It’s that time of year: the prospects were formally skating, while the established pros run their own workouts and get ready for the big camp. All that’s missing is “Radek Martinek was seen working out at IceWorks,” but “Matt Martin is on a PTO” is a suitable 2024 equivalent.
Islanders News
- Matthew Maggio recognizes pro hockey is tougher than he expected, and it’s a long road for him to make the NHL. [Newsday]
- Maggio realizes he needs to make adjustments after his first AHL season. [Isles | THN]
- After an injury and a taste of the AHL last year, Alex Jefferies is ready to progress. [Isles]
- Prospect camper Marshall Warren is more familiar with the Isles than most. [Newsday]
- Rick Kowalsky would’ve loved to see Ruslan Iskhakov in Bridgeport again. Presumably, the sentiment was not mutual. [THN]
- It’s also that time of year: Audition to be an anthem singer. (Sure…good luck with that.) [Isles]
- (yester)day in Isles History: The double-OT win, the Varly swan dive. [Isles]
Elsewhere
- Here’s all of the PTOs around the league thus far. Over/under on how many get contracts? (And Max Pacioretty probably shouldn’t count, since his contract is basically pre-ordained.) [NHL]
- Speaking of which, the Leafs have more bodies than jobs available. [Sportsnet]
- Not on a PTO, 35-year-old James van Riemsdyk has signed with the Blue Jackets. [NHL]
- Rick Tocchet is both managing expectations and being realistic when he says this season will be much tougher for the Canucks. [Sportsnet]
- A researcher at heart, Eric Tulsky had a choice: Take a job with Apple, or take a job that could lead to an NHL management career. Now he’s GM of the Hurricanes. [NHL]
- Wayne Simmonds returns to the Flyers for a front office job. [TSN]
- Antti Raanta says thaatt’s enough. [NHL]