September 24, 2010, Islanders-in-Uniondale-until-2015 Atlantic Division Notebook for HockeyPrimeTime.com

Isles in Uniondale until 2015

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Written by Denis Gorman

Friday, September 24, 2010 16:04

Charles Wang's most recent press conference about the Lightouse Project sounded just like all the others. His Nassau Coliseum lease, which expires in 2015, is considered his best bargaining chip. It was a little after two o’clock on the afternoon of September 21 and the small Nassau Coliseum anteroom, doubling as press conference room, was unusually crowded. The Islanders had spent the morning and early part of the afternoon performing drills to their coaches' satisfaction. Now Charles Wang, Scott Gordon and Garth Snow were going to offer their thoughts to 40 or so journalists in attendance. Wang was seated at the far left of the dais with Gordon and Snow to the owner’s right, and a New York Islanders backdrop behind them. AROUND THE ATLANTIC It was within this scene that Wang wearily began to answer questions about a topic that – at least in his mind and the minds of Islanders fans – has lingered too long without resolution. “No. No. I don’t know,” Wang said when asked if there had been progress in discussions with Town Of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray regarding the Lighthouse Project. The well-chronicled project (in articles here, and elsewhere) is a redevelopment of the 77 mostly empty acres surrounding the Nassau Coliseum. The privately funded plan envisions a state-of-the-art Coliseum along with shopping, dining, office and residential buildings. It's been stuck in the proposal stage as Murray and her staff, which received the proposal almost three years ago, have questioned the resulting changes to the environment and quality of life. Recently, Murray submitted her vision of the Lighthouse Project, which Wang stated was “25 percent” of what he wanted and was “not economically viable.” “We have a lease until 2015. We’re going to be here until 2015. We pursue every option. We certainly would love to entertain whatever it is that the County or Kate Murray propose; we’ll look at it,” Wang said. “At the same time, there has been no progress. “2015 is the date when our lease is up.” The Islanders owner generated headlines in May when it was revealed in Newsday that he had spoken with New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon regarding the viability of relocating the franchise to Willets Point, Queens, across the street from where Citi Field stands. The newspaper report also noted that Wilpon asked Wang about buying the franchise; ostensibly, in a proposed move, the Mets or Wang would buy out the automotive chop shops across from Citi Field. From there, a new arena would be the centerpiece of an urban renewal project. “We’d love to stay on Long Island. This is our home. We want to be here,” Wang said, before recalling a discussion with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “The commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, said to me one time (that) ‘The biggest asset you have is an expiring lease.’ I said, ‘OK, I understand.’ ” If Bettman is correct, it can be argued that the worst card in Wang’s deck is the building itself. Despite a promising crop of youngsters, the Islanders are not seen as a destination for top-tier free agents because of the Nassau Coliseum and its lack of amenities. Snow drew the analogy of a traveler staying at a “Ritz Carlton or an Auto Lodge” when discussing the difficulty of attracting premier free agents to Long Island, before praising Wang for “upgrading the locker room” and said that the owner has never told him he could not add payroll. Notes New Jersey Devils head coach John MacLean created a top line of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk. The trio scored the three goals in a 4-3 preseason-opening overtime loss to the Rangers Thursday. Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner are now able to skate together on the second line. Elias and Arnott, re-acquired from Nashville over the summer, were two-thirds of the A-Line in 2000. For those who don’t remember their Devils history, that line was vital in the run to the franchise’s second Cup. ... HBO reached an agreement with the NHL, the Penguins, and Washington Capitals to produce and broadcast a show surrounding both franchises and the Jan. 1 Winter Classic at Heinz Field. HBO’s documentary on the 1970s Philadelphia Flyers ("Broad Street Bullies") received critical acclaim and, according to HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg, was the impetus for the burgeoning relationship with the league and the series. ... Chris Drury’s bad break may cause Derek Stepan to be a Ranger faster than anyone expected. The forward broke his finger Monday blocking a shot in practice and will miss the rest of training camp and a handful of regular-season games. Without their captain and top penalty killer, the Rangers have an opening at center. Signed away from the University of Wisconsin, the rookie Stepan has been paired with Marian Gaborik and Alex Frolov, according to the New York Post, and has played well. ... Jeff Carter “might be a Flyer for a long time,” Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren told the Toronto Sun. Entering his sixth season in Philadelphia, Carter has scored 145 goals and recorded 132 assists. Twitter: @DenisGorman All photos courtesy Getty Images

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/atlantic/isles-in-uniondale-until-2015

