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Islanders' Nelson, Team USA Fall 2-1 To Sweden Ahead Of 4 Nations Face-Off Finale Against Canada
Nelson played 17:31 minutes, a personal high through the three Round Robin games.
With the United States and Canada set for a rematch on Thursday in the 4 Nations Faceoff final, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson and Team USA will enter off a 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday.
With Team USA short Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews for the game, Nelson played a bigger role in the first period. He played 6:14 in the opening frame, but his team trailed after the opening 20.
Chris Kreider opened the scoring on a rush play in the first minute of play, finishing a rush generated by Zach Werenski and Jack Eichel. The goal was his first of the tournament after being scratched the first two games:
However, Sweden got a pair of late goals, starting with Gustav Nyquist tying the affair on the power play. Viktor Arvidsson forced a turnover at the blue line, sending the puck to Erik Karlsson on the right wing boards. Karlsson sent a shot toward the net, where Nyquist tipped the puck home at 13:39 of the period:
With the game tied in the final minute of the first, Jesper Bratt put Sweden ahead on a centering pass by William Nylander. The goal was also his first of the tournament:
Despite outshooting Sweden 12-8 in the period, Team USA entered the second period trailing 2-1. The Stars and Stripes gave away the puck seven times, compared to the Three Crowns' five turnovers.
Nelson got another 6:13 of ice time, but the 2-1 score held after 40 minutes. Sweden outshot Team USA 9-8 in the period.
The US got some looks in the late stages of the third, with Nelson getting a chance on a breakaway down by one. However, Samuel Ersson stopped all 11 Team USA shots in the period to slam the door on the victory.
Nelson finished the night with 17:31 of ice time, his personal high through three Round Robin games. He recorded two shots on goal.
His role was increased, with Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews missing the game due to injuries and Brady Tkachuk leaving the game early due to an injury of his own:
Team USA will have two days to regroup before the final game against Canada. Puck drop at TD Garden is scheduled for Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
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In Pursuit Of Wayne Gretzky’s Record, Alex Ovechkin Trains With Former Islanders Defenseman During 4 Nations Face-Off Break
Ovechkin is 16 goals away from breaking Gretzky’s record.
As Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record, former New York Islanders defenseman Darius Kasparaitis is helping him stay fresh. In a Telegram post on Friday, Ovechkin posted a photo of the two working out in Miami during the league's 4 Nations Faceoff break.
"During this break, I will be training with my good friend and NHL star, Darius Kasparaitis," he said in the post. "We have already started training together. Thanks to Kasper for your help!”
The two were working out of Friday at Adapt, a gym in North Miami, with the two even being featured doing situps on their Instagram story.
Kasparaitis, a 14-year NHL vet, spent five seasons with the Islanders from 1992-93 through 1996-97. In 232 games, he totaled six goals and 40 assists for 46 points, while racking up 439 penalty minutes. Across 863 career games, he recorded 27 goals and 136 assists for 163 points in addition to 1,379 penalty minutes.
Ovechkin entered the break with 879 red lights in his career, just 15 short of tying Gretzky's spot in the record books. With 37 games to go, it will make for a captivating storyline at the end of the season to see if he can break it this year and if he and Kasparaitis' training will pay off.
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Nelson, Team USA Defeat Team Canada To Play In 4 Nations Faceoff Title Game
USA will play in the championship game of the 4 Nations Faceoff, defeating Canada 2-1 at the Bell Centre.
MONTREAL, QC - Brock Nelson and Team USA will play in the title game of the 4 Nations Faceoff, defeating Canada 2-1 at the Bell Centre on Saturday.
After getting only 9:42 seconds of ice time in their opener against Finland, Nelson got 5:31 of playing time in the first period. His ice time, however, was a footnote of what was an eventful first period.
Following three fights in the first nine seconds of play, Connor McDavid opened the scoring on a tremendous individual effort. The goal was his first of the tournament from Drew Doughty and Jordan Binnington at 5:31 of the frame.
The game continued to settled down with the Stars and Stripes getting the game even just past the halfway mark. After an outlet from Jack Eichel, Jake Guentzle beat Binnington five-hole to tie it at 10:15 of the first.
The two teams each had eight shots in the period with the score tied at one after 20 minutes.
Nelson's role was reduced in the second period, seeing his ice time fall to 3:42 in the period. However, the United States found themselves ahead after 40 minutes thanks to Dylan Larkin.
After a breakout pass from Matt Boldy, Larkin went coast-to-coast, finishing a two-on-one to make it 2-1 at 13:33 of the second.
The two teams each had 10 shots in the period, making the totals 18 all after 40 minutes of play.
The rest of the game was a clampdown by the U.S. on defense. Nelson played a big role in the third on defense, clocking in 4:17 in addition to several important shifts late in the game.
Despite being outshot 8-5, Team USA limited high danger chances, setting the stage for an empty net goal by Guentzel, his second of the game, to finish off a 3-1 win.
With Team USA's spot in the final secured, the team will wrap up Round Robin play against Sweden on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 at TD Garden in Boston.
