No Sleep Til Belmont: A show about the New York Islanders

On the final episode of No Sleep Til Belmont, Arthur takes listener questions about whether the Isles’ recent power play improvements can continue or not, what the trade deadline will look like for the team if they’re out of playoff contention, how much longer Lou Lamoriello will be the GM, potential trade options on defense, the possibility of acquiring Johnny Gaudreau or Filip Forsberg over the summer, and if Barry Trotz will remain with the Islanders after his contract expires at the end of next season. Plus, Arthur’s favorite Islander to interview over the years, his favorite memories covering the team, whether the Rangers or Islanders are in a better situation right now, and some final thank you’s before signing off. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur and former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon discuss how game cancellations and uncertainty about when the team is going to play next effects preparation and planning, the impact of Mathew Barzal’s absence, and two great examples of Barry Trotz’s coaching in Noah Dobson and Anthony Beauvillier’s respective games. Plus, thoughts on Josh Bailey’s struggles, the Isles carrying an 0-6 record after regulation, how difficult it can be to adjust the minutes of a veteran like Zdeno Chara who’s showing signs of decline in his game, the message coaches send to their players before a holiday break, and more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur and guest cohost, former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon, discuss the Isles doing the right things to start turning their season around, including getting more regulars back into the lineup and coming out of their own zone smoother, getting more contributions from veterans like Zach Parise and Zdeno Chara, and more. Then, the guys give their thoughts on Anthony Beauvillier’s benching, Oliver Wahlstrom’s offensive punch in limited minutes, and the perception that Barry Trotz favors veterans over younger players. Plus, Scott’s perspective on the evolution of goaltending since his time in net with the Quebec Nordiques, Semyon Varlamov going winless since his return to the lineup, Ilya Sorokin’s opportunity to carry the load for awhile, the rise of goalie coaches, and more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur is joined by The Athletic’s new Islanders beat writer, Kevin Kurz, to talk about his new role, his thoughts on the Isles, and the fanbase, Evgeni Nabokov stories, the Evander Kane situation, and more. Then, December’s guest cohost, Scott Gordon, joins the show and discusses managing expectations when guys return to the lineup and maybe try to do too much, how Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, and Adam Pelech are helping generate scoring chances, encouraging signs on the power play, thoughts on Anthony Beauvillier and Kyle Palmieri, Noah Dobson’s strong play, the Philadelphia Flyers situation, and more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur introduces former Islanders head coach Scott Gordon as December cohost and then the guys discuss Scott’s time on the Island, what he learned during his tenure behind the bench, what stood out to him about young players like Josh Bailey and John Tavares, and more. Plus, Scott shares his insights on what the current Islanders are dealing with during their COVID-19 pause, how guys like Andy Andreoff can help create offense, thoughts on the work ethic of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, winning versus development in the AHL, and more. Annual subscriptions to The Athletic are just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, the great Denis Potvin joins the show and talks to Arthur about the opening of the Islanders new home at Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and discusses the beginning of the Dynasty Era, starting with Bill Torrey’s acquisitions of Butch Goring and Ken Morrow, if the 1979-80 team’s start to the season looked similar at all to the current team’s start, and more. Plus, Denis answers listener questions, including if any current NHLers play like he did, Al Arbour’s methods of getting the team out of a slump, the toughest forward he ever played against, and his fondest memory playing for the Islanders, and Arthur gives his take on the tough stretch the Isles find themselves in heading into Thanksgiving. And, right now through midnight on the 29th, you can get The Athletic’s best deal of the year: $1 a month for 12 months when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur is joined by legendary Islander, and NHL Hall of Famer, Denis Potvin to discuss the Nassau Coliseum’s heyday, excitement about UBS Arena, Denis’ thoughts on the Lou Lamoriello-Barry Trotz Islanders, Zach Parise, JP Parise, Al Arbour, Mike Bossy, and much more. Plus, Arthur recaps the Islanders’ last few games, including the overall lack of team scoring, Oliver Wahlstrom coming out of the lineup, the final game of the team’s season-opening thirteen-game road trip, and more. And, right now, you can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur talks about the Isles last 3 games, going 2-1 over that stretch, including a high-water mark 2-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets, Semyon Varlamov’s up-and-down season debut, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee as option for Team USA at the Olympics, and Johnny Boychuk’s contract getting traded to the Buffalo Sabres in a win-win move for both clubs. Plus, listener questions from the mailbag about Leo Komarov’s likely Islanders exit, Semyon Varlamov’s puck-handling, a possible AHL conditioning stint for Sebastian Aho, Anatoli Golyshev’s chances of making it to the NHL this season, if Oliver Wahlstrom could get a top-6 opportunity, and more. And, annual subscriptions to The Athletic are just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur talks about the Islanders going 3-0-2 over their last five games, with six games to go on their season-opening thirteen game road trip, Ilya Sorokin’s strong play with Semyon Varlamov nearing a return, Oliver Wahlstrom’s nice start, leading the team with four goals, and the top six being solidified with Josh Bailey alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee. Plus, Zdeno Chara’s continued struggles, the possibility of an early trade to help out the defense with Ben Chariot, Hampus Lindholm, and Marc Staal as potential targets, Sebastian Aho, Robin Salo, and Thomas Hickey as in-house options, and more. And, to close things out, Arthur opens up the mailbag and answers questions about Bridgeport players Anatolii Golyshev and Jakub Skarek, the possibility of UBS Arena not being ready for the Isles’ scheduled home opener, and Arthur addresses some