They have enough holes elsewhere to fill that money gap, plus I still don't think they would buy him out because we have the worst owner in all of sports
- Vukota

Bingo..........until they are serious about winning, they will continue to use contracts like Ricky D's to reach the floor.

this deal should get voted on....yes dipietro would be gone in a heartbeat
- NYI78

It will be voted on, by Wang and his committee which consists of Wang and his chubby son. Snow will be setting the dinner table, and Capuano serving the entree's.........Howie Rose will be parking the cars, wondering when pitchers and catchers report.

It is really funny how they make you question common sense. It's also funny how I could totally see them not buying him out
- Cptmjl

Regardless if they are able to buy him out, we'll be hearing what an amazing competitor Ricky is, and how noone wants to win more than him for years to come. Ricky will address this topic after he's sipping from the cup.........just ask him.

Regardless if they are able to buy him out, we'll be hearing what an amazing competitor Ricky is, and how noone wants to win more than him for years to come. Ricky will address this topic after he's sipping from the cup.........just ask him.
- kindlyrick

We have heard it all before. That is why it is completely conceivable that even with this amnesty buy out clause he will still be an Islander. I can honestly say after all of this the NYI are the only team that would continue this madness.

We have heard it all before. That is why it is completely conceivable that even with this amnesty buy out clause he will still be an Islander. I can honestly say after all of this the NYI are the only team that would continue this madness.
- Cptmjl

Sadly right now you're right...........but there will come a day (which i believe is in the near future) when the isles will be conducting business differently. They will be acting like an organization who's serious about competing for the cup. Since 2007/2008 Ricky has had season ending injuries. My favorite was last year, when they said he was out a few months in with a strained groin.....and was week to week. Translation : out for his 4th consecutive season (coulda been his 5th....i lost count)

We have heard it all before. That is why it is completely conceivable that even with this amnesty buy out clause he will still be an Islander. I can honestly say after all of this the NYI are the only team that would continue this madness.
- Cptmjl

Unless the amnesty clause does not include an up front payment from Charles to dissolve his contract you can count on #39 on the roster, not Necessarily playing, but on the roster. Until the team moves into it's new digs #39 will be an Islander, after it changes it's address anything is possible.

Unless the amnesty clause does not include an up front payment from Charles to dissolve his contract you can count on #39 on the roster, not Necessarily playing, but on the roster. Until the team moves into it's new digs #39 will be an Islander, after it changes it's address anything is possible.
- IslesinKnow

Anything is possible with this team anytime. Of course I mean "anything" in a completely lunatic way.

Sadly right now you're right...........but there will come a day (which i believe is in the near future) when the isles will be conducting business differently. They will be acting like an organization who's serious about competing for the cup. Since 2007/2008 Ricky has had season ending injuries. My favorite was last year, when they said he was out a few months in with a strained groin.....and was week to week. Translation : out for his 4th consecutive season (coulda been his 5th....i lost count)
- kindlyrick

My favorite was when he was sitting on the bench obviously injured backing up someone(?) while we got shelled down by seven goals and Crapuano refused to pull the goalie for an obviously injured RDP. That was the day I lost whatever respect I had left for Charles Wang and Garth Snow. One of the most unprofessional moments I've seen in "professional" sports. Awesome when Howie called them out on it during the game, shocked he held his job after it.

Sadly right now you're right...........but there will come a day (which i believe is in the near future) when the isles will be conducting business differently. They will be acting like an organization who's serious about competing for the cup. Since 2007/2008 Ricky has had season ending injuries. My favorite was last year, when they said he was out a few months in with a strained groin.....and was week to week. Translation : out for his 4th consecutive season (coulda been his 5th....i lost count)
- kindlyrick

I honestly believe that as long as Wang owns this team AND Snow is the GM of this team it's going to be a joke. I know everyone is high on Brooklyn(I'm happy about it too)but most of the people on here are getting WAY ahead of themselves in their expectations. Unless Wang leaves, gets forced out, sells the team, etc, this team will ALWAYS be battling for even a minute sliver of respect from anyone in the league. The guy is looked upon as that much of a joke. I'm happy about Brooklyn but Ill hold down my hopes and expectations. Like I usually say, hope I'm wrong.

Sorry to re-hash old debates, but it was one I enjoyed and I forgot to click "submit" before I left for work this morning.

