The mid-day news update -- already a topic of discussion here and even garnering a comment-heavy FanPost -- was Client P.A. Parenteau's twitterific agent Alan Walsh telling TSN's Darren Dreger ... well what was it exactly? Dreger summarizes it like this:

Walsh and his client don't believe it is appropriate to pursue contract discussions at this time, but will listen if the Islanders are eager to negotiate.

That is not an absolute "shelving until after season's end," as the TSN headline stipulates, but rather a negotiating tactic. More specifically, Walsh emailed Dreger in part:

"Now is the time to play hockey, not to discuss or focus on contracts. When the season is over, I'm sure both parties will work diligently towards an agreement."

Unspoken: But of course if the Islanders offer what we want we'll sign tomorrow.

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We're not moved here by each grandstanding public meeting around the Nassau Coliseum land, nor swayed by each blog forecasting how the latest rumors affect the endgame. But we feel some obligation to pass along what's being said when it makes headlines. The latest:

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has offered Islanders owner Charles Wang an exclusive period to come up with a privately financed plan to redevelop the 77-acre Nassau Hub before the county seeks other options for the site.

Gee, if only Wang had offered to build-- Wait, what year is this again? That's from Newsday, but if you'd prefer the Cliff Notes to save your constitution, Dave summarized the main points [FanShot] last night.

Meanwhile, in the main topic area for this site, the Islanders hockey club is two points back of the Jets, their regulation time victims last night. In a rare case, all last night's results turned in the Islanders' favor, except for your usual Rangers hate (they shutout the Bruins), and unless you think they can still catch the Devils (they beat Buffalo).

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A key to holding a third-period lead and hanging on for a 3-1 win: The New York Islanders penalty kill was once again both strong and fortunate, keeping the Winnipeg Jets to just two registered shots on three full powerplays.

Even strength was another story -- the Jets outshooting the Isles 36-24 (including 2-0 on a 4-on-4) to make it another night of playing careful and hoping to hang on as Evgeni Nabokov held the fort.

GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | SBN
[Post-game audio from Illegal Curve]

It would be 37 saves for Nabokov overall, the usual suspects Matt Moulson (powerplay goal), John Tavares (the assist) and P.A. Parenteau (game-winning goal) joining him in the familiar recipe for narrow victory.

Fortunately, all wins count the same, except in this case a regulation win almost counts more: The clean two points means the Islanders pull to within two of the Jets in the Eastern Conference standings.

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Evgeni Nabokov is starting, Martin Reasoner is returning, Ty Wishart gets to tour the MST3K Centre pressbox.

Discuss(ed).

The Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline is now under two weeks away, and while there's been no movement yet, teams are quite busy outlining their options, gameplanning different scenarios.

For the Islanders, that means continuing to send signals -- for now -- to the locker room that they are in a playoff push, which is just as well: Despite the long odds, that only makes sense from a people management perspective. Don't pop the balloon for players asked to show up every day, train all summer, and commit their peak years to a team that has been bottom five the last four seasons.

But more deeply within the bowels of Nassau Coliseum, that means planning for next year. The far more realistic position on Feb. 27 is as a seller.

That's due to their place in the standing but also to having several pieces on the roster that are not part of the future. (In addition, P.A. Parenteau may or may not be part. Most likely, there is a happy middle between what he could fetch on the trade market and what he demands to re-sign now. The two pressure points in that discussion may force movement toward the middle.)

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Ty Wishart is 23 (24 in March), which is 1.5 years older than the still-open book of Josh Bailey and roughly the age of Andrew MacDonald when he turned another injury fill-in into a full-time job.

It's not exactly early for Wishart, currently with his third NHL franchise, but it's not quite late either. If the pending restricted free agent gets a real chance to show what he's learned this year logging minutes in multiple situations in AHL Bridgeport, this is a big 27 games. (If it lasts even close to that long. He is one of seven healthy defensemen on this trip.)

UPDATE: Indeed, Wishart sits tonight. Marty Reasoner returns for Tim Wallace. Evgeni Nabokov starts again.

Jets (26-25-6, 10th/E) vs. Islanders (23-24-8, 13th/E)
8:30 p.m. | MSG+2* (twice the plus!) | Audio: NHL - WRHU
NOTE: Free Center Ice preview this week
[random letters of some import] Centere
Thrasher inheritance: Arctic Ice Hockey

One of the knocks on Wishart in his career is something people see in Milan Jurcina: "Look at that big body...shouldn't he be more physical?" But as with Jurcina, a disinclination to use that big body to go boom can easily be forgiven if the more important parts of the game are adhered to: Namely, good shot prevention and puck movement.

