Another good point. If the Devils can manage so should the Isles. Isles need to move forward and cannot just be happy making the playoffs last year.
- ses111

Exactly, they don't have to go out and do pull a Flyers. All the Isles have to address is their situation in net and add one more respectable scoring forward.

To be honest... this year FA group is not very strong!!!

You don't want to overpay for mediocre players.

I would be content with Grabs, not sure about the goalie situation.

Not a lot of options out there.... even Emery come with a question mark.

To be honest... this year FA group is not very strong!!!

You don't want to overpay for mediocre players.

I would be content with Grabs, not sure about the goalie situation.

Not a lot of options out there.... even Emery come with a question mark.
- jimmc7722

How great would it be hearing Butchie try to say Grabovski to Grabner...

I understand finances have a lot to do with why the Isles never really go out and get the so-called upper echelon free agent players but look at what Jersey is doing.

Their current owner is behind on the rent and they just acquired a four million dollar goalie, re-signed their other franchise player to 16.5 million dollars and re-upped a third line utility player for 3.5 million.

Business and sports go hand in hand for sure but the Isles need tbuck some trends today and go for it this summer. A lot of their imminent future success will ride on what management does this summer.
- MidnightMarauder

Understand the point on the Devils, but with Isles their lease deal takes away more than 50% of profit from them, I don't think the Devils have that issue, just that they are behind in rent.
U think the Devils would be able to run if 50% of profit was taken away....
Coliseum has a very bad lease deal....probably no other sports team has that issue

Understand the point on the Devils, but with Isles their lease deal takes away more than 50% of profit from them, I don't think the Devils have that issue, just that they are behind in rent.
U think the Devils would be able to run if 50% of profit was taken away....
Coliseum has a very bad lease deal....probably no other sports team has that issue
- Ur Not Me

Fair enough, I was not aware of how much money the Isles were losing with their lease.

Guess Ballard signed in Minny.....

Fair enough, I was not aware of how bad much money the Isles were losing with their lease.
- MidnightMarauder

Don't know for sure, but read somewhere that the current lease deal of SMG take upwards of 55-60% of profit away....that's tough to swallow

Don't know for sure, but read somewhere that the current lease deal of SMG take upwards of 55-60% of profit away....that's tough to swallow
- Ur Not Me

Mine as well ease the pain of money loss by being as competitive as you can be. Hey, if they can get a reasonably fair market deal for a good player, the Islanders will likely take advantage. I don't see them overpaying for anyone though, especially since they are bleeding out money like they seem to be doing.

Guess Ballard signed in Minny.....
- Nolanders

They can have him.

I am aware but they are on the verge of being a force in the East. They have the trade chips to acquire a goalie via trade and they definitely have the money to go out and get a good complimentary top six forward.

They might not do any of these things but if they do, say acquire Halak and sign Ribeiro perhaps, this team would look extremely dangerous next season.
- MidnightMarauder

This would be best case scenario but as like most Isles fans i have a "don't expect much and you won't be dissappointed" attitude. He HAS TO get a goaltender.

Can't afford to wait that long for a goalie....
this will be how it goes......
9am.... we banter back and forth, excited , scared
10am....we squash suggestions from other fans and stress that WE WILL get the players we need
11am.....cautious nervousness, impatience and at times anger towards trolls and eventually turn on each other
1115 am ...MacKenzie/ LeBrun / Dreger make claims Isles in a one or two players ...there is hope on the Island
1159am.....start our count down, could this be the year!!!!!!
12 noon.....crickets
1pm.....several teams stock up on talent...players sign ridiculous contracts and many bought out next season
5pm....nobody is safe....pictures of Garth drunk in a bar with skanks all around him.... Dee resorts to recipes, gets a quote from Gervais, DP still upset with buy out.....
Sunday 2pm.....Hamonic clarifies it is his step dad and mom that are splitting
Aug 2 waiver wire pick up and a signing of a beer league player from Cole Harbour (something in the water there Garth believes).

- Nolanders

That's a pretty good synopsis. Get ready to experience it

There are no stars on this free agent list but there a few B-grade players that could help any team. The only issue there, albeit a rather large issue, is that a lot of these second tier players are going to get paid like first line all stars.