I disagree. It is a small sample size but that's like saying if you have a guy that excells in the playoffs it's not really a good measuring stick of what kind of player he is. A player's draft position is reduced or elevated with this tournament alot of the time. Of course there is a bigger body of work but these kids are at the transitional(from pro to junior for some) age and this is the highest level of competition for them in the world. Seeing how they line up against that competition is an excellent measuring stick IMO. An elite player or what most think a top five pick would look like should show up and play like an elite player. That's why you drafted them in the top five. Alot of these kids careers and which way they go will be decided at this tournament.
- Cptmjl

Playoffs clearly aren't a good measuring stick either. Look at Chris Kreider. Kid shows up in the playoffs as a rookie with zero previous experience, has a damn good showing all the way through the ECF and now currently has a dismal 5 goals and 11 points through 28 games in the AHL.

Elite players should show up and play well, but having an off week at the wrong time doesn't mean they're going to be any less of a player nor is it a cause for major concern. Dougie Hamilton didn't have much of a camp or pre-tournament and was pretty bad, by all accounts, in Canada's first game vs. Germany. But there's still no doubt that he's a top level prospect.

Sorry....last time.

I couldnt agree more with this. Its also why its extremely encouraging to see Nino killing it at the AHL level. He's playing like the player the isles drafted. Same thing with Strome in the OHL. If these guys werent taking over in their respective leagues......that would not be a good sign.
- kindlyrick

But you just followed up "not being able to agree more" with what he said by totally contradicting what he said. Nino and Strome playing great at their respective levels is the exact opposite of a pointing to a player having a good WJC tournament as a major benchmark.

Nino and Strome have excelled at a consistent pace over the course of their entire seasons, that's something to judge a player on. A player having a great tournament at the World Jr's, means little in terms of his overall value. Jerry D'Amigo killed it for the US at the '10 WJC's. He will never crack the Leafs roster.

Sorry to re-hash old debates, but it was one I enjoyed and I forgot to click "submit" before I left for work this morning.


Playoffs clearly aren't a good measuring stick either. Look at Chris Kreider. Kid shows up in the playoffs as a rookie with zero previous experience, has a damn good showing all the way through the ECF and now currently has a dismal 5 goals and 11 points through 28 games in the AHL.

Elite players should show up and play well, but having an off week at the wrong time doesn't mean they're going to be any less of a player nor is it a cause for major concern. Dougie Hamilton didn't have much of a camp or pre-tournament and was pretty bad, by all accounts, in Canada's first game vs. Germany. But there's still no doubt that he's a top level prospect.
- eichiefs9

Glad you brought it back! lol. Dougie Hamilton had one so so game he's got more games to play. You are right, you can have a bad week or "take a week off" but I don't want a player that does that even at this level for a tournament like this. If I had a guy who mailed it in during the playoffs or the finals I don't want him no matter how the reg season was. You want the players that get up for these big games, that is what EVERY GM wants and thats what I want as a fan. That is what this team so sorely lacks. The only true gamer on this team is Taveras night in and night out. Now if he has a crappy WJC I'm not saying his career is over and we should get Gervais(that actually made me want to vomit) from Philly for him or anything BUT it certainly is IMO a good "measuring stick"(are you getting annoyed with this term yet bcs I am?)of what he has and what kind of competitor he is. Again, I certainly wouldn't write him off in any way but it would certainly help solidify himself as a "good" or "top five" pick if he played like it in the biggest tournament of his career so far.

Anything is possible with this team anytime. Of course I mean "anything" in a completely lunatic way.
- Cptmjl

Unfortunately Very Very Very True.... Now Howie go park my car, and Garth I take that steak medium-rare..... Happy New Year Everyone - perhaps for the resolution the NHLPA and NHL will decide to work for 2013.

Glad you brought it back! lol. Dougie Hamilton had one so so game he's got more games to play. You are right, you can have a bad week or "take a week off" but I don't want a player that does that even at this level for a tournament like this. If I had a guy who mailed it in during the playoffs or the finals I don't want him no matter how the reg season was. You want the players that get up for these big games, that is what EVERY GM wants and thats what I want as a fan. That is what this team so sorely lacks. The only true gamer on this team is Taveras night in and night out. Now if he has a crappy WJC I'm not saying his career is over and we should get Gervais(that actually made me want to vomit) from Philly for him or anything BUT it certainly is IMO a good "measuring stick"(are you getting annoyed with this term yet bcs I am?)of what he has and what kind of competitor he is. Again, I certainly wouldn't write him off in any way but it would certainly help solidify himself as a "good" or "top five" pick if he played like it in the biggest tournament of his career so far.
- Cptmjl

I totally get where you're coming from, but in the grand scheme (my grand scheme anyway) of judging a team, or draft, prospect's value...one tournament isn't going to make or break them.

