Islanders roster shakeup: Schaefer’s NHL debut looms, Rittich secures backup role. Will these moves propel New York to new heights?
Gil Martin analyzes Matthew Schaefer’s impressive preseason performance, highlighting his unexpected defensive prowess. The discussion shifts to David Rittich’s appointment as Ilya Sorokin’s backup, with Patrick Roy’s vote of confidence. Martin breaks down the revamped line combinations, featuring Bo Horvat centering the top line and Mathew Barzal alongside Anders Lee.
Tune in for expert insights on the Islanders’ evolving strategy and its potential impact on their playoff aspirations.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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21 Comments
Coming off a season where he sustained a broken collarbone and played only 17 games I would send him back. I didn't see last night's game but as I understand it we were interfering with and holding up Rempe so he couldn't hit Schaefer. If that's the case you just won't be able to get away with that at regular season speed. He's very young. Give him another year in junior where he can get hit again with that collarbone by kids instead of 240 lb. NHL forwards looking to plaster him up against the glass.
Start schaffer and ritchie.ket the kids take over. Trading cizikas and pageau is very necessary. And asap.
talk it up all you want darche. putting that sure fire future norris winner out there really does nothing for isles mediocre hopes this season. i still say best move was to keep schaefer for 8 games, send him back to jrs. to play in wjc, then finish off ohl career moved at tdl to contender for long playoff run.
isles are not one d man away from contention and since this mediocre roster hasn't been upgraded or big time scoring added why waste one year of elc on a season that should be tanked away to get some offensive firepower in next draft?
51 on top line? 11 on fourth line? same old isle problem. too many similar like interchangeble fwd. types. and 11 better get used to fourth line. that's about the only spot for him. no spot for useless 18. waive 18 and send to ahl, a $2.5 mil. b'port add.
Darche waived the wrong goalie. From what I’ve seen this preseason, Rittich is worse than Boss Hog(berg)
Hi Gil good work. Unfortunately yes it looks like Ritchie is destined for Bridgeport. Isles are committed to atleast trying there veteran types on the top two lines even though he's outplayed the likes of shabanov, duclair and Drouin. It does look like money talks. I would even be game for Ritchie as a 4th line center with hustling physical types like Tsyp, gatcomb Heinemen. Sometimes cizikas in the press box. Can't believe I'm saying that, Casey has always been my favorite player. Not in love with Ritchie getting hurt on a 4 line. Give him top line PP minute at Bridgeport and he can be first callup if and when someone gets hurt. Bring him up and put him as 2nd line center. Schafer, let's see what he does in the first 9 games. If he needs to be sent down I don't know if we have any luck moving options. As the season goes along let's see what we got. Again if we are middle to bottom of the pack then a strip down of these veterans is in order. It will be ugly but I might be game to tank for the first pick. McKenna is gonna be a generation talent and clearly we are in need of top line finish. Let's go isles
hasn't every 1st round pick gone directly to the NHL for the last 20 years or so?
Only was able to catch the 3rd period of the Isles disappointing loss. I know it's pre season but never the less it was against the Strangers. Really liked what I saw from Tsyplakov, his passing ability is spot on, and how about Tony D. I have a feeling Isles got a bargain, and a steal with him. By the way I read somewhere that Hab fans are not that ecstatic from what they've seen from Dobson so far. The Noah Dobson #53 Buyers Remorse Jerseys will be arriving to the Molsen Center pro shop much sooner than I thought they would be
gil I do not feel the same way as you do regarding Matthew, he got schooled on that last goal in Ranger win in OT….I think he is gone after 9 games if he does not get hurt…he did nothing to prove he belongs in the NHL right now….
Mayfield better bulk up. Who else will be the enforcer (protector) for the Rempes of the NHL, taking runs at our young players. Mayfield is tough but he's a middleweight.
We simply can’t score consistently. I thought we played a pretty gd game and it was actually fun. We did everything well except score. Early on the Rangers on had 2 shots on goal and scored on one. We had like 11 or 12. This is an ongoing prob. We miss a heck of a lot of shots no where near the net and the goals we get are hack jobs till the puck bounces in. Seldom do we see a breakaway and finish or anything where you feel like this is it we win now that we have the puck. How many players got their first goal against us or tied an nhl record against us etc…a lot. It’s noticeable and we just can’t score no matter who’s in net for them.
Gil, I’ll tell u again. Schaefer was already on the team before he ever stepped on the ice. Don’t worry about the 9 games. Hello ticket sales..
