Your New York Sports Blog

Newsaday:

One year ago at this time, the Islanders made the stunning announcement of their decision to buy out the final four years of controversial captain Alexei Yashin's 10-year contract. Now, Yashin's return on a one-year contract next season is under discussion, but general manager Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang so far have balked at their former star's asking price.

Agent Marc Gandler, who represents Yashin, said he last spoke with Snow on Thursday when there was no progress toward an agreement. Snow previously indicated plans to move forward with a youth movement next season, but the Islanders ranked 29th in scoring in the 30-team NHL last season and lack depth at center, leading him to at least consider the possibility of re-signing the 35-year-old Yashin, who spent last season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the Russian Superliga.

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• The Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1. Rasner, Rivera, Ramirez, Bruney, and Ohlendorf all put up zeros; Veras gave up the only run.
  
• The Yankees' offense was dormant getting only 5 hits, but did walk 5 times.

• The Mets defeated the Nationals 8 - 2. Pedro pitched 5 innings giving up 2 runs, but did not have an effective curve.
  
• Angel Pagan continued to shine going 2-2 with a SB, Wright hit a homerun, and Reyes went 2-4 with 2 doubles.
  

• The Rangers lost to the Flyers 4-3 in a shootout (SO 2-0).
• Scott Gomez was injured in the 1st period when he slammed into the boards, but the amount of time for the injury is unknown
  

• The Islanders defeated the Devils 3 - 1. It was a fiesty game with 3 fights....
  
• Kyle Okposo netted is 1st NHL goal on the power play, against Marty Brodeur with his helmet off on a nice one-timer(video below)

• The Knicks lost to the Grizzlies 120 - 106. This ended an 18 game road losing streak for the Grizzlies!!!!
  
• Wilson Chandler had another nice game with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

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Newsday:
"In more ways than one, having nine meaningless games remaining made this the perfect time for the Islanders to call up top prospect Kyle Okposo in time to make his anticipated NHL debut Tuesday against Toronto at Nassau Coliseum.
["It's the right time to give Kyle the chance to show what he can do at the NHL level," GM Garth Snow said."] The skidding Isles, who stand nine points out of the playoffs with nine games remaining, have dropped five straight, including a 3-0 loss Saturday in Montreal."

Well this should be exciting. The Islanders have been playing terrible so at least there will be something worth watching. This kid seems like the real deal and hopefully he does well in his time up.

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Newsday:
"No official announcement has been made, but all indications suggest Kyle Okposo, the seventh overall pick in the 2006 draft, likely will make his Islanders debut against Toronto Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum.

Okposo left the University of Minnesota in January to sign a three-year entry level deal with the Isles. If he plays 10 NHL games, that deal begins this season. If he plays nine or less, next season is considered the first year of his contract. After the Isles' game Saturday night in Montreal, they will have only nine games left on the schedule, and since they are 13th in the Eastern Conference playoff race, it makes sense to evaluate Okposo against NHL competition to aid planning for next season."

Well this is what a lot of us have been waiting for. We have heard all the hype about Okposo since the moment he was drafted and let's see what he can do on the ice. He has put up some solid numbers in the minors with 8 goals and 15 assists, but let's see how that translates to the NHL. It should be fan watching this kid play for years to come.

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