Lighthouse Hockey - New York Islanders Training Camp 2014: This time, with depthLighthouse Hockey: Try to fixate on something else.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50729/lhh-fav.png2014-10-10T10:00:04-04:00http://www.lighthousehockey.com/rss/stream/64238462014-10-10T10:00:04-04:002014-10-10T10:00:04-04:00LHH Preseason Roundtable: Hopes, Fears for 2014-15
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<img alt="Triumphant should be the blue orange and white this season, according to this site's misguided fools." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/17771OXjg9PL60aHFQdWlQ8bv-A=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41445366/20140926_ajw_ag9_254.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Triumphant should be the blue orange and white this season, according to this site's misguided fools. | Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A roundtable with your Lighthouse Hockey staff, talking about expectations and fears for the 2014-15 Islanders season</p> <p>With the season beginning today, the staff at Lighthouse Hockey got together (okay, not in real life) this past week and talked about our thoughts on this past offseason and the season to come.</p>
<h4><b>What were your thoughts on how the Isles went about this offseason?</b></h4>
<p><b>MIKB:</b> This was basically everything everyone hoped for last offseason. It's not a stretch to theorize that Snow thought they were closer than they were based on the playoff berth in 2013 and being "one bounce away from Game 7" against the top seed in the East. So they swung for Vanek and got torpedoed.</p>
<p>So, full marks to Garth Snow for learning from that and addressing every team need - good goaltending, defensive anchors, lots of depth.</p>
<p><b>Michael Levak (ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles): </b>Because I'm not a fly on the wall, I'm not sure. It's either one of the following:</p>
<p>(1) This is the culmination of Garth's shrewd and ingenious plan to bring this club back to respectability. He stockpiled picks, picked up some gems off of waivers, and now can finally acquire people through trades thanks to other teams' cap problems. He thought this would happen last year, but the cap was unexpectedly higher, but waiting one more year is of little consequence. The time is now and he recognized that fully. Not only that, but the quality of the young players has finally paid dividends in the form of free agents such as Grabbo.</p>
<p>-or-</p>
<p>(2) This guy is Mr. Magoo, and by random success, has a good team borne mostly out of the draft (thanks to awful seasons full of mismanagement) and random success (good teams have to dump players for cap reasons).</p>
<p>I'm 95% sure the truth lies closer to (1) than to (2). I do not dismiss the fiar every1! crowd. Garth has made enough peculiar moves that (2) is possible, but I think it's more likely that he's a guy who is simply learning the job the hard way... By making mistakes and learning from them.</p>
<p>So in the end, I'll go with situation #1.</p>
<p><b>Dan Saraceni: </b>The total opposite way they went about last offseason. They addressed every need they had to: signed Halak and Johnson as upgrades in goal, signed Grabovski, Kulemin, Conacher and Skille (RIP) as forward depth, traded for Boychuk and Leddy to upgrade experience and scoring on defense (Brennan would have addressed one, not necessarily the other). In other words, they did absolutely as well as they could have done, barring a trades for P.K. Subban, Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Malkin. Of course, this is all on paper. Ask me again when the games start.</p>
<p><b>Dominik: </b>An almost ideal offseason: Aggressive in fixing the goaltending pre-free agency with Halak, adding insurance at forward with the low-risk Conacher/Skille signings followed by the Grabovski/Kulemin moves, and capped off with Leddy and Boychuk. I'd have bid on Tom Gilbert in the beginning, but free agency means 29 other teams have a say. By laying groundwork all summer and triggering both trades simultaneously, I half-suspect Garth Snow pulled the rug out from other bidders who thought they could get *either* Leddy or Boychuk if they let Chicago and Boston twist long enough.</p>
<p><b>Mark D:</b> While we all know the future in net is Kevin Poulin, just the additions of Jaroslav Halak and Chad Johnson most likely made this a playoff team. Picking up quality middle six guys like Grabovski and Kulemin just make it even sweeter.</p>
<p>The Leddy/Boychuk trades are a great example of why you control your budget until your certain you can be a contender. It would have been very easy to make the Islanders better in the short term the last few years by giving out long term or big contracts to players who by now might have worn out their welcome. Instead the Isles add two players in just about the prime of their careers to a position we might have been weak in.</p>
