GDT: GDT #42 New York Islanders @ Utah Hockey Club | January 11th | 9:00 PM | F/2-1 W

[Rehabguy]

I can only comprehend the most recent thing that happened in front of my face.

That would be true if people did not know what to look for.

 

[Zeeker]

This team is pathetic. They should still sell and a three game winning streak compared to the last four seasons of mediocrity should not change anyone's mind on selling.

I’m getting major “win the last seven games of the 2016-17 season to fall one point short of the playoff” vibez

 

[NYI365]

The next 10-15 games are crucial in determining where Lou goes at the TDL.

The 7 game homestand sees us play Ottawa, Philly, San Jose, Columbus, Philly again, Carolina, and finally the Avs. If we're to start believing in these guys after this impressive 3 game road trip, wins against Ottawa, SJ and Columbus are musts, and at least 3/4 points vs PHI should be the goal. Colorado and Carolina aim to get points and go from there.

After that the schedule ramps up in terms of difficulty. At Philly, at Tampa, at Florida, vs Vegas, at Winnipeg, at Minnesota, vs Dallas, vs NYR, at Boston, vs Nashville, at NYR on March 3rd. Not getting any easier.

March 7 is the TDL. We're entering the most crucial stretch of the season. They need to thrive this homestand, if they come out .500 or worse they're not gonna be in a good spot with that schedule right afterwards.

 

[MJF]

I’m getting major “win the last seven games of the 2016-17 season to fall one point short of the playoff” vibez

Every season’s been like this since Lou got here. It’s absolutely unacceptable to have built teams that have to play balls to the wall from January to April and exhaust themselves just to make the playoffs in the last days of the season.

 

[Zeeker]

Every season’s been like this since Lou got here. It’s absolutely unacceptable to have built teams that have to play balls to the wall from January to April and exhaust themselves just to make the playoffs in the last days of the season.

Well, not 2018-2021. They comfortably made the playoffs in most of those seasons and didn’t need to play catchup in the latter months. They even started like 16-3 in 19-20.

This season though, let’s say my sails are deflated after Lou’s comments and this cute three game winning streak. Nothing will change.

 

[crashthenet]

I could understand the pessimism in everyone but in actuality the rebuild that needed to occur was their system of play. The team was in transition. The team is getting old but this system looks pretty damn good and the system alone can make all the difference come playoff time. Special teams have to improve and it doesn’t matter who is on the ice if the PP/PK systems are ineffective.

The team went from a mentally risky game plan where they were creating an impenetrable wall playing not to lose and capitalizing from other teams mistakes to playing on their heals eventually devolving into a fear of losing and outright panic while making a ton of defensive mistakes. That’s what happens when a pusher mentality falls apart and why I disliked the Trotz system so much. Playing not to lose is risky and the teams panicking and penchant for collapsing late in games started with that mentality. This is what Roy has been working on all season. Based on what has happened the past 3 games does anyone not like what they see?

In the short 3/4 of a season Roy has been here I see signs that he is successfully changing that. If they continue with these dominating 5 on 5 play why not go for it under this new system where the team plays to dominate and win? I’m all for going for it and I still have enough faith in this team based on what I am seeing now. I saw it as a process and I like the outcome thus far.

My thoughts were retool if the players continued to show that their individual mentalities were such damaged goods that you had to change the roster just to fix that.

I just wanted to get the Harry met Sally line in.

All kidding aside though, you make many good points.

Butch said something last night about where Duclair is at physically, 85% likely, and he sure looks it. That's too bad for him and us.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Caught the tail end of the game, felt great being the team that scored with a minute left versus the other way around.

If Pelech plays like that, we have a shot every game. Also, Hogberg was a great add. I think we need to play him more.

 

[seafoam]

Now they start winning? It’s always too little, too late for this team.

 

[NYI365]

Now they start winning? It’s always too little, too late for this team.

I'm pro sell off first and foremost, but the funny thing about the East this season with how bad they are as a conference is if they somehow deny CBJ, Ottawa, and Philly x2 valuable points during this homestand, the picture begins to shift to them controlling their fate the rest of the way.

Of which, I do not trust them to do but that's why they play the games I suppose.

 

[Rehabguy]

I just wanted to get the Harry met Sally line in.

All kidding aside though, you make many good points.

Butch said something last night about where Duclair is at physically, 85% likely, and he sure looks it. That's too bad for him and us.

Ah, I was wondering why you thought I was a she. Great movie btw.

 

[Chockey22]

I just wanted to get the Harry met Sally line in.

All kidding aside though, you make many good points.

Butch said something last night about where Duclair is at physically, 85% likely, and he sure looks it. That's too bad for him and us.

Duclair looks terrible - another Engvall-esque signing; too much and too long to a very mediocre player

 

[Arsenalogist24]

Duclair looks terrible - another Engvall-esque signing; too much and too long to a very mediocre player

I don’t wanna go there especially since he’s just back from a long injury. But I’ve always had a little bit of hesitation to praise him because it’s his what, 9th team in so many years now

 

[Chockey22]

I don’t wanna go there especially since he’s just back from a long injury. But I’ve always had a little bit of hesitation to praise him because it’s his what, 9th team in so many years now

Exactly, I think the signing reeked of Lou’s desperation to wring another season from this core, and he was the best available at that price and term, but in reality is an overpay on a journeyman, easily replaceable part

 

[The Real JT]

Duclair looks terrible - another Engvall-esque signing; too much and too long to a very mediocre player

I share your disappointment with Duke but Engvall is on another level. No comparison.

