A moment of silence in Bossy’s memory was observed before the Islanders topped Montreal in a shutout effort. The New York Islanders announced the passing of franchise legend Mike Bossy on Friday at the age of 65. Bossy, one of the most renowned names in Islander history, had been battling lung cancer, previously diagnosed in October 2021. “The New York Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world,” Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said in a team statement. “His drive to be the best every time he s ..read more

The Zdeno Chara era — the second coming of it — is set to begin Thursday when the Islanders open training camp for the 2021-22 season. It’s an exciting time for the 44-year-old, as he’s joining an Isles’ squad that has hopes of lifting the Stanley Cup this year after coming close the last two years. And there’s been a lot of chatter about how Chara will be used in the defensive rotation by head coach Barry Trotz. Will he be playing top-four minutes alongside Scott Mayfield? Will he be paired with Noah Dobson, who’s 23 years younger his senior? Will him and Andy Greene making up the oldest def ..read more

Back in late July, I had posted a blog about the Islanders gaining more national exposure for this upcoming season. Well, it seems that piece was pretty foretelling. The NHL announced its National TV schedule yesterday and the Isles are scheduled to have 12, yes TWELVE, appearances for the country to see during the 2021-22 season. ESPN, the league’s primary new television home, will show the team two times: Chicago on October 19th and against the Washington Capitals in late April. The Isles are slated for four games on TNT — January 5th at Vancouver, March 20th at Philadelphia, March 27th aga ..read more

Islanders fans have every right to be enamored with Mathew Barzal. The star-studded ability and excitement he brings to the game is infectious. But, and Isles fans know this well, there’s one element of his game this needs to take a turn this year: discipline. Barzal, for all the good he does, still shows he is prone to taking unnecessary penalties. Last year, Barzal led the Islanders in penalty minutes in the regular season with 48. Yes, he LED the team in PIMs. Imagine someone like Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid doing that? Unheard of. Barzal being at the top of that stat-line is just u ..read more

The summer has been slow and quiet for the Islanders. But when there’s been any news, it’s always been loud and reverberated the notion that their general manager Lou Lamoriello is on another level. Lamoriello was at it again, continuing to put on a masterclass, after settling all the “family business” this morning with the announced signings of Casey Cizikas, Anthony Beauvillier, Kyle Palmieri and Ilya Sorokin. Cizikas’ contract is six years at $2.5M AAV per year. Beauvillier’s is a three-year agreement worth $12.3M. Sorokin’s deal is three years worth $12M. And Palmieri’s is four years, $5M ..read more

The NHL has made March 17 a holiday in more ways than one, as the Islanders and Rangers will do battle at MSG. New York hockey fans will be more than happy to add a little blue to their St. Patrick’s Day proceedings. The National Hockey League announced on Tuesday that Nov. 28’s postponed game between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers will now be staged on Mar. 17 at Madison Square Garden. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET with coverage likely carried on the networks of MSG. That postponed weekend matchup was one of two Islander games delayed by a COVID-19 induced pause, the other b ..read more

The New York Islanders have an extensive break to rest their bodies and prepare for the remainder of the 2022 season. However, they are still getting back a few players from injury, including goaltender Semien Varlamov. Varlamov, whose injury designation is unknown, played in 36 games last year with the Islanders, allowing 72 goals on 120 shots against. “I’m feeling great right now,” Varlamov said after practice, per the NY Post. “I’m ready, ready to go. Ready to play a game.” Varlamov has a rather solid health history, so missing camp this year was quite a surprise for the veteran goalie ..read more

It’s been two years since Mikhail Grabovski called it a career, but the former Islander is now getting a very special honor after transitioning to coaching following his post-playing days. On his Instagram yesterday, Grabovski confirmed he is now a part of the coaching staff of the Belarusian squad that will participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing next February. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mikhail Grabovski (@officialgrabo) Grabovski, who was actually born in Potsdam, Germany, grew up in the country he’ll be representing. He and his family moved to Belarus ..read more

The New York Islanders are set to enjoy a healthy rest, playing just one game over the next 10 days. Despite winning their last two games, the Islanders sit at 3-2-1 on the season, losing three of their first four games. This isn’t exactly how they envisioned their start to the new campaign, as they wait patiently for the return of Anders Lee. However, coming off a 2–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Islanders haven’t given up a goal in two games, marking an impressive streak for goalie Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin made 42 saves as Josh Bailey, and Matthew Barzal contributed goals in the ..read more

The hockey world was hit hard over the past few days with the deaths of three junior players, Rangers legend Rod Gilbert and the sudden passing of Jimmy Hayes. Hayes, 31, was suddenly found dead inside his Milton, Mass. home yesterday just mere hours after celebrating his son Beau’s 2nd birthday on Sunday. The news of Hayes’ death sent shockwaves around the sport. “The NHL family mourns the passing of Jimmy Hayes, who appeared in over 300 games with the Blackhawks, Panthers, Devils and his hometown Bruins,” the NHL said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Several I ..read more