The Blame Game, Frustrations, and Expectations

There's plenty to blame to go around this season for the New York Islanders. You can easily blame their lackluster powerplay, which was unimaginative and unsuccessful all season. You could almost predict what the Islanders would do every time they entered the powerplay. Additionally, the team made critical errors during crucial moments of play. These areas must be addressed for the Islanders to improve next season. 

So what do we do now? Do we keep Lou, or do we shop for a general manager? While we're at it, is Mr. Lambert's job in danger? Everyone knows when things go wrong, the easiest solution is to fire the coach. Lambert doesn't deserve all the blame in this case. Bear with me. Lambert can only work with what he has. But when Lou tried to help, it didn't work. The Islanders have made it clear that Lou and Lambert are staying. I just don't know if this is the right move for the team.

We know we can't trade every player on the team. The Islanders have some of the pieces to the puzzle on this team. Barzal and Horvat are a deadly combination. A lot of fans are raining on Horvat's parade. They are not happy with his performance. I asked my source for all things Islanders, Paul Kreischer, for his opinion. "Horvat and Barzal have not played enough games together to show that they can play together for a full season." I am with Paul. We need to give Barzal and Horvat time to become the team's leaders.

The New York Islanders need to beef up their second line for next season to provide more support for Barse and his scoring capabilities. Nelson continues to improve and continues to be a 30-goal score, no matter who they put him with. I would like to see the team add a sniper to go with Nelson, giving the New York Islanders two scoring lines. I'm hoping, of course, that the New York Islanders go after Tarasanko. If the Rangers don't sign him, he will easily be the top free agent available. If not him, the Islanders have to consider bringing in another forward. 

Lastly, what about Mayfield? Should we sign him? From what I've heard, Mayfield will be asking for a salary of around three to four million dollars a year. If this number is close to the floor, the Isles may let him go and instead use the off-season to address their bottom pairing.

The team has some pieces to the puzzle, but changes must be made to improve their performance next season.

You can reach Paul at twitter @P_Kreischer

The Leafs' Playoff Roadmap to Beating the Panthers

I was understandably worried about the Leafs going up against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers had all the momentum going into this matchup, while the Leafs had nothing to lose. So what do the Maple Leafs have to do to emerge victorious?

I have three key concerns that I want to address regarding this series. There may be more, but these three are of particular importance.

Topping my list, my top three players must do what they do, only better.

Austin Matthews

Austin is to be the one the Leafs rely on to get the big goal. He has to be the leader. He's one of the most explosive offensive players in the NHL. With him for wheeling across the Sunrise shooting, passing, and doing what he does, Toronto will be much more successful.

Mitch Marner

Mitch is a slick playmaking forward. To be successful, Mitch has to be himself. He has to be involved in the play. He has to be stirred in the drink. If Mitch is being creative and causing havoc,  the Leafs will be successful.

John Tavares

The captain's responsibility is to lead by example, setting the tone for the rest of the team. He has to be the leader in the dressing room. The one that speaks up when things aren't going exactly right. He has to steer the ship. He can't sit back and be a passenger. He has to ensure everyone is contributing their fair share.

The second key: no one takes time off. One of my greatest peeves is an NHL team not playing the full 60 minutes. The Leafs have often taken their foot off the gas pedal and allowed teams to get back in the game. They can't take this team politely. They cannot sit on their laurels and expect the Panthers to roll over. Winning the series will take a lot of hard work and dedication.

The final key is coaching the coach. Keefe cannot simply be out-coached. To avoid this, the Maple Leafs need to play their own game instead of playing a wide-open game like the Panthers. For the Maple Leafs to succeed, they must play their game.

Randy

Islanders' Playoff Push

The New York Islander fans have to be pleased with how the team is playing going into the playoffs. Despite the injury of Matthew Barzal, the team has managed to remain resilient and competitive. When star player Bo Horvat experienced a bit of a slump, other players stepped up to make a difference. Each game brought with it a new hero; one night, it was Brock Nelson, and the next night it was Hudson Fasching.

