If you put Nelson between Clutterbuck and Bouchard.... they would score some goals!!!

Screw Regin... he was signed to sit in the press box!!!

Regin and Boulton can sit upstairs with Finley...
- jimmc7722

I never mind when we give one of these guys a shot. If they earn the spot with play let them stay...etc. (Strait, Aucoin, etc.). My issue is if they do not EARN it we keep them playing for far too long. That drives me nuts... (Pando, Reasoner, Eaton, Mattoa, Rolston, etc. etc. etc. ). Regin has a ton of speed and might need a new line and a shot... if he does well great. If not he needs to go and let whoever is playing best in Bridge come up. This method of hanging on too long to these long shot signings just cost us Ullstrom IMO. He should have seen much more Ice time the last few years and b/c of that was very reluctant to sign a 2 way contract.

But is it smart to bury Nelson (or Strome or Lee) in the "A" in favor of a guy who posted a whopping three assists in 27 games last season, with no goals? Its not like were talking about burying prospects in Bridgeport in favor of legit NHL talent when we talk about playing Regin over prospects. Regin = Reasoner 2.0
- Jethro09

Nobody is getting buried if they earn the right to be there. If Nelson out plays Regin he'll make the team. If Regin out plays Nelson then he'll make the team. It's pretty simple. Regin is there for insurance against the kids not being ready.

Fair enough. But what if Nelson has a better camp than Regin? Regin's on a one-way deal. Its not like the Isles to pay a guy $700K to play in the "A". Yes, they could put Regin on waivers and send him down, but its unlikely. I think they signed this guy to play in the NHL. I'd hate to see Regin stick on the NHL roster just because he signed a one-way deal.
- Jethro09

If they didn't mind paying DP his millions in the minors I can't see them worrying about paying Regin 700,000 to play in the minors. He'll most likely be a healthy scratch up in the NHL every night anyway if one of the kids make the team

I never mind when we give one of these guys a shot. If they earn the spot with play let them stay...etc. (Strait, Aucoin, etc.). My issue is if they do not EARN it we keep them playing for far too long. That drives me nuts... (Pando, Reasoner, Eaton, Mattoa, Rolston, etc. etc. etc. ). Regin has a ton of speed and might need a new line and a shot... if he does well great. If not he needs to go and let whoever is playing best in Bridge come up. This method of hanging on too long to these long shot signings just cost us Ullstrom IMO. He should have seen much more Ice time the last few years and b/c of that was very reluctant to sign a 2 way contract.
- niteislander

We all know well enough that if they're paying him he will be playing. No matter what

Nobody is getting buried if they earn the right to be there. If Nelson out plays Regin he'll make the team. If Regin out plays Nelson then he'll make the team. It's pretty simple. Regin is there for insurance against the kids not being ready.
- Vukota

I agree with you about Regin being there for insurance but I'm not so sure that i have the faith that you do in management as far as them keeping the right player up? As I said before Snow has shown in the past his decision making seems to resort to extremes. Factor in the fact that Regin is on a one way deal and is going to get paid and you add another variable to them keeping him even though he may not be the best candidate? Regin will be playing no matter what. You can count on that. Whether it's because Snow knows something we don't or not is the question? He may very well not have the faith that Strome and or Nelson are ready yet? Regin has statistically shown nothing to be an option over Strome or Nelson from what we know but he was signed for a reason.

If they didn't mind paying DP his millions in the minors I can't see them worrying about paying Regin 700,000 to play in the minors. He'll most likely be a healthy scratch up in the NHL every night anyway if one of the kids make the team
- Vukota

Maybe not the best comparison considering the factors(his relationship with Wang, the ridiculous hope they had for him regaining his form) associated with DP?

Maybe not the best comparison considering the factors(his relationship with Wang, the ridiculous hope they had for him regaining his form) associated with DP?
- Cptmjl

They didn't send him down last year in hopes that he would regain his form. They sent him down because they knew he was done. If Nelson or Strome show that they are 100% able to handle being in the NHL and have a great camp there is no way they are going to keep Regin over them because they have to pay him 700,000 regardless. Regin is a depth signing. He'll either sit in the press box most nights filling in only for injuries or to give a struggling player a break here or there. If Nelson & Strome don't show they belong then Regin starts the season in the lineup. If they didn't mind paying Finley 500,000 or whatever his contract was to sit in the press box every night why would they have a problem sitting Regin?

