[Bits]: Toews and Burroughs and Ho-Sang, oh my!

We are quickly approaching the slow time of the hockey year. Luckily, though, the NHL was abundant in news.

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Islanders News

• The Islanders agreed to two-year contracts with both defenseman Devon Toews and Kyle Burroughs. Burroughs’ contract is a two-way. [Newsday | Islanders on Toews | On Burroughs]
• BREAKING - oh, also Ryan Pulock, as of 9-ish this morning. [Islanders on Pulock] Again, mum on financial details, but still good news. Now Brock Nelson, as the only remaining RFA, gets Lou’s full attention. Sixteen days to arbitration!
• A good thing, to me: Josh Ho-Sang has a clean slate with the new regime. Hopefully, they help him blossom into a solid or better NHLer. Coupled with what Barry Trotz had to say about him on the radio last week or two weeks ago, I’m excited to see what they can do together. [Newsday]
• Dan drew up a post on both of the previous two bits if you like all your news in one article. [LHH]
• VIDEO: TSN talks to Josh Bailey about John Tavares’ departure and the new regime in place.
• Former Seattle Thunderbirds captain and teammate of Mathew Barzal, Scott Eansor, is on the NHL doorstep as a part of the Islanders organization.
• Hey, remember Mariusz Czerkawski? I think he was my first favorite Islander. [SCOC]

Elsewhere

• Tragic news from Sunday: former NHL goalie Ray Emery drowned while swimming in Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday morning. [ESPN]
• The Athletic remembers Emery as at times brilliant, and other times self-destructive. [The Athletic]
• Kelly Buchberger is the latest Islanders assistant to move on to greener pastures, becoming the head coach of the WHL Tri-City Americans. We hardly knew ye. [Americans | Tri-City Herald]
• The Predators extended Juuse Saros for three years at an absolute steal of a contract. [On the Forecheck]
• And the Flames gave Elias Lindholm, recently acquired in the Dougie Hamilton trade, six years. [M&G]