NYHN Daily: Islanders Value Johnston’s Game, Beach Bravery & More

The Islanders are still waiting for their season to resume, which happens Saturday in Nashville. With Ross Johnston locked up for another four years, the Islanders have an identity line replacement if Clutterbuck does not come back. The Chicago Blackhawks victim identified himself and spoke on the trauma from 2010.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The decision to sign Ross Johnston to a four-year contract extension this early in the season was still a bit of a shock on Wednesday, but it’s clear that the New York Islanders value the role that he plays. Could he be a future “identity line” player? (NYI Hockey Now)

Kyle Beach, the victim of sexual assault during his time in Chicago by an employee, spoke to the media today prior to a matchup between Toronto and Chicago. The interview showcased the bravery of Kyle, but also illustrated the trauma he had been through. In an emotional interview, Kyle talks out against Joel Quenneville and his involvement. (The Athletic)

With the Chicago Blackhawks in need of new upper management, Eddy Olcyzk could be the guy that rewrites the ship. He would replace MacIssac as the director of hockey operations, while former Ranger general manager has emerged as a candidate to fill Stan Bowman’s role. (National Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins took a beating at the hands of the Florida Panthers Wednesday night. The Bruins were outplayed heavily, as here are the takeaways from the loss. (Boston Hockey Now)

Sidney Crosby finally looks ready to make his season debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had offseason wrist surgery for an injury that has been nagging him for seven years. Penguins’ netminder Casey DeSmith is getting a lot of laughs for his mask, as he pays homage to Dwight Shrute, the character from The Office. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Joel Quenneville stood behind the Florida Panthers bench and coached his team to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. He was allowed to coach despite hefty allegations coming his way, regarding his role in the handling of the sexual abuse case in Chicago. He was called out by the victim, Kyle Beach, for saying something along the lines of “winning a championship is more important than sexual abuse:. After the win, Quenneville did not meet with the media but will have a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman in New York City Thursday. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals blew a 2-0 and fell in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings. Captain Alex Ovechkin, rookie Hendrix LaPierre, and Connor Sheary shined in the loss, but the Capitals’ overtime woes continued. Here are the takeaways from the loss. (Washington Hockey Now)

The Red Wings faced former player Anthony Mantha for the first time since he became a member of the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. But his former team got the last laugh as the Red Wings climbed out of a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, where Dylan Larkin won it. Here are the takeaways from the win. (Detroit Hockey Now)

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday night, ending their four-game losing streak. William Nylander, thanks to a pass by Auston Matthews, sprung him on a breakaway where he was able to beat Chicago goaltender Kevin Lankinen. But the Blackhawks did score first in this one, giving themselves a lead for the first time this season. (Toronto Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights never gave up against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, as they battled back from down 2-0 to force overtime with just over a minute left in regulation. Jonathan Marchessault tied it late and then Evgenii Dadonov netted the game-winner. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The Ball Center, the home of the Colorado Avalanche, were not mandating masks or checking for identification upon entrance to the arena. Three home games in and changes are coming. Coming November 10, all fans must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. (Colorado Hockey Now)

With the Vancouver Canucks off Wednesday, let’s reflect on their play so far this season. The powerplay is playing great, but the penalty kill is a concern. Are the Canucks struggling with the new cross-check crackdown? Are the Canucks tough enough? (Vancouver Hockey Now)

The Calgary Flames celebrated a player milestone as defenseman Oliver Klyington played in his 100th NHL game on Wednesday. At 24-year old, the path has not been easy and the pandemic made it even harder. But he’s playing and playing well. (Calgary Hockey Now)

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov is out 8-10 weeks after having surgery for a lower-body injury Tuesday. Last season, Kucherov landed on long-term injury reserve but returned for the postseason, where he led the Lightning to their second consecutive Stanley Cup. (NHL) 

Drew Doughty will be out of the Los Angeles Kings lineup for eight weeks due to a knee injury. Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa laid a knee-on-knee hit on Doughty, landing him a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Doughty is second on the Kings in points with seven on the young season. (NHL)

New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a dangerous trip against Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic during NHL Game No. 90 in New Jersey on Tuesday, Oct. 26, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday. (NHL)

When Kyle Beach was asked about how he felt when the news broke following the investigation. Beach said “it was no longer my words against there’s” as part of a powerful interview on TSN about what took place in Chicago back in 2010, the year they won the Stanley Cup. Beach was being sexually abused by the video coach Bradley Aldrich. The Blackhawks knew about what was going on but turned a blind eye. Joel Quenneville, the head coach at the time, was allegedly aware of the incident and him, along with everyone from the general manager to the head of the NHL Players Association, all failed to help Beach. (TSN)

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and star forward Patrick Kane both spoke to the media regarding the sexual assault that took place while they were on the team back in 2010. Both supported Kyle Beach for telling the world about went on and both players wished that things could have been different. Toews stated he did not know about the incident until the following summer. Kane said he did not know who the John Doe was until the lawsuit was released Monday. (TSN)