Islanders Daily: Barzal Birthday Blast, McDavid Magic & More

The New York Islanders have two players at the World Championships, Mathew Barzal and Kieffer Bellows, both heading to the semi-finals with their respective countries. Mathew Barzal had the bigger day, with a goal and an assist, on his 25th birthday. Connor McDavid scored the overtime game-winning goal to send the Edmonton Oilers to the Western Conference Finals.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!27

We had been waiting for New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal to break out For Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. I guess he was just waiting for his 25th birthday as he notched a goal and an assist against Sweden, to help send Team Canada to the semi-finals. (NYI Hockey Now)

Back in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, with the 43rd pick, the New York Islanders selected forward Ruslan Iskhakov. On Wednesday, the now 21-year-old signed his three-year entry-level contract. (NYI Hockey Now)

Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Tampa Bay Lightning forward and three-win Stanley Cup champion Pat Maroon said that Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand can rattle his cage like no other in the NHL. (Boston Hockey Now)

GM Ron Hextall has made it clear that the Pittsburgh Penguins want to re-sign Kris Letang. He’s said it repeatedly. And, often, emphatically. That doesn’t mean it will happen. Who are the best replacement options? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

General manager Chuck Fletcher is looking for a new coach to turn around a Philadelphia Flyers team that finished with the second-worst record in franchise history. Here’s hoping he doesn’t think the new hire is going to be a savior, even if it’s the great Barry Trotz. The primary focus needs to be on the roster writes Sam Carchidi. (Philly Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers paid a steep price to bring Claude Giroux in at the NHL trade deadline. Will he return for at least another season? “It’s one step at a time here right now,” Giroux said at the Panthers’ cleanout day at the arena on Wednesday. “We need to take a few weeks here to let things settle down. We’re still pretty fired up. We have a lot of things to think of.’’ (Florida Hockey Now)

With the 2022 NHL Draft less than six weeks away, top prospect Shane Wright took some time to chat with Montreal Hockey Now’s own Marco D’Amico on this past season, his growth and what he feels he needs to accomplish this summer in order to make the NHL at training camp. (Montreal Hockey Now)

After undergoing surgery to reconstruct a torn ACL in his left knee, Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson took to social media to thank fans for their support. Wilson posted an Instagram story on Wednesday after the news came out, showing his appreciation to supporters. The 28-year-old is expected to miss 6-8 months for the Capitals as he recovers and rehabilitates his left knee. (Washington Hockey Now)

Judging by my mentions and inbox, Avalanche fans are not at all through the seven stages of grief yet, over last night’s epic meltdown in Game 5. Everybody is still stuck on the “anger” part it would seem. Hey, I don’t blame you writes Adrian Dater. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Vegas Golden Knights fans did not have much to cheer for this season in terms of the team in the playoffs. But the fanbase still had some fun moments in and throughout the regular season. With the offseason raging on, and the Golden Knights taking their time in naming a new head coach, let’s revisit the 2021-22 season to pick out the best moments for the VGK. I asked on Twitter and Facebook for you all to recount your favorite moments from this season. Here were some of the picks. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks need scoring, and there’s plenty of that available at the top of the 2022 Draft. That’s not to say Joakim Kemell, Brad Lambert, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Frank Nazar, or Matthew Savoie are helping the Sharks immediately, but there’s no doubt that San Jose could use another potential first-liner besides William Eklund in the organization, writes Sheng Peng. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Unfortunately for the Flames, Connor McDavid’s quick strike five minutes into the overtime period meant the death of a stellar season. It was even tougher to swallow after Blake Coleman thought he’d won the game for the Flames — twice — late in the third period. (Calgary Hockey Now)

Canucks Roll Call is assessing every player who held a significant place in the fortunes of the 2021-22 Vancouver Canucks season. We’ll be looking at the highs and lows they experienced during the recent campaign, as well as what the future holds for them in Vancouver. We’re under way with the club’s free agents and today we feature Brad Hunt. (Vancouver Hockey Now)