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Isles forward Kyle Okposo is not on the ice Wednesday, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.

The team confirmed the 25-year-old winger is day-to-day with an eye injury suffered in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Devils at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

Okposo left the game after taking a stick to his left eye and was seen afterwards in the locker room with stitches.

Assuming there is no structural damage to his eye, Okposo is expected to be in the lineup Friday October 3 when the Isles square off in another tilt against the Devils in the team's 2013-14 season opener.

Remember the uproar when John Tavares inexplicably missed the cut for ESPN.com's Neil Greenberg's list of the Top 25 players under the age of 25 just two years ago?

Well, it appears Greenberg has changed his tune about the 23-year-old center, a 2013 Hart Trophy finalist and the recently-appointed Islanders captain.

Find out why right here (subscription required)

Nassau County legislators voted unanimously Monday to approve Bruce Ratner's plan to renovate the Nassau Coliseum, according to Newsday.

Ratner's $229 million plan to renovate the antiquated Coliseum and the surrounding area passed with an overwhelming 19-0 vote that prompted whistles and cheers from the audience.

Islanders owner Charles Wang tried and failed multiple times to advance plans to upgrade the decrepit, outdated building while keeping the team on Long Island. The team has since agreed on a 25-year lease with Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where it will begin playing in 2015.

"It ends a decade of Long Island 'no's' and now we stand here with a resounding Long Island 'yes,'" Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said, according to Newsday.

Mangano chose Ratner, who developed Barclays Center, over three other bidders, including Madison Square Garden, back in May.

Ratner also is trying to obtain the NHL's approval to have the Islanders play six regular-season games back at the Coliseum, although a league bylaw would require the Rangers to sign off on this idea.

A Rangers spokesperson declined to comment when asked whether they plan to grant approval.

NEW YORK -- It will be another two years until the New York Islanders officially leave the long, storied history of Long Island behind for their new home in Brooklyn, but Saturday was the first taste of what is to come in an exciting new era for the organization.

Just like the surprise playoff experience last spring managed to bring a level of excitement long lost for the beleaguered organization, so did the team’s debut in its future home -- the state-of-the-art Barclays Center.

A 3-0 loss to the Devils derailed some of the novelty that came with the first NHL game in Brooklyn, but there was a buzz about the building from the 14,689 in attendance Saturday night.

Aesthetically, it seemed appropriate to have sleek, shiny, modern new digs for a young, talented Islanders team that seems to be on the precipice of making the next big step.

“The atmosphere was great and it was a lot of fun to play in this building, so that part was good,” said 2013 Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares, recently named the team’s new captain.

Though Tavares was a big reason the old, decrepit Nassau Coliseum was rocking last spring -- when rabid fans packed the old barn for the team’s first playoff appearance in six years -- he knows they have been eagerly awaiting a new facility.

“Hopefully fans can take away something from tonight and being part of it,” he said.

Among fans, the experienced was varied. Though the configurations of the arena -- originally outfitted to host basketball -- offer a more intimate appeal, the venue was not designed with hockey in mind (it holds a capacity of 15,813). Because of that, there were sections of seating with obstructed views and challenging site lines.

“It’s a hockey rink crammed into a concert hall,” said Chris Elwood, 32, of Babylon.

Elwood came with his daughter and a group of her Lady Islanders 12-and-under hockey team (which played on the ice earlier that day) and had trouble seeing the action when the puck was behind the net closest to the West End area.

Seth Polan had a similar complaint, though he was seated much closer to the ice in section 009, row 14, seat 8. The 44-year-old Polan said he and his buddies had a tough time seeing the right corner of the ice, though that was partly because they had such "prime seats."

After one period of play, he wasn’t ready to weigh in just yet.

"It's too early," said the Holbrook resident.

Polan's friend Richard Seeger, who came to the game in a vintage Team USA Ken Morrow jersey, was already sold after 20 minutes of play.

“The seats are shallower, which is cool because you get to see more of the player,” said Seeger, 44, of Massapequa. “It’s great. I love it. No complaints.”

