I don’t think this is on Lambert. It’s on the players due to a lack of talent, execution, or effort. My opinion is they’re in a bit of a rut. Whether they dig themselves out of it before it’s too late or not is the real question to me.
- Cptmjl

They will.

No question the season being paused after Pelech was hurt was a huge help. You can give the Islanders fill credit for the playoff runs and still admit they happened under strange circumstances. Islanders have struggled since with full seasons. Unless something very strange happens again, I cannot see another long playoff run for this team.
- ses111

The two seasons we made the playoffs were the one that you mentioned, where we were struggling, Pelech was hurt and they postponed until summer. Then the following season was only 56 games, which I think helped our veteran team make the playoffs too. Last season was 82 games, and we missed. I fear this may happen again this season if we keep on the current path we are on.

No way. Rather the team found an elite forward being the strange thing.
- ses111

I would imagine if we had found a way to somehow get Tkachuk he would have been an excellent fit for this team. Checks a lot of the boxes of what this team lacks. I never thought it was a real possibility we didn’t have what it took to make that happen.

They will.
- Wildschwein

Sounds like you’re hoping for another pandemic
- Cptmjl

They will.
- Wildschwein

Hope so. Rangers went through the same thing and they have bounced back nicely. The leaders have to be the leaders right now.

I would imagine if we had found a way to somehow get Tkachuk he would have been an excellent fit for this team. Checks a lot of the boxes of what this team lacks. I never thought it was a real possibility we didn’t have what it took to make that happen.
- Cptmjl

Excellent player. Would have preferred him to Gaudreau.

The two seasons we made the playoffs were the one that you mentioned, where we were struggling, Pelech was hurt and they postponed until summer. Then the following season was only 56 games, which I think helped our veteran team make the playoffs too. Last season was 82 games, and we missed. I fear this may happen again this season if we keep on the current path we are on.
- streaks

Those two runs really helped and also hurt in terms of Lou thinking the team did not need bigger upgrades. The Islanders lost twice to Tampa not because defense or goaltending but because the forwards were not good enough. Lou needed to do anything he could to get that impact forward for Barzal. You get that 1st line taken care of and it takes the pressure off the rest of the lineup. you cannot have question marks with the 1st line. Just looking at the Islanders roster, you cannot say this is a sure-fire cup roster. When Lou won with the Devils, he had two Hall of Fame dmen and a Hall of fame goalie and a number of very good two-way forwards.

Hope so. Rangers went through the same thing and they have bounced back nicely. The leaders have to be the leaders right now.
- Cptmjl

That's part of our problem. Rangers, Canes, Pens and of course NJ all playing well. And the caps are nipping at our heals. We are 4-5-1 in last 10 and currently on a 3 game losing streak. Not good.

I would imagine if we had found a way to somehow get Tkachuk he would have been an excellent fit for this team. Checks a lot of the boxes of what this team lacks. I never thought it was a real possibility we didn’t have what it took to make that happen.
- Cptmjl

This has troubled the team for years not finding that 2nd forward. The good thing about JG is it would have only cost money. Tkachuk would have been even better. With Lou own comments, it sounded like he did not want to remove some pieces to be able to get the impact forward.

Excellent player. Would have preferred him to Gaudreau.
- JohnScammo

Yeah I loved the idea of JG playing with Barzal because i imagined it being entertaining to watch. Who knows of it would’ve worked in all reality?

JG would have filled a need where as Tkachuk would have filled multiple needs imo.

Yeah I loved the idea of JG playing with Barzal because i imagined it being entertaining to watch. Who knows of it would’ve worked in all reality?

JG would have filled a need where as Tkachuk would have filled multiple needs imo.
- Cptmjl

You need Batman and Robin. Islanders have had either Batman or just Robin.

You need Batman and Robin. Islanders have had either Batman or just Robin.
- ses111

This bump in the road is team wide. This isn’t a couple individual bad efforts. This is from the goaltending, minus Varlamov who has been good, on out to everyone else underperforming. Not saying this team doesn’t have holes but they are fully capable of playing much better then they have.

This bump in the road is team wide. This isn’t a couple individual bad efforts. This is from the goaltending, minus Varlamov who has been good, on out to everyone else underperforming. Not saying this team doesn’t have holes but they are fully capable of playing much better then they have.
- Cptmjl

I just do not see this team having the roster to make a long playoff run during a full NHL season. They have a roster to struggle to make the playoffs and maybe win a round.

