I don’t agree. The bold is exactly the problem imo. The problem is these guys and at times their coach from at least what he’s telling the media actually believes they’re playing good and just not winning. You’re not playing good in fact you’re playing like absolute crap to embarrassing levels.
- Cptmjl

I think Barry only publicly calls out individuals if necessary when directly asked about them. He's more of an old school 'keep it in the house' kinda guy. I have total confidence he's doing everything necessary from a coaching standpoint. My concern is our overall lack of talent and mental errors that players are consistently making. This is a marginally talented team thats trying to constantly play a finesse game rather than the 'lunch pail' approach that gave them success through Trotzs first 1.5 season with us.
The constant moronic turnovers from guys like Barzal, Nelson, Toews, Mayfield, Bailey and Leddy are constantly subjecting them to offensive breakdowns and defensive scoring chances. The goaltending is just not good enough to sustain that.
Puck support has been a huge problem too. The forwards are doing a terrible job of providing dmen with good outlets to break out, which leads to more dzone turnovers.
Sometimes you need a single player to turn things around through an extraordinary effort, but sadly I don't think we have that type of player. Moreso, I think Barzal TRYING to be that guy is ruining his game

I think Barry only publicly calls out individuals if necessary when directly asked about them. He's more of an old school 'keep it in the house' kinda guy. I have total confidence he's doing everything necessary from a coaching standpoint. My concern is our overall lack of talent and mental errors that players are consistently making. This is a marginally talented team thats trying to constantly play a finesse game rather than the 'lunch pail' approach that gave them success through Trotzs first 1.5 season with us.
The constant moronic turnovers from guys like Barzal, Nelson, Toews, Mayfield, Bailey and Leddy are constantly subjecting them to offensive breakdowns and defensive scoring chances. The goaltending is just not good enough to sustain that.
Puck support has been a huge problem too. The forwards are doing a terrible job of providing dmen with good outlets to break out, which leads to more dzone turnovers.
Sometimes you need a single player to turn things around through an extraordinary effort, but sadly I don't think we have that type of player. Moreso, I think Barzal TRYING to be that guy is ruining his game
- keaner17

I do also as far as Trotz goes but with that said let’s call a spade a spade. It’s a problem let’s call it one. Being the coach means absorbing the bad sometimes. Can’t be all rainbows and butterflies.

As far as Barzal goes he has been pretty good imo the last couple of games.

I do also as far as Trotz goes but with that said let’s call a spade a spade. It’s a problem let’s call it one. Being the coach means absorbing the bad sometimes. Can’t be all rainbows and butterflies.

As far as Barzal goes he has been pretty good imo the last couple of games.
- Cptmjl

I think Barzal has been okay but he's still clearly pressing, trying to force plays in places where the safer option would have been better. He has little to no support in the talent department which is quite the burden for a 22 year old guy in his third year.

I think Barry only publicly calls out individuals if necessary when directly asked about them. He's more of an old school 'keep it in the house' kinda guy. I have total confidence he's doing everything necessary from a coaching standpoint. My concern is our overall lack of talent and mental errors that players are consistently making. This is a marginally talented team thats trying to constantly play a finesse game rather than the 'lunch pail' approach that gave them success through Trotzs first 1.5 season with us.
The constant moronic turnovers from guys like Barzal, Nelson, Toews, Mayfield, Bailey and Leddy are constantly subjecting them to offensive breakdowns and defensive scoring chances. The goaltending is just not good enough to sustain that.
Puck support has been a huge problem too. The forwards are doing a terrible job of providing dmen with good outlets to break out, which leads to more dzone turnovers.
Sometimes you need a single player to turn things around through an extraordinary effort, but sadly I don't think we have that type of player. Moreso, I think Barzal TRYING to be that guy is ruining his game
- keaner17

Hopefully the cap goes all the way up to that $88.2M number this summer. If it does, they could jettison a few players and make a little noise with a mini-overhaul of the roster. I don't love signing older guys but, at age 30, Mike Hoffman is still posting great offensive numbers and plays a pretty solid defensive game as well. He shoots the puck a ton which is something this team is clearly lacking.

I think Barzal has been okay but he's still clearly pressing, trying to force plays in places where the safer option would have been better. He has little to no support in the talent department which is quite the burden for a 22 year old guy in his third year.
- keaner17

I'd like to see Beauvillier replace Lee on that line. Barzal and Eberle have been playing well together and I'd like to see a little more speed there. Plus Beau needs to get going again.

Lee just isn't moving the needle for me right now. He had a nice goal last night but it seems like this year he's trying to shoot the puck a lot more and it's not really working. His bread and butter is cleaning up the trash in front of the net and it really seems like he's gotten away from that this season.

