Anyone agree that Carkner is possibly the worst player in the NHL?
- NYI_since_72

Second worst.. that Carl Haeglin guy is the complete worst


XxNYIxX

It's an issue. It's a very close 2nd to the defense. Most goalies stop kessels first goal and clqrksom goal tonight.
- Isles316

Disagree. Attacking Poulin after this game is silly. The forwards were a disorganized mess last night, with virtually no backchecking and the defense was even worse. The pk was awful but the coaching took the cake. Poulin, while not very good, was a distant fifth in that order. "Most goalies" would have looked just as overwhelmed

Disagree. Attacking Poulin after this game is silly. The forwards were a disorganized mess last night, with virtually no backchecking and the defense was even worse. The pk was awful but the coaching took the cake. Poulin, while not very good, was a distant fifth in that order. "Most goalies" would have looked just as overwhelmed
- keaner17

I'm not attacking him. I agree the zone coverage was horrible. But goaltending is an issue. It needs into be better. When is the last time a goalie has won a game for the isles ? Or made some huge saves ?

I'm not attacking him. I agree the zone coverage was horrible. But goaltending is an issue. It needs into be better. When is the last time a goalie has won a game for the isles ? Or made some huge saves ?
- Isles316

If you said 'and' as opposed to 'or' I may agree but Poulin has made several huge saves over the last several games. He'll have his ups and downs but has played admirably behind this systematic chaos. He should be expected to falter here and there but its difficult to assess is overall game playing with a handicap like this. Roy would look like crap on this team

How long before Vanek starts demanding a trade back to Buffalo?

How long before Vanek starts demanding a trade back to Buffalo?
- PeteM

Now that's funny.

If you said 'and' as opposed to 'or' I may agree but Poulin has made several huge saves over the last several games. He'll have his ups and downs but has played admirably behind this systematic chaos. He should be expected to falter here and there but its difficult to assess is overall game playing with a handicap like this. Roy would look like crap on this team
- keaner17

I'm not placing any blame per say on Poulin. And although the defense and the systematic defense the Isles team plays or lack there of I do believe the goaltending has room for improvement albeit it's hardly the Isles #1 problem. Giving up 2-0's every game and poor man coverage in front of the net is the biggest issue. Just never a fan of long shots finding their way into the net. It happens a lot with this team. Poulin and Nabby.

I'm not placing any blame per say on Poulin. And although the defense and the systematic defense the Isles team plays or lack there of I do believe the goaltending has room for improvement albeit it's hardly the Isles #1 problem. Giving up 2-0's every game and poor man coverage in front of the net is the biggest issue. Just never a fan of long shots finding their way into the net. It happens a lot with this team. Poulin and Nabby.
- Isles316

The long shots depend on whether they were tipped or not IMO. I don't recall any long longs getting by last night. Most of our goals are given up from high percentage areas. Right now, Poulin has been good thus far. I don't expect him to be the second coming of Billy Smith at this stage as it's his first full season in the NHL, but I do expect to see steady improvement over the course of the season with occasional letdowns. I've been pleasantly satisfied with what I've seen thus far. Until we replace our coach, add a couple of dmen and start playing 3 zone hockey, it's tough to expect much from the goaltender.

The long shots depend on whether they were tipped or not IMO. I don't recall any long longs getting by last night. Most of our goals are given up from high percentage areas. Right now, Poulin has been good thus far. I don't expect him to be the second coming of Billy Smith at this stage as it's his first full season in the NHL, but I do expect to see steady improvement over the course of the season with occasional letdowns. I've been pleasantly satisfied with what I've seen thus far. Until we replace our coach, add a couple of dmen and start playing 3 zone hockey, it's tough to expect much from the goaltender.
- keaner17

The first Kessel goal HAS to be stopped. Poulin was out of position and off his angle when you look at the replay from behind the net. He had trouble finding the puck and then never got set. Clarkson goal wasn't exactly a howitzer either.

That said, Poulin is not the reason the Isles lost last night. But when you out shoot a team 37-24 and lose 5-2 I think there is a lot of evidence pointing to Poulin being outplayed by Bernier which he was.

Edit: Isles outshot DET,TOR 78-48 last two games (not including shootout) and were outscored 9-6.

