The only question I have is this: what do you think you're getting for Moulson and Nielsen? I'm just interested to know what any of you think they'll bring back other than at most a 2nd round pick.

Moulson I can see moving out IF you can get a 5-6 defenseman for him, because at a certain point he's going to be too slow for the Tavares line- you're probably eventually better off with Strome and Bouchard there, and eventually the Kabanovs and Petrovs or Lee or whoever are going to need spots, anyway. However, I just don't see what you're going to get for our best defensive center that would be worth it- I don't think he'd bring back much, and I'd rather see him out there with Okposo and Bailey, taking on the other team's first line at least for this year, than HOPE Cizikas is ready for that role.

There is a top 6 winger in Buffalo available who is 8th in goal scoring since the previous lockout. .
- ImThatGuy

too much money, one year left on his deal and Buffalo wants a ton for him. No thank you, we'll be fine. 7th overall in scoring last year and we've already improved by dropping dead weight in aucoin, boyes and reasoner.

if strome is ready and is happy being on the wing...id blow up the current top line and have it look like this:

Clutterbuck- JT - Strome

id be thrilled for the isles to trade moulson and get a top 4 guy.
- LetsGoIsles

Yeah, so would we all....not gonna happen. There's no Milbury out there who is going to trade you Pietrangelo for Moulson, and then tell everyone that Moulson is going to be Kvasha.....I mean, great....someday.

The only question I have is this: what do you think you're getting for Moulson and Nielsen? I'm just interested to know what any of you think they'll bring back other than at most a 2nd round pick.

Moulson I can see moving out IF you can get a 5-6 defenseman for him, because at a certain point he's going to be too slow for the Tavares line- you're probably eventually better off with Strome and Bouchard there, and eventually the Kabanovs and Petrovs or Lee or whoever are going to need spots, anyway. However, I just don't see what you're going to get for our best defensive center that would be worth it- I don't think he'd bring back much, and I'd rather see him out there with Okposo and Bailey, taking on the other team's first line at least for this year, than HOPE Cizikas is ready for that role.
- dcb1

last year he looked even slower than he has in previous years. I don't know if he'll be bumped from the first line or if he'll be traded/let go at the end of the year. With all the speed this team has up front to have the slowest guy on the team playing top minutes and unable to backcheck it makes for a weakness that needs to be corrected. If Strome or Bouchard can add more speed to that line and Moulson can continue to score then he stays, but if that line looks like it did with Boyes and Moulson dragging a piano behind them last year then they need to make a change and Moulson could be looking for work after the season.

last year he looked even slower than he has in previous years. I don't know if he'll be bumped from the first line or if he'll be traded/let go at the end of the year. With all the speed this team has up front to have the slowest guy on the team playing top minutes and unable to backcheck it makes for a weakness that needs to be corrected. If Strome or Bouchard can add more speed to that line and Moulson can continue to score then he stays, but if that line looks like it did with Boyes and Moulson dragging a piano behind them last year then they need to make a change and Moulson could be looking for work after the season.
- Isles_since_6

He still averaged almost a point a game last year granted I could as well playing with JT but he was productive despite what most on here think

The only question I have is this: what do you think you're getting for Moulson and Nielsen? I'm just interested to know what any of you think they'll bring back other than at most a 2nd round pick.

Moulson I can see moving out IF you can get a 5-6 defenseman for him, because at a certain point he's going to be too slow for the Tavares line- you're probably eventually better off with Strome and Bouchard there, and eventually the Kabanovs and Petrovs or Lee or whoever are going to need spots, anyway. However, I just don't see what you're going to get for our best defensive center that would be worth it- I don't think he'd bring back much, and I'd rather see him out there with Okposo and Bailey, taking on the other team's first line at least for this year, than HOPE Cizikas is ready for that role.
- dcb1

realistically, moulson or nielsen will get much more than "at most 2nd round pick"...you are severely undervaluing what a 30 goal scorer for the past 3-4 years can return.

as for nielsen, he prob wont return what moulson would be like you said, hes "our best defensive center" (although i think cizikas is)...he too will get more than a 2nd round pick...also, the contracts for moulson and nielsen are very affordable.

