They lack a few things, which I mentioned numerous times (will NOT go down that road again)
- Ur Not Me

Some of us mentioned it this offseason. Too much focus put on the injured dmen to excuse away the Cap loss.

Some of us mentioned it this offseason. Too much focus put on the injured dmen to excuse away the Cap loss.
- ses111

Its called homerism....

Its called homerism....
- Ur Not Me

I thought it was Cappyism?

Its called homerism....
- Ur Not Me

No its called deflecting. Theres enough talent on this team to consistently be competitive and a be a playoff threat. Could they be better with some additions? Absolutely, but you can say the same for just about any team in the league.

No its called MDW's curse. Theres enough talent on this team to consistently be competitive and a be a playoff threat. Could they be better with some additions? Absolutely, but you can say the same for just about any team in the league.
- Cptmjl

*fixed*

Agreed. These were games this team NEEDED to win. Now after Jersey tomorrow we face the Habs. To come out flat is unacceptable. The way the kids are playing uninspired and listless is scary.
- Cptmjl

I agree as well regarding the uninspired and listless play. They seem to be playing with no emotion. There's a going-through-the-motions vibe I'm getting from them. Not acceptable. They must wake up.

And the third-pairing of "D" without Hickey has been abysmal. I've seen enough of Strait and I'm getting there with Zidlicky, although in fairness he deserves more time. But if they're going to play like s**t, why not call up Pulock or Mayfield and play them instead? I can't be worse than what Strait/Zid have done.

I agree as well regarding the uninspired and listless play. They seem to be playing with no emotion. There's a going-through-the-motions vibe I'm getting from them. Not acceptable. They must wake up.

And the third-pairing of "D" without Hickey has been abysmal. I've seen enough of Strait and I'm getting there with Zidlicky, although in fairness he deserves more time. But if they're going to play like s**t, why not call up Pulock or Mayfield and play them instead? I can't be worse than what Strait/Zid have done.
- Jethro09

I actually think Strait has been bearable though he still does panic with the puck and do stupid poop with it but thankfully it seems to be going fwd instead of back into the zone lately. At this point I have to be happy with that when it comes to his performance because we know Capuano will have his New England boy playing whenever he can.

Zidlicky to me has been crap I wouldn't be adverse to giving someone else a shot there. I think more of the problem is up front all three of the kids have been invisible. Okposo can't hit the net and Bailey seems to be reverting to his old self like we knew would happen.

I actually think Strait has been bearable though he still does panic with the puck and do stupid poop with it but thankfully it seems to be going fwd instead of back into the zone lately. Zidlicky to me has been crap I wouldn't be adverse to giving someone else a shot there. I think more of the problem is up front all three of the kids have been invisible. Okposo can't hit the net and Bailey seems to be reverting to his old self like we knew would happen.
- Cptmjl

Strait & Zid are bad options as 3rd pairing dmen, but its ok if not giving much ice time. I noticed last night, that the isles have NO front net presence. No one was really trying to screen the G, plus the secondary scoring is very streaky at best....

I agree as well regarding the uninspired and listless play. They seem to be playing with no emotion. There's a going-through-the-motions vibe I'm getting from them. Not acceptable. They must wake up.

And the third-pairing of "D" without Hickey has been abysmal. I've seen enough of Strait and I'm getting there with Zidlicky, although in fairness he deserves more time. But if they're going to play like s**t, why not call up Pulock or Mayfield and play them instead? I can't be worse than what Strait/Zid have done.
- Jethro09

It goes back to management and this staff protecting mediocre vets over kids. It's the classic country club vibe and how decisions are made with this team. Garth can go all tough guy on Nino and Ho-Sang and vets get a pass.

I agree as well regarding the uninspired and listless play. They seem to be playing with no emotion. There's a going-through-the-motions vibe I'm getting from them. Not acceptable. They must wake up.

