Isles Give Boulton A Tryout

After serving as the Islanders resident tough guy the last few seasons, Eric Boulton is in for a new role.  With his contract having expired following last season, the Islanders didn't renew it making Boulton an unrestricted free agent.

Up until now Boulton had remained unsigned, but he is taking a route that many veterans take to show they have a little left in the tank by accepting a try out, according to Newsday.

Eric Boulton agrees to tryout with #Isles. Between him and Matt Carkner, BPT could be an interesting place this season.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) August 24, 2015

If he fails to make the roster he could use his many career experiences to help mentor as well as protect the kids in Bridgeport.  If you are not familiar with the AHL game, it is a much more physical brand of hockey compared to what we see in the NHL.  While his game may not translate up here like it used to, it is still a very much needed part of the game in the AHL.

Isles News Items of the Day

If you have been away from your phone/computer today you have missed some Islanders news stories.

Isles Sign Poulin

The Islanders signed goalie Kevin Poulin to a 1 year two way contract.  Poulin will make 275K in the AHL and 600K if he is on the NHL roster.  After an excellent start to last season where Poulin had essentially put the Sound Tigers on his back, his play really came back to earth as the season wore on and he finished with a 2.87 GAA and a .912 save percentage.  This was Poulins best season as starter since 2011/2012.  At 25, Poulins time could be running out and this year he figures on competing for time with rookie Stephen Williams who is expected to be with Bridgeport next season.

Carkner Signs AHL Contract

After missing all of last season, and with his contract expiring Matt Carkner signed a 2 year AHL contract with the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport today.  According to Arthur Staple, Carkner will serve as a player and coach.

Believe it will be a player/coach role for @CarknerMatt to stay in organization. #Isles https://t.co/i4Z4760pBD

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) August 11, 2015

Carkners style of play will translate well down there I think and his attitude will do wonders for the young players especially Scott Mayfield.

New Third Jersey Coming Next Month

The long awaited Brooklyn third jersey is expected to be released next month, according to multiple reports.  There is no new information yet regarding potential look or design of the jersey.

New Coliseum Name Within 30 Days?

According to the Sports Business Daily Journal, the refurbished Coliseum could have a corporate name within 30 days.  When news broke last year that they would seek a naming rights deal for the arena I tried to think of who it could be but nothing really fit for me so I am curious to see who ends up getting the deal.  Additionally, like was alluded to in a Newsday article last year, I hope they follow through with having the Veterans Memorial name still serve a presence on the grounds, it would be a real shame if they failed to do that.