I think Islanders are the dark horse of the East this season.

[Rehabguy]

There's also so many teams that "Win rounds" then do nothing. 2021 playoffs-3 of 4 conf. finalists went on to miss the playoffs the next year. The 1 team that was fine? They had the elite core (Colorado)

From the cup winners, it appears the most talented teams win cups. The 2 most talented teams met in the finals last year.

Blues were more of an outlier, but Pens, Caps, Bolts, Avs, all elite cores.

I just think because of the system the Isles were playing you didn't recognize the talent is on the Islanders team.

Barzal, Lee, Dobson, Nelson, Pulock, Pelech, would be considered very talented players on Cup Contender. The rest of the team would also be considered the types of players you would find on a talented Cup team as well. I don't think there are too many "I wish he wasn't in the line-up players" on the team right now. They are fighting for their positions. This is a good thing.

Pens, Caps, Bolts are teams that the Islanders handily beat with their elite cores the past few seasons. They took the Bolts to the brink both Eastern Conference finals.

 

[GlassesManbad]

I just think because of the system the Isles were playing you didn't recognize the talent is on the Islanders team.

Barzal, Lee, Dobson, Nelson, Pulock, Pelech, would be considered very talented players on Cup Contender. The rest of the team would also be considered the types of players you would find on a talented Cup team as well. I don't think there are too many "I wish he wasn't in the line-up players" on the team right now. They are fighting for their positions. This is a good thing.

Islanders are not even close on being a top team talent-wise. I agree Barzal is a top talent and his stats are lower because of the system. The rest of the team? No real game breakers other than Barzal.

 

[GAGLine]

The Islanders have thus far played 3 games, all at home, losing to Florida and beating 2 weak teams in Anaheim and San Jose. Over their next 11 games, the competition becomes a lot stiffer, and 7 of those 11 are on the road.

NJ, @Tampa, @florida, NYR, @Carolina, Colorado, @Chicago, @ST. Louis, @Detroit, Calgary, @NYR

I think that stretch of games will give us a pretty good idea of where they are.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

Islanders are not even close on being a top team talent-wise. I agree Barzal is a top talent and his stats are lower because of the system. The rest of the team? No real game breakers other than Barzal.

A top 3-5 goalie and a top 5-10 defense goes a long way though. It's not all about the forwards. The teams that win the Cup generally have excellent defenses, Pittsburgh being an outlier (even though they played excellently in their 2nd of the b2b Cup wins).

 

[GlassesManbad]

A top 3-5 goalie and a top 5-10 defense goes a long way though. It's not all about the forwards. The teams that win the Cup generally have excellent defenses, Pittsburgh being an outlier (even though they played excellently in their 2nd of the b2b Cup wins).

We'll see the D numbers without Trotz.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Cautiously optimistic about the Isles this year, but to be fair, it's basically the same core that had multiple playoff series wins for 3 out of the last 4 years. Beating multiple Hall of Famers and Stanley Cup winning squads along the way, so one can make an argument it is relevant

That players of that core have gotten older, some not for the better.

 

[unicornpig]

possibly the east is gonna be bad this year.

 

[Rehabguy]

The Islanders have thus far played 3 games, all at home, losing to Florida and beating 2 weak teams in Anaheim and San Jose. Over their next 11 games, the competition becomes a lot stiffer, and 7 of those 11 are on the road.

NJ, @Tampa, @florida, NYR, @Carolina, Colorado, @Chicago, @ST. Louis, @Detroit, Calgary, @NYR

I think that stretch of games will give us a pretty good idea of where they are.

We also have to factor in its a completely new system for the players to adapt to. They looked a little disjointed in the Florida opener. They'll need a few more weeks to nail the system down further. But I like what I see so far.

Islanders are not even close on being a top team talent-wise. I agree Barzal is a top talent and his stats are lower because of the system. The rest of the team? No real game breakers other than Barzal.

Yet as they have shown over and over and over they can easily beat the so called "talented" teams. Take the NYR for example other than Panarin who really is a game breaker on that team? What Kreider? Zabanijad? Historically speaking those players haven't done much more than the core of the Islanders players. They just played a more offensively minded system behind a strong goaltender.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

I hate everything about this

 

[Rehabguy]

I hate everything about this

Well, the Islander fans who are partaking in this thread are old timers. We're not used to being apologists. But like I said, I don't represent all Islander fans. Do what you want but be nice. I'll say one thing. The Islanders during the Glory Years never thought like losers. That's why they were consistently winners. They believed in themselves.

 

[saintunspecified]

You didn't watch the Isles pre Trotz. Scoring goals was not the problem.