I just do not see this team having the roster to make a long playoff run during a full NHL season. They have a roster to struggle to make the playoffs and maybe win a round.
- ses111

I think they need to be able to make the playoffs first before I even start worrying about what they’ll do once they are there. I still think if this team somehow made the playoffs with a healthy roster nobody would want to play them with good reason.

I think they need to be able to make the playoffs first before I even start worrying about what they’ll do once they are there. I still think if this team somehow made the playoffs with a healthy roster nobody would want to play them with good reason.
- Cptmjl

If they are not coasting on fumes when the playoffs start.

If they are not coasting on fumes when the playoffs start.
- ses111

Like I said, if they were healthy, they would be a force in the playoffs. Even after a long season imo. I also believe there’s a very small chance this team would start the playoffs with a healthy roster so therein lies a problem.

I don’t think this is on Lambert. It’s on the players due to a lack of talent, execution, or effort. My opinion is they’re in a bit of a rut. Whether they dig themselves out of it before it’s too late or not is the real question to me.
- Cptmjl

Agreed. Streakiness is the way it is for almost every team...more so in recent years, it feels like. Pitt looked dead in the water until they weren't. Rangers fans were sure they were going to plummet as recently as like 2 weeks ago. St. Louis has basically had, what, three completely different seasons so far. Philly was way up and then way down. Washington looked totally out of the race this season and are now just a point behind the Isles.

If this team and/or its coach has the right stuff, they'll turn it around before it's too late and go on a run where they look unbeatable. If they don't get there, then there's a lot of work to do.

Agreed. Streakiness is the way it is for almost every team...more so in recent years, it feels like. Pitt looked dead in the water until they weren't. Rangers fans were sure they were going to plummet as recently as like 2 weeks ago. St. Louis has basically had, what, three completely different seasons so far. Philly was way up and then way down. Washington looked totally out of the race this season and are now just a point behind the Isles.

If this team and/or its coach has the right stuff, they'll turn it around before it's too late and go on a run where they look unbeatable. If they don't get there, then there's a lot of work to do.
- UIF

a lot of work to do = hard reset

Like I said, if they were healthy, they would be a force in the playoffs. Even after a long season imo. I also believe there’s a very small chance this team would start the playoffs with a healthy roster so therein lies a problem.
- Cptmjl

Not having Chara and Greene on D helps but the age of the forwards is a problem.

Not having Chara and Greene on D helps but the age of the forwards is a problem.
- ses111

It’s not even the age it’s the fact that some of our top 6 isn’t that good.

It’s not even the age it’s the fact that some of our top 6 isn’t that good.
- Cptmjl

This is true. Just thinking about Lee, Palms. Bailey in terms of age and wear and tear.

The 4th line, Lee, Bailey, Nelson, Palms, Varly are older now with more mileage and they lost players like Leddy, Toews, and Eberle and the NHL is back to a full schedule. The Islanders have not made moves to keep up with other team improving. Lou lived off the two great playoff runs, and it has not worked out. You just cannot look at this roster and think it is a legitimate Cup winning roster.
- ses111

The thing when Lou took over and made the playoffs twice had almost all the same player Snow bought in only thing Lou did the Snow would never do was hire a great coach.
We are to old with some washed up players, Can not keep up with the other teams who are keep improving there players.
Our owners wait to long to make changes Lou should have been gone last year not Trotz. I just hope this not not turn out to be like our other owner who wait forever to make a change

The thing when Lou took over and made the playoffs twice had almost all the same player Snow bought in only thing Lou did the Snow would never do was hire a great coach.
We are to old with some washed up players, Can not keep up with the other teams who are keep improving there players.
Our owners wait to long to make changes Lou should have been gone last year not Trotz. I just hope this not not turn out to be like our other owner who wait forever to make a change
- roadworker

Lou brought respect back to the team and hired a great coach, but his work with the roster has not been good. The last two offseasons have been poor and especially if the goal is to win a Cup. To be fair, the lack of trades in the NHL has not helped and has really hurt the sport. Other sports have exciting offseason moves and the NHL is a dud. Lou not being able to add the top FA has been the huge miss.