clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Islanders News: Life in the bubble has begun and the only way out is to win or lose

But the Islanders are excited for the chance to win.

By Steven E. Smith

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Florida Panthers v New York Islanders
Here we go.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Hockey is less than a week away. The 24 playoff teams finalized their rosters and arrived in their hub cities. The excitement is in the air around here.

Islanders News

  • The Islanders landed in Toronto and are probably, at this point, in the bubble. Here’s who they brought. [Isles Roster]
  • LOOK: The Islanders seem to be starting a folk band in the bubble. [Isles Photos]
  • The top line of Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, and Jordan Eberle was set in stone before Training Camp even started. Their chemistry is back already, too. [Islanders]
  • Barzal and the rest of the team are excited for what lies ahead in the exhibition game against the Rangers and the play-in series against the Panthers. [Newsday | Islanders]
  • In his pre-departure notes, Arthur Staple didn’t have the Islanders leaving behind Kieffer Bellows or Oliver Wahlstrom, but he probably didn’t think they’d only take 30 players, either. [The Athletic]
  • And even when it seemed like the Islanders made their cuts, he still thought Bellows was in. But alas... [The Athletic]
  • Bubble life, away from their families, will be a mental grind for many Islanders, like Scott Mayfield, who was supposed to get married on Saturday. [Newsday]
  • But they were fed up with the scrimmages and ready to play some real games. [Newsday]
  • Speaking of scrimmages, here are some notes and scenes from their last two days of Phase 3 Training Camp. [Day 12 | Day 13]
  • WATCH: Coach Barry Trotz and GM Lou Lamoriello spoke to the media after the last day of Phase 3 Training Camp. [Islanders]
  • Lamoriello expects the atmosphere to be exciting, comparing it favorably to the Yankees-Nationals opener from Thursday night. [Newsday]
  • Everyone keeps asking Lamoriello about Sorokin and he keeps telling them that Return to Play, not Sorokin, is his focus right now. [Newsday]
  • Now that the Kraken have a name, Noel delves into potential expansion protected lists for the Islanders. [LHH]
  • LISTEN: Isles frontman Jon Ledecky and Oakview Group CEO Tim Leiweke were among the guests on a recent episode of The Hot Stove, discussing UBS Arena and the future of the team.
  • And finally, Stan Fischler recalls when the Islanders shocked the Penguins in 1993. [Maven’s Memories]

Elsewhere

  • Besides RTP, the big news of late has been now-former Arizona GM John Chayka’s messy divorce from the Coyotes over a potential new opportunity. There’s definitely multiple sides to this story. [Sportsnet]
  • Chayka seemingly wanted out of Arizona, despite having just signed an extension in November, and the organization claims it didn’t take away any of his responsibilities: for example, they said it was a lie that he wasn’t invited to the team’s dinner with Taylor Hall. [AZ Coyotes Insider]
  • LISTEN: Rick Dudley, GM of many former teams and most recently an executive with the Hurricanes, learned something new from each of his career stops. [The Athletic: The Full 60]
  • The broadcasters will be in a unique situation during the RTP tournament, as well. [The Athletic]

Next Up In New York Islanders Podcasts