Action on The Island

Bubba From Canes Country Submits

Those of you who have followed the Canes Country blog for awhile, know that I have been somewhat infatuated with the concept behind the New York Islanders Blog Box since it’s inception. I still keep tabs on it from time to time.

After the season ending resignation of it’s creator, ex-Director of Media Relations, Chris Botta, there was a question in my mind whether or not the “Box” would be open again next season.

My question has been answered.

Blog Box

Apparently, the Blog Box was such a rousing success that not only will it be continued next season, it will be expanding. The Islanders recently put out a notification with the good news, which also requested that more folk apply for additional blogging opportunities.
It’s kind of funny, some of the current blogger’s have not updated their blogs in months, while others like B.D. Gallof and the 7th Woman, are very active and are usually a very good read. Good luck to the New Yorkers and keep up the good work!

While the team bloggers have been renewed for another season, Head Coach Ted Nolan was not so lucky. Apparently, he and Garth Snow had “philosophical differences” and Nolan was sent packing with a year still left on his contract.

So what’s going on in New York? Was Nolan quoting Plato while Snow preferred Socrates?

The word on the street seems to be that the GM wanted to stock the team with youth, while the coach preferred some more veteran presence. How about a mixture of both, boys?

Now the search is on for a new coach, with ex-Leafs and Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice in the mix. Perhaps Snow can find a coach who sees everything the exact same way that he does? Heaven forbid a coach and GM disagree about anything.

Canes Country has always liked Ted Nolan and we respect him as a coach. He seems to have a bit of an attitude, so it might be tough for him to land another gig right away. But we wish him the best.

Winter Classic Announced

In other brief news around the league, the NHL officially announced that the Winter Classic, Part Two will be held at Wrigley Field on January 1st. The game between the Red Wings and Blackhawks will be televised by NBC, just like the contest in Buffalo was last year.

If this was Bettman’s idea, it’s the best one that he’s come up with since he’s been commissioner. Now if the bigwigs can just keep it at one outdoor game per year, everyone should be happy.

But how long before they start calling it, the Gary Bettman Winter Classic?

Yikes…there is a happy thought to end the article with.

The Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke Saga Continues

Wild Ink Nolan

The Minnesota Wild continued their off-season makeover Sunday, signing gritty winger Owen Nolan to a two-year contract worth $5.5 million US.

Here is What Wild GM Doug Risebrough had to say about the gritty forward:

“Owen Nolan is a true power winger who can score goals, play a physical brand, play either wing and take faceoffs”

Nolan should be a nice addition to the Wild who have been very active in signing fre agent forwards this off-season.  Minnesota will, no doubt, benefit from Nolan’s experience, leadership and tenacious style of play.

Lowe and Burke At It Again

Edmonton Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe tore into Brian Burke on Friday when he made an appearance on Edmonton’s Team 1260 radio station. Lowe called him a moron, described the Anaheim hockey market as pathetic, and then discussed how Burke destroyed the Vancouver Canucks.

Lowe went on to describe Burke as a “Media Junkie” and then makes reference to Burke’s single Stanley Cup compared to Lowe’s six.  To be fair, I don’t think that Lowe is comparing apples to apples as his cups came courtesy of his playing days.

It doesn’t appear that Burke wants to continue the “feud” as he is reportedly not commenting on the remarks made by Lowe.

Penguins Cooke-ing!

The NHL Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins went the free-agent route to replace agitator Jarkko Ruutu on Saturday, signing forward Matt Cooke to a two-year contract.

While Ruutu was clearly an asset for the Penguins last season, it is believed that Cooke is a better two-way player with more offensive upside than Ruutu.  Cooke is known as a character player throughout the league and should fit in nicely with the Penguins as Shero continues to mold an exquisite supporting cast for Crosby and Malkin.

Leafs Have High Hopes

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed centre Mikhail Grabovski to a one-year, US$850,000 contract on Friday, one day after acquiring him in a trade with Montreal. The 24-year old had three goals and nine points in 24 games with the Canadiens last season.

The Maple Leafs sent prospect Greg Pateryn and a second-round draft choice to Montreal in exchange for Grabovski.  I think Montreal got a steal of deal here.  A prospect and a pick for Grabovski who has a questioanable future in the National Hockey League.

Players Feel Buffaloed By Sabres

The Buffalo news is reporting what we have known for years, the Sabres have a poor reputation among players.

Gleason goes on to comment that It has become increasingly evident that the only way to get quality veterans into Buffalo is to force them here through trades. It’s an unpleasant way to survive.

“Forget the woe-is-Buffalo excuse. Everybody knows this is a passionate hockey town, but the word has spread about the organization’s business practices. The Sabres are known more for their commitment to the bottom line than their commitment to winning. To players, it might as well be Edmonton.”