Brian Strait made Bruno look like a Norris candidate.
- PeteM

Brian Strait was the worst defensemen to Don the isles uni. The lean years. Lol

Brian Strait was the worst defensemen to Don the isles uni. The lean years. Lol
- kindlyrick

Snow's waiver pickup from the Penguins, I believe.

Cappy: "He plays a heavy game."

I'm not saying anything that anyone here doesn't already know, but man, this team's gotta figure out how to close out games in regulation. I don't even react to it anymore in the moment since I just expect that, if they have a third-period lead, they'll have to go for the W in OT.

A couple of years ago they were able to go into a defensive shell when they had a lead and make it work. This year, it's not happening. I wonder if they're better off just going on the attack and not changing much structure-wise from the rest of the game regardless of the score. I mean, don't take dumb risks, but don't play it so safe where you're just flipping the puck to center and waiting for wave after wave of attacks like it's a game of Galaga.

I'm not saying anything that anyone here doesn't already know, but man, this team's gotta figure out how to close out games in regulation. I don't even react to it anymore in the moment since I just expect that, if they have a third-period lead, they'll have to go for the W in OT.

A couple of years ago they were able to go into a defensive shell when they had a lead and make it work. This year, it's not happening. I wonder if they're better off just going on the attack and not changing much structure-wise from the rest of the game regardless of the score. I mean, don't take dumb risks, but don't play it so safe where you're just flipping the puck to center and waiting for wave after wave of attacks like it's a game of Galaga.
- UIF

You can just feel the Leafs would tie the game UIF. I think playing it safe is not working. Does not mean you use an all out attack like Doug and Cappy. You cannot have the other team setting up camp in your zone and hope for the best though.

I thought the same thing. It’s a microcosm of his career. Ties the game with 6 seconds remaining. Game 7 OT celly, only to lose the game a min into OT. Amazing that a guy in that elite club of 1000 pts, has had little to know playoff success. 15 seasons and saw the second round twice. Whatever isles fans opinions are about him, his legacy is kinda garbage…..minus his personal stats.
- kindlyrick

def not a leader. when he's old i can see him mercenarying it up to try and win one on an already established contender....would be funny af if it's us.

Snow's waiver pickup from the Penguins, I believe.

Cappy: "He plays a heavy game."
- JohnScammo

Cappy was to coaching, as Strait was to D.

I'm not saying anything that anyone here doesn't already know, but man, this team's gotta figure out how to close out games in regulation. I don't even react to it anymore in the moment since I just expect that, if they have a third-period lead, they'll have to go for the W in OT.

A couple of years ago they were able to go into a defensive shell when they had a lead and make it work. This year, it's not happening. I wonder if they're better off just going on the attack and not changing much structure-wise from the rest of the game regardless of the score. I mean, don't take dumb risks, but don't play it so safe where you're just flipping the puck to center and waiting for wave after wave of attacks like it's a game of Galaga.
- UIF

I think part of the issue closing games out, is their top pair (which used to be their second pair) are both out. So you’re relying on guys to close out games who weren’t usually closing out games. My opinion anyway..

I think part of the issue closing games out, is their top pair (which used to be their second pair) are both out. So you’re relying on guys to close out games who weren’t usually closing out games. My opinion anyway..
- kindlyrick

Injuries have not helped for sure. If Islanders can clean up their defensive play, they can really have something.

def not a leader. when he's old i can see him mercenarying it up to try and win one on an already established contender....would be funny af if it's us.
- batteryjackson

I would hope the isles would never. In all honesty, not to play monday morning QB, but I think we as fans made JT out to be more than what he really was, because we were so desperate to finally land that elite 1C. In hindsight, Hedman was the better selection, having won the Norris and the Cup. Who knew?

Injuries have not helped for sure. If Islanders can clean up their defensive play, they can really have something.
- ses111

Ehhh i dont think they have a cup team. Theres a lot of holes. That game coulda gone either way once it gets to OT. The 3rd period meltdowns are going to cost them down the stretch. A lotta missed pts come with those 3rd period collapses

Ehhh i dont think they have a cup team. Theres a lot of holes. That game coulda gone either way once it gets to OT. The 3rd period meltdowns are going to cost them down the stretch. A lotta missed pts come with those 3rd period collapses
- kindlyrick

I'm not even thinking Cup. Still a ton has to go right. Palms has to continue to stay healthy and productive for the 2nd line and the defense has to be healthy and productive as well. The offense so far looks a lot better and that takes pressure off the defense and goalies.

