Isles Ready For Friday After Strong Pre-Season

I must admit that this is the most excited I've been in years heading into game 1. Let's hope Islanders are brewing their perfect storm after a great preseason and team bonding, finishing with a 6-0-2 record. While the warm-up schedule isn’t usually games against full rosters or matched pairings, it was still a platform for the new look Isles to evaluate a few unset combinations themselves.

They could see a little more of what they had in some of the new guys and how some of the vets would rally behind the team’s mission this year. “I think they do count — we’ve got good vibes, confidence, the experience to be gained from winning a bunch of close games,” Weight said. “It bodes well for our group. We had a lot of our youth in those early games and we didn’t just win, we outplayed teams.” -Staple

Yesterday, the Islanders put Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier on waivers (cleared) and returned Devon Toews back to BST as well, despite a strong showings when called upon. It gives the Isles depth with two reliable, hard-working two veteran forwards and an exciting, speedy blueliner very close to making his presence felt in Toews. Per Stan Fischler, “Sorry to see two of my favorites, #StephenGionta and #SteveBernier put on waivers by @NYIslanders. Hard workers give way to ready kids.” That helped them get down to 23-manroster with Quine and Prince on IR. 13F, 8D, 2G, per Staple.

So, that means rookies Mathew Barzal, Josh Ho-Sang and Ryan Pulock all made the cut along with Anthony Beauvillier, Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech. That’s an infusion of youth that the new look coaching staff will expect big things from this year on both sides of the ice. “It starts with our coaches,” Casey Cizikas said. “They’ve drilled it into our heads from day one that anything mediocre isn’t acceptable. Every shift, every game, every practice, you have to bring your hard hat and get to work. Now we need a good few days of practice so we’re ready for Friday when the bell rings.” John Tavares has 3 points in 3 games, Anders Lee had 5 points in 5 games with a 23% shooting percentage and Jordan Eberle looked comfortable (1 & 2 in 5 games) on his new team. Even Clutterbuck (3 assists) and Cizikas (2 assists) made some early noise in 4 games. Ladd and Nelson (2 points in 5 games) along with Josh Bailey seem poised to benefit from some of the new speed expected to be found up front.

Mathew Barzal has been awesome (27% sp, 3 & 4 for a huge 7 pts in 5 gp /1.4 pts/game) along with Anthony Beauvillier (23% sp, 3 & 1 for 4 pts in 5 games) and have complimented each other well. "I think he's playing Friday," Weight said of Beauvillier. "He's been excellent in every aspect of the game. He's really taken on the PKs and he's an engine, he's working, he's skating better, he's put work in and he's a heck of a player." Josh Ho-Sang (3 helpers in 6 games) has really opened up the ice and been a presence during the preseason, just where he laft off from last season. And let’s consider the way the guys are standing up for each other. “Ho-Sang on his cross check/punch to Manning after Barzal hit: "Nobody messes with my boy." He was laughing when he said it.” – Staple.

Defensively, the Isles infused some youth to add speed and replace the toughness lost by the departure of Travis Hamonic. Ryan Pulock can add some transition and heat from the point while Pelech can stabilize from the Isles zone. Those additions along with Mayfield’s grit and confidence starting the odd-man rush, the young Isles D have a chance to shine this season under a new defensive scheme that won’t block as many shots, but one that’s poised to join the rush offensively. Per Arthur Staple, “Weight said tonight (final game vs Philly) was Pulock's best game of the preseason. Felt Mayfield was #Isles best player Friday in Buffalo.” The players seem to feel the same way. “I think we all accomplished the first goal, which is making the roster,” Mayfield said Sunday night. “Now you want to be a guy that can be an every-night player, someone who can be relied on to play a big role. That’s what all three of us are competing for and I think that competition made for good camps for all of us.” Couple them with some of the veterans on the blue-line and New York looks good on the back end. Johnny Boychuk (3 pts in 3 games) appears back on track and Seidenberg, Leddy, Hickey and de Haan look ready to get things started.

Jaroslav Halak (2-0 in 3gp, .974Sv% and .75gaa) and Thomas Greiss (2-0 in 3gp, .961Sv% and a 1.13gaa) seem ready to get their tandem duties in check and fight for the number one spot. Gibson, McAdam and Gudlevskis will fight it out on the farm and should offer the Isles some good depth in net when called upon.

While the PK has been consistently good, the Isles PP needs to be much better. I would again venture to say that it will dictate the success of their season. Perhaps some of the new blood and new overseers will help its cause. One can only hope. Isles open the season Friday night in Columbus.

"There's a lot of confidence," Beauvillier said. "We've played strong preseason games and it's fun when you win, it's always more fun. I just can't wait for Friday. Let's get it going."

Isles Notes:

Time to give up on Islanders’ return to Coliseum?

Per @HockeyGoalieEh, “Interesting - Tavares leads all NHL forwards in 5v5 ice team over the last three seasons at 3646.94.”

Sound Tigers Notes:

Casey Bailey (RW) has agreed to terms on an #AHL deal w/the #SoundTigers.

Seventh-year forward Ryan Bourque has agreed to terms on an #AHL deal.

NHL Notes:

10/2 Per Elliotte Friedman, “Jagr is done to CAL. $1M+$1M in bonuses. I think it might not be announced until he gets to the city, but there is a commitment.”

10/1 per Bob McKenzie, “DET has released P.A. Parenteau from his PTO.”

J.F. Berube was waived by Chicago yesterday.