Each year, many posters (particularly new members) say this year is the big one. Depending on the year, we hear "the ice is badly fragmented", "extent is record low", "area is record low", etc. A lot of the fragmentation we are seeing this year is nothing new, and can be found going back a long way.
However: this has been one of the warmest years on record for spring/early summer, perhaps the warmest. Direct heat transfer between the air and ice only does a limited amount of damage, but the warmth gets surface melt started, keeps melt ponds open, and provides some heat. Either way, warm years like 2007 are associated with strong melt.
Now, at peak insolation, we have lots of melt ponding and low albedo across much of the Arctic. Also very warm water. That gives momentum. That momentum is confirmed by PIOMAS. In recent years, Neven has repeatedly warned people about getting carried away because in spite of the area/extent numbers, there hasn't been much momentum at the key time. This year, I think there is. Having said that, there are some areas that have been protected, so maybe I'm wrong. The Arctic has a way of proving all of us wrong most of the time.