Tuesday, August 1, 2000

Becomes restricted free agent
By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun

   BARRIE -- The contractual cat and mouse game between Eric Lindros
and Bob Clarke had one more episode to play last night.

  Lindros -- who announced yesterday morning he would wait
until "December or January" to try to come back from his fourth
concussion in five months -- has rejected the Philadelphia Flyers'
$8.5-million US qualifying offer.

  By doing so, Lindros becomes a restricted free agent. The Flyers can
still match any offer to Lindros, and are entitled to compensation if
he leaves as a Group 2 free agent.

  But Lindros has put himself in a better bargaining position to
scuttle any trade or refuse to sign any offer sheet. Even though the
Flyers retain his negotiating rights, Lindros is without a contract
and could set his own asking price.

  "Yes, there's some argument it gives us more (leverage)," Lindros
family lawyer Gordon Kirke said early this morning. "But it's not our
main reason (for rejecting the offer.) This wasn't an easy decision
for Eric."

  Kirke had scheduled a news conference for today.

  Lindros is aware of the Maple Leafs' interest in him, at least at
the board of directors level.

  "There are a lot of teams out there and Toronto is one of them,"
Lindros said. "They've got scoring and one of the best -- if not the
best -- goaltender in the league. They've added a lot of grit with
those two (Shayne Corson and Gary Roberts)."

  Lindros dragged his feet on announcing his decision and by 10 p.m.,
general manager Clarke had disappeared for the night and assistant
Paul Holmgren abandoned his post by the fax machine in the Flyers
office.

  Many expected Lindros to sign the lucrative deal in time, even
though Clarke had put in an insulting clause that pays Lindros
$85,000 if he clears waivers to play in the minors.

  Before teeing off in the IOF Foresters Kids Classic golf tournament
yesterday at National Pines -- where $50,000 was raised for the
Hospital for Sick Children -- Lindros confirmed a second neurologist
has advised him to wait until mid-season to resume contact hockey.

  "I know that if I jump back in, I'm playing with fire," Lindros
said. "I feel disappointed at the time line, but at the same time
thankful (that his career isn't done). I feel better every day. I've
been worried a long time."

  Lindros had been sitting on his latest test results from Chicago
specialist James Kelly, waiting to compare them with a recent visit
to a Montreal neurologist. He says they validate Kelly's findings and
advice.

  "I was told to get a second opinion," Lindros said. "She (the
Montreal doctor) ran a lot of the same tests. It's the same thing.
That was nice to hear."

  Lindros has spent the past two months undergoing acupuncture and
cranial massage treatments. He reportedly has taken out a $20-million
US personal insurance policy this season that kicks in if he tries to
come back and fails.

July 31, 2000
Hamrlik changes tune
Defenceman happy to be an Islander


By BARRY BAUM
Faceoff.com correspondent

Out of his momentary depression about being dealt to the Islanders in
June, restricted free agent Roman Hamrlik is soon expected to begin
contract negotiations with the club.

Acquired in a trade last month from the Edmonton Oilers, the 26-year
old Hamrlik could seek as much as $4 million a season, which would
make him one of the NHL's highest paid blueliners.

"I just hope everything will go smoothly and we'll make a deal, but
you never know," said Hamrlik's agent Jiri Crha. "I just want [the
Islanders] to be fair, that's all."

When the trade was consummated on June 24 (the first day of the Entry
Draft), Hamrlik was upset at joining the Islanders because of their
string of poor seasons. Hamrlik said he had already had his share of
losing with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Oilers.

Upon learning of Hamrlik's disappointment, Islanders general manager
Mike Milbury quickly contacted the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder at his home
in the Czech-Republic. With a fast-talking spiel, Milbury tried to
convince Hamrlik that the team was significantly upgrading its roster.

And with that, Hamrlik has since changed his tune.

"He knows there's probably a great future with the Islanders," Crha
said.

Hamrlik made $2.25 million last season, which would have made him the
highest-paid Islander. But with new co-owners Sanjay Kumar and
Charles Wang showing their desire to dramatically improve the club,
the Islanders are not letting Hamrlik's hefty salary demands scare
them off.

Coming off last year's laughable $16.4 million payroll, the Islanders
are nearly doubling their salary structure this season. In taking on
Hamrlik (eight goals, 37 assists last season), the Isles sent
promising forward Josh Green, underachieving defenseman Eric Brewer
and their second-round pick (35th overall) to the Oilers.

For Milbury, Hamrlik was his most coveted player during this off-
season.

"He brings the offense, he brings the minutes [averaged 25.3 minutes
of ice time last season, 12th in the league], and he's insurance if
Kenny [Jonsson] goes down," Milbury said.

NOTES: Unwilling to risk going to arbitration earlier this month,
Kenny Jonsson, the Islanders' restricted free agent, still remains
determined not to settle for the $1.85 million (for either one or two
years, Jonsson's choice) the club is offering him for next season.

Jonsson, the 25-year-old defenseman and team captain, is adamant that
he deserves a raise on his '99 salary. But Milbury won't budge.

"The bottom line is, we are going to negotiate," Jonsson's agent Mike
Barnett said.

An all-star during the '98-99 season, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jonsson
is coming off a disasterous season in which he tallied just one goal
and 24 assists in 65 games. A series of concussions and headaches
severely limited his production.

As a restricted free agent, Jonsson's only leverage against the
Islanders is to threaten to sit out training camp and, perhaps, the
regular season.

Barnett is hoping to avert that possibility. However, another Barnett
client, Mats Lindgren, sat out Islanders training camp last season in
a contract dispute. Lindgren eventually signed a two-year deal during
the preseason.

But threats are unlikely to shake Milbury's stance. With the off-
season additions of defensemen Kevin Haller and Hamrlik, the Isles
have significantly upgraded their backline corps.

During last Tuesday's press conference for the signing of No. 1 draft
pick Rick DiPietro, Milbury said he had had no new discussions with
Barnett concerning Jonsson.

It is thought that Jonsson opted not to go through arbitration for
fear that his salary would be slashed due to his poor '99. The
Islanders would have likely offered $1.5 million in an arbitration
hearing.

"It was a decision that he made," Barnett said of Jonsson's decision
to bypass arbitration.

Barnett, meanwhile, said that Jonsson feels that he's recovered from
his concussions and the headaches. The next step, Barnett said, is to
negotiate a deal before training camp.

"Right now, we'll try to get a contract done," Barnett said.

MORE NOTES: Beginning in the 2001-02 season, the Islanders will
create a new AHL franchise in Bridgeport, Conn. The team will become
the Islanders only minor-league affiliate, which will end the club's
ties with Lowell and Springfield of the AHL, and Chicago of the IHL.

The team will be owned by Roy Boe, the Islanders original owner in
their initial NHL season in 1972-73. It will play its games in a yet-
to-be-completed 9,000-seat arena next to Bridgeport's waterside minor
league baseball stadium. Players who are sent from the Islanders to
Bridgeport can take a ferry from Port Jefferson, Long Island to the
docks by where the new arena will stand.

EVEN MORE NOTES: The Islanders signed three veteran free agent
defenseman last week: Dan Trebil, Aris Brimanis and Ray Schultz.

Trebil, 26, played three games with the Penguins last season (one
goal), and has played parts of four season in the NHL. He spent most
of last season with Cincinnati of the AHL (52 games, seven goals, 21
assists, 48 penalty minutes), and made the AHL all-star game.

"Dan Trebil is a very reliable defenseman who brings us some depth,"
Milbury said.

Brimanis and Schultz played well in their limited action last season
with the Islanders. The 28-year-old Brimanis was particularly
impressive, scoring two goals in 18 games. He had played parts of
three seasons with the Flyers.

Schultz, a 23-year-old feisty backliner, played nine games with the
Isles last season, accumulating 30 penalty minutes and one assist.
While with Kansas City of the IHL last season, he served 208 penalty
minutes, but found enough ice time to tally five goals and five
assists in 65 games.

