Islanders News: Cap woes, Dal Colle fam, Billy G. memories

We continue to wait expected votes and ratification of the NHL-NHLPA agreements on this season and the CBA. Meanwhile...

Islanders News

• The Islanders were already set to face tough Lou-cap decisions before the pandemic. Now that the cap is frozen for next season and possibly beyond, those decisions are only tougher. [Athletic]
• Michael Dal Colle has not had the most conventional path for a top-five pick, but family has helped ground him every step of the way. [Isles]
• Once upon a time, Billy Guerin was wooed by the Dallas Stars with a custom DVD (that was once impressive), I think by the same owner who dumped cash on A-Rod but I might be wrong, and the contract was a huge overpay so he was bought out. He resuscitated his career with Doug Weight in St. Louis and, a little while later, the Islanders scooped him up as a free agent and surprised him by making him captain. [Isles This Day in History]
• Surprise, surprise: The Oak View Group that is developing the Belmont arena is interested in sort of helping out with the Coliseum. [Newsday | Islanders Insight]
• Related: How to get the Coliseum and the Nassau “hub” back on track. [Newsday]
• Brian Compton joins Territory Talk to preview the best-of-five series with the Panthers. [SoundCloud]
• The Coliseum: Of course traveling reporters don’t fancy it, but it’s still a gem in many fans’ hearts. [Empire Sports]

Elsewhere

• This hectic playoff schedule will test the stamina of even the most devout fans. (I know I’d have eaten it up if I were a kid on summer break, instead of an adult on daily crisis duty.) [Sportsnet]
• The Devils “need a teacher.” So Lindy Ruff is their new head coach. [All About the Jersey | Sportsnet]
• With so much rust, will forward combo chemistry be key for Return To Play teams? [TSN]
• The ECHL appears to be expanding to Quebec. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]