The Isles Faithful Podcast

There comes a time in every fans sports life where things just don't go well. Your team loses, players get hurt or take stupid penalties. It just happens. Or like me, you wake up angry and you wind up accidentally breaking two different laces on your boots.....

It's not every day the teams coach comes out after the game and informs the media that he too, is PISSED OFF. But here we are, and in Episode 50 - we have a little fun with the attitude.

In two and a half years doing this podcast I have done a few interesting things - but I have never included audio from the game or even highlights. Up until recently, my computer couldn't handle it and I didn't even have the software to accomplish this. Having a new computer (love the Mac mini M1 by the way!) - this is now possible.

I share a little audio from the game to set the tone of the episode, have some quotes from Trotz and have a little fun yelling.

If you like how it turned out, let me know either in the comments or on Twitter and I will continue to do it. It added some extra time but I think it was well worth the trade off.

I also plan on keeping episodes around the 30 minute mark here with all the games happening each week - so look for AT LEAST TWO episodes a week from now on.

Thanks for sticking by me up til this point, I know I haven't updated near the amount I should and I want to change that moving forward.

Give it a listen, hit me up on Twitter and let me know what we should talk about next episode!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Episode 49. I never thought I would be almost 50 episodes into a podcast, but I am glad that I am getting to experience this journey along with all of you great fans!

2020 sucked. I mean, really there's no getting around that. Between COVID, quarantine and everything that's gone along with it. That said, in the same breath you can also say that hockey was REALLY FUN once it returned and the Islanders did really well, making it to the Eastern Conference Final.

But, here we are - in January of all months with hockey starting back up. We have seven whole months to enjoy watching hockey, and if we're lucky - talking about hockey here on the Podcast.

I have a brand new computer this season, my third doing the podcast. It allows me a ton of flexibility to do things with the podcast I have never done before - audio clips, music and maybe even highlights. Who knows how crazy we'll get here.

Regardless, this episode is a primer of sorts - it's to get me into game shape and it'll only get better as we progress.

I go into some of the offseason moves (trades and singings) and all the new NHL mandates we are seeing this season as well.

Give it a listen, hit me up on Twitter and let me know what we should talk about next episode!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Being born in 1980, on the cusp of New York Islanders greatness is pretty cool on paper. I can say that I was alive for the four consecutive Stanley Cup wins and the core of the four, sure. I can also say that I can remember the tail end of greatness, and know for sure being present when some of the above mentioned core group retired and had their numbers raised to the rafters.

But, beyond that - if you were born in 1980 (1993, 1994 as the outliers) not much fun was to be had until last season sweeping the Penguins in Round 1. I realize that I am not alone in this pain. There are fans I have grown up with, fans that I am related to - and fans that I just know via Twitter, the Podcast or even playing hockey that are in the same boat.

But 2020, things changed - with the Islanders making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 23 years. Twenty Three. But they lost, and that's honestly ok because they gave it a heck of a go.

But when I read The Athletic's Mark Lazerus's article a few weeks ago, discussing his growing up on Long Island, an Islanders fan - it resonated with me on a few levels. If you do not have access to the article, I HAVE FIVE 30 DAY TRIAL CODES to give away - reach out to me on Twitter and I will give you one.

I reached out to Mark and he was nice enough to come on the podcast this episode and we talked about a variety of topics. It was great hearing his take on things as a professional writer, one who covers the Chicago Blackhawks who loosely roots for the Islanders.

We talk about the salary cap situation next season, the Islanders run and a whole lot more.

I hope you enjoy it!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

It's not every day you get to record a podcast episode with your best friend and cousin - but that is exactly what I got to do today in Episode 47. It could maybe be something we do more of in the future. Twice the Schuerlein, twice the fun!

Chris and our other cousin are actually working on an 80's movie podcast - I have helped them with some technical things as they were just setting up. I was actually supposed to record with them a few weeks ago, but we got sidetracked (haha - summer fun).

