Rosner Wrap: Tarasenko’s Bounce Back, Tkachuk to New Jersey?

Good morning and happy Friday! Another free agency week in the books and the New York Islanders are still in stealth mode as they have yet to make any signings. Should people be concerned about Vladimir Tarasenko’s health? Where is the likely landing spot for Matthew Tkachuk? What’s the latest on J.T. Miller?

These stories along with your New York Islanders stories in today’s Rosner Wrap: 22

NYI Hockey Now: The biggest concern with current St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko is his injury history. It’s an unavoidable conversation given his age, 30, and the number of surgeries needed to repair his shoulder, three. It’s why the New York Islanders and the rest of the NHL passed on Vladimir Tarasenko in the summer of 2021 when they all had the ability to get him while his value was at an all-time low. But it seems his injured past is behind him.

 NYI Hockey Now: The Bridgeport Islanders, the New York Islanders AHL affiliate, has announced their 2022-23 regular season schedule, which includes 11 games against the Hartford Wolfpack. They open the season in Providence on Oct. 14 and host their first game of the season on Oct. 22 against the Laval Rockets.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins and forward Kasperi Kapanen came to terms on a two-year deal worth $6.4 million. It seems like a head-scratching move given Kapanen’s lack of production, but clearly the Penguins are banking on the fact that Kapanen will play like the Kapanen they envisioned when they acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston Hockey Now: New Boston Bruins center and restricted free agent Pavel Zacha will have to wait until the last possible day for arbitration hearings to be heard. Zacha’s hearing will take place on August 11, along with Mason Appleton (Winnipeg Jets), Morgan Geekie, (Seattle Kraken), Tyce Thompson (New Jersey Devils), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames), and Jake Walman (Detroit Red Wings).

Washington Hockey Now:  After bidding adieu to the Washington Capitals, goaltender Vitek Vanecek had a fun message for his Alex Ovechkin. Vanecek, who had spent his entire career in the Washington organization and the last two years between the pipes for the Capitals, will remain in the same division but be on the other side of the ice following a draft-day trade to the New Jersey Devils. And, as he prepares to begin a new journey with the Devils, he is ready to shut down his former captain.

Montreal Hockey Now: The likelihood of the Montreal Canadiens being legit NHL trade suitors for disgruntled Calgary Flames restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk is extremely unlikely. Of course though, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton would be crazy to not at least inquire on Tkachuk with Flames general manager Brad Treliving on what it would cost to acquire him on the NHL trade market.

Detroit Hockey Now: After trading in his Red Wings for a day to soar skyward with the Blue Angels, Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic finds himself questioning his career choice. Top Gun or top stopper? Nedeljkovic finds himself wondering what the right answer might be.

Philly Hockey Now: Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher had no comment when asked in a text message Thursday morning about the sex scandal involving players from the 2018 World Junior Canadian team, and Carter Hart’s potential connection, if any. Hart, now the Flyers goalie, was a member of that championship Canadian team.

San Jose Hockey Now: Per Sheng Peng, the San Jose Sharks put pen to paper with David Quinn, as he will become the next head coach of the franchise. Quinn’s only NHL coaching job came with the New York Rangers from 2018-21. Was Quinn always going to be the guy?

Calgary Hockey Now: There have been a lot of trade rumors circling Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk. National Hockey Now confirmed with an NHL executive source this week that the New Jersey Devils made a play for Tkachuk at the draft, using the second overall pick, a roster player, and a prospect as bait.

Vancouver Hockey Now: All is quiet as it relates to contract talks between the Vancouver Canucks and leading scorer JT Miller. That according to Miller’s agent Brian Bartlett who told Vancouver Hockey Now on Thursday night “we’re not presently in talks and we haven’t had a conversation since the NHL Draft.”