It's not enough, that's the bottom line.
Every time a step forward, a step sideways or backwards, the teams with 4-5-6 games in hand are/will pass them just out of games they all play against one another. NY needed 9/10. They are outscoring the team with Pageau, Bailey (who played in Winnipeg) Clutterbuck, Barzal that had three goals or less in 12/13 games earlier. Sorokin is stealing points when they have any chance to do so, but it's the same story as the Wild goalie pointed out last month, all the offense still comes off point shots. Palmieri had a brief stretch, Parise actually had a few assist to go with his Kane-like goal totals. NY beat an awful goal in Winnipeg, and not their franchise goalie.
This season will be defined on losses to losing teams, unlike last year, it will be defined by that 12/13 games they could not score, and it will be defined by this schedule where for the first time in a generation they have played more hockey then anyone but still have three more back to backs.
I don't know what Lamoriello will do by Friday, he should be selling because we saw how easily Boston dispatched them for those who want that 1/8 matchup.
Sorry but Mayfield, Varlamov, Pageau, Palmieri, Bailey, Parise, Cizikas, Martin, Clutterbuck, Johnston should all be on the trade table to build up this teams terrible prospect base. Washignton sold, Pens sold. It was a miracle Horvat decided he did not want the pressure of UFA & frankly signed on the blind when he could have tested the market vs a team with too many centers.
I expect Lamoriello to be back, and have little doubt he was signed to an extension before this season began. It's fascinating Barry Trotz who made clear several times he's not a gm, has no idea how to do the job, above his paygrade when he came to NYC, now is the new gm of the Nashville Predators in June but on the job now. Al Arbour never was offered Bill Torrey's job who took a quiet VP role for three years. I don't think career coaches make for great gm's, but it's clear Trotz is all over the place by his comments. His coaching career is now over.
In 2015-16 Doug Weight's interim team made a late surge to twelve over/ninety four points, it was one point shy. This season is not last year with eight seeds decided by late December. I see no chance for the teams chasing not to pass them for good unless they go win ten straight with another sixteen game unbeaten streak.
#NYI #isles Lou Lamoriello & all the best gm's know it's a business + when it's time to say goodbye. He put his players on notice & if not for Sorokin they again are 10-15 games under 500. #17,21,44,53,40,11,32,24,15 need moves, not sentimentality.
— New York Islander Fan Central (@NYIFANCENTRAL) February 27, 2023