I would have been happy with either one but DeBoer feels like the right coach to get this team to the next level with the infusion of young talent at the doorstep.
So it looks like you like approve the move... cool. You guys watch more hockey than me, so I was going to ask your thoughts. I was pretty surprised at the timing honestly.
It’s certainly surprising but once Vegas did it it was a smart move to get out ahead of Roy’s inevitable firing and hire arguably the best coach on the market who would have been one of the first hires in the offseason.
The NHL is different from every other league in how often coaches of teams that are still in contention get fired in the middle, and even near the end, of seasons. I don't think there's any data that shows that it works out particularly well in general, but it's less shocking in the NHL than anywhere else. I think lots of people figured Roy would be gone after this collapse, but Cassidy was an obvious target, so them signing DeBoer instead is really the only potentially surprising thing. He's been a successful coach, but hasn't won a Cup, unlike Cassidy, who won a Cup with Vegas (after replacing DeBoer as coach, in fact). As I noted in my earlier post, while I don't think Roy distinguished himself as coach, I also don't think coaching was the problem with this team, but rather lack of offensive talent.
Well, everybody now has four games to play, and the Islanders find themselves three points out of both third place in the division and the second wild card, with two teams ahead of them chasing the second wild card. It's pretty much over. I have tickets for the game on Saturday, and a month ago I thought it could be a big game for playoff position, rather than potentially being the game in which they clinch missing the playoffs.
Any chance they have starts with running the table these last 4 games which won't be easy for this group. They do play the Sens so a regulation win over them helps if the Sens lose another. One more loss and it is definitely over. They have no one to blame but themselves for this losing four straight in regulation.
Although disappointing because they seemed like a lock for the playoffs just a month ago, missing the playoffs is probably better for this team because it eliminates the false impression of them being closer to being a true contender than they are. They overachieved all season on the strength of Sorokin and Rittich, but they were never as good as their record. That being said, I still agree with the Schenn trade; he will be much more valuable over the next two seasons than Lee would have been who we may have kept with a playoff berth and possible series victory. But now we have the coach, the goalie, the young talent, and some good veterans to compete next year with a more accurate assessment of the team that there are still major deficiencies to solve.
You are definitely right about them not being as good as their record as Sorokin saved their asses time and time again. The only reason I wanted them to make it was to give Schaefer some playoff experience. Other than that, I agree with you on missing the playoffs and facing the reality that there is a lot of work to be done before this team is a legit contender.
Schaefer ties the rookie goal-scoring record, and Columbus and Philadelphia lose. Ottawa won, however, so the wild card is probably out of reach (although beating them on Saturday would keep it in play). Isles need to win the next three (of course), and hope Philly loses one (OT loss would be okay).
Saturday's game against Ottawa is really big. A regulation win opens up two paths to the playoffs either Metro 3 or WC 2 will be in play. Good night on the scoreboard last night. Let's Go Islanders.
For anyone who watched that travesty on TV, let me assure you that it was much worse in person. The team played with absolutely no sense of urgency the entire game. They were passive and tentative, and once again made innumerable sloppy mistakes. It was certainly the worst Schaefer has looked to me the entire season.
So, how do people feel about the De - Booooooo - er era so far? I guess I hope this terrible finish doesn't cost Sorokin the Vezina, but on the other hand the fact is that he's been a big part of the collapse these last 7 games. Presumably Schaefer's dominance all year means that the Calder is wrapped up already.
I’m bummed they didn’t make playoffs but this collapse started 20 games ago when they kept falling behind 3-0 against bad teams. I think PD did the right thing with the lines, it’s exactly how a line should be set up, speed and puck control as centers, a top pairing defense and then your wingers. The system puts everyone where they should be and reveals whether the guys you have in those spots can produce. My take is this, which we already know. The Wingers need to be replaced, don’t be surprised if Barzal is traded. We will see young players from Bridgeport/ Canada get their chance next year.
It really does feel like it’s time to move Barzal. He just doesn’t produce to his talent at wing and although DeBoer would like to play him at center next season, if the right offer is made we have enough center depth and a couple of good prospects in Nelson and Romano that will be here in a few years, and not to mention Ritchie who we have to invest the ice time in.
I think everyone not named Schaefer should be in play for a trade and that includes Sorokin. Sorokin is probably the Isles best player and one of the best goalies in the league. But he will be 31 later this year. That is not old but given where the Isles are it might be in their best interest to trade him. They would get a king's ransom for him which would help speed up the rebuild. Probably get a combination of 1st and 2nd round picks along with top prospects for him. By the time the Isles are ready to compete for a Cup (IF THAT DAY EVER COMES) then Sorokin's best days are probably behind him or he is retired. The Isles need to get younger, faster and add more elite level players to both the forwards and defenseman groups. Of course, goalie as well if they traded Sorokin. They need to build around Schaefer that much is certain.
I don’t think Sorokin is being traded, mainly because I don’t think Darche sold DeBoer on a long rebuild. His vision is a team that can compete in the next few years while Sorokin is still elite. The holes we have ca be filled starting with Barzal likely being traded. With Horvat, Pageau, Schen, and Ritchie at center, and Nelson and Romano a year or two away from coming up, we don’t really need him at center if he can be moved for a position of need that helps us next year. With Lee coming off the books, maybe buyouts for Mayfield and Pulock, we will have the cap space to fill the holes pretty quickly. Not to mention guys like Eklund, Eiserman and Aitcheson on the doorsteps. the best thing about the collapse is that it eliminated the delusion of keeping legacy players like Lee and Barzal because the season was a success with a playoff birth.
No surprise, 7 losses in their last 8 games to close the season, 5 losses in their last 6 home games, 1 goal for Schaefer in his last 12 games.
