I feel like it's been 2PM for 8 hours.

7PM HURRY UP!

Lets go Isles!!!!!!!!!

going to say something here as this is a game that gives a foothold on a playoff position or throws us back into a tense situation for the remainder of the year.

We are Islanders fans. We've been through owners who gutted the roster, sold off players, didn't even have the money to buy the team and now one who wanted to put a sumo wrestler in goal.

We've dealt with having a hated rival as GM, a GM who traded away every young talent we had without having any patience (including a 132 point player traded for a junky center who didn't even want to report) and now a GM who was a backup goaltender the day before he took the position.

We have a crappy arena that's been falling apart. We've had opposing teams fans outnumber us at home.

We've been the butt of media jokes, jokes from other fans and haven't come close to sniffing the playoffs for years. We haven't won a playoff series in decades.

Our team operates at the salary cap floor, we have contracts on the books that are for players not even playing for the team just to make sure we're above the floor.

Tonight we take back our place in the NHL. Tonight we have a chance to shove the cross town hated rivals back down off the hill, and put their playoff chances in jeopardy. Tonight we have a chance to have the old decrepit arena rocking like it was back when Bates scored on his penalty shot.

We have been through about the worst pile of crap any NHL fans have to endure and we are still here. Tonight we make a statement. We aren't back, because we never left, but our team is back.

It took years to rebuild the depth in the organization. It took years to have that talent ready to compete at an NHL level. Now is the time. Now we step on the throats of the Rangers and let the NHL know that this year, they're going to have to pick on someone else.

This season, win or lose from here, we showed the NHL that we are coming. Strome, Nelson, Nino, Donovan, Reinhart, Mayfield, Pedan, are just some of the talent that is coming. Brooklyn is coming with a brand new arena. All of our young talent is signed for multiple years except for a couple who are still RFA's. None of these young players are going away. No longer will we watch our drafted talent star for someone else.

This team is coming. They could fall short this year, they could lose in the first round, but this is just the first step. We are not going away and it's going to get worse for the rest of the league.

The Isles are back and for those of us who've gone through the ridicule and garbage that's been heaped on us for years, it's time to take satisfaction from watching the Isles take back a seat at the playoff table and compete for the Cup.

going to say something here as this is a game that gives a foothold on a playoff position or throws us back into a tense situation for the remainder of the year.

We are Islanders fans. We've been through owners who gutted the roster, sold off players, didn't even have the money to buy the team and now one who wanted to put a sumo wrestler in goal.

We've dealt with having a hated rival as GM, a GM who traded away every young talent we had without having any patience (including a 132 point player traded for a junky center who didn't even want to report) and now a GM who was a backup goaltender the day before he took the position.

We have a crappy arena that's been falling apart. We've had opposing teams fans outnumber us at home.

We've been the butt of media jokes, jokes from other fans and haven't come close to sniffing the playoffs for years. We haven't won a playoff series in decades.

Our team operates at the salary cap floor, we have contracts on the books that are for players not even playing for the team just to make sure we're above the floor.

Tonight we take back our place in the NHL. Tonight we have a chance to shove the cross town hated rivals back down off the hill, and put their playoff chances in jeopardy. Tonight we have a chance to have the old decrepit arena rocking like it was back when Bates scored on his penalty shot.

We have been through about the worst pile of crap any NHL fans have to endure and we are still here. Tonight we make a statement. We aren't back, because we never left, but our team is back.

It took years to rebuild the depth in the organization. It took years to have that talent ready to compete at an NHL level. Now is the time. Now we step on the throats of the Rangers and let the NHL know that this year, they're going to have to pick on someone else.

This season, win or lose from here, we showed the NHL that we are coming. Strome, Nelson, Nino, Donovan, Reinhart, Mayfield, Pedan, are just some of the talent that is coming. Brooklyn is coming with a brand new arena. All of our young talent is signed for multiple years except for a couple who are still RFA's. None of these young players are going away. No longer will we watch our drafted talent star for someone else.

This team is coming. They could fall short this year, they could lose in the first round, but this is just the first step. We are not going away and it's going to get worse for the rest of the league.

The Isles are back and for those of us who've gone through the ridicule and garbage that's been heaped on us for years, it's time to take satisfaction from watching the Isles take back a seat at the playoff table and compete for the Cup.
- Isles_since_6

Great post and I agree with all of it. But I think we already took back our place in the NHL over the past 3 weeks.

And that Bates penalty shot...wow! What a night. How about Cairns beating the crap out of Corson.

I'm not 100 percent sure if we should bring strome up next year. I'm thinking to stack up Bridgeport and start winning games down there.
Lee-Nelson-strome sounds like a winner to me!
The only change for the islanders would be adding niño and subtract Boys.
What do you think?
- 2raven2

I see no reason to keep Strome down at Bridgeport next season. He's the most NHL ready prospect we've had other than Tavares in years. I have little interest in helping Bridgeport become a better team at the expense of adding an elite talent like Ryan. That kid has a fantastic work ethic and will be chomping at the bit to chase the Calder (not cup) next year.