I have two players in particular who have truly impressed me this season. The first is the ageless wanderer Zach Parise. How many of you said he would score 21 goals this season? Raise your hand. Those who raised their hands are either the greatest liars or have astounding foresight. Personally, I never thought that Zach could post such an impressive tally.

Considering the rash of injuries that have plagued the Hurricanes, I figured the Islanders had a pretty good chance of winning this series. They have a huge advantage in the goal with Sorokin. Granted, the Hurricanes' defense is probably one of the best in the NHL, but with three of their players sidelined, Carolina may struggle to keep up with New York's offense.

So what do the Islanders have to do to win this series? The first thing that comes to my mind is the Islanders must continue to enforce physical play. The key to the Hurricane's success is having their defense lead the offense into the offensive zone. Disrupting the Canes defense will lead them to panic, causing giveaways. Hitting everything in sight is also a good strategy. When players anticipate getting hit, they will get rid of the puck faster, which causes more defensive giveaways.

The last thing on my list is that the leaders must put up or shut up. I am talking about Barzal, Horvat, Nelson, and finally, Lee. They have to step up their game and produce these last two games. For the powerplay to work, they must score! Who knew? Obviously the New York Islanders haven't figured that out. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. It is not pleasant, but it's the truth. 

Randy. 

Same Old Same Old

The Toronto Maple Leafs have bolstered their forward line with the addition of Ryan O'Reilly, giving them the depth they need to make a serious run this season.

I want to focus on the defensive side of the Maple Leafs. They could really use an extra defenseman who can help with defensive zone coverage. Here are three options for them to consider.

Luke Schenn

Luke is nothing fancy, just a mean, nasty stay-home dman. He is aware of his limitations and does exactly what is required of him, nothing more or less. He will do his best to bail out his fellow players.

Justin Braun

The Maple Leafs were rumored to be in talks with Justin last season. He is the perfect third-pairing defense. The Leafs are in dire need of toughness and strength. He is my pick for the trade deadline for the Leafs. 

Nikita Zadorov

I am not saying Nikta is available, but if he were available, I would be quick to snatch him up. He has a surprisingly underrated shot from the point. Zadorov is a solid dman who hits hard. He is a mountain to get off his feet. 

Final word

If Murray is unable to play due to injury, I'm curious as to whether the Leafs will look for a backup goaltender. My old friend James Reimer comes to my mind. 

Randy

Topsy Turvy

If I asked a group of ten New York Islanders fans whether they should buy or sell at the upcoming trade deadline, what would their response be?

SELL

For those who say sell, who do you sell? How many assets do we really want to part with? Let's look into our UFAs to determine the best course of action.

Scott Mayfield

A solid number 5/6 dman, Scott would be sought after by the deadline. Scott is a solid dman who would be a great addition to either the Leafs or the Bolts.

Zach Parise

Zach has been performing beyond any Isles fan's expectations of him this season. He makes a solid third-liner with some scoring punch. Zach also is a good penalty killer, which any team contending for the cup would love to have. 

Semyon Varlamov

He is probably the hottest asset the Islanders have on the table. There are up five or six teams who desperately need a goalie. Varly is a terrific goaltender who can still perform at a high level. The Buffalo Sabres are among those teams hoping to acquire Varlamov's services.

BUY

Now if the Islanders are to buy, what comes to my mind is it would make sense for them to acquire one more winger and an extra third-pairing defenceman. 

Evgenii Dadonov 

Evgenii has not been having the best of years, but he is capable of much more. A change of scenery could do him a world of good. Adding Barzal and Horvat or even Nelson to the second line could do him wonders. I am told that the Habs are willing to eat some cap in order to make this happen. 

Shayne Gostisbehere

There are many dmen out there on the market. Ghost (Shayne) comes to mind as number one on this list. The Islanders sure could use a second power-play quarterback on the power-play unit. Ghost has a terrific shot from the point. He is also an above-average puck distributor, giving the power play another option.

Randy

 

Horvat is an Islander

Horvat brings a new life to the Islanders as no one else has in years. Suddenly, Matt Barzal has a new classmate who can add some serious punch to the offensive numbers. Barzal needs some new blood, a player who can work with that is as intelligent as him. Horvat brings 31 goals to an embarrassingly anemic offense, including 11 powerplay goals.

