all coming when Sillinger played in only seven games last season. Nevertheless the guy was uber solid when with the team and set a great example. A former first round pick, ending your career with 240 goals is pretty damn solid if you ask me. A shame he didn’t really develop until his last few seasons in the league too. At one time, I wished the entire Islanders team could consist of clones of Silly, Richard Park and Jason Blake. A tad under-sized sure, but feisty nonetheless.

Good luck in your future endeavors Silly.

Aside from that, there hasn’t been much Isles news, so my video game exploits have continued.

Check out my NHL 10 demo thoughts here. Goddamn this game is so much fun. Even if you don’t play games, click the link anyway. I’m sure the screenshot alone will scare the crap out of you. It’s hard to believe video games have come this far. I still remember loving NHLPA 93 despite how ugly it was and now sometimes it’s more fun to play this than actually watch the real thing.

http://reviewfix.com/2009/08/nhl-10-demo-rocks-like-a-hurricane/

Posted under Offseason 2009

Check out my NHL 09 Review here:

http://reviewfix.com/2009/08/the-best-hockey-game-ever/

Posted under Uncategorized

Newsday is currently reporting that former Islander Miroslav Satan is interested in coming back to the Island.

Aside from a solid first season with the team, the last two years of his contract were a jumbled inconsistent mess, where he showed the energy of an overweight puppy. Sure, he’s an asset and can still score 15-20 goals and can perform in the shootout. But are the Islanders in a situation to take a chance on this guy?

I say, if they really want to take a chance on someone, go with Mark Parrish; at least then the guy has more potential and can anchor a third line. He’s a bit more aggressive as well and has a soul. Plus, he’s only 31 and is in a desperate need of a change of scenery. Satan is like a Cylon and not the hot and sexy ones on the recently completed incarnation of Battlestar Galactica- I’m talking about the 1978 version here. He’s on the supreme downswing and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

Unless they can get him dirt cheap, like just above NHL minimum and he gets powerplay time where he isn’t on the point [what a disaster that was a few years ago], then maybe it could work, but when you’re looking to add veteran character, this isn’t a guy I’d run to.

Posted under Offseason 2009

Over the past 10 days, the New York Islanders have added depth to both their team and Bridgeport, signing Nate Thompson, Jack Hillen, Joel Rechlicz and Blake Comeau. I’ve already spoken at length about Thompson that I believe he’s better suited to play at Bridgeport and come up in case of emergency, but “The Wrecker” is a different story. If he can improve his skating ability even more, remember too, this was a dude who was in the ECHL for a spell last season, he’ll be a Steve Webb clone with better hands. If he can follow the puck, play tough in the corners and fight when he has to, the Isles will have a solid fourth line with him and Tim Jackman and whoever they decide to have center them.

As far as Comeau goes, lets hope he learned his lesson from last season and comes into camp in shape, scores 15-20 goals and plays good physical, two-way hockey. If he does, he could be one of the best third liners in the league and develop into a Kris Draper-Jay Pandolfo-type player. Won’t hold my breath though.

In other news, the Islanders have been stepping up their support of the lighthouse project on the site as of late, but there’s an even better way to get this thing moving. Sign another scorer.

Here’s a list of some players available right now.

Robert Lang
Viktor Kozlov
Maxim Afinogenov
Todd Bertuzzi
Petr Sykora
Alex Tanguay
Taylor Pyatt

Some of these guys are in need of a second chance, and some are even old, but Pyatt or Bertuzzi would be great on the third line and in front of the net on the powerplay. Sykora, Kozlov and Tanguay can all come in and score at least 20 goals and give the team some more name recognition.

That may be what the team needs more. Get fans excited to see that the team is taking steps to put a quality team on the ice. Then they’ll spend their money going there and give the government officials enough of a reason to support it as well.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

Posted under Offseason 2009

It’s on my other site, here’s the link!

http://reviewfix.com/2009/08/relive-the-isles-glory-days-in-standard-definition/

Posted under Uncategorized