You should beat him up!!!
- jimmc7722

I think he scored over 20 goals last year. I like to see what he would do with JT? I think he's better than Boyes.
- kear20

The last thing JT needs is a european. He needs someone who might not be the toughest, but at least willing to stick up for him, and dig the puck out of the corners. Sykora is neither.

agreed. gimme barker...save the money that everyone is spending on a washed up redden and give it to barker.
- LetsGoIsles

I saw that Barker might be invited to Vancouver's training camp.

The last thing JT needs is a european. He needs someone who might not be the toughest, but at least willing to stick up for him, and dig the puck out of the corners. Sykora is neither.
- kindlyrick

Yeah we dont need another wash up veteran we already had a few of those come through here

Yeah we dont need another wash up veteran we already had a few of those come through here
- kasperrko

Exactly. Isles should only be looking to bring in useful vets with something left in the tank. Isles should be looking at trades not camp invites.

Yeah we dont need another wash up veteran we already had a few of those come through here
- kasperrko

I think it would be monumental in this teams "next step" if Garth Snow went out and made another Ryan Smyth "blockbuster deal". Im NOT SAYING trade three prospects. Im saying use mostly picks and bring in someone that the entire roster, and fan base respect, and can get excited about. Cause as it stands right now, the only difference between last years roster and this years roster is Carkner, and Boyes instead of Rolston and Staois. Thats a lateral move if you ask me........and we all saw what last years roster did come playoff time.

Exactly. Isles should only be looking to bring in useful vets with something left in the tank. Isles should be looking at trades not camp invites.
- ses111

The isles camp invites are basically UFA signings. The sign all of their camp invites.

I think it would be monumental in this teams "next step" if Garth Snow went out and made another Ryan Smyth "blockbuster deal". Im NOT SAYING trade three prospects. Im saying use mostly picks and bring in someone that the entire roster, and fan base respect, and can get excited about. Cause as it stands right now, the only difference between last years roster and this years roster is Carkner, and Boyes instead of Rolston and Staois. Thats a lateral move if you ask me........and we all saw what last years roster did come playoff time.
- kindlyrick

AND the younger guys had another year of development and another year to get stronger...that shouldnt be forgotten.

Love my isles fans on here, but how some of you can say bring in Wade Redden and his 6.5 million a year is absurd. The reason why he's in the minors is because Torterella DEMANDS a certain type of battle level......shot blocking etc. Clearly Wade wasnt willing or able to do so, and being that he already got his money, there is no insentive. Now you guys are saying the isles should sign him? This is exactly whats wrong with the isles. Better the isles should package up a player and some picks and sign PK Subban for 5.5 a year for 5 years, then recycle a heartless Wade Redden and take on his 6.5 million a year for a body out there. Comeeeee onnnnn mannnnn
- kindlyrick

So because he doesn't play Torterella's type of game... he cant play in the NHL at all any more? When did Tort become the gold standard? Have we never seen good players sign with other teams and their game goes south, only to see them return once moving to a third team?
Im sorry you dont like him, or the way he plays his game, but he's a good d-men & would help our back end.

XxNYIxX

AND the younger guys had another year of development and another year to get stronger...that shouldnt be forgotten.
- LetsGoIsles

That goes without saying. But we should all realize that our roster is no different than last year.


"Insanity : Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

You're asssuming that his name alone will make him better than most of our defenseman. Thats all well and good, but if thats the case, and he's not even able to make the Rangers roster, what does that say about our roster going into a season where we play only in our conference???? Not so good....
- kindlyrick

You're right about what it says about our roster and about my assessment of Redden, but I'm also assuming that Redden is better than the candidates for the sixth and seventh spots on our "D" based on his career track record. At one point, Redden was a great D-man. The Ranger "D" is very solid, in much better shape than the Isles "D". Its no surprise that he would be able to be a sixth or seventh "D" man on the Isles and not be able to crack the Ranger "D". And that's a worst-case scenario. He might even be better than some of the guys one through five on the Isles' "D" now. My point is, I'd rather have Redden for two years than rush Reinhart or any other prospect to fill in those last two roster spots on the Isles' "D".

So because he doesn't play Torterella's type of game... he cant play in the NHL at all any more? When did Tort become the gold standard? Have we never seen good players sign with other teams and their game goes south, only to see them return once moving to a third team?
Im sorry you dont like him, or the way he plays his game, but he's a good d-men & would help our back end.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

You're putting words in my mouth, and instead of taking what im saying as a dig at your thought........read what someone else who watched him play in the AHL for 2 seasons had to say. He was coasting and not among the better dman on the team.

Stop reading the name Wade Redden and assuming he is a 6.5 million dollar dman. The same kind of contract went to Scott Gomez........you want him too? The guy isnt even worth 3 million, and yet you want him on an NHL roster, after not playing in the NHL for 3 seasons?

Sidenote : Like Torts or not, he gets the most out of his players, and he's a proven winner.

agreed. gimme barker...save the money that everyone is spending on a washed up redden and give it to barker.
- LetsGoIsles

That would work too. Anything is better than rushing prospects and minor leaguers who are not ready for meaningful NHL minutes.