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An Islanders Room Divided When USA Faces Canada At 4 Nations Face-Off
Which country is more represented within the Islanders locker room?
As the NHL holds its flagship 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, the New York Islanders are one of the underrepresented franchises in the event.
Only Brock Nelson was selected to participate for Team USA, with Canada, Sweden and Finland having no Islanders invited.
Even with the lack of Islanders invited, most of New York's roster has some ties to the participating countries, as 21 of 25 players, including the injured party, are from one of the four nations.
The question is when the puck drops on Saturday night for USA vs. Canada, which way is the Islanders room leaning?
USA
When it comes to the four countries in the tournament, 10 players including Nelson are from the United States.
Starting at forward, the conversation starts Kyle Palmieri, born on Long Island in Smithtown. Anders Lee, a fellow native of Nelson's home state of Minnesota, continues the list. Among other names are relative newcomers to the franchise, including Kyle MacLean, Marc Gatcomb, and Hudson Fasching.
The remaining five are all defense members, with Scott Mayfield having the longest tenure.
Four members joined the Islanders in the last two seasons, starting with Mike Reilly after his arrival in November 2023. Scott Perunovich and Tony DeAngelo acquired this season, are the last American-born defensemen.
Among the names, Palmieri and Lee each have represented the Stars and Stripes. Palmieri won a pair of gold medals at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships, and Lee won a pair of bronzes in World Championship action.
On defense, Reilly has won gold and bronze medals at the World Junior and World Championship, respectively. Perunovich also won bronze at 2018's World Juniors. Fasching and DeAngelo have also represented their country internationally.
Canada
Matching the USA's output of Islanders players, Canada has 10 players featured on the roster, including some of the highest-profile names on the team. Six of them are forwards, headlined by the team's top duo of Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.
The rest of New York's blood from Canada runs through the depths, starting with Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Two of the Islanders' longtime bottom-six stalwarts, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin, round out the unit.
The last four names all belong at the blue line, beginning with Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech. Noah Dobson is the next man on this list, playing as the team's lone representative of Prince Edward Island, ending with Dennis Cholowski.
Among unique locations, Pulock is the team's only Manitoba native, and Duclair is the only man to play out of Quebec. Barzal and Cholowski are based in British Columbia, and the rest play out of Ontario.
In international experience, Barzal has won a pair of silvers, one in World Juniors and one in World Championship play, while Cizikas did so in Juniors competition.
The lone gold in international play belongs to Duclair, winning gold in 2015's World Juniors. Horvat, Dobson, Pageau, Pelech, and Pulock all skated in either event but did not medal in their appearances.
The question is, which way do the Swedes and the Russians lean?
Sweden
The last of the team's representatives belong to Sweden, with four players representing The Three Crowns. At forward, Pierre Engvall and Simon Holmstrom are the team's main representatives. On defense, Adam Boqvist, the organization's newest member, is the Islanders' lone man on that front. The last player to represent Sweden is Marcus Högberg, the lone goaltender on any of the lists.
On international ice, the group's lone medal belongs to Högberg, who won silver at the 2014 World Juniors. He also skated at 2022's World Championship, coming up with a sixth-place finish. Boqvist and Holmstrom each skated in World Juniors in 2019 and '21, respectively, but came up empty-handed.
Holmstrom skates with Pageau and Cizikas, so Canada makes sense.
Engvall skates with MacLean and Gatcomb, so maybe he leans towards the USA?
We'll call it a tie.
Hogberg seems like a guy who just wants everyone to have fun.
The rest of the big club's roster has ties to Russia: Maxim Tsyplakov, Alexander Romanov, Ilya Sorokin, and Semyon Varlamov.
Is the USA's Mircale On Ice when Russia was called the Soviet Union still an issue? If so, that's another four for Canada.
While they may not have a say in this event, they may likely have their say in the coming years.
None of the Islanders' current roster is Finnish. Although three members of the Bridgeport Islanders are from Finland--Eetu Liukas, Matias Rajaniemi, and Henrik Tikkanen.
In addition to the NHL's return to the Winter Olympics in 2026, the World Cup of Hockey will return in 2028. Although rosters are still a ways away from being decided, perhaps more Islanders, in addition to Nelson, can find their way back onto the international stage in the coming years.
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Inside The Mind Of Islanders Jakub Skarek Before, During & After His NHL Debut
Jakub Skarek made 27 saves on 32 shots in his first NHL game.
Despite a 6-3 loss on Sunday to the Florida Panthers, it was a special day for New York Islanders goaltender Jakub Skarek, making his NHL debut.
Skarek was recalled last week following a lower-body injury to goaltender Marcus Hogberg.
Head coach Patrick Roy said Skarek would play at some point, but his debut happened to come against the defending Stanley Cup champions:
"I felt good. It was a little bit more special of a game for me, but at the same time, I took it the same as a game in Bridgeport or just any other game," Skarek said postgame.
While Skarek was expecting to be nervous ahead of his debut, he was able to stay calm with the help of his coaches.
