Dan’s Daily: Islanders Trade Urgency, 2021 UFA Rumors

The fun side of hockey is NHL trade talk, and there is a percolating talk around Columbus Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois. The New York Islanders are urgently trying to find a trade partner so they can dish a proper contract to star center Mathew Barzal. The NHL experienced its first team outbreak as eight Dallas Stars players and employees contracted COVID. And, that insidious virus will also keep a Hall of Famer away from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins will finally get Kasperi Kapanen sometime in the next 10 days. Bryan Rust wants dad strength and the full camp notebook from Shelly Anderson (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Doctors advised Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange not to return to work until he is vaccinated (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

That sucks. Someday there won’t be Mike Lange in the radio booth, but that day, no matter how far into the future, is too soon.

On Mike Lange night in October, we, too, paid tribute. Before Stanley, Sidney and Mario, we had Mike Lange (PHN Blog)

So, here’s the deal. The New York Islanders NEED Mathew Barzal to succeed. They know it. He knows it. But they still haven’t found a way to clear enough salary to sign the RFA center. Tic Toc Clarice. GM Lou Lamoriello is hard at work on the NHL trade market (The Athletic)

Pierre LeBrun tackled the Dubois situation with seven suitors the unhappy center (The Athletic)

Six Dallas Stars players and two employees have tested positive. The Dallas camp has been shutdown (Dallas Morning News)

Their season opener vs. Florida has been postponed (Florida Hockey Now)

Important: Henrik Lundqvist’s heart surgery was successful. The goalie is recovering well (NY Post)

There are a lot of big-name UFAs who are set to hit the market in 2021, including Alex Ovechkin. Sportsnet compiled the latest news and rumors (Sportsnet)

The Buffalo Sabres dished a one-year deal to Riley Sheahan (ESPN Rochester)

The all-Canadian Division is going to have a surprise. I promise. Also, it’s a blessing and a curse to the Montreal Canadiens Cup hopes (TSN)

In Boston, I’m not sure if he was kidding or taking a little poke. David Krejci needled Zdeno Chara, “he’s a little bit older” (Boston Hockey Now)

In Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog says NHL players shouldn’t jump the line for the COVID vaccine (Colorado Hockey Now)

That’s the right thing to say. The reality is that we’re making these guys and gals in the NHL travel around the country, which exposes them to increased risk for our entertainment. Yeah, they can have the vaccine sooner. But I appreciate the humble sentiment.

Will Stefan Noesen crack the squad? Who will be in Arizona / San Jose Sharks lineup? (San Jose Hockey Now)

No one quite knows what comes next with COVID restrictions. The Islanders know that they don’t know (NYI Hockey Now)