I just got back from the game. The crowd was not terrible for a Tuesday night against Minnesota.

How the team was lifeless...They look lost at time. The Flower played solid for the Wild.

This team is stale and there needs to be a trade. The are not going to win with Barzal and Lambert. Watching them live just reinforces my feelings.
- Nfdbulldawg

Barzal was great tonight and setting up great scoring chances. You can easily win with Barzal with the right talent. Sorry I'm bringing up talent. What trade can they even make with pretty much zero Cap space and not a lot to trade? I agree they are not going to win with Lane. What coach is even available that can turn this very flawed roster around though? Unless they want to try to hire Q. Even a great coach like Barry had his struggles with the Islanders. Barry had a younger and healthier Lee and Palms and he got something out of Bailey during the playoff runs and he had Leedy and Toews able to skate the puck out of trouble. Things very easily could have gone differently for Barry during those two ECF runs.

The Blue and Orange Army was also chanting fire Lambert.
- Nfdbulldawg

They both honestly need to go. If Chris will be taking over let him start now and keep Lou around as a mentor. If Chris is not the heir apparent, Hire someone from the Avs or Tampa with a strong scouting background.

Barzal was great tonight and setting up great scoring chances. You can easily win with Barzal with the right talent. Sorry I'm bringing up talent. What trade can they even make with pretty much zero Cap space and not a lot to trade? I agree they are not going to win with Lane. What coach is even available that can turn this very flawed roster around though? Unless they want to try to hire Q. Even a great coach like Barry had his struggles with the Islanders. Barry had a younger and healthier Lee and Palms and he got something out of Bailey during the playoff runs and he had Leedy and Toews able to skate the puck out of trouble. Things very easily could have gone differently for Barry during those two ECF runs.
- ses111

I am sorry, Barzal was not great last. The usher in the upper deck and the toilet room attendant knew every time he entered the zone he was going to curl...then make his few ice capades moves and either pass or lose the puck. People need to face the facts that Barzal is not the elite player everyone thinks he is. He is very good but he is not elite. An elite player carries a team.

If they cannot make a trade, they need to look into a coaching change. They are losing points that they should be getting. They have blown 5 games at home.

Some form of change needs to happen or all the optimists that believe this team can make the playoffs will be looking at them on the outside by Thanksgiving.

You can all shoot me for being a realist.

I am sorry, Barzal was not great last. The usher in the upper deck and the toilet room attendant knew every time he entered the zone he was going to curl...then make his few ice capades moves and either pass or lose the puck. People need to face the facts that Barzal is not the elite player everyone thinks he is. He is very good but he is not elite. An elite player carries a team.

If they cannot make a trade, they need to look into a coaching change. They are losing points that they should be getting. They have blown 5 games at home.

Some form of change needs to happen or all the optimists that believe this team can make the playoffs will be looking at them on the outside by Thanksgiving.

You can all shoot me for being a realist.
- Nfdbulldawg

Barzal is not an elite level player like a Crosby or McDavid or even a JT. To be fair, he was not a #1 overall pick either. Barzal's overall game is speed and a setup type player, and this team does not have enough shooters. Barzal was buzzing all night and was creating good chances.


We can change the coach and that is fine, but we need to face facts this team is just not very good. Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman would have trouble winning big with this team. Lou does not know how to build a team for today's NHL. I'm not sure how much more evidence is needed.

To quote the Gen Z kids:

The Islanders are mid

To quote the Gen Z kids:

The Islanders are mid
- eichiefs9

We can focus on the coach and that's fine, but there are much larger issues at play.

I’m certainly not sticking up for Lambert I am agreeing with the mob more and more as far as him being an inept coach BUT does anyone really believe there’s a coach that can make this lineup super competitive in this division?

I’m certainly not sticking up for Lambert I am agreeing with the mob more and more as far as him being an inept coach BUT does anyone really believe there’s a coach that can make this lineup super competitive in this division?
- Cptmjl

This is the point. What coach is going to be able to make a huge impact with this roster. Even Barry with this same roster would struggle. We saw it when he was coaching outside the two ECF's runs, and we saw what happened when he faced teams like Tampa or the Canes.

I said multiple times IF Dobson and Wahlstrom had career years this team could make an impact. We seemingly have one part of that with Dobson and I can see Wahlstrom potentially finding his game again(remember the kid hasn’t played in an nhl game for almost a year). Even with them potentially excelling I think I may be wrong. .

This is the point. What coach is going to be able to make a huge impact with this roster. Even Barry with this same roster would struggle. We saw it when he was coaching outside the two ECF's runs, and we saw what happened when he faced teams like Tampa or the Canes.
- ses111

Pretty much yeah.