"We're happy we were able to bring back Brimanis and Schultz,"
Milbury said. "Aris was very good at the end of last season for us
and Ray is a hard-nosed competitor that gives us everything he's got."

DR. JOHN MAY KEEP DEVS
By MARK EVERSON

  Either way, by the end of this month, Dr. John McMullen is going to
have a sizable piece of the Devils for at least three more years and
come out either $30 million or $176 million richer.
The Devils' owner yesterday revealed that in order to help complete
his $176 million sale of the Stanley Cup champions, he has agreed to
defer for three years a significant portion of the purchasers' full
payment that originally was due July 12.

The deal signed in March already has missed two deadlines for
closing, July 12 and July 28, and McMullen said yesterday that if the
sale fails to be completed by the end of this month, he will keep the
team, pocketing $30 million in penalties.

"I think it's going through," McMullen said after a Stanley Cup
celebratory luncheon at "21" in Manhattan. "I truly believe they are
making every effort."

The sale, originally reported here last fall, was signed in March.
Initially, George Steinbrenner was expected to have been a major
investor in the purchase, but he chose to devote his energies and
resources to the Yankees, and would only be involved for his majority
share of the 10 percent YankeeNets is putting up.

Lewis Katz and Ray Chambers head up the purchasing group, Puck
Holdings, LLC, and they had to find additional investors when
Steinbrenner's participation shrank. Initially, the purchasers had no
intention of including McMullen in ownership, but he said his
deferred payments would be "invested in Puck Holdings."

President and GM Lou Lamoriello, who would become Devils CEO as well
when the sale is completed, insisted yesterday that the sale
is "strictly, right now, a paperwork situation." Lamoriello is
believed to be turning over his 3-5 percent stake of the team in the
sale.

McMullen cited the background and financial checks of investors,
being conducted by the NHL, as much of the cause for the delay.

"The league has certain requirements, and it has changed some since I
bought the team [in 1982]. They've also stiffened up the rules
because of some fiascoes," McMullen said.

The man who bought the Colorado Rockies hockey team and moved them to
the Meadowlands called Aug. 31 "Do or Die Day," and did not seem
distraught at the idea of continuing to own the team.

"At that point it's over," McMullen said of trying to sell the team
elsewhere.

*

Asked about bringing the Cup to Manhattan, McMullen responded: "The
Rangers haven't been able to do it."

Tuesday,August 1,2000

NEMCHINOV RE-UPPING WITH CUP CHAMPIONS
By MARK EVERSON


Raise the flag. The Devils, who will do another banner-raising later,
actually are signing one of their own unrestricted free agents.
The Post has learned that always-dependable Sergei Nemchinov is about
to sign a two-year deal to return to New Jersey.

The 36-year-old is believed to have turned down the Rangers to remain
with the Devils, and is expected to earn some 750G per season.

Nemchinov went 10-16-26 in 53 games with New Jersey last season,
despite being used all over the map. He went 3-2-5 in 21 games in
helping the Devils to the 2000 Stanley Cup. He also won the Cup with
the 1994 Rangers.

Nemchinov and Pat Conacher are to be joined by Ranger signee Vladimir
Malakhov as the only players to skate for all three local teams.

The Devils lost unrestricted Malakhov this summer, and are expected
to lose Claude Lemieux through that route, as well. In recent years,
they have bade farewell to unrestricteds Doug Gilmour, Dave
Andreychuk, Dave Ellett and Bruce Driver

Nemchinov is believed to have turned down at least one better offer
to remain in New Jersey. He earned $1.45 million last season, the
final year on a three-year deal he signed with the Islanders.

File        : Isles team Photo today.jpg
Description : 1999-2000 Islanders

Uniondale, NY (August 1) In the upcoming edition of the New York
Post's new magazine, Sports Week, writer Brian Compton has a feature
on Islanders general manager Mike Milbury and his tumultuous five
years in the organization. Among the topics Compton touches on with
Milbury are:


the various ownership changes, including the reign of John Spano
("He's where he belongs," says Milbury.)
the hiring of Butch Goring
the drafting of Rick DiPietro
the challenge of signing the club's Group II free agents
his goals for next year ("competing for the playoffs") and the year
after that ("winning playoff rounds")

And of course, the article dissects the Islanders-Rangers rivalry, re-
kindled at the draft when new Rangers GM took a few shots at Milbury
in the media.

Milbury responds to Sports Week's Compton: "We were the center of the
draft and I guess (Sather) felt left out because he didn't have
anyone talking to him. So his ego might have been bruised. And when
his ego is bruised, it's bruised big-time because it's such a big
ego. I don't know what he was trying to prove there and he oughta
mind his own business. He's got enough things to do.

"Their organization has made so many egregious errors over the last
few years to inflict financial damage on the rest of the league.
They're totally selfish and they'll always be selfish and I live with
that. But it's amusing to see him go from the poorhouse to the
penthouse and forget about all those hard-ass values that were there
when he was in Edmonton."

Compton then asks Milbury if he dislikes Sather.

"No, I like Slats a lot," Milbury says with sincerity. "But I'm not
gonna take any [bleep] from him, either."

Sports Week will be available on newstands on Thursday, August 3.

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New York Islanders
• Team Report

By Evan A. Denbaum / The Sporting News


BURNING QUESTION
How quickly can this talented, young team come together -- and will
it be enough to resuscitate the league's most-bitter rivalry?

What a difference a little stability can make.

Now that the new ownership is firmly in place, GM Mike Milbury has
coffers of cash to throw at free agents and his exemplary draft
class. For stability on the ice, Milbury has inserted John
Vanbiesbrouck in goal. Despite his recent woes in Philly, Beezer was
rock-solid for the better part of the '90s and can steal a game when
he's on. Waiting in the wings is highly touted prospect Rick
DiPietro, the first overall pick in the draft.

The club can boast four capable lines for the first time in years,
spearheaded by a top unit centered by 19-year-old Tim Connolly, who
will soon be a star. On his wings are Mariusz Czerkawski and Brad
Isbister, both of whom should notch at least 30 goals.

On the blue line is All-Star defenseman Roman Hamrlik, one of
Milbury's acquisitions. Hamrlik will inject life into the Islanders'
lazy, painfully bad power play. He should also take some pressure
off, and distract some attention from, the tandem of Kevin Haller and
captain Kenny Jonsson.

But the question that burns in the brain of every puckhead on the
Island is, "How much longer before we start winning?"

Even with a wealth of young talent, and a learned coach to ready them
for The Show, chemistry can't be taught. Even with a GM who's looking
at everyone from Haller to Alexei Yashin, victories can't simply be
bought. The Rangers proved that last season.

Speaking of the Blueshirts, this age-old rivalry is about rise from
its grave -- ready or not. Why? Because there's just not enough room
for both New York squads to make the playoffs in 2000.

The Devils, Flyers, Maple Leafs and Senators are postseason locks.
The Sabres (Dominik Hasek) and Penguins (Jaromir Jagr) will make the
Cup tourney on the strength of star power. And you've got to reserve
one spot for the Capitals, who always, without fail, make the
playoffs (only the hockey gods know why).

That leaves the Rangers and Isles battling against some good outside
competition for one measly seed. And despite three horrific seasons
in a row, the Rangers (on paper) are by far the more likely team to
win right away.

The Islanders play host to the two teams' first meeting on Nov. 22.
And coach Butch Goring's gang better come to play because invading
Rangers fans are guaranteed to start the whistling jeers and "1983"
chants early. It's up to Connolly and Beezer shut 'em up.

WHAT'S NEW

Money: Billionaire owners Charles Wang and Sanjar Kumar swear they'll
get this franchise turned around and seem to simply be tossing money
at its problems. But considering the Islanders were shackled down to
an oppressive $16.5 million budget last season, opening the vault is
the first step to becoming competitive.

