Is this really an “if”?

They are done bud.
- Cptmjl

Toast. They'd have to go at least 23-10 for the rest of the season to even have a chance. That gets them to 97 points which still may not be enough. This is why I want them to be sellers at the deadline

Yea, Barry is one of the best to ever do it. He's the last thing that was a real problem with this team.

Sure, there are probably some things that he could have maybe done differently....but he's still a surefire HoF'er and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Personnel issue weren't his fault and he did exceedingly well with what he was given.
- eichiefs9

As typical, I think the truth tends to lie somewhere in between. I definitely agree that this team was never likely a real ECF type of contender and benefited greatly by the shortened seasons. In relation to Barry, I will also say that prior to his stint in Washington, his list of accomplishments generally stopped at longevity. It took him something like 12 years in Nashville to get past the first round. They had plenty of talent on a few of those teams but they always seemed to gas out come playoff time. The reality was that Barry was probably comparable to Marty Schottenheimer.- a guy with a ton of regular season success who could never get it done when it counted most. Trotz jumped on board with a Washington franchise that was loaded with talent. He did a great job getting this team to play a very disciplined game for those couple of years here. There was a fair amount of talk after his departure from 'unnamed' former players of his who said his robotic approach to player positioning made the game exhausting and uninspiring for players. It's hard to tell if that's on them or him.

I still wonder at this point how much of the real story we've gotten on his departure from the Isles. His mother died, reportedly devastated by it, he took several games off, came back and then subsequently was 'dismissed'. When asked about taking other jobs, he apparently 'needed more time' and wasn't ready to come back. It makes me wonder if perhaps Lou sensed he wasn't up to the task of coaching the team at that stage and used the generic 'new voice' as an excuse. Maybe someday we'll get the whole story there.

Is this really an “if”?

They are done bud.
- Cptmjl

I'm trying to fight my negative label.

I get the whole we can’t judge Lambert thought process. BUT the team hasn’t played a complete game maybe the entire season(I can’t remember one maybe there was?), they are a defensive sieve, the forwards are utterly useless, any opposing team can run anyone on our team without retribution. If this were any other team the fans would be screaming for the coach’s head. Again I think it’s a combination of the team sucking and Lambert not doing a good job whether system or preparedness. Whatever it is he’s not infallible imo.
- Cptmjl

I think there were plenty of games where the Isles dominated more than the opposing team did. If the idea of a complete game is the other team never pushes back in a meaningful way, I don't think that really happens much at all in the NHL today. I feel like I've seen more big leads go up in smoke this year than in the past because teams are so equally matched now, and every game consists of ebbs and flows and some pretty big swings.

I will agree that some coaches are better motivators than others, and I don't yet know where Lambert falls on that scale. When the team executes the way it's supposed to, I think the systems look pretty good...they're structured on defense and I like the tweaks to Trotz's system where the D gets more involved.

The problem with the Isles, imo, is what it's always been minus a brief spell earlier on with Trotz: They simply don't want to play the way they need to play consistently enough to win. That was the case before Trotz got here, it was the case last season (and, to an extent, during the shortened seasons), and it's the case this season under Lambert. I have trouble putting that on the coach...I think it's how a lot of these players have performed for the majority of their careers as Islanders.

If that problem is going to be solved by a coach, you're probably going to need a guy like Torts who is going to come in and bust heads together. If you don't want such an abrasive personality like that, then the change probably has to come on the roster...fresh faces and new voices.

I think there were plenty of games where the Isles dominated more than the opposing team did. If the idea of a complete game is the other team never pushes back in a meaningful way, I don't think that really happens much at all in the NHL today. I feel like I've seen more big leads go up in smoke this year than in the past because teams are so equally matched now, and every game consists of ebbs and flows and some pretty big swings.

I will agree that some coaches are better motivators than others, and I don't yet know where Lambert falls on that scale. When the team executes the way it's supposed to, I think the systems look pretty good...they're structured on defense and I like the tweaks to Trotz's system where the D gets more involved.

The problem with the Isles, imo, is what it's always been minus a brief spell earlier on with Trotz: They simply don't want to play the way they need to play consistently enough to win. That was the case before Trotz got here, it was the case last season (and, to an extent, during the shortened seasons), and it's the case this season under Lambert. I have trouble putting that on the coach...I think it's how a lot of these players have performed for the majority of their careers as Islanders.

If that problem is going to be solved by a coach, you're probably going to need a guy like Torts who is going to come in and bust heads together. If you don't want such an abrasive personality like that, then the change probably has to come on the roster...fresh faces and new voices.
- UIF

100% on this. The problem is guys like Torts (and Laviolette) tend to have short shelf-lives due to that abrasiveness. You really only want those guys on teams that are established and ready to contend as opposed to...........this.

