Top Shelf : Islanders Daily 2/8/2014

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders get ready to play their last game before the Olympic break tonight as they host old friend P.A Parenteau and the Colorado Avalanche.

With New York firmly out of playoff contention and only 23 games remaining on the schedule, it’s all about two things when the team re-convenes after the tournament of stars taking place in Sochi, Russia.

The trade deadline on March 5, where the Islanders are considered to be sellers, with Thomas Vanek and Andrew MacDonald on the trading block and the continued development of young talent coming up from Bridgeport in the American Hockey League.

It is anticipated that Ryan Strome will most definitely make a return to Long Island for the rest of the season and we could even see tryouts for Anders Lee and Scott Mayfield. Griffin Reinhart can be recalled once his junior season ends but that is still very much up in the air as to whether he gets an 8 game look.

It’s a place that Garth Snow and no Islanders fan in the nation thought we would be looking at when the season began but it’s here regardless and has to be dealt with smartly. The summer will prove to be huge as to Snow’s final grade as general manager of this club, as he will have another opportunity to right the ship defensively and in goal.

The rebuild can’t last forever……….right?

In Case You Missed It

• The awesome deke squad re-convenes and shares their thoughts, discussion style. (EOI)
• Preview of group A in the Sochi 2014 Olympic hockey tournament (EOI)
• Dom from LHH with his look into the future plans of the Isles (LHH)
• Not sure what there is to NOT understand but Lubo is not going anywhere (NBC)
• PA returns to place where he got ‘his chance’ and shows appreciation to Isles (Denver Post)

Around The NHL

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2014 – FINAL GAMES

Across The Sound

• The Sound Tigers play their 1000th game tonight vs Albany at Webster Bank Arena.
• They remain home for a 3pm faceoff tomorrow versus Adirondack.
• Andrey Pedan was sent to Stockton of the ECHL to continue his recovery from a concussion.
• With Bridgeport playing 3 games before the Olympic break lifts and 6 before NHL games resume, it’s likely Matt Donovan will be returned to get ice time.
• SOUND TIGERS TEAM LEADERS
  Goals- Anders Lee (18)
  Assists- Ryan Strome (30)
  Points- Ryan Strome (40)
  PIM- Brett Gallant (160)
  Plus/minus- Ryan Strome (+13)