You're a little more feisty than usual today
- Cptmjl

2 of the 3 kids are out of school... its gonna be a long summer!!!


XxNYIxX

im not...i switched the convo to fransy


speaking of which since no one answered this, of the 4 teams that are left in the playoffs who on each team is comparable to frans?
- LetsGoIsles

if you hadn't spoke on it, I wouldn't have responded... see how that works... take your own advice.. YOU move on.

XxNYIxX

Only thing is, people said the same thing about Nino...even the Calder talk...and then when he struggled for being in the NHL sooner than he should have been, there was the whole "he's a bust" contingent forming. Like I said, I can't really say with Strome because I just haven't watched him play. I do think even very gifted offensive players sometimes need to be brought along slower. Look at Kyle Turris...he's about as gifted as they come, but he clearly needed more time than he was given initially. And I know Strome was given more time, I'm just making the point that talent alone doesn't always dictate whether a player could or should step into the NHL quickly. Maybe Strome can step in next season. Maybe he'd be better off in the AHL. I'll probably have my opinion set when I see him in camp.

((UIF))
- UIF

I still will continue to say that Nino's issue was all about this club mismanaging his time with the team rather than mismanaging who he played for. Nino was originally slated to be our top line wing in camp and then pulled his groin. Suddenly he spends 55 games playing with Marty Reasoner and Jay Pandawful. It's terrible mismanagement (IMO) to ask an offensive talent to play 7 minutes a night on a checking line with two players who have no business still being the NHL along with one of the worst bluelines in the NHL. Those things snowballed, killed his confidence, confused his natural offensive instincts and made him look terrible.
I'd suggest that if he had actually been allowed to continue playing with JT and Moulson, his production would have been far more satisfactory and the bust comments wouldn't have surfaced. You can't draft an offensive power forward and then expect him to become a defensive player 7 minutes a night with an under talented team like this.


Nikeaner17nO

if you hadn't spoke on it, I wouldn't have responded... see how that works... take your own advice.. YOU move on.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

k


speaking of which since no one answered this, of the 4 teams that are left in the playoffs who on each team is comparable to frans?

k


speaking of which since no one answered this, of the 4 teams that are left in the playoffs who on each team is comparable to frans?
- LetsGoIsles

ask the person you asked

XxNYIxX

im not...i switched the convo to fransy


speaking of which since no one answered this, of the 4 teams that are left in the playoffs who on each team is comparable to frans?
- LetsGoIsles

Three of the four teams are pretty damn physical and the other one is ridiculously talented and is more of a finesse squad. If you're going to say we should model ourselves after these teams and using Frans as an example then we'd have to revamp our entire D as well as some of our forwards. Lets get rid of Bailey, Nielsen, and Moulson because they just don't match up physically. Now we just have to go out and find a Lucic, Krecji, and Toews. Hey I'd love to have a physical line up like the Bruins, or kings, Hawks. I think the Bruins are the perfectly built playoff team but we are not there yet. Though i also believe saying just bcs there isn't a Nielsen like player on the team doesn't mean he is not an effective player. It's a bit obtuse. He wasn't a Selke finalist for no reason. OK, we hypothetically trade Nielsen at the draft for a third rounder. Who do we replace him with for this season?

Three of the four teams are pretty damn physical and the other one is ridiculously talented and is more of a finesse squad. If you're going to say we should model ourselves after these teams and using Frans as example then we'd have to revamp our entire D as well as some of our forwards as well. Lets get rid of Bailey, Nielsen, and Moulson. Now we just have to go out and find a Lucic, Krecji, and Toews. Hey I'd love to have a physical line up like the Bruins, or kings, Hawks. I think the Bruins are the perfectly built playoff team but we are not there yet. OK, we hypothetically trade Nielsen at the draft for a third rounder. Who do we replace him with?
- Cptmjl

hahaha im not saying trade him to the team with the highest offer...im just saying if he is perceiving as really valuable now (and not JUST among islander fans) then id be thrilled to dangle him out there and see what kind of return i could get...if its a 3rd rounder, id be pissed.

hahaha im not saying trade him to the team with the highest offer...im just saying if he is perceiving as really valuable now (and not JUST among islander fans) then id be thrilled to dangle him out there and see what kind of return i could get...if its a 3rd rounder, id be pissed.
- LetsGoIsles

That's my point and has been since day one. If we have a viable/better replacement for Nielsen(a third line center, where he should be)then sign me up but till then I'm fine with him in that role. We now have a legitimate checking line(if Capuano actually keeps them together? ) which can be used in different situations and against the more physical opponents. Having Nielsen as a legit 3rd line center is fine by me. He's defensively sound and has some good hands. I don't have a problem with that. As far as the third rounder what are you really hoping to get for him in a trade?