Isles aren't in need of a first line center because they already have a top five league-wide centerman. Their defense, while not claiming a legitmate top defenseman in the league, certainly has nice depth and a good mixture of skill and toughness.

The Isles two focuses, in my eyes, should be trying to add one more top six forward and obviously address the situation in net. They do those, with aplomb today or shortly thereafter, this team will be ready to battle for home ice in the first round of the playoffs, at the very least.
- MidnightMarauder

Though a top 6 fwd would be great if there were two positions this team needs covered it is a goaltender and a top 4 Dman. Those are neccesary positions that HAVE TO be filled. Strome or Nelson or both are going to factor into the fwd slots. Both need real playing time.

One signing won't kill the progress of prospects. This list of free agents is atrocious but there are some good players out there, as long as the asking price isn't Tyler Bozak insanity.
- MidnightMarauder

Not at all, in fact at this point it's neccesary.

To be honest... this year FA group is not very strong!!!

You don't want to overpay for mediocre players.

I would be content with Grabs, not sure about the goalie situation.

Not a lot of options out there.... even Emery come with a question mark.
- jimmc7722

Grabosky would be a nice addition to this team. We NEED a goaltender and a top4!!!!!!!!!

Not at all, in fact at this point it's neccesary.
- Cptmjl

Exactly, plus it's always more exciting when both NY teams are playoff bound every year.

I'm expecting outrage by 2pm...
Can't say I won't be upset.
Xxkeaner17xX

Grabosky would be a nice addition to this team. We NEED a goaltender and a top4!!!!!!!!!
- Cptmjl

Ek has Grabo linked to the Wings. I'm not sure I want him on the Isles. I would like the Isles to sign Weiss.

Personally more excited about seeing new players as opposed to adding a vet goalie by trading one of them. Especially a goalie only signed for one year with no desire to be here.

I'm expecting outrage by 2pm...
Can't say I won't be upset.
Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

By 2:00 keaner will be a member of the Wolfpack.

Ek has Grabo linked to the Wings. I'm not sure I want him on the Isles. I would like the Isles to sign Weiss.
- ses111

Weiss is fine short term... Grabs can be signed for a longer contract.

Detroit... looks like the are about to sign Alfredsson, hopefully they stay away from Grabovski.

Ek has Grabo linked to the Wings. I'm not sure I want him on the Isles. I would like the Isles to sign Weiss.
- ses111

Anyone else feel this is an absolutely awful free agent crop? Also, the rumor of Scuderi going to Pittsburg is another wtf moment. Perhapd we should just refer to free agent day as Flyers and Penguins retooling day

Xxkeaner17xX

Anyone else feel this is an absolutely awful free agent crop? Also, the rumor of Scuderi going to Pittsburg is another wtf moment. Perhapd we should just refer to free agent day as Flyers and Penguins retooling day

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

I do feel it's awful. Isles never catch a break. If Scuderi sign with Pitt I'm going to lose it. We may need a new version of the Wolfpack.

Anyone else feel this is an absolutely awful free agent crop? Also, the rumor of Scuderi going to Pittsburg is another wtf moment. Perhapd we should just refer to free agent day as Flyers and Penguins retooling day

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

Until Wang sells the team or show that he is willing to open up his purse... we will always feel this way.

Obviously our biggest concern is in net right now!!!

And there really isn't any options in FA.

Weiss is fine short term... Grabs can be signed for a longer contract.

Detroit... looks like the are about to sign Alfredsson, hopefully they stay away from Grabovski.
- jimmc7722

What is the book on Grabs? I heard he is a headcase.

I see Ek has Scuderi to Pitt as E4. How are they going to fit him under the Cap? Good point about no stars on this list. Getting a goalie is a must. I know the Isles want to give Donovan a shot on D. I still think adding D is more important than adding forwards. Isles have guys like Strome and Nelson who could make the team this year. This may need to wait another year for Reinhart and Mayfield on D. Isles in a tough spot in a way. They do not want medicore FA's blocking the good propsects.
- ses111

Correct that this years FA class is medicore. Isles need to go the trade route to get an established netminder. Is Hiller available? I would throw in De Haan Mayfield as chips. Don't be surprised however if Garth gets Greiss or Khudobin as the primary goaltender...which I'm not liking