Also: Grant Hutton is on waivers.
An apology to those who, like me most of the time, seek to find a way to enjoy Islanders hockey even when the team is antagonizing us: It’s probably not in anyway enjoyable or healthy to come here and read us being fatalistic and fanning the flames of despair.
But this season through 33 games has been a special kind of blah, sucking so much air out of the room. It’s difficult to find little bright shots or moments of joy in each game when the same problems plague them, the same inert “good things” quotes come out of post-game and the same inaction, lack of communication and lack of long-term direction emanates from the front office.
This season I’m fascinated by the contrast between Lou Lamoriello on Long Island and Doug Armstrong in St. Louis, and how their approaches are received by fans and how that affects the fan mood and arena atmosphere: Standings-wise, the 15-15-3 Blues are in no better position — and arguably worse since their division isn’t filled with pushovers creating an inviting path to the playoffs. They’re also hindered by some self-inflicted long-term contracts that are not aging well.
But Armstrong is up front about where the team is, why they’re retooling and not outright tanking (he points implicitly to teams — ahem, Sabres, Red Wings — that struggle to reclaim relevance after years of stinking and even after the many tank-yielding prospects have arrived as pros). He’s taking calculated risks to advance their retool like the summer double RFA signings of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway and the swift coaching change when Jim Montgomery became available and the low-cost acquisition of Cam Fowler. And he speaks about what he’s doing in real terms, not guarded cliches coming from an NSA spokesman.
As a result, Blues fans are having fun with the journey. They feel like they know what the plan is and they’re along for the ride. They feel like their GM is aware they exist and are a partner in this entertainment product. It may never pan out but they’re invested and having some fun.
Ah but shit, some of the Blues players have facial hair. So, difficult to respect the approach, honestly.
Islanders News
- “Whatever ride this is, it sucks.” This was recorded after the loss to the Blackhawks but of course still applies: Dan and Mike channel the angst, frustration and very not-fun-ness of this season. [Isles Anxiety]
- Grant Hutton was placed on waivers, presumably a tip-off that 1) Anthony Duclair is about ready to return and 2) they want to keep Isaiah George with the big club. [THN]
- The Islanders do not look in any way like a contender. [Newsday]
- They’re at their worst record through 33 games in a decade, yet are still technically close to playoff position. How lucky are they (and how cursed are we)? [Post]
- Takeaways from the 4-0 loss to Carolina: Lather, rinse, repeat quotes. [Isles]
- The Skinny: “The Isles have allowed the opening goal in eight straight games and an NHL-leading 21 times this season.” [Isles]
- The Rangers shipped their 2019 2nd overall pick to Seattle before the holiday roster freeze. Does Lou have anything going on? [THN]
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores included the Flyers falling to the Red Wings.
- So yes, the Rangers traded Kaapo Kakko to Seattle for Will Borgen and change. Impressive asset management, the league needs to get them some more lottery-winning picks ASAP. [NHL]
- More trades: The Blues sent P-O Joseph back to the Penguins (and ending his short stint playing with his brother) for future considerations, and the Predators sent Alexandre Carrier to Montreal for Justin Barron. [TSN]
- With Anthony Stolarz out 4-6 weeks, Matt Murray just might appear in the NHL again. [Sportsnet]