I'm all for a coaching change, but it's going to be tough even for a new coach with players like Lee, Engvall, Palms in your top six. You also have players like Martin, Mayfield, and Aho playing every game. It's a tough spot.
- ses111

Remember the shat team Barry inherited.

I said multiple times IF Dobson and Wahlstrom had career years this team could make an impact. We seemingly have one part of that with Dobson and I can see Wahlstrom potentially finding his game again(remember the kid hasn’t played in an nhl game for almost a year). Even with them potentially excelling I think I may be wrong. .
- Cptmjl

Islanders have to be willing to play Wally every game like they did with Dobson. I know Dobson might be a different level talent and has not had Wally's injuries. Players like Wally and Holmstrom need to play every game at this point.

Remember the shat team Barry inherited.
- nyisles7

Barry did not have a great team, but he had good pieces to work with in Barzal, Nelson, Eberle, Beau. He also had a younger and healthier Lee, Palms, Bailey, Pelech and Pulock and puck movers in Leddy and Toews and very solid goaltending. Nobody is saying Lane is some great coach but you have to admit the problems are beyond coaching. Lane has an even older roster now and still more 3rd line players than top 6 players.

I said multiple times IF Dobson and Wahlstrom had career years this team could make an impact. We seemingly have one part of that with Dobson and I can see Wahlstrom potentially finding his game again(remember the kid hasn’t played in an nhl game for almost a year). Even with them potentially excelling I think I may be wrong. .
- Cptmjl

Dobson has been unbelievable. In a 5-way tie for 6th most points from a defensemen and tied for 2nd most goals by defensemen.

Wahlstrom had some good looks last night, I hope he can put it together because his skillset is one that we could really use.

Holmstrom looks like an entirely different player over the last 5 games or so, which is very encouraging. He seems like he certainly has the potential to be a strong defensive forward and, while I don't think he'll post high-end offensive numbers, if he could be a 20-30-50pts guy while being a great defender...that would go a long way. I really hope he keeps progressing and this isn't just a blip on the radar.

Just a few random thoughts from prior comments here:

"Barzal was not great last night"

That game must of really looked different live because he was far and away the Isles best player last night on tv. Honorable mentions to Dobson and Holmstrom.
Yes, Barzy loves to do the Gretzky back turn over and over...mostly because when he gets the puck in deep, there's no one up there with him.

Barzal is not elite

Seems a bit odd that people continually say this as though he's some sort of failure for it. It's not as though scouts were touting this guy since he was 13 or something. Barzal is the most talented offensive player on the team, which may not be saying much. He is one of the best skaters and stickhandlers in the league. Barzal is not the problem here. Far from it. Yeah, he's frustrating at times, but I've got far bigger complaints about other guys eating up big cash

Regarding Lambert: I can only base my judgement of Lambert based on the on-ice product, which isn't good. The team is terrible in terms of defensive composure and communication. They're, at best, inconsistent offensively. That said, they don't look much different than the did during Barry's last year. I think those covid-shortened seasons were very fortunate for the Isles. In the first year, they wouldn't have even made it to the playoffs were it not for they 'play-in' round. In year two, I think they again benefitted from a shortened season.

I think those two seasons did well to hide some of the roster issues with the team, which are now more apparent than ever. I always thought of Barry as the Marty Schottenheimer of the league. A long-tenured coach who didn't typically win the big one. Lambert, I just don't know. The bottom line is, I don't think either of them could have done much with this team as it is. It still looks like a team full of bottom sixes save for Barzy and Nelson. Even Horvat tends to underwhelm at times. Unfortunately it just seems that the clock has run out on Lou. The cupboard is bare, the team is older. The system seems inept. A new voice was needed, but it may have been needed from a higher chair.

Just a few random thoughts from prior comments here:

"Barzal was not great last night"

That game must of really looked different live because he was far and away the Isles best player last night on tv. Honorable mentions to Dobson and Holmstrom.
Yes, Barzy loves to do the Gretzky back turn over and over...mostly because when he gets the puck in deep, there's no one up there with him.

Barzal is not elite

Seems a bit odd that people continually say this as though he's some sort of failure for it. It's not as though scouts were touting this guy since he was 13 or something. Barzal is the most talented offensive player on the team, which may not be saying much. He is one of the best skaters and stickhandlers in the league. Barzal is not the problem here. Far from it. Yeah, he's frustrating at times, but I've got far bigger complaints about other guys eating up big cash

Regarding Lambert: I can only base my judgement of Lambert based on the on-ice product, which isn't good. The team is terrible in terms of defensive composure and communication. They're, at best, inconsistent offensively. That said, they don't look much different than the did during Barry's last year. I think those covid-shortened seasons were very fortunate for the Isles. In the first year, they wouldn't have even made it to the playoffs were it not for they 'play-in' round. In year two, I think they again benefitted from a shortened season.

