With injuries removing Shane Prince and Alan Quine from the equation, there wasn’t too much drama surrounding the New York Islanders’ opening roster decisions. Except recent history, an abundance of love for old workhorse veterans, and the waiver-exempt status of a few first- or second-year players had fans wondering.
Though nothing is official until rosters are due Tuesday afternoon, the Islanders on Monday took the steps needed to produce a youth-friendly opening roster for the 2017-18 season: Veterans Steven Bernier and Stephen Gionta were placed on waivers.
That would make it appear that waiver-exempt Mathew Barzal (a lock), Joshua Ho-Sang and Anthony Beauvillier will start with the big club.