The Islanders preseason roster has whittled its way down to just a few extras and likely cuts, and another line shuffle ahead of Monday night’s preseason match with the Rangers in Elmont.
The open questions remain around where or if some newcomers will fit — Max Shabanov, Calum Ritchie, Emil Heineman — and what the opening blueline pairings will be.
Also, a periodic reminder that Marcus Hogberg is still in the fold.
Checking in on Noah Dobson: It’s wild (but not Wild) that his offseason departure fork in the road seemed to come down to Montreal or Columbus, because there could not be two more different landing places, attention-wise. Hence, just two preseason games in you get a few Montreal talking heads (thankfully someone else watched Pierre McGuire so you didn’t have to) wondering about his “compete” in the defensive zone, “lack of intensity” and his lack of “presence” overall. “He should not be making the same defensive mistakes seven years into his career.” [Eyes on Isles]