New York Islanders Practice Media Availabilities | 10/15/25

New York Islanders Practice Media Availabilities | 10/15/25

So, of course, you had a bit of a stronger start on Monday. Um, and and just what are some positives from that game to carry into Thursday’s contest? Yeah. Um, I thought we started great. Start came out creating scoring chances. Um, you know, sometimes, you know, you’re going to break going to get a break here and there. Right now, we got to work a little harder to find it. Um, you know, they might be maybe it’s not going in right now. You just got to stay with it. You got to, you know, our mindset here has to, you know, just regroup here and find our best effort tomorrow night. Heard Patrick in practice preach a lot about no hesitation. How important is that mindset um in the game? Yeah, it’s huge. You got to stay on your toes. I think um at times you can get back on your heels and you’re a step behind. And I find when we’ve been on our toes, we’ve been on top of teams. We’ve been playing good defensively, offensively. Um so we got to get back to that for, you know, whole game. If something in the game happens, you you can’t deviate from that. You got to stay on your toes, stay aggressive, and you know, that’s the way we’re going to be successful. I want to ask you about Max Shabanov. What kind of skills have you seen? Of course, him his first year in North America after playing in the KHL. What kind of fresh uh plays have you brought to the lineup? Yeah, no, he’s he’s got some skill for sure. Um, you know, we’ve seen a little bit in practice. There’s been a few moments in the games where he’s been close. He had spinama in the slot the one game. um just a lot of skill, you know, as he’s learning not only kind of the North American game and even just English and communicating, you know, I think you’re only going to see his his game grow. How have you seen him kind of settle in as the weeks go on and and how is he learning English and fitting into this locker room? No, he fits in great. Obviously, we have uh some other Russian uh guys here to help him out, but um you know, I think he’s he’s really starting to fit in. guys are starting to he’s able to communicate more and I feel like his English is getting better every day. Another New Islander in Emil Heinman. Uh what kind of flare has he brought especially as a younger winger coming up with a shot like that? Yeah, he he’s he’s got a he’s got a great shot. Um you know, we’ve seen him in practice all training camp and then the other night. Um I just think his motor he just he just works. He works on the forche. He works all areas of the ice. um you know trying to create scoring chances and you know when he gets a puck in the slot he’s dangerous. Gather your thoughts on practice today and also know how your training camp went overall. Yeah, I think uh I think we we’re good today. We got some you know some things accomplished and uh you know we’re looking forward to uh Thursday here. It’s a big one at home. Um overall camp, you know, I thought it went well. So, um, yeah, just waiting when I get in the lineup here and, uh, excited to, uh, join the team possibly tomorrow. Playing with Zikas and Simon, of course, Zeke is a guy that you kind of have a similar game to. How do you guys find that chemistry and what are you looking for if you’re both on the same line tomorrow night? Yeah, I think uh, Zeer is pretty predictable. Um, you know, with the way that he plays, he’s consistent in, uh, you know, bringing energy for checking hard. So, I think I, you know, he makes it easy just to read off that. and uh you know hopefully we can find some tomorrow and and be effective. What kind of work have you guys put into the PK? Of course, new personnel, but what’s kind of the new look and feel of the short-handed units? Yeah, Boogie’s uh you know, he’s done a good job with us. Obviously, it’s uh you know, through training camp uh with a new system or, you know, new things takes some, you know, feeling out, but I think uh past couple games, it’s looked really well and uh in practice, too, we’re making those tweaks uh you know, to be prepared for whatever’s coming. ask you about Max Shaov. Of course, he has some flashy plays that he brings to the lineup, but how has he been acclimating to the locker room as he as he gets used to North America? Good. You know, I think we have uh we have a couple Russians in the room that makes it easy for him to uh you know, to get acclimated, but uh yeah, like you said, his skills fun to watch out there on the ice. He’s uh you know, he’s kind of magician uh at times with the puck. He does some crazy things that I wouldn’t even think of doing, but uh yeah, he’s done a good job and you know, great to have him. though. So, I just spoke with Cypov. Just what did you see from him last game and what does he have to be better at going forward? Um, you know, first of all, sometimes you make change to make change. I mean, um, Kyle hasn’t played this year. Uh, we feel like it’s time for him to play. I think he’s going to bring u energy to the lineup, um, speed to the lineup. So, uh, sometimes you’re looking for those. Sepe has a few things we want him to clean up and and we had a good conversation about it and that’s what I love about him. He he’s going to work hard at it and I’m sure he’d be ready when he gets back. How do you uh you’ve liked some aspects, a lot of the aspects in the first three games, there haven’t been any points. How how do you sort of balance liking what you’re seeing with with this desperation knowing you got to start getting points here? Well, I mean, um, there’s always desperation to win games. So, I’m not I mean, I want to, don’t get me wrong, we want to win every game. We want points in every games, but at the same time, um, when you look at the game itself, um, I thought we did a lot of good things, especially the last game, we had a lot lot of puck possession over six minutes against about a little bit above 2 minutes. That’s a huge improvement for us. Um there’s things that um we talk about before the game. We wanted to be better at holding on pucks, making good decisions with that puck. Now, I mean, we just need to continue and maybe be a little bit better individually as well. So, that’s maybe that’s the next step. Fi five on five. How conscientious have you become of trying to get Matthew out there to pair with Matthew Barcel’s speed shape? get Schaefer and Barcel. Yeah. When we’re trailing, obviously we’ve been trailing at home a lot. So, um when you try to get that goal, yes, we want to have like offensive line defenseman going with Barzi or with both depend situation. Um nothing against the other guys, but we feel like that’s their best chance to score goals. What’s been the biggest thing that stood out to you about Matthew Schaefer in his first three games? his confidence. I mean, it’s pretty to watch. He’s very confident and um obviously his speed and his skills, but his confidence is the first thing I got in my opinion. Is the plan to go with Sroken tomorrow? No, tomorrow we’re going to go with Riddick and Ilia will play against Ottawa. We’ve talked in the past about with Simon, you know, wanting him to shoot more. Is it concerning that he Yeah. Uh, is it concerning that he doesn’t have a shot on that through three games? I did not know that, so I guess it’s not a concern. Um, I think is he’s got a made a great play on that goal uh in Pittsburgh that pass across to Shabby. But no, it was what I expect from Simon is just be solid on killing, blocking shots, and play that 200 ft game. Um, and I’m pretty confident that um, offensive stats will come. What have you seen specifically from the pairing of Adam and Ryan? Pairing between who? Adam Pel and Ryan P. Oh, they’ve been so good together for a long time. I mean, it’s it’s hard to to separate them. Um, they’ve been clicking. They um they they play against top top lines and um seems like they they know where they are on the ice. They work well together. So, not saying it’s not going to happen, but as of now, we’re comfortable the way they

Hear from Ryan Pulock, Kyle MacLean and Head Coach Patrick Roy after today’s practice on Long Island!