Those teams all have a defenseman who is mobile and skilled handed enough to almost be an extra forward. So I hear what you are saying.This is just nonsense. No one is saying to use Doug Weight's style. Are the AVS, Devils, Buffalo using Weight's run and gun style?
Can't make chicken salad out of... Although Trotz sure did come close.Those teams all have a defenseman who is mobile and skilled handed enough to almost be an extra forward. So I hear what you are saying.
The Isles problem is the players they have are neither mobile or skilled enough to even play a D first system without getting worn down by the opposition.
Just “turning Barzal loose” would only result in what he was before. A player who did rink curls trying to be elusive while looking for the open man who couldn’t get the puck or couldn’t finish. It’s pointless for him to be a 1 + 22 player.
The problem is the pieces we have on hand now, more than the system. They can’t defend against speed. There are more teams going the Avs/Devils/Sabres/Kings route each year.
Tough to fire a coach after his first season where he takes them to the playoffs (after missing the season prior).This team needs a new HC.
Well that's the coaches job to come up with a system that works for the roster we have. The question will always be- is it the roster or the system?alright and neither does our defense. Team has to find a proper identity. Barzal can score all the points he wants, it ain't solving our defense thats swiss cheese.
if Lambert can't rite the ship by November, yeahThis team needs a new HC.
He’s not the Isles top player…He should be in his prime. The system the Islanders currently play does not take advantage of what our top player brings to the table.
Well this is the big gamble Lou took. He brought in grinders in lieu of players who can skate thinking that that was what was needed in a D first system. Leddy, Toews, Eberle, Beaviller all had one thing in common- they could skate.Those teams all have a defenseman who is mobile and skilled handed enough to almost be an extra forward. So I hear what you are saying.
The Isles problem is the players they have are neither mobile or skilled enough to even play a D first system without getting worn down by the opposition.
Just “turning Barzal loose” would only result in what he was before. A player who did rink curls trying to be elusive while looking for the open man who couldn’t get the puck or couldn’t finish. It’s pointless for him to be a 1 + 22 player.
The problem is the pieces we have on hand now, more than the system. They can’t defend against speed. There are more teams going the Avs/Devils/Sabres/Kings route each year.
He’s not the Isles top player…
He’s not the Isles top player…
Either way if it's Sorokin you are referring to, I'm not going to blame Sorokin for allowing 10 goals the last 2 games he played. I'm not going to say it's the style of goaltending he plays which cost the Islanders those games. It takes a team to win or lose but it's up to the HC to come up with a system that suits the team in front of him. The system they are playing is not or no longer is working. Time to make some changes.He’s not the Isles top player…
Not surprising. We have a GM trading away 1st round picks like hot potatoes. The cupboard is bare.Anyone think its depressing how fast Vegas and Tampa develops players to replace holes, yet the islanders can't find a replacement at all for anything from their minor leagues?
Well, 8 or 9M+ for good players just doesn’t work.The islanders dont have a "top" player. They have 3 good, but nowhere near great forwards, and a few decent defensemen.
This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Skilled players like Horvat and Barzal should be willing to try to beat guys 1 on 1 and in regards to Barzal this is what he does best. He's shown the ability to beat teams 2 or even 3 on 1. Instead, because of the risk adverse system that has been pounded into their heads for the last 5 years they are just curling back and don't even attempt to make a play. That's NOT the players that's the system. Goring commented last night that the defense needs to be jumping into the play more but they're not. Again that's the system. They are worried that they are going to be screamed at for missing their assignments or lead to an odd man break the other way. The game is all about taking chances. That's sport. This is not chess. The system the team is being asked to play is doing this not the players.Yep. It's part of what makes me curious to see what Horvat does honestly. He's shown a willingness to try and beat guys 1 on 1 and that's one way to create more opportunities to score. Most of our players just curl back if it's a 2 on 2 and don't even attempt to make a play. The guys you mentioned are always looking for ways to turn those situations into better situations and we need more willingness to do that from the team.
I hate to break it to you but we're not exactly a prize winning team either. I know TB is not a run and gun team.
Again, are you satisfied with the Isles game? Do they just keep doing what they are doing and lose year after year?
There comes a point where they have to say it's simply not working and they need to try something new.
Anyone think its depressing how fast Vegas and Tampa develops players to replace holes, yet the islanders can't find a replacement at all for anything from their minor leagues?
This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Skilled players like Horvat and Barzal should be willing to try to beat guys 1 on 1 and in regards to Barzal this is what he does best. He's shown the ability to beat teams 2 or even 3 on 1. Instead, because of the risk adverse system that has been pounded into their heads for the last 5 years they are just curling back and don't even attempt to make a play. That's NOT the players that's the system. Goring commented last night that the defense needs to be jumping into the play more but they're not. Again that's the system. They are worried that they are going to be screamed at for missing their assignments or lead to an odd man break the other way. The game is all about taking chances. That's sport. This is not chess.
Paul Cotter, Zach Whitecloud, Logan Thompson, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Nic Hague. Man if only the islanders could do that with their career minor leaguers.Vegas has bought their entire core, who have they developed?
Paul Cotter, Zach Whitecloud, Logan Thompson, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Nic Hague. Man if only the islanders could do that with their career minor leaguers.
That's a system change. That's opening up the game. The current system has them sitting back on their heels.What do you do now with the season? They're five games in, I'm not panicking yet. I think structurally they actually need to play more east/west when breaking out of their own end rather than the north/south they've been trying to. Their passes are picked off because the defense isn't moving and their telegraphing their passes to slow/stationary forwards. They need to break out closer to their own blue line and use speed through the neutral zone with Engvall, Barzal, and Horvat to generate odd man rushes. We need Dobson jumping up into the play more as the fourth or third guy during these transition phases. What we have right now is a 3 forwards who go up and 2 defensemen who sit back. I'd go with a 2-1-2 forecheck that pushes the pace and creates havoc in the offensive zone.
Well there's our differences right there. In my book sport is not a brainless, mindless pursuit but it's not chess either. Sport is about instincts, being in the zone, staying loose and using your physical attributes, strength speed, reflexes, and skill to beat the opposing player. The British over thought their structure during the Revolutionary War much to their detriment while the colonists invented guerilla warfare. You're not in an armchair playing chess. Unfortunately this is what Lambert and even moreso Trotz had the team doing. To some degree it was successful but when it counted the most it failed. Instead of going with their instincts the players are overthinking the game too much to their own detriment.I fundamentally disagree. It's absolutely chess.
That's a system change. That's opening up the game. The current system has them sitting back on their heels.
Well there's our differences right there. In my book sport is not a brainless, mindless pursuit but it's not chess either. Sport is about instincts, being in the zone, staying loose and using your physical attributes, strength speed, reflexes, and skill to beat the opposing player. The British over thought their structure during the Revolutionary War much to their detriment while the colonists invented guerilla warfare. You're not in an armchair playing chess. Unfortunately this is what Lambert and even moreso Trotz had the team doing. To some degree it was successful but when it counted the most it failed. Instead of going with their instincts the players are overthinking the game too much to their own detriment.
I don't want this team playing pond hockey. There has to be some structure but the team needs to get back to what makes them athletes. Barzal, Pulock, Dobson, Nelson, Horvat- these players need to be utilizing the assets that make them special. They are not pawns on a chessboard. Let them be athletes.
Well, 8 or 9M+ for good players just doesn’t work.
Find a disgruntled star like Eichel. He was the difference maker.Anyone think its depressing how fast Vegas and Tampa develops players to replace holes, yet the islanders can't find a replacement at all for anything from their minor leagues?