GDT: GDT #38 New York Islanders vs Toronto Maple Leafs | January 2nd | 7:30 PM | F/2-1 L

[beach]

We're closer now than we've been all season.

28th overall.
29th in the league in goals for
24th in the league in goals allowed
Historically bad PP and PK

Nobody here can tell me we don't have a great chance at winding up dead last in the league.

Melt down for Misa. I'm here for it.

 

[Rehabguy]

Yes, let’s get our facts straight. This seems to be a common (incorrect) theme. Lou added Duclair, Tsyp, broke up the identity line (though probably should have signed clutter instead of Martin, or signing neither would probably have been better), signed Reilly (unforeseen medical issue kept him out).

Every team makes adjustments every year. To say NOTHING ad nauseam is literally not true. If you want to argue almost nothing, then maybe. And you can argue the moves are good or bad, certainly. But the nothing narrative is false and tiresome.

Nothing of any consequence. Tsyplakov chose the Island and Shane Prince had more to do with that than Lou. Duclair got the call from Roy. Reilly was already on the squad last year. Where was Lou? Doing nothing. He signed Martin as a desperation move well into the season.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Now hold on a second there! Hold ON!!! If my memory serves me correctly he took a team that was out of a playoff picture last year and in 37 games turned the ship around and got this team in. Also he improved 5 on 5 play GAA for EVERY single damn player on the team. Let’s get that straight. This year he dealt with injury after injury with a roster that we can all agree is too old and not fit for a modern uptempo aggressive system and Roy called Lou out on this early.

And let’s get our facts straight in regards to this roster. After Roy’s incredible late season run last year Lou had all summer to address some of the weaknesses I’m sure Roy pointed out to him after last season. I’m sure he said this is what I need to make this work. What did Lou do last summer?

NOTHING

That is why Roy called him out early THIS season because none of his concerns were addressed. That is not Roy’s fault and he has every right to call out his boss if he is not given the tools to get the job done. If the team needs to tank let it tank but Roy’s going nowhere. I can guarantee it.

Injuries; yawn. Everybody deals with them and since those injured players have returned, we're no better.

The "incredible late season run"; that same team that won the war of attrition in the East last year, Roy can't seem to do anything with them this year. Where is all of that coaching incredibleness now?

The "NOTHING"; unless Roy lives in a cave he had to know about the Isles lack of assets and bad contracts that made, and continue to make, beneficial moves pretty much impossible. Beneficial in the sense of helping this team be better now. I am in no way defending Lou, but again, Roy is responsible for the decisions he makes. He took the job and takes the paychecks. Stop whining, because the whole world knew about the Isles situation.

Finally, in the real world, nobody should call out their boss publicly. It's just a stupid thing to do.

 

[MJF]

The "incredible late season run"; that same team that won the war of attrition in the East last year, Roy can't seem to do anything with them this year. Where is all of that coaching incredibleness now?

Not true. Roy's doing the exact same thing that he did with them in the playoffs last year. Losing most games by 1 goal.

Hey, we were right there. Just needed a bounce, some puck luck, not grip our sticks so tight. We did some good things at 5 on 5.

Never change Patrick. It's never your fault.

 

[Glory Days]

All this talk of whether Roy is a good or bad coach just distracts from the real issue. The GM needs to go.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Guys… ahem:

Hagens.

 

[Rehabguy]

Injuries; yawn. Everybody deals with them and since those injured players have returned, we're no better.

The "incredible late season run"; that same team that won the war of attrition in the East last year, Roy can't seem to do anything with them this year. Where is all of that coaching incredibleness now?

The "NOTHING"; unless Roy lives in a cave he had to know about the Isles lack of assets and bad contracts that made, and continue to make, beneficial moves pretty much impossible. Beneficial in the sense of helping this team be better now. I am in no way defending Lou, but again, Roy is responsible for the decisions he makes. He took the job and takes the paychecks. Stop whining, because the whole world knew about the Isles situation.

Finally, in the real world, nobody should call out their boss publicly. It's just a stupid thing to do.

