Good Morning, Islanders Country.
It’s a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).
In this episode, Joe and Chris talk about what the Isles’ record has or has not yet revealed about the team due to the injury adversity.
Are they a bit better than expected, and it could be worse, or is mediocre just how this season is destined to go?
Later, they discuss the Islanders’ early-season attendance numbers and what it will take to fill more seats at UBS Arena. They also weigh in on the viral New York Post article about female fans bringing their fashion sense to games—and why growing the fanbase should be celebrated, even if everyone expresses their fandom differently.
Plus, Chris discusses his outstanding feature on Jimmy Devellano, the other architect of the Isles’ dynasty, and makes the case for giving his contributions the recognition they deserve with induction into the Islanders Hall of Fame.
Thanks to all who listened this season. Enjoy!
📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, Matthew Schaefer now has 76 points, tying Rick Hampton for 4th place on the teenage defenseman point list. He is 56 points behind Phil Housley’s teenage record. Schaefer has a point in nine of the last 10 games; the Isles were shutout in the other one.
Schaefer played in his 99th NHL game; the last teenage defenseman to play at least 100 games was Rasmus Dahlin (141 in 2018-19 to 2019-20). He will be the 25th defenseman to play 100 games before his 20th birthday.
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On November 12, 1978, Hall of Fame goaltender Billy Smith earned his 100th career victory as the New York Islanders beat the New York Rangers 5-3 at Madison Square Garden. Smith stopped 14 of 15 shots in the first period, allowing the Islanders to build a 4-1 lead after two periods on second-period goals from Lorne Henning, Clark Gillies, and Bob Bourne. Stefan Persson led the scoring with a goal and two assists. Smith finished with 31 saves.
🔗 Islanders’ Kyle MacLean draws praise for ‘physicality’ after hit ignites firestorm — Ethan Sears, New York Post “MacLean’s legal hit on Stenberg triggered two fights and provided exactly the kind of energy DeBoer needs from his fourth-line forwards. The story also contained another encouraging injury update, with Barzal, Maccelli and Pulock all participating fully in Tuesday’s practice.”
🔗 Logan Stanley Fitting In Following Late Offseason Signing — Tyler Millen, NewYorkIslanders.com “Stanley went from unsigned days before opening night to playing major minutes alongside Schaefer and becoming an important penalty killer. His gesture toward a young fan who spent his saved allowance on a Stanley jersey also shows how quickly he has connected with Long Island.”
🔗 NY Islanders female fashion trend is part of growing the game, so what’s the problem? — Jiggs Westfall, EyesOnIsles “The viral reaction to the Post’s female-fan fashion story turned what should have been a harmless celebration of fandom into an argument over who qualifies as a “real” hockey fan. Similar trends are appearing around the NHL, which is more reason to view it as part of hockey expanding its audience rather than something that needs defending.”
And we leave you with this…ICYMI: Chris’ feature on Jimmy Devellano
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