Blackhawks Sign Former Oilers Goalie

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

The Blackhawks signing Rodrigue comes after Rockford IceHogs goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy was suspended for 20 games. Now, Rodrigue will provide the IceHogs with more goalie depth during this final stretch of the year.

Rodrigue started this season with Barys Astana but never appeared in a game for the KHL club due to injury before being released. Now, after landing this deal with the Blackhawks, the 25-year-old will be getting his campaign started. by the

Rodrigue was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 62nd overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In two games with the Oilers during this past season, he had a 0-1-0 record and a .862 save percentage. 

Blackhawks Important Prospect Has Big Opportunity

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski is one of several promising youngsters in the Original Six club's system. The Blackhawks are hoping that the 2022 seventh-overall pick will become a big part of their blueline in the future, as he has good upside and skill. 

With Wyatt Kaiser out due to injury, Korchinski was recently called up to the Blackhawks' roster with Sam Rinzel from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. With this, Korchinski now has a big opportunity to show the Blackhawks what he can do with the NHL club. 

Korchinski has only played in two games this season with Chicago, where he has recorded one assist and a minus-2 rating. This was after he had one goal and one assist in just 16 games for Chicago in 2024-25. With this, he has not seen a ton of time on the Blackhawks' roster after playing in 76 games with Chicago during his rookie year in 2023-24. 

If Korchinski stands out during this latest chance on the NHL roster, it undoubtedly should help his chances of sticking around on the Blackhawks' roster. As a result, there is no question that the left-shot defenseman has an exciting opportunity in front of him, and it will be fascinating to see what he can do with it from here. 

In 45 games this season with the IceHogs, Korchinski has recorded two goals, 21 assists, and 23 points. 

Flyers Defender Could Be Trade Candidate To Watch

Once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts, the Philadelphia Flyers will be a team to keep an eye on. With the Flyers currently being eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, there is a chance that they will be sellers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

If the Flyers decide to be sellers, they will have some trade candidates to keep an eye on. One of them would be defenseman Noah Juulsen.

Juulsen is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and could end up generating some interest leading up to the deadline. It is no secret that contenders are always looking for big right-shot defenseman, and the 6-foot-2 Juulsen fits that description. 

Juulsen could be a solid addition for a playoff club looking to improve its defensive depth. The 2015 first-round pick also plays a physical game, so that also could make him an interesting target for contenders. 

Juulsen's contract also adds to his appeal, as he has a cheap $900,000 cap hit. With this, several teams would be able to afford him with ease. 

Ultimately, with playoff teams always looking for extra defensemen, it would not be particularly surprising if Juulsen generated some interest if the Flyers do not extend him by the deadline. It will be interesting to see what happens with the 28-year-old defenseman from here. 

In 42 games this season with the Flyers, Juulsen has recorded one goal, nine points, 87 hits, and a plus-2 rating. 

Penguins Have Good Potential Target In Maple Leafs Defender

The Pittsburgh Penguins should be looking to improve their defensive depth ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. It is clear that they could use at least one more bottom-pairing defenseman, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a potential option for them to consider in blueliner Simon Benoit. 

With the Maple Leafs having a down year and several NHL-caliber defensemen, Benoit has been the subject of trade rumors this season. If the Maple Leafs officially listen to offers for him, the Penguins should consider making a push for him. 

If the Penguins acquired Benoit, they would be bringing in a gritty stay-at-home defenseman who can play both sides. With this, the 27-year-old defenseman could be a nice fit on the Penguins' bottom pairing. However, even if he served as their seventh defenseman, his versatility would undoubtedly make him a useful player for Pittsburgh to have around. This is especially so for when injuries arise. 

Benoit would also be more than a rental for the Penguins if acquired, as he has a $1.35 million cap hit until the end of next season. With the Penguins focused on both the present and the future, Benoit having term on his deal could add to his appeal. 

Nevertheless, with the Penguins in need of another solid defensive defenseman, Benoit would make a lot of sense for them to target. It will be interesting to see if the Penguins pursue the 6-foot-4 defenseman from here. 

