On the New York Islanders …
Andy Graziano: After signing Calvin de Haan yesterday, the Islanders have $3.634 million in salary cap space with 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. That does not include the contracts to either Josh Ho-Sang or Matthew Barzal.
B.D. Gallof: The Islanders will have $35.5 million coming off books after this season.
On the Nashville Predators and Mike Fisher …
Mike Fisher of The Tennessean: In an article written by Fisher himself.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I know I’ve made the right one. I’ve decided to retire from the NHL.
I kept praying for peace about the next step in my life. A peace that said this is God’s will for your future. A peace that said whether or not this was the right time to walk away.
I don’t believe it came in a single instance or some aha moment, but as time passed, I gradually became certain that it was right for me to retire. I believe God gave me the ability to play hockey, and I was helped by dozens of individuals along the way, so it’s not just up to me on when it’s time to say goodbye.”
On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nikita Kucherov …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov met with GM Steve Yzerman back in June over comments he made in April about some of his teammates – they “got their money and stopped working.” Kucherov also commented to Sovetsky Sport about all the line juggling that went on.
“(Kucherov and Yzerman) did have a meeting,” Dan Milstein, Kucherov’s agent, told The Tampa Bay Times. “They got on the same page. There’s no disagreements.
“Everything is good. What was said is done, stays in the past.”
Milstein said again that Kucherov’s comments were made out of frustration after missing the playoffs.