Islanders News: Yes to Jobst, East playoff jockeying, Wahlstrom debut

The Islanders don’t play again until tomorrow in Florida, but last night’s games had a (mostly positive) impact, so we’ll start with that. Tuesday’s NHL scores included drama in Winnipeg and the Canadiens keeping their hopes alive, but more importantly to the Isles:

• The Penguins losing to the irrelevantly surging Red Wings
• The Blue Jackets getting destroyed in their home finale on national TV
• The Hurricanes beating the sleepwalking Leafs

What’s it all mean for the Islanders? Take it away, Eric:

Islanders News

• The latest Islanders NCAA signing — and there may yet be more — is Mason Jobst, the talented but 5’8 Ohio State captain who just finished four years there. [LHH | Isles]
• How far has Jobst come? At 25 he’s a late bloomer — in part because of size, and shoulder injuries — but it’s a pretty cool tale. [Ohio State]
• No word on an AHL ATO for him just yet, but meanwhile the Sound Tigers had a chance to clinch their playoff ticket but fell short yesterday afternoon. Oliver Wahlstrom had a decent debut though. [CT Post | Soundin’ Off | BST]
• Ben Mirageas (into the Frozen Four) and Noah Dobson (award finalist, leading defensement in the playoffs) highlighted in this week’s prospect report. [Isles]
• Anders Lee discussed playoff prep — and no, no early start on playoff beards allowed in Lou’s World. [SiriusXM NHL]
• What, oh, Monday night? That was all an elaborate prank. [LHH Zeitgeist]
• Not dead yet: An anti-Belmont arena group secures funding for disruption. [Newsday]

Elsewhere

• The CWHL’s folding creates questions — and if you look at it in one way, perhaps ultimately some optimism — for the future of women’s pro hockey. [Ice Garden] The NWHL is already looking at expanding to Montreal and Toronto to fill part of the void. [ESPN | Sportsnet]
• So many complex feelings on the blindside CWHL folding, and what comes next (e.g. the two women’s leagues couldn’t figure out a union, so maybe this will move the needle...but will the NHL step up?). Also: Connor McDavid’s venting ups the pressure in Edmonton, and tales from the ol’ WHA merger from Howard Baldwin. [31 Thoughts]
• Here’s more on McDavid’s “very very high” frustration level. [Edmonton Sun]
• ...and the Oilers, even after being eliminated, continue to ride Mikko Koskinen hard for some reason (to predictable results last night). [Edmonton Journal]
• Defense is of course necessary, but offense has set recent Cup winners apart. [TSN]
• Jeff Blashill gets a two-year extension to continue coaching the Red Wings. [NBC Sports]
• Could the Canucks continue to shed overpaid veterans? Like Brandon Sutter (who is the type you’d fear Lou would go after)? [Nucks Misconduct]
• The Sharks’ handling of Trans Day of Visibility made some dreams for this 15-year-old transgender hockey player. [Out Sports]
• Former University of Minnesota-Duluth player Andrew Carroll, who took his own life in 2018, was found to have CTE. [KTSP]