Confirmed with Link: Lane Lambert Named Head Coach

[Kevin27NYI]

True. We have some good players.

I just get annoyed with lazy narratives, it's obvious we need another high end talent but you rarely see Nelson get love, a big part of knocking the goals down is realizing how talented the 1-6 was of Pelech-Pulock, Toews-Mayfield, Leddy-Boychuk (then Dobson-Greene). Until of course, Toews and Leddy go to another team and now we see how good they are.

 

[MJF]

I just get annoyed with lazy narratives, it's obvious we need another high end talent but you rarely see Nelson get love, a big part of knocking the goals down is realizing how talented the 1-6 was of Pelech-Pulock, Toews-Mayfield, Leddy-Boychuk (then Dobson-Greene). Until of course, Toews and Leddy go to another team and now we see how good they are.

I think Brock Nelson is our best forward. I get knocked when I say he has the best release on the team. But there isn’t a superstar among our forwards. In fact the only 2 superstars in the making that I see on our roster are Sorokin and Dobson.

 

[IslesNorway]

I haven’t read through the entire thread. What’s the general consensus on the Lambert hire?

I’m lukewarm; don’t hate it, don’t love it. The conjecture about him opening up the offense leaves me wondering if they sacrifice D and structure. This would not be the route I take w/ a team that lacks elite talent.

I would’ve given Trotz his final year with a better roster.

I'm okay with Lambert and is looking forward to a different brand of hockey. I like Trotz a lot and would've wanted him to stay for another year, but I think there's a multitude of reasons he was let go. I don't think Lou was too happy about how Trotz used and developed young players like Wahlstrom and Bellows and how some other players, like Beauvillier has failed to improve over the past few seasons. Add to that how poorly Palmieri and Pageau played for large stretches of the season and the writing was on the wall.

I think he wants to see Lambert change all that with a different approach and he clearly believes they have it in them to turn things around. After all, Lambert already knows these guys inside out so instead of getting someone from the outside, who may have wanted their own players brought in, Lou believes Lambert can steady the ship. I'm not ecstatic but cautiously optimistic of the hire and glad we didn't join the carousel of getting a De Boer or Maurice.

 

[Mike C]

I'm okay with Lambert and is looking forward to a different brand of hockey. I like Trotz a lot and would've wanted him to stay for another year, but I think there's a multitude of reasons he was let go. I don't think Lou was too happy about how Trotz used and developed young players like Wahlstrom and Bellows and how some other players, like Beauvillier has failed to improve over the past few seasons. Add to that how poorly Palmieri and Pageau played for large stretches of the season and the writing was on the wall.

I think he wants to see Lambert change all that with a different approach and he clearly believes they have it in them to turn things around. After all, Lambert already knows these guys inside out so instead of getting someone from the outside, who may have wanted their own players brought in, Lou believes Lambert can steady the ship. I'm not ecstatic but cautiously optimistic of the hire and glad we didn't join the carousel of getting a De Boer or Maurice.

Sensible thoughts. I'm a big Wahlstrom fan so I hope he flourishes whether it be hopefully here or elsewhere

I would have like Barry to have stayed in a non covid/road trip start but will certainly root for Lambert to succeed

 

[NewYorkIsles]

Are we keeping Korn?

 

[xECK29x]

Are we keeping Korn?

I assume he ends up with Trotz wherever he lands, regardless if its a coaching role or not.

 

[Bronson]

There is nothing incorrect about the statement. Tavares left and Trotz arrived. Trotz installed a system that cut 100 goals against in his first year, and the team made the playoffs 3 years in a row, getting a little further each year.

Considering that most observers think the Islanders played better than the sum of their parts, maybe the better way to say it is Trotz was the main reason driving our success.

True but look at the coaches we had before him. Fred Flintstone and Doug Weight would drag down even Colorado's or Tampa's rosters.

 

[BelovedIsles]

I'm okay with Lambert and is looking forward to a different brand of hockey. I like Trotz a lot and would've wanted him to stay for another year, but I think there's a multitude of reasons he was let go. I don't think Lou was too happy about how Trotz used and developed young players like Wahlstrom and Bellows and how some other players, like Beauvillier has failed to improve over the past few seasons. Add to that how poorly Palmieri and Pageau played for large stretches of the season and the writing was on the wall.

I think he wants to see Lambert change all that with a different approach and he clearly believes they have it in them to turn things around. After all, Lambert already knows these guys inside out so instead of getting someone from the outside, who may have wanted their own players brought in, Lou believes Lambert can steady the ship. I'm not ecstatic but cautiously optimistic of the hire and glad we didn't join the carousel of getting a De Boer or Maurice.

