Isles Fix Podcast Network

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Some games mean more than just one loss or win - they can define a season. After last night’s embarrassing 9-2 loss to the New York Rangers at UBS Arena, fans are wondering whether the shameful loss was enough for ownership to make the changes they have been reluctant to make and turn the page this off-season.

The assumption has been that GM Lou Lamoriello will be back, but with each passing day, the moment calls for change. Head Coach Patrick Roy can defend his team’s effort all he wants, but the results are what they are. This isn’t a good hockey team, and they are further away from serious contention than they were at any point in the last four seasons.

They rode things out as long as possible, but if games like last night don’t tell you that real change is needed, I’m not sure what will.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL), the former VP of Communications for the Islanders.

It doesn’t happen often, but on Sunday, the hockey world was fixated on the New York Islanders. The game at UBS Arena served as the backdrop to history as Alexander Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, scoring his 895th goal in the second period of a 4-1 Isles win.

It’s one of the great accomplishments in sports history, and it happened on Long Island. Fans felt mixed going into it, questioning whether they wanted to see their team and goaltender surrender the record-breaker, but the way the day transpired, complete with a win over the league’s top team, was pretty perfect.

The fans who paid high prices got what they came to see. A 22-minute on-ice ceremony with a few light moments followed the record-breaking goal as the Islanders paid their respects to Ovechkin. We discussed the pomp and circumstance around the game, how the Islanders organization prepared for the event, the business around it, and more.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

With a bit of help from the rest of the Eastern Conference muck, the Isles have played well enough, long enough to put themselves in position for a third straight improbable close to the regular season, which will annoy and upset fans and pundits across the league - except on Long Island.

Chris and Joe reflect on a stretch of points earned and points that slipped away and talk about players that have stepped up post-trade deadline. Plus, the NHL is keeping the organization in All-Star Weekend limbo, and why Alexander Ovechkin’s trip to Long Island should be a hotter ticket than it is right now.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

It’s not a rebuild; it’s not exactly a retool either. Joe and Chris react to how Lou Lamoriello handled his business at the deadline, which doesn’t provide much insight into how he plans to handle his business over the summer if ownership still believes he is the right man for the job.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Wednesday proved it’s a seller's market, and the Islanders hold arguably the most valuable asset. The decision to trade or not trade Brock Nelson isn’t just about one player; it’s an inflection point for a franchise that has wanted its team to stay together and stay in playoff contention season after season rather than risk taking a step back to take multiple steps forward.

Chris and Joe reflect on Nelson’s emotional night at UBS Arena and discuss how Lou Lamoriello's path could affect how his tenure as Islanders GM is remembered by segments of the fanbase.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Cal Clutterbuck called it a “Monday-nighter,” a stale and somewhat uneventful game where neither team got much going all night.

There’s no excuse for that at this point of the season, and certainly no excuse when playing your rival with playoff position on the line after they drubbed you 5-1 on home ice less than a week ago. But alas, that’s what happened to the Islanders in their 4-0 defeat at MSG last night.

Chris and Joe provide their perspective after the team gave GM Lou Lamoriello the latest indication that, no matter how resilient the team has been, the right thing to do for the organization is to sell, and perhaps sell big.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The signs are flashing “SELL!” after the Islanders’ fourth straight loss, a 5-1 defeat to the New York Rangers on home ice, but should it also signal the raising of the white flag on their playoff hopes? Joe and Chris react to Arthur Staple’s reality check article in The Athletic on Wednesday.

Plus, we look at comparable trade returns for Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri and wonder if moves could go beyond the UFAs. Later, we talk about reports of a displeased Patrik Roy at practice. Finally, Chris discusses his brief stint as a radio color analyst with long-time play-by-play announcer Barry Landers, following a “Where are they now?” article by Neil Best in Newsday.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The Islanders failed to earn a point in their first game back from break, setting the stage for the next five games, which could determine whether they are a team fighting for a playoff spot or playing out the stretch. Chris believes that no matter what happens at the trade deadline, the focus should be on Islanders’ ownership and what they do next. Plus, Joe and Chris reflect on the massive success of the Four Nations Face-off and remember longtime MSG broadcaster and Long Islander Al Trautwig, who passed away at the age of 68.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

What to think and who to believe? Insider news, rumors, and flat-out guesses will take shape two weeks before the next Isles game, giving us plenty of time to ponder and ruminate about the team's direction and, more specifically, which Lou Lamoriello is inclined to take them. Chris provides his latest report on Lou’s spot in the organization and contract overtures to Brock Nelson.

Later, Joe and Chris address the Noah Dobson rumors. Could he be available, and should the Islanders be listening? Plus, what are the season ticket views on selling off, and what is the excitement level surrounding the 4 Nations Face-off?

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The worst-case scenario was confirmed on Monday as Mathew Barzal is out indefinitely after blocking a shot off his knee in the closing minutes of Saturday’s win at Tampa Bay. The loss of Barzal significantly dampers the good vibes surrounding this team. Should the injury alter Lou Lamoriello’s approach come the trade deadline? Chris and Joe discuss whether the GM’s mindset should shift, knowing they’ll be without one of their star players in the long term.

Despite the tough news, we find time to reflect on the team’s improbable seven-game winning streak and Ilya Sorokin's elite play. The only thing predictable about the remainder of the season is that it will be unpredictable.