Horvat with Barzal gives the Islanders a potential dynamite duo. This Batman and Robin combo will bring a lot of offensive power to the team. This trade also sets them up for another potential move in the future.

Bo Horvat's cap hit is $5.5 million. He will demand a hefty raise. Bo reportingly wants $9 million; he might settle for $8.5. To make this happen, the New York Islanders will have to do some housecleaning and free up some cap room; they could do this by letting players like Varly, Parise, and Mayfield walk away or buy out the contracts of Bailey, Martin, or Clutter. With the right changes, the Isles can have the cap flexibility to fit him in next season. You can bet the Islanders will do everything in their power to do so. Lou will only make this trade if he's confident he can sign Horvat to a new contract.

As for this season, it is a no-brainer. It's clear that the Islanders are in a solid position to make the playoffs this season. Adding Horvat makes them even more of a contender. The only question is: Can the Islanders beat the Bolts, Canes, or Bruins to make it to the Stanley Cup final? While some may see it as a risk, many believe that if the Islanders don't make a move now, they'll miss their chance.

How to Beat Tampa

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be destined to match up against Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Are they good enough to beat Tampa if it was the playoffs starting now? It would be close, but I, for one, would not take the chance. While they may have a chance of victory if they were to play them today, I don't think it would be wise to take such a risk. 

The loss of Muzzin has left the Maple Leafs needing a steady number 5 dman to help out Gio. Gio is playing like a lion, demonstrating that he still has what it takes to be an effective player. He might be the biggest bargain on the Maple Leaf's squad.  

The last finishing touch the Maple Leafs need is a pinch more grit. To make that happen, they need a third-line forward with a chip on his shoulder who knows what it takes to win—someone with Stanley Cup Heritage in his blood. Dare I say a Stanley Cup champion? I am not saying they will not defeat Tampa in a series. But anything less than a second-round exit would be unacceptable for their long-suffering fans. We have to do this for the fans who deserve a run this season. 

The next stop for the Toronto Maple Leafs: winning the Stanley Cup championship.

Randy

911 Islanders

Of late, the Islanders have not been entirely up to par. Their Western road trip was ugly. The Flames game was understandable due to Barzal's absence.

What do you think will happen when you don't skate against a team that has McDavid? You get smoked, plain and simple. The Isles have to pick it up. There is no need to panic, but the team can't keep playing the same way. They need to step it up and find a way to match McDavid's level of play.

The powerplay right now is too predictable. Bring back the days of sending the point and letting Dobson and Romanov rip at the puck! Not enough shooting and too much passing. The Isles spend too much time on the perfect shot, but you can't score unless you shoot.

The Islanders need to get back to basics. Stop being selfish with penalties. Self-discipline. Put the team's interests ahead of individual concerns and prioritize staying out of the penalty box.

My Leaf Christmas

Before I start, let me say Merry Christmas to all and all a good night. Santa Claus is coming around, putting gifts and toys in your stockings. So what is he putting in the Maple Leaf stocking?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been running on all cylinders this season and there has been little to complain about. They just need a little tinkering. I would love to add a little more stability to the defense by bringing in a number 5 defenseman. For that, I am wishing for Santa to bring a Brian Glennie. If you don't know who he is, please look him up! The addition would strengthen the Leafs' defense and provide Reilly with some much-needed support.

The Brian Glennie Player

Every team needs another stay-home steady defenseman, and the Maple Leafs are no different. The best player that fits that description is Justin Braun. Justin is great on his own and plays the body. He keeps players honest. The Maple Leafs could also use his help in the toughness department.

A Healthy Reilly

The other worry is making sure Morgan Reilly is healthy. Having Morgan back is like bringing in a new player at the deadline. The Maple Leafs have missed his presence. He is by far their best blue-liner and makes everyone around him better. 

I love the way the Leafs are playing right now. Who wouldn't? The greatest gift they can give their fans is remembering their defensive responsibilities. Sure, it would be awesome to bring another forward to help the third line, but I worry about ruining the chemistry. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! My fingers are crossed that they don't mess anything up.