"I wasn't nervous that much. I was nervous from that, you know?" Skarek said. "So that was a little bit of a weird feeling. I was expecting myself to be a little bit more nervous, because, I've dreamt about it since I started playing hockey.
In addition to preparing for the game as if it were any other game, he received advice from Roy. Despite the loss, he will cherish the advice he received from the Hall of Fame netminder.
"He's a legend, like one of the best goalies of history. It means a lot, even like every advice from the guys or the coaches," Skarek said. "So I'm just trying to listen to them and take in as much as I can. I'm disappointed we didn't win because we need every single point, and I want us to keep the streak going, but I'm just gonna keep working on myself and try to get better for the next game."
Skarek finished the night with 27 saves on 32 shots, even going bailout mode despite the Islanders being on their heels for stretches. The Islanders were outshot 15-4 in the first period, but Skarek kept the game at 2-0 Florida by the first intermission, allowing the Islanders to rally for three straight goals and take the lead in the second, albeit briefly.
"When I was working, I was just trying to do some breath work and just do the routines I do, like in every single game," Skarek said, "So, it helped get the nerves a little bit down. I was just focusing on a few tasks."
What were those tasks?
"I maybe paid a little bit more attention to basics, you know, like, reading the game well, looking for the pucks and trying to be a little bit more patient on my feet," Skarek said. "But as a game went on, I started to feel a bit more comfortable, and it was a great experience."
His Hockey Hall of Fame head coach gave Skarek a lot of credit postgame.
"He gave us a chance," Roy said after his debut. "He was good in the first, we were not very good. He made those saves and gave us a chance. That's what we said after the first period, we had to come back, and too bad because we took a 3-2 lead, but there's a reason why they won the Stanley Cup, isn't it? It's a good team. It's a team that plays right away, and they're very disciplined in their structure. So, I think we learned a lot from that game tonight."
Roy later added, "[Skarek's] the reason why there was a game here tonight."
Kyle MacLean, one of Skarek's teammates in Bridgeport, lit the lamp for the first of the three straight goals. As he played his second season in the NHL, he was glad to see the netminder break into the NHL.
“Skary is great. He deserved his debut," MacLean said. "He's really dialed in, he’s got a great routine, he’s a pro, so it was good to see, and I obviously wish maybe I played a little better in front of him, didn’t give up as many opportunities, but he really deserved this, and I was happy to see it for him.”
Regardless of the outcome, Skarek was grateful for the opportunity to play his first game at the NHL level and is looking forward to his next opportunity.
"I'm very, very grateful for this that I got a chance to play, and I'm definitely not going to forget this night for the rest of my life," Skarek said, "Even though the result wasn't as we wanted, how I really wanted us to win, keep the streak going, but you can't have it all. So, we will just keep working. I'm going to talk to my goalie coach, and we will see what things I could have done better on those goals and in general, so I can be better next time."
The Islanders have three more games before the NHL's Four Nations Face-Off break, the latter two part of a back-to-back against the Minnesota Wild on Friday before the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.
With the Islanders in dire need of points, it's likely that Sorokin will get tasked with both, so we'll see if Skarek gets another start at some point as we wait for Marcus Hogberg to get back from his upper-body injury.
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Inside the Numbers Of Islanders' Best January Since Final Stanley Cup Season
The Islanders went 9-3-0 in January, closing out the first month of the new year on a six-game winning streak.
After seemingly falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture at the beginning of January, the New York Islanders capped an impressive run for the month on Thursday in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Simon Holmstrom opened the scoring, Marc Gatcomb recorded his first NHL goal, and Kyle Palmieri broke his long slump, setting the stage for Ilya Sorokin to pitch a 23-save shutout.
With the victory, the Islanders finished the month 9-3-0, their best January since 1983.
Much of that conversation is due to a vastly improved penalty kill.
After a dismal 53.3% success rate in December, the PK went 21-for-23 this past month, good for a 91.3% success rate.
In individual performances, Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal all scored the most points among skaters this month, with 11.
Horvat led the team in goals with eight, with Barzal having eight helpers.
However, Nelson came on strong in the mid-stages of the month, recording a point in 10-of-12 games. Among the highlights were him passing Brent Sutter and Pat LaFontaine on the franchise's goals list and his overtime winner against the Carolina Hurricanes.
In between the pipes, it was a team effort between Sorokin and Marcus Hogberg. Sorokin was in a funk entering January, causing Patrick Roy to turn to Hogberg more regularly. He shined when given the opportunity, going 2-1-0 with a 1.26 GAA and .946 SV%, before sustaining an upper-body injury.
However, Sorokin has started to find his form again as of late. He finished January 7-2-0 in nine appearances, posting a 1.75 GAA and .938 SV% following his shutout on Thursday. Additionally, he ended the month winning his last four starts and five appearances, stopping 109-of-113 shots.
The list of standouts doesn't end there. Alexander Romanov has also stepped up as of late, using his defensive skills and physical presence at the blue line. Defensive newcomers Tony DeAngelo and Scott Perunovich have also held down the fort, with several injuries at the position.
