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Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney Rip Into Islanders Offseason

Christopher Bagdonas / NHL / July 8, 2023

Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney rip into Islanders Offseason

Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney are not huge fans of the Islanders these days. On the most recent edition of the Spittin Chiclets podcast, the pair tore into Isles President Lou Lamoriello for his moves in free agency thus far.

The four contracts Lamoriello handed out on July 1st have certainly divided opinions across the NHL landscape. Some call it good business for retaining important pieces to the team on long-term deals. Others, however, do not see them as anywhere good enough to make them true Stanley Cup contenders. Biz even went on to say that they would get “relegated” for how bad they are.

This is not the first time Bissonnette has gone after the Islanders. He called them the most boring team in hockey during the season during an episode of Inside the NHL on TNT. However, is he taking the Islanders hate too far? Whitney also thinks that they will be horrible in 2023-2024, and one reason according to Biz is that Lou is checked out.

Many, including myself, believe Lamoriello is not the ruthless and successful executive he once was in New Jersey. However, he has done at least a respectable job on Long Island–he took a team largely known as a laughingstock across the league and brought them to the playoffs four of the past five seasons. They’ve also won five playoff series during that time, and came one game away from a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

While not flashy by any means, this group made it to the playoffs last year. A full season of new additions Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall, combined with some better luck in the injury department could mean a return is absolutely on the cards. However, it is far from guaranteed in a very tight Metropolitan Division.

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Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney see no direction but down for the New York Islanders this season. The team is used to proving doubters wrong, making things all the more interesting.