Martin retires, Rocky descends, Zdeno enters the Hall
The NHL Draft is just days away and there’s lots of Islanders updates (not draft-related, exactly), with Mathieu Darche speaking to media and shedding some light on recent developments.
Also, a longtime Islander retires upstairs and a longtime NHLer and former Isles gets the Call from the Hall.
Islanders News
- As you expected, Matt Martin has been re-signed…as Special Assistant TO THE General Manager. But seriously, with this comes the announcement of his retirement, 13 (regular season) games short of 1,000 — and a “Mr. Islanders” save for a two-year cash-in back in Taranna. May he enjoy the executive life and be taken under Darche’s wing. [Isles | Newsday | Post]
- Fawning and fawning over the “aura” of Matthew Schaefer. [NHL]
- Speaking of whom (maybe), Mathieu Darche spoke and, um, yeah, he’s not trading the #1 overall pick. He does aim to re-sign each RFA. He and Patrick Roy worked together in filling out the bench staff, with Roy “zeroing in” on names and Darche doing due diligence on them. [Isles | NHL | Newsday]
- Rocky Thompson: Great name, hopefully better coach, for AHL Bridgeport. [Isles]
- Who is honored with the prestigious Weirdest Islander of the Year? Who’s the runner up? Guess here, and find out by listening to the Weird Islanders podcast. [LHH]
- It’s not Isaiah George, who hopefully has many more long stretches with the big club in the near future. [Isles]
- Islanders legend Zdeno Chara, who also had stints with the Senators and Bruins, is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Isles]
- Stan Fischler’s son, a successful heart transplant recipient 30+ years ago, is in need of a new one. [Elmonters]
Elsewhere
- A very very long NHL trade candidate list that includes J-G Pagaeu. [Fourth Period]
- Another long list of NHL trade candidates, from Nick Kypreos (which translates to Falls On Goalie’s Knee), includes Noah Dobson. [Sportsnet]
- There were other Hall of Fame inductees, too, including Alexander Mogilny (finally! in his 17th year of eligibility) and Duncan Keith on his first ballot for some reason. [NHL]
- Can the Flyers and Rick Tocchet unlock/reawaken Trevor Zegras? [Sportsnet]
- Ol’ Islanders pal, recently fired as head coach of the Ducks, lands the head gig with AHL Iowa. [Athletic]
- The Sabres would have “zero hestitation” moving the #9 pick, probably because they’re out of ideas at this point. [NHL]