from Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News,
Silence.
That's been the New York Islanders since they signed a trio of depth forwards on July 5 after retaining their own free agents a few days prior.
Currently sitting $486,625 above the allotted salary cap, the Islanders are more than likely -- out of necessity -- to subtract a player from their roster rather than add.
However, there is one player still on the market after two months of free agency that's a real head-scratcher: Tomas Tatar.
The 32-year-old is coming off a 48-point season (20 goals, 28 assists), his second in New Jersey. Tatar is a rather versatile player, as he played up and down the Devils' lineup, even seeing minutes on the top line.
So, why does he remain unsigned?
Well, do we know that is the case?
Is it possible a certain team signed Tatar, with the announcement not being made public yet?
It's not impossible.
Who knows????
But forgive me if I rave a bit about this young writer - Stefen Rosner. He has gone from a blogger to The Hockey News correspondent working with Stan the Man Fischler - to cover the Isles. I think he graduated college in 2020! VERY hard working guy - and his work has improved every year. He outworks the beat writers and writes a ton of content in the summer while all the others are off "at the cottage".
My thoughts - it depends
If Zach Parise wants back in - he is back in. Lou loves Zach and vice-versa and Parise played well last season. Did Zach play in "Da Beauty League" this summer? If not - I think that could be an indication of a signed contract in lou's top drawer for Tatar.
When Camp opens - we will find out. Lou has to do something. Getting Tomas would be a good "get" if Zach retired. But was Tomas really a + 41 for NJD last season????? That's pretty good!
THN over the last two years has dropped many of the name writers and added people like you pointed out Kaz.
There are some fine writers, others need some work and I will keep an eye on them to see if they improve, the you will see them on KK.
I hope that more good writers break out! I just wanted to point out that Stefen is a candidate for "Rookie of the Year" :)
I never met him, have no reason to rave about him. But the Islanders sites that I belong to and contribute to - they are moving Rosner up the ladder and citing his work often. I hear that the kid is at every practice the media is allowed at and comes up with a lot of good off season content. Elliotte Friedman (for example) has nothing to worry about ... yet...but this kid is hard working. It's not ALWAYS great content -but it's often some of the best writing in the local media (and that includes NYR and NJD) not the clickbait stuff you see from some other kids - I just wonder if Stefan has the same access that Newsday and The Athletic have? I am fans of both Andrew Gross and Kevin Kurz. I think Stefan has more runway to get to Kevin's level...but that kid will work!
I really love to read about ALL the NHL teams and if you are posting them - I will follow them online as well. It's interesting to see financially if news media will continue to finance road trips for beat writers or not. The NY Post at times has not provided coverage for the Isles on the road but do so for their beloved Rangers. As the economy and media change, it will be interesting to see how hockey coverage changes. It's a tough job and the top ranked writers deserve time off in the summer. But guys like all of us who read KK on a continuous basis are more interested in seeing if our 7th round pick - who will never play an NHL game is signed yet to a 2 way contract and how are their training habits this summer - than just about anything else. We want to read about hockey and not junk articles. These young writers should take advantage when they have the airwaves to themselves and write!!!!
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