<p><b>Garik16: </b>Pretty much perfect. They avoided pretty much all of the land mine terrible players who were out there on the market like Orpik or Engelland or even Tanner Glass, and added only players with promise. The only bad player who might've made the roster was Skille, and Skille isn't <i>that </i>bad, was on a two-way deal, and they were willing to waive him anyhow.</p>
<p>I've said this a bunch this offseason, but one of the biggest ways analytics helps teams in free agency and the draft isn't making smart acquisitions (though they help with that), but in avoiding back-breaking terrible ones. An example in prior years was going into the season by re-signing Nabby. This year, they avoided all of those. So obviously, I'm thrilled.</p>
<h4><b>What are you most excited for this season?</b></h4>
<p><b>MIKB: </b> It's funny... I am of course looking forward most to watching some winning hockey on the Island, seeing the long-promised future finally arrive. But I am almost as excited to finally shut up ignorant, trolling sportswriters and every opposing fanbase yokel who smirks at the New York Islanders. I am really looking forward to this team not being everyone's lazy punchline, having other people actually worry when they have to come into the old Barn and face off with these guys.</p>
<p><b>ML: </b> Hearing the collective suction sound of a thousand pundits kissing our teams butt as they jump on the bandwagon. After all the years of laughs and talk of tire fires, this is the year they finally have to take us seriously.</p>
<p>I just hope that Garth sees through their softball questions and platitudes, and constantly reminds them that they could not have cared less if our team fell off the face of the earth. Not only to watch them squirm, mind you. I want this team to have an us-against-the-world mentality. It can only help their focus.</p>
<p><b>DS: </b> To see how the new guys mesh with the "core" of established Islanders and vice versa. Some guys who bought houses on Long Island a while ago might be looking over their shoulders either from the guys skating next to them or the guys playing in Bridgeport because of the new players. I'm also excited to see a million preseason previews all get blown up as the Islanders force out-of-town writers to actually watch them for once.</p>
<p><b>Dom:</b> Honestly, the chance to have one final, electric season-long Coliseum bash. Sports at this level is so competitive, the outcomes are largely in the hands of randomness and luck; you can only influence your chance of luck smiling upon you. The Isles did that this summer, so fans and players should hopefully benefit with one fun year.</p>
<p><b>MD: </b> I've been ready for the season to start since we add Halak and Johnson. Then the team just kept getting better and better as the offseason and preseason went on. At this point let's just <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1YmS_VDvMY">get on with it</a>! I Want to see this team in action instead of on paper.</p>
<p><b>Garik16: </b> The play of Grabovski and the sophomore years of Nelson and Strome. I think Grabbo is ridiculously good, and he'll have some amazing linemates this year, while I think Nelson and Strome should both break out this year. Which will be amazing. And look at that, all three are playing on the same line to start! Oh happy days!</p>
<h4><b>What are you most worried about on this team?</b></h4>
<p><b>MIKB:</b> The margin of error is always very thin, and the right moves can blow up on you. I worry most that the team will overreact to a rough stretch where they outplay their opponents and lose four or five games. The worst-case scenario is that people get fired, players get dealt for more prospects, and we wind up imploding and missing the playoffs while giving away a top-ten first-rounder.</p>
<p><b>ML:</b> That a perfect storm of injuries hits us yet again. I swear this team must have led the league in man-games lost to injury over the majority of the last 6 or 7 years. It makes me worry that it's a trend that might not go away. I don't care how deep we are; you don't replace John Tavares. If injuries force us to miss the playoffs, then it's #tirefire for another year, despite the obvious signs that we should be a contender if not for bad luck.</p>
<p><b>DS:</b> It's the Islanders. Anything can go wrong and snowball into a colossal dumpster fire in the blink of an eye. I'm afraid the stakes are so high - between the offseason spending spree, the last season at the Coliseum and the drive to get back to the playoffs - that even average performances will be worked over and worried about. It's been a long time since Islander fans have seen a team that had a cruise control. Normally, the Islanders are either stumbling along in a slump or tearing up unsuspecting opponents in short, surprising runs. Talent-wise, this roster has what it takes to be a playoff team. Psychologically, I hope they can understand that and not let things get out of control.</p>
