RSSAuthor Archive for HyeDray

A graphic designer who loves the game....and knows that age has slowed him down — but the passion is there. Islanders fan since the 70s, Dad, Husband and Coach of the Flying Tiger's Email: andre@filamentdesigns.net Twitter: http://twitter.com/FilamentDesigns

Backchecking: Isles Making Moves On the Blueline – UPDATED

Backchecking: Isles Making Moves On the Blueline – UPDATED

In what seems like a great deal of recent activity following an exciting Islanders draft, the activity continues to pile on for the Islanders — most notably on the blueline. On day 2 of the draft the Islanders shipped out defender Bruno Gervais to Tampa Bay for “future considerations” and on Monday, they did not [...]

Backchecking: That Old Feeling

Backchecking: That Old Feeling

I have a strange sensation coming over me today after reading yet another article about the “upcoming” vote for a new arena for the Islanders. The positive energy and feeling seems to be getting sucked out of my body as if a vacuum cleaner is pulling it directly out me, and the feeling of dread [...]

Backchecking: Commitment

Backchecking: Commitment

There is a lot of news for Islander fans this May. Just like the good old days. The difference this time is off the ice rather then the on-ice dominance the Islanders were all about in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The news now is not  bad, though, we are not reading about a [...]

Mark Streit was desperately missed all season for the NY Islanders. His return will hopefully add much needed maturity and stability to a quickly improving Islanders blueline

Backchecking: A Season Lost To Hope – Part 3

It has been a while since my season review of management and the goalies — just lots to review and think about with the next report — for the defenseman and part 4 is still to be finished — my thoughts on the forwards! Like the goalie situation, there are a number of defenseman who [...]

Backchecking: 400,000,000 Vs. 1

Backchecking: 400,000,000 Vs. 1

I have not had the chance to write my own thoughts on the new proposal for the Islanders arena project in any detail until now, and at the risk of “stepping in it” with certain people who are passionate about their views  —  I have a few things to consider… (and by people, you know [...]

DP post KO against Brent Johnson — yet another example of DiPietro's mental toughness, and ability to control himself.

Backchecking: A Season Lost To Hope – Part 2

I posted in an earlier blog my thoughts on the Islanders season as a whole, and the managerial and head coaching positions.  There were ups and downs with the team off the ice and clearly areas management will need to improve upon — but at the same time, the move to install Capuano as the [...]

The bright future of the Islander on the ice — new head coach Jack Capuano, John Tavares and Michael Grabner

Backchecking: A Season Lost To Hope – Part 1

It has been a long while since I wrote a post about the Islanders, which is not for a lack of desire. Work has monopolized my time of late making it difficult to make posts these last several weeks. But it was not for a lack of desire to comment on a variety of observations [...]

Will Isles GM Garth Snow will have a quiet deadline day?

Backchecking: Sellers, buyers or None of the Above?

The standings suggest the New York Islanders are not buyers — that is certain. But does that automatically make the Islanders sellers? I don’t think you will see the Isles involved in something like the big St. Louis/Colorado deal we saw late Friday night. Islanders GM Garth Snow has been a somewhat honest guy when [...]

It could be the league itself headed by Gary Bettman, or the fans who pretend to be outraged, but games like the Islanders vs Penguins or Canadiens vs. Bruins earn the league big money — be it in fines or marketing capital. Lets be real — the fans love the fighting and it sells tickets!

Backchecking: 10 Questions

It’s amazing how much convenient amnesia exists in the NHL — its players, announcers, executives and of course — its fans. With that in mind, I offer these ten questions for debate with some supporting follow-up question and editorial. 1) Can someone explain to and remind some of the fans and media types like Paul [...]

One "beat down" is not enough. The Pens may have been humiliated, but the cheap shots continue. The Isles must adopt this type of game to erase years of their own embarassing refusal to stand-up for the logo so many faught for in the 80's!

Backchecking: Isles Send An Old Long Island Message — But Will it Stand?

In literally beating the Penguins last night, the New York Islanders seemed to respond to recent editorials, articles and blogs made through a number of different outlets over the last few weeks. There have been several calls to action for the Islanders players and coaching staff to have the Islander players begin to develop a [...]

This is not how we want to see John Tavares. In my opinion, Milan Michalek should have been severly punished by someone wearing Islander colors. The message has to be deliever — you can't push us around!