I would hope the isles would never. In all honesty, not to play monday morning QB, but I think we as fans made JT out to be more than what he really was, because we were so desperate to finally land that elite 1C. In hindsight, Hedman was the better selection, having won the Norris and the Cup. Who knew?
- kindlyrick

Back in the day, keaner. He and I posted on another site (Yahoo), and he questioned whether Tavares was the right pick at #1. D-men are a bit more difficult to predict, but Hedman had everything going for him. Tavares was the safe pick, but not the best.

I'm not even thinking Cup. Still a ton has to go right. Palms has to continue to stay healthy and productive for the 2nd line and the defense has to be healthy and productive as well. The offense so far looks a lot better and that takes pressure off the defense and goalies.
- ses111

Agreed offense does look better. Consistency is what’s needed.

Their issue is still the same. 3rd period collapses. I swear I knew it was gonna happen last night the minute I heard “Cizikas failed to clear”

Back in the day, keaner. He and I posted on another site (Yahoo), and he questioned whether Tavares was the right pick at #1. D-men are a bit more difficult to predict, but Hedman had everything going for him. Tavares was the safe pick, but not the best.
- JohnScammo

I remember Bill Torrey thought Hedman should have been the pick.

Back in the day, keaner. He and I posted on another site (Yahoo), and he questioned whether Tavares was the right pick at #1. D-men are a bit more difficult to predict, but Hedman had everything going for him. Tavares was the safe pick, but not the best.
- JohnScammo

Yeah I guess. I just remember seeing Tavares in his first year pro, and looking at my friend uncomfortably saying “this guy was supposed to be elite….he can’t skate”.

Agreed offense does look better. Consistency is what’s needed.

Their issue is still the same. 3rd period collapses. I swear I knew it was gonna happen last night the minute I heard “Cizikas failed to clear”
- kindlyrick

It very strange on the defensive struggle especially when Pelech and Pulock were healthy. Islanders have better skating forwards this year which should also help the overall defensive play.

I remember Bill Torrey thought Hedman should have been the pick.
- ses111

Interesting. Well in those years Snowjob had a hard on for centers. Bailey, Tavares, Strome, Nelson, and Cizikas. He was building from the center down. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Interesting. Well in those years Snowjob had a hard on for centers. Bailey, Tavares, Strome, Nelson, and Cizikas. He was building from the center down. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- kindlyrick

Bill taking Potvin #1 overall and it’s not a surprise Bill would want Hedman. I cannot rip Garth taking JT though.

I would hope the isles would never. In all honesty, not to play monday morning QB, but I think we as fans made JT out to be more than what he really was, because we were so desperate to finally land that elite 1C. In hindsight, Hedman was the better selection, having won the Norris and the Cup. Who knew?
- kindlyrick

Keaner

Bill taking Potvin #1 overall and it’s not a surprise Bill would want Hedman. I cannot rip Garth taking JT though.
- ses111

All good points

Keaner
- Cptmjl

Yeah, good on him. All I read was Tavares was the next one after Stamkos and I got a Chubb. The isles hadn’t had that type of dynamic center since Lafontaine became Turgeon with speed and skill. Then I saw Tavares and while his skating improved, it was awful his first year.

Back in the day, keaner. He and I posted on another site (Yahoo), and he questioned whether Tavares was the right pick at #1. D-men are a bit more difficult to predict, but Hedman had everything going for him. Tavares was the safe pick, but not the best.
- JohnScammo

Gave him props before I saw this. Him and I debated on here leading up to the draft. Who knows where it would’ve led this team if we selected Hedman? Not saying it 100% would’ve been better. Who knows maybe that would have led to Snow and Capuano still being here. Lol

Yeah, good on him. All I read was Tavares was the next one after Stamkos and I got a Chubb. The isles hadn’t had that type of dynamic center since Lafontaine became Turgeon with speed and skill. Then I saw Tavares and while his skating improved, it was awful his first year.
- kindlyrick

I wanted nothing to do with Hedman and waiting for him to develop. It was my opinion at the time that the islanders didn’t have that kind of time. They needed an injection of credibility and Tavares instantly gave them a little bit of that…

Gave him props before I saw this. Him and I debated on here leading up to the draft. Who knows where it would’ve led this team if we selected Hedman? Not saying it 100% would’ve been better. Who knows maybe that would have led to Snow and Capuano still being here. Lol
- Cptmjl

It's interesting to think what might have been. Even with Hedman, Islanders still had Garth and Cappy so it's hard to see great things happening even with Hedman. Tampa had a lot more than Hedman.

It's interesting to think what might have been. Even with Hedman, Islanders still had Garth and Cappy so it's hard to see great things happening even with Hedman. Tampa had a lot more than Hedman.
- ses111

Yeah sure but he was a huge component of that team. Still is.