ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania — The Islanders began trimming their initial 68-man training camp roster on Friday.
Yet the logjam among players competing for spots among the bottom six forwards remains. Six candidates — Valterri Filppula, Leo Komarov, Ross Johnston, Tanner Fritz, Jan Kovar and Tom Kuhnhackl — were in the lineup against the Flyers at PPL Center, plus former first-rounders Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang, who are still seeking to finally crack the NHL lineup.
Given that new coach Barry Trotz will likely use the reunited fourth line of Casey Cizikas centering re-acquired left wing Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, that may leave just three spots available — five if the Islanders carry two extra forwards on their 23-man roster.