Daily Links
Islanders Daily: Czarnik Takes Part in Cave Ceremony, Prospect Signings & More
The New York Islanders will be back on the practice ice Monday morning as they kick off a home-and-home with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. On Saturday night, New York Islanders forward Austin Czarnik, who is playing in Bridgeport, took part in a ceremony for his late friend Colby Cave, who had his no. 25 retired by the Providence Bruins (AHL). Prospects are signing left and right and are the Vancouver Canucks still alive?
These stories and more in today’s daily links!
On Saturday night, the Providence Bruins celebrated the life of the late Colby Cave, who passed away two years ago at the age of 25. He had played four seasons in the NHL, two with the Boston Bruins and two with the Edmonton Oilers. He spent four seasons in Providence. The Bridgeport Islanders, the New York Islanders AHL affiliate, were also on hand for the ceremony as Colby’s former teammate Austin Czarnik took part in it. (NYI Hockey Now)
The Boston Bruins have their eyes on this season and the Stanley Cup playoff run ahead of them, but they also very clearly have their sights set on the future as well. The Boston Bruins showed it on Sunday with the news that they’ve signed Swedish winger Oskar Steen to a two-year, one-way contract at a cap hit of $800,000 for both seasons. (Boston Hockey Now)
The Pittsburgh Penguins had lost four in a row in regulation. They were finally angry and a bit critical of their performance after their Saturday 6-3 drubbing by the Washington Capitals. It didn’t look good in the first 10 minutes of the third period, either. However, Sidney Crosby set up a Penguins goal and forced overtime against the Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena. And then he won it in overtime. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
Mike Benning was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as he recorded four points in wins over Michigan in the semifinal and on Saturday. On Saturday night, the Pioneers came into the third period down 1-0 to Minnesota State, but it was Benning who sparked the comeback effort. (Florida Hockey Now)
It looks Sidney Crosby will not face further discipline for punching Nic Dowd in the face during Saturday’s tilt between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL Department of Player Safety has not made any comment on Crosby. The Pens captain is currently playing for Pittsburgh against the Nashville Predators and picked up his 27th goal of the season in the opening frame. At this point, it seems unlikely that No. 87 will face a fine or suspension for his actions. (Washington Hockey Now)
Bobby Brink is officially a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. One day after Brink helped the University of Denver win the NCAA national championship, the diminutive right winger signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Flyers. “This is such a storied organization. So much history,” Brink said. “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Flyers.” (Philly Hockey Now)
Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Riley Kidney has gone from a late riser in last season’s QMJHL season to one of its most dangerous players this year, making him one of the most exciting players in major junior right now. His progress has been remarkable in his own right, building off an exceptional 2021 QMJHL playoffs and using that momentum to push him to new heights this season. (Montreal Hockey Now)
Robin Lehner has had an inconsistent first season as the Vegas Golden Knight’s full-fledged starter. Most of this has to do with the injuries that he has dealt with. But now during the stretch run, he is starting to regain his confidence and play up to the level we all know he is capable of. (Vegas Hockey Now)
On Saturday, when the Denver Pioneers routed Minnesota State 5-1 in the Frozen Four championship game at Boston and the Avalanche took a 2-1 shootout win over the Oilers at Edmonton, I caught myself wondering: How many of the Avalanche played U.S. college/NCAA hockey? It didn’t take long to tally. Ten. (Colorado Hockey Now)
It hasn’t been an ideal season for Nick Bonino. The 33-year-old was the San Jose Sharks’ biggest free agent signing this past summer, expected to center the third line for a playoff hopeful. Bonino went pointless in his first 18 games and the Sharks are now 17 points out of the playoffs after a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. (San Jose Hockey Now)
The Vancouver Canucks turned a sliver of hope into a glimmer of optimism with their 4-2 victory over the visiting San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. The playoff door is slightly ajar. From metaphors to the actual numbers … (Vancouver Hockey Now)
Defenceman Noah Hanifin recorded four assists and forward Dillon Dube added a pair of them to help lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-1 win Saturday over the Seattle Kraken. The win in Seattle ended an undefeated four-game road trip for the Flames, who extended their lead atop the Pacific Division to seven points as the second-place Edmonton Oilers dropped a 2-1 shootout decision Saturday night to the Colorado Avalanche. (Calgary Hockey Now)
Matty Beniers, the first-ever draft pick of the Seattle Kraken (no. 2 overall in 2021) has signed a three-year entry-level contract. Beniers led Michigan with 43 points in 37 games as a sophomore and will be practicing with the Kraken on Monday, traveling Tuesday and Thursday. (NHL)