Post by New York Islanders on Sept 10, 2022 16:07:45 GMT -6
There’s no secret missing the playoffs was a big disappointment to everyone within the Islanders’ orgnanization. But few expected the drastic changes that followed this offseason. Sure, everyone knew that the defense might look different as Pulock, Gustafsson and Stralman all decided to try free agency. However we dare to say noone expected the captain to leave, or should we say be thrown off, the ship. Question is if the new captain wil be able to unite the crew, right the ship and bring the Stanley Cup into port?
As the Islanders’ front office have declared there will be no interviews with players, coaching staff nor the manegement until after training camp we will simply have to rely on our information from our own sources and known facts from the free agency and made trades. And our sources claim that the loss of three defenders initially didn’t worry GM Westman too much. He was, according to our sources, convinved that he would be able to resign Pulock or, as Pulock quickly turned out to be too expensive, at least be able to land Nick Jensen. As he too turned out to be offered a contract the Islanders’ had no desire (or ability for that matter) GM Westman demanded a meeting with the ownership. At the meeting, our sources claim, Westman had an ultimatum: either you give me free hands to take action and move forward with anu measures necessary to stay competitive, or you go find yourself a new GM. Obviously he was granted the freedom and financial means he asked for as the trade carousel started.
At a meeting with the owners GM Westman demanded "freedom and financial means to take actions necessary to keep the team competative" - or he would quit!
The first move was an unexpected one, but with great symbolic value. The captain who failed to lead the his crew and the ship to shore was sent away. The first big deal saw Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and netminder Semyon Varlamov move to Detroit in exchange for John Tavares, Colton Sissons and Ilya Sorokin. Tavares was named Captain the same day he arrived in Nassau and it’s obvious the expectations will be very high on his performance. Our sources once again claim the trade was somewhat emotionally tough on GM Westman as he more than once had declared that the trio ”truly bled blue and orange”. Tavares have a history with the Islanders and while many will miss Lee even more will be happy to see Tavares back where he belongs.
Long ago teammates, now one kicking out the other. John Tavares is back, taking over the C from Anders Lee.
In two consecutive trades with Colorado the Islanders then acquired defender P.K.Subban and exchanged picks in order to acquire a third round pick in the upcoming draft. So called experts questioned why Westman would take on Subban’s 9M salary as he backed off signing Pulock or Jensen for less, somehow forgetting the latter contracts also had huge signing bonuses attached to them.
The last two days minor roster changes have been made as the Islanders claimed defenders Andy Greene and Matt Tennysson off of waivers, traded for back up keeper Petr Mrazek from Winnipeg. Joining the team for training camp and pre season games will also be Keiffer Bellows, Michael Dal Colle and Ben Harpur. The latter had an exceptional last season in Bridgeport and earned a spot in pro, paring up with Scott Mayfield. Without any confirmation from the GM or the coaching staff the expected line up the coming season will be:
LW Anthony Beauvillier – C John Tavares – RW Flilp Forsberg
LW Keiffer Bellows – C J.T. Miller – RW Kevin Fiala
LW Richard Panik – C Colton Sissons – RW Brandon Tanev
LW Matt Martin – C Casey Cizikas – RW Michael Dal Colle / Cal Clutterbuck
Nate Schmidt – Dougie Hamilton
Adam Larsson – P-K. Subban
Scott Mayfield – Ben Harpur
Andy Greene – Matt Tennysson
Ilya Sorokin - Petr Mrazek
Ilya Sorokin hoping to bring a more consistent game to the Islanders as he replaces one of many underperforming players from last season, Sergei Varlamov.
As the Islanders’ front office have declared there will be no interviews with players, coaching staff nor the manegement until after training camp we will simply have to rely on our information from our own sources and known facts from the free agency and made trades. And our sources claim that the loss of three defenders initially didn’t worry GM Westman too much. He was, according to our sources, convinved that he would be able to resign Pulock or, as Pulock quickly turned out to be too expensive, at least be able to land Nick Jensen. As he too turned out to be offered a contract the Islanders’ had no desire (or ability for that matter) GM Westman demanded a meeting with the ownership. At the meeting, our sources claim, Westman had an ultimatum: either you give me free hands to take action and move forward with anu measures necessary to stay competitive, or you go find yourself a new GM. Obviously he was granted the freedom and financial means he asked for as the trade carousel started.
At a meeting with the owners GM Westman demanded "freedom and financial means to take actions necessary to keep the team competative" - or he would quit!
The first move was an unexpected one, but with great symbolic value. The captain who failed to lead the his crew and the ship to shore was sent away. The first big deal saw Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and netminder Semyon Varlamov move to Detroit in exchange for John Tavares, Colton Sissons and Ilya Sorokin. Tavares was named Captain the same day he arrived in Nassau and it’s obvious the expectations will be very high on his performance. Our sources once again claim the trade was somewhat emotionally tough on GM Westman as he more than once had declared that the trio ”truly bled blue and orange”. Tavares have a history with the Islanders and while many will miss Lee even more will be happy to see Tavares back where he belongs.
Long ago teammates, now one kicking out the other. John Tavares is back, taking over the C from Anders Lee.
In two consecutive trades with Colorado the Islanders then acquired defender P.K.Subban and exchanged picks in order to acquire a third round pick in the upcoming draft. So called experts questioned why Westman would take on Subban’s 9M salary as he backed off signing Pulock or Jensen for less, somehow forgetting the latter contracts also had huge signing bonuses attached to them.
The last two days minor roster changes have been made as the Islanders claimed defenders Andy Greene and Matt Tennysson off of waivers, traded for back up keeper Petr Mrazek from Winnipeg. Joining the team for training camp and pre season games will also be Keiffer Bellows, Michael Dal Colle and Ben Harpur. The latter had an exceptional last season in Bridgeport and earned a spot in pro, paring up with Scott Mayfield. Without any confirmation from the GM or the coaching staff the expected line up the coming season will be:
LW Anthony Beauvillier – C John Tavares – RW Flilp Forsberg
LW Keiffer Bellows – C J.T. Miller – RW Kevin Fiala
LW Richard Panik – C Colton Sissons – RW Brandon Tanev
LW Matt Martin – C Casey Cizikas – RW Michael Dal Colle / Cal Clutterbuck
Nate Schmidt – Dougie Hamilton
Adam Larsson – P-K. Subban
Scott Mayfield – Ben Harpur
Andy Greene – Matt Tennysson
Ilya Sorokin - Petr Mrazek
Ilya Sorokin hoping to bring a more consistent game to the Islanders as he replaces one of many underperforming players from last season, Sergei Varlamov.
