Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 8/8/13

Jan 2, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Members of the New York Rangers celebrate after the 2012 Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers at Citizens Bank Park. The Rangers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Today at 11:00 a.m. the NHL will hold a press conference at Yankee Stadium to promote its 2014 Coors Light Stadium Series, which is so corporate-centric that the sponsor’s name has been mentioned in the media more times than the actual teams playing in the games.

(I suppose we’re guilty of that as well. But I digress.)

With all the Coors Light branding there’s sure to be on-screen, hopefully there will be enough room for team logos on the backdrop behind NHL commissioner Gary Bettman as he delivers his announcements regarding the two games to be played at Yankee Stadium in January.

The New York Rangers will take on the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 12:30 p.m. in the Stadium’s first outdoor game in its short history. The Rangers will then face the New York Islanders three days later on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in what promises to be an exciting game in the so-called Battle of New York rivalry.

The league is likely to announce the plan for ticket sales for each game—an item of great concern for Devils, Rangers and Islanders fans alike—as well as the design of each team’s “outdoor” jersey.

As has been done for the Winter Classic in seasons past, each team will play their outdoor game in a specially designed jersey in another classic attempt by the NHL to drum up revenue. Most of the jersey designs have been similar to the team’s first jersey, with beige replacing white on the uniform.

There’s also the possibility that the teams will unveil retro-style jerseys that celebrate their history. Whatever the case, sales of these limited-edition jerseys will be hot-ticket items at the NHL Store and at each team’s physical and online retailer.

Regardless of all the hype surrounding events more than five-and-a-half months away, fans of all three New York-area teams should be excited at the prospect of watching their favorite players return to their hockey-playing roots in the great outdoors.

(Even if those games are taking place in one of the most corporate structures in modern-day major sports.)

-MW (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

The Clutterbuck Chronicles, Vol. 1 (EOI)

John Tavares is the Obvious Choice for Captaincy (The Hockey Writers)

PHT Morning Skate: 2014 Ivan Hlinka Tournament Has Begun (Pro Hockey Talk)

Exclusive Access to Tickets 2014 Coors Light Stadium Series Game (NY Islanders)

10 Dark Horse Candidates for the NHL’s 2013-14 Hart Trophy (Bleacher Report)

Thinking Cold Thoughts…at Yankee Stadium (Rangers Report)

NHL: Devils Attract Another Buyer (North Jersey)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

It looks like Bailey and Okposo will have something to prove once the season gets going. Based on past performances, slow starts to the season are to be expected for both players. But, Bailey is fresh off a contract extension and Okposo has been working out with John Tavares this offseason. Perhaps we’ll see new-and-improved versions of both players beginning Friday, Oct. 4.

So far, so good for one of the newest Islanders players, Cal Clutterbuck. The guy hasn’t even stepped onto the Coliseum ice in an Isles jersey and he still might have the most fans of any player on the roster.

Big tree fall hard, AMIRITE?

Take solace, Isles fans: we’re less than two months away from the start of the 2013-14 season. We can do this. Eyes on the prize, people.

So this happened the other day. And I’m so glad it did.

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL offseason 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.

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