After missing the playoffs a season ago, the expectations for the New York Islanders was a bit lower in the eyes of many coming into 2025-26.
Though they struggled at the outset of the new season, things have reversed course to the positive highlighted by a recent 6-1-0 road trip.
Former Islander and current TV analyst Cal Clutterbuck joins Neil and Vic to look at what's different thus far as well as key areas going forward.
Before the conversation, Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To focuses on a few clubs in with differing concerns. After the interview, we go "Why or Why Not" for the Western clubs which missed the playoffs last season and whether a similar or different fate awaits them come April.
Website: Nhlwraparound.com
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:23] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To
[13:49] - Cal Clutterbuck joins the hosts with Neil opening that he believed Cal had another year or two left to offer a club. Clutterbuck gives several reasons why he retired, one of which being an unselfish gesture to give teammate Matt Martin a chance for a career milestone.
[16:16] - Clutterbuck shares that, while there may have been some options to continue his career, things did not come together in a way which would have enabled him to do so.
[18:04] - On to this season's Islanders and they keys to their strong start.
[21:51] - The confounding tale of the special teams, particularly the power play which has languished near the bottom of the league the past two seasons despite having players capable of producing.
[25:50] - The important role of backup goaltender David Rittich, being able to give Ilya Sorokin the breaks he needs but was unable to get last season after Semyon Varlamov went down.
[29:01] - The injury front which evolves into a longer discussion about how teams should be responding to both legal and illegal hits and what the penalties should be.
[35:31] - The transition for Clutterbuck from player to no longer being a professional athlete, something many players struggle with in all sports.
[39:44] - In his new career as an analyst on Islander games, Clutterbuck notes the most eye opening aspect to life in sports television.
[43:55] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Cal Clutterbuck.
[45:59] - Why or Why Not for the clubs in the Western Conference - Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose, Seattle, Utah, Vancouver - which missed the playoffs last season and why their fate may be different in April...or not.
[56:52] - Injury/personnel updates.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
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