Oh goody! A chance to talk about the Islanders!
Will you miss Roenick? It'll be weird seeing him in a Kings jersey, I have always known him to be a Flyer. I've been watching hockey for 12 years now, but I'm not sure if he played for another team since I was probably too young to remember.
Feel free to ignore the rest. I'll understand.
Islanders have signed Satan. I'm excited about that. Yashin has been needing a strong, goal scoring winger for quite a long time now. Satan should work with him. I have big hopes that they both explode in the presence of each other, and finally get the Islanders' offense going.
I think I've mentioned this somewhere else. As much as I love having Satan here, I was kinda hoping for him to go to the Devils. Maybe even have a rule change permitting a three digit jersey number, 666 of course. I can see it now. That's a great jersey.
Isles got rid Peca. I was upset about the Peca trade because we got Mike York from the Oilers in exchange, and he's an ex-Ranger. I really liked Peca. He was a great leader, and a great defensive forward. But his stats matched up more or less with York's and York is younger, and I believe he has a lower salary too. Peca was a good guy. But he just wasn't ever the same since the Tucker cheapshot in the 02 playoffs. Still, I'll give this York guy a chance, see what he can do for us, I really don't have any choice I guess. I'll miss Peca though.
As for Aucoin signing with Chicago, I was very surprised. He got a better offer and took it instead of staying with his team. I believe it was something like an extra million a year. Great defenseman who had a lot of ice time. I liked him too, but he ditched us..for Chicago -- the joke of the Western Conference last year. I understand with the salary cap they've been able to build their team up quite a bit, but still. I'll miss Oakie.
Same with Scatchard. He signed with Boston. I'll miss him too.
We also signed Brent Sopel (I think that's his name?). I had never heard of him when I first read about it, but since Aucoin signed with the Hawks and Jonsson is still in Sweden and refuses to come back to the NHL, Sopel can't hurt the defense.
Jonsson was another good defensemen. But he was at his ending days, and after not playing for a full season I don't know how good he would have been. Not to mention his history of concussions. Maybe it's better he stays in Sweden. He was a big part of the Islanders too. Been with us for many years. I'll miss him too.
I'm forgetting one big guy though. Alexei Zhitnik. Signed with us early on. I read a quote somewhere, it showed he was very happy about joining the Islanders. That the Isles were his first choice. He's a solid defenseman also, so he'll replace Aucoin. If we can sign Hamrlik and Niinamaa I'll be happy with our defense.
We signed Garth Snow also. Not a spectacular goalie, very streaky, but he should be able to help DiPietro, our young star. It's said he's also very good in the locker room when it comes to mentally preparing the rest of the guys. I like him though, he's big and tough, and loves being here too.
Alright. I'm done.