Islanders Daily: Barzal Snipe, Gaudreau’s Future, Giroux Going Home?

New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal took a little bit to show up for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships but has been red hot over their last two games. Although it is likely that Johnny Gaudreau remains a member of the Calgary Flames, could he end up with the Islanders if he leaves?

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

On Saturday, New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal stayed red hot for Team Canada as he scored for the second straight game, helping his country advance to the Gold Medal game. His goal, an absolute beauty of a shot under the bar while on the power play. You have to watch. (NYI Hockey Now)

It seems like a fantasy signing. A superstar in Johhny Gaudreau, in his prime, coming to Long Island to help the New York Islanders bounce back after a rough 2021-22 season. Although the chances may be slim, it does not mean it’s impossible. (NYI Hockey Now)

Now that Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has retired, it might be that B’s general manager Don Sweeney is the most polarizing figure within the Original Six organization. He’s made some tremendous moves while at the helm and under his management has developed a handful of players. (Boston Hockey Now)

The pandemic changed a lot of things for the Pittsburgh Penguins. And every other team in the NHL, for that matter. One season was suspended, another was shortened. And despite the fact that the salary cap will rise to $82.5 million, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still feeling the financial effects. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Claude Giroux is happy in Florida,  and if the Panthers can somehow find enough cap space, the former Philadelphia Flyers star would not mind returning to the Sunshine State. But what about Giroux ending up playing for his hometown team, the Ottawa Senators? It would make a lot of sense. (Philly Hockey Now)

Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito did not get into too many specifics for what he plans to do next. Speaking two days after his team was unceremoniously swept out of the playoffs by the Lightning, Zito said there will be plenty of time for that. “Our gear is still wet,” he said. Zito, with the cap situation, has a lot of work to do this offseason. (Florida Hockey Now)

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said on breakdown day that the team could be in for a hard summer with a lot of decisions that’ll have to be made. And, looking at the current state of the team, nothing should be off the table for Washington this season. In fact, the team should be ready to go all-in heading into 2022-23. (Washington Hockey Now)

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft is growing closer and chatter around the NHL is indicating that the Montreal Canadiens will draft top prospect Shane Wright with the top pick overall at the Bell Centre on July 7. It would surely help the Canadiens up the middle, as general manager Kent Hughes tries to build a contender with all the young talent. (Montreal Hockey Now)

Red Wings Role Call is assessing every player who held a significant place in the fortunes of the 2021-22 Detroit Red Wings season. We’ll be looking at the highs and lows they experienced during the just-completed campaign, as well as what the future holds for them in Detroit. Today, we feature center and team captain Dylan Larkin. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Now that the Avalanche has made it through the (dreaded) second round, finishing off the Blues in Game 6 Friday night at St. Louis, we also can put to rest the storyline that Jared Bednar’s job is on the line. (Colorado Hockey Now)

It’s the biggest storyline of the Calgary Flames offseason. Hell, Johnny Gaudreau was the biggest storyline of the regular season, too. After the best year of his NHL career, the 28-year-old winger is facing the biggest business decision of his life with his contract expiring and unrestricted free agency just around the corner. And it sounds like he wants to stay. (Calgary Hockey Now)

The Vancouver Canucks are one of six or seven teams that were on Andrei Kuzmenko’s NHL short list as the Russian free agent winger decides where he wants to play next season, and based on a conversation VHN had on Friday with his agent Dan Milstein who was calling from Europe, one gets the impression the Canucks are a favourite on a list that’s gotten shorter. It also appears it won’t be long before Kuzmenko makes a decision. (Vancouver Hockey Now)