If they didn't mind paying DP his millions in the minors I can't see them worrying about paying Regin 700,000 to play in the minors. He'll most likely be a healthy scratch up in the NHL every night anyway if one of the kids make the team
- Vukota

"Didn't mind" is debatable. "Eventually relented" might be more accurate. It happened several years after everyone else knew he'd never regain his form. Heck, it took a second-league German team a single start and a couple of practices to reach the conclusion that he was finished and should be buried as far down on the depth chart as possible.

They didn't send him down last year in hopes that he would regain his form. They sent him down because they knew he was done. If Nelson or Strome show that they are 100% able to handle being in the NHL and have a great camp there is no way they are going to keep Regin over them because they have to pay him 700,000 regardless. Regin is a depth signing. He'll either sit in the press box most nights filling in only for injuries or to give a struggling player a break here or there. If Nelson & Strome don't show they belong then Regin starts the season in the lineup. If they didn't mind paying Finley 500,000 or whatever his contract was to sit in the press box every night why would they have a problem sitting Regin?
- Vukota

We shall see? As far as Finley they seem to keep a lot of depth on defense which is good considering our past history. Being over the salary floor is a factor too. Like I said not so sure I have the faith you do?

We shall see? As far as Finley they seem to keep a lot of depth on defense which is good considering our past history. Being over the salary floor is a factor too. Like I said not so sure I have the faith you do?
- Cptmjl

Faith in what? I can't think of one time a player was in the lineup because he was making 700,000. A guy making a couple of million is one thing but a guy who is making just a little more then the league minimum is not really going to force their hand IMO. I could be wrong but I just don't see it

When Regin first signed they were saying him, Grabs and Frans (I think) would be one of/if not the fastest line in the league.

I also am not going to count out Carkner on D. I think he was really starting to come into his own during the playoffs. I think if he really worked his arse off during the summer he will have a legit shot at making the last pairing on D.

Faith in what? I can't think of one time a player was in the lineup because he was making 700,000. A guy making a couple of million is one thing but a guy who is making just a little more then the league minimum is not really going to force their hand IMO. I could be wrong but I just don't see it
- Vukota

I hope you're right. Faith in management. That's what

I hope you're right. Faith in management. That's what
- Cptmjl

- Vukota

In a perfect world Strome and Nelson are ready and we don't see Reign at all or one of them is not ready and Reign exceeds all of our expectations.

When Regin first signed they were saying him, Grabs and Frans (I think) would be one of/if not the fastest line in the league.

I also am not going to count out Carkner on D. I think he was really starting to come into his own during the playoffs. I think if he really worked his arse off during the summer he will have a legit shot at making the last pairing on D.
- special_k1074

Carkner's not some up and coming kid with hidden talents yet to be revealed. The dude's 32...what we've seen is pretty much what we'll get...more or less an Eric Cairns-type...both the good and the bad that come with that. Protection and heart, with a bit of physicality, offset by lack of mobility and bad penalties.

Carkner's not some up and coming kid with hidden talents yet to be revealed. The dude's 32...what we've seen is pretty much what we'll get...more or less an Eric Cairns-type...both the good and the bad that come with that. Protection and heart, with a bit of physicality, offset by lack of mobility and bad penalties.
- UIF

32 really? I thought he was a little younger then that.

Carkner's not some up and coming kid with hidden talents yet to be revealed. The dude's 32...what we've seen is pretty much what we'll get...more or less an Eric Cairns-type...both the good and the bad that come with that. Protection and heart, with a bit of physicality, offset by lack of mobility and bad penalties.
- UIF

Eric Cairns is being a little gratuitous. Carkner was more of a healthy scratch in Ottawa than anything else. Not that Cairns was awesome but I'd take him over Carkner anytime.


Edit; realized you said "type" when referring to Cairns

When Regin first signed they were saying him, Grabs and Frans (I think) would be one of/if not the fastest line in the league.

I also am not going to count out Carkner on D. I think he was really starting to come into his own during the playoffs. I think if he really worked his arse off during the summer he will have a legit shot at making the last pairing on D.
- special_k1074

It looks like the team is going to be:

MM JT PMB
Bailey Nielsen KO
Grabs Nelson/Regin Clutterbuck
Martin CC C-Mac
Spares: Boulton Nelson/Regin

Hamonic Vis
A-Mac Donovan/de Haan
Strait Hickey
Spare: Carkner

Nabby
Poulin

Barring any trades, it looks like Strome and Lee (and possibly Nelson) are labeled for the "A" to start. I think McDonald and Grabs are the most likely to be moved out if anyone is being moved. I also don't see a fit for anyone else to be signed as a FA unless someone is traded, so this is likely the opening night lineup.