I mean, congrats. I thought you'd clown the discussion in one response, but it took a few.

I find the notion that Trotz couldn't have adjusted to NYI's changed defensive personnel to be an insult to his intelligence. NYI moved on imo because they thought Trotz needed a break, and because they wanted a new voice. I think if Trotz had tried to play in the defensive zone last year (with any pairing except Pelech/Pulock) with how Lambert is having his defenders play so far, the result might be Dougie blowouts.

When Toews came up, and established himself with Mayfield, NYI's scoring/aggressiveness increased. Nothing about the coach changed. When they lost Toews & then Leddy, should anyone be surprised NYI would play off men & collapse to the net? This isn't rocket science, and systems aren't as rigid as people like to think. But putting things that way make for easy media narratives.

 

[Rehabguy]

I mean, congrats. I thought you'd clown the discussion in one response, but it took a few.

I find the notion that Trotz couldn't have adjusted to NYI's changed defensive personnel to be an insult to his intelligence. NYI moved on imo because they thought Trotz needed a break, and because they wanted a new voice. I think if Trotz had tried to play in the defensive zone last year (with any pairing except Pelech/Pulock) with how Lambert is having his defenders play so far, the result might be Dougie blowouts.

You can't accept that they are winning thus far? Are you expecting them to start losing? This is all smoke a mirrors. A mirage? Waiting for the loss. Haters going to hate. Islanders have to lose because they are the Islanders? Who's exactly clowning here?

 

[mm11]

That players of that core have gotten older, some not for the better.

thanks for sharing, the young skilled guys and goalie got better with experience winning on big stage games. Can make an argument for both sides. Your older core guys mentioned are 4th and 3rd liners

 

[nbwingsfan]

We also have to factor in its a completely new system for the players to adapt to. They looked a little disjointed in the Florida opener. They'll need a few more weeks to nail the system down further. But I like what I see so far.


Yet as they have shown over and over and over they can easily beat the so called "talented" teams. Take the NYR for example other than Panarin who really is a game breaker on that team? What Kreider? Zabanijad? Historically speaking those players haven't done much more than the core of the Islanders players. They just played a more offensively minded system behind a strong goaltender.

Zibanejad and Fox have done MUCH more than everyone on the Isles.

 

[mm11]

We also have to factor in its a completely new system for the players to adapt to. They looked a little disjointed in the Florida opener. They'll need a few more weeks to nail the system down further. But I like what I see so far.


Yet as they have shown over and over and over they can easily beat the so called "talented" teams. Take the NYR for example other than Panarin who really is a game breaker on that team? What Kreider? Zabanijad? Historically speaking those players haven't done much more than the core of the Islanders players. They just played a more offensively minded system behind a strong goaltender.

gotta disagree, Zibby and Fox the Long Islander are game breakers.

Well, the Islander fans who are partaking in this thread are old timers. We're not used to being apologists. But like I said, I don't represent all Islander fans. Do what you want but be nice. I'll say one thing. The Islanders during the Glory Years never thought like losers. That's why they were consistently winners. They believed in themselves.

We did have an air of Ranger and Toronto arrogance back then, didn't we? Difference was we won ... Multiple cups

 

[Rehabguy]

gotta disagree, Zibby and Fox the Long Islander are game breakers.

Fox is good. But so is Pelech. If by these standards they are considered Cup potentials, why couldn't the Islanders be? I don't see a mismatch in talent at all. I think the roster in general has been underrated simply because of the system they were playing for the last 3 years. This year will tell the story.

Zibanejad and Fox have done MUCH more than everyone on the Isles.

Exactly what? Where did they go? What did they accomplish? The Isles made the playoffs 3 out of the last 5 years, two conference finals and 1 conference semifinals. The Rangers made the semi finals once in five years. Where was Zibanejad and Fox those years?

We did have an air of Ranger and Toronto arrogance back then, didn't we? Difference was we won ... Multiple cups

The players had a lot of swagger. TONS! but that's how winners think!

 

[mm11]

Zibanejad and Fox have done MUCH more than everyone on the Isles.

truth is not really but ok. Barzal at the ripe old age of 25 has NHL hardware and has won as many or more playoff series than Zibby and Foxy combined and has complied a higher scoring individual NHL regular season

Fox is good. But so is Pelech. If by these standards they are considered Cup potentials, why couldn't the Islanders be? I don't see a mismatch in talent at all. I think the roster in general has been underrated simply because of the system they were playing for the last 3 years. This year will tell the story.


Exactly what? Where did they go? What did they accomplish?



