Their special teams are a complete disaster and have been all season. I don't care whether their PP is middle of the pack or not it's misfiring more often than not and is never effective in times when it's really needed like last night. There is too much talent on this team for this to continue like this. Special teams are taught for the most part. The PK is the worst I've seen since watching this team in the 70's maybe for any team I've ever watched?
- Cptmjl

Special teams seems to have been an issue since Cappy has coached. It's not just this year.

Special teams seems to have been an issue since Cappy has coached. It's not just this year.
- ses111

I think the reason our PP gets ripped at times (it’s top 12 in the league) is because the pk keeps putting us into a huge hole every game. You simply cannot give away 1-2 goals per game on the pk. What happens then is the team plays more tentatively to not take penalties, because they know we can’t kill them. I honestly think it’s weighing on them mentally and you can see in every interview lately the players keep talking about how poor the pk is. I haven’t heard any of them talk about how good it was for a short stretch other than Capuano.

It’s been 50 games just this season. It’s historically bad. That alone is two reasons to make changes to the system, not to continue to play the same thing with the same guys on it and expect it to change.

I'll also add that acquiring a player via trade is not going to change our PK(didn't think you were saying that btw) that is something that needs to change structurally. How it's played. I know this post is pretty much preaching to the choir but it's maddening that these same problems are never ending and have been going on since before the season even started. The absolute neglecting of special teams and the obvious indifference to them is a joke.
- Cptmjl

Agree with all except the Islanders consistently loose defensive zone draws on the PK. With the amount of pure centers on this team I think one of them needs to bear down and win these draws. If not a veteran face-off specialist might not be a bad idea to help out here. Most playoff teams that win have this type of player on their roster. That being said the talent on this team is as such that if coached properly we should not be last in the league. Clutterbuck was The Wilds best PK guy Kuli, Neilson, and Grabby all have in the past shown their talent on the PK so where is the real problem...? I think we all know.

I think the reason our PP gets ripped at times (it’s top 12 in the league) is because the pk keeps putting us into a huge hole every game. You simply cannot give away 1-2 goals per game on the pk. What happens then is the team plays more tentatively to not take penalties, because they know we can’t kill them. I honestly think it’s weighing on them mentally and you can see in every interview lately the players keep talking about how poor the pk is. I haven’t heard any of them talk about how good it was for a short stretch other than Capuano.

It’s been 50 games just this season. It’s historically bad. That alone is two reasons to make changes to the system, not to continue to play the same thing with the same guys on it and expect it to change.
- Isles_since_6

It's a great point about the team playing more tentative being afraid to take a penalty. Special team are critical and their importance cannot be downplayed.

I have said Cap's going to be a huge reason you guys are going to be unsuccessful in the playoffs, and have been chastised for it.

But i guess as long as you guys realize it, its ok.
- rferrone

unlikely

I know they won't be back next year or even a couple years after that however since the group that won the NVMC rebuild also are involved with Barclays they would have a backup plan if Brooklyn bombed.

As far as 1/3 of Barclays being sold to season tix holder already that's a fairy tale as far as I've heard the season tix sales and even partial tix sales at Barclay is DISMAL.
The tix are available to the public and have been for quite a while now.
- nyisles7

i was told february 9th

i was told february 9th
- LetsGoIsles

Yeah that's the official marketing date, however if you called and were interested in tickets they would take your money believe me.

Yeah that's the official marketing date, however if you called and were interested in tickets they would take your money believe me.
- nyisles7

so if someone was proactive and decided they want tickets for 9+ months from now then yes, im sure theyd take a deposit of some sort...having said that for 98% of people who arent thinking that far in advance (not to mention, little to no marketing for it) ill stick with the 2/9 as the open to public date.

like i said, from what i know, over 4k season tickets have been sold for next year...and i dont believe they have partial plans yet

so if someone was proactive and decided they want tickets for 9+ months from now then yes, im sure theyd take a deposit of some sort...having said that for 98% of people who arent thinking that far in advance (not to mention, little to no marketing for it) ill stick with the 2/9 as the open to public date.

like i said, from what i know, over 4k season tickets have been sold for next year...and i dont believe they have partial plans yet
- LetsGoIsles

You think Brooklyn will be a success with the awkwardness of the Arena and sight lines for hockey?

You think Brooklyn will be a success with the awkwardness of the Arena and sight lines for hockey?
- nyisles7

barring a colossal tank job that has the isles either not making the playoffs or being plowed over in the first round and assuming success is defined as majority of games are sold out (IE 20+ games) then yes, i think itll be a big success!!

barring a colossal tank job that has the isles either not making the playoffs or being plowed over in the first round and assuming success is defined as majority of games are sold out (IE 20+ games) then yes, i think itll be a big success!!
- LetsGoIsles

God I hope your right! Do you live closer to Brooklyn or NVMC?

You think Brooklyn will be a success with the awkwardness of the Arena and sight lines for hockey?
- nyisles7

I believe intially it will at the very least if it's as bad as some say it may not stay that way though. I doubt very few hockey fans are going to want to sit in seats with half the ice surface obstructed. I know I wouldn't.

God I hope your right! Do you live closer to Brooklyn or NVMC?
- nyisles7

right in the middle...im in queens. but MUCH easier to get to BK...you?? and where do you work?

i think people are underestimating the importance of public transportation and how much more accessible barclays is then NVMC; also brooklyn is HOT right now...not to mention if the team is winning, people will jump on the bandwagon.