Randy

My Isles Christmas

Before I start, let me say Merry Christmas to all and all a good night. Santa Claus is coming to town, putting gifts and toys in your stockings. So what is he putting in the Isles stockings? 

Let's not be greedy; the Isles have two pressing needs that need to be addressed immediately.

Isles need a power forward who can take advantage of Barzal's generosity. You know, someone who can fill the net with pucks. For the sake of nostalgia, let's call him a Mike Bossy player.

The Mike Bossy Player

The power forward must meet my list of specific characteristics. The first is that he must have the ability of a one-timer. He has to have an accurate and quick release. There is a misconception that wrist shots must be hard to be effective. Most of the time, the quick release gets it done. The second ability he needs is to understand Barzal. Knowing where he is supposed to be at all times is vital for his success as a sniper with Matt. My first gift to the Isles is Vladimir Tarasenko.

 

The second gift for the Isles roster is more complicated. It is dependent on the injury status of Adam Pelech. The concussion issue is frustrating; you never know how long it will last. Every player is different, and of course, there is the degree of the injury. If Pelech is out long-term, we need someone who is durable. Let's call him the Ken Morrow player. If Pelech's injury is less severe, a player like Dave Langevin, who is not quite as good will suffice to fill the gap. 

The Ken Morrow Player

Nathan Beaulieu is a big steady dman who is nothing fancy and may not be a sexy pickup, but someone who gets the job done. Great shock blocker who can play the man. He is decent with the puck and is a decent passer. He can fill nicely for Pelech while he is out and would make a decent number five when Pelech returns. 

The Dave Langevin Player

Now just the fill in a player, the shorter-term player. A number five-six type of dman who knows his abilities. 

Luke Schenn is a nasty stay-home defenseman who can clear a room. A no-nonsense dman you don't notice. This is good because he ensures everything is running well on the defensive end—a perfect fill-in short-term solution. 

Randy

Isles: Do they need to worry?

The Isles's losses to the Flyers and Preds were worrisome, but they rebounded with a 3-0 over the Blackhawks. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are getting tiresome. The Isles have to be consistent to be successful. 

This lands on Matthew Barzal. He is the man who stirs the pot. I love how he has been playing; he is skating like the wind. But the biggest improvement is shooting the puck. Another good sign is that Dobson is firing bombs from the point. He is getting involved with the offense, which is vital to the success of the Isles. What is making the Isles inconsistent is the defensive blunders. 

Brock Nelson has been on a mission this season. He is scoring at a pace of 40 goals. He has been a great support to Barzal. The Islanders' offense is fine; it is where it suppose to be. I love the first two lines, and I would love the bottom two lines to support it, but beggars can't be choosers. 

They need to improve in staying out of the penalty box. Although the penalty killing is good, it takes away momentum or flow in the Islander's game. 

Is there a concern about Pulock's health? He has been really struggling this season. He has not had the energy that he has shown in the past. He needs to be up to the task in the defensive zone coverage. He has been off during the beginning of the season.

Varly is picking up his game during his last start against the Blackhawks. He was lights out. He felt it with the Hawks; he was in a significant role. I loved his attention to the play. His puck vision was dead on. He rarely was caught out of position and controlled the rebounds to a minimum. 

The ups and downs of a season. As an Islanders fan, there is plenty to be excited about. But there are still concerns. The Islanders have to get more consistent and can't afford to take time off. They need to play a full sixty minutes to cut down the defensive lapses. 

Randy 

The Midas Touch

The Maple Leafs have been running on all cylinders of late. It seems like everything they do turns into gold. Seriously what is happening in Toronto? I have gotten all sorts of answers. The most popular one is the Maple Leafs are buying into the defensive game in front of the goalies. This is very accurate. I have especially noticed how well the forwards have been coming back into the zone and coming out as a unit. The defense, knowing their limitations, is doing only what is needed. It is vital that they not get caught out of position. 