Backchecking: “Thank you sir, may I have another?”

In the past two games, the New York Islanders have sent a clear message to the 29 other teams in the league. That message? “Thank you sir, may I have another?” Against the Penguins, the Isles were thrown around like rag dolls. Not the first time that has happened this season. Last night, John Tavares [...]

Miachel Grabner playing against the team that gave up on him, and 5 screen captures from the the Fastest Skater finals at the All Star festivities.

Backchecking: The Scrapheap Boys — Michael Grabner

The New York Islanders have little to be happy about this season, but if there is anything that can demonstrate some positive vibe in a setback season it is the Scrapheap Boys. The players left on the NHL scrap floor — players it seems no wanted, and no one cared to much about. They were [...]

Number 91, John Tavares and Number 26, Matt Moulson will be skating together for the New York Islanders until at least 2014

Backchecking: Moulson Says YES to the Island! Signs Extension!

Number 91, John Tavares and Number 26, Matt Moulson will be skating together for the New York Islanders until at least 2014 Breaking news: The Islanders did something good. Actually they did something very good. They signed a free agent. Not only did they sign a free agent, they did not, in my opinion have [...]

You say no to us? We say NYET to you!

Backchecking — Dear Mr. Nabokov

Nyet to the Islanders? I understand that no one wants to play on a losing team. But at what point are you an honorable person, and a professional? You signed a contract, and knew there was a chance someone would pick you up on waivers. Regardless if it was the Islanders, Devils, Edmonton, Senators, Leafs [...]

Backchecking: Isles Grab Nabokov — Analysis of the Waiver Claim, and Nabokov’s Failure to Report

Backchecking: Isles Grab Nabokov — Analysis of the Waiver Claim, and Nabokov’s Failure to Report

The New York Islanders have put in a waiver claim for Evgeni Nabokov today — meaning that the puck is now in Mr. Nabokov’s crease. Will he wear New York Islander colors? The answer: a resounding NO. Per NHL.com: “The agent for Nabokov, Don Meehan, told Ansar Kahn of mlive.com earlier this week that his [...]

Matt Moulson is the leader of the "Scrapheap Boys." Is he destined to remain an Islander, or will he be a memory by the time the deadline rolls aoround in 6 weeks?

Backchecking: The Scrapheap Boys — Matt Moulson

There is not all that much to be happy about as Islander fans these days. The team is once again at the bottom of the NHL — sitting in 29th place at the midway point of the season. There is little hope that the Islanders can attract free agents in the summer, which is par [...]

Kevin Poulin makes a save on Nino Niederreiter during Islander prospect camp last summer. Is Poulin the answer for the Islanders during the second half of this season and beyond?

Backchecking: The Poulin Punch

Its been an interesting few games for the New York Islanders. They have been able to win some games recently, and they also had some duds. The roller coaster season continues — as do the injuries. Frans Neilsen has missed the last 5 games, Radek Martinek is still no where to be seen, and Rick [...]

Kevin Poulin stops last years 1st overal draft pick Taylor Hall. Despite the loss, Poulin played very well in his NHL debut. We may want to get used to seeing Poulin more often, as well as Lawson, of Rick DiPietro's injury proves to be more serious. DiPietro was sent home for evaluation by the team, traveling in Colorado today.

Backchecking: Winning Some Games Through The Pain

If there is one thing that the New York Islanders have excelled at over the past 4 seasons — where they are among the league lead in the NHL and in fact the hockey world — injuries. The 2010-11 campaign is no different. The roller coaster season which started in solid fashion, also kicked off [...]

The Islanders say "NO" to Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, keeping Crosby off the score sheet and halting his scoring streak.

Backchecking: Islanders Sell Early* Updated with comments about recent waiver information

On a night when the red hot Pittsburgh Penguins and their white hot super star Sidney Crosby were coming to town, the Islanders were busy packing up and shipping out one of their top players for this disappointing season. James Wisniewski’s tenure as an Islander lasted less then half a season. The game against the [...]

The Hope Diamond — Could it be shining on the Islanders?

Backchecking: Fading Islanders Finding A Few Gems?

It has been a little more then a week since my last last post. I think it has been at least that long since the last post concerning the Islanders by just about everyone. The franchise is quickly fading into oblivion not just in the NHL standings, but in the position of relevance in the [...]