Witt flattered by Islanders

From Greg Logan of Newsday:

Witt wondered, too, which is why the decision by general manager Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang to give him a two-year extension worth $6 million that will keep him on Long Island through the 2010-11 season is so meaningful. “I was surprised when they told me,” Witt said last night from his summer home in Florida. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ Most teams, the way they operate is they don’t make that decision until Christmas when they realize which direction the team is going, and they ask what you can get for them.

“Snowy has always complimented me on the way I play, the ‘warrior-type mentality.’ I appreciate that, and I appreciate Charles agreeing to do it, too. That shows a lot of loyalty, which you do not find in major league sports too often. It’s really nice. I’m honored. They didn’t have to do anything at all, but they chose to and that shows a lot of commitment to me.”

Read the entire entry from On the Islanders Beat here.

The Islanders obviously consider Witt and integral part of the team and have treated him as such.

Witt signs extension with Islanders

From Greg Logan of Newsday:

It doesn’t exactly fit in with the Islanders’ youth movement, but for those who value team toughness, it should come as good news that general manager Garth Snow has rewarded 33-year-old defenseman Brendan Witt with a two-year contract extension worth $6 million. Terms of the deal were disclosed Tuesday night.

Read the entire entry from On the Islanders Beat here.

Witt is now locked in for the next three years at $8.5 million total. That is a respectable number for a solid stay-at-home defenseman with strong leadership skills. While Witt is not part of the youth movement on the Island, he will set a good example for the young players on the roster.

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Roy MacGregor of the Globe & Mail reviews the Senators' tumultuous season.
• The Leafs are preparing to the face the Flyers tonight, but don't expect Paul Maurice to pull out some crazy inspirational speech, writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• Mark Spector of the National Post wants teams to be more honest with player troubles.
• Here is an interview conducted by Kevin Allen of USA Today with Coyotes GM Don Maloney.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• With the troubles between Thrashers defenseman Alexei Zhitnik and GM/Coach Don Waddell, last season's trade of Braydon Coburn looks worse by the day, writes Craig Custance.
• Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe believes Alex Auld will be in between the pipes tonight versus Ottawa. Auld will probably be more comfortable if his team can actually score some goals, writes Steve Conroy.
• The Sabres lost their ninth shootout game of the season last night by a score of 3-2 to the Rangers, writes John Vogl. The Sabres defensemen have picked up the slack for their injured teammates, writes Mike Harrington.
• A concussion has pushed David Tanabe to the sidelines for the remainder of the season, writes Luke Decock.
• With last night's 3-2 shootout victory over Buffalo last night, the Rangers moved to within three points of the Eastern Conference lead. According to Larry Brooks of the NY Post, if the Rangers play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium next season, NBC wants the opponent to be the Bruins.
• Flyers goaltender Martin Biron is excited to play at the Air Canada Centre tonight, writes Tim Panaccio. Excitement aside, the Flyers don't expect an easy game in Toronto tonight, writes Ed Moran.
• Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a closer look at the confusing Pittsburgh power play trends. When he's not in the box, Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik has been great on the penalty kill.
• Damien Cox of the Toronto Star thinks the Leafs organization has misused Jiri Tlusty. The Leafs and Flyers are going to go at it tonight, in an effort to make the playoffs, writes Mike Zeisberger.
• The Lightning have told enforcer Andre Roy to take a week off, writes Carter Gaddis.
• Apparently Ray Emery feels bad about the John Paddock firing, writes Chris Stevenson. (Writer's note: Give me a break. Emery should have actually taken his job seriously, instead of consistently coming to practice late and showing up the coach on numerous occasions.) The Senators have decided to stick with Martin Gerber between the pipes.
• In some honorable news, Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt has been nominated for the Bill Masterton trophy.
• The Devils understand the importance of their remaining thirteen games, writes Brendan Prunty of the Newark Star-Ledger.
• Red Fisher of the Montreal Gazette takes a look at the Habs' upcoming four-game homestand. Mike Komisarek was the Canadiends' nominee for the Masterton trophy.
• For someone who thought his career might be over, Panthers defenseman Jassen Cullimore has really enjoyed a comeback season, writes Steve Gorten.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• With Sami Paulsson's return to the lineup, the Ducks' checking line will be looking to get into a groove for the playoffs, writes Dan Wood.
• Jarome Iginla set the Calgary Flames franchise record for career goals last night, in his team's 7-3 drubbing of the Blues. On the injury front, Craig Conroy doesn't think he'll be out of the lineup for very long.
• Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune details Dustin Byfuglien's adjustment to the wing.
• In Colorado, the Avalanche are just having one of those years with the injury bug, writes Adrian Dater.
• The dynamic kids in Edmonton are making everyone feel younger, writes Joanne Ireland. Just because the Blues are finishing off a three week road trip and played last night in Calgary, doesn't mean the Oilers will take them easy tonight.
• Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky has decided to put all his eggs in one basket, starting tonight versus the Ducks.
• The Canucks continued to get tremendous production from their "third line" last night in L.A., writes Jason Botchford. Former Canucks netminder Dan Cloutier made the Canucks work for their victory last night, writes Iain McIntyre.
• Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch takes a look at youngster Teddy Ruth, the player the Jackets got in return for Sergei Fedorov.
• The Stars want Marty Turco's sole focus to lie in between the pipes, writes Mike Heika.
• George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press gives an interesting behind the scenes look at the Red Wings' assistant coaches.
• The Kings blew their chance to move out of last place in the NHL standings last night, writes Dan Arritt. (Writer's note: This team has so much more talent than a last place squad. It really hasn't been reported on enough. However, on the bright side for Kings fans, a deep draft is coming up, and let's just picture the Kings with Steve Stamkos joining Frolov, Kopitar, Brown, Cammalleri, etc. (Although I expect Cammalleri to move this off-season) Pretty scary huh?)
• Michael Russo of the Star Tribune tells readers about the tough week for Wild prospect Benoit Pouliot.
• The Predators need better production from their power play down the stretch, writes Jessica Hopp.
• David Pollak gives readers an unusual behind the scenes look at the Sharks on the road.
• The Blues continued their free-fall last night, writes Jeremy Rutherford.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

Afternoon Roster News

Here are some news and notes that may of interest to poolies and fans:

• Aaron Ward (throat) has been cleared to play tomorrow night versus Toronto.
• Brendan Witt (sprained MCL) has been ruled out for the next 2-4 weeks.
• Stephen Weiss (flu) will play tonight versus Washington.
• Rostislav Olesz (wrist) will also play tonight.
• Tom Poti (knee) is doubtful for tonight's game against the Panthers.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.