Hopefully the cap goes all the way up to that $88.2M number this summer. If it does, they could jettison a few players and make a little noise with a mini-overhaul of the roster. I don't love signing older guys but, at age 30, Mike Hoffman is still posting great offensive numbers and plays a pretty solid defensive game as well. He shoots the puck a ton which is something this team is clearly lacking.
- eichiefs9

As long as they get rid of Bailey. I know he’s this cerebral, super genius of hockey like we’re always told but all I see is an inconsistent, weak, player who could care less about defense 80% of the time. I won’t even humor anybody on this thread with a debate over the merits of Bailey. If anyone thinks otherwise you’re (frank)ing stupid. 😂

I'd like to see Beauvillier replace Lee on that line. Barzal and Eberle have been playing well together and I'd like to see a little more speed there. Plus Beau needs to get going again.

Lee just isn't moving the needle for me right now. He had a nice goal last night but it seems like this year he's trying to shoot the puck a lot more and it's not really working. His bread and butter is cleaning up the trash in front of the net and it really seems like he's gotten away from that this season.
- eichiefs9

He tried doing this a couple years ago also with the same results. Someone on here I forgot who posted him shooting more as a positive. Not sure how anyone could possibly say that is a positive when all you have to do is look at the guys numbers and his play this season. Get back to what has made you successful throughout your career and earned you that big contract. All of this is pointing out the obvious and how it hasn’t been addressed is beyond me.

As long as they get rid of Bailey. I know he’s this cerebral, super genius of hockey like we’re always told but all I see is an inconsistent, weak, player who could care less about defense 80% of the time. I won’t even humor anybody on this thread with a debate over the merits of Bailey. If anyone thinks otherwise you’re (frank)ing stupid. 😂
- Cptmjl

Time to move on from the idea Bailey is an important player for this team.

Hopefully the cap goes all the way up to that $88.2M number this summer. If it does, they could jettison a few players and make a little noise with a mini-overhaul of the roster. I don't love signing older guys but, at age 30, Mike Hoffman is still posting great offensive numbers and plays a pretty solid defensive game as well. He shoots the puck a ton which is something this team is clearly lacking.
- eichiefs9

Had we not traded our first round pick i would have liked us to package that pick and a few of those guys for either a tradeup or high impact.
player.

Had we not traded our first round pick i would have liked us to package that pick and a few of those guys for either a tradeup or high impact.
player.
- keaner17

I think the key is trying to move Leddy and Bailey for picks at this point. See what players could be signed in FA. Hoffman is a player the Isles could use. You do worry about him being 30 though.

As long as they get rid of Bailey. I know he’s this cerebral, super genius of hockey like we’re always told but all I see is an inconsistent, weak, player who could care less about defense 80% of the time. I won’t even humor anybody on this thread with a debate over the merits of Bailey. If anyone thinks otherwise you’re (frank)ing stupid. 😂
- Cptmjl

I wonder if they couldn't work out something with MTL with Tatar and Leddy being the centerpieces. MTL's left side of their defense is terrible.

If we found a way to offload Leddy and Bailey, they could potentially bring in two more top-6/top-9 kind of players. Tough to justify trading Leddy for a 29yo that's only signed for one season but if they could recoup something like two 2nd's plus Tatar for him that would be a good deal that would give them some cap room to work with in the future.

Had we not traded our first round pick i would have liked us to package that pick and a few of those guys for either a tradeup or high impact.
player.
- keaner17

Leddy should really have good value. A oft-injured guy like Hamonic was worth a 1st and two 2nd's. Leddy's deal is more than fair for what he brings and he's got two years of term left.

Time to move on from the idea Bailey is an important player for this team.
- ses111

It was time to move on from Josh around 2013 when it became apparent he didn't have the goods to be what he was drafted for. Bailey was drafted to be a 1c or 2c who could put up decent sl1 or sl2 numbers. Instead, he struggked at center and was moved to wing where he toiled around 25-30 points per year before Tavares statistically carried him. He suffers from Frans disease where he's not productive enough to be a sufficient first or second line player and not gritty enough to be a grinder. I don't know that he would bring back much. Maybe he's an option for Seattle

It was time to move on from Josh around 2013 when it became apparent he didn't have the goods to be what he was drafted for. Bailey was drafted to be a 1c or 2c who could put up decent sl1 or sl2 numbers. Instead, he struggked at center and was moved to wing where he toiled around 25-30 points per year before Tavares statistically carried him. He suffers from Frans disease where he's not productive enough to be a sufficient first or second line player and not gritty enough to be a grinder. I don't know that he would bring back much. Maybe he's an option for Seattle
- keaner17

This roster is long overdue for an overhaul and Bailey is top of the list. I doubt Bailey brings back a #1. Maybe a 2nd? I'm ready to move on from him.