It's nice to be able to say that Strome had two goals this morning versus Slovakia, but it doesn't make me think that he's any better than I already do. Same logic if he didn't...I'm not going to think very much less of him.

MacKinnon hasn't done a whole lot so far, 1A in 2 games, but it's not going to hurt his draft stock as the #1 overall pick.

Sorry....last time.


But you just followed up "not being able to agree more" with what he said by totally contradicting what he said. Nino and Strome playing great at their respective levels is the exact opposite of a pointing to a player having a good WJC tournament as a major benchmark.

Nino and Strome have excelled at a consistent pace over the course of their entire seasons, that's something to judge a player on. A player having a great tournament at the World Jr's, means little in terms of his overall value. Jerry D'Amigo killed it for the US at the '10 WJC's. He will never crack the Leafs roster.
- eichiefs9

what on earth are you talking about......??? Did i just read an entire post that made zero sense to me? I was following up on his thought with one of my own. Its really just that simple. Are you becoming the new LETSGOISLES, and trying to pick a fight? Cause if so, i'll be your huckleberry...

Sorry to re-hash old debates, but it was one I enjoyed and I forgot to click "submit" before I left for work this morning.


Playoffs clearly aren't a good measuring stick either. Look at Chris Kreider. Kid shows up in the playoffs as a rookie with zero previous experience, has a damn good showing all the way through the ECF and now currently has a dismal 5 goals and 11 points through 28 games in the AHL.

Elite players should show up and play well, but having an off week at the wrong time doesn't mean they're going to be any less of a player nor is it a cause for major concern. Dougie Hamilton didn't have much of a camp or pre-tournament and was pretty bad, by all accounts, in Canada's first game vs. Germany. But there's still no doubt that he's a top level prospect.
- eichiefs9

Playoffs arent a good measuring stick?? Dude Kreider was playing with elite NHL talent on the Rangers......perhaps thats why his numbers have fallen off a bit in the A......makes sense?

I totally get where you're coming from, but in the grand scheme (my grand scheme anyway) of judging a team, or draft, prospect's value...one tournament isn't going to make or break them.

It's nice to be able to say that Strome had two goals this morning versus Slovakia, but it doesn't make me think that he's any better than I already do. Same logic if he didn't...I'm not going to think very much less of him.

MacKinnon hasn't done a whole lot so far, 1A in 2 games, but it's not going to hurt his draft stock as the #1 overall pick.
- eichiefs9

I think the point you may be missing is that the top players should playing like the top players. Its why i was happy to see Strome and Nino playing the way they have been this year. Its not about scoring two goals in one game. Its about being the go to guy and stepping up. Their stock immediately goes up after having big seasons.

MacKinnon is playing on the 4th line.......without the ice time, you're not gonna put up numbers.

what on earth are you talking about......??? Did i just read an entire post that made zero sense to me? I was following up on his thought with one of my own. Its really just that simple. Are you becoming the new LETSGOISLES, and trying to pick a fight? Cause if so, i'll be your huckleberry...
- kindlyrick

I don't understand which part of that looked like me trying to pick a fight? You commented on his response to me, saying you agreed with him and then went on to make points that were similar to mine, that he disagreed with.

Cptmjl says: WJC is a good bench mark of a prospects true ability

I said: It's not, it's too small a sample size and that their play over a longer period of time (ie: the course of a season) is much more indicative of their true value

You said: You completely agree with Cptmjl, but then went on to reference Nino having a great AHL year and the same for Strome in the OHL. Am I missing something? That would be more in line with my beliefs than his, no?

I think the point you may be missing is that the top players should playing like the top players. Its why i was happy to see Strome and Nino playing the way they have been this year. Its not about scoring two goals in one game. Its about being the go to guy and stepping up. Their stock immediately goes up after having big seasons.

