He has been but he's played a whole 6 games?
- Cptmjl

True it's only been 6 games but usually you can tell if they will be a viable player in that time. Not saying he's a Norris trophy finalist but at that price and the ice time he gets i think it's a good deal.

Dee Karl: Isles Gameday: Catching Up To the Devils
Note to Isles: Keep Elias away from the puck.
- Dee Karl

Did anyone pluck Boychuck off waivers?

I don't know how much impact the Strait signing will have on Streits status with us? You're talking about a guy that couldn't break into the Pens D line up and will prob play a 5/6 role once things are settled on the back end for us. Curious about what's going to happen with Streit. If we are out of it by the deadline you can count on him being traded. If we are in the thick of things I wonder what they'll do? 2 year extension? You also have the Captaincy issue(maybe wrong word but for lack there of a better one...). What happens if they extend him, do they make Tavares captain? Should be interesting
- Cptmjl

I like to dream that Streit will be replaced by someone better next year. I think unless they have a real shot at the playoffs you have to move Streit.

True it's only been 6 games but usually you can tell if they will be a viable player in that time. Not saying he's a Norris trophy finalist but at that price and the ice time he gets i think it's a good deal.
- Isles321

I do not have a problem with the deal. Can never have enough D.

Did anyone pluck Boychuck off waivers?
- Cptmjl

Pens

True it's only been 6 games but usually you can tell if they will be a viable player in that time. Not saying he's a Norris trophy finalist but at that price and the ice time he gets i think it's a good deal.
- Isles321

I don't think it will have that much of a negative impact even if he starts sucking it up. After seeing the salary it's not a bad deal at all. Especially if he pans out of course. Salary cap is not going to be an issue for us for a long time and its a tiny salary anyway.

Pens
- Vukota

Gotcha.

Butche's fans in here may get a kick out this tweet of his....mispronouncing and spelling are hand in hand I guess

Butch Goring @91Butch 43m
Congrats to Brian Strait on his new 3 year deal with the Isles. He has played solid each and every gm while paired with. Mark Strite
View details ·

True it's only been 6 games but usually you can tell if they will be a viable player in that time. Not saying he's a Norris trophy finalist but at that price and the ice time he gets i think it's a good deal.
- Isles321

IMO you go thru teams twice before they completely figure your strengths and weaknesses!

Has he played Well? Yes.

But 6 games? Not nearly enough time to evaluate a player for a 3 yr contract. IMO

Irregardless of the amount. Time will tell.

I believe that's league minimum?
- Cptmjl

just checked capgeek out of curiousity...7 defensemen signed for under 1 mil

our goalies make more than most of our skaters. Crazy good situation for next season if in fact we ever used the cap space we have available..which we all know won't happen.

I believe that's league minimum?
- Cptmjl

Snow likes AMAC, I think they will sign him to a better deal next season if they don't trade him in a package with someone else for a quality NHLer...

I don't think it will have that much of a negative impact even if he starts sucking it up. After seeing the salary it's not a bad deal at all. Especially if he pans out of course. Salary cap is not going to be an issue for us for a long time and its a tiny salary anyway.
- Cptmjl

Makes him easy to trade too.

IMO you go thru teams twice before they completely figure your strengths and weaknesses!

Has he played Well? Yes.

But 6 games? Not nearly enough time to evaluate a player for a 3 yr contract. IMO

Irregardless of the amount. Time will tell.

- SCLI

No question 6 games is quick SCLI.

AMac will be jealous. I still don't know how Snow got him signed that cheaply. Has to be the lowest salary for an NHL defenseman in the league. Isn't it below the minimum?
- Isles_since_6

It was the same thing with Neilson. A Mac will get his contract when the time comes. Say what you want about how they do business,, the isles have rewarded their own with contracts the last few years

No question 6 games is quick SCLI.
- ses111

Capuano and Weight saw basically scouted this guy during lockout in AHL. He also played about 10 games with pitt last year including the playoffs. It's still quick but he seems like giant upgrade over the crap we have had back there the last few seasons. When visnovsky gets here, he will most likely be a #5 or #6 with carkner. Not a bad bottom pairing. Much improved from last year.

