So in the past few days, I’ve had 2 articles
partially written to analyze the Isles and their play a little more than half
way into the season and heading into the All-Star break. I’ve had to change them around and do some re-writes
to bring you the current version of this article. I had to do so in hopes of not retelling much
of what many of my colleagues or those in the local media have written about
the team.
Sometimes, not a very easy thing to do at all. But know that my delays
in writing have come at expense of caring for my Dad, a trade I happily make
without hesitation.
It all comes down to accountability. I need to take care of business in my own
life and still manage the immense burden of caring for an aging parent with Alzheimer’s
and dementia. Sometimes, it seems like a losing battle, but it doesn’t deter me
one bit. If I am not there to care for
him, no one else will. I am OK with that obligation. What I am trying to do here is draw attention
to the different responsibilities and accountability. While the example is my own, its merits can
be applied to many other examples, even a hockey organization like the New York
Islanders.
Recently, your New York Islanders defeated
the Vancouver Canucks, 4-2 in O.T at home, the Senators 5-2 in Ottawa, had
their home game against the Flyers snowed out (no make-up date announced yet) and lost a 4-2 game at home to the Detroit
Redwings, since we talked last. It was
an up and down, back and forth 9 days of hockey. They seem to dominate each period with a
physical edge or were forced to play catch-up for much of the game after a slow
start during that time. They now find
themselves 3 points behind the 2nd place Rangers (25-16-6 with 56pts in 47
games) and 7th in the eastern conference.
They have gone just 7-8-1 in their last 16 games, but have been
outscored 29-9 in those 9 loses. All
season long, lines have been changed, guys called up and injuries endured for
what still amounts to a successful 2015-16 campaign for New York so far. Adjustments must be made in the best way that
the GM, coaching staff and players are able to accomplish. But you have to wonder how good the team
would be if their shortcomings were properly addressed and they found a way to
evolve even more than they have managed so far this season.
I am acquainted with a professional coach in
a major sporting league. This coach has
managed to have a very successful career in his chosen sport and has even won a
title at the pro level. When I asked
about his opinion on Jack Capuano, he basically said he wasn’t the biggest fan
and feels that under his guidance, the Isles fail to consistently play with
energy. He also sighted that the staff doesn’t
hold guys accountable and although he is a fan of Doug Weight, like most of us, he doesn’t feel the PP (now 19th in the NHL at 17.5%) unit is a legitimate
threat game in and game out at this time. He feels
that some more moves need to be done by Garth Snow and the first should be
finding a legitimate winger for star center, John Tavares. Greg Cronin has been good for most of the
season with the PK, now 2nd at 87.2% (including a consecutive 22 game kill streak)
and has helped the team win close games for much of the campaign.
It seems the consistency is still missing and
it must start taking a toll on every level of the organization. Accountability that includes, but goes beyond
the players on the ice while this talented squad in burning their limited time
as one of the better, but underachieving units in the league. Capuano has the respect of his players per
reports and he has non-specifically called out his team on more than one
occasion. He has also made it a point to
mention that personnel decisions are something Garth Snow will need to think on
because he feels certain players are just not getting it done. I have questioned Capuano on decisions, but
no one is getting fired or moved with the success that the team is having now -
unless the shortcomings continue as the trade deadline approaches. But I think they are continuing and will
continue without the proper adjustments.
This will be especially true when you look into next season with new
ownership taking majority control of the team.
Charles Wang will remain as a minority owner and advisor, but Garth Snow
will need to continue to take strides in team depth and try and find a way to
help the Islanders reach the consistency they so desperately need. Not an easy thing to do and I am far from an
NHL level GM or Coach for that matter, but I am confused by the same shortfalls that we take exception to as fans. I do
have 5 keys that could help the Islanders in the 2nd half of the season and
into what should be a playoff push.
5. More
balanced scoring. The Isles need it in
bunches and need to score first. Per
Eric Hornick, “The Isles are 21-2-0 when they score at least three goals
(including shootout winners) and are 4-14-6 when they do not. The Isles
were 40-8-4 when they scored at least three goals (including SO winners) last
season and the Isles are 17-3-2 when they score first and are 8-13-4 when they
allow the opening goal.” The Isles need
their stars (Okposo 35, Tavares 34 & Nielsen 30 pts) to continue to lead by
example and offensive contributions need to come from everywhere. Like how Brock Nelson’s 11 goals in his last
19 games have him 1st on the team in goals (19) scored and one off his 20 goal
high from last season. Mikhail Grabovski
has managed 21 points in 47 games and is looking better as of late. They need even more from Anders Lee (20),
Ryan Strome (17), Josh Bailey (20).
4. Get
even more defensive and gritty. The
defense needs to continue to jump in on the rush and help change momentum, but
a priority on defense must be kept from within their own zone. The Isles must keep finishing checks, agitating
opponents and neutralizing scoring chances by the opposition to result in more odd
man rushes the other way and SHGs (4).
The 4th line of Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck are
infectious with their physical play and need to continue to frustrate the
competition along with their team mates on both sides of the ice.
3. Goaltending
needs to stay sharp. The Isles are
10-5-6 in games decided by a single goal.
They have stayed in the playoff hunt by their depth in net. Jaroslav Halak (ranked 24th) is 12-9-4 with a
2.14gaa & .923Sv% while back-up, Thomas Greiss (ranked 22nd) is 13-6-2 with
a 2.32gaa & .927Sv%. The goal tending
the Isles get has given the team confidence in most games and is sometimes the
only reason the team stays in the games in which they are struggling. The net minders need to improve even more, especially Jaroslav Halak who must emerge as the clear #1 going into the post season.
2. Power
Play must improve. It has been up and
down all season long as is currently in the bottom half of the league at 19th. The Isles need their extra man to take
advantage of close game and turn momentum when it is needed most. It is necessary to add points within a game
and by default, in the standing of a close eastern conference race to the post
season. If changes need to be made to direction
or tweaks to their PP units, then it needs to be done.
1. They must stay healthy as a team. This is a huge need for any team and it’s a credit
to the depth built by Garth Snow that time lost to Jaro Halak, Travis Hamonic,
Johnny Boychuk, and Thomas Hickey wasn’t too much to overcome for the Islanders
so far. The depth and improved play provided
by Thomas Greiss, Calvin de Haan & Adam Pelech have helped New York stay in
the hunt, but key players need to stay healthy so they can focus on the task at
hand. Competing at a high level for a
better chance of winning games.
Let’s hope that the injuries, fatigue and
focus can improve over the All-Star break and some rest and film work can be
done to sharpen the team for the conclusion of the season. I still feel they have the talent and players
to make a splash, but without the accountability necessary to keep their edge,
the team may not have what it takes for that next step towards Stanley. That accountability must be owned at every
level.
Consistency is sure to follow.
Isles Notes:
The All-Star game is this weekend and John
Tavares (4 goals in the game last year) has been named Captain of the Metro
Division squad to represent New York again. The game will feature a 3 on 3 format style of play. Tavares credited his team
mates when he spoke about attending the weekend for the Isles. “There are a few guys from our team who could
be going instead of me,” Tavares said. “Kyle [Okposo], Frans [Nielsen], Nick
Leddy and our goalies have had some outstanding seasons. I’m really the
beneficiary of many guys.
The Isles return to action on 2/2 at home
against the Minnesota Wild at 7pm before a two game road trip against
Washington (2/4) and Detroit (2/6) before coming back to face the Oilers on
2/7.
No comments:
Post a Comment