Now that he's found his voice I felt it was a good time to have him on. Chris and I have been to countless games together and we're in a group Islanders chat as well. He's a great fan and we have the chemistry, so it was fun.

In this episode Chris and I break down game seven of the Philly series and discuss the absolute clinic the Islanders put on. It wasn't even close.

We talk about this being the first Eastern Conference Final appearance since 1993, how old the current roster was in 93 (or if they were even born in some cases), and go into some of the keys of the game for the Tampa series that starts tonight in Edmonton.

We also talk about what it felt like to watch the last ten minutes of a game 7 that was well out of reach for Philly. All good stuff. Let us know what you think!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles!

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Elimination games are hard, which we know the Islanders have had to have a few "do overs" since the opening play in versus Florida.

The Islanders could've swept Florida, they didn't - they needed an extra game and finished the series in four.

The Islanders could've swept Washington, they didn't - they needed an extra game and finished the series in five.

Now, while the Islanders could NOT have swept the Philadelphia Flyers, they could have eliminated them Tuesday night in FIVE games - but they may as well make it six. Or at least that's what the fanbase is hoping for right now.

In this episode, the 46th - my old friend from CBS NY, Jeff Capellini joins me again to give his take and analysis on how things have been going for the team. Like always, we run a little long - but as I listened back and edited out a ton - it's really good conversation that covers so many topics and thoughts. Give it a listen.

Also, please follow Jeff on Twitter - if you can.

I know I am still all out of sorts with the crazy come from behind story of the game on Tuesday night. It was the second time the team has managed to storm back from down a few goals late in games to force overtime - it was great to see and really exciting. Here is to hoping that things are wrapped up and the Islanders can move onto the Eastern Conference Finals. It would be their first birth into the finals since Dale Hunter killed Pierre Turgeon in 1993.

Yes, 1993.

That was 27 years ago, and I was 13 when it happened.

Buckle up boys and girls - it's going to be a wild ride.

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

This, is super - super, strange.

No, not the fact that we haven't spoken since before the world changing pandemic. Not even because it's been 173 days since the last podcast episode. Perhaps, it's a bit in part because we're discussing hockey yes, but only because the league shutdown for a few months and we are now discussing playoff hockey, IN AUGUST.

Regardless, this is life right now - and we're going to make the most of it.

I know for me, much like ALL OF YOU - I've become accustom to things being a little strange (well, okay a lot strange). Wearing masks, very little human interaction outside of family life, homeschooling the kids and worrying about everything, really.

But - hockey is back. It's in a bubble, it's in arenas with no fans - but it's back. It's actually a really beautiful thing too.

In Episode 45 I ramble on and on, no that's a joke.

In this episode I talk a little about life, hockey and what I feel the NHL is doing so great during this playoff season. I talk about missing this, missing you guys - how awesome this is and of course how awesome the Islanders are playing. I mean, this IS The Isles Faithful after all.

The New York Islanders are leading the Washington Capitals 3 games to none in the first round of The Stanley Cup Playoffs!!!

I mean I won't bore you anymore with episode notes. Go forth my loyal listers and enjoy the podcast!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Trade Deadline 2020

We have a Trade to Announce - actually multiple trades and it all started earlier this month when the New York Islanders sent a 2021 Second Round Pick to the New Jersey Devils along with AHL Defenseman David Quenneville for Defenseman Andy Green.

On it's own, the trade was good - Greene fills in for the injured Adam Pelech and in his four games with the Islanders have been very good. It's destabilized the Islanders back end and given Barry Trotz his well defined pairings.

Fast forward to today, deadline day.

The New York Islanders traded a conditional 2020 First Round Pick (top three protected) that turns into a 2021 first rounder otherwise, a 2020 Second Round pick and a Conditional Third Round Pick (should the Islanders win the Stanley Cup) for pending UFA Center - JG Pageau from the Ottawa Senators.

Not only that, but Pageau would then go on to sign a 6 year contract extension with the Islanders.

