Ben Shelley: Islanders eliminated, season ends with Game 6 OT loss to Hurricanes

From last blog. I'm not mad at any player. I suggest trading the guys I did because you might get something back for them. This team is only gonna get older and slower. Have to move someone to get someone back. Nelson, Pelech, Puloch might get a decent return.

As I said in the last thread, sOrOkin wasn’t the beast we all hoped or expected in this series. He was good not amazing imho. That said it wasn’t his fault they lost.
The only players that I think elevated their game in the POs were Pulock, Palms to a lesser extend and Engvail.
Also as far as coaching I think Brind’Amore won the coaching battle with his matchups and Goaltending decisions. Starting the series with Raanta and then putting Andersen in for game 6 were 2 bold moves that worked out for him.

As I said in the last thread, sOrOkin wasn’t the beast we all hoped or expected in this series. He was good not amazing imho. That said it wasn’t his fault they lost.
The only players that I think elevated their game in the POs were Pulock, Palms to a lesser extend and Engvail.
Also as far as coaching I think Brind’Amore won the coaching battle with his matchups and Goaltending decisions. Starting the series with Raanta and then putting Andersen in for game 6 were 2 bold moves that worked out for him.
- nyisles7

He didn't have a choice to start Raanta. Anderson was hurt or sick.

From last blog. I'm not mad at any player. I suggest trading the guys I did because you might get something back for them. This team is only gonna get older and slower. Have to move someone to get someone back. Nelson, Pelech, Puloch might get a decent return.
- chazpet

You have to give something to get something. I understand the players that you have indicated. Out of the three (3) Nelly would be the guy. Reason is that this team does not have two Dmen capable of stepping in. You have Wally and Holstrom. Granted they both would have to produce to come close to Nellys production. That would add 6k to the cap to help solidy the D and a backup goalie.

He didn't have a choice to start Raanta. Anderson was hurt or sick.
- PeteM

Is that right? Didn’t know that I thought I read Anderson was ready to go.
Still, putting Anderson in last night was bold imo.

From last blog. I'm not mad at any player. I suggest trading the guys I did because you might get something back for them. This team is only gonna get older and slower. Have to move someone to get someone back. Nelson, Pelech, Puloch might get a decent return.
- chazpet

Those are arguably the most valuable players on the team, other than Sorokin. If you're trading them, you're basically saying you want a complete rebuild, and you should expect the team to suck for the next few years. That's one approach, certainly, and sucking is how you build through the draft.........unless you're Milbury or Snow, of course...........and then you just continue to suck.

I think it's time to move on from Lou. He gave the Isles much needed credibility and was able to bring in Trotz. However he hasn't been able to deliver and has left the prospect pool pretty bare. It's time for a new direction.

No matter who the GM will be they have an uphill climb. There's not a lot to work with unless they go full yard sale and suck for a couple of years. That's a tough sell and would waste years of Sorokin's career.

I think it's time to move on from Lou. He gave the Isles much needed credibility and was able to bring in Trotz. However he hasn't been able to deliver and has left the prospect pool pretty bare. It's time for a new direction.

No matter who the GM will be they have an uphill climb. There's not a lot to work with unless they go full yard sale and suck for a couple of years. That's a tough sell and would waste years of Sorokin's career.
- JimmyP

You cannot waste Sorokin or Barzal...You need to find a way...Otherwise move both of them at draft...Resign Varly...Move on...

Lou got the Isles to where they are. Who would be the best fit to take them from here? Lou? Other?

I don't want to trade all of them. I'm just saying i think 1 of those 3 and maybe JG or CC. I don't know. I'm just afraid come July 1 , we are going to be sitting there watching all the other contenders improve while the Isles get older and slower. Like usual.

Lou got the Isles to where they are. Who would be the best fit to take them from here? Lou? Other?
- streaks

I'm not trashing Lou, but it's still largely Snow's team.

I'd like to see someone else take the reigns.

I don't want to trade all of them. I'm just saying i think 1 of those 3 and maybe JG or CC. I don't know. I'm just afraid come July 1 , we are going to be sitting there watching all the other contenders improve while the Isles get older and slower. Like usual.
- chazpet

I'm not sure what other options they have, other than blowing it up.

I don't want to trade all of them. I'm just saying i think 1 of those 3 and maybe JG or CC. I don't know. I'm just afraid come July 1 , we are going to be sitting there watching all the other contenders improve while the Isles get older and slower. Like usual.
- chazpet

Unfortunately, this is the most likely scenario. If Lou is hanging around, you won't likely see a strip down and rebuild. He just doesn't do that. He adds what he sees as proper fits to improve now and spends tomorrow's assets to get them. He may negotiate long contracts but very little of what he does is focused on long term impact.

And the Leafs have win their first series in 19 years, courtesy if John Taveres in OT.

Gotta say, Vasilesky was TERRIBLE in that series

And the Leafs have win their first series in 19 years, courtesy if John Taveres in OT.

Gotta say, Vasilesky was TERRIBLE in that series
- keaner17

And the Devils were dominating the Rangers through most of the first period and had a 1 - 0 lead, but the refs called 4 consecutive penalties on the Devils which changed the momentum in the game. Now it's 5 - 1 Rangers with less than 7 minutes left.

And the Devils were dominating the Rangers through most of the first period and had a 1 - 0 lead, but the refs called 4 consecutive penalties on the Devils which changed the momentum in the game. Now it's 5 - 1 Rangers with less than 7 minutes left.
- JohnScammo

All as 'they' planned

I don't want to trade all of them. I'm just saying i think 1 of those 3 and maybe JG or CC. I don't know. I'm just afraid come July 1 , we are going to be sitting there watching all the other contenders improve while the Isles get older and slower. Like usual.
- chazpet

I'm not against changes to the roster. If Lou can get someone to overpay for one of those guys, great! But losing any of those 3 guys creates a pretty big hole that needs to be filled. So it all depends on who he gets in return. I don't see Lou trading JG or CC. He gave up a lot to get JG, and CC is very much a Lou-type player.

All as 'they' planned
- keaner17

At least the Devils got one back on the power play. By the way, interesting idea, scoring on the power play. I hope the Islanders try it some time.

I'm not trashing Lou, but it's still largely Snow's team.

I'd like to see someone else take the reigns,
- JimmyP

You are not trashing Lou at all Jimmy. There needs to be serious thought on a new GM. Let's be honest, Lou is not the future of the team.

I'm not trashing Lou, but it's still largely Snow's team.

I'd like to see someone else take the reigns.
- JimmyP

Maybe Ledecky and Malkin are looking for a change but I doubt it. The only thing I could see as a possibility is Chris taking over but his dad would be leaving him with some sh!t sandwich to start his GM’ing career.

Maybe Ledecky and Malkin are looking for a change but I doubt it. The only thing I could see as a possibility is Chris taking over but his dad would be leaving him with some sh!t sandwich to start his GM’ing career.
- Cptmjl

Hopefully we get some news soon one way or the other.

Hopefully we get some news soon one way or the other.
- ses111

If there will be any changes at all you would think they would like to get them done soon to get ready for the draft.

If there will be any changes at all you would think they would like to get them done soon to get ready for the draft.
- Cptmjl

Saw the below on ESPN with possible GM candidates. If Chris is taking over, I can see Lou wanting to stay on for a year or two as President. Outside of that, no idea why Lou would want to stay on as this is a big job to get the Islanders being true contenders.


https://www.espn.com/nhl/...didates-nhl-coach-gm-jobs

All as 'they' planned
- keaner17