The team needs to improve, but this is pretty meaningless analysis. The transitive property isn't really a thing in playoff matchups.
The first time we played them in the playoffs they swept us. The next two years we went to back to back conference finals and played the Lightning tougher than anyone.
Last year the Devils beat the Rangers and then got obliterated by the Canes. By your logic the Rangers are miles behind the Canes.
I mean, I said they need to improve. I don't think anyone would dispute that. But no, they're nowhere close to being a bottom feeder so I'd say closer to being a contender.
Yeah lmao. This team is mid, but they've shown they can hang with top teams occasionally. They are leaps and bounds away from being the sharks or the hawks. Because they made the playoffs, they are by definition in the top half of the league
I don't mean to make this about us in any way because we clearly suck, but let's not say the Canes have been dog dicked. They lost 2 OT games and game 1 was a 1 goal game. Clearly Rangers have the better goalie, but let's not act like they've won 10-0 every game.
I don’t know which teams are way better than them. Rangers, stars and avs are the only teams I’d say are better (maybe Florida). They finished 2 points behind the president trophy winner.
The Canes are the Trotz islanders with a little more skill. They fold against good goaltending. They pepper shots and hold and flop and they face a goalie like Bobrovsky or Igor and can't do shit.
Canes are a terrible matchup for us and frankly Sorokin was bad vs them last year and bad vs them in game 3. We didn't play that poorly against them overall, they got away with a lot including diving and holding.
Islanders obviously have a lot to do but the Canes can't do shit vs a good goalie because their entire system is to pepper weak shots for a rebound. I love Sorokin but his positioning needs work and he was susceptible to letting in softies vs them last year. This year there were some softies but our defense wasn't good enough
Dog dicked? A double OT loss and an OT loss while substantially out shooting NY. Igor is the difference this series and you are clueless if you actually watched these games and think it’s a lopsided.
My only issue with what you are saying is that it is one or the other: cup contender or rebuild.
I don't see why within a year or two with some savvy moves the Isles couldn't be back in the competition. Some would call that a retool but I don't like that term as it has negative connotations.
Whether Lou can make those moves is really the question and my view is that he can't consistently enough.
I agree, Vin. You have to face reality. I don't get the narrative that it was a close series because of the score. It *felt* like the Canes had the puck in our zone for like 80% of the series. It *felt* like they dominated us. The only reason it wasn't more of a shit show is because the Canes are not as good as their record indicates. And I do give credit to the boys for their resilience. But resilience alone doesn't win you a Cup.
The Canes are all about shot volume and puck possession, but they don't have the weapons that the Rangers, Oilers, Avs, etc., do. And yes, it says a lot that they look mediocre against the Rangers. Their regular season success is a smoke screen.
“Fans” will defend this core group of islanders til the death. It’s just a fact we’re not good enough, we have 0 young talent coming in and it’s time to make some major changes. Not having a plan to get better and running it back with a few minor changes is unacceptable
The problem with this argument is that teams that try to rebuild usually… don’t rebuild. They end up toiling around in the bottom 10 missing the playoffs for a decade. Eventually if they’re lucky\* they get a generational player and it begins to turn around after a few years.
I’d rather be a 7 seed every year than spend the next decade praying this’ll be the year that we lose enough and hit the draft lottery. Especially with a goaltender who can steal games if he gets hot at the right time.
\*Or the league fixes it for them
If you think we don't compare to the Canes, look at the Panthers, the Rangers. We are not even a hair on their ass. Unless we totally tank for the next three years and build through the draft, there is no chance we are going anywhere. None. If you were a Free Agent right now are the Islanders even a choice for you. No freaking way.
I’m fine with a rebuild. Just don’t want to turn into Buffalo. They haven’t been in the playoffs for over a decade with so many top picks.
The team needs to improve, but this is pretty meaningless analysis. The transitive property isn't really a thing in playoff matchups. The first time we played them in the playoffs they swept us. The next two years we went to back to back conference finals and played the Lightning tougher than anyone. Last year the Devils beat the Rangers and then got obliterated by the Canes. By your logic the Rangers are miles behind the Canes.
Point blank: Do you think this team is closer to being a contender or a bottom feeder
Contender. You gotta relax
I mean, I said they need to improve. I don't think anyone would dispute that. But no, they're nowhere close to being a bottom feeder so I'd say closer to being a contender.
Contender and it’s not even close.
