You cannot have commitment without accountability.
Islander stat god, Eric Hornick reveals the Isles' shutout loss in Pittsburgh dropped their all-time record to .500. They have two wins in their last 14 games and have been shut out 5 times with a 5-10-3 record, being outscored 61-35 so far this season. Chris Botta has sighted a source that confirms: Garth Snow has full authority to make any changes (coach, roster) he deems necessary to save NYI season. Who would you replace Coach Capuano with? If a Bruce Boudreau becomes available, do you consider a change? I don’t feel it’s a coaching problem.
I mentioned a while back that the Islanders had a fragile psyche that needed to be bolstered by creating a winning culture. Winning cultures breed confidence, are usually resilient and know what it takes to dig deep down in the face of adversity and somehow find a way to win. These teams respect everyone, but fear none and expect to win every time they take the ice. They play a system and are programed to work hard and act to maximize effectiveness.
Your New York Islanders tend to lose focus and become outplayed by harder working teams. Negative traits that seemed to disappear in the second half of last year’s apparent rebound. Well, that was last year and this is now. Some have said they need to find an identity. Mark Streit was chosen to lead the group of promising young players and best-that-we-could-get veterans assembled by Garth Snow in yet another summer of failed acquisitions. It seems that once the August 1st referendum failed and the new arena was denied again, the gloom began creeping back into the picture. 2015 will see the team play out their lease and have selected a new place to represent barring a miracle for Long Island.
The Tavares, Parenteau, Streit, Moulson, Nielsen and Grabner’s have been good. They have been consistent with effort and are not the problem. What will be a problem is when these hard working players get disgusted and start to feel like their time on Long Island is a bad dream. These are supposed to be core players and have been selected to lead the Islanders into the future. They need to feel more in control and trust in management. They need to win.
I think the unexpected underachieving members of the line-up are the main issue here.
It is no secret that Bailey, Comeau and Okposo haven’t done much of anything. While Okposo’s effort is there, he hasn’t been able to make an impact on a team that was supposed to at least threaten for a bottom playoff spot. I feel he may come around with the rest of the team, but when is the question. Seeing him in a trade scenario would be a surprise, but at this point, moves need to be made. On Bailey and Comeau, the perspective trade picture is glum. Bailey has 1 and 2 for 3 pts and a -6 rating in 18 games played. Comeau has nothing to show in 15 games, except a -11 rating. The only hope for a trade is to find another GM with a troubled player in need of a scenery change who would be willing to come to the Islanders in hopes of a turn around. Not looking good.
Rolston and Pandolfo have looked good at times and have shown they are still here to compete, but they are here because the top choices needed to get the Isles to the next level weren’t available. The top tier players stay away from Long Island due to the rumors of the facility and playing there. Numerous examples of negative press given to Charles Wang, Garth Snow and the organization, despite the good things that have been accomplished, have done damage that can only be undone by winning. Despite any team shortcomings, those chosen to wear the crest need to focus and at least play for each other. They need to concentrate on playing as a team and doing what needs to be done. Each member of the team needs to take accountability for themselves and their line or pairing. They need to do the small things and win the battles that dictate a game. They need to be unpleasant to play against for their opponents.
Mark Eaton is out with a sprained MCL which will keep him out of the line-up for 6 weeks, Islanders have recalled Micheal Haley. This will work as benefit to the team play and the fan's morale. As mentioned before, Haley brings energy and a team unity to the game play. He will surely invigorate the Islanders and his addition should be a positive step in the right direction. Let’s hope he is able to stay around. I still feel Gillies presence is absolutely necessary to a resurgent Isles team. Hopefully, he will be given another opportunity soon.
Ullstrom and Niederreiter are good additions to the team. They need to develop and prove they can contribute at this level. Players at Bridgeport like Wallace, DiBenedetto, Rakhshani and Cizikas should be given a look by the Islanders before the season is lost if trades continue to be difficult to complete.
The goaltender for the New York Islanders should be Montoya. He has good numbers at 2-2-1 with a 2.43 gaa and .926 sv% for such a precarious game schedule. He has developed his game and should be given serious consideration as a starter. DiPietro should be there to push Montoya and prove he can continue to improve. With a 3.35 gaa and ,849 sv%, he needs to find his game and show that he can do it consistantly. Nabokov should be moved, and moved as soon as he can be. His injuries will make it even more of a challenge for Snow, but the right situation may just have to be the best one available.
If this season is supposed to be about commitment, then lets hold the players accountable. On the 40th anniversary of Islander’s hockey, I challenge the ownership and management to really take the next step and do what needs to be done to win, even if it deviates from the plan. The rebuild has had moments of looking good and I had a great time watching the prospects gathered in the Blue and White game this summer. The ultimate goal is a return to prominence and to reward the loyal and diehard fans; Fans that have stuck with the team for the past 20 years during the worst of times. Everyone wants to be successful and I for one appreciate all the sacrifices made from ownership on down, but really only one thing matters to the fans.
Stop the talk and show us you have a consistent winner in the New York Islanders.
Isles Notes:
Today’s lines: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo; Comeau-Reasoner-Pandolfo; Martin-Bailey-Niederreiter, Ullstrom.