I wrote this in Dee's blog in response to a Flyers fan:

But if we want to break down what's wrong with this team I think we can blame our GM

The Islanders showed last year that they could play with any team in the NHL offensively. They lost that Pens series due to bad defense, bad PK (Pitt was 13-21 in the series) and shaky goaltending.

Fast Forward to now, you let Streit walk which as you can see wasn't exactly terrible for that contract he got, let Brad Boyes walk who had an ok year although not a first liner in my mind, let Keith Aucoin walk who did some good things on the 3rd line last year, traded your #2 prospect in Nino Neiderreiter, traded Matt Moulson who has only been outscored by 5 players since his first year on the isles (vanek not one of them), traded a #1 pick, #2 pick.

You've acquired Cal Clutterbuck via trade, Thomas Vanek via trade, signed Pierre Marc Bouchard, Peter Regin all who have been underwhelming to put it mildly.

You haven't acquired another defensemen to replace Streit and the goaltending is the same as last year. What educated hockey person would think not addressing the defense and goaltending wouldn't come back to hurt?

The Islanders aren't making the playoffs. Look at their schedule the next 10 games or so. They will be toast after that 5 game west coast trip. I don't expect them to get 1 point on that trip.

I'm not attacking him. I agree the zone coverage was horrible. But goaltending is an issue. It needs into be better. When is the last time a goalie has won a game for the isles ? Or made some huge saves ?
- Isles316

What were seeing is a culmination of a colossal fail by Snow to address obvious points of need after last season. With Nabby sporting a 4+ GAA and barely above .800 SP following the Pens series and a "D" that was weak with Streit and healthy last year, Snow did nothing to address these areas this summer. He brought back the same guys and tried to replace Streit (admittedly, overpaid in Philly and bad in his own end) with Donovan who clearly looks overmatched. He didn't address the areas of need and we wonder why this team is 8-11-3?

There are so many things wrong right now. The "D" can't stop anyone. The goaltending has been average at best, usually below average. The PK is embarrassingly bad and the PP isn't much better. This team doesn't play with the intensity and physicality it played with last year, and that after trading a top five pick for Clutterbuck, who has been a shade better than invisible. This team needs an attitude adjustment as badly as it needs better personnel.

Talented leaf team? Maybe talented goalie combo.
- dack1972

How many goals did Riemer have last night?

What were seeing is a culmination of a colossal fail by Snow to address obvious points of need after last season. With Nabby sporting a 4+ GAA and barely above .800 SP following the Pens series and a "D" that was weak with Streit and healthy last year, Snow did nothing to address these areas this summer. He brought back the same guys and tried to replace Streit (admittedly, overpaid in Philly and bad in his own end) with Donovan who clearly looks overmatched. He didn't address the areas of need and we wonder why this team is 8-11-3?

There are so many things wrong right now. The "D" can't stop anyone. The goaltending has been average at best, usually below average. The PK is embarrassingly bad and the PP isn't much better. This team doesn't play with the intensity and physicality it played with last year, and that after trading a top five pick for Clutterbuck, who has been a shade better than invisible. This team needs an attitude adjustment as badly as it needs better personnel.
- Jethro09

Dead on Jethro. If Snow was willing to move the assets he's moved how is fathomable that he hasn't made any moves on defense or goaltending besides call up from Bridgeport ?!

The first Kessel goal HAS to be stopped. Poulin was out of position and off his angle when you look at the replay from behind the net. He had trouble finding the puck and then never got set. Clarkson goal wasn't exactly a howitzer either.

That said, Poulin is not the reason the Isles lost last night. But when you out shoot a team 37-24 and lose 5-2 I think there is a lot of evidence pointing to Poulin being outplayed by Bernier which he was.

Edit: Isles outshot DET,TOR 78-48 last two games (not including shootout) and were outscored 9-6.
- Isles316

I think you're discounting the type of shots each goalie faced. The Isles did very little in the way of creating traffic in front of Bernier yet we threw rubber from everywhere, so while we totalled 37 shots, very few were quality shots.
Meanwhile, we saw countless odd man rushes, failed backchecks by forward leading Poulin to see a lot of high percentage shots.

This is the problem with the Isles. They're not creating real opportunities, they're throwing pucks at the net but are utterly terrible at gathering in rebounds. Meanwhile our defense continually backs off other teams fowards giving them uncontested entry all the way to the slot.