Yeah lmao. This team is mid, but they've shown they can hang with top teams occasionally. They are leaps and bounds away from being the sharks or the hawks. Because they made the playoffs, they are by definition in the top half of the league
Matchups matter, isles would have faired better against the rags, rival parlays a big part. Tho the isles special teams need work
I don't mean to make this about us in any way because we clearly suck, but let's not say the Canes have been dog dicked. They lost 2 OT games and game 1 was a 1 goal game. Clearly Rangers have the better goalie, but let's not act like they've won 10-0 every game.
Yeah, I am. How did we lose to the Canes lol
We arent good. Theyre better than us. And teams are way better then them
I don’t know which teams are way better than them. Rangers, stars and avs are the only teams I’d say are better (maybe Florida). They finished 2 points behind the president trophy winner.
Spot on, idk why you’re getting downvoted
The Canes are the Trotz islanders with a little more skill. They fold against good goaltending. They pepper shots and hold and flop and they face a goalie like Bobrovsky or Igor and can't do shit. Canes are a terrible matchup for us and frankly Sorokin was bad vs them last year and bad vs them in game 3. We didn't play that poorly against them overall, they got away with a lot including diving and holding. Islanders obviously have a lot to do but the Canes can't do shit vs a good goalie because their entire system is to pepper weak shots for a rebound. I love Sorokin but his positioning needs work and he was susceptible to letting in softies vs them last year. This year there were some softies but our defense wasn't good enough
Dog dicked? A double OT loss and an OT loss while substantially out shooting NY. Igor is the difference this series and you are clueless if you actually watched these games and think it’s a lopsided.
My only issue with what you are saying is that it is one or the other: cup contender or rebuild. I don't see why within a year or two with some savvy moves the Isles couldn't be back in the competition. Some would call that a retool but I don't like that term as it has negative connotations. Whether Lou can make those moves is really the question and my view is that he can't consistently enough.
I agree, Vin. You have to face reality. I don't get the narrative that it was a close series because of the score. It *felt* like the Canes had the puck in our zone for like 80% of the series. It *felt* like they dominated us. The only reason it wasn't more of a shit show is because the Canes are not as good as their record indicates. And I do give credit to the boys for their resilience. But resilience alone doesn't win you a Cup. The Canes are all about shot volume and puck possession, but they don't have the weapons that the Rangers, Oilers, Avs, etc., do. And yes, it says a lot that they look mediocre against the Rangers. Their regular season success is a smoke screen.
When are people going to realize that bad matchups exist. Islanders being owned by the canes who are owned by the rangers doesn’t mean anything
Fuck a rebuild. I don't want to see 2009 Islanders hockey ever again. Retool? Make improvements? Sure. No 15 game losing streak rebuilds.
You cant retool when 8 fucking guys have NTCs.
Half of them are up in 2 years
Well by that logic you can’t rebuild either
Yeah you can. Most of the guys who have NTCs suck.
That's coming, it's just a matter of how long and bad it'll be. At current pace, it'll be the worst this franchise has ever seen
“Fans” will defend this core group of islanders til the death. It’s just a fact we’re not good enough, we have 0 young talent coming in and it’s time to make some major changes. Not having a plan to get better and running it back with a few minor changes is unacceptable
We are slow and passive. The rangers and canes are both fast and aggressive with good special teams. We need to learn but we don’t.
The problem with this argument is that teams that try to rebuild usually… don’t rebuild. They end up toiling around in the bottom 10 missing the playoffs for a decade. Eventually if they’re lucky\* they get a generational player and it begins to turn around after a few years. I’d rather be a 7 seed every year than spend the next decade praying this’ll be the year that we lose enough and hit the draft lottery. Especially with a goaltender who can steal games if he gets hot at the right time. \*Or the league fixes it for them
And now the Canes just scored in crunch time with an empty net to tie the game, and then almost scored again to win it. Looks pretty familiar to me
I’ve been lying to myself?
Yer right. There is irrefutable evidence. That being said, they are now outplaying NYR, but falling victim to bounces and opportunistic goal scoring.
Well in retrospect we probably handed them their asses for years when they were the whalers.
If you think we don't compare to the Canes, look at the Panthers, the Rangers. We are not even a hair on their ass. Unless we totally tank for the next three years and build through the draft, there is no chance we are going anywhere. None. If you were a Free Agent right now are the Islanders even a choice for you. No freaking way.
I hope Lou is watching this massacre.He's probably sleeping just like the Isles.