Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California

[Seph]

I'll take the under on this.

I mean, yeah, anyone would; it's not supposed to be a prediction.

 

[Mike C]

I don't think the Rags offense was much better than any of the teams they faced, they just faced shit goalies.

Was Florida's offense not good? They didn't do anything to Tampa Bay.

Who were these great goalies and defenses that got lit up

The important thing is just to get the playoffs. We have "history" showing that these boys are capable of being a playoff team. Let's not forget that - right or wrong - the playoffs are called differently than the regular season.

Any impression we may have gotten last spring had a whole lot to do with some seriously bad goaltending, which wasn't all that surprising in light of how many teams actually even had a 3rd stringer in net.

But our Isles are getting to the playoffs via goaltending and their defensive group. Team defense will be key and naturally, we don't have the fastest forwards around. Those who can move it aren't necessarily the strongest defensive forwards we've got. All in all though, we should be one of the best in the Eastern Conference when it comes to winning the tight games.

I am also a believer in the "just get in" philosophy. Many things went against us last season. Aside from the things we couldn't control, the putrid showing in 3 on 3 OT and shootouts alone would have put us in better position. A healthy Mayfield and Pullock is HUGE I feel and I'm hoping, as others have stated, that there is a chip on the shoulders of all because of last season.

I am concerned with depth in case injuries do happen but although I feel the season can go either way, I'm cautiously optimistic and putting the past in the past and only looking forward with a clean slate for each player and the new coach.

As a nice little aside, both my son and I have always liked the Canadian National Anthem. Melodically, as well as it's reverence have always struck me. I feel it's a majestic song

Anyway, after not playing since high school, my wife recently took up the clarinet again 35 years later. When my son and I came home from karate last night, she surprised us with a rendition of "O Canada" she taught herself. My kid had his Barzal hoodie on because it was raining here, and I got ready for the perverbial puck drop.

Sorry to rattle on, thought you'd get a kick out of that!

 

[mm11]

Mie

I am also a believer in the "just get in" philosophy. Many things went against us last season. Aside from the things we couldn't control, the putrid showing in 3 on 3 OT and shootouts alone would have put us in better position. A healthy Mayfield and Pullock is HUGE I feel and I'm hoping, as others have stated, that there is a chip on the shoulders of all because of last season.

I am concerned with depth in case injuries do happen but although I feel the season can go either way, I'm cautiously optimistic and putting the past in the past and only looking forward with a clean slate for each player and the new coach.

As a nice little aside, both my son and I have always liked the Canadian National Anthem. Melodically, as well as it's reverence have always struck me. I feel it's a majestic song

Anyway, after not playing since high school, my wife recently took up the clarinet again 35 years later. When my son and I came home from karate last night, she surprised us with a rendition of "O Canada" she taught herself. My kid had his Barzal hoodie on because it was raining here, and I got ready for the perverbial puck drop.

Sorry to rattle on, thought you'd get a kick out of that!

Mike, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a really good family moment. Let's go Isles! drop the puck already! Anyway, I agree about the NYI are a few injuries away from a bad season again but is that not the same for just about any team?

 

[Mike C]

Mie

Mike, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a really good family moment. Let's go Isles! drop the puck already! Anyway, I agree about the NYI are a few injuries away from a bad season again but is that not the same for just about any team?

Thanks my buddy, shows at the very least she is ready for us to park ourselves front and center, beverage, snack Isles gear and screaming voices at the ready.

Hopefully we catch I few breaks this season.

When I was covering games back in the 80s, I sat behind the NY Post beat writer Doug Gould, he would yell at least once a game "Drop the puck you a**hole". Never failed to crack us all up

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I am also a believer in the "just get in" philosophy. Many things went against us last season. Aside from the things we couldn't control, the putrid showing in 3 on 3 OT and shootouts alone would have put us in better position. A healthy Mayfield and Pullock is HUGE I feel and I'm hoping, as others have stated, that there is a chip on the shoulders of all because of last season.

I am concerned with depth in case injuries do happen but although I feel the season can go either way, I'm cautiously optimistic and putting the past in the past and only looking forward with a clean slate for each player and the new coach.

As a nice little aside, both my son and I have always liked the Canadian National Anthem. Melodically, as well as it's reverence have always struck me. I feel it's a majestic song

Anyway, after not playing since high school, my wife recently took up the clarinet again 35 years later. When my son and I came home from karate last night, she surprised us with a rendition of "O Canada" she taught herself. My kid had his Barzal hoodie on because it was raining here, and I got ready for the perverbial puck drop.

Sorry to rattle on, thought you'd get a kick out of that!