also its safe to say that cizikas has proven that he can handle the center position. he has certain intangibles and knowledge of the game that doesnt make me concerned if he can continue to impress and do his job...

if strome is ready and is happy being on the wing...id blow up the current top line and have it look like this:

Clutterbuck- JT - Strome

id be thrilled for the isles to trade moulson and get a top 4 guy.
- LetsGoIsles

I would have no problem trading Moulson as long as it brought back a top dman.
Tavares may think differently, though. It IS his best friend.

last year he looked even slower than he has in previous years. I don't know if he'll be bumped from the first line or if he'll be traded/let go at the end of the year. With all the speed this team has up front to have the slowest guy on the team playing top minutes and unable to backcheck it makes for a weakness that needs to be corrected. If Strome or Bouchard can add more speed to that line and Moulson can continue to score then he stays, but if that line looks like it did with Boyes and Moulson dragging a piano behind them last year then they need to make a change and Moulson could be looking for work after the season.
- Isles_since_6

That's what I mean....if you keep him, you might get 30 goals out of him playing with JT.....but if you trade him.....this will be the first offer.....

last year he looked even slower than he has in previous years. I don't know if he'll be bumped from the first line or if he'll be traded/let go at the end of the year. With all the speed this team has up front to have the slowest guy on the team playing top minutes and unable to backcheck it makes for a weakness that needs to be corrected. If Strome or Bouchard can add more speed to that line and Moulson can continue to score then he stays, but if that line looks like it did with Boyes and Moulson dragging a piano behind them last year then they need to make a change and Moulson could be looking for work after the season.
- Isles_since_6

boyes was not exactly a big bully but a line of Moulson- JT- Strome would be one of the softest lines in the history of hockey and JTs head would probably be knocked off by the 3rd game with that line.

That's what I mean....if you keep him, you might get 30 goals out of him playing with JT.....but if you trade him.....this will be the first offer.....


- dcb1

He still averaged almost a point a game last year granted I could as well playing with JT but he was productive despite what most on here think
- Vukota

i agree, he IS productive. i just think hes a product of JT and if he has someone with more speed on his line, said player would be MORE productive.

i think his weaknesses are starting to shine through, time to unload him before it becomes glaringly obvious to everyone.

I would have no problem trading Moulson as long as it brought back a top dman.
Tavares may think differently, though. It IS his best friend.
- Mancalledsting

so is clutterbuck.

The Islanders signed goalie Parker Milner to an AHL/ECHL deal, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.

A Boston College grad, Milner went undrafted and signed with the Isles as a free agent. He led the BC Eagles to an NCAA Championship in 2011-2012.

Milner is likely to play in the ECHL for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Staple notes.

bad news for dipietro...

i agree, he IS productive. i just think hes a product of JT and if he has someone with more speed on his line, said player would be MORE productive.

i think his weaknesses are starting to shine through, time to unload him before it becomes glaringly obvious to everyone.
- LetsGoIsles

I agree they need a big room clearing power forward to play on that line

too much money, one year left on his deal and Buffalo wants a ton for him. No thank you, we'll be fine. 7th overall in scoring last year and we've already improved by dropping dead weight in aucoin, boyes and reasoner.
- Isles_since_6

On the other hand, despite all the potential in the system, the Isles currently have no wingers with Vanek's talent and abilities. Maybe there's a winger who can score as many goals, maybe there's another winger as good in front of the net, and another as strong driving to the net and along the boards, but none who can deliver all of that.

I agree the price will probably be too high, and a trade would need to come with an understanding about how open he'd be to signing an extension, but I'd think hard about how to make it happen, personally.

He still averaged almost a point a game last year granted I could as well playing with JT but he was productive despite what most on here think
- Vukota

no disagreement on his production, but his defensive play was horrid and Boyes was just as bad, add JT with his average defensive ability and that line got pinned in our own end for a lot of shifts last season. As JT speeds up, Moulson seems to be slowing down (foot speed)

I know the guy can score and that makes him a valuable member of the team, but he didn't have his best all around season last year and looked to be at times dragging that line down (not as much as Boyes though)

realistically, moulson or nielsen will get much more than "at most 2nd round pick"...you are severely undervaluing what a 30 goal scorer for the past 3-4 years can return.

