Some housekeeping details...

 -The Islanders are operating on quite a different training camp schedule this year--the team will have practiced almost two weeks before playing their first pre-season game Sept. 29--and as a result we won't see the roster trimmed as early, either.

Considering the team's playing split-squad games--on both September 29 and October 2--they need all the bodies they can get. Gordon did say he'll be headed to Saskatoon next Wednesday.

-In addition to today, Rick DiPietro will have scheduled off days on Thursday and Sunday of this week to allow him a day of rest after every two days of practice. Gordon said they have not yet determined a schedule beyond that.

--According to a source, the Islanders have begun discussions with first-round pick Nino Niederreter's agent about his entry-level contract. Nothing to report yet, though.