Ben Shelley: Blown leads still an issue for Islanders with disappointing loss to Devils

haven't seen this much choking since the scott gordon years. will never forget being up 3-0 vs boston at home with 5 minutes to go and losing in regulation. that's what it feels like again even though this team is way better. very incomplete efforts / terrible in-game adaptations to close it out. infuriatingly fixable stuff.

Game night!

Blown leads were a thing for years and then a few years under uncle Barry and they had leads on lock. That defensive structure that was made fun of works. It got the devils cups and the inferior isles to 2 ECF. Admit that the coaching for this roster isn’t right and let’s move on already.

Blown leads were a thing for years and then a few years under uncle Barry and they had leads on lock. That defensive structure that was made fun of works. It got the devils cups and the inferior isles to 2 ECF. Admit that the coaching for this roster isn’t right and let’s move on already.
- kindlyrick

It was effective no doubt about it, but players grow tired of playing it after a while. Players need to buy in for it to work. Devils had the trap and also a Hall of Fame goalie and two dmen along with very solid two way players.

Blown leads were a thing for years and then a few years under uncle Barry and they had leads on lock. That defensive structure that was made fun of works. It got the devils cups and the inferior isles to 2 ECF. Admit that the coaching for this roster isn’t right and let’s move on already.
- kindlyrick

Don't take this as a defense of the coaching staff, because I'm not happy with them either, but if there's only one coach in the world that can make the Islanders competitive then they either need to commit to re-implementing Trotz's systems or rebuilding the team to one that is a little more modernized. Either way, this team's problems start at the top.

Don't take this as a defense of the coaching staff, because I'm not happy with them either, but if there's only one coach in the world that can make the Islanders competitive then they either need to commit to re-implementing Trotz's systems or rebuilding the team to one that is a little more modernized. Either way, this team's problems start at the top.
- eichiefs9

Exactly right! Barry also could only get this team so far and a strong argument could be made circumstances helped those two runs. Still huge credit to the team.

It was effective no doubt about it, but players grow tired of playing it after a while. Players need to buy in for it to work. Devils had the trap and also a Hall of Fame goalie and two dmen along with very solid two way players.
- ses111

This is an excuse. You as player, play to the system you are being coached or move on? You as a GM, get the right players and coaches for your system. Bottom line. Not brain surgery.

Also, this team cannot look at themselves as an offensive juggernaut. They know they have to play defense.

If none of this works, ownership needs to step in.

This is an excuse. You as player, play to the system you are being coached or move on? You as a GM, get the right players and coaches for your system. Bottom line. Not brain surgery.

Also, this team cannot look at themselves as an offensive juggernaut. They know they have to play defense.

If none of this works, ownership needs to step in.
- Nfdbulldawg

Players have egos Nf. They want to have fun and have nice offensive numbers so they can get a better contract. Did some high end UFA’s not want to sign with the Islanders and play Barry’s system? Players should buy into the coach's system and players should also take less than 7-year contracts. This is the real world though.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...ad99a2e98dd98d5cab5&ei=14

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/why-islanders-moving-on-from-lambert-isn-t-as-simple-as-it-seems/ar-AA1kN3FO?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=01320cd726a54ad99a2e98dd98d5cab5&ei=14
- ses111

I don't agree with a lot of Rosner's stuff, but he does have a good point that ownership may not want/allow Lou to make a long-term coaching hire if they plan on moving on from him at the end of the year. A new GM would certainly want to bring in his own coach and they're not going to sign one of the big name coaches out there for 3 years only to have to pay them once a new GM fires them over the summer.

If Lambert is dismissed at some point, odds are he's only going to be replaced by an assistant or Bridgeport HC and whoever it is will wear the "interim" tag for the remainder of the season.

If he's let go and replaced with a veteran coach, I would assume that signals that they're committed to Lou and his vision for at least a couple more years.

I don't agree with a lot of Rosner's stuff, but he does have a good point that ownership may not want/allow Lou to make a long-term coaching hire if they plan on moving on from him at the end of the year. A new GM would certainly want to bring in his own coach and they're not going to sign one of the big name coaches out there for 3 years only to have to pay them once a new GM fires them over the summer.

If Lambert is dismissed at some point, odds are he's only going to be replaced by an assistant or Bridgeport HC and whoever it is will wear the "interim" tag for the remainder of the season.

If he's let go and replaced with a veteran coach, I would assume that signals that they're committed to Lou and his vision for at least a couple more years.
- eichiefs9

I agree chief. A vet coach likely means ownership is all in with Lou.

I don't agree with a lot of Rosner's stuff, but he does have a good point that ownership may not want/allow Lou to make a long-term coaching hire if they plan on moving on from him at the end of the year. A new GM would certainly want to bring in his own coach and they're not going to sign one of the big name coaches out there for 3 years only to have to pay them once a new GM fires them over the summer.

If Lambert is dismissed at some point, odds are he's only going to be replaced by an assistant or Bridgeport HC and whoever it is will wear the "interim" tag for the remainder of the season.

If he's let go and replaced with a veteran coach, I would assume that signals that they're committed to Lou and his vision for at least a couple more years.
- eichiefs9

No way Lou makes himself interim head coach…he’s too old. But not too old to be the GM

No way Lou makes himself interim head coach…he’s too old. But not too old to be the GM
- kindlyrick

I didn't say he'd make himself head coach

I didn't say he'd make himself head coach
- eichiefs9

I know, I was more pointing out the fact that he’s too old to get behind the bench but not too old to be GM.