Three of the four teams are pretty damn physical and the other one is ridiculously talented and is more of a finesse squad. If you're going to say we should model ourselves after these teams and using Frans as an example then we'd have to revamp our entire D as well as some of our forwards. Lets get rid of Bailey, Nielsen, and Moulson because they just don't match up physically. Now we just have to go out and find a Lucic, Krecji, and Toews. Hey I'd love to have a physical line up like the Bruins, or kings, Hawks. I think the Bruins are the perfectly built playoff team but we are not there yet. Though i also believe saying just bcs there isn't a Nielsen like player on the team doesn't mean he is not an effective player. It's a bit obtuse. He wasn't a Selke finalist for no reason. OK, we hypothetically trade Nielsen at the draft for a third rounder. Who do we replace him with for this season?
- Cptmjl

Okay, understand I'm not suggesting we trade him (yet). However I'd say that Cizikas would be the player I want to fill his third line role. At that stage Nelson could jump into the other center position. I have no problem rolling into the season with Tavares, Strome, Nelson and Cizikas as our centers. Given it's a young group, but this is a young man's game more than ever. In addition, we have another center in Bailey who could always fill a role there too, though I'd prefer to keep him at wing.

With the constant mentions of Nielsens selke nomination a couple of years ago, I should remind folks that he was more mentioned for that award based on his leading the league in shorthanded goals than he was in his 5x5 play, which was very good, but his PK work is exceptional. The ONLY place I consider Frans nearly indespensible is on the penalty kill.

Xxkeaner17xX

I still will continue to say that Nino's issue was all about this club mismanaging his time with the team rather than mismanaging who he played for. Nino was originally slated to be our top line wing in camp and then pulled his groin. Suddenly he spends 55 games playing with Marty Reasoner and Jay Pandawful.
- keaner17

I think our best bet that year was JT-Moulson-PAP, which left him with nowhere to go but line four. Again, I blame the inane contract that the NHL has with CMJH. Nino SHOULD HAVE been in Bridgeport that year; if he was, we wouldn't all be constantly b*tching about Boyes, because he wouldn't have been here, or at least not in so prominent a role- that spot would have been Nino's to lose, coming out of camp. There was no point leaving him in the Western League to score 200 points playing against boys.

We needed him to start learning our system, and the only way to do that was to have him struggle with the bottom feeders on the fourth line. The NHL really needs to rethink that whole issue- it's not like Canadian Juniors aren't going to be popular if the guys get promoted before their final year of eligibility. It should be about the player, and the team whose owner signs the checks. Once I've drafted someone, and I'm willing to pay him to play hockey, that has to be the end of it.

I still will continue to say that Nino's issue was all about this club mismanaging his time with the team rather than mismanaging who he played for. Nino was originally slated to be our top line wing in camp and then pulled his groin. Suddenly he spends 55 games playing with Marty Reasoner and Jay Pandawful. It's terrible mismanagement (IMO) to ask an offensive talent to play 7 minutes a night on a checking line with two players who have no business still being the NHL along with one of the worst bluelines in the NHL. Those things snowballed, killed his confidence, confused his natural offensive instincts and made him look terrible.
I'd suggest that if he had actually been allowed to continue playing with JT and Moulson, his production would have been far more satisfactory and the bust comments wouldn't have surfaced. You can't draft an offensive power forward and then expect him to become a defensive player 7 minutes a night with an under talented team like this.