Beggars can't be choosers. Roy wears his emotions on his sleeves and that has got him into trouble in the past. He knows this may be his only shot to get his foot in the door back into the NHL so he took it. Of course he knew the situation the Isles were in and of course he knows that Lou is driving the organization into the ground. Also, he knows Lou has a penchant of quickly putting the blame on the coaches he hires so he rightfully and preemptively put the ball back in Lou's court to deflect the inevitable blame that Lou would place on him. And he was super smart to preemptively call out his boss publicly because that was something all the other coaches he fired didn't do.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Beggars can't be choosers. Roy wears his emotions on his sleeves and that has got him into trouble in the past. He knows this may be his only shot to get his foot in the door back into the NHL so he took it. Of course he knew the situation the Isles were in and of course he knows that Lou is driving the organization into the ground. Also, he knows Lou has a penchant of quickly putting the blame on the coaches he hires so he rightfully and preemptively put the ball back in Lou's court to deflect the inevitable blame that Lou would place on him. And he was super smart to preemptively call out his boss publicly because that was something all the other coaches he fired didn't do.

Yup, Roy is undoubtedly playing 3D chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers.

Sure would be nice if he could apply some of that next level genius to the special teams but I guess he is too busy manipulating Lou. Perfectly understandable.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Not true. Roy's doing the exact same thing that he did with them in the playoffs last year. Losing most games by 1 goal.

Hey, we were right there. Just needed a bounce, some puck luck, not grip our sticks so tight. We did some good things at 5 on 5.

Never change Patrick. It's never your fault.

He can't say the thing out loud that he wants to say, but we can. It actually isn't his fault...he can't make these guys develop a scoring touch out of thin air.

 

[Rehabguy]

Yup, Roy is undoubtedly playing 3D chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers.

Sure would be nice if he could apply some of that next level genius to the special teams but I guess he is too busy manipulating Lou. Perfectly understandable.

In case you don't know who Roy is he is a great man because he was at thinking and playing at a level that most simpletons would not understand. He probably sees Lou as nothing more than an old fool but unfortunately that fool is the guy making all the decisions.

 

[Torrey Redux]

In case you don't know who Roy is yes he is great at what he did because he was at thinking and playing at another level that simpletons would not understand.

Well, again, it's a shame that he can't pass along all of that genius to our PP and PK. But, it does beg the question, what good is it if no one else can see it or understand it?

 

[MJF]

Yup, Roy is undoubtedly playing 3D chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers.

Sure would be nice if he could apply some of that next level genius to the special teams but I guess he is too busy manipulating Lou. Perfectly

He can't say the thing out loud that he wants to say, but we can. It actually isn't his fault...he can't make these guys develop a scoring touch out of thin air.

That’s the larger issue. In the meantime as a coach you implement a game plan that makes the most out of the talent on hand. Trotz knew that and game planned accordingly:

Unfortunately Lou was convinced there was untapped offensive potential in the core, so he asked Lane Lambert to coax more offense out of them and we started giving up goals by the barrelful, then Lambert pulled back on that, eventually got fired and Roy came in. So here we are watching him get even less out of the team than he did last season, which wasn’t a lot.

Yes, the blame for the state of the team lands in Lou’s lap, but you can’t tell me Roy presiding over historically bad special teams units and a poor defensive scheme leaves him with clean hands.

Offense takes skill. Defense takes commitment.

 

[Rehabguy]

That’s the larger issue. In the meantime as a coach you implement a game plan that makes the most out of the talent on hand. Trotz knew that and game planned accordingly:

Unfortunately Lou was convinced there was untapped offensive potential in the core, so he asked Lane Lambert to coax more offense out of them and we started giving up goals by the barrelful, then Lambert pulled back on that, eventually got fired and Roy came in. So here we are watching him get even less out of the team than he did last season, which wasn’t a lot.

Yes, the blame for the state of the team lands in Lou’s lap, but you can’t tell me Roy presiding over historically bad special teams units and a poor defensive scheme leaves him with clean hands.

Offense takes skill. Defense takes commitment.

Well I can tell you in regards to Roy that it’s pretty damn disingenuous to blame a coach who has been here for a little over half a season to fix a power play from the former regime that had 6 years to do so. The power play or lack thereof was the hallmark of the previous era all in the name of defense and it was the very fact that the Isles did not have a PP that they eventually did not progress past the semifinals or the first round in the latter years.

It is more credible to take note of the fact that Roy improved the GAA in 5v5 play of not just a few but all the players on the ice in just 35 games as head coach. Those are the facts for anyone looking to take the blinders off and anyone can tell you it’s pretty damn hard to have a winning record with 1/4 of your team missing.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Well I can tell you in regards to Roy that it’s pretty damn ingenuine to blame a coach who has been here for a little over half a season to fix a power play from the former regime that had 6 years to do so. The power play or lack thereof was the hallmark of the previous era all in the name of defense. It is more credible to take note of the fact that Roy improved the GAA in 5v5 play of not just a few but all the players on the ice in just 35 games as head coach. Those are the facts for anyone looking to take the blinders off and anyone can tell you it’s pretty damn hard to have a winning record with 1/4 of your team missing.