Don't get me wrong I like the guy but seems kind of quick? It's def a minimal investment none the less, we don't have to worry about the salary cap for the forseeable future.
- Cptmjl

He's a Mass boy....just like garth...rolston...capuano...see a trend forming???

I like to dream that Streit will be replaced by someone better next year. I think unless they have a real shot at the playoffs you have to move Streit.
- ses111

Garth will re-sign Steit if he can. Maybe only two years. But he won't trade the captain of the team at the deadline. I can't say he should def go but in the future he shouldn't on our top pairing. Hamonic/Reinhart in two years swill be one of the better d lines in the league. Then some of the other 47 dmen in the system will hopefully be ready.

Capuano and Weight saw basically scouted this guy during lockout in AHL. He also played about 10 games with pitt last year including the playoffs. It's still quick but he seems like giant upgrade over the crap we have had back there the last few seasons. When visnovsky gets here, he will most likely be a #5 or #6 with carkner. Not a bad bottom pairing. Much improved from last year.
- Isles316

Good points. I think Strait should work fine as a #5.

He's a Mass boy....just like garth...rolston...capuano...see a trend forming???
- jmo16

He's a Mass boy....just like garth...rolston...capuano...see a trend forming???
- jmo16

Rolston is from Michigan and Capuano is from Rhode Island. What exactly is the trend?

IMO you go thru teams twice before they completely figure your strengths and weaknesses!

Has he played Well? Yes.

But 6 games? Not nearly enough time to evaluate a player for a 3 yr contract. IMO

Irregardless of the amount. Time will tell.

- SCLI

I have no problem with this signing at all since Strait was heading for UFA status after this season due to the CBA. Since his hit is virtually the same as the 1 year deal he was on with Pittsburgh, his cap hit is next to nothing.

My bigger question is not so much, why did the Isles extend him when we had all of the bargaining power, but 'what does this mean?'

Is this a signal that Streit is indeed on his way out at the end of the year and we're planing on someone from minors to take his place? Or better yet, does it mean that they don't feel any of our defensive prospects will start next season on the roster?

Since the cost is minimal I'm sure they can make him a frequent press box occupant if need be, but I don't think that's the overall plan. Strait is the new Andy MacDonald (IMO) though he'll hopefully be asked to only fill a #6 or 7 slot next year. MacDonald will be entering the final year of his contract so perhaps his swan song is approaching.

Rolston is from Michigan and Capuano is from Rhode Island. What exactly is the trend?
- shinkdew

I have no problem with this signing at all since Strait was heading for UFA status after this season due to the CBA. Since his hit is virtually the same as the 1 year deal he was on with Pittsburgh, his cap hit is next to nothing.

My bigger question is not so much, why did the Isles extend him when we had all of the bargaining power, but 'what does this mean?'

Is this a signal that Streit is indeed on his way out at the end of the year and we're planing on someone from minors to take his place? Or better yet, does it mean that they don't feel any of our defensive prospects will start next season on the roster?

Since the cost is minimal I'm sure they can make him a frequent press box occupant if need be, but I don't think that's the overall plan. Strait is the new Andy MacDonald (IMO) though he'll hopefully be asked to only fill a #6 or 7 slot next year. MacDonald will be entering the final year of his contract so perhaps his swan song is approaching.
- keaner17

it's very very early and 6 games doesn't show us much, but I think strait could easily play in a 5th or 6th role, and if paired with a more offensive minded defenseman as he has been, he doesn't look out of place in a top 4. I like him a lot, quiet and steady. The problem is, has he just played 6 average games or has he just played 6 very good games? What's his ceiling? Is he playing above it? time will tell.

Rolston is from Michigan and Capuano is from Rhode Island. What exactly is the trend?
- shinkdew

IMO you go thru teams twice before they completely figure your strengths and weaknesses!

Has he played Well? Yes.

But 6 games? Not nearly enough time to evaluate a player for a 3 yr contract. IMO

Irregardless of the amount. Time will tell.
- SCLI