Do you not beleive there is no one better out there than Boyes????
- kasperrko

There are plenty of players out there better than Boyes.

That's not the real question though.

The real question is do you believe there is a better player out there than Boyes THAT WILL END UP ON THE ISLANDERS NEXT SEASON?

The answer to that question is no.

There are plenty of players out there better than Boyes.

That's not the real question though.

The real question is do you believe there is a better player out there than Boyes THAT WILL END UP ON THE ISLANDERS NEXT SEASON?

The answer to that question is no.
- kencan98

Yes Strome!

There are plenty of players out there better than Boyes.

That's not the real question though.

The real question is do you believe there is a better player out there than Boyes THAT WILL END UP ON THE ISLANDERS NEXT SEASON?

The answer to that question is no.
- kencan98

What else you seeing in that crystal ball of yours?

There are plenty of players out there better than Boyes.
That's not the real question though.
The real question is do you believe there is a better player out there than Boyes THAT WILL END UP ON THE ISLANDERS NEXT SEASON?
The answer to that question is no.
- kencan98

I think you have to find a little faith in the fact that this team is in a place it hasn't been in several years (*edit make that 20). With Barclay's on the horizon and a likely playoff birth, this club is getting more notice from the media and players. This situation is very different than it was a couple of years. Players weren't going to offer their services to a team that could have moved within the next few years while having no playoff prospects. That's all settled now.

Yes Strome!
- mighty13duck

There are plenty of players out there better than Boyes.

That's not the real question though.

The real question is do you believe there is a better player out there than Boyes THAT WILL END UP ON THE ISLANDERS NEXT SEASON?

The answer to that question is no.
- kencan98

absolutely...that player will be there for the taking. whether its via free agency or trade the player will be there.

Cappy gets credit for the team's "battle level" and their belief in themselves. That counts for a lot. He's still a nightmare when it comes to match-ups and tactics. He's not exactly Hannibal on the battlefield...

edit -- I gotta say though that I have noticed the team actually playing a defensive shutdown system in the third when ahead. That's...not how it was going earlier in the season.
- UIF

If making the playoffs is riding on one player.. you arent ready for the playoffs... BUILD

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I think you are wrong... Streit should not have been traded.

Unless we were getting a first plus.

Streit is a very important part of this team!!!

absolutely...that player will be there for the taking. whether its via free agency or trade the player will be there.
- LetsGoIsles

Agree!

XxNYIxX

Yes Strome!
- mighty13duck

I thought you guys said he couldn't play the wing?

I think you are wrong... Streit should not have been traded.

Unless we were getting a first plus.

Streit is a very important part of this team!!!
- jimmc7722

Only if he's ON the team, If he walks at the end of the season.... what is he then?

A lost asset.

XxNYIxX

I thought you guys said he couldn't play the wing?
- jimmc7722

No one said he couldnt play the wing

i said he SHOULDNT play the wing.

XxNYIxX

I thought you guys said he couldn't play the wing?
- jimmc7722

Not me!

He needs to be resigned. Risking having a tandem of Poulin and DP next year is just scary. Sign Nabby and a reliable backup. The Poulin ship has sailed...
- mighty13duck

what about Thomas?

The only way Nabby doesn't re-sign is if the Isles decide to go in another direction. I doubt that will happen. Nabby clearly likes it on LI as a starter and the Isles wouldn't sign him to be anything else. He, like Streit, are not going to jump off the wagon now. They're not going to leave now, just as the team appears to be finding its stride, provided the money is fair, which it will be consdering the Isles salary floor/cap situation.
- Jethro09

I agree

I thought you guys said he couldn't play the wing?
- jimmc7722

Not sure why anyone would think a center couldn't play wing.

Only if he's ON the team, If he walks at the end of the season.... what is he then?

A lost asset.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I'm only worried about this year right now, and obviously nobody offered much for him.

I think he would be kinda crazy to leave. He's got it pretty good.

Look @ the greedy PAP... not doing so well now is he!!!

That team is a mess... but @ least he got a couple million more...

Only if he's ON the team, If he walks at the end of the season.... what is he then?

A lost asset.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

so youre of the opinion that regardless of a teams position in the conference, you trade away your future free agents?>

Not sure why anyone would think a center couldn't play wing.
- keaner17

I don't know... people on here went nuts when I said he is better suited to play the wing when he get in the NHL.

At least for the first year until he is ready to move over!!!

what about Thomas?
- 22bossy

We have Poulin to be a back up.

