Day one of training camp for the New York Islanders has officially ended. Groups one and two saw little surprises, and group three followed the same recipe. Notable lines saw Anders Lee skate alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Pierre Engvall.
That line was an effective trio during the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, so it was no surprise to see the coaching staff let them roll together to start camp. Engvall spoke to NYI Hockey Now about this upcoming year for himself and playing with Lee and Pageau again to start: “Yeah, you know, I think being here one year and, you know, getting used to, you know, everything and, you know, get to know all the teammates more. I want to keep building all we had at the end there and, obviously, I want to be better than I was last season.
” Engvall made it clear he has more to prove after an up-and-down season with the Islanders. Continuing to play with Lee and Pageau can help him build to that. “You know, I think, you know, I think we had something good going on in the end of the last season.
” Elsewhere, Kyle MacLean centered Liam Foudy and Oliver Wahlstrom. Mike Reilly and Scott Mayfield were paired up, and perhaps in a surprise move, Dennis Cholowski skated ahead of Samuel Bolduc during rushes. Cholowski Getting a Look? Lou Lamoriello specifically named Cholowski as a player that the Islanders were excited to see where he’s at during camp.
Safe to say, Cholowski’s getting a look. Cholowski spoke to NYI Hockey Now about the opportunity in front of him and how he’s approaching such a chance with the Islanders. “I just approach it like any other day, really, that I would just go and do my best and work hard and, you know, try to make the best of the opportunities that I do get and just go out and play my game and have fun.
” Chowloski specifically wanted to make clear that he feels his game has improved since last year’s training camp, adding that he feels his game is more well-rounded before adding, “This season, I felt my game was the most complete it’s been in a long time, and I feel really good about it and just try to seize the opportunity.” Scott Mayfield Returns: Mayfield’s return was another welcome sight for the Islanders, as he looked healthier than he had been for vast swaths of last year. He still looks as strong as ever while maintaining his skating ability.
He and Reilly could become a strong pairing for the Islanders, as their games complement one another’s. Mayfield also spoke to NYI Hockey Now about his return and his excitement about getting back on the ice. “It feels good, obviously.
I haven’t played a game since February, so it will be a really big camp for me to get the reps and get the timing back and everything, but body-wise, I feel really good.” Mayfield also expressed excitement about playing with Reilly, talking about how Reilly’s play style is very similar to Nick Leddy’s and Devon Toews’ styles, something Mayfield is super comfortable with. Patrick Roy Speaks: Finally, after all three practice groups concluded, the media met with Patrick Roy following day one of training camp.
Roy was adamant that hard work remains the way to play his style. Asked about the pace of day one, Roy simply said, “I loved it. They knew they were going to work, and they did that, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.
You know we want to raise the bar here. There’s no doubt about it.” Roy admired Maxim Tsyplakov’s strong effort and play, praising his level of effort and overall strength on the puck.
Regarding Matt Martin’s PTO, Roy went to bat for his player, saying, “He has nothing to prove to me. We know the quality of the person, and I love what he’s brought to this team. He’s an Islander.
He’s proud of this organization.” Finally, Roy talked about what he wants to see from Simon Holmstrom, who got looks with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Sternly, Roy said “I want them (Holmstrom, Wahlstrom, Bolduc, etc.
) to force my hand. Simon came in great shape. He had really good (fitness) testing.
I want to see him force my hand and make me play him with Nelson and Palmieri. Same thing for Wahlstrom and Bolduc. They have to force me to play them.
They’re fighting for jobs.” Then, in French, Roy discussed the luxury of working hard before any exhibition games even begin, getting to know the players and all. He also praised the addition of Tommy Albelin to the coaching staff, saying “I’m really happy with him.
” This article first appeared on NYI Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission..
