Ben Shelley: Islanders drop both games of back-to-back against Oilers and Flames

Only 21 shots on net, that’s not going to work. Second Islanders blocked 22 shots, they played on their heals all night.


John Tonelli for HOF

Inconsistency... Inconsistency... Inconsistency...fans blame the coach and gm but what I have seen is inconsistency on the part of this team. Unable to hold or make passes; goalies over playing and under playing their positions. Players passing instead of shooting. Trying to make the ill fated perfect play.

I stayed up the last two nights only to be disappointed. Disappointed at the lost opportunities by this team. Yes, can you question some lineup decisions. Absolutely, however players need to execute!!!

The MOJO the Isles were able to capture the past few seasons has alluded them so far. Some say it is a false positive of the past two years that allowed a spiraling team to back into the playoffs. Others say that the obstacles that were place before them this season have been insurmountable.

No one really knows. As I have stated before. Evaluate what you have. Give a serious look at the players on the bubble. This team with some amendments could still be in the hunt next season.

Management needs to think with its head and not its heart moving forward. Trotz has admittedly done throughout the season.

Acquire a pure goal scorer, top four puck moving defenseman, get consistency out of your top nine, and blend youth into the process.

Germain Gagnon for HOF

Only 21 shots on net, that’s not going to work. Second Islanders blocked 22 shots, they played on their heals all night.


John Tonelli for HOF
- Tee56

Umm, they've pretty much played on their heels all season.
Second, 21 shots would work if 25% of them go in.

I can't wait to read all the Trotz comments about how he is going to sit the veterans that aren't doing enough.. and then he continues to play Bailey and Chara every friggin game.

A lot of guys just playing like sht truthfully. Barzal was on the ice for 3 of those goals and seemed to be the only one not playing defense at all... Greene was out there for 3 of the goals. so was Pulock who misplayed guys on 2 of them.. the Second goal from the blue line with no screen is 100% Sorokin. Dobson looks friggin lost on D- he was out there for 3 of the goals. They all just stink right now

I can't wait to read all the Trotz comments about how he is going to sit the veterans that aren't doing enough.. and then he continues to play Bailey and Chara every friggin game.
- niteislander

It doesn't matter any more. They're not making the playoffs. Yes, mathematically they still could but they have 40 games left (and at least 4 games in hand on most of the conference) and they're 17 points out of the second wild card spot. It would take winning the majority of their games and a pretty massive collapse by a team above them. Trotz can play whoever he wants now. Maybe showcase a few guys for the deadline.

New York Islanders @NYIslanders
now
#Isles Transaction: Cory Schneider has been recalled on emergency from Bridgeport.

New York Islanders @NYIslanders
now
#Isles Transaction: Cory Schneider has been recalled on emergency from Bridgeport.


- Harambe

At least it’s a good year to draft high.

New York Islanders @NYIslanders
now
#Isles Transaction: Cory Schneider has been recalled on emergency from Bridgeport.


- Harambe

FINALLY, FULL TANK MODE!!!!
Let's finish, get the #1 pick and take Wright.

At least it’s a good year to draft high.
- Wildschwein

Next year is supposed to be a good draft class as well. The Coyotes have something like 85 picks in the first 2 rounds over the next 2 years. They could be a good team pretty soon. If they don't fvck it up like they have in the past.

FINALLY, FULL TANK MODE!!!!
Let's finish, get the #1 pick and take Wright.
- Isleshockeyman

Don't think we're going to be bad enough to eclipse Montreal and Arizona for that one. Maybe everything falls apart and we end up in the 3-5 range and win the lottery, but with all the games in hand we have on everyone below us that seems unlikely too.

Don't think we're going to be bad enough to eclipse Montreal and Arizona for that one. Maybe everything falls apart and we end up in the 3-5 range and win the lottery, but with all the games in hand we have on everyone below us that seems unlikely too.
- Harambe

I already know we won't win the lottery. My post was more in jest. In fact, it'll probably go the other way and lose a couple spots. I'm guessing that the NHL will give the Rags the #2 or 3 pick somehow. Of course another option is that since they have games in hand, they'll probably go on a hot streak near the end of the season and finish 18th in the league. That would be an absolute Islanders thing to do.

I already know we won't win the lottery. My post was more in jest. In fact, it'll probably go the other way and lose a couple spots. I'm guessing that the NHL will give the Rags the #2 or 3 pick somehow. Of course another option is that since they have games in hand, they'll probably go on a hot streak near the end of the season and finish 18th in the league. That would be an absolute Islanders thing to do.

- Isleshockeyman

This is exactly what will happen.

I already know we won't win the lottery. My post was more in jest. In fact, it'll probably go the other way and lose a couple spots. I'm guessing that the NHL will give the Rags the #2 or 3 pick somehow. Of course another option is that since they have games in hand, they'll probably go on a hot streak near the end of the season and finish 18th in the league. That would be an absolute Islanders thing to do.

