Here and gone: Coupla Wednesday notes

The Islanders announced yesterday that Mike Halmo and Kevin Czuczman accepted their qualifying offers, so they’re under contract for next year. QOs were scheduled to expire Wednesday for Kevin Poulin and Brock Nelson, though conceivably they could’ve been extended (haven’t heard anything for sure). What’s that mean? Not much, directly. They’re still restricted free agents. They could still sign at any time. It just means that the qualifying offer — which is, technically, a contract the player can accept — no longer has to be on the table.

Elsewhere, Kent Simpson sorta stays in place: He signed with Stockton, which is now of the AHL.

And… Pluto… Charon… good gravy.

Michael Fornabaio