If he could stay healthy he is an offensive dman.....im confused as to what you mean.
- kindlyrick

He had two goals and 14 assists in 58 games. Thats not an offensive defenseman. Yeah I googled it. Not arguing with you just saying...

I dont eat the brown acid.
- kindlyrick

What about the blue, red, purple, and orange with the little music notes on it?

He had two goals and 14 assists in 58 games. Thats not an offensive defenseman. Yeah I googled it. Not arguing with you just saying...
- Cptmjl

Yeah im not really a stat guy......i've watched him move the puck up the ice. He's also really good moving the puck on the PP.

Yeah im not really a stat guy......i've watched him move the puck up the ice. He's also really good moving the puck on the PP.
- kindlyrick

I hear you. I have zero faith in DeHaan, if he proves me wrong great.

I hear you. I have zero faith in DeHaan, if he proves me wrong great.
- Cptmjl

Either way, i'd expect to see Garth make a move.

Yeah im not really a stat guy......i've watched him move the puck up the ice. He's also really good moving the puck on the PP.
- kindlyrick

so he's an offensive defenseman because he can pass?? Using and applying your scouting procedures does that make DiPietro an offensive goalie...?

so he's an offensive defenseman because he can pass?? Using and applying your scouting procedures does that make DiPietro an offensive goalie...?
- Mr.Black

Pts are based off two things:
If its not a goal, its an (fill in the blank).

the very brief showing of Dehaan and Donovan last year I was pleasantly surprised by how well both played for young guys getting their first taste in the NHL. That being said, I don't think Dehaan will get a shot to be a full time NHLer due to his injury history, I don't expect him to ever be able to stay healthy enough to make the big club and contribute. I do expect that from Donovan though. I thought he looked good, a little tentative, but I was much more impressed with him than with Eaton or Jurcina. Ness reminded me of Jack Hillen

the very brief showing of Dehaan and Donovan last year I was pleasantly surprised by how well both played for young guys getting their first taste in the NHL. That being said, I don't think Dehaan will get a shot to be a full time NHLer due to his injury history, I don't expect him to ever be able to stay healthy enough to make the big club and contribute. I do expect that from Donovan though. I thought he looked good, a little tentative, but I was much more impressed with him than with Eaton or Jurcina. Ness reminded me of Jack Hillen
- Isles_since_6

From the few games i went to in bport, i agree with you on Donovan. Ness is Jack Hillen, or you can call him Freddie meyer.


DeHaan skates well, and moves the puck well, but he cannot seem to stay healthy.

Either way, i'd expect to see Garth make a move.
- kindlyrick

Why?

Why?
- Cptmjl

Ummm cause they neeeeeed to

Ummm cause they neeeeeed to
- kindlyrick

They needed too for some time now. For the last two years I've heard exclusively on this site that this year is the year that Garth is or has to do something. What followed were the signings of Rolston and Pandalfo, etc... My point is they've needed too and they haven't and HE won't now whether we are moving to Brooklyn or not unfortunately. The guy has done zero FA or trade wise. He's just not capable for reasons that anyone can specualte on, doesnt matter HE is not capable as has been proven over the "rebuild". I know I'm like a broken record here but I hope he proves me wrong, I want to be proven wrong but I certainly won't sit here and let hope get in the way of common sense.

They needed too for some time now. For the last two years I've heard exclusively on this site that this year is the year that Garth is or has to do something. What followed were the signings of Rolston and Pandalfo, etc... My point is they've needed too and they haven't and HE won't now whether we are moving to Brooklyn or not unfortunately. The guy has done zero FA or trade wise. He's just not capable for reasons that anyone can specualte on, doesnt matter HE is not capable as has been proven over the "rebuild". I know I'm like a broken record here but I hope he proves me wrong, I want to be proven wrong but I certainly won't sit here and let hope get in the way of common sense.
- Cptmjl

Why do I get the feeling it will be a couple of year still after getting to Brooklyn for the Isles to make big moves? The bottom line until Wang and Snow make that huge trade or FA signing or big coaching hire why should the fans have any trust?

