My question is where are the leaders of this team. Better yet who are the leaders of this team?

Completely unacceptable lose. This is on the players. They talk of unity. They talk of playing for each other. However, their actions or lack there of speak volumes.

Changes need to be made with this group. Say what you want about coaching but the players need to play.

If i am Lou as soon as the Holiday freeze is lifted I start moving bodies.

My question is where are the leaders of this team. Better yet who are the leaders of this team?

Completely unacceptable lose. This is on the players. They talk of unity. They talk of playing for each other. However, their action or lack there of speak volumes.

Changes need to be made with tbis group. Say what you want about coaching but the ayers need to play.

If i am Lou as soon as the Holiday freeze is lifted I start moving bodies.
- Nfdbulldawg

The roster is stale. There has not been enough turnover, and the players get comfortable. Needs to be more youth and speed for today's game. A new GM will be needed next year. You cannot miss the playoffs and just add one defensemen as the offseason move. The worst thing they can do is move the #1 pick at this point.

I'm not going to disagree, but they're pretty much the same team they've been for the past few years. They have it in them. The question is what changed?
- JimmyP

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.

I'm not going to disagree, but they're pretty much the same team they've been for the past few years. They have it in them. The question is what changed?
- JimmyP

I mean, I doubt Lane Lambert pulled Martin aside and said, "Don't fight anyone, that's an order." And even under Trotz they turned in plenty of soft, uninspired performances. That's usually when Ross would get a turn in the lineup for the next game. We'll see how they bounce back...like you said, they have it in them to be a lot better and a lot tougher to play against. I think we've even seen it this year under Lambert. But they sure can't afford too many turds like last night in this division.

About coaching in general, I wasn't a fan of the coaching change and said so before the season started. But almost every team has ebbs and flows through a season, so I'd say Lambert deserves the full season to see how it all evens out before I'd judge him one way or the other. A few weeks ago a lot of Isles fans were thrilled with how the team looked and the changes Lambert made.

I mean, I doubt Lane Lambert pulled Martin aside and said, "Don't fight anyone, that's an order." And even under Trotz they turned in plenty of soft, uninspired performances. That's usually when Ross would get a turn in the lineup for the next game. We'll see how they bounce back...like you said, they have it in them to be a lot better and a lot tougher to play against. I think we've even seen it this year under Lambert. But they sure can't afford too many turds like last night in this division.

About coaching in general, I wasn't a fan of the coaching change and said so before the season started. But almost every team has ebbs and flows through a season, so I'd say Lambert deserves the full season to see how it all evens out before I'd judge him one way or the other. A few weeks ago a lot of Isles fans were thrilled with how the team looked and the changes Lambert made.
- UIF

This team is simply not built for these long regular seasons. Islanders even struggled with Barry under these regular seasons. Lou has not done a good job in adding talent to this roster. It has mostly been adding vets. This is a speed and youth type league, and the Islanders are way behind in these areas. Lou is an all-time great, but his time is up at this point.

This team is simply not built for these long regular seasons. Islanders even struggled with Barry under these regular seasons. Lou has not done a good job in adding talent to this roster. It has mostly been adding vets. This is a speed and young type league and the Islanders are way behind in these areas.
- ses111

Great point on the young and speed thing. look at last nights TOI, Barzal played 22 minutes because he’s the young speedster, when will they burn this guy out?

Only Dobson played more minutes and when do we burn him out.
Look at the ice time, either there are a lot of ailments or ????

John Tonelli of HOF

Great point on the young and speed thing. look at last nights TOI, Barzal played 22 minutes because he’s the young speedster, when will they burn this guy out?

Only Dobson played more minutes and when do we burn him out.
Look at the ice time, either there are a lot of ailments or ????

John Tonelli of HOF
- Tee56

Team is going to waste Barzal's prime years like they did with JT but not having enough talent to help them. Same as they will waste Sorokin. You are either serious about winning a Cup or you need to rebuild. Doing things have way will not get it done.

