Peter Mannino News

Before their final practice of the day, the New York Islanders sent out a request to the staff at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon - they needed a third net on the ice.

It was hard to tell which of the teams taking the United Center ice Sunday was the one with the worst record in the NHL and a goaltender making his first career start.

Rick DiPietro is the owner of the largest contract ever awarded to a single player in NHL history, and to a goalie no-less. An immense 15 year contract he can call his own.

Most readers of my work will tell you that the main focus of my writing is centered around the Boston Bruins' organization.

Year 9 of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers-Hartford Wolf Pack rivalry begins this fall.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski, unrestricted free agent forward Jason Krog, and unrestricted free agent goaltenders Drew MacIntyre and Peter Mannino, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

NHL free agency opens Wednesday, and the New York Islanders maintained the right of first refusal Monday on several players who were Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season.

One day after filling the franchise-player need with John Tavares, the Islanders ignored their need for size and toughness to concentrate on the more pressing problem of developing a goaltender safety net in case Rick DiPietro 's multiple knee operations lead to a crisis in the crease.