Islanders News: Beginner's Luck; Ho-Sang's memories; Sorry, Ovi; Seattle and Quebec

I am sleepy. I bet I'm not the only one. But perk up, folks: real ice hockey occurred last night, and it actually had an exciting finish.

Islanders News

• Yes that's right, the Islanders rookies managed to overcome those of the Flyers with a 4-3 OT win - after having been down 3-1 with five minutes to go. Our Sebastian Aho tied it up, and Mitchell Vande Sompel finished the deed. [Sound Tigers]
• Josh Ho-Sang returned to Nassau Coliseum, the site of the punishment that ended his training camp a couple years ago.
• There are many questions facing the Isles as they enter training camp; here are five of them. [Newsday]
• Elliotte Friedman reiterates what he's said for the past couple months: John Tavares's preference is to stay with the Isles, and the only thing really holding him back (speculatively) is the arena.
• CarterHud previews the Islanders for the upcoming season, and arguably puts together a better lineup with the current group of players than the actual coaches do. Does he think they make the playoffs?!?! Find out after these messages.
• Back to rookie camp: Devon Toews and Michael Dal Colle join the Schwartz on Sports podcast.
• Nick Leddy is No. 10 on Japers' Rink's rankings of the top 10 defenseman in the Metropolitan Division. I remember being far more outraged over this list in the past, and I was not this time, so progress. Or I don't care. Either way.
• Former Isles goalie prospect Stephon Williams's favorite band is Heart, and now he gets to sing "Barracuda" and have a meaning for it - the San Jose Barracuda have welcomed him aboard. "Ooooh, barracuda." (Not sure if he actually likes Heart.)
• The Islanders Children's Foundation was the big winner of the Isles golf outing, raising over $195 thousand dollars. [Islanders]

Around the Sticks

• Even the Russian hockey president, Vladislav Tretiak, knows that Alex Ovechkin will not be able to come to the Olympics, and he must accept his fate.
• Speaking of the Olympics, ESPN asked players from around the league, and surprise! They all want the NHL to go. They also have other ideas how to improve the game.
• The Colorado Avalanche will be retiring Milan Hejduk's No. 23 this season, a well-deserved honor for the long-time Av.
• A review of NHL18, which, like most previous in the series, has changed very little from its previous incarnations.
• The Devils of the AHL are now in Binghamton, taking the place of the minor league Senators. Here is the beginning of their tale. [New York Hockey Journal]
• Seattle looks poised for an NHL team, but what of Quebec City, the other long-rumored expansion/relocation candidate?