Islanders & NHL News [UPDATED]: Gaudreau Tragedy
Oh good, they’ll be on the TV.
This daily post has been updated after the tragic news about Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau being killed by an impatient and possibly drunk automobile driver. UPDATE: This is our daily(ish) news roundup post, but shortly after it was posted, news was making the rounds about a terrible tragedy in the NHL: Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were both killed by a vehicle while they were cycling in New Jersey. Initial reports have police suspecting the automobile driver was under the influence of alcohol and filing charges.
Johnny was an NHL star, and Matthew — his teammate in high school and at Boston College — played with the Islanders’ AHL and ECHL affiliates in Bridgeport Worcester between 2017 and 2021. The Blue Jackets, Flames, the Islanders, the whole NHL and indeed all of hockey will be in mourning. Johnny had two children under two, and their sister was reportedly getting married today.
Below continues our original post, which may explain why the topics in comments will vary from the mundane to the sadness of news like this.
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We’re heading into Labor Day weekend, the metaphorical end of summer in the U.S., so the other side will include September and players starting to show up in advance of training camp. The season isn’t here, but it’s rounding the bend.
News-ish
The much-rumored “Gotham Sports App” is indeed going to be a thing, putting the legendary Yankees and Islanders, as well as other periodically noteworthy franchises like the Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Devils and Sabres under the same “digital umbrella” for streaming purposes. [Newsday | Athletic | THN]
Not at all news, nor new really (he said similar stuff earlier in the summer), but kind of funny: #RealDealNeil Smith is unimpressed by the Islanders’ offseason and is sure something is wrong with Anthony Duclair since he’s been on so many teams. [Post]
You can tell old friend Barry Trotz is a little peeved at up-and-coming goalie Yaroslav Askarov forcing a trade, as Barry referenced young players these days and how they had a “really good plan” for his development. But, I mean, they also just signed their #1 to the modern-day equivalent of a Rick DiPietro deal, so I’m not sure what they expected. [TSN]
Jeremy Swayman faced RFA hardball from the Bruins last summer, and he remembers. Now that they’ve dealt his counterpart before re-signing Swayman, he’s got the leverage and is in no mood to offer a hometown discount. [TSN]
Here are some highlights from the NHL’s U.S. national broadcast (ESPN, TNT, ESPN+) schedule. [NHL] Ten of the Isles’ games are affected. [THN]
Jesper Fast had neck surgery this month and is not expected to be available at all this season. [NHL]
NATION IN CRISIS: Why doesn’t Canada produce good goalies anymore? [TSN]
Nick Robertson is sticking to his trade demand, which is ticking off a lot of Leafs fans, because you’re just supposed to be honored to wear that uniform. [Leafs Nation]
Oh, are we here again already? NHL players are structuring their contracts and signing bonuses to insure against a lockout when the current CBA expires. [TSN]
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