<p><b>Dom</b>: Injuries, always injuries. The thought that "the Isles refuse to play their best players" is ridiculously overdone on the message boards, a product of fans insisting their specific opinion of the ideal lineup 1 through 23 is the only answer, and any deviation is a travesty that foolishly rewards [your favorite scapegoat here]. In reality, they will need far more than 20, or 23, bodies, and poorly timed injuries to a goalie or a front-line forward are far more dangerous.</p>
<p><b>MD:</b> Coaching. I complain about it all the time when a General Manager throws a coach under the bus for not getting results from a questionable roster. It was great to see Snow step forward and claim responsibility for last season's mess, especially the goaltending. But Capuano seems to be average at best, and there were a lot of really good coaches looking for jobs this offseason. There were also some highly regarded candidates hired for other jobs. It'll be interesting to see what happens if the team struggles and a big name coach suddenly becomes available.</p>
<p><b>Garik16:</b> I won't say injury, but really it's what happens if the team has bad goalie luck (it happens even with the best vetted goalies!) and starts off poorly again. Each of the last two years the team has massively underperformed to start the season, and I hope the improved talent and depth makes sure it doesn't happen again. But then again, these lines only have been together for about 5 days, which isn't very long.....</p>
<p><b>What do you think will be the big surprise on this team?</b></p>
<p><b>MIKB: </b> It shouldn't be one, but I think that the big surprise will be that the Isles aren't going to have any D pair that can be consistently pinned down and exploited. You'll see a lot fewer of those headless-chicken shifts where everyone's running around like their stick's on fire and not actually covering anyone.</p>
<p><b>ML:</b> Kate Murray attends a game, and her luxury box collapses from years of neglect from SMG. She survives, but is still in traction at the hospital as the Isles have their Cup parade and ride off into the sunset (which just so happens to be westward).</p>
<p>But seriously, my big surprise will be a change in coaching mentality. The traditional fourth line guys will eventually be off the team, due to untimely injuries that force Cappy to use four scoring lines. He sticks with it when he finally sees the light, and those recovering from injury don't have a spot to come back to.</p>
<p>If you're going to press me for a break out performance, I'll go with Kulemin, who people thought we overpaid for. He'll find his spot and produce.</p>
<p><b>DS:</b> Chad Johnson's play, the personalities of Grabovski and Kulemin delighting fans and the continued mystery of Josh Bailey's role, which still won't be figured out. Oh, and I think Boychuk re-signs.</p>
<p><b>Dom:</b> If and when all the NHL forwards are healthy at the same time, how they deal with it will be a surprise. Whether it means waiving a favorite, trading a current regular, or even Josh Bailey putting all questions away and forcing someone else out, it's going to be jarring to some people.</p>
<p><b>MD: </b> I think Casey Cizikas has a nice bounce back season. I believe that he's more the player we saw in 12-13 then the player we did last season. Also Eric Boulton hat trick.</p>
<p><b>Garik16:</b> Josh Bailey scores 15-25-40, spread out throughout the season, in a 3rd line role and Isles fans stop complaining too much (but only a little).</p>
<p><b>Project How the Isles Finish:</b></p>
<p><b>MIKB:</b> AHHHHHH no pr*jecti*n what the hell is wrong with people???</p>
<p>Hahahaha no, seriously, I am bullish on things and at the risk of being a big jinx, I think they finish as the best of the four tri-state teams. Yup, ahead of the Devils Flyers AND Rangers. And they also come out of the Metro as one of the final four teams in the playoffs.</p>
<p><b>ML: </b> If all teams were treated equal, I might be tempted to say first in the Metro. But we all know that's not the case (NOT saying it's done intentionally, but that's a post for another day). The Pens will likely hold onto first, and the Isles will finish second.</p>
<p><b>DS: </b>The reason sports are fun are because the chance of seeing the unexpected happen is exponentially higher than it is while watching, say, Food Network or something. So I'll go all out and I don't care: Islanders win the Metro, beat Pittsburgh, Montreal and Tampa Bay in the playoffs, then beat Los Angeles in the Stanley Cup final and send Nassau Coliseum out with the storybook ending it (and not Nassau County) deserve. Unlikely? Yes. But that's why we watch.</p>
<p><b>Dom: </b> Third in the Metro, just a hair away from getting home ice in the first round.</p>
