Wednesday, September 30, 2009

9/30/09 News Links


Don't forget to check out the Atlantic division preview roundtable I participated in at Canucks Hockey Blog. Should be up tomorrow. Great hockey people, great hockey discussion, and a great hockey blog.

Links:

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Isles Close Pre-Season With Loss

The Islanders (2-5-1) closed the pre-season schedule with a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

John Tavares registered an assist on a Mark Streit power play goal and finished his 1st NHL camp with 3 assists in 4 games. 91 skated with Matt Moulson and Sean Bergenheim and was on the receiving end of a big Colin White hit that he was able to shake off. JT finished with 20:27 of ice time and a -1 with 1 shot on goal. Tavares had his roughest night yet in the faceoff circle going 5 for 19 against three tough pivots. (Niedermayer 2-4, Zajac 2-11, Zubrus 1-4)

Post Game Interview:


The Isles claimed fellow ex-Knight Robbie Schremp off waivers this afternoon It will be interesting to see if the fellow OHL scoring champions will see some ice time together.

Please visit our friends at Canucks Hockey Blog tomorrow night at 8 PM EST where I will be participating in an Atlantic Division round table discussion.

Two tremendous JT features from Chris Botta/Fanhouse and Dave Caldwell/NY Times here:
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/09/29/the-john-tavares-handbook/

Why JT is the man> "My season is going to be judged by how much team success we have. That's all that matters. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/sports/hockey/30islanders.html

More Links:
http://www.canada.com/Twenty+questions+ponder+season/2047430/story.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview2009/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=4513809

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Who Will Be Tavares' Linemates?

We are just six days from the season opener and there has been no definitive answer on who will flank John Tavares or if he will be moved to the wing to play with Doug Weight?

Tavares skated with Sean Bergenheim and Weight to start the pre-season but that lasted all of two periods as both went down with the Isles trademark injury (strained groin). The last two games #91 has skated with free agent signing Matt Moulson and prospect Trevor Smith. Both have offensive ability and Moulson and JT have developed a little chemistry as Moulson looks like a lock to make the team with a pre-season leading 4 goals.

We should have a better gauge of the opening night lineup after Tuesday nights exhibition closer. With center Franz Nielsen' injury it would seem the best solution would be to keep Tavares at center between Moulson and Bergenheim and move Weight to center a different line.

Links from the weekend:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/tavares-getting-accustomed-to-life-on-long-island-1.1481089

http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/consumer/outdoors/story/895019.html

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Players+dress+Week+season/2037306/story.html

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/09/25/weight-makes-tavares-feel-at-home/

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

19 Hours Till Johnny Hockey Hits Long Island


While it was a contentious day at the Lighthouse Project zoning hearings, the bright sun behind those murky clouds of the future makes his home debut Wednesday night. John Tavares will suit up for the Isles only home pre-season game. Even though it's just an exhibition game JT is sure to bring excitement on a September night for the hockey thirsty fans of Long Island.

I'll have post game reactions, analysis, etc...The game will be broadcast on MSG+.Enjoy!

Buy tickets here:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004304A9155F26?artistid=805986&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9


Links from today:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2009/09/22/20090922coyotesfeat0923.html





http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/09/22/mendes_10_to_watch/#





Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Birthday Boy Picks Up His First Point

John Tavares celebrated his 19th birthday by picking up an assist for his first point of the pre-season. It was a nice centering feed to Matt Moulson in a 3-1 Isles victory Sunday night. Tavares played between Moulson and prosepect Trevor Smith for most of the night. He looked sharper tonight and though he was thwarted on a breakaway in the 2nd had another sharp night in the faceoff circle.

Post game interview:


Highlights:


Links:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Birthday+Tavares+warming+life/2012902/story.html

http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/20/11006901-sun.html

http://www.articlemaniac.com/article/238265/young-hockey-phenoms-the-hockey-card-effect.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hKYe2_xIvMFRCyBV1NeADE0u8FYw

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

9/16/09 Isles/Oilers JT's First NHL Exhibition Game

We are getting close to the drop of the puck...

JT starting with Weight and Bergenheim.

Tavares wins the opening faceoff.

Tavares, DiBenedetto, & de Haan...feel like i'm streaming OHL action again.

Tavares with a chance in front...Isles score. Gervais. Good work by JT!

JT with Figren and Haskins now.Eberle hits the post.

Tavares back with Weight and Bergenheim now...Isles controlling the play.

Jordan Eberle looks like he's ready for prime time, he has easily been the Oilers best player in the first period.

Tavares killing penalty.

Nathan Lawson with a highlight reel save off Hemsky.

Johnny looks very confident out there...good positioning no trepidation.

End of first. Good period for the Isles.

Good first shift in the 2nd for Tavares...creating chances but no sugar yet.

Sloppy 2nd thus far.

Souray has broken the glass behind the net...twice in this period.

End of 2nd period. Uneventful.

Start of the 3rd.
Nathan Lawson has been the story thus far.

JT with a nice little move in front the goal comes up empty on the backhand.
Penner ties it up 1-1.

Oilers up 2-1...JT and the kids get caught running around.

Tavares creates a couple of chances on a PP that comes up short...looks a little tired from the flu. de Haan has been very impressive.

de Haan scores and makes me look good...2-2.

Tavares with a nice steal from Gagner...just like in the backyard when they were kids, well they're still kids.
Souray makes it 3-2.

Oilers win.
Tavares solid but unspectacular...de Haan best player on the ice tonight for the Isles.

Tavares Debut Set For Tonight

**Confirmed Tavares in the lineup tonight**

Barring a last minute change, the Edmonton Journal is reporting that JT is on the travelling roster and will suit up for his first NHL exhibition game this evening! The game will be streamed live on the Oilers website.

Check back tonight for some live blogging on Johnnys' first step into the big time.

Links:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/16/10927751-sun.html

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Islanders+leave+Roloson+Saskatoon/1999378/story.html

Day 3 Interview:



Day 3 Recap:

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Day 2 Of Camp

Tavares sat out for the exhibition opener due to flu symptoms. The Isles next pre-season game is tomorrow night against Edmomton. Hopefully, JT will see his first NHL game action and maybe we'll get a stream on the net from the Oilers website since they are casting their game tonight.

Interview:


Day 2 Recap (Tavares burns de Haan)


Links:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498576

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1994030

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-files-1.812028/doug-weight-s-veteran-leadership-1.1446351

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Johnny Hockey Hits The Ice

Thank God Hockey is back!

JT hit the ice in Saskatoon today for the first day of training camp. Tavares skated between Doug Weight and Trent Hunter for NHL camp debut. Weight will serve as Tavares' roommate and his mentor. #91, still bothered by the flu will not dress for tomorrow nights pre-season opener against the Canucks.

Tavares interview Day 1:




Some links from today:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-files-1.812028/second-group-including-tavares-1.1443843

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-files-1.812028/and-finally-1.1444229

http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498463

Monday, September 7, 2009

Tavares Nervous But Ready For Camp




JT skated today with several of his new teammates in preparation for the start of training camp. Our first view of Johnny Hockey in Islander blue should come in the pre-season opener one week from tonight.


The excitement is starting to build.