Ben Shelley: What Adam Pelech's injury means for the Islanders

From the last blog;


That’s my thought also. Make a trade for a 3C or top six winger. Maybe a depth D man. Barzal is in his prime and cost controlled this season at least. We roughly have 9 million in cap space we can add to THIS roster. If it doesn’t work we tried and we know better what we have to do for next season.


Anyone can conjure up reasons to not do that but I’ll come up with one that squashes any of them. We’ve been in the top 2-5 of the league the entire season. We’re one of the top teams in the league. I know we’re Islander fans and it’s a hard concept to accept. I don’t believe losing Pelech changes that. It hurts but we should have the depth to overcome it. Go for it.

Ben Shelley: What Adam Pelech's injury means for the Islanders
- Ben Shelley

Agree with the blog Ben. I believe we have the depth to overcome this. Maybe a bit bumpy for a few games but in the end I believe we’ll be ok. God willing we’re right 😂

What do you think changes next season as opposed to this one to make us cup contenders? Serious question no sarcasm😂
- Cptmjl

I meant it another way. I don't think they are Cup contenders as they stand now and even before Pelech's injury.

What I meant is I think the window for the team is coming up. Bailey is 30, Ebs and Lee are 29, Cizikas, Nelson and Leddy are 28. They need to go all in pretty soon or have a roster overhaul.

I meant it another way. I don't think they are Cup contenders as they stand now and even before Pelech's injury.

What I meant is I think the window for the team is coming up. Bailey is 30, Ebs and Lee are 29, Cizikas, Nelson and Leddy are 28. They need to go all in pretty soon or have a roster overhaul.
- JimmyP

That is the main reason why I believe the time is now. Waiting a season does nothing to help that’s the reason why I asked the reasoning for next season potentially being their time?

That is the main reason why I believe the time is now. Waiting a season does nothing to help that’s the reason why I asked the reasoning for next season potentially being their time?
- Cptmjl

I'm not connived the missing piece to make them a contender is out there at the deadline. So I don't want to give up assets for a rental. I think they are better off waiting for the summer to make moves. That not to say I'd be upset if Lou believes otherwise and wants to go for it now.

I'm not connived the missing piece to make them a contender is out there at the deadline. So I don't want to give up assets for a rental. I think they are better off waiting for the summer to make moves. That not to say I'd be upset if Lou believes otherwise and wants to go for it now.
- JimmyP

What I think or at least hope Lameriello does is evaluate what his team is with Pelech out over the next couple weeks. If it’s positive with either Dobson, Aho, or even both in the line up make a move or even moves to help the team down the stretch and in the playoffs. I’m on the go for it train mainly due to as you pointed out we have an aging roster.

Also, we seem to have trouble attracting FA’s so I’m not hugely optimistic on adding to our roster in the offseason so we may as well do it now. If we add a decent player that helps our cause try to sign him or them. Chances are they’ll be FA’s and they’ll have an opportunity to see what our team has to offer playing with us instead of having no idea with seven more desirable teams plying for them in July. We’ll lose that contest every time. We’ve all seen it too many times.

What I think or at least hope Lameriello does is evaluate what his team is with Pelech out over the next couple weeks. If it’s positive with either Dobson, Aho, or even both in the line up make a move or even moves to help the team down the stretch and in the playoffs. I’m on the go for it train mainly due to as you pointed out we have an aging roster.

Also, we seem to have trouble attracting FA’s so I’m not hugely optimistic on adding to our roster in the offseason so we may as well do it now. If we add a decent player that helps our cause try to sign him or them. Chances are they’ll be FA’s and they’ll have an opportunity to see what our team has to offer playing with us instead of having no idea with seven more desirable teams plying for them in July. We’ll lose that contest every time. We’ve all seen it too many times.
- Cptmjl

Ah, this is where our philosophies differ. I'm not sure that's going to be the case going forward. The Isles had a good season last year. This year is looking good as well (the playoffs will ultimately be the deciding factor). So new respected front office management and coaching, plus a brand new building on the way, two good consecutive seasons (hopefully), that will start to attract FAs. The perception of the organization is changing. They are starting to get credit from the press. Even the stupid ESPN power rankings have them at 4th. I think they have a decent shot at FAs. The big downside is the horrible NYS taxes.

Ah, this is where our philosophies differ. I'm not sure that's going to be the case going forward. The Isles had a good season last year. This year is looking good as well (the playoffs will ultimately be the deciding factor). So new respected front office management and coaching, plus a brand new building on the way, two good consecutive seasons (hopefully), that will start to attract FAs. The perception of the organization is changing. They are starting to get credit from the press. Even the stupid ESPN power rankings have them at 4th. I think they have a decent shot at FAs. The big downside is the horrible NYS taxes.
- JimmyP

Heard this one too many times. Last year it was going to be the time this season. This season its next season. Sure, the positivity gets better but I can already hear next years excuses for why we didn’t sign any top FA’s. “We still have two more years till the new arenathe season after is our time to shine!” Sick of it man in all honesty. There’s always an excuse and there always will be one. Islander fans are professional excuse manufacturers it’s incredible. Get it done. Period. I’m not one for excuses I’m not built that way besides being one year closer to a three year build on an arena I don’t see any increase in feigned positivity.

