Islanders News: Rookie camp just flew by (or, uh, Flyer’d by?)

Hello again, folks. Hope all is well. If not, well, I’m sorry. But there’s at least one reason to be optimistic: regular season hockey is less than a month away.

The Islanders’ prospects were defeated by the Flyers’ prospects by a score of 6-3 at the Northwell Health Ice Center, marking the end of the Isles rookie camp. Tomorrow, the veterans are due to report for real training camp, and on-ice sessions commence Friday.

Islanders News

• LATE ADDITION: Robin Lehner opens up about his struggles with severe addiction to alcohol and various pills, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma. His symptoms reached a head toward the end of this past season, and he seriously contemplated suicide. If you read only one Bit today, make it this. Powerful, harrowing story, but he is ready to share his tale. [Unlocked at The Athletic]
• As training camp opens, the Islanders return with brand a new look, approach, and culture, to go along with several new players. [Newsday]
• Now that the time has finally come, Newsday beat writer Andrew Gross identifies five questions the team will answer throughout the season. [Newsday]
• Cory Wright publishes his notebook on last night’s rookie contest, with quotes from Noah Dobson and Long Island local Ryan Hitchcock. [Islanders]
• One name that stood out amongst the other youngin’s (good grief I’m 23 and saying “youngin’s” already): Otto Koivula, who didn’t make the scoresheet but who did wow those with his size and puckhandling. [Newsday]
• Please enjoy a lovely photo gallery of last night’s rookie game, from which the Bits photo is taken. [Newsday]
• Swiss defenseman Yannick Rathgeb made quite the impression on those inside the organization during rookie camp despite being a complete unknown when he signed into the Islanders’ system. Now, he’s ready for full camp. [Islanders]
• Corey Pronman released his top 100 NHL prospects list for the 2018-19 season, and six players in the Islanders’ farm system made their way onto it. The highest ranked Islander is Oliver Wahlstrom at 13th, in Pronman’s “Elite Prospect” tier. [The Athletic]
• We’re up to Question #12 in the 20 Questions in 20 Days series, and Dan tries to figure out how the hell next season is going to work between two home arenas. But wait... there’s more! Buy now, and you’ll receive a Bonus Question absolutely free! [Confused consumer voice]: “Free? Really?” Yes, absolutely free! [LHH]
• It would be extraordinarily beneficial for Brock Nelson to play consistent hockey this season and to seize the up-for-grabs 2C spot. [GothamSN]
• The other day, the Islanders Children’s Foundation Annual Golf Outing enjoyed its 11th celebration, and $240K was raised for the Foundation. [Islanders]

Also, not sure if you care much for his opinion for a myriad of reasons, but here’s Tyler Dellow on Twitter:

Hmmmmmmm.

Elsewhere

• Blue Jackets John Tortorella, whose game plans with Columbus have shown an impressive adaptation to the modern style of play, signed a two-year extension with the team. [The Athletic]
• Predators forward Austin Watson was suspended 27 games, without pay, for a violent and public domestic dispute with his girlfriend, for which he was arrested. [NHL | ESPN]
• Darren Dreger speaks of a “strong sense” that Erik Karlsson is finally traded in the next day or so. Rev your engi... actually, hold off on that. We’ve been down this road and we need to wait until it really happens. [Nichols on Hockey]
• From the same “Leafs Lunch” radio spot, Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs and William Nylander are still far apart on contract negotiations, noting that some folks around the league think that his ask was north of $8 million, and that his father, Michael Nylander, may be involved in this process. [Nichols on Hockey]
• I’d like to say we’re going to stop seeing these sometime soon, but he’s in Toronto now, so we’re in for another seven years of this on a weekly basis: how his family helped John Tavares become the man and player he is today. [The Athletic]
• Max Pacioretty is excited to finally be out of Montreal and for his fresh start with the Golden Knights. The former Canadiens captain is happy to be out of the spotlight and to be able to just focus on hockey and having a good time out on the ice. [NHL]
• Highly-touted Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou’s paternal grandparents were Greek immigrants that met in a Toronto night class to learn English in the 1960s, and his grandfather worked with former NHLer Tim Horton at one of the first coffee and doughnut shops to bear his name, though he didn’t become a fan of hockey until his son played. Unfortunately, though, he hasn’t been able to watch his grandson rise toward the NHL. [The Athletic]