Both ended the month with points in back-to-back games.
Holmstrom's return to the lineup has also been felt, posting four goals and an assist for five points in six games since his return.
As the Islanders head into February hot, it's the culmination of an impressive turnaround despite a myriad of circumstances.
Semyon Varlamov (lower body) and Mike Reilly (upper body) remain on LTIR. Noah Dobson (upper body) joined them recently, while Ryan Pulock (upper body) is on IR alongside Hudson Fasching.
Maxim Tsyplakov missed three games due to a suspension, followed by being a healthy scratch for a game.
Even if there are new obstacles to overcome, the Islanders have put themselves back in the thick of the playoff race.
Although a lot can change in February with the Four Nations Faceoff break in the middle, New York can continue to climb back into the race and salvage a season that was on life support not that long ago.
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Tavares, Barzal Headline Islanders Quarter-Century Teams
Did the NHL leave anyone off?
As the NHL continues to announce Quarter Century Teams for all of its clubs, the New York Islanders were in the spotlight on Friday. The league announced the Islanders' First and Second Teams for the initiative, with names like John Tavares and Mathew Barzal among the headliners.
Across each unit are five skaters, three forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender. In the lineup for the First Team are forwards Tavares, Brock Nelson, and Josh Bailey, defensemen Nick Leddy and Adam Pelech, and goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
On the Second Team were forwards Anders Lee, Frans Nielsen, and Mathew Barzal, defensemen Kenny Jonsson and Ryan Pulock, and goaltender Semyon Varlamov:
Among the breakdown, seven of those players are active Islanders, and four have since ended their NHL careers. Tavares and Leddy are both active for the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues, respectively, with the former making the Maple Leafs' Quarter Century Second Team.
The Islanders also have their share of fingerprints on other Quarter Century Teams. Names around the league include:
- Dennis Seidenberg (Boston Bruins, Second Team)
- Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres, First Team)
- Semyon Varlamov (Colorado Avalanche, Second Team)
- Chris Osgood (Detroit Red Wings, First Team)
- Roberto Luongo (Florida Panthers, First Team and Vancouver Canucks, First Team)
- Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild, Second Team, and New Jersey Devils, First Team)
- Andy Green (New Jersey Devils, Second Team)
- Jordan Eberle (Seattle Kraken, First Team)
The NHL will continue to announce Quarter Century Teams throughout the remainder of January. All players nominated for each club will be put up for fan voting for a league-wide team that will be announced in February.
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Is Islanders Goalie Prospect Marcus Gidlof A Top Steal From 2024 NHL Draft?
The Islanders drafted the 19-year-old goaltender with the 147th pick in 2024.
Seven months after being drafted by the New York Islanders, goaltending prospect Marcus Gidlöf topped Daily Faceoff's list of the best late-round picks from the 2024 NHL Draft:
Gidlöf was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, selected 147th overall by the Islanders. Playing for Leksand IF in the SHL, he boasts a 5-3-0 record, 2.07 GAA and .917 SV%.
The 19-year-old did serve as the backup for Team Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships.
He started two games, winning a preliminary round game against Kazakhstan 8-1 while making 15 saves on 16 shots.
Gidlof's other start was the bronze medal game, where he made 30 saves on 32 shots. Sweden fell to Czechia in the shootout, losing by a score of 3-2.
In his list, Steven Ellis said, "Now spending more time in the SHL, Gidlöf has been the league’s top U-20 league while also registering a perfect record in seven outings back in the top junior league. Gidlöf was Sweden’s backup at the World Juniors, and while he lost the bronze medal game, he still posted a .938 save percentage through two starts. He hasn’t played a ton of hockey this year, but he has made it count with some excellent results – and an even better glove hand, from the looks of it."
His success is certainly welcome in the Islanders' system.
Henrik Tikkanen, Jakub Skarek, and Hunter Miska have all struggled for AHL Bridgeport as the team continues to sit near the bottom of the standings. Marcus Hogberg has been a success in Semyon Varlamov's absence, but the depth otherwise has been a concern.
Although Gidlöf's timeline to jump stateside is to be determined, his development will be imperative to help the Islanders organization down the road.
He may get lost in the shuffle of the Islanders' draft class last year, headlined by Boston University standout Cole Eiserman, but Gidlöf's success overseas could bode well to replenish the Islanders' struggling goalie pipeline.
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Islanders Mike Reilly Shares Update On His Recovery From Heart Procedure
Mike Reilly plans to play before the season comes to an end.
At a season ticket holder event on Tuesday, New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly shared an encouraging update on his recovery from his heart procedure in November.
Reilly said that he's hopeful to return to the lineup before the end of the season.
"I’ve got a lot of support and stuff, and I still get to come to the rink. I’ve been skating and working out a lot," Reilly said. "I’m just going with the process a little bit here, which is still taking some time, but I’m hoping to come back here by the end of the season for sure."
Reilly initially left the Islanders lineup due to a concussion against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 1.