Hey Gil great show. I was at the game monday. Good to have hockey back. Very impressed with schaefer and richie. I hope next year they can be both on the roster. As for this year, I agree with most of the people it does us no, good to risk these kids' careers on this upcoming season. This year should be about getting rid of the dead Weight. Especially on defense!!!! And what is the deal with valamov? Is he ever gonna play Ever Again?
Palmeri lost his guy
Gil, I love Pageau and Cizikas, but both have been vapors on the ice this preseason … The look like they've both lost a step. I wish it wasn't the case, but if this team is doing a re-tool/re-build the Isles need to trade them both for assets, even if those assets are initially tagged for Bridgeport … This team is not winning the Stanley Cup and is likely an outside looking in playoff team, or at best a first round drop out … so go younger, faster and look long term. The team needs to stop pretending that these veterans are going to bring "more" … they aren't. We season ticket holders can see it, we know it and … we are OK with change that looks to make the team better long term … management just needs to embrace it. JMO
Good 🌅, Gil. How are you? Mathieu Darche has something good to say that Matthew Schaffer made the team temporarily. I know he didn't play against the Rangers at the Garden, so depending on when the Islanders and the Rangers hook up, he's going to his 1st Garden Party. He's making mistakes, but he's a rookie, THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. But he's going to be playing against players who are bigger, badder, and way meaner than him to the point where he's an automatic target because he's a 1st round pick. He's got a "big brother" in Scott Mayfield ❤ it, ❤ it, ❤ it. If he gets sent back to juniors after 9 games, IT'S NOT THE END OF THE 🌎. Who will be the back up goaltender for Ilya Sorokin. I wish it was Varly, but something tells me, it isn't. The Islanders have announced that David Rittich is Sorokin backup. The Islanders put Marcus Hogberg on waivers, but Rittich has spent some ⌚ in LA or does that matter. We will 👀 this turns out. Rittich is hot one year and lukewarm the next year. WELCOME BACK, ANDERS LEE. Patrick Roy's shuffling his lines again. Top line consists of Horvat, Droiun and Heineman. 2nd line consists of Barzy, Lee, and Palmieri. 3rd line consists of Pageou, Duke and Shabanov. Identity line Casey, the Duke and Tsyplakov. Let's not forget, THESE LINES ARE NOT ETCHED IN STONE. On defense, Romano. and D'Angelo, Pellach and Pollack, Schaffer and Mayfield, are the reserves. Last preseason game is in Philadelphia tomorrow 🌙. HAPPY🎂, MATS LINDGREN. He scored a PP goal in a win over the Avalanche. Hear from you later, Gil. Still 🌎🥳⌚ Game 4 of the Islanders/Oilers saw the part where Trots picked Messier's pocket and scored. Also, you're going to get a kick out of this. On the Al Mode of Google, I compared Trots to The Thing from the Fantastic 4 because of his BRUTE STRENGTH. They compared Denis Potvin to Captain America because of his take charge attitude, Clark Gillies to the Incredible Hulk, because you don't want to make him mad, Mike Bossy to Hawkeye because of his pinpoint vision, Butch Goring to the missing piece, and we all know why, Bob Nystrom to Thor not only because of his Scandanavian background, but he sticks up for his teammates but he comes thru when it counts. Last, but not least, Billy Smith to the Punisher. All Marvel Comic Characters of course, and getting back to Smitty, there was a banner that said while most goalies cut down angles, SMITTY CUTS DOWN ANKLES. NOW, LET'S GO, ISLANDERS.
The Isles need to trade the vets, gather assets, and let the kids play. Qualifying for the playoffs this year, while highly unlikely, would be a huge mistake. The future is bright for this team and could be even brighter if they play their cards right. I get it, no one wants to watch a team lose, but this isn’t the dark days of the past where there was no light at the end of the tunnel. We could be a legitimate contender in 3 years we just need a little patience.
If Ritich is that bad, why put him as backup? Send them all to Bridgeport. We need a reliable backup goalie who won't screw things up. On top of that, I don't trust Lee either.
I like that kid Warren. I hope he has a future with the team on the defense
Schafer already looks better than Dobson. Montreal already complaining about his Dzone performance.
The Isles got their first #1 draft pick in what, 5+ years? I think it’s even more than that. Traded away Nelson, got rid of Lamoriello, pulled out all the stops hosting a draft party and doing more press than they have in the last 2 decades once they got this kid – does ANYONE think he isn’t going to be given the start at UBS? Isles management is salivating to create excitement around this kid and get butts in seats and sell jerseys. Yes, nothing is done until it’s done but let’s agree that behind the scenes…it’s DONE. Schaefer is a starting NY Islander in 2025
I use the eye test. Does Schaffer look like he belongs? I think he does. He will be here the whole year.