Islanders News: Everyone’s a critic

Another day and we are that much closer to the return of New York Islanders hockey. I am getting more and more excited about the upcoming season, even though we do not know officially who will be on the roster on opening night.

I hope that everyone stayed safe through the hurricane/tropical storm!

Islandersy News

• In which two women tackle toxic masculinity in sports fandom by writing and directing a play about an Islanders fan in 2017-18, John Tavares’ last season on Long Island. There are many valid critiques to be made about toxic masculinity in sports fandom. But the way that they describe the story makes it sound like they think all sports fandom is toxic masculinity, which is a bit too reductionist, even for me. And wouldn’t you know it: The director is from Toronto. [NY Times]
• This (Three) Day(s ago) in Isles History: Anthony Beauvillier scored twice and Semyon Varlamov pitched a shutout as the Islanders eliminated the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the first round in the bubble (2020).
• Stan Fischler recalls the battles between the Islanders and Rangers back in the 1990s. [Maven’s Memories]
• Scott Wheeler has Noah Dobson up to no. 8 in this 2018 re-draft; Oliver Wahlstrom slipped to no. 14. And he has Quinn Hughes as the new no. 1 overall. [The Athletic]
• The Athletic Wants YOU: to participate in their survey about fan confidence in their team’s front office.

Elsewhere

• Long-time New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist announced his retirement from hockey. The Rangers will retire his number right away this season. [Blueshirt Banter]
• Love him or hate him (and, despite the uniform he wore, I have always been a fan of Hank), he is one of the greatest goalies of all time and an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer. [Sportsnet]
• One of our sister sites compiled all sorts of analysis and scouting on Seth Jones to see if the Chicago Blackhawks are as dumb as we all think they are. [Second City Hockey]
• Auston Matthews says that the Toronto Maple Leafs are “going to get it done.” It is not clear if “it” is winning a Stanley Cup or just making the second round, but in either case, it will have been a while for the Leafs. [NHL]
• 2021 no. 1 overall pick Owen Power announced that he will return to the University of Michigan this season, rather than follow the traditional no. 1 overall path right into the NHL. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, to be fair. [NHL]
• Travis Sanheim and the Philadelphia Flyers settled on a two-year contract to avoid team-elected arbitration. [ESPN]
• Commissioner Gary Bettman says that despite the Arizona Coyotes getting the boot from Glendale, their future is in Arizona. No word as to whether he crossed his fingers behind his back when he said it. [NHL]
• More sad news about Rangers legends: Rod Gilbert passed away at the age of 80. [NHL]
• Three junior hockey players were killed in a car accident in British Columbia over the weekend. Terrible, terrible news. [NHL]