Rookie Camp Starts…

Today starts Islanders Rookie Camp, and already we have our first Kirill Kabanov incident. Kabanov, who spent most of the summer bunking with former Islanders defenseman Eric Cairns, was late physicals and was held off the ice as punishment (as reported by Newsday’s Katie Strang and NYI Point Blank’s Chris Botta). It’s good to see the Islanders aren’t going to put up with any kind of nonsense from anyone, let alone one off their most talented prospects. Kabanov, as Garth Snow said in June, will play by the rules, or won’t be playing at all.

The rookies will be practicing at Iceworks this week and heading up to Boston Wednesday to have a pair of scrimmages against the Boston Bruins rookies (and from what I’m told Tyler Seguin will be in the lineup for at least one of those games). Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like the games will be broadcast, though we could look for some twitter updates from someone who will be in attendance.

Those attending rookie camp are some of the top Islanders prospects including but not limited to former 1st round selections Calvin deHaan and Nino Niederreitter. The aforementioned Kirill Kabanov, David Toews, Casey Cizikas, Rhett Rakhshani, David Ullstrom, Travis Hamonic, Mark Katic and top goaltending prospects Mikko Koskinen and Kevin Poulin.

The vets will report for physicals later this week and will be on the ice for the first time Friday morning.

Notes…

The Devils have to make a trade and relieve themselves of almost $5 million in cap space by week’s end. I have no inside information, but the Islanders have lots of cap space, so you can’t discount anything.

Former Islander Roberto Luongo has relinquished his Captaincy in Vancouver. Though it’s an antiquated rule, Luongo needs to concentrate on taking his team to the next level. Look for the brothers Sedin to rotate the C from now on.

The Islanders will be holding an open scrimmage at the Coliseum on September 25 at 11am. It sounds like a lot of fun and it will give you a look at some of the kids against the big boys.

More to follow kiddies….camp officially opens Friday