Guy is obviously a little out of touch with reality. Not you the post you were replying too.
- Cptmjl

No, reality is hockey players are most importantly assessed by consistency. I love people who look at players that have a few good years and say they are amazing. Take a look at how many NHL players have come and gone with only a few years in the league. When Hamonic is 24-25 years old and still shows the same consistency, then yeah I'll agree with you. He was a -8 last season and produced at a lesser rate than his previous 2 years. I'm not saying he's not good, just saying you need a little more sample size with him playing Top Unit.

you guys have seen enough of McDonagh in 14 playoff games the last two years to know just how good he is.

Torts never used him on the powerplay, only reason his offensive numbers haven't taken off yet, I expect that to change under AV
- jimbro83

I get what you mean, he'd probably have success on the powerplay.

But does he have more offensive potential than Del Zotto or Girardi? I'm not so sure.

Karlsson, Weber, Suter, Kronwall, Chara, Pietrangelo, Subban, Doughty, Letang, Keith. That's 10, but arguably. I am still taking McD over a few of these guys.
- Blackstrom2

I pick mcd over Kronwall, letang, and subban. Maybe doughty too.

I get what you mean, he'd probably have success on the powerplay.

But does he have more offensive potential than Del Zotto or Girardi? I'm not so sure.
- Scabeh

More than girardi but maybe not more than mdz or staal or moore.

No, reality is hockey players are most importantly assessed by consistency. I love people who look at players that have a few good years and say they are amazing. Take a look at how many NHL players have come and gone with only a few years in the league. When Hamonic is 24-25 years old and still shows the same consistency, then yeah I'll agree with you. He was a -8 last season and produced at a lesser rate than his previous 2 years. I'm not saying he's not good, just saying you need a little more sample size with him playing Top Unit.
- xcheckmajor

The ironic hilarity here being; Hamonic has played more NHL games than McD has, at a younger age, not counting playoffs.

On the flip side, you guys know of my opinion of Girardi.

I would also add Staal to that list if he wasn't so oft-injured.
- Blackstrom2

Yea, you think girardi sucks Your planet called and they want you back

I get what you mean, he'd probably have success on the powerplay.

But does he have more offensive potential than Del Zotto or Girardi? I'm not so sure.
- Scabeh

He is definitely a better skater than Del Zotto, and Girardi is a right handed defenseman whose offense has probably maxed out at this point.

I pick mcd over Kronwall, letang, and subban. Maybe doughty too.
- rangerdanger94

I honestly cannot see why you would but hey, you probably have your reasons....

On the flip side, you guys know of my opinion of Girardi.

I would also add Staal to that list if he wasn't so oft-injured.
- Blackstrom2

Here's the problem with your thinking regarding Giardi being overrated. In order for him to be overrated, he would first have to rated. He's not and he makes dirt (for now). You don't even think he's a good depth Dman, (3-6)?

No, reality is hockey players are most importantly assessed by consistency. I love people who look at players that have a few good years and say they are amazing. Take a look at how many NHL players have come and gone with only a few years in the league. When Hamonic is 24-25 years old and still shows the same consistency, then yeah I'll agree with you. He was a -8 last season and produced at a lesser rate than his previous 2 years. I'm not saying he's not good, just saying you need a little more sample size with him playing Top Unit.
- xcheckmajor

Hamonic is amazing man. Hes a tier below mcdonagh at the moment but thats still a huge compliment considering how highly we think of mcdonagh

I honestly cannot see why you would but hey, you probably have your reasons....
- Scabeh

a lot better defensively. Same reason I pick him over letang.

I honestly cannot see why you would but hey, you probably have your reasons....
- Scabeh

Homer #1 meet Homer #2. Everyone is gonna be biased there so its not worth discussing.

Homer #1 meet Homer #2. Everyone is gonna be biased there so its not worth discussing.
- mrhattrick27

You obviously don't know me.

The ironic hilarity here being; Hamonic has played more NHL games than McD has, at a younger age, not counting playoffs.
- Blackstrom2

I was under the impression that Hamonic only became top pair Dman this past season. I admit, I don't watch all Islander games, but my comments are directed at the fact of Hamonic being paired against the top players in the league. He's had more games yes, but averages 22min of ice time compared to McD who averages around 25min and has been matched up against top players basically his whole short career. McD is also a +53 in 169games while Hamonic is a +2 in 183. This while playing against top scorers every night.

Yea, you think girardi sucks Your planet called and they want you back
- Slimtj100

He doesn't suck, he's just not McD. They were your most prevalent pairing this past year. by far.

As between the two top pair D, McDonagh has had the stronger season. Girardi plays tougher minutes (though I doubt that .5 Corsi Rel QoC is hugely significant), McDonagh has the tougher zone starts (though, again, not hugely significant), but McDonagh has a positive GF/60 - GA/60 differential, while Girardi's is slightly negative. The more sheltered D, the ones that we'll expect to see on the ice, have all been able to develop positive goal differentials because McDonagh and Girardi have taken all the tough assignments, but those defenders are vulnerable.

*Shrug. I got on Girardi initially after the All-Star hype. He gets tough minutes, but he doesn't perform near the same level as other defenseman with just as tough minutes. He's not one of the premiere shutdown defenseman in my opinion.

a lot better defensively. Same reason I pick him over letang.
- rangerdanger94

Fair enough, I agree he's better defensively, though someone could very well argue with "a lot better".