Arshdeep Bains Sets New Abbotsford Canucks All-Time Points Record

With his 149th point as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks, Arshdeep Bains has set a new franchise record in all-time points. The forward’s 47 goals and 102 assists as a member of Abbotsford passes the record set by Linus Karlsson last year. Bains registered his 149th point with the AHL Canucks by scoring a short-handed goal against the Henderson Silver Knights tonight.  

Bains first joined Abbotsford after signing an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022. He made his AHL debut on October 14 against the Ontatio Reign, also scoring his first AHL goal during this game. In his first season with Abbotsford, Bains scored 13 goals and potted 25 assists in 66 games played. 

The seasons after were when Bains began to showcase his offensive skills. In 2023–24, he put up 55 points in 59 games with Abbotsford and made his NHL debut with Vancouver on February 20 against the Colorado Avalanche. He was also named to the AHL All-Star Classic in that season and earned MVP honours. In 2024–25, he scored 43 points in 50 games and was an instrumental piece in Abbotsford’s Calder Cup win. 

Bains began the 2025–26 season with Vancouver but rejoined Abbotsford for two separate stints. Throughout his time in the AHL this season, the forward has scored seven goals and six assists in 17 games played. He is currently tied for eighth on his team in points. 

With Bains now holding the franchise record in all-time points, Karlsson (148), Christian Wolanin (124), Sheldon Dries (118), and Tristen Nielsen (115) all trail him to make up the club’s top-five. Karlsson still holds sole possession of the franchise lead in goals (70), while Wolanin leads in overall assists (109). 

Oct 13, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) skates against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) skates against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Matt Rempe heading to IR for another thumb procedure in latest Rangers crusher

New York Rangers center Matt Rempe (73) and New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) fight during the second period when the New York Islanders played the New York Rangers Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
New York Rangers center Matt Rempe (73) and New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) fight during the second period when the New York Islanders played the New York Rangers Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.

Matt Rempe is probably giving this season a thumbs down.

The Rangers forward is set to undergo a second procedure on his left thumb and is heading to injured reserve, The Post’s Mollie Walker reported Friday.

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tRY IT NOW

It’s not clear when he is expected to return to the ice.

The issue for the 23-year-old stems from a fight during an Oct. 23 game against the Sharks’ Matt Reaves.

After missing 24 games — including the entirety of November — and finally returning in mid-December, Rempe revealed he had undergone surgery after breaking his thumb in “many places” during the heavyweight bout.

Rempe admitted adrenaline kept him from feeling the injury until well after the fight.

In January, despite practicing fully, Rempe was a healthy scratch for seven games with the lingering effects of the thumb issue not allowing the hulking forward to play at his best level.

New York Rangers center Matt Rempe (73) and New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) fight during the second period when the New York Islanders played the New York Rangers Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“You don’t realize how much a thumb impacts you,” Rempe told The Post’s Andrew Crane last month.

New York Rangers center Matt Rempe and San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves get into a scuffle in the first period at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 23, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

“Like, any time I don’t catch a puck perfectly, it felt like a hot potato on my stick. And like stick battles, I was dropping my stick multiple times a game, and any stick battles, if someone’s stick-lifting me, that puck’s gone.”

He did return to the Rangers lineup on Jan. 26 and played in the team’s final five games before the 2026 Winter Olympics break.

The 6-foot-9 winger has just one point in 26 games this season, a goal against the Penguins on Oct. 11.

Penguins Have Bruins Trade Target To Consider

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a team to keep an eye on leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline. With the Penguins in second place in the Metropolitan Division standings, they are setting themselves up to be buyers. 

One area that the Penguins should look to address leading up to the trade deadline is the right side of their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke stands out as a very interesting option for the Penguins to consider.

While the Bruins currently hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings, Peeke's name has been floating around the rumor mill. If the Bruins make him available, the Penguins should consider kicking tires on the big right-shot defenseman. 

If the Penguins brought in Peeke, he would provide them with a clear upgrade for their third pairing. Furthermore, his defense-first style of play would give the Penguins another clear option to work with on their penalty kill if acquired. 

