He is a playoff performer, so there's that. But I agree...when he's on, he's on, but he's just a non-factor on way too many nights. It's not even that he's noticeably bad, he just doesn't make any kind of impact at all for really long stretches.
- UIF

100% agree with that. The dude shows up for the playoffs that's for sure

So if Lou were to make an upgrade who do you think is a good fit and fits under the cap and what are they isles giving up to make a deal?

So if Lou were to make an upgrade who do you think is a good fit and fits under the cap and what are they isles giving up to make a deal?
- Upstate_isles

Domi or Athanasiou from CHI could be intriguing/affordable options

The bottom line is the islanders don't have a legitimate first line. Barzal appears to be snake bitten, but @ 9 million per to not have a single goal is unacceptable. You expect your best player to score......and he's not doing that for whatever the reason. Perhaps its the revolving door of linemates.....none of which are elite talent.
- kindlyrick

This is correct on two accounts. First, a player making the kind of money Barzal is making needs to be the player that leads them on the ice. Elite players find a way to get it done and on a consistent basis. That is the difference between good and elite. "Consistency"

Secondly, you cannot keep surrounding him with zamboni drivers and expect to get Patrick Kane's or OV's. Management needs to legitimately step up.

The Islanders are undefeated when I do not watch them live. The other way not soo much.

Mayfield is looking to get paid.
- Cptmjl

Bingo !!!! If not here, somewhere else.

Definitely need to see some better shot suppression, but I think a lot of that comes from the fact that they've been pretty sloppy with getting the puck out of the zone. They looked half retarded last night trying to get the puck out of their own end for most of the game.
- eichiefs9

Teams also have all kinds of time and space in the neutral zone. This run and gun type game works now but when things get closer to the PO's its gonna get a bit tougher to play this way imho.
Giving up way to many shots and chances for my liking. Love the winning and hope they continue to succeed.

I saw this on Twitter and I don't like arbitrary dates but the shots against are the issue as they are forcing their goalies to do a lot of heavy lifting by creating on offense. I guess thats a good reason to have two legitimate keepres though
- Upstate_isles

So you looked at all those incredibly positive stats and found the one negative one to harp on? Shots on goal if they are from the outside with no one in front of the net don't mean sht in the NHL. We have done for the most part a good job of keeping the crease clear and limiting odd man rushes and high danger chances. THAT is what's important... not shots.

[quote=Upstate_isles]

In April all wins look like blow outs. Just win !!!

Definitely need to see some better shot suppression, but I think a lot of that comes from the fact that they've been pretty sloppy with getting the puck out of the zone. They looked half retarded last night trying to get the puck out of their own end for most of the game.
- eichiefs9

The outlet passes to the middle of our zone and the passes behind our own net to no one is infuriating.

This one caught my attention as well.

Travis Flynn
@NDRedEagle
·
10h
Dobson ties Byfuglien with 22 goals before turning 23 years old. One behind Hedman, two behind Burns, three behind Weber. Roughly eight weeks of games left for Dobson. Might pass them all.

Pretty good company, for 6'4"+ defensemen.
- Vukota

Heck of a stat

This one caught my attention as well.

Travis Flynn
@NDRedEagle
·
10h
Dobson ties Byfuglien with 22 goals before turning 23 years old. One behind Hedman, two behind Burns, three behind Weber. Roughly eight weeks of games left for Dobson. Might pass them all.

Pretty good company, for 6'4"+ defensemen.
- Vukota

Yea buddy.