While undergoing a few extra tests, doctors discovered that Reilly had a heart condition that required surgery.
"It's been quite the whirlwind for sure the last couple of months," Reilly recalled. "When I got the concussion, I was preparing to come back whenever I was ready, probably within a couple of weeks for sure, and we did some additional testing and found what was going on now inside of me, something I obviously did not expect. I felt good after the concussion within about a week or two and then discovered this, and everything kind of just took a 180."
General manager Lou Lamoriello said the concussion was a "blessing in disguise" to allow Reilly to receive the proper treatment.
A timetable was not provided for when he could return to practice on Tuesday. He has been on the ice with teammates before practices officially begin.
Reilly is grateful for his teammates' support as he continues to work toward his return to game action.
"Obviously, I'm not playing, but I still feel part of it, and the guys have been great. I got a lot of kind messages sent out to me from a lot of fans, so I'm definitely blessed for sure. I'm itching to get back here and preparing like I'm going to get back by the end of the season, for sure."
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Islanders Noah Dobson Suffers Apparent Lower-Body Injury Against Blue Jackets
Noah Dobson's injury did not look good.
In the New York Islanders' matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, defenseman Noah Dobson left the game early due to an apparent injury in the third period.
Dobson left the game at 1:14 of the final frame after taking a hit from Columbus' Cole Sillinger:
Dobson skated off on his own power following the hit before immediately going down the tunnel.
He finished the night with 15:38 of ice time and an assist.
Following the game, head coach Patrick Roy had no update on the status of his young defenseman.
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Four Islanders Greats Who Should Be Inducted Into Team's Hall Of Fame After Brent Sutter
On Saturday, Brent Sutter enters the Islanders Hall Of Fame.
Saturday marks a special day for the New York Islanders as they enshrine Stanley Cup champion Brent Sutter into the franchise's Hall of Fame. He becomes the 16th player and 18th member to be honored in the franchise's exclusive group.
The ceremony will take place at 7:30 PM ET before the Islanders battle the San Jose Sharks.
The induction is also monumental, as the Hall of Fame hasn't welcomed a new member since Kenny Jonsson in 2012. His new place in the Hall of Fame is likely to start a revival of the Islanders, honoring generations of names that meant so much to the franchise.
However, which names are the most likely to follow in the coming years?
Josh Bailey
Beginning the conversation is Josh Bailey, one of the longest tenured Islanders in franchise history.
In 1.057 career games, all with the Islanders, he recorded 184 goals and 396 assists for 580 points, making the All-Star team in 2017-18. He also sits high up in the franchise's all-time leaderboard, sitting third in games played, fourth in assists, and seventh in total points.
Even if he may not have been the most prolific goal scorer, clocking in a career-high 18 in 2017-18, he had a knack for the timely ones. In 71 postseason games, he recorded 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points, contributing to six playoff teams and a pair of runs to the Third Round of the postseason.
From his game-winner in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 to his Game 5 dagger two years later, he had a knack for stepping up in the big spots. Even if he may be a divisive figure among the fanbase, his loyalty and clutch performances have made him a fan favorite and a popular pick to be inducted down the road.
Pat LaFontaine
Another potential fit into the Islanders Hockey Hall of Famer is Pat LaFontaine. One of the great players just after the Islanders' dynasty, he recorded 287 goals and 279 assists for 566 points, sitting fifth and eighth all time in goals and points, respectively.
Most famously, he is known for the game-winner in the Islanders' Easter Epic victory over the Washington Capitals in the 1987 playoffs.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_XfSlmMw6M[/embed]
LaFontaine remained a driving force for the team in the post-Stanley Cup years, making four All-Star teams and scoring over 40 goals four times in eight seasons with the Islanders. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 and named to the NHL's 100 Greatest Players list in 2017.
With his high standing with both the Islanders and the hockey world and an iconic moment in franchise history, the forward is another strong candidate to see his name honored by the franchise.
Stefan Persson:
Although the Islanders were headlined by Hall of Fame talent during their dynasty, one of their unsung heroes was Stefan Persson. The Swedish defenseman played nine years in the league, all with the Islanders, tallying 52 goals and 317 assists for 369 points in 622 games.
He also held a spot in the top 10 for the most assists by an Islander prior to Mathew Barzal moving into 10th this season.
He also had a knack as a playoff performer in those days, recording seven goals and 50 assists for 57 points en route to four Stanley Cup victories, including five of them in 1980's playoff run. However, Persson was also a pioneer for Swedish hockey.
He and Islanders teammate Anders Kallur were the first Swedes to win hockey's greatest prize; both were the first European-born and trained players to do so. As a result, given his standing as a backbone to Stanley Cup teams and a trailblazer for Swedish hockey, he has a strong case for induction into the Islanders Hall of Fame.
Billy Harris:
The last name on the list is an original Islander, Billy Harris.
