Gotcha, fair enough

Mostly unrelated, but I think Dobson has a big bounce-back season this year
- eichiefs9

I am hoping for the same. If he takes a big step this season it’ll go a long way towards the team being somewhere along the lines of what you’re thinking. Romanov also…

Owning a higher first round pick is just one long term benefit to tanking. It also benefits an org. getting greater volumes of futures and retaining cap flexibility to make safer UFA additions.
- jfkst1

Tanking can payoff but it’s tough to manage. Players don’t tank, GMs do. Look at the last two premium picks by Montreal.
Slaf and a D man who’s projected as a #3 or 4. Highly questionable picks imo. Draft well wherever you pick and hope for some luck along the way. TB got Point in the 3rd.

I am waiting on Parise to make a decision. If he comes back it's because he feels the team has a legit cup chance. If he retires or signs somewhere else it says a lot about this team. The only reason for him to play this year is for a cup. So I hope he comes back.
- chazpet

Would not fault him for signing with the Devils and retiring with the team that drafted him.

Every offseason has been quiet since this jag off took over. Easily the worst GM in sports

Every offseason has been quiet since this jag off took over. Easily the worst GM in sports
- BringNYIhome

Are we saying they weren’t quiet since milbury was GM? I’ll also add when milbury was GM we were praying they would be quiet offseasons.

Are we saying they weren’t quiet since milbury was GM? I’ll also add when milbury was GM we were praying they would be quiet offseasons.
- Cptmjl

It's either been too many moves with MM or too few with Garth and Lou. Islanders needs to find a happy medium.

https://twitter.com/Caman...tatus/1697661724076175708

Guess I know what I'm listening to on my ride home today

I'm looking at it this way:

Philly and Columbus are non-factors, they'll be among the worst teams in the league even though Columbus did marginally improve.

Washington is kind of in their own category. They're not very good, but not bad, and I don't think they'll be a huge threat.

Pittsburgh added Karlsson which will be a huge offensive upgrade, but he absolutely stinks in his own end, their overall defense is suspect, and their goaltending isn't good. Plus they have massive injury risks with some of their top players.

Canes/Devils will likely be the top two teams in the division and the Rangers are a threat to be there as well and will be expected to top-3. But they only outright won 5 more games than the Isles last year (and had 4 more OT/SO losses). They are not lightyears ahead of the Isles.

I don't think it's out of the question at all that the Isles could finish in a top-3 spot in the Metro. It may not be the most likely outcome, but it's not unfathomable.

Where the real trouble will be is in the Atlantic, where there will likely be two or three legitimate candidates for wildcard spots between: BOS/TOR/TBL/FLA/BUF/OTT, in no particular order.
- eichiefs9

Agree with this. Well done.

Dobson having a better year all around will make a big difference as well.

Go get them Capt.! Leafs fans. Ha.

Ben Shelley: What are expectations for the Islanders after a quiet offseason?
- Ben Shelley

Playing in the toughest division will not be easy. I think the obvious expectation is to be “in the hunt.” Things can vary wildly from there, depending….

Realistically, there are some big “ifs” required to answer this question:
First is to improve the PP by whatever means necessary. Which should not be that daunting considering how bad it was last year. You cant be a contender if you cant score on the advantage.

After that “if” it would be beneficial to see the following changes (in no specific order)

- Pray for healthier seasons from Wally, Barzal, Palms, Clutter, Zeeker and Pelech. Losing those players for any long period throws a box of wrenches into the machine when they’re not playing.

- Keep Mayfield off the PP. He’s a traffic cone with a beer league caliber shot. (I know he’s not a normal PP choice but when there were injuries, he did not prove himself worthy)

-Protect the top players with a bit more fervor. No team should be taking liberties on Barzal or any of the “scoring” forwards.

Find the right players to compliment Barzal. You cant always put the “most talented” players together and sit and hope they figure it out. Pens split up Sid & Malkin after a few years….they may go back to it sometimes but for the last several seasons they’ve played seperately-except on the PP.

Dont sign any marginal players to long term contracts. mayfield & engvalls contracts’ length are a real head scratcher

Realistically, there are some big “ifs” required to answer this question:
First is to improve the PP by whatever means necessary. Which should not be that daunting considering how bad it was last year. You cant be a contender if you cant score on the advantage.

The power play and the elusive wing are critical to the teams success. Consistency, health and chemistry are the other keys.

If they have a slow start, it will next to impossible to make the playoffs. Any missteps will need to be short with a strong bounce back.

Just a question after reading through these comments. We all know that no big name UFA is going to sign here, and trade capital to make a big trade are pretty thin. We also know what's happened at playoff time over the last couple years. You only get so many bites at the apple with the same lineup. Yes, I know a full season of Horvat should help. So if the Isles don't make the playoffs, or get bounced in the first round again, Are you keeping Lou or getting rid of him?

First is to improve the PP by whatever means necessary. Which should not be that daunting considering how bad it was last year.

The power play has been consistently poor for years. Every year we all say that it needs to improve and it never does. This year though if they, let's say, have Lee, Barzy, Horvat, Nelly and (insert your choice of defenseman) on a PP line, maybe it improves. Fingers crossed that it does. If it doesn't, I think we're in for a long regular reason and short (if any) playoffs.