I think you're discounting the type of shots each goalie faced. The Isles did very little in the way of creating traffic in front of Bernier yet we threw rubber from everywhere, so while we totalled 37 shots, very few were quality shots.
Meanwhile, we saw countless odd man rushes, failed backchecks by forward leading Poulin to see a lot of high percentage shots.

This is the problem with the Isles. They're not creating real opportunities, they're throwing pucks at the net but are utterly terrible at gathering in rebounds. Meanwhile our defense continually backs off other teams fowards giving them uncontested entry all the way to the slot.
- keaner17

They've been doing this since Capuano got here. And I'm not discounting the fact that Detroit and Toronto had 2 on 0's. I understand that. I thought the Red Wings game the Isles had great chances in 3rd period and either didn't finish or Gustovson made some good saves.

As for last night, thought the Isles had some good chances. Bernier doesn't give up rebounds and you're right, lack of front net presence.

I think we can agree that our defense is abysmal and is our most glaring issue, but lately our forwards have been crap too. Whoever said it was ok to have McDonald as a top 6 forward was obviously high when he said it...I can't watch Peter Regin play another minute out there as he brings absolutely nothing to the table...Vanek needs to get back on the ice and start showing what a dynamic forward he is....Neilsen, Bailey, Grabner, Clutterbuck have all been lack luster and downright disappointing and need to start producing on more consistent basis.

Although I had high hopes for this team it's becoming more and more evident by the day that this team is destined for a 11th or 12th place finish. Nothing is changing, no needs are being addressed, and no one is being held responsible. If this were any other team in the league there is no way Capuano would have lasted so long. If things don't change and change fast this season will be lost sooner rather than later.

They've been doing this since Capuano got here. And I'm not discounting the fact that Detroit and Toronto had 2 on 0's. I understand that. I thought the Red Wings game the Isles had great chances in 3rd period and either didn't finish or Gustovson made some good saves.

As for last night, thought the Isles had some good chances. Bernier doesn't give up rebounds and you're right, lack of front net presence.
- Isles316

Bernier gave up plenty enough rebounds that if this team were better at banging them home, we would have probably been heading towards overtime. This is a problem I highlighted during the game last night. Our forwards have an awful habit of skating past the net on initial shots rather than stopping in the slot and waiting for the rebounds. On multiple occasions last night I saw Nelson, Nielsen, Okposo, Bailey and Martin skate past the net on the initial shot only to have a juicy rebound bounce back into the slot where three Maple Leafs were waiting to transition the puck uncontested.
And THAT'S the problem with this team, hockey sense. Yes, were light on defensive talent, due to the failure to acquire a top pairing guy and attrition has hit us hard, but most of this teams issues are between the ears. We allow easy entry into our zone, often all the way to the faceoff circles, we're timid on our play in front of their net, we're reckless in our own crease, often knocking pucks and our goaltender in the net. This team has terrible hockey sense and that has to be traced back to the goof behind the bench.

Not saying it's going to work out, but:
2012 Isles through 22 games: 9-12-1 19pts
2013 Isles through 22 games: 8-11-3 19pts

Every team in the Metro division has one or two games in hand on the Isles.

Normally thats not a big deal to me (especially this early) but considering the way the Isles Play hockey. (play, build, manage, think)
Take their seemingly lack of urgency, know how and desire. Combine that with the upcoming schedule & a few injuries. It is quite possible the Isle's will have played, coached & managed themselves out of the PO's by the 1st week of Dec.

And who would have thunk it?

I knew last season was an anomaly.

The Islanders have out shot their opponents 78-48 last two games and have been outscored 9-6 not including the shootout vs. Detroit. This is a prime example of what's been wrong with this team this year. I don't think capuano is Al Arbour but how the heck is this team supposed to win with this goaltending and defense even when healthy?

Tell me what teams do Ness, Martinek,Carkner,Donovan play for other than the Isles ? what team would give hickey a chance? What team would give Strait a chance and insert him in lineup as a top 4 defenseman ? And what team would hamonic and Amac be a top pairing?

What team would Nabokov be the opening night starter ?

I'm frustrated too but if anyone deserves to be fired over what's transpired the last 6 months it's Garth snow. He's traded our #2 prospect for a bottom 6 forward, he's traded an NHL top 10 goal scorer in recent years, a first round pick and a 2nd round pick for another top scorer. Streit also walked (salary demands ridiculous) and not replaced .