The first-ever draft choice in franchise history, Harris played eight seasons with the franchise, recording 184 goals and 259 assists for 443 points in 623 games. He finished top three in Calder Trophy voting in his rookie year and made the All-Star team in 1976 when he scored a career-high 32 goals that season.
Even if Harris was ultimately dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in the trade that landed the Islanders Butch Goring, Harris was a day-one Islander that set the franchise on the right track.
Even if he didn't take on the veteran presence like Ed Westfall did in the franchise's early days, he was one of the original Islanders who helped them to their success before taking home championships, making a Hall of Fame induction a worthy reward for his contributions in the Islanders' early days.
However, a list of candidates doesn't merely stop at these names. Brock Nelson and Anders Lee continue to rewrite the record books, entering the top 10 in goals in franchise history. In fact, Nelson enters Saturday's induction night in a tie with Sutter and LaFontaine for fifth in franchise history in goals with 287.
Despite his unpopular departure, John Tavares even has an interesting case, sitting ninth all-time in goals (272), sixth in assists (349), and fifth in points (621) in Islanders history. As an active NHL'er, however, that conversation is for another time.
Regardless, seeing the Islanders reopen the doors to the Hall of Fame is certainly welcome.
Sutter's induction will give opportunities for the Islanders to honor several generations of their history, and these names can act as a starting point for its revival.
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Spittin' Chiclet's Paul Bissonnette: Minnesota Wild Eying Islanders' Brock Nelson; Expecting Price To Skyrocket
Incoming bidding war for Islanders pending unrestricted free agent Brock Nelson?
With the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline on the horizon, the New York Islanders sit on the outskirts of playoff contention.
As the Islanders scuffle, the Spittin' Chiclets podcast spoke on Tuesday's podcast that the Minnesota Wild have an interest in acquiring forward Brock Nelson.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7seBNq5vOM[/embed]
"Not surprised at all, he's on Team USA for Four Nations," host Ryan Whitney said. "Billy Guerin is picking that team. A versatile forward the last three years...over 30 goals all three years. I don't think he's going to hit it this year, only has 12 right now, but I think there's going to be a ton of teams looking at Brock Nelson.
"He can skate, he can kill penalties, and he could play in the power play. He could play up and down the lineup. I just said that, but I totally get the Wild being interested."
The speculation was first reported by Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli in his Trade Targets board last week, with Nelson being the top target. Nelson remains in the final year of his contract with the Islanders but has had a down year. Despite tallying only 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 40 games, co-host Paul Bissonette spoke highly of what Nelson can bring to a team.
In addition to discussing his three seasons of at least 30 goals, he says Minnesota may not be the only team bidding for his services.
“I thought it was pretty much a shoe-in for him to go to Minnesota, based on what I was hearing or reading. And I talked to another guy who's a member of another organization, and he said, ‘Not so fast’ and they're trying to also get him,” Biz said.
"There's so many teams out there looking to add at that center ice position. So, he becomes such a valuable piece, and as we get near the deadline, I think you're going to see a little bit of overpayment, which is obviously not a bad thing for the New York Islanders."
New York enters play on Thursday seven points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but just two points up on Buffalo for last place in the conference.
With less than two months to go before the Deadline, the Islanders' status is still to be determined.
However, should the Islanders continue to struggle, rumors like these will continue to emerge
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Cal Clutterbuck Goes Top Shelf On Henrik Lundqvist To Kick Off Islanders-Rangers Alumni Game
Clutterbuck’s going top shelf, a tale as old as time.
The New York Islanders and New York Rangers are squaring off at Madison Square Garden in their annual Alumni Classic.
With several franchise greats on the ice for both squads, it was Cal Clutterbuck who opened the scoring in the game for the Islanders.
After forcing a turnover, Clutterbuck skated towards the right side and let a shot go from the faceoff circle that beat Hall of Fame netminder Henrik Lundqvist in the toy department.
“I had time to shoot and I let it go,” Clutterbuck said after the goal. “The rivalry between the Rangers & Islanders is probably the most fierce rivalry in sports.”
This year marks Clutterbuck's first appearance in the annual alumni game. Although not formally retired, he's spent the season making appearances on MSG Network as an analyst for Islanders games.
In 11 years with the franchise, Clutterbuck recorded 81 goals and 102 assists for 183 points in 718 games, earning his silver stick for 1,000 career NHL games last season. Other alumni participating include Benoit Hogue, Alexei Yashin, Dennis Seidenberg, Radek Martinek and Pierre Turgeon.
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Islanders' Prospect Cole Eiserman's PPG Vaults USA To World Junior Championship Final
Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman advanced in a 4-1 win for Team USA over the Czech Republic, while Jesse Nurmi and Finland defeated Sweden 4-3.
It was a great day for New York Islanders prospects at the World Junior Championship on Saturday, with three players advancing in Semifinal action. Forwards Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman advanced in a 4-1 win for Team USA over the Czech Republic, while Jesse Nurmi and Finland defeated Sweden 4-3.
