New York Islanders Brendan Burke is an Absolute Treasure

In just two years Brendan Burke has become a treasure for New York Islander fans. On Saturday he called out the pundits who didn’t want to believe in the power of chemistry, teamwork, Trotz, and Lou.

Through all the New York Islanders ups and downs over the years, one thing is for sure. We have been blessed with great announcers. From John Sterling’s ‘ Islander Goal,’ Tim Ryan’s perfect delivery, to the seemingly inseparable Jiggs and Eddie, the Isles have had iconic voices describing the action.

However, Brendan Burke speaks with a strong, direct, yet personable style that is all his own. In the third period of the Isles playoff-clinching win, Brendan successfully delivered what EVERY ISLANDER fan wanted to hear.

Effectively calling out the hockey pundits by name, Burke gave us all an itemized list of every hockey outlet that intensely mocked the Islanders coming into this season.

On Notice

The timing could not have been more appropriate. As is Burke’s style, his message was powerful and inarguable.

Many NHL writers and fans accuse us of having a persecution complex. But when the media can so quickly discount the wisdom of Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, it only enforces that the league has an Islander bias. After the signings of Komarov, Filppula, Johnston; Lou Lamoriello was excoriated in the press.

How can that be?

Foolishly, the pundits couldn’t see the forest for the trees and forgot who indeed was the smartest man in the room! The rest of us understood the importance of structure, discipline, and chemistry. Supporters trusted in Lou and put Corsi and Fenwick numbers in their proper place.

Can anyone still defend those flawed measures?

Filppula gave us a sound faceoff man and a body double for Frans Nielsen.

Komarov brought savvy defensive play and will continue to deliver a fun, veteran presence for future Islanders

As for Johnston, despite only 12 games, one can’t measure the value a willing Warrior brings to a team.

It is a copycat league. We can only hope that our little secret about building a playoff, (dare I say championship caliber?) team remains so. But for now, it’s our time to savor.

I call on you Islander fans to find and remind (in the calmest sense please).

Let’s hold the ‘experts’ accountable until the playoffs start. (To our own Matt O’Leary and The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn, we forgive you).

Whenever the opportunity presents, remind the rest of these guys on social media just how wrong they were and for many, how wrong they continue to be.

Hopefully, the doubter’s inability to prognosticate will only continue through the playoffs.

This team is ready. Bring it on!