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The Islanders took a more complicated road than necessary, but will get the same 23-man roster in the end.

The team placed Ross Johnston on waivers Monday afternoon, meaning that Simon Holmstrom took the final spot on the varsity heading into Saturday’s opener against the Sabres.

But because Johnston was waived on Monday and not Sunday, Holmstrom was loaned to AHL Bridgeport in a paper transaction so the Islanders could be compliant with the league’s 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m. Monday.

That means in the announcement released by the team, Johnston was listed on the roster while Holmstrom was not.

No matter, the expectation is that Holmstrom will be back up in short order.

The 22-year-old Swede has spent most of training camp stationed on the top line alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, a position in which he is expected to start the season.

After playing 50 games for the Islanders last year as a product of injuries throughout the lineup, then sitting out during the playoffs, Holmstrom will have gotten in on his own merit.

Asked Monday prior to any moves being announced whether Holmstrom had earned a roster spot, coach Lane Lambert all but confirmed he would be sticking around without officially doing so.

“I think he’s played well,” Lambert said. “And I think that for the most part, he’s a pretty good fit there. So we’ll see what happens.”

The Islanders brought their roster decision down to the final hours, with Johnston taking part in practice on Monday before being waived. But after Johnston played just 16 games last season and did not seem in line for an everyday role during training camp, any other outcome would have been a surprise.

“I think everybody’s had a good showing, for the most part,” Lambert said. “So you want decisions to be tough. I think the guys have made it tough.”

It is unlikely that Johnston, who carries a $1.1 million annual salary, will be picked up off waivers.

Since signing the four-year pact in October 2021, Johnston has played in just 48 games with the Islanders, becoming a frequent healthy scratch.

Getting his cap hit off the books allows the Islanders to be under the $83.5 million cap and put themselves in line to have approximately $2.4 million in space by the trade deadline after space accumulates.

Since Johnston is on a one-way deal, he will be paid his full salary in the AHL.

If the Islanders buy out Johnston’s deal, they would take a $366,667 yearly cap hit from now until 2029.

As for Holmstrom, this amounts to a major chance for him to show an offensive element to his game that eluded him last season. Though the Islanders regularly talked up Holmstrom’s shot and offensive prowess, he had just six goals and three assists last season, usually playing in a bottom-six role where it was instead his defensive instincts that shone through.

Playing with Barzal and Horvat, two offensive-minded stars, Holmstrom should have every chance to produce. On the heels of an injury that kept him out of the final two months of the regular season last year, Barzal has put together an excellent training camp, looking like a renewed offensive threat. Horvat, meanwhile, scored a career-high 38 times last year.

The Islanders have not had a top line with this kind of potential recently. And now Holmstrom should at least start the season as part of it.

The potential has already started to come to fruition in the preseason, as Holmstrom scored a goal off a puck Barzal tipped against the Flyers, then notched an assist on a tape-to-tape pass to Horvat against the Rangers a few nights later.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Holmstrom said following his goal.

And now he has another one.

Simon Holmstrom expected to claim Islanders’ final spot after last-minute roster move Read More

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is coming out with a bold red lipstick that may unite football, makeup and pop culture fans in light of the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift rumored relationship. 

The popular whisky company shared social media posts about its Fireball Cinnamon RED Delight Lipstick on Monday, Oct. 2, and a spokesperson from The Sazerac Company — owner of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky — confirmed to FOX Business the product is being developed.

In an email, Sazerac noted that the color red has been prominent in the 2023 NFL season.

While Sazerac didn’t directly name the Kansas City Chiefs — the team Kelce plays for — red is one of the football team’s official colors.

“Fireball has a history of being the celebratory drink of choice for football players and fans alike, and we think this season’s epic mash-up of football and pop culture is worthy of a little extra heat,” said Danny Suich, global brand director for Fireball, in a statement.

“There are a lot of new football fans in the stands these days who may be looking for a bold way to support their favorite team or tight end with a spicy, RED new look, and, as always, Fireball is here to help. Because in our opinion, every touchdown should taste like a championship parade,” he continued.

Red is a significant color for Swift; she often wears red lipstick during her performances and public appearances.

Swift also released an album named “Red” in 2012 — and went on a 15-month concert tour known as “The Red Tour” from March 2013 to June 2014.

