Islanders News: Schremp on Tavares, Ho-Sang of the Week, Sterling on Lou

“The change [Tavares out, Trotz in] was good for both sides. Maybe Johnny was a ceiling, maybe there was just a feeling no one could get better than him. [...] I think he should be a great piece of the puzzle, but when I was there what I saw was he was the whole puzzle. [...] But I feel bad about this, I’d hate for it to be any distraction to him, I’m retired and just opining on Twitter.”

That’s Rob Schremp elaborating on what he saw with Tavares and the Islanders, before his unintentionally viral tweet the other day. More on that in the links below, with a very interesting interview from a sincere Schremp about his own career, the reputation of Lou and Barry, and a reminder that he sees hockey as entertainment first.

Islanders Reading (and Listening)

• Rob Schremp Hockey Podcasts galore: Rob Schremp’s tweets about The Other 91 made some waves. Dan and Mike discussed them, the playoff arena announcement, and more on their latest Islanders Anxiety episode. Then on Isles Buzz Noel and Dan II spoke to Schremp himself about his take on Tavares, what ol’ #44 is up to, and how he battled anxiety and sleep issues during his career. Also of interest: Oilersnation talking to Schremp (before his 91 shade) about the success of the London Knights, and how...that doesn’t describe the Oilers.
• The Islanders are thriving in close games this year. But as with much in Trotzian Geometry, it’s not just in a “well they’re getting the luck” kind of way. [Newsday]
• Josh Ho-Sang’s big weekend and franchise record-tying five-point game earned him first star of the week in the AHL. [CT Post | AHL]
• Meanwhile, further down the prospect pipeline, Jake Pivonka’s first two NCAA goals were winners for Notre Dame, and Arnaud Durandeau had a five-point week in the QMJHL. (Also: Blade Jenkins, Noah Dobson, more) [Isles Prospect Report]
• The Nassau-first-round, Brooklyn-thereafter announcement is just another spin of the arena carousel for Islanders fans. [Athletic]
• Longtime announcer John Sterling is excited for his old friend Lou Lamoriello’s success with the Islanders thus far. [Newsday]
• The Riptide will join the Major Indoor Lacrosse League playing at Nassau Coliseum, and Butch Goring and Shep Messing (of old MISL/NY Arrows and Cosmos days) were on hand for the unveiling. [NY Sports Day]

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Blue Jackets falling hard to the Lightning, and the Senators and Blackhawks enjoying a goalfest.

• Broken ribs hurt. Jake Virtanen will be out for a month. [NHL]
• No matter what happens in the Norris race, Mark Giordano is already having a season for the ages for a D-man so far along in his career. [THN]
• A decade ago before Chia dealt Phil Kessel to the Leafs, he nearly dealt him to the Blues for an aging Keith Tkachuk and a young David Perron. [Athletic]
• Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour is the latest to have to defend the Canes’ post-game victory celebrations. Lighten up, people. It’s for the fans, to the fans. [NHL]
• Recycled scuttlebutt on the Wings looking to re-sign (Jimmy Howard?) or trade (Gustav Nyquist?) pending UFAs. [Fourth Period]