“Sidney Crosby returns to the Penguins lineup against the Islanders,” Pittsburgh’s PR account on social media confirmed, @PenguinsPR.

The Penguins’ captain (lower-body injury) and Geno (upper-body injury) both practiced with contact and rejoined regular drills ahead of the trip to New York. However, the Pens are taking their time with Malkin. As for Crosby, he confirmed he would try to play against the Islanders, and he stayed true to his promise. Now, it’s all paid off.

Head coach Dan Muse had made it clear their availability would be decided close to puck drop, keeping their status firmly in doubt. That made this one of the most closely watched lineup situations of the night. Now, fans across the league will get to see Crosby back in action. And what better than in a crucial matchup in the Eastern Conference’s playoff race?

Crosby returns to face favorite victim

The Islanders would’ve loved for Crosby to miss the game at UBS Arena. Watching “Sid the Kid” take to the ice only brings back terrible, haunting memories for fans in Long Island. The Penguins’ star registers 140 points in his career against New York (44 goals and 96 assists), the most by any active NHL player against one club.

Moreover, Crosby averages 1.52 points-per-game against the Islanders. If the Pens ever needed their captain to lead them to victory, it might be tonight as they take on the Isles in a game for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

What injuries do Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have?

Sidney Crosby has been dealing with a lower-body injury, while Evgeni Malkin is recovering from an upper-body injury. Both issues have sidelined them in recent games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and remain the key reason behind their uncertainty prior to the visit to the New York Islanders.

Crosby suffered his injury after exiting a recent game following an awkward play, which led the team to rule him out shortly after. Meanwhile, Geno sustained his upper-body issue in a previous matchup and has missed multiple games since, with Pittsburgh opting for a cautious recovery plan.

Neither injury is currently viewed as long-term, but given the timing in the playoff race, the NHL team have been careful not to rush either player back into action before they are fully ready.

Malkin struggling to stay on the ice

Malkin has missed time recently for multiple reasons. Earlier this month, he served a five-game suspension after slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head during a game on March 5, an incident that resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct.

After returning from that suspension, he was able to rejoin the lineup, but he was later sidelined again due to an upper-body injury. Now back at practice and taking contact, his status will likely be determined shortly before the game.

Crosby downplayed the development but acknowledged the positive signs after testing his condition during practice. “It’s just day to day. It’s nice to get out there with the guys and see how everything felt. That’s how I’m taking it.”

The Stanley Cup champion emphasized that every remaining game carries weight, even if the Islanders matchup brings extra importance as a division showdown. He’ll try to be available. “They’re all important at this point. It’s a big race and a big stretch for us. As a player, these are the games you want to be in. These are big games.”

How long will Sidney Crosby be out with Penguins?

Sidney Crosby may not miss much time, as he could return on Monday against the Islanders after practicing with the team. The Penguins continue to list him as day to day, and early signs suggest he may have avoided another long-term injury, which would be a major relief during the final stretch of the playoff race.

Do the Penguins control their destiny to make the NHL playoffs?

Yes. The Penguins enter the contest just behind the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division standings, making the head-to-head meeting a potential swing game. Securing a top-three finish would guarantee a playoff berth, while slipping could push the Penguins into a crowded wild card battle. One thing is certain. They control their destiny.

The Islanders needed overtime to defeat the red-hot San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in the “Capital of Silicon Valley”. It was a heated matchup between up-and-coming, cross-conference opponents. However, nothing is truly free in the NHL, and even Horvat, who scored the game-winner, must now pay a price.

“NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident involving San Jose’s bench,” as confirmed by @NHLPlayerSafety on X.

What did Horvat do?

Though the NHL didn’t provide the exact details of the incident that led to Horvat’s $2,500 fine, fans can get a good idea of what event the league is now addressing. During a scrum near the Sharks’ bench, Horvat exchanged some words with Sharks’ William Eklund, who was off the ice.

In that encounter, the veteran forward delivered a light, upswinging tap at Eklund’s visor, causing his helmet to almost come off. It wasn’t overly aggressive nor ill-intentioned; still, the NHL bars players on the ice from engaging in any physical dispute with those on the bench.

Whether there’s more to the story (perhaps something Horvat said to Eklund or another player) has yet to be reported. Thus, all signs indicate it was the contact with Eklund that led to the fine, which is about half of what the maximum allowable fine would be under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

One of the names linked to the Islanders in recent days is Jordan Kyrou, the talented forward from the St. Louis Blues. With his speed and scoring ability, Kyrou could provide an immediate offensive spark for New York if a deal were to materialize before the deadline.

However, negotiations appear to be facing a significant obstacle. According to NHL insider Stefen Rosner, “If the #stlblues insist on D prospect Kashawn Aitcheson (2025, No. 17) in a potential Jordan Kyrou deal, I’m told that likely takes the #Isles out of the mix.”

