To follow up on my "like EDM" reply, I don't disagree that the PP is important. I also agree that the team could use a dynamic defenseman who is dangerous on the PP (I've been saying that since when we had Toews and Leddy) and a skilled LH forward for the right boards on the PP would also help.
But your posts in general IMO discount building from the net out (goal, D and C), focusing on team defense and toughness. Instead you seem to see the only path being hitting Lotto on a few super-skilled guys. Hence the "like EDM" crack, since they have probably two of the top 5 forwards in the league and a PP that is perennially at the top of the league. And they've accomplished squat.
I don't discount anything. We just happened to be discussing the PP at that moment.
Many times I've discussed how valuable Sorokin is...And what a shit show the Isles would be without him.
Everything affects everything. Sometimes you can capture lightning in a bottle and ride Binnington to a Cup and sometimes Adin Hill is good enough because the team is stronger.
Edmonton has 2 historically generational players that fell into their lap because of how terribly they've been run the past 15 years. And they have been so poorly built - Especially given those 2 players. They have drafted so incredibly horribly and thus they have been chasing the goalie and defense positions...And overpaying to fill them in.
There's no reason to compare us to, or focus too much on, Edmonton. Every team has their own unique path. The Hawks were *lucky* enough to get the #1 overall pick when Bedard was the clear choice...If they got the #1 overall in 2024 it wouldn't mean as much. We have to figure out what will get the Islanders to a championship.
In terms of the Isles they have Sorokin and then its everyone else. Sure Horvat and Barzal are nice players, but when I look at Cup contenders they usually have 2-3 top-end players, and more talent overall.
To me the Isles have an average lineup overall and the runs in 20-21 were a combination of that, but mostly due to having the best coach on the planet. Those runs were so special to me and I'll never forget them, but we need to face a new reality now. Our hall of fame coach is gone and to me what's left is an average team that people still falsely think has hope to win a Cup. This team is older and the coaching isn't there anymore to cover up some notable holes on the roster.
We need to make some changes and I don't think ownership/management is making them. I think the metaphor weas perfect when Brandan announced on Saturday, "
No player on the roster is making their Islander debut in 2023." Whether or not you believe what I'm saying now, at some point this team will truly be too old to compete and will need to get younger. And if you believe that Lou will shift to do that, or even knows how since he literally never has, then we believe different things.
. No doubt Lou has to bring in more depth, not only to offset injuries, but an upgrade on Aho.
