Mastodon
@New York Islanders

Two Keys to Improving the New York Islanders Team Defense This Season Even with the Same Players



The New York Islanders blueline will mostly have the same players returning, so how can the defense be better this season? We talk about two major possibilities for improvement with training camp just a few weeks away.

Plus, we discuss the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau over the weekend. Matthew played for the Islanders organization at Bridgeport.

And former Isles defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has signed with the Utah HC, we discuss what this means for the Islanders organization.

All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.

For you next listen, check out out the Locked On NHL podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuelNow through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COMto get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOIslanders?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

And follow the show and Gil Martin on Twitter where he’ll share the latest news on your New York Islanders and will talk with fans like you.

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIsles
and https://twitter.com/icewarsnyrvsnyi

#Islanders #NYIslanders #NHL

12 Comments

  1. rip johnny hockey. So sad. And after trading laine bj's have no offense now. It is gonna be a tuff season for bj's.
    Two ways to improve overall team defense would be 1. improve the pk. Quit giving up loads of sh goals would be a start. 2. A better transition game to get puck up ice would help. Isles d as currently structured lacks transition d man/speed with all the offense on back end coming from 8.
    And there is a so-called pacioretty bidding war going on. Go and get patches louzer. The old side of 34 and broken down should be right up louzer's alley.

  2. If the islanders can stay healthy on the blue line which is a big if where pelech and puloch are concerned and if sorokin can bounce back which I belive is probable then the islanders will be much improved

  3. Good 🌄, Gil, how are you? If The Islanders stay healthy, and listen to Patrick Roy, they'll be just fine. I understand Scott Mayfield taking one for the team, but not at the expense of his career. The Penalty Kill and The Power Play can be better, too. Condolences are for Johnny Gaudreau, a one time Islander and his brother, .
    a one time Islander prospect who played for Calgary and Columbus. It was an accident that shouldn't have happened. Robert Bortuzzo signed on with The UT 🏒 team. I wish him the best of luck. HAPPY 🎂 JASON BLAKE. He had a great career in The NHL Before I go, I was listening to the 🎵 Ride Like The Wind, by Christopher Cross. It was his first big hit, and it stayed at #2 for a month behind Another Brick In The Wall. Anyway, at the time it was on the charts, The Islanders were on the verge of winning their first Stanley Cup. Hear from you later, Gil, and LET'S GO ISLANDERS.

  4. Good morning team! Gil, with the defensive staff basically being the same as last season, I'm thinking the best way they could be better is two fold. Trust in Patrick Roy's system, and Sorokin returning to his form from two years ago. There is always room for improvement, but having a goalie play like he is capable of playing, he would be able to make up for any lack of defensive play, allowing the team to take more chances defensively. I'm not looking to get into situations where the team needs to score five goals to have a chance at winning games, but I'm looking to see if the team has the talent to skate that open type of play that scoring goals will be more frequent. Having goalies, at the top of their game, makes that a possibility. It would also be nice to know we can buckle down and win those 2-1, 3-2 games as well. Thanks again, Sir. Everyone, have a great day today! Looking forward to seeing everyone again next time. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!

  5. You touched on all of it….Last year Pelli and Pullie were out for first half of season practically…Dobber and Romanov carried them …Mayfield played hurt (who knew) and eventually was out…they changed coaches…they didn’t score (22nd in NHL) ..worst pk in league …Reilly saved them IMO to getting in playoffs…which was truly a miracle they made it …maybe now a rested Sirokin …we are going to make playoffs easily…they better!!!

  6. Two new players on the top 6 and two old subtractions from the 4th line changes the team. Younger and faster forwards. I take issue with guys like Neil Smith talking trash when the Isles changed more this offseason then any since Tavares left.

  7. Remember when Pelech and Pullock played so well in the two conference final runs. That wasn’t that long ago. I know injuries have been part of the drop off but it has been pretty precipitous. I’m still watching from the Philippines Gil, can’t wait for the season, but I don’t think I will see any games this season. They is always WRHU radio, LGI !!!!!

  8. Hi Gil. Hope you had a great summer! A key is going to be the play of Isles forwards and the decision making of Isles defenders. Frequently the Isles get caught up ice without the speed to chase. How many times did a shot fail to go on net leading to a breakout the other way? This is not a real playoff contending team so its going to be a double important to keep the puck in front of the D. Another year older this team is NOT trending in the right direction until this team has cap flexibility ie the departures of Lee and others. The number of 40 shot games will tell you everything about the team.

  9. I think adding Duclair and Tsplakov could help as hopefully these new players will mean increased O-zone time for us and less time with our d-men on their heels.

Write A Comment