In his first audition last year -- a 20-game sample too small to judge but large enough to intrigue -- Wishart's stats in that area were promising: A team-high Corsi Rel and an observable process of learning from his mistakes. That was a good stretch for the Isles overall, so there is some "Is it the Avery or the egg?" to that question.

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You probably know by now -- it was hinted last night and discussed in our a.m. thread -- that the Islanders have recalled Ty Wishart and returned Rhett Rakshani to Bridgeport.

With the two-game road trip through the continent's windswept plains this provides some blueline insurance at worst, and at best gives a glimpse at possibilities for next year's blueline, for those of us thinking Steve Staios et al are not long for this place. It's sometimes overlooked in our debate about whether (and when) to trade Evgeni Nabkov and our fretting over whether P.A. Parenteau will be re-signed or traded, but the Islanders do have some pending unrestricted free agent defensemen who might fetch a call from teams looking for depth.

If someone bites on Mark Eaton or Milan Jurcina, that would open up more slots for extended auditions like Aaron Ness and Wishart, even after Travis Hamonic returns from a broken nose. Add to this equation, Marty Reasoner is due back soon from IR.

More on the UFAs, tomorrow's Coliseum development gong show, and other hot topics:

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Jack Capuano returned to the well again hoping for another game-saver from Evgeni Nabokov, but this time the Islanders' luck ran out.

At best only one of the four goals Nabokov conceded in two periods was really his fault, as screens, deflections and great passing were the rule on the Panthers' goals.

The Islanders actually opened the game with quality breakouts and promising horizontal passing plays -- perhaps too much passing even -- but more often than not the execution wasn't there, the connections frequently missed.

GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | SBN

On that note, during his customary second intermission interview Scott Allen the Islanders weren't so much losing the possession battle (shots were 17-16 through two) as they weren't executing the offensive situations they did create: Shooting wide from inside the blueline, shooting into the chest from inside the circles, misfiring on passes down low. According to the official sheet, the Islanders put 19 shots on that missed the net entirely.

The most heartbreaking moment, when it could've taken a different trajectory, was when Josh Bailey made a nifty play down low and his backhand hit the post instead of giving the Islanders a 2-0 lead.

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Next Game

Islanders (23-23-8, 13th/E) vs. Panthers (26-17-11, 7th/E)
3 p.m. EST | MSG+ | Audio: NHL - WRHU
Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. Coliseum
The Cats' Meow: Litter Box Cats

Islanders vs. Panthers Gameday: Double-Matinee Weekend

FIG Picks: Islanders vs. Panthers, Feb. 12, 3 p.m.

Time to Sell on Evgeni Nabokov

posted by garik16 about 12 hours ago

Complete Coverage >

Riding Evgeni Nabokov once again. Ride and roll, or pump and dump?

At what point do we read Bridgeport's surprising post-New Year surge as a bright sign for the future? While the Islanders squeezed out an OT win yesterday, the Sound Tigers cruised to an 8-1 victory, with Ty Wishart picking up two goals and Micheal Haley picking up three. [Note: With two matinees this weekend, our weekly prospect update is deferred till tomorrow.]

Islanders (23-23-8, 13th/E) vs. Panthers (26-17-11, 7th/E)
3 p.m. EST | MSG+ | Audio: NHL - WRHU
Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. Coliseum
The Cats' Meow: Litter Box Cats

After a demoralizing loss to Southeast title rival Washington, the Panthers have reeled off two good wins in a row. Yesterday New Jersey was the victim, leaving the Panthers two points ahead of the now-9th place Caps.

On the Island, the Islanders' search for an answer to their bottom six puzzle continues, with Brian Rolston returning from hiatus yesterday and Rhett Rakhshani taking the healthy scratch. Today is another day, a day that comes all too quickly after yesterday's physically demanding contest.

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The Islanders were outplayed by the Kings in this one, particularly in a scary second period. But ultimately it came down to a goaltending battle between two of the lowest scoring teams in the league -- a tough slog made possible by NHL officials who sleepwalked through the afternoon as two teams engaged in an increasingly dirty war.

While Evgeni Nabokov made at least one standings point possible with his 34 saves, Mark Streit grabbed the second point with a delightful 1-on-3 rush into the Kings zone, slipping a backhand through Jonathan Quick's legs for the OT winner.

GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | SBN

We'll have to check the medical tent before tomorrow's matinee against the Panthers, as several players took knocks in this one: Mark Eaton collided noggins with Anze Kopitar (but took his next shift), Matt Martin smashed his chin on the dasher boards after checking Trevor Lewis (but returned), and Matt Moulson left briefly as well but would log 21:29 and assist on the winner.

With the officials calling nothing except for a random trip and obstruction per side, it could have been worse.

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Morning notes from Isles and Newsday: Evgeni Nabokov starts. Brian Rolston is in for Rhett Rakhshani. Aaron Ness is to be paired with Andrew MacDonald. Kyle Okposo is to stay on the JT line.

