Yesterday, the New York Islanders placed forward Joel Rechlicz, a player those of us in the Blog Box have grown to know (and in some cases love) the last year, on waivers. Unfortunately, he has found himself the odd man out of the enforcer situation, a position the Islanders appeared they felt they didn’t need the way Rechlicz and Trevor Gillies bounced back and forth between Bridgeport and Long Island.

Gillies, who was signed to a one year extension back in April and Zenon Konopka who signed as a free agent on July 2nd make getting a call for enforcer duty next to impossible for Rechlicz. Great young player, but a victim of circumstance none-the-less. It was announced today that he has cleared waivers, so he will most likely remain in Bridgeport next season and help out the new crop of talent debuting there this season.

The Islanders have announced today, 07/16/10 that Rechlicz’s contract has been terminated and he is now a unrestricted free agent.

Now, what about these cupcakes?

Ok, so earlier you may or may not remember reading something about cupcakes. Maybe that’s the only reason why you’re still reading – I don’t know. However, there is now an official Islanders cupcake vendor. Yes, cupcake enthusiasts rejoice!

Per the Islanders Press Release:

The New York Islanders announced today the addition of a new corporate partner in the unique sponsorship category of cupcakes. The Islanders have signed an agreement to designate Cupcake Gourmet, Inc. as the official cupcake supplier of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the New York Islanders Hockey Club.

“To be the official cupcake supplier of the Islanders and Nassau Coliseum is huge to me,” Amy Brady, Owner of Cupcake Gourmet, Inc. said. “I fell in love with the team when I moved to Long Island 15 years ago and to be a part of their world feels great.”

Justin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships & Marketing for the Islanders said: “We are thrilled to launch this partnership with Amy and Cupcake Gourmet as we continually enhance the everyday menu board for our fans.”

The Huntington, N.Y.-based Cupcake Gourmet company will sell cupcakes designed with the Islanders’ logo and traditional orange, white and blue colors during all 2010-11 home games. The cupcakes will become available at all entertainment events at the Coliseum, beginning August 18 with The Wiggles: Wiggly Circus.

You can read some more over on the Islanders website, however I must disappoint as you won’t be eating a cupcake with Joel Rechlicz’s image on it anytime soon….

Boy has it been a while since I have seen some live hockey, well – not really all too long but I never would’ve imagined I would be getting ready to head to the Coliseum on a steamy July evening.

Tonight the Islanders prospects are taking part in a scrimmage amongst themselves – followed by a skills competition. It’s a showcase of talents of sorts and a way to present the future Islanders to their beloved and hockey crazed fans.

I am not entirely sure of the setup, we may be in an area of the arena or we may even be up in the pressbox. The physical location of the Blog Box no longer exists, the format will be a bit different this upcoming season then in years past – so keep tabs tonight both here on my blog and on my Twitter feed for updates one way or another.

I am extremely excited to see Niederreiter, Kabanov and Petrov skate with some of the other Islanders prospects. It should be a great night – so stay tuned.

The deal is a two year contract at $2.5 million a year.

You can add Milan Jurcina and PA Parenteau to the list, as both were signed to one year deals a few minutes ago.

Islanders have just signed tough guy Zenon Konopka, formerly of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He replaces recently departed enforcer Tim Jackman.

More to come!

If you are noticing some players missing off of that list, you’re not mistaken – as several players remain, unsigned. If you have not figured it out just yet, they are: Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini.

It’s no secret that those two players who have not been tendered qualifying offers, have how do you say – struggled, under head coach Scott Gordon, so they may have played their respective last games in Islanders orange and blue.

What is a qualifying offer you ask?

Per the Islanders website:

Qualifying offers are tendered to players who are no longer on their entry-level deals but do not qualify as un-restricted free agents, making them restricted free agents. Teams must extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents to retain their negotiating rights and have the right of first refusal.

