Good Morning, Islanders Country.
As the ball drops on 2025, millions around the world will make flimsy, at best, New Year’s resolutions, ranging from losing weight and saving money to improving their mental health and reducing stress. These are all worthwhile objectives and goals, but resolutions aren’t a reliable way of achieving them, as evidenced by the fact that the same people make the same resolutions each year.
The Islanders are no different. If our hockey team were to make resolutions for 2025, their promises to improve themselves would be nearly identical to those made in 2023 and 2024. They’d say they wanted to be more consistent, hold onto third-period leads, improve special teams, find an identity, etc.
The experts say to make resolutions “real,” write them down, make a plan, track progress, and set reminders. These are all important but not as important as being realistic. Fans increasingly feel that being realistic is challenging for this roster, its coaching staff, and its ownership. As we approach the midway point of a mediocre season, the question of whether the Isles will face their reality will be a central theme of the second half of the season.
It’s one thing for outside pundits to say repeatedly that you’re not a contender; it’s another for you to be two games under .500 and unable to put together a three-game win streak. There’s no getting around it or denying it. It’s the reality; no resolution or familiar post-game quotes declaring otherwise will change it.
The clock is ticking down on 2024 and simultaneously on the viability of the Islanders' season. This team has been resolute in believing it can make another deep playoff run, but its play suggests otherwise, which may lead ownership to seek a different resolution and path for the organization next year.
Stay safe out there tonight. Happy New Year!
