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I don’t know what day of the week this is, because dates and calendars have meant nothing to me in the pandemic. However, given a few days off work to play in sand with my kids, I can tell you...dates and calendars still mean nothing.
But I hear hockey is near...
Islanders News
- The schedule and start times for the Islanders’ first few games with the Panthers has been released. Yes, it includes multiple weekday noon starts. [LHH | Isles]
- It feels far away, but the county executive expresses optimism about the Islanders being able to play 2020-21 in the “shuttered” Coliseum. [Islanders Insight]
- Ilya Sorokin reads: He was worth the wait. [Isles] We affirm our excitement. [LHH] They hope to have him in for Phase 4 workouts, and perhaps in the AHL if they start 2020-21 before the NHL does. [Newsday] Seven Facts about Ilya [Isles] Lou is pleased. [Isles presser]
- Ilya Sorokin (and training camp) podcasts: Islanders Anxiety returns with Dan and Mike. Arthur Staple does it on No Sleep Till Belmont.
- A deep dive into what made Barry Trotz, the man, the myth, the champion and Jack Adams winner. Focusing on his year as a head coach at age 25, with hair and a ‘stache. [Athletic]
- Anders Lee is psyched to be back with the guys:
Trotz unsure when Ilya Sorokin will arrive in NY. "I don’t have anything for you on that at all, but when we see the whites of his eyes, then we’ll welcome him with open arms.” #Isles
— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) July 15, 2020
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores include...just kidding. Not yet.
- The NHL announced all sorts of awards finalists for their major awards like the Calder, Jack Adams, etc. The Islanders were excluded.
- Mikhail Grigorenko, whose first run in the NHL didn’t go so well, has his contract for 2020-21 with the Blue Jackets approved. [NHL]
- NHL coaches debate whether they’ll be wearing masks behind the bench. [TSN]
- Old friend Robin Lehner gives the Golden Knights the standard “great team, great organization, great group of guys” seal of approval. Someone sign this guy for more than a year. [NHL]
- Capitals forward Lars Eller is in “the bubble,” but he will leave it for the birth of his child. The dilemmas and complications of Return To Play and the pandemic. [TSN]