Islanders News: More Barzal, more Ho-Sang, Tavares on depth

There are enough New York Islanders-related articles to share today to make me think hockey...is really...back.

It’s been a long, playoff-less summer and I realize I’ve been largely vacant, but I look forward to sharing this season with all of you in what will be Lighthouse Hockey’s {gulp} tenth season.

Islanders Reading

• Delivering on a promise to continue and expand the Lighthouse Hockey Quality Initiative, we present Spizzwolf doing a “Play of the Day” on Mathew (Mat) Barzal’s goal the other night. As usual, the comments deliver too (albeit after a left-field “who’s the best Islander ever” squabble...you never know when that’s going to break out). [LHH]
• But wait, that’s not all! More Barzal love, as regards the power play. [Newsday]
• And if you act now, you’ll get a third Barzal piece at no further cost! [Isles]
• THIS MEANS HE’S HAPPY, RIGHT? HE’S HAPPY? Tavares says the Isles have depth “up and down the lineup,” which is...true, actually. [MSG Video]
• Weight discussing the next stage in Joshua Ho-Sang’s development. [Post]
• I’ve no idea why this article says among John Tavares and Anders Lee that Jordan Eberle “will have the distinct role as goal scorer,” but there are good notes on goalies and camp battles within. [Post]
• John Tavares: #19 on NHL Network’s Top 50. [NHL video]
• Josh Ho-Sang says he’s Canadian so it’s not really his issue, but he thinks it’s good players are uniting and speaking out about social issues. Don’t read the comments. [Newsday]
• It’s a long road for sixth-rounder Kyle Schempp, made tougher by a second shoulder surgery. But he’s back and ready to go. [CT Post]
• AHL veteran and son of the Avalanche Legend and One-Time Bruin, Ryan Bourque is grateful for the tryout with the Sound Tigers. [CT Post]
• More Sound Tigers (and former Sound Tigers) training camp notes. [Soundin’ Off]
• More evidence of Pat LaFontaine’s excellent charitable work. [NHL]

Not at all Islanders

• TSN’s poll rates McDavid just above Crosby, but the real issue here is whether #66 should be worn, and also ethics in gaming journalism. [TSN]
• This discussion of the Leafs’ top line, and Mike Babcock’s insistence on using a “I don’t really want the puck” guy on it, is interesting. [Leafs Hot Stove]
• Unsigned Jaromir Jagr will start with the Czech 2nd division Kladno team he owns this weekend. [Edmonton Journal]
• Jonathan Drouin is day to day with “a musculr thing.” [NHL]
• Mike [Expletive-bury] will fill in as NBC color man while Ed Olczyk recovers from colon cancer surgery, and in all honesty that may be a better role for him. [USA Today]