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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.

Islanders’ Tsyplakov Shows Top-Line Potential, but It’s Duclair’s Role for Now

Mike Fink | October 11, 2024

The New York Islanders’ opening game of the 2024-25 season looked eerily similar to a lot of games from last season. They jumped out to a 3-2 lead following a…

Categories New York Islanders

Islanders & Utah HC Show the Value of Good Ownership

Mike Fink | October 9, 2024

The New York Islanders will face the newest NHL franchise, Utah Hockey Club, on Thursday in their season opener. The roster is mostly the same as last season’s Arizona Coyotes,…

Categories New York Islanders, Utah Hockey Club

Islanders Waiving Engvall a Defining Moment in Lamoriello’s Offseason Decisions

Mike Fink | October 8, 2024

The waivers were announced this week and most went unnoticed but one stood out like a sore thumb. Pierre Engvall was placed on waivers and he’ll start the 2024-25 season…

Categories New York Islanders

Dobson’s Contract Season Could Define Islanders’ Next Offseason

Mike Fink | October 7, 2024

Just days before the New York Islanders’ 2024-25 regular season begins, Noah Dobson is still without a long-term deal. He will be a restricted free agent (RFA) after the season.…

Categories New York Islanders

Islanders’ 3 Keys for a Successful October

Mike Fink | October 6, 2024

It’s October and the 2024-25 NHL season is around the corner. The New York Islanders head into the first month eager to make a strong first impression and kick off…

Categories New York Islanders

NHL’s 10 Best Position Groups for 2024-25

Mike Fink | October 2, 2024

From possessing a dominant forward unit to a shutdown defense, every team aspires to have a great position group if not multiple great ones. They can lead a team to…

Categories Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Commentary, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Season Previews, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets

12 Keys to the New York Islanders Winning the 2025 Stanley Cup

Mike Fink | September 30, 2024

It’s unlikely that the New York Islanders will win the Stanley Cup this season. They are a middling team, and their odds reflect that – at +4000 or +5000, according…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews

3 Reasons the Islanders Defense Will Be Among the NHL’s Best

Mike Fink | September 29, 2024

The New York Islanders saw their defense take a big step back last season. Injuries, age, and decline from key skaters all caught up to them, and the unit fell…

Categories New York Islanders, Season Previews

Islanders Prospect Henrik Tikkanen Is Better Than Rough Preseason Debut

Mike Fink | September 26, 2024

For a lot of New York Islanders fans, the Tuesday night (Sept. 24) preseason 6-4 loss was a flashback and not the good type. It brought back memories of blown…

Categories Bridgeport Islanders, New York Islanders

4 Non-Playoff Teams From 2023-24 That Can Win the 2025 Stanley Cup

Mike Fink | September 25, 2024

The Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023 after missing the playoffs in the 2021-22 season. Otherwise, it’s a rarity for a team to miss the playoffs one…

Categories Editor's Choice, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Season Previews, Seattle Kraken

Ranking the NHL’s Most Likely Worst-to-First Teams for 2024-25

Mike Fink | September 24, 2024

It’s almost impossible for a team to go from worst to first in the NHL. A lot must go right for a rebuilding team to take a significant leap in…

Categories Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Commentary, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Season Previews

Bye Lou… Islanders Are Patrick Roy’s Team Now

Mike Fink | September 23, 2024

It wasn’t big news at the time, but something significant happened while the New York Islanders were preparing for training camp. Head coach Patrick Roy spilled the beans on Ilya…

Categories Editor's Choice, New York Islanders
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Recent Posts

  • Sabres Winger is an X-Factor for Upcoming Playoff Run
  • Edmonton Oilers’ 3 Stars for March
  • New Jersey Devils’ 3 Stars of March
  • Meet the Newest Siren: Denisa Krizova
  • Brock Nelson the Key to Avalanche’s Cup Hopes