I can be the coach and it wouldn't be a "major" problem relative to the other problems this team has.
There is not a human being on this planet who would have turned this current squad into a playoff team this year.
I have to disagree with that. The Isles are 5 games out of a playoff spot. There were way too many games this season (including opening night) that the Isles came out totally flat. I have to believe that a good coach just flat out would not allow that to happen. We've even seen it happen in must win games. They just dont show up to play. How can you say that a good NHL coach could not get 5 more wins out of this team.
I think there are a few teams they'd matchup ok with physically, but we are obviously not talking about Philly, Boston, etc. I would still prefer the playoffs though as they themselves are not "the" problem. The big problem is essentially Wang, and behind him the players themselves who lack the testicular fortitude to defend each other meaningfully, and no, I don't excuse ANYONE as tough yet not mean. That is just pooh sticks. I played with a guy who was 5' 4" who would throw. Not ONE of the candy ass Mary's on this team have an excuse for hiding under their skirts like they so often do. I'm telling you, next season the man cards get pulled out every night and scrutinized.
Almost all points made in this thread are worthy. But what must be understood is that this thread was created with the full knowledge that the Islanders are missing the playoffs again. So the optimist in me just says, "At least John Tavares won't be carried off the ice in a body bag." - He's a real tough player, but there would be regular 5 on 1 attacks where he would not be helped at all. Opposition would be gunning for his head, his knees, you name it. This team is in desperate need of strong support. I think I could beat up the likes of Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo, and Franz Nielsen. No, I'm not stronger, but I'm definitely meaner. Those guys are all show in the size department. Except for Franz, who wouldn't hit anyone ever.
The playoff series vs. the Leafs was one of the best sporting events I've been to. The Coli was rocking and the overall atmosphere was just unbelievable.
If you're going to take this logic about protecting our superstar, then do you always want the Isles to miss the playoffs? To continue to be the worst team in the NHL and be the only team in the league to finish in the bottom 5, 5 straight years?
Say the Isles get an enforcer, then what happens when JT gets injured in a game? A fight wouldn't make up for his loss, but it's rediculous to say that you'd pass up a spot in the playoffs, so JT won't be at risk.
That's on the coach getting everyone to hit, not the typical non-Martin/Hamonic taps along the boards.
Radek Hit. Zenon Hit. Gone. It's the coach chosen and told IMHO. Wang wants us playing like the Red Wings - he just doesn't want to pay for a Red Wing lineup.
We need a coach, we need to ditch Eaton, MOttau, Staos, Jurcina, Pandolfo,and Reasoner, and we need to add a tough top 4 dman and s tough top 6 forward. Nuff said
And dont say, were nto ready for the playoffs so even if we made it blah blah blah. Im a firm believer in the notiont hat any team that gets to the playoffs deserves it and IS a playoff team. Ive heard people say "even fi the ISles make the playoffs, theyre not a playoff team and theyll get bounced in round one" Uhhhhhh no. If they made the playoffs they WOULD be a playoff team, a deserving one too,a dn would ahev a legt shot to advance because they were good enough to be in the top half of the leage
And dont say, were nto ready for the playoffs so even if we made it blah blah blah. Im a firm believer in the notiont hat any team that gets to the playoffs deserves it and IS a playoff team.
No need to worry about that... Our Isles are not qualifying.