The 34-year-old award-winning pop singer re-recorded and released her famous “Red” album in 2021 as “Red (Taylor’s Version)” following her dispute with music executive Scooter Braun.

Color aside, Kelce, 34, seems to enjoy Fireball Cinnamon Whisky products. 

In February, the NFL tight end went viral when a video showed him catching a small bottle of Fireball that was thrown at him during the Super Bowl Victory Parade in Kansas City — he drank the bottle in front of the crowd.

Kelce’s football podcast, “New Heights,” which he hosts alongside his brother, Jason, a center for the Philadelphia Eagles, shared the viral video on X, formerly Twitter, with the phrase, “Those cinnamon delights.”

Fireball is pricing its limited edition lipstick at $13.87.

Fans of Taylor Swift know the singer considers the number 13 to be her lucky number, while fans of Kelce know the football player’s jersey number is 87.

Sazerac told FOX Business in an email that its Fireball Cinnamon Delight RED Lipstick can be worn to a championship parade or to a football viewing party.

It is “the perfect statement to make if you find yourself wanting to be supportive of a certain team … or new relationship,” the spirits company also said.

Swift and Kelce haven’t confirmed to the public whether they’re in a romantic relationship, but fans have been keeping a close eye on the pair in recent weeks.

The singer and footballer made headlines in late September when Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears game in Missouri — and again at the start of October, when Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets game in New Jersey.

Prior to that, Kelce attended Swift’s Kansas City concert in July when she stopped by Arrowhead Stadium as part of The Eras Tour.

Her current tour is running through November 2024.

Fireball releases RED lipstick inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance Read More

A Honda sedan crashed into the lobby of the Chinese consulate in San Francisco Monday — and the driver was shot dead by police, according to authorities.

San Francisco police confirmed its officers fatally shot someone after the vehicle rammed into the visa office Monday afternoon.

A man covered in blood was taken from the scene on a stretcher and into an ambulance, KGO reported. He was reportedly unconscious.

Officers entered the building and made contact with the driver before police fatally shot the suspect, authorities said during a short press conference.

The driver was pronounced dead at the hospital.

More details about the shooting were not immediately known, including why the driver went into the building.

“I wish I could give you more but this is a very complex investigation,” Sgt. Kathryn Winters said.

The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China said the unidentified driver “violently” crashed into the building and posed “serious threat” to the life and safety of staff.

Facilities were also damaged, the consulate said.

“We condemn this violent attack and reserve the right to pursue responsibility for the incident,” it said, noting it expressed diplomatic discontent with the US.

The area around the visa office where the car crashed was taped off and people were advised to avoid the area. 

With Post wires

Driver shot dead by police after crashing into Chinese consulate in San Francisco Read More

The NHL will not be using Pride Tape this season as the league continues to move away from special initiatives that caused issues among a small group of players — in particular Pride Nights. 

In June, commissioner Gary Bettman told Sportsnet that it would no longer allow teams to wear special warmup jerseys after becoming too much of a “distraction.”

That now seems to extend to Pride Tape, which players used to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities by predominantly wrapping their sticks with it.

Pride Tape media relations representative Jeff McLean confirmed to The Post the league will not use the company’s product this season as it moves away from special initiatives and warmup jerseys.

“Pride Tape will not be used on the ice this year in the NHL,” McLean said, following a report by OutSports.

The NHL did not immediately return a request for comment from The Post. 

Earlier on Monday, OutSports reported that the NHL had “issued a league-wide ban of Pride Tape on the ice with the players during warm-ups, games and even practices.” 

The issue came into the spotlight last season as seven players refused to wear Pride-related warmup jerseys on Pride Nights for their respective clubs.

Ivan Provorov became the first player to do so — citing his Russian Orthodox religion — and skipped warmups entirely during the event.

The Rangers, who had plans to wear Pride uniforms in January, walked back that decision before their Pride Night at Madison Square Garden.

The controversy that followed led to the NHL’s initial policy change about warmup jerseys.

However, the league was forced to clarify what was and wasn’t permitted last week, according to ESPN, after several teams expressed concern over the restrictive nature of the league’s first memo. 

The updated memo sent to teams last week gave a much clearer picture and explained that the restrictions were limited to on-ice activities. 

It also stated, according to ESPN, that “players should be encouraged to express themselves off the ice.” 