Apt post, agree with 'multitude.' I suspect that LL and Trotz disagreed on something(s) core and Trotz expressed that he was gone after contract. LL doesn't strike me as a GM who focuses on youth development, but that may have been a core incompatibility. LL does seem impulsive with his firings, though he doesn't strike me as impulsive. An NJD fan posted here when LL was first hired that fans think they may know something about his moves, and LL trolls them.

Think I would've waited to see the market and snagged Cassidy.

 

[seafoam]

Apt post, agree with 'multitude.' I suspect that LL and Trotz disagreed on something(s) core and Trotz expressed that he was gone after contract. LL doesn't strike me as a GM who focuses on youth development, but that may have been a core incompatibility. LL does seem impulsive with his firings, though he doesn't strike me as impulsive. An NJD fan posted here when LL was first hired that fans think they may know something about his moves, and LL trolls them.

Think I would've waited to see the market and snagged Cassidy.

Cassidy seems like a bourbon guy, Lambert definitely appreciates a nice bottle of chianti. That right there alone sealed the deal for Lamoriello.

 

[seafoam]

Any update on the rest of the staff? Seems like the hiring window passed without any news from NYI.

 

[Glory Days]

Any update on the rest of the staff? Seems like the hiring window passed without any news from NYI.

Since when does Lou ever announce things timely. My guess is the staff has been hired but not announced.

 

[PK Cronin]

Since when does Lou ever announce things timely. My guess is the staff has been hired but not announced.

They've already been hired and fired, we just haven't been told yet.

 

[impaaaaaact]

As dissapointing as the season has been, it's been difficult for me to be too hard on Lambert. Let's look at the roster he inherited: Best goaltending duo in the NHL, very very good D core, and bottom 10 forward core.

He implements a system that attempts to help out the team's offense by constantly activating the D men - the upside of this is a boost in scoring (our D has scored the most goals in the league) at the risk of leaving your goalie out to dry. Fortunately, as previously stated you have the best goalie tandem in the league, and your starter is leading the league in GSVA and has a top 5 save percentage despite the increased high danger chances.

If your defense is scoring at the highest rate in the league and your goalie is top 5 in save % and GAA, shouldn't that be enough? Unfortunately the forwards still just can't score. Even with all that scoring from the defense, the team is in the bottom quarter of the league in goals per game. Add to that 2 of your top 6 wingers go on IR for an extended period of time. PLUS your top defensive player misses 20 games.

Just feels hard to put this on Lane at this time. The blame should be directed towards Lamoriello for being unable or unwilling to provide the team with the scoring boost they so obviously have needed since he arrived.

 

[Mike C]

As dissapointing as the season has been, it's been difficult for me to be too hard on Lambert. Let's look at the roster he inherited: Best goaltending duo in the NHL, very very good D core, and bottom 10 forward core.

He implements a system that attempts to help out the team's offense by constantly activating the D men - the upside of this is a boost in scoring (our D has scored the most goals in the league) at the risk of leaving your goalie out to dry. Fortunately, as previously stated you have the best goalie tandem in the league, and your starter is leading the league in GSVA and has a top 5 save percentage despite the increased high danger chances.

If your defense is scoring at the highest rate in the league and your goalie is top 5 in save % and GAA, shouldn't that be enough? Unfortunately the forwards still just can't score. Even with all that scoring from the defense, the team is in the bottom quarter of the league in goals per game. Add to that 2 of your top 6 wingers go on IR for an extended period of time. PLUS your top defensive player misses 20 games.

Just feels hard to put this on Lane at this time. The blame should be directed towards Lamoriello for being unable or unwilling to provide the team with the scoring boost they so obviously have needed since he arrived.

His decision making is less than impressive. Not starting your best vs league's best as in Sorokin vs Bost

Taking line combos that work and changing them as in Cizikas Pageau and Parise then taking Cizikas away from Barzal

Keeping Pulock on PP2 point when Aho can actually reach the net and make quick passes

Having Aho on in PK and late game situations

Just some examples to me of not handling things within your control to favorable outcome

 

[MarsTBOW]

His decision making is less than impressive. Not starting your best vs league's best as in Sorokin vs Bost

Taking line combos that work and changing them as in Cizikas Pageau and Parise then taking Cizikas away from Barzal

Keeping Pulock on PP2 point when Aho can actually reach the net and make quick passes

Having Aho on in PK and late game situations

Just some examples to me of not handling things within your control to favorable outcome

To be fair he has had Bailey Ride pine for a few games...

 

[ScaredStreit]

I know that scoring is our biggest weakness...but you need to play to your team's strengths and that's just not happening at the moment.