Besides the expected gripes about the sight lines and obstructed views, there was some additional grumbling from smokers, who couldn’t find a place to light up their cigarettes -- the arena is smoke-free, as is the surrounding campus -- but overall, fans were pleased with the new facility in terms of aesthetics, ambiance and convenience.

Jennifer DeCarli, 40, came to the game with her boyfriend Frank Palozzolo. Though Palozzolo hails from Long Island, he has since moved to Park Slope, making the Islanders’ future move extra appealing -- “It’s only a 20-minute walk home!” -- for the couple.

“He’s so excited,” she said.

The Islanders seemed so too, even if the excitement was dampened by the loss.

Still, Barclays Center isn’t their home quite yet. Until then, the Islanders feel they have work to do.

“We have two more years at Nassau and there’s big history there,” said gritty forward Matt Martin, an Islander fan favorite. “They won four Stanley Cups there in that arena. It’s a franchise that’s been around for a long time and it would be great for fans to see us win another Stanley Cup there before we go to Brooklyn.”

NEW YORK -- The Islanders didn't break in their new digs with a win, but they did christen their future home with Brooklyn's first taste of NHL hockey in a 3-0 loss to the Devils at Barclays Center on Saturday.

What it means: In a game that was more about the atmosphere than the final score, the new arena drew mixed reviews from the 14,689 in attendance. Though the buzz about the new building brought out a big crowd and ample excitement, there were also some anticipated gripes about the state-of-the-art venue, which will be home to the Islanders beginning in 2015-16. The sleek, modern Barclays Center is an automatic upgrade over the antiquated Nassau Coliseum, at least aesthetically, but some fans weren't sold on the sight lines and obstructed views they encountered.

Fan favorite: Though fans were fond of the intimate feeling the arena’s configuration provides, there were also some complaints about the obstructed views, particularly from the West End area of the arena. Some said they completely lost portions of play while the puck was behind the net, others said they found that the glass warped their vantage point. Even a few fans griped that there was no place to smoke a cigarette.

Looking good: Devils netminder Cory Schneider, who turned away all 22 shots faced in his Devils debut Monday night against the Rangers, has yet to surrender a goal in the preseason. The former Canuck, acquired by the Devils in a draft-day trade, made 26 saves to blank the Islanders in his second exhibition game.

Josefson makes history: Mark this one down, trivia buffs. Devils center Jacob Josefson scored the first ever NHL goal in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Josefson poked through a rebound to give the Devils a 1-0 lead at 10:14 of the first, with defenseman Anton Volchenkov and Swiss forward Damien Brunner picking up the assists.

Down and out: Islanders winger Kyle Okposo left the game with 10:20 to play in the third period after catching a stick to the face that left his mouth bloodied. No high-sticking penalty was called.

Still got it: Veteran Patrik Elias, who is entering his 17th season with the Devils, gave the team a 2-0 lead in the second period and picked up an assist on Steve Bernier's power-play goal in the next frame. The 37-year-old forward, who has amassed 375 goals and 930 points during his illustrious career with New Jersey, led the team in scoring last season with 14 goals and 36 points.

Sticking around: Former Red Wing Brunner picked up two assists in his second game since signing a professional tryout contract with the Devils earlier this week. Following Thursday’s 5-3 loss to the Islanders, the 26-year-old said his conditioning and timing both needed improvement, but he looked better Saturday night. Though Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said he gave Brunner “no promises” about earning a contract for the season, his two-point performance Saturday was a step toward cracking the opening-day roster.

At a glance: Brooklyn gets a taste of NHL hockey Saturday in the first preseason game at Barclays Center -- the Islanders’ future home come 2015 -- when the Isles and Devils meet up for their second tilt in three days. Already familiar foes, the two teams will square off again opening weekend, as the Devils host the Islanders in their home opener Oct. 4.