MacKinnon is playing on the 4th line.......without the ice time, you're not gonna put up numbers.
- kindlyrick

We're literally on the same page, I think you just took my response the wrong way. I am thrilled that Nino and Strome are having great seasons. It's why I value them as highly important prospects. My only point was that if Strome went to the WJC's and came home with a goose egg in the points column, it wouldn't spell the end of the world for his value/status as our top prospect.

Playoffs arent a good measuring stick?? Dude Kreider was playing with elite NHL talent on the Rangers......perhaps thats why his numbers have fallen off a bit in the A......makes sense?
- kindlyrick

You could make the counter-argument that he's playing against vastly inferior talent in the AHL.

Either way, my general point was that when Ranger fans were touting him as "a lock for this year's Calder" and "a better player than Tavares" (yes, a few Rags fans I know personally tried to argue that with me ) they need to temper your expectations when they're based on a very small viewing sample.

That's all I was ever trying to say. I believe that opinions should be formed based on a large body of work over a period of time. Not a handful of games.

We're literally on the same page, I think you just took my response the wrong way. I am thrilled that Nino and Strome are having great seasons. It's why I value them as highly important prospects. My only point was that if Strome went to the WJC's and came home with a goose egg in the points column, it wouldn't spell the end of the world for his value/status as our top prospect.
- eichiefs9

Took me 10 minutes to realize you were commenting on something from a different blogs comment section.

I was agreeing with him in that the World Juniors are a great measure, because you're playing against the best players in the world at your age group. I would be a little alarmed if one of our top prospects came home with goose eggs at a tournament of this magnitude. Its the best of the best, and if you're playing like one of the best thats awesome.

My Nino comment which i didnt really explain well, was that after his season in the NHL its good to see him playing like the player the isles drafted. Makes both of our prospects stock rise.

You could make the counter-argument that he's playing against vastly inferior talent in the AHL.

Either way, my general point was that when Ranger fans were touting him as "a lock for this year's Calder" and "a better player than Tavares" (yes, a few Rags fans I know personally tried to argue that with me ) that while, his performance was something to be excited about, you need to temper your expectations when they're based on a very small viewing sample.

That's all I was ever trying to say. I believe that opinions should be formed based on a large body of work over a period of time. Not a handful of games.
- eichiefs9

First of all, any Ranger fan who says Kreider is even on the same page as Tavares is a homer, and you shouldnt even entertain that conversation.


As for Nino and his play in the AHL.........like i said after last year his confidence was SHOT. He had no business in the NHL, and its good to see his play not be affected. Im not slighting the AHL, and make no mistake about it, its still great hockey......but the WJC is a different type of hockey. You can take nights off in an AHL season. The WJC is like a playoff round.......you bring it every shift of every game.

Took me 10 minutes to realize you were commenting on something from a different blogs comment section.

I was agreeing with him in that the World Juniors are a great measure, because you're playing against the best players in the world at your age group. I would be a little alarmed if one of our top prospects came home with goose eggs at a tournament of this magnitude. Its the best of the best, and if you're playing like one of the best thats awesome.

My Nino comment which i didnt really explain well, was that after his season in the NHL its good to see him playing like the player the isles drafted. Makes both of our prospects stock rise.
- kindlyrick

I would be a little alarmed also if he came home with zero points, also. But it still wouldn't change my mind that he is an elite talent and our number one prospect by leaps and bounds.

We're literally on the same page, I think you just took my response the wrong way. I am thrilled that Nino and Strome are having great seasons. It's why I value them as highly important prospects.
- eichiefs9

My only point was that if Strome went to the WJC's and came home with a goose egg in the points column, it wouldn't spell the end of the world for his value/status as our top prospect.

See i disagree with this..........players showings in the WJC are absolutely a gage in someones value. Sure you can have a poor showing and still be a good player. But if you're ranked in the top 5 prospects for the draft and sh!t the bed in the WJC you're stock goes down. Its really that simple.

Either way, for once we dont have that problem, cause Strome at every level has been killing it.

See i disagree with this..........players showings in the WJC are absolutely a gage in someones value. Sure you can have a poor showing and still be a good player. But if you're ranked in the top 5 prospects for the draft and sh!t the bed in the WJC you're stock goes down. Its really that simple.

Either way, for once we dont have that problem, cause Strome at every level has been killing it.
- kindlyrick