Today We Discuss the Most Important Player on the New York Islanders Roster and What He Needs to Do This Season

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Slides it out for Egg Black, back to Hoppin, walked by Colock and Christ. Another spectacular stop. For Sart, tease it up and a save is made by Mbrowski Nelson, Lars L. with the open net and he scores. Hi and welcome to the Lockdown Islanders Podcast, Part of Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm your host, Gil Martin, I'm an Islander's columnist and historian and I wrote the book Ice Wars, which covers the complete history of the Islander's rivalry with the Rangers from 1972 to the modern era. And welcome everybody to the Thursday edition of the Lockdown Islanders Podcast, Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. I want to thank everyone who makes Lockdown Islanders your first listen every day. Don't forget to subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts so you can get new episodes as soon as they drop and you can find us now on Sirius XM on the SXM app. Just do a search for Lockdown Islanders. Today's episode is brought to you by Jace Medical Empower yourself when you purchase a Jace case, which provides you with a personal supply of five antibiotics to treat, 50 plus infections. Get yours today at jacemedical.com. That's j-a-s-e-medical.com. Lots to discuss today. Today the players hit the ice for the first time in training camp. So that's an exciting time for all Islander fans who have been looking forward to this. Really since the playoffs ended, but look, if you've got something Islanders related on your mind, if you have a question, a comment, maybe a topic you'd like us to discuss on a future episode, send us an email to Lockdown Islanders at gmail.com. And if you'll leave your first name and where you're from, we're happy to mention you on the show when we talk about whatever it is that's on your mind. You can also follow the show on Twitter at Lockdown Isles and you can follow me, Gil Martin on Twitter at Ice Wars, NYR, VSNYI. We will keep you up to date on all things Islanders throughout training camp, the preseason, the regular season and beyond. So make sure you join us and remember, we are also now back to a five show, a week schedule. Monday through Friday, we will be bringing you all things Islanders all season long. So don't forget to join us every day. So we start today as we go through our player by player look at the Islanders, what to expect from them this season and how they fit in. And the player we're going to take a look at today, every day or is by the way, yesterday we started with Casey Sezikis. Today we are moving on to Ilya Serokin, arguably the most critical player on the Islanders roster, because look, let's face it, Serokin is one of the best, if not the best, goalies in the national hockey league right now. And he was second in the vision of voting last year. We all know the story with the New York Islanders. They were 22nd in the NHL last year in goals scored and 30th out of 32 teams on the power play. In other words, the offense is not play off caliber. If the top 16 teams or the top half of the teams in this league make the playoffs and your goals for is lower than 16th, you are not at a playoff caliber. But the goals against for the Islanders well, they were fifth in the league in that category. And the big reason Ilya Serokin started 60 out of the 82 games a year ago. The Islanders won 42 games, Serokin won 31 of them, had a 2.34 goals against average, a 924 save percentage, and yeah, six shutouts. Clearly, without Ilya Serokin, last year's Islanders would not have gotten anywhere near the playoffs, and it took Serokin really playing at this elite level for the Islanders to squeeze into the playoffs. And again, it went all the way down to the 82nd and final game, but the Islanders got in and Serokin was not the only reason, not even close to the only reason, but the biggest reason. And while I still believe Semyon Varlamov is a quality backup at this stage of his career, I don't think Varly is ready to start 60 games if anything happened to Ilya Serokin long-term. I think this Islanders team would struggle a lot more than they already do, and it would really be a disastrous thing for the New York Islanders. Now, look, last year, everybody was saying the same thing. The Islanders lost Adam Pelic for a long time. They lost Kyle Palmeri for a while. They lost Matthew Barzall down the stretch, and yet they still managed to make the playoffs. So I'm not saying it can't be done, but I think losing Serokin would make a big difference. And let's cut to the chase. The Islanders need Ilya Serokin to play like Ilya Serokin. He has been over the course of his career, so very consistent. And, you know, they need him to keep that up. So, you know, in his three years in the NHL, he has goals against averages of 2.17, 2.40, and 2.34. The 2.17 was his rookie year. He only started 21 games as the backup that year. His save percentage, 9.18, 9.25, 9.24. Again, you see the amazing consistency and then shutouts. Three in that rookie year where he only had 21 starts. Seven in 2021, 22, and six last year. And by the way, that six led the league. And you have to remember that unlike Linus Olmark, who won the Vesna last year, mainly because he led the