Commie

 

[Mike C]

Commie

yeah you pegged it! we play the Russian National Anthem every time Sorokin gets a win

i think I'll sing a chorus every time Romanov knocks someone on his ass too!

we love our music in this house!

 

[NYI365]

I have no idea what to expect this season from this roster as it stands. I could see the Cup or I can see Connor Bedard. Someone help make it make sense

 

[mm11]

I have no idea what to expect this season from this roster as it stands. I could see the Cup or I can see Connor Bedard. Someone help make it make sense

I have repeated this all summer: It's easy to grin / When your ship comes in / And you've got the stock market beat. / But the man worthwhile, / Is the man who can smile, / When his shorts are too tight in the seat. Anyway, LGI!

 

[mm11]

Thanks my buddy, shows at the very least she is ready for us to park ourselves front and center, beverage, snack Isles gear and screaming voices at the ready.

Hopefully we catch I few breaks this season.

When I was covering games back in the 80s, I sat behind the NY Post beat writer Doug Gould, he would yell at least once a game "Drop the puck you a**hole". Never failed to crack us all up

Yea so, I kinda live in a wooded area about 2 acres in NE Florida and typically carry my Sand wedge (My Billy Baroo) with me watching games. Been known to blow off steam between periods hitting lob shots over the house, until I skulled one through the living room. Locals have no idea why I get so passionate about this hockey stuff

 

[saintunspecified]

I have no idea what to expect this season from this roster as it stands. I could see the Cup or I can see Connor Bedard. Someone help make it make sense

I think NYI will most likely be in the 90-99 point range, with outside chances of being in the 85-89 range or 100-104 range. I find Bedard territory (70 points or less) extremely unlikely, even less likely than winning the cup, which also seems very very unlikely.

I think it's very likely February through April is going to be major nail biting time for all of us wrt playoffs. Don't most people think this? I think the vast separation in the east we've seen recently ends this season.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

yeah you pegged it! we play the Russian National Anthem every time Sorokin gets a win

i think I'll sing a chorus every time Romanov knocks someone on his ass too!

we love our music in this house!

I was just messing with ya (you probably knew that). I dig the Canadian anthem too.

 

[Drive 4 Five]

I think NYI will most likely be in the 90-99 point range, with outside chances of being in the 85-89 range or 100-104 range. I find Bedard territory (70 points or less) extremely unlikely, even less likely than winning the cup, which also seems very very unlikely.

I think it's very likely February through April is going to be major nail biting time for all of us wrt playoffs. Don't most people think this? I think the vast separation in the east we've seen recently ends this season

Last year's separation between the top 8 and non-playoff teams in the East was historic. I don't see it happening again. Montreal will still be a doormat, but I expect teams like Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, New Jersey all to perform better than last year based on their off-seasons and expected growth from their young guns. It should result in a tighter race for the D3-WC2 spots.

 

[seafoam]

I appreciate the point total, but it may be more clear to project goal totals -

30 - Nelson and Lee
20- Palmieri, Barzal, Wahlstrom, Beauvillier
15 - Pageau and Bailey
10- Parise
5 - Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Bellows
2 - Martin and Johnston
5 goals scored by call ups
That is a total of 192 goals from the F group.

10- Dobson
7 - Pulock
5 - Mayfield Romanov and Pelech
3 - Salo
3 - Aho
2 - from call ups
50 goals from the D -

That’s 242 total goals (say 10 goal swing)
IF the GA fall back - to say 200ish that +30-42 goal diff. Will mean this team is 100+ team and in the playoffs

I was just piggybacking off of Chapin's post, but I agree goal totals make it easier to project this team because their success so heavily relies on goal differential. Here is my goal projections...

Nelson - 27
Barzal - 23
Dobson - 9
Lee - 26
Bailey - 16
Pageau - 16
Parise - 14
Beauvillier - 23
Palmieri - 22
Pelech - 5
Wahlstrom - 20
Pulock - 8
Bellows - 13
Mayfield - 2
Cizikas - 8
Clutterbuck - 6
Aho/Salo/CholoCop (combined) - 8
Martin - 4
Johnston - 4
Romanov - 3

That's 257 goals for. Lets take 15 goals off (to account for injuries and players not producing what I thought they would) of my projected totals which leaves them with 242 (your exact number). If the Islanders can bring their goals down to even 210 (27 goal decrease from last year), that's still a +32 differential which should at least keep them within wild card distance.

Lets hope there is a surprise or two on this team, which could potentially put them comfortably in one of the three Metro playoff spots. Realistically, this team should have the defense and goaltending in place to be closer to 200 GA than 210-215 GA.