Why do I get the feeling it will be a couple of year still after getting to Brooklyn for the Isles to make big moves?
- ses111

I don't know why they would start making big moves in Brooklyn? Because it's a new arena? They(Snow and Wang)have done nothing short of proving they are not capable of much of anything besides drafting players and you know what? I'm not overly impressed with their drafting either. It's nothing earth shattering contrary to popular belief on this board. When these guys actually do something I'll believe it, I'm not going to even pretend otherwise. Nobody wants to play for these guys. It's right there for everyone to see. Snow is not a good GM and Wang is a horrible owner. There I said it. It's not a good combination.

I don't know why they would start making big moves in Brooklyn? Because it's a new arena? They(Snow and Wang)have done nothing short of proving they are not capable of much of anything besides drafting players and you know what? I'm not overly impressed with their drafting either. It's nothing earth shattering contrary to popular belief on this board. When these guys actually do something I'll believe it, I'm not going to even pretend otherwise. Nobody wants to play for these guys. It's right there for everyone to see. Snow is not a good GM and Wang is a horrible owner. There I said it. It's not a good combination.
- Cptmjl

I'm hoping there will be pressure from Ratner and others in Brooklyn but who knows? I hope Wang sells a couple of years after Brooklyn. Right now I'm not sure how there can be any trust in Snow and Wang. The same goes for Tambellini with the Oilers. All he has done is draft. Picking players at the top of the draft every year does not impress me. You better have a great farm system when you never trade.

From the few games i went to in bport, i agree with you on Donovan. Ness is Jack Hillen, or you can call him Freddie meyer.


DeHaan skates well, and moves the puck well, but he cannot seem to stay healthy.
- kindlyrick

XxNYIxX

I'm hoping there will be pressure from Ratner and others in Brooklyn but who knows? I hope Wang sells a couple of years after Brooklyn. Right now I'm not sure how there can be any trust in Snow and Wang. The same goes for Tambellini with the Oilers. All he has done is draft. Picking players at the top of the draft every year does not impress me. You better have a great farm system when you never trade.
- ses111

I was the biggest critic of snow and hated every move he made, hated his socks, everything about the man. As time went on, started to like him a bit, and a bit more. Now, if he was a guest at my house, he'd get fed after the cat but before the dog.

I think Snow knows what he's doing but has to follow a blueprint from ownership. Snow has done a tremendous job getting our cap straight and the right players locked up. This year will be Bailey's year to show if he stays or he's part of a deal bringing us some talent. When the Isles arrive at Barclays - GAME ON.

The Islanders really aren't an attractive team folks. Snow extends offers for more money than other teams and still gets ignored. It's not his fault.

I don't give Snow credit for drafting, its a group effort.

Looks like Devils at Islanders opening night...possible winnable game for Isles...

something to know about Wade Redden. He was overrated from his days in Ottawa. It very easy to be 5 skater on Ice on a PP, that had Alfredson, Heatley, Hossa, Spezza, and Chris philips to back him up Defensively. So redden barely had to do anything except sit at point and wait for puck to fire it on net. He wasnt good then either.

I would rather have any dman in NHL than an overrated overpaid DMAN. its like going out and signing rick dipietro now.

They needed too for some time now. For the last two years I've heard exclusively on this site that this year is the year that Garth is or has to do something. What followed were the signings of Rolston and Pandalfo, etc... My point is they've needed too and they haven't and HE won't now whether we are moving to Brooklyn or not unfortunately. The guy has done zero FA or trade wise. He's just not capable for reasons that anyone can specualte on, doesnt matter HE is not capable as has been proven over the "rebuild". I know I'm like a broken record here but I hope he proves me wrong, I want to be proven wrong but I certainly won't sit here and let hope get in the way of common sense.
- Cptmjl

What did I miss?

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

Not really saying we should trade for him as a viable entity...just saying that an organization in our cap position should be able to trade for someone with a heavy bag of coin owed to him, and bury him as a backup, while trading a 6 for a 1 in the process (by the way.....in regards to another comment...I do believe that 2013 is not the last year there is going to be an NHL draft, so it could be next year's pick, for example). Also saying that we will never do this, because Wang doesn't like paying a guy that kind of money to watch from the press box if he's healthy, even if he sucks a**....which is why I actually don't want them to get him, if that makes sense...

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

Well....he didn't actually trade ANY prospects for Ryan Smyth....