Peeke is also just 27 years old, so he could be the kind of pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) that the Penguins look to extend as a part of the deal. In that scenario, Peeke could be a strong trade fit for the Penguins. 

In 56 games this season with the Bruins, Peeke has recorded four goals, eight assists, 12 points, 67 hits, and 101 blocks. 

Prospect Checkup: Senators Call Up Carter Yakemchuk And Three Others From Belleville

With some key members of the Ottawa Senators still away from the team for the Olympics, four top players from the Belleville Senators were recalled to help pick up the slack at Thursday’s practice.

Carter Yakemchuk, Tyler Boucher, Oskar Pettersson, and Arthur Kaliyev got the call, which made for better numbers and a smoother practice. But it also gave the organization a chance to check on their development as prospects.

For the players, it’s an encouraging sign to get a call like this because it means you’re a player of interest, which not every American Hockey League player can say.

But of the four players who filled in on Thursday, Yakemchuk is easily the best bet to play NHL games this season, though a lot will depend on what the Senators look like after the trade deadline.

The 20-year-old AHL rookie, generally a man of few words, described the practice as long and hard, but “super cool.”

“I think it's been a good year,” Yakemchuk told the media. “Obviously, the message is trying to keep getting better. You know you want to play here one day, so you just take it day-by-day and try to get better.”

Thomas Chabot might one day be Yakemchuk’s D partner and mentor and he likes what he sees.

“Seeing him up here is always fun, and you know it's only a matter of time before he’ll be up here,” Chabot said. “He’s so talented and the way he handles the puck and moves, he’s elite at it. So, it's fun. Obviously, it's more fun playing games, but still, practices are still fun to kind of come up and measure yourself up with the pace of practices.”

Yakemchuk is Belleville’s top point getter on the blue line with 25 points in 39 games. But it's hard to ignore a team-worst minus 28, 11 notches worse than any other player on the team.

Head coach Travis Green says the club remains high on Yakemchuk as a prospect, but the organization doesn’t want to rush him. They want him to have an impact when he arrives, not just trying to keep up.

“He's a young prospect that we obviously have a lot of hopes for,” Green told the media. “We want him to be the best that he can be and yet also want to make sure we do right by him to make sure that when he does get his opportunity that he's ready for it.”

Is he ready right now? That's up for debate. Sometimes players are better in the NHL than they are in the AHL. But the timing of Yakemchuk's NHL debut is also tied to what happens at the deadline, not to mention where the Senators are in the standings.

They certainly can’t afford many mistakes, and in the heat of a playoff chase, throwing a young player out there right now is like asking a first-time student driver to merge onto the Queensway.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

Report: Insider Believes Jordan Kyrou Won't Be With The St. Louis Blues In 2026-27

For quite some time now, Jordan Kyrou and the St. Louis Blues have appeared to be at odds, and a recent report suggests that their relationship could be coming to an end very soon.

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was on the DFO Rundown recently, speaking on the Blues and Kyrou situation.

“I’d be surprised if Kyrou was a member of the Blues next season,” said Pagnotta. 

He’s not certain whether it will happen before the trade deadline or in the off-season, but he believes Kyrou is open to being traded and would waive his no-trade clause for the right situation.

Kyrou has struggled production-wise this season, with 13 goals and 32 points in 47 games. However, Kyrou has turned it around recently. In his last eight games before the Olympic break, the 27-year-old notched five goals and 12 points. 

Kyrou will generate plenty of interest on the trade market if/when he becomes available. The Blues’ season is continuing to dwindle, and it’s almost a guarantee that they will be sellers.

Throughout the season, we’ve seen names like Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk, Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, and Pius Suter, alongside Kyrou, placed on trade boards. 

Report: Bruins Zoning In On Blues Veteran Defenseman Justin FaulkReport: Bruins Zoning In On Blues Veteran Defenseman Justin FaulkThe market for St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk continues to grow, and a new report lists the Boston Bruins as serious contenders to land Faulk in a trade.