concerns about the future of Islanders coverage at The Athletic. Get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur and Grabs break down the Isles’ three-game point streak, including back-to-back shutouts by Ilya Sorokin over the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights and NHL Third Star of the Week honors, Josh Bailey’s impressive play, Zdeno Chara’s continued adjustment period, and more. Plus, to close out Grabs’ run as cohost, he answers listener questions about whether he got his tattoos done during the season or not, where his skating speed comes from, if he ever thought about returning to play on the Island after he was traded, locker room conversations before and after the famed Islanders-Penguins fight night, favorite linemates, and more. And, you can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur and Grabs talk about the Isles tough start to the season, dropping their first two games to the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers respectively, and discuss some inconsistencies in their game, the impact of Matt Martin’s absence, Anders Lee’s return following season-ending ACL surgery last year, and more. Then, the guys talk about Zdeno Chara still figuring out the Islanders system, Semyon Varlamov’s imminent return, Ilya Sorokin’s inability to make a big save after a defensive breakdown, Brocktober in full effect, and Adam Pelech having not been on the ice for a goal against yet this season. Plus, to close the show, the guys touch on some topics from around the league and Grabs breaks down a player’s mindset when they’re on a breakaway. And, right now, you can save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur and Grabs preview the Islanders’ season and discuss how lofty expectations both within the organization and throughout the hockey world could impact the team’s mindset, over-unders on Anders Lee goals and Mathew Barzal points, potential trophy winners, and more. Plus, the guys make their divisional winners, conference champions, and the eventual Stanley Cup champion, and Grabs takes listener questions about things Islanders fans would be surprised to know about the Coliseum, sneaky good goalies he’s played with, his favorite goal, locker room language barriers, and more. And, you can save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur introduces former Islander Michael Grabner as his cohost for the month of October and Grabs talks about what he’s been up to lately, his plans for continuing his hockey career, his training camp experiences with the Isles, and more. Plus, the guys discuss the additions of Zdeno Chara and Zach Parise to the lineup, Josh Bailey approaching the thousand games played milestone, how far Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock have come since their early days with the team, who some of Grabs’ funniest teammates were, how the NHL relaxing player dress codes could lead to bigger buzz about the league, Robin Lehner’s Twitter exposé, and more. Join The Athletic Hockey Show’s official fantasy hockey pool on OfficePools.com: http://www.officepools.com/invite/classic/m/HAFE2H6Q And, right now, you can save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic when you visit http://theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur is joined Mike Leboff, NHL editor at The Action Network, and a die-hard Islanders fan, to discuss how bettors are starting to view the Isles now that they’ve shown repeated playoff success the last few season, Mike’s best value bets for the Norris, the Jack Adams, the Vezina, and the Hart, and more. Plus, thoughts on how far the Islanders have come from the dark times following the Dynasty years to being respected league-wide at this point, Stan Fischler stories as the Maven is set to be inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame, and more. Join The Athletic Hockey Show’s official fantasy hockey pool on OfficePools.com: http://www.officepools.com/invite/classic/m/HAFE2H6Q And, right now, you can save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur talks about the results of The Athletic’s Islanders fan survey including how optimistic the fanbase is about the Isles this season, confidence in Lou Lamoriello as the team’s GM, favorite and least favorite current Islander, Lou’s best moves so far, excitement about UBS Arena, areas of concern, when the Islanders will win a Stanley Cup, and much more. Plus, thoughts on the additions of veterans Zdeno Chara and Zach Parise, what roles they’ll fill on the team, where they’ll fit into the lineup, and more. And, right now, you can save 50% on an annual subscription to The Athletic when you visit: theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to new episodes of No Sleep Til Belmont every Tuesday all season long starting September 21. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, Arthur is joined by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman to give his thoughts on the Islanders’ transformation over the last few years under Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, Adam Pelech developing into a really impressive player, and the potential for a Gabriel Landeskog signing, as well as share some Lou Lamoriello stories. Plus, Arthur discusses Jordan Eberle’s tenure with the Isles after the Seattle Kraken selected him in the expansion draft last week, the decision to not qualify Michael Dal Colle, possible free agent targets for the team, and more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur discusses what the Isles are up to heading into Seattle Kraken expansion, the NHL Draft, and the opening of free agency and he answers listener questions about if Lou Lamoriello will let the Kraken take Josh Bailey, if the Islanders have interest in Jamie Oleksiak, how likely is it that they’ll take a big swing at Gabriel Landeskog, Vladimir Tarasenko trade potential, Josh Ho-Sang’s future, and many more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur and AJ discuss the end of the Islanders 2020-21 season including how hard everyone in and around the organization is taking being eliminated from the playoffs, the incredible Game 6 send-off for Nassau Coliseum, what the future holds at UBS Arena at Belmont Park, difficult offseason roster choices involving Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech, Ilya Sorokin, Casey Cizikas, and Kyle Palmieri, and much more. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur gives his instant analysis following the Islanders’ 1-0 Game 7 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and breaks down everything that went down on Friday night in Florida. You can get an annual subscription to The Athletic for just $3.99 a month when you visit theathletic.com/nosleeptilbelmont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices