Post by New York Islanders on Dec 29, 2021 8:14:11 GMT -6
The beginning of the season has been a great disappointment for the New York Islanders, sitting 5th in the division and 11th in the conference. The playoffs may be only one point away, but analyzing the stats for the first ten games indicate there are some big problems with the performance. Last night the Islanders made a big trade, acquiring all star defender Seth Jones, but question is wether an upgrade on defence is what this team really needs the most right now?
*The acquisition of Seth Jones "a brilliant move" or "grossly overpaying"?
Looking at the stats so far it’s clear that one of the biggest problems right now is scoring. While the number of shots taken (33,4/G) puts the Islanders in fourth place in that cathegory the efficiency (8,58) puts them dead last. And looking even closer at that problem you realize that the top scorers are not named Toffoli, Miller, Gaudreau or Rust but Lindholm and now acquired Jones!
”Some guys are still struggling for sure”, GM Westman comments. ”While everything looked very nice in the last game against Carolina we may still have to tinker with lineups, ice time and strategy to find chemistry, but I’m sure we will and that the players you mentioned will come through.”
While some experts commented on last night’s trade, sending Toews, Jokiharju and Holmstrom to Montreal in exchange for Seth Jones and a 4th rounder as ”a brilliant move” many others have called it ”grossly overpaying for a defender only slightly better than Toews”. But Westman dismisses the criticism.
”To use a famous quote from the movies: Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!” Westman laughs. ”As much as we will miss the three of them both on and off the ice, and are convinced that both Joki and Simon have a bright future in hockey we still believe we got the best player in the deal and that little detail I’m convinced will be important the rest of the regular season and the playoffs we intend to be a part of later.”
Looking at the stats again it’s obvious scoring is not the only problem that needs to be addressed. While PK is great and shots against on a decent level, allowing more than 10,5 % of the shots to become goals is not acceptable if the team wants to reach the playoffs. Raanta put up an impressive 94.9 save perentage in his only game so far, but Ben Bishop has been a huge disappointment with his 88,6 % over nine games. Could it be that Raanta might take over as number one? GM Westman again:
*GM Westman still has confidence in Ben Bishop, despite the poor start of the season.
”Ben has also been struggling to find his game in the opening of the season, but he and everyone else can rest assure that we will give him the time and support he needs to get back to his normal level. At 35 he is still one of the top 10-12 goalies in the league and I am convinced that he will come around for us. At the same time I am extremely happy to have a great back up like Raanta to take some pressure off Ben when needed.”
While no official trade block, no statement of surplus or needs, has been announced our sources claim that the Islanders are actively looking to acquire yet one more player to the roster. We hear that Westman failed to acquire winger Anders Lee from the San Jose Sharks, indicating though that he is looking to find a big, strong, physical winger with a scoring edge. Same sources tells us that players like Jared Mccann and Mark Zuccarello along with any picks should be avilable in the search. The rumors have not been confirmed by Westman or anyone else in the organization. On the contrary Westman claims there are no more additions needed.
”We will always look to improve, but to be honest I really think that we have all the tools on hand to be successful. As I said, we will still need to work even harder and find that chemistry, but when we do we have every chance to make this season a memorable one for all of us. At the same time I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t listening to proposals, aiming to make us even better, right?”
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*Mccann and Zuccarello on the block?
*The acquisition of Seth Jones "a brilliant move" or "grossly overpaying"?
Looking at the stats so far it’s clear that one of the biggest problems right now is scoring. While the number of shots taken (33,4/G) puts the Islanders in fourth place in that cathegory the efficiency (8,58) puts them dead last. And looking even closer at that problem you realize that the top scorers are not named Toffoli, Miller, Gaudreau or Rust but Lindholm and now acquired Jones!
”Some guys are still struggling for sure”, GM Westman comments. ”While everything looked very nice in the last game against Carolina we may still have to tinker with lineups, ice time and strategy to find chemistry, but I’m sure we will and that the players you mentioned will come through.”
While some experts commented on last night’s trade, sending Toews, Jokiharju and Holmstrom to Montreal in exchange for Seth Jones and a 4th rounder as ”a brilliant move” many others have called it ”grossly overpaying for a defender only slightly better than Toews”. But Westman dismisses the criticism.
”To use a famous quote from the movies: Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!” Westman laughs. ”As much as we will miss the three of them both on and off the ice, and are convinced that both Joki and Simon have a bright future in hockey we still believe we got the best player in the deal and that little detail I’m convinced will be important the rest of the regular season and the playoffs we intend to be a part of later.”
Looking at the stats again it’s obvious scoring is not the only problem that needs to be addressed. While PK is great and shots against on a decent level, allowing more than 10,5 % of the shots to become goals is not acceptable if the team wants to reach the playoffs. Raanta put up an impressive 94.9 save perentage in his only game so far, but Ben Bishop has been a huge disappointment with his 88,6 % over nine games. Could it be that Raanta might take over as number one? GM Westman again:
*GM Westman still has confidence in Ben Bishop, despite the poor start of the season.
”Ben has also been struggling to find his game in the opening of the season, but he and everyone else can rest assure that we will give him the time and support he needs to get back to his normal level. At 35 he is still one of the top 10-12 goalies in the league and I am convinced that he will come around for us. At the same time I am extremely happy to have a great back up like Raanta to take some pressure off Ben when needed.”
While no official trade block, no statement of surplus or needs, has been announced our sources claim that the Islanders are actively looking to acquire yet one more player to the roster. We hear that Westman failed to acquire winger Anders Lee from the San Jose Sharks, indicating though that he is looking to find a big, strong, physical winger with a scoring edge. Same sources tells us that players like Jared Mccann and Mark Zuccarello along with any picks should be avilable in the search. The rumors have not been confirmed by Westman or anyone else in the organization. On the contrary Westman claims there are no more additions needed.
”We will always look to improve, but to be honest I really think that we have all the tools on hand to be successful. As I said, we will still need to work even harder and find that chemistry, but when we do we have every chance to make this season a memorable one for all of us. At the same time I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t listening to proposals, aiming to make us even better, right?”
*Mccann and Zuccarello on the block?