If that wasn't exciting enough, the Islanders were reportedly in the mix of a trade with the Minnesota Wild for Zach Parise that would've sent Andrew Ladd the other way. It was a complicated trade with salary retention and other moving pieces that didn't happen. However, it is said that both Parise and Ladd agreed to waive their respective no-trade clauses for the move. Parise WANTED to come to the Islanders, so this deal may ultimately be re-visited later this summer.

Episode 44 talks about all that, and then some. We give you our opinions and talk about some of the Twitter reactions as well. It's a short one, but we will have another episode on the heels this week to talk more Islanders hockey!

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger and @faithfulisles

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Episode 43 features something completely foreign to me after a year and a half of podcasting - an "in studio" guest. This presented an exciting dynamic, but also a host of new audio problems I haven't had to deal with before. I learned a bit this episode and have some corrections when we visit it again in the works.

Featured this episode is a local buddy and fan of mine - Tim English. He's just as passionate as I am (and way more prepared stats wise). We talk about a variety of topics this week - from the recent injury to Casey Cizikas, Kieffer Bellows' first two goals, the stretch of six games the Islanders are on (4-1-1 over that span), the "power play" and the approaching trade deadline.

We bring up a couple of theories and pressing needs as well as answer some questions from Twitter followers. It's a fun one and hopefully you guys enjoy it. It was another one of those episodes where before I knew it, we were at just about an hour.

Please follow us on Twitter: @islesblogger, @faithfulisles and @timenglish47

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!

Episode 42!

Man, I hate doing that to you guys - it's been far too long between episodes.

We're back though, with a running start out of the gate for the first time in 2020.

In this episode, I talk about a lot that's transpired since Episode 41, the games since, some of the struggles and even some of the good things the team has accomplished.

I go into detail on some of the stats over a period of games and how, for a while - the two leading scorers on the Islanders had only 5 points each since Christmas (Barzal and Nelson).

We talk about special teams, take some questions on the trade deadline and speculate on what we may see as things approach the February trade deadline.

IT FELT GREAT to talk to you guys again - I have some plans moving forward for the next few weeks and hope to stick to the schedule you've come to expect here from The Isles Faithful Podcast.

As always, please be kind to my sponsor - Kings Coast Coffee. Make sure to use the code I tell you in the episode for 10% off your entire order.

Subscribe. Rate. Review - and if you can spare some change, throw some in our bucket to help keep the lights on at the TIF HQ. Anything helps!

Hope you enjoy it!

Episode 41

Who are the Islanders? That's a great question and it's something that I realize is a legitimate question later on in this episode. It's also an important question, as it will determine what, if anything Lou Lamoriello will do to improve the roster later on in the season.

The Islanders record sits at 20-7-2 with 42 points at this point of the season, good for 3rd in the East at the time of this episode. The team sits 4 points back of Boston, 9 from Washington. The Isles have 3 games and 4 games in hand respectively on those clubs.

The Isles are also 4-4-1 in the last nine games (this is also the amount of games that've occurred since the last episode). They have had some good and bad games, with a lot of travel inbetween (hard travel, too).

The team is also currently in second place in the Metropolitan division, 3 points up onV Carolina and Philly and 4 points up on Pittsburgh - so the lead they comfortably build with their record streak is starting to close a bit with how well the rest of the division is playing (stick tap to the Pens for doing so with all those injuries).

The team has struggled to score at times, but when they do score at least 3 goals, Eric Hornick points out that their record is 17-0-1. Scoring....something I go into at depth in this episode. Ellliote Friedman mentions in his 31 Thoughts yesterday that the Islanders are seeking to add scoring via trade - so look out for that. We talk about trades a bit in this episode as well.

Hit that play button to listen to everything else covered this episode.

If you're a fan of the show, or a new subscriber - please rate and review on iTunes to help more fans find the show.

If you're not a subscriber - check out our subscription page where you can open the podcast in your favorite app to subscribe today.

Lastly, help support the show by donating what you can - any little bit helps and is always appreciated!