NYHN Daily: No Game Monday For Islanders, Jam Kancer, Barzal Fun & More

I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. NHL facilities are allowed to open today but in order to enter you need a negative COVID-19 test. Despite the return today, the NHL announced that the regular-season schedule will not continue until at least Wednesday the 28th. That means the Islanders’ next game, slated for Monday against the Buffalo Sabres has been postponed. If you are thinking about making a donation or volunteering this holiday season, look no further than the Jam Kancer in the Kan foundation. No one knew where Islanders’ forward Mat Barzal was during his quarantining and the internet decided to have some fun with it.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Keeping It ON The Island

The New York Islanders originally scheduled contest against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 27 has been postponed. The NHL has decided to resume the regular-season schedule no earlier than Tuesday, Dec. 28. This change has been made for the NHL to be given the time to conduct league-wide testing results and get an idea of where each team is regarding their COVID-19 situation. (NYI Hockey Now)

Every year, the holidays are a time to be with family and friends, to reflect and celebrate getting through another year. It’s also a time to think of others who may not have been as fortunate. Everyone’s situation is different, but if you had the ability to help out in any way this holiday season, think about donating to the Jam Kancer in the Kan foundation. (NYI Hockey Now)

In the time that Barzal was “missing” while quarantining after a positive COVID-19 test, you people had your creative juices flowing. Here are my favorite memes, GIF’s and whatever the kids call them these days surrounding the disappearance and the finding of Mat Barzal. (NYI Hockey Now)

Around The Boards

As we near the halfway point of the NHL regular season, trade rumors are starting to pile up. Does the emergence of Evan Rodrigues in Pittsburgh mean Bryan Rust could be on the move? Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now shares his top five players NHL trade bait list. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Panthers had their season put on pause due to a rash of Covid-19 positive tests which pulled seven players — including top defenseman Aaron Ekblad and top-6 forwards Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe — out of the lineup. So, aside for a lot of negative Covid tests, what is on the Panthers’ Christmas list? (Florida Hockey Now)

Unwanted by the Detroit Red Wings in training camp, Bobby Ryan has finally found himself a hockey home. The veteran forward is joining Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss League and will be launching his tenure with them by playing in the Spengler Cup over the holidays. “I’ve been a fan of the tournament,” Ryan told FullPressHockey.com. “Playing in Canada and seeing it on TSN, I always wanted to feel that atmosphere.” (Detroit Hockey Now)

The NHL trade deadline is March 21, so is it a bit too early to start looking at NHL trade bait lists? Of course NOT!!!!! The rumor mill is ALWAYS open, and here is something of a consensus of the NHL top 5 players available on the trading block – and Adrian Dater’s estimation of the chances the Avalanche might make a move on them. (Colorado Hockey Now)

If Jim Rutherford is Santa and the salary cap is the Grinch, then the Vancouver Canucks could make a pretty suspenseful Christmas movie, one with a plot that would extend into summer. But before he gets to roster maneuvering, the new President of Hockey Operations and interim General Manager for the Canucks has other items on his NHL holiday list. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Happy holidays all. The Calgary Flames Christmas break continues thanks to the COVID situation. Much uncertainty remains. But let’s focus on what we know. Christmas lists were long and with extra time to prepare, here’s what we hope every Calgary Flames player found under his tree this morning. (Calgary Hockey Now)

League Business

The NHL has not played on Christmas Day in over 50 years and there probably will not be another game played on the holiday. So the player that holds the most ever goals on Christmas Day will probably hold the record until the end of time. That player was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, who scored 12 goals on Christmas, two goals ahead of Frank Mahovlich. (NHL)

Long-time New York Rangers equipment manager Acacio Marques has always been more than his role. He’s family and he needs his family as he is currently going through chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer. Despite the treatments and the surgeries, Marques has not stopped working. Because of COVID-19 and his susceptibility, he tends to stay away from players as best as he can. “Not having him around the rink every single day is different and it’s hard,” Rangers forward Chris Kreider said. “But we know he’s going to be able to beat this and he’s going to fight like hell.” (NHL)

On Saturday, Team Canada head coach Dave Cameron announced that Dylan Garand will be his starter for the first game of the IIHF World Junior Tournament against Czechia. “He’s earned it.” Cameron said. Garand stopped 14 of 15 shots he faced in Thursday’s pre-tournament game against Russia. (TSN)

Hosting a world tournament during a pandemic is nothing new for Edmonton and the province of Alberta. How do they bring hundreds of people together for a sporting event without becoming a spreader of the COVID-19 virus? Hockey Canada vice-president of events Dean McIntosh explains the game plan. (TSN)