I really don't think it was a coincidence that the team started turning it around as soon as he was sent down.
- Cptmjl

I don't believe for a second his departure had anything to do with it. To say that would mean you believe he had a negative influence in the lockeroom since he didn't play enough to matter. If anything, we've heard from a lot of players who said how well liked he is and he's the guy that kept others relaxed and laughing. Now who knows, maybe it was the equivalent of pulling a goalie in a game to send a message, but I think the Isles actually started playing well because they actually began backchecking more and moving the puck faster. I'm not sure how his departure could have improved those facets.


xxkeaner17xx

Ya think!
- Vukota

shame on all of you here for not thinking of that! Like Duh?!?!

I think their 'impasse' with Nabby suggests that Snow is not expecting Nabby to be the clear cut #1 this year. If he did, then I doubt a few dollars would come in the way for a team that needs to get to the floor.

I'd have to assume they have a series of potential plans and are reacting on how things work out with other teams. Bryz is now available, Backstrom and Bernier gone, Luongo should be bought out, Halak available etc etc. One thing I don't believe is that the Isles will enter the season with just Nilsson, Poulin and DP in the fold. There are a lot of options out there.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Well he better stop "reacting" and watching what other teams do bcs when the music stops and we don't have at least Nabby that to me is mismanagement. I don't need to watch Snow go into panic mode again like he did with Rolston and Pandalfo. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now but if he thinks Poulin, Nilsson, and God forbid RDP are viable options then he's out of his facking mind.

I don't believe for a second his departure had anything to do with it. To say that would mean you believe he had a negative influence in the lockeroom since he didn't play enough to matter. If anything, we've heard from a lot of players who said how well liked he is and he's the guy that kept others relaxed and laughing. Now who knows, maybe it was the equivalent of pulling a goalie in a game to send a message, but I think the Isles actually started playing well because they actually began backchecking more and moving the puck faster. I'm not sure how his departure could have improved those facets.


xxkeaner17xx
- keaner17

I'm not saying it was the sole reason but I think you're fooling yourself saying he wasn't a distraction. there were anonymous player quotes and some from former players(Witt comes to mind)that say otherwise. Knowing there's a possibility that Rickety D is going to be in net is enough of a distraction. The team started playing as a TEAM right after his departure. There are a lot less coincidences then a lot of islander fans WANT to believe.

Well he better stop "reacting" and watching what other teams do bcs when the music stops and we don't have at least Nabby that to me is mismanagement. I don't need to watch Snow go into panic mode again like he did with Rolston and Pandalfo. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now but if he thinks Poulin, Nilsson, and God forbid RDP are viable options then he's out of his facking mind.
- Cptmjl

Agreed, though I doubt he does feel that way. I get the feeling Snow, along with a lot of other GM's are waiting to see how July 4th looks since all of the buyouts are due by then. The amount of players that suddenly enter the market at that point will totally reset the going prices. At that point, Nabby's price may come down or the Isles could spend on an option like Luongo. I certainly wouldn't want him to make a move right this minute, since the next week could totally change the landscape of available players. I also think those moves could have an impact on what is done with DiPietro.


xxkeaner17xx

Didn't see the Bruins announced they won't be re-signing Andrew Ference. I'd take him happily.

Agreed, though I doubt he does feel that way. I get the feeling Snow, along with a lot of other GM's are waiting to see how July 4th looks since all of the buyouts are due by then. The amount of players that suddenly enter the market at that point will totally reset the going prices. At that point, Nabby's price may come down or the Isles could spend on an option like Luongo. I certainly wouldn't want him to make a move right this minute, since the next week could totally change the landscape of available players. I also think those moves could have an impact on what is done with DiPietro.


xxkeaner17xx
- keaner17

This why I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now but he's got to do something for goaltending if Nabby doesn't get resigned. I'm not huge on that idea either but at least it is a more viable option.