 

[leeroggy]

I have no idea what to expect this season from this roster as it stands. I could see the Cup or I can see Connor Bedard. Someone help make it make sense

You're a shame to Merrick!

. . . from one who grew up there

 

[doublechili]

Been known to blow off steam between periods hitting lob shots over the house, until I skulled one through the living room.

I could have saved you a lot of time and done that on the first attempt.

 

[leeroggy]

Yea so, I kinda live in a wooded area about 2 acres in NE Florida and typically carry my Sand wedge (My Billy Baroo) with me watching games. Been known to blow off steam between periods hitting lob shots over the house, until I skulled one through the living room. Locals have no idea why I get so passionate about this hockey stuff

You need to hit a Fleming Island lax game next season, Will Krupsky is a heck of a player.

 

[NYI365]

You're a shame to Merrick!

. . . from one who grew up there

If this team goes off the rails you'll find me drowning my sorrows at Paddy Power near the train station in no time.

 

[leeroggy]

If this team goes off the rails you'll find me drowning my sorrows at Paddy Power near the train station in no time.

I moved out in 1977, back then it would have been OBI

 

[Mike C]

Yea so, I kinda live in a wooded area about 2 acres in NE Florida and typically carry my Sand wedge (My Billy Baroo) with me watching games. Been known to blow off steam between periods hitting lob shots over the house, until I skulled one through the living room. Locals have no idea why I get so passionate about this hockey stuff

during the playoff chase 2 seasons ago, we sat in the same seats, same positions, wore the same gear, slippers at the proper side of the chair, reclined back, etc....wife doesn't get it either "do you think they're hearing you through the tv?" she bellows at our mania

If this team goes off the rails you'll find me drowning my sorrows at Paddy Power near the train station in no time.

some on here strike me as such they would think about stepping in front of the train!

 

[saintunspecified]

Look it's possible the season flies off the rails, but not without a major injury to an essential player being the cause. I won't even mention the players in the same ost as 'major injury' because that's bad mojo. But we all know who they are.

As unsettled I feel about the forwards, Chapin is right that NYI's have top-notch goaltending, and a top-4 D in the tier just below Carolin in the east. (ftr, I think Pittsburgh can be pretty good. ngl I'm a little scared of what kind of year Petry might have with that Pittsburgh coaching).

 

[Mike C]

I was just messing with ya (you probably knew that). I dig the Canadian anthem too.

yeah man, that's why I replied as I did! although, my mother told me 50 years ago and my wife tells me today "you know, not everybody thinks you're funny!"

undaunted, I keep at it!

 

[Throttle]

Last year's separation between the top 8 and non-playoff teams in the East was historic. I don't see it happening again. Montreal will still be a doormat, but I expect teams like Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, New Jersey all to perform better than last year based on their off-seasons and expected growth from their young guns. It should result in a tighter race for the D3-WC2 spots.

I would disagree here. Last year teams were out of whack with so many factors. Also, the cap is closing in on exposing more teams have flaws that can't be patched as easily. Those teams you mentioned got better, but still are far away from taking 20-30 point leaps to grab a playoff spot. They are still very flawed teams to sustain a full season of playing at that level to stay competitive.

I see one of PIT or WAS going sideways this year and imploding. NYR relied so heavily on stellar goaltending and lots of strong seasons from a lot of guys. They face a very different level of pressure now. Typically, that's very hard to repeat to the same level again and they are probably battling for a wild card spot. CAR will face the same problems, can't get over the hump, and also relying on two often-injured goalies doesn't work very well.

I'll take a different approach and say the Metro is going to be a bit of different animal this season.

 

[mm11]

You need to hit a Fleming Island lax game next season, Will Krupsky is a heck of a player.

Cool I'll check it out.

 

[Mike C]

Last year's separation between the top 8 and non-playoff teams in the East was historic. I don't see it happening again. Montreal will still be a doormat, but I expect teams like Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, New Jersey all to perform better than last year based on their off-seasons and expected growth from their young guns. It should result in a tighter race for the D3-WC2 spots.

i also think the sabres will be improved. may be a year or two away but they are young and hungry and i think will be very competitive this season. they came together very nicely the last 20-25 games last season

 

[Doshell Propivo]

i also think the sabres will be improved. may be a year or two away but they are young and hungry and i think will be very competitive this season. they came together very nicely the last 20-25 games last season

Yeah but a lot of crap teams do when the games mean little/nothing. How many seasons did the Isles have where we would hang our hats on the "strong finish" only to suck again the next season.