<p><b>MD: </b> Unless something crazy happens, I think they'll be close to the top in the division.</p>
<p><b>Garik16: </b>2nd in division due to a slowish start and injuries, but players come back healthy and they win the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Fall in 7 to a Western team in the Finals. I'm serious. We are for real.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/10/6955169/new-york-islanders-roundtable-season-openergarik162014-10-09T18:17:12-04:002014-10-09T18:17:12-04:00Sound Tigers 2014-15 Opening Roster Set
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<figcaption>I too would like to steal a job. | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>These are the men who will look to steal jobs from the men who have stolen jobs.</p> <p>Everything is falling in line for the launch of the 2014-15 season. The New York Islanders, which open the season Friday night in Carolina, have their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-sale-from-charles-wang-to-ledecky-malkin-finalized-1.9484665">sale agreement finalized</a> (news conference scheduled next Wednesday), and their newly strengthened AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers have set their season-opening roster:</p>
<p>The Sound Tigers 25-man roster consists of 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=209706401">the team announced</a>:</p>
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<p><b>Forwards: </b>Sebastian Collberg, Justin Courtnall, Brett Gallant, Colton Gillies, Mike Halmo, Chris Langkow, Anders Lee, Kael Mouillierat, John Persson, Alan Quine, C.J. Stretch, Johan Sundstrom, Lukas Sutter, Scooter Vaughan, Harry Zolnierczyk</p>
<p><b>Defensemen: </b>Kevin Czuczman, Jesse Graham, Scott Mayfield, Mark Nemec, Aaron Ness, Andrey Pedan, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock</p>
<p><b>Goalies: </b>David Leggio, Kevin Poulin</p>
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<p>Among the late moves, Islanders draft pick Loic Leduc was assigned to ECHL Stockton, while Kent Simpson, the goalie acquired in the Nick Leddy trade, was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/First-few-weeks-for-Sound-Tigers-all-about-5812970.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">assigned to ECHL Colorado</a>.</p>
<p>Other Bridgeport notes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aaron Ness <a target="_blank" href="http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=209702230">is the captain</a>.</li>
<li>2014 (re)draft pick Lukas Sutter is on an AHL deal, while Gillies is apparently on PTO, <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2014/10/09/chemistry-lessons-15-thursday-notes/">Michael Fornabaio notes</a>.</li>
<li>Fornabaio also had <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Poulin-Leggio-give-Sound-Tigers-experience-in-5810431.php" target="_blank">a story in the Post about the goalies</a> who will share duties in Bridgeport, with Brent Thompson giving Poulin the lead.</li>
<li>Also from Fornabaio, the <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2014/10/08/rearranged-lineup-wednesday-practice/">latest lines</a> after Anders Lee's arrival.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Sound Tigers open play this weekend with back-to-back home games against the St. John's IceCaps, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. The IceCaps still have former Islanders draft pick Brenden Kichton on their roster. In the AHL.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/9/6954095/bridgeport-sound-tigers-roster-lines-2014-15Dominik2014-10-09T18:07:11-04:002014-10-09T18:07:11-04:00Grabner out 4-6 weeks after hernia surgery
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<figcaption>Please, please tell me you can rebuild him. | Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>But he had safe retrieval from the hospital.</p> <p>The persistent injury that kept <span>Michael Grabner</span> out of most of training camp has been identified: the speedy winger and key penalty killer just had hernia surgery.</p>
<p>The initial (and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/andystrickland/status/520322018441310209/photo/1">creative, see below</a>) report by Andy Strickland was <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/520330795878457344">confirmed</a> by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> beatwriter Arthur Staple early Thursday evening. Grabner had already been placed on injured reserve for the season-opening roster.</p>
<p>Because of how much of Grabner's game comes from his league-elite speed, any groin or abdominal injury is a very big deal, and will need to be addressed and rehabbed carefully. The surgery part appears to be over and "successful," Strickland reported.</p>