In June, NHL superstars Connor McDavid and Steven Stamkos expressed their dismay with the league’s new restrictive policy surrounding special warmup jerseys. 

“I certainly can’t speak for every organization,” McDavid said at the NHL Awards. “I know in Edmonton, we were one of the first teams to use the Pride Tape.

“We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride nights.”

NHL bans players’ use of Pride Tape after already eliminating themed warmup jerseys Read More

The show must go on.

Shannon Beador has decided to seek treatment, but that won’t keep her from continuing to tour with her “Real Housewives of Orange County” besties.

The reality star has reportedly enrolled in an outpatient behavioral wellness program with an alcohol component, TMZ reported Monday.

Sources told the outlet that Beador — who was arrested for DUI and hit-and-run on Sept. 16 — still plans to be a part of the “Tres Amigas” comedy show alongside Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson.

However, she allegedly won’t be drinking at their upcoming tour dates.

In solidarity with Beador, the insiders claimed that the three Bravolebrities intend to shift the focus of the show from alcohol to their friendship.

Reps for Beador did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

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According to TMZ, Beador, 59, began researching treatment centers last month after hitting a residence in Newport Beach, Calif., while driving intoxicated.

She also reportedly offered to pay for the property damage.

Photos exclusively obtained by Page Six captured the aftermath of the crash, which included a destroyed garden, uprooted plants and vehicle debris at the scene.

After clipping the residential building, sources told TMZ that the Bravo star drove off before parking her car nearby in the middle of the street.

Officers found Beador pretending to walk her dog, Archie. She was arrested and later released on $2,500 bail.

The TV personality has since been spotted wearing a cast on her left arm while walking her pooch.

While Beador hasn’t publicly addressed the DUI herself, her lawyer, Mike Fell, previously told Page Six that she is “extremely apologetic and remorseful.”

“We will be awaiting the official information on this case as it becomes available, and Shannon is prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions,” he said in a statement.

Shannon Beador enrolls in outpatient program, will continue ‘Tres Amigas’ tour without drinking: report Read More

Horrifying footage shows the moment an Israeli mother and her two young sons were abducted by Hamas fighters on Saturday during the Palestinian terror group’s surprise attack on the Jewish state.

Shiri Silberman-Bibas, 30, looked wide-eyed and frightened while clutching her two small, red-haired children — ages 3 and 9 months — to her chest as Hamas terrorists ordered her around, according to a short clip circulating online.

The family had been hiding in their home’s safe room in a village near the Gaza border when the armed fighters broke into their house, according to a report.

Silberman-Bibas was hunkered down in the room with her husband, Yarden Bibas, and the two boys, Kfir and Ariel, when they heard the gunmen shooting automatic weapons outside their windows, the New York Times reported.

Bibas, 36, who was armed with a small pistol as they hid, texted family members during the terrifying attack, according to the newspaper.

“I love you all,” he wrote.

A half hour went by and he texted again: “They’re coming in” — his final message, according to the Times.

Family members feared for the worst after the silence. Then they spotted Silberman-Bibas and the unmistakable bright red hair of the couple’s boys in the footage circulating on social media.

Bibas could be seen nowhere in the short clip.

Silberman-Bibas’ parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, are also missing and are feared to have been taken as hostages by Hamas as well, the Times reported.

“I just hope that they are alive, and that they are together. And I want them home, with me, so I can hug them tightly again,” the couple’s niece Yifat Zeiler told the publication through tears.

She called the situation a “catastrophe.”

The young family is believed to be just a few of the 150 Israelis — including women, children and the elderly — kidnapped by Hamas and brought into Gaza. Another 900 Israelis were killed by Hamas, government officials said.

The situation for the kidnapped Israelis is dire as the Hamas military wing threatened Monday that it would kill one prisoner for every Israeli airstrike “targetting innocent civilians.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take “mighty vengeance” against Hamas after the group launched the worst attack on the Jewish nation in 50 years.

Intense Israeli airstrikes have since killed 687 Palestinians, including children, according to Gaza health authorities and left hundreds of thousands without homes.

More than 187,500 people have been displaced across Gaza since the fighting began just days ago, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report.

Many of the combined 1,600 dead on both sides are innocent civilians and thousands more have been wounded.

Horrifying video shows Hamas terrorists kidnap Israeli mom and her two young sons Read More