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

[PK Cronin]

He is not - he doesn't PK and is not as physical as Cal.
You have to think about the role he plays and what is required.

They're very different players. Clutterbuck is faster, more physical, and has a better shot. Fasching protects the puck and plays the possession game better, and is less likely to be injured.

 

[MJF]

They're very different players. Clutterbuck is faster, more physical, and has a better shot. Fasching protects the puck and plays the possession game better, and is less likely to be injured.

And weaker in the defensive zone than Clutterbuck.

 

[Osakahaus]

He is not - he doesn't PK and is not as physical as Cal.

We watching the same team?

 

[LeapOnOver]

We watching the same team?

You are telling us that Fasching is a physical as Clutterbuck?

 

[Kevin27NYI]

We watching the same team?

Are you? Fasching is physical in the sense of puck protection, it’s his best skill set. But he doesn’t deliver hits and doesn’t PK.

In fact, him and Engvall should be working on that to earn more ice time

 

[Osakahaus]

You are telling us that Fasching is a physical as Clutterbuck?

I think he's better than Clutterbuck.

 

[Lek]

Apples and Oranges.

In his prime, Clutter is far better than Fasching is and will be?, probably not (and i like Fasching). Today, they are two different players with very little comparability.

I think Fasching will be a great addition to a new 4th line and even a third line if need be if he continues playing the way he has. He will never be Clutter and will never replace what Clutter brings to the table.

End of discussion.
Moving on......

 

[YearlyLottery]

I don't think Clutterbuck is a shell of his former self but I do think we cannot rely on him to play close to a full season. I do hope that this year the Islanders actually use some of their typical scratches to rotate guys in and out throughout the season. For an older team not having to play a grueling style of hockey every day would likely help come playoff time.

 

[SI]

Maybe, maybe.

I don’t believe Fasching has ever featured On the PK and he does play well a long the boards and is physical in that way but he doesn’t hit people at the same clip.

We watching the same team?e

 

[LeapOnOver]

I think he's better than Clutterbuck.

Depends on what you value. As a 3rd or 4th line player you just want someone defensively sound that will chip in offense once in awhile. Both check those boxes. However, Clutter is the only one that can actually make a huge impact in a game with one of his hits. I think people really underestimate the impact of the 4th line. They think they've slowed down just because there's zero offense coming from them, but Martin and Clutter hitting everything in sight most certainly changes the game dynamic, much more than Fasching ever will. I'm not saying you keep them forever, but what I am saying is that we've been blessed to have a 4th line that can do that for as long as they have. Fasching can be worked in to give those guys more of a rest, but we should use them until they are done. May be soon for both Clutter and Martin, but teams have consistently told the press how hard we are to play against, and those two men get 90% of the credit.

 

[BelovedIsles]

I don't know if 'meh' is the word. As an Islander's fan, I only get excited about watching hockey, but I don't really get excited about expectations anymore. Even after two years of those conference finals, I still couldn't get excited about expectations.

There's only been one season (after following this team since the early 90's) I was authentically excited about--two years ago when they were projected to be a top-5 team. I had to pinch myself, reflecting, 'man are the Isles really expected to be a Cup contender.' Alas, they missed the playoffs.

 

[BelovedIsles]

I've been ready for Islanders hockey to return since the day we were eliminated. My enthusiasm for the game is always there. Since our pre-season schedule has us traveling no further than Philadelphia I'm hoping I can make it to all 6 exhibition games. But my expectations for this season are not high. I'm just able to separate my love of the game from what I see on the roster.

Personally, that's why I prefer the playoffs in some ways. I can be a neutral observer of the game and truly appreciate how amazing it is.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Ya know i feel like this team is being overlooked by alot of people. A full season of Horvat and Engvall, hopefully an improved Dobson and Walhstrom developing. If they have even a decent PP i think this team is a playoff team. Elite goaltending, very good defense, and a mediocre forward group.

They are usually overlooked. I'm not throwing them under the bus, as there are reasons for optimism.

-Lambert with a year of experience
-Hopefully their best forward and best D man do not miss a quarter of the season individually; they survived significant injuries to Barzal and Pelech
-*Perhaps Barzal taking the next step into the elite tier
-Pelech having a rebound season

With all that said, the East is better. The good teams are either status quo or upgraded (sans the B's), and those rebuilding teams are knocking on the door (much like NJD).

 

[LeapOnOver]

There's only been one season (after following this team since the early 90's) I was authentically excited about--two years ago when they were projected to be a top-5 team. I had to pinch myself, reflecting, 'man are the Isles really expected to be a Cup contender.' Alas, they missed the playoffs.

Things like this are exactly why I don't get my expectations up. Don't know about you guys, but I used to watch games with my dad and cry when they lost. I would also get angry at my dad for not cheering hard enough. I'd yell at him and blame him if they lost. He'd always have to remind me that I have no control over the outcome of the game. Amazing what maturity can do for you, lol.

Funny story, after I moved to Korea I was chatting online with a buddy and he asked me what time it was. I told him it was the next day. I then followed up by telling him that he was going to be upset with the outcome of the Isles game that night. He was like, "they haven't played yet!" So I reminded him that he was being stupid, and that it's the next day and the game was already played here. He came back with, "Can you bet on games in the US from Korea, cause you could make a fortune!" At that point I couldn't morally continue to confuse him, lol.

 

[saintunspecified]

I think the discussion of 3rd/4th liners indicates little about the players, and a lot about the fact that nobody on the bottom 6 other than JPG and Cizikas can contribute to the PK. If his play in the CAR series showed anything, it was that Clutter's time as a top PK option has ended. Right now, NYI's PK options on F are their centers, and that's imo puts too much pressure on them, especially because 3 of the 4 also play on the PP. Holmstrom is imo NYI's best hope for another good PK option, but I'd like to see Engvall also contribute there.

