Garth Snow Makes First Cuts as Camp Heads to New York & Connecticut

Newsday: Greg Logan has more from Scott Gordon on the club's system and how the forecheck can generate chances. He also felt his club caught a tired Florida team playing its fifth game in six days while Frans Nielsen also has a few words on how this system benefits him.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog the Sound Tigers met Sunday night to settle paperwork and get acquainted with the list set for Monday's skate as Bridgeport camp opens.

Here is the early list:
"Team DiPietro," 10 a.m.- G: Nathan Lawson, Mike Mole. D: Andy Sertich, Dustin Kohn, Jamie Fraser, John Gleed, Reagan Leslie. F: Jason Pitton, Vladimir Nikiforov, Mike Walsh, Tyler Haskins, Rob Hennigar, James Sixsmith, Jesse Joensuu, Pascal Morency, Tom May.

"Team Hunter," 11:15 - G: Peter Mannino, A.J. Bucchino. D: Mark Wotton, Andrew MacDonald, Jordan Hart, Russ Moyer. F: Trevor Smith, Marc Rechlicz, Kazuma Takahashi, Kurtis McLean, Jean Bourbeau, Sean Bentivoglio, Joel Rechlicz.

Mr. Fornabaio also reports Michael Haley is with Bridgeport with a wrapped hand from his fights. Tomas Marcinko is also supposedly with Bridgeport or coming while Joe Callahan is on waivers.

Somewhat surprising Rob Hennigar did not make it to New York because he is a little older. Jeremy Colliton apparently will last a little longer with Scott Gordon and some depth defenders. Unsigned Sugden vs. signed Tim Jackman head to New York while Joel Rechlicz heads to Bridgeport with his three year contract.

Peter Mannino did not make it to New York while Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis did.

And who the heck is Kazuma Takahashi for those scoring at home? No, not a sumo wrestler turned goaltender which might be a plan if anymore goaltenders become injured.

Kazuma Takahashi (born 1978) after having played a few seasons professionals in Asia, was with the Renegades of Richmond in the Southern Professional Hockey League in the 2006-07 before joining the Grizzlies.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a late blog update with the list of players cut which did not include Mike Iggulden who suffered an injury in Saturday night’s 4-2 win over Florida or he likely would have been on the list also. Mr. Logan also believes Ben Walter, Tomas Marcinko, and defenseman Joe Callahan were placed on waivers for the purpose of assigning them to Bridgeport.

This is Mr. Logan's list:
The Islanders’ current 31-man roster breakdown:

Forwards
Jon Sim, Doug Weight, Kyle Okposo
Blake Comeau, Josh Bailey, Mike Comrie
Jeff Tambellini, Frans Nielsen, Trent Hunter
Sean Bergenheim, Richard Park, Andy Hilbert
Mitch Fritz, Jeremy Colliton, Tim Jackman
Brandon Sugden

Defense
Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek
Andy Sutton, Freddy Meyer
Mark Streit, Bruno Gervais
Jack Hillen, Chris Lee
Brett Skinner

Goaltenders
Joey MacDonald
Yann Danis

Injured list – G Rick DiPietro, RW Bill Guerin, D Chris Campoli, C Mike Sillinger.

NYI Fan Central Comments:

I was not aware Marcinko had to clear waivers at his age?

So about eight, nine, or ten roster cuts coming depending on how many Garth Snow decides to carry.

Absolutely one goaltender between Danis/MacDonald when DiPietro is ready.

Likely Lee, Skinner, and Hillen on defense to bring the defense to seven when Campoli is activated.

At least two of three among Fritz, Jackman, or Sugden in the enforcer department and perhaps all three.

And then what seems the toughest calls:
Bailey, Colliton, Hilbert, and maybe Nielsen along with Iggulden. A lot of this also comes down to when Sillinger and Guerin can play. No absolute lock Richard Park keeps his spot if a young winger out produces him here.

Ben Walter did not make Mr. Fornabaio or Mr. Logan's list so for now he's in limbo.