Islanders Links: Nelson Tying History, Hertl Signing & More

The New York Islanders are back in action on Wednesday night, as they go head to head with their rivals, the New York Rangers. Check out the stories to know in today’s daily links!

Desperate times call for desperate measures with the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching. Playoff hopefuls are scrambling to bolster their club, while non-playoff teams try to swindle more for their players on the market. There is a team that desperately needs to improve their goaltending situation and that’s the Toronto Maple Leafs. A league source has told NYI Hockey Now that New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov is on their shortlist. (NYI Hockey Now)

On Tuesday night in the 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, Brock Nelson scored his 24th goal of the season. With that goal, Brock Nelson did more than score his fifth goal in his last six games. He tied former NHLer Pat Hickey for the most goals ever by a forward drafted 30th overall in NHL history, at 192. Brock Nelson scored his 192nd NHL goal in his 652nd career game, with Pat Hickey doing so in 644 games. (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders took a 2-1 lead into the third period of Tuesday night’s contest, but the result was a 4-3 shootout defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals. A clean third period would have meant a fourth consecutive win for the Islanders, a crucial regulation win for a team staring up at Washington, who hold down the final wild-card spot in the East. But rather than take a step forward, the Islanders took a step back, a step back to reality. (NYI Hockey Now)

On Tuesday night, the New York Islanders announced the passing of two-time Stanley Cup champion, defenseman Jean Potvin. He was just 72. The New York Islanders shared the words of general manager Lou Lamoriello on the passing of Jean Potvin. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins were defeated by the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night by score of 4-2 at Xcel Energy Center. After fighting back from down 2-0, the Boston Bruins could not crack the Wild code in the third. Here are the Boston Bruins talking points from the loss. (Boston Hockey Now)

Center Scott Laughton is on his road to returning to the Philadelphia Flyers, but they won’t rush him back. Laughton, 27, sidelined by a concussion, is making progress, interim coach Mike Yeo said on Wednesday. Yeo said Laughton will be tested Thursday and will “hopefully get cleared” to start skating. (Philly Hockey Now)

One bad play and change looks terrible. A moment of indecision and uncertainty led to a Nashville Predators goal while two Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen whiffed on the same puck in deference to each other. Change brings the unknown, and perceptions form quickly. But should Kris Letang and Mike Matheson remain paired together? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals have a lot to consider with the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline quickly approaching, and per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, their plans may include looking into Columbus Blue Jackets forward Max Domi. Friedman wrote in his latest 32 Thoughts that Washington may be interested in the 27-year-old forward. Meanwhile, the team continues to keep an eye on goaltenders. (Washington Hockey Now)

Are the Arizona Coyotes going to try and acquire the contract of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline? On the most recent edition of the Jeff Marek show, hockey insider Elliotte Friedman said that the Coyotes have interest in Weber’s contract and might be willing to acquire it to reach the Salary Cap floor, which is currently set at $60.2M. The reason is that the Coyotes are so close to the Salary Cap this season at $75M in total Cap Hit, while only having a projected total Cap Hit of $42M for next season. (Montreal Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers made a big move a few days before the NHL Trade Deadline comes on Monday by acquiring Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot. Florida is sending prospect Ty Smilanic — a third-round selection in 2020 — as well as its 2023 first-round pick and a fourth-round selection in 2022 as part of the deal. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knight’s plans for the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline have been halted by three things. First and foremost the team has no salary cap space given the acquisition of Jack Eichel. Secondly, the Golden Knights currently have ten injured players on their roster. But with Robin Lehner being hurt, Vegas needs to acquire another goaltender if they can. Here are five options. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks said they weren’t re-building, and they proved it this afternoon by re-signing pending UFA Tomas Hertl to an eight-year, $65.1 million dollar contract. Here are Sheng Pengs’s initial thoughts on the deal and if it was a smart move by the franchise. (San Jose Hockey Now)

No two ways about it, former Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning’s roster is a playoff threat. It’s that simple. Yes, during some degree of desperation while facing job termination early in the season he may have tried to alter that roster by throwing around Brock Boeser’s name and potentially others, but ultimately the team that many of us felt would make the playoffs before the season started is actually threatening to do so. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Hockey was overshadowed by the NHL trade moves on Wednesday, which might be a good thing for the Calgary Flames. The Flames came away with another victory, beating the New Jersey Devils 6-3. It was a loose-checking affair that saw the home side score three straight in the second period to get a lead they could keep. But there was more excitement about what happened off the ice. (Calgary Hockey Now)

The Calgary Flames grew their Swedish mafia on Wednesday with the acquisition of forward Calle Jarnkrok from the Seattle Kraken. The Flames gave up a 2022 second-round pick (FLA), a 2023 third-round pick, and a 2024 seventh-round pick for the impending unrestricted free agent. Seattle will retain 50% of Jarnkrok’s $2 million salary. (Calgary Hockey Now)