This team is simply not built for these long regular seasons. Islanders even struggled with Barry under these regular seasons. Lou has not done a good job in adding talent to this roster. It has mostly been adding vets. This is a speed and youth type league, and the Islanders are way behind in these areas. Lou is an all-time great, but his time is up at this point.
- ses111

When the Isles lost Tavares to free agency, I figured it was time for another painful 5-year plan. I just didn't see enough talent on the roster. But Lou was in win-now mode, so he made a few minor tweaks and the team made the playoffs, and won some playoff rounds. I wouldn't trade those two deep playoff runs for anything; they were a lot of fun. But like you said, the team is now older, they don't seem to have another great season in them, so it may be time to look to the future........a future without most of these veterans.

The team either rights the ship in the next few games........or it will be time to start thinking about "sucking hard for Bedard." https://www.tankathon.com/nhl

When the Isles lost Tavares to free agency, I figured it was time for another painful 5-year plan. I just didn't see enough talent on the roster. But Lou was in win-now mode, so he made a few minor tweaks and the team made the playoffs, and won some playoff rounds. I wouldn't trade those two deep playoff runs for anything; they were a lot of fun. But like you said, the team is now older, they don't seem to have another great season in them, so it may be time to look to the future........a future without most of these veterans.

The team either rights the ship in the next few games........or it will be time to start thinking about "sucking hard for Bedard." https://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- JohnScammo

I loved those two playoffs runs John as well, but you cannot have two offseasons when you just add Chara, Parise, and Romanov and think that will put you over the top. To not even talk to JG this offseason was brutal and out of touch. This team relies way too much on vets and it's not working. A get Lou is a Hall of Famer and all-time great but his work with this roster has been horrible. No way Malkin and Ledecky could have expected this after those two great runs and a new building.

I loved those two playoffs runs John as well, but you cannot have two offseasons when you just add Chara, Parise, and Romanov and think that will put you over the top. To not even talk to JG this offseason was brutal and out of touch. This team relies way too much on vets and it's not working.
- ses111

Well, Romanov has overall been pretty good, and he's still just a kid. Parise has been a pleasant surprise. And Chara? Traffic cone at times, yeah, but there was at least one goal by Arizona last night that doesn't happen if Chara was out there.

As far as not talking to JG, we don't have any idea what went on behind the scenes. It's entirely possible that Lou was busy trying to clear salary to make room for JG.....but ultimately decided that the price for clearing salary was simply too high. By the way, how is Columbus doing with JG on their roster?

Well, Romanov has overall been pretty good, and he's still just a kid. Parise has been a pleasant surprise. And Chara? Traffic cone at times, yeah, but there was at least one goal by Arizona last night that doesn't happen if Chara was out there.

As far as not talking to JG, we don't have any idea what went on behind the scenes. It's entirely possible that Lou was busy trying to clear salary to make room for JG.....but ultimately decided that the price for clearing salary was simply too high. By the way, how is Columbus doing with JG on their roster?
- JohnScammo

These are just not moves that are going to get you past Tampa John or any other elite team. It's clear the Islanders needed an elite forward. Lou gets an A for hiring Barry and a D for his roster work. Lou has failed on multiple occasions to land a top player.

JG himself said the Islanders never contacted him. Sounded like Lou did not want to remove some players from the roster. Even if Columbus is struggling, does not change the fact the Islanders could use a JG.

These are just not moves that are going to get you past Tampa John or any other elite team. It's clear the Islanders needed an elite forward. Lou gets an A for hiring Barry and a D for his roster work.

JG himself said the Islanders never contacted him. Sounded like Lou did not want to remove some players from the roster. Even if Columbus is struggling, does not change the fact the Islanders could use a JG.
- ses111

Are you saying that the Isles' deep playoff runs were all due to Barry's coaching? Or does Lou get some credit for recognizing the talent already on the team and then adding Matt Martin, Leo Komarov, JG Pageau, and Varlamov?