Kyrou has spent his entire NHL career with the Blues. Kyrou was selected by the Blues in the second round (35th overall) in the 2016 NHL draft. In 463 games, Kyrou has notched 163 goals and 364 points. 

The price to acquire Kyrou will be high, given his skill set and the control he brings. He is currently in the third year of an eight-year, $8.125-million contract he signed in 2022. 

Image

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NHL Rumors: Flyers Forward Could Generate Trade Interest

The Philadelphia Flyers currently have a 25-20-11 record and are eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They also have struggled as the season has gone on, as they have won just three out of their last 15 games. 

With how this season has been trending for the Flyers, there is a chance that they could be sellers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. If the Flyers do decide to be sellers, one player who could have the potential to generate some interest from playoff clubs is forward Carl Grundstrom.

With Grundstrom being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), it would be understandable if the Flyers listened to offers for him if they elected to be sellers. While the 28-year-old forward is not the flashiest player, he would have the potential to be a nice addition for a contender looking to add a depth forward who plays a heavy game. 

Grundstrom has also been solid this season with the Flyers, as he has recorded eight goals, 10 points, 80 hits, and a plus-3 rating in 27 games. With this, he could end up having some suitors once we get closer to the deadline.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Grundstrom leading up to the deadline, but the 6-foot hard-nosed forward could be a decent trade chip for the Flyers. 

Islanders’ Alexander Romanov Progressing After Shoulder Surgery

EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov took steps in the right direction on Friday morning as he works his way back from right shoulder surgery.

Prior to practice, Romanov was on the ice taking shots for what is believed to be the first time since hitting the shelf.

The 26-year-old sustained the shoulder injury on Nov. 18 in the dying seconds of a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars after he was hit from behind by Mikko Rantanen. He had surgery with a recovery timeline between five and six months. 

BREAKING: Islanders' Alexander Romanov To Have Shoulder Surgery, Out 5-6 Months BREAKING: Islanders' Alexander Romanov To Have Shoulder Surgery, Out 5-6 Months Devastating blow for the Islanders: Romanov's season ends abruptly due to shoulder surgery after a controversial hit. Recovery targets next season.

Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said that Romanov could return at some point in the mid-rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, if the team is still playing then. 

"It's great," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said about Romanov getting back out there. "You could see in his face. I mean, he's excited about practicing on his own and taking some shots. And I think it's been a while. He wants to take some shots. It's a long injury, and he's gonna have to be patient. And we have a really good staff, so I mean, I'm sure they're gonna take care of him, and he'll be fine."

The Islanders have tried out a ton of players in Romanov's spot before Darche opted for stability, acquiring Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers on Jan. 26 in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.

Romanov, who is in the first season of an eight-year deal worth $6.25 million annually, had one assist in 15 games this season, averaging 19:27. 

Olympics men’s hockey semifinals: How to watch USA vs. Slovakia for free

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Quinn Hughes, who finally has a chance to play with his brother Jack, skates up ice during the United States' win over Latvia in Milan

The United States men’s hockey team’s dominant Olympic run continues this afternoon in the semifinals.

Just two wins away from a gold medal, they’ll have to get past 2022 bronze medalists Slovakia to get into the Sunday’s gold medal matchup.

Team USA defeated Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals, but needed overtime to make it happen after Sweden tied things up late in the third period. In the end, it was Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes who broke through and scored the game-winning goal.

men's olympic hockey: what to know
  • What: United States vs. Slovakia (Semifinal)
  • When: Feb. 20, 3:10 p.m. ET
  • Where: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan, Italy)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

Slovakia is the only semifinalist who didn’t need overtime to determine its quarterfinal, advancing thanks to a big 6-2 victory over Germany.

The winner will play for gold on Sunday morning, while the loser advances to the Bronze medal matchup tomorrow afternoon.

When is USA men’s hockey next game?

The US men’s hockey team is back in action today, Feb. 20, in the semifinal against Slovakia.

USA vs. Slovakia start time

United States vs. Slovakia is scheduled to start at 3:10 p.m. ET.

How to watch USA vs. Slovakia for free

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the Winter Olympics for free.