Subban is solid in his own zone, more than Letang for sure.

I was under the impression that Hamonic only became top pair Dman this past season. I admit, I don't watch all Islander games, but my comments are directed at the fact of Hamonic being paired against the top players in the league. He's had more games yes, but averages 22min of ice time compared to McD who averages around 25min and has been matched up against top players basically his whole short career. McD is also a +53 in 169games while Hamonic is a +2 in 183. This while playing against top scorers every night.
- xcheckmajor

Hamonic faces the toughest minutes on the Isle..just like McD and Girardi do for you. Did he bang your girlfriend or something? What's with the Travis hate?

He doesn't suck, he's just not McD. They were your most prevalent pairing this past year. by far.

*Shrug. I got on Girardi initially after the All-Star hype. He gets tough minutes, but he doesn't perform near the same level as other defenseman with just as tough minutes. He's not one of the premiere shutdown defenseman in my opinion.
- Blackstrom2

About girardi, he plays in the top 10 of icetime and has the best plus minus by far I believe. All girardi does is shut down which is why he doesn't get a lot of recognition. Very quiet player in a good way.

Here's the problem with your thinking regarding Giardi being overrated. In order for him to be overrated, he would first have to rated. He's not and he makes dirt (for now). You don't even think he's a good depth Dman, (3-6)?
- GioRock

he's a top-4 defenseman. He is not the best shutdown guy in the league, as hyped when he got an All-Star selection two years ago. He's a great defender, but there were many trying to call him the best defensive d-man after the hype he got two years ago, and it just doesn't line up like that. McD is the better defensive and offensive guy on that pairing.

he's a top-4 defenseman. He is not the best shutdown guy in the league, as hyped when he got an All-Star selection two years ago. He's a great defender, but there were many trying to call him the best defensive d-man after the hype he got two years ago, and it just doesn't line up like that. McD is the better defensive and offensive guy on that pairing.
- Blackstrom2

I agree. Girardi is a solid top 4, he's not out of place on the first pairing either.

Is it possible to put McD with Del Zotto? I say this would do wonders on the powerplay.

he's a top-4 defenseman. He is not the best shutdown guy in the league, as hyped when he got an All-Star selection two years ago. He's a great defender, but there were many trying to call him the best defensive d-man after the hype he got two years ago, and it just doesn't line up like that. McD is the better defensive and offensive guy on that pairing.
- Blackstrom2

Yea hes not the top guy but id argue hes still an elite shutdown guy. Pure warrior too. Hes an iron man and plays through everything.

I agree.

Is it possible to put McD with Del Zotto? I say this would do wonders on the powerplay.
- Scabeh

they are both left handed shots, not likely

He doesn't suck, he's just not McD. They were your most prevalent pairing this past year. by far.

*Shrug. I got on Girardi initially after the All-Star hype. He gets tough minutes, but he doesn't perform near the same level as other defenseman with just as tough minutes. He's not one of the premiere shutdown defenseman in my opinion.
- Blackstrom2

Your opinion is still clueless man. He is as blood and guts as a defenseman get. Occasionally like all dmen he gets beat, but the man risks his body every shift. Go watch the shot he blocks by subban down 3-0 with about 2 minutes left and tell me I'm wrong. There's alot more to a player then stats. Girardi is one of the most underrated, not overrated like you say, players in the leauge

Listen, I'm not saying Hamonic is not good. I was just responding to the Glenn Healy should comment about McD's contract now statement from before. Healy was a little harsh, but I understood where he was coming from. Healy wasn't talking about amount of Hamonic's deal, he was talking about the length of contract to someone so young. And I get it, if Hamonic regresses, it would be a hard contract to move. But McD's contract is a little less, we signed him for 6 years not 8. I think its all about how things are viewed proportionally under the new CBA. If 8 years is the maximum allowed, there is a tier of players that should fall under that. Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Stamkos, etc... These are the players that have proved their worth for the maximum term. McDonagh hasn't even reached the point where we is getting the max year offers, but Hamonic gets it? If Hamonic continues to impress and get even better, then yes its a value deal. But Healy was comparing it to DiPietro's deal. The same was said when DiPi was signed. If DiPi became what they projected him to become, he would have been a huge bargain. But when your that young and unproven, you just don't know what will happen, and long contracts turn into handcuffs. Thats all I'm sayin.

Listen, I'm not saying Hamonic is not good. I was just responding to the Glenn Healy should comment about McD's contract now statement from before. Healy was a little harsh, but I understood where he was coming from. Healy wasn't talking about amount of Hamonic's deal, he was talking about the length of contract to someone so young. And I get it, if Hamonic regresses, it would be a hard contract to move. But McD's contract is a little less, we signed him for 6 years not 8. I think its all about how things are viewed proportionally under the new CBA. If 8 years is the maximum allowed, there is a tier of players that should fall under that. Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Stamkos, etc... These are the players that have proved their worth for the maximum term. McDonagh hasn't even reached the point where we is getting the max year offers, but Hamonic gets it? If Hamonic continues to impress and get even better, then yes its a value deal. But Healy was comparing it to DiPietro's deal. The same was said when DiPi was signed. If DiPi became what they projected him to become, he would have been a huge bargain. But when your that young and unproven, you just don't know what will happen, and long contracts turn into handcuffs. Thats all I'm sayin.
- xcheckmajor

Fair point. It seems like adding term is a way to get the aav down nowadays.