The guys talk Islanders hockey following the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Brian Compton of NHL.com joins the show!
2:39 – Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café
The guys start the segment by chatting about last Monday’s disastrous shutout loss to the New York Rangers.
5:08 – Last Tuesday, on a back-to-back, the Islanders took down the #1 Winnipeg Jets 3-2. The guys discuss its significance, as it was the last game before the trade deadline as well as Brock Nelson’s final game with the team.
8:29 – Sean wraps up this week’s games by discussing Saturday night’s win against the San Jose Sharks where the Islanders played their first game without Brock Nelson.
Stefen talks about the improvement of the Islanders prospect pool following the Brock Nelson trade
10:37 – Stefen discusses the Brock Nelson trade and bestows 2700 XP to the Islanders’ management for acquiring a top-level prospect in Calum Ritchie from the Colorado Avalanche.
11:56 – Sean takes away 1422 XP from the franchise overall because of the uncertainty surrounding the Islanders future and the plan going forward.
14:41 – On the Line: Brian Compton, NHL.com presented by Tovi Hockey
Brian Compton joins the fellas to talk about the state of the New York Islanders after the 2025 NHL trade deadline.
15:56 – Sean begins by asking Brian Compton about his recent diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis and his journey since then. Hockey Night In New York offers its support to Brian Compton and to everyone affected by the disease. Please consider supporting the annual MS walk, taking place on May 17th at Jones Beach, for our dear friend.
18:34 – Sean asks Brian about the trade deadline and how the Islanders performed in acquiring assets for Brock Nelson but then standing pat afterwards.
Brian Compton on not trading Kyle Palmieri
20:19 – Stefen inquires about Brian’s impression of Brock Nelson’s development from a young stud to an invaluable top-six center.
22:15 – Sean pivots to what the Islanders didn’t do, which is trading Kyle Palmieri. Sean asks for Brian’s take on general manager Lou Lamoriello’s decision to potentially extend the 34-year-old winger.
26:11 – Stefen asks Brian about who he thinks, now that Nelson is gone, will be the player to take that extra step to pick up the slack and carry the Islanders to the playoffs.
27:27 – With the expanded roster following the trade deadline, Sean asks Brian who he thinks, out of the previously acquired defensemen during the injury epidemic, will be sticking around after this season.
28:55 – Stefen asks Brian for his take on the Mikko Rantanen drama and how it resulted in the star winger landing with the Dallas Stars.
30:23 – Sean asks Brian about his thoughts on Brad Marchand being traded to the Florida Panthers.
31:21 – Stefen concludes the segment by asking Brian about which team shocked him the most by “standing pat.”
“The cupboard it’s pretty bare, so to add a kid like Ritchie….I think that pool is certainly deeper than it was last week for sure.”
-Brian on the Islanders’ prospect pool
35:03 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill
Sunday (3/9) at Anaheim Ducks, 9:00pm – The Islanders will look to continue their post-deadline momentum and to further their push to a playoff spot by taking on a decent Anaheim team. The Ducks are a young and developing team that are finding their footing following years of rebuilding. The Islanders dropped their previous matchup to the Ducks in October with a score of 3-1.
Tuesday (3/11) at LA Kings, 10:30pm – The Kings are a playoff contender and made one move at the trade deadline through the acquisition of Andrei Kuzmenko (and a 2025 7th round pick) from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2027 third round pick. The Islanders will look to prove that they can take down contending teams without Brock Nelson in their quest to make the playoffs.
Sean sets the stage for how the upcoming schedule will shape the Islanders’ playoff aspirations
Friday (3/14) vs. Edmonton Oilers, 7:30pm –The Islanders will face off against the Edmonton Oilers at UBS Arena. The team will go toe-to-toe with another playoff contender in the Edmonton Oilers, led by the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Islanders will look to contain the Oilers’ offensive juggernaut and steal 2 points to keep their playoff aspirations alive in a tight Eastern Conference race!
Sunday (3/16) vs. Florida Panthers, 7:30pm – The Islanders will finish off their season series at UBS Arena against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The Panthers have an incredibly formidable defense that accompanies their powerful offense, which will require the Islanders to keep their heads on a swivel on both ends of the ice.
41:09 – Sean mentions how the final stretch of the Islanders’ season will be very difficult as they face off against divisional rivals in April that could determine if they make the playoffs or fall short.
42:08 – Hero of the Week
Stefen’s Pick: Noah Dobson
Stefen chooses Noah Dobson for his bounce back from injury and his immediate contribution to the Islanders’ offense upon his return. Stefen mentions that Dobson is a player that needs to step up his production, especially with Nelson’s departure, because he is a difference-maker on a team that desperately needs offense.
Sean’s Pick: JG Pageau
Sean selects JG Pageau for his three-point night against the Sharks, where he is looking to demonstrate that he can take the next step and take over Brock Nelson’s former spot as the second-line center. Quick throwback: as mentioned by Stefen, JG Pageau used to be Ottawa’s second-line center before he was traded to the Islanders in 2020.
45:09 — The Snake Den
Jake offers his take on the Islanders’ moves at the trade deadline and how the team could look to further build on the assets they acquired for Brock Nelson.
46:47 – Sean and Stefen elaborate by discussing Lamoriello’s intentions to add youth to the team and start enacting changes to a roster that needs speed as well as offensive production.
49:21 – Stefen offers an explanation that he believes Lamoriello will retain veteran players, such as Palmieri, to help guide younger players in Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov as they take their roles on the middle six.
53:11 –Jake concludes by listing some possible UFAs that the Islanders could take a swing at.
54:49 – Questions Brewin’
55:19 – I don’t understand how Lou can say he going to incorporate younger players when Bridgeport is a total mess. There is no one there ready to play. I am also assuming Lou is back.
56:13 – Do we really need 15 defenseman on this roster? Why were none of them flipped for assets?
57:16 – Do you think that we might try to move up in the draft with the team flipping Oliver Kylington to the Ducks? Will our summer look busy/Does Lou plan to do more? Changes?
58:31 – How concerning is Calum Ritchie’s shoulder injury history? Also, assuming he’s on the ice next year and we keep JGP over the summer. Is there a possibility we see Barzy back at center?
Canthe Islanders step up without Brock Nelson?
59:13 – If Brock is re-upped with the Isles would they have traded anyone? Or would Lou have just run it back one more time because this team deserves it?
1:03:02 – What do you think Holmstrom’s ceiling is? Currently he is pacing at 51 points for an 82 games schedule.
1:03:46 – You guys were talking about other guys stepping up, Dobson, JG, etc. How confident are you these guys will do that? Other than Dobson these guys haven’t been that kind of player in a few years.
1:05:09 – Do you remember the phrase “summer hockey trades?” Lou might be a perfectionist & that prevents him from taking action until forced. Brock did Isles a HUGE favor by refusing to resign.
Catch the full episode featuring Brian Compton of NHL.com
1:05:49 – If no playoffs, does 17 play final home game for proper send off?
1:06:04 – Do you think they need to get rid of some of the older defense over the summer? I vote Pulock off the Island.
1:07:24 – Why didn’t Scott Malkin, who was at game, decline to talk to the media? Fans deserve some feedback from ownership.
1:08:45 – If Roy is back, will he get to choose his coaching staff?
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Hockey Night in New York is here to cover the New York Islanders all season long! Join hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sundays at 8PM ET at your favorite streaming platforms! (available at YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Facebook)