September 20, 2010, Darrelle Revis vs. Randy Moss sidebar for Scout.com

Scout.com > NY Jets
Revis vs. Moss A Toss-Up Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/1004266.html
Denis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Sep 20, 2010
The battle between the league's best vertical receiver and the top cornerback in the game was a mixed bag, says GWR's Denis Gorman. Perhaps it is fitting that nothing was determined between Randy Moss and Darrelle Revis Sunday afternoon. The best rivalries are, after all, the ones that last for years and the involved parties are equals. If Sunday’s Patriots-Jets 60-minute brawl was the main event, the hyped undercard was Darrelle Revis vs. Randy Moss. And while the Jets took the game, 28-14, the one-on-one battle was a no-decision. Moss only caught two passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, while Revis had a pass defensed and three tackles (two solo and one assisted) before he left the game prior to halftime with what the Jets termed a “hamstring.” The all-pro corner had injured his hamstring in the week leading up to the game. The corner back re-injured the hamstring late in the first half, attempting to keep up with Moss on a 34-yard touchdown. It appeared that Revis pulled the hamstring while planting his foot into the ground as Moss made an outrageous one-handed catch which put the Pats up 14-7 with 53 seconds remaining in the second quarter. “I believe that’s right but I’m not 100 percent,” Rex Ryan said when asked if Revis had re-aggravated the hamstring injury from earlier in the week. The coach then joked, “I think I was in tears when they told me he pulled a hamstring.” Later the coach added, “We’ll find out (Monday). A hamstring injury…those are tough to come back from. I just hope that it’s not that bad.” Neither the receiver nor the corner was reluctant to offer their thoughts about their mano e mano matchup in the week leading up to Sunday’s fistfight-disguised-as-a-football game. Moss told reporters following the Patriots’ practice on Tuesday that he spent the off-season working on “staying off Revis Island.” Revis responded a day later by opining that being held to nine catches, 58 yards and a touchdown in the two games the AFC East rivals played last season must have been on Moss’ “mind in the off-season.” Revis also spent time defending his use of the word “slouch” in analyzing the Patriots wideout’s performance in the Jets’ 16-9 week two win in 2009. Moss was limited to four catches to 24 yards in that game. The rematch takes place in Foxboro on December 6, in front of a national audience in prime time – and we’ll be talking about it all over again. You can follow Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman Copyright © 2010 Scout.com and GreenAndWhiteReport.com

http://nyj.scout.com/2/1004266.html

September 20, 2010, New England Patriots-New York Jets game story for Scout.com

Scout.com > NY Jets
Jets Go To 1-1, Beat Pats Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/1004020.html
Denis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Sep 19, 2010
Mark Sanchez keyed an efficient Jets offense and the defense shut-out the Pats in the second half for an impressive win. East Rutherford, NJ – A guttural roar arose from the flock of 78,535. Jason Taylor had sprinted around end and drove his 250 pounds into the back of Tom Brady. The ball popped out of the New England quarterback’s hands for a moment, just long enough for Bryan Thomas to pick it up and rumble 16 yards as. Two hundred and forty six seconds later another war cry rolled from the top to the ground of the $1.7 billion dollar football palace, signifying the first celebration in the new digs. After six days of answering questions about a decidedly not-ready-for-prime-time showing, the Jets responded to their critics by soundly beating the Patriots 28-14 Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. The Jets improved to 1-1 on the season, and Jets will play the 2-0 Dolphins in Miami next Sunday night. New England fell to 1-1. “I’ll say this: It’s much nicer coming here after a win than it was last week,” said Rex Ryan as hundreds of Jets fans surrounding the press conference room roared their approval. “This (was) a huge game for us.” No kidding. New England had opened the season by torching the Bengals, 38-24, while the Jets were thoroughly unimpressive in a 10-9 Monday Night home loss to the Ravens. A loss today, coupled with Miami’s hang-on-for-dear-life 14-10 win in Minnesota, and the Jets would have been 0-2. While it is not impossible to win the division and Super Bowl after a 0-2 start—the 1995 Cowboys started 0-2 before winning the NFC East and Super Bowl, for example—the task would have been decidedly more difficult. Against an opponent that possesses the ability to score often, it was imperative that Mark Sanchez stretch the field and put up points against a not-quite-up-to-Bill Belichick-standards defense. One week after posting a 9% conversion rate on third downs, the Jets had a solid 46% rating in that category. Sanchez was more than equal to the task, as he completed 21-of-30 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He scrambled four times for two yards, and was sacked three times. Most importantly, in his 20th NFL start, Sanchez showed the poise that prompted the Jets to select him with the fifth pick in the 2009 Draft. Sanchez shredded the Patriots pass defense, completing passes to five different receivers. Dustin Keller had seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Braylon Edwards, who was a non-factor against the Ravens, caught five balls for 45 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Jerricho Cotchery added four grabs for 26 yards and a touchdown. It was his two-yard TD hookup and the subsequent Sanchez-to-Edwards two-point conversion with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter that was the game-deciding score. One might even say that for Sanchez, it was a very Tom Brady-like performance. Sanchez’s one-yard connection with Keller with 6:09 left in the fourth pushed the Jets’ advantage to 28-14. Most importantly, Sanchez did not view the game as any sort of defining statement as it pertained to how he compared to Brady. “I respect Tom quite a bit. I think he is a phenomenal player. But it has nothing to do with…I’m playing against the New England Patriots defense, not Tom Brady. I don’t think about him when we’re playing them,” Sanchez said. “I just know he’s a great player and that’s it. I’ll watch the highlights and see how well he does.” Brady completed 20-of-36 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. However the Jets’ consistent pressure caused got to the two-time Super Bowl MVP and 2007 NFL MVP to rush throws, especially in the second half. He was limited to seven-of-16 passing for 69 yards and two interceptions in the final two quarters. Still, the Pats were not impressed with the Jets defense. In fact, they seemed to shrug it off. “They didn’t do anything to hurt (us),” rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez said. “Any loss is hard to digest because we are all winners.” “They didn’t do much different (defensively) in the second half. They just executed and made plays,” analyzed Wes Welker. LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Green, Cotchery and Sanchez combined to pound the Pats for 136 yards and 32 carries. Tomlinson gashed New England for 76 yards on 11 carries, prompting Ryan to sarcastically suggest, “I thought he was washed up. The guy, he only averaged about seven yards a carry. Maybe we ought to give it to him more. He had 76 yards on 11 carries. Really an unbelievable day by LT. You just see that spirit and that’s how he shows up to practice. And we all see it on the practice field. That’s amazing.” Nick Folk added field goals 49 and 36 yards. You can follow Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman Copyright © 2010 Scout.com and GreenAndWhiteReport.com