Didn't see the Bruins announced won't be re-signing Andrew Ference. I'd take him happily.
- eichiefs9

I'm not saying it was the sole reason but I think you're fooling yourself saying he wasn't a distraction. there were anonymous player quotes and some from former players(Witt comes to mind)that say otherwise. Knowing there's a possibility that Rickety D is going to be in net is enough of a distraction. The team started playing as a TEAM right after his departure. There are a lot less coincidences then a lot of islander fans WANT to believe.
- Cptmjl

I don't recall anyone saying DP was a distraction though Witt mentioned DP's ego, while also saying they got along well. That said, I think the difference between the DP that was around when Witt was here and the DP that had gone through two major hip injuries and knee surgeries probably did humble him as much as certain local writers claimed. I know Tavares was very supportive in his comments of Rick and saying how he'd be missed a lot in the lockeroom. Grabner said he was the funniest guy he's ever known. etc.

I think it was predictable that if the Isles got playing well, many would draw the line back to DP, but in the end, he was a comedien backup goaltender. These guys are all professionals and unless someone is a total nutjob who constantly pisses other guys off (Avery), it's difficult for them to pose any type of distraction. Even Briere stated that Bryz wasn't really much of a distraction despite his quirky personality and the fact that half the team disliked him.


Xxkeaner17xX

This why I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now but he's got to do something for goaltending if Nabby doesn't get resigned. I'm not huge on that idea either but at least it is a more viable option.
- Cptmjl

Agreed. I'm pretty positive though that we will sign someone. Just not sure who. Of all Snow's responsibilities, I'd say finding a goaltender is the thing I probably trust him most on. He's done well with Roloson, Montoya and Nabby. He obviously knows the position and there are plenty of them available with money to burn. Unless we get to August with no one in house, I'll keep confident he has a plan.


Xxkeaner17xX

Nabby to Philly...book it
Isles will be going with what they have..no Luongo or Miller...Mike Smith will sign elsewhere..mistake not locking up Nabby IMO Needed him there for an 82 schedule while they test Poulin.....wouldn't be shocked if Smith gets signed by Philly as well.

Nabby to Philly...book it
Isles will be going with what they have..no Luongo or Miller...Mike Smith will sign elsewhere..mistake not locking up Nabby IMO Needed him there for an 82 schedule while they test Poulin.....wouldn't be shocked if Smith gets signed by Philly as well.
- Nolanders

Ah, so Philly will be starting next season with Mason, Nabokov, and Mike Smith on the roster? That's doubtful.

Isles aren't starting the year with two kids with a combined 25 games of experience.

Nabby to Philly...book it
Isles will be going with what they have..no Luongo or Miller...Mike Smith will sign elsewhere..mistake not locking up Nabby IMO Needed him there for an 82 schedule while they test Poulin.....wouldn't be shocked if Smith gets signed by Philly as well.
- Nolanders

How? They're $4.1 million under the cap with several players needing to be replaced.
I just don't think Nabby was that good this year and he was flat out awful in the playoffs. I honestly believe there are several better options than Nabby, though I'd been happy to take him back and let him split games with either Poulin or Nilsson. That said, I'm not sure how anyone could say we're going to suffer much with his loss after seeing his performance against the Pens. Let the Flyers sign him and tell our forwards to shoot glove side everytime. They'll already be at close range as Streit repeatedly misses on his stickchecks.

Xxkeaner17xX

Agreed. I'm pretty positive though that we will sign someone. Just not sure who. Of all Snow's responsibilities, I'd say finding a goaltender is the thing I probably trust him most on. He's done well with Roloson, Montoya and Nabby. He obviously knows the position and there are plenty of them available with money to burn. Unless we get to August with no one in house, I'll keep confident he has a plan.


Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Could be Jaroslav Halak from St. Louis...looks like they need to dump some salary...

How? They're $4.1 million under the cap with several players needing to be replaced.
I just don't think Nabby was that good this year and he was flat out awful in the playoffs. I honestly believe there are several better options than Nabby, though I'd been happy to take him back and let him split games with either Poulin or Nilsson. That said, I'm not sure how anyone could say we're going to suffer much with his loss after seeing his performance against the Pens. Let the Flyers sign him and tell our forwards to shoot glove side everytime. They'll already be at close range as Streit repeatedly misses on his stickchecks.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

I agree. I have no problem not bringing back Nabby. Having said this, Snow needs to go out and bring in a quality goalie. Isles cannot slip back this year. They need to build off making the playoffs.