Players galore: Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish add skill and scoring up
front. Haller and Mike Stapleton provide veteran savvy and team
depth. Hamrlik instantly improves the power play. Rookie Taylor Pratt
and 2000 draft picks DiPietro and Raffi Torres bring energy, intrigue
and excitement to training camp.

REASONS FOR HOPE

Momentum: With every gutsy deal, with every dollar spent, the
Islanders further distance themselves from the stigma of the past
six, oh-so-dismal seasons. The attitude of Hamrlik speaks volumes
about the changing identity of the Islanders: After hearing he'd been
traded to Long Island, Hamrlik's gut reaction was to be disappointed,
even downright distraught. But after taking a closer look at the team
to which he was moved, Hamrlik realized he was going to a good, young
team and changed his tune considerably.

Coaching: Without all the handicaps of the previous regime, Butch
Goring should thrive. He's not a great strategist -- that's Lorne
Henning's job -- but he does have all those Islanders Stanley Cup
rings and playoff laurels to daze his young charges.

REASONS TO WORRY

The learning curve: Islanders fans can't expect this team to
skyrocket to the top of the NHL. It will take time and coaching to
bring everyone together. Players must learn each other's tendencies,
and Goring must take all the players he's been handed and create
magical combinations. There's no doubt the club will play better in
April than in October. They just hope there will be enough points on
the board to keep playing into May.

History: It's hard to buck tradition, good or bad. And for players
who've struggled through years of abysmal hockey, it's not as easy as
saying that this season is a "do-over." Take Jonsson, for example.
He's obviously a better player than he showed last season, but he
shrugged under the daunting responsibility of leading a hapless team.
As captain, he felt responsible for the product put on the ice. He'll
have to make peace with the past (or effectively block it out) before
he can move into a new era of Islander hockey.

Because it's the Islanders: This is without a doubt an irrational
fear, but don't you still have a dark, lingering feeling that the
organization will find a way to screw it all up. The franchise has
just been poorly run for so long that it'll take a few months of
hockey to realize things really are different from top to bottom.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT

Vanbiesbrouck: If indeed only one team from New York is playoff
bound, it's noteworthy that Mark Messier, Adam Graves and Brian
Leetch blasted shots on Beezer in practice for years, and they know
his weaknesses. Not to mention Vanbiesbrouck lost his job as the
Flyers' No. 1 goalie and was cast aside to clear the way for Brian
Boucher. Beezer needs a commanding, redeeming start to the season.

BOTTOM LINE

The team's rate of improvement may be frustratingly slow at first,
but the Islanders will steadily get better. By late March, the New
York Metro Area will be fixated on a NYR/NYI home-in-home series on
the 28th and 29th. If one team scoops up four points, it could mean
the difference between playoff overtimes and Westchester tee times.

Evan A. Denbaum is an associate editor for The Sporting News.
Islanders correspondent Alan Hahn contributed to this report.

Hockey Summer Support group on the Islanders.

<New York Islanders
<By Evan A. Denbaum / The Sporting News

First off this is Alan Hahn's team in the sporting news, to have Hahn
contribute the info and some else pass judgement and give his
opinions over Hahn does not make sense.


<BURNING QUESTION
<How quickly can this talented, young team come together -- and will
<it be enough to resuscitate the league's most-bitter rivalry?

To quote Mike Milbury " Screw the Rangers " no body cares who won the
season series between the two teams the last three years. Neither
team made the playoffs and that is what matters---This is an
Islanders preview.

<The club can boast four capable lines for the first time in years,
<spearheaded by a top unit centered by 19-year-old Tim Connolly, who
<will soon be a star. On his wings are Mariusz Czerkawski and Brad
<Isbister, both of whom should notch at least 30 goals.

Tim Connolly is going to play the wing on Oleg Kvasha's line, and to
start matching lines at this point makes no sense. Isbister and
Czerkawski are expected to score goals along with Parrish.

<On the blue line is All-Star defenseman Roman Hamrlik, one of
<Milbury's acquisitions. Hamrlik will inject life into the Islanders'
<lazy, painfully bad power play. He should also take some pressure
<off, and distract some attention from, the tandem of Kevin Haller
<and captain Kenny Jonsson.

Painfully bad ? Sometimes. Lazy ? Never. Most of last years key
powerplay defenseman are gone. Jonsson was hurt and never lazy and to
expect Biron, Chara or whoever saw spot duty on the teams powerplay
to produce last season was unrealistic.  Lazy is how I describe the
Rangers veteran powerplay with star names who went 5 for 100 or close
to it early in the season. But this is an Islanders preview.

<But the question that burns in the brain of every puckhead on the
<Island is, "How much longer before we start winning?"

<Even with a wealth of young talent, and a learned coach to ready
<them for The Show, chemistry can't be taught. Even with a GM who's
<looking at everyone from Haller to Alexei Yashin, victories can't
<simply be bought. The Rangers proved that last season.

ENOUGH RANGERS ALREADY......PLEASE !!!!  Mezei, Biron a word or two
would be nice here on the kids....Pyatt anyone ?

<Speaking of the Blueshirts, this age-old rivalry is about rise from
<its grave -- ready or not. Why? Because there's just not enough room
<for both New York squads to make the playoffs in 2000.

<The Devils, Flyers, Maple Leafs and Senators are postseason locks.
<The Sabres (Dominik Hasek) and Penguins (Jaromir Jagr) will make the
<Cup tourney on the strength of star power. And you've got to reserve
<one spot for the Capitals, who always, without fail, make the
<playoffs (only the hockey gods know why).

No team is a lock to make the playoffs. The Devils in 1996 are a
clear example of this, all these other teams may or may not make the
playoffs, all of them have big concerns that will make the difference.

With an aging Hasek, the Lindros saga, Jagr's weak supporting cast
and frequent injuries , the Sens lack of goaltending and Yashin mess,
the so-called Caps playoff spot which was not booked two years ago by
the hockey gods and injuries as the biggest variable. No team is a
lock for the playoffs in august and to break in down to Isles-Rangers
is just to make an article more colorful than talk about the players.

<That leaves the Rangers and Isles battling against some good outside
<competition for one measly seed. And despite three horrific seasons
<in a row, the Rangers (on paper) are by far the more likely team to
<win right away.

Games are not played on paper and the Rangers are even weaker now
without Schneider than they were last season.

<The Islanders play host to the two teams' first meeting on Nov. 22.
<And coach Butch Goring's gang better come to play because invading
<Rangers fans are guaranteed to start the whistling jeers and "1983"
<chants early. It's up to Connolly and Beezer shut 'em up.

It's one game, win or lose that is what it is on November 22. If we
lose the game, miss the playoffs by a point to the Rangers in April
we can all look back and point to it along with several other games
as reasons we did not make the playoffs. To imply its that important
is just hype for the writer of the article.

<WHAT'S NEW

<Money: Billionaire owners Charles Wang and Sanjar Kumar swear
<they'll get this franchise turned around and seem to simply be
<tossing money at its problems. But considering the Islanders were
<shackled down to an oppressive $16.5 million budget last season,
<opening the vault is the first step to becoming competitive.

I did not read about our new owners swearing this, and I do not think
I even like the way the writer tries make us seem like the Rangers
when he implies tossing money at the problem. Tossing money at a team
that has a 60 million dollar payroll and calling it burying the
hatchet and buying another nhl franchise is another matter.

<Players galore: Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish add skill and scoring
<up front. Haller and Mike Stapleton provide veteran savvy and team
<depth. Hamrlik instantly improves the power play. Rookie Taylor
<Pratt and 2000 draft picks DiPietro and Raffi Torres bring energy,
<intrigue and excitement to training camp.

This must be Alan Hahn's contribution to the story.

<REASONS FOR HOPE

<Momentum: With every gutsy deal, with every dollar spent, the
<Islanders further distance themselves from the stigma of the past
<six, oh-so-dismal seasons. The attitude of Hamrlik speaks volumes
<about the changing identity of the Islanders: After hearing he'd
<been traded to Long Island, Hamrlik's gut reaction was to be
<disappointed, even downright distraught. But after taking a closer
<look at the team to which he was moved, Hamrlik realized he was
<going to a good, young team and changed his tune considerably.

