Defense has to be solid without the offense falling apart. Islanders have to be solid in both areas. I would switch Holmstrom and Pierre for now and maybe call up Iskhakov soon.
- ses111

This team can score and their PP is much improved with the addition of Bo. The defensive side of the game needs to be addressed. You can’t score if you’re in the defensive zone chasing the puck a majority of the time. They need to shutdown the opposition in their zone and breakout the puck cleaner and quicker. This can’t be done if they don’t play defense as a unit of five.
Good defense starts in the offensive zone again as a unit of 5. Keeping F3 high and supporting pinching dman and pinching only when the support is there. This will cut down the odd man rushes that obviously hurt any team.
Good solid defense will bring offensive opportunities.
Additionally I would like to see a more physical team. They haven’t hit nearly enough.
Finally the biggest problem that needs to be addressed is the fragile PK.
Amazing that defense, playing physical and the PK are glaring deficiencies of this team. This was the teams identity and recipe for winning hockey for years.
Hopefully Roy gets this team back to that brand of hockey!

Edit: Well looks like Roy is on it.

Roy said Sunday that tightening up the Islanders defense is the top priority. The Islanders are allowing 3.36 goals per game, 24th in the NHL.

“I’m going to say a cliche here, but defense wins championships, doesn’t it?” Roy said. “So we're going to start worrying about our defense.”

Love this guy already!

Defense has to be solid without the offense falling apart. Islanders have to be solid in both areas. I would switch Holmstrom and Pierre for now and maybe call up Iskhakov soon.
- ses111

I wonder if there will be a renewed interest on Lameriello’s part to see what Roy can do with Wahlstrom or if that ship has sailed?

I wonder if there will be a renewed interest on Lameriello’s part to see what Roy can do with Wahlstrom or if that ship has sailed?
- Cptmjl

The fact that, not just Lane, but Barry couldn't get the guy to play defense makes me think it's unlikely. But who knows? Maybe Lou will give it one last shot, if it doesn't interfere with the focus which is to make the playoffs.

The fact that, not just Lane, but Barry couldn't get the guy to play defense makes me think it's unlikely. But who knows? Maybe Lou will give it one last shot, if it doesn't interfere with the focus which is to make the playoffs.
- JohnScammo

I’m gonna say, Lou has nothing to say about who’s in the lineup and who’s not in the lineup. It’s the coaches job to put the team on the ice that he feels has the best chance to win. If Roy feels Wally is part of that group he will play. If not he won’t.
With Roy’s focus on “ Team Defense “ I gonna say Wally doesn’t (and hasn’t for the last 2 coaches as you said) check that box. But who knows what Roy can get out of him. If Wally plays well away from the puck I’m sure he’ll get playing time.
Again not up to Lou, Roy certainly has a voice in it but it’s really up to Wally if he gets playing time or not.

I’m gonna say, Lou has nothing to say about who’s in the lineup and who’s not in the lineup. It’s the coaches job to put the team on the ice that he feels has the best chance to win. If Roy feels Wally is part of that group he will play. If not he won’t.
With Roy’s focus on “ Team Defense “ I gonna say Wally doesn’t (and hasn’t for the last 2 coaches as you said) check that box. But who knows what Roy can get out of him. If Wally plays well away from the puck I’m sure he’ll get playing time.
Again not up to Lou, Roy certainly has a voice in it but it’s really up to Wally if he gets playing time or not.
- nyisles7

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting Lou determines the line ups. Just that in their private conversations, Lou may make suggestions about different players. And I don't see Lou coming to Wally's "rescue" at this point.

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting Lou determines the line ups. Just that in their private conversations, Lou may make suggestions about different players. And I don't see Lou coming to Wally's "rescue" at this point.
- JohnScammo

Lou can say Hey what about Wally to Roy but Roy’s gonna play him if he deserves to play.
If Lou insists on Wally being in the line up Roy will tell him to (frank) off! You want me to coach or do you want to?
Coaches want to coach and not be told how to to. The good coaches won’t put up with that honestly.
Now Crappy and Weight are a different story, they also were Smow’s b!tches!

This team can score and their PP is much improved with the addition of Bo. The defensive side of the game needs to be addressed. You can’t score if you’re in the defensive zone chasing the puck a majority of the time. They need to shutdown the opposition in their zone and breakout the puck cleaner and quicker. This can’t be done if they don’t play defense as a unit of five.
Good defense starts in the offensive zone again as a unit of 5. Keeping F3 high and supporting pinching dman and pinching only when the support is there. This will cut down the odd man rushes that obviously hurt any team.
Good solid defense will bring offensive opportunities.
Additionally I would like to see a more physical team. They haven’t hit nearly enough.
Finally the biggest problem that needs to be addressed is the fragile PK.
Amazing that defense, playing physical and the PK are glaring deficiencies of this team. This was the teams identity and recipe for winning hockey for years.
Hopefully Roy gets this team back to that brand of hockey!

Edit: Well looks like Roy is on it.

Roy said Sunday that tightening up the Islanders defense is the top priority. The Islanders are allowing 3.36 goals per game, 24th in the NHL.

“I’m going to say a cliche here, but defense wins championships, doesn’t it?” Roy said. “So we're going to start worrying about our defense.”

Love this guy already!
- nyisles7

If the team wins and the players are fine with the system, it’s all good. I just want the Islanders to become a prime destination and offense numbers are important to many players. For whatever reason, the Islanders still struggled with attracting top talent with Barry is coach.