I don't agree with a lot of Rosner's stuff, but he does have a good point that ownership may not want/allow Lou to make a long-term coaching hire if they plan on moving on from him at the end of the year. A new GM would certainly want to bring in his own coach and they're not going to sign one of the big name coaches out there for 3 years only to have to pay them once a new GM fires them over the summer.

If Lambert is dismissed at some point, odds are he's only going to be replaced by an assistant or Bridgeport HC and whoever it is will wear the "interim" tag for the remainder of the season.

If he's let go and replaced with a veteran coach, I would assume that signals that they're committed to Lou and his vision for at least a couple more years.
- eichiefs9

Personally, despite my own opinion on the game having passed him by, I don't see the Isles moving on from Lou. I think it's his job until he retires, which may come sooner than later. I'm not sure what that will mean in terms of a new coach. Regardless, and despite our wishes here, I wouldn't be shocked if the Isles rode Lambert for a good while longer. Lou made a big investment by going with Lambert and I'm just not so sure he'll can him after 1.5 years. That said, who really knows? Lou has been impatient with coaches in the past.

I know, I was more pointing out the fact that he’s too old to get behind the bench but not too old to be GM.
- kindlyrick

I dunno. The guy is 81. I'd argue that may be too old to be GM as well. Lou is the oldest GM in the NHL (perhaps in it's history?) where the average GM age is 54.

Can we all agree now that Beau is not a top six forward?

Gotta feel bad for the kid, but it certainly seems like we repeatedly overvalue our own talent only to find when they go somewhere else that they weren't quite as good as we thought. (although there are a couple of exceptions)

Personally, despite my own opinion on the game having passed him by, I don't see the Isles moving on from Lou. I think it's his job until he retires, which may come sooner than later. I'm not sure what that will mean in terms of a new coach. Regardless, and despite our wishes here, I wouldn't be shocked if the Isles rode Lambert for a good while longer. Lou made a big investment by going with Lambert and I'm just not so sure he'll can him after 1.5 years. That said, who really knows? Lou has been impatient with coaches in the past.
- keaner17

Certainly agree that nobody really knows. Only playing devil's advocate here, but Lambert likely did not command big-time coaching money since it's his first kick at the can behind the bench. I would assume they also didn't commit major term to him. So I don't know that it would be a such a tough decision, financially speaking, to get rid of him.

I don't really know on Lou either. I have to imagine ownership has to at least question some of the term on the contracts he gave out this offseason and wonder what exactly the plan to improve the team is from here on out. There's not a lot of flexibility there and they're not playing well so I would guess that ownership is kind of sitting there looking at Lou like "ok, you got all the money you asked for to cover retain those players....now what?"

What I am pretty confident on is that we won't know anything on the future of the GM job until this season is over.

If the Isles drop their next two, and the odds are pretty heavy against them winning either, and then flounder against the Sharks on Tuesday...I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Lambert shown the door.

Can we all agree now that Beau is not a top six forward?

Gotta feel bad for the kid, but it certainly seems like we repeatedly overvalue our own talent only to find when they go somewhere else that they weren't quite as good as we thought. (although there are a couple of exceptions)
- keaner17

Probably should have hung on to Verhaeghe

I do like Beau and the talent is there but he's so inconsistent and that kills him. I hope he finds his game in Chicago. That Game 6 OT goal against Tampa will always be one of my fonder Isles memories.

Personally, despite my own opinion on the game having passed him by, I don't see the Isles moving on from Lou. I think it's his job until he retires, which may come sooner than later. I'm not sure what that will mean in terms of a new coach. Regardless, and despite our wishes here, I wouldn't be shocked if the Isles rode Lambert for a good while longer. Lou made a big investment by going with Lambert and I'm just not so sure he'll can him after 1.5 years. That said, who really knows? Lou has been impatient with coaches in the past.
- keaner17

it's unheard of to have an 81-year-old GM. You get the sense Lou is not the retirement type and L&M will need to take action.

Probably should have hung on to Verhaeghe

I do like Beau and the talent is there but he's so inconsistent and that kills him. I hope he finds his game in Chicago. That Game 6 OT goal against Tampa will always be one of my fonder Isles memories.
- eichiefs9

You would think Beau would fit well with today's NHL game. Beau should at least be a solid 3rd line player.

Can we all agree now that Beau is not a top six forward?

Gotta feel bad for the kid, but it certainly seems like we repeatedly overvalue our own talent only to find when they go somewhere else that they weren't quite as good as we thought. (although there are a couple of exceptions)
- keaner17

Seems some of Milbury's picks did very well elsewhere. Garth tried to keep everyone.

Blown leads were a thing for years and then a few years under uncle Barry and they had leads on lock. That defensive structure that was made fun of works. It got the devils cups and the inferior isles to 2 ECF. Admit that the coaching for this roster isn’t right and let’s move on already.
- kindlyrick

Im absolutely not sticking up for Lambert BUT there’s only one Barry Trotz. He’s a pretty unique coach. Yeah there’s other defensive minded coaches but ones that coach inside that kind of structure? I’m not arguing whether Lambert is a problem or not but I am saying this roster isn’t that wonderful either. They are going on three years older since trotz…

Im absolutely not sticking up for Lambert BUT there’s only one Barry Trotz. He’s a pretty unique coach. Yeah there’s other defensive minded coaches but ones that coach inside that kind of structure? I’m not arguing whether Lambert is a problem or not but I am saying this roster isn’t that wonderful either. They are going on three years older since trotz…
- Cptmjl

It’s lazy just to blame the coaching. Some forget how many games under Barry this team was not ready to play. Lot of good things under Barry, but there were issues as well and things could have easily went the other way during those ECF runs.