As of Thursday, July 1, those players who have received qualifying offers will have until Thursday, July 15 to accept. The deadline for players to elect to go to salary arbitration is Monday, July 5. If a player rejects the qualifying offer, but does not elect to go to salary arbitration, the Islanders will still retain their rights until and agreement is made or they become eligible for unrestricted free-agency.

The NHL club can also elect to take a player to salary arbitration and the deadline for club arbitration is Tuesday, July 6.

Salary arbitration hearing take place starting on Tuesday, July 20 with the final date set for Wednesday, August 4.

While we are talkin’ contract – there are several Islanders who will reach unrestricted free agency July 1st: Martin Biron, Freddy Meyer, Jon Sim, Richard Park, and Tim Jackman. Many of which, may also find themselves in a different uniform come next week.

Stay Tuned folks, this is where the off season gets really fun!

DeHart is currently with the Oshawa Generals and is 6′2″ and 202lbs.

Jason Clark is a 6′2″ 182lb forward with a left handed shot. Last season he played for Shattuck-St Mary’s HS in Minnesota and has trained with fellow Minnesotan Kyle Okposo. In 54 games this season, Clark had 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points.

Clark has committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next season.

Clark, according to Kyle Woodlief, of Red Line Report:

“He’s got the size and the tools – good hands and scoring touch – that NHL teams are looking for,” “He just hasn’t put it all together. He needs more intensity and drive.”

“He’s very effective when he plays a physical game”

Woodlief also notes that Clark is more of a shooter, then a playmaker.

It’s a similar situation to Kirill Petrov in that should Kabanov pan out, it’s a great pick – but it differs in that he is already playing in North America (Moncton Wildcats) and the Islanders do not have to wait for a KHL contract to expire. It’s also a safer pick in the third round then it would’ve been earlier in the draft.

However, all reports on Kabanov indicate he is a bit of a wild child and could become quite a distraction if he isn’t reeled in.

In 22 games with the Wildcats, Kabanov had 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points.

For a great read on Kirill Kabanov, head on over to Puck Daddy – where you can also see one of the photos I had taken featured front and center.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today at the draft we have a rapid fire round of selections, from round two to round seven. There are no photo ops, no long winded introductions, just pick after pick, after well – pick.

The Islanders have no selections here in the second round (for now) and we are currently at pick number 55 – so they may not elect to move up.

Picks remaining:

• Round 3 – 65th overall and 82nd overall
• Round 4 – 95th overall
• Round 5 – 125th overall
• Round 6 – 155th overall and 160th overall (acquired via trade with NY Rangers for Jyri Niemi)
• Round 7 – 185th overall

Should be an interesting morning.

Some info on Nelson, according to Hockey’s Future:

2009-10: Played for Warroad High School in Minnesota. In 31 games for Warroad, Nelson scored 53 goals and added 42 assists for 95 points. He finished with a +55 rating on the season. Nelson was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award as Minnesota’s top high school hockey player. Nelson is the nephew of former NHL player and 1980 Team USA member Dave Christian.

Nelson is committed to play for the University of North Dakota next year.

Here is a photo of Brock Nelson on the phone with Kyle Okposo, a fellow Minnesota resident.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Islanders select Nino Niederreiter with the 5th overall selection

By being selected fifth overall, Niederreiter has been drafted highest of any Swiss player ever. The closest was Michel Riesen at 14th overall in 1997.

The addition of Niederreiter to an already stocked farm system means that the Islanders are that much closer to competing at a level they hope they can. The last few years have given them some top tier talent and enabled them an entire crop of home grown players. That’s a great feeling.

Here is my view of the Draft Floor

Summer is here, the Stanley Cup has been raised high and teams have settled in for a much deserved summer break. That only means one thing, it’s Entry Draft time!

For the third year in a row, I have made the journey to cover the NHL draft live from the event. At the time of this writing, I am halfway across the great American Frontier on my way to Los Angeles, California. I imagine the scene here in the US will differ slightly from what I experienced in Ottawa and Montreal—being they reside in hockey’s hotbed, also known as Canada. However, I am sure the scene here in Los Angeles will be a party full of hardcore fans none-the-less.

