Islanders Anxiety: A New York Islanders podcast
Sports:Hockey
Mike and Dan kick off another season celebrating short-time Isles with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski discussing Alexander Semak, a notable Devil and forgotten Islander.
From his inclusion as part of the Devils' wave of Russian imports to his career high 37-goal season, Semak was an important player in that team's evolution from pretty good to Cup contender. But he was traded to Tampa Bay just before New Jersey won its first championship, then was traded again to a fisherman-clad Islanders team in abject disarray and going nowhere. Despite a GM firing, a skeptical, temperamental coach and a woefully deficient lineup that piled up losses, Semak somehow had a decent season of 20 goals. Then just as quickly as he arrived, he was gone, with a snarky soundbite from his coach an another (bonus) ex-Devil in his place.
Greg tells us how Semak helped the Devils during a formative time, and how fans lost track of him as they tasted Cup glory without him. The three then dissect Semak's lone Islanders season including his varied linemates, some of his more notable goals and the dreadful campaign the franchise experienced. Along the way, they cover the evolution of Lou Lamoriello, White Castles of New Jersey, the sick joys of dangerous arena parking and, somehow, Jean-Claude Van Damme. It's a headfirst dive into a brand new season of Weird Islanders so let's get deep.
Thanks again to Greg for coming on and giving us a ton of his time. You know where to find him.
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BONUS: Patreon Monthly Mail Bag podcast - September 2023
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 255 - I’m Not Under Anyone’s Control
BONUS: Country Club Atmosphere - Dan Explains "Scandoval" to Mike
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 254 - A Pie for Every Guy
BONUS: 2023 NHL Draft First Round Livestream
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 34 - Kip Miller (with guest Greg Picker)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 253 - Worst Sweepstakes Ever
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 33 - Shane Prince (with guest Desmond Zantua)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 252 - Once Every 10 Years
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 32 - Ron Hextall (with guest Bill Matz)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 251 - The Great Unhinging
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 31 - Trevor Linden (with guest Jon Zella)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 250 - The Opposite of Growing Pains
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 249 - That's Not Normal
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 30 - Matt Donovan (with guest Keith Dallas)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 248 - So Unnecessarily Evil
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 247 - Confused and Proud
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 246 - Halfway Between a Miracle
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 245 - No Rub of the Luck
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 29 - Rob Schremp (with guest Lisa aka @IslesChick)
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