Boyes isn't good. But he's what we have. Vukota has a point that you can't really mess up the other lines that are working, and if they were going to try a call-up in that spot, they would have had to have done it weeks ago to give enough time to see if that player could cut it.

edit -- Have to look for an upgrade there in the offseason though. A second legit threat from somewhere...within or without. It can't be as simple as have three guys beat up Tavares and completely contain the first line.
- UIF

there wont be upgrade at Foward. Good posibility you see Nino, Strome and Nelson next year. Where do you put them?
Isles will need to upgrade on Defense b/c Streit is likely gone.

It's almost scary when you consider most of our top tier talent is still developing in the minors! When guys like Strome, Nino, Reinhart, Mayfield, Donovan, etc begin to come through, this team is going to have wave after wave of talent infusion.

It's still too early to say 'I told you so" to anyone, but this Snow guy might be alright.
- keaner17

It's WAYYYYYYYYY to early. Detroit had one of the most talented teams in the past 20 years. Didn't mean anything was automatic. We have one legit superstar....
That being said...happy to finally see progress after years of suffering.

there wont be upgrade at Foward. Good posibility you see Nino, Strome and Nelson next year. Where do you put them?
Isles will need to upgrade on Defense b/c Streit is likely gone.
- Spartiarti

Well, the goal is to get a line together that can eventually fill a true second-line scoring role. I think Grabner is 1/3 of that line. Let the three you mentioned fight it out for the other two spots. That line obviously would not start out with second-line minutes. They'd have to earn it. But I do think some combination of Grabner, Strome, Nino, Nelson could eventually grow into a decent second line once they get acclimated to the NHL.

Then the current second line becomes a quality two-way third line -- a role they already seem very comfortable with (focusing on D first and then letting the forecheck and offense build from that), and Martin, Cizikas and McD become a very useful fourth line.

That means Aucoin and Reasoner probably walk, and you have Lee, Joensuu and Ullstrom in camp pushing everyone else for roster spots.

I'm telling you from personal experience, I wouldn't even bother. 90% of the people here DO NOT get what you are saying.

I get it and I'm 100% with you. It works, leave it alone. Resign him for another year (or two) and if a prospect fits into the line, Boyes can always be traded away.

Most here don't get that.

There are also a few that argued with me about me thinking that resigning Nabby was a good idea.

My opinion is that the only focus Isles management should have after the season is over is signing Boyes and Nabby. After those two are signed they can look at other UFAs or trades if they feel like they need it. But those two need to be under contract through next season at least.



As far as the game last night, I wasn't very happy with it. The first period was great. After that, it was pretty bad.

Against Pitt or Boston they might have lost that game even if they were up by 4 in the first.

Good win but terrible 2nd and 3rd.
- kencan98

here's my issue with Boyes. Last night on the PP, who gave the puck away in the offensive zone twice? Boyes.

when JT's line comes out and spends their entire shift in their own end, who usually had a chance to clear and couldn't? Boyes.

part of the reason JT hasn't been as effective lately is because their line spends a lot of time hemmed in their own zone, and if you'll pay attention to that on thursday, you'll see what I see out of Boyes. Lack of compete. He throws the puck away blindly and does it in all zones. He's not a good fit with JT and Moulson and shouldn't be resigned.

I'm not saying a rookie should take his place, but we have plenty of kids coming up and next season (not this season) I'd be interested to see either Bailey or one of the kids get a chance to play with JT in camp. There's no reason they can't find a better fit from within for that line. If not, there's a lot of pieces we could move for a winger to play in that spot who could be a lot more effective than Boyes.

he's a placeholder, and this summer he needs to be gone.

here's my issue with Boyes. Last night on the PP, who gave the puck away in the offensive zone twice? Boyes.

when JT's line comes out and spends their entire shift in their own end, who usually had a chance to clear and couldn't? Boyes.

part of the reason JT hasn't been as effective lately is because their line spends a lot of time hemmed in their own zone, and if you'll pay attention to that on thursday, you'll see what I see out of Boyes. Lack of compete. He throws the puck away blindly and does it in all zones. He's not a good fit with JT and Moulson and shouldn't be resigned.

I'm not saying a rookie should take his place, but we have plenty of kids coming up and next season (not this season) I'd be interested to see either Bailey or one of the kids get a chance to play with JT in camp. There's no reason they can't find a better fit from within for that line. If not, there's a lot of pieces we could move for a winger to play in that spot who could be a lot more effective than Boyes.

he's a placeholder, and this summer he needs to be gone.
- Isles_since_6

Bang Bang!!!