Absolutely more Hahn here.

<Coaching: Without all the handicaps of the previous regime, Butch
<Goring should thrive. He's not a great strategist -- that's Lorne
<Henning's job -- but he does have all those Islanders Stanley Cup
<rings and playoff laurels to daze his young charges.

How does this writer know Goring is not a great strategist ? Goring
and his staff made a plan which beat all the top teams during last
season. As far as all this junk about him dazing his young players it
implies he is here because he won four stanley cups. If that were
true Trottier, Bossy, Potvin and several alumni would have been
brought in for this years ago and its insulting to even imply it.
Goring is here for his ability to coach and the 80's have nothing to
do with it, Milbury does not work that way.


<REASONS TO WORRY

<The learning curve: Islanders fans can't expect this team to
<skyrocket to the top of the NHL. It will take time and coaching to
<bring everyone together. Players must learn each other's tendencies,
<and Goring must take all the players he's been handed and create
<magical combinations. There's no doubt the club will play better in
<April than in October. They just hope there will be enough points on
<the board to keep playing into May.

Fair enough and I agree with this part. But they could also have some
wins at the start and gain confidence quickly.

<History: It's hard to buck tradition, good or bad. And for players
<who've struggled through years of abysmal hockey, it's not as easy
<as saying that this season is a "do-over." Take Jonsson, for
<example. He's obviously a better player than he showed last season,
<but he shrugged under the daunting responsibility of leading a
<hapless team. As captain, he felt responsible for the product put on
<the ice. He'll have to make peace with the past (or effectively
<block it out) before he can move into a new era of Islander hockey.

Expectations of his abilities as captain and a player start and end
with his health, and it had nothing to do with being captain. Kenny
Jonsson is not Brian Leetch and did not fold and play poorly for
three years.

<Because it's the Islanders: This is without a doubt an irrational
<fear, but don't you still have a dark, lingering feeling that the
<organization will find a way to screw it all up. The franchise has
<just been poorly run for so long that it'll take a few months of
<hockey to realize things really are different from top to bottom.

If the team goes 24-49-9 again than only the on-ice product failed.

The fact that the new owners put commitment into actions means the
new organization are winners no matter what the record this year and
if the on-ice product fails Milbury will be the one accountable.

<PLAYER ON THE SPOT

<Vanbiesbrouck: If indeed only one team from New York is playoff
<bound, it's noteworthy that Mark Messier, Adam Graves and Brian
<Leetch blasted shots on Beezer in practice for years, and they know
<his weaknesses. Not to mention Vanbiesbrouck lost his job as the
<Flyers' No. 1 goalie and was cast aside to clear the way for Brian
<Boucher. Beezer needs a commanding, redeeming start to the season.

The part about Beezer needing a good start is accurate, the fact that
three Rangers have shot at him in practice over the years gives them
any kind of advantage against him is absurd.

<BOTTOM LINE

<The team's rate of improvement may be frustratingly slow at first,
<but the Islanders will steadily get better. By late March, the New
<York Metro Area will be fixated on a NYR/NYI home-in-home series on
<the 28th and 29th. If one team scoops up four points, it could mean
<the difference between playoff overtimes and Westchester tee times.

<Evan A. Denbaum is an associate editor for The Sporting News.
<Islanders correspondent Alan Hahn contributed to this report.

Bottom line, this was a poorly done article.

The new head coach of the Calgary Flames says returning the team to
respectability will not be a quick fix.

"There will be no shortcuts," Don Hay said Tuesday after being named
coach of a team which has missed the playoffs for the past four
seasons.

Twenty-one teams finished ahead of the Flames last season.

Hey people's
I'm new, my name is Jenna. I live in Massapequa, NY. About 15 min. away from
the coliseum. Just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone could answer
my question. I just heard today from my friend who is an HUGE Flyers fan that
the Islanders might get Eric Lindros. Is this true? Lord knows we need him if
the islanders played like they did last seaon. LOL. Please someone answer my
question. Thanks!
~*~Jenna~*~

Islanders and Bridgeport AHL Team to Hold Introductory Press
Conference

(August 1) The Islanders and Bridgeport Professional Sports, L.L.C.,
who will operate the AHL franchise set to begin play in October 2001,
will be hosting an introductory press conference Wednesday August 2,
2000 at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on the main concourse. The
location for the press conference was selected for its close
proximity to the construction site of the new state-of-the-art arena
which will be a part of the sport and entertainment complex at Harbor
Yard. The press conference, which will begin at 12 noon, will be
followed by a question and answer session and luncheon.

Featured speakers include Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim, the driving
force behind The Arena at Harbor Yard project, and John Dee, Chairman
and CEO of Volume Services America. Volume Services America, one of
North AmericaÂ's leading providers of food and management
services for
sports, convention and entertainment venues, was recently awarded the
facility management contract for the new Bridgeport, Conn. arena.

The new, yet-to-be named American Hockey League team is set to begin
play in Bridgeport during the 2001-2002 season. The team, as was
recently announced, will become the primary developmental affiliate
of the National Hockey LeagueÂ's New York Islanders. General
Manager
Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders and Roy Boe, President of
Bridgeport Professional Sports, L.L.C. will be present to provide
explanation of the on-ice partnership. Chris Nikolis of the sixty-
five year-old AHL, the worldÂ's premier developmental league,
will
also address the media. The team is currently in the mist of a "Name
the Team" Contest with details and other information available at
bridgeporthockey.com.

INSIDE SHOTS

Busy, busy, busy.

Islanders general manager Mike Milbury has barely slowed down since
his whirlwind day at the entry draft in Calgary over a month ago.
Last week saw a flurry of signings along with the welcome of goalie
Rick DiPietro to Nassau Coliseum.

Hard on the heels of inking the 18-year-old goalie to a three-year
term -- which includes a $1.05 million per year base and bonuses that
could up his total take to $10 million -- Milbury signed six players,
largely for depth purposes. They are the kind of acquisitions that
would have been unthinkable a year ago, when the Isles had the
league's lowest payroll at $16 million under previous ownership.

So it was fitting that Islanders co-owner Charles Wang stood front
and center with DiPietro at last week's press conference as the young
netminder pulled on an Isles sweater and smiled for the cameras.

"We're betting on him in a big way," said Milbury, who selected
DiPietro with the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft, then dealt
away the franchise's blue-chip goalie prospect, Roberto Luongo and
last year's No. 1, Kevin Weekes, in separate deals.

Just days after the DiPietro love-in, the Islanders signed three free
agent forwards: Robert Petrovicky, Jeff Toms and Jesse Belanger. The
following day, Milbury inked three veteran defensemen: Dan Trebil,
Aris Brimanis and Ray Schultz. Brimanis and Schultz were in the Isles
farm system.

"These are the kind of quality depth players we haven't been able to
sign in the past," Milbury said.

The rundown on the new faces:

Belanger, 31, has played parts of seven seasons with Montreal,
Florida, Vancouver and Edmonton.

Brimanis, 28, scored two goals in 18 games in his callup with the
Isles last season.

Petrovicky, a 26-year-old center, played 42 games last season with
Tampa Bay (7-10-17) and appeared in seven games with Grand Rapids
(IHL).

The 23-year-old Schultz played in Kansas City (IHL) last season.
Milbury likes his 208 PIM total.

Toms, a 6-5, 200-pound right wing, split last season between the
Washington Capitals (1-3--4 in 20 games) and Portland (AHL, 16-21--
37in 22 games).

Trebil, 26, came out of the Pittsburgh system and was named to the
AHL All-Star team last season while playing for Cincinnati (7-21--28
in 52 games).

NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES


Milbury was aware that his bold move to bank the future on DiPietro
meant he was gambling his future as Isles GM.

"But when I get fired," Milbury said, "he'll still be playing."

DiPietro didn't make any brash statements about coming in to win the
No. 1 job (likely to be John Vanbiesbrouck's at the start of the
season) in training camp.

"It's a lot of pressure," he said. "I'm more excited and anxious to
get started ... Hopefully, I won't let them down."

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL


With DiPietro signed, and five restricted free agents and two 1999
draft picks still left to ink deals before training camp, the
Islanders' payroll could conceivably reach the NHL average of $30
million by the time the season opens. ... Captain Kenny Jonsson may
not be part of that sum. After refusing salary arbitration, Jonsson
is also refusing the $1.85 million qualifying offer (for either one
or two years, Jonsson's option). His only other option is to sit out
in hopes of a new deal or a trade.

August 2, 2000

Flyers may deal Lindros if offer improves team
Leafs, Rangers interested?: Citing his well-being, injured centre
wants out of Philadelphia


By ALAN ADAMS
National Post


It was announced on Tuesday that Eric Lindros will not accept an $8.5-
million US qualifying offer with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Toronto
Maple Leafs appear to be the frontrunners to acquire the former
Flyers captain in a trade.


The Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers emerged last night
as the front-runners in the chase for Eric Lindros, who in a stunning
move decided not to accept an US$8.5-million offer from the
Philadelphia Flyers.

"He's expressed an interest in us and we've talked about him
[internally]," said Bill Watters, the Leafs executive who handles
contract negotiations for the club. "We'll see what happens."

The Leafs and Rangers were given permission by Philadelphia to talk
to Lindros in June.

The Flyers were attempting to deal their star centre before the
deadline for making a qualifying offer that would enable the team to
retain his rights. In turning down the Flyers moments before the
Monday midnight deadline for responding to the offer, Lindros sent a
clear signal that he did not want to play again in Philadelphia.

"At the end of the day, this wasn't a business decision," said Gordon
Kirke, Lindros's lawyer. "It was about making the right decision for
Eric's health and well-being.

"He would rather not be contractually tied to the Philadelphia
Flyers ... it is what Eric thinks is best for him."

Lindros and his agent/father, Carl Lindros, have clashed repeatedly
with Flyers general manager Bob Clarke. Clarke has accused the
Lindros family of interfering in the Flyers' affairs and belittling
its medical staff, while the Lindros camp has been critical of the
medical care the player received during a series of concussions last
season.

Lindros is now free to negotiate a deal with any team in the NHL, but
the Flyers have the right to retain him if they match any offer. Even
if they don't, they would be eligible for compensation that could be
as high as five first-round draft picks.

The more likely scenario is a trade.

"By Eric declining our offer, it's a pretty strong indicator he does
not want to come back here," Clarke said. "And if a trade is
available to us that is good for the Flyers we will do that."

But striking a deal for Lindros will not be easy, mainly because of
the player's suspect health.

Lindros is recovering from his sixth career concussion, and he's
expected to miss at least the first three months of the 2000 season.

"The issue is his health," said Toronto's Watters. "What if he does
not play? You can't wait until January to do the deal."

Lindros has been under the care of Chicago concussion specialist Dr.
James Kelly and Kirke said Lindros has visited another concussion
specialist in Montreal.

Sources say Lindros went to the second specialist at the request of
an NHL team, most likely the Maple Leafs.

Glen Sather, general manager of the Rangers, agreed Lindros's health
is the big question mark.

"You have to find out medically where he's at," replied Sather when
asked about how he'd go about making a deal for Lindros. "You have to
know what's in the medical reports."

Then there's the matter of how much to pay Lindros. A healthy Lindros
would command a wage of US$8.5-million or more, but no one knows how
much a concussion-prone Lindros is worth.

Kirke acknowledged that Lindros would likely not get offers as high
as US$8.5-million, the amount the player made last season and which
the Flyers had to offer for the upcoming season in order to retain
Lindros's rights.

"He has a passion, an intensity like most elite athletes do. He wants
to play the game. He's dedicated his life thus far to playing hockey
and there's nothing that would give him greater pleasure right now
than being back on the ice in a healthy situation.

"Does he need to [play] financially? No he doesn't," said Kirke.

Islanders Announce 5-Year Agreement with Bridgeport (CT) AHL
Franchise


(August 2) The Islanders officially announced a five-year agreement
with the Bridgeport AHL franchise that will begin play in the 2001-02
season. The yet-to-be-named franchise, owned by Islanders' first
owner Roy Boe, will have its hockey operations run solely by the
Islanders.


"This is another indication of the commitment of Charles [Wang] and
Sanjay [Kumar] to the Islanders," said G.M. Mike Milbury, who
attended the press conference in Bridgeport, CT. "We will hire the
coach, supply the players, and dictate the style of play and
goaltending rotations. Those are important aspects as we try to grow
the Islanders into a Stanley Cup contender."

The team will play in the new state-of-the-art arena that is
currently under construction at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The close
proximity to the tri-state area will allow Islander fans the
opportunity to watch the team's prospects on a timely basis. It also
gives the Islanders a minor league affiliate that is close enough for
the organization to better monitor its future players. In case of a
game-day emergency call-up, the trek from Bridgeport to Long Island
is a quick one -- something that hasn't always been the case in
year's past.

"Bridgeport is only 65 miles away," said Milbury. "It's close, yet
far enough away to remind our prospects that it is the minor
leagues."

The Islander G.M. discussed the choice of Bridgeport and how the
quick drive for many Islanders fans factored into the
agreement. "This raises our profile in Connecticut -- where there are
a lot of Islander fans," said Milbury. "It gives our fans a chance to
see our prospects up close."

The new AHL franchise is asking for help in naming its team. You can
log on to bridgeporthockey.com for more information on the naming
process. The choices include Scrappers, Beach Dogs, Corsairs and
Shore Dogs. You can also submit your own entry.

Please note New York Islanders @ egroups does not support or endorse
the views of Stic but at this time will continue to post their
updates to this list for the members viewing.

8/1/00: Due to the volume of STIC e-mails regarding similar subject
content and due to the summer time limits of those who monitor this
website, this page will address said subjects here and now. We
apologize to those to whom we were unable to directly e-mail we will
continue to endeavor to do so. In the mean time, we hope that this
update will suffice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
In any event we encourage you all to continue sending the e-mails so
we can continue to monitor fan feelings as the new season approaches.
If we cannot e-mail you back personally (which we will still aim to
do), rest assured that we will address the issues here on The Latest
Word at the very least. Again, our apologies for any inconvenience.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
*In response to those who have inquired about the Bill Torrey
campaign, STIC prez, Steve Ellers spoke at length with Islander VP,
Chris Botta recently. According to Botta (who had advised in the past
that the team would be putting a priority on working out an
arrangement with Bryan Trottier for a night in Trots' honor) "the
wheels are currently in motion" involving an effort to put together a
Bill Torrey Night. The isles Veep said that every effort would be
made for it to happen this season. Botta also intimated that he and
the Isles owners are still trying to get something done with Trots
but that while that was a work in progress, they have also decided to
go ahead and work on the Torrey Night as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
*Regarding the many e-mails protesting the recent moves of Mike
Milbury.... As an organization, STIC has never put itself in the
position to support or protest trades. However, as a fan advocacy
group, the organization does feel obligated to comment on and relay
feelings of the fans who contact this site.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
STIC feels that fan concern is appropriate due to the following--
Many fans feel uncomfortable that: with a new ownership, Milbury (in
his own words) "is rolling the dice" and putting his "neck on the
line" with his recent deals and draft picks. Fans are asking, "why
gamble, Mike?"... that Milbury traded two number one picks in Luongo
and Jokinen for two third round picks in Parrish and Kvasha. Fans
also point out that if Kvasha and Jokinen are both "underachievers"
as described in the Hockey News (July 2000), then Milbury
traded "franchise type" goalie, Luongo for 20+ goal scorer,Parrish
with both Florida and Isles swapping underachievers as throw-ins.
Even the most casual Islander fan knows that this scenario of is not
the case as Milbury's coveting of Kvasha is well documented. In
Milbury's own words, "He's a little bit unproven, but we've probably
followed him around more than any other player in the league." The
fact is Milbury sacrificed Luongo for Kvasha. Who can argue with fans
who suggest that Milbury should live and die by this trade?... that
Milbury offended many fans when his quote; "F*** 'em!" appeared in
the July issue of Hockey News. Milbury was responding to "his
critics". Was he only speaking of the critical media or was he also
talking about the fans at the Coliseum Draft Party who all but left,
without following through on their season tickete orders, after the
deals and picks were announced. After all, he was also quoted later
in the article, "I don't think you make trades based on what the fan
reaction is." This may be true, but aren't we all hoping for a new
image that eminates from the Islander front office now that new
ownership is here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
One thing is for certain, Milbury's mouth, like it or not, has been,
and is now, a reflection of Islander ownership. We can only hope that
Wang and Kummar have already straightened the lippy GM out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
STIC president, Steve Ellers says, "As fans we all have our opinions
regarding deals, draft picks, etc. Right now, as an organization,
STIC is focusing on the fact that the new and credible, Long Island
based owners we've all called for is giving the general manager of
this club the opportunity to make decisions based on hockey rather
than a paltry bottom line as in years past. Suffice it to say, if the
moves work out this season, we'll all be happy. If not.... then the
next move is obvious."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
STAY TUNED...

This Week in the NHL
By: Ron Jones
Date: 8/2/2000

A cynical, sometimes-humorous look at the news and notes from this
week in the National Hockey League. This Week in the NHL is back with
a review of some of the items that were making news in and around the
league.


The Great Whiner:
The current Phoenix Coyotes' Owner, Richard Burke, is taking some
heat from Wayne Gretzky about not letting him run the Coyotes until
the new group comes up with the rest of the money. Excuse me Wayne,
but since when do you get something for nothing? Oh yeah, I forgot it
didn't cost you a penny to be apart of the ownership group!

Take this job and shove it:
Eric Lindros has turned down the Philadelphia Flyers' $8.5 million
qualifying offer. One of the suspected reasons he turned the offer
down was the two-way component to the deal which would see him
receiving only 85 thousand dollars if he was sent to the minors. An
unfounded rumor states the rejection of the Flyers' offer was because
Bobby Clarke is the Devil.

Father and son and son and son:
Pat Quinn told TSN that he is tired of the NHL trying to copy
everything about the NBA. We think Quinn should look at the bright
side, look at all the extra tickets each hockey player would have to
buy on Fathers Day!

Cowtown will use Hay:
The Calgary Flames hired Don Hay as their new head coach. The same
coach that they will be letting go two years from now, because they
need to go in a new direction.

Penny for your thoughts:
The Toronto Maple Leafs dipped into the Canucks organization once
again to hire Mike Penny as their director of player personnel.
Apparently the Leafs want to emulate all the success the Canucks have
had in the last four years.

A fly in the ointment:
The Chicago Blackhawks raised many eyebrows recently by signing Rob
Tallas to backup Jocelyn Thibault in goal. Hawks' GM Mike Smith has
decided every player deserves a chance, even if they are North
American.

Roger Neilson is Sen-sational:
The Ottawa Senators have hired Roger Neilson to be an assistant
coach. It is also hoped that he will be of some help if Alexei Yashin
returns, because Neilson has dealt with Cancerous things before.

Wednesday, August 2, 2000


By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

   The Senators don't know whether Alexei Yashin will show up at
training camp in September, but they did ensure yesterday at least
two more veterans will be on hand.

  As reported in yesterday's Sun, winger Magnus Arvedson and
defenceman Chris Phillips accepted qualifying offers of one-year
deals with the Senators, ensuring both will be at the club's training
camp.

  Senators GM Marshall Johnston told reporters yesterday he has held
talks with Yashin's New Jersey-based agent Mark Gandler, but didn't
get any indication whether the club's holdout centre would report to
camp.

  "He really didn't tell me anything," said Johnston. "We had a
conversation and he didn't indicate to me whether Alexei would be at
camp one way or another."

  Sources say there's not a chance Yashin will report to the club's
training camp in September. He spent part of last month in Finland,
plans to holiday in Russia for a couple of days, and will then return
to Switzerland for training.

  While Yashin still owes the club the final year of his $3.6-million
US contract, he's not going to let a decision by an independent
arbitrator force him into reporting until he gets a trade or new deal
from the Senators.

  "Nothing has changed on that matter," said Johnston.

August 3, 2000

For Isles, a Bridgeport Farm
By JENNY KELLNER

Beginning next season, the Islanders will not have to ship their
prospects off to Chicago or to Massachusetts. The team announced
yesterday that a new American Hockey League franchise in Bridgeport,
Conn., would become the Islanders' primary development affiliate.
General Manager Mike Milbury said the five-year agreement was another
indication of the commitment being made by the team's new owners,
Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar.

"We've been shipping our players to several different sites," Milbury
said. "Now, we can control the coaching, the goaltending situation
and dictate the style of play."

The new Bridgeport franchise is owned by Roy Boe, the original owner
of the Nets, and is scheduled to begin play in October, 2001 in a new
9,000-seat arena at Harbor Yard, next to Bridgeport's minor league
baseball stadium.

"It's 60 miles from the Nassau Coliseum to Bridgeport, which is close
enough for us to keep tabs on the players and far enough away for
them to know it's the minor leagues," Milbury said.

The Islanders will continue to send younger players to Springfield
and Lowell of the A.H.L. next season, with veterans going to Chicago
of the International Hockey League.

Milbury also noted that, with only 37 days left until the opening of
training camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., the Islanders have yet to sign
the restricted free agents Brad Isbister, Zdeno Chara, Roman Hamrlik,
Ray Giroux, Dmitri Nabokov and Kenny Jonsson, the team's captain.

"For each player, there's a different circumstance," Milbury said. "I
really am intent on doing whatever we can do, short of giving money
away, to get these guys in at the start of training camp.

"Giving Butch the opportunity to work with a complete complement of
players is important," Milbury said, referring to the Islanders'
coach, Butch Goring.

Note-The Times writer covered the events in Bridgeport yesterday and
wrote nothing about deadline's or holdouts. Of course, Baum does not
write a word about Bridgeport in his article even though that was
Islanders news.

And BTW I will be speaking with Chris Botta today or tomorrow. My
crazy schedule has not given me the chance to contact him, which I
have never done before. Im a little nervous but I can either put up
or shut up. He was nice enough to e-mail me and invite me to call so
its time to put up.

Thursday,August 3,2000

FOUR PASS ON ISLES' OFFERS
By BARRY BAUM

With the deadline having passed earlier this week, none of the
Islanders' four restricted free agents has accepted the team's
qualifying offers for new contracts.
The players include defensemen Roman Hamrlik, Kenny Jonsson and Zdeno
Chara and forward Brad Isbister.

Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said yesterday that he is
willing to negotiate a new deal with the recently acquired Hamrlik.

However, Milbury said that Jonsson, Chara and Isbister will have to
accept their offers.

"The only leverage any of them have is to withhold services, which
would be a travesty," Milbury said. "We'll never feel any pressure
[to give the trio of players raises] on this situation."

As The Post reported last week, Jonsson's agent Mike Barnett said he
plans to negotiate a better contract than the one-year, $1.85 million
offered by the Islanders, which matches Jonsson's '99 salary.

Considering Jonsson's awful performance last season, Milbury said
that Barnett would be wasting his time.

"I haven't discussed anything with Kenny or his agent in some time,"
Milbury said. "Hopefully they'll see the logic."

While Jonsson has rejected the chance to go to arbitration, neither
Isbister nor Chara have that opportunity due to their particular
Group II free agent status.