Those are all major assets that were moved to do nothing to improve any weakness on this team.

Say all you want how capuano sucks but tonight is another prime example of lousy defensive mistakes, average at best goaltending contributed to a blowout loss in a game where the isles probably put played the leafs or played them even at worst for most of it
- Isles316

I do not disagree but the GM is going nowhere. I'm fine if the Isles want to bring in a better goalie than Poulin but they better bring in two quality Dmen as well.

Every team in the Metro division has one or two games in hand on the Isles.

Normally thats not a big deal to me (especially this early) but considering the way the Isles Play hockey. (play, build, manage, think)
Take their seemingly lack of urgency, know how and desire. Combine that with the upcoming schedule & a few injuries. It is quite possible the Isle's will have played, coached & managed themselves out of the PO's by the 1st week of Dec.

And who would have thunk it?

I knew last season was an anomaly.
- SCLI

Well put. Cheers Buddy.

I do not disagree but the GM is going nowhere. I'm fine if the Isles want to bring in a better goalie than Poulin but they better bring in two quality Dmen as well.
- ses111

I'm not apart of the Isles organization but I'm willing to bet that they are banking on their prospects on D that they have stock piled, and thats why they haven't replaced lost players over the summer. I'm pretty sure most of us know that the bandaids they have are not capable and you can't throw too many young guys back there or you look like, well, the Islanders.

I think we can agree that our defense is abysmal and is our most glaring issue, but lately our forwards have been crap too. Whoever said it was ok to have McDonald as a top 6 forward was obviously high when he said it...I can't watch Peter Regin play another minute out there as he brings absolutely nothing to the table...Vanek needs to get back on the ice and start showing what a dynamic forward he is....Neilsen, Bailey, Grabner, Clutterbuck have all been lack luster and downright disappointing and need to start producing on more consistent basis.

Although I had high hopes for this team it's becoming more and more evident by the day that this team is destined for a 11th or 12th place finish. Nothing is changing, no needs are being addressed, and no one is being held responsible. If this were any other team in the league there is no way Capuano would have lasted so long. If things don't change and change fast this season will be lost sooner rather than later.
- engrassias2

Nielsen leads the team in goals and is top 15 in the NHL in points. The Islanders are a top 10 scoring team in the NHL.

Every team in the Metro division has one or two games in hand on the Isles.

Normally thats not a big deal to me (especially this early) but considering the way the Isles Play hockey. (play, build, manage, think)
Take their seemingly lack of urgency, know how and desire. Combine that with the upcoming schedule & a few injuries. It is quite possible the Isle's will have played, coached & managed themselves out of the PO's by the 1st week of Dec.

And who would have thunk it?

I knew last season was an anomaly.
- SCLI

Unless something changes drastically, the Isles will be out of realistic contention after they play at LAK, SJS, PHO, STL, ANA. I forget the order of that trip but those are the opponents and even a good team could go 0-5 playing those lunatics.

I'm not apart of the Isles organization but I'm willing to bet that they are banking on their prospects on D that they have stock piled, and thats why they haven't replaced lost players over the summer. I'm pretty sure most of us know that the bandaids they have are not capable and you can't throw too many young guys back there or you look like, well, the Islanders.
- brodydog29

Agreed. I think the plan was to hold out hope that Donovan would fill in well for Streit defensively while Lubo would take over most of Streit's offensive duties. Whether he is or not, Strait was expected to fill a top 4 role on this team for this season. The loss of both Lubo and Strait for an extended period is a killer.

I think Snow was holding out hope that things would hold on for one more season before a guy like Reinhart, Mayfield or Pedan would be ready to assume a role here and if not they'd address a transaction early in the season. I also get the feeling that like most of the world, they though there would be more big name cap casualties than there were. So the plan may have been in this order:
1. Add Donovan to last years defensive corps
2. Wait for cap casualties to find a top 4 guy
3. Watch the results and trade for a guy if needed


I'd say we're well into phase three at this point. The team is a quarter way into the season which is a large enough sample size for Snow to determine just what this team is. With Lubo still not close to returning and little word on Strait, I don't think he has much choice. It's either add a player now, or risk the positives of last year and losing Vanek.