On the Islanders Beat

Jones Beach seems like a strange place to get a hockey fix, but Islanders center Josh Bailey is scheduled to be available for a marathon four-hour autograph session and meet-and-greet with fans before the big Fourth of July fireworks display tonight. Only in hockey are professional athletes this accessible to the public, although beach duty for a 19-year-old guy isn't so bad.

As sponsors of the fireworks, the Islanders will have a display near Field 4 on the boardwalk. Bailey will be available there from 5-9 p.m.

There was no action for the Islanders on the NHL free agency front today, but they added two AHL veterans, who are ticketed for Bridgeport. Forward Greg Mauldin and defenseman Mark Flood agreed to terms.

The 27-year-old Mauldin spent the past two seasons at AHL Binghamton, totaling 24 goals, 27 assists and 51 points last season. The 5-10, 181-pounder plays center and right wing and is considered a good penalty killer with some speed.

Flood, 24, is a 6-1, 190-pounder with a right-hand shot and is a smart puck-mover. He has three AHL seasons under his belt. Last season in Albany, he had 6 goals and 25 assists for 31 points.

Islanders fans will have their first opportunity to see No. 1 draft pick John Tavares on the ice when the team holds an open workout Sunday, July 12 at Iceworks in Syosset. All other practices during the team's prospects mini-camp from July 9-15 are closed to the public.

Doors open at 10:45 a.m. for the open workout, and fans are encouraged to arrive early because admission will be on a first come, first served basis. Additional parking is available at the nearby Syosset LIRR station. Islanders mascot, Sparky the Dragon, will be on hand, as will the Ice Girls.

In free agent news, there is no more from the Islanders today.

Just posted by TSN: defenseman Rob Scuderi of Syosset is leaving Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh to sign with the Los Angeles Kings. After his stellar playoff performance, especially in the Finals against Detroit, Scuderi received a four-year deal worth $13.6 million, and average of $3.4 million per season. Had the Islanders been willing to spend that much on Scuderi, his annual salary would have been second among Islanders defensemen to Mark Streit's $4.1 million salary. Congratulations to Scuderi.

Rumors that Pittsburgh might trade former Islanders enforcer Eric Godard are just that. Michael Wulkan, Godard's agent, said the club assured him today that Goadard isn't going anywhere, and Penguins coach Dan Bylsma called Godard directly yesterday to tell him he remains in their plans.

"We have heard there is absolutely no truth to that rumor," Wulkan said.

Godard was available last summer as a free agent and signed a three-year deal with the Pens. He received no offer from the Islanders. Not only did Godard share in the Penguins' Stanley Cup victory, but he just bought a home in Pittsburgh, where he hopes to remain.

The Penguins signed tough guy Mike Rupp yesterday, but referring to Philadelphia's recent trade for Chris Pronger, Wulkan said, "The Flyers are loading up. Pittsburgh won't go with just Mike Rupp."

Last season, Islanders general manager Garth Snow kept his tough guys at AHL Bridgeport and called them up on an "as needed" basis. They might be needed a lot more this coming season, but a couple of minor-league signings that were just announced seem to be in keeping with that philosophy.

Left wing Jeremy Reich is a 6-1, 196-pounder who is considered a good middleweight fighter. In 99 NHL games, he has 161 penalty minutes to go with two goals and four assists. Reich played for Islanders coach Scott Gordon in his first two seasons at AHL Providence. Last season, Reich showed a scoring touch with 21 goals and 13 assists in 76 games while serving as captain, so, he can play a little in addition to providing a level of toughness.

The Islanders also added 6-2, 215-pound defenseman Brett Westgarth, a stay-at-home type who will drop the gloves if necessary. He spent the past three seasons in the AHL with Worcester, a San Jose affiliate. Westgarth, a Princeton grad, had 137 PIMs along with two goals and seven assists last season.

Snow also signed another goaltender, Scott Munroe, who has been part of the Philadelphia organization the past four seasons and just got his first callup last year. Munroe was exceptional last season with a 31-19-0-4 record for the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms with a goals-against average of 2.46 and a .926 save percentage. He made 65 saves in a five-overtime playoff contest against Albany to win the longest game in AHL history. Essentially, Munroe is this season's Yann Danis, a likely starter at Bridgeport who would be called as the backup in case either Rick DiPietro or Dwayne Roloson is injured.

Stay tuned. The Islanders might have something else in the works today.

It seems pretty obvious to me why Isles GM Garth Snow didn't get in on Chris Neil. He just agreed to stay in Ottawa for four years at $2 million per year. That's serious money for a guy who plays a limited role.

Agreed it's a vital role, especially with the toughness of the Atlantic Division. But four years?

Of the candidates left out there, who would you like to see Snow go after, and how much in years and dollars are you willing to spend? Of the other enforcer types to sign today, Colton Orr matched the four years Neil received but for $1 million per season, and most everybody else got two years. Highest average salary besides Neil went to Steve Montador, who got $1.55 million for two years from Buffalo.