I just think AMac was championed by the franchise before he ever earned his stripes. He's serviceable but very ordinary. There's no real skillset that he carries as a strength. His first year, he played very smart and conservative. He seems to be finding himself out of position a lot and also does a very poor job of positioning his body against forwards. That's a developmental issue that we all know seems to plague this team.
From the standpoint of being perceived 'negative', let's face it, it's a bit more fun to be sarcastic and throw stones while it can feel shallow to be a cheerleader. And this team has given us plenty of ammo over the last two decades. I'm a sarcastic (and sometimes negative) person by nature but I also tend to be a devils advocate so I'll often argue against the naysayers just to provide the counterpoint. We all have fun here and for the most part enjoy eachother. I've spent the last 15 years on the yahoo messageboards and they just locked us out two days ago with no warning. It really sucks since a few of us there have now spent years and years sharing good times and bad times with this team. It's easy to forget how much you appreciate all the personalties you talk to day to day even if you don't really know them. We didn't even get a chance to trade emails or say goodbye.
- keaner17

It is weird here cause in a way we are like brothers and family fighting and having a good time. LOL. We all make good points and I have made some friends on here as well telling me to hang in there and congratulating me when I got married. then there is JimmyC LOL. I dont care I was a Penguin fan to begin with so he can rag on me all he wants LOL

I just think AMac was championed by the franchise before he ever earned his stripes. He's serviceable but very ordinary. There's no real skillset that he carries as a strength. His first year, he played very smart and conservative. He seems to be finding himself out of position a lot and also does a very poor job of positioning his body against forwards. That's a developmental issue that we all know seems to plague this team.
From the standpoint of being perceived 'negative', let's face it, it's a bit more fun to be sarcastic and throw stones while it can feel shallow to be a cheerleader. And this team has given us plenty of ammo over the last two decades. I'm a sarcastic (and sometimes negative) person by nature but I also tend to be a devils advocate so I'll often argue against the naysayers just to provide the counterpoint. We all have fun here and for the most part enjoy eachother. I've spent the last 15 years on the yahoo messageboards and they just locked us out two days ago with no warning. It really sucks since a few of us there have now spent years and years sharing good times and bad times with this team. It's easy to forget how much you appreciate all the personalties you talk to day to day even if you don't really know them. We didn't even get a chance to trade emails or say goodbye.
- keaner17

A-Mac was a good pick in the middle of his draft year and he's signed to a reasonable deal. He's a solid NHL 5-6 d-man. Problem is, when you miscast him on the top shut-down pair, he's out of place and looks bad. If there were better d-men in front of him, A-Mac would be doing very well for himself on the bottom pair and we wouldn't be having these discussions about him.

It is weird here cause in a way we are like brothers and family fighting and having a good time. LOL. We all make good points and I have made some friends on here as well telling me to hang in there and congratulating me when I got married. then there is JimmyC LOL. I dont care I was a Penguin fan to begin with so he can rag on me all he wants LOL
- kasperrko

Yep...it was like that on the yahoo board for me. When my kid was born back in 2004, we spent a whole day talking about kids and the 'effects' etc. On 9/11 we all talked in shock about what was going on. From the market crash, Yashin buyout, Milbury exit...all that stuff was intertwined in the life events so those folks end up meaning a little more than most would care to admit. It almost seems silly to become attached to people on a messageboard (not Mante Teo silly but), but I sure as hell look forward to the day we're on here talking about the kick-arse playoff series the Isles are in. We all spend a day enjoying just a single victory right now

That's tough sledding man. These type of forums are rarely good to combat those type things since they tend to frustrate the hell out of people. From a fan perspective we all go through these peaks and valleys. Today we're flying high but it almost seems inevitable that they'll put up a clunker soon that has us all spitting nails again. Not to mention how trying a slowwwwwww rebuild like this is on an already battered fanbase. I definitely think we're seeing the team take form, but we have enough lame pieces still on the team (Reasoner, KO, AMac, etc) that there's still a ways to go. We need a couple of BIG pieces, which we've all pointed out, but I think things will turn quickly when they arrive.
- keaner17

get ready for it

A-Mac was a good pick in the middle of his draft year and he's signed to a reasonable deal. He's a solid NHL 5-6 d-man. Problem is, when you miscast him on the top shut-down pair, he's out of place and looks bad. If there were better d-men in front of him, A-Mac would be doing very well for himself on the bottom pair and we wouldn't be having these discussions about him.
- Jethro09

I don't disagree with that at all however what concerns me with Amac is that he's making fundamental mistakes. It's not just about being physically overwhelmed but he also seems mentally overwhelmed. I think this team has a real problem in working on simple dman positioning. Constnatly failing to switch off on forwards is a concerning breakdown that seems to happen repeatedly. It's a coaching issue and I think Amac is suffering as a result.

get ready for it
- Cptmjl

I threw that out there to prepare us all!