<p>Now comes the rehab.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sports hernia surgery successful for Michael Grabner. Just picked him up from hospital. Back in 4-6 weeks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash">#Isles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash">#NHL</a> <a href="http://t.co/A2xkCsOiR2">pic.twitter.com/A2xkCsOiR2</a></p>
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) <a href="https://twitter.com/andystrickland/status/520322018441310209">October 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Four to six weeks? At Grabner speed, that's merely six days.</p>
<p>But seriously, that's a lot of time for the Islanders' <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/7/6938751/new-york-islanders-opening-roster-anders-lee-ryan-pulock-cut">hyper-competitive roster situation</a> to have more twists, turns and fan hyperangst.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/9/6954161/michael-grabner-injury-hernia-surgery-ny-islanders-wingerDominik2014-10-07T14:53:43-04:002014-10-07T14:53:43-04:00Lee, Pulock Cut as 23-Man Roster Set
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<figcaption>Back to Bridgeport. | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>Both impressed at camp, but will have to wait their turn for another crack at the lineup.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/a/nhl-season-preview-2014"><img src="http://apps.voxmedia.com/sbnation/banner-snippets/nhl-banner-snippet.jpg" alt="SB Nation 2014 NHL Preview"></a></p>
<p>With a couple of more moves to injured reserve and a couple more assignments to AHL Bridgeport, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> have <a target="_blank" href="http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=733397">officially set their 23-man opening night roster</a> for 2014-15.</p>
<p>As became increasingly expected the last few days, promising forward <span>Anders Lee</span> is not on it.</p>
<p>Both Lee and <span>Ryan Pulock</span> were assigned to Bridgeport (where <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2014/10/07/ness-named-captain/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">Aaron Ness was named captain</a> today) to complete the final moves.</p>
<p>Newsday's Arthur Staple, who said he <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/519527152631697408">could sense frustration from Lee</a>, made a good point about whom, exactly, stood in his way on the roster:</p>
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<p>If it is Lee who goes, it's hard to say Boulton or McDonald took his spot... Young guy isn't going to stick around as a spare part.</p>
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/519528659611570176">October 7, 2014</a>
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<p><span>Eric Boulton</span> and <span>Colin McDonald</span> are expected to be the scratched healthy forwards on opening night; if the Isles aren't playing Lee in the top 12, they don't want him sitting in the press box.</p>
<p>The point of debate then becomes what role Lee could fill -- and whose job he should take -- among the 12 spots expected for opening night. The Islanders like their banging fourth line of <span>Matt Martin</span>, <span>Casey Cizikas</span> and <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span>, though there are good arguments that the former two should be candidates for a scratch.</p>
<p>With depth comes the allure of dressing four truly "plus" lines rather than a fourth line assigned with limited minutes and the traditional role of softening the opponent up with hits.</p>
<p>A segment of fans also targets <span>Josh Bailey</span>, the subject of occasional trade rumors -- or trade wishes -- because his contract is lengthy and somewhat pricey for a team suddenly just $5 million under the salary cap. But if the Islanders wanted to dress their truly most talented 12, both Bailey and Lee would probably be on it.</p>
<p>But opening rosters are a matter of roles, injuries, player development -- and waivers.</p>
<p>In his Newsday filing, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/anders-lee-a-victim-of-islanders-numbers-crunch-1.9477897?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Staple quoted coach Jack Capuano</a>o on the Lee situation: "That's a tough one. He's had a pretty good camp. Anders is going to be an Islander for a long time... It's a numbers game."</p>
<p>Lee's opportunity will come again. Possibly soon. But will it be as an emergency fill-in? Or will it be when the Islanders, suddenly awash in depth and injury insurance, see a fourth line that cannot meet the other lines' standard with the ol' "110 percent" every night?</p>
<h5>Injuries, the Reason for Depth</h5>
