I have no idea what you guys are seeing?
- Cptmjl

Considering the guy was crap the previous few years... I think he is coming along nicely... I still dont think he is a 1st line player, maybe not even a 2nd liner but he been better then Okposo and at least you can tell he has some talent. Plus it seems that he has some sorta chemistry with JT when on the PP together.

Good God...for the better part of last season, Bailey skated around more clueless than Okposo on his worst day this year...and that ain't saying much.

Okposo in no way, shape or form deserves to be on the top line, but I cannot consider Bailey a top six forward until he proves something. I know he had a strong finish last season points-wise, but I think people are forgetting just how awful he was for most of last season. Maybe this is his breakout year that we're all waiting for, but I'm pretty sure we ask ourselves that question at the start of every season, and so far, the answer has been no.
- Charlie21

Bailey played center most of last year. When he was moved to wing he played excellent. Not saying he deserves to be thrown on the first line but he could help.

I think the biggest issues offensively are our centers after Tavares. I love Neilson, but he is probably a great #3 and below average #2 and aucoin is a career minor leaguer and reasoner shouldn't be in the league the way he is playing.

Isles won't take a big step forward until tavares has a legit #2 center behind him that makes other teams worry. Example, when the isles signed peca soon after yashin.

Boyes,JT,moulson

Grabner,(missing),okposo

Bailey,Neilson,ullstrom

Martin,aucoin,cizikas

Say you had a guy like Stephen Weiss and all of a sudden your top 3 lines are all pretty darn good. Neiderreiter and strome coming makes this roster crowded. Someone or two will go. It's a big 40 games for okposo and especially bailey who isn't signed past this year.

Bailey played center most of last year. When he was moved to wing he played excellent. Not saying he deserves to be thrown on the first line but he could help.

I think the biggest issues offensively are our centers after Tavares. I love Neilson, but he is probably a great #3 and below average #2 and aucoin is a career minor leaguer and reasoner shouldn't be in the league the way he is playing.

Isles won't take a big step forward until tavares has a legit #2 center behind him that makes other teams worry. Example, when the isles signed peca soon after yashin.

Boyes,JT,moulson

Grabner,(missing),okposo

Bailey,Neilson,ullstrom

Martin,aucoin,cizikas

Say you had a guy like Stephen Weiss and all of a sudden your top 3 lines are all pretty darn good. Neiderreiter and strome coming makes this roster crowded. Someone or two will go. It's a big 40 games for okposo and especially bailey who isn't signed past this year.
- Isles316

Def a huge 40 games for those 2 players... if they dont produce, they both could be gone.

While I agree with your later statement on Ullstrom joining the top line (I've said this for a while now), remember that Bailey's play picked up dramatically after being moved to wing. Player winger allows him to think a little less and just play. He carries far less defensive responsibility that way.
- keaner17

Yes sir...totally remember that, and I agree that he NEEDS to be on the wing. He is not defensively reposonsible enough for center. I do think he has the skills at wing to become a decent second line winger, but his body of work isn't big enough to convince me he belongs there. I'd like to see him on the 3rd line when he comes off IR, and let him work is way up to oust Okposo from that positition....lord knows, I think we can all agree that Okposo has no business sniffing the top 2 lines the way he's playing.

Considering the guy was crap the previous few years... I think he is coming along nicely... I still dont think he is a 1st line player, maybe not even a 2nd liner but he been better then Okposo and at least you can tell he has some talent. Plus it seems that he has some sorta chemistry with JT when on the PP together.
- Bags502

What does this have to do with anything? just because he was crap the last FIVE years doesn't mean I give him a pass for being mediocre at best. Alot of you guys like him, guess I'm in the minority with this one. I think he's slow, at times lazy, makes more bad plays then good. OK on the PP occaisionally and other times makes a ridiculously bone headed pass.

Bailey played center most of last year. When he was moved to wing he played excellent. Not saying he deserves to be thrown on the first line but he could help.

I think the biggest issues offensively are our centers after Tavares. I love Neilson, but he is probably a great #3 and below average #2 and aucoin is a career minor leaguer and reasoner shouldn't be in the league the way he is playing.

Isles won't take a big step forward until tavares has a legit #2 center behind him that makes other teams worry. Example, when the isles signed peca soon after yashin.

Boyes,JT,moulson

Grabner,(missing),okposo

Bailey,Neilson,ullstrom

Martin,aucoin,cizikas

Say you had a guy like Stephen Weiss and all of a sudden your top 3 lines are all pretty darn good. Neiderreiter and strome coming makes this roster crowded. Someone or two will go. It's a big 40 games for okposo and especially bailey who isn't signed past this year.
- Isles316

I agree with the bolded statement 1000% (if that's even possible)

I'm hoping with Strome, Brock Nelson and (hopefully) Anders Lee in the system....we will fill that role eventually with homegrown talent. We're a long way from any of the 3 mentioned to fill that role unfortunately....

Yes sir...totally remember that, and I agree that he NEEDS to be on the wing. He is not defensively reposonsible enough for center. I do think he has the skills at wing to become a decent second line winger, but his body of work isn't big enough to convince me he belongs there. I'd like to see him on the 3rd line when he comes off IR, and let him work is way up to oust Okposo from that positition....lord knows, I think we can all agree that Okposo has no business sniffing the top 2 lines the way he's playing.
- Charlie21

Why should anyone have to "oust" Okposo from a line? The guy is ousting himself for (frank)s sake

Bailey played center most of last year. When he was moved to wing he played excellent. Not saying he deserves to be thrown on the first line but he could help.

