Islanders News: “Chicken Parm” reflects on his time on the Island

The Islanders’ season ended on May 3, three months ago to the day. Their new season begins October 4, two months (and one day) from today. So, you see, we’re actually closer to next season, now, than we are to last season. As slow as things get in the summer hockey world, time always marches on. October is closer than we think.

Islanders News

• Ray Ferraro is the subject of this edition of Alumni Corner, who played with the Islanders from 1990 to 1995 and was part of the magical team in ‘93. We won’t say where he ended up in 1995, but he transitioned nicely into a broadcasting career later in his playing career and after retirement. [Islanders]
• After two weeks off, Michael Fornabaio has been a summer hockey machine, pumping out two Soundin’ Off blogs this week. The first came Wednesday morning, acknowledging a departure, some alumni, and the rival Hartford Wolfpack hiring a coach. [Soundin’ Off]
• The next one was a salute to longtime Sound Tiger Stephen Gionta, who effectively retired from playing hockey to scout it for the Lightning. [Soundin’ Off]
• In other farm system news, the Worcester Railers have signed Kyle Thomas, an ECHL veteran with 25 games of AHL experience under his belt. [Railers HC]

The Offside Tavern’s popularity continues to grow among Islanders fans in and around the city. Damn I really gotta get there one of these days. Here it is hosting a season ticket holders event through the organization to discuss Belmont, complete with Islanders frontman Jon Ledecky.

Elsewhere

Let me just say that this article is incredible if only because I’ve never read anything like it. Michael Russo, the Wild beat writer at The Athletic, has done an excellent job gathering intel from the chaotic 14 months Paul Fenton was in charge of Minnesota, and I can’t believe the depth of information that came out about this guy. Perhaps the most damning part of this saga?

Your employer wants to get rid of you so bad that they talk you up to the next team? Woof. And Minnesota got played. David Poile helped place a guy he’d later fleece, unless you’re a huge Kevin Fiala fan. And it’s not even just managing the team Fenton was bad at — his front office was a disaster.

• This would be a shame but I wouldn’t blame him: Alex Ovechkin isn’t sure if he’ll keep playing when his contract is up in 2 years, citing the desire to be able to play with his kids and not abusing his body. [Yahoo]
• Flames GM Brad Treliving expects young star forward and RFA Matthew Tkachuk to sign with Calgary before the start of training camp. [NHL]
• Helping that along, perhaps, is the buyout of Michael Stone. [NHL]
• A month into free agency, Jonathan Willis hasn’t seen a remaining class this impressive in the salary cap era. If Lou doesn’t sign one of these guys I’M DONE. (Am I doing it right?) [The Athletic]
• Matt Cullen has joined the Penguins staff in a player development role after retiring. [NHL]
• This week, it was revealed there are quite a few history buffs in the comments section. In that vein, we present to you the story of the Philadelphia Quakers, eastern Pennsylvania’s first professional hockey team. They were terrible and lasted one season before folding, and Philly wouldn’t host a hockey team again until 1967. [BSH]