More on the Nolan/Snow relationship

From Greg Logan of Newsday:

Multiple team sources from the locker room to the front office blamed Nolan for ignoring advice from his handpicked assistants regarding the defensive system the Islanders used and the power-play setup. Miroslav Satan, who scored 17 of his 35 goals in 2005-06 playing down low on the power play, rarely was used that way by Nolan and his production declined to 27 goals, then to 16 last season.

A person close to one top player accused Nolan of "mismanaging his assets." The person added, "Various people on the team caught Ted Nolan in outright falsehoods."

Read more about Nolan/Snow here.

The more you read, the more you think it is better that Nolan and the Islanders parted ways.

Penguins sign Satan and Fedotenko

From TSN:

Pittsburgh has verbally agreed to deals with forwards Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko.

Both deals are one-year contracts, with Satan earning $3.5 million next year and Fedotenko $2.5 million.

Read the entire report here.

These players are an upgrade over what the Penguins would have put on their top two lines had they not signed anyone. However, they are certainly not an upgrade over what the Penguins iced at the end of last season. Satan is probably good for 25-30 goals next season and Fedotenko about 15-20. That isn't bad production, and both have playoff experience. The fact that they are one-year contracts gives me reason to approve of these signings.

Nightly Recap: Lundqvist is Human

-The Islanders are able to solve red hot Henrik Lundqvist as they knock off the Rangers 3 - 2. Coming into tonights game, Lundqvist had not allowed more than one goal in his past four games. Miroslav Satan scored the winner and he now has 9 points in his past six. The Islanders scored all three goals in the 3rd period, the Rangers were out of gas, looking like a team that was playing their third game in four nights. Lundqvist is the only goaltender to have played every minute in each of his teams game this season, it is clear that these guys need a rest. (Except for Sean Avery, he is a ball of energy every time he gets out on the ice, his hustle earned him one assist tonight.)

Islander Mike Comrie's speed in the offensive zone, along with his puck handling ability lead him to 2 assists this game, including the tying goal on the powerplay. Here is Comrie setting up Ruslan Fedotenko to tie the game, he fakes the through the legs drop pass and it throws off the defenders, giving him room to make the play. He had been trying to pull dangles like that all game, The Rangers defense gave Comrie room to move and he made them pay.

-The Ottawa Senators completely outplay the Toronto Maple Leafs and win 5 - 1. The Senators scored two quick goals in the first period off defensive miscues by Toronto and didn't look back. Ottawa's offense was working on all cylinders as all five goals were scored by five different players. Marty Gerber continues to play well stopping 30 of 31. The win gave the Senators the record for most points after fourteen games with 26 (13-1-0).

- Todd White scored his 100th career goal to give the Thrashers the 2 - 1 victory over the Capitals. Entering the game Ilya Kovalchuk needed a hat trick to be the first player in history to score three hat tricks in consecutive games, while he was unsuccessful, he did manage to score one goal.

Tomorrow's Games (all times Eastern)
7:00pm BOS@BUF, PHI@PIT (TSN),
7:30pm NSH@DET, FLA@TB,
8:30pm CLB@CHI,
9:30pm EDM@COL (TSN)
10:00pm PHX@ANA
10:30pm DAL@SJ

Saturday Night Recap: Kovalchuk Beasts on the Lightning

-Mike Fisher scored two goals including the game winner. Ottawa 3 - Boston 2. Tim Thomas made an amazing 42 saves for the Bruins and Chuck Kobasew added two goals in the loss.

-With two powerplay points Matt Cullen was Carolina's first star. Roddy Brind'Amour and Jeff Hamilton were stars two and three with two assists each. Richard Zednik scored for Florida, he now has 5 points in his past three games. Carolina 4 - Florida 2.

-Rangers 2 - Devils 1 (SO) Who says 1-1 games can't be exciting? Henrik Lundvquist continues to play phenomenal stopping 28 for the Rangers and Marty Brodeur was no slouch keeping 26 out of the net. The Rangers have had major offensive problems this year only scoring more than 3 goals in a game once, but King Henrik has been their MVP and has now allowed 6 goals in his past 7 games. Petr Prucha scored the shootout winner for the Rangers. Game Notes: Sean Avery returned from injury this game and was a a complete ball of energy on the ice. Jaromir Jagr played sparingly in overtime, he came on for one rush and then went off immediately, I'd keep an eye on him.

-Miroslav Satan scored two goals for the Isles including the game winner. Islanders 3 - Penguins 2. Rick DiPietro had to leave during the game for an injury that the team says "wasn't serious". Wade Dublewicz came off the bench and stopped 7 of 7. Al Arbour returned to the bench tonight to coach his 1,500th game. Game Notes: This game had a very unusual play; It appeared Tyler Kennedy of the Penguins had scored, all of the Penguins on the ice began to celebrate, but the referee did not count it as a goal. The teams played it out for 4 minutes until a whistle and then there was a review. It was counted a goal and the clock had to be reset to the time of the goal and then the puck was dropped. But, If the Islanders had scored during those 4 minutes, their goal would not have counted because of the Kennedy goal. My question is, what would have happened if the Penguins scored again after that play? Also just one goal?