http://nyj.scout.com/2/1004020.html

September 14, 2010, sidebar on New York Jets defense for Scout.com

Scout.com > NY Jets
Hyped Defense Leaves Plenty To Be Desired Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/1002443.html
Denis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Sep 14, 2010
A top-ranked defense from a year ago, the Jets held Baltimore to just 10 points but the sloppy play and penalties concerns the unit and head coach Rex Ryan. East Rutherford, NJ - What transpired Monday night at the New Meadowlands was a football game in name only. In actuality, it was a scene benefitting ancient Rome. The co-owned $1.7 billion dollar palace was reminiscent of the Coliseum, complete with a bloodthirsty audience clamoring for their adored green-and-white clad combatants to deconstruct the interlopers ensconced in black and purple. 78,127 roared their approval as the National Football League’s premier defense in the 2009 season was introduced one at a time, complete with smoke, flames, fireworks and heavy metal and rap music all conspiring an assault of the senses. The loudest ovation was reserved for Darrelle Revis, who held out all summer in an oft-ugly and very personal contract dispute. Then the unit that is the cornerstone for what this historically oft-directionless franchise aspires to be went out and stymied a potent Ravens offense in the Jets’ Monday night’s 10-9 home loss. Due to penalties (14 for 125 yards) and an inept offense, the Jets defense was on the field for 38:32. The unit limited the Ravens to 49 rushing yards on 35 carries and forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception). But what stood out were the 20 first downs allowed (12 passing and six off of penalties) and, most importantly to Bart Scott, that the Jets opened what they trust will be a championship year. “We didn’t win the game. We have to be better. This defense wants to be great. If you want to be great, you don’t make those mistakes,” said Scott. Despite the Jets’ stated belief that the Ravens would spend the game testing how game-ready Revis was, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco picked on Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson to the tune of 248 yards on 20 completions. Cromartie and Wilson were penalized five times for pass interference and defensive holding. “Once we go in and watch film, you can correct yourself. Once you correct yourself, you can’t go out and make the same mistakes,” Cromartie said. The expatriate from San Diego recorded the Jets’ first interception of the season in the second quarter. “We have to play a little more disciplined with our eyes and communicate a little better. I think that’s what we need to do.” Sixteen of Flacco’s 20 completions went to wide receivers Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and tight end Todd Heap. The quartet combined for 230 receiving yards and truth be told, the numbers bothered the Jets. And with what appears to be an-already-in-midseason-form Patriots offense in town this Sunday, a repeat performance is something that the Jets hope not to, well, not repeat. “We’re a better team than this. I just think there were a lot of penalties and a lot of distractions on the field with all that was going on. I just think we need to focus a little more and be smart with everything we do on the field,” Revis said. “We thought our matchups were very good coming into this game. We knew they had three good receivers. They made plays out there.” You can follow Denis on Twitter @DenisGorman Copyright © 2010 Scout.com and GreenAndWhiteReport.com

