Islanders Gameday News: As you were

Last week during their Western Canada swing (three points from three games), the Islanders came up empty in Calgary, where the Flames blitzed and overwhelmed them with speed.

Tonight’s a chance for revenge, in Travis Hamonic’s return to the Coliseum. Great to see ol’ #3 (nee #36) back with a team that is going places.

Leave your First Islanders Goal picks here.

Check back in a few for the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, with Dan and Mike talking to Carey Haber.

Islanders Reading

• Since the Islanders didn’t do anything besides their paper moves to take players off IR and ensure some could play in the AHL, here’s where their lineup and roster stand now. [LHH]
• And here’s Lou giving the ol’ standard explanation for standing pat. [LHH] He’s fine standing pat, you know. [NHL] No for real, it’s cool, they are believers in who they are. [Isles] Seriously though, it’s fine. [Newsday] They are still building the foundation and like these parts, is what he’s saying. [Post]
• (If you want to relive the 1100+ comment LHH thread of the day as it happened, here’s your fix.)
• Interpreting what the Isles’ non-moves (hey, they tried for Duchene and Stone) mean. [Athletic]
• If you’re familiar with Arsenal (the London soccer club) during Arsene Wenger’s tenure, then you know a player returning from injury in the second half is “like a new signing.” So go Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd. [Newsday]
• Five story lines for tonight’s game, from the Calgary perspective. The Flames were also quiet at the deadline. [Sun]
• Prospect Report: Arnaud Durandeau hits 30 goals. [Isles]
• Islanders neighbors, past and present, reflect on the potential impact of Belmont. [Queens Eagle]

Elsewhere

That old familiar refrain rings true:

Last night’s NHL scores include no Metro games of significance. (Sorry, Devils. It’s true.)

• There were a bunch of trades (Hayes to the Jets, Stone to the Knights, Simmonds to Nashville, Johansson to Boston, McQuaid to...heh, someone it doesn’t matter, and similar minor ones that carry puzzling insignificance). Some major, some “who is that?!” Here’s the full list. [SB Nation | NHL]
• Winners and losers (and non-combatants) of the trade deadline. [USA Today]
• But by far the best part of trade deadline day? John Tortorella interrupting his presser to answer a phone call from a reporter’s mom who kept calling and calling. [NHL]
• Trade reactions: Sens didn’t get enough for Mark Stone. [Silver Seven] Fare thee well, Wayne Simmonds. [BSH] Bye bye, Kevin Hayes. [Blueshirt Banter] The Devils did okay in their firesale. [AATJ] The Avalanche are the latest Derick Brassard home. [MHH] Michael Del Zotto rides again for some reason. [STL Game Time]
• Gerard Gallant talked shootout strategy or lack thereof, because coin flip. [Athletic]
• One day the Stars add Mats Zuccarello and things are good; the next day he’s hurt long term. Now what? [Defending Big D]