Islanders News: Pelech ready; Sorokin sitting; Lou around the airwaves

Just a few quick Bits, much of which has already been covered.

Islanders links

• The biggest news for the Islanders from yesterday is that Adam Pelech will be available should training camps kick off later this summer as part of Phase 2 of the NHL’s Return to Play plan. That’s kinda huge. [LHH | Newsday]
• That said, Ilya Sorokin apparently will not be thanks to the NHL’s refusal to allow recently signed KHL and NCAA players to join clubs during the post season. While that’s disappointing for the 24-team tournament that might happen in the near future, it gets more complicated if the next NHL seasons doesn’t start until January and the KHL season starts on time. Nothing with this dude has been easy. [The Athletic and also the two links above]
• Lou Lamoriello made the media arounds yesterday and well as hosting a conference call discussing the Return to Play plan. Pelech was a big topic (the roster will be 100% healthy should the camps begin), as was the re-started Belmont construction. But there is no timetable yet for any players returning to Long Island. [Call highlights via the Islanders]
• Having Lamoriello and Barry Trotz gives the Islanders an advantage. These two guys have seen and experienced everything, and they’ll be ready to lead the team back whenever they need to. [Neil Best at Newsday]
• Lou also stopped by Tim and Sid for a very positive outlook on the NHL’s return. He was also on the Michael Kay Show talking about much of the same topics.
• Five Questions the Islanders will face if the NHL resumes. [Newsday]
• Construction has indeed restarted at Belmont Park, so fire up those webcams. [Newsday]
• Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Islanders’ first Stanley Cup... Parade! And Andrew Gross spoke with Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin and others about that unforgettable event. [Island Ice podcast]

Around the NHL

• The Penguins remain injury-plagued, even if they’re not actually playing. Nick Bjugstad will be out for the summer due to a set-back in his rehabbing a previous injury. [Pensburgh]
• Jeff Blashill will be back as Red Wings coach next season. Okay. [WIIM]
• Jason Botterill will also remain as Sabres GM despite a lot of discord at the ownership and management level. But the heat is on him from just about everywhere. [The Athletic]
• Athletic writers get together to draft players from non-playoff clubs for the 24-teams eligible for the Return to Play tournament. The Islanders picked 14, so Arthur Staple selected a talented young forward from a division rival that sure would look good on either of their top two lines. Yeah, him. Not the other one.