league in wins, safe percentage, and goals against average. That's the goalie triple crown. You know, Ilya Serokin had a lot less goal support than Linus Olmark or any of the other real Vesna finalists. And that means that Serokin just doesn't have a large margin for error. And he knows, when he goes out there, that if he gives up three goals, there's a good chance that the islanders are not going to win the game. But the way Serokin plays, he never gets to angry, at least outwardly, he never gets to cocky, he never gets down. He is a very steady presence on this team. And I think he adds stability, and I think he adds confidence that the players on the islanders understand that he is going to cover up for most. Certainly not all, but most of their mistakes. And I think that gives them a certain amount of security. It's like having a security blanket, and I think it gives them a certain amount of confidence, because let's face it, if Ilya Serokin is giving up two and a third goals a game, and I don't doubt he could be even better this year, especially if the defense improves in its transition game and gets better at just getting the puck smoothly out of its own zone, you know, when you know your team is giving up a little more than two goals per game, when Serokin is in between the pipes, you should be in almost any game you play. And over the course of 82 games, you know, that should give you a pretty good chance of competing for a playoff spot. Last year, the islanders won 42 games and lost nine in either overtime or a shootout. A lot of that was because of Serokin. So 51 out of 82 games, you got at least a point. And I'm telling you, if the power play improves a little bit, if the transition game improves a little bit, and Serokin just stays Serokin, this team can actually improve on last year's point total. There are a lot of other things that have to happen. As I mentioned, you know, power play can't be 30th. Team has to get a little better at clearing the puck out of the zone. You need to replace the 21 goals lost by Zach Parise, at least not starting this season on the roster. But if Serokin is Serokin, and I have no reason to believe he won't be, this team will be in, if he starts another 60 games, I can't imagine them not being in, you know, more than five or six of those games. So it really gives you a good situation. Also, last year, he started 60. Varlomov started 22. I know part of that was due to injury. Part of that was because the Islanders had no margin for error down the stretch because the race for those final playoff spots was so close. But I'll say this, I want to get Serokin down from 60 and maybe 52, 53, 55 starts tops. I think in the playoff series against Carolina, he was good. But he wasn't outstanding. And maybe the fact that he played and started what I believe off the top of my head was 22 of the last 25 games. He may have been a little bit fatigued. He'll never admit it. The Islanders coaches won't admit it. But I would like to get those starts down from 60 to closer to 52. 53 and let Varley spell him a little bit more. So he's fresh for the playoffs if the Islanders get there. To me, Ilya Serokin, by far, the single most important player on this Islanders team as far as the ultimate success is concerned. All right, we have got a lot more to get to on today's show. We will talk about who will be the new alternate captain. Plus, well, we've got that. And we've got our Islanders birthday today, a guy who may be the most unpopular X Islander right now. Let's see if you can guess who that is. It's all that and more on today's Lockdown Islanders podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by AG one by athletic greens. Got to tell you this is a product that I literally use every day. Maybe you're like me and you want to be healthy and eat well, but it's always easier said than done. That's no longer the case with AG one with one delicious scoop of AG one in the glass of water every day. You're absorbing 75 high quality vitamins minerals, whole food source, superfoods, probiotics and adoptions to help you start your day right. This special blend of ingredient supports your gut health, your nervous system, your immune system, energy recovery, focus and aging. All these things and AG one cost you less than $3 a day. You're investing in your health and it's cheaper than your cold brew habit. 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To me, last year, when Josh Bailey didn't play, Brock Nelson ended up with the A. I think that, you know, that would be to me, a logical choice as far as a replacement is concerned. Bo Horvat maybe hasn't been here long enough, but he would have to be another possibility, maybe a veteran like JG Pazzo. Or, you know, are you thinking about a guy like, you know, Adam Pelic or Ryan Pollock, two of those, you know, defensemen who could really step in and do that. The thing is, you don't know who the leaders are inside the locker room. It's the one place they really don't let us see and be a part of. So when you get before a game and the team is in the locker room, other than Anderson's Lee, who is speaking out? Who is the guy who is just going out there and picking up players when they're feeling a little bit down or frustrated? Who do players naturally turn to? And remember, leadership, first of all, Anderson's