- Isleshockeyman

Sounds like Toffoli is heading to Calgary, so Montreal is working hard to out-suck everyone else

I want the Isles to start picking up first round picks for next year. This is a good draft but getting a few swings at the likes of Bedard should focus.

A lot of guys just playing like sht truthfully. Barzal was on the ice for 3 of those goals and seemed to be the only one not playing defense at all... Greene was out there for 3 of the goals. so was Pulock who misplayed guys on 2 of them.. the Second goal from the blue line with no screen is 100% Sorokin. Dobson looks friggin lost on D- he was out there for 3 of the goals. They all just stink right now
- niteislander

This about sums it up to a T.

I want the Isles to start picking up first round picks for next year. This is a good draft but getting a few swings at the likes of Bedard should focus.
- niteislander

Who are they trading for a 1st round pick? Not one guy they have that could and/or should be traded is worth a 1st rounder. They should be hanging onto anyone that is worth one.

I want the Isles to start picking up first round picks for next year. This is a good draft but getting a few swings at the likes of Bedard should focus.
- niteislander

First round picks for whom?

Who are they trading for a 1st round pick? Not one guy they have that could and/or should be traded is worth a 1st rounder. They should be hanging onto anyone that is worth one.
- Harambe

This

Who are they trading for a 1st round pick? Not one guy they have that could and/or should be traded is worth a 1st rounder. They should be hanging onto anyone that is worth one.
- Harambe

You're telling me that Chara isn't worth a first?

You're telling me that Chara isn't worth a first?
- Isleshockeyman

He's definitely worth a 1st.

A 1st class plane ticket to wherever he gets traded for a 7th round pick

He's definitely worth a 1st.

A 1st class plane ticket to wherever he gets traded for a 7th round pick
- Harambe

Fair.

I honestly don't know where some people think 1st round picks are coming from and for whom. Outside of Barzal, Lee, Pelech, Pulock, and maybe Dobson and Wahlstrom, who would garner a 1st? Tito? JGP?

Fair.

I honestly don't know where some people think 1st round picks are coming from and for whom. Outside of Barzal, Lee, Pelech, Pulock, and maybe Dobson and Wahlstrom, who would garner a 1st? Tito? JGP?
- Isleshockeyman

I don't even think Lee gets a 1st round pick with that contract and the way he's played this season.

The only way-outside, and I mean WAYYYYYYYY-outside, chance I see them getting a 1st round pick for anyone is if Nelson (16-team no-trade list) gets traded to like...Minnesota, who's almost certainly not on that list and could use better center depth. And if they were doing that, there would be some real big changes coming to this team.

I think next season will be a major make-or-break year for them. If they struggle and fail to make the playoffs again....their window may have opened and shut with the roster the way it's currently constructed.

I don't think Lou sees it that way, and frankly I'd agree at the moment, but they gotta find a way to get younger and a little more skilled without giving up the hard-nosed, defense-first identity they've cultivated under Lou/Barry. I could definitely see some potentially-big moves in the offseason.

For now, it'd be nice if they could move out some salary before the deadline and maybe even use their cap space to facilitate deals for other teams and stockpile some picks.

I don't even think Lee gets a 1st round pick with that contract and the way he's played this season.

The only way-outside, and I mean WAYYYYYYYY-outside, chance I see them getting a 1st round pick for anyone is if Nelson (16-team no-trade list) gets traded to like...Minnesota, who's almost certainly not on that list and could use better center depth. And if they were doing that, there would be some real big changes coming to this team.

I think next season will be a major make-or-break year for them. If they struggle and fail to make the playoffs again....their window may have opened and shut with the roster the way it's currently constructed.

I don't think Lou sees it that way, and frankly I'd agree at the moment, but they gotta find a way to get younger and a little more skilled without giving up the hard-nosed, defense-first identity they've cultivated under Lou/Barry. I could definitely see some potentially-big moves in the offseason.

For now, it'd be nice if they could move out some salary before the deadline and maybe even use their cap space to facilitate deals for other teams and stockpile some picks.
- Harambe

Maybe they could trade Chara and Greene and let Salo and Aho get some big league experience the rest of the year. I thought Salo looked pretty good in his time with the big club.
Maybe Parise can get traded. Not sure anyone on the 4th line would get traded.

You're right though, they do need to get younger. They also need a true sniper. Someone who can put up 30-40 goals a season consistently. I know Lee has hung 40 in one season and 34 in another, but he's typically in the 20-30 goals a year range. Speed is another area of need. This team is just way too slow. Opponents are just blowing right past our guys.

It seems like other teams have figured out how to beat the Isles now. There's enough film to where it's not new and other coaches can game plan against them.

*Edit - You know who I'd really like to get is Alex DeBrincat. The kid can skate, score and plays defense. Still really young and has one more year left on his contract.