Soundin' Off

You knew 10 defensemen wasn’t going to hold up for long, and the casualty was the one guy on a PTO, Brandon Gentile. Lots of bodies here, obviously, and The List on Monday could constrict things even more, but Brent Thompson’s admiration for the guy was (and has been) clear, and it’s also clear he’d be glad for another chance to coach him at some point. See how things go.

Nick Niedert arrived to fill in for Anders Nilsson, who was recalled yesterday and named AHL goalie of the month today.

The lines and pairs throughout the week have looked pretty similar to the ones that ended last week, but Thompson talked about making sure everybody gets an opportunity as they get into the run toward the playoffs here. One playoff-style thing for sure this weekend: the schedule. Every other day? Is this the Adams Division semifinals?

(Won’t be in Albany, by the way, so be here for the liveblog off Josh Heller’s call.)

Up top, Dylan Reese joined the Islanders in Philadelphia. Edit: In fact, this afternoon they announced he has been activated. That’s seven defensemen up there.

Barry Goers signed a PTO with Lake Erie.

And Syracuse and Anaheim may be breaking up, Lindsay Kramer reports.

So there was David Ullstrom today at Wonderland, for now at least, skating with Casey Cizikas and Rhett Rakhshani and ready to get back out there. How long will he be with those guys? Well, with Cizikas and Rakhshani, depends on chemistry, flow, what have you. With the Sound Tigers? Sounds as if all involved are hoping for a short stay. Story tomorrow.

Brandon Gentile was in town and wearing No. 23 on his helmet. Today at least, Benn Olson was in Calvin de Haan’s old spot with Ty Wishart. Twin Towers on defense. Another defenseman is likely by tomorrow to get themselves to seven. The only forward line intact was Haley-Romano-Backman; we’ll see what they finally look like tomorrow night. (We’ll almost certainly be sitting home for it, so stop by for a liveblog.)

Edit: With an assist to Doug for finding the release from Colorado, Jon Landry is the other defenseman. He’s no relation to the Jon Landry who played here last year; that Landry isn’t playing right now, though far from forgotten. This Landry is second among ECHL defensemen in scoring.

The Sound Tigers are wearing special pink-trimmed sweaters for Saturday’s game.

Seen on Twitter: Pascal Morency speaks.

Don’t know if you guys watch “The Middle,” but I thought last night’s episode, particularly the opening scene as they honored and remembered and reacted to the death of actress Frances Bay’s character, was beautiful.

You may have seen this by now, but: Just after Jack Jablonski, Jenna Privette, a girls hockey player in Minnesota, was seriously injured in a game. Jeez. A fund has been set up for her as well.

And RIP, Bill Janklow.

What looked like a familiar set this morning, with the welcome addition of Tomas Marcinko to full practice, got a bit jumbled quickly. Notes:

–The Islanders announced that Calvin de Haan will miss four to six weeks with a left-shoulder injury, without further specifics. They don’t expect him to need surgery, though. Brent Thompson had said earlier that Brett Gallant is on a similar timetable, though there’s even fewer specifics on his upper-body injury. Joey Haddad practiced again.

–The Islanders then announced this afternoon that David Ullstrom, out since a Dec. 20 concussion, is coming back to Bridgeport.

Edit: Forgot to mention Mark Katic skating. Back on the ice, at least; a first step back. At best, he’s six to eight weeks away. But still.

Edit3: I seem to have whacked this accidentally while adding the Katic note, but Bridgeport let Mathieu Aubin go Wednesday.

–One defenseman, and most likely two defensemen, will be coming in on PTOs in the next couple of days. Edit2: According to the ECHL transactions today, one of them appears to be Alaska’s Brandon Gentile, who played for Thompson last year, a defensive guy with some mobility.

What the lineup will look like, who’ll finally be in: Still to be determined, Thompson said. Marcinko is the closest of the three close regulars. The Islanders play Thursday night, as well.

Meanwhile, new potential shootout candidate: sniper Benn Olson outlasted Kael Mouillierat to win the last-man-standing competition today.

Will take a closer look over the NHL Central Scouting midseason draft rankings for skaters and goalies. At first glance, the only local I caught was at No. 123, Brunswick’s/New Canaan’s Kevin Duane. The Connecticut prep schoolers all appear to be from out of our region (though one is the son of former NHL coach and player John Stevens). Only other Connecticut name I recognized off the top of my head was former Enfield High freshman standout Robbie Baillargeon, who’s in the USHL. Speaking of upstate, Matt Conyers has more on that Gordie Howe visit to Glastonbury.