Could be Jaroslav Halak from St. Louis...looks like they need to dump some salary...
- kear20

Vry possible. Frankly if I was GM, I'd have a series of plans. Halak would be one of them.
Perhaps something like:
1. Luongo as free agent
2. Mike Smith as free agent
3 Jaroslav Halak as cap casualty trade.
4. Jonas Hiller
5. Resign Nabby

And his list could likely be much longer than that. So we'll see how everything pans out, but I seriously doubt we get left with an empty bag and only Poulin on the big club. If we do, then those who have continually hammered Snow would have every right to continue to do so.


xxkeaner17xx

James Reimer?
- PatC80

6th round draft pick?

There will be another buyout period this time next year. As long as he doesn't have some ridiculously extreme injury, ie: paralysis, and isn't in shambles this time next year he'll be perfectly fine to be bought out.
- eichiefs9

Insurance kicks in then, the team doesn't pay him & it wouldn't count against the cap either.


XxNYIxX

I understand that if he gets hurt and needs surgery or whatever and is not ready by the time camp opens which is a good bet with him they are facked. Why even wait? They can't go with 3 goalies in the AHL as well. Just end the last remaining piece of the horrific Milbury era and move on
- Vukota

What about me?????

XxNYIxX

Nabby to Philly...book it
Isles will be going with what they have..no Luongo or Miller...Mike Smith will sign elsewhere..mistake not locking up Nabby IMO Needed him there for an 82 schedule while they test Poulin.....wouldn't be shocked if Smith gets signed by Philly as well.
- Nolanders

Smith & Nabby? And they are getting all this cap space from where?

XxNYIxX

Nabby to Philly...book it
Isles will be going with what they have..no Luongo or Miller...Mike Smith will sign elsewhere..mistake not locking up Nabby IMO Needed him there for an 82 schedule while they test Poulin.....wouldn't be shocked if Smith gets signed by Philly as well.
- Nolanders

They can't afford Nabby and Smith...lol.

That would be @least 9 million in salary!!!

Ah, so Philly will be starting next season with Mason, Nabokov, and Mike Smith on the roster? That's doubtful.

Isles aren't starting the year with two kids with a combined 25 games of experience.
- eichiefs9

Can you imagine how far the Flyers fall with Nabby in net & Streit in front of him? Id kind of feel bad for them.

XxNYIxX

I want all the local players on the Isles next year.... Horton, Paille, Clutterbuck, Emery... what the hell throw in Girardi too.

Konopka too....

Interesting tweets:

Larkin @THNMattLarkin 1h
Berglund signed, Shattenkirk imminent, you know Pietrangelo will be signed...does this mean Chris Stewart is the odd RFA out in St. Louis?

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie 4h
MTL (Gomez/Kaberle) and PHI (Briere/Bryzgalov) are for sures. NYI haven't committed on DiPietro but one would think it's likely.

- kear20

Armstrong (Blues GM) already has said all rfa will be signed or matched. Never going to happen unless its via a trade.

Dee Karl: Nabby No No?
There may be a LOT of room in net.
- Dee Karl

Dee- whatever happened to Art Staple as a source?
He tweeted the same thing.

This should come as no surprise. As much as Nabby has made a home for himself here, his agent would be negligent NOT to test free agency. Doubtful he'll be offered the primary starting position with many other teams but Garth's offer is probably just North of what other clubs with cap space and a bigger budget would offer a vet backup of Nabbys calibre. Unless a proven upgrade is in Garths sights risking his loss would be a bad way to kick off the free agency. Poulin is not ready to take on the starting role, IMO. Not with our current defense. Wonder why we hear zero mention of Tim Thomas? Either way, we have his rights. If hes 100% NOT an option, his rights should have been shopped and Garth should be public about such things. There's no sense keeping the obvious a secret.