July Follies...

It is that time of year again. The skies in Canada will be full of fireworks and hockey fans will be dreaming of the next big scoring center, bruising D-man, and managers, well, they will simply lose their proverbial minds.

Yes, free-agency season is upon us all, and I am buckling up for what promises to be an interesting 2009 off-season, not necessarily a busy one. I am looking at this off-season a little differently than most prognosticators, in regards to my favourite team. Most have stated that the Isles will not make any significant signing come July 1, as has been re-iterated by Garth Snow. There is no debating the fact that the New York Islanders will have to over pay to attract anyone, those disagreeing with that are living in a bubble, and yes, that is ok too.

Having said all that, the Isles are significantly below the salary cap floor for the upcoming season and so I believe that the team has no choice but to be active starting tomorrow. They will be looking for a goalie, at least one D-man and a bruising winger that can drop the gloves (I smell Chris Neil).

I can only hope that Tambellini and Sim will disappear within the team’s farm system come October and maybe one of those managers that will undoubtedly loose their minds within 24 hours, will want to trade for one of them (no, I am not on meds), but that will never happen. There is no disputing the fact that the Islanders have roughly $10 million to make up in order to reach the floor of the cap and signing RFA’s Comeau, Thompson and Hillen, will not come anywhere near the amount needed.

It is ok for us all to dream of major signings… that is what hope is all about… but let’s get real.