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Islanders News: "Undefeated" Preseason; Arena Uncertainty; Mourning Dave Strader

Also, I've got a lot to say about the Penguins going to the White House.

By Steven E. Smith

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The star of the show seems to have solidified his spot on Friday night in Columbus.
The star of the show seems to have solidified his spot on Friday night in Columbus.
John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

The last Monday morning before the season begins is chock full of bits. Folks, I am excited. It has been too long.

Also, look out for Episode 37 of Islanders Anxiety at some point this morning. It seems very anti-preseason, which I certainly don't disagree with.

Islanders News

  • The Isles are feeling good about themselves after having finished the preseason 6-0-2, capped off with yesterday's 5-2 win over the Flyers in Philly. Things got a little feisty, with Josh Ho-Sang coming into to protect his boy, Mathew Barzal. [Newsday | NHL.com | Islanders]
  • Arthur Staple's Twitter feed features some excellent quotes and insight into the opening night roster. Anthony Beauvillier, scorer of two goals last night, will almost certainly be playing. I like Ryan Pulock's chances, as well.
  • While the team might be feeling good, the organization's future is in limbo, at least geographically. And it's giving them a twilight zone aura.
  • They have a bid in for the Belmont site, but would it be the best fit for this team? [ESPN]
  • Regardless, it may almost certainly time to let go of the Islanders coming back to the Coliseum, barring a miracle. [Newsday Columns]
  • The Sound Tigers finished up their preseason slate the other night with a 7-1 whipping of the Hartford Wolf Pack. The game took place at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center in Worcester, MA, home of the ECHL affiliate Worcester Railers. Sort of but not really related: I was in Boston this weekend, and therefore drove through or past all three of Bridgeport, Hartford, and Worcester. So there you go. [Sound Tigers | Soundin' Off]
  • The Islanders-Sound Tigers-Railers affiliation provides a proximate and unique solution to player development, and Worcester welcomes back professional hockey after the AHL's westward expansion cost the city its affiliation with the Sharks. [CT Post]
  • The Sound Tigers, meanwhile, have trimmed their roster down to 25, sending a few more players to, you guessed it, Worcester.
  • David Quenneville assisted on a goal en route to the Medicine Hat Tigers 6-2 demolition of the Saskatoon Blades.
  • The Hockey Night in New York podcast returns with featured guests Joe Yerdon, Buffalo-based NHL.com correspondent, and our very own Brendan Burke.
  • The Isle Seat podcast is selling t-shirts, with all proceeds going towards aid to Puerto Rico. A great idea to be sure.

Elsewhere

  • The NHL and hockey world mourns the loss of broadcaster "The Voice" Dave Strader, who passed away from bile duct cancer at age 62 at his upstate home. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. [NHL.com | USA Today]
  • Strader was one of the best at what he did, having been a regular on national broadcasts on the NBC family of networks, and left a lasting impression on the teams he worked for throughout his career, including the Red Wings and, most recently, the Stars. [Red Wings statement | Stars statement]
  • Back in April, Strader was honored with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for excellence in hockey broadcasting, which came with a Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Overwhelmed, he looked forward to the ceremony on Nov. 13. Unfortunately, he won't be able to make it, but he will be forever commemorated in Toronto. [NHL.com]
  • Andrew Berkshire released his definitive rankings of the top 23 right wings in the NHL. The Isles' new guy comes in at 18, which is very solid. No. 7 is an old guy who may or may not be signing with the Flames (see below) and No. 6 is a stinger. [Sportsnet]

  • The Devils have signed professional tryout-er Jimmy Hayes to a contract following his solid training camp and preseason. [AATJ]
  • Shameless self-promotion time: I wrote about the Penguins decision to visit the White House and what it means for the NHL's culture. Ho-Sang and Joel Ward make appearances. Thank you all for reading and for your time. [Unbalanced]
  • The new Corsica is up and running, and thank heavens it is. Let's explore it with Russian Machine Never Breaks.

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