http://nyj.scout.com/2/1002443.html

September 14, 2010, Baltimore Ravens-New York Jets NFL game story for Scout.com

Scout.com > NY Jets
Jets Drop Season Opener Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/1002149.html
Denis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Sep 14, 2010
The Jets opened the 2010, failing to live up to their bold preseason talk in a disappointing 10-9 loss. East Rutherford, NJ - It was fitting that the Jets officially opened the 2010 Monday Night Football broadcast season; all you have to do is look through history. The then-defending Super Bowl Champion New York Jets were primarily featured in a novel idea debuted to a transforming nation 39 years and 348 days ago. The concept was titled “Monday Night Football” and in the history of televised sports it was unlike anything that had ever been conceived. Televised football was a game that was chiseled into Saturday and Sunday afternoons at that point. That the Joe Namath-led Jets lost that game by 10 points was an annoying irrelevancy to the greater broadcast accomplishment. Football could be sold as prime time appointment viewing. Then again, the creators of Monday Night Football didn’t envision anything like the Jets 10-9 season opening loss to Baltimore, a game marred with 19 total penalties and two offenses who looked very much inept at times. After an off-season and training camp in which anyone associated with the franchise vowed that they would win and win big, the Jets came out in prime time and promptly inserted their cleats into their collective mouth. What transpired in front of a nation of eye-witnesses was not appointment viewing. Not even a little bit. There was nothing for the Jets to point towards as a positive after their dreadful loss to the Ravens at the Meadowlands. The Jets tied a franchise low with six first downs and only gained 176 yards of total offense. Defensively, the Jets could not get off the field on third downs. Most distressingly were the collective 14 penalties for 125 yards from all three units. The Jets baffling lack of composure will certainly be teaching topic for Rex Ryan and the coaching staff this week. When a team commits as many penalties as the Jets did - many of the mind-numbing variety - and with a despised rival in the form of New England calling in six days, it is certain that the correction of undisciplined play will be emphasized. Especially pass defense. Jets defensive backs were flagged six times for defensive holding or pass interference. “That’s not who we are. That’s not how we play. We pride ourselves on being one of the least penalized defenses in the league. Today it was joke. They just threw it up there. Shoot, I don’t blame them. Hope for a completion or a penalty,” said a disappointed Rex Ryan. “We have to do a better job than that.” The NFL’s top rated defense in 2009 shut down the Ravens running game, only yielding 49 yards on 35 carries. Joe Flacco spent most of the evening keeping the Jets defense on the field, as he completed 20-of-38 passes for 248 yards. Baltimore controlled the ball for 38:32 seconds. That the Ravens were unable to turn the Jets’ multitude of mistakes into more than 10 points could be viewed as a credit to the defense. When that theorem was posed to Bart Scott, the loquacious outside linebacker rejected it as bunk. “No. We didn’t win the game. We have to be better,” dismissed Scott. “This defense wants to be great. If you want to be great, you don’t make those mistakes.” The offense added its mistakes to complete the Jets’ tsunami of failings. Mark Sanchez only completed 10-of-21 passes for 74 yards against a secondary that did not have All-Pro safety Ed Reed. Jerricho Cotchery led the team with two catches for 18 yards. “We didn’t have our best performance and we wanted to play a lot better,” said Mark Sanchez. “I think this loss is attributed to a lot of mistakes on offense; on third down and not being able to convert. There’s no excuse to be 1-for-11 on third downs. Too many self-inflicted wounds.” The game’s penultimate play defined the evening for the Jets. On fourth-and-ten from the Jets’ 31 yard line, tight end Dustin Keller grabbed a Sanchez pass and ran out of bounds at the Jets’ 40. One Flacco kneel down later, Keller and Sanchez were left to explain what appeared to be an egregious brain lock. “When I caught the ball I thought I was right at the spot and could just go out of bounds ahead of the first down mark,” Keller explained. “Unfortunately that wasn’t the case.” “I got him the ball as early as I could. There was a defender under him so I had to put it over him. And that’s why he didn’t have much time at the end to tap his feet,” said a testy Sanchez. “Other than that I don’t know what you’re getting at.” While it is one game in the 16-game season and it is too early to panic, an explosive Patriots squad does come calling in six days. The Jets recognize that time is of the essence. “I know we can get better. That’s the challenge to us. We have to get better,” Ryan stated emphatically. “I believe we will.” You can follow Denis Forman on Twitter @DenisGorman

http://nyj.scout.com/2/1002149.html

September 13, 2010, New York Jets struggling offense in preseason sidebar for Scout.com

(Writer's Note: This story was published on August 28.) Scout.com > NY Jets
Jets' Offense Is Offensive Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/996613.html
Dennis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Aug 28, 2010
The Jets offense scored their first touchdown over the past 10 quarters in Friday night's 16-11 loss as the unit struggles to put up points. East Rutherford, NJ - The Jets have lamented the absence of Darrelle Revis throughout this Hard Knock summer. After their third unimpressive preseason showing, the organization may find that it misses its offense far more than its All-Pro corner. If Revis is the team’s shutdown corner, the offense is shutdown. After their somnambulant 16-11 preseason loss to Washington Friday night, the Jets offense has scored all of 34 points in three games. It is not coincidence that the Jets are 1-2 in the games-that-don’t-count portion of the 2010 season. Simply for an organization that boasts Super aspirations, the offense has to improve in three categories—the passing game, ball protection, and finishing drives with points—before September 13 Monday Night regular season opening game against Baltimore. “We’ve been hitting the breaks when we’ve gotten to the red zone,” Rex Ryan said after the eyesore. The Jets had three first half possessions in Washington’s half of the field and were only able to score three points. The lack of production falls, fairly or unfairly on Mark Sanchez. The second-year quarterback from USC finished the game 13-of-21 for 139 yards, a touchdown, an interception and was sacked twice for minus-eight yards. Veteran backup Mark Brunell was equally awful. Brunell, who played for most of the fourth quarter, was 1-of-3 passing for seven yards and lost 11 yards on two sacks. Sanchez’s lone interception ended a first drive that should have resulted in points for the Jets. DeAngelo Hall jumped in front of Dustin Keller at the Washington six-yard line and took the Sanchez pass back to the Redskins’ 41-yard line. Four possessions later, with the ball on their 43-yard line and trailing the Redskins 6-5, Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for a 23 yard completion. However the big-play receiver was stripped of the ball by Philip Buchanon and the fumble was recovered at the Redskins’ 34-yard line by backup linebacker Perry Riley. In all, the Jets committed four turnovers (three lost fumbles and an interception), a distasteful fact that was not lost Ryan or wide receiver David Clowney. “What was critical was the four turnovers,” said Ryan. “There's no excuses now, this is the third pre-season game. We've had mini-camp, training camp and our time in L.A. with our quarterback and receivers there,” Clowney said. “Now training camp and games. No excuses anymore. We had, what, four turnovers? Unacceptable in my book,” The turnovers and passing game woes overshadowed a strong performance by the running game. Six Jets combined to pound Washington for 161 yards on 32 carries, led by LaDainian Tomlinson (86 yards) and Shonn Greene (56 yards). You can follow us on Twitter @DenisGorman http://nyj.scout.com/2/996613.html

