Stan Fischler shares his reaction to the Vegas Golden Knights' 7-2 win over the Florida Panthers to take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final. Whether the media covering Lou Lamoriello knows it or not -- and I believe that they do -- Lou does it his way. Always. Not necessarily the way other hockey bosses do and certainly not the conventional way that some electronic and print newspaper people would like him to do. The Islanders major domo offered a magnificent lesson in LOU 101 on Tuesday. in what was his long-awaited presser at Northwell Rink. In one sense, there was news. And there were previously unanswered questions which were answered -- but only in The Godfather's inimitable way -- if you will. (And you had to, since there were no wills about it.) The following are the questions and my reaction to Lou's answers: BIG QUESTION: Will Lou and coach Lane Lambert [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/lane-lambert-new-york-islanders-head-coach-lou-lamoriello-2022-23-2023-24] be back? "We are here," said Lou. "We're both under contract; have been and will be. I think that's all that's necessary to answer." MAVEN COMMENT: What did you all expect? That was not a reasonable facsimile of Lou; that was Lamoriello. Therefore he's back because he never left. BIG QUESTION: How about Lambert, specifically? "I liked his even composure in tough times during the season. His calmness was important." MAVEN COMMENT: The Lambert endorsement is good for now, but issues like "specialty teams" and the team "beating itself" had better be corrected early in the season. Or else. BIG QUESTION: Looking backward at the Carolina series, how did he like the Isles play? "The series could have gone either way," he declared. "We beat ourselves." MAVEN COMMENT: He's right; from the power play failures to Scott Mayfield not jumping right back from being high sticked to the feeble third period in the last home game, all combined to torpedo the team. When Lou says they'll "be corrected," that means changes. BIG QUESTION: Was criticism of defenseman Noah Dobson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/noah-dobson-new-york-islanders-lou-lamoriello] justified? "There was too much criticism of Dobson," he shot back. "Check his point production. He's got a great mindset, and we have high expectations from him." MAVEN COMMENT: Dobson is an unpolished jewel, and Lou knows it and will protect a youngster who suffered occasional sophomore slumps. The best is yet to come. BIG QUESTION: What about the assistant coaches -- specifically the twin power play architects, John MacLean [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/lane-lambert-new-york-islanders-doug-houda-john-maclean] and Doug Houda [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/lane-lambert-new-york-islanders-doug-houda-john-maclean]. Will they return? "They did a reasonably good job," said Lou, who knew the fans wanted a noose-pulling. "As for changes, they're not something that I can assert at this point." MAVEN COMMENT: As the song goes, "There'll Be Some Changes Made." Not this minute, but even Santa Claus knows that the PP was NG. BIG QUESTION: Will Ilya Sorokin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-vezina-trophy-finalist-2022-23] be re-signed? "We'll certainly work at it," Lou asserted, "and at whatever time -- and effort -- it takes." MAVEN COMMENT: It's a top priority that will be done in the Lamoriello way. Paraphrasing General Douglas McArthur about Sorokin: He shall return! BIG QUESTION: What's with up-to-now-lifetime-Islander Josh Bailey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-josh-bailey-lou-lamoriello-contract-longest-tenured-islanders]? "Loyalty is a very big thing with me. But loyalty will never get in the way of progress." MAVEN COMMENT: Typically, Lou waxed affectionately about Bales, but the vet will be eased out in a manner that's comfortable for the team and Josh. BIG QUESTION: How does he feel about his team? "I believe in this team," Lou insisted. "I believe in the core, and the goaltending." MAVEN COMMENT: Lou also spoke admiringly about his Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock defense duet. He likes the futures of Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson. He's also enthused about having strength down the middle; ergo, four centers. BIG QUESTION: Will the Identity Line remain intact? "I believe in the fourth line; they know how to play. And in the playoffs, they scored important goals." MAVEN COMMENT: Casey, Cal, and Matty will return as a unit or until there's reason to dismantle the grit gang. The Boss pointed out that his Identity skaters resemble the tough style currently being exhibited by the Golden Knights. Alluding to Vegas, Double L added: "I'll take men this time of year." P.S. Lou's gonna try hard to persuade Zach Parise that another year in Orange and Blue would be good for everybody. BIG QUESTION: How can he explain the Isles indolent performance in the third period of their final game loss to Carolina? Also, poor starts at the beginning of games? "I can't explain the third period. We have to get better. Those are questions being studied -- are there reasons or not?" MAVEN COMMENT: This is on the coaching staff, but the buck stops with Lane Lambert. CONCLUSION: The Hockey News picked the Islanders to finish fifth in the Metropolitan Division -- two behind Pittsburgh and Columbus and one notch above Washington. All together Lambert's sextet finished ahead of Philadelphia, Washington, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Detroit, Buffalo, and Ottawa. That's eight teams with all manner of Ovechkin, Crosby, and Gaudreau types. Not too bad for the Isles by comparison. Who knows? If a high sticking penalty had been called on Carolina when Mayfield went down in overtime -- and had the Isles scored -- they might even have done what the Panthers are doing right this second; reach the Cup Final. Good show, Lou!
