I love the way the isles are playing, but we're only a few games in. Im not gonna be so quick to start saying first place isles. They need to be better with leads still, and play a full 60 minutes. Im loving that line of Cizikas, Ulstrom, Aucoin. Wonder where Bailey fits when he's healthy to return.
- kindlyrick

Definitely not, we've all been down that road before. The fact that they are able to come back is a big deal. Instead of folding up the tents when they're down a couple goals they keep going. That's an improvement from teams past and it's a sign of maturing as far as I'm concerned. It's something I'm happy about. Just hope they can keep this going.

i agree i like watching hickey...call me crazy but given the 6 guys that are there, id sit AMAC
- LetsGoIsles

Him or Carkner who makes some palm to face plays sometimes.

Toronto??
- jimmc7722

That's a bit harsh, no?

Definitely not, we've all been down that road before. The fact that they are able to come back is a big deal. Instead of folding up the tents when they're down a couple goals they keep going. That's an improvement from teams past and it's a sign of maturing as far as I'm concerned. It's something I'm happy about. Just hope they can keep this going.
- Cptmjl

Agreed.......def a step in the right direction. Unfort i think the honeymoon will start to end, once Ricky D gets a few more starts.

Toronto??
- jimmc7722

Why are you bustin my chops so much, did I bother you??

Yha it looks like Gremlin suffered a sophomore slump last year... he may still have hands like feet...But his speed more then makes up for it.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

He has been playing incredible. I've been saying it since he's been here but I love him on the PK. Other teams don't get comfortable on their PP when he's out on the kill. You can see it at the points with the opposing teams defenders backing up, it's a good thing to have.

I like AMac... good steady guy, not alot of mistakes. Plays lots of minutes for us right now.

Has nice chemistry with Hamonic!!!

Definately a second pairing guy all day long!!!

Reminds me alot of what Reinhart will bring to the table in the next couple years.

We should resign Streit to a deal now.

I would also try and tie up Hamonic, and AMac this year too.

Streit, Hamonic, Amac, and Reinhart will be steady for us for awhile.
- jimmc7722

not sure why everyone loves streit so much. hes good, at best. PLUS offensive defenseman, below defensive defenseman. hes turning 36 this year and isnt going to get any better at this point in his career. from here on out i expect his talent to only regress. hes fine. he gets the job done for the most part, but we have guys in the system OR there are FA thatll be available wholl be able to contribute more to the team for the amount of money/years that streit would likely be signed for.

He's being misused.. he's just not a first line player... His draft position, his game & our expectations for him remind me a whole lot of Bergenhiem. First round talent.. third line specialist.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I have also been impressed by our D. I dont know if I am the only one but I would not want Vis coming in and messing up the chemistry back there

Yha it looks like Gremlin suffered a sophomore slump last year... he may still have hands like feet...But his speed more then makes up for it.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Tell you what, his hands aren't very feet-like when he's picking off passes in the lanes or receiving long stretch passes in full stride. I think his shot's coming along, too. Last season, that breakaway on Marty would have resulted in a shot right into the logo or a predictable deke. For the second game, he flat out beat the goaltender with a hard wrist shot. This time it was just a touch off target and hit the post. I think we'll see him finish more of those chances this season.

This is very true........but i still dont want Vis on this team. I'd sooner sit his a$$ for all the drama.
- kindlyrick

They are playing good without him, why bring that element into the locker room? I'm sick of this team trying to win players over after they are supposed to be playing already, (frank) off Vis. Honestly the guy could add so much to this line up but I still don't want him.

I have also been impressed by our D. I dont know if I am the only one but I would not want Vis coming in and messing up the chemistry back there
- kasperrko

prob not the only one...but again, this is business. my philosophy is if he makes the isles better, bring him in.

I wouldn't put him in a bottom-six role though. Gotta crash and bang more than he does for that. He needs to pick up his scoring and be a puck-possession second liner, or else he'll have trouble fitting anywhere. Can't figure out his play...just seems like an entirely different player than he was his second season.
- UIF

Bixill hit the nail right on the head the other day saying he is a player without an "identity". Pretty accurate description of him IMO

Tell you what, his hands aren't very feet-like when he's picking off passes in the lanes or receiving long stretch passes in full stride. I think his shot's coming along, too. Last season, that breakaway on Marty would have resulted in a shot right into the logo or a predictable deke. For the second game, he flat out beat the goaltender with a hard wrist shot. This time it was just a touch off target and hit the post. I think we'll see him finish more of those chances this season.
- UIF

agreed...his release is MUCH quicker. not shooting into the pads. not getting too close to the goalie and hes receiving the puck much cleaner than last year.

we cant expect him to score in EVERY breakaway. lets have realistic expectations.

Bixill hit the nail right on the head the other day saying he is a player without an "identity". Pretty accurate description of him IMO
- Cptmjl

Lucky guess.

I have also been impressed by our D. I dont know if I am the only one but I would not want Vis coming in and messing up the chemistry back there
- kasperrko

or anywhere for that matter. I'm with you on that. Don't fix something that ain't broke

Lucky guess.
- bixll

Good description is more like it

Tell you what, his hands aren't very feet-like when he's picking off passes in the lanes or receiving long stretch passes in full stride. I think his shot's coming along, too. Last season, that breakaway on Marty would have resulted in a shot right into the logo or a predictable deke. For the second game, he flat out beat the goaltender with a hard wrist shot. This time it was just a touch off target and hit the post. I think we'll see him finish more of those chances this season.
- UIF

If his hands can catch up with those feet he'd be a 50 goal scorer.

not sure why everyone loves streit so much. hes good, at best. PLUS offensive defenseman, below defensive defenseman. hes turning 36 this year and isnt going to get any better at this point in his career. from here on out i expect his talent to only regress. hes fine. he gets the job done for the most part, but we have guys in the system OR there are FA thatll be available wholl be able to contribute more to the team for the amount of money/years that streit would likely be signed for.
- LetsGoIsles

Coud not agree more. I rather not bring him back next year.

I have also been impressed by our D. I dont know if I am the only one but I would not want Vis coming in and messing up the chemistry back there
- kasperrko

The O has been making up for the sometimes glaring mistakes on D. They still need help on the backline

Why the AMac hate? I would prefer him over Hickey anyday.....

The O has been making up for the sometimes glaring mistakes on D. They still need help on the backline
- Vukota

giving up 4 goals a game is not good d

Good description is more like it
- Cptmjl

Ok needs a fresh start, with another team. Like others that have come and moved on and done pretty well. Nate and others..I am not sure what the Isles would get for him currently. Could wave him I guess.

Ok needs a fresh start, with another team. Like others that have come and moved on and done pretty well. Nate and others..I am not sure what the Isles would get for him currently. Could wave him I guess.
- bixll

waiving him would be stupid. Never gonna happen

The O has been making up for the sometimes glaring mistakes on D. They still need help on the backline
- Vukota

No question Vukota. Offense will run into slumps the D has to pick up the slack. Just watching Striet on that last Devil goal made me