as for nielsen, he prob wont return what moulson would be like you said, hes "our best defensive center" (although i think cizikas is)...he too will get more than a 2nd round pick...also, the contracts for moulson and nielsen are very affordable.

also its safe to say that cizikas has proven that he can handle the center position. he has certain intangibles and knowledge of the game that doesnt make me concerned if he can continue to impress and do his job...
- LetsGoIsles

Moulson is slow as molasses and cr*p defensively. Nielsen is a third-line center, and he's never going to bring back big return.....teams ALWAYS (often correctly) believe they can train one of those. I can pretty much guarantee you that WE are still at the point where other teams will tell Garth they view last year as a fluke.....to them, these are the same cr*ppy players we've had for the last five years, and they're not worth much. If you trade Pietrangelo (throwing a name out off the top of my head) for Reinhart and Strome, you can do a lot better job of selling that to your fans than trying to tell them that the likes of Moulson and Nielsen are actually superstars who will replace him.

We have three items with trade value: Tavares, Strome and Reinhart. The rest aren't worth a dime in a trade as far as I'm concerned, if I'm the opposing GM....it just is what it is.

Moulson is slow as molasses and cr*p defensively. Nielsen is a third-line center, and he's never going to bring back big return.....teams ALWAYS (often correctly) believe they can train one of those. I can pretty much guarantee you that WE are still at the point where other teams will tell Garth they view last year as a fluke.....to them, these are the same cr*ppy players we've had for the last five years, and they're not worth much. If you trade Pietrangelo (throwing a name out off the top of my head) for Reinhart and Strome, you can do a lot better job of selling that to your fans than trying to tell them that the likes of Moulson and Nielsen are actually superstars who will replace him.

We have three items with trade value: Tavares, Strome and Reinhart. The rest aren't worth a dime in a trade as far as I'm concerned, if I'm the opposing GM....it just is what it is.
- dcb1

no need to respond to this comment because the bold is 100% bullpoop and speaks for itself.

no disagreement on his production, but his defensive play was horrid and Boyes was just as bad, add JT with his average defensive ability and that line got pinned in our own end for a lot of shifts last season. As JT speeds up, Moulson seems to be slowing down (foot speed)

I know the guy can score and that makes him a valuable member of the team, but he didn't have his best all around season last year and looked to be at times dragging that line down (not as much as Boyes though)
- Isles_since_6

Yeah not very good in his own end but he did lead the team in assists and was on pace for a career high in points but again he can thank JT for that. I'm all for an upgrade but as of now he is the best option for that top line

so is clutterbuck.
- LetsGoIsles

JT and Strome are pretty close... been working out the last two years together!!!

Can Martin play some top line minutes... He can protect JT and Strome!!!

Clutterbuck can hit... but not much of a fighter!!!

That's what I mean....if you keep him, you might get 30 goals out of him playing with JT.....but if you trade him.....this will be the first offer.....


- dcb1

oh I know Moulson's trade value isn't high at all. Boyes not having signed anywhere yet is an indication the league seems to understand that Tavares makes everyone around him better, and in some cases, MUCH better than they actually are.

I agree they need a big room clearing power forward to play on that line
- Vukota

I'm not entirely convinced on that end, I'm of the belief that over the last 2 years the big power forward (not hitting, but overpowering defensemen) on that line IS JT. I think what he needs is someone who can handle the puck, distribute the puck and draw defenders to him so they don't just collapse onto JT. Bouchard/Strome may end up being a perfect fit. As far as JT needing someone to protect him, Martin/Clutterbucks/McDonald are all going to be taking a regular shift, I don't expect them to need anyone actually on his line. Adding more speed and skill to make up for Moulson's lack of skating ability is the route I'd go with it.

He still averaged almost a point a game last year granted I could as well playing with JT but he was productive despite what most on here think
- Vukota

The guy is hard to watch and deplorable on the other side of the puck, one of those players that I have no idea how he puts up points. Mailed it in more than usual last year IMO

from a talent standpoint, sure.

for the standpoint that grabner, who can pot 30 goals a year, will be playing 8-11 minutes a game on a checking IE not necessarily looking to score, line, its an awful idea.
- LetsGoIsles

He plays that many minutes on every line

Yeah but does he have a great smile?
- Vukota