Yesterday brought with it two big stories. The first being the Shea Weber arbitration hearing and the ridiculous contracts by both sides. Weber - $8.5M. (lol) Nashville - $4.75M (somehow more lol). It could be another day until we hear the arbiter's ruling, so don't hold your breath on this one.

The other big story was the defeat of a proposal in Nassau County to fund a new arena for the Islanders. Going by to the tune of 57% Against, 43% For. Possibly the saddest thing of all was the low voter turnout for the proposal. Of Nassau County's 900,000 registered voters, had an estimated 100,000 voter turnout. A paltry 11% at best. Word from the Island is that the team itself didn't contact voters urging for a Yes vote until an email was sent out at 8:30pm urging people to go and vote before the 9:00pm poll closure.

Forget for a second the fact that this team is losing money like it's going out of style, is owned by an incompetent in the field of proper asset management, and plays games in a dilapidated mausoleum with no alternative in sight. (All of which are good, valid reasons to sell and relocate the team.) Instead look at the poor voter turnout, the too-late email from the team, and the empty seats that outnumber fans at the games. The New York Islanders are awash in a sea of total apathy. Charles Wang should show some empathy and sell the struggling franchise to an owner and a city that will actually care for the hockey team. The storied franchise that is the New York Islanders deserves no less.

Just my two cents.

Your links after the jump

Muppet Versus Twitter

This round goes to Twitter.

Leafs Possession Numbers - Forwards

The 67 Sound crunches the numbers to see which forwards are controlling play.

The Nassau County Islanders Voting Card

Dirty Dangle does some sleuthing and uncovers this gem.

The Leafs Roster

Maple Leafs Digest with the most honest roster I've seen yet.

Puck Firmly in Shea Weber's Rink

With the current arbitration deal and new agents, Mirtle explains how Weber might be lining himself up for free agency in 2013.

That being said....

Shea Weber a Leaf? Sure, Why Not.

Mike and VLM would love the bearded wonder in blue and white.

Other NHL Team Grievances

In light of the Kings-Oilers kerfuffle, DGB reminds us of other grievances past.

Islanders May Have Suffered Biggest Loss

Mirtle with the story on how this could signal the beginning of the end of the team on Long Island.

NHL Set to Experiment With Some Rule Changes

Yes to elimination of the trapezoid, big NOs to everything else.

2011-12 TML: Trying to Answer the Questions

Lukas Hardonk ask and answers the big questions for the Leafs this season.

Canucks Kesler Undergoes Successful Knee Hip Surgery

What's with all these players having surgery so relatively late in the off-season? First Kane and Pronger, now Kesler? Want to know more about Kesler's injury? Check out the great injury blog Puck, That Hurts!

There are 65 days left until hockey.

From The Branches