September 10, 2010, 2010-11 Pittsburgh Penguins season preview for HockeyPrimeTime.com

2010-11 preview: Pittsburgh Penguins

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Written by Denis Gorman

Thursday, September 09, 2010 23:54

Can penguins fly under the radar? Pittsburgh still has one of the league's deepest and most talented teams, but is coming off a postseason in which it was far from the last team standing in the East. • 2009-10: 47-28-7, 101 points, lost in second round of playoffs. • Key additions: D Paul Martin, D Zbynek Michalek, LW Mike Comrie, RW Aaron Asham • Key losses: LW Ruslan Fedotenko, D Sergei Gonchar, RW Bill Guerin, D Mark Eaton, D Jordan Leopold, RW Alex Ponikarovsky. • Overview: Can one of the NHL’s most visible franchises actually be an afterthought this year? The Penguins are still among the league’s pre-eminent teams, but won't face any questions about defending their championship this year. With rivals Boston and Philadelphia loading up, along with a potent Washington team emerging in the Eastern Conference, the Penguins may be able to fly under the radar and make their own run at another Stanley Cup. • What they're missing: The snarky joke about Pittsburgh is that it lives up to its nickname: No wings. GM Ray Shero may have the league's best collection of centers in of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. But is Comrie the answer to what has to be a tired question about finding complementary talent on the wings? • Players to watch in camp: Malkin is one of the top five players in the world, but had an off-year – by his standards, anyway – in 2009-10. He was limited to 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 67 games due to injuries. The expectation for Malkin in 2010-11 is simply to reside in the same statistical stratosphere as Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, the Sedin Brothers and Steven Stamkos. HPT is counting down one team each day before NHL training camps open on Sept. 17. Tomorrow: Phoenix Coyotes. Twitter: @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/atlantic/2010-11-preview-pittsburgh-penguins

September 9, 2010, 2010-11Philadelphia Flyers preview for HockeyPrimeTime.com

2010-11 preview: Philadelphia Flyers

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Written by Denis Gorman

Thursday, September 09, 2010 00:00

The Flyers have the tools to repeat their improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. But they'll have to do it without one of their top forwards (Simon Gagne) and the same blue-collar goalie tandem. 2009-10: 41-35-6, 88 points, lost in six games to Chicago in Stanley Cup Final. Key additions: D Sean O’Donnell, D Andrej Meszaros, RW Nikolai Zherdev, LW Jody Shelley Key losses: LW Simon Gagne, RW Arron Asham, D Ryan Parent, G Ray Emery. Overview: The Flyers were among the NHL’s most surprising teams in 2009-10. After qualifying for the playoffs on the season’s last day (due in part to a still-baffling shootout lineup conceived by New York Rangers coach John Tortorella), Philadelphia authored one of the most memorable runs in franchise history before being eliminated in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final by Patrick Kane’s corner-pocket goal. GM Paul Holmgren added O’Donnell and Meszaros to the league’s pre-eminent defense corps, and the talented but maddeningly inconsistent Nikolai Zherdev up front. What they're missing: Philadelphia is among the odds-on favorites to win the Cup. And not without reason: the Flyers are loaded with youth, veterans, skill, size, speed, and a collective mean streak that follows the franchise’s lineage. Goaltending could be argued as a question mark, but Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher were capable in net for Philadelphia last spring. Players to watch: Shelley, RW Daniel Briere, LW James Van Riemsdyk, C Claude Giroux. Briere experienced a career revival in last spring’s playoffs. The diminutive right wing’s 30 playoff points led the league. Van Riemsdyk was a highly touted scorer coming out of the U.S. Developmental Program and the University of New Hampshire. Still, the boyish-looking 21-year-old totaled 35 points in 78 games in his rookie season. After the Flyers eliminated the Devils from the playoffs last April, Peter Laviolette recalled that Claude Giroux had asked the Flyers coach for more responsibility midway through the season. Laviolette reminded Giroux of that request during the series, and was rewarded with a 10-goal, 11-assist playoff season. HPT is counting down one team each day before NHL training camps open on Sept. 17. Tomorrow: Pittsburgh Penguins. Twitter: @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/atlantic/2010-11-preview-philadelphia-flyers

September 7, 2010, New York Rangers 2010-11 season preview for HockeyPrimeTime.com

