NYHN Daily: Cizikas Wants to Remain with Islanders & More

The New York Islanders have yet to announce any signings two days into NHL Free Agency. News broke yesterday that he wants to remain with Islanders. Are the Islanders still in on Vladimir Tarasenko? Is Zdeno Chara a good fit on defense for Islanders?

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The news pipeline has been dead silent when it comes to the New York Islanders and Casey Cizikas, and that could be a good sign. A new report suggested that the centerman is aiming to stay on Long Island. (NYI Hockey Now)

Complete radio silence usually means that Lou Lamoriello has something cooking for the New York Islanders. What that might be is anyone’s guess after the Islanders didn’t announce any signings on day 1 of free agency. Could that mean something is brewing on the Vladimir Tarasenko front? (NYI Hockey Now)

As the Islanders look for a replacement on defense, is former Islander Zdeno Chara a solid option? Here are the pros and cons to signing the 44-year old defenseman. (NYI Hockey Now)

While unrestricted free agent center David Krejci has made it abundantly clear that if he returns for his 15th NHL season, it will only be to play for the Boston Bruins, that hasn’t stopped other teams from inquiring. (Boston Hockey Now)

After the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Jared McCann to the Toronto Maple Leafs for fear of losing him for nothing in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft, the Penguins did lose winger Brandon Tanev. The Penguins and GM Ron Hextall signed the Tanev replacement, Brock McGinn, on Wednesday, and on Thursday, the team took a flier on LW scorer Danton Heinen. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers went a bit off the board with their backup goalie in free agency on Wednesday. Chuck Fletcher inked Martin Jones to a one-year, $2 million contract. Jones was placed on waivers to be bought out by the Sharks on Tuesday. (Philly Hockey Now)

Alex Ovechkin smiles his signature missing-tooth smile as he opens his presser with a casual, “What’s up, guys?” The Washington Capitals captain signed a five-year, $47.5 million extension on Tuesday. (Washington Hockey Now)

Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito held a press conference on the first day of free agency on the patio of a lounge on the club level at BB&T Center Wednesday afternoon. As Zito spoke, lightning flashed in the background as one of our famous South Florida thunderstorms rolled in across the Everglades toward Sunrise. (Florida Hockey Now)

A comforting vision for Detroit Red Wings fans was spotting Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin back on his skates and working out Wednesday afternoon at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. There’s been some speculation that Larkin might not be good to go for the start of the season. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t believe that will be the case. (Detroit Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights were over the salary cap again after they signed Mattias Janmark to a $2 million contract on Wednesday. To clear salary-cap space, the Vegas Golden Knights dumped salary on the NHL trade market when GM Kelly McCrimmon dumped original misfit Ryan Reaves to the New York Rangers for a third-round pick. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Last season was the Avs’ chance at winning the whole thing. Joe knew that. His head coach knew it. Every guy in the Avalanche dressing room knew it. Why? Because everyone was very aware of the contract situations that would present itself this offseason. Now, that’s not to say the Avs don’t have a chance this season or the next, no. The championship window is not closed—far from it. But are the shades slowly being drawn? (Colorado Hockey Now)

So what do the San Jose Sharks have in Nick Bonino, Andrew Cogliano, James Reimer, and Lane Pederson? This isn’t Bonino, Cogliano, and Reimer circa 2016, when Bonino and Cogliano were elite third-line forwards and Reimer was a top 1A goalie. But they’ve still got a lot of game. Question is, how much? (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Buffalo Sabres “don’t feel any pressure” to trade center Jack Eichel before the start of training camp, general manager Kevyn Adams said Thursday.”We’re continuing to have a lot of conversations with teams and we’re open on all our players,” Adams said. (NHL)

Zach Werenski signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday that will begin next season. It has an average annual value of $9.58 million through the 2027-28 season. (NHL)

The number that popped up on Luke Prokop’s cell phone was a strange one, an unidentified European number. It was the kind of call that, under normal circumstances, the Nashville Predators defenseman prospect wouldn’t pick up, figuring it was a telemarketer or scammer. But this time he had been warned: Pick up your phone. Because on the other end of the call was Elton John. (NHL)