Nikeaner17nO
- keaner17

I think it's a combo of mismanagement and a player placed at a level he wasn't ready for. If Nino was knocking people over and dragging people to the net, he'd have gotten more ice time, I think. Instead, his skating was nowhere near NHL ready, and while he was a strong kid, he looked weak next to bigger and far more balanced NHLers. I think the Sabres had the same situation with Grigorenko this season. He never should have stuck with the team after his six or whatever game look. Eventually, he was stuck playing very limited minutes with bottom-line players, and the boards here erupted with Sabres fans fighting over whether his play dictated his line placement or whether his line placement dictated his play...almost carbon copies of our debates about Nino the year before. In both cases, you have very good young players stuck in very bad situations on teams that had a lot of other issues.

((UIF))

The problem with Nielsen is that on our team, our third line is also our second line. Once guys like Nino and Strome are good to go at this level, that line should be a top notch third line in this league. If we don't expect Nielsen to score anywhere but during the shootout, and just have him concentrate on defense, I think he can be one of the better 3rd line centers in the league.

That's my point and has been since day one. If we have a viable/better replacement for Nielsen(a third line center, where he should be)then sign me up but till then I'm fine with him in that role. We now have a legitimate checking line(if Capuano actually keeps them together? ) which can be used in different situations and against the more physical opponents. Having Nielsen as a legit 3rd line center is fine by me. He's defensively sound and has some good hands. I don't have a problem with that. As far as the third rounder what are you really hoping to get for him in a trade?
- Cptmjl

neislen would (should) fetch more than a 3rd rounder...if he is the legit the "3rd line center that every team would love to have" that everyone is talking about, that is certainly worth more than just a 3rd rounder.

having said that, if he were traded i do feel that he is replacable by cizikas, who i believe can play an extremely effective 3rd line center (truth be told, for whats to be expected of the 3rd line, id say he would fit the mold better than FN) and then for the 4th line center use Nelson/lesser prospect or a FA

Three of the four teams are pretty damn physical and the other one is ridiculously talented and is more of a finesse squad. If you're going to say we should model ourselves after these teams and using Frans as an example then we'd have to revamp our entire D as well as some of our forwards. Lets get rid of Bailey, Nielsen, and Moulson because they just don't match up physically. Now we just have to go out and find a Lucic, Krecji, and Toews. Hey I'd love to have a physical line up like the Bruins, or kings, Hawks. I think the Bruins are the perfectly built playoff team but we are not there yet. Though i also believe saying just bcs there isn't a Nielsen like player on the team doesn't mean he is not an effective player. It's a bit obtuse. He wasn't a Selke finalist for no reason. OK, we hypothetically trade Nielsen at the draft for a third rounder. Who do we replace him with for this season?
- Cptmjl

Hubie Mcdonough...

Okay, understand I'm not suggesting we trade him (yet). However I'd say that Cizikas would be the player I want to fill his third line role. At that stage Nelson could jump into the other center position. I have no problem rolling into the season with Tavares, Strome, Nelson and Cizikas as our centers. Given it's a young group, but this is a young man's game more than ever. In addition, we have another center in Bailey who could always fill a role there too, though I'd prefer to keep him at wing.

With the constant mentions of Nielsens selke nomination a couple of years ago, I should remind folks that he was more mentioned for that award based on his leading the league in shorthanded goals than he was in his 5x5 play, which was very good, but his PK work is exceptional. The ONLY place I consider Frans nearly indespensible is on the penalty kill.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Correct me if I'm wrong but you usually have Strome slotted next to JT on the wing which would leave a vacancy as far as centers go. Cizikas to me is perfectly suited for the 4th line with Macdonald and Martin. If he shows something else than fine but we are not there yet. As far as Nelson who knows if he is even making the team? As far as his PK'ing goes I think that is a huge asset especially come PO time. Just like you're saying "I'm not saying trade him" I'm not saying "don't trade him" but only for the right return which as far as I'm concerned would have to be a package bcs we will not get what he's worth to this team(with the players we presently have, as our third line center)back for him alone. He is our best option as our third line center. I can't assume Nelson could be as effective in that role I've seen him play one NHL game.

