What is the story about?
Holy
cow it’s September! The North American media tour and shortened training camps are still a few weeks away, but we are getting there. Close enough to revisit some offseason and lingering questions.
Of course, all Key Questions fall under the ultimate umbrella questions of 1) Can the Islanders make the playoffs? and 2) Will this season (and the summer decisions/non-decisions) advance their Darche rebuild?
Islanders News-ish
- Mat Barzal’s offseason: some travel, some charity, a Beauvillier wedding. [Isles]
- Single Malte Gustafsson will stay in Sweden to focus on his upcoming season with HV71 rather than come here for prospect or training camps. Fret not, this follows the Victor Eklund Plan rather than the Nino Plan. [THN]
- “Top 10 teams most likely to make the playoffs after missing last year.” With the Islanders at an optimistic #10. “With only $6.18 million in cap space heading into free agency this past summer, the team made no notable signings and lost Carson Soucy along with their former captain Anders Lee.” The Soucy “loss” is a curious choice of talking points in a target-rich environment. [Sportsnet]
Elsewhere
- We have a trade: The Devils sent a 1st and a 2nd-round pick from next summer to Nashville for Luke Evangelista. [NHL]
- Here’s a useful overview of things that have changed for the coming season. The most interesting or useful reminder may be the continued drop in average save percentage (.896!) from its .915 peak in 2015-16. Adjust your unending goalie debates accordingly. [Sportsnet]
- Here’s an update on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin this actually just quotes from Frank Saravalli on a radio show. [Sportsnet]
- And Don Waddell is “confident” the Blue Jackets will re-sign Adam Fantilli before training camp. [TSN]
- The best part of the presumptive awarding of an expansion franchise in Florida is that it has Houston advocating for why it’s totally better than Austin. (Can we get a “Road to the Draft”-type behind-the-scenes look at the jockeying?) [TSN]
- After an ACL injury limited him to 27 games last season for the Stars, Tyler Seguin is back on the ice. [NHL]
- “One player who has to deliver for each Pacific team.” In Edmonton, it’s Tristan Jarry…that’s not good. [Sportsnet]
