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

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chethejet said:
Islanders are simply not very talented and the grind of 82 games having to grind it every game to win takes some toll. Even if playing disciplined and getting some leeway on questionable physical play, aplayoff series that they have limited scoring and trying to win games 2-1 are just not realistic. Pens with a better goalie at that time win the series. Plus not sure what they are with out Trotz and what he wanted as to the style of play.
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Their D and Goaltending are top 5, top 10 in the league and they have excellent Center depth. To say that Barzal, Nelson, Pageau, Pelech, Pulock, Dobson and Sorokin aren't talented is just false.

They need help on the wings. A lot of help.

Martin Skoula said:
There's no way they keep that pick, it's going to be traded for a middle-6er or a #4-6 D again.
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Unfortunately I think this is going to wind up being proven true...

John Price said:
They played better after a horrific start mainly due to not playing at home for months. That said lambert is an unknown.

Trotz successor in dc was disappointing and we don't know how lambert will do.
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Well, they're going to HAVE to play similar given the lack of wings talent and abundance of D and G talent.

Going to be interesting. I'm going to stick by my prediction of them the last four years. They'll fight for a playoff spot but if in are a dangerous team to play.

It's not what I'd prefer (a legitimate 1st line in addition to everything else) but we struck out again in Free Agency.
 
I'm curious to see what system Lambert will implement. With great goaltending and defense, I can picture some success with a grinding defensive system that can wear teams down.
I'm not sure they have the talent or speed to open it up offensively.
 
Pure Slaughter Value said:
Their D and Goaltending are top 5, top 10 in the league and they have excellent Center depth. To say that Barzal, Nelson, Pageau, Pelech, Pulock, Dobson and Sorokin aren't talented is just false.

They need help on the wings. A lot of help.



Unfortunately I think this is going to wind up being proven true...



Well, they're going to HAVE to play similar given the lack of wings talent and abundance of D and G talent.

Going to be interesting. I'm going to stick by my prediction of them the last four years. They'll fight for a playoff spot but if in are a dangerous team to play.

It's not what I'd prefer (a legitimate 1st line in addition to everything else) but we struck out again in Free Agency.
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Idt anyone has looked at the Isles and said yeah, the defense and goaltending stink lol

But their forwards have gotta be the weakest in the Metro. Maybe Philly is weaker or Washington currently with Backstrom out.

If the scoring was as suppressed as I imagine under Trotz in NY (which is odd, I still think he went heavier on defense this time around than in Washington) the Isles could surprise if led by a PPG+ Barzal.. but itd still be depending on names like Bailey Wahlstrom and Beauvilier and theyve struggled (though I expect Wahlstrom to break out this year or next)
 
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Rehabguy said:
The addition of offense was by subtracting Trotz. Full stop

Beyond a doubt Trotz system propelled the Islanders to great heights the last 3 seasons but it was one that focused on defense. All offense was generated by the forecheck only which goes against so much of the natural instincts of the Isles creative forwards that I think, and I think Lou thinks - was stifling. But no one’s going to complain if it got results- until it didn’t.

I believe the Islanders have one of the most potent offenses in the East once it’s unhinged. If you look at their numbers over the past 3 seasons the numbers will lie because it doesn’t reveal the full story. Prior to Trotz taking over the team the Isles were able to roll 4 lines and score by committee. The team you see in front of you has much more offensive potential than the time when JT was captain. Perhaps you forgot how Barzal really plays the game or never watched a Wahlstrom slapshot or a Pulock howitzer. We see the offensive instincts in Dobson and Bellows and we know the damage Lee, Nelson, Bailey, Palmieri, Pageau and Parise can dish out. We also know that our 4th line is able to score a dirty goal anytime in a game when they decide to turn on the offense. Who knows if they are going to call up Raty sooner than later.

Throw in Sorokin and a battering ram in Romanov who knows what energy those two will bring to the team?

This team is stacked and that’s what makes them a dark horse. A new system is coming into play this year we hope that allows for more creativity. The question will be will this balance between offense and defense be enough for the Isles to exceed the advantages Trotz’s defensive centric system offered? Time will tell but don’t make the naive decision to count them out.
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So far the prediction that the Isles will play a less conservative defensive system is proving true. Looking forward to a more offense oriented Islander's game this upcoming season. Stay tuned!


islanders-embrace-change-in-style
 
Lou certainly seems to agree with the OP based on his quiet summer. I don't pay close attention but I believe this is most of the roster that made the playoffs the season prior.

There seems to be room for growth from both Barzal and Soroken which is always nice. No surprise if they return to the post season. I'd like to see a little more forward star power before calling them a contender.
 
Isles are a huge question mark. New coach, some new players but also some aging core.


It wouldn’t be every core player fall off at once but when they need forward scoring depth even one older guy declining could hurt

The young guys, how much were they held back by system or Trotz’s refusal to focus on development, or were they just not as good as hoped and will never be consistent?
 
Dark horse eh?

I think they're so dark they're almost invisible. They really needed to upgrade their roster to even be considered a contender in this horse race.. and they didn't.
Lets face it. 79 year old Lou is past his prime. Dumbest signing in years for the Islander organization.
 
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It just feels line the Eastern rebuild has flown past them.

Wouldn’t be surprised if they missed the playoffs again
 
Rubi said:
Dark horse eh?

I think they're so dark they're almost invisible. They really needed to upgrade their roster to even be considered a contender in this horse race.. and they didn't.
Lets face it. 79 year old Lou is past his prime. Dumbest signing in years for the Islander organization.
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Yeah. They’re severely lacking a Vesey.
 
It is safe to say the Islanders will have no trouble scoring this year under Lambert's system. Islanders unhinged. I think it's going to be a great season.
 
Rehabguy said:
It is safe to say the Islanders will have no trouble scoring this year under Lambert's system. Islanders unhinged. I think it's going to be a great season.
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Don't get to happy. Ducks don't play defense.. so any team can score a touchdown on them
 
Rehabguy said:
It is safe to say the Islanders will have no trouble scoring this year under Lambert's system. Islanders unhinged. I think it's going to be a great season.
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Im not sure one single game against one of the worst teams in hockey is the proof you think it is…
 
CrazyDuck4u said:
Don't get to happy. Ducks don't play defense.. so any team can score a touchdown on them
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But purportedly the Isles don't play offense. Lambert tells the D to score goals and they score 5 this game. So I'm pretty confident that the Isles offense has been handcuffed by the previous system. They didn't score 7 goals all last season and game 2 they've already accomplished this. They were relentless. This team didn't make the Eastern Conference Finals 2 of the last 3 seasons if it wasn't stacked with talent. I'm picking them to win the President's Trophy this year.
 
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