Another answer is less obvious. I asked my source his thoughts on why the Maple Leafs continue to win. He promptly answered: Mitch Marner. Mitch is on an 18-game point streak, but he does much more than just score goals. Mitch has led the Forwards. Since the Reilly injury, Mitch has put a lot of work into his defensive game. 

The third answer is goaltending. Whether it was Murray, Samsonov, or Kallgren, bad goals have been nonexistent. It is much easier to play defense when your goalie has your back. I wanted to comment on the job Erik Kallgren did in the absence of Samsonov. Kallgren was nothing short of outstanding. He gave the Leafs every chance to win. The Maple Leafs don't need goaltending to be perfect. What they need is to be steady. For the most part, he was there doing his job and bailing them out. 

Final word

There has been a suggestion that the Leafs might return to their old style when Brodie and Reilly come back. Hear me out. They should not because they're playing playoff hockey; their style will win defense and championships. 

Randy

Utopia? Or maybe we should slow down

The Islanders are playing the best they have in a long time. Scoring depth has been at an all-time high. I see Palmari connecting again; he has taken his game to a new level. I have to mention the man General Lee. The general is the hardest working member of the team right now. His garbage mentality makes him a dangerous power forward. Lee has an uncanny ability to grab a lost puck and put it in the net.  

Brock Nelson has been excellent this season. He has one of the most underrated wristers in the league. If he continues, he will easily be a 30-goal scorer. Nelson has done everything he has been asked to do. 

Is JT taking over this team?

John Tavares may be playing the best season of his career. He is bringing it every game. My source says, "JT has been the leader since the captain joined the team. What makes him the leader is he is willing to do what it takes to win."

The Maple Leafs have been struggling of late, until the victory over the Flyers on Wednesday night. Defense has been a sore spot, whether it is missing assignments or making huge mistakes, adding up to many scoring chances and abandoning goalies to their own devices. 

The forwards are too lazy. Instead of resorting to hooking or tripping minors, the forwards have to start hustling and helping out the defense. Their primary infraction is leaving the zone too quickly and not giving the defense options to pass the puck, which leads to blind passes and icings. 

Offense has also been struggling; the pressure is on the big two. Matthews and Marner have to pick it up, as JT and Nylander have been doing their part. I never thought the offense would be a problem. Hopefully, the Philly game is a sign of good things to come. 

Update

The Maple Leafs might be fixing their problems of late with wins over the Canes and Bruins. There were even some positive notes in the Vegas game. Marner might have played his best game of the year. 

Randy

Murray Concerns?

The season has just started and there are concerns about the man Matt Murray. The main concern is about his glove hand. I will say he had no chance on the Habs' fourth goal. 

Murray was a little rusty in his first start. But it was just his first start. He wasn't the only one to blame. There was a team in front of him. 

I noticed the Habs were beating up consistently on his glove hand. They concentrated on shooting high on his glove hand, where he was vulnerable. His positioning could cause his vulnerability, as could his slow glove hand. Both problems could easily be addressed by proper coaching. So there is a need for improvement, but nothing that can't be fixed. 

I was disappointed by Nick Robertson being sent to the Marlies. I understand why it happened. Nick did not have to clear waivers to be sent down, but Denis Malgin, the forward he was fighting for a spot did. The Maple Leafs worried that Denis would not clear, hence the move to send down Nick to the minors. 

Nick has years ahead of him and will be a solid player. I love his hard work ethic and his skill. Robertson was the best forward in camp. He is a natural skater and sniper because of his excellent wrist shot. He will be the first call-up in the season.

So far, the season's story has to be defenceman Mark Giordano. Mark has been terrific in all aspects of the game. He is skating very well. I love his ability to distribute the puck. He is playing like the Gio in Calgary. 

Randy

Another Season, Another Dollar

The Islanders are about to enter another season. The biggest question going in has to be the Barzal question. Is he worth it?

If you talk to most Isles fans, they will inform you he is.  

I met with a person closer to the situation than I am, Paul Kreischer. You can find him @P_Kreischer on Twitter. He also has a YouTube show, Isles Talk. I highly recommend it. 

Do you like the contract?

Paul: "Yes, I like it as long as the money was under 10 Million."