I'd like to see Beauvillier replace Lee on that line. Barzal and Eberle have been playing well together and I'd like to see a little more speed there. Plus Beau needs to get going again.

Lee just isn't moving the needle for me right now. He had a nice goal last night but it seems like this year he's trying to shoot the puck a lot more and it's not really working. His bread and butter is cleaning up the trash in front of the net and it really seems like he's gotten away from that this season.
- eichiefs9

Now I haven’t been able to watch as many Islander games as I’d like (listen to most of them), so I might be totally out to lunch on what follows.

It seems to me that there hasn’t been much trash in front of the net during the games I do get to watch. Maybe that’s a byproduct of the team not shooting? Maybe it’s because so few of the forwards wanna take the puck to the net? Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws, trying to defend my boy?

As far as lines go, I totally agree with a shakeup.

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Lee-Pageau-Brassard
MDC/Bellows-Nelson-Bailey

Something along those lines?

This roster is long overdue for an overhaul and Bailey is top of the list. I doubt Bailey brings back a #1. Maybe a 2nd? I'm ready to move on from him.
- ses111

I’d rather swap his ass for a prospect.

With the cap going up, perhaps a Bailey/Puljujarvi swap would make sense?

Now I haven’t been able to watch as many Islander games as I’d like (listen to most of them), so I might be totally out to lunch on what follows.

It seems to me that there hasn’t been much trash in front of the net during the games I do get to watch. Maybe that’s a byproduct of the team not shooting? Maybe it’s because so few of the forwards wanna take the puck to the net? Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws, trying to defend my boy?

As far as lines go, I totally agree with a shakeup.

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Lee-Pageau-Brassard
MDC/Bellows-Nelson-Bailey

Something along those lines?
- Wildschwein

This is just not the type of team that likes to throw pucks to the net or drive the net. Lee is probably the least of the issues right now. This is an overall very soft team.

I’d rather swap his ass for a prospect.

With the cap going up, perhaps a Bailey/Puljujarvi swap would make sense?
- Wildschwein

Just moving out Bailey's salary and breaking up this team is a plus.

It was time to move on from Josh around 2013 when it became apparent he didn't have the goods to be what he was drafted for. Bailey was drafted to be a 1c or 2c who could put up decent sl1 or sl2 numbers. Instead, he struggked at center and was moved to wing where he toiled around 25-30 points per year before Tavares statistically carried him. He suffers from Frans disease where he's not productive enough to be a sufficient first or second line player and not gritty enough to be a grinder. I don't know that he would bring back much. Maybe he's an option for Seattle
- keaner17

Eh, Bailey had 56 points last season without Tavares, which matches the 56 he had three seasons ago when he was first put with Tavares and Lee. I'll go to my grave saying that the super-inflated numbers for Bailey (70+ pts), Lee (40g), and a lot of other guys on the team from two seasons ago were due not just to Tavares, but also to having basically two first lines that teams had to worry about (not to mention a defense-be-damned, pure offense system...Bailey was also -20 that season despite the career year in points). Both Lee and Bailey put up numbers last season very similar to what they put up playing with Tavares, but before the Beau-Barzal-Eberle line drew some attention away from the Tavares line.

All that doesn't take away from the larger point you're making about Bailey, but I think it's fair to say that Bailey is basically a flawed 50 point player rather than a flawed 30 point player.

Now I haven’t been able to watch as many Islander games as I’d like (listen to most of them), so I might be totally out to lunch on what follows.

It seems to me that there hasn’t been much trash in front of the net during the games I do get to watch. Maybe that’s a byproduct of the team not shooting? Maybe it’s because so few of the forwards wanna take the puck to the net? Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws, trying to defend my boy?

As far as lines go, I totally agree with a shakeup.

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Lee-Pageau-Brassard
MDC/Bellows-Nelson-Bailey

Something along those lines?
- Wildschwein

I don't think any of those are unfair points and I'm certainly not trying to place the blame squarely on Lee's shoulders. It just looks like he's trying to be a player that he's not. Maybe that's what the coaching staff is asking to do or maybe he's just trying to, for some reason, reinvent himself a bit.

I'd be down for those lines, but it doesn't look like Lou is ready to burn the last two of the four standard call-ups you get post-deadline on bringing up either Bellows or Wahlstrom...so I'm not expecting to see that happen until maybe a little further down the line.

