Islanders Bits: Time to power up; Hickey excited; Working in Aucoin

Like all teams, the New York Islanders are working on the fly to get a normal training camp -- and several new, unfamiliar bodies -- into a team structure within just one week.

In a nice sign, new acquisition Keith Aucoin was splitting duties with Marty Reasoner at 4C this morning, per Newsday's Arthur Staple and the team twitter. But what if they added a different center who's available at waiver wire prices?

• Talk of the powerplay: Making the Time Count [see see sidebar, including PP lines] | The PP didn't look so hot in the scrimmage; they hadn't gotten to that phase of camp yet. [New York Hockey Journal]
  
• On Thomas Hickey: Change of scenery? [official site] | Being claimed by the Isles was the "best news I've heard in a long time." [NY Hockey Journal] | Why didn't he make it with the Kings? [Quisp]
• Local hockey broadcasters talk about the Isles' move to Brooklyn [Newsday]
• Playoffs? Johnny T. talkin' about playoffs? [Post]
• UPDATED: Tavares on BBoomer & Carton, asking how he spent da monts and monts witaut hockey.
• How does this team get over the hump in the division? [IPB]
  
• This is how the gang at Japers' Rink saw new Islander Keith Aucoin at the end of last year. [Japers']
• A look at the Islanders' first 10 games. [THW]
  
• Nino Niederreiter and Matt Donovan are All-Stars. [Soundin' Off]
  

Non-Islanders

• By dumping Matthew Lombardi and waiving Tim Connolly, the Leafs are going with the Utes. [ESPN]
  
• Who will win the Cup, do you reckon? [Puck Daddy]
• These are impressive beards. [the Score]
• Nikolai Khabibulin is not good anymore. [Copper n Blue]

Still can't believe it all (finally) starts tomorrow, can you?