It's hard to believe we could actually have a logjam for our top three lines next year. From famine to feast!

going to say something here as this is a game that gives a foothold on a playoff position or throws us back into a tense situation for the remainder of the year.

We are Islanders fans. We've been through owners who gutted the roster, sold off players, didn't even have the money to buy the team and now one who wanted to put a sumo wrestler in goal.

We've dealt with having a hated rival as GM, a GM who traded away every young talent we had without having any patience (including a 132 point player traded for a junky center who didn't even want to report) and now a GM who was a backup goaltender the day before he took the position.

We have a crappy arena that's been falling apart. We've had opposing teams fans outnumber us at home.

We've been the butt of media jokes, jokes from other fans and haven't come close to sniffing the playoffs for years. We haven't won a playoff series in decades.

Our team operates at the salary cap floor, we have contracts on the books that are for players not even playing for the team just to make sure we're above the floor.

Tonight we take back our place in the NHL. Tonight we have a chance to shove the cross town hated rivals back down off the hill, and put their playoff chances in jeopardy. Tonight we have a chance to have the old decrepit arena rocking like it was back when Bates scored on his penalty shot.

We have been through about the worst pile of crap any NHL fans have to endure and we are still here. Tonight we make a statement. We aren't back, because we never left, but our team is back.

It took years to rebuild the depth in the organization. It took years to have that talent ready to compete at an NHL level. Now is the time. Now we step on the throats of the Rangers and let the NHL know that this year, they're going to have to pick on someone else.

This season, win or lose from here, we showed the NHL that we are coming. Strome, Nelson, Nino, Donovan, Reinhart, Mayfield, Pedan, are just some of the talent that is coming. Brooklyn is coming with a brand new arena. All of our young talent is signed for multiple years except for a couple who are still RFA's. None of these young players are going away. No longer will we watch our drafted talent star for someone else.

This team is coming. They could fall short this year, they could lose in the first round, but this is just the first step. We are not going away and it's going to get worse for the rest of the league.

The Isles are back and for those of us who've gone through the ridicule and garbage that's been heaped on us for years, it's time to take satisfaction from watching the Isles take back a seat at the playoff table and compete for the Cup.
- Isles_since_6

I see no reason to keep Strome down at Bridgeport next season. He's the most NHL ready prospect we've had other than Tavares in years. I have little interest in helping Bridgeport become a better team at the expense of adding an elite talent like Ryan. That kid has a fantastic work ethic and will be chomping at the bit to chase the Calder (not cup) next year.
- keaner17

I think a major issue for Strome next year will be strength and skating. He's going to need to improve like JT did. If he shows he's ready in camp then give him a few games but I don't have an issue with him playing the bulk of the year in Bridgeport next season. Nelson and Nino the same. I do think at least one of them will make the team out of camp, but we can't have a second line that isn't able to compete. JT made the team due to skill but was knocked around and wasn't strong enough, fast enough or with enough balance to make serious noise until last season.

As long as they resign Bailey and Hamonic and let the UFA's walk, I'm fine with it. That opens up a couple of roster spaces for rookies or for Snow to make a deal for a top six player from a team looking to either rebuild or shed salary.

As far as that goes, I'm leaving it alone now until the season is over. For the rest of the season and hopefully playoffs, I just want to see this team continue to improve. They're finally understanding what it takes to win and looking stronger every game. This is the kind of hockey I've been waiting to see.

This is the kind of hockey that finishing in the bottom 5 of the league for half a decade makes it worthwhile. With the foundation in place, there's no reason that we can't make the playoffs and compete for the cup for a long time. We're not at that level yet, but we're at the point where a top six forward by trade or ufa signing could put us over the top.

The only question mark I see is in goal for next season, but I'm looking at Bernier and thinking that may be the answer.

I hope the Isles are as pumped for this game as the fans. The Rangers are going to come out banging, Isles need to set the tone from the first puck drop.

B.D. Gallof ‏@BDGallof
@urnotme715 2nd line center Nelson with Strome on wing possible


B.D. Gallof ‏@BDGallof
#isles fans should take a good look how players used at Bridgeport to figure on likely scenario next season: Strome on Nelson's wing


Knew Strome wouldn't be a Center
- Ur Not Me

I have been saying this all year!!!

I have watched Strome play over 30 games this year... plus a bunch last year too.

He would make a great winger... it's a good place for him to start.

Maybe move him back to centre after a year. Let him get used to the speed and intensity of the NHL.

He could be very similar to Patrick Kane.

The only question mark I see is in goal for next season, but I'm looking at Bernier and thinking that may be the answer.
- Isles_since_6

They should sign Nabby for at least another season. I wouldn't mind a 2 year deal either. Could always trade him if the $$ isn't crazy. 2 years at $6 mill (3 each) wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

Cappy says:
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They should sign Nabby for at least another season. I wouldn't mind a 2 year deal either. Could always trade him if the $$ isn't crazy. 2 years at $6 mill (3 each) wouldn't be a bad thing at all.
- kencan98

I'd definitely like to see Nabby resign. I'm not sure what his ultimate plans towards the length of his career are, though the fact that they have had conversations suggests he's open to it. Either way, his workload has to be much lighter than what he's seen this year.