Last time around: The Islanders beat the Devils in a scoring bonanza that featured two short-handed goals in the first period from Josh Bailey, a breakaway goal by Ex-Devil Eric Boulton and three fights between Devils enforcer Krys Barch and Islanders tough guy Brett Gallant. Devils rookie defenseman Jon Merrill also finished with a goal and an assist in his Devils debut.

Hello, Brooklyn: The Islanders appear to be bringing their A-team for the first NHL game at Barclays, with the bulk of their opening day roster slated to play Saturday night. According to Newsday, the team’s top line of Matt Moulson, John Tavares and Pierre-Marc Bouchard will play, as will Bailey, Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. Veteran netminder Evgeni Nabokov is expected to start in goal.

Second shot: After an impressive performance in his first game as a New Jersey Devil on Monday night, Cory Schneider will get the nod again Saturday. Schneider, who turned away all 22 shots faced in the Devils’ 2-1 win over the Rangers, is expected to play the entire game, according to The Bergen Record.

Ailing veterans: Two of the Devils’ biggest offseason acquisitions -- Jaromir Jagr and Ryane Clowe -- are already on the shelf due to injury. Jagr has not practiced with the team since suffering a lower-body injury the first day of training camp, while Clowe is out with a charley horse sustained in Thursday’s loss. Coach Pete DeBoer said he is not concerned Clowe’s injury will be a long-term issue, however.

Young guns: The Islanders line of top prospects Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome was a fun one to watch Thursday night. Now, keep an eye on the youngsters on their blue line. Both Griffin Reinhart and Matt Donovan will play Saturday as they look to compete for a roster spot.

What it means: The Islanders picked up their first win of the preseason with a 5-3 win over the Devils in Newark, N.J., on Thursday. Josh Bailey picked up where he left off after a strong finish to the 2013 season, notching two shorthanded goals in the first period. Ex-Devil Eric Boulton scored against his former team, while Devils rookie defenseman Jon Merrill finished with a goal and an assist in his Devils debut.

Double duty: Bailey tallied not one, but two shorthanded goals -- only two less than he's had in the past five seasons combined -- in the first period. The first was set up by a nice feed form linemate Kyle Okposo at 6:55. Bailey scored again, capitalizing on a Devils miscue to give the Islanders a 3-1 lead later in the period.

Dazzling debut: Merrill was impressive in his first preseason game as a New Jersey Devil, finishing the night with a goal and an assist. Merill unleashed a bomb that was deflected into the goal by Rostislav Olesz in the first period. He then slid one through traffic to beat Isles goaltender Kevin Poulin in the next frame to pull the Devils within a goal, 4-3. The 21-year-old Merrill is competing for a spot on the Devils’ blue line along with fellow youngsters Eric Gelinas and Alexander Urbom.

Clowe sidelined: Devils forward Ryane Clowe left the game in the first period with a “lower-body injury,” according to the team. He did not return. The 30-year-old Clowe, who inked a five-year, $24.25 million deal as an unrestricted free agent this summer, left the bench after playing only 2:01 over three shifts. The Devils are already without one of their high-profile offseason acquisitions in Jaromir Jagr. Jagr also suffered a lower-body injury, on the first day of training camp, and has not played since.

Making moves: The trio of top prospects Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome proved to be an exciting line to watch. The youngsters connected for the Islanders’ first goal of the night 3:31 in, with Nelson setting up Lee all alone in front of veteran netminder Martin Brodeur.

Take Three: Tough guys Brett Gallant and Krys Barch fought three separate times. The two players found a sneaky way to skirt the rules in their second bout. To avoid a penalty for taking their helmets off before a fight, each player politely tipped each other’s off for him. There were no civil pleasantries the next time, however. Barch dropped Gallant with a powerful uppercut during Round 3 in the third period. Both players were tossed with game misconducts.

At a glance: In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, the Islanders and Devils face off in what will be a prelude to the season opener October 4. The Islanders enter Thursday's game having dropped a pair of split-squad games in Calgary, while the Devils are coming off a 2-1 win over the Rangers Monday night.

