Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 8/22/13

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s get you caught up on what happened in NHL news yesterday: I, uh…well…there actually wasn’t much going on in terms of league news. I wish I could say differently, but the NHL news cycle has slowed to an absolute standstill as we approach these last 10 days of August, as it normally does this time of year.

This should all come as no surprise.

In the absence of anything significant, NHL-wise, let’s talk New York baseball. (Bear with me; I know this is painful.) The Mets lost a tough 10-inning game to the Atlanta Braves yesterday by a score of 4-1. Their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, won for the tenth time in their last 13 games, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 last night.

Both teams are on the outside looking in when it comes to this year’s MLB playoff race, and it’s unlikely either team will make the postseason. Not that it matters too much, since the start of the 2013-14 NHL season will coincide with the end of both the Mets’ and Yankees’ campaigns.

NHL training camps are scheduled to open in a few weeks, meaning on-ice action and off-ice news will pick up considerably as we move through September, every day inching closer to the start of the season we’ve all been waiting for.

Good things come to those who wait, even if that waiting isn’t always done patiently.

-Mike (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

Do the Islanders HAVE to Move to Brooklyn? (Eyes On Isles)

The Clutterbuck Chronicles, Vol. 3: Always Screen Your Phone Calls (Eyes On Isles)

Meet Colin McDonald (NY Islanders)

The Salary Cap, and Floor, Could Rise More Than Expected (Islanders Point Blank)

New York Islanders: 5 Headlines That Will Be Written in the 2013-14 Season (Bleacher Report)

5 Bruins That Will Roar in 2013-14 #2 – David Krejci (Causeway Crowd)

Tortorella: “I Hope the Kids Take Other People’s Jobs” (Nucks Misconduct)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

If you’ve spent the past five-plus years defending Isles GM Garth Snow for the job he’s done in rebuilding the franchise from the ground up, you’ll find support in this piece by Toli Metter of The Hockey Writers.

Isles fans around the country are beginning to feel the effects of what has felt like a prolonged offseason. I wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘Isles withdrawal’ pop up as a search result on WebMD.com in the next few days.

Sweatshirt weather is almost here, which means one thing: FOOTBALL HOCKEY season is right around the corner. (Priorities, people. Priorities.)

Even though it’s a preseason game, the first NHL action in Brooklyn on Sep. 21 between the Isles and New Jersey Devils will almost certainly have an excitement level not normally felt at exhibition contests.

This is literally the only reason to watch the MTV VMAs. This is not an overstatement.

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.