Geez, I'd hate be your boss. You've got ready made excuses for everything. None of them make sense but if you throw enough nonsense out there and cherry pick what works for you some people will probably believe it.

Fewer and fewer people here are defending Lou's record and that is how it should be. They are late to the party but at least they're here, however, your defense Roy, who has proven exactly nothing in his time with the Isles, is incomprehensible. At best, and I mean at the very best, his record is a massive INCOMPLETE.

 

[MJF]

Well I can tell you in regards to Roy that it’s pretty damn disingenuous to blame a coach who has been here for a little over half a season to fix a power play from the former regime that had 6 years to do so. The power play or lack thereof was the hallmark of the previous era all in the name of defense and it was the very fact that the Isles did not have a PP that they eventually did not progress past the semifinals or the first round in the latter years.

It is more credible to take note of the fact that Roy improved the GAA in 5v5 play of not just a few but all the players on the ice in just 35 games as head coach. Those are the facts for anyone looking to take the blinders off and anyone can tell you it’s pretty damn hard to have a winning record with 1/4 of your team missing.

5v5GAA is only one part of the equation, but the special teams remain historically bad, defense in the HDAs remains bad. You want to give Roy the credit for the good, fine. Don’t forget to mention the blemishes, which are many.

 

[Rehabguy]

Geez, I'd hate be your boss. You've got ready made excuses for everything. None of them make sense but if you throw enough nonsense out there and cherry pick what works for you some people will probably believe it.

Fewer and fewer people here are defending Lou's record and that is how it should be. They are late to the party but at least they're here, however, your defense Roy, who has proven exactly nothing in his time with the Isles, is incomprehensible. At best, and I mean at the very best, his record is a massive INCOMPLETE.

Excuses? These are just the facts.

Incomplete is acceptable if for the fact that he has been here for less than a year and thrown in the middle of chaos to end the last 35 games of the previous season. Jesus guys get a clue! He WILL and SHOULD be held responsible for any of this team's woes but for god sakes give him at least a full season with a HEALTHY roster in front of him before you start taking out the pitchforks.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Excuses? These are just the facts.

Incomplete is acceptable if for the fact that he has been here for less than a year and thrown in the middle of chaos to end the last 35 games of the previous season. Jesus guys get a clue! He WILL and SHOULD be held responsible for any of this team's woes but for god sakes give him at least a full season with a HEALTHY roster in front of him before you start taking out the pitchforks.

Excuses can be facts, though?

 

[Torrey Redux]

Excuses? These are just the facts.

Incomplete is acceptable if for the fact that he has been here for less than a year and thrown in the middle of chaos to end the last 35 games of the previous season. Jesus guys get a clue! He WILL and SHOULD be held responsible for any of this team's woes but for god sakes give him at least a full season with a HEALTHY roster in front of him before you start taking out the pitchforks.

Your interpretation of what a fact is leaves much to be desired. And nobody gets a healthy roster in the NHL. Weathering the storm and performing is what separates the good teams and good coaches from the also-rans.

And for the record, very few that I have read have the pitchforks out. They know what the roster weaknesses are but none of it justifies your full-throated defense of what to date has been a tepid coaching job at best with some egregious and admitted mistakes along the way.

 

[Rehabguy]

5v5GAA is only one part of the equation, but the special teams remain historically bad, defense in the HDAs remains bad. You want to give Roy the credit for the good, fine. Don’t forget to mention the blemishes, which are many.

You are correct. Special teams were historically bad. For years. Roy will get the blame eventually if things don’t turn around but the guy hasn’t been here for a full season yet and he was asked to correct a terribly bad performing team under Lambert to a playoff team. He came here January 20th of last year and posted a 20-12-5 record making him the first coach in Islander history to come in mid season and qualify for the playoffs. He starts the season and bam for weeks saddled with an injury laden team for 1/4 of the season with critical pieces missing on both offense and defense. Like I said folks, get real. Give him the time he has earned to right this ship. I know he will do it in spite of Lou.

 

[Rehabguy]

Your interpretation of what a fact is leaves much to be desired. And nobody gets a healthy roster in the NHL. Weathering the storm and performing is what separates the good teams and good coaches from the also-rans.

