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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Islanders Anxiety - Episode 232 - The Idea of Hope
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 231 - A Lot of Emotions to Unpack
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 230 - The Hold Steady Are Here
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 22 - Zenon Konopka (with guest Peter Flynn)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 229 - A Week Full of Tone Deafness
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 228 - Playing the Hits
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 21 - Justin Mapletoft (with guest Noel Fogelman)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 227 - Still 41 Games Left
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 226 - Good Leads to Bad
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 20 - Brent Sopel (with guest Matt Kammerer aka @ExIsledUsher)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 225 - Christmas is Back On
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 224 - Continuous State of Confusion
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 19 - John Vanbiesbrouck and Chris Terreri (with guest Nick Giglia)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 223 - Two Most Opposite Games
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 222 - Talked On to The Ledge
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 18 - J-P Dumont (with guest Alex Daugherty)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 221 - Timing is Everything
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 220 - The Uncles in the Corner
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 17 - Wendel Clark (with guest Sean McIndoe)
Islanders Anxiety - Episode 219 - What the Hell is This Team
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