The Islanders, along with 23 other NHL teams, will open their second training camp of the 2019-20 season on Monday, almost four months to the day the COVID-19 pandemic forced play to be paused.
But coach Barry Trotz is offering no leeway to his players over the unique circumstances as they prepare for a best-of-five qualifying series against the Florida Panthers that opens on Aug. 1 in Toronto.
"You just look outside, nothing we've done in the last three months is predictable," Trotz said Saturday on a teleconference. "So, wrap your mind around that. It's not normal and you better focus on what the end game is and the end game is to get by the Florida Panthers and move on. We're going to go with the guys that are the most ready, that can help us win."