And for the record, very few that I have read have the pitchforks out. They know what the roster weaknesses are but none of it justifies your full-throated defense of what to date has been a tepid coaching job at best with some egregious and admitted mistakes along the way.

Read the post above. His start with the NY Isles was hardly tepid. Some of you guys have the memory of a chimpanzee. And btw National Geographic says that chimps can forget an experience within 20 seconds.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Read the post above. His start with the NY Isles was hardly tepid. Some of you guys have the memory of a chimpanzee. And btw National Geographic says that chimps can forget an experience within 20 seconds.

So we count the start but not the now? You must have the kind of memory that can remember long ago but has trouble in the present. What animal is that? And 77 games plus a full training camp isn't enough to get your program together? Tell that to the GM fraternity.

Oh wait, injuries. Right, because that only happens to the Islanders.

You're unbelievable. Literally.

 

[Throttle]

Roy doesn’t have any excuses on his coaching.

Lambert dealt with injuries and he got the team in playoffs with roughly the same crew. The team played almost .650 hockey with its most expensive player too.

With everyone healthy, his coaching still results in blown leads, giving away points, a boneheaded Dobson, same crap special teams, and a sub-.500 team with a losing record.

 

[IslandersGER]

Read the post above. His start with the NY Isles was hardly tepid. Some of you guys have the memory of a chimpanzee. And btw National Geographic says that chimps can forget an experience within 20 seconds.

Elephants have memory for lifetime, but they are terrible on ice

 

[Rehabguy]

So we count the start but not the now? You must have the kind of memory that can remember long ago but has trouble in the present. What animal is that? And 77 games plus a full training camp isn't enough to get your program together? Tell that to the GM fraternity.

Oh wait, injuries. Right, because that only happens to the Islanders.

You're unbelievable. Literally.

We're going to have to agree to disagree I suppose. I understand your point and I absolutely agree no coach should be absolved of the performance of the team on the ice. My point that I think you are not grasping is that Roy was inheriting a team that had core problems especially 5 on 5 of which 95% or so of most games are played. Starting with those 3rd period collapses which really started when Lambert took over as coach with his awful defensive scheme but as I've said before the seed for this retreating to create a perimeter started with Trotz. When performed well it can create a beautiful impenetrable wall but at the cost of offense. Lambert opened that wall with his hybrid system and the results are the 3rd period collapses and resulting mental weakness that pervades the team to this day and which Roy is having a hard time ridding the team of. If it comes down to the mental health of the roster has been damaged beyond repair and cannot be fixed then unfortunately the only option is to change the roster.

But in regards to Roy, when the team was healthy and especially the good work he did last season should not be overlooked and though it may come down to roster changes you don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

What I'm warning you of is to stay away from the impulse of just wanting to blow it all up and start erecting the billboard nonsense and we lose at least to me someone who could be one of the best coaches we have had in decades. For example someone pointed out in another post the problems Yserman was having as GM of the Wings but forget the great work he did recently in building one of the most consistently formidable and cup winning Lightning. Roy has had his string of recent successes as well albeit in the minors as owner, GM, and coach of the chamption Quebec Rampart and he did this while holding all roles. Throw on top of that all his accompishments as a player and coach on the ice it would be foolish to not give the guy a little more time.

Point is have patience.

 

[Rehabguy]

Roy doesn’t have any excuses on his coaching.

Lambert dealt with injuries and he got the team in playoffs with roughly the same crew. The team played almost .650 hockey with its most expensive player too.

With everyone healthy, his coaching still results in blown leads, giving away points, a boneheaded Dobson, same crap special teams, and a sub-.500 team with a losing record.

And it's all Roy's fault the team has aged 5 years since Lambert got here, amassed a string of injuries, and has all the mental toughness of a squad of girl scouts. All this crap was a result of Lou's handiwork and Lambert's awful coaching.

Tell me, do you seriously want to go back to Lambert? The Isles were going nowhere and Roy turned it all around overnight with his 20-12-5 record to end last season with the exact roster Lambert had at the time. The team is not in the same state of being as the team that made those 2 ECFs. People forget that.

People also forget that Al Arbour started his coaching career with a 12 wins 60 losses his first year, a 19 wins 41 losses his second year by his 3rd year the team would be in the Conference Finals 4 of the next 5 years and immediately following that 19 straight playoff series victories and 4 straight Stanley Cup. If you truly believe in your online handle Torrey Redux you would know what it means to have patience. You should change your name to Lou Redux because that's the mentality you are spewing right now.

I've been a New York Islander fan since the mid 70's I know a good coach when I see one.