You think Brooklyn will be a success with the awkwardness of the Arena and sight lines for hockey?
- nyisles7

it's in a very densely populated area of Brooklyn and is very easy to get to from Manhattan & Queens & LI by train. Saw a lot of local folks at the Preseason Game vs NJ. If the ticket prices aren't outrageous there should be no problem—sightlines issues will be resolved or as I suggested months ago, they could be used for visiting team comps or sold as super-cheap day-of-game tickets, like bleacher seats used to be at Shea & Yankee Stadium.

I believe intially it will at the very least if it's as bad as some say it may not stay that way though. I doubt very few hockey fans are going to want to sit in seats with half the ice surface obstructed. I know I wouldn't.
- Cptmjl

It's only one end that has the obstructed views(you can't see the goal crease or net), because they made those Press seating. If they remove a portion of THOSE seats, then you will be able to see the full ice. It's not that big a deal when you're talking about a $2billion arena.

right in the middle...im in queens. but MUCH easier to get to BK...you?? and where do you work?

i think people are underestimating the importance of public transportation and how much more accessible barclays is then NVMC; also brooklyn is HOT right now...not to mention if the team is winning, people will jump on the bandwagon.
- LetsGoIsles

Live in Suffolk County and work there as well. The train ride takes 2 hours so its not even a though to renew my season tix which my friend and I have since 72. That being said I have an apartment in Manhattan and I will be going to games when I stay there as the subway makes that very easy. Again I hope it a huge success however i have my doubts, hope I'm wrong.

We just recalled and un-recalled McDonald in an hour.

It's only one end that has the obstructed views(you can't see the goal crease or net), because they made those Press seating. If they remove a portion of THOSE seats, then you will be able to see the full ice. It's not that big a deal when you're talking about a $2billion arena.
- jmo16

What about the seats that are not obstructed however you have to look almost behind you to see the goal?

Problem with Barclays is before the built it they ask Wang if he was interested in moving however he was working on the lighthouse project ( we know how that turned out thanks to our corrupt politicians) so they built it for basketball so the site lines FOR HOCKEY are horrendous in my opinion. its a beautiful Arena nobody is questioning that and it won't take a half a period to go to the mens room like at NMVC. But the score board won't even sit at center ice. I thought it was an awkward place to see game. Been to many Arenas that host NHL games and NVMC was one of the best for viewing and I think they will be moving to the worst. But thats just my opinion.

It's only one end that has the obstructed views(you can't see the goal crease or net), because they made those Press seating. If they remove a portion of THOSE seats, then you will be able to see the full ice. It's not that big a deal when you're talking about a $2billion arena.
- jmo16

I think it's a pretty big deal bcs it costs 2 billion dollars . Like I said I'm not sure how bad it is I heard some say it wasn't bad and some say it was.

We just recalled and un-recalled McDonald in an hour.
- eichiefs9

Need that practice body

Live in Suffolk County and work there as well. The train ride takes 2 hours so its not even a though to renew my season tix which my friend and I have since 72. That being said I have an apartment in Manhattan and I will be going to games when I stay there as the subway makes that very easy. Again I hope it a huge success however i have my doubts, hope I'm wrong.
- nyisles7

I think your personal situation may be clouding just how much more opportunity there is in brooklyn than in LI...below are the numbers for 2013 population:

1.5 Million people in Suffolk County
1.352 Million people in Nassua County

thats 2.852 Million people in Nassau and Suffolk, many of which work in NYC (or have apartments in NYC) and there are others who are close to LIRR, making barclays not a big issue.

2.592 Million people in Brooklyn
2.296 Million people in Queens
1.626 Million people in Manhattan

Thats 6.514 Million people in JUST those 3 boroughs. and there are tons more transportation options. there are more businesses in the boroughs (hate to break it to you but that means more suits) AND the team is on the upswing.

according to what i found NVMC can hold 16,234; barclays can hold 15,813 (many of which might be obstructed). so more people but less seats...simple supply and demand.

We just recalled and un-recalled McDonald in an hour.
- eichiefs9

He was recalled again?

It's only one end that has the obstructed views(you can't see the goal crease or net), because they made those Press seating. If they remove a portion of THOSE seats, then you will be able to see the full ice. It's not that big a deal when you're talking about a $2billion arena.
- jmo16

Do you think Nets fans would go to see a game where they couldn't see one of the baskets? It's absurd.

Do you think Nets fans would go to see a game there is they couldn't see one of the baskets? It's absurd.
- nyisles7

I'm not going to a game I can't see the entire ice surface but that's just me.

I think your personal situation may be clouding just how much more opportunity there is in brooklyn than in LI...below are the numbers for 2013 population:

1.5 Million people in Suffolk County
1.352 Million people in Nassua County

thats 2.852 Million people in Nassau and Suffolk, many of which work in NYC (or have apartments in NYC) and there are others who are close to LIRR, making barclays not a big issue.

2.592 Million people in Brooklyn
2.296 Million people in Queens
1.626 Million people in Manhattan

Thats 6.514 Million people in JUST those 3 boroughs. and there are tons more transportation options. there are more businesses in the boroughs (hate to break it to you but that means more suits) AND the team is on the upswing.

according to what i found NVMC can hold 16,234; barclays can hold 15,813 (many of which might be obstructed). so more people but less seats...simple supply and demand.
- LetsGoIsles

I can't argue with your numbers however, how many of these people are hockey fans and how many are Islander fans?

I would think the % of Nassau and Suffolk counties hockey fans are Islanders fans. But we will see in the near future.

Again I hope your right and Barclays is a huge success. Anything that helps the Islanders I am surely routing for .