I completely disagree. It's not just about stats with him. He is the only center capuano can put out there in every game situation and be confident in him to protect a lead, play a point on the pp or kill a penalty. He does everything very well and his point production the last few seasons is up there with a lot of #2 centers. He is still under rated and now being under rated by his own fan base. He is by the far the most versatile player on this team.

Good two way center,great on pk,good on power play, good late in games in own zone,and best shootout % of all time.

Please, no one ever knock him again. It doesn't make any sense
- Isles316

anyone expecting physical play out of Nielson is missing the boat. He's a smart positional hockey player with good offensive instincts who plays in all situations. Fantastic player, but will never be known for driving through players. He's going to get some points and he's rarely going to make mistakes. That's what you get and any team in the NHL would be happy to have him.

I think the points stat is a bit misleading. I'm not saying Nielsen isn't a productive player but more that, as UIF mentioned, he seems to disappear when the game becomes physical. I'm not expecting him to throw earth shattering hits (like the one that knocked UIF out of his seat) but I also don't want him to fail in puck pursuit or turn the puck over due to an aversion to anything physical. What really concerns me is, I didn't see him totally avoiding collisions or cluttered areas two years ago. Now he is. Maybe he'll get over it as the season picks up, but I find it troubling that a guy in an impact role like 2nd line center is appearing to shy away from intensity.
- keaner17

That's because he is not a 2nd line center. He is a 3rd line center who skates against the other teams top 2 lines. He is good on the PK and looks good on the PP so far. I'm not saying he is a stud be he is a solid #3 center.

anyone expecting physical play out of Nielson is missing the boat. He's a smart positional hockey player with good offensive instincts who plays in all situations. Fantastic player, but will never be known for driving through players. He's going to get some points and he's rarely going to make mistakes. That's what you get and any team in the NHL would be happy to have him.
- Isles_since_6

Maybe not fantastic i would say solid but i agree with everything you just said

I completely disagree. It's not just about stats with him. He is the only center capuano can put out there in every game situation and be confident in him to protect a lead, play a point on the pp or kill a penalty. He does everything very well and his point production the last few seasons is up there with a lot of #2 centers. He is still under rated and now being under rated by his own fan base. He is by the far the most versatile player on this team.

Good two way center,great on pk,good on power play, good late in games in own zone,and best shootout % of all time.

Please, no one ever knock him again. It doesn't make any sense
- Isles316

I just don't get some of the nitpicking that goes on here

with any luck Colin McDonald gets 4-5 games and the Isles will call up Nino for those games. McDonald has been ineffective and with Aucoin and Ullstrom playing reasonably well having a different winger could help. Could possibly swap Okposo to the third line and slot Nino in on JT's wing if Nino shows he can play at the NHL level this time around.
- Isles_since_6

I'm not sure who the Isles will really call up in this case but I agree that I haven't been even slightly impressed with McDonald. Of course Josh Bailey is slated to return to practice next week (possibly) so whoever comes up would likely be only a temporary call up. For that reason, I have a feeling it would be someone other than Nino.

As a side note, my daughter saw a picture of Josh Bailey and thought he was Nick Jonas...perhaps he's actually on tour?
I was going to post comparable pictures but the idea that someone might walk into my office as I had a picture of the Jonas borthers up on my monitor scared me away...

I just don't get some of the nitpicking that goes on here
- Vukota

That's because he is not a 2nd line center. He is a 3rd line center who skates against the other teams top 2 lines. He is good on the PK and looks good on the PP so far. I'm not saying he is a stud be he is a solid #3 center.
- Vukota

Correct, he should not be a second line center. However since he's in that role, he needs to stop feigning away from the puck when it's in traffic areas or seemingly NOT engage anyone with the puck.

I'm not sure who the Isles will really call up in this case but I agree that I haven't been even slightly impressed with McDonald. Of course Josh Bailey is slated to return to practice next week (possibly) so whoever comes up would likely be only a temporary call up. For that reason, I have a feeling it would be someone other than Nino.

As a side note, my daughter saw a picture of Josh Bailey and thought he was Nick Jonas...perhaps he's actually on tour?
I was going to post comparable pictures but the idea that someone might walk into my office as I had a picture of the Jonas borthers up on my monitor scared me away...
- keaner17

Correct, he should not be a second line center. However since he's in that role, he needs to stop feigning away from the puck when it's in traffic areas or seemingly NOT engage anyone with the puck.
- keaner17

Ok because the team has no other alternative Nielsen has to be something he is not? :lol

Nielsen has 5 points in 6 games and is a plus 3. Seems ok to me. He is not a physical player and he never will be.
- Vukota

Sounds like a showboater to me, ship his @ss out!!


