Islanders News: The wheelin’ and dealin’ down by the track

We’re halfway through July. Only two and a half months, -ish, until the first puck drops on the 2019-20 season. That’s nothing, right? Like a blink!

Islanders News

Belmont has even caught the attention of Newsday’s editorial board, who agree that it looks like a “bright bet.”

• Belmont is almost a sure thing, but like any project of this scale involving state government, deals and concessions were made along the way from all sides. Good ol’ American compromise. [Newsday]
• Credit is due to GM Lou Lamoriello for getting his three forward UFAs under contract for reasonable deals, but he gets demerits for the Robin Lehner negotiation and for not adding more offensive talent to their forward corps in the face of raised expectations. [NY Post]
• VIDEO: The Islanders are proud to support the USA Patriots, a softball team comprised entirely of amputee US Service members. [Islanders]

Elsewhere

• Stanley Cup winning goalie and Calder Trophy finalist Jordan Binnington signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the Blues. He was an RFA that was scheduled for arbitration. [NHL]
• Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo spent his day with the Cup on a golf course and sharing it with his triplets. Yes, you read that right: he has triplets. [NHL]
• Tyson Barrie figures to be a goner after next season — the Maple Leafs likely won’t be able to afford his $8 million ask — but that’s not to say his ask is all that outrageous for the value he brings. [Sportsnet]
• Speaking of expensive defensemen, the Stars are reportedly trying to offload Julius Honka from their crowded blue line. He’s an unsigned RFA and the Stars have less than $1 million in cap space after signing Joe Pavelski. [TSN]
• Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, and Mikko Rantanen are also all still unsigned RFAs awaiting a new contract or possibly discussing offer sheets with other teams. [NHL]
• Are we witnessing the beginning of the five-forward power play becoming a trend? [TSN]
• Coyotes ticket sales apparently skyrocketed after they traded for Phil Kessel, which makes sense, since he’s an exciting and elite talent. [Sportsnet]