<p>There was a certain waiver-friendly convenience to some of the injuries that occurred during training camp, as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/6/6925393/new-york-islanders-opening-lines-de-haan-injured-reserve">only summer signing Jack Skille became a waiver-claim casualty</a> of the roster culling process. To fit under the maximum, the Islanders added four more to injured reserve the last couple of days:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Matt Carkner</span> was placed on injured reserve (back) retroactive to Sept. 22. <span>Lubomir Visnovsky</span> was placed on injured reserve (back) retroactive to Sept. 29.</p>
<p><span>Michael Grabner</span> was placed on injured reserve (lower body), retroactive to Sept. 26. Calvin de Haan was placed on injured reserve (lower body), retroactive to Sept 23.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Visnovsky and de Haan in particular mean the existing seven defensemen should have competition again very soon.</p>
<p>Grabner is apparently "not close" to returning according to Staple, so these could be the forwards the Isles have for a while. Potential underperformers and common Islanders' fan scapegoats have a roster reprieve. For now.</p>
<h4>2014-15 Season-Opening New York Islanders Roster</h4>
<p><b>Forwards</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Josh Bailey</li>
<li>Eric Boulton</li>
<li>Casey Cizikas</li>
<li>Cal Clutterbuck</li>
<li><span>Cory Conacher</span></li>
<li><i>Michael Grabner (IR)</i></li>
<li><span>Mikhail Grabovski</span></li>
<li>Nikolay Kulemin</li>
<li>Matt Martin</li>
<li>Colin McDonald</li>
<li><span>Brock Nelson</span></li>
<li><span>Frans Nielsen</span></li>
<li><span>Kyle Okposo</span></li>
<li><span>Ryan Strome</span></li>
<li><span>John Tavares</span></li>
</ul>
<p><b>Defensemen</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Johnny Boychuk</span></li>
<li><i>Matt Carkner (IR)</i></li>
<li><i>Calvin de Haan (IR)</i></li>
<li><span>Matt Donovan</span></li>
<li><span>Travis Hamonic</span></li>
<li><span>Thomas Hickey</span></li>
<li><span>Nick Leddy</span></li>
<li><span>Griffin Reinhart</span></li>
<li><span>Brian Strait</span></li>
<li><i>Lubomir Visnovsky (IR)</i></li>
</ul>
<p><b>Goalies</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Jaroslav Halak</span></li>
<li> <span>Chad Johnson</span><br> </li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/7/6938751/new-york-islanders-opening-roster-anders-lee-ryan-pulock-cutDominik2014-10-06T17:44:15-04:002014-10-06T17:44:15-04:00IR & Demotions: Isles opening lineup taking shape
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<img alt="Bringing the church goes to Bridgeport." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vUz6QhTB_EEeBNbSTFKzq8wl8xU=/0x140:3650x2573/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41075632/482958039.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bringing the church goes to Bridgeport. | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>The IR announcements and AHL reassignments have begun; further waivers not yet needed.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> placed no further players on waivers Monday, meaning they are likely to keep the existing waiver-eligible group for Friday's season-opening roster plus any placed on injured reserve.</p>
<p>At forward, for now that means waiver-requiring <span>Colin McDonald</span> and <span>Eric Boulton</span>, and waiver-exempt <span>Anders Lee</span> are not in the opening night plans. News on full assignments and injuries is in progress.</p>
<p>Late Monday afternoon the Islanders announced that Calvin de Haan and <span>Michael Grabner</span>, out for most of camp, are <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/519231793611169793">on injured reserve</a>. In addition, <span>Kevin Czuczman</span> has been<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/519235391074091008"> assigned to AHL Bridgeport</a>.</p>
<p>Teams have to file their 23-man roster by 5 p.m. Tuesday.</p>
<p>The forward lines today, which are expected to be the lines Friday:</p>
<p align="center"><span>Cory Conacher</span> - <span>John Tavares</span> - <span>Kyle Okposo</span><br><span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> - <span>Brock Nelson</span> - <span>Ryan Strome</span><br><span>Josh Bailey</span> - <span>Frans Nielsen</span> - Nikolay Kulemin<br><span>Matt Martin</span> - <span>Casey Cizikas</span> - <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span></p>
<p>In addition, newcomers <span>Nick Leddy</span> and <span>Johnny Boychuk</span> were paired together in their practice today and are good possibilities to be one of the opening night pairings, according to coach Jack Capuano.</p>
<p>Capuano also <a target="_blank" href="http://video.islanders.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=756&id=637654&lang=en">said things are in flux [video]</a> because of <span>Lubomir Visnovsky</span> and de Haan nursing injuries, to say nothing of <span>Matt Carkner</span>, who also could head to IR. Tuesday's roster deadline should provide clarity. To cut back by two or three more, in addition to Lee, defensemen <span>Griffin Reinhart</span>, <span>Ryan Pulock</span> and Czuczman do not require waivers to be sent to AHL Bridgeport. But Pulock has been inching back from injury and could also go to IR.</p>