You can also catch every minute of the Olympics with a subscription to Peacock, which starts at $10.99/month.

United States and Slovakia men’s hockey team rosters

Below, check out the rosters for Team USA and Slovakia, along with each player’s NHL team.

United States
  • Jackson LaCombe (D) – Ducks
  • Zach Werenski (D) – Blue Jackets
  • Brock Faber (D) – Wild
  • Noah Hanifin (D) – Golden Knights
  • Charlie McAvoy (D) – Bruins
  • Quinn Hughes (D) – Wild
  • Jaccob Slavin (D) – Hurricanes
  • Jake Sanderson (D) – Senators
  • Brady Tkachuk (F) – Senators
  • Jack Eichel (F) – Golden Knights
  • J.T. Miller (F) – Rangers
  • Matt Boldy (F) – Wild
  • Vincent Trochek (F) – Rangers
  • Matthew Tkachuk (F) – Panthers
  • Dylan Larkin (F) – Red Wings
  • Brock Nelson (F) – Avalanche
  • Auston Matthews (F) – Maple Leafs
  • Jake Guentzel (F) – Lightning
  • Tage Thompson (F) – Sabres
  • Kyle Connor (F) – Winnipeg Jets
  • Jack Hughes (F) – Devils
  • Clayton Keller (F) – Mammoth
  • Jeremy Swayman (G) – Bruins
  • Jake Oettinger (G) – Stars
  • Connor Hellebuyck (G) – Jets
Slovakia
  • Peter Čerešnák (D)
  • Šimon Nemec (D) – Devils
  • Martin Gernát (D)
  • Michal Ivan (D)
  • Martin Fehérváry (D) – Capitals
  • Martin Marinčin (D)
  • Patrik Koch (D)
  • Erik Černák (D) – Lightning
  • Lukáš Cingel (F)
  • Oliver Okuliar (F)
  • Miloš Kelemen (F)
  • Dalibor Dvorsky (F) – Blues
  • Juraj Slafkovsky (F) – Canadiens
  • Adam Ružička (F)
  • Adam Liška (F)
  • Peter Cehlárik (F)
  • Samuel Takáč (F)
  • Martin Pospíšil (F) – Flames
  • Libro Hudáček (F)
  • Pavol Regenda (F) – Sharks
  • Tomáš Tatar (F)
  • Matúš Sukel (F)
  • Adam Gajan (G)
  • Samuel Hlavaj (G)
  • Stanislav Škorvánek (G)

When do the Winter Olympics end?

The 2026 Winter Olympics end with the closing ceremony on Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.


Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.


Canadiens Have 2 Potential Rangers Trade Targets

Once the NHL Olympic roster freeze lifts later this month, the Montreal Canadiens will be a team to watch very closely. The Canadiens are currently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, so they are naturally expected to be buyers ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

Due to this, we recently kicked off our Canadiens trade targets series by looking at potential targets from the Nashville Predators. Now, in this latest edition of the series, let's focus on the New York Rangers. 

Vincent Trocheck 

Vincent Trocheck is a player who has been connected to the Canadiens this season, and it would not be surprising in the slightest if they at least had him on their radar. He would give the Canadiens a clear answer for their second-line center spot and would also work on both their power play and their penalty kill if acquired. 

Trocheck's contract adds to his appeal, as he has a $5.625 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season. With this, he would be a long-term addition to the Canadiens' roster. 

In 43 games this season with the Blueshirts, Trocheck has recorded 12 goals, 24 assists, 36 hits, and 130 hits. That mixture of offense and grit would make him a nice pickup for the Habs. 

Alexis Lafreniere 

Alexis Lafreniere has been the subject of trade rumors since Rangers GM Chris Drury confirmed through a letter to fans that the club is rebuilding. It is clear that the 2020 first-overall pick could use a change of scenery, and it would be fascinating to see the Canadiens take a chance on the St-Eustache, Quebec native. 

At just 24 years old, Lafreniere could be a good fit on a Canadiens club that is on the rise. This is especially so if the fresh start helped him tap into his potential more. 

