The Islanders have played terrible hockey since they started the season 3-1 and have never figured how to get things back on track. They seem to have forgotten how to win. At KoC, I have noted a few reasons why I feel they are losing and have said the current roster can at least play a more competitive and complete game than they have shown recently. I need to repeat myself.
They seem to lack a soul. To find a competitive fire that any NHL team needs in order to dig down and compete at a high level. I feel that a trade is necessary at this point, but that is easier said than done. Waiting to make another brilliant pick up off the waiver wire is reliant upon a salary dump or troubled player that would be a perfect fit being made available for nothing. Don’t bet on it.
I have sung the praises of players like Trevor Gillies and Michael Haley before. I have asked for them to be called up and play on Long Island where they belong. Gillies will never get sunburn from lighting the lamp on a regular basis and Haley has had problems with sitting in the box, but they are both all-stars at one thing. Bringing heart and soul to the New York Islanders.
Gillies is both feared by and dangerous to the opposition. His heart is infectious. He has long been recognized as a great team guy. Haley is skilled with his fists and dangerous around the net. He plays a high energy game and makes his presence known when he plays his game. Why would two guys sent down to Bridgeport because they were expendable to management make any difference to the Islanders in their current situation?
The Islanders lack soul. The islanders have to show more heart.
Coach Capuano is not happy with the efforts of some players on his team. He had this to say to Islanders.nhl.com:
“There’s no excuse,” Capuano said. “We have to finish our checks. We have to be more physical. We have to get pucks in deep.”
“We have to find the will to win,” Capuano said. “We can talk a good game. The players can talk a good game, but we have to find a will to compete every night. At some point, if it doesn’t, then our lineups going to have to change and other guys are going to have to get an opportunity. But right now, you have to dig deep and find a way to win a hockey game.”
He also alluded to specific players acting as “passengers,” and that they shouldn’t expect to be a part of the lineup because of who they are.
The skilled guys aren’t getting it done. The New York Islanders have recalled forward Nino Niederreiter from his conditioning stint with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He will make his debut vs. the New York Rangers tomorrow night. This is a shot in the arm to a listless team that hasn’t been able to play a complete game for quite some time, but I doubt young Nino will be the current answer. The fact is that the Islanders tend to play with more energy and win games with Gillies in the lineup. Haley has figured into Bridgeport’s recent success and could bring some life to the Isles as well as he has done in the past.
Gillies and Haley will remain in Bridgeport for the game against the Rangers. That will probably not change for a while as the Isles management works with the coaching staff to correct what negative factors are affecting the team. The Islanders need to start winning and winning now.
You cannot win without heart ...
or soul ...
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