You're right about what it says about our roster and about my assessment of Redden, but I'm also assuming that Redden is better than the candidates for the sixth and seventh spots on our "D" based on his career track record. At one point, Redden was a great D-man. The Ranger "D" is very solid, in much better shape than the Isles "D". Its no surprise that he would be able to be a sixth or seventh "D" man on the Isles and not be able to crack the Ranger "D". And that's a worst-case scenario. He might even be better than some of the guys one through five on the Isles' "D" now. My point is, I'd rather have Redden for two years than rush Reinhart or any other prospect to fill in those last two roster spots on the Isles' "D".
- Jethro09

Again you're assuming.........which falls in line with me being tired of "what ifs" on this team. Rushing Reinhart isnt even part of my equation. He should and most likely will end up back in juniors. The isles D we all agree is a weak spot. SO rather than bring in an overpriced washed up Redden who "could still play" at the NHL level. I'd rather trade for a guy who has been playing well in the NHL the past few years.......not one who's been buried in the minors.

Sidenote: I can see your point with Redden if he was making 2 or 3 million. But you're suggesting bringing in a guy who would be the highest paid player on the isles and he hasnt played in the NHL in 3 years? Doesnt make sense to me. There are better options than Wade Redden.

So because he doesn't play Torterella's type of game... he cant play in the NHL at all any more? When did Tort become the gold standard? Have we never seen good players sign with other teams and their game goes south, only to see them return once moving to a third team?
Im sorry you dont like him, or the way he plays his game, but he's a good d-men & would help our back end.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

yes, players do go to other teams and feel rejuvenated and refreshed and play well; having said that, the money that he would be tying up in an extremely tight team is not something i would be interested in.... id rather the isles take that 6 million and give it to 3 different defenseman and hope one sticks.

So because he doesn't play Torterella's type of game... he cant play in the NHL at all any more? When did Tort become the gold standard? Have we never seen good players sign with other teams and their game goes south, only to see them return once moving to a third team?
Im sorry you dont like him, or the way he plays his game, but he's a good d-men & would help our back end.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Im sorry but i cannot resist this. What are you basing the fact that he IS a good dman? Was he once a good dman? Yes he was. But hes being paid 6.5 million to NOT play. He was put through waivers and NOT ONE SINGLE TEAM picked him up. I guess they thought he WASNT GOOD ENOUGH. But, you think he's a good player........well i guess all 30 NHL teams were wrong and you are right!

Two things I want to see from Jack this year are

1) Changes the lines if things are not working
2) Show some passion.

If you have to go down go down swinging and not by standing on the bench all year scratching your head.
- ses111

Don't expect much and you won't be dissappointed.

Redden didn't just get sent down for cap space- he can't play anymore. I'd take him off their hands with a first round pick, in exchange for like a 5th or 6th rounder, or something like that. The problem is that Wang isn't the type to pay someone $6M to play in Bridgeport, which means he'd be here, whether he deserved to or not (see "Rick DiPietro" in your New York Islanders Media Guide).
- dcb1

Meh, not true. He's a decent Dman just too costy.

It may be unfair, but this is Cappy's "put up or shut up" season. He needs to get results, meaning wins, this year. Another slow start and fade out to 14th in the conference won't do. If he doesn't get this team either in or on the cusp of the playoffs at the end of the season, he has to go. No more excuses, Cappy. Time to start winning.
- Jethro09

It's not unfair at all. After what we saw last year he shouldn't be coaching womens field hockey. The guy is fortunate beyond words he's got some horrible bosses.

In all fairness, Redden is still probably a better player than some of the other candidates we have to fill out our 6th or 7th D-man slots. I haven't seen him play in years, but its a safe assumption. Besides, I'd like to see the team take Redden as a sixth or seventh D-man and eat his salary for two seasons in return for a high draft pick, if Snow can convince Sather to throw in a second rounder or so to go along with Redden in exchange for, like you said, a fifth or sixth rounder. The Rangers aren't going to give up a first rounder. They have been eating his salary for the past four seasons. Why would they throw away a first rounder to clear cap space they have been getting along fine with, despite having to carry it?
- Jethro09

And better than 2-5 as well, not saying lets do it just saying he's better than just about anyone we have.

if we got Redden, he'd be our second, third best defenseman.
- Mr.Black

correct

And better than 2-5 as well
- Cptmjl

What are you basing this on?

Meh, not true. He's a decent Dman just too costy.
- Cptmjl

Wade Redden hasnt even been playing hockey in the AHL this year. The Rangers opted not to transfer his contract to the minors so they wouldnt have to pay his 6.5 million in salary during the lockout.

What are you basing this on?
- kindlyrick

Watching him play and watching our Dmen play. Our d corps are ridiculously horrible.

Wade Redden hasnt even been playing hockey in the AHL this year. The Rangers opted not to transfer his contract to the minors so they wouldnt have to pay his 6.5 million in salary during the lockout.
- kindlyrick

OK. Doesn't change the fact that the guy wasn't bad just not worth the 6.5 million contract. Unless he spent the last season sniffing his brains out he would be better than just about anyone on our team. is what it is.