I think a major issue for Strome next year will be strength and skating. He's going to need to improve like JT did. If he shows he's ready in camp then give him a few games but I don't have an issue with him playing the bulk of the year in Bridgeport next season. Nelson and Nino the same. I do think at least one of them will make the team out of camp, but we can't have a second line that isn't able to compete. JT made the team due to skill but was knocked around and wasn't strong enough, fast enough or with enough balance to make serious noise until last season.

As long as they resign Bailey and Hamonic and let the UFA's walk, I'm fine with it. That opens up a couple of roster spaces for rookies or for Snow to make a deal for a top six player from a team looking to either rebuild or shed salary.

As far as that goes, I'm leaving it alone now until the season is over. For the rest of the season and hopefully playoffs, I just want to see this team continue to improve. They're finally understanding what it takes to win and looking stronger every game. This is the kind of hockey I've been waiting to see.

This is the kind of hockey that finishing in the bottom 5 of the league for half a decade makes it worthwhile. With the foundation in place, there's no reason that we can't make the playoffs and compete for the cup for a long time. We're not at that level yet, but we're at the point where a top six forward by trade or ufa signing could put us over the top.

The only question mark I see is in goal for next season, but I'm looking at Bernier and thinking that may be the answer.
- Isles_since_6

Strome will spnd his offseason working out with Tavares. I'm pretty confident that he'll have a quantum leap as far as strength and conditioning goes. It's his talent level that will be hard to deny. I think he has a decent chance of being on Tavares wing at some point next year, though I hope Nino comes on too strong to deny for that spot.

I'm done thinking about next year though. We've got some awesome hockey over the next two weeks...and beyond!

Strome will spnd his offseason working out with Tavares. I'm pretty confident that he'll have a quantum leap as far as strength and conditioning goes. It's his talent level that will be hard to deny. I think he has a decent chance of being on Tavares wing at some point next year, though I hope Nino comes on too strong to deny for that spot.

I'm done thinking about next year though. We've got some awesome hockey over the next two weeks...and beyond!
- keaner17

Tavares should bring Nino along with the Boys and their offseason workout!!!

Reasoner Playing?
- mighty13duck

According to Staple judging by the ice time at practice today the only change you might see is Boulton for Joensuu.

The Isles are back and for those of us who've gone through the ridicule and garbage that's been heaped on us for years, it's time to take satisfaction from watching the Isles take back a seat at the playoff table and compete for the Cup.
- Isles_since_6

Agreed, and as long as they play AS hard and AS intelligently as they have played for the last three weeks, they WILL make the dance- regardless of what happens tonight. Just seems like the light bulb went on in that game they lost in the shootout against Washington- the tying goal made it clear that they had finally arrived, in terms of understanding what it takes in front of and around each net to ensure that your shots go in, and the opponent's shots do not. You're not going to win every game, but you CAN use your brain and your talent, and try like he11 to make it happen. As long as they do that, they are in, guaranteed.

According to Staple judging by the ice time at practice today the only change you might see is Boulton for Joensuu.
- PeteM

Are they really THAT worried about rough stuff occurring? I just don't see that- the game is too important....

According to Staple judging by the ice time at practice today the only change you might see is Boulton for Joensuu.
- PeteM

Stupid move if that's the case. Boulton is a non factor who can't skate. Joensuu has been playing a good physical game.

Wish they were showing this game tonight on tv, instead of god-damn MLS soccer on NBCSP!

Philly... Buffalo playing a playoff like game today!!!

Good game so far!!!

Stupid move if that's the case. Boulton is a non factor who can't skate. Joensuu has been playing a good physical game.
- Cptmjl

According to IslandersPointBlank.com they have scratches as Lee, Reasoner, Martinek, Boulton. Hopefully they are right.

I've been listening to Rush's Roll The Bones album all day bringing back that '93 feeling all over again!!!

Reminds me of the drives to Nassau to watch Turgeon, Thomas and Hogue rip it up.

I'm not 100 percent sure if we should bring strome up next year. I'm thinking to stack up Bridgeport and start winning games down there.
Lee-Nelson-strome sounds like a winner to me!
The only change for the islanders would be adding niño and subtract Boys.
What do you think?
- 2raven2

I would also like to stack up Bridgeport for another year, and let the kids form a chemistry among themselves, bc they will be together moving forward...

I have been saying this all year!!!

I have watched Strome play over 30 games this year... plus a bunch last year too.

He would make a great winger... it's a good place for him to start.

Maybe move him back to centre after a year. Let him get used to the speed and intensity of the NHL.

He could be very similar to Patrick Kane.
- jimmc7722

I wish even close to Kane, but I don't like comparisons to established NHL players.....
I think the switch to wing is bc of the depth at C, and maybe he lacks the defensive skill at that position

I've been listening to Rush's Roll The Bones album all day bringing back that '93 feeling all over again!!!

Reminds me of the drives to Nassau to watch Turgeon, Thomas and Hogue rip it up.
- kencan98

Saw them during that tour