Islanders left with plenty of unanswered questions after breakup day

The lack of communication from key individuals on breakup day spoke volumes. Anthony Duclair, who was benched for the last eight games of the season by Patrick Roy, did not address reporters. The Islanders did not confirm whether Duclair was even present. Roy, as well as General Manager Lou Lamorello, also remained silent. Pierre Engvall was absent due to his wife giving birth, which was an excused absence but quite timely.

There will likely be consequences for the disappointing Islanders season, and it wouldn’t be surprising if any of the four mentioned faced repercussions. The future of the team remains uncertain after failing to make the playoffs.

During discussions on Saturday, players highlighted the team’s lack of consistency and identity. Issues such as failing to close out games early in the season and the struggles of both the power play and penalty kill were repeatedly mentioned as areas needing improvement.

Casey Cizikas emphasized the importance of confidence and the ability to finish games strong. The Islanders have not maintained the style of play that led them to two NHL final fours under Barry Trotz. They have been stuck in the middle of the league for the past four seasons, whether in the playoffs or not.

Persistent problems such as closing out games, the power play, and penalty kill have plagued the team. The acquisition of Bo Horvat was expected to boost the power play, but improvements have been slow to materialize. The effectiveness of Roy as head coach is also under scrutiny, especially with the NHL coaching carousel heating up.

Roy’s position is now more precarious following the team’s disappointing end to the season and ongoing issues. Lamoriello, who constructed the roster, has also faced criticism. The atmosphere on breakup day signaled a readiness for change within the team.

Anders Lee highlighted the lack of consistency throughout the season as a major issue. He stressed the need for sustained quality performances to achieve positive results. Despite their efforts, the Islanders fell short of their goals too often.

As the season comes to a close, the Islanders are left to reflect on what went wrong and prepare for the changes that lie ahead.