Isles-Yankees connection

Pinch-hitting for our Yankees beat writer at the ballpark today, so I won't be able info to give any updates from the rink, but I did discover an interesting Islanders connection this morning.

Phil Hughes (who, incidentally found out that his next start would be skipped because of his innings limit) is a good friend of new Islanders tough guy Zenon Konopka. 

The two met in Tampa while Hughes was in training camp and Konopka was playing for the Lightning. Hughes assured me Islanders fans are in for a real treat.

"He's definitely a fighter," Hughes said. "There was this time last season when he hurt his hand pretty bad and the coach told him not to fight. Sure enough, the next night he was back out there throwing punches."

Hughes, who said he might try to get out to a game this season, is also friends with former Islander and current Lightning forward Nate Thompson.