Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 9/11/13

The Islanders may continue looking to Kyle Okpso to continue his on ice leadership as an alternate captain. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders officially begin their 2013-14 season today in less-than-exciting fashion: team physicals. While no one enjoys a trip to the doctor’s office, Isles players are probably more eager to see the Isles medical staff than most people are to see their family physician. After all, team physicals mark the final step on the players’ grueling offseason journey and remind us all that preseason games are just around the corner.

As the team’s focus shifts temporarily to Brooklyn for the start of training camp tomorrow, Eyes On Isles will be on-site to bring you the latest news from Barclays Center as the media are granted access to the facility before and during the Islanders’ on-ice sessions. Be sure to keep a browser tab open to EOI as the team inches closer to the start of its season.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally agreed to a contract extension with C Nazem Kadri yesterday, putting the minds of Leafs fans at ease…for now. The two-year deal is reportedly worth $5.8 million for the team’s no. 7 pick in the 2009 Draft. Kadri was second on the team in scoring last season with 44 points (18G, 26A).

Kadri didn’t get John Tavares-type money—much to his chagrin—but the Leafs did well to lock up a point-per-game player at a relatively inexpensive cost. Kadri will have to let his game do the talking, however, since a new contract generally puts a target on a player’s back. (At least, in the minds of the fans.)

Toronto won’t be without storylines as they begin training camp today.

-Mike (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

Rooting for Calvin de Haan to Make the Islanders (Eyes On Isles)

Anders Nilsson Healthy and Focused For 2013-14 Season (Eyes On Isles)

New York Islanders to Open Camp in Brooklyn (Eyes On Isles)

New York Islanders: Choosing Alternate Captains Matters (Eyes On Isles)

Should the NHL Consider Making a Change to 3-on-3 Overtime? (Bleacher Report)

Kadri, Leafs Agree to 2-Year Deal (Boston Herald)

Opening Bell—Five Storylines to Follow as Habs Camp Begins (All Habs Hockey)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

The former Islanders captain earned the respect of fans on Long Island during his five years with the club, and his signing with the division-rival Philadelphia Flyers shouldn’t erase his contributions to the Isles during the transition from basement dweller to playoff contender. When Streit returns to the Coliseum for the first time this season as a member of the Flyers on Oct. 26, he deserves a standing ovation.

Some rivalries supersede real life, which is where video games come in handy for taking out your aggression. Case in point: scrapping with Pittsburgh Penguins D Brooks Orpik. (Virtually, of course.)

Not to mention the risk associated with offer sheeting a player on a rival team. NHL GMs generally don’t want to risk burning bridges within league circles, meaning it’s unlikely Isles GM Garth Snow will consider extending an offer sheet to New York Rangers C Derek Stepan.

Ah, the signs of the NHL season approaching: yet another indication that we’re moving ever closer to Opening Night.

This picture was tweeted and retweeted countless times yesterday, but here’s the Isles logo on the ice at Barclays Center for the first time. When the team takes the ice on Thursday, they’ll get a taste of what it’s like to see ‘Brooklyn’ alongside the logo.

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL coverage and up-to-the-minute Islanders news. Be sure to check the menu bar at the top of the page for ways to connect with the EyesOnIsles staff; we’re always happy to talk hockey.