Special Edition - Preseason Preview with Locked on Islanders' Gil Martin
Get ready for a can't-miss episode of the IFAN Podcast as we sit down with renowned hockey writer, best-selling author, and host of the Locked On Islanders Podcast, Gil Martin. Gil takes us deep inside Ice Wars, his acclaimed book chronicling one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports: the New York Islanders versus the New York Rangers. From unforgettable playoff battles and legendary players to shocking controversies and the raw emotion that has divided New York hockey fans for generations, Gil uncovers the stories that made this rivalry legendary. But the conversation doesn't stop there. We also pull back the curtain on Gil's popular Locked On Islanders Podcast, exploring his journey covering the team and building one of the most trusted voices in Islanders hockey. Then, Gil breaks down the upcoming Islanders season with expert insight, discussing offseason moves, key players to watch, the team's biggest challenges, and whether this roster has what it takes to make the next step. Whether you're a lifelong Islanders fan, a Rangers supporter, or simply love great sports stories, this episode is packed with history, passion, insider analysis, and the kind of hockey conversation you won't hear anywhere else. The rivalry. The history. The future of Islanders hockey. Don't miss this compelling conversation with Gil Martin, only on the IFAN Podcast. 🏒🎙️🔥
20 Jun 2026
4th of July Exclusive: Olympic hero Mike Eruzione joins IFAN Podcast to relive the Miracle on Ice and his lifelong hockey journey. 🇺🇸🏒
This Independence Day, the IFAN Podcast is celebrating America's 250th birthday the best way we know how—by bringing you an exclusive, star‑spangled conversation with one of the greatest heroes in U.S. sports history: 1980 Olympic captain Mike Eruzione.
In this patriotic special edition, Mike sits down with Steve and Ray to revisit the incredible journey that took him from his humble early years in Division III hockey, to ultimately the moment he became the face of one of the most iconic American victories ever—the Miracle on Ice.
Mike shares powerful, never‑before‑heard insights about building the U.S. team, their underdog rise through the Olympic tournament, and the unforgettable night they stunned the Soviets before clinching Gold against Finland. It’s a story of belief, unity, and American grit—perfect for a weekend that celebrates the spirit of the nation.
He also opens up about the lifelong bonds forged through hockey: his BU roots, his Olympic brothers like Islanders legend Ken Morrow, and the friendships he built with members of the Islanders’ 1980s dynasty teams.
This isn’t just a hockey interview. It’s a tribute to the heart, courage, and determination that define America. Whether you’re an Islanders fan, a hockey fanatic, or someone who still gets chills hearing “Do you believe in miracles,” this 4th of July IFAN Podcast special is your must‑listen moment of the summer.
14 May 2026
The Isles’ Faceplant, the Fix… and the Beer‑Bet Showdown
Ray and Steve put a bow on the Islanders’ roller‑coaster 2025‑26 season—a year that ended with a late‑season collapse so brutal it should come with a warning label. They dig into what went wrong, what could go right, and what the Isles should do versus what they’ll probably do as the offseason begins.
And of course, the legendary IFAN beer‑bets return: Steve goes double or nothing—two beers—that the Islanders will swing big with trades and free‑agent splashes, while Ray confidently counters that the front office will barely make a ripple. Steve even tosses in a bonus beer if rookie defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson cracks the roster out of camp—something Ray calls “a nice dream, buddy.”
Steve may lead the season in wins, but Ray’s been red‑hot down the stretch. With pride (and bar tabs) on the line… who’s drinking for free?
1 May 2026
The IFAN Interview - Neil Smith Returns
The IFAN Podcast is back with a heavyweight return guest: former Islanders and Rangers GM Neil Smith sitting down with Ray and Steve for his second no‑holds‑barred conversation. Smith dives straight into the pulse of the franchise—breaking down the current roster’s identity, the ripple effects of Matthew Schaefer’s emergence and the strategic forks in the road that could reshape the Islanders’ future. He doesn’t stop there. Neil brings his trademark candor to the 2026 playoff picture, offering bold predictions, sharp insights, and the kind of front‑office perspective fans rarely get to hear unfiltered. If you love the Isles, love the drama of roster building, or just love hearing a former GM talk real hockey, this is an episode you don’t miss.
30 Mar 2026
The Schenn Trade, Mathieu Darche' s "Plan Directeur" & Rich Pilon
Get ready—this month's IFAN Podcast is a beauty. Steve and Ray go full throttle on the Brayden Schenn trade, what it means for the Islanders right now, and what this team needs to finally punch its playoff ticket and evnetually evolve from “experienced but aging” to a legit, youth‑driven contender. They even take a crack at decoding GM Mathieu Darche’s master plan for the franchise’s future.
Then the boys welcome Islanders all‑time tough guy Rich Pilon, who brings outrageous stories from his playing days, opens up about the battles he’s overcome off the ice, and shares the incredible work he’s doing for Indigenous youth alongside Bryan Trottier.
It’s laughs, insight, heart, and pure Islanders energy—don’t miss this one.
23 Feb 2026
Isles Level Off, Vukota Turns It Up — A Heavyweight Episode of IFAN
The Islanders come back to earth with a 10-7-1 run through January and early February. Ray and Steve dig into what’s gone right and what's gone wrong, so far—and what lineup tweaks could spark a second half surge as the trade deadline looms. Plus, an electric, wildly entertaining interview with Isles enforcer legend and all‑time penalty‑minutes leader Mick Vukota.
18 Jan 2026
Islanders December Deep Dive & & Hall of Famer Jimmy Devellano
Ray and Steve analyze the New York Islanders' December performance, focusing on their playoff chances and defensive inconsistencies, while Jimmy Devellano discusses building the Islanders dynasty in an interview.
9 Dec 2025
Successful Road Trip Turns Season Around & Darius Kasparaitis Joins the Show
Hosts Steve and Ray analyze the Islanders' successful road trip and its impact on the season, while Darius Kasparaitis shares stories from his career in this interview episode.
7 Nov 2025
Islanders First Month Breakdown with Andre St. Laurent
Andre St. Laurent, former New York Islander, reminisces about the 1970s Islanders teams, sharing locker room stories and insights into team chemistry in an interview with Steve and Ray.
18 Oct 2025
2025-2026 Season Kickoff with Special Guest Greg Prato
Greg Prato discusses his Islanders oral history books, Hapless and Dynasty, with hosts Ray and Steve, offering behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the team's history in this interview episode.
1 Aug 2025
Season Wrap Up & Chris "Knuckles" Nilan
Hosts Steve and Ray analyze the New York Islanders' 2025 draft class and General Manager Mathieu Darche's strategy, plus they interview Chris "Knuckles" Nilan about his NHL experiences.
20 Jun 2025
Stanley Cup Final Rundown, Islanders Draft Rumors & Special Guest Neil Smith
Hosts Ray and Steve analyze the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup victory and discuss Islanders' draft rumors, including a potential trade for James Hagens, while Neil Smith shares insights on building a championship team in an interview.
5 Jun 2025
Matthieu Darche Hired as GM, Draft Preview & Special Guest Ted Nolan
Steve and Ray discuss the New York Islanders hiring Matthieu Darche as general manager and preview the 2025 NHL Draft, while Ted Nolan shares his journey from the reserve to the NHL in an interview.
16 May 2025
The GM Search Goes On, Isles Improbable Lottery Win & Special Guest Bob Gutkowski
Ray and Steve dive into the implications of a leadership change at the top of the Islanders’ hockey operations. With the departure of Lou Lamoriello on the horizon, they explore the various directions the organization could take—whether it’s hiring a seasoned veteran with a track record of playoff success or someone with fresh ideas to re-tool the team for a more modern era. The discussion breaks down notable candidates. They consider the challenges these candidates face—such as aligning with the existing roster and capitalizing on upcoming assets like high draft picks—while weighing the legacy and potential pitfalls of past leadership.
In an unexpected twist, the Islanders’ improbable draft lottery win has the team sitting at the top of the draft board. Ray and Steve analyze what this means for the club’s future, breaking down the first-round options available. They detail the top prospects on the board, discussing their strengths, potential upside, and how each might fill crucial gaps in the current lineup. Beyond simply being a numbers game, the conversation elaborates on how the right pick could synergize with the new leadership’s vision, acting as a cornerstone for rebuilding a competitive team in a short period of time.
