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The New York Islanders are struggling out of the gates this season. The Isles have posted a record of 4-6-2 through their first 12 contests and have recently been hammered by the injury bug.
Forward Mat Barzal is out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury and has been placed on long term injured reserve. Meanwhile, the Islanders blueline has taken a beating, seeing Adam Pelech shelved for four to six weeks, while both Mike Rielly and Alex Romanov are working their way back to getting healthy sooner than later, and at this point remain day to day.
The Islanders are having troubles scoring goals, ranking 31st in the league, averaging just 2.25 goals scored per game. Their power-play struggles are a big reason for their lack of scoring, ranking 29th league wide with a 12.5% efficiency rating with the man advantage. Losing Barzal, who posted 25 power-play points last season is certainly going to hurt, as the dynamic forward is a big pillar of their offense.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed the tough times ahead for the Islanders, as things could very much be going from bad to worse on Long Island.
Yaremchuk: The New York Islanders, they were limping along to start the season for a handful of reasons, they have the second worst goals scored per game in the NHL. They are one of just four teams in the league to not have cracked the 30-goal scored mark so far this season. And now, they’re limping along literally.
Mat Barzal – four to six weeks, Adam Pelech – four to six weeks. These are key pieces for the New York Islanders, who they are going to be without for at least the next month. On top of that, Anthony Duclair is out long term, they got a couple of guys day to day on their blue line. If there is any team in the league right now that should be more on ‘this could get ugly’ watch, I can’t think of them, to me it’s the Islanders.
Seravalli: I think they are a quality selection in that scary category even though Halloween’s over. I don’t think the Pittsburgh Penguins are that far away from that. I would include, at least for a temporary basis, the Colorado Avalanche in that group with all the injuries that they’re dealing with.
For this Islanders team, I mean, pin point for me, or show me the path for it to get significantly better. Like, even if all these guys are healthy and they’re all back, what’s your calling card? What are you going to hang your hat on? What are you going to say -this is how this team is going to vastly improve and they’re going to go on a 10-game winning streak to get themselves back in the mix? I don’t see the path for them to do so with the way that their roster is constructed. Let alone, to then take those guys out.
Yaremchuk: Yeah, the path for this not to get ugly is for (Ilya) Sorokin and (Semyon) Varlamov having .940 save percentages for the next month. Like that’s honestly what it feels like it’s going to take for this team.
Seravalli: Would they even be able to score their way out of that, if that was the case, and I’m not trying to be funny. 28 goals in 12 games. I mean, that’s not pretty.
For more on the Islanders, and the latest buzz from around the NHL, watch the full episode here.
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4 Maple Leafs Wild Card Players Heading Into 2025-26
Assuming they don’t fall off the rails, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be a strong team again in 2025-26. This is nothing new, as they’ve been one of the best teams in the NHL for several seasons and should be for years to come. While the Maple Leafs will continue to be competitive thanks to players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and even John Tavares, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any questions about the lineup. It’s uncertain what we can expect from several players on the roster, in terms of production and effectiveness, but especially these four Maple Leafs. Max Domi Max Domi’s tenure with the team has been up and down. He had a relatively productive 2023-24 season with 47 points, but only nine were goals. This past season, his production dipped to eight goals and 33 points, which is underwhelming for a player who has proven in the past that he can provide more offence. What makes Domi so important this season is that the Maple Leafs will need others to step up now that Mitch Marner is with the Vegas Golden Knights. It has also created new and better opportunities for players like Domi, who could be in for a big season if he is given more responsibility. Matias Maccelli Perhaps the most exciting Maple Leaf heading into the season is Matias Maccelli. The 24-year-old could be one of the best pickups of the offseason, after he was he was acquired from the Utah Mammoth in June for a draft pick and has a ton of offensive upside. The Finnish winger is just one season removed from a career-high 57 points (scored with the Arizona Coyotes). The Maple Leafs acquired Maccelli just days before moving on from Marner, a sign that he was added to help make up for the lost offence. Assuming he gets a legitimate top-six role and time on the power play, he could be better than expected this season. Dakota Joshua There aren’t many players with more to prove than Dakota Joshua. The 29-year-old fell out of favour with the Vancouver Canucks after signing a four-year extension months before the 2024-25 campaign began. He was limited to just 57 games last season, with a disappointing seven goals and 14 points. Joshua is capable of better numbers, as indicated by his 18-goal, 32-point campaign through 63 games in 2023-24. More importantly, however, is the physical edge and intimidating presence he adds to the Maple Leafs’ lineup. That said, Toronto will need him to rediscover his form to be effective this season. Easton Cowan Easton Cowan has a great shot at cracking the Maple Leafs’ lineup this season. The 2023 first-round pick is preparing to make the jump to the professional ranks after dominating in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights for the last three seasons. Assuming Cowan does crack the roster, he will likely be used in a top-six role given his offensive upside. His numbers in junior rankings prove his talent, and he could be a difference-maker as soon as this season. That said, his small stature could result in a bit of a learning curve for the 20-year-old winger. Exciting Times Ahead for the Maple Leafs Despite all the recent frustration, it’s easy to be excited for the Maple Leafs’ future. They have finally made some big and necessary changes after years of failure, and were able to bring in several pieces that could prove to be the solution. At the very least, they will be an exciting team to watch in 2025-26.
