ISLES WORK ON DETAILS ON DAY THREE:
The Islanders wrapped up day three of training camp earlier this afternoon. In comparison to the demanding and tiresome sessions focused on elevating the players compete levels and eliminating 'summer rust' held on days one and two, the third day of camp concentrated on the systematic intricacies of Islanders hockey.
"The last two days have been about breaking out pucks, the forecheck, our neutral zone," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "You start building out aspects of our game. We break it down in a small element and then keep adding a piece to it...We explain how we're all connected. We had to stop one drill today because one guy was doing too much. You just need to do your job and trust that the guy next to you is going to do his. If you have that trust in the guy next to you, you're linked together."
"It's nice the first couple of days to get your legs back and work on timing and what not," Mathew Barzal said. "Today was definitely more system stuff and getting our structure system down. The season is coming day-by-day so we're just making sure we're making good progression."
This year's training camp features a roster of 70 players. The coaching staff has created two separate rosters for the upcoming preseason games this week. The coaching staff will evaluate the rosters further following Monday's preseason game at Philadelphia and Tuesday night's home game at NYCB Live Nassau Coliseum.
"Sometimes the players make it easier to pair down," Trotz explained. "Depending on where they are in their careers will help. We're going to get through these first two games and then we'll reassess."
KUHNHACKL MISSES THIRD STRAIGHT SKATE:
Islanders winger Tom Kuhnhackl missed his third-straight day of training camp. Kuhnhackl is day-to-day with an unspecified minor issue.
