Duffer’s Dabbles: Isles Keep Cizikas; NHL Activity Expected To Heat Up Over Labor Day Weekend

The most famous fourth line in hockey since the Grind Line was helping the Detroit Red Wings win Stanley Cups is keeping the band together. The New York Islanders have signed Casey Cizikas to a new contract.

Elsewhere, TSN’s hockey panel debated the hatred level for Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals. Canada stuck it to the USA again. In Montreal, the debate on whether the Canadiens should match the Carolina Hurricanes’ offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi rages onward.

August was a long, dry month in terms of NHL news. The speculation is that September may start out hot, though. As training camps near, teams will be making moves to fill remaining roster gaps. There’s a lot of anxious players who remain swimming in the UFA pool. They’ll be prepared to towel off and accept more team-friendly contracts in exchange for the security of a job.

Casey Cizikas, reportedly signed 6x~$2.5M by NYI, is one of if not the best bottom six defensive centre in the NHL. A lot of term to get that discount though. #Isles pic.twitter.com/1YDhebCmER

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 31, 2021

NY Islanders: The trio of Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Cizikas will remain the league’s most effective fourth trio. Speaking of team-friendly contracts, Cizikas took a bit of a haircut to remain with the Isles.

Pittsburgh: Which Penguins figure to be joining the five-ring circus that is the Winter Olympic Games?

Canada Wins Gold

Sportsnet: There’s a federal election in Canada and if she chose to, Marie-Philip Poulin could probably run for Prime Minister. Her overtime goal gave Canada a 3-2 win over the USA and the gold medal at the IIHF Women’s World Championship for the first time since 2012. That victory comes on the heels of Canada beating the USA in the Olympic women’s soccer semifinal.

BAR DOWN FOR THE GOLD MEDAL! CAPTAIN MARIE-PHILIP POULIN HAS DONE IT! 🇨🇦#WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/xm7uRGGgCQ

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 1, 2021

Montreal: Most hockey pundits assume that the Canadiens will match the Hurricanes’ offer sheet and keep Kotkaniemi. TVA begs to differ on this topic.

TSN: The TSN panel debates who wears the title as the most hated player in the NHL. Capitals forward Tom Wilson is a popular choice to be the least popular player.