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The most high-profile RFA stalemate in at least a decade ended last evening. The experts expect this will speed things up with the rest of the RFAs. On one hand, I’m sick of talking about it; on the other, I am a fan of chaos, so keep it coming.
Lots to chew on today, folks. Dig in.
Islanders News
- Mathew Barzal is also a fan of chaos and he was hoping for some offer sheets. His quote, among many NHL players, made the headline: “I hope somebody shakes up the league.” Also in this article: Craig Custance officially reports two teams presented Mitch Marner with an offer sheet that he turned down. [The Athletic]
- Now that camp has officially kicked off, here are 10 questions to consider about the opening of the season, including whether Noah Dobson makes the team. [The Athletic]
- After all, there’s not much to do with Dobson — and they know that sending him back to juniors wouldn’t be the best thing for him. [Newsday]
- Barzal is hoping to bring his point totals back up this season and acknowledges playing with Jordan Eberle may be the best way to do that. [Newsday]
- VIDEO: Barry Trotz discusses his well-known first day of camp, always a brutal endeavor. “Knocking off the rust,” he calls it. [Newsday]
- And from the sound of it, it was grueling. [Newsday]
Day 1️⃣ of training camp put the guys through the wringer.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 13, 2019
It’s all part of Barry Trotz’s plan to get them game ready. pic.twitter.com/BZ25ilCKCC
- Trotz hadn’t really been able to take a step back from hockey in like two years, between winning the Stanley Cup and then changing jobs immediately, but he was able to catch his breath this summer. [Newsday]
- Josh Ho-Sang’s quotes from the other day made waves around here, but here’s the official Newsday story about it. [Newsday]
- Who’s all there this September anyway? [Islanders]
- And how are they grouped? [Islanders]
- Corey Pronman listed off his top goalie prospects this season, and Ilya Sorokin comes in at no. 7. [The Athletic]
- PHOTOS: From 2019-20 Media Day, observe. [Islanders]
- Stan Fischler recalls that “zany” first Islanders training camp. [Islanders]
Elsewhere
- Early in the day, there were stories posted about the progress being made between the Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner. [Sportsnet]
- By the time the evening rolled around, he was signed to a six-year deal with an AAV of $10.893 million. [PPP]
- Travis Konecny, embroiled in his own holdout, is not at Flyers camp and Philly’s brass isn’t thrilled. [NHL]
- What are the key issues being discussed in the NHL’s and NHLPA’s talks? [The Athletic]
- The Jets have granted Dustin Byfuglien a leave of absence, for reasons undisclosed but “not sinister,” according to Paul Maurice. [Sportsnet | Sportsnet on Kevin Chevaldayoff’s interpretation]
- Toronto can name a captain now without worrying about pissing off Marner. [NHL]
- The Blues are hopeful they’ll get Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden Schenn signed to extensions before they become UFAs next summer. [NHL]
- Corey Perry’s Stars tenure is off to a rocky start: he’s going to miss two weeks with a fractured foot. [NHL]
- His former team is hurting, too: the Ducks announced that both Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves will miss the entire season. [Anaheim Calling]
- A new and exciting twist in the saga of Senators owner Eugene Melnyk: Mohegan Sun, the very same one in southeastern Connecticut, is suing him over his $900,000 gambling debt. I mean, what the hell is he doing? [The Day]