Fantucchio’s Focus: Islanders Mailbag; Malkin Talks Pens’ Playoff Window

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Tuesday, September 26, and here’s what I’m focused on around the NHL today.

Islanders Mailbag:

I asked Islanders fans to hit me with their best questions. All were thought-provoking, but some were also a little strange, and I answered them in my most recent mailbag.

New York Islanders Mailbag: Pondering The Prospects; Lone Survivor?

Fill Out The NYI Hockey Now Preseason Fan Survey

Hall of Famer Recchi Joins Jackets New Look Coaching Staff:

The Columbus Blue Jackets are doing some last-second remodeling to their coaching staff after the brief disaster of Mike Babcock. To help, they’ve added Hall of Famer Mark Recchi as an assistant coach.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have added Mark Recchi to Head Coach Pascal Vincent’s staff as an assistant coach.

📝 https://t.co/HJfLiIZvkb pic.twitter.com/CtLBcDaSKP

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 25, 2023

Geno Says Clock Is Ticking For Penguins:

Although the Pittsburgh Penguins were aggressive in making improvements this offseason, Evgeni Malkin knows that time isn’t on their side as they try to keep their window of contention open.

‘Three More Years,’ Evgeni Malkin on Erik Karlsson, Reilly Smith, & Long Off-Season (+)

More From National Hockey Now:

New Jersey: Takeaways from the Devils split-squad doubleheader against the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

Carolina: Looks like Bryant Baucom and I had similar ideas. He answers all things Hurricanes in his latest mailbag.

Washington: The Capitals have made their first cuts of the preseason.

Philadelphia: Killing off penalties was a problem for the Flyers last season, and they hope Ryan Poehling can be the solution.

Buffalo: The Sabres are looking for their two biggest signings this offseason to add experience and chemistry on the backend.

Boston: Goaltending prospect Brandon Bussi is soaking it all in with the Bruins.

Detroit: If the Red Wings are going to contend this year, they need more out of Jonatan Berggren.

Colorado: Why have so many former Dallas Stars made their way to the Rocky Mountains?

Chicago: It’s been a while since the Chicago Blackhawks made the playoffs, but that story is quite nuanced. Here are some of the numbers that help tell it.

San Jose: Saying the name “Shakir Mukhamadullin” is a mouthful, which is why the Sharks defense prospect has plenty of nicknames to help shorten it.

Follow Andrew Fantucchio on Twitter: @A_Fantucchio

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