Jets QB Justin Fields had 'alarming' practice against Giants
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields found out he has a long way to go following his performance at Tuesday's joint practice with the New York Giants. Per Connor Hughes of SNY TV, Fields started hot at the practice before struggling during the move-the-ball period. "Very interesting practice for #Jets QB Justin Fields," Hughes posted on X. "He finished 7 of 12 with a TD. 5 of 5 to start practice. Then 0 for 4. Finished 2 of 3 with the really impressive TD to Jeremy Ruckert in red zone (starter 18 yard line). "The offensive performance was a bit alarming in move-the-ball period of practice. Fields Co. had three attempts to get down field. They didn’t gain a first down. Only gained yards twice (two short Breece Hall runs). Three sacks. That needs to be fixed. #Giants defense toyed with NYJ during that period." Some Jets fans online thought Hughes was using hyperbole to characterize the practice, but he doubled down on his judgment of the offense. Fields looked strong on his first and only drive in the Jets' 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He went 3-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed two times for 14 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants defense at the joint practice is a much better unit than the short-handed one the Packers trotted out for the first preseason game. Fields' issues seen with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, with holding the ball too long and not being able to pass consistently downfield, were a factor against the Giants. Following Saturday's game, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields was getting better but had a lot to improve on. Tuesday's practice was a humbling reminder that Fields needs to become a consistent passer if the Jets are going to move the ball on good defenses in the regular season.
Jaydon Blue injury update is bad news for Cowboys, preseason debut
The Dallas Cowboys are finishing up their business trip to Oxnard, California, with their final practice on Wednesday. On Thursday, the team will travel back to Dallas in preparation for meeting the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday in their second preseason game. The team was desperate to find some help in the backfield in their first preseason game with the Los Angeles Rams. The unit has been ravaged by injury. It looks like that could be the same issue for Saturday's game, too. Rookie running back Jaydon Blue missed practice again on Wednesday. Earlier in camp, Blue suffered a bruised ankle, which has the coaching staff being extra cautious for the rookie. Blue, along with Miles Sanders, both missed the team's first preseason game, so the franchise brought in Malik Davis, who had quite an impressive preseason debut against the Rams. The Cowboys are handling Blue's health correctly, but it is unfortunate the rookie has yet to make his debut on the field. In last week's game against the Rams, it was Davis and Phil Mafah who carried most of the load in the backfield. Although the team did not have a running play for the entirety of the first quarter. Getting healthy for September is far more important than pushing the limits for August. —
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Seems To Give A Warning To His Coaching Staff Heading Into 2025 Regular Season
Bears make big preseason decision amid reports of Caleb Williams' training-camp struggles
Second-year Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and other starters were spectators for Chicago's preseason opener versus the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed things will be different when his club hosts the Buffalo Bills for an exhibition matchup this coming Sunday evening. "Everyone's going to play," Johnson said, as shared by Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Johnson added that how many snaps Williams will take versus the Bills is "to be determined." The Bears will first host the Bills for a joint practice on Friday. Johnson came to this decision following multiple reports detailing the supposed struggles that Williams has endured throughout training camp. Most recently, Monday’s practice was allegedly "a low point for" Chicago's first-team offense and featured "Williams and receiver Rome Odunze both looking frustrated" after some failed connections. "I've been pretty consistent with the thought of reps, reps, reps are the most important thing to get [Williams] up to speed," Johnson explained. "And by the plan that we had a week ago, we were able to get him probably somewhere between 80 and 100 more reps than we would've been able to do had he played in the game. This week, it's a different schedule. Different length of time in terms of in between games and all that. And so, our plan right now is the guys that sat out last week, they will be playing this week." Those running the Bears hope that the hiring of Johnson, an advertised offensive guru, will help Williams become a top-tier quarterback after the 23-year-old won only five of 17 starts during his rookie season. However, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic is among those who have mentioned that Williams has been responsible for a noteworthy number of inaccurate passes this summer. "I think the trust that we've been talking about from the get-go, that's really where that comes into play," Johnson added about risking the health of his starters by playing them against Buffalo. "We haven't been here with this group as a coaching staff. That trust has been earning, and we've been developing that amongst each other. It's not a one-way street. It goes both ways. And so I think that's just another step in the progression, you know?" The Bears will wrap up the preseason with a game at the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22. It's unclear if Williams or other Chicago starters will see any action that Friday night.
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