The Islanders preseason roster has whittled its way down to just a few extras and likely cuts, and another line shuffle ahead of Monday night’s preseason match with the Rangers in Elmont.
The open questions remain around where or if some newcomers will fit — Max Shabanov, Calum Ritchie, Emil Heineman — and what the opening blueline pairings will be.
Also, a periodic reminder that Marcus Hogberg is still in the fold.
Islanders News
- New lines for Sunday, with the fifth line a mash of folks. [Isles | THN]
- Previewing tonight (posted before the night’s lineup was). [Isles]
- Here are the nine guys assigned or “loaned” to Bridgeport to get to the current group. [Isles]
- Patrick Roy would like the guys to have fun. [Newsday]
- R.I.P. Ron Waske, trainer during the dynasty era. [Post]
Checking in on Noah Dobson: It’s wild (but not Wild) that his offseason departure fork
in the road seemed to come down to Montreal or Columbus, because there could not be two more different landing places, attention-wise. Hence, just two preseason games in you get a few Montreal talking heads (thankfully someone else watched Pierre McGuire so you didn’t have to) wondering about his “compete” in the defensive zone, “lack of intensity” and his lack of “presence” overall. “He should not be making the same defensive mistakes seven years into his career.” [Eyes on Isles]
Elsewhere
- Why eight Eastern outsiders (even the Sabres!) could return to the playoffs: For the Isles…it’s a healthy Mat Barzal, basically. [NHL]
- League rumblings include Andrei Vasilveskiy still not skating for the Lightning this preseason. [TSN]
- How will the Leafs live without Mitch Marner? [Sportsnet]
- Take a rebound UFA off next summer’s market: The rejuvenated Cam Fowler gets a three-year deal at age 33. [Sportsnet]
- It’s hard to shake the Stench of Ranger: Kaapo Kakko will miss six weeks with a broken hand. [ESPN]
- Almost as if to justify their long-term commitment to him, the Oilers are putting Trent Frederic next to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. [Sportsnet]
- The Leafs have old friend James Reimer in on a PTO but they also extended Anthony Stolarz for four years. [TSN]
- Marc-Andre Fleury got an emotional sendoff in a preseason shootout with the Penguins. People sure do love that guy, almost as much as Kyle Okposo enjoyed shooting on him. [ESPN]