Sounds like Trent Hunter is in for the Isles. And some brother-in-law of Matt Moulson.

This Los Angeles Kings visit comes at the perfect time: It's been way too long since our last on-air Matt Moulson brother-in-law reference.

Islanders (22-23-8, 14th/E) vs. Kings (26-19-10, 7th/W)
1 p.m. EST | MSG+ | Audio: NHL - WRHU
Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. Coliseum
Purplish Places: Jewels from the Crown | BOC

There are a few longer-running connections for today's game though, the first being the return of Trent Hunter, who spent a decade in the Islanders organization. Acquired in 2000 for a 4th-round pick, Hunter debuted -- with hair on his head, not on his face -- wearing #43 in the 2002 playoffs. He notched a goal and an assist in his four appearances during that seven-game series. If you have the Islanders Greatest Games DVD, he's in the Bates Penalty Shot game.

Hunter's 2011-12 has been just what you'd fear after the season-ending knee surgery that was likely one reason the Islanders swapped the final two years of his contract for the final one year of Brian Rolston's:

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As opiners and fans we often declare value on players and picks with an authority we do not actually possess. Because despite history and assumed (sometimes falsely) sanity among NHL GMs, the changing variables of any open market also exist in the NHL: Supply, demand, consumer behavior.

Recent "rental" history and NHL GM behavior suggests it would be wiser for New York Islanders GM Garth Snow to hang on to pending free agent P.A. Parenteau, assuming a reasonable contract extension is reachable. 'Tis better to keep a good player than to assume you can replace him through free agency (when salary and term demand goes up) or promotion, where prospects develop at a pace well behind their hype.

Parenteau has told Montreal French-language media he would like to remain an Islander, and term is more important than money/salary. He also said he's not in a rush, as this is the first time in his career he's had leverage. He indeed has leverage, and desires security the Isles have mostly given to younger players. But smart money is on both player and team coming to an agreement before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

What could defy that smart money? A suddenly desperate market.

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If you're heading into the weekend pondering whether or not to engage in the bipolar emotions that accompany following the New York Islanders, just remember that both games are matinees and plan your mood regulation accordingly.

The Panthers (Sunday's opponent) beat the Kings (Saturday's opponent) last night in Sunrise, which was probably the worst outcome because the Panthers gain two points and the Kings come to Long Island needing a win that much more.

Saturday is Kenny Jonsson Night (Day), the last of the "Decades Nights" honoring Islanders in their Hall. A few clips are embedded below after the morning links.

Someone tweeted at us a few days ago that with the Islanders blueline injuries they should convince Jonsson to suit up Saturday afternoon. The crazy thing? Jonsson, 37, is younger than Steve Staios.

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The Islanders were nearly shutout for the second game in a row, but this time Evgeni Nabokov was not able to save them a point and the shootout was not available to give them two.

In humorous contrast to the shootout win in Philadelphia where the Isles had no business winning, tonight they trailed 2-0 after 30 minutes and had every right to be tied if not ahead. That's hockey. Shots were 24-21 for the Isles after 40 minutes and the score would get worse before it briefly got better.

GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | SBN

The Isles stormed out of the gate in the second period to try to tie it at 1-1, unleashing the first seven shots within the period's first five minutes. Instead, Carey Price made like Nabokov in Philly and shut the door, most notably on the Islanders' period-opening powerplay.

Max Pacioretty soon scored his second goal of the game and Montreal took the comfort of a 2-0 lead into the third. Down 3-0, a late Isles push made the final score look ... a fairer reflection of how this game was played, actually.

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In Montreal they have taken to praying to God for the hockey team. They don't realize he's already on the payroll on Long Island, wearing #51. (Okay, I'll stop now.)

This is such a busy month rushing up to the deadline, with games every other night if not on back-to-back nights. Saddle up and hope Hamonic's node id otay toon.

The standings are tight, the schedule compact: Over the next four days the New York Islanders play three times -- including two afternoon games on the weekend and all at home, where they'll try to improve on the 11-11-5 record that parallels their 11-11-3 road record.

Hockey Club from Montreal* (21-24-9, 14th/E) @ Islanders (22-22-8, 11th/E)
7 p.m. EST | MSG+2 (twice the plus!) | Audio: NHL - WRHU
Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. Coliseum
Go, go, Gauthier: Habs Eyes on the Prize

Carolina picked up an OT point last night, meaning the four Eastern teams below the Isles (including tonight's opponent) are within two points. One of them, the Lightning, play in the city tonight. Above, the Jets are at Washington and the Leafs are in Philadelphia.

