The headliners on the day the Islanders broke up were the last to speak. Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck were the last two players to speak, followed by Lou Lamoriello and Patrick Roy.
So while the other 20 or so people who spoke at that moment took a backseat, a similar shift in tone evident from Lamoriello was echoed by key members of the core. The Islanders may still believe they have what it takes to win, but it’s not like their fan base doesn’t know how hard it is to believe that.
“Absolutely,” Matt Barzal said when asked if he was worried about roster changes. Three years have passed and I still can’t get over the hump I got in the first round.
“Lou and Patti have high standards. Our owners have obviously put money into new rinks and everything else. There’s obviously a standard they want. And just because we made it to the first round, , or I like that just because you make the playoffs doesn’t mean it’s a successful season in and of itself. So, naturally, I want to be a part of something that has standards and I want to win. ”
