That's exactly right - I vividly remember sitting in my dorm at Stony Brook watching on the big TV in the common room after seeing them win games 4 and 6 at the Coliseum to get it back to 3-3.
After all of the false starts with this guy I refuse to care until he shows he has his head on straight.
Certainly understandable but he’s our best potential instant upgrade. I’m not going to judge him by his actions under the tutilage of the Snow regime.
no offence but in no way, shape or form has Barzal ever been considered a goal scorer. He’s always been a Kane-style playmaker. They do have 2 other pure goal scorers in Eberle and Beauvillier, but Eberle has always been a perimeter player and Beau is still a kid going through ups and downs. But yes, without a doubt their 2 biggest needs are a real 2c and a1d.
Another loss 2-1 in a SO last night. The positive is Lehner was solid in net and the D played well. To hold a team like Pittsburgh to one goal is impressive. They absolutely suck on the PP and that is what is killing them. Overall though got a point last night so bring on Vegas this Wed night.
I can't wait to watch this team with better talent playing for Trotz. Barry is the kind of coach who could get us a Cup.
It is extremely encouraging that we not only can identify the solution to this team’s shortcomings but we have the resources to go out and get what we need. Next year we should have Wahlstrom, Toews and Ho-Sang up, and hopefully Panarin and Karlsson. If there is a way to keep Eberle even better.
I couldn't disagree with you any more on wally. Although his shot is elite, he's nowhere near NHL ready from the few games I've seen him. Away from the puck, he's a complete disaster and looks almost disinterested. He'd be a total liability on the ice 5 on 5. His skating isn't bad, he just looks disengaged. I'm hesitant to call him lazy at this point as I know he's learning a new system but that's almost how he appears. He needs no less than another year in college(or juniors if he decides to transfer out like Bellows) and some time in the AHL to get acclimated to pro speed as he'll have significantly less time and space to get that shot off. Bellows should probably be ready by next year though. The other 2 you mentioned I think should be up now let alone next year.
I’ll certainly defer to your opinion on the matter as I only know about him what I’ve read. I try not to get too excited about prospects but tend to be eager to see them given their chance.
Disappointing game - Hickey with the terrible blunder not clearing a puck in his crease and the boys lose 3-2. Such a small margin of error with this team.
a loss but a tough loss again in a close game. No Ho Sang I thought he was going to play on the 3rd line,,,,,
So far Trotz seems no more enamored of Ho Sang than Weight was. The team has averaged fewer than 2 goals per game over their last 8 games - they have to do something to try to increase their scoring. As I've said before, I'm very unconvinced that Ho Sang is the answer, but I think they have to at least try him.
What's killing them is their powerless PP. I agree that JHS should be brought up and see what he can do. What's really frustrating is if they were scoring they would be winning. You can see what a great coach Trotz is. Last year this team with Weight was giving up 40-50 shots a game. The team playing Trotz's system has cut that down significantly. Look at some of their most recent losses 2-1 OT with the Bruins, 2-1 SO loss with the Pens, and last night 3-2 vs Vegas. The division isn't all that great this year. The Caps will probably win it but the Isles have a real opportunity to make the playoffs as they remain in top 3 of the division. Lou needs to make some moves here, Either bring some players up like JHS or Towes or work the phones and see what's out there trade wise.
I would let Ho Sang play and also use him on the pathetic power play I mean can it look any worse ? Everytghing I read said he was playing last night even Staple said it,,,,,,I do not think they will make any big moves as I think this is the team they will go with but the fan in me wishes they would
Back from the game. It's always fun to see a game at the Old Barn. The place started out rocking, but unfortunately the Islanders were unfairly penalized by the referees by being given 6 power plays. God, that power play is beyond pathetic - nobody moves the puck, nobody moves their bodies, the puck just goes to the point and sits there. Nice to get the two points ultimately.
Stat, do you think this goes back to Trotz philosophy of quality versus quantity? Or just lack of playmakers?
Combination of both. When you ask players who aren’t great at generating great opportunities to simply wait for great opportunities the results will be less than stellar. Sometimes you just got to put the goal towards the net and force the defense into a mistake or to make a play.
Trotz is certainly talking like he's modifying that philosophy - there's a story in Newsday today about how he is pushing both Barzal and Ho-Sang to shoot more and pass less. Volume of shooting wasn't the problem yesterday - they had 45 shots in regulation. It really was specifically the power play - they just seemed so focused on getting the puck to the point, and then nobody would move and the puck would just sit there. When they finally shot it would be an easy unscreened save. The lack of playmakers comes through in how they couldn't bury all of those shots for most of the game, in part because they weren't particularly high quality shots. Don't get me wrong - the Islanders definitely dominated the game, but their lack of playmakers made it much closer on the scoreboard than it needed to be. It's also striking how much the players prefer playing at the Coliseum over Barclays. They're all saying how they feed off the intensity, and even Frans Nielsen talked about how he could feel it again, now as a visiting player.
Very very solid first game of the road trip - two power play goals, very solid team defense, excellent goaltending. Hickey and Nelson both got hurt, however - not sure how serious. Quick turnaround to Coyotes tomorrow night.