Just a question after reading through these comments. We all know that no big name UFA is going to sign here, and trade capital to make a big trade are pretty thin. We also know what's happened at playoff time over the last couple years. You only get so many bites at the apple with the same lineup. Yes, I know a full season of Horvat should help. So if the Isles don't make the playoffs, or get bounced in the first round again, Are you keeping Lou or getting rid of him?
- Isleshockeyman

No way you keep Lou IHM. An argument could have been made not to bring him back this year. I thought it was a mistake to bring back the same team and same assistant coaches. The idea this team still struggles signing top UFA's with a new building is a huge concern.

First is to improve the PP by whatever means necessary. Which should not be that daunting considering how bad it was last year.

The power play has been consistently poor for years. Every year we all say that it needs to improve and it never does. This year though if they, let's say, have Lee, Barzy, Horvat, Nelly and (insert your choice of defenseman) on a PP line, maybe it improves. Fingers crossed that it does. If it doesn't, I think we're in for a long regular reason and short (if any) playoffs.
- Isleshockeyman

The coaches have been changed but the main roster has not changed enough to improve the PP. It should not be a surprise the team has struggled on the PP.

No way you keep Lou IHM. An argument could have been made not to bring him back this year. I thought it was a mistake to bring back the same team and same assistant coaches. The idea this team still struggles signing top UFA's with a new building is a huge concern.
- ses111

And the fact that the majority of this team going to back-to-back conference finals a few years ago has no bearing on your opinion anymore? Is that too far removed for you to be loyal to Lou?

The coaches have been changed but the main roster has not changed enough to improve the PP. It should not be a surprise the team has struggled on the PP.
- ses111

If you don't change your philosophy on the PP, then you're not going to change the result. It's basically been the same for years now. Play mostly along the half-wall, little to no movement and hope Pulocks shot either goes in or gets tipped in front. Need to be more fluid and get the goalie moving side-to-side. If the goalie isn't moving, he's making easy saves. Just my 2 cents, but what do I know.

And the fact that the majority of this team going to back-to-back conference finals a few years ago has no bearing on your opinion anymore? Is that too far removed for you to be loyal to Lou?
- Isleshockeyman

It's too far for me IHM. I give Barry's coaching most of the credit as the roster was mostly Garth players. We also have to be honest that the Islanders caught some major breaks to even get in those two years. You have to look at Lou's age at this point and look at the fact this is a new NHL based on speed and skill. This is not the grinding clutch and grab days of the past. The Islanders have not done a good job keeping up the teams around them improving.

If you don't change your philosophy on the PP, then you're not going to change the result. It's basically been the same for years now. Play mostly along the half-wall, little to no movement and hope Pulocks shot either goes in or gets tipped in front. Need to be more fluid and get the goalie moving side-to-side. If the goalie isn't moving, he's making easy saves. Just my 2 cents, but what do I know.
- Isleshockeyman

You also need players that can skate and make plays besides Barzal. I have to think the coaches are not telling the players to stand still on the PP. We can dance around the issue all day, but the PP has struggled and the team has not won a Cup because the talent is not good enough.

You also need players that can skate and make plays besides Barzal. I have to think the coaches are not telling the players to stand still on the PP. We can dance around the issue all day, but the PP has struggled and the team has not won a Cup because the talent is not good enough.
- ses111

One positive, if it helps any, Bailey isn't on the team anymore. So we won't have to suffer through watching him lolligag around the ice or pass the puck when he's on a breakaway and has an empty net.

One positive, if it helps any, Bailey isn't on the team anymore. So we won't have to suffer through watching him lolligag around the ice or pass the puck when he's on a breakaway and has an empty net.
- Isleshockeyman

This is gonna be both wonderful and… weird?

Playing in the toughest division will not be easy. I think the obvious expectation is to be “in the hunt.” Things can vary wildly from there, depending….

Realistically, there are some big “ifs” required to answer this question:
First is to improve the PP by whatever means necessary. Which should not be that daunting considering how bad it was last year. You cant be a contender if you cant score on the advantage.

After that “if” it would be beneficial to see the following changes (in no specific order)

- Pray for healthier seasons from Wally, Barzal, Palms, Clutter, Zeeker and Pelech. Losing those players for any long period throws a box of wrenches into the machine when they’re not playing.

- Keep Mayfield off the PP. He’s a traffic cone with a beer league caliber shot. (I know he’s not a normal PP choice but when there were injuries, he did not prove himself worthy)

-Protect the top players with a bit more fervor. No team should be taking liberties on Barzal or any of the “scoring” forwards.

Find the right players to compliment Barzal. You cant always put the “most talented” players together and sit and hope they figure it out. Pens split up Sid & Malkin after a few years….they may go back to it sometimes but for the last several seasons they’ve played seperately-except on the PP.

Dont sign any marginal players to long term contracts. mayfield & engvalls contracts’ length are a real head scratcher
- jmo16

Scott Mayfield had 3:34 of total PP time all of last season

Scott Mayfield had 3:34 of total PP time all of last season
- eichiefs9

And during that 03:34 minutes, he obviously made a gawdawful impression.

This is gonna be both wonderful and… weird?
- Wildschwein

Right?

And during that 03:34 minutes, he obviously made a gawdawful impression.
- Wildschwein

No doubt about it. Just seems like worrying about Mayfield on the PP is extremely low on the list of things to worry about this season