Hey all. I've been writing all season over at IslandersUniversity. I've been writing about the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and call-ups over there as well as my occasional opinion pieces like were found here. It's been an awesome opportunity to write over there.
I'll still use this space to write pieces I don't think need to be posted at IslandersUniversity.
If you're interested in following my work, I tweet everything I post, so that's the best way to find it.
Come check out the new pieces on the FanvsFan network.
Prospect News of the New York Islanders
Blog with posts detailing Islanders prospects both bright and not so much, coverage of the Islanders affiliates and Prospects.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Another Steal?
The Islanders selected Johan Sundström after 49 other players this year. and boy are 29 other GMs going to look foolish. The 18 year old (Johan turns 19 this September), 6'3, 196lb Swede is setting the world on fire at WJC development camp. in 5 games played he's notched 13 points and has been, in reports flat out RIDICULOUS.
Now, Johan's playing around his peers, 18 and 19 year olds for the Tournament in December, but he's demolished the Junior ranks in the SEL. In 2 stints at the junior levels for Frölunda HC, Sundström has been about a point per game player. In '09-'10 he notched 30 points(13 Goals, 17 Assists) in 37 games and in '10-'11 he picked up another 19 points(10G/9A) in 15 games. impressive numbers. It's time for Sundström to make the next adjustment and play expanding minutes in the Swedish Elite League. as an 18 year old, it's entirely likely that Frölunda will play Sundström on the 3rd lines there. I have no major complaints here as he's 18 years old, now he's proving to be an offensive dynamo, he needs to adjust to the speed of play at the SEL as opposed to Juniors. In 42 games at the SEL young Johan's only notched one goal. There's nothing wrong with that, he's acclimating and playing in an extremely competative and low scoring league (last year's scoring leader, Colorado F Joakim Lindström, notched 60 points total) at 17 and 18 years old.
This season I hope to see Sundström start producing in the SEL before dominating this years WJC in December. An end season total of 15-20 points from Sundström would be huge, especially if Frölunda makes the playoffs. If the Isles like what they see from Sundström after next season they can import him to the big squad or Bridgeport where he can pair with countrymen Johan Persson or David Üllstrom at either level, so there'll be familiarity for him.
Sundström looks like a steal at development camp and could prove to be with a successful campaign at Frölunda this year and a WJC performance to help Sweden to another top 4 finish. Sundström is a nice surprise and I'm excited to follow his career here at IslandersProspects.
Monday, July 25, 2011
An Apology when it's due...actually it's LONG Overdue
So, back to business hmm? Yes I think so.
While It's still fresh in my mind, I wanted to send a huge apology for saying that Ryan Strome shouldn't have been picked at number 5. I advocated a lot of guys ahead of him and even advocated trading down for multiple firsts.
While I personally want to see Strome repeat his amazing point total again in the OHL (I live in a perpetual baseball mindset where a great season from a prospect in the minors can eventually go horribly horribly wrong), I was wrong for ever doubting that Strome would be a huge piece...I put more faith in the 4 guys picked ahead of him (I hate the hockey hell that Jonathan Huberdeau will be subjected to in FLA). For that I Apologize.
No, I will not show, again, the sick goal that Strome came up with at the Islanders Blue and White Scrimmage. Personally, if he did that in an actual game, as a rookie, the opposing team would probably send someone after him next game...but that's just paranoia.
Anyway, Strome is excited to be a part of the future here, is one hell of a player, and the recipient of a huge apology on my part.
While It's still fresh in my mind, I wanted to send a huge apology for saying that Ryan Strome shouldn't have been picked at number 5. I advocated a lot of guys ahead of him and even advocated trading down for multiple firsts.
While I personally want to see Strome repeat his amazing point total again in the OHL (I live in a perpetual baseball mindset where a great season from a prospect in the minors can eventually go horribly horribly wrong), I was wrong for ever doubting that Strome would be a huge piece...I put more faith in the 4 guys picked ahead of him (I hate the hockey hell that Jonathan Huberdeau will be subjected to in FLA). For that I Apologize.
No, I will not show, again, the sick goal that Strome came up with at the Islanders Blue and White Scrimmage. Personally, if he did that in an actual game, as a rookie, the opposing team would probably send someone after him next game...but that's just paranoia.
Anyway, Strome is excited to be a part of the future here, is one hell of a player, and the recipient of a huge apology on my part.
Final Rebuttal & Last Political Post Here.
I just posted the email that seemingly everyone who's voiced displeasure with the NCDC got se my last post).
Below is my final rebuttal that I have yet to send in email form seeing as It may not actually be read:
This is my last piece on this matter on this blog. I'll still tweet about it. But, my next piece will be about what I started this blog about.
I still plan on sending Comptroller DiNapoli a letter akin to what I wrote Jacobs, but knowing the political game, it'll be for naught as I'll get a form email about this being a county issue...
Below is my final rebuttal that I have yet to send in email form seeing as It may not actually be read:
This direct mailer is a sad, sad joke. You've thrown out the ability for your Legislative Candidates to say "I helped put 2600 jobs into Nassau County" because of opposition to a plan that was made between Ed Mangano and Charles Wang.