Eiserman scored what proved to be the game-winner in the mid-stages of the second period on a power play marker. Team USA broke out on a rush, with Cole Huston sending Trevor Connolly across the Czech blue line. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect dotted a pass to Eiserman, who wired the puck past Michael Hrabal, to make it 2-1 U.S. at 13:35 of the frame.
"Hutty made a great play to Cons, a lot of speed brought up the defenders and made a really nice seam pass," Eiserman said to NHL Network's Mike Kelly. "Tried to put it in and it was a great play by them."
Eiserman now boasts three goals and four assists for seven points in six games in the tournament. While he made headlines for chirping the Canadian bench in their game with Canada on New Years Eve, he told Kelly about embracing his role as Team USA's 13th forward.
"My role right now is to be on the power play, try to score goals, rip one timers and be a good teammate. Try to get under the other guys' skin and let our big dogs eat, and try to get some pressure off of them and all on me."
Nelson got some strong looks in the third period, despite going goalless in the game However, he recorded an assist Oliver Moore's empty net goal to seal the win for Team USA.
After the game, Nelson was honored by the International Ice Hockey Federation as one of the team's three best players in the tournament, selected by the coaching staff. The 2023 second-round pick has a point per game in the tournament, recording four goals and two assists for six points.
Earlier in the day, forward Jesse Nurmi also advanced to the Gold Medal Game; Finland defeated Sweden 4-3 in overtime to advance.
The Islanders' fourth-round pick in 2023 recorded four shots and took a penalty in overtime that the Fins killed off. In six games, he has two goals and two assists for four points.
Team USA faces Finland at 7:30 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre, the game can be found on NHL Network.
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Two Former Islanders To Be Inducted Into IIHF Hall Of Fame
Stick taps to Frans Nielsen and Zdeno Chara.
The International Ice Hockey Federation announced on Friday that two former New York Islanders will be inducted into its Hall of Fame.
Forward Frans Nielsen and defenseman Zdeno Chara were named to the 2025 class:
Nielsen spent 10 seasons of his 15-year career with the Islanders, recording 119 goals and 230 assists for 349. He represented Denmark at nine World Championships, tallying 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points in 83 games. He was the first Danish player to skate in the NHL.
Chara spent five of 21 years in the NHL with New York. In 303 games with the franchise, he recorded eight goals and 35 assists for 43 points, with his final game coming in an Islander sweater after leaving in 2001. The Slovakian played in 10 World Championships and three Olympic Winter Games.
He won a pair of silver medals at the World Championships in 2000 and 2012 and with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In 82 international games, he tallied 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points.
The two will join Kim Martin-Hasson, David Vyborny, Vicky Sunohara, Kai Hietarinta, and Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the class. All will be inducted ahead of the IIHF World Championship’s Gold Medal Game on May 25 in Stockholm, Sweden.
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Islanders Stanley Cup Champion Lorne Henning Named Honorary Captain For AHL All-Star Classic
Henning was the last ever play-coach in NHL history.
The American Hockey League announced on Monday that four-time Stanley Cup champion and New York Islanders alumnus Lorne Henning will serve as an honorary captain for their upcoming All-Star Classic.
Henning spent seven seasons with the Islanders, serving as a full-time player until his initial retirement in 1980. In 1980-81, he was named an assistant coach but also appeared in nine regular-season games and one postseason game, becoming the last ever player-coach in NHL history.
After retiring following the season, he remained as an assistant coach for the remainder of the franchise's dynasty.
Henning returned to the Islanders as an assistant for the 1994-95 season and ultimately assumed the role of head coach following Al Arbour's retirement.
After getting let go following the season, he returned as an interim head coach in 2001. In 65 games coach, he compiled a 19-39-7-0 record.
In other coaching experience, he coached in the Minnesota North Stars organization for three years, starting in 1984-85 with the Springfield Indians of the AHL. The following year, he was hired as the big club's head coach and remained for two seasons. Nowadays, Henning serves as a scout for the Seattle Kraken.
Henning will receive the honor alongside Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Grant Fuhr. The two will be around the teams for the event in the locker room and on the bench and will be recognized at the AHL's Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony.
The All-Star Classic will take place in Coachella Valley from February 2-3 at Acrisure Arena, home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the top farm club of the Seattle Kraken.
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Latvia's Linard Feldbergs Follows In Footsteps Of Former Islanders Farmhand Kristers Gudlevskis
Feldberg had himself a night against Canada in one of the biggest IIHF World Junior Championship upsets of all time.
Friday's action at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championship saw a historic upset. Latvia defeated Canada 2-1 in a shootout, with goaltender Linard Feldbergs stealing the show:
The netminder made 54 saves in the game, following in the footsteps of former Bridgeport Islanders goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis with his highlight-reel performance.
Before Gudlevskis joined the New York Islanders organization, he was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he participated in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
In a matchup with Canada, Gudlevskis made headlines with a 57-save performance in the quarterfinal match:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7lIOKvu9ik[/embed]
Latvia ultimately came up short in the affair, but Gudlevskis received praise for keeping his team in the game despite the onslaught.