A-Mac was a good pick in the middle of his draft year and he's signed to a reasonable deal. He's a solid NHL 5-6 d-man. Problem is, when you miscast him on the top shut-down pair, he's out of place and looks bad. If there were better d-men in front of him, A-Mac would be doing very well for himself on the bottom pair and we wouldn't be having these discussions about him.
- Jethro09

Exactly. Miscasting=Islanders specialty

get ready for it
- Cptmjl

I know probably will happen next game. PRetty sad when we can predict when we can win and when we will lose. Oh well if they play with heart and play a good game and still lose thenI cant get mad

Yep...it was like that on the yahoo board for me. When my kid was born back in 2004, we spent a whole day talking about kids and the 'effects' etc. On 9/11 we all talked in shock about what was going on. From the market crash, Yashin buyout, Milbury exit...all that stuff was intertwined in the life events so those folks end up meaning a little more than most would care to admit. It almost seems silly to become attached to people on a messageboard (not Mante Teo silly but), but I sure as hell look forward to the day we're on here talking about the kick-arse playoff series the Isles are in. We all spend a day enjoying just a single victory right now
- keaner17

Could be sooner than we think. We are still in it and you never know if we can sneek into the playoffs

I threw that out there to prepare us all!
- keaner17

Happens to me even of all people. I start getting this notion that the playoffs are with in reach and then wammo, they mail it in. Drives me batty. Especially when the game usually entails them gliding around, avoiding contact, and not caring when it's a very important game obviously. The problem I have with it most of all is it seems to be more important to the fans. Urgh

I don't disagree with that at all however what concerns me with Amac is that he's making fundamental mistakes. It's not just about being physically overwhelmed but he also seems mentally overwhelmed. I think this team has a real problem in working on simple dman positioning. Constnatly failing to switch off on forwards is a concerning breakdown that seems to happen repeatedly. It's a coaching issue and I think Amac is suffering as a result.
- keaner17

I think they may be one in the same. Meaning while being physically overwhelmed it leads to the fundamental mistakes to an extent. We'd be stupid to think other teams have'nt homed in on his deficiencies.

Happens to me even of all people. I start getting this notion that the playoffs are with in reach and then wammo, they mail it in. Drives me batty. Especially when the game usually entails them gliding around, avoiding contact, and not caring when it's a very important game obviously. The problem I have with it most of all is it seems to be more important to the fans. Urgh
- Cptmjl

The one thing that may change this groundhog day scenario is Tavares. He's quickly becoming a guy (when not ill) who can carry this team and makes everyone around him better. If that Martin/Cizikas/McDonald line continues to play as they did last night, we become a far more dangerous team. That's why I think Tavares needs to be named Captain sooner than later. I realize it's only symbolism but it's an important symbol to the culture of the team.

Since Bridgeport is already toast on the playoffs, I wonder if we may see Nelson and Nino get a chance before long. That could be an interesting change in dynamic for this team.

I know probably will happen next game. PRetty sad when we can predict when we can win and when we will lose. Oh well if they play with heart and play a good game and still lose thenI cant get mad
- kasperrko

Like clock work. They can be up three goals and you can feel them letting loose of the reigns and you know it's coming. We all know this team and what it can and can't dowhether some of us accept it or not is another story.

The one thing that may change this groundhog day scenario is Tavares. He's quickly becoming a guy (when not ill) who can carry this team and makes everyone around him better. If that Martin/Cizikas/McDonald line continues to play as they did last night, we become a far more dangerous team. That's why I think Tavares needs to be named Captain sooner than later. I realize it's only symbolism but it's an important symbol to the culture of the team.

Since Bridgeport is already toast on the playoffs, I wonder if we may see Nelson and Nino get a chance before long. That could be an interesting change in dynamic for this team.
- keaner17

100% agree. Guy leads by example and there is no one who wants to win more on that team, it was time to change the environment a looooonng time ago.

Like clock work. They can be up three goals and you can feel them letting loose of the reigns and you know it's coming. We all know this team and what it can and can't dowhether some of us accept it or not is another story.
- Cptmjl

I really thought it was going to happen last night after the 5 on 3 Montreal got and they scored I was like here we go. Shocked it did not happen but the Islanders did not give up after that

I think they may be one in the same. Meaning while being physically overwhelmed it leads to the fundamental mistakes to an extent. We'd be stupid to think other teams have'nt homed in on his deficiencies.
- Cptmjl

They often make those matters worse, no doubt. But ultimately a player has to fall back on fundamental positioning. If they fail to do that, the problem between their ears needs to be fixed first. I used to coach a small college team and we were constantly outmatched physically by teams and had to learn to use positioning to overcome those issues. I myself was of average size and found that learning to not comprimise your position on the body would keep you out of trouble. I see Amac make those mistakes more than any other dman on our team. This is where (IMO) our coaching staff fails miserably.