 

[doublechili]

I'm not defending the signing per se, but didn't Duclair have a groin injury? His game is built on skating, so I'd cut him a bit of slack, for a while anyway.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

That would be true if people did not know what to look for.

Working backwards from a predetermined conclusion seems like a great idea.

 

[Rehabguy]

Working backwards from a predetermined conclusion seems like a great idea.

Ah you mean the 31 other teams are all winning the cup this year but us so let’s just blow the whole thing up and get rid of everybody crowd?

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Well, not 2018-2021. They comfortably made the playoffs in most of those seasons and didn’t need to play catchup in the latter months. They even started like 16-3 in 19-20.

This season though, let’s say my sails are deflated after Lou’s comments and this cute three game winning streak. Nothing will change.

In 2019-20 they didn't have to play balls to the wall, because there was an extra playoff spot available with the play-in and they also got a rest from March to August.

2020-21 was a fake ass season that was shortened and only featured an all-in-divison regular season.

So in reality, the only solid wire-to-wire season was Trotz' first season which had a whole different set of circumstances (new coach smell, JT leaving, pundits picking them as bottom of the barrel).

21-22, 22-23, 23-24 and now 24-25 are shaping up to be the exact same thing. 4 years in a row of the 'scratch and claw bubble team' is wearing thin.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Ah you mean the 31 other teams are all winning the cup this year but us so let’s just blow the whole thing up and get rid of everybody crowd?

That's exactly what I said. Cool.

 

[crashthenet]

I don’t wanna go there especially since he’s just back from a long injury. But I’ve always had a little bit of hesitation to praise him because it’s his what, 9th team in so many years now

Middle six money so wasn't an awful signing. Tough situation for him as he had some missteps along the way. Representing himself is what I recall. The Florida signing looked like he had found a home and then, the injury and he is replaced and a cap casualty.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

In 2019-20 they didn't have to play balls to the wall, because there was an extra playoff spot available with the play-in and they also got a rest from March to August.

2020-21 was a fake ass season that was shortened and only featured an all-in-divison regular season.

So in reality, the only solid wire-to-wire season was Trotz' first season which had a whole different set of circumstances (new coach smell, JT leaving, pundits picking them as bottom of the barrel).

21-22, 22-23, 23-24 and now 24-25 are shaping up to be the exact same thing. 4 years in a row of the 'scratch and claw bubble team' is wearing thin.

Jeez.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Jeez.

As in…

“Jeez, he’s got some good points”
Or
“Jeez, someone get this man a beer because he’s sounding a little too much like Eeyore”

 

[slurpee addict]

I don't feel the need to comment very often on this particular board regarding the Islanders... but I am an Islanders fan (in addition to my Winnipeg Jets) and I think I will throw out my perspective regarding rebuilds and overall objectives for a team. Maybe it will help or add context and then again maybe not.

So, no team sets out to be average or not ever win the whole thing. But, every team should be setting as a minimal one initial objective every year - make the playoffs.

I get some may see blowing things up as necessary and going into tank mode to come back better later. I dunno - imagine if you will, being from a city that had a team... and then didn't. That sucks and you will have a hard time forgiving any ownership after an event like that. Then, getting a team back. You will never again see 'tanking' or blowing it all up as a good service to a fan base. You will see it as a bit of a betrayal to you as fans or at the very least dumb. (Cause it never really works). Moreover, what player would ever really want to play for a team that has that in its toolbox or history. These players are (or should be) competitive, and if you think it's hard to sign players (Free Agents) now, then try and do that when you team has dedicated itself to be bad.

So - try and get to the playoffs. Then try and win the cup if you do make the playoffs. One thing we should also remember - each of the 16 playoff teams has to win the same number of games to win the cup. There is no real easier path, beyond some initial seeding - and even that in the NHL isn't actually a great benefit based on how they actually don't really seed 1 through 8 fully for all teams. The presidents trophy winner has a pretty crap record in terms of winning the cup.

I do see some pragmatic need to make trades and try and build back better, but only after you are eliminated from contention and only in circumstances limited to making your team better in the short term - not the longer term (i.e. be crap for a few years and try and not make the playoffs for those years). In this regard, maybe if the Isles are eliminated Nelson could be a candidate (although Engvall or Palmeri might be better options). But if you do that it should only be to make the team better next year.

That's my philosophy at any rate. It may not be universally shared, and it has been 'honed' through my experiences as a fan. (I'm also a Detroit Tigers fan (dating back to the Trammell and Whitaker days), so I know what it's like to suffer in more ways than just hockey (since 1985 anyway).

In summary, expectation management is a legitimate thing, but I would ultimately argue that our expectation is that the team should always be trying to win, even if the odds are longer than we would like for any of our teams.

BTW. Go Isles Go. Just win. And failing that give the full effort.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

As in…

“Jeez, he’s got some good points”
Or
“Jeez, someone get this man a beer because he’s sounding a little too much like Eeyore”

Sure why not

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

Seventh actually and quite the cherry pick. How about this year, or the three before last year? He’s been solid in the past, but is clearly aging, declining and overpaid.

I used hockey reference. Where should I go?