Islanders hesitant to include top prospect in deal

Kyrou is currently in the third year of an eight-year, $65 million contract and also holds a full no-trade clause, meaning any potential trade would require his approval. The forward has recorded 33 points in 51 games this season and remains one of the Blues’ most dynamic offensive players.

A major sticking point in negotiations is Kashawn Aitcheson, a highly regarded defensive prospect. Currently playing for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, Aitcheson has posted an impressive 63 points in 48 games this season and continues to rise as one of the most promising young defensemen in junior hockey.

Robert Thomas also on Islanders’ radar

While Kyrou has been the primary focus of discussions, the Islanders have reportedly also explored the possibility of acquiring Robert Thomas, another key forward from the Blues.

Thomas, like Kyrou, is signed to an eight-year, $65 million contract and carries a full no-trade clause. The center has recorded 37 points in 44 games this season and could represent another major offensive addition for New York if the Islanders decide to pursue a different trade path before the deadline.

Where to? Much like Panarin’s situation, that question has several possible answers. However, Trocheck’s 12-team no-trade list means the options narrow down, and the New York Islanders may well be among the teams in the race for the veteran center. According to a recent report around the NHL, Trocheck made his intentions clear to the Rangers regarding where he’d like to play next.

“At this point in time, [Trocheck] would like to stay East,” Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “So I don’t know that you could consider him a solution for the Kings or anyone else on [the Western Conference].”

Rangers have final say

However, the Blueshirts aren’t required to meet Trocheck’s wishes. Legally, New York is only obliged to respect the 12-team no-trade list. All other 19 options are still on the table. Whether the Isles are on Trocheck’s vetoed list or not, that remains unanswered. Thus, as long as the uncertainty prevails, the Rangers will continue to face a trade threat from the Islanders.

Needless to say, the Islanders seem to be a suitor the Rangers won’t be too excited to deal with, even though GM Chris Drury and the front office did complete the fourth trade in NHL history between the two New York-based organizations.

Rangers suffer in concrete jungle, Trocheck enjoys ‘la dolce vita’

After Panarin was traded, some fans believed the drama would quiet down. They were wrong. Now, the noise surrounds Trocheck and his future. However, yet another star departure could lead to an uprising within the locker room, with more talent wanting out of the chaotic situation in Manhattan.

Meanwhile, Trocheck is with Mike Sullivan and Team USA in Milan, where he was recently involved in a curious situation in the Winter Olympics with Rangers teammate J.T. Miller. Away from all the noise and speculation roaming through the streets of New York City. Still—sooner or later—Trocheck will have to face the music.

Chasing the USA’s third gold medal in ice hockey history (1960 and 1980) means Trocheck, Sullivan, and Miller will be competing in their most meaningful games of the year. Given how the 2025–26 season has gone, neither of the Rangers will be playing for any silverware when they return to North America. Well, Trocheck may find a loophole, as his name continues to surface in trade rumors around the NHL.

Such a piece of business may be the last straw for the organization’s patience with Drury. But then again, the same has been said about previous moves by Drury, and his name is still on the door. As much noise as fans make at Madison Square Garden and on social media, it looks like Drury won’t be going anywhere in the 2025-26 NHL season. What happens after? That’s another question.

There are no shortage of trade candidates interested in Trocheck, who is currently in Milan with Team USA for the 2026 Olympics. Meanwhile, the Rangers back in New York keep working on what a potential trade including Trocheck might look like. All while the NHL is in its Olympic roster freeze, blockading any move—such as trades, call-ups, and anything imaginable. In that regard, a report can’t help but point the Islanders make a solid argument to trade for Trocheck.

As reported by Peter Baugh and Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, the Islanders boast the prospects and draft assets to catch the biggest fish in the concrete jungle. Moreover, they could even afford an inflated price tag if the Rangers decide to tax the in-state move. From Trocheck’s perspective, it might be an ideal move, as he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to his home in the Big Apple, where he’s been for the past four seasons.

Rangers and Islanders

As much as logic and data drive every decision in the NHL, emotions also have a big say in the matter and are reserved a seat at the table. Thus, it’s hard to see the Rangers engaging in such a trade to bolster the Isles’ roster. However, Drury has used the hotline to Long Island recently, sending defenseman Carson Soucy to the Islanders.

It was only the fourth trade between the two New York–based organizations in NHL history, and the first in over 15 years. Would it be rare? Extremely—and it would raise eyebrows both in Manhattan and Elmont. But even lightning can strike twice, so it can’t be ruled out entirely.

Trocheck’s contract clause

However, there is a big question mark floating over the “Trocheck to the Islanders” rumors. Trocheck’s contract with the Rangers—which runs through the 2028–29 NHL season—includes a modified no-trade clause (M-NTC) in the form of a 12-team no-trade list.