Are you saying that the Isles' deep playoff runs were all due to Barry's coaching? Or does Lou get some credit for recognizing the talent already on the team and then adding Matt Martin, Leo Komarov, JG Pageau, and Varlamov?
- JohnScammo

I give Barry and his system most of the credit for the success. Barry improved the defense in a big way without Lou adding any impact dmen. This still remains Garth's roster for the most part.

Are you saying that the Isles' deep playoff runs were all due to Barry's coaching? Or does Lou get some credit for recognizing the talent already on the team and then adding Matt Martin, Leo Komarov, JG Pageau, and Varlamov?
- JohnScammo

I think this team, as it stands today, is built for the playoffs. Not being a fast team isn't a hinderance in the playoffs as the refs let a lot of the clutching and grabbing go, so we can neutralize faster teams as a result. Plus guys seem to step it up and play physically - at least that's how they responded during the past two runs. I think the challenge is actually getting to the playoffs. We have a difficult time skating with the faster teams. The two recent runs had funny circumstances that enabled us to get into the playoffs. Which I think benefited our ability to get in.

I give Barry and his system most of the credit for the success. This still remains Garth's roster for the most part.
- ses111

Sounds to me like you should tell your buddy, Ledecky, to re-hire Barry and Garth.

I mean, I doubt Lane Lambert pulled Martin aside and said, "Don't fight anyone, that's an order." And even under Trotz they turned in plenty of soft, uninspired performances. That's usually when Ross would get a turn in the lineup for the next game. We'll see how they bounce back...like you said, they have it in them to be a lot better and a lot tougher to play against. I think we've even seen it this year under Lambert. But they sure can't afford too many turds like last night in this division.

About coaching in general, I wasn't a fan of the coaching change and said so before the season started. But almost every team has ebbs and flows through a season, so I'd say Lambert deserves the full season to see how it all evens out before I'd judge him one way or the other. A few weeks ago a lot of Isles fans were thrilled with how the team looked and the changes Lambert made.
- UIF

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.

I think this team, as it stands today, is built for the playoffs. Not being a fast team isn't a hinderance in the playoffs as the refs let a lot of the clutching and grabbing go, so we can neutralize faster teams as a result. Plus guys seem to step it up and play physically - at least that's how they responded during the past two runs. I think the challenge is actually getting to the playoffs. We have a difficult time skating with the faster teams. The two recent runs had funny circumstances that enabled us to get into the playoffs. Which I think benefited our ability to get in.
- streaks

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.

I think this team, as it stands today, is built for the playoffs. Not being a fast team isn't a hinderance in the playoffs as the refs let a lot of the clutching and grabbing go, so we can neutralize faster teams as a result. Plus guys seem to step it up and play physically - at least that's how they responded during the past two runs. I think the challenge is actually getting to the playoffs. We have a difficult time skating with the faster teams. The two recent runs had funny circumstances that enabled us to get into the playoffs. Which I think benefited our ability to get in.
- streaks

This has been stated before, and I agree with this. The trick, as you say, is making the playoffs. At the moment, the Isles appear to be a bubble team.

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

Sounds like you’re hoping for another pandemic

Sounds to me like you should tell your buddy, Ledecky, to re-hire Barry and Garth.
- JohnScammo

That was a one-time thing. Ledecky and Malkin have to figure it out themselves this time.

Sounds like you’re hoping for another pandemic
- Cptmjl

"Ses seen hanging around wet markets in China."

Sounds like you’re hoping for another pandemic
- Cptmjl

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

That was a one-time thing. Ledecky and Malkin have to figure it out themselves this time.

- ses111

Ledecky wants his pin back.

"Ses seen hanging around wet markets in China."
- JohnScammo

Scary we may even be out of the woods.

Ledecky wants his pin back.
- JohnScammo

He may need to if the Isles miss the playoffs again with a new building.