Big night for Brunner: Damien Brunner had to watch from a suite Monday night, but the 26-year-old Swiss forward will be on the ice Thursday for the first time since signing a professional tryout agreement with the Devils. Though general manager Lou Lamoriello said there are "no guarantees" that come along with the PTO, chances are the former Red Wing has a good shot to crack the opening day roster.

Introducing Jon Merill: Brunner won't be the only one making his Devils debut. Top defensive prospect Jon Merill will play his first exhibition game. The rookie blue-liner, who played college hockey at the University of Michigan before turning pro, is expected to compete with fellow young defensemen Eric Gelinas and Alexander Urbom for a shot.

Young guns: Among the players expected to dress for the Islanders Thursday are talented young prospects Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome. Kevin Poulin, who is expected to compete for the backup position behind Evgeni Nabokov with Anders Nilsson, is expected to start in goal.

Clutterbuck sidelined: Those anticipating Cal Clutterbuck's Islanders debut may be waiting a while. The gritty 25-year-old winger, one of the Islanders most notable off-season acquisitions, is expected to miss significant time with a skate laceration suffered in a preseason game on Tuesday.

Missing in action: Neither Jaromir Jagr nor Patrik Elias is expected to play Thursday night. Jagr, who signed in New Jersey as a free agent this summer, left the ice with a lower-body injury the first day of training camp.

Like father, like son: While it's back to business for 41-year-old veteran Martin Brodeur as he heads into his 21st season with the Devils, he's had the delight of having his son, Anthony, in training camp with his team. Though it appears unlikely the father and son will take the ice together during a preseason game, Brodeur's son got to enjoy an NHL training camp with his dad after being drafted by the organization this past June.

Ready for some hockey? Katie Strang answered your burning NHL questions.

Read the chat wrap here.

The New York Islanders officially named center John Tavares as their team captain on Monday.

Tavares, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft, ranked third in the league in goals scored last season with 28. He’ll turn 23 on Sept. 20.

“John has developed into an elite player in this league and become the leader of our franchise both on and off the ice,” Islanders GM Garth Snow said in a statement. “He consistently represents our organization with class and respect. John’s work ethic and determination inspires his teammates to succeed, which makes him the perfect choice to lead our franchise.”

Tavares made a long-term commitment to the Islanders when he signed a six-year, $33 million contract extension back in September 2011. That contract runs through 2018.

“I’m honored to be named captain of the New York Islanders,” Tavares said. “To represent my teammates, coaches, management and the incredible fans that support this historic franchise is something that I take seriously. My experiences over the past four seasons have prepared me for this responsibility and I look forward to the challenge of leading the Islanders each season as we contend for the Stanley Cup.”

NEW YORK -- Under the heading of "poorly kept secrets," the New York Islanders scheduled a news conference for Monday at which they will announce their next captain.

While that person -- Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares -- would not confirm that he will succeed Mark Streit -- who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in the offseason as the team captain -- a source told ESPN.com Friday that Tavares will indeed wear the "C" for the Islanders.

Not that there was ever a doubt that it would be the former No. 1 overall draft pick.

Tavares has seen his game grow on an annual basis since coming into the league in 2009. Last season, he redefined himself as one of the game's top centers, leading the Islanders to a surprise playoff berth and finding himself on the final Hart Trophy ballot with eventual winner Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

That he will be tabbed to take on the captaincy was a foregone conclusion once Streit opted to leave the Islanders.

"If it's me, it'd obviously be a great honor. Pretty special to be a captain across the league but also for an organization like the Islanders that have had so many great captains, great players, a lot of history and tradition. So to be amongst a lot of those names, if it's me, it would be something pretty special," Tavares told ESPN.com on Friday during the final day of the league's annual player media tour.

Tavares, who finished third in the NHL with 28 goals in the lockout-shortened season, said he doesn't worry that becoming the captain would change his approach to the game.