 

[Lek]

Have you seen this team on the ice????...they look a mess.....3 for 51??...seemingly cannot make clean passes, excel in turnovers.

Look, i thought the Lambert hiring was going to be a good thing.....I liked the choice.....but at his point i have very little confidence in Lambert and this coaching staff.

 

[Mike C]

To be fair he has had Bailey Ride pine for a few games...

True but even that first time was a minor league BS decision. I'm not a Bailey hater or lover. I'm ambivalent towards him. Don't mind him here, wouldn't care if he wasn't HOWEVER, I bellow, benching him so as to not allow him the token of respect to play his 1000th game in front of his home fans was bush.

 

[impaaaaaact]

His decision making is less than impressive. Not starting your best vs league's best as in Sorokin vs Bost

Taking line combos that work and changing them as in Cizikas Pageau and Parise then taking Cizikas away from Barzal

Keeping Pulock on PP2 point when Aho can actually reach the net and make quick passes

Having Aho on in PK and late game situations

Just some examples to me of not handling things within your control to favorable outcome

You think we win the Boston game with Sorokin in net? Alternatively, you think Varlamov beats Buffalo? But out of some stroke of luck if Varly pulls out that Boston game it could give the team a jump start in confidence - I feel like I understood the move

Leaving Cizikas with Barzal would have required us to burn a year of Raty's ELC while we're playing him 8 mins a game. Likely was out of his hands

Agree about the PP2

Just seems like he's working with what he's got. But I hear you

 

[impaaaaaact]

Have you seen this team on the ice????...they look a mess.....3 for 51??...seemingly cannot make clean passes, excel in turnovers.

Look, i thought the Lambert hiring was going to be a good thing.....I liked the choice.....but at his point i have very little confidence in Lambert and this coaching staff.

The power play has been a mess since Tavares left. it dropped like 9% from 2018 to 2019 and never really recovered until a blip last season. You can hope a new coach comes in and has an effect on that but realistically he was here through all of that himself and there haven't been any offensive adds to the roster so it's hard for me to expect too much of a boost there. And again, doesn't help that two our of PP guys have been out for the entirety of the 3-51 stretch.

I'm not blindly advocating for the dude, just don't necessarily think he's dust given the situation he was put in. A hall of fame coach did not bring this roster to the playoffs last season

 

[Mike C]

You think we win the Boston game with Sorokin in net? Alternatively, you think Varlamov beats Buffalo? But out of some stroke of luck if Varly pulls out that Boston game it could give the team a jump start in confidence - I feel like I understood the move

Leaving Cizikas with Barzal would have required us to burn a year of Raty's ELC while we're playing him 8 mins a game. Likely was out of his hands

Agree about the PP2

Just seems like he's working with what he's got. But I hear you

I think if Sorokin is the Vezina caliber guy and a big gamer, Boston at home was a chance for that jump start confidence boost. Buffalo is behind us in standings and theoretically should be a team we beat, especially when they are playing a goalie with a save pct of 89.6. but you're right in that it might not have mattered anyway

With Cizikas/Barzal, there are ways around it even without Raty. Bailey can C 4th line or Barzal can double shift a bit or just roll 3 lines and spot in Martin and Cal or whoever is in his place situationally in game and rotate the centers. At least Barzal/Cizikas has some chemistry whereas now this is a chemical explosion all the way around

I don't blame whole season on Lambert just like I don't blame last year on Trotz but I think hiring a rookie coach thinking he will do what Barry didn't do last year was asking for trouble. As YearlyLottery said, Lane is making some rookie mistakes but I just think a former player and long time Barry protégé should have a better grip on things

I also thought it was crappy he didn't let Bailey play his 1000th at home and I'm perturbed that he didn't "suggest" that an Isles player, any player, make an on ice example of somebody after Ovechkin made an example of Pageau, which was done intentionally to give their team a spark. We answered by staying passive and rolling over.

 

[seafoam]

His decision making is less than impressive. Not starting your best vs league's best as in Sorokin vs Bost

Taking line combos that work and changing them as in Cizikas Pageau and Parise then taking Cizikas away from Barzal

Keeping Pulock on PP2 point when Aho can actually reach the net and make quick passes

Having Aho on in PK and late game situations

Just some examples to me of not handling things within your control to favorable outcome

I’m in agreement about the decision making.

 

[scottywiper]

He clearly can't fix the PP. And his inane press conferences offer little to encourage fans, other then general wishwash about needing to be better. Explain what steps we are taking to improve! Give some insight!
He seems out of his depth , from an outside perspective.

 

[seafoam]

Defending leads…coaching issue or roster issue?

 

[MikeyMike01]

This man is garbage and I want him gone