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Lou Lamoriello said they’re not satisfied, but they are pleased with how the players “embraced change” and thinks they need to take and enjoy credit for going from the most scored against team in the league to the stingiest.
That and more as the Islanders went through clean-out day. (Also: cheers to Brock Nelson, who missed the day because he had a baby born over the weekend.)
“You can either challenge change or embrace it. And they embraced it.” - Lou Lamoriello #Isles pic.twitter.com/lh7NAfKTBs
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 6, 2019
Islanders News
- Our first post-season podcasts tackled the life of the broom. [Islanders Anxiety | IslesBuzz]
- The Islanders, you may have heard, have several significant unrestricted free agents in Anders Lee, Robin Lehner, Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle. Can and will they keep them? [NHL | Times | THN | Post] The Times quotes Clutterbuck: Tavares leaving “cleared room for people to come into their own.”
- Yes those free agents have enjoyed their time here and yes they would like to be back and also yes they will want the moneys. [Newsday]
- Also of utmost importance this summer, according to Lou Lamoriello who sounds confident there is no doubt: Get a shovel in the ground for a permanent home at Belmont. [Newsday]
- Barry Trotz is looking forward to some time off from the hockey grind. [Newsday]
- Cal Clutterbuck’s back is, to borrow a scientifically technical term, really messed up. [LHH | Newsday]
- What were the factors in the Islanders going from sweeper to the swept? They met Carolina at the wrong time, for one. [Athletic]
“We did all the stuff we set out to do. We have some good building blocks. You have to start somewhere. We started with becoming a competitive team from the get-go. This group was a special group.” - Barry Trotz #Isles pic.twitter.com/G7o9RumDBu
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 6, 2019
“Expectations grow when you have a successful season. You expect more from your group and from yourself every year.” @leeberr09 #Isles pic.twitter.com/5ibI6FnGbA
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 6, 2019
“It was a fun year. Obviously didn’t work out the way we wanted it to, but just refocus and try to get better this off season. I think everyone knows where I stand. I can’t say enough. I obviously love this group.” @RobinLehner #Isles pic.twitter.com/7D7MnYH5kR
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 6, 2019
“It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s fun to be part of a group of people that do whatever they need to do for each other.” - Cal Clutterbuck #Isles pic.twitter.com/ItjZ4PrXHh
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 6, 2019
Elsewhere
The Bruins survived Game 6 in Columbus (although Charlie McAvoy may get a call from the league office) to advance to the Eastern final against the Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, the Sharks answered the Avalanche goal for goal for goal to force overtime, but the Avalanche got the last strike from Gabriel Landeskog to force Game 7.
Tonight we’ll find out who the other Western finalist is after the Blues and Stars do Game 7 in St. Louis.
Artemi Panarin spoke through a Russian interpreter after the game tonight, but when asked if he would return to Columbus he said in English, "Nobody know."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 7, 2019
Sergei Bobrovsky said he wasn't ready to talk about his future, that it was too soon after the game. He called it a "lifetime decision" and he has to talk to all of his people.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 7, 2019
So the Blue Jackets’ experiment with rentals and “self-rentals” comes to a close. How does GM Jarmo feel about his pending UFAs, including Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, who resisted signing all season long like some such Tavares?
Jarmo Kekalainen on pending UFAs: “Moving forward we want guys who are proud to be Blue Jackets, proud to be living in Columbus & loving it here. It’s really important that they bleed blue ... Guys that don’t want to be here — good luck.”
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) May 7, 2019
That’s shade.
- Scott Gordon has been replaced by Alain Vigneault at the NHL level, but the Flyers are happy to have him return to the AHL Phantoms. [Phantoms]
- It’s time to stop talking about “analytics” and just talk about “ways teams can observe patterns to make better decisions.” [Hockey-Graphs]
- Henrik Lundqvist doesn’t know if he’ll be in Rangers purgatory forever. [NHL]
- But wait! Time for some NY POST ‘MAKE NO MISTAKE’: Lundqvist’s thinking about the Rangers hasn’t changed. [Post]