If the team wins and the players are fine with the system, it’s all good. I just want the Islanders to become a prime destination and offense numbers are important to many players. For whatever reason, the Islanders still struggled with attracting top talent with Barry is coach.
- ses111

Nothing beats winning. Every pro ( who you want on your team) will push aside individual stats and wants for the teams success.
Kinda like Barzal shifting to wing for the betterment if the team this year.

If the team wins and the players are fine with the system, it’s all good. I just want the Islanders to become a prime destination and offense numbers are important to many players. For whatever reason, the Islanders still struggled with attracting top talent with Barry is coach.
- ses111

Its the no hair rule. We already went over it.

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting Lou determines the line ups. Just that in their private conversations, Lou may make suggestions about different players. And I don't see Lou coming to Wally's "rescue" at this point.
- JohnScammo

Yeah if you don’t think Lou is giving input on who should be playing I would say you are more then likely wrong. Not saying he’s deciding the lineup by any means but if he wanted a young kid to be developed he would certainly suggest it. Pretty well documented that there was divide with trotz on exactly that. When he hired lambert he said there would be a push to play the kids more which of course suggests he has input with those decisions. The guy is the president of hockey operations and GM and it’s Lou Lameriello. I’m sure Roy has autonomy but if he wanted a kid developed there’s going to push to make that happen.

I’m also not suggesting Lou is looking to “rescue” Wally. Just that maybe he would see if there’s a chance Roy could do something with the kid. I think it’s really strange that some on here are almost rooting against the kid breaking through. I think he’s been a pile of dung for the most part but I absolutely hope he figures it out. Not sure why anyone else wouldn’t.

Nothing beats winning. Every pro ( who you want on your team) will push aside individual stats and wants for the teams success.
Kinda like Barzal shifting to wing for the betterment if the team this year.
- nyisles7

Winning should be the #1 priority, but two ECF trips did nothing to help attract FA’s. We will also hear the comments from the NHL world if the Islanders go back to a strict defensive system.

Its the no hair rule. We already went over it.
- chazpet

This could be an issue for some.

Winning should be the #1 priority, but two ECF trips did nothing to help attract FA’s. We will also hear the comments from the NHL world if the Islanders go back to a strict defensive system.
- ses111

It’s the dressing room. That’s why they aren’t coming.

It’s the dressing room. That’s why they aren’t coming.
- Cptmjl

Time to go back to the Coli.

Winning should be the #1 priority, but two ECF trips did nothing to help attract FA’s. We will also hear the comments from the NHL world if the Islanders go back to a strict defensive system.
- ses111

I can give a sh!t what the NHL thinks. This team doesn’t have the speed to skate with most of the competitive teams. Even those teams need to have some defensive structure but we absolutely need it. They need to find a way to walk and chew gum maintaining the offense while playing a structured defensive system. Roy is saying exactly that and I’m totally on board with it.

I can give a sh!t what the NHL thinks. This team doesn’t have the speed to skate with most of the competitive teams. Even those teams need to have some defensive structure but we absolutely need it. They need to find a way to walk and chew gum maintaining the offense while playing a structured defensive system. Roy is saying exactly that and I’m totally on board with it.
- Cptmjl

This is my point. The offense cannot go back to struggling to score 2 goals a game and Barzal only putting up 45-50 points. It might not matter what talking NHL heads say, but we do not want players thinking the Islanders are not a fun team and a team where offensive players struggle to put up points.

Winning should be the #1 priority, but two ECF trips did nothing to help attract FA’s. We will also hear the comments from the NHL world if the Islanders go back to a strict defensive system.
- ses111

Horvat signed, didn’t he? Could have left he was a free agent basically.

Horvat signed, didn’t he? Could have left he was a free agent basically.
- nyisles7

Islanders have done pretty well once a player has played for the team. The problem has been the quality UFA’s with no exposure to the Islanders.

Islanders have done pretty well once a player has played for the team. The problem has been the quality UFA’s with no exposure to the Islanders.
- ses111

Yep this is true. I mean you have the anomalies like Muller and some other D bags that aren’t coming to mind right now but for the most part this is correct. If you have money Long Island is a great place to live. I say that while acknowledging it isn’t what it used to be no matter how much money you have…

Wow interesting Lane got fired because Lou wanted him to play the kids/Wally. Here I thought it was because they played like shat under him.

Some people should stick to fishing and fishing stories!

Islanders have done pretty well once a player has played for the team. The problem has been the quality UFA’s with no exposure to the Islanders.
- ses111

Well Johnny Hockey chose Columbus and he was the last big signing.
Ho at only played here for a bit. Players typically sign where they have family connections or interests honestly.
Oh yeah and where they can have a beard

It’s actually fuking stupid but whatever floats Lou’s boat. He seems to think it matters. I think it has the opposite effect on attracting players.
- streaks

So, what free agent did this team not sign because of the clean-shaven rule??? It is pure speculation on your part. If someone wants to be here, they will be here.

Should see Wally in tonight since Lou wants him playing and Roy hasn’t really hasn’t seen Wally in a game.

Lol or even an original 6 team for the matter, the facial hair thing is silly.
- streaks

It may same silly, but it is more about a culture. It was about building a culture to change the disarray. Again, I think this is an over blown issue. I would agree to the tax argument before I would think this is an issue.

Well Johnny Hockey chose Columbus and he was the last big signing.
Ho at only played here for a bit. Players typically sign where they have family connections or interests honestly.
Oh yeah and where they can have a beard
- nyisles7

Lou not contacting Johnny did not help. Islanders have enough trouble without actually not contacting them.