Adding another rich layer to the discussion is former Madison Square Garden President Bob Gutkowski. In this episode, Gutkowski brings not only his seasoned perspective on team operations and management but also shares insights from his new book, Gut Punch. His commentary ties historical context with actionable insights into the Islanders’ current state, offering a unique comparison to past successes and missteps across the league. His experience navigating high-pressure roles at top-tier organizations brings a timely analysis of what the Islanders need to do now to set themselves up for long-term success.
Why This Episode Stands Out
By merging the strategic evaluation of a leadership void with a deep dive into draft prospects, Ray and Steve cover both the immediate tactical shifts and the long-term blueprint for the franchise. Their balanced, nuanced discussion not only reviews the facts on the ground but also challenges conventional narratives about the Islanders’ roadmap moving forward.
Don’t miss it—this episode is packed with strategic insights and bold predictions that could very well shape the next chapter of Islanders hockey.
2 May 2025
Lamoriello Fired! & NY Post's Phil Mushnick
Ray and Steve dissect the seismic firing of GM Lou Lamoriello, uncover the fallout following the cancellation of beloved radio broadcasts, and spotlight minority owner John Collins' and his evolving role within the franchise's hockey operations.
NY Post columnist Phil Mushnick sits down with the brothers and offers a trenchant critique regarding the impact of Lamoriello's departure, and the current state of the team as well as the negative impact of"wokeness" within the sports media industry.
2 Apr 2025
Playoff Hopes Slipping with Current Slide, Interview with Islanders Organist Paul Cartier
Ray and Steve paint a vivid picture of the Islanders' current struggles and future uncertainties. The team's post-deadline record, marred by a five-game losing streak, has cast a shadow over their playoff hopes. While some players, like Pierre Engvall, have stepped up with notable performances, others have faced criticism for their lack of impact, such as Anthony Duclair. The offseason should bring significant changes, but with GM Lou Lamoriello silent about a potential overhaul to infuse youth and address the team's shortcomings, will we be subject to yet another boring and dismal Islanders season next year?
Adding a nostalgic touch, their interview with Paul Cartier, the Islanders' legendary organist, highlights his enduring contribution to the team's atmosphere over decades. Cartier's journey from a young fan to a beloved fixture at Islanders games is a testament to his passion and dedication.
What aspect of this dynamic conversation resonates most with you? The team's challenges, the lack of a roster shake-up, or Cartier's iconic role?
13 Mar 2025
POST DEADLINE SPECIAL EDITION Featuring Man in the Stands - Eric Altstadter
The boys offer their reaction to the moves and non-moves made at the trade deadline, attempt to analyze the inner workings of Lou Lamariello's brain and interview this show's "Man in the Stands", long time season ticket holder and Booster Club member, Eric Altstadter.
6 Mar 2025
Trade Deadline & WFAN's Peter Schwartz
This episode Steve and Ray recap the Four Nations USA-Canada Finale, take a deep dive into the Islanders' current payroll and salary cap situation as well as ponder possible directions the team could take with their myriad of options at the trade deadline.
Special guest Peter Schwartz talks about his fan journey with the team, and gives his personal insight into what the Isles should do at the deadline and beyond.
23 Feb 2025
Pilot
Our first crack at bringing you the best, deepest and most honest coverage of the new York islanders. We cover the Four Nations Tournament, spotlight Brock Nelson, discuss the upcoming trade deadline along with our exclusive "Man in the Stands" interview with longtime season ticket holder Joe Lucatorto. Tune in for of this and more!
Who has been a guest on IFAN - The Islander Fan Audio Network
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jimmy Devellano
Darius Kasparaitis
Andre St Laurent
Greg Prato
Chris "Knuckles" Nilan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact IFAN - The Islander Fan Audio Network
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about IFAN - The Islander Fan Audio Network
Who hosts IFAN - The Islander Fan Audio Network?
Ray and Steve host the show. Published by rde2222.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does IFAN - The Islander Fan Audio Network take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
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