Islanders News: Return to the Coliseum; OT win over Flyers; Demers in Arizona

Y'all, there was viewable Islanders hockey yesterday. I was traveling and missed the first two periods, but picked it up in the third and caught the John Tavares game-winner in OT. It was only a meaningless preseason game, but my hunger for hockey has picked right back up.

Islanders News

• As I said, the Islanders played a fun preseason game yesterday. I left a couple details out. For one, they played the Flyers, who were up 2-0 at one point. Another detail, the game was at NYCB Live (formerly the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum). There were quite a few reactions to yesterday's game, as you might imagine. [NHL recap | Islanders recap | Islanders on Rocking the Barn Again | Newsday on the playoff atmosphere and updates about the current arena situation]
• This game was a part of the NHL's Centennial Fan Arena, and there was a lot to see. Fans emphatically want them to return. [Islanders on sights and sounds | Newsday on desired return | NY Post on bitter nostalgia | NHL on Centennial Fan Arena | AP on fans' delight]
• It wasn't just the fans that enjoyed the spectacle; the players shared their memories of the Coliseum, as well. [NHL Video | Islanders]
• Oh, did you happen to catch the arena update part? Are you curious? Well, Jon Ledecky spoke to the media regarding the team's future. Open for a surprise! [LHH]
• Non-Coliseum Bit! Jaroslav Halak's new mask features homages to both his native land and adopted home. [NHL]
• Tavares and friends are disappointed about not playing in the Olympics. Me too, buddy. [Newsday]
• Fans are suing Barclays Center about dangerous cheap seats. [NY Post]

Around the League

• The Florida Panthers, in Dale Tallon's ornery quest to remake his team into their mediocre, non-analytic selves, have traded Jason Demers to the Coyotes for only Jamie McGinn. Hysterically bad, made even more laughable by the fact that Tallon initially had a deal nixed by Demers that would have sent him to the Canucks for Erik Gudbranson, analytic cast-off. [Five for Howling]
• Unfortunately, Dean Lombardi has resurfaced, joining former Kings AGM Ron Hextall in the Flyers front office.[BSH| Philly.com]
• Apparently, hockey in China is ready to explode. Always cool to see the game expand, with, hopefully, the assistance of the NHL. [Sportsnet | The Province]