I think those two seasons did well to hide some of the roster issues with the team, which are now more apparent than ever. I always thought of Barry as the Marty Schottenheimer of the league. A long-tenured coach who didn't typically win the big one. Lambert, I just don't know. The bottom line is, I don't think either of them could have done much with this team as it is. It still looks like a team full of bottom sixes save for Barzy and Nelson. Even Horvat tends to underwhelm at times. Unfortunately it just seems that the clock has run out on Lou. The cupboard is bare, the team is older. The system seems inept. A new voice was needed, but it may have been needed from a higher chair.
- keaner17

Bingo and so spot on!

Islanders have to be willing to play Wally every game like they did with Dobson. I know Dobson might be a different level talent and has not had Wally's injuries. Players like Wally and Holmstrom need to play every game at this point.
- ses111

Wahlstrom just can’t go out there and crap all over the ice for multiple games and expect to have a roster spot.

Dobson has been unbelievable. In a 5-way tie for 6th most points from a defensemen and tied for 2nd most goals by defensemen.

Wahlstrom had some good looks last night, I hope he can put it together because his skillset is one that we could really use.

Holmstrom looks like an entirely different player over the last 5 games or so, which is very encouraging. He seems like he certainly has the potential to be a strong defensive forward and, while I don't think he'll post high-end offensive numbers, if he could be a 20-30-50pts guy while being a great defender...that would go a long way. I really hope he keeps progressing and this isn't just a blip on the radar.
- eichiefs9

Definite huge positives. Holmstrom is the biggest surprise for me but I’m not getting to ahead of myself with him either. Like to see him put it together and improve the whole season but it’s fantastic to see him making the strides he has.

Had another post typed out only to have the screen refresh and erase everything I wrote. (frank) this site.

Wahlstrom just can’t go out there and crap all over the ice for multiple games and expect to have a roster spot.
- Cptmjl

No question Cpt. He needs a real shot though and not a quick hook. The same with Holmstrom.

No question Cpt. He needs a real shot though and not a quick hook. The same with Holmstrom.
- ses111

I think Holmstrom has been getting that shot and is taking advantage. He's been one of the better two way forwards on the team lately. I feel good about his trajectory at this stage.

Wahlstrom showed some flashes last night and capitalized with a goal. Unfortunately, there were plenty of times early in his career that he showed flashes but they were only just that. At this point he has to play his way in to the lineup, which won't be easy considering the guys he should maybe be getting chances over are earning big $$ and considered integral parts of the team (right or wrong). This is probably his last shot with the team

I think Holmstrom has been getting that shot and is taking advantage. He's been one of the better two way forwards on the team lately. I feel good about his trajectory at this stage.

Wahlstrom showed some flashes last night and capitalized with a goal. Unfortunately, there were plenty of times early in his career that he showed flashes but they were only just that. At this point he has to play his way in to the lineup, which won't be easy considering the guys he should maybe be getting chances over are earning big $$ and considered integral parts of the team (right or wrong). This is probably his last shot with the team
- keaner17

Holmstrom is hopefully rounding into the kind of player I thought Koivula was going to be when I first saw him play in the AHL...a smart, two-way player who you might call sneaky good.

Wahlstrom has all the tools, but I'm not really sold on him. He just seems to me like the kind of player who constantly needs kicks in the rear to keep him focused. He looks great when he's challenged or when his spot's in jeopardy, but then just when he seems like a regular, he takes things for granted and coasts. Maybe I'm wrong -- hopefully I am -- but that's just the feeling I get with him so far in his career.

Holmstrom is hopefully rounding into the kind of player I thought Koivula was going to be when I first saw him play in the AHL...a smart, two-way player who you might call sneaky good.

Wahlstrom has all the tools, but I'm not really sold on him. He just seems to me like the kind of player who constantly needs kicks in the rear to keep him focused. He looks great when he's challenged or when his spot's in jeopardy, but then just when he seems like a regular, he takes things for granted and coasts. Maybe I'm wrong -- hopefully I am -- but that's just the feeling I get with him so far in his career.
- UIF

Wahlstrom seems like a bit of a knuckle head. Have had friends confirm that have had some kind of interaction with him but felt that way before even knowing that. Hopefully he supersedes his knuckleheadedness and becomes a great player for us.

Wahlstrom seems like a bit of a knuckle head. Have had friends confirm that have had some kind of interaction with him but felt that way before even knowing that. Hopefully he supersedes his knuckleheadedness and becomes a great player for us.
- Cptmjl

I just remember the "I've fallen in love with the details of my game" quote that seemed designed to butter up to Trotz...and like two games later those details went all to hell.

But, yeah, the tools and skill are definitely there. I hope he finds a way to bring the focus and intensity every night.

No hook on Barzal there ?