Isles Notes For 6/26

The Islanders mini camp stated yesterday with prospect meetings, Blue and White team alignment and some physical testing.  The teams hit the ice today and showed a little of what they can do to the coaching staff.  The mini camp roster looks like this.

Anders Lee is not at Mini-Camp because he is taking classes at Notre Dame over the summer.

Per Sound Tigers, 13 of the 47 players at the 2012 Isles Prospect Camp played for the Sound Tigers last season. 

Per Tom Mascioli, “Isles rookie camp invitee Johnny McGuire considered one of the toughest fighters in the OHL last season with the Erie Otters. 163 PIM's, 48 GP.  McGuire not very big at 6'1", 190 lbs., took on players much bigger in Jarred Tinordi, Tom Wilson, Jamie Oleksiak to name a few.  McGuire, who plays right wing, is the nephew of Jeff Beukeboom. He only put up 2-1-3 in 48 GP last season. Small enforcer type.”

The Islanders released their Preseason Schedule today.  Games will be played vs, Oilers, Devils and Senators.  The Isles will play at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn on October 2nd.

Per P.A.’s agent, @walsha, PA Parenteau will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Per Arthur Staple, Isles will make an offer to UFA D Justin Schultz, who will start whittling down his choices tomorrow. Many clubs interested, obviously.

Ben Kuzuma of Post Media explains, “Judging by the clamour to court the former Anaheim second-round 2008 draft pick — he became a UFA on Monday thanks to a loophole in the expiring NHL collective bargaining agreement that cites his extra year of BCHL play before jumping to the NCAA and then snubbing the Ducks at the June 1 signing deadline — there’s widespread belief that at age 21, the West Kelowna, B.C., product has a level of maturity to excel at the pro game.

And with Schultz limited to a two-year, entry-level contract at $925,000 US annually, suitors are salivating. It makes his reported demand for NHL ice time seem moot if he’s that good after amassing 16 goals and 44 points in 37 games with the NCAA Badgers last season.”

Per NHL Network analyst Craig Button on NHL.com -- on Justin Schultz, "Overall, he's a player who is capable of controlling the pace and tempo of play when he has the puck. He's a player who wants to make a difference in the game. I think he has a chance to be a top-end defenseman."

"His foundation of skating is excellent.  He has speed, quickness and agility and is able to use his abilities to beat pressure defensively and to move into advantageous positions and be a threat offensively. He can speed up the game or slow it down and is very elusive. He has great awareness and poise with the puck and is able to make plays on the move or when stationary. He doesn't panic under pressure and is always aware and can adapt to changing circumstances instantly. He has a calming influence when he has the puck and while he can quickly strike, he doesn't force plays. He's an excellent passer and he has that panoramic vision that allows him to 'spread the ice,' so to speak, and to be able to attack opponents with multiple options. That makes it extremely difficult to shut him down. He has a very good shot, and along with his passing, it keeps goalies and defenders on their heels. He is unique in that he seems to play the game just ahead of the pressure and not in a hurried manner, but with tremendous confidence and an assuredness that is intimidating.

NHL Notes:

Per @adater, Phoenix GM Don Maloney says Shane Doan will test free agent market. Potential teams will get good leader and officiating conspiracy buff.

Joe Sakic, Adam Oates, Mats Sundin and Pavel Bure have been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.