<p>The upshot? Offseason signing <span>Jack Skille</span> has been the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/5/6911565/waivers-columbus-jack-skille-islanders-sound-tigers">only casualty of the waiver process</a> from this fall's camp so far. Injuries, and being green, have taken care of the rest.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/6/6925393/new-york-islanders-opening-lines-de-haan-injured-reserveDominik2014-10-05T13:28:53-04:002014-10-05T13:28:53-04:00CBJ claim Skille, rest clear; Hawks waive Brennan
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<img alt="We hardly knew ya." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m3nlLiqImkqMe3sQx5tfXasm2hY=/0x640:2833x2529/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40954156/20140924_tcb_bm4_115.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>We hardly knew ya. | Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We thank Jack Skille and TJ Brennan for their contributions to the master plan.</p> <p>More record-keeping from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6904977/new-york-islanders-waiver-roster-possibilities">waiver</a>-and-<a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/5/6909091/islanders-news-tradenado-johnny-boychuk-nick-leddy-kent-simpson-josh-ho-sang-elc">tradenado</a> weekend on Long Island: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> have (re)claimed forward <span>Jack Skille</span> off of waivers.</p>
<p>The Blue Jackets have been hit by a rash of forward injuries, plus one rash contract stalemate with Ryan Johansen. Skille, who did well filling in for injuries late last season and in the playoffs for Columbus, signed with the Isles this summer on a two-way deal that would still pay him a $300,000 AHL salary ($750,000 in the NHL).</p>
<p>He was always going to be a waiver risk -- the 2005 7th-overall pick previously bounced around from Chicago to Florida to Columbus -- and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a>' second-day free agent additions of <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> and Nikolay Kulemin meant the competition for forward jobs would be that much tougher.</p>
<p>Though it makes it tougher for teams to hoard depth, in a way this is exactly what the waiver system is designed to do: When a player's been around a while and paid his dues, you can't send him to the minors if another team is willing to give him a job in the NHL.</p>
<p>At least for now, Columbus will give him that job.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, another signing from the summer, and involved in yesterday's trades, is also hitting waivers: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> have put <span>TJ Brennan</span> on waivers for assignment to the AHL. Will someone else guarantee him a job, finally?</p>
<h5>Others Assigned to Sound Tigers</h5>
<p>Skille's fellow passengers on the waiver train all cleared, so <span>Aaron Ness</span>, <span>Harry Zolnierczyk</span>, and goalies <span>Kevin Poulin</span> and <span>David Leggio</span> are now officially assigned to the Islanders' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Along with newcomer <span>Kent Simpson</span>, they join a bevy of<a target="_blank" href="http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=209698495"> others assigned to Bridgeport</a>.</p>
<p>However, with yesterday's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6908513/nick-leddy-johnny-boychuk-bruins-blackhawks-islanders-trade">additions of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy</a>, the Islanders have more cuts to come by Tuesday evening.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/5/6911565/waivers-columbus-jack-skille-islanders-sound-tigersDominik2014-10-04T20:27:25-04:002014-10-04T20:27:25-04:00Ho-Sang Signs ELC with Isles
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<img alt="If the jersey fits...sign it." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wOitsRkjGv3emzE5U3KRrwyWZzY=/0x70:2795x1933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40908436/451348136.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>If the jersey fits...sign it. | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>"He'll fit right in."</p> <p>The first (and expected) news of what became a very <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6904977/new-york-islanders-waiver-roster-possibilities">busy</a> day for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6908513/nick-leddy-johnny-boychuk-bruins-blackhawks-islanders-trade">quickly obscured by other headlines</a>: <span>Joshua Ho-Sang</span> signed his entry level contract before being returned to his junior team in Windsor.</p>