Hamrlik Receives Islanders' Offer

by Alan Hahn
Staff Writer

If you think June and early July was a busy time for the renovating
Islanders, August certainly doesn't offer a break. With four key
restricted free agents to sign (ideally) before training camp opens
Sept. 8, a lot of work is left to be done before the Islanders can
say they are ready to begin the 2000-01 season and possibly contend
for a playoff spot.

While each of the negotiations are still in preliminary stages,
general manager Mike Milbury has made an offer to defenseman Roman
Hamrlik, who could be the most crucial signing. Hamrlik, who just
after being traded to the Islanders in June said he was seeking a
long-term deal, has been offered a six-year contract valued at about
$25 million, according to those with knowledge of the negotiations.
The contract would raise Hamrlik's average annual salary from $2.5
million last season to about $4 million.

Milbury, in Bridgeport, Conn., yesterday to attend a news conference
announcing the Islanders' minor-league agreement with the city's new
AHL franchise, only acknowledged offering a "very long-term" contract
that would make him the highest paid player on the Islanders' rapidly
expanding payroll.

Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck will make $3.5 million, but about $1.2
million of it is being paid by the Philadelphia Flyers as per a trade
agreement.

One possible sticking point in the deal is that the final two years
overlap Hamrlik's first years of unrestricted free-agent eligibility.
The other is that it is less than the contract Carolina inked with
comparable defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh (five years at $25.5 million).
It has been suggested that the Islanders might trade Hamrlik if they
can't sign him, but Milbury dismissed any talk of a trade. He said he
is awaiting a counterproposal from Hamrlik's agent, Jiri Crha.

As for other restricted players, Milbury will not budge on his one-
year, $1.85-million qualifying offer to captain Kenny Jonsson, who
reportedly is seeking a raise but opted against salary arbitration.
Defenseman Zdeno Chara and forward Brad Isbister are not yet
arbitration-eligible and therefore are facing qualifying offers, as
well, with little leverage to negotiate.

The next signing the team is expected to announce will likely be 1999
first-round pick Taylor Pyatt, who could be signed by this weekend.
Pyatt's agent, Steve Reich, said "a lot of progress" had been made in
negotiations for the 19-year-old left wing, who had 40 goals and 89
points in 68 games for Sudbury (OHL) last season.

The Bridgeport Connection. Islanders founder and former owner Roy Boe
is officially back in the Islanders family. He will head a new AHL
franchise in Bridgeport, with which the Islanders have agreed to an
affiliation starting in 2001-02. The new team will play in a proposed
$52-million, 8,500-seat arena located on the revitalized harbor off
the Long Island Sound, a 90-minute ferry ride to Port Jefferson and a
mere 60 miles from Nassau Coliseum. The team's website,
www.bridgeporthockey.com, is holding a Name the Team contest,
offering suggestions from "Scrappers" to "Shore Dogs." The Islanders
will continue to share an AHL affiliation with the Los Angeles Kings
in Lowell, Mass., for this season.

Two totally different universes when it comes to coverage for the
Islanders. One paper ignores the news of the day in Bridgeport has no
detals of what Hamrlik is being offered and creates a so-called
deadline which has come and gone for the offers our players are
supposed to receive. And has no knowledge of Pyatt and a possible
deal.

The bad news is folks tend to beleive bad new first when it comes to
our team based on the last few years. I cannot blame them but I
remind them to consider the credibility of the writer when doing so.

He wanted four million a season and a muli-year deal. His agent asked
that the Islanders be fair.

If the Newsday story is accurate I think the Islanders are being fair.

The contract offered is for four million dollars for six years. This
deal takes him beyond unrestricted free agency and the big payday. Of
course if Hamrlik is a total bust or get hurt he will not be getting
four million when he turns 31 and should look at how much less
Hatcher got from Carolina.

If Hamrlik or his agent has changed his mind and is now demanding the
foolish offer that Carolina paid Sandis Ozolinsh it may be time to
rethink his value to our team.


The bottom line and good news is that the Islanders new owners had no
problems with a contract that is for six years.

By HockeyRAGE.com
Date: Thu. August 3, 2000  2:58 am ET

Every month we induct one more player in by posting on our Message
Board a list of nominated players, which fans will be able to give
their opinions.

The inductee for August is none other than the New York Islanders'
Mike Bossy. He was voted by you the fans to join the 11 great hockey
players already in the "Hall of Excellence.

Link : Mike Bossy

You have GOT to check out this video (it's a Macromedia Flash file, so
you'll need speakers or headphones to hear it). It's HILARIOUS!

Here's the URL:
http://www.campchaos.com/cartoons/napsterbad/napsterbad_56k.html

    ###################################
    Tom Eagles,  Documentation Manager
    Derivion Canada Corporation
    100-65 Allstate Parkway,
    Markham, Ontario  Canada   L3R 9X1
    905-947-9730 ext 252 / 905-947-9744 fax
    teagles@... / www.derivion.com
    ==============================
    "Tech writers do it in copious iterations"
    ###################################

Isles Sign Pyatt To 3-Year Deal

by Alan Hahn
Staff Writer

Add another teenage millionaire to the Islanders' stable of young
talent.

The Islanders announced the signing of 1999 first-round pick Taylor
Pyatt to a three-year, $3.075- million contract yesterday. Pyatt, who
will turn 19 Aug. 19, was the eighth overall pick in the '99 draft
that also saw the Islanders select Tim Connolly fifth overall.
Connolly, 19, was signed after he made the team out of training camp
last fall.

A 6-3, 220-pound left wing with blazing speed and good hands, Pyatt
hopes to join Connolly and goalie Rick DiPietro on the roster this
season. DiPietro, 18, taken first overall in the 2000 draft, signed a
three-year, $3.225-million deal last month.

"It's going to be a lot of fun to grow as a team," said Pyatt, who
spent the past three seasons with Sudbury (OHL). Last season he was
named a first-team all-star after scoring 40 goals and 89 points in
68 games, with an OHL-best plus-47 rating. He won the fastest skater
contest at the CHL's Top Prospects Game in 1999. His father, Nelson,
played in the NHL from 1973-80 with Detroit, Washington and the
Colorado Rockies.

Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said he was "glad to have
another one of our very high draft picks signed. We've suffered for a
long time and with quality prospects like Taylor we feel the future
is indeed very bright for us." The team's third top-10 pick form
the '99 draft, defenseman Branislav Mezei, could be signed before
camp as well, Milbury said.

Raffi Torres, who was selected fifth overall in the 2000 draft, will
likely enter camp without a contract.

Hamrlik Talks Heat Up. Jiri Crha, agent for restricted free agent
Roman Hamrlik, said yesterday that contract negotiations with the
Islanders are "just getting started" but declined to discuss
specifics for now. People with knowledge of the situation said the
Islanders have already made an initial offer, believed to be a six-
year deal worth about $20 million, which would make the former two-
time all-star defenseman the highest paid player on the Islanders'
roster.

Filed at 4:52 p.m. EDT


By The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Red Wings re-signed three restricted free
agents Thursday.

Defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov signed a three-year deal, while defenseman
Yan Golubovsky and forward Marc Rodgers agreed to contracts just for
the 2000-01 season.

Golubovsky played in 21 games for Detroit last season, scoring his
first career goal and two assists. Rodgers also played in 21 games
for the Red Wings. He scored his first NHL goal and also had an
assist.

Kuznetsov spent last season with Cincinnati of the AHL. There, he
tallied two goals and nine assists in 47 games.

The team declined to release financial terms of the contracts.

August 4, 2000


Islanders Sign Forward to Three-Year Deal
By JENNY KELLNER



Left wing Taylor Pyatt, the No. 8 overall pick in the 1999 draft, was
signed by the Islanders yesterday to a three-year contract.
"We have him as a tall and good-skating winger we hope can become a
power forward," General Manager Mike Milbury said.

Pyatt, 6 feet 3 inches and 221 pounds, has spent the past three
seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and was named to a first-team
all-star after scoring 40 goals and 89 points for the Sudbury Wolves
this past season. The 18-year-old also scored 8 goals and 15 points
in the playoffs.

