Hockey Night In New York - A New York Islanders Podcast · Hockey Night In New York

11/23/25 - Road Warriors! Guest: Thomas Hickey, MSG Network

November 24, 2025·1 hr 7 min·4 clips

Thomas Hickey says Matthew Schaefer has changed the personality of the Islanders.

The episode is set up as a Sunday afternoon pregame from Bagel Boss in Hewlett. Sean Cuthbert opens with Arthur Staple, Jake, and Edzo before the talk turns to Islanders versus Kraken. Thomas Hickey comes in later from NSH MSG Network. His segment focuses on Patrick Roy adjusting to a different roster and a different feeling around the team. The conversation treats the roster as faster than before, pointing to Drew Ann and Heineman as examples of that added speed, along with a game changer on the back end. Hickey gives Roy full marks at the quarter point of the season. He does not suggest the defensive layer is fixed, and he notes the team is still giving up a lot of chances. The road trip is used as evidence that the defensive zone looked more controlled. That cleaner shape matters because the club wants to play up-tempo hockey. The special teams discussion keeps the momentum going. The penalty kill is described as having turned it around and sitting 10th overall. The power play also looks much better, even if the results are not fully there yet. The show keeps coming back to the idea that process and output are not always moving together. Throughout, the hosts stay conversational and game-day focused. Sponsor reads and side chatter show up, but the core of the episode keeps snapping back to Islanders structure, standings, and feeling. It ends with the usual sign-off energy and a reminder to follow, rate, and subscribe.

As heard by us

A Sunday Islanders check-in built around roster fit and special-teams talk.

Hockey Night in New York opens with a calm, Sunday pregame feel, keeping Islanders-versus-Kraken talk at the center while Thomas Hickey gives the discussion a steady, informed edge.

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Why you'd press play

Need a pregame Islanders-Kraken check with Thomas Hickey and live local-room energy?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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