The Islanders still have three restricted free agents in wingers Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Dal Colle, and Joshua Ho-Sang. However, GM Lou Lamoriello told Newsday’s Andrew Gross that the team has already reached an agreement with two of them but the contracts have yet to formally be signed and registered with the league. He declined to indicate which two players had agreed. Lamoriello also expressed his confidence in getting the third player signed without much difficulty so it appears they’ll have their full squad intact for training camp.
The GM also provided injury updates on a pair of veteran wingers. Cal Clutterbuck (back surgery) has resumed skating and should be ready for the start of the season. Meanwhile, Andrew Ladd (ACL surgery) has also started skating but will likely start the season on the Islanders injured reserve list.
Other early news and notes from around the league:
- Bill Guerin isn’t the only Minnesota GM candidate to get a second interview thus far. Fox Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland reports (Twitter link) that Montreal assistant GM Scott Mellanby has also had a second interview with the Wild. Tom Kurvers, who is currently battling cancer, is currently serving as their interim GM but does not appear to be under consideration for the full-time role.
- Stars team reporter Mike Heika noted via Twitter that it’s unlikely that defenseman Ben Lovejoy will return to the team. While he played a regular role for them down the stretch and in the postseason, the team believes that fellow blueliner Stephen Johns will be ready to go after missing all of last season due to a concussion. His presence would basically fill the spot that Lovejoy would otherwise be able to potentially occupy.
Treliving in Calgary hopefully can make a call on Lovejoy , to fill a hole on their D Unit, with injury to Valimaki.