Islanders Anxiety - Episode 211 - The Natural State of Things
Not a season finale! Not a wrap up! Not a post-mortem anything. Finally, a new beginning. Mike and Dan (finally) talk about the upcoming Islanders season, how their muted expectations feel normal, and the star power of Mathew Barzal.
They discuss the first days of training camp and some of the reports coming out regarding new coach Lane Lambert and players putting the previous disjointed and depressing season behind them. They also tear apart some season previews that offer the same criticisms of the team that we’ve heard for the last five years.
In the second half, they talk up Barzal’s appearance on the 32 Thoughts podcast, how excited and personable he came off, and how he “gets” being an Islander like few others.
Finally, they look at some already unhinged reporters, compare Islanders to rock gods, and pay a tearful tribute to former Islanders who have signed PTOs with other teams during camp. You will be missed.
REFERENCES
Mat Barzal’s great appearance on 32 Thoughts (his segment begins at 36:42).
You could waste your time with The Athletic’s Islanders preview but this Kevin Kurz training camp story is much better.
Cory Sznajder’s stats and situations piece on Barzal is also very good.
The training camp roster has a lot of weird on it. Also, Nikita Shosnikov is here.
To the Islanders legends on PTOs elsewhere, we salute you:
PLUGS!
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