And the third-pairing of "D" without Hickey has been abysmal. I've seen enough of Strait and I'm getting there with Zidlicky, although in fairness he deserves more time. But if they're going to play like s**t, why not call up Pulock or Mayfield and play them instead? I can't be worse than what Strait/Zid have done.
- Jethro09

Because he is tied for the worst +/- on the Sound Tigers? Sorry to mention this stat, but it's nearly all I have to go on, since I don't watch Sound Tigers games. I know the stat is imperfect, but it is a little concerning that Matt Carkner is +2 while Pulock is -3. On the other hand, Mayfield is +6 and Pelech is +8, so they may be better choices for a call up?

By the way, there may be a good explanation. Pulock is undoubtedly getting top pairing minutes and maybe the others are not?

Strait & Zid are bad options as 3rd pairing dmen, but its ok if not giving much ice time. I noticed last night, that the isles have NO front net presence. No one was really trying to screen the G, plus the secondary scoring is very streaky at best....
- Ur Not Me

I posted this a couple times last night. Leddy did one of his end to end rushes skated into the Sabres zone and kind of hovered and the kid line caught up and all of them hung by the blue line after Leddy drifted back to the point like none of them wanted to get their hands dirty. Plays like that were the norm last night with different names of course but man oh man that kid line has been invisible. No urgency whatsoever in their game.

I actually think Strait has been bearable though he still does panic with the puck and do stupid poop with it but thankfully it seems to be going fwd instead of back into the zone lately. At this point I have to be happy with that when it comes to his performance because we know Capuano will have his New England boy playing whenever he can.

Zidlicky to me has been crap I wouldn't be adverse to giving someone else a shot there. I think more of the problem is up front all three of the kids have been invisible. Okposo can't hit the net and Bailey seems to be reverting to his old self like we knew would happen.
- Cptmjl

Yep, he's back into mid-season form. Watch the replay of Terry's goal on Thursday. Bailey may as well have brought out a chair on the ice. If he's going to just stand there and watch the game they should charge him for a ticket.

Because he is tied for the worst +/- on the Sound Tigers? Sorry to mention this stat, but it's nearly all I have to go on, since I don't watch Sound Tigers games. I know the stat is imperfect, but it is a little concerning that Matt Carkner is +2 while Pulock is -3. On the other hand, Mayfield is +6 and Pelech is +8, so they may be better choices for a call up?

By the way, there may be a good explanation. Pulock is undoubtedly getting top pairing minutes and maybe the others are not?
- JohnScammo

Who knows the explanation for the +/- but if I'm going to watch mistakes, I'd rather see them from a kid like Pulock, Mayfield and Pelech with promise and futures than from an aging vet who is likely not going to be an Islander for very long. Besides, sometimes, a vet getting his a** sent to the press box for a kid for a couple of games lights a fire under him. Maybe that will work for Zid?

I know there are roster issues, etc., with calling up a kid, but that stuff can be worked out. At the end of the day, I like the team they started the season with. But it has to play with energy and pace to be any good. These last few games have seemed very ho-hum. The players don't seem to be playing with any urgency, with a couple of notable exceptions.

Yep, he's back into mid-season form. Watch the replay of Terry's goal on Thursday. Bailey may as well have brought out a chair on the ice. If he's going to just stand there and watch the game they should charge him for a ticket.
- JimmyP

It's the culture of not benching vets and only sitting young players or keeping them in the minors. This team does not trust young talent and will go with a average vet every time.

Who knows the explanation for the +/- but if I'm going to watch mistakes, I'd rather see them from a kid like Pulock, Mayfield and Pelech with promise and futures than from an aging vet who is likely not going to be an Islander for very long. Besides, sometimes, a vet getting his a** sent to the press box for a kid for a couple of games lights a fire under him. Maybe that will work for Zid?

I know there are roster issues, etc., with calling up a kid, but that stuff can be worked out. At the end of the day, I like the team they started the season with. But it has to play with energy and pace to be any good. These last few games have seemed very ho-hum. The players don't seem to be playing with any urgency, with a couple of notable exceptions.
- Jethro09

Just asking, what did u expect with practically the same roster being iced? Plus same rejuvenating coaching staff??