This is correct on two accounts. First, a player making the kind of money Barzal is making needs to be the player that leads them on the ice. Elite players find a way to get it done and on a consistent basis. That is the difference between good and elite. "Consistency"

Secondly, you cannot keep surrounding him with zamboni drivers and expect to get Patrick Kane's or OV's. Management needs to legitimately step up.
- Nfdbulldawg

The kid has played with every winger on the team. I guess they are all Zamboni drivers. Maybe just maybe playing with Barzal isn't that easy?
I guess if he was making 8.5 per we wouldn't be having this decision I guess

I know you're a big beau guy, but he has been downright awful all year. He is the next to sit and it has nothing to do with the play you mentioned above. The guy is a turnover machine with hands made of cement. Sucks I had high hopes for this guy but he is looking more and more like a bottom 6 forward.
- Vukota

He was bad last night.. but not all year. I don't put him in same category of a guy who doesn't skate or do anything though ever.. he had some bad turnovers last night (one at the blue line in our own zone). I just don't think he is the guy ever killing us... Palmieri is slow and doesn't skate, doesn't hit, rarely goes into corners..etc. That is a killer... Beau needs to score, needs to get more physical on his back checks, but in general on a shift by shift basis he is usually doing most of the things right.

He should not be in same sentence as Bailey.

This is correct on two accounts. First, a player making the kind of money Barzal is making needs to be the player that leads them on the ice. Elite players find a way to get it done and on a consistent basis. That is the difference between good and elite. "Consistency"

Secondly, you cannot keep surrounding him with zamboni drivers and expect to get Patrick Kane's or OV's. Management needs to legitimately step up.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yeah I mean at this point why not try and put Beau on his line…..they’ve had some chemistry before. Barzal needs talent….period. I’m tired of seeing Josh Bailey up and down the lineup with no real role. I get the concept of Wahlstrom being the shooter with Barzal as the set up centermen, but Wally ain’t elite

Only untouchables as far as I'm concerned is Barzal, Dobson, Pelech & Sororkin. Everybody else should be available if the trade makes sense for the Isles.

I don't know man, he has been scratched twice already in the first 17 games. I don't think he is a lock to stay in the lineup like he was under Barry. Not saying he will be the first to be dealt but I wouldn't exactly rule it out either.
- Vukota

I agree with this but I would have a "Kind of untouchable" list too where it would have to be a HUGE player to move them... and Mayfield, Pulock, Lee, and Brock would be on it... Probably JGP and Casey too.

Jackie Redmond
@Jackie_Redmond
7m
Who is most OVERDUE to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame !?

Take it away, Tee!
- UIF

Ho Sang

The kid has played with every winger on the team. I guess they are all Zamboni drivers. Maybe just maybe playing with Barzal isn't that easy?
I guess if he was making 8.5 per we wouldn't be having this decision I guess
- nyisles7

Truth is they do not have legitimate first line wingers. That’s on Lou

The kid has played with every winger on the team. I guess they are all Zamboni drivers. Maybe just maybe playing with Barzal isn't that easy?
I guess if he was making 8.5 per we wouldn't be having this decision I guess
- nyisles7

The whole.. "we don't have any wings" thing has gone on forever for Isles fans. Lot of Teams would Kill for Lee to score 35+ goals a year and have another 4 or 5 20+ wingers on their team.

Truth is they do not have legitimate first line wingers. That’s on Lou
- kindlyrick

I agree with this but I would have a "Kind of untouchable" list too where it would have to be a HUGE player to move them... and Mayfield, Pulock, Lee, and Brock would be on it... Probably JGP and Casey too.
- niteislander

Of course

Heck of a stat
- niteislander

It really is and one of the best parts of his game is it seems almost all of his shots get to the net which is hard to do

The whole.. "we don't have any wings" thing has gone on forever for Isles fans. Lot of Teams would Kill for Lee to score 35+ goals a year and have another 4 or 5 20+ wingers on their team.
- niteislander

I’ll give ya Lee with his pts production, albeit, he’s a major factor to the PP net presence. But, Barzal is an elite skater and it seems like he’s trying to do too much because he’s really not gelling with anyone.

Truth is they do not have legitimate first line wingers. That’s on Lou
- kindlyrick

Fire Lou!

The whole.. "we don't have any wings" thing has gone on forever for Isles fans. Lot of Teams would Kill for Lee to score 35+ goals a year and have another 4 or 5 20+ wingers on their team.
- niteislander

Its comical. Almost as comical as Barzal's contract is too high it should have been 8.5 Million vs 9? Barzal's contract is going to be bargain in 3 years.