The Islanders' last two games have been disappointing overall performances, but they made it through 65 minutes in each and picked up three of four points. Tonight, like those nights, may turn on how they adjust to life without Travis Hamonic.

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One last Frans Nielsen contract extension post before we move on. Just thought some of the comments from Nielsen, Jack Capuano and teammates were worth archiving for posterity.

The clips and pull-quotes (from the scrums posted at the official site) include talk of how they see Nielsen as a player, how he's developed since coming over from Denmark, and why he's sticking around -- including if the arena uncertainty bothers him.

His video embed is below, along with links to videos of the others if you're interested. I've also added video of Evgeni Nabokov's appearance on NHL Live, since it might provide the armchair psychologists among us a tiny window into his mindset.

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There were plenty of links to digest in the morning bits (while we weren't sacking those responsible for site delays) and last night's postgame, but here's plenty more along with our weekly NHL Power Ranking roundup.

• Dylan Reese is out 4-6 weeks with an MCL sprain. Milan Jurcina's elbow will determine whether another callup's needed for tomorrow vs. the Habs; Frans Nielsen's contract extension was formally announced today.
  
• The Skinny from last night's game points out this is just the second time the Islanders have had a five-game point streak this season.
• Afternoon audio: Catch Evgeni Nabokov on @NHLHomeIce at 4:25 with Scott Laughlin and then on @nhllive at 5:25 with @DebPlacey and @KenDaneykoMSG. Also the SNY metro hockey podcast is up.
• Comparing P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson from a fantasy point of view. Also from Dobber: Why are there fewer high scorers these days?
• And at Arctic Ice: Fun with charts - Alex Ovechkin: before and after Satan Dale Hunter
• Copper & Blue: Wait, just how much of a draft edge has Ken Holland had?

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Last night's 45-save + 2 shutout of the Flyers was pretty amazing for Evgeni Nabokov, the old dog. But food for thought: Don't judge Nabokov's future based on that game or his past two weeks.

Al Montoya was crowned by fans earlier this season, and Dwayne Roloson was crowned a couple of times over the past two years, and Yann Danis was -- well, never mind but you get the point. I'm doubtful that a meaningful trade opportunity will open up with the goalie market being what it is, but it's the GM's job to at least probe those waters and evaluate his options.

The goofy thing about the Islanders goaltending this year is no one has played enough games for us to really know what they offer, but Nabokov has suddenly played half of the 52 games thus far so his on-ice importance has grown. You're starting to hear people discuss his value on the roster now vs. his value as a trade chip (with a no-trade clause) in a weak market of unknown demand.

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The New York Islanders survived the first game without their best defenseman Travis Hamonic, the mid-game loss of Dylan Reese, and the careful debut of rookie Aaron Ness to hang on for dear life through 65 minutes of scoreless hockey.

That endurance test passed, Evgeni Nabokov made two more stops in the shootout while Ilya Bryzgalov couldn't stop Frans Nielsen and John Tavares, resulting in the Isles' second consecutive win in Philadelphia and a well-earned shutout for Nabokov.

GS | ES | H2H | Shifts | Corsi | Zones | Recaps: NHL | Isles | SBN

The big news (leak) of the night, which the Islanders were planning to announce with appropriate fanfare tomorrow, is Frans Nielsen's four-year, $11 million contract extension. But despite Nielsen authoring his patented Backhand of Judgment move to get the shootout winner, this night was Nabby, Nabby, Nabby.

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Frans Nielsen has agreed to a four-year, $11 million contract extension with the New York Islanders.

Word filtered out as the Islanders were getting ready to take on the Flyers in Philadelphia. TSN's Bob McKenzie broke the news, then followed up with the yearly breakdown: $2.75 million cap hit, with sequential salaries of $2M, $2.5M, $3M and $3.5M. (The Islanders confirmed an agreement during the first intermission, announcement planned tomorrow.)

This is fantastic news for the Islanders, and an excellent deal for a pending unrestricted free agent who remains at age 27 one of the best defensive centers in the league: Nielsen annually takes on the opposition's toughest lines -- and puts in fantastic PK work -- and comes out ahead. Nielsen would have been difficult to replace, but this ensures the Islanders do not have to break the bank in a futile attempt to do just that.

(Quick reference: The less valuable Joel Ward signed as a UFA with Washington last summer as a center for four years, $12 million. The older Manny Malhotra signed a three-year, $7.5 million UFA deal with Vancouver two summers ago. Neither is as gifted offensively as Nielsen, who has averaged .5 points per game in his NHL career, to say nothing of his helpful shootout prowess.)

Nielsen's current deal (four years, $2.1 million total) turned into an absolute bargain as Nielsen quickly evolved into his current role, and this one keeps Nielsen around at an affordable price through the rest of what are likely to be his best years as an NHLer.