We are rapidly closing in on the New York Islanders season opener for 2023-24 so we take a look at the keys to the season. What do the Isles have to do better this year to be a more successful team. We look at some big things and some little things that can make a difference for this team plus the players who need to lift their games. We have some big things and some smaller things you may not have thought about.
We also discuss Mathew Barzal’s likely role with the team and what he needs to do to have a successful year for the Islanders.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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15 Comments
Gil Marten says the fighting aspect of hockey is obsolete. Watch what happened last night between the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs. He's a joke. Please someone that knows hockey take this pod over.
Now another fight between Blackhawks and Bruins.
keys to successful season-
1. dump lane if isles out of it at mid-season. which lou will do to save his ass.
2. get an actual pp/offense.
3. dump lou. get a gm that can make proper moves to keep isles afloat while dumping salary to get younger and adding needed offensive skill that will result in a better pp to secure more success so not to be a fringe playoff team.
4. need barzal to score more goals and approach a ppg again. need for another forward to turn in a big offensive season. wahlstrom (unlikely), lee hit 30 + again (unlikely), horvat score near 40 again (unattainable).
5. hope that nelson's production doesn't fall off a cliff or that sorokin doesn't get injured or suddenly becomes ineffective. because if that happens isles are fkd and wont even be a fringe playoff team.
Agree with health. We don't have a lot of qualified depth. Our Power play needs to be significantly better. I think people in general underrate us, but we need to be better at punishing teams with power plays.
Great point with Sorokin. We should be in a good position with Varmalov, but we have to remember that we were chasing in the end, because of a horrible mid-season.
I think all that what we're about is depth! Only star is Soroky! We need to start EVERY GAME with purpose, unlike that final preseason with NJ! Preseason or not, that was VERY disappointing to see!
Gil…how in the world do you expect different results with the same lineup (besides two players) and the same crappy PP coach? I dont understand!!! Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? Lol
Unity! There's a lot to worry about with this team. Lack of scoring. Questionable coaching. Awful PP. They need to forget about all that and come together. Stay healthy and compete every night. Get special teams' sorted out, because if not that's what will set this team back. Go ISLANDERS!
Thanks ❤gil for the great job you do 😮the players need to play the back of their card. IIya sorokin has to play like last year.
Nice show, Gil.
So many questions this year. For me the biggest is can Lane find the right system and line combinations to turn this team into a solid playoff contender. Everyone should be motivated because it has to be obvious that failure will result in a full rebuild with a bunch of vets waving goodbye, probably under a new GM.
Dobson needs to stop passing like his stick is too short. Mayfield has to stop taking dumb, ill-timed penalties. Barzal needs to learn to hand the puck off before he turns it over. Romanov needs to show better defensive positioning. Guys need to stay healthy. Even with all that, newcomers need to really step it up and start displacing the no-scoring vets.
Isles need to stay healthy and the specials teams needs to be on the top half of the league. Especially the PP. Isles need to get more pucks to the net. Rebound goals count the same. Crash the net. Gil points out an important point with Dobson. Couldn’t agree more. If dobson improves, the Pp will improve. Would love to see 60 pts out of him. Will see. Lgi
Let’s be honest sorokin wasn’t good in the playoffs he let in at least 3 bad goals that costs them two games
Hi Gil .sorry was sick for a month bed early I have to catch up on shows miss them … LETS GO ISLANDERS !!
Hi Gill! Really good show! It’s a combination of things to me. Bo n Barzie must click and I mean click!! Someone has to have a shocker season—-Gauthier or Whally? Dobson has got to get better defensively—-can’t cough up the biscuit at will. Like you said Gil—-can’t burn Sorro out—just can’t! Gotta give the guy a number of “Easy games”. It’s taxing to play “High pressure” games all the time. We basically agree Gil—-of course health is vital but I’d rather be healthy down the stretch if anything. We’re not a bad team boys. I’ll say this—did we see Jarry wet the bed against the Hawks? The guy will be that teams downfall. Their core has aged—-If it’s up to us or them—-we will get the spot because of our superior net. Ps—like you said Gil—can ya be ready to play every game out of the gate? Lastly—-any chance of a serious run? Pp must be effective—-that’s a given take care Gil!
neutral zone puck possession to help defense bring puck into offense zone?
Really hope team makes Playoffs though I might see a game in New Arena. I don't know if I can or not really yet. I saw them play Kings at Nassau Coliseum then got Rear Ended leading to Neck Fusion so. Least I got a few free Hats along with a shirt bought in Parking Lot that spells it Stanly Cup with Four Cups on them :). Clark Gillies I got to meet when I was doing Comic Card Sports Shows back in like 94 when Rangers were Sweeping them :). So that was a good memory as got to talk to him for like hour then somebody Bought me Screwdriver at Bar thing kinda. I was doing Show in Basement Level at same time game as Isles went on amazing Steak to even make Playoffs ;). I think I have a Banner with that or Marc Fitzpatrick or somebody having Dueling Shut Outs. Great Goalie Medicine Hat or so but had odd reaction to Vitamins :)?