The entire league knows we have a competitive team it’s not some big secret. There will always be a more desirable destination for these players in their eyes it’s the Gm’s job to make them blink and think otherwise. Unless we crap the bed in the next 15 games I say go for it.

With all of this said let’s agree to disagree this has gone on long enough😂

Heard this one too many times. Last year it was going to be the time this season. This season its next season. Sure, the positivity gets better but I can already hear next years excuses for why we didn’t sign any top FA’s. “We still have two more years till the new arenathe season after is our time to shine!” Sick of it man in all honesty. There’s always an excuse and there always will be one. Islander fans are professional excuse manufacturers it’s incredible. Get it done. Period. I’m not one for excuses I’m not built that way besides being one year closer to a three year build on an arena I don’t see any increase in feigned positivity.

The entire league knows we have a competitive team it’s not some big secret. There will always be a more desirable destination for these players in their eyes it’s the Gm’s job to make them blink and think otherwise. Unless we crap the bed in the next 15 games I say go for it.

With all of this said let’s agree to disagree this has gone on long enough😂
- Cptmjl

Fair enough. One thing though, I wasn't making excuses. They need to do something soon either now or in the off season.

Heard this one too many times. Last year it was going to be the time this season. This season its next season. Sure, the positivity gets better but I can already hear next years excuses for why we didn’t sign any top FA’s. “We still have two more years till the new arenathe season after is our time to shine!” Sick of it man in all honesty. There’s always an excuse and there always will be one. Islander fans are professional excuse manufacturers it’s incredible. Get it done. Period. I’m not one for excuses I’m not built that way besides being one year closer to a three year build on an arena I don’t see any increase in feigned positivity.

The entire league knows we have a competitive team it’s not some big secret. There will always be a more desirable destination for these players in their eyes it’s the Gm’s job to make them blink and think otherwise. Unless we crap the bed in the next 15 games I say go for it.

With all of this said let’s agree to disagree this has gone on long enough😂
- Cptmjl

I don’t think the Isles will ever be the number 1 destination in the league however now that the new Arena is coming out of the ground and is factual I think it will be easier to get FA’s here than even last year and God knows more than in years past.
It started last year with the Lee, Nelson and Ebs signing. Struck out on Panarin who didn’t know what the team and the organization was about but I hope those are the type FA that do I fact come here with a discount instead of over paying and bribing the Ladd’s of the world.

Agree Pelech is a huge loss on the PK.

Leave Pulock to the PP. He is hard to watch on the OK imho. Mayfield, Toews, JB and Leddy would be my choices.

Fair enough. One thing though, I wasn't making excuses. They need to do something soon either now or in the off season.
- JimmyP

In all fairness they needed to do something last offseason for this season😂

Hutchison is in her tonight, so no raisies allowed.

I don’t think the Isles will ever be the number 1 destination in the league however now that the new Arena is coming out of the ground and is factual I think it will be easier to get FA’s here than even last year and God knows more than in years past.
It started last year with the Lee, Nelson and Ebs signing. Struck out on Panarin who didn’t know what the team and the organization was about but I hope those are the type FA that do I fact come here with a discount instead of over paying and bribing the Ladd’s of the world.
- nyisles7

Like I said the positivity increases every season a little bit I agree BUT you still have to get it done. All I hear every season/offseason is excuses created by the fanbase. I’m not one for excuses they solve nothing they just facilitate failure. Get it done. Period.

I wish I worked in an industry where my clientele would create excuses for me every time I didn’t get the job done and still think I was doing a wonderful enough job to continue to buy my product😂

Winder what team shows up tonight? The leafs are good and due to beat us but they isles play well against then and good teams in general

Like I said the positivity increases every season a little bit I agree BUT you still have to get it done. All I hear every season/offseason is excuses created by the fanbase. I’m not one for excuses they solve nothing they just facilitate failure. Get it done. Period.

I wish I worked in an industry where my clientele would create excuses for me every time I didn’t get the job done and still think I was doing a wonderful enough job to continue to buy my product😂
- Cptmjl

Lou threw the most money at tavares and panarin and both said no thanks so theres still a stigma about this organization

Winder what team shows up tonight? The leafs are good and due to beat us but they isles play well against then and good teams in general
- Upstate_isles

I winder too

I winder too
- nyisles7

I wonder if you'll stfu

Lou threw the most money at tavares and panarin and both said no thanks so theres still a stigma about this organization
- Upstate_isles

Guess you never worked in sales?

I wonder if you'll stfu
- Upstate_isles

I think you know the answer to that but we can all hope none the less.

I winder too
- nyisles7

I think we’re all windering.

Panarin had no intention of signing here and used the Isles to get the max contract from the Rangers. Tavares got to go home. Those are bad examples. The players who do come here like it here. Nabokov, Guerin, Weight for example

I wonder if you'll stfu
- Upstate_isles

Panarin had no intention of signing here and used the Isles to get the max contract from the Rangers. Tavares got to go home. Those are bad examples. The players who do come here like it here. Nabokov, Guerin, Weight for example
- Tedge77

So Panarin didn’t want to come here, Tavares left so that’s exactly the point that players in the last decade didn’t want to come or stay here.