XxNYIxX

Correct, he should not be a second line center. However since he's in that role, he needs to stop feigning away from the puck when it's in traffic areas or seemingly NOT engage anyone with the puck.
- keaner17

I dont know man. Lets appreciate him for what he is. One of the most versatile players in the league, let alone the isles

I completely disagree. It's not just about stats with him. He is the only center capuano can put out there in every game situation and be confident in him to protect a lead, play a point on the pp or kill a penalty. He does everything very well and his point production the last few seasons is up there with a lot of #2 centers. He is still under rated and now being under rated by his own fan base. He is by the far the most versatile player on this team.

Good two way center,great on pk,good on power play, good late in games in own zone,and best shootout % of all time.

Please, no one ever knock him again. It doesn't make any sense
- Isles316

No...he doesn't.
I think you folks are overreacting to the points that both UIF and I made. No one is saying that Nino isn't a good two-way player or a decent center. No one's saying that he should be a wrecking machine. I don't even expect him to throw that many hits. My concern is that his typical game hasn't been as good because he practically looks scared at times. Even as a non physical defensive forward, you have to be willing to challenge players, be it with stick checks or a bit of rubbing out. Frans has done that in the past but hasn't come close to doing it yet this season.

No one's saying 'send him down to the AHL' or even demote him but he has not looked like the same player to me. It underscores how important it is that we find someone who can sufficiently fill the role of a second line center.

No...he doesn't.
I think you folks are overreacting to the points that both UIF and I made. No one is saying that Nino isn't a good two-way player or a decent center. No one's saying that he should be a wrecking machine. I don't even expect him to throw that many hits. My concern is that his typical game hasn't been as good because he practically looks scared at times. Even as a non physical defensive forward, you have to be willing to challenge players, be it with stick checks or a bit of rubbing out. Frans has done that in the past but hasn't come close to doing it yet this season.

No one's saying 'send him down to the AHL' or even demote him but he has not looked like the same player to me. It underscores how important it is that we find someone who can sufficiently fill the role of a second line center.
- keaner17

Completely disagree with everything in this post except the bold. You can't kill Nielsen because he isn't a 2nd line center who happens to be playing 2nd line center. He is on e of the few players on this team who can play in every situation. Again he is a very solid 3rd line center nothing more nothing less.

i'm pretty sure they don't get to the rink and say i want to lose today...i know when i get to work i don't say "gee i want to suck today" anyways..the devils will be a good gauge as they make everyone look awful offensively...should be a good challenge
- NYI78

Really? Thanks for that! I'm referring to them putting a concerted effort in, thought you'd get it?

Correct, he should not be a second line center. However since he's in that role, he needs to stop feigning away from the puck when it's in traffic areas or seemingly NOT engage anyone with the puck.
- keaner17

I disagree a bit here. He did get involved along the boards last night and took a few hits to make some plays, but he's not strong in traffic and gets neutralized when he gets in there. He's best ala grabner at anticipating where the puck is going to go and using his stick and hockey smarts to break it up

a few observations:

-nabby was outstanding!!!
-streit should be traded now, he isnt going to be getting any better or younger. value is high
-boyes, jt, and mm looked SICK on the pp together
-ko honestly looks 5 steps behind everyone, he needs to be moved (diff line or traded)
-boyes needs to play with jt and mm
-hickey and strait have looked very good
-someone let neilson know that hockey is a contact sport (fwiw, id trade him)
-reasoner played a solid game (as did cizikas and martin)
-grabner is in beast mode in every facet of the game. finishing, checking, pk
-every time i watch ulstrom i like him more and more
-carkner is doing ok...at best (but i like his physical presence on the ice)
- LetsGoIsles

Why?

Who will play center against the other teams top 2 lines?

Okposo still very inconsistent. Streit still driving me nuts in defensive end and great on offensive side (especially on PP). Love seeing grabner score on Break away. Casey C is as good as we hoped... I am not thinking top 2 lines but he is a really good 2 way player.

Bailey will be a nice addition too..

CPT u asked me about the results.. .JT almost a point a game last year, Moulson 100 goals in 3 seasons, Grabner 54 goals in 2 seasons, Hamonic and AndyMac very solid players on defense.. .I guess I was trying to say our issue has been the 1 or 2 soft goals let in a game by our sub par goaltending. We were not getting blown away.. on the offensive side we have had very good results. top 7 PP last year..etc.

We have gotten good players.. and have good ones coming up (Ulstrom, Casey, etc.).. I see those as results not just w/L which I know u will say is the only result that matters.. but... We have some results and more help on way (Nino, Strome, Poulin, etc... ) I am cautiously optimistic.
- niteislander

Streit is a definite improvement from last year, he has been weak in our end but light years better than last season if you ask me.

Is it me or does it seem like almost half of the games in the Eastern Conference have been going into OT each night? Too many teams coming away with points each night

No...he doesn't.
I think you folks are overreacting to the points that both UIF and I made. No one is saying that Nino isn't a good two-way player or a decent center. No one's saying that he should be a wrecking machine. I don't even expect him to throw that many hits. My concern is that his typical game hasn't been as good because he practically looks scared at times. Even as a non physical defensive forward, you have to be willing to challenge players, be it with stick checks or a bit of rubbing out. Frans has done that in the past but hasn't come close to doing it yet this season.