Yet, Lafreniere's contract would make him a risky addition for the Canadiens. This is because he has a $7.45 million cap hit until the end of the 2031-32 season. 

In 57 games this season with the Rangers, Lafreniere has 12 goals and 32 points. His best season so far was in 2023-24, as he set career highs with 28 goals, 29 assists, and 57 points in 82 games. 

The four things the Penguins need most after Olympic break

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The 2026 Men’s Olympic Hockey tournament concludes this weekend, which means the 2025-26 NHL season is getting closer to returning from its Olympic break. The Pittsburgh Penguins next game will be on Thursday, February, 26 against the New Jersey Devils. Overall, they have 26 regular season games remaining. So let’s talk about the four things they need the most the rest of the way.

1. Sidney Crosby

This is the biggest concern at the moment given his injury at the Olympics. There has been no official update on what exactly his injury is or the severity of it, and we only know that he tried to skate before Friday’s semifinal game agains Finland and was then ruled out for the game. All of the reporting so far seems to indicate it is not anything season-ending, but it seems likely he is going to miss at least something when the Penguins return from the break.

On one hand, the Penguins have surprisingly strong depth this season and still have enough to stay competitive if Crosby deals with a shorter-term injury.

They have played extremely well without him on the ice this season, and even though him being out of the lineup would move people up the depth chart they should still have enough depth to stay competitive and win games.

If they are going to actually make the playoffs and then have a chance to do anything when they get there, a healthy Crosby is eventually going to be a must.

2. The power play to rediscover its groove

Overall the Penguins power play has been excellent this season and a significant part of their success. For the season as a whole they are converting on 25 percent of their attempts, good enough for the fourth-best mark in the NHL.

Since the start of January, however, that unit has struggled to consistently fill the net.

Since January 1 the Penguins are converting on just 15.9 percent of their power play attempts, a number that drops them to 29th in the NHL over that stretch.

Even more concerning: They are not generating a ton of actual chances on the power play, either.

Over that stretch of games they are averaging just 8.59 expected goals per 60 minutes of power play time. That is 22nd in the NHL during that stretch.

They are generating just 53.6 shots on goal per 60 minutes. That is 15th in the NHL over that stretch.

They are averaging just 59.1 scoring chances per 60 minutes. That is 20th in the NHL in those games.

They are averaging just 28.4 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. That is 16th in the NHL during that stretch.

In other words, it has been a very average to below average unit for a significant chunk of the season. The Penguins are a good enough 5-on-5 team that they do not need a great power play to have a chance to generate offense, but that unit becoming a force again (or at least better than it has been since the start of January) would be a huge help for the offense and the team as a whole.

[Power Play Scoring Chance, Shot Rates And Expected Goal Data via Natural Stat Trick]

3. Defensive upgrade at the trade deadline

It seems very likely that, given their place in the standings, the Penguins are going to be in a position to add something before the March 6 trade deadline. Especially since they only play five games before the deadline. Their forward situation looks pretty settled with plenty of depth. Between their NHL roster and the options ready to go in the AHL (Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Avery Hayes, the potential return of Filip Hallander) they are probably 15-16 deep in terms of NHL capable forwards at the moment. The defensive depth is the question.

While the defense has been significantly better than we anticipated at the start of the season, especially as it relates to the left side of the defense, they could still use some help as it relates to the depth.

Kris Letang is 38 years old, missed some time this season, and showed serious signs of decline at times.

Erik Karlsson is 35 years old and just played four extra high-intensity games at the Olympic tournament.

The depth players like Connor Clifton, Jack St. Ivany, Ilya Solovyov and Brett Kulak have held their own, you still might like to see an upgrade for the playoffs or just simply have some extra depth. You probably need at least eight or nine capable NHL defensemen for a playoff run. I am not sure the Penguins have that right now. An upgrade would be nice. It also seems likely. It is just a matter of how big of an upgrade it is and how much the Penguins are willing to pay.

They are almost certainly still looking for any young talent that can help both now and in the future at any position, but if we are talking short-term upgrades the defense should be the focus. This team has raised its expectations for the season through its play and it deserves an addition.

