Okposo and Bailey give Islanders fans reason to be excited

From Greg Logan of Newsday:

It was just one of six goals in yesterday's scrimmage at the Islanders' rookie camp, but it looked like a blueprint for the future. No.1 draft pick Josh Bailey penetrated the right circle and dished perfectly to budding rookie star Kyle Okposo in the slot, where he flicked it left to defenseman Andy MacDonald, who buried the shot.

You never know, but the decision to put Bailey, the ninth overall pick in June, on the same line with Okposo, the seventh overall pick from the 2006 draft, could be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Read the entire story here.

As the article points out, Bailey will most likely return to Windsor of the OHL, but the future definitely looks bright for these two talented youngsters.

Kyle Okposo focused on having a successful sophomore season

From Dan Martin of the NY Post:

"I think we can do big things here, and obviously, I want to be a part of that," Okposo said. "You do pay attention to all the stuff that goes on [with free agency] and who goes where, but I can't worry about that. I have too much to do to get myself ready to play well at this level. I still have a lot to prove. No matter what anyone else thinks of me, if I don't perform on the ice, it's not going to matter."

Read the entire article here.

By all accounts, he will surely be given the opportunity to flourish on the Island this season.

NHL Morning Papers: Special Post-Draft Edition

Here are the morning papers from the Atlantic Division:

• The Rangers were delighted that Michael Del Zotto fell to them at number 20, writes Larry Brooks.
• Isles GM Garth Snow traded down twice on Friday night before selecting Josh Bailey, as Greg Logan explains.
• The Devils drafted the small but ultra-talented Mattias Tedenby on Friday night and picked up some extra picks in the process.
• The Penguins weren't drafting players last night, but they appear to have been drafting a new contract for Evgeni Malkin, as Dave Molinari explains.
• The Flyers drafted one defenseman and acquired another defenseman via trade; Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News has the story.