No one's saying 'send him down to the AHL' or even demote him but he has not looked like the same player to me. It underscores how important it is that we find someone who can sufficiently fill the role of a second line center.
- keaner17

His line is on the ice the least when the other team scores. He is plus 3 with a team that is minus at even strength.

I just think that Neilsons game is the least that deserves any criticism. You want him to be more engaged physically, yet that line is doing better than any of us thought it would offensively and defensively, I just don't get it.

Knocking Neilson in any way,shape or form is just ridiculous in my opinion. The guy has done nothing wrong ever since he has been here except play for peanuts in NHL money terms until this season, stay humble and quiet, state publically that he wants to be part of the turnaround here, put up points, win faceoffs, kill penalties, man the point on the pp, be strong 5 on 5, score every shootout and you're giving him poop? Any poop giving to Frans is too much in my opinion. Just stop it. Every team in the league would want this guy .

a few observations:

-nabby was outstanding!!!
-streit should be traded now, he isnt going to be getting any better or younger. value is high
-boyes, jt, and mm looked SICK on the pp together
-ko honestly looks 5 steps behind everyone, he needs to be moved (diff line or traded)
-boyes needs to play with jt and mm-hickey and strait have looked very good
-someone let neilson know that hockey is a contact sport (fwiw, id trade him)
-reasoner played a solid game (as did cizikas and martin)
-grabner is in beast mode in every facet of the game. finishing, checking, pk
-every time i watch ulstrom i like him more and more
-carkner is doing ok...at best (but i like his physical presence on the ice)
- LetsGoIsles

Totally disagree with this. I honestly think Boyes sucks so far minus the Leafs game. He is constantly in the wrong place and consistently makes horrible passes. I know he got an assist but one play doesn't make up for his short coming for the other 59 minutes

His line is on the ice the least when the other team scores. He is plus 3 with a team that is minus at even strength.

I just think that Neilsons game is the least that deserves any criticism. You want him to be more engaged physically, yet that line is doing better than any of us thought it would offensively and defensively, I just don't get it.

Knocking Neilson in any way,shape or form is just ridiculous in my opinion. The guy has done nothing wrong ever since he has been here except play for peanuts in NHL money terms until this season, stay humble and quiet, state publically that he wants to be part of the turnaround here, put up points, win faceoffs, kill penalties, man the point on the pp, be strong 5 on 5, score every shootout and you're giving him poop? Any poop giving to Frans is too much in my opinion. Just stop it. Every team in the league would want this guy .
- Isles316

Well said

Completely disagree with everything in this post except the bold. You can't kill Nielsen because he isn't a 2nd line center who happens to be playing 2nd line center. He is on e of the few players on this team who can play in every situation. Again he is a very solid 3rd line center nothing more nothing less.
- Vukota

Look up production of #2 centers. He isn't far behind. He doesn't score enough goals maybe. He isn't a bad #2 at all but you're right, if they get a legit #2 center, than the isles down the middle would be among best in NHL

Completely disagree with everything in this post except the bold. You can't kill Nielsen because he isn't a 2nd line center who happens to be playing 2nd line center. He is on e of the few players on this team who can play in every situation. Again he is a very solid 3rd line center nothing more nothing less.
- Vukota

Even as a 3rd line center I find those things concerning...they become a bigger problem as a 2nd line center.
But this is an example of folks probably taking my (our) assessment a bit too much to the extreme. No one is 'killing' Frans over this. It is a simple evaluation that Frans has coughed up the puck a few times because someone was within 5 feet of him and it looked like he wanted to skate up into the upper deck. While I never did nor ever will expect Frans to throw a big hit, I do expect him to challenge for the puck. No matter who you are, what your style, if you can't do that, there's something wrong.

Even as a 3rd line center I find those things concerning...they become a bigger problem as a 2nd line center.
But this is an example of folks probably taking my (our) assessment a bit too much to the extreme. No one is 'killing' Frans over this. It is a simple evaluation that Frans has coughed up the puck a few times because someone was within 5 feet of him and it looked like he wanted to skate up into the upper deck. While I never did nor ever will expect Frans to throw a big hit, I do expect him to challenge for the puck. No matter who you are, what your style, if you can't do that, there's something wrong.
- keaner17

I haven't noticed that. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I find his game to be most consistent night in and night out on this team for the last 5 years now. I think he is exempt from any criticism for a little while since he has been productive and effective this season, as a number #2. Bigger issue is aucoin and reasoner are two #4 centers. I worry about that going down the line this season much more than fransy

Totally disagree with this. I honestly think Boyes sucks so far minus the Leafs game. He is constantly in the wrong place and consistently makes horrible passes. I know he got an assist but one play doesn't make up for his short coming for the other 59 minutes
- Cptmjl

Boyes has been effective on the PP but invisible the rest of the time. I also agree that he needs to step it up considerably and I'd peg him to drop to the third line if someone moves up.