Also: Ryan Johansen drama in Philly.
News around the Islanders remains in August quiet, but some anticipated movement has shaken loose around the NHL. Before that though…
Islanders Reading
- The offseason look at the Isles. Nothing new here but a reminder of where we are. [NHL]
- Thomas Hickey is a candidate for a gig on Prime Monday Night Hockey. [THN]
- Good guy Matt Moulson helps with a children’s book to inspire young athletes. ‘Cause even in the 9th round, it could happen for you. [NHL]
- An appreciation of Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. [Po$t]
NHL Movement
- The Oilers, after making a couple of small trades — including offloading Cody Ceci, one of their salary cap weights — decided not to match either offer sheet from the Blues. So Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are now St. Louis Blues. Separately but clearly related, the Blues traded unsigned D prospect Paul Fischer and a 2028 third-round pick to Edmonton for “future considerations.” [NHL]
Fun fact: It was the Blues, many regimes ago, that first really tested the NHL’s restrictive offer sheet system, poaching Scott Stevens for five first-round picks as compensation, then losing Stevens a year later as league punishment compensation for likewise poaching Brendan Shanahan from Lou Lamoriello’s Devils. Crazy to think that, had the Blues not signed Shanahan, Lou’s Devils could easily have remained Cupless to this day.
- Apparently two other teams had also sent offer sheets to Broberg. [Oilers Nation]
- The Flyers think they are terminating Ryan Johansen’s contract for “a material breach,” but Elliotte Friedman says he’ll be contesting that. Wonder what Johansen has been up to that he became so unwanted?
- Patrik Laine got his trade request and, ye gods it was for pennies. Columbus sent Laine and a second-rounder in 2026 to the Canadiens for…Jordan Harris. [NHL]
- Gabriel Landeskog could return to the Avalanche “near” the start of the season. For his sake, I hope it happens and I hope it goes well. [NHL]