Islanders Gameday News: Cup talk (Gillies too), Okposo injury, Grabner speed, coaches' poll

Good morning! Hope you still have power, heat and something to eat amid the snowpocalypse. Since the "potentially historic" storm ended up being just a "storm" -- at least for the New York area, anyway -- expect tonight's game to be on as scheduled.

Islanders Reads

• If the weather threatens tonight's game, an announcement will come sometime. It would be rare, but so is this storm. [LHH]
• Of greater concern: Kyle Okposo is out 6-8 weeks with "upper body" of undisclosed details. [LHH | Newsday | Daily News | Post]
• Officially now: Both Okposo and Eric Boulton have been placed on IR. Lubomir Visnovsky, come on down.
• The Islanders talk about dealing with Okposo's injury, just when they feel the top line was gelling. [Isles] Check back later this morning for an analysis from Garik on why they needn't worry...at least not yet.
• A fantastic, winding interview with Clark Gillies featuring too many great lines to quote here. [THN]
• The Islanders' performance shows them to be Cup contenders, and the players believe [LHH]
• The Islanders' additions have made them Cup contenders, and the players believe [USA Today]
  
• Michael Grabner on loving the game, returning to health. [NHLPA]
• The latest practice update has big weekends from Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle. [Isles]
• NBC Sports has "flexed" the Isles back into the schedule for a March 14 game vs. the Canadiens. [Newsday]
• A TSN survey of 20 NHL coaches rates the Isles and Rangers (and their coaches) the best in the East. NEW YORK BUY-US. [TSN]
• Aaron Ness had an assist in the highest-scoring AHL All-Star Game in history. [Soundin' Off]
• FIG Picks: Assuming we have a game (or if it's bumped a day), leave your First Islanders Goal picks here.

It was an honor to represent @TheSoundTigers tonight. Many thanks to the fans in Utica and @TheAHL for making it possible #AHLAllStar

— Aaron Ness (@Aaron_Ness) January 27, 2015

Back at work, John Tavares and Jaroslav Halak talk about their busy weekend, and losing KO:

Beyond the Snow

• The Sabres suspended Nikita Zadorov after he showed up late post-ASG break. [Buff Hockey Beat]
• The Kings waived Mike Richards on account of that contract and him playing like he's 41. [NHL]
  
• The Devils waived Tim Sestito on account of him not being old enough. [Fire & Ice]
• The NHL suspended Zac Rinaldo eight games on account of him doing Zac Rinaldo things. [NHL]
  
• Crosby will return soon, Malkin won't. [NHL]
  
• Longtime THN writer Ken Campbell has become an idiot, willfully ignorant of what he thinks he's ranting about. Willhoft and Eyes on the Prize each go into his latest.
• Something about Barry Trotz and a tiger transfer in Columbus. [Deadspin]
  
• All-Star Wrap: 25 reasons to love the game. [Grantland]
• But the game is broken, so fix it. [Capitol District Islander]