Retool? Rebuild? Teardown? What’s the Best Path For the Islanders
The New York Islanders weren’t a playoff team all season. They weren’t when they got off to a slow start, as was true by American Thanksgiving, the midseason break, and…
All posts by Mike Fink
Nico Hischier Deserves Selke Trophy With Devils’ Late Season Resurgence
When Jack Hughes went down for the season, the New Jersey Devils looked done, and if they’d make the playoffs, they’d stumble in. They didn’t. The Devils dropped three games…
Current NHL Players With the Best Chance to Catch Alex Ovechkin
The big story of the week and one of the biggest stories in the 2024-25 NHL season is Alexander Ovechkin passing Wayne Gretzky as the all-time leading goal scorer. He…
Would the Islanders Be Better Off if They Kept Trotz?
The New York Islanders’ best seasons recently were with Barry Trotz behind the bench. They were a non-factor for decades before they became a competitive team in one season. Trotz…
How Hershey’s Todd Nelson Became One of the Top Coaches in the AHL
The Hershey Bears are the gold standard in the American Hockey League. They’ve won the Calder Cup 13 times, are reigning back-to-back champions, and are set up to win the…
Predicting How Ovechkin Will Break Gretzky’s Record vs. the Islanders
It’s a matter of when, not if, Alexander Ovechkin will set the record as the all-time leading goal scorer. There was genuine surprise that it didn’t happen on Friday (April…
What Makes the Lehigh Valley Phantoms a Playoff Caliber Team
One of the biggest mysteries in the American Hockey League (AHL), or at least in the Atlantic Division, is the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They are closing in on a playoff…
Devils’ Defense Will Get Them Into the Playoffs, But They’ll Need Offense to Make a Deep Run
The New Jersey Devils haven’t been the same team since Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton suffered season-ending injuries. They certainly haven’t been the same team offensively, averaging only 2.73 goals…
Islanders’ Losing Streak Shows Lamoriello-Roy Disconnect
Anthony Duclair had another uneventful game on April 1, skating for only 12:15 ice time while generating two shots on goal and not much else. Patrick Roy didn’t mince words…
Bridgeport Islanders’ 12-Step Program to Fix the Team
The Bridgeport Islanders are counting down the games until this season is over. It’s a bad one, historically bad. As of March 31st they are 15-43-4-3 and have the worst…