The Hawks with PAP are greater then The Habs of the 70's. The Isles of the 80's. The Oilers of the 80's. Detroit of the 60's. Pittsburgh of the 2000's and every other NHL team that ever existed!
So there!
- SCLI

The NHL considered launching a team simply called the PA PARENTEAU's but felt other fanbases would dwindle to nothing.

Just don't give them the McDonalds too, at least give us a chance.
We're getting PAP and then there's nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the run.

Yes, SCLI, 2nd unit does make sense.
- canadianpenfan

I've heard Colorado would only accept Jesus Christ and cash for PA.

JT's line needs to start filling the net, especially at this point in the season. They ( JT) go on a tear at the right time we will move up easy. Gremlin needs more minutes as does Martin.

JT's line needs to start filling the net, especially at this point in the season. They ( JT) go on a tear at the right time we will move up easy. Gremlin needs more minutes as does Martin.
- Nolanders

They will get minutes according to their battle level

They will get minutes according to their battle level
- Cptmjl

Exactly....if they can't get their battle level up to Cappy's expectations, they don't need to be here. Look no further than Marty Reasoner as a guiding light!

I've heard Colorado would only accept Jesus Christ and cash for PA.
- keaner17

That's cool, I think he swims at Mario's during the summer.

Exactly....if they can't get their battle level up to Cappy's expectations, they don't need to be here. Look no further than Marty Reasoner as a guiding light!
- keaner17

Only Martin Brodeur has more goals than Reasoner. That's battle level!

Only Martin Brodeur has more goals than Reasoner. That's battle level!
- ses111

Marty is too busy battling to worry about petty stuff like 'goals'.

That's cool, I think he swims at Mario's during the summer.
- canadianpenfan

I've heard that Mario's wine cellar in his basement was originally just cases and cases of Poland Spring...until PA stopped by

Trading Martin would be a mistake. He does'nt seem to be liked by the coaching staff though and I'm guessing management? Guy competes every night and you can see his game improving, he should be an integral part of this "rebuild" IMO
- Cptmjl

As someone else said, it depends on the return. If you are getting a blue chip ready to play in the NHL you have to consider trading Martin. I like Martin but if you danger a top 6 forward for a bottom 6 forward you have to consider making the deal.

I've heard that Mario's wine cellar in his basement was originally just cases and cases of Poland Spring...until PA stopped by
- keaner17

Good one.

Couldn't disagree more about Grabner. His scoring pace was just fine this year for a second liner until Cappy started screwing with ice time and giving him different linemates every game. Put up 34 goals and 52 points without the benefit of playing with Tavares...that's second-line production, even if he misses his breakaways.
- UIF

he would be terrible with tavares...you could argue that he may work on the second line..but third line to pk generating chances is fine..he can still score 25 goals from that spot

JT's line needs to start filling the net, especially at this point in the season. They ( JT) go on a tear at the right time we will move up easy. Gremlin needs more minutes as does Martin.
- Nolanders

you realize that if the second line could conistantly score the top line would get more space

I know we say this about every game, but must win tonight. I don't care about a top-five pick this year. I understand the value in it, but we need to see some progress, and the players probably benefit from that as well. Even if they fall just short of a playoff spot, but are right in it until the end, I think that'll only make them hungrier for it next year. Another year of 26th place will just allow the defeatist and hopeless mentality to sink in further.

Correct, that's why I put "guessing" there. I come up with that theory bcs of how he is handled by Capuano on the team, demoted, ice time, etc.
- Cptmjl

i think its a reach

he would be terrible with tavares...you could argue that he may work on the second line..but third line to pk generating chances is fine..he can still score 25 goals from that spot
- NYI78

So long as the talent on that line improves around him. We can't stick him with Reasoner and expect him to put up decent stats.
He's wasting away there and it makes no sense. The guy was arguably our most effective second line player. In addition, prior to his demotion, you could have made the argument that he was bringing the most consistent effort of any player on this team. Sending him down to rot with Reasoner and get less than 9 minutes a night was utterly inexcusable.

For a bottom six forward Grabner HAD more goals then anyone else not named Tavares, just saying
- Cptmjl

exactly this shows how awful the second line is...

So long as the talent on that line improves around him. We can't stick him with Reasoner and expect him to put up decent stats.
He's wasting away there and it makes no sense. The guy was arguably our most effective second line player. In addition, prior to his demotion, you could have made the argument that he was bringing the most consistent effort of any player on this team. Sending him down to rot with Reasoner and get less than 9 minutes a night was utterly inexcusable.
- keaner17

he's not good 5 on 5 especially in his own. when grabner is not in open space he isn't effective. i have no issue with his roll...also he doesn't look healthy yet either... look next season your third line in theory could be bailey nielsen and grab..nobody will complain about that.

he would be terrible with tavares...you could argue that he may work on the second line..but third line to pk generating chances is fine..he can still score 25 goals from that spot
- NYI78

Grabner is fine scoring 25 on the 3rd line but not on our 2nd?

