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).
- UIF

i like michael grabner everyone i'm just saying he is a flawed player and maybe his ROLE is flawed i buy that as well...if you want to throw him on the second line i'm okay with that..but he is not pavel bure...

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......


- Mancalledsting

joe thornton has no shot off the top of my head...its not just garth.... bailey's shot is good he just doesnt shoot

i think its a reach
- NYI78

You're in America, as of now you're still entitled to your opinion. That seems subject to change though.

exactly this shows how awful the second line is...
- NYI78

OK

CAR places J.Jokinen and T.Wallace and OTT places K.Daugavins on Waivers.

Except for Wallace... Would you take a chance on either of these players?

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

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......


- Mancalledsting

Actually I think Okposo has a fantastic shot but he never uses it. He always seems to carry the puck right into defenders, if he'd learn to pull up and cross the slot a bit and let a shot go he'd probably have several goals as opposed to a few. He's got one of the best one-timers on the team. Kyle's problem, as we all know, is he is as weak on his skates as anyone we've seen here.

Bailey is an enigma to me. He shows flashes and clearly has decent vision, but he simply has not adjusted to the NHL game from a mental standpoint. That has to fall on the shoulders of our previous coaches. The kid simply isn't processing the game at a fast enough pace.

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
- NYI78

OK then your arguing a hypothetical scenario and I bow out. I was making my point based on the team we are currently icing.

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

Been saying the same thing for some time now.

You're in America, as of now you're still entitled to your opinion. That seems subject to change though.
- Cptmjl

The PC Police are working on that now...still waiting for the Amero

Actually I think Okposo has a fantastic shot but he never uses it. He always seems to carry the puck right into defenders, if he'd learn to pull up and cross the slot a bit and let a shot go he'd probably have several goals as opposed to a few. He's got one of the best one-timers on the team. Kyle's problem, as we all know, is he is as weak on his skates as anyone we've seen here.

Bailey is an enigma to me. He shows flashes and clearly has decent vision, but he simply has not adjusted to the NHL game from a mental standpoint. That has to fall on the shoulders of our previous coaches. The kid simply isn't processing the game at a fast enough pace.
- keaner17

Because when he takes it. He lands on his A$$.

The Isles are so loaded with talent Grabner needs to be a bottom 6 forward.
- ses111

Grabs is second line talent. Problem is, he's the only forward on the team that's second line talent. JT and MM are first line talents and they need a RW, so Boyes is by default. KO, Bailey and Nielsen are third-line talent and no more. Martin is probably pushing third-line talent level, but works well on the fourth line with Cizikas and McDonald.

The Isles need two legit top six forwards. Whether that's Strome and Nino next season or some UFA, I don't know. But I wouldn't mind seeing Grabs, Nino and Strome playing together next year in camp or even swap Boyes and Nino and see where it leads you next camp. No question it will be better than having KO, Bailey and Nielsen skating as a second line.

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
- NYI78

His hands are all I can see?

Been saying the same thing for some time now.
- Cptmjl

I never heard you say that!










Well maybe once or twice.

The PC Police are working on that now...still waiting for the Amero
- keaner17

don't get me started

I never heard you say that!










Well maybe once or twice.
- SCLI

One thing I am is consistent

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

It all depends on the deal, but I don't know about giving up Martin, Streit and Boyes for one prospect.

Actually I think Okposo has a fantastic shot but he never uses it. He always seems to carry the puck right into defenders, if he'd learn to pull up and cross the slot a bit and let a shot go he'd probably have several goals as opposed to a few. He's got one of the best one-timers on the team. Kyle's problem, as we all know, is he is as weak on his skates as anyone we've seen here.

Bailey is an enigma to me. He shows flashes and clearly has decent vision, but he simply has not adjusted to the NHL game from a mental standpoint. That has to fall on the shoulders of our previous coaches. The kid simply isn't processing the game at a fast enough pace.
- keaner17

Bailey is a real mystery. The guy can really pass the puck. He should be a much better player. It does seem all mental with Bailey. KO has skating and desire issues.

It all depends on the deal, but I don't know about giving up Martin, Streit and Boyes for one prospect.
- Jethro09

He had better be on hell of a prospect.

i like michael grabner everyone i'm just saying he is a flawed player and maybe his ROLE is flawed i buy that as well...if you want to throw him on the second line i'm okay with that..but he is not pavel bure...
- NYI78

Well, I can't disagree with that! And I do agree he's a flawed player...but he also has some unique strengths that I don't think are utilized or planned around enough. He's just sort of thrown in with the other leftovers right now. My guess is Grabner's just on hold for the remainder of this season until different players are brought in for a second scoring line. Yesterday I thought they might do something like Grabner-Strome-Nino next season. Depending on how Strome and Nino come along by camp next year, that might grow into a decent line. But who knows...I can also see myself composing an epic rant here after they trade Grabner at the deadline

i like michael grabner everyone i'm just saying he is a flawed player and maybe his ROLE is flawed i buy that as well...if you want to throw him on the second line i'm okay with that..but he is not pavel bure...
- NYI78

Neither is Brad Boyes and he's playing on the first line, you want to talk about flawed players you should just start the conversation with Boyes. Grabner is playing better than Okposo, Bailey, Acoin, Ullstrom, and anyone who has spent time on the second line. He has seen reduced ice time and been demoted to the third line even though his production has been superb as well as his PKing amongst other things. We all know you're a secret Grabner hater jk

Bailey is a real mystery. The guy can really pass the puck. He should be a much better player. It does seem all mental with Bailey. KO has skating and desire issues.
- ses111

KO has a lot of issues. I dont think he sees the ice very well and definitely doesnt see plays developing. He seem afraid to get mix it up and do the thing necessary to improve his play.

If he ever finds the courage and decides to play a physical game. He may notch out a career somewhere as a pretty good 4th liner or average 3rd liner.

Grabs is second line talent. Problem is, he's the only forward on the team that's second line talent. JT and MM are first line talents and they need a RW, so Boyes is by default. KO, Bailey and Nielsen are third-line talent and no more. Martin is probably pushing third-line talent level, but works well on the fourth line with Cizikas and McDonald.

The Isles need two legit top six forwards. Whether that's Strome and Nino next season or some UFA, I don't know. But I wouldn't mind seeing Grabs, Nino and Strome playing together next year in camp or even swap Boyes and Nino and see where it leads you next camp. No question it will be better than having KO, Bailey and Nielsen skating as a second line.
- Jethro09

To me Bailey and KO should be able to make good second line players. I'd like to see both with a better coach. I want to see Nino, Strome, Lee, and Nelson make the team next year but that may be pushing things. I think Martin and Casey can work on a third line. The problem like may have been saying is we are running out of room and the Isles so far do not seem to want to make room for these good prospects that are knocking on the door. Maybe we get a nice surprise at the deadline?

KO has a lot of issues. I dont think he sees the ice very well and definitely doesnt see plays developing. He seem afraid to get mix it up and do the thing necessary to improve his play.

If he ever finds the courage and decides to play a physical game. He may notch out a career somewhere as a pretty good 4th liner or average 3rd liner.
- SCLI

I agree, I don't see him being much more. You want to talk about a flawed player than look no further than Okposo on the 2nd line.

Neither is Brad Boyes and he's playing on the first line, you want to talk about flawed players you should just start the conversation with Boyes. Grabner is playing better than Okposo, Bailey, Acoin, Ullstrom, and anyone who has spent time on the second line. He has seen reduced ice time and been demoted to the third line even though his production has been superb as well as his PKing amongst other things. We all know you're a secret Grabner hater jk
- Cptmjl

NY178 is none other than......................

Capuano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!