Top Shelf : Islanders Daily 2/22/2014

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew MacDonald might be smiling in about ten days but not for the reasons that might seem obvious to the casual observer.

MacDonald is expected to be part of the sell-off of general manager Garth Snow prior to the March 5 trade deadline along with forward Thomas Vanek. A-Mac priced himself out of Islanders future plans and Vanek turned down a very lucrative contract extension, all but sealing their fate on Long Island.

Both players, depending on whom they get traded to, could have a chance to compete for hockey’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. Latest rumors have Boston and Detroit very interested in MacDonald and Los Angeles and possibly Pittsburgh after Vanek.

For New York, it’s back to business as they have been skating and practicing for the last three days at Iceworks in Syosset. Frans Nielsen is still nursing a broken hand and will more than likely not be ready when the team resumes regular season play on Thursday against Toronto. Matt Martin is also said to be suffering from a lower body injury but might resume skating over the weekend or at the latest Monday and is expected to be ready. With Michael Grabner and Vanek expected to return to the club on Sunday,that only leaves Tavares on the shelf for the season.

In Olympic play, the United States put in a disappointing effort yesterday and could not break through Canada’s tough defense as they lost 1-0 in Sochi. The Americans will play Finland this morning at 10am EST for the bronze medal while Canada takes on Sweden tomorrow morning at 7am to decide the gold and silver.

In Case You Missed It

• A look at the dilemma facing Islanders GM Garth Snow regarding draft picks (EOI)
• The next episode in the very entertaining Deke Squad discussed some hard hitting topics (EOI)
• Eric Bordin shares his opinion on professionals in the Olympics (EOI)
• Chris Triantafilis takes a look at what’s ahead in the wake of the Tavares injury (EOI)
• Art Staple with his recap of how the Islanders must regroup (Newsday)
• Lighthouse Hockey takes a deeper look into ‘battle level‘ (LHH)
• New Merchandise at the Islanders team store (official site)

Around Sochi

• Canada 1, United States 0
• Sweden 2, Finland 1

Gold medal game : Sun, Feb 23 7am EST (Canada vs Sweden)

Bronze medal game : Sat, Feb 22 10am EST (US vs Finland)

Across The Bridge

The Sound Tigers are absolutely red hot right now and won for the 9th time in 11 games last night, defeating the Wolf Pack 4-3 behind two late goals by Anders Lee. The official recap can be found right here.

Things are bound to get tougher for Scott Pellerin and his staff however, as it is expected that Ryan Strome, possibly Anders Lee and Matt Donovan will be recalled to the big club as soon as early next week.

NOTES (C/O Soundtigers.com)
Welcome to Bridgeport: Joel Broda scored in his first game as a member of the Sound Tigers Friday. Jake Newton did the same when he played his first game last Saturday.

Returns to the Lineup: Joe Finley (hand surgery) played in his first Sound Tigers game since Oct. 20. Andrey Pedan (upper body) was out since Nov. 11, though he recently played five games for the Stockton Thunder.

Winning Streaks: The Sound Tigers have now won four games in a row for the third time this season, tied for their longest winning streak of 2013-14.