People in my life, friends, and family—all think I am crazy for spending as much time and money covering the game of hockey. To me it’s not crazy, it’s a privilege as I get to experience the game I love on a level not many are fortunate enough to experience.

Attending the draft is a special experience, as someone who has played the game of hockey my entire life, I can appreciate the time and effort these young men, and more importantly—their parents, dedicate to the sport. It’s a wild perspective to sit in and bear witness on draft day.

What makes the planning, expense, vacation time, and especially the writing all worthwhile, is watching these young players realize their dreams of becoming professional hockey players has become reality. It’s a magical feeling watching lives change, in a positive way, right before your very eyes.

Another benefit of attending the draft and covering the New York Islanders, I get to watch the young players whom are selected by the team, grow and progress through their young careers witnessing maturation into both men and world class athletes.

Perhaps, in some small way I am living the dream through these players—vicariously if you will. Beyond the obvious difference in talent, players of any level share a common bond for the love of the game. Be it the pro level, or your average Men’s league player—we all willingly play a sport that takes a toll out on our bodies and continue to play for as long as we can.

This is why I go through the lengths that I do to cover the sport, I may only be a blogger who isn’t a writer by day—but I do it for the love of the game and nothing else.

Just checking in here LIVE from Los Angeles, California – well from my hotel room at least. I’ve been doing some last minute research here and there to be prepared for the first round of the draft later on this afternoon. I wanted to put up a sticky post for you all following at home today with the draft selections. I will update it should any changes occur (and I am sure they will):

• Round 1 – 5th overall
• Round 2 – 35th overall and 58th overall (acquired via San Jose in trade with Ottawa for Andy Sutton)
• Round 3 – 65th overall and 82nd overall
• Round 4 – 95th overall
• Round 5 – 125th overall
• Round 6 – 155th overall and 160th overall (acquired via trade with NY Rangers for Jyri Niemi)
• Round 7 – 185th overall

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and over at Bleacher Report all weekend as I will be writing all over the place on the draft!

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up if they have not already heard, but the New York Islanders are looking for a few more bloggers for the Blog Box this season! They will be hosting auditions during the Draft Party at the Coliseum tomorrow. If you have an established blog and want to enjoy the same access to the team as some of the other Islanders blogs, I suggest you get over there tomorrow and give this a shot.

Here are some details:

The New York Islanders, for the last three years, have granted unprecedented access to Islanders bloggers, allowing them to cover the team.

Talk about cool, right?

Well this season, the Islanders are looking to create an even better Blog Box and are looking to add three established bloggers. If you would like to be one of the newest Isles bloggers, auditions will be held at the 2010 Islanders Draft Party on Friday, June 25 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The selected bloggers will then be interviewed by the Islanders communications staff and the winners will be notified.

We are looking for you, so come on out to the 2010 Draft Party and show us what you can do!

Contact Katrina Doell at Katrina.Doell@NewYorkIslanders.com for more information.

After submitting the following information, you will be contacted by Islanders Communications staff with further instructions on attending the Draft Party.

The Blog Box is sponsored by Farmingdale State College

For more information, head on over to the Islanders website to fill out the form in order to try out.

No, unfortunately it’s not – but we are closer to September which also means we are that much closer to the start of pre-season hockey!!

The Islanders are set to play in five games in the 2010 preseason:

• Wednesday, September 29th – Split squad game at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, SASK against the Calgary Flames. The second game is to be played at the Wachovia Center against the Philadelphia Flyers. Each game starts at 7pm local times.
• Friday, October 1st – the Islanders take on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Game starts at 7pm.
• Saturday October 2nd – another set of split squad games, one half of the team will play the New Jersey Devils at the Coliseum and the other half will take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City. Each of those games also starts at 7pm

Not the greatest schedule in the world with the split squad games, especially a split squad game in their only home appearance – but what can you do?

The full schedule for the 2010-2011 Islanders season is set to be released tomorrow.

For more information, visit the Islanders Website