2010-11 preview: New York Rangers

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Written by Denis Gorman

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 00:00

The Rangers picked up some scoring, dropped some muscle, and are waiting for their top defenseman to re-sign. Where does that leave a team that just missed the playoffs? • 2009-10: 38-33-11, 87 points, missed playoffs • Key additions: G Martin Biron, LW Alex Frolov, D Steve Eminger, F Tim Kennedy, C Todd White • Key losses: LW Jody Shelley, RW Aaron Voros, LW Donald Brashear, LW Patrick Rissmiller • Overview: It would be easy to claim the 2009-10 Rangers were one shootout win away from a playoff berth. Though true, it bears noting that they were a thoroughly unimpressive 24-31-9 in the middle of the season. Players, coaches and management all lamented the team's inconsistency and have vowed that will not be the case this season. • What they're missing: Marc Staal. The RFA defenseman and his representatives have butted heads with general manager Glen Sather over contract terms. It goes without saying that the Rangers need their No. 1 shutdown defenseman on the ice, especially in a conference populated by lethal snipers such as Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Steven Stamkos, among others. • Players to watch: D Ryan McDonagh, C Derek Stepan, RW, Mats Zuccarello Aasen and C Evgeny Grachev. Sather and John Tortorella spent the summer telling anyone who would listen that the organizational mandate is to get younger while competing for a playoff berth. The franchise has high hopes for McDonagh, Stepan, Zuccarello Aasen and Grachev, and believes that one or more will make the NHL squad this season. White is 35 years old, but one of just seven former 20-goal scorers on the roster. Twitter: @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/atlantic/2010-11-preview-new-york-rangers

September 6, 2010, 2010-11 New York Islanders preview for HockeyPrimeTime.com

2010-11 preview: New York Islanders

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Written by Denis Gorman

Monday, September 06, 2010 00:00

The Islanders have plenty to build on after improving by 18 points on a lousy 2008-09 season that netted John Tavares in the draft. This summer, however, will be remembered for a missed opportunity. • 2009-10: 34-37-11, 79 points, missed playoffs • Key additions: D Mark Eaton, D Milan Jurcina, D James Wisniewski, LW Andy Hilbert, RW P.A. Parenteau • Key losses: LW Jeff Tambellini, G Martin Biron, LW Sean Bergenheim, C Richard Park, D Freddy Meyer • Overview: The Islanders took a major step forward in 2009-10. After a mostly silent off-season, though, did the beleaguered franchise miss an opportunity to announce it's ready to be relevant in the New York market and NHL landscape? The Islanders, who have done an impressive job stockpiling draft picks and youngsters in recent years, were rumored to have a compiled a 10-year, $100 million contract for Ilya Kovalchuk before ultimately deciding to pass on him (among other free agents). Wisniewski, a second-pair defenseman in Anaheim who was traded for a 2011 third-round draft pick, was the biggest summer acquisition. • What they're missing: A lot, but we’re going to focus on the backup goaltending. General manager Garth Snow signed Dwayne Roloson ostensibly as an insurance policy in case the perpetually injured Rick DiPietro wasn't ready. DiPietro wasn’t, and Roloson became the Islanders’ starter by default. He compiled a 23-18-7 record in 50 games with a .907 save percentage and 3.00 goals against. He’ll be the starter in Uniondale this season, but who backs him up? • Player to watch in camp: John Tavares. Much like Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, the player he's most often compared to, Tavares had a solid rookie campaign, totaling 54 points in 82 games. Stamkos scored 51 goals last year, his second in the NHL, which has prompted observers to wonder if Tavares could do the same. If you're looking for omens, Tavares told reporters late last season that he was going to become stronger during the summer. HPT is counting down one team each day before NHL training camps open on Sept. 17. Tomorrow: New York Rangers. Twitter: @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/atlantic/2010-11-preview-new-york-islanders

September 6, 2010, Atlanta Dream-New York Liberty WNBA Playoffs Game 1 game story for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Atlanta Dream downs Liberty

By Denis Gorman

For the AJC

10:45 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2010

NEW YORK - As Sancho Lyttle stood on the blocks with less than a half a minute remaining on the clock and Angel McCoughtry on the foul line, the following words raced through her head:

“‘Okay. We’re (up) by four points. If we get this rebound, it’s going to be over. Just go and get it,’” Lyttle said. McCoughtry missed the free throw but the loose ball bounced off the rim, to the left and into Lyttle’s waiting hands.

Seconds later, Lyttle was on the foul line with the game on the line and bedlam surrounding her. The Dream forward told herself “If I hit these two, it’s over,” she recalled 15 minutes after her two made free throws salted away the Dream’s 81-75 win over the Liberty at Madison Square Garden Sunday night.

The Dream leads the best of three conference finals 1-0. Game two is Tuesday night at Philips Arena. If necessary, game three would be in New York Thursday night. The winner of this series will play Seattle starting next Sunday in the WNBA Finals. Seattle swept Phoenix in the Western Conference Finals.

The Dream and Liberty split the regular season series, 2-2, with each team winning once and losing once on its home court. New York outscored the Dream by an aggregate 333-330 in the four games.

The Eastern Conference’s second and fourth seeds resurrected their track-meet-on-hardwood brands of basketball right from the opening tip. The Dream shot 28-for-72 from the field (38.9 percent) while the explosive Liberty finished the game with 44.4 percent shooting (28-for-63).

