As Bart might say to Mo: Yes, Oliver clothes-on, at least for the time being, but both sides may still seek a new scene for him.
Hey, there’s a mild bit of Islanders news! The the team’s modest summer cap crunch has become a little clearer now that one of their RFAs has re-signed…
Islanders News
- In no surprise at all, Oliver Wahlstrom and the Islanders “avoided” arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million deal that he may or may not earn on Long Island. [THN]
- The team announcement was appropriately, strictly factual. [Isles]
- The Isles also re-signed defenseman Dennis Cholowski, primarily for Bridgeport but he’ll make the minimum if/when recalled to the NHL.
- Man, you had to be there, but Ray Ferraro’s performances against the Capitals in the 1993 playoffs were something else. Before the D*le H*nter cheapshot on Pierre Turgeon in the series clincher, Ferraro’s exploits were the story. [Isles]
- As usual, the Islanders will have among the fewest travel miles to log in 2024-25. Metropolitan membership has its privileges. [THN]
Elsewhere
- The Oilers have named Stan Bowman GM, pointing to his experience with a pre-loaded and tank-fueled roster in Chicago. Sheldon Kennedy, an ex-NHLer who was abused as a junior player and now leads advocacy work, says Bowman has done the work (and must now lead by example) necessary since losing his job in Chicago over how the entire Blackhawks organization handled the abuse of Kyle Beech. [Athletic | Sportsnet]
- “To have Kennedy — one of the most respected leaders in the fields of sexual abuse and addiction — there was necessary because the appointment is steeped in controversy, ugly optics and arrogance.” [Athletic]
- The owner of Phoenix’s NBA and WNBA teams says the city should have NHL hockey again, too. [Sportsnet]
- If John Tavares loses his tax fight with Canada, that could affect which big-ticket UFAs choose Canadian teams. Lemme get a tissue. [Athletic]
- Travis Konecny gets eight years, $70 million and six years of no-trade from the Flyers. [Sportsnet]
- Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day, and also if you want to know who just got a five-year extension to tend goal for the Sabres. [Sportsnet]