Lee is the captain. So this person would be one of the alternate captains if Lee is out of the lineup, hurt, whatever. You know, they would take over the seat, talk to the referees, be someone who speaks up in between periods or before or after a game or helps communicate between the coaching staff and the players. All of these things go on behind closed doors. Obviously, you know, finding the right person to wear that a is an important thing on any hockey team. And I still think you want us to go with a veteran that you are better off with a guy who has been there and done that. I mean, you're not going to give it to a player like Oliver Wallstrom and no offense to Wally. I think he can be a quality player for this team, but you know, is he ready to be an alternate captain? No, I don't think he is just yet. And you want to stick with veterans, you've got a lot of them on this team and plugging in the right one to make this work. You know, alternate captains are not as vital necessarily as captains, but there is a hierarchy. And I am sure that the players will select the right teammate to step in and where the a alongside Anders Lee and just help. And I think the other thing you want to take into consideration. You want a player who is not just going to be there right now, but who is going to be more of a part of the long term puzzle of this team. So, you know, elevating a guy whose contract is up at the end of this season doesn't make a lot of sense. Now, the Islanders don't have a lot of players who fit that description. You've basically got Oliver Wallstrom, Sebastian Aho, Carlson Culeman, Kleiderbuck and Martin. That's who we're talking about. Everyone else is under contract for longer. And I don't think that we're going to necessarily see, you know, Matt Martin at this point elevated to alternate captain. You don't want a younger guy like Hudson fashion. No offense to Ross Johnston. I like the guy, but he doesn't play enough at this stage. Pierre Engvall hasn't been here enough. So do you go with a Kyle Palmerie or a JG Pazzo? Or is Bo Horvat already comfortable enough to take that position? He's got the long term extension. So it is Matthew Barsal. From the outside looking in, I would say Horvat is more likely to be given an A over barzing, but again, I'm not inside that locker room. And we're going to put a poll up on our YouTube channel, basically asking who you think should get the A now that Josh Bailey has departed. We know how Kleiderbuck has one. Anders Lee has the C who else should get the A head over to our YouTube page and check it out because we will be talking more about the results of this poll, either on Friday or Monday in order to see what you the listeners and viewers think we have got more to get to on today's show. We're going to talk about some quotes from the captain, Anders Lee as the players get ready to hit the ice plus our islanders birthday of the day. All that and a lot more still to come on this episode of the Lockdown Islanders podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by bird dogs look bird bird dogs make you look good. They are unbelievably comfortable. They're a stretch khaki shorts are designed to fit slimmer through the thigh and leg to give you that truly sculpted look. They do the exact same thing as Lulu lemon, but they fit way better. And look regular shorts are made of a stiff restricting cotton, but bird dogs fixes this issue by inventing cloud knit fabric that looks just like khaki but stretches so you get a way slimmer fit without having to sacrifice, sacrifice movement and they use an anti stink sweat wicking fabric that keeps you cool and dry all day long. 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Our team will assist you to achieve advertising success with locked on once again text the word advertising to three three seven seven seven or visit locked on podcasts dot com slash advertising we look forward to hearing from you. The players hit the ice today yesterday they were in town had their physicals but as of right now everybody is excited and eager to hit the ice. And one of those players is Anders Lee the captain he was on a podcast with Elliott Friedman and Jeff Merrick earlier this week and basically expressed his confidence in the team talk about bow or that said bow or that stepped in right away not just on the ice but off the ice. He's such a good person he cares deeply about his game and his team wherever he's at. I'm excited for him to get settled in and to have a full season with us he was also high on Pierre Engvaugh and basically said that having wallstrum back and Engvaugh and for that for a full season. Is why he doesn't think this team is the same as the team of a year ago having these guys for a full season here's what he said about Engvaugh I think he's a great player he stepped into our team and made a big difference the way he was carrying the puck for us the way he was entering the zone. And using his feet and his body he's a big guy he's a strong player he can go to work in the corners if he has to that's why he was having such a great success and made an impact with Brock and Paul Mary during the latter half of the season and he adds when talking about these newcomers that were acquired either right before or at the trade deadline when you talk about. Horvath and Engvaugh these guys made an impact on our team whether it's been for a long time or even just a short time we did a lot of good things at the end of the year we didn't like the way our season ended but we think there's a lot of opportunity there so clearly andersley expressing confidence and the belief that he is ready and that this team is ready. To get to the next level and look of course andersley is going to say that no captain of any hockey team is going to say we don't think we can compete we're not as good as we were a year ago but I think look you can look at the fact that this team is the core of this team and I would say out of the 22 players or you know on the roster. 