Not only is it a new era for the New York Islanders, but it’s also a new chapter for Hockey Night in New York as we welcome Arthur Staple as our new co-host! Arthur will sit down with Sean Cuthbert throughout the season to cover all the big moments, storylines, and results from the Isles campaign.
Good Morning, Islanders Country.
We made it. The puck drops this week, and I’ll be setting the stage with Chris Botta later tonight, so look for that podcast on Tuesday morning, but first some business. After four years of daily hockey season dedication, I’ve decided to shift the style and expectations of IslesFix for the upcoming season.
It’s important to say this clearly: this does not mean the end of writing, nor does it mean the end of bringing podcasts and conversations about the Islanders to life. What it does mean is the end of the format I’ve grown accustomed to—delivering a recap of all the Islanders news every single day through a regular newsletter. The Islanders will still inspire (for better or worse), and stories will still be told, but at a cadence and format that will be more flexible and better fit my work-life balance.
What’s Changing?
No commitment to a daily M-F newsletter
Format will not be aimed at recapping all the prior day’s news
Less game recap content (and less GIFing)
What To Expect:
Regular cadence of editorials, analysis, and news stories
Podcasts with Chris Botta, and likely others as guests or co-hosts
Potential guest essays from new contributors
Switching IslesFix from it’s traditional format is both a bittersweet and necessary decision. What began as a passion project rooted in the love of the New York Islanders quickly evolved into a multi-hour daily routine—researching, writing, analyzing, and delivering insights and links to all the day’s news for readers who share the same devotion to the team.
For four full seasons, IslesFix has provided fans with consistent updates, perspective, and storytelling that connected the community. I have published over 500 newsletters and even published a book! Yet as with all good things, there comes a moment when priorities shift, and the balance of passion and responsibility requires consideration.
There is A TON of fantastic Islanders content available, not only from beat writers but from countless others who have turned their passion into a hobby that’s competing for your attention, and sometimes your financial support.
Given that current landscape, I can no longer commit to the same daily grind without compromising the quality of my work, but I hope you’ll continue to open your emails when you see them come from IslesFix and enter your inbox.
Here’s why: a daily newsletter recapping and summarizing all of the prior day’s news is an intensive format, but stepping back opens the door to reimagining how coverage might be presented in a more sustainable and distinguishable form from what else is out there.
Perhaps that means occasional deep-dive essays, historical perspective, interviews, or special editions around significant moments in Islanders’ history. Or maybe it means shifting toward fan perspective-driven content - all things that requires less of the same singular daily push.
Ultimately, shifting IslesFix is about striking a balance and recognizing that passion projects sometimes yield to life’s larger responsibilities. For now, it’s simply a shift in rhythm, and to borrow this year’s team slogan: a new era.
Thank you for the support.
-Joe #LGI
🔗 Ed Westfall knows what Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer faces in transition to NHL by Andrew Gross, Newsday “Ed Westfall watched as the Islanders, trying to strengthen their ties to their Suffolk County fan base, practiced on Sunday at the facility named for him at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton to conclude its weekend team-bonding trip on Eastern Long Island. The team’s first captain and former broadcaster is still very much an interested observer.”
🔗 Islanders likely have unfortunate answer to most difficult roster question by Ethan Sears, New York Post “The Islanders’ toughest roster decision, at least for now, has been made for them. After suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Flyers, Cal Ritchie will miss the next 1-2 weeks, the Isles announced Friday.”
And we leave you with this…Ed Westfall outside the Ed Westfall Arena!
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