100% on this. The problem is guys like Torts (and Laviolette) tend to have short shelf-lives due to that abrasiveness. You really only want those guys on teams that are established and ready to contend as opposed to...........this.
- keaner17

I was actually hoping for Torts before they brought Trotz in. Two or three seasons before he really wears out his welcome, absolutely, but what a shock to the system it would have been in those years for sparking a change in culture after the "country club" years.

But...Trotz was a far better choice. What a change in professionalism and expectations compared to what we had here before.

I think there were plenty of games where the Isles dominated more than the opposing team did. If the idea of a complete game is the other team never pushes back in a meaningful way, I don't think that really happens much at all in the NHL today. I feel like I've seen more big leads go up in smoke this year than in the past because teams are so equally matched now, and every game consists of ebbs and flows and some pretty big swings.

I will agree that some coaches are better motivators than others, and I don't yet know where Lambert falls on that scale. When the team executes the way it's supposed to, I think the systems look pretty good...they're structured on defense and I like the tweaks to Trotz's system where the D gets more involved.

The problem with the Isles, imo, is what it's always been minus a brief spell earlier on with Trotz: They simply don't want to play the way they need to play consistently enough to win. That was the case before Trotz got here, it was the case last season (and, to an extent, during the shortened seasons), and it's the case this season under Lambert. I have trouble putting that on the coach...I think it's how a lot of these players have performed for the majority of their careers as Islanders.

If that problem is going to be solved by a coach, you're probably going to need a guy like Torts who is going to come in and bust heads together. If you don't want such an abrasive personality like that, then the change probably has to come on the roster...fresh faces and new voices.
- UIF

I’m certainly not saying this is all on the coach or a coach issue. I’m saying he shouldn’t completely avoid getting hit by any shrapnel for the failures of this season. Maybe his leash is a bit shorter next season. This is for the most part a personnel problem imo. That rests solely on Lameriello’s shoulders.

He knows exactly what to whisper in Beauvillier’s and Baileys ears to make them great players.
- Cptmjl

Whispers "blow me and you'll never be moved"

Whispers "blow me and you'll never be moved"
- Upstate_isles

Bailey responds: "Again?"

Whispers "blow me and you'll never be moved"
- Upstate_isles

I’m certainly not saying this is all on the coach or a coach issue. I’m saying he shouldn’t completely avoid getting hit by any shrapnel for the failures of this season. Maybe his leash is a bit shorter next season. This is for the most part a personnel problem imo. That rests solely on Lameriello’s shoulders.
- Cptmjl

Gotcha. And I'm not exactly a Lambert mega-fan here either. I don't know what to make of him yet. I just see a very similar team, performance-wise, to last season, which tells me he's not doing catastrophically worse with this crew than Trotz did last year. I'm not sure what that says about him or if it says anything at all, but I guess I'd hate to give up so soon on a guy that Trotz regarded so highly based on some sort of idea that a different different coach is going to make a meaningful difference.

We're officially off the front page

Alan furing is going to be our next announcer when Burke goes full time nationally

Butch calling out late as raty is not a 3rd liner

Time for an Islanders Powerless Play!

Butch calling out late as raty is not a 3rd liner
- Upstate_isles

Technically he’s a 4th liner

Not sure about that call

Sens didn’t get the memo to let the Isles score first.

Not rooting for loses but if Varly is to lose hopefully it’s by a 1-0 game to keep his numbers looking good come trade deadline 👍🏼

Not rooting for loses but if Varly is to lose hopefully it’s by a 1-0 game to keep his numbers looking good come trade deadline 👍🏼
- streaks

That would make one of us.

That would make one of us.
- Cptmjl

Haha yeah I still find it hard to root against them. As pissed as I am. Once the record falls below .500 then I’ll prob throw in the towel.

That would make one of us.
- Cptmjl

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Isles dropped to 12th place when Florida lost in OT last night. A regulation loss would give them sole possession of 11th place and a shot at Bedard.

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Isles dropped to 12th place when Florida lost in OT last night. A regulation loss would give them sole possession of 11th place and a shot at Bedard.
- JohnScammo

Pretty incredible what’s going on with Florida. Yeah whatever I have no shame saying I want them to lose. I want them to identify who they want to get rid of or buyout. There’s a certain someone that comes to mind with the latter. I want the best draft position we can get and so should everyone else.

Haha yeah I still find it hard to root against them. As pissed as I am. Once the record falls below .500 then I’ll prob throw in the towel.
- streaks

When you accept reality it’s easier to watch games and laugh at them rather then get infuriated. They are toast man.

#suckhardforbedard