Episode 22: Isles Rising, Rangers Sinking, Voicemails Roaring

Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple, and Mike Rupp are back for Episode 22 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast, presented by Novig — and today it’s Islanders heavy with a healthy dose of Rangers frustration (and zero Devils talk — sorry Devils fans, we’ll make it up to you Friday!).

The New York Rangers continue to sleepwalk through games, especially brutal slow starts that have become a multi-year epidemic. The guys dig into why the team can’t get out of neutral in the first 10 minutes, whether it’s personnel, motivation, accountability, or just the reality of a lost season. They also react to listener frustration about fragile lineups, lack of tone-setters, and the MSG “aura” that no longer intimidates anyone.

On Long Island, things are actually interesting. Matthew Schaefer continues to look like a unicorn, Ilya Sorokin is playing at an elite level, and the Islanders are quietly building something real. The panel discusses:

• Whether now is the time to be aggressive buyers for a goal-scorer (Jordan Kyrou? Kent Johnson? Shane Pinto?)
• Tony DeAngelo’s remarkable career revival at $1M — trade him, extend him, or just enjoy the steal?
• Playing up vs. down to competition — why the Isles beat elite teams and drop points to bottom-feeders
• The long-term value of having a high floor (new arena, young stud D, organizational stability) post-Tavares era

Plus listener voicemails galore: Rangers slow starts, Isles consistency issues, Tony D love, Marner return vibes, and one very fired-up anonymous caller telling Rangers fans to stop crying :D

Timestamps

00:00 – Episode 22 intro & why we missed Friday

02:00 – Rangers are officially done — and it’s showing everywhere

03:30 – Voicemail: Why can’t the Rangers ever start games on time?

10:00 – What kind of line should actually start games in 2025–26?

16:00 – MSG isn’t scary anymore — whose fault is that?

20:00 – Voicemail: “Rangers fans stop crying — Bettman will save you again”

25:00 – Rebuilds aren’t successful until you win something (sorry San Jose / Chicago fans)

29:00 – Should Isles go after Jordan Kyrou? What would the package look like?

35:00 – Is Long Island actually becoming a desirable destination again?

38:00 – Voicemail: Why do Isles play up AND down to their opponent?

46:00 – Tony DeAngelo is worth every penny — extend or trade?

52:00 – Voicemail: Mitch Marner return & why Islanders are in a better place post-Tavares

58:00 – Wrap-up + Devils fans, we promise love on Friday

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