Preseason is over for the Islanders, and they have just under a week to prepare for the season opener versus the Buffalo Sabres.
2:28 – Sean and Stefen discuss the meaning of preseason results and whether or not fans should be confident in the team heading into the “real thing.”
5:53 – Sean asks Stefen if he had any major takeaways from the preseason. Stefen points out goaltending issues, defensive structure on backdoor plays and physicality. Kyle Palmieiri getting into the final preseason was also a massive boost for the lineup.
8:40 – Sean and Stefen discuss Oliver Wahlstrom’s status. Stefen points out that he needs time to catch up to NHL speed coming off his ACL injury, but there are multiple guys (Julien Gauthier and Hudson Fasching) ready to take his spot and playing like they are worthy of it.
“It just feels like we’re kind of getting to the end of the options with him [Wahlstrom].”
– Arthur Staple on Oliver Wahlstrom’s place on the team being a concern
13:21 – Sean and Stefen welcome The Athletic’s Arthur Staple to the show.
14:33 – Sean asks Staple about what Islanders fans should feel good about and something they should be hesitant about. Staple immediately points out Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat’s first-line level chemistry as something to feel good about. As far as areas of concern, Staple points out the power play struggles and Wahlstrom’s very slow start to camp.
16:27 – Stefen asks Staple about Barzal’s move to the wing. “I never get a sense that [Barzal’s] confidence level is anything but sky-high, no matter what he’s doing. That part hasn’t changed even after a couple of years of not being in the room [with the media] consistently. He’s a guy who has incredible faith in his abilities.”
18:16 – Sean asks Staple about the defense corps of the Islanders. He points out splitting up Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech and the fact that Lane Lambert can always put them back together at the end of a close game. He also mentions putting Noah Dobson next to Adam Pelech and how it should help shore up Dobson’s defensive issues.
22:55 – Sean asks Staple about who he thinks will end up next to Barzal and Horvat on the first line; he mentions Simon Holmstrom as the front runner.
25:36 – Sean asks Staple who (besides Ilya Sorokin) will be the reason the Islanders make the playoffs. Staple believes the special teams and even the slightest improvement in the power play will move mountains for the Islanders.
32:14 – Sean and Stefen discuss the projected lineup and cap space concerns. Because the Islanders are just barely over the cap, they need to move either Ross Johnston or Simon Holmstrom to Bridgeport to make room on the 23-man roster.
43:06 – The boys discuss line projections and where certain guys will fit in, especially on the second and third lines. Brock Nelson should center Palmieri and Pierre Engvall. Anders Lee and JG Pageau will likely start on the third line together, with Hudson Fasching likely to be the third member. And of course, the identity line will remain intact, with Julien Gauthier and Ross Johnston possibly as the extra forwards.
50:43 – What’s on Tap!
54:50 – Hero of the Week!
1:03:07 – Questions Brewin’!
Catch Hockey Night in New York with hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sunday nights at 8PM ET throughout the season.