Atlanta had three players in double figure scoring: McCoughtry with 21, Lyttle had 18 and Erika DeSouza chipped in with 12. Liberty star Cappie Pondexter led both teams with 24 points but shot 8-for-20 from the field. Plenette Pierson had 18 points and Nicole Powell added 15.

The difference was the yeoman’s work the Dream did on the boards. Atlanta out-rebounded the Liberty 40-28 overall and 15-9 on the offensive glass. Lyttle grabbed 13 rebounds and DeSouza had 12 boards. The Dream’s control of the offensive glass led to 22 second chance points and 50 points in the paint, a fact not lost on Liberty coach Anne Donovan.

“You have to take care of the backboard and in the first half we did not do that,” Donovan said. “Atlanta is a very good rebounding team, so you have to keep your focus and put them on your backs and not give them shots and that is the area that we did not do. I think at halftime they had 15 second chance points. It is a tough task and I do not know if we are going to come out ahead on the rebounding margin, but what I know is that we cannot give them second shots. At that end, we have to do a better job.”

Down the hallway from where Donovan talked about the areas in which her team needed to improve, McCoughtry pulled no punches about her mindset and what she expects from her teammates.

“This is the playoffs. If you ain’t excited, there’s something wrong with you,” she exclaimed. “Celebrate now, enjoy the win, but when it’s time to get back to work, get back to work.”

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-dream-downs-liberty-607584.html

September 5, 2010, 2010-11 New Jersey Devils season preview for HockeyPrimetime.com

2010-11 preview: New Jersey Devils

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Written by Denis Gorman

Sunday, September 05, 2010 00:00

For the casual hockey fan, the Summer of Ilya Kovalchuk ended Saturday. For the Devils, who got their man signed but are stuck with a roster in excess of the salary-cap ceiling, it ain't over yet. • 2009-10: 48-27-7, 103 points, lost to Philadelphia in first round of playoffs • Key additions: C Jason Arnott, G Johan Hedberg, D Henrik Tallinder, D Anton Volchenkov • Key losses: D Paul Martin, C Dean McAmmond, D Mike Mottau, G Yann Danis, C Rob Niedermayer, LW Jay Pandolfo • Overview: It’s been an interesting summer in Newark. It started in May with the retirement of head coach Jacques Lemaire. Six weeks later, and after Ken Hitchcock, Mike Keenan and Michel Therrien were linked to the job, former star John MacLean was hired as the replacement. The organization and Ilya Kovalchuk announced a 17-year marriage one month later, only to have the NHL void the deal. The contract saga, which ended in the wee hours Saturday morning, dominated news cycles for two months. The Devils ultimately got their man, but were left more than $4 million over the salary-cap ceiling with a month to trim the fat. • What they're missing: Depth on the blue line. General manager Lou Lamoriello retooled the defense corps with the free-agent signings of Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder. Volchenkov is the physical, shot-blocking defenseman the Devils have lacked following the retirements of Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko, while Tallinder is serviceable. However, who is going to run the power play? • Players to watch: Zach Parise. The most beloved Devil outside of Martin Brodeur, the 26-year old sniper is entering his sixth season in New Jersey. He will also be a restricted free agent. Among the top ten left wings in the league, Parise will command top dollar. And, yes, the organization recognizes that. HPT is counting down one team each day before NHL training camps open on Sept. 17. Tomorrow: New York Islanders. Twitter: @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/northeast/2010-11-preview-new-jersey-devils

September 4, 2010, Ilya Kovalchuk contract story for HockeyPrimetime.com

Kovy finally a Devil after NHL and NHLPA agreement

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Written by Denis Gorman

Saturday, September 04, 2010 13:57

The summer-long Ilya Kovalchuk saga has come to an end as the 27-year old left wing will be a New Jersey Devil for the next 15 years. The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association agreed early Saturday morning to apply new guidelines as it pertains to long-term contracts and the salary cap. Part of the accord included the NHL allowing the 15-year, $100 million pact the Devils and Kovalchuk’s representative filed with the league in late August, along with canceling inquiries into the contracts of Marian Hossa, Marc Savard, Roberto Luongo and Chris Pronger. The agreement states that the average amount of long-term contracts—determined to be pacts that are five years or longer—which last up to and beyond a player’s 41st birthday will be the total amount divided by the number of years. Also, contracts worth more than $5.75 annually in the largest payment years, the minimum players who are 36 and older can earn is $1 million. “We're pleased to be able to establish clearly-defined rules for these types of contracts going forward and just as happy we can turn the page on uncertainties relating to several other existing contracts. From start to finish of this multi-week process we were able to work closely and cooperatively with representatives of the Players' Association, who shared our belief that the creation of definitive rules and guidelines in this area would be beneficial to everyone – Clubs and players alike,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a joint statement with NHLPA Director of Salary Cap and Marketplace and Associate Counsel Roland Lee. “We are pleased to finalize an agreement which ends the League's circumvention investigations and also establishes rules on long-term contracts that will provide players, their certified agents and general managers clarity for the negotiation of new contracts. Turning the page on this process is something that will benefit all parties involved,” said Lee. Among the 10 best players in the world, Kovalchuk has been more than a point-per-game player with 642 points in 621 games entering his ninth NHL season. Outside of his rookie year, in which he scored 29 goals, Kovalchuk has been a consistent 40-goal scorer and, in the 2005-06 and 2007-08 seasons, set and tied his career high of 52. Traded from Atlanta along with defenseman Anssi Salmela and a second round draft pick for prospect Patrice Cormier, Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, a first round draft pick and a second round pick, Kovalchuk recorded 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists) in 27 regular season games with the Devils. He was the Devils best player in the first round playoff loss to Philadelphia, scoring six points (two goals and four assists) in the five games. Kovalchuk and his representation received offers from multiple NHL organizations and the KHL St. Petersburg once the July 1 free agency period began, along with taking NBA-style informational meetings, before signing a 17-year, $102 million pact with the Devils on July 17. The franchise and player held a press conference at The Prudential Center on July 20 to announce the agreement. However the NHL voided the pact not 24 hours later. The Players’ Association filed a grievance against the league but arbiter Richard Bloch ruled on August 5 that the contract would have circumvented the salary cap. Now that Kovalchuk is officially in the fold, the truly heavy lifting begins for GM Lou Lamoriello. The Devils are over the $59.4 million salary cap and, as such, have to shed salary. The Record of Hackensack calculated that the Lamoriello will need to eliminate a minimum of $4 million and a maximum of $6 million to get under the cap and still have room to be able to add players from other organizations as need be. The most obvious candidates to be traded away from Newark or shipped to AHL Albany are Dainius Zubrus (due to make $3.4 million the next three years) and Bryce Salvador (due to make $2.9 million the next two years). You can follow us on Twitter @DenisGorman

