Islanders name Richardson assistant coach

The New York Islanders announced today that Luke Richardson will serve as an Assistant Coach under Head Coach Doug Weight. 

Richardson coached Canada's National Men's Team to the 2016 Spengler Cup Championship. He also helped Team Canada to a runner-up finish as an Assistant Coach at the 2016 Deutschland Cup. The Ottawa, ON, native spent four seasons as Head Coach of the American Hockey League's Binghamton Senators from 2012-2016. Richardson was an Assistant Coach with the Ottawa Senators from 2009 to 2012. 

"Luke brings a tireless work ethic and outstanding character to our organization," Weight said. "He'll have his hands on every aspect of the team, including our systems, skill development and team culture. Luke's coaching experience, including four years running an organization as Head Coach in Binghamton, make him an excellent addition to our staff." 

As a player, Richardson appeared in 1,417 regular-season NHL games from 1987 to 2008 with six different teams, totaling 201 points (35 goals, 166 assists). The defenseman added eight assists in 69 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Richardson won gold with Team Canada at the 1994 World Championship and added a silver medal in 1996.  

John Tavares of Islanders recovering from hand surgery: report

New York Islanders center John Tavares had surgery on his right hand last month but is expected to be ready for next season, according to Newsday.

Tavares, who is the Islanders captain, had surgery a week after the regular season ended to repair an issue that had been lingering during the season. His hand is still in a cast, but that is expected to be removed next week.

Tavares, 26, led the Islanders with 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) in 77 games. He missed the final five games of the regular season because of a lower-body injury. The Islanders won all five games but failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs; they finished one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.

The Islanders are hoping to sign Tavares to a contract extension this summer. He is entering the final season of a six-year, $33 million contract, worth an average annual value of $5.5 million, and is eligible to sign an extension on July 1.