My thoughts

Barzal said he wanted to be an Islander for a long time. The only thought I had was the number I was hoping for $8.5. Although I thought it was a little high, I am happy the Isles took care of it. 

 

Paul, why is it okay to pay a little extra for a long-term contract?

"With the salary cap rising to close to around $92 million, this will not hurt the team long-term, plus it gives any future the flexibility to manage the team. Any Future GM will do this."

Randy

I get why the Isles went for the long-term deal. The Calgary Flames did the same thing with Huberdeau and Weegar. The cap going up soon gives the Isles lots of wiggle room. 

Fans corner 

The other day, a fan voiced his concern about the Islanders. He went on to mention that Barzal needs a sniper. He believes the Islanders dropped the ball in the offseason by not addressing the issue of bringing in a sniper. There is no offense. Varly and Sorokin have no room for error. The goaltending has to be perfect for the Islanders to have a chance to win.

Leafs Camp Notes

Matt Murray has been a brick wall. He has been outstanding; goaltending will not be a problem if he can stay healthy. Samsonov has held his weight. It has been a great preseason. 

The main story in this camp is the Leafs might have found a second line. Robertson, Nylander, and Kerfoot seem to be clicking. Robertson had seven points this off-season when I wrote this blog. I love the way this line looks so far. I know it's preseason, but it is promising so far. Robertson the sniper, Keerfoot the grit, and Nylander, the playmaker. The perfect recipe for a top line. 

Gio is looking like the Calgary Flames Gio. He has been outstanding so far. I love how he has gotten involved in the offensive zone. Gio could be the leader in that blue line. He is a perfect mentor for the young defencemen. He knows his limitations and is a stable influence on the defensive end. 

JT is going more than likely going to miss at least a couple of weeks. Someone is going to have to pick up the pace. The big line is going to need support. Kerfoot will have to play the way he is right now to fill the void. If he does, that will go a long way in the success or failure this season.

Leafs: Goaltending

I was looking for ideas on what to write this week when a friend contacted me and asked about the goaltending this season on the Maple Leafs. I have often defended Soup about his last season in the net. Although I don't think he is an elite goalie, I don't blame him for last season.

Did the Maple Leafs improve on the goaltending this year? Acquiring Murray is a considerable gamble. He has not been the same since his Pens years. I am not sold on Murray being able to return to form. I worry about him letting in weak goals. That said, the Leafs will be fine if he can be average to a little above average. 

The wild card here is the backup or 1b goalie. Samsonov is young and has a ton of potential. If Murray can mentor him—colour me intrigued. I'm interested in seeing the results. 

Overall, I think the Leafs will be a little worse than last year. But I also feel they can be better defensively than last year, which will make up for it. 

I asked around if the Maple Leafs would have been interested in Varly, but was told no because of his age. The Leafs also didn't like his cap hit, and the Isles were not offering any cap relief. Got said these were the two best options they could see; whether or not it's the right selection time will tell.

Randy

2022 Draft: New York Islanders Priorities

The Islanders' top priority is defense at the draft. Although they really like Lambert, cooler heads will likely prevail and they will go with the defense. It was hard to determine which dman to pick, and it came down to which one I saw in the first round. The one I came up with is the one I think that might be there at number 13.

13 Pavel Mintyukov 

Defense 

Pavel is an offensively gifted defenseman. Pavel keeps the puck alive and battles with his size. Above average in the defensive zone defender. Pavel is a great puck distributor as well as rushing with the puck. He has the potential of being a top pairing dman. 

Come the second round; I feel the greatest need is a power forward if one is available.

65 Vinzenz Rohrer 

Right-Wing 

Vinzenz is a gifted offensive right-winger with a decent shot. He is willing to get his nose dirty and will fight for the puck. I especially like his willingness to fight in the corner for the puck. The Isles need a little more sandpaper with a scoring touch. He fits the bill. 

For the rest of the picks, I will just mention the names of the players. 

Round 3

78 Topias Leinonen 

Goaltender

NO Round 4

Round 5

142 Ludvig Jansson  

Defense

Round 6

174 Connor Hvidston 

Centre

See my full mock draft here.