I'll also say this again- there IS a way to win without spending a lot of money, and without having the highest payroll in the league. If Jacques Lemaire (or someone similar in style) coached this team, it would win more games than it loses. If Jacques Lemaire (or someone similar in style) coached this team, and they added two big, strong defensemen who made opponents fear coming near our net, it would contend for the Stanley Cup, despite still having an at or near bottom of the league payroll.

That said, it seems this franchise's "philosophy" is to draft as many fast players as possible. This is fine up front- thus the decent success of the power play and the penalty kill. However, on the back end, there aren't too many people on the planet who are the size of Visnovsky who can play at the NHL level. When your largest GOOD defenseman is Travis Hamonic, you're in trouble. When you have small players, and play the style they play (which can best be described as "pond hockey", IMO), you're screwed altogether.
- dcb1

We need better goaltending as well.

Hire him right now.
- dcb1

Yeah right that costs money plus Jack is doing a great job motivating the guys. Plus he is over qualified for the position

We need better goaltending as well.
- Isles316

I think they could live with Nabokov if they played defense properly.

Yeah right that costs money plus Jack is doing a great job motivating the guys. Plus he is over qualified for the position
- kasperrko

just curious what everyone feels...if the islanders were to fire cappy and hire lindy ruff, where does it put the team positioning wise?

i would want lindy ruff as our coach! fire capuano!

Yeah right that costs money plus Jack is doing a great job motivating the guys. Plus he is over qualified for the position
- kasperrko

Jack is doing a great job motivating the guys, by spouting inspirational treasures like "we don't have many options," and, "I don't think we played all that badly."

just curious what everyone feels...if the islanders were to fire cappy and hire lindy ruff, where does it put the team positioning wise?
- LetsGoIsles

Well at this point anything is better than Jack and plus Ruff is a tough coach he will get these guys to at least show up every game. Imean he was teh coach in Buffalo forever for a reason

just curious what everyone feels...if the islanders were to fire cappy and hire lindy ruff, where does it put the team positioning wise?
- LetsGoIsles

Ruff is certainly an upgrade, but not sure he is the best fit. I certainly would welcome the hiring if it happened but i still like terry Murray. Guy is defense first, no nonsense but calm at same time. Doughty, Kopitar, brown all got better under him

Jack is doing a great job motivating the guys, by spouting inspirational treasures like "we don't have many options," and, "I don't think we played all that badly."
- dcb1

Ruff would be cursing out the team and have them skating and doing drills for hours. JAck just sits back in his easy chair and feels everything is perfect

Well at this point anything is better than Jack and plus Ruff is a tough coach he will get these guys to at least show up every game. Imean he was teh coach in Buffalo forever for a reason
- kasperrko

The isles need an experienced coach to see if they can help okposo. If okposo is done as a player it really sets this team back. It's incredible how (frank)ing bad he got. The isles desperately need him to get back to his 20 goal, 50 point pace and be a legit 2nd line forward.

I think the isles should hire a real coach first, like now to see if they can get him back and bailey back for that matter up to top 6 standards.

Ruff would be cursing out the team and have them skating and doing drills for hours
- kasperrko

The thought of this brings a tear of joy to my eye....the thought that ANYONE might do this to this group, in fact.....

The isles need an experienced coach to see if they can help okposo. If okposo is done as a player it really sets this team back. It's incredible how (frank)ing bad he got. The isles desperately need him to get back to his 20 goal, 50 point pace and be a legit 2nd line forward.

I think the isles should hire a real coach first, like now to see if they can get him back and bailey back for that matter up to top 6 standards.
- Isles316

Problem is us fans have already lost patience. I dont want them to trade them and then watch them flourish.

The thought of this brings a tear of joy to my eye....the thought that ANYONE might do this to this group, in fact.....
- dcb1

I hear you. I guarentee half the team would want out since they are not used to that

I hear you. I guarentee half the team would want out since they are not used to that
- kasperrko

DP will retire on the spot

Problem is us fans have already lost patience. I dont want them to trade them and then watch them flourish.
- kasperrko

That's my point. Okposo was a very good player who wasn't scoring a ton, now he just flat out sucks .

Id like to see an experienced coach try to help him first before we give up on him. Shifts like he had last night on the isles goal was typical of him before his injury. He was all over the place and made a difference in some way.

DP will retire on the spot
- mighty13duck

Coach like Ruff would destroy DP and force him out

I hear you. I guarentee half the team would want out since they are not used to that
- kasperrko

And the other half would say thank (frank)ing god.

And the other three would say thank (frank)ing god.
- Isles316

Fixed.... Martin JT Hamonic

It doesn't matter who is coaching the Islanders, until they have a legit starting goalie, they're not winning many games. Ruff couldn't win games with Ryan Miller, how the heck is he going to win games with Nabby and DP?

Well at this point anything is better than Jack and plus Ruff is a tough coach he will get these guys to at least show up every game. Imean he was teh coach in Buffalo forever for a reason
- kasperrko

cant the same be said that he was fired for a reason??

im not saying it wouldnt be an upgrade, i just dont think its something to get excited about for many reasons most of which is bc they need a defenseman or 2 before they worry about the coach...

It doesn't matter who is coaching the Islanders, until they have a legit starting goalie, they're not winning many games. Ruff couldn't win games with Ryan Miller, how the heck is he going to win games with Nabby and DP?
- shinkdew

Maybe so, but maybe he could get more out of the players on the roster. We can't wait until we get a great goalie before we help make the rest of the team and the teams structure better.

cant the same be said that he was fired for a reason??

im not saying it wouldnt be an upgrade, i just dont think its something to get excited about for many reasons most of which is bc they need a defenseman or 2 before they worry about the coach...
- LetsGoIsles

Trust me I am not getting excited either I mean it is never going to happen. I just think that some times you wear out your tenure and I beleive that is what happened to Ruff

Ruff is certainly an upgrade, but not sure he is the best fit. I certainly would welcome the hiring if it happened but i still like terry Murray. Guy is defense first, no nonsense but calm at same time. Doughty, Kopitar, brown all got better under him
- Isles316

I'd love him or Quenville. I know neither is going to happen before someone jumps down my throat. I agree with you about Ruff. I'm not a huge fan.

cant the same be said that he was fired for a reason??

im not saying it wouldnt be an upgrade, i just dont think its something to get excited about for many reasons most of which is bc they need a defenseman or 2 before they worry about the coach...
- LetsGoIsles

They can't get a coach before they get a defenseman or two?

The isles need an experienced coach to see if they can help okposo. If okposo is done as a player it really sets this team back. It's incredible how (frank)ing bad he got. The isles desperately need him to get back to his 20 goal, 50 point pace and be a legit 2nd line forward.

I think the isles should hire a real coach first, like now to see if they can get him back and bailey back for that matter up to top 6 standards.
- Isles316

Okposo is not a great player. He could be a decent second liner at best as far as I'm concerned, he's not a good skater and he's weak on the puck. Even if he pots 20 goals do you want him?