I'm not going to say that NHL training camps around the corner, but today is Aug. 12. The months are about to become weeks.
New York Islanders Reads
- New Sabres assistant coach Bryan Trottier (man that sounds weird) discusses some old tales, including that infamous double-bird photo (right at the start), Al Arbour, plus Arbour's health (about 4:30 in), Trottier's history (and debates) with Ted Nolan, and why he loves working with young players. [Sabres]
- Joshua Ho-Sang returned to his roots to provide on-ice inspiration to the Skillz Black Aces, a youth hockey team that he played for over four summers. [Color of Hockey]
- MOAR ice buckets challenges! Doug Weight accepts the challenge, as does Kyle Okposo -- who later warned his recipients like Matt Moulson to remember to break up the ice first. [IslesTV]
- A collection of fan memories (including Kevin Connolly's) of Nassau Coliseum. [CBS NY]
- Yesterday we talked the secret behind Kyle Okposo's rebound, and Corey Pronman's Top 100 NHL Prospects (with seven Isles) [LHH]
- Going to an ugly sweater holiday party? $60 will get you this lovely Islanders version. [Clarktoys]
- Oh look, an SI story that says the Isles ownership is crazy for wanting a sale price above a Forbes valuation but the Panthers ownership is savvy for navigating that whole thing they have going on down there. [SI]
Worthy Things Involving Unworthy Teams
- On the Panthers situation, which has been a while coming given their location, arena deal and other variables: "the current business model is not sustainable." [THN]
- Dallas Eakins says the Oilers hired stats blogger Tyler Dellow "because he has a goddamn opinion," though also because he was getting offers from other teams too. [Globe and Mail]
- Nobody, flat out nobody is gonna beat Paul Bissonnette's ice bucket challenge production. Glaciers. Helicopter. Multiple camera angles. [SB Nation]
- Hot streaks lead to more ice time and opportunity, and other thoughts about Corsi measured in goals. [Hockey-Graphs]
- The latest in the defunct franchise series: Remembering the Montreal Maroons, who had a chance to rule that town. [SB Nation]
- Don Cherry's history of antagonism goes way back, here when he had words with Tom McVie. [Japers' Rink]
- Torey Krug or his people are pleased to use a rumored KHL offer in his negotiations with the Bruins, who have a lot of defensemen. [Puck Daddy]
- Patrick Kane isn't falling for your photo-with-a-rival-logo entrapment scheme. [oddlynamedsite]
Finally, not hockey at all, but further mourning: If you liked, and now miss, Robin Williams, this was a good podcast from 2010 (with an updated introduction) with Marc Maron.