2015 has been an incredible year for the New York Islanders. As someone once said: “what a time to be alive!”
By Justin Weiss
While there have certainly been ups-and-downs in 2015, one thing is for certain: it was one helluva time to be alive.
While the rest of the sports world was enjoying a relatively typical and feel-good year, Isles fans experienced the playoffs, a stadium move, a disgruntled CEO, some incredible highlights, a popular chant and something along the lines of “MC2.”
No longer the doormat of the league, the Isles experienced an impressive turnaround that gave fans hope, and ultimately led to higher expectations for the first time in years.
Here’s the top five moments of 2015.
Honorable Mentions
JP Parise Passes Away
Former Islanders left winger JP Parise passed away in January after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life,” his son, current NHLer Zach, said. He will best be known for scoring the franchise’s first-ever series-winning goal.
Isles Swap Reinhart For Picks
General Manager Garth Snow made something out of nothing when he swapped former Isles prospect Griffin Reinhart for what ultimately led to two first round draft picks on Draft night. Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, who have both been tearing it up in the minors and the World Junior Championships this season, were the selections.
KO Nets Four
Isles winger Kyle Okposo scored four goals in one game on January 16th against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Coliseum. “I get pretty fired up to play these guys,” he said. Fans got fired up as well when he recorded one in the first period, scored the game tying goal in the third and ultimately ended up netting the game-winner in OT. Amazingly, this all happened when it was believed that he was suffering from a retina injury.
“If You Know The Rangers Suck, Clap Your Hands”
The team’s first big test at Barclays Center was a matchup with the New York Rangers in which the Brooklyn based team defeated their crosstown rivals 2-1 in a shootout. Jaroslav Halak was phenomenal, stopping 33 shots. “It was a playoff-type of game,” Tavares said. “It had the intensity with the crowd and everyone here.”
The Greiss Is Right
Thomas Greiss has shocked fans by posting a remarkable 2.03 GAA in 18 games. Signed to provide relief when neccesary, Greiss has developed into a legitimate threat and has kept the Isles in many games that they have no buisness to be in.
The Public Enemies
Tensions sparked during the team’s first round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, especially when Caps forward Tom Wilson dangerously hit Lubomir Visnovsky from behind, likely ending his NHL career. Additionally, fans looked to Jack Capuano and Brian Strait as reasons for a lack of success.
1. Farewell, Ol’ Barn
After 43 seasons at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the New York Islanders departed to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to the dismay of many. The Ol’ Barn closed its doors on the New York Islanders on April 25, 2015, two days before the team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
John Tavares, Nikolai Kulemin and Cal Clutterbuck all netted goals for the Isles in Game six, as the team thankfully finished an era with a victory.
“The people made us feel like such a part of Long Island,” Bryan Trottier said. “We were from all over — different parts of Canada and the United States, a few guys from Sweden. Maybe they felt a little bit like we had a little something getting Long Island on the map or built their identity up.
Uniondale, New York — which isn’t a large blimp on the map for most players — catered to the franchise for forty-three years. There, players forged relationships with fans that no other city could cater to.
“We felt we were probably a bigger reflection of Long Island, which is, I think, just one of acceptance (and) wonderful loyalty,” Bobby Nystrom said.
“I think that is something that I really liked more than anything else about being on the Island. We had a parade down Hempstead Turnpike. That’s what we wanted. Most of us came from small towns and so we really identified with the community.”
As I wrote in How I Will Remember It: A Eulogy For A Barn, the Coliseum was arguably the ugliest stadium in professional sports and was a self-proclaimed $#*!#/$. But there was an authentic feel that only Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum could produce:
“I think it’s one of the most personable arenas,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “I think people are just genuine fans. They’re not there to take somebody out to the game to try to impress them. They’re there as a community cheering on a team. It’s a good atmosphere.”
2. Tavares shoots, Tavares scores
New York Islanders captain John Tavares had an integral role in the team’s regular season success, but by far his most important contribution came during a first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals that the Isles would end up losing four games to three.
In Game 3, it would take the captain only 15 seconds to put the Caps away and give the Isles a 2-1 series lead.
Down three games to two in Game 6, the skilled playmaker set up Nikolai Kulemin for arguably the franchise’s most important goal of the 21st century.
3. Farewell, Radar
Al Arbour, legendary coach and wonderful personality, passed away at age 82 in August from complications relating to dementia and Parkinsons disease.
“Radar” coached New York to four consecutive Stanley Cup’s and was behind the bench for fifteen hundred games — the last of which in 2007, when he returned for one game under the guidance of then-coach Ted Nolan.
“Al will always be remembered as one of, if not, the greatest coaches ever to stand behind a bench in the history of the National Hockey League,” general manager Garth Snow said. “The New York Islanders franchise has four Stanley Cup’s to its name, thanks in large part to Al’s incredible efforts.”
Arbour’s 740 wins with the Isles ranks first among coaches with one team in the history of the league. The Islanders are currently wearing patches on their shoulders in tribute to their beloved head coach.
4. Welcome to the Barc
On October 9, 2015, the New York Islanders played their first regular season game in the history of Barclays Center, a state-of-the-art arena in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Met by much scrutiny due to LIRR rides, the position of the scoreboard and many obstructed-view seats, Isles fans are being forced to gradually ease into their new home.
Some of the criticsm has surrounded Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, who has “failed to acknowledge our history,” as one fan put it.
However, many are willing to adapt, and some view the arena as an upgrade over the “Mausoleum.”
5. Recent Success
Despite not playing even close to their best hockey, the New York Islanders are currently in second place in the division and possess the fifth most points in the league.
While Mikhail Grabovski, Anders Lee and Sparky the Dragon (see what was done there) have all been missing, Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak have provided the Isles with a legitimate goaltending tandem, while the penalty kill is the league’s best (even if they allowed a goal Thursday).
Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk, Calvin de Haan (after a rough start) and Travis Hamonic have all played well in their own zone, while the MC2 line, Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo are all playing like All Stars.
Sometimes, it’s tough to think about the grand scheme of things when something is currently going wrong. But if a little time was taken to appreciate the team’s current success rather than bicker about Brian Strait, Jack Capuano and every other imaginable thing, people would be a lot more satisfied.
All of this, and more, transpired in 2015.
Here’s to 2016!