Whether the Isles are on that list or not has yet to be reported, but it’s a real possibility. In contrast, the Minnesota Wild have emerged as the frontrunner to trade for Trocheck, and reports indicate the organization in the Land of 10,000 Lakes has received the green light from the veteran center.

The Rangers are wary of Trocheck spending so much time with Wild GM Bill Guerin (Team USA’s GM as well) and Quinn Hughes in Milan, as they may well convince him to push for a trade to Minnesota. Still, even if the Wild land Trocheck at a discounted price, it’s a far better outcome than risking him making his way to Long Island.

If there is one thing the Rangers would want less than failing to trade Panarin, it’s letting him fall into the wrong hands in the NHL. When it comes to New York, there is one team that stands out as a no-go trading route, and it is located on Long Island. According to reports, the Blueshirts are treading dangerously close to making a move with the New York Islanders.

“At this point, I know the same amount as anyone else, but I’m starting to get this weird gut feeling it might end up being the Islanders,” Jonny Lazarus of the Daily Faceoff stated on X.

Fans in Manhattan can’t help but feel like the sky is falling. Everything that could go wrong has done so. Now, as Panarin’s saga approaches its ending, the Rangers could learn it may be a tragic end rather than a fitting finale. To make matters worse, ex-captain Jacob Trouba rubbed salt in the wounds with a blunt comment.

Can another Islanders-Rangers trade occur?

Perhaps, it’s the paranoia around Madison Square Garden speaking, or perhaps the Rangers already know that truth is stranger than fiction. The Broadway Blueshirts can find relief in the fact that the Isles weren’t named among the frontrunners when Panarin’s trade talks narrowed down to six NHL teams. Still, as Panarin’s camp has yet to hint at where ‘The Breadman’ is headed next, every option remains on the table.

The Islanders feature a handful of Russian players on their roster, which has been reported to be a big factor behind Panarin’s pending decision. There are many reasons why the move would make sense—good luck trying to get those through the Blueshirts fanbase, though.

Why Islanders can go after Panarin

The Isles feature Panarin’s fellow countrymen Ilya Sorokin, Alexander Romanov, Semyon Varlamov, and Max Shabanov in Elmont, Panarin would not be required to move out of his home, and the Islanders can be willing to hand Panarin an extension right away. The latter has been a key factor in deciding which teams are truly in contention for Panarin, as the Russian star has no desire to go the rental route in the NHL. Wherever he heads next, he plans on staying for a while.

Moreover, after sweeping the season series against the Blueshirts, taking Panarin away from them would be the cherry on top. However, there is one big obstacle on the way: the Rangers would most likely be unwilling to send Panarin to Long Island.

Rangers (might) say no

Despite the leverage granted to Panarin thanks to his no-movement clause (NMC), the Blueshirts still have a say in the matter, and one would expect that doing business with the Isles is not on their to-do list for 2026. However, the two New York–based clubs engaged in a move recently, completing the first trade between the teams since 2010—and only the fourth in NHL history.

As with every decision around the league, there is significant risk. For Chris Drury and the front office, such a piece of business could drive them out of Manhattan. Ask a thousand Rangers fans, and they would much rather make a bad trade with any other team than a good one with the Islanders. Drury knows that—or should—but he is also aware that desperate times require rare solutions. Which side will tip the scales? That’s the million-dollar question at the moment.

When the Rangers said they were open for business, they clearly meant it. Amid a rough 2025-26 campaign, the Broadway Blueshirts sent veteran blueliner Soucy to the rival Islanders. Now, Sullivan set the record straight about the bold move.

“[Soucy] is a great person. He was a good Ranger. He competed hard. Him and I had a conversation, that’s what we talked about. I really enjoyed working with him. He’s a good pro. This is just part of the game and the reality of where we’re at,” Sullivan admitted about the move, via New York Post’s Mollie Walker.

Historic deal in New York

In more ways than one, it was a history-setting move in the league. Soucy’s move to Long Island was just the fourth trade between the two New York franchises in NHL history.

The last time both organizations agreed on a trade was in May 2010, when Jyri Niemi was sent to the Rangers for a sixth-round selection. More than 15 years later, the hotline between the teams in Manhattan and Long Island finally rang again.

Islanders vs. Rangers

Not long after Soucy packed his bags and made the short trip from Madison Square Garden to UBS Arena, the blueliner will reunite with his former teammates on the ice. The Islanders and Rangers will clash in a back-to-back, home-and-home series.

Surprisingly, the two sides arrive to the date quite differently than expected coming into the season. The Blueshirts expected to be in a better spot, whereas the Isles may have never believed they’d be sitting on a playoff spot.

However, when these two teams meet, all tags are lost. No matter how they enter the game, anything can happen. That’s what makes rivalries so great, and what has led the Rangers and Islanders to engage in just four trades among themselves in league history.

