There is always pressure in professional sports but which New York Islanders player is under the most pressure heading into the 2023-24 NHL season? We discuss several candidates and open our poll on our You Tube page.
Plus, the national media gave the Isles a little more respect this week as the contract extension Ilya Sorokin signed with the team recently was voted one of the best five contracts for a star player in the league. We break down the deal and why this signing belongs on the list.
And we answer your email questions about the Isles from Cal Clutterbuck to Oliver Wahlstrom and more.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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18 Comments
Is it crazy to think that I was hoping we would have more production out of Aho by now?
~AZ from Boise.
With the way things are for so many reasons, I think we are done and it's gonna be easily another decade B4 we see a realistic chance of winning another cup under a new GM, new Coach…. For too many reasons, this team is done!
This team scored 243 goals last year without full years of Barzal Engvall, Horvat, Wahlstrom! I'd everyone stays healthy and plays to their potential how many more goals is that!?
20 goals and 77 pts….. Is that what 9 million per gets you these days?….to me Barzal is exciting but no superstar…….I am thankful i got to see 50 in 50!, miss the old day's!…R I P Mike Bossy.
Like you said, Gil: I’m by no means an NHL coach but having Bo & Anders on the same PP makes zero sense. I know Lane Lambert has hundreds of decisions to make during a game and I know he’s defensively minded HC but he should have stepped in & told John MacLean to put Horvat on PP 1 & Lee on PP 2, again I’m not a professional NHL assistant HC but it was obvious to me from the start, that Lee & Horvat are tip-in, redirect shots & scoop up the loose change goal scorers. Bo Horvat has a good enough shot to score goals, but his game is standing down low in the slot and redirecting the puck in to the net. I agree 100% they need to be split up. Thanks Gil.
The main players I will be looking at and expect the most from are. 1 – Horvat 2- Barzal 3- Pageau 4- Wohlstrom 5- Palmeri 6 – Lee These are the ones I think will be under the most pressure next year.
sorokin because its obvious barzal can't elevate this team. sorokin will have to pitch a shut out every night for this punchless bunch to have a chance to win. and running it back with the same roster is not a formula for success. even illya can't save isles. and with bergeron retiring now would be a good time for lou to pick up the phone and dangle jpg to b's. jpg don't have bergeron's offense but could do a lot of little things. too bad b's have no picks or prospects to send back.
There are too many bottom 6 forwards on the team. I believe it is a issue.
When I think of pressure, I think about the guys who could lose their spot on the team if they don't contribute consistently. The one that comes to mind is Wahlstrom. He has a ton of talent and what seems to be a good attitude. He was clearly mishandled by Trotz, and that affected his confidence. In the 2021 playoffs, he was very effective defensively in the 1st round, then got injured. When he was healthy, Trotz decided he would rather have a washed up Zajac in the lineup. Damn!
Now he's 23, coming off a serious injury AND playing on a near-minimum 1 year deal, with a couple of experienced depth forwards waiting in the AHL. Talk about the knife edge. What if the knee isn't 100%? What if he has a slow start? Perhaps worst of all, he re-injures that knee. I'm not a 100% on how waivers work after LTIR, but if he can start the season in the AHL on a rehab stint without being waived, I would hope that's how Lou handles him.
Funny you had the question about Wahlstrom. I was going to bring him up regarding the pressure. Imo, he has the most pressure. Isles ARE relying on him and gave him the 1 year prove it contract or he's gone.
Dobson=hit the gym ,Lee= move down the lineup…Aho= grow 5 inches…lols
Most pressure? Lane Lambert and a (new) pp coach
I guess the players were paying the big bucks. That’s where the pressure is
Agreed horvat especially and Barzal as well hoping they can perform, It’s great to have them both. But that’s where the pressure is
Max value for Cal= asst coach in Bport
Gil,do they intend to keep Alex Jefferies? Thanks,Phil
That's a tall order Gil. But i think its a number of guys that have to step up. 1. Horvat has to find his place in the line up. Then i think the offense will come. 2. Barzel has figure out what he is! Is he a playmaker or a sharp shooter???? 3. Lee has to be more consistent as both a captain and infront of the net!!!!! 4. Dobson is still yet to prove to me that he's a #1 defenseman. This season is going to be more monkey business im afraid!!!!!!
I agree with you saying Barzal and Horvat have significant pressure. I also think the entire team should be under pressure as well as Lou being he clearly stated he believes in this roster.
Hi Gil! Real good show and topic. It’s obvious it’s Barzie and Horvat. Those two have got to be very productive this upcoming season! However, pressure? Well to me, facing high quality chances, knowing your team totally depends on you to be stellar, knowing you can’t give up more than 2 per game for your team to win? Well to me it’s Sorokin—plus living up to the new contract—-and he will!! Take care Gil!!