Happens to me even of all people. I start getting this notion that the playoffs are with in reach and then wammo, they mail it in. Drives me batty. Especially when the game usually entails them gliding around, avoiding contact, and not caring when it's a very important game obviously. The problem I have with it most of all is it seems to be more important to the fans. Urgh
- Cptmjl

If I was Snow, I would start my trade deadline shopping now...call San Jose to see what they for Clowe...offer Visnovski since he won't be back next year and Clowe is a free agent...then go after a d-man...and try and make the playoffs...

The one thing that may change this groundhog day scenario is Tavares. He's quickly becoming a guy (when not ill) who can carry this team and makes everyone around him better. If that Martin/Cizikas/McDonald line continues to play as they did last night, we become a far more dangerous team. That's why I think Tavares needs to be named Captain sooner than later. I realize it's only symbolism but it's an important symbol to the culture of the team.

Since Bridgeport is already toast on the playoffs, I wonder if we may see Nelson and Nino get a chance before long. That could be an interesting change in dynamic for this team.
- keaner17

as long as the isles are competing for a playoff spot, i cant imagine anyone from the AHL coming up and being thrown into the deep end...

I really thought it was going to happen last night after the 5 on 3 Montreal got and they scored I was like here we go. Shocked it did not happen but the Islanders did not give up after that
- kasperrko

Me too. That's the one difference with this team and one from the past five years. I've been wrong a few times which is good. They have a ways to go but when they occaisionally hold the fort it's a good sign.

I know probably will happen next game. PRetty sad when we can predict when we can win and when we will lose. Oh well if they play with heart and play a good game and still lose thenI cant get mad
- kasperrko

Thursday night's game is going to tell you a lot about this team. This is the first time in a while they are playing the Rangers with something important on the line. The Rangers are coming into the Coliseum likely with no Staal and possibly no Richards. The Isles are coming off two straight wins and points in their last three. If they come out flat or get thumped, its a sign they aren't ready to compete with pressure. But if they win, I think it could propel them to bigger and better things. Its all about consistency. Keeping their compete level up and attacking, instead of sitting back and feeling the opponent out.

They often make those matters worse, no doubt. But ultimately a player has to fall back on fundamental positioning. If they fail to do that, the problem between their ears needs to be fixed first. I used to coach a small college team and we were constantly outmatched physically by teams and had to learn to use positioning to overcome those issues. I myself was of average size and found that learning to not comprimise your position on the body would keep you out of trouble. I see Amac make those mistakes more than any other dman on our team. This is where (IMO) our coaching staff fails miserably.
- keaner17

That is the difference between a good player and a not so good player, talent only takes you so far.

as long as the isles are competing for a playoff spot, i cant imagine anyone from the AHL coming up and being thrown into the deep end...
- LetsGoIsles

You are right barring any injury I dont think we will see any of them

as long as the isles are competing for a playoff spot, i cant imagine anyone from the AHL coming up and being thrown into the deep end...
- LetsGoIsles

Very true...whistful thinking here. It's the scoring depth that I'd like to see improve a bit more. I'd love to see us add AT LEAST one more skill forward with size.

Thursday night's game is going to tell you a lot about this team. This is the first time in a while they are playing the Rangers with something important on the line. The Rangers are coming into the Coliseum likely with no Staal and possibly no Richards. The Isles are coming off two straight wins and points in their last three. If they come out flat or get thumped, its a sign they aren't ready to compete with pressure. But if they win, I think it could propel them to bigger and better things. Its all about consistency. Keeping their compete level up and attacking, instead of sitting back and feeling the opponent out.
- Jethro09

You know what you're setting yourself up for with this comment?

Thursday night's game is going to tell you a lot about this team. This is the first time in a while they are playing the Rangers with something important on the line. The Rangers are coming into the Coliseum likely with no Staal and possibly no Richards. The Isles are coming off two straight wins and points in their last three. If they come out flat or get thumped, its a sign they aren't ready to compete with pressure. But if they win, I think it could propel them to bigger and better things. Its all about consistency. Keeping their compete level up and attacking, instead of sitting back and feeling the opponent out.
- Jethro09

you are right Jethro it is a must win for them in my eyes. I can see maybe another OT win or shoot out win but I want to beat them in regulation. I get scared for these types of games because they have not yet risen to teh occasion