"I think I'm ready for the N.H.L.," Pyatt said from Calgary, where he
is at the Team Canada evaluation camp for the World Junior
Championships. "The Islanders have set the table for me -- I want to
be in the best shape I can for training camp."

Milbury cautioned that there will be plenty of competition at left
wing, naming Brad Isbister, Raffi Torres, Mats Lindgren, Mike
Stapleton and Claude Lapointe as contenders.

"We see Taylor eventually as a top line offensive forward -- whether
his time is now remains to be seen," said Milbury, who said the team
was working on a deal with Branislav Mezei, the only remaining
unsigned draft choice from 1999. He added the team has discontinued
talks with Torres, the Islanders' second pick in the 2000 draft,
until after training camp.

Still unsigned are the restricted free agents Kenny Jonsson, Roman
Hamrlik, Isbister, Zdeno Chara, Ray Giroux and Dmitiri Nabokov.

August 4, 2000


A Top Architect Eyes His Toughest Job
By JASON DIAMOS


BANFF, Alberta -- For four decades, Glen Sather has made this
spectacular resort town his summer home. The Bull River flows lazily
behind his backyard and the snow-capped Canadian Rockies try to touch
a vast, blue sky that seems to have no horizon.
It has been a place where he could sit back and enjoy the
satisfaction of his greatest triumph -- a Stanley Cup dynasty he
helped build in Edmonton with Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri
and Grant Fuhr. Now it is a place from which Sather and his wife,
Ann, are preparing to move nearly 2,000 miles to New York and step
onto professional sports' brightest and most unforgiving stage.

The moribund Rangers seem to be a curious challenge for the 56-year-
old Sather, who spent the last 24 years with the Oilers as head
coach, president and general manager, establishing himself as one of
hockey's shrewdest architects.

"It's an opportunity to win," he said, simply, about taking the
Rangers' job.

The Rangers have not qualified for the playoffs for the past three
seasons, and have won one Stanley Cup since 1940 and four over all,
one fewer than Sather's Oilers did from 1984-90. It is an
organization that carried a record $61.2 million payroll last season
and had nothing to show for it, except a legion of loyal but cynical
fans.

After three years of lackluster play, poor trades and unacceptable
results, Dave Checketts, the president of Madison Square Garden,
fired Neil Smith on March 28 and later hired Sather as president and
general manager. Armed with a seven-year contract, Sather was told by
Checketts to fix the mess. "Mr. Checketts told me he wants to build a
team that can win," Sather said on a recent afternoon at his home, a
blade of grass between his lips instead of his trademark cigar. "He
hasn't given me any restrictions on that. And in all the meetings
I've been to so far, what has really been talked about is how New
York is such a wonderful city, that the fans of the Rangers deserve a
better team than they've had."

Since taking command on June 1, Sather has made three major
decisions. First, he hired a coach, Ron Low, his former backup
goaltender and head coach. Then he reached back to the Rangers' most
glorious moment, 1994, and re-signed Mark Messier, the leader of that
Stanley Cup winning team, to a two-year, $11 million contract.

In an emotionally charged news conference on July 13, a teary-eyed
Messier, who left New York for Vancouver in a bitter divorce in 1997,
wore the Rangers' blue sweater with the familiar "C" stitched on the
front. Last, Sather signed the enigmatic defenseman Vladimir Malakhov
to a five-year contract worth at least $17.5 million, to help take
the offensive burden off Brian Leetch, the former captain.

Critics say Sather has picked up where Smith left off, hiring a
mercenary army of 30-something players.

"You spend more money to help the investment you've already got,"
said Sather, who had little money to spend on his Edmonton teams for
almost a decade. "It's like a guy who plants a beautiful garden. He
spends $10,000 on it, on plants of all kinds of vegetation, on black
topsoil. He waters it. But he never puts fertilizer on it. After the
first month, he realizes his mistake and then spends more money for
some fertilizer. And all of a sudden, the garden flourishes. It's a
lot cheaper than tearing it all up and starting over. You have to
work with what you have."

Last summer, Smith signed six free agents -- Theo Fleury, Valery
Kamensky, Stephane Quintal, Sylvain Lefebrve, Tim Taylor and Kirk
McLean -- and the results were disastrous.

"I don't believe the year all those free agents had was an indication
of what they can do," Sather said. "Something happened there that
really went wrong. They're all better players and have all had better
years than what they had last year in New York."

Sather has already met with Fleury, who signed a four-year, $28
million contract, and told him that unless his work ethic improved,
he would become the highest-paid player in the history of the
American Hockey League.

Sather also telephoned the veteran defenseman Rich Pilon and told him
not to show up for training camp Sept. 8 unless his weight is down to
214 pounds.

"I want to make everybody accountable," said Sather, who played with
the Rangers over parts of four seasons in the 1970's. "I want
everyone to be proud of the New York Rangers."

Asked about specific rebuilding plans, Sather was evasive.

"I still don't think it makes any sense to tell the world what I'm
going to do until after I do it," he said. "What advantage is there
to letting everybody know what your plans are?"

Still, it is clear that Sather wants an enforcer, someone the Rangers
have sorely needed for years. He eventually wants to infuse the team
with youth -- "I still believe that the way to build a team is
through the draft and through trades," he said -- and apparently is
prepared to buy out the contracts of veterans who do not produce.

"If 20 young guys came on and made the team out of camp, I'd keep
five older guys to help lead and mature the other ones," Sather said.

As for the veterans?

"I'd trade them for draft picks," Sather said. "But you want to see
what you've got first."

This month, the Sathers will move from their summer home nestled in
the spectacular peaks of Western Canada to a penthouse apartment in
the granite canyons of Manhattan. Of course, they'll return here when
the season is over. Lest anyone think that Sather, a small-market
champion, caved in and succumbed to the lure of a long-
term "retirement" contract, the goal in New York is the same as it
was in Edmonton.

"As far as I'm concerned, this project isn't over until we win the
Stanley Cup," Sather said. "Then the preparation starts all over
again to win another cup. It's like putting on a Broadway show every
night, except this takes longer.

"But you can never be satisfied in this game. If you are, that's when
you're all finished."

As far as Sather is concerned, he is far from that. "I could have
stayed in Edmonton and quit when I was 65, been very comfortable and
lived a great lifestyle," Sather said. "But who was I going to be
fooling? I like challenges. I'm not going to spend the rest of my
life doing something I don't believe in."

August 4, 2000
Rangers Get McCarthy from Carolina

Filed at 4:02 p.m. EDT


By The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers added an enforcer Friday,
getting Sandy McCarthy from the Carolina Hurricanes for forwards Rob
DiMaio and Darren Langdon.

``Toughness starts with the entire team, not just one player, but I
think McCarthy will help quite a bit in that area and that's why we
acquired him,'' New York general manager Glen Sather said.

``The general consensus is that (the Rangers) were pushed around in
the past and Sandy will certainly stop a lot of that.''

New York also gets a conditional draft choice in the deal.

McCarthy, who signed with Carolina on Tuesday, had six goals, five
assists and 120 penalty minutes in 71 games with Carolina and
Philadelphia last season. The Flyers traded the right wing to the
Hurricanes in March.

He has 41 goals, 43 assists and 1,081 penalty minutes in 441 NHL
games with four teams, including the Calgary Flames.

``I've watched Sandy play throughout his entire career, and a lot
when he was in Calgary,'' Sather said. ``Sandy is able to play a
regular role on the hockey team and play regular shifts.''

The trade ``gives our team much better balance,'' Carolina general
manager Jim Rutherford said.

DiMaio has played 12 NHL seasons with five teams, picking up 71 goals
and 110 assists in 560 games. He had six goals and 19 assists in 62
games last season for New York and Boston.

Langdon has 14 goals, 15 assists and 735 penalty minutes in six
seasons with New York. He collected one assist and 26 penalty minutes
in 21 games before surgery for an abdominal strain ended his season
in February.