<p>Entry level contracts are so standardized that there's little news in them for first rounders, other than the fact things are proceeding as prescribed. As a 28th-overall pick, Ho-Sang's compensation or bonus potential might be interesting when the numbers are released, but everything is so prescribed and even the max rookie salary is low in comparison to players who are beyond their ELC years.</p>
<p>As with fellow 2014 first-rounder <span>Michael Dal Colle</span>, who also signed during training camp, securing the three-year contract now -- while being reassigned to juniors, bumping the contract forward a year -- means the cap hit of the signing bonus will be spread over more than three years.</p>
<p>That's not a big deal right now, but hey, the Islanders just added $6.6 million in actual cap hit today from teams that could no longer squeeze <span>Johnny Boychuk</span> and <span>Nick Leddy</span> under the cap, so ... sooner or later you're talking about real money. Or real cap space.</p>
<h5>Good First Impression</h5>
<p>Ho-Sang, considered "controversial" in several traditional media hockey quarters because <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/8/18/6042349/josh-ho-sang-hockey-canada-camp-snubs-john-tavares">he speaks in thoughtful, coherent sentences</a>, had a nice first camp and displayed the advertised hands and energy in his preseason game appearances.</p>
<p>He's still not up to size, has a lot to learn, and a ways to go before becoming NHL ready. But here's one more step of the journey checked off the list.</p>
<p>Nno matter how it all plays out, he'll live in lore for Garth Snow's post-draft interview after being asked about Ho-Sang's "character" issues. Oh, and he'll live <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/7/7/5877401/islanders-garth-snow-josh-ho-sang-they-on-me-too-t-shirt">on the t-shirt too</a>.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6908865/joshua-ho-sang-signs-entry-contract-ny-islanders-windsor-spitfiresDominik2014-10-04T14:48:51-04:002014-10-04T14:48:51-04:00ALL the D-men: Isles Acquire Nick Leddy Too
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<img alt="You *were* on the same team!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FmB97i3e91FxqbQcG3bwjRk-TEw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40886666/20140102_mta_ae5_055.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>You *were* on the same team! | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Well, that escalated quickly.</p> <p>You could say the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> have had a bit Saturday, and that's got nothing (well, little) to do with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6904977/new-york-islanders-waiver-roster-possibilities">the cuts and waiver moves</a>.</p>
<p>Shortly after news broke that they had <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6907915/johnny-boychuk-new-york-islanders-trade-boston-bruins">acquired Johnny Boychuk from the Boston Bruins for picks</a>, it emerged that <span>Nick Leddy</span> was acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> for defensemen <span>Ville Pokka</span> and <span>TJ Brennan</span> and goalie prospect <span>Anders Nilsson</span>. Newsday's Arthur Staple broke both stories after the day's practices were finishing up.</p>
<p>Leddy is a skilled defenseman making $2.7 million per year on a two-year bridge contract. He'll be an RFA again next summer. Also in the deal is AHL goalie <span>Kent Simpson</span>, a 58th overall pick by Chicago in 2010.</p>
<p>Both new defensemen were shed from their recent Stanley Cup-winning teams purely for salary cap reasons. The subject of trade rumors all summer long due to those cap situations, both Boychuk and Leddy now end up as part of an Islanders team that has made a series of moves since last June to finish its time in the Coliseum in style.</p>
<p>The trades improve the club while also soothing concerns about a young and injury-vulnerable Islanders defense. Calvin de Haan and <span>Lubomir Visnovsky</span> could both be keys, but both are again nursing injuries.</p>
<p>The Islanders upgraded while only giving up one player who was likely make the season-opening roster: Brennan had a good camp and could help the Blackhawks. (<b>Edit</b>: However, sounds like he'll have to pass through waivers first, as <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/518473767186890753">Bob McKenzie of TSN says</a> the Hawks will try to assign him to the AHL.)</p>
<p>Pokka is an impressive prospect who is set to start his first season in North America, while Nilsson is playing in Europe and hasn't impressed in the NHL.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2014/10/4/6907975/nick-leddy-new-york-islanders-trade-blackhawks-pokka-tj-brennanDominik