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It’s Friday, the season is just around the corner, and the NHL has its first COVID-related issue as the Dallas Stars abruptly canceled Friday morning practice. (Updates on that below.)
Islanders News
- Elliotte Friedman (in video at top) discusses the Mathew Barzal situation. The copy in the associated article includes other NHL updates like Corey Crawford still missing from Devils camp due to a personal family issue. [Sportsnet]
- You hear this every year at training camp, though less often at Islanders training camp: Prospects pushing veterans for roles? [Newsday]
- But they are a Lou and Barry team, so you know they believe defense is still key to victory, and they aim to have others step up after the departures of Devon Toews and Johnny Boychuk. [Brooklyn Eagle]
- Under the temporary pandemic realignment, the Eastern Division the Islanders occupy will have several intense rivalries, plus the former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara playing on a division rival. [AP]
- Mike explains why Ilya Sorokin is an enticing bet for the Calder Trophy. [Action Network]
- It’s a big season for Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier, who were big figures during the conference final run. [Isles]
- Another in a series: What are the Islanders most thankful for? [Pro Hockey Rumors]
- Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky in some other business venture. [Yahoo]
Elsewhere
Breaking story today:
The NHL has postponed the #FlaPanthers opening series against @DallasStars after eight members of the Dallas team (six players) tested positive for COVID-19. Florida and Dallas were supposed to play Thursday and Saturday. https://t.co/vCF1YUWbO1
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 8, 2021
According to the NHL's protocol: "At the conclusion of the
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 8, 2021
Training Camp period, the League can make one announcement stating the total number of Players
(without personal or Club identity) who tested positive during Training Camp."
- Rumors already underway for the UFA class of 2021 [Sportsnet]
- And will the pandemic and travel restrictions prevent in-season trades? [Sportsnet]
- The latest from old friend Calvin de Haan, who hopes his latest shoulder surgery is his last. [Athletic]
- Often mocked, is Marc Bergevin’s “reset” finally paying off? [Athletic]
- Eric Tulsky, who used to offer outstanding insight and stats analysis on SB Nation sites, has been promoted to assistant GM of the Hurricanes. [Canes]