I actually think Strait has been bearable though he still does panic with the puck and do stupid poop with it but thankfully it seems to be going fwd instead of back into the zone lately. At this point I have to be happy with that when it comes to his performance because we know Capuano will have his New England boy playing whenever he can.

Zidlicky to me has been crap I wouldn't be adverse to giving someone else a shot there. I think more of the problem is up front all three of the kids have been invisible. Okposo can't hit the net and Bailey seems to be reverting to his old self like we knew would happen.
- Cptmjl

I think it comes down to this with Strait.......its not good enough to just make the safe play. Translation : You suck so whatever you do, dont screw up and cost us a goal. If a guy doesnt have the ability to add to the team, then why waste the time with him? Winning teams dont have a Brian Strait.

I posted this a couple times last night. Leddy did one of his end to end rushes skated into the Sabres zone and kind of hovered and the kid line caught up and all of them hung by the blue line after Leddy drifted back to the point like none of them wanted to get their hands dirty. Plays like that were the norm last night with different names of course but man oh man that kid line has been invisible. No urgency whatsoever in their game.
- Cptmjl

You bring up a good point.........there is no urgency. Unfortunately, I think the isles have too many "good kids" and not enough kids with Jam. You dont need to fight to have jam.......if every kid on the team played like Cizikas the isles would be in good shape.

Perhaps im in the minority here, but ive really had it with the Nielson, Bailey, Okposo line. I just feel like they dont have the stuff. Okposo missed the net too many times last night, and Bailey doesnt play hard enough. Fransy has his moments, but unless hes in the shootout, i could go either way with him.

Just asking, what did u expect with practically the same roster being iced? Plus same rejuvenating coaching staff??
- Ur Not Me

It was so clear you should only bring the same team back with a new staff. Same staff and mostly same team will not end well.

It was so clear you should only bring the same team back with a new staff. Same staff and mostly same team will not end well.
- ses111

Few missing pieces never got addressed in off-season.. just unfortunate

It was so clear you should only bring the same team back with a new staff. Same staff and mostly same team will not end well.
- ses111

Sorry for coming in late to the party, but I dont think you can lose the first round of the playoffs, and not score a PP goal, and not make adjustments to the roster. The islanders rely too much on kids to take the top minutes and top spots.

You bring up a good point.........there is no urgency. Unfortunately, I think the isles have too many "good kids" and not enough kids with Jam. You dont need to fight to have jam.......if every kid on the team played like Cizikas the isles would be in good shape.

Perhaps im in the minority here, but ive really had it with the Nielson, Bailey, Okposo line. I just feel like they dont have the stuff. Okposo missed the net too many times last night, and Bailey doesnt play hard enough. Fransy has his moments, but unless hes in the shootout, i could go either way with him.
- kindlyrick

Few missing pieces never got addressed in off-season.. just unfortunate
- Ur Not Me

I dont see how you can go with Strait over Mayfield at this point. Mayfield is a big body who can skate.......whats the hard on for Brian Strait for. Is every fan missing something that the all knowing Capuano see's???

Sorry for coming in late to the party, but I dont think you can lose the first round of the playoffs, and not score a PP goal, and not make adjustments to the roster. The islanders rely too much on kids to take the top minutes and top spots.
- kindlyrick

Had to make adjustments to the staff or roster. Management and coaches played into the D injuries as an excuse. Owner and all the way down are not mature enough to make tough decisions.

I dont see how you can go with Strait over Mayfield at this point. Mayfield is a big body who can skate.......whats the hard on for Brian Strait for. Is every fan missing something that the all knowing Capuano see's???
- kindlyrick

Kid needs to work on his skating.... Im fine for not rushing his development, dmen can take longer and im fine w/that

I dont see how you can go with Strait over Mayfield at this point. Mayfield is a big body who can skate.......whats the hard on for Brian Strait for. Is every fan missing something that the all knowing Capuano see's???
- kindlyrick

Mayfield's skating is 110% not a strength of his. He's improved but he is definitely not a "big body that can skate" by any stretch of the imagination.