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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SPECIAL - Fans First Sports Network NHL Playoff Roundtable, Round 1
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 244 - The Favored Underdogs
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 243 - Most Relaxing Night of the Year
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 242 - Dreading the Feeling
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 241 - The World Stopped
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 28 - Two GMs and One MacG (with guest Phil Strum)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 240 - Hell on Earth
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 239 - Recognize the Situation
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 27 - Alan Quine (with guest Joe Buono)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 238 - Learning the Lingo
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 237 - Chewing at My Insides
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 26 - Roberto Luongo and Kevin Weekes (with guest Sean Cuthbert)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 236 - The Villains of the Playoff Chase
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 25 - Derick Brassard (with guest @RattMartin)
Islanders Anxiety - Patreon Announcement
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 235 - A Big Week for Belief
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 24 - Justin Bourne
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 234 - Thank You to the Dishwasher Gods
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 233 - Inexplicably Still Hanging On
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 23 - Micheal Haley (with special guest Travis Reilly)
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