Also: Ross the Boss returns.

The Islanders try to keep a good thing going as the Anaheim Ducks and old friend Ross Johnston visit Long Island.

There will be a lineup change: Scott Mayfield has a different injury and will be out; while Grant Hutton was recalled from Bridgeport, it looks like Sebastian Aho is ready to return instead, according to Newsday’s Andrew Gross reporting from the morning skate.

Let’s give a good ol’ classy cheer to Ross Johnston, claimed off waivers at the beginning of the season after seven illustrious seasons on the Island!

NEXT UP IN NEW YORK ISLANDERS PODCASTS

• Islanders Anxiety – Episode 267 – That Look In Their Eyes
• Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Kevin Poulin (with guest Marc Sabourin)
• Islanders Anxiety – Episode 266 – Don’t Have Words
• Islanders Award Winners: Mathew Barzal, Calder Trophy, 2018
• Islanders Anxiety – Episode 265 – A Couple Different Storms
• Islanders Award Winners: Denis Potvin, Norris Trophy, 1979

 

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NC State jumps to No. 6 in 247Sports transfer portal rankings after Grayson McCall commitment

NC State’s hitting the ground running the transfer portal this winter, boasting the No. 6 transfer class in the country as of Wednesday according to 247Sports.

NC State’s hitting the ground running the transfer portal this winter, boasting the No. 6 transfer class in the country as of Wednesday, according to 247Sports.

The Wolfpack got a big-time commitment from quarterback Grayson McCall today out of Coastal Carolina, bolstering its class to four incoming transfers. Wide receiver Wesley Grimes, offensive lineman Valen Erickson and center Zeke Correll have also joined the Pack out of Wake Forest, Missouri and Notre Dame, respectively. The Wolfpack’s already high ranking doesn’t factor in JUCO transfer tight end Dante Daniels since he is not a portal player, but could be on the rise again in the future.

TCU just barely beats out NC State to round out the top five classes, ranking ahead of the red and white by only 1.13 points. To put that in perspective, the Wolfpack clears the next-highest ACC team — Louisville at No. 15 — by 7.3 points. The Pack follows closely on the heels of the Horned Frogs as well as the nation’s top four classes at Colorado, Notre Dame, Arizona State and Kentucky. The Wolfpack ranks ahead of several big-time programs in the top 25 such as No. 11 Ole Miss, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 17 Missouri and No. 20 Texas A&M.

NC State sits head and shoulders above the rest of the ACC at this point. Nine spots separate the Pack from No. 15 Louisville. Other ACC teams in the Top 25 are No. 17 Virginia, No. 19 Cal, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 22 Georgia Tech. The Pack is also at No. 28 in the overall team rankings, which factors in both recruits and transfers, which puts it at fifth in the ACC, jumping future member Stanford in the 2024 rankings.

State is hosting several official visitors this upcoming weekend again that could very well enter the fold on both sides of the football. While there’s still a long way to go for the portal rankings and the overall standings to be finalized, it doesn’t appear the Pack is slowing down anytime soon when it comes to revitalizing the roster this offseason.

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