Who is scoring 25 goals on our 2nd line?

Even when Grabner is misfiring on his breakaways and rushes he's generating offense for the line. He's putting the opposition back on their heals.

Besides isnt there a better chance of one of his 2nd line mates popping in a rebound then there is with Aucoin, MaDonnald or Martin or the other players he'll skate with on the 3rd line IMO.



Respectfully, I dont understand your argument.

he's not good 5 on 5 especially in his own. when grabner is not in open space he isn't effective. i have no issue with his roll...also he doesn't look healthy yet either... look next season your third line in theory could be bailey nielsen and grab..nobody will complain about that.
- NYI78

He's a player who creates transition. In addition, I actually think Grabner tends to shoot better when he's not in open space. He seems to do better with shots from 25 feet out. He's certainly far better in that role than Bailey or Okposo who have been dreadful for two years now. He was second on this team in goals prior to his demotion. At some point, productivity needs to be rewarded while a lack of such should be grounds for demotion. Unfortunately that's not the case, just ask Kyle.

he's not good 5 on 5 especially in his own. when grabner is not in open space he isn't effective. i have no issue with his roll...also he doesn't look healthy yet either... look next season your third line in theory could be bailey nielsen and grab..nobody will complain about that.
- NYI78

He doesn't have a role...he's been a spare forward thrown in with some combination of Reasoner, Aucoin, Martin and McDonald. As a result, his production's fallen off. Lines are about balance. Having one with Grabner as a threat off the rush, an intelligent center to spot him, and a grinder with hands on the other side is a well-balanced line. Currently, it's hard for Grabner to find the open space he needs when he's in a fourth-line role. Hard for a center to have the ability to spot him in that open space when that center is either Reasoner or Aucoin.

As for 5-on-5...8 of his 10 goals have come in that capacity...more than any player 5-on-5 besides Tavares...in fact, twice as many as Moulson. Grabner's not a bottom-six player. You said it...5-on-5, he's not the best defensive forward. Throwing him in a defensive-only role with players who can't make stretch passes or join him on the rush severely limits his effectiveness (edit -- and further exposes his weaknesses).

From the Blackhawks blog

As I reported here, the Hawks have been scouting the Islanders and talking to them about "all-terrain" winger Matt Martin. Well, I am hearing this morning that the parameters of the deal have expanded. The Hawks maybe offering an "elite" prospect as part of a package that could include some combination of Martin, Mark Streit and/or Brad Boyes.

Without sharing the name of the top prospect, let me just say, it's a little bit of a surprise—and underscores what I heard in conjunction with this. The Hawks want to get their now three years anemic power play fixed—hence Streit and Boyes.

Evidently, the Hawks are serious about making some improvements. But the proof is in the doing. Talk is cheap.
- Vukota

They can have Streit and Boyes for the right deal, but I'm REAL hesitant to move Matt Martin. One of these decades, the Isles will be a playoff team and guys like Matt Martin are HUGE in the playoffs.

Grabner is fine scoring 25 on the 3rd line but not on our 2nd?

Who is scoring 25 goals on our 2nd line?

Even when Grabner is misfiring on his breakaways and rushes he's generating offense for the line. He's putting the opposition back on their heals.

Besides isnt there a better chance of one of his 2nd line mates popping in a rebound then there is with Aucoin, MaDonnald or Martin or the other players he'll skate with on the 3rd line IMO.



Respectfully, I dont understand your argument.
- SCLI

my point is in in a perfect world our third line would be bailey frans and grabs..thats my point..if you want to argue he should be on the second line and not okposo or bailey i get that.. but my point is i see grabner as a third line player... i'm not questioning his offensive output. he does have serious flaws as a player though

He's a player who creates transition. In addition, I actually think Grabner tends to shoot better when he's not in open space. He seems to do better with shots from 25 feet out. He's certainly far better in that role than Bailey or Okposo who have been dreadful for two years now. He was second on this team in goals prior to his demotion. At some point, productivity needs to be rewarded while a lack of such should be grounds for demotion. Unfortunately that's not the case, just ask Kyle.
- keaner17

It really is amazing. Neither Bailey or Okposo have a good shot. How the heck do you get drafted so high without a quality, hard shot?!!?

Oh, wait. Garth......

They can have Streit and Boyes for the right deal, but I'm REAL hesitant to move Matt Martin. One of these decades, the Isles will be a playoff team and guys like Matt Martin are HUGE in the playoffs.
- Jethro09

I love Martin but if they threw a high end prospect back in the deal it would be tough to say no IMO