The New York Rangers and New York Islanders can barely stand one another. However, in times of need, the two clubs can put their differences aside and make business. That is definitely the case as the Blueshirts plan to send one veteran blueliner to the organization in Long Island.

“I’m hearing [the Rangers] are on the verge of their first move of the retool. A trade that sends Carson Soucy to the Islanders is brewing. No official announcement yet as they work out the particulars, but expect him to be held out of the lineup tonight for roster management,” Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic reported.

With Soucy on his way out, New York is proving how serious it is about embarking on a trading season, as results haven’t gone their way in the NHL. Soon, Panarin may finally be traded away, but a suitor must be found that Panarin is willing to waive his no-movement clause (NMC) for.

Update on Panarin

According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, Panarin wants to join the Florida Panthers. However, the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions are severely cap-constrained at the moment, making a trade for Panarin unlikely.

The Rangers would have to absorb most of Panarin’s $11.6 million cap hit for the 2025–26 season for Florida to take on his contract. As it stands, the Cats have only around $2.5 million in cap space.

Unless New York takes on roughly $10 million in dead cap space, a move for the ‘Breadman’ doesn’t make much sense for Florida—especially considering the Panthers could simply wait for him to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer and pursue him then without giving up draft picks, which are becoming a finite resource in Sunrise.

“New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche told reporters on Wednesday that rookie defenceman Matthew Schaefer will not be loaned to Team Canada for the upcoming World Juniors,” as reported by TSN.

Team Canada would have received a massive boost had Schaefer joined its ranks for the World Juniors. However, the rookie blueliner won’t be participating this time around. Instead, the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL entry Draft is hoping to make Team Canada’s senior squad for the 2026 Olympics.

Has Schaefer played for Team Canada before?

Schaefer won’t be playing for his country’s U-20 team in the 2026 World Juniors, but he has done so in the past. Last year, Schaefer—then a 17-year-old—made the cut for Team Canada’s roster. However, the Great White North failed to deliver when playing at home.

Despite hosting the competition, Team Canada fell to Czechia in the Quarterfinals stage. Not only did Canada not win gold, it didn’t even play for a medal. To add insult to injury, the home crowd had to stand and watch as Team USA hoisted its second straight World Juniors championship. As the 2026 tournament will be held in the US, many hoped Schaefer would join Team Canada in their revenge tour, but it won’t be the case.

Schaefer can still make the cut for the Olympics

Though the World Juniors are always circled in red on the calendar, this year there’s a bigger tournament eclipsing them. In February, NHL players will compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. All eyes are on the prize—and that prize is the gold medal.

Team Canada and Team USA are already planning for the international competition in Milan, Italy. Though Canada’s roster is stacked, Schaefer has put the scout team on notice with his sensational start in his rookie year. As the favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy, the first overall pick has made his case to join the star-studded squad in its trans-Atlantic venture.

Although the Islanders will not be loaning Schaefer to Team Canada for the World Juniors, it’s not up to them to decline an invitation from the senior team for the Olympics. Moreover, as the 2025-26 NHL season is paused during the Olympic break, there is no reason to believe the organization on Long Island would have any issue with having its franchise player under the spotlight.

The incident occurred with just 27.3 seconds left in regulation during the Islanders’ 3–2 win over the Dallas Stars. Rantanen delivered a forceful boarding hit from behind, sending Romanov violently into the end boards. The defenseman had to be helped off the ice and was later diagnosed with a shoulder injury requiring surgery.

Rantanen has officially been suspended one game by the NHL following two game misconducts in less than a week, including a controversial hit on Romanov, who had already missed games earlier this season due to injury, now faces a long recovery that could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.

How will the NY Islanders adjust without Romanov?

This update is a major blow to the Islanders’ defensive core, as Romanov had recently signed an eight-year extension and was expected to be a key contributor. The team will need to adjust quickly, relying on depth players and defensive pairings to fill the gap left by one of their top blueliners. How head coach Patrick Roy reorganizes the lineup could determine whether the Islanders can maintain competitiveness in the coming months.

Controversy around Rantanen’s hit

The hit by Rantanen continues to generate debate across the league. While Romanov’s injury underscores its severity, the league’s decision to suspend Rantanen for one game after multiple recent misconducts highlights ongoing concerns about player safety and enforcement consistency in the NHL.

What’s next for Romanov and the Islanders?

With Romanov sidelined for 5–6 months, the Islanders face a challenging stretch as they navigate the remainder of the regular season. The NHL team will need contributions from younger defensemen and a reinforced focus on minimizing risky plays.

The Islanders’ next game is today, Sunday, at 6 p.m. ET against the Seattle Kraken, while Romanov begins rehabilitation with hopes of returning strong for the next season.