1819 of them are coming back but at the same time there is something about chemistry about having the back of guys you know and like and have played with and the islanders are hoping if they can stay healthier and play just a smidge better. You know that can make a big difference now to me the players taking the ice to it's just exciting and Lane Lambert is going to be ready and you know get things done one more quote from andersley from this interview you're in a room with these guys all year you know where they stand and how they feel about the island and the team and what they want to do. These weren't surprises these guys got to do what's best for them and their families but their intentions are they want to stay and see this thing out with our group by no means was I surprised at all that they signed or resigned with the team so you know confidence there from andersley and oh yeah you know Matthew bars all by the way who got a haircut trimmed his hair it's short. But you know he basically was joking around the other day and basically said to Zach Parise come back we need you again I think it was mostly joking but I I think barzy and a lot of the islanders would like to have Zach Parise back on the roster if and when he's willing to do it. I get the feeling he may be done but again we'll see the longer this retirement lasts the more likely it is that he's not going to come back all right time now for our islanders birthday of the day and I did mention that this week we have a lot of big birthdays and we had the first captain and islanders history at Westfall we had Rick D. Pietro first overall pick in the 2000 draft well I think it's not going to come back. Well the next time the islanders picked first overall in a draft they selected John taveris first overall in 2009 and JT as I teased earlier may just be the most unpopular X Islander as of right now his birthday was Wednesday he is now 33 years old. And you know join the islanders drafted in 2009 played his first game for the islanders that year and scored on his first NHL shift finish that rookie campaign with 24 goals 54 points had 38 goals which was his career high with the islanders in 2014 2015 and 86 points which again was his best year. Injury slowed him down he got hurt at the Olympics that one year for those of you who remember and I think the 2016 playoff run where he scored the double overtime goal that got the islanders their first playoff series win since 1993 that was probably his best moment as an islander but we're going to go back and look at one of his better statistical games how about October 15 2011. At the National Coliseum sold out of course because well the Rangers were in town Henrik Lunkfist the goalie for the Rangers if gaining a back off in goal for the Isles and the islanders get a hat trick from John taveris two power play goals and an empty netter he also assisted on the first goal scored by Matt Molson and the hat trick. In a four to two win over the Rangers before an excited crowd three assists in the game for PA parental but John taveris clearly the star of the game three goals one assist and for JT just a great moment taveris obviously still playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the way he left long island certainly earned the higher of Isles fans I hope at some point. Taveris can be forgiven but we'll see how it all plays out but John taveris 33 years old yesterday is our islanders birthday of the day I want to thank everyone for making locked on islanders your first listen every day every day is tomorrow on the show we will talk about what happened the first day the players took the ice for training camp first preseason game is just around the corner and. We will continue our player by player preview of the islanders with a look at cow clutter box so make sure you join us for that until then have a great day everybody stay safe and of course let's go islanders. If you're a business owner listen up your company could be mentioned right here with the NHL season right around the corner locked on has a special locals only NHL kickoff package two local businesses yes only two local businesses can sponsor this podcast for the upcoming NHL season find out how you can get this exclusive sponsorship and hear your business on this podcast text the word advertising to three three seven seven seven or visit locked on podcast dot com slash advertising and let us know who you are our team will assist you to achieve advertising success with locked on once again text the word advertising to three three seven seven seven or visit locked on podcasts dot com slash advertising we look forward to hearing from you.