Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

 Here are some goalies to pickup now in Fantasy Hockey: Semyon Varlamov Semyon Varlamov has been solid in net for the New York Islanders in the last month of the season; he has a 2-2 record with a 2.35 GAA, .927 SV%, and 153 Saves during that timespan. Even though Varlamov will only get a few starts with Ilya Sorokin there, he has proven to be a reliable backup when called upon. Varlamov is owned in 41% of Fantasy leagues, you should take a flyer on him if you need a goalie with a good GAA and SV%. Antti Raanta Antti Raanta has played great for the Carolina Hurricanes in the last month of the season; he has a 3-0 record with a 1.49 GAA and .946 SV% during that timespan. With Fredrik Andersen back, Raanta will be back in the backup role, but he has thrived in this role and should continue to do so. Definitely, pickup Raanta if you have Fredrik Andersen because he doesn't start every game. Philipp Grubauer Philipp Grubauer has been playing a lot better for the Seattle Kraken in the l...

The New York Islanders missed the playoffs last season, and they didn't really do anything in the offseason to improve the team. In order for the Islanders to be a contender this season, they will need to make some moves to improve the team. This is how the New York Islanders can become a Contender this season. Before the season, the Islanders make two trades New York Islanders trade Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, 2023 2nd round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Shayne Gostisbehere, Nick Ritchie and a 2023 3rd round pick. The Islanders and Coyotes basically swap Bailey and a 2nd round pick for Gostisbehere and 3rd round pick, as well as Kieffer Bellows for Nick Ritchie. The Islanders also trade Semyon Varlamov to the Vegas Golden Knights for Laurent Brossoit, 2024 2nd round pick. The Golden Knights acquire a proven veteran goalie, who can help them while Robin Lehner is out this season. At the Trade Deadline, One major trade is made New York Islanders trade Simon Holmstrom, Nick Ritch...

The Vegas Golden Knights are in trouble now with Robin Lehner expected to be out the entire season and with Laurent Brossoit also out with injury. With their goaltending situation uncertain, Vegas will need to make some moves to improve their goaltending in order to be a contender this season. These are the moves that the Vegas Golden Knights should make: Vegas Golden Knights acquire Semyon Varlamov from the New York Islanders for a 2023 3rd round pick, and a 2024 5th round pick. This trade benefits both teams because the Islanders don't really need a $5 million backup with Ilya Sorokin primed to be the workhorse next season, while the Golden Knights really could use a veteran goalie to tandem with Logan Thompson in the absence of Robin Lehner. Vegas Golden Knights acquire Mike Hoffman from the Montreal Canadiens for Sakari Manninen, a 2025 3rd round pick. If Vegas Makes the playoffs, the 3rd round pick becomes a 2nd round pick. Mike Hoffman adds some scoring punch to their top 6 ...

 The New York Islanders are an aging team that desperately needs to overhaul their roster by moving out some of their overpaid veterans, and replacing them with younger players with more potential. The biggest weakness the Islanders have is on defense, and they really need to improve that if they are to contend next season. This is what the New York Islanders should do in the offseason. Before the 2022 Draft, a few trades are made New York Islanders trade Josh Bailey to the Nashville Predators for Eeli Tolvanen, Jeremy Lauzon, 3rd round pick '22. If Filip Forsberg doesn't return to Nashville, the Predators should try to add a veteran winger like Josh Bailey to boost their offense. The Islanders also trade Semyon Varlamov to the Buffalo Sabres for 4th round pick '22, 6th round pick '23.   If the Sabres make the playoffs, the Islanders get a 2023 2nd-round pick. The Islanders unload Varlamov's contract, while the Sabres get their number 1 goalie. The Isles also trade ...

 The New York Islanders have not gotten off to a great start to the season this year; for a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, this is surely a disappointing start. What is Wrong with the New York Islanders? What can be done to fix their issues? Issues with New York Islanders: 1. Lack of Goal Scoring 2. Defense isn't as good  3. Team is too old 4. Injuries The New York Islanders are last in the Metropolitan division and have scored the second-fewest goals in the entire league. A big reason for this is the loss of Jordan Eberle to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. Eberle had been a major part of their team and was one of their more reliable offensive players last year. After losing Eberle, the Islanders re-sign Kyle Palmieri and signed Zach Parise to provide depth scoring. The Isles have only scored 29 goals this season, only the Arizona Coyotes have scored fewer goals this season. One of the strengths of the Islanders teams' under Barry Trotz...