This is not solely about the New York Islanders...it should be about maintaining a quality of life that includes a professional Hockey Franchise with a proud history and building into something great. If that quality of life can be maintained by another Tanger Outlet and possibly a Casino, then I guess you're in the clear.
Make no mistake, these actions have and will piss off a large number of voters if the Islanders do in fact leave in 2015 when their Lease with the Coliseum expires. But people won't wait until then...their retribution will likely be felt in November and in 2013, when you SHOULD be able to beat Ed Mangano with your hands tied and blindfolded. The opposition because of your misguided talking point about giving a billionaire a new toy is ridiculous.
What sort of concessions are made to bring in a strip mall or a Mall like Roosevelt Fields? You have to give to get. When Charles Wang wanted to self finance the Lighthouse Project, there wasn't NEARLY this vehement opposition or for that matter vehement support, Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead and Garden City were allowed to steamroll it out of existence with no problem.
In the horse trading of politics, and especially in revitalization efforts at the City and County levels, you have to give to get. The time of not giving much to get a lot (The LHP era) is long, long gone.
The Deal with Mangano stinks, and yes you have a talking point of the tax increases being not far apart...but the revenues that can happen, no matter the size...are better than nothing and better than another Tanger. It's a bad deal, but it's better than no deal at all.
This is my last piece on this matter on this blog. I'll still tweet about it. But, my next piece will be about what I started this blog about.
I still plan on sending Comptroller DiNapoli a letter akin to what I wrote Jacobs, but knowing the political game, it'll be for naught as I'll get a form email about this being a county issue...
Nassau Democrats just lost the Jobs argument.
The Response I got from the NCDC as follows:
What the Party has quite Stupidly forgotten is that this is not Charles Wang's play thing. Yes, as the owner of the new buildings most Active Tennant for 6 months a year, the Owners of the New York Islanders (and there will be many after Wang, lets face it, sports teams change hands a lot these days). However, the Coliseum would fill the COUNTY'S Coffers with funds. Unemployment as of April was a little over 6% in Nassau county. much better than many other areas in the NYC-Metro area, but why is adding 2,000 jobs an issue?
Would Nassau Dems be this vehemently against things if this deal were struck between Tom Suozzi and Charles wang or would they do the right thing, swallow the poisoned pill and at least have a deal.
Sometimes in politics having a deal, even a raw one, is better than no deal at all.
Nassau Dems just lost the "We should be creating jobs" argument in their quest for regaining the Legislative Majority, and will lose it again in 2 years if "NO" wins Next Monday. As a Democrat, a realist, and someone wh thinks this whole thing should've been co-ordinated better....this simply saddens me to no end.
|
Would Nassau Dems be this vehemently against things if this deal were struck between Tom Suozzi and Charles wang or would they do the right thing, swallow the poisoned pill and at least have a deal.
Sometimes in politics having a deal, even a raw one, is better than no deal at all.
Nassau Dems just lost the "We should be creating jobs" argument in their quest for regaining the Legislative Majority, and will lose it again in 2 years if "NO" wins Next Monday. As a Democrat, a realist, and someone wh thinks this whole thing should've been co-ordinated better....this simply saddens me to no end.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Checking in
Been a while Since I've been on here, been busy running a campaign in Westchester. will be jotting down thoughts on Bridgeport soon though.
Expect more content soon. I promise.
Expect more content soon. I promise.
An Impassioned Plea to Jay Jacobs in the final days...
Jay Jacobs
Chairman
Nassau County Democratic Committee
One Old Country Road, Suite 430
Carle Place, NY 11541
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
I am a long-time New York Islanders fan, a Westchester County resident and Democrat. Over the last few weeks, I have been saddened with the political games that Nassau County Legislative Democrats have played with their staunch opposition to the newly proposed arena to replace Nassau Coliseum. As much as gaining political favor is useful for the next County Executive race, this is NOT the way to attack Ed Mangano. Putting the future of Long Island’s sole professional and Major league team in jeopardy is exactly the opposite of productive.
Knowing that this deal is far from ideal in regards to political capital, let’s instead look at through an economic lens. The price tag is steep, but the long term benefits of the new arena are much greater than what is there now. If the County contracts to local and union contracting firms you are pump-priming money back into the county economy. Local workers spend at local retail and eateries, that generates more taxable income; all that BEFORE the new arena is even completed. Add this project with local and union contracting to building the Belmont Casino, and that’s even more money that stays in the county. Instead of scaring residents with a sixteen dollar per year tax increase, why not highlight these benefits? Add in all the benefits that a new arena brings (concerts, WWE, trade shows, revenues from parking that are shared between Wang and County…you eventually can pay down $350 million).
I realize that this sounds naïve, but this is a Keynesian model to generate revenues and multiply out economic recovery for the county, especially since the county’s finances are under the State’s control. Be willing to horse trade, attack Mangano other ways and recruit a candidate that can beat him. The Islanders, their fans and history should not be pawns in this game.
Do you and our fellow Nassau Democrats want to lose a team and history, for political points that will cause problems in 2013?
Sincerely,
Matt Clausen
To Any reader in Nassau and Suffolk or even the City...feel free to use this letter and sub in what you'd like.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)