Islanders News: Into the great wide open

From the common mass tragedy of massacre in Vegas to the death of Tom Petty (just one man, with a long life, but who’d inspired so many), and the on-going misery in Puerto Rico, yesterday’s U.S. news was terrible on multiple fronts. Sorry to start off with this, but just want you to know our communal thoughts and sorrow are with you, however you’re affected.

[Speaking of which: This is a periodic reminder that, despite these many events, this forum really isn’t the place to spiral downward into politics. It’s understood it will occasionally come up, as an aside; but our patience for wheels-spinning arguments around it is thin.]

On the hockey front — which seems ridiculous to discuss in the same context (but that’s why this site is here) — we have a new season and a new roster just around the corner:

Into the great wide open
Under the skies so blue
Into the great wide open...

(The next line, you may connect to all kinds of part in Islanders history since 1994 or so...)

Islanders News

• The Islanders did it! They waived vets Steven Bernier and Stephen Gionta, keeping young players Mathew Barzal, Joshua Ho-Sang, Anthony Beauvillier and Ryan Pulock for the initial 23-man roster. When was the last time we didn’t have some vet to fume about? (No, moaning about Josh Bailey doesn’t invalidate this.) [Newsday | LHH]
• That will affect the Sound Tigers’ roster, of course. (Also: J-F Berube on waivers. Heh.) [Soundin’ Off]
• Casey Bailey has signed with the Sound Tigers, who are happy to have his offensive potential. [CT Post]
• Mike and Dan celebrate the season by happily ignoring the preseason in the first Islanders Anxiety podcast of 2017-18. [LHH and your media player of choice]
• Speaking of: Hear Garik16’s thoughts Thursday with a live videocast season preview. [LHH]
• Between home and road, the Islanders early schedule is much more balanced this season, though it features a lot of West competition. Their longest road trip is four games. [NYI Skinny]
• AKRF has bee selected as the environmental consultant for the Belmont development. [Newsday]
• On Mighty Ducks apparel leading one to become an Islanders fan, complete with strategic fatherly abandonment. [LHH Fanpost]
• Friday is the deadline for Torgo’s annual and awesome LHH Season Prediction contest. As with most things LHH, you are rewarded not with money or prizes but with total consciousness on your deathbed...which is nice. [LHH fanpost]
• Khan has thoughts and pictures. [LHH fanpost]

Isles humor from the beatwriter-in-chief:

Elsewhere

• Words on the Vegas tragedy from a hometowner. [Knights on Ice]
• The Flames have signed Jaromir Jagr. Thank Bossy some NHL team did. Hope that Western travel doesn’t mess with him. [M&G]
• After a long training camp holdout and reported trade request, Josh Anderson has come to terms with the Blue Jackets. [Cannon]
• The definitive ranking of the NHL’s top 23 defensemen. Why 23? Why not! [Sportsnet]
• Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson’s son Tage has made the Blues’ opening roster, and is expected to suit up for the opener Wednesday against the Penguins. [STLtoday] (Trigger warning: There is a mention of meetings. Trigger warning II: Chris Thorburn is on the roster.)
• All these youngsters making it...it’s a tough league: P.A. Parenteau is looking for work after being released from his PTO in Detroit, while Brandon Pirri suffered the same fate in Florida. [NBC]
• The outcome of the league inquiry into Joffrey Lupul’s physical is expected today...and it kind of affects the Maple Leafs’ cap situation. [Sportsnet]
• Anders Nilsson’s new mask for the Canucks is glitter-tastic. [InGoal Mag]