The problem with Nielsen is that on our team, our third line is also our second line. Once guys like Nino and Strome are good to go at this level, that line should be a top notch third line in this league. If we don't expect Nielsen to score anywhere but during the shootout, and just have him concentrate on defense, I think he can be one of the better 3rd line centers in the league.
- dcb1

i think who ever made the neilsen comparison to streit was accurate in the sense that they are fundamentally sound and know what they are doing, but they are just consistently physically overmatched

Hubie Mcdonough...
- TurkishPancake

I think it's a combo of mismanagement and a player placed at a level he wasn't ready for. If Nino was knocking people over and dragging people to the net, he'd have gotten more ice time, I think. Instead, his skating was nowhere near NHL ready, and while he was a strong kid, he looked weak next to bigger and far more balanced NHLers. I think the Sabres had the same situation with Grigorenko this season. He never should have stuck with the team after his six or whatever game look. Eventually, he was stuck playing very limited minutes with bottom-line players, and the boards here erupted with Sabres fans fighting over whether his play dictated his line placement or whether his line placement dictated his play...almost carbon copies of our debates about Nino the year before. In both cases, you have very good young players stuck in very bad situations on teams that had a lot of other issues.

((UIF))
- UIF

Realize you're saying this as Michael Grabner gets 9 minutes a night. The point is, Nino was never put in a position to use the few skills that would help him survive in the NHL. Had that happened, it's reasonable to say that he may have developed better than being thrust into a role completely opposite to his skillset. I'd go as far as to say that if Tavares had been asked to play a defensive role for 5-7 minutes a night with Reasoner and Pandolfo, the result may have been shockingly bad as well, given his skating issues and inability to stay on his feet. Instead he was allowed to do what he did best and showed marked improvement through that season and knew just what to work on to get better.
With Nino, he was burried, scratched then demoted without any real plan or direction. It was a glaring sign at just how little this franchise knew how to handle top tier talent. Now I do believe last year in the A did him plenty of good and was necessary based on the end product of that previous season, I'm just saying it could have been avoided if you allow an offensive player to be an offensive player.

Xxkeaner17xX

neislen would (should) fetch more than a 3rd rounder...if he is the legit the "3rd line center that every team would love to have" that everyone is talking about, that is certainly worth more than just a 3rd rounder.

having said that, if he were traded i do feel that he is replacable by cizikas, who i believe can play an extremely effective 3rd line center (truth be told, for whats to be expected of the 3rd line, id say he would fit the mold better than FN) and then for the 4th line center use Nelson/lesser prospect or a FA
- LetsGoIsles

Cizikas is a checking forward/pest. He may show more of an offensive prowess eventually(I think he will)but till then he's perfect in that 4th line role. Nelson as far as what I know of him could eventually take that position of third line center especially if Strome fills the 2nd slot. He is projected to be more of a scorer than Cizikas. I'd leave Cizikas right where he is. When Nelson os ready to fill that role than fine trade Nielsen for whatever but till then.. I'd rather not fill that 4th line center position with some "lesser prospect" or misuse Nelson(aka Nino)in that role when we have a ridiculously effective 4th line for the first time in probably 20 years. That line serves a prupose and is extremely important and a is a huge part of this teams recent success. Cizikas is a big part of that. In other words don't fix something that's not broke. As far as the return IDK, I just don't see it being significant but I don't think that detracts from Nielsen's present value to the club.

Correct me if I'm wrong but you usually have Strome slotted next to JT on the wing which would leave a vacancy as far as centers go. Cizikas to me is perfectly suited for the 4th line with Macdonald and Martin. If he shows something else than fine but we are not there yet. As far as Nelson who knows if he is even making the team? As far as his PK'ing goes I think that is a huge asset especially come PO time. Just like you're saying "I'm not saying trade him" I'm not saying "don't trade him" but only for the right return which as far as I'm concerned would have to be a package bcs we will not get what he's worth to this team(with the players we presently have, as our third line center)back for him alone. He is our best option as our third line center. I can't assume Nelson could be as effective in that role I've seen him play one NHL game.
- Cptmjl

No, I have Nino slated on Jt's wing. I've said that Strome 'could work' based on the fact that he works out all offseason with JT and MM, but I'd rather have a powerforward on that wing. This is why I was okay with PA being let go. We need a big body up front on that line.
I think Cizikas already is better suited to be a third line center than Frans based on the fact that he can actually throw a hit and get a little dirty. Nelson's size and strength would be a nice fit with Martin and Mcdonald (IMO) though I loved what that Cizikas Martin McDonald line showed us.

