The Long Island Press reports a source claims NY Islanders owner Charles Wang has walked away from his ambitious Lighthouse Project, his attempt at getting the township of Hempstead to aid in financing the construction give him zoning approval for a new arena complex. 

Newsday however reports of silence from the Islanders organization regarding the project, and cited a source close to the project developer that the deal might not be dead. 

Although recent polls indicate a majority of Long Islanders support the project the town has been dragging its feet for some time in green-lighting the project, which has also resulted in contentious negotiations between the Wang group and the town. 

It remains to be seen if the project is dead but Wang has not been shy over his

As the start of the NHL's 2009-10 season fast approaches several teams have made some late pre-season additions. 

-The most significant is the Atlanta Thrashers signing former Buffalo Sabres winger Maxim Afinogenov to a one-year, $800K contract. 

Afinogenov, 30, made the Thrashers after receiving a tryout offer from the club earlier in September. 

Not a bad move by the Thrashers to take a chance on Afinogenov, who was former 73 point performer in 2005-06 with the Buffalo Sabres and had 61 points in 56 games in 2006-07. 

Afinogenov however was hampered by injuries and was never really the same following a season-shortening wrist injury in 2007. His point production fell dramatically over the past two seasons with the Sabres as did his ice time. 

If Afinogenov

The battle between the NHL and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie over the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes has garnered considerable headlines over the past several months and is expected to be resolved by a bankruptcy court judge within the next two weeks.

If the judge rules in favor of Balsillie, who last week increased his bid to an eye-popping $242.5 million – far more than the franchise is worth –it could set in motion a legal challenge by the NHL to prevent him from moving the Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario either this season or next.

If however the ruling goes in favor of the NHL, the league might be stuck with a money-losing franchise it might be unable to find a new owner for which it might have to eventually consider relocating anyway.

All of this is because the

After seventeen NHL season split amongst twelve teams veteran NHL center Mike Sillinger today officially announced his retirement.

Sillinger, 38, played for the Detroit Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and the NY Islanders in a career that started back in 1990-91. 

According to Wikipedia Sillinger only played full seasons with four of those teams (Detroit, Vancouver, Columbus and the Islanders) during his much-travelled career. 

Those twelve NHL teams represents a record for the most teams played for by an NHL player, plus was traded a record nine times, earning him the nickname "Suitcase". 

It's

Received the following from Paul Kreischer, "Islanders Blogger" regarding the long-awaited public meeting on the Lighthouse Project, who was hoping I'd pass this information along for Islanders fans interested in attending who are concerned about the future of their franchise. 

The information comes courtesy of "The Lighthouse at Long Island":

Lighthouse supporters, we need you. The long awaited public hearing has been scheduled by the Town of Hempstead, and Tuesday, August 4, 2009 is the day we've all been waiting for. The meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. at the John Cranston Adams Playhouse on the campus of Hofstra University.

The public hearing is the time you need to let your voice be heard. Please make an effort to be a part of history in the making.

The New York Islanders added further insurance to their goaltending depth by signing former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Martin Biron to a one-year, $1.4 million contract. 

As reported by the New York Post, this signing means the Islanders don't have to rush back oft-injured starter Rick DiPietro, whom they do expect to attend training camp in Saskatoon in September. 

After struggling through last season with two backups after DiPietro missed most of last season to injury, Islanders general manager Garth Snow is ensuring his club won't face the same prospect again. 

Having already signed veteran Dwayne Roloson earlier this month, bringing in Biron not only give him valuable depth should DiPietro need more time to regain his form or become sidelined again by injury, but