[Bits] Cammarata impresses, Carkner reflects, Coyotes sold, R.I.P. Shawn Burr

We probably didn't close the loop here last week on Lubomir Visnovsky, but safe to say his back/disc issue is one he's dealt with for years, so it's not a concern that he missed Slovakia's Olympic orientation camp. The real question for Islanders fans is whether he'll play in the Olympics rather than rest.

In a recent Slovakian interview, he leaves that question open, depending on how he's playing in the NHL when the Olympics roll around. Even via the mesmerizing Google Translate version, you can see Visnovsky has high hopes for the Islanders, has enjoyed the family-friendly environment of Long Island (but still likes California), and still thinks of Slovan Bratislava.

More Isles Stuff

• Taylor Cammarata put up some points in the U.S. WJC camp win over Finland. He also survived today's cuts.
  
• From the weekend (and maybe in a previous Bits post): Matt Carkner on his summer, fighting through injuries.
• In case you missed our sendup yesterday, here is Colin McDonald's Q&A with NEHJ.
• Dee Karl on the Isles D. [Dead link, apparently. Move along.]
  
• Every once in a while it's good to look at the Islanders player usage chart as a reminder of how the guys at the extremes were deployed. Yes, including Reasoner.
• SO MANY D: Isles defense prospects to watch in 2013-14. [THW]
• Ex-fringe-Isles updates: Tim Wallace reportedly signs in Sweden; Jason Gregoire too.

Elsewhere

• Jeez, former NHLer Shawn Burr is dead at 47.
• There is an impostor Nystrom.
• The Flyers are doing their own version of Oil Change. Con: No Bryzgalov. Pros: Lots of Holmgrem, surely.
  
• Steve Sullivan may be hanging them up. Always remember him for this karma night in Colorado.
• Goodbye Chad LaRose...probably? Where are you?
• No seriously, it's over: The Coyotes have been sold.
• Via metro's fanshot, the latest look at goals that come after fights.
• Lundqvist had to shrink his pads a little, I guess? [Instagram]
  
• A cartoon on narratives and physics and karma and pain and joy in watching hockey.
  
• This Stu Hackel piece is a nice overview of realignment along with faithful memories of how many of us saw the divisional "styles" in the lengthy Patrick/Adams-Norris/Smythe era.

Retro Video: Isles beat Rangers in OT of Game 3, 1982