Mike and Dan examine the newest Islanders and the plan going forward, say goodbye to those who left via free agency – especially former captain Anders Lee – and wrap up their 10th podcast season.

Islanders GM Mathieu Darche made some smart, short-term pick ups on the first day of free agency, signing winger Matias Maccelli, goalie Vitek Vanacek and an “850K Club” of other depth pieces. While the moves themselves were fine, what they didn’t do was move the needle for the team, who once again find themselves in tough to make the playoffs next season. The plan of having the cap space in 2027 to make bigger moves makes for an easy sell to fans, but it doesn’t make the current team any better on the ice. There’s a “shifting deck chairs on the Titanic” feel right now, even if the new guys might have some promise.

We also bid farewell to favorites Marc Gatcomb, Maxim Shabanov and Anders Lee, who all had their moments on Long Island. Seeing Lee, the longtime captain and one of the best post-Dynasty Islanders ever, sign with Utah makes us sad, but not mad. The contract he got from the Mammoth was too much for where the Islanders are going, and the ovation he gets when he returns to UBS Arena will be thunderous, reflecting all of the many things he did for the franchise off the ice and over 900-plus games. Not that the people who will now cover him have ever watched any of them…

Finally in the second half, we go around the league and discuss some of the smarter and more bizarre moves other teams made. The Capitals got better, the Leafs got… some guys, the Panthers got even nastier, the Kings got older and infinitely more hilarious and the Rangers remain the Rangers. Along the way, we sneak a little Michael Russo Non-Mystery in there, too.

We thank all of you for listening over these 10 seasons, and we look forward to coming back in October. We try to have some fun every episode and appreciate you all coming along for the ride. We’ll have stuff all summer long for Patrons so stay tuned.

REFERENCES:

• Mathieu Darche’s post Free Agency Day 1 presser is worth watching.

• Can you believe this fuckin guy?

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PLUGS!

• Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research.

• The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.

• Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.

• Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).

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