Eyes on Isles Podcast: Mountain Climbing

On the latest Eyes on Isles Podcast, Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and Andy Francess (@AndyFrancess) discuss the many different directions Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders can go at the deadline as the Isles play the team Andy wishes they were - the Minnesota Wild later tonight. Plus, they read more listener reviews, learn how to search for Andy's face on YouTube, and Joe gets a taste of VIP treatment at UBS Arena.

The New York Islanders could buy, sell or hold at the deadline, and nothing would surprise the fanbase. In fact, if the two players most discussed in potential trades (Semyon Varlamov and Scott Mayfield) ended up with contract extensions, that wouldn't be a surprise either, after the way last season played when the Isles were one of only two teams not to make a transaction and later announced extensions for both Zach Parise and Cal Clutterbuck.

It's become an arms race in the Eastern Conference, where all of the top six teams are loading up for what is expected to be a grueling playoff run. Andy and Joe talk about the Devils' Timo Meier acquisition and the Blueshirt's likely landing of Patrick Kane and how the first round in the Eastern Conference is setting up as one of the best in recent memory.

Also, in the face of some criticism, Andy explains how thousands count on him for NHL expertise, and Joe talks about a very special night at UBS Arena last Friday that ended up with him in the Dime Club but unable to enjoy it to the fullest extent.