Islanders News: Draft grades, goalie chase...oh and Tavares

It’s Tuesday. San Jose and others will meet with John Tavares today.

Islanders Reading

• Yeah, everything is ridiculous with NFL-like absurdity in the coverage (seriously, TSN sent this guy to just hang out in the parking lot) of teams meeting with John Tavares. On Monday the Maple Leafs made a pitch, followed by the Islanders. I’d add more here, but Dan posted a comprehensive update in the Encyclopedia. Go there. [LHH]
• The Isles issued qualifying offers to Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson, Kyle Burroughs, Devon Toews, Ross Johnston...not to Brendan Davidson, Alan Quine or Shane Prince. [LHH | Soundin’ Off]
• Good news, in my book: The Islanders have reached out to free agent goalie Carter Hutton, and are among the teams interested in signing ol’ Calvin de Haan. I’ve been pushing for Hutton all year long. [Staple at The Athletic]
• ...because upgrading in goal won’t be easy. The options out there are not great. [THN]
• The mini-camp roster is set, and it includes seven of the weekend’s picks as well as something-to-prove Sound Tigers Michael Dal Colle and Joshua Ho-Sang. [LHH]
• How do the critics view those 2018 draft picks? Very well. A’s from everyone for the Islanders. [LHH]
• Newsday’s Andrew Gross discusses changes Lou Lamoriello has initiated. (Gross appears about one hour in.) [Hockey Night in NY podcast]
• And on Isles Buzz, Noel talked with both Dans about the news of the day (Tavares, mini camp, Trotz, stupid Toronto media) [Isles Buzz podcast at LHH]
• AHL updates from Michael Fornabaio, and echoing the news that video coach Matt Bertani — in the organization since Capuano was Bridgeport coach — was among those let go. He was a playoff hero like Quine. [Soundin’ Off]
• Long Island business are taking advantage of the Tavares saga to get some easy publicity. [Newsday]
• ECHL All-Star Woody Hudson re-signed with the Railers. [Railers]

Elsewhere

• Tavares is just one of the many big questions as free agency looms around the league. [NHL]
• Elliotte Friedman started off 31 Thoughts with Tavares talk, but there’s other good stuff in there. [Sportsnet]
• Among the rumblings: The Penguins may reunite with Chris Kunitz, the Blue Jackets may reunite with Rick Nash [NHL], the Rangers are asking about Nash and Michael Grabner. [NHL]
• Teams that might be thinking of bringing Slava Voynov back to the NHL should probably remember that his wife told police and medical personnel that he beat and choked her, and that such violence happened repeatedly. [The Athletic]
• Hall of Famers to be announced today: Martin Brodeur is a lock. [NHL] Willie O’Ree hopes to get the call in the builder category. [TSN]
• Noah Hanifin is ready to build a winning culture in Calgary. Cause Dougie Hamilton wasn’t a winner, etc. [Sportsnet]
• Reviewing the draft weekend on the “how surprising?” scale. [Down Goes Brown]
• The Flyers snuck a little 3rd jersey announcement into draft weekend. Basically, it will be their last outdoor jersey. [BSH]
• Officially now: The Coyotes have acquired former Islanders pick Robbie Russo from the Red Wings for a “conditional seventh-round draft pick,” which is the lowest currency outside of “future considerations.” [Coyotes]
• The Stars’ fifth-round pick learned of his selection while his dad was in the bathroom, which is totally how it would’ve gone down in my house, too. [NHL]