Islanders Bits: Brian Rolston Waived, David Ullstrom Up. Youth: Engage.

The Islanders met today before a four-game road trip at some tough opponents, with news of a significant roster move: Brian Rolston has finally been placed on waivers, and David Ullstrom -- who had a nice debut in mid-winter before receiving a concussion -- has been recalled from Bridgeport. Don't forget Sunday's game in Ottawa is a late afternoon affair.

Arthur Staple at Newsday says there might actually be interest in Rolston:

Despite his poor season so far, don't be surprised if Brian Rolston gets claimed. #Isles had a couple calls inquiring this week.

Jack Capuano spoke respectfully of Rolston, whose aging legs could never pull it together this year:

I haven’t had the chance to talk to Brian," Capuano said. "He’s had a tremendous career and I respect him a great deal. He’s show tremendous leadership for us. I know he wasn’t where he wanted to be statistically but at the same time as a coach, you can’t lose sight of the career that he’s had and what he’s helped us through this year."

Sounds like Josh Bailey's back isn't better yet, so expect some more of Casey Cizikas. Youth movement, engage.

So we've reached the fourth quarter with a much-needed two points taken from the Rangers. (Well, a bonus point taken, anyway.) Aaron Ness already returned to Bridgeport after a nice debut. Will the turn to youth affect any old veterans on the blueline?

Here's the latest on Dylan Reese:

Capuano says Reese not quite ready yet and he will not make the eight day four game road trip when the team leaves for Ottawa today.

This is just a guess, but I doubt any of the blueline vets gets waived like Rolston. But if one is dumped that way or via trade, there will be bodies returning to health at both levels, from Mark Katic and Calvin de Haan at Bridgeport to Reese, eventually, in the NHL.

To the waiver point, Michael Fornabaio notes that because of AHL rules, without going on waivers himself Reese is probably on the NHL roster to stay for the rest of the year.

Also from Fornabaio: "ECHL transactions say F Marc-Olivier Vallerand loaned from Greenville to Sound Tigers."

Rangers-Isles Post-Game Coverage

• Chris' recap of last night is here.
• At Newsday Staple had Evgeni Nabokov saying the puck management was not where it needed to be. | He also had Cizikas on his NHL debut | Jeansonne had the Isles on getting up for the Rangers, and the Rangers on dealing with the swirling trade speculation. | Zipay has the Smurfs sloppy and "slipping."
  
• Even without Sean Avery, the Rangers called themselves "sloppy." [ESPN] The Isles called the game "intense" [official site] Blueshirt Banter called it "sloppy" as well. | The Post had Brooks talking of acquiring a defenseman or a forward or something.
• The Daily News covered the Rangers' third loss in four, as well as P.A. Parenteau scoring against his old team (and Nabokov admitting "feeling it" a bit after returning from the flu).
• The Times starts with Torotorella raging about the officials, which is an all too familiar feeling around the NHL.
  

Speaking of that crazy "throwing the stick" penalty on Michael Del Zotto last night, after he swept Dan [er, Brian] Boyle's loose stick back to him: That reminded me of when I was called in men's league hockey on a similar penalty before (and had a similarly stunned reaction). In my case I was moving a broken stick out of the zone -- something you'd think was both safe and smart -- when the official educated me on arcane corners of hockey's rulebook. Of all the judgment calls in the rulebook, you'd think that one might allow for some discretion.

Elsewhere

• Marek Zidlicky is now a New Jersey Devil.
• Wojtek Wolski is now a Florida Panther.
  
• Mick Vukota is returning to the ice ... in the Federal League.
• Trade rumors: Believe it or not, TSN reports discussions about several old goaltenders, including Dwayne Roloson and Nikolai Khabibulin (who still has a year left on the contract he signed when Roloson signed with the Isles).

Remember, Sunday in Ottawa is a 5 p.m. EST start. The Isles remain tied for 12th in the East, six points and many teams behind the eighth-place Panthers.