 

[WangMustGo]

They are usually overlooked. I'm not throwing them under the bus, as there are reasons for optimism.

-Lambert with a year of experience
-Hopefully their best forward and best D man do not miss a quarter of the season individually; they survived significant injuries to Barzal and Pelech
-*Perhaps Barzal taking the next step into the elite tier
-Pelech having a rebound season

With all that said, the East is better. The good teams are either status quo or upgraded (sans the B's), and those rebuilding teams are knocking on the door (much like NJD).

Yep i agree. I personally like being the "underdog". I like the addition of Guathier, I am hoping he gets an everyday spot from Martin. Gives us speed throughout the forward core.

I think the isles change of system midway through the season is what got us into the playoffs. Keep that system and a halfass PP and this team likely puts up 100+ points.

I am most interested in seeing how Dobson and Wahlstrom develop this year. I really think Dobson takes that next step and becomes a 60+ point defenseman that is good (not grear) on the blueline. I really want him to be partners with Pelech to start the season.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Things like this are exactly why I don't get my expectations up. Don't know about you guys, but I used to watch games with my dad and cry when they lost. I would also get angry at my dad for not cheering hard enough. I'd yell at him and blame him if they lost. He'd always have to remind me that I have no control over the outcome of the game. Amazing what maturity can do for you, lol.

Funny story, after I moved to Korea I was chatting online with a buddy and he asked me what time it was. I told him it was the next day. I then followed up by telling him that he was going to be upset with the outcome of the Isles game that night. He was like, "they haven't played yet!" So I reminded him that he was being stupid, and that it's the next day and the game was already played here. He came back with, "Can you bet on games in the US from Korea, cause you could make a fortune!" At that point I couldn't morally continue to confuse him, lol.

LOL!

 

[NYI365]

Ya know i feel like this team is being overlooked by alot of people. A full season of Horvat and Engvall, hopefully an improved Dobson and Walhstrom developing. If they have even a decent PP i think this team is a playoff team. Elite goaltending, very good defense, and a mediocre forward group.

I have this sneaking suspicion too tbh. The roster as constructed going into this season is better on paper than last year. I made a post comparing the two projected opening night rosters in another thread (or maybe this one I forget) a few weeks back and on paper the team is on better footing talent wise than last season.

I think we're a playoff team.

 

[Osakahaus]

They are usually overlooked. I'm not throwing them under the bus, as there are reasons for optimism.

-Lambert with a year of experience
-Hopefully their best forward and best D man do not miss a quarter of the season individually; they survived significant injuries to Barzal and Pelech
-*Perhaps Barzal taking the next step into the elite tier
-Pelech having a rebound season

With all that said, the East is better. The good teams are either status quo or upgraded (sans the B's), and those rebuilding teams are knocking on the door (much like NJD).

The real thing that matters is how our PP/PK do, because both were incredibly suspect. Also cannot drop games like the Coyotes, Canadiens, and Jackets again. Granted we went 3-0-1 against Columbus last year, but they cannot repeat those results.

 

[WangMustGo]

I have this sneaking suspicion too tbh. The roster as constructed going into this season is better on paper than last year. I made a post comparing the two projected opening night rosters in another thread (or maybe this one I forget) a few weeks back and on paper the team is on better footing talent wise than last season.

I think we're a playoff team.

Add in the fact that if we are anywhere near a playoff spot Lou will go all in to upgrade the roster. I dont necessarily love doing that, but it will happen regardless.

The real thing that matters is how our PP/PK do, because both were incredibly suspect. Also cannot drop games like the Coyotes, Canadiens, and Jackets again. Granted we went 3-0-1 against Columbus last year, but they cannot repeat those results.

The PK was passable IMO. It was the PP that was a disaster. Even a 20th ranked PP gets us a few more points. Would be nice if someone learns how to score in the shootout as well. We always drop that extra point. Losing 4-6 points a year adds up quick.

 

[Osakahaus]

Add in the fact that if we are anywhere near a playoff spot Lou will go all in to upgrade the roster. I dont necessarily love doing that, but it will happen regardless.



The PK was passable IMO. It was the PP that was a disaster. Even a 20th ranked PP gets us a few more points. Would be nice if someone learns how to score in the shootout as well. We always drop that extra point. Losing 4-6 points a year adds up quick.

Shootouts were this teams kryptonite for the past 5 years anyways

 

[mm11]

Some optimism I see. Think if they stay healthy were a hundred point team. I do think our team speed has improved. Hopefully the PP improves to mediocre.

 

[SRBisles]

Add in the fact that if we are anywhere near a playoff spot Lou will go all in to upgrade the roster.

Adam Henrique will be an Islander at the 2024 TDL regardless of where we are in the standings. Book it.

 

[Throttle]

I have this sneaking suspicion too tbh. The roster as constructed going into this season is better on paper than last year. I made a post comparing the two projected opening night rosters in another thread (or maybe this one I forget) a few weeks back and on paper the team is on better footing talent wise than last season.

I think we're a playoff team.

The teams record was better after the Horvat and Engvall acquisitions, inclusive of missing its alleged best forward. So, there’s already that momentum and baseline to work off of. Another benefit, although the team came up short in the playoffs, both those players got plenty of games in together last season. So, there’s more than training camp to get acclimated.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

The teams record was better after the Horvat and Engvall acquisitions, inclusive of missing its alleged best forward. So, there’s already that momentum and baseline to work off of. Another benefit, although the team came up short in the playoffs, both those players got plenty of games in together last season. So, there’s more than training camp to get acclimated.

Also consider that the rookie head coach is no longer a rookie and the team has a greater understanding with what he is doing and what he expects. Hopefully, that adds to better results.