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Islanders News, Weekend Edition: A Lucic-Neal deal out in Alberta

Also, let’s dissect a bit changing Lehner out for Varlamov.

By Steven E. Smith

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Colorado Avalanche v New York Islanders
Well, at least Varlamov won’t have Komarov’s ass in his face anymore.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The so-called “Heat Dome” has settled on the northeast and especially the New York area. It is gonna feel like 104 degrees on the Island and 112 degrees in the city. Please be safe if you have to go out for any reason. Otherwise, just stay in a pool or at the beach or inside with the air conditioning blasting while you read some weekend bits o’ Islanders news.

Islanders Reading

  • As part of its Team Reset series, the NHL’s website has been running down the offseason so far for all 31 teams in the league. The Islanders time has come, and the only change to the roster comes in goal, where Semyon Varlamov takes Robin Lehner’s place. [NHL]
  • In this edition of Maven’s Memories, Stan Fischler recalls the opening round of the 1982 playoffs, specifically the decisive Game 5 that the Penguins nearly stole from, as Stan says, the Nassaumen. [Islanders]

Elsewhere

  • The Flames and Oilers swapped problem contracts yesterday as Milan Lucic waived his NTC to facilitate a trade to Calgary, along with a conditional pick, for James Neal. Oilers fans are okay with the deal; Flames fans, not so much. [C&B for Oilers | M&G for Flames]
  • Lucic agreed to the move after discussing Calgary with one-time Bruins teammate Jarome Iginla, a Flames legend. [NHL]

Jacob Trouba has avoided arbitration with the Rangers, inking a 7-year deal with an $8 million AAV. Here’s one opinion about Trouba’s play that would indicate he’s being paid far too richly:

  • Mitch Marner says that if he doesn’t have a contract signed by training camp, he will not be participating. [NHL]
  • But John Tavares swears Marner will be in Maple Leafs garb come Opening Night. And if he says it, it must be true! [NHL]
  • In other RFA news, the first arbitration hearing kicks off today, with Brock McGinn and the Hurricanes. Unless, of course, they come to a deal, but their owner is very careful with his money, to borrow a Seinfeld phrase. [NHL]
  • History suggests that if a player makes it to the point McGinn is at today, he’s likely a goner. 27 players have gone to arbitration in the last 10 years, and 21 of them are on different teams, some as early as the following year. [The Athletic]
  • New GM Ron Francis has a vision for his new franchise in Seattle, calling it a future “destination.” [ESPN]

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