Around the NHL, things are starting to warm up as teams prepare for prospect camps (the Islanders’ begins today, not that they’re promoting it much) and then real training camp next week. Another sign that fall is near? The PTO — Professional Tryout — names are flowing.
It’s funny, back in the day, preseason PTO’s were a go-to move for Garth Snow and a little bit for his mentor-in-secrecy Lou Lamoriello, but so far there’s been no noise on that front with the Islanders. A consequence, perhaps, of them having lots of contracts already — even before they inevitably invite Cal Clutterbuck or Matt Martin back on such a conditional basis.