I’d rather swap his ass for a prospect.

With the cap going up, perhaps a Bailey/Puljujarvi swap would make sense?
- Wildschwein

Yes pls

Eh, Bailey had 56 points last season without Tavares, which matches the 56 he had three seasons ago when he was first put with Tavares and Lee. I'll go to my grave saying that the super-inflated numbers for Bailey (70+ pts), Lee (40g), and a lot of other guys on the team from two seasons ago were due not just to Tavares, but also to having basically two first lines that teams had to worry about (not to mention a defense-be-damned, pure offense system...Bailey was also -20 that season despite the career year in points). Both Lee and Bailey put up numbers last season very similar to what they put up playing with Tavares, but before the Beau-Barzal-Eberle line drew some attention away from the Tavares line.

All that doesn't take away from the larger point you're making about Bailey, but I think it's fair to say that Bailey is basically a flawed 50 point player rather than a flawed 30 point player.
- UIF

The problem with Bailey and many of the Isles players is if they are not putting up points they bring very little else. Many of the forwards do not block shots or put in enough effort on defense and they cannot or will not play a grind it out type game. That is why they struggle so hard in the 2nd round when goals are very difficult to come by.

Eh, Bailey had 56 points last season without Tavares, which matches the 56 he had three seasons ago when he was first put with Tavares and Lee. I'll go to my grave saying that the super-inflated numbers for Bailey (70+ pts), Lee (40g), and a lot of other guys on the team from two seasons ago were due not just to Tavares, but also to having basically two first lines that teams had to worry about (not to mention a defense-be-damned, pure offense system...Bailey was also -20 that season despite the career year in points). Both Lee and Bailey put up numbers last season very similar to what they put up playing with Tavares, but before the Beau-Barzal-Eberle line drew some attention away from the Tavares line.

All that doesn't take away from the larger point you're making about Bailey, but I think it's fair to say that Bailey is basically a flawed 50 point player rather than a flawed 30 point player.
- UIF

Yeah, I'm not saying that Bailey is a 30pt guy, merely that's where he consistently was pre Tavares. I would say he is a 45-50 point guy at this stage. This year he's on pace to hit exactly 50 ponts. Still, through his career he has a averaged (not counting his 38 game season in 2013) 42 points per year. So considering what we had drafted him to be, his peak career numbers in the mid 50s are a bit less than the team likely had hoped for. I'm sure they had hoped for more than 10-14 goals and 42 points per year

The problem with Bailey and many of the Isles players is if they are not putting up points they bring very little else. Many of the forwards do not block shots or put in enough effort on defense and they cannot or will not play a grind it out type game. That is why they struggle so hard in the 2nd round when goals are very difficult to come by.
- ses111

I think that's true for this latest stretch, sure, but not really in general. I mean, they certainly didn't win games last season by filling the net with pucks. Basically these same guys gave up the fewest goals of any team in the league last season, so I think their commitment to defense and grinding out wins was just fine then, and even for a good part of this season.

Lately, nothing's working. They look bad in the D-zone, they don't score, their goalies are playing horribly, and almost all their breakout passes are off the mark (which is really killing both their offense and defense). I don't think all of that has fallen apart because they're suddenly taking the ice and saying, "I don't feel like trying." Just my guess, but I think a lot of doubt has crept into their game, and that's been their undoing. They're second-guessing every decision which puts everything from passes to coverage a step off.

Now I haven’t been able to watch as many Islander games as I’d like (listen to most of them), so I might be totally out to lunch on what follows.

It seems to me that there hasn’t been much trash in front of the net during the games I do get to watch. Maybe that’s a byproduct of the team not shooting? Maybe it’s because so few of the forwards wanna take the puck to the net? Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws, trying to defend my boy?

As far as lines go, I totally agree with a shakeup.

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Lee-Pageau-Brassard
MDC/Bellows-Nelson-Bailey

Something along those lines?
- Wildschwein

Heard this one before on here also and I disagree. There has been plenty of pucks put on or pushed to the net from the point. That seems to be their game plan because that seems to be all they ever do. Lee hasn’t been in front of the net till recently. Beginning of the season yes. There he was. The past two months or so up till the last few games he has been on the perimeter. I’ve pointed it out on here for over two months multiple times. “Another shot on net with nobody there to pick up the rebound.” Sit Bailey he doesn’t belong in the line up after the last few games. I would honestly call up Wahlstrom and bellows and sit him and Beau. They couldn’t possibly do any worse and I mean that they’ve both been that bad.