-It's always exciting when the Habs and the Leafs get together, Matt Stajan scored with 1:34 left in the 3rd to give Toronto the win. Toronto 3 - Montreal 2.

-BEAST of the night Ilya Kovalchuk, so hot right now. He scored 4 points and now has 7 in his past two games. Marian Hossa also got on the board with two points. Atlanta 6 - Tampa Bay 4. Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier had 3 assists each in a losing cause.

-Calgary has now lost three of their past four. Minnesota 4 - Calgary 1. Marian Gaborik had 3 points with two goals and one assist.

-Jonathan Toews had his 10 game point streak snapped, but Patrick Sharp's two shorthanded goals help the Blackhawks defeat the Blues. It was the first time a Chicago player had scored 2 shorthanded goals in a game since Steve Sullivan in '01. Chicago 3 - St. Louis 2.

-Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger had 3 points each for the Ducks and J.S. Giguere stopped 30. Ducks 5 - Coyotes 2. Coyotes' Alex Auld stopped 34 in the loss.

-Vancouver 4 - Colorado 3. Colorado loses for their first time at home, and how have a 6 - 1 record at the Pepsi Center. After being called out by Coach Alain Vigneault, the Sedins combined for 6 points.

-The Sharks split their home and home with the Kings winning tonights game in Los Angeles. Jeremy Roenick scored his 4th goal of the year for San Jose and is now only one goal away from 500 for his career. Joe Thornton added two points in the win. Jason LaBarbera started in goal tonight for Los Angeles and made 25 saves in the losing effort. San Jose 3 - Los Angeles 1.

Tomorrow's Games (All Times Eastern)
5:00pm STL@CLB
7:00pm OTT@BOS, NSH@CHI

Fantasy Watch: Who's Hot and Who's Not

Stats over the last 7 days

HOT

D Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres
1 G, 6 A, +3

Campbell opened up the season assisting on Buffalo's first regulation goal. Since then, the defenseman has scored a point in each of Buffalo's games, including a four point performance in the Sabers 7-3 rout over Washington last Saturday.
Fantasy Take: Campbell has been a fantasy stud over the past two years, scoring 92 points in 161 games played. With already nine points in his first four games, Campbell is slowly emerging as an elite fantasy defenseman, joining the ranks of Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Gonchar and Chris Pronger.

F Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
3 G, 4 A, +7

Zetterberg has been on a tear since the beginning of the season, scoring 12 points in Detroit's first six games. Playing on Detroit's top line, Zetterberg has been clicking on all cylinders with linemates Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk.
Fantasy Take: Zetterberg had a rather disappointing season last year, appearing in only 63 games for the Red Wings, due to a rash of injuries. If the Swede can stay healthy all year, then he is well on pace to eclipse his season high point total of 85 set two years ago.

F Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes
1 G, 5 A, +2

After posting career highs in points, assists and goals two seasons ago, Williams' production turned the other way last season, as his point total dipped by nine points. Looking to get back on track, Williams has done just that, as his eight points lead all Hurricanes.
Fantasy Take: Although Williams had an off-year last season, the same can be said for the entire Carolina Hurricanes squad. Starting off the season 4-1-1, it looks as if the Stanley Cup hangover is gone in Carolina, which hopefully will boost Williams' point production back into the 70+ range.

F Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
7 A, -1

Spezza has been particularly unselfish this year, dishing out seven assists in his last four games, giving him 11 on the year. With both Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson playing exceptionally well, Spezza could be in for a career year.
Fantasy Take: The only knock on Spezza is his inability to stay healthy. After scoring 87 points in only 67 games a year ago, Spezza should be a lock to pass 100 points, but with his health always a question mark anything can happen.

NOT

F Brendan Shanahan, New York Rangers
1 A

Contributing 29 goals and 62 points in 67 games last year, it appeared as though Shanahan still had a few more seasons left in him. Unfortunately, that might not be the case as free agent acquisitions Scott Gomez and Chris Drury have clearly taken the spotlight. With his only point coming last Friday, Shanahan might be in for a long season.
Fantasy Take: It might be time for Shanahan to ride the bench on your fantasy team, as it doesn't look like he'll be a consistent contributer this season. Start looking for other options.

F Jaret Stoll, Edmonton Oilers
1 A, -5

Drafted with high expectations last season, Stoll turned out to be a huge disappointment, as the forward only scored 39 points. Hoping to get back to 2005-06 form, Stoll has struggled to open up the season, assisting on one goal.
Fantasy Take: With Edmonton having a rather lackluster offense, it might be time leave the once promising forward on your bench.

D Ryan Whitney, Pittsburgh Penguins
1 G, -2

Whitney broke out last year, scoring 59 points in 81 games. Now in his third year as a pro, Whitney has struggled to put up points, as he has only one goal in four games.
Fantasy Take: Still appearing on the power-play, Whitney will be given a ton of chances to get on the scoresheet. Don't expect this slump to last long.

F Miroslav Satan, New York Islanders
0 G, 0 A, -2

Satan's point total was down from the previous year, as the forward only managed 59 points in 81 games. With only one assist in New York's first six games, Satan's total's may take another hit this year.
Fantasy Take: With a short schedule this upcoming week, owners should bench Satan until he can prove to be a reliable fantasy scorer.


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