His heroics against Canada continued four years later at the IIHF World Championship, where he kept Latvia afloat again to force overtime. His country once again came up short on a Connor McDavid game-winner, but it was another sensational showing for him against a hockey powerhouse.
Latvia ultimately was able to get over Canada in 2021, as Mattis Kivlenieks gave them their first win at 2021's World Championship. Gudlevskis got his redemption by winning bronze at the 2023 World Championship as a backup to Arturs Silovs.
As the hockey world is abuzz for Feldbergs' performance, he etches his name on the right side of the history books for a historic performance against Canada.
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Long Island Native Shane Pinto Takes Shot At New York Jets On Spittin Chiclets Podcast
Pinto didn't hold back about how hard it is to be a Jets fan.
Appearing on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on Thursday, Long Island native and Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto took a jab at his fandom for the New York Jets.
"When I watch, I sit down for three hours of my time.... it's horrible," Pinto said. "Just the way they just like, I don't know, they're just so sloppy. We have so many talented players like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and it's just gone to s***."
While the Ottawa Senators are on the upswing as of right now, owning an 18-14-2 record and the final Eastern Conference Wild Card, Pinto also said he understands what diehard fans go through supporting the team.
"I'm starting to understand now when people get their mood ruined by our performances," he said. "I'm sitting on the couch, and I'm just ripping the Jets and our defense or whatever. Now I get the fans when they're shredding us when we're playing bad; it's totally understandable."
The Islanders have their own share of ties to the Jets, as occasionally players can be seen at games. Most notably during 2021's home opener at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets can often be seen returning the favor. Most notably, in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when offensive lineman Dan Feeney hit his infamous beer chug.
While the Islanders and Jets do share a mutual bond, Pinto can certainly be a part of that discussion. Rumors of Pinto to Long Island were put to rest when he signed a bridge deal this summer, but perhaps a move to his hometown could be in the long-term plans.
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Patrick Roy Reflects On Islanders' Hiring
How does Patrick Roy feel about his Islanders' tenure thus far?
Prior to puck drop between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sportsnet's Hockey Night in Canada, head coach Patrick Roy reflected on his tenure ahead of the game with Elliotte Friedman:
Roy joined the team on Jan. 20, and while it's been an up-and-down journey, it's yielded positive results in his first calendar year with the team. In his first 71 games, he's compiled a 33-26-12 record and guided the team back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in April.
"I was looking for this opportunity for a while," Roy said. "It's nice to be back in the NHL, very thankful to have this opportunity from Lou [Lamoriello], and it's been fun to work with him everyday. He's challenging you, but he wants the best for you, and he's been very helpful. He's giving me a lot of support and the coaching staff as well, so it's nice to have that, but the journey's been great."
He also commented on the return of forward Anthony Duclair to the lineup after missing two months due to a lower-body injury. He ultimately added a helper on the first NHL goal for Isaiah George.
Ahead of skating with Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson, he said, "I think that's gonna bring some offensive to our team, some speed, so it's more than welcome to see him back."
To close out the segment, Friedman shared a clip of Roy with his grandsons, asking if he was better than former Islanders netminder Kelly Hrudey. Despite his six-season tenure on Long Island and 15-year career in the NHL, Roy jokingly had to face the music.
"It's hard for me to say this because he's a former Islander and how much love I have for former Islanders, but, yes, I was better than Kelly Hrudey," he claimed.
Roy and the Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-3. New York will return to Hockey Night in Canada on March 22 against the Calgary Flames.
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Islanders Rookie Isaiah George Scores First NHL Goal Against Hometown Maple Leafs: 'Dream Come True'
Back from three games as a healthy scratch, the 20-year-old rookie lit the lamp, scoring the game-winner in the Islanders' 6-3 win over Toronto.
When the New York Islanders faced the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, defenseman Isaiah George was back in the lineup after serving the last three games as a healthy scratch.
The 20-year-old, who grew up 30 minutes away from Scotiabank Center in Oakville as a die-hard Leafs fan, made the most of his return. scoring his first NHL goal in front of friends and family in career game No. 20.
The goal came early in the third period as the Islanders cycled the puck around the offensive zone. After Scott Mayfield got the puck in deep, Anthony Duclair sent the puck back up to the left point for George to let a shot go. The puck found its way through traffic in front to beat Joseph Woll, making it 4-2 Islanders at 5:23 of the frame:
The goal was another milestone in George's rapid rise to NHL regular status. He made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 5, and while the Islanders were facing several defensive injuries, he stabilized the unit in the face of uncertainty.
Here's George postgame:
Across his first 20 games, he's totaled a goal and three assists for four points, and he's also earned the trust of Patrick Roy in any situation. He's averaged over 17 minutes of ice time per game, even earning time late in games as well. After Grant Hutton was sent back to the AHL on Wednesday, his role is only expected to grow until Mike Reilly returns.
Here's his interview from Hockey Night in Canada:
George is the second Islanders rookie to score his first NHL goal this season. Max Tsyplakov recorded the feat in his first NHL game on Oct. 12 against the Utah Hockey Club.
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