That said....you will see this happen during this off-season....right after he pays Nassau to go away. You'll be amazed at how much easier it will get after the move to trade for name guys who'll actually show up....

Does anyone believe that The Barkley Center deal has soften the negative stance Players have had towards the Islanders?

With the Isles impending move to Brooklyn. Would it be advantageous to the Islander organization to begin fine tuning the team a bit?

Starting with the 1st Line.

Add that 3rd piece to the 1st line. Giving Moulson and JT a line mate that will carry them into Brooklyn and beyond.

JT is the #1 Prime Piece to the Isles rebuild. Yet Snow and Wang with a wing and a Prayer continue to shop the Bargain Basement looking to find the 3rd piece to complement their Franchise Player. This makes so little sense to me.
I believe JT deserves better and so does the team and its fans.

With the team stockpiled with prospects.(remains to be seen how many pan out but some have value)

And a few young vets ( loose term)who have yet to reach their potential and may need to be let go before their value drops below the "Mendoza Line". (KO Bailey Grabner etc..)

Isnt NOW a opportune time to pull the trigger and bring a quality Vet with some good yrs left in the tank?

Build the 1st line now. Solidify it. And then move on to address our other problems. One at a time.

The "D" is a problem that should self correct in a couple of yrs when our Prospects are developed. ( we have a ton of them and at least 3 should develop into NHL Caliber)

Hopefully the Goalie position will follow along the same road. One of our prospect will emerge as a #1

But with all the forwards that have come and go, underachieved and failed to produce over the past few seasons. I really believe that NOW is the time to get that Veteran wing for JT and start turning the page to the next level.

Right now every line is a question mark. Build the 1st line. One problem solved and on to the next.
- SCLI

That's what I'm hoping....that some of the secondary talent starts to shine this year, so they can package it for one more big time player. However, given Nino, Strome, etc....I don't think forward is our problem. The real issue is that we need defensemen- a couple of solid, talented, LARGE veteran defensemen is really most of what is lacking here.

here is my two cents as prospects go

prospects i feel have a future with this team:

strome future second line center and 1st team PP with tavares
nino future 1-2 line winger.. has to be physical though
reinhart at worst we have a shutdown defender with some offensive skill. at best we have a 1-2 defender.
nelson - will either slot in the wing on top 6 or 3rd line center when frans goes. Brock is very underrated, and in college he played on wing. i could see him doing the same if given the chance, but he's playing center in the AHL
donovan- the games i saw him in last year in the NHL offensively he looked good. his breakout and defense to offense transition looked great. however his defense needs time, but hes close to the NHL
mayfield if he doesn't take the college loophole he will be a 5/6 defender as a shutdown guy, i personally love his defense. Big, mean, physical, but safe sound defense.
pelech i really like this guy. decent size (6'2 210) offensive skill and defensively good. 3-4 guy down the road i think

then things get tricky... they are wildcards to me

pokka apparently he's doing great oversees in a men's league. problem is he fits the donovan, de haan build. However, defensively from the small amount of tape ive seen he is better than them defensively
pedan loose cannon. mean and loves to hit, but can play good defense, appears to have offensive skill. but he is massively bigger and stronger than the chl competition so he needs to be able to adapt. can be anywhere from 2 guy to 7th. more likely a 3-5 guy
kabanov he oozes skill, but so many questions. this guy can be a first line winger all the way down to fleeing to europe
lee if he stays he will be a monster on the checking line who could score 20 goals a season. has potential for second line but not getting hopes up. but i dont think he is dedicated to the isles.
ulstrom he i like his effort and playing style. could transform to a nice 3rd or 4th liner.. more likely 4th
cizikas see ulstrom
sundstrom defensively good, physical, and can play offense, 3rd or 4th line better more potential than ulstrom to me
persson i feel that him and sundstrom are the same player.. see sundstrom
kitchton CHL overager..questionmarks for him but he could be another Amac


goalies i feel could go either way.. at times they look promising but their slow starts to the season has scared me.
so the problem is we are starting to get clogged with people who will be having the same roles. Look for one of bailey okposo or grabner to get traded sometime within the next season along with a pick and a few prospects to bring in an actual top 3 defender or top 6 winger.