It's the PK that remains the one thing that keeps me from outright calling for Nielsen to be dealt.

Xxkeanre17xX

i think who ever made the neilsen comparison to streit was accurate in the sense that they are fundamentally sound and know what they are doing, but they are just consistently physically overmatched
- LetsGoIsles

That was I and yes, I think they're essentially the same type of player. Both gifted with their hands, vision and smooth skaters, but timid when it comes to contact. That's not 'shutdown' defensive forward material in my eyes.

Xxkeaner17xX

No, I have Nino slated on Jt's wing. I've said that Strome 'could work' based on the fact that he works out all offseason with JT and MM, but I'd rather have a powerforward on that wing. This is why I was okay with PA being let go. We need a big body up front on that line.
I think Cizikas already is better suited to be a third line center than Frans based on the fact that he can actually throw a hit and get a little dirty. Nelson's size and strength would be a nice fit with Martin and Mcdonald (IMO) though I loved what that Cizikas Martin McDonald line showed us. It's the PK that remains the one thing that keeps me from outright calling for Nielsen to be dealt.

Xxkeanre17xX
- keaner17

that line should not be facked with. I lost my mind when Capuano messed with it. Those guys play an effective hard nosed game. Leave Cizikas where he is unless he plays into another role. As far as Nelson do you really want him playing on the fourth line?

No, I have Nino slated on Jt's wing. I've said that Strome 'could work' based on the fact that he works out all offseason with JT and MM, but I'd rather have a powerforward on that wing. This is why I was okay with PA being let go. We need a big body up front on that line.
I think Cizikas already is better suited to be a third line center than Frans based on the fact that he can actually throw a hit and get a little dirty. Nelson's size and strength would be a nice fit with Martin and Mcdonald (IMO) though I loved what that Cizikas Martin McDonald line showed us.

It's the PK that remains the one thing that keeps me from outright calling for Nielsen to be dealt.
Xxkeanre17xX
- keaner17

I think Cizikas can fill that roll as well. He was out there on the pk a lot at the end of the season.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if both Nino and Strome end up on JTs wings. Would leave a hole at center for the second line...But maybe not depending on how Nelson pans out.

that line should not be facked with. I lost my mind when Capuano messed with it. Those guys play an effective hard nosed game. Leave Cizikas where he is unless he plays into another role. As far as Nelson do you really want him playing on the fourth line?
- Cptmjl

I don't think we have a fourth line. I think we have a 3rd A and 3rd B line. This appears to be a team that will roll their 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines constantly.

I was pissed as well when they broke that line up as well, though I think Cizikas could work out in many different roles and he's only going to get better. I'd feel far better about matching him up against another teams top forward than Frans frankly.

Xxkeaner17xX

Cizikas is a checking forward/pest. He may show more of an offensive prowess eventually(I think he will)but till then he's perfect in that 4th line role. Nelson as far as what I know of him could eventually take that position of third line center especially if Strome fills the 2nd slot. He is projected to be more of a scorer than Cizikas. I'd leave Cizikas right where he is. When Nelson os ready to fill that role than fine trade Nielsen for whatever but till then.. I'd rather not fill that 4th line center position with some "lesser prospect" or misuse Nelson(aka Nino)in that role when we have a ridiculously effective 4th line for the first time in probably 20 years. That line serves a prupose and is extremely important and a is a huge part of this teams recent success. Cizikas is a big part of that. In other words don't fix something that's not broke. As far as the return IDK, I just don't see it being significant but I don't think that detracts from Nielsen's present value to the club.
- Cptmjl

i didnt think the 4th line should have been messed with during the season...i think now during the offseason, im at least ok with the possibility of taking CC off the 4th to the 3rd and slotting nelson in there gives nelson, MM and CM the time to learn each other.

i also am not sure if you are underestimating cizikas offense or overestimating what nelson will be for the team...look at caseys numbers leading up to being on the isles, the kid can put the puck in the net...ive been saying it since the day he came up, he reminds me of a ryan callahan and now that ive seen more of him i think he is a brad marchand type as well..