http://www.hockeyprimetime.com/news/headlines/kovy-finally-a-devil-after-nhl-and-nhlpa-agreement

September 2, 2010, New York Jets analysis for Scout.com

Scout.com > NY Jets
Jets Finish Preseason 2-2 Story URL: http://nyj.scout.com/2/998404.html
Dennis Gorman GreenAndWhiteReport.com	Sep 2, 2010
The Jets finished up the preseason on an up note with a win over the Eagles in a somewhat sloppy prelude to week one. Opening off-Broadway allows troupes to work out kinks before reaching the big stage. For Rex Ryan, he would prefer his team to open and close the 2010-11 NFL season under the center stage klieg lights. But it remains to be seen whether the excitement surrounding the Hard Knock Jets will lead to a Super finale or not. The Jets topped the Eagles, 21-17, in Thursday’s traditional preseason finale for both franchises. The Jets finished the pre-season 2-2. If you were looking to grade the Jets, as they prepare for the Monday Night season opener at home against Bart Scott’s and Ryan’s former employer, Baltimore, it would be incomplete. The Jets are not whole with the most obvious example being Darrelle Revis’ protracted holdout. Starting outside linebacker Calvin Pace broke his foot in the 16-15 home loss to the Redskins on August 27. It was initially reported that Pace would miss six weeks. However, Ryan recently intimated that Pace might be able to play in the September 19 late afternoon pseudo gang fight with the Patriots. In the interim, the Jets will have Jason Taylor play in place of Pace. One of the NFL’s pre-eminent pass-rushers in his career, Taylor has recorded 127.5 sacks in 13 seasons with Miami and Washington. “I wasn’t going around telling everybody I was a (passing) situation guy. I want to play,” Taylor said after the game against Washington . “Obviously, it was very unfortunate if something did happen to Calvin. It’s my job to step up and help. Do I think I can do it? Definitely, I do.” Thinking is one thing. Performance is another. In the case of the offense, its execution has not lived up to the off-season hype. The Jets entered the game with nine turnovers which caused Ryan to say “You’re not going to win too many games, if any, if you turn the ball over four times” last Friday night. Rookie running backs Joe McKnight and John Conner, and reserve quarterback Kellen Clemens added three fumbles to the ledger Thursday night. Both McKnight’s fumble and Connor’s were returned for touchdowns by rookie safety Kurt Coleman. In McKnight’s case, his truncated what had been the best Jets drive of the pre-season. Undoubtedly the fumbles will garner attention from the coaches. So, too, will the work done Mark Brunell and the passing game. Brunell completed 11-of-17 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The first score was a two-yard dump off to reserve tight end Jeff Cumberland in the second quarter that cut the Eagles’ lead to 10-7. The other was a 51-yarder to Santonio Holmes in the fourth quarter that was the game’s final score. Danny Woodhead added a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. “I think a guy that plays as much football as he has on a high level, Pro Bowls and all that kind of stuff, is a guy that can help out a bunch. Not only out there on the field when Mark (Sanchez) comes off the field, but also in meetings, going over film and that type of thing. He has been with Drew Brees the last few years, so obviously he’s helped Drew out tremendously, so he’s going to do the same (here),” LaDainian Tomlinson said last week. “We have been very vanilla this preseason. We have run basic plays and I know at time it doesn’t look like we’re doing very good, but these are basic plays we’re running so we’re executing them. We won’t really game plan until the season starts, so we’re doing fine. I think we’re going to be fine.” The Jets will know how accurate Tomlinson’s proclamation is in four months. In the short-term, questions remain. You can Dennis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman

http://nyj.scout.com/2/998404.html