I think the biggest issues offensively are our centers after Tavares. I love Neilson, but he is probably a great #3 and below average #2 and aucoin is a career minor leaguer and reasoner shouldn't be in the league the way he is playing.

Isles won't take a big step forward until tavares has a legit #2 center behind him that makes other teams worry. Example, when the isles signed peca soon after yashin.

Boyes,JT,moulson

Grabner,(missing),okposo

Bailey,Neilson,ullstrom

Martin,aucoin,cizikas

Say you had a guy like Stephen Weiss and all of a sudden your top 3 lines are all pretty darn good. Neiderreiter and strome coming makes this roster crowded. Someone or two will go. It's a big 40 games for okposo and especially bailey who isn't signed past this year.
- Isles316

You can tack on a number one goaltender and more than one good defenseman

For PA?
- Cptmjl

PA Parenteau is the reason Waldo went into hiding!

Id love to see:

Moulson-JT-Strome
Grabner-Nielson-Bailey
Martin-Cizikis-Ullstrom

Pretty solid top-9 and they still have plenty of talent in the system to make a trade to improve it and the defense. (I know Strome is a Center but for the time being put him on JT's wing.)
- Bags502

strome is a center!!! why are people so aroused by the idea of throwing him off his game?

Why should anyone have to "oust" Okposo from a line? The guy is ousting himself for (frank)s sake
- Cptmjl

I'd like to oust him straight to the press box.

Id love to see:

Moulson-JT-Strome
Grabner-Nielson-Bailey
Martin-Cizikis-Ullstrom

Pretty solid top-9 and they still have plenty of talent in the system to make a trade to improve it and the defense. (I know Strome is a Center but for the time being put him on JT's wing.)- Bags502

strome is a center!!! why are people so aroused by the idea of throwing him off his game?

I know he is... but I meant the Isles should call him up and let him play the NHL game and then move him to Center...

Visnovsky passed his physical and will join Isles on friday...

Callahan is back tonight for the Rags and Boyle is scratched...
- Bags502

Cally is back alot sooner than expected. You guys are going to be in tough to pull this out tonight without PAP. He has 7 goals and 2 assists.

I agree with the bolded statement 1000% (if that's even possible)

I'm hoping with Strome, Brock Nelson and (hopefully) Anders Lee in the system....we will fill that role eventually with homegrown talent. We're a long way from any of the 3 mentioned to fill that role unfortunately....
- Charlie21

That's the problem. It's at least 2 or 3 years until those guys can be a great number #2 probably. I love Neilson, and he has done a good job at #2 but he isn't ideal.

Well what about Brock Nelson? Would he be nhl ready next year?

Cally is back alot sooner than expected. You guys are going to be in tough to pull this out tonight without PAP. He has 7 goals and 2 assists.
- canadianpenfan

In PA's world...scissors beats rock!!!

Id love to see:

Moulson-JT-Strome
Grabner-Nielson-Bailey
Martin-Cizikis-Ullstrom

Pretty solid top-9 and they still have plenty of talent in the system to make a trade to improve it and the defense. (I know Strome is a Center but for the time being put him on JT's wing.)- Bags502






I know he is... but I meant the Isles should call him up and let him play the NHL game and then move him to Center...
- Bags502

I don't see them calling him up this season...I think that ship sailed when they sent him back to Niagara during camp. If they had any interest in giving him an NHL look, they probably would have done so for the 5 game look at no cost to them. I can't see them burning a year of his entry level contract in mid season especially when he's getting tons of ice time in Juniors.

reinhart, mayfield, anders lee, brock nelson, and Pedan probably would get a look for next year. I feel that it is wise to trade streit, bailey and okposo if there is no hope for this year

Well what about Brock Nelson? Would he be nhl ready next year?
- ISLES1119

Hope so, but the jury's out on whether his skills will translate to the NHL level...especially as a second line center.

PA Parenteau is the reason Waldo went into hiding!
- keaner17

PA has a grizzly bear rug in his room. The bear isn't dead, it's just scared to move.

PA has a grizzly bear rug in his room. The bear isn't dead, it's just scared to move.
- brodydog29

Unfortunately, our wonderful GM decided to extend Okposo instead of PA and let him walk for for nothing. Think it would have been better to trade KO for a package and sign PA? Not hindsight for me, been saying this on these boards for Okposo for two seasons now. Not sure why they gave him that money when he has shown nothing to get it. Pays to be drafted high I guess. Hope KO throws one check tonight. Would be a start

Carkner out (lower body) and Finley in...
Cizikis out (healthy scratch) and Boulton in...
Nabby in goal...

reinhart, mayfield, anders lee, brock nelson, and Pedan probably would get a look for next year. I feel that it is wise to trade streit, bailey and okposo if there is no hope for this year
- ISLES1119

Streit has value, not much for Bailey and Okposo right now. If all those rookies you mentioned make it to the big club next year (which I think maybe Brock Nelson has a shot of all listed) we're in big trouble.

Carkner out (lower body) and Finley in...
Cizikis out (healthy scratch) and Boulton in...
Nabby in goal...
- Bags502

Can't say I understand that decision at all.