The players had a lot of swagger. TONS! but that's how winners think!

amen brother

 

[saintunspecified]

You can't accept that they are winning thus far? Are you expecting them to start losing? This is all smoke a mirrors. A mirage? Waiting for the loss. Haters going to hate. Islanders have to lose because they are the Islanders? Who's exactly clowning here?

No, you foolish person. I think NYI have much improved 2nd & 3rd pairings, that they are playing more aggressive defensively because (i) their defenders have the ability to play that way, and (ii) because NYI don't have to play any 1 defender 25+ mins/night. This helps tilt/correct the tilt in the ice! But I don't think NYI have the dynamic forward they'd need to be more in the east's top group. They're going to play tight games. Yeah, I think NYI will score more, but only because they'll have quicker exits. But NYI still lack an elite forward. Heck, we're seeing Barzal's wingers running into each other even during those wins. It's not all encouraging.

But I'll say this - Dobson is a monster. Obviously the Sharks & Ducks didn't get that, but I don't think he's going to be any surprise to CAR, NYR, or PIT. The way he looks out there, I think he'll be a Norris candidate sooner than later.

 

[mm11]

do i smell a 1st round matchup vrs the boys in NYC? would be kinda fun...or not! Been a long time

 

[2014nyr]

Oh so by your logic a team must make it to the semifinals 3 years in a row to be considered legit. That's absurd. 2 out of 3 for most would suffice. Just about anyone in the know understood that last year was a fluke. This is the absurdity we are dealing with here. It's so illogical. Ex NHL hockey players are saying the same thing, I don't see why it's so difficult to understand.

"I'm telling you right now, you can talk all you want about the goaltender for the New York Rangers, but (explicit) Sorokin is sick on Long Island. I'm telling you the Islanders are going to be a team to be reckoned with this season. They're gonna be a (explicit) good team, man. Their whole season was the biggest collaboration of bad luck I've ever seen a team have. They had to start the whole season on the road, they all got Covid, no canceled games, and then all of a sudden they started canceling every team's games when guys got Covid. There was no chance they (could) come back (after all that). The roster the year before had gone to the Eastern Conference Final, actually both years before. The Islanders are very good and will be very good this year."- Ryan Whitney

This guy knows what's coming.

what are you talking about? i didnt say anything about being legit or say anything serious about the isles. you said the isles had gone to the last 3 semi finals and all i've heard from isles buddies the last couple years was about the trotz difference....you're missing the joke. its not that serious. take a deep breath.

ex nhl player or players though? there's quite a few with predictions out there how do i know who is right?

 

[Rehabguy]

do i smell a 1st round matchup vrs the boys in NYC? would be kinda fun...or not! Been a long time

I think a subway series is in order to settle this debate!

 

[Pantokrator]

Or maybe the shortened COVID years were the fluke and not the one 82 game season?

Hmm. Good point. I still think that their depth makes them a strong candidate to be in the playoffs and be a nuisance. Of course, maybe this new coach may flop.

 

[Rehabguy]

what are you talking about? i didnt say anything about being legit or say anything serious about the isles. you said the isles had gone to the last 3 semi finals and all i've heard from isles buddies the last couple years was about the trotz difference....you're missing the joke. its not that serious. take a deep breath.

ex nhl player or players though? there's quite a few with predictions out there how do i know who is right?

Well I'll agree on one thing, I have no idea what your point is.

Hmm. Good point. I still think that their depth makes them a strong candidate to be in the playoffs and be a nuisance. Of course, maybe this new coach may flop.

If nuisance means another shot at the Eastern Conference finals 3 in 4 years BTW, I'm all for it. I think with the revised system they can go all the way this year.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Fox is good. But so is Pelech. If by these standards they are considered Cup potentials, why couldn't the Islanders be? I don't see a mismatch in talent at all. I think the roster in general has been underrated simply because of the system they were playing for the last 3 years. This year will tell the story.


Exactly what? Where did they go? What did they accomplish? The Isles made the playoffs 3 out of the last 5 years, two conference finals and 1 conference semifinals. The Rangers made the semi finals once in five years. Where was Zibanejad and Fox those years?



The players had a lot of swagger. TONS! but that's how winners think!

Fox has only been on the team for three of those years one as a rookie.

What have they done?
Norris, PPG seeason, 74pt season… did you actually just compare Pelech to him ????

Zibanejad:
75 in 57
80+pt season

When was the last time anyone other than Barzal forever ago put up an 80pt season on the Isles?

Then they have the worlds best goalie.

 

[Axe Man]

I hope they are. We shall see. I'd be happy if they just grab a wildcard spot.