The Islanders face the media as they clear out. How self-aware are they?
The Islanders are clearing out today which means we’ll get more quotes and material — maybe even some post-season thoughts from management — before players scatter and the draft and free agency prep begins.
This is a fresh thread for all of our angst and head-shaking. To get you musing, fuming or nodding, here’s an initial sampling via reporters who are welcomed to speak with players — even injured players! — as they exit.
Pageau on his own season: “Not good enough.” Wants to be more explosive.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024
Agreed. Pageau’s decline, which may be aggravated by recovery from his wrist injury a couple years ago, is one of the team’s issues.
Ryan Pulock: “We’re right there. It may not look like it to some people, but I think we’re right there.” #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 3, 2024
::squints::
Barzal: “We can compete with anyone in the league”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024
First thought: LOL.
Second thought: You know actually at times they showed this to be true…
Final thought: Except that’s just 5-on-5. Even on their best days, terrible special teams undermined all that.
Oliver Wahlstrom says “We’ll see” twice on being an RFA this offseason and whether he thinks he’ll be back with #Isles.
feeling 100%. Knee brace came off about six weeks ago. Ready to be an athlete again this offseason, playing tennis, etc., not sitting on couch icing knee.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024
Yeah…yeah.
Scott Mayfield suffered ankle fracture first game of season. Never properly healed. Says he’ll definitely be ready for Day 1 of training camp.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024
This makes sense and his shutdown retroactively explained what was happening. Sometimes when a player sucks or has a sharp dropoff, we all pile on, but it’s always good to wonder if they’re dealing with an injury. It often takes way too long for team and player to accept that playing that far below 100% health helps no one.
Casey Cizikas, asked about centering Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck for so long and the trio’s off-ice friendship: “It was amazing.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024
Does he know it’s over??? Or is that “was” tense just acknowledging his sudden, late-season transition into a first-line wing?
More to come, including, we assume, from the old guard UFA wingers on the fourth line. But these themes get us started.
P.S. Matt Martin says retire? Me? Who started that idea…?
Matt Martin says he wants and expects to play next season. Obviously not sure whether that will be with #Isles. Says the “retirement narrative” was not one he started.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 3, 2024