No Sleep Til Belmont: A show about the New York Islanders

On the final episode of No Sleep Til Belmont, Arthur takes listener questions about whether the Isles’ recent power play improvements can continue or not, what the trade deadline will look like for the team if they’re out of playoff contention, how much longer Lou Lamoriello will be the GM, potential trade options on defense, the possibility of acquiring Johnny Gaudreau or Filip Forsberg over the summer, and if Barry Trotz will remain with the Islanders after his contract expires at the end of next season.

Plus, Arthur’s favorite Islander to interview over the years, his favorite memories covering the team, whether the Rangers or Islanders are in a better situation right now, and some final thank you’s before signing off.

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First, Arthur and former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon discuss how game cancellations and uncertainty about when the team is going to play next effects preparation and planning, the impact of Mathew Barzal’s absence, and two great examples of Barry Trotz’s coaching in Noah Dobson and Anthony Beauvillier’s respective games.

Plus, thoughts on Josh Bailey’s struggles, the Isles carrying an 0-6 record after regulation, how difficult it can be to adjust the minutes of a veteran like Zdeno Chara who’s showing signs of decline in his game, the message coaches send to their players before a holiday break, and more.

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First, Arthur and guest cohost, former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon, discuss the Isles doing the right things to start turning their season around, including getting more regulars back into the lineup and coming out of their own zone smoother, getting more contributions from veterans like Zach Parise and Zdeno Chara, and more.

Then, the guys give their thoughts on Anthony Beauvillier’s benching, Oliver Wahlstrom’s offensive punch in limited minutes, and the perception that Barry Trotz favors veterans over younger players.

Plus, Scott’s perspective on the evolution of goaltending since his time in net with the Quebec Nordiques, Semyon Varlamov going winless since his return to the lineup, Ilya Sorokin’s opportunity to carry the load for awhile, the rise of goalie coaches, and more.

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First, Arthur is joined by The Athletic’s new Islanders beat writer, Kevin Kurz, to talk about his new role, his thoughts on the Isles, and the fanbase, Evgeni Nabokov stories, the Evander Kane situation, and more.

Then, December’s guest cohost, Scott Gordon, joins the show and discusses managing expectations when guys return to the lineup and maybe try to do too much, how Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, and Adam Pelech are helping generate scoring chances, encouraging signs on the power play, thoughts on Anthony Beauvillier and Kyle Palmieri, Noah Dobson’s strong play, the Philadelphia Flyers situation, and more.

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First, Arthur introduces former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon as December cohost and then the guys discuss Scott’s time on the Island, what he learned during his tenure behind the bench, what stood out to him about young players like Josh Bailey and John Tavares, and more.

Plus, Scott shares his insights on what the current Islanders are dealing with during their COVID-19 pause, how guys like Andy Andreoff can help create offense, thoughts on the work ethic of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, winning versus development in the AHL, and more.

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Once again, the great Denis Potvin joins the show and talks to Arthur about the opening of the Islanders new home at Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and discusses the beginning of the Dynasty Era, starting with Bill Torrey’s acquisitions of Butch Goring and Ken Morrow, if the 1979-80 team’s start to the season looked similar at all to the current team’s start, and more.

Plus, Denis answers listener questions, including if any current NHLers play like he did, Al Arbour’s methods of getting the team out of a slump, the toughest forward he ever played against, and his fondest memory playing for the Islanders, and Arthur gives his take on the tough stretch the Isles find themselves in heading into Thanksgiving.

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Arthur is joined by legendary Islander, and NHL Hall of Famer, Denis Potvin to discuss the Nassau Coliseum’s heyday, excitement about UBS Arena, Denis’ thoughts on the Lou Lamoriello-Barry Trotz Islanders, Zach Parise, JP Parise, Al Arbour, Mike Bossy, and much more.

Plus, Arthur recaps the Islanders’ last few games, including the overall lack of team scoring, Oliver Wahlstrom coming out of the lineup, the final game of the team’s season-opening thirteen-game road trip, and more.

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First, Arthur talks about the Isles last 3 games, going 2-1 over that stretch, including a high-water mark 2-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets, Semyon Varlamov’s up-and-down season debut, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee as option for Team USA at the Olympics, and Johnny Boychuk’s contract getting traded to the Buffalo Sabres in a win-win move for both clubs.

Plus, listener questions from the mailbag about Leo Komarov’s likely Islanders exit, Semyon Varlamov’s puck-handling, a possible AHL conditioning stint for Sebastian Aho, Anatoli Golyshev’s chances of making it to the NHL this season, if Oliver Wahlstrom could get a top-6 opportunity, and more.

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First, Arthur talks about the Islanders going 3-0-2 over their last five games, with six games to go on their season-opening thirteen game road trip, Ilya Sorokin’s strong play with Semyon Varlamov nearing a return, Oliver Wahlstrom’s nice start, leading the team with four goals, and the top six being solidified with Josh Bailey alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee.

Plus, Zdeno Chara’s continued struggles, the possibility of an early trade to help out the defense with Ben Chariot, Hampus Lindholm, and Marc Staal as potential targets, Sebastian Aho, Robin Salo, and Thomas Hickey as in-house options, and more.

And, to close things out, Arthur opens up the mailbag and answers questions about Bridgeport players Anatolii Golyshev and Jakub Skarek, the possibility of UBS Arena not being ready for the Isles’ scheduled home opener, and Arthur addresses some concerns about the future of Islanders coverage at The Athletic.

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First, Arthur and Grabs break down the Isles’ three-game point streak, including back-to-back shutouts by Ilya Sorokin over the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights and NHL Third Star of the Week honors, Josh Bailey’s impressive play, Zdeno Chara’s continued adjustment period, and more.

Plus, to close out Grabs’ run as cohost, he answers listener questions about whether he got his tattoos done during the season or not, where his skating speed comes from, if he ever thought about returning to play on the Island after he was traded, locker room conversations before and after the famed Islanders-Penguins fight night, favorite linemates, and more.

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