"I don't think you try to force anything. I think it just kind of comes with your experience. What you learn in the league. Getting to know Mark Streit so well, becoming really good friends with him, and obviously what Doug Weight's done for me early in my career, you learn so much from those guys that I think a lot of it just becomes who you are," Tavares said.

"You don't try and change who you are. I've always been very driven, very focused. I like to think I have the qualities that can represent being a captain of a team. I think it's something you grow into and you learn and you learn more as you go along and it's not something you try to force."

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Developer Bruce Ratner says it’s “highly likely” the New York Islanders will be staying at Nassau Coliseum until 2015.

“I think they’re going to be here two more years,” Ratner said Friday at the Coliseum, which is set to undergo a $229 million renovation. “That’s not 100 percent definite, but we’ll probably make a decision very shortly.”

There have been rumblings that the Islanders could leave for Barclays Center before their lease at Nassau Coliseum expires in 2015. New York is expected to begin playing at the $1 billion Brooklyn arena in the 2015-16 season.

Ratner said the team’s AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, will soon be playing at the renovated Coliseum, which is expected to seat 13,000. The deal, though, still must be finalized with the Sound Tigers and Islanders owner Charles Wang.

Ratner, the developer of Barclays Center, hopes to make a deal with the NHL to have the Islanders play six home games per season at the Coliseum.

The Coliseum renovation project is expected to begin in June 2015 and be ready for events in September 2017.

MINEOLA, N.Y. -- New York officials have chosen an affiliate of Forest City Enterprises to oversee a $229 million renovation of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano made the announcement Thursday.

Nassau Events Center, LLC, was picked over the Madison Square Garden Co.

The selection of developer Bruce Ratner's group is expected to accelerate the long-stalled process to renovate the aging arena. Ratner recently opened Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

It's still not clear who the primary tenant of the refurbished arena would be.

The New York Islanders have played hockey in the Coliseum since it opened in 1972. They've announced plans to move to Barclays Center in 2015.

The Nassau County Legislature is the next step in the approval process.

The NHL spent the morning in the Bronx as all three New York-area teams gathered to announce the details of the two outdoor games that will be played at Yankee Stadium.

On Jan. 26, the New Jersey Devils will play the New York Rangers at 12:30 p.m. ET. On Jan. 29, the New York Islanders will play the Rangers under the lights at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The two games at Yankee Stadium are part of six outdoor games scheduled for the 2013-14 season. Games will also be played in Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver (Heritage Classic) and Michigan Stadium (Winter Classic).

"It's no secret that people have urged us to play at Yankee Stadium since the moment it became clear that our outdoor games were such special, unique and fun events," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at Thursday's news conference, according to NHL.com. "The creation of the Coors Light NHL Stadium Series allowed us to work within the Yankees' scheduling parameters and, just as important, include all three NHL teams from this area at this spectacular place.

"The rivalries between the Rangers, Islanders and Devils are among the most heated in sports. These games in this venue will showcase our players and our sport to a national viewing audience as well as to a variety of visitors who we anticipate will be in the area at that time. I hear a rumor that there is a football game in New Jersey sometime later that week."

Which game are you more excited for: Devils-Rangers or Isles-Rangers?

ESPN Insider Craig Custance wrote a great piece breaking down the brand-new Metropolitan Division, home to the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Custance argues that the Rangers are trending up, saying that Henrik Lundqvist is the best goalie in the division, better than reigning Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky, and the top four of Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Del Zotto and Marc Staal stacks up with any defense in the East.

Custance says the Islanders have good, young talent but expects "a small step back may be coming after last season's big step forward." My big question about the Isles is, can John Tavares keep up his production after a breakthrough season? If so, this will be a fun team to watch.

After losing Ilya Kovalchuk, David Clarkson and Henrik Tallinder and adding Cory Schneider, Ryane Clowe, Michael Ryder and Jaromir Jagr, the Devils are a hard team to predict. Custance thinks Schneider will have a big impact in the crease and the team will be able to hold steady.

Read the full piece here (Insider).

Paul Grant has expressed his displeasure over the new Metropolitan Division. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.