Islanders News: Pondering Leddy, Ladd, Hall and slow starts

The Isles have a rare two consecutive days between games, but it’s a big one tomorrow to begin April. The Capitals, who finally lost last night (over at the Garden), are in town.

A new PT Isles is already up. Come back a little later for a new Islanders Anxiety: The dread returns.

Islanders News

• Heartbreaking, heartwarming. An Isles fan is featured for securing season tickets to help she and her children remember their husband/father after he died of cancer. This goes without saying, but I f-ing hate cancer so much. [CBS NY]
• The disturbing trend of slow starts mystifies the Isles. I sort of think this is a thing, but I also sort of think sometimes goalies make big early saves and sometimes they don’t, and that can really change the feel of how a team “starts” a game. [AM NY]
• Nick Leddy has always had the confidence of Barry Trotz, and this year he’s been good at both ends of the ice. [Newsday]
• Arthur Staple talks to Colin McDonald(!), and he and AJ discuss Oliver Wahlstrom’s evolution, Thomas Hickey’s return. [No Sleep Till Belmont podcast]
• How would Taylor Hall fit on the Islanders, Leafs or Bruins? [Sportsnet]
• Looking back at the early dynasty Islanders, and comparing the philosophy and bond of Al Arbour and Bill Torrey to today’s Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello. [Isles Blog]
• Should the Blackhawks take Andrew La—YES. I mean, obviously. [Blackhawk Up]
• A guy from UBS, Lou Lamoriello and the NHL’s Kim Davis discuss play during the pandemic, and the new arena. [UBS]

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores included the Rangers putting a stop to the Capitals, and the Bruins slipping past the Devils in a shootout. The Canadiens also returned from their Covid layoff to torch the Oilers, who probably have a Toronto hangover.

• Ghost-be-not-here? The Flyers put Shane Gostisbehere on waivers. [BSH] Unrelated, but it came on the day he defended Carter Hart’s work ethic. [BSH]
• Do the Panthers need to make a move with Ekblad’s injury? Are the Predators off the seller shelf? And would anyone pay a first for Taylor Hall right now? [Sportsnet]
• {Hold your laughter} Is it time for the Maple Leafs to worry about their captain? [THW]
• CAN YOU IMAGINE A CONNOR VS. AUSTON SERIES? TSN says. [TSN]
• Evidently even rapid Covid tests assume the worst about Brad Marchand, who was on the protocol list with a false positive. [TSN]
• The Blue Jackets (not just their coach but their GM who has known him for years) want to make Patrik Laine a “200-foot” player and power forward. Square peg? [Athletic]
• Elias Pettersson’s injury is “more serious than we thought,” never a good thing to hear. [NHL]