On July 1st the Captain, Leader and Franchise Face of the Islanders flew the LI and left behind broken hearts. He made matters worse for fans and himself by releasing a. letter explaining how hard it was to make this decision. A letter that fell on ears as well as an overpaid CEO explaining the he “understands how you feel” after announcing massive layoffs. See the #DearJohn video. Good stuff, really solid work here.
The dismay, despair and betrayal grew and festered as the sunny summer days grew into fall. The autumn chill completed Islanders fans cold hearted feelings about their former Capitan. The Pajama Boy, Snake, traitor returns to the Island and the reception will not be warm. Hell it will be colder than the playing surface.
(Full disclosure: as a lifetime Isles fan, I could care less whether he left, largely because I am used to abject disappointment.)
This season and the trade deadline have born out why the Islanders faithful were #HotforTrotz and Lou to rebuild. It goes without saying that it has gone better than anyone expected.
The team is sitting in first atop the Metro with a good defense, something that hasn’t been seen in years. A team that works as a team and has a better record at this point in the season than they had last season with JT. For the better part of this season Lehner and Greiss have been the #1 and #2 goalies in the NHL. Compared with the trials and tribulations that the Leafs have undergone this season the Islanders look to compete. Thursday should be interesting and the Islanders fan base has dropped their collective gloves, so buckle up it should prove to be an interesting night.
The Morning Skate 