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The Hockey Writers
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Mike Fink

Mike Fink has covered the New York Islanders since 2020 and the American Hockey League as a credentialed columnist since 2023. In addition to covering the Islanders, Fink writes about the NHL at large, looking at general topics from potential cities for NHL relocation to arena traditions throughout the league. Follow Mike on X (formerly known as Twitter) @Finks_thoughts or on Instagram and Threads @mikefink_hockeywriter for more Islanders and general hockey insights.

NHL Head Coaches & the Obstacles They Face

Mike Fink | September 4, 2025

Every NHL head coach gets a start somewhere, and their background often fuels how they coach. These coaches have roots either by growing up and playing in some eras or…

Categories Column

Projecting the New York Islanders’ 2025-26 Lineup

Mike Fink | September 2, 2025

It’s September and the weather is starting to cool (which this year, happened early for some reason in the New York area). It means that hockey is around the corner,…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews

Islanders Have 4 Duos That Will Make or Break 2025-26

Mike Fink | August 31, 2025

The New York Islanders, for the first time in a while, have a roster that has plenty of new faces on it. With some veterans retiring, a few trades, and…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews

5 Most Underrated NHL General Managers for 2025-26

Mike Fink | August 31, 2025

Last week, there was a ranking of the top five overrated general managers (GMs) in the NHL. With the help of multiple writers here at The Hockey Writers, an opinion-based…

Categories Avalanche Management, Calgary Flames, Canadiens Management, Colorado Avalanche, Flames Management, Golden Knights Management, Jets Management, Montreal Canadiens, Season Previews, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets

What Retooling Teams Can Learn From the Capitals, Islanders & Senators

Mike Fink | August 29, 2025

Every team prefers to retool over rebuild, if they must decide between the two, that is. It’s why every general manager (GM) prefers to avoid the word rebuild and mention…

Categories Column, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals

Islanders’ Bounce Back Candidates for 2025-26

Mike Fink | August 27, 2025

Anthony Duclair is the obvious choice as a New York Islanders bounce-back candidate; any 2025-26 preview will have him leading the list. It makes sense since he was brought in…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews

5 Most Overrated NHL General Managers for 2025-26

Mike Fink | August 26, 2025

Building a Stanley Cup contender starts at the top. Ownership might not build the roster, but a general manager (GM) does. Bill Zito’s work with the Florida Panthers turned a…

Categories Detroit Red Wings, Kings Management, Los Angeles Kings, Maple Leafs Management, New York Rangers, Penguins Management, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers Management, Red Wings Management, Season Previews, Toronto Maple Leafs

Islanders’ High Floor Leaves Darche With Limited Options

Mike Fink | August 23, 2025

The New York Islanders began the Mathieu Darche era with a few options. The new general manager (GM) could have started the rebuild, and it would be an understandable path…

Categories Editor's Choice, New York Islanders

Draisaitl, Hughes & Tkachuk Are the NHL’s Overlooked Stars

Mike Fink | August 22, 2025

This week’s episode of Ice Time had the second annual Nucleus Draft. The goal of the draft is to build a Stanley Cup-winning team with active players where every roster…

Categories Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Season Previews, Vancouver Canucks

Islanders’ Best-Case Scenarios for the Youth Movement

Mike Fink | August 21, 2025

The New York Islanders have prospects for the first time in a long time. It’s what happens when former general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello drafts Cole Eiserman and trades Brock…

Categories Islanders Prospects, New York Islanders

Lehigh Valley Phantoms Are Trying to Shake Off Past Ghosts With Snowden Hire

Mike Fink | August 17, 2025

It’s been over a month since the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hired John Snowden as their head coach. It’s been a few weeks since the Hershey Bears hired Derek King. The…

Categories AHL, Hershey Bears, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Philadelphia Flyers

Will the Islanders’ Pivot to a Younger Defense Work?

Mike Fink | August 15, 2025

The New York Islanders, for years, were led by a great defense. The same group, with Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock on the top pair, fueled their success earlier in…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews
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Editor’s Choices

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Laughton, Quillan, Primeau & Strange Statistic

NHL Rumors: Offseason Moves for Oilers, Penguins, Senators

Red Wings Trade Deadline: 3 Deals & Intriguing Discussions That Fell Through

Latest from THW

Blues Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Trade Aftermath, Resurgence, Thomas Stepping Up and More

Rangers Should Have Little Confidence in Chris Drury After Trade Deadline

Sharks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Contract Extensions, Playoff Push, Lineup Adjustments and More

Golden Knights Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Quiet Deadline, Sliding Out of First and More

Jets Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Wild Card Push, Deadline Shakeup and More

Blackhawks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Leadership Shift, Honoring Murray and More

Lightning Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Perry Returns, Injuries Continue, Chaotic Loss and More

Latest Rankings & Lists

2026 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Top 96 March Rankings

2026 NHL Draft: Forbes’ Top 64 February Rankings

2025-26 NHL Milestones Tracker

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About THW…

Founded in 2009, and 100% Canadian-owned, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read millions of times every month.

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Recent Posts

  • Blues Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Trade Aftermath, Resurgence, Thomas Stepping Up and More
  • Rangers Should Have Little Confidence in Chris Drury After Trade Deadline
  • Sharks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Contract Extensions, Playoff Push, Lineup Adjustments and More
  • Golden Knights Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Quiet Deadline, Sliding Out of First and More
  • Jets Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Wild Card Push, Deadline Shakeup and More