4. Win 14 more games

We talked about this earlier in the week, but given where the Penguins are in the standings, what they have already done, what the teams around them have already done, and what it typically takes to make the playoffs, winning 14 more games, regardless of what they do in the other 12 (overtime loss, regulation loss, shootout loss, whatever the case may be) should be enough to secure a playoff spot.

The schedule is difficult. It is doable. The playoffs are within reach. Hope for the best with Sidney Crosby’s injury, get the power play back on track, keep getting some competent and capable goaltending, and get an upgrade on defense and that should be an attainable goal.

Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 81 – Rob Davison (with guest John Cullen)

Along with comedian, podcaster and new author John Cullen, we remember Rob Davison, who had one major moment against a marquee opponent in his very short stint on Long Island.

Like a lot of defensive defensemen, Rob Davison was not a player most people would remember. His job was preventing goals, not scoring them, for a very good San Jose Sharks team in the early 2000’s. When he was dealt to the Islanders at the tail end of the 2007-08 season, it barely registered with the fanbase and was more about filling a giant injury hole than anything else. He arrived late to his first game and would eventually leave the team after that playoff-free season.

BUT! In those 19-games, Rob Davison – of all people – scored a goal so crazy, so unbelievable, so memorable that we’re still talking about it 25 years later. In an otherwise pointless game at Nassau Coliseum between two teams going nowhere, Davison launched the puck 190-feet down the ice and ended up with one of the most ludicrous shorthanded goals in NHL history, forever tying him to former Sharks teammate Vesa Toskala in a moment of infamy no one who watched it will ever forget.

Instead of finding a Sharks fan to talk about Davison, we asked John – a fan of the hated Maple Leafs – to talk about that game, that goal and Toskala’s legacy in Toronto. Ironically, we all find a degree of sympathy for the goalie who faced an impossible play and whiffed on it the way just about anyone would have. We talk about his reaction to his friend Davison scoring a goal like that on him, and about how trading Davison helped the Sharks draft an upgrade, who has a goofy connection to the Islanders decades later. We also enjoy a rarely remembered fact about that famous game (that the Islanders still lost).

We can’t thank John enough for coming on. He’s a very busy man between his many podcasts, his new book – Curling Rocks! – being out (and recording its audio version) and his work for CBC covering curling at the Olympics. Check out his shows Broomgate, A Curling Scandal, What is…? A Jeopardy! Podcast (with Emily Heller), The POD Kast (with Bryan Quinby) and Blocked Party (with Stefen Heck).

A Weird Islanders Extra! bonus episode with us and John discussing the Islanders/Leafs/Tavares thing was released back in January.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

  • After 176 mostly-quiet games and one Western Conference with the San Jose Sharks, Davison was traded to the Islanders for a seventh round pick that, ironically, turned into Jason Demers, another defenseman who played 200-plus games with the Sharks and an astute observer of the game.
  • On that same day, Garth Snow traded Chris Simon to Minnesota and Marc-Andre Bergeron to Anaheim. Replacing Bergeron with Davison is like replacing a fresh, sweet, juicy apple with an onion (in a complimentary way).
  • This man scored three (3) goals in his NHL career and this, from March 18, 2008, was by far the most memorable one (the Islanders lost 3-1). This was also the final NHL goal of Davison’s career.
  • That bouncing goal on Vesa Toskala of the Maple Leafs continues to be a core memory for those who saw it. Toskala and Davison were once teammates on the Sharks and, according to Davison, Toskala told him afterwards, ‘“If one guy was going to do it – I am glad it was you.”
  • Davison went on to have short stints with the Canucks (23 games) and Devils (1 game), and two seasons in Europe playing in Austria and Czechia. During his even more brief time with the Devils, Davison fought Islanders Micheal Haley and Matt Martin… in the samepreseason game!
  • He signed a deal to return to the Sharks in 2013 but spent the season in the AHL with Worcester.
  • Since retiring, he’s had an extensive coaching career, winning a Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies and back-to-back championships with Salzberg in Austria. He’s currently an associate coach with the OHL’s Guelph Storm.

What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

  • Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
  • Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

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