Eric Cairns is being a little gratuitous. Carkner was more of a healthy scratch in Ottawa than anything else. Not that Cairns was awesome but I'd take him over Carkner anytime.


Edit; realized you said "type" when referring to Cairns
- Cptmjl

First.. I loved Eric too but he was a terrible hockey player. He made Hunter look like Pavel Bure.. but man could he fight.

Quick Cairns story.. :After huricane Sandy I had to stay at the Marriott in uniondale for over a month while looking for a place to stay and move the family. One of the really good looking and very nice receptionists started to Chat with myself, Kids, and wife. She saw us wearing lots of Isles gear and told us she just married (or was engaged) to a former Islander. Big E has himself a great looking and really really nice wife. She was aces. My 6 year old son thought this was the coolest thing ever by the way.. She married an Islander??!!!

First.. I loved Eric too but he was a terrible hockey player. He made Hunter look like Pavel Bure.. but man could he fight.

Quick Cairns story.. :After huricane Sandy I had to stay at the Marriott in uniondale for over a month while looking for a place to stay and move the family. One of the really good looking and very nice receptionists started to Chat with myself, Kids, and wife. She saw us wearing lots of Isles gear and told us she just married (or was engaged) to a former Islander. Big E has himself a great looking and really really nice wife. She was aces. My 6 year old son thought this was the coolest thing ever by the way.. She married an Islander??!!!
- niteislander

Never thought Cairns was a great hockey player but he was a force. Carkner is not.

It looks like the team is going to be:

MM JT PMB
Bailey Nielsen KO
Grabs Nelson/Regin Clutterbuck
Martin CC C-Mac
Spares: Boulton Nelson/Regin

Hamonic Vis
A-Mac Donovan/de Haan
Strait Hickey
Spare: Carkner

Nabby
Poulin

Barring any trades, it looks like Strome and Lee (and possibly Nelson) are labeled for the "A" to start. I think McDonald and Grabs are the most likely to be moved out if anyone is being moved. I also don't see a fit for anyone else to be signed as a FA unless someone is traded, so this is likely the opening night lineup.
- Jethro09

I predict Casey will be #2 in MVP voting for the team at this years end. He is one of the most important pieces of this puzzle.

Never thought Cairns was a great hockey player but he was a force. Carkner is not.
- Cptmjl

i have to disagree. i thought Carkner was excellent come playoff time. I think he struggled with injuries early in year.

Dont disagree, It hink Regin and Nelson will be fighting for that spot. Unless Strome is lights out in preseason looks like he might be playing in Bridge to start year. I think if Bouchard isnt panning out or if he someone get hurt, its only then that Strome will get his chance.

Personally im fine with Parting with Moulson at some point. I get annoyed when i read he is looking for material Pay increase at end of this season
the reality is Moulson is One Dimensionaly Player, and way he not scoring, he is extremely noticeable how ineffective he can be.

Seems that Married life, nice pay check and a kid are catching up with him.

i have to disagree. i thought Carkner was excellent come playoff time. I think he struggled with injuries early in year.

Dont disagree, It hink Regin and Nelson will be fighting for that spot. Unless Strome is lights out in preseason looks like he might be playing in Bridge to start year. I think if Bouchard isnt panning out or if he someone get hurt, its only then that Strome will get his chance.

Personally im fine with Parting with Moulson at some point. I get annoyed when i read he is looking for material Pay increase at end of this season
the reality is Moulson is One Dimensionaly Player, and way he not scoring, he is extremely noticeable how ineffective he can be.

Seems that Married life, nice pay check and a kid are catching up with him.
- Spartiarti

I don't deny at all that Moulson is a one-dimensional player, but let's be somewhat accurate when painting the picture of his supposed "decline." His first year on the Isles he got 48 points, then 53, then 69. Last season he got 44 points. If you stretch that out over 82 games, he was on pace for 75 points, although his goal total would have been lower at 25. It's not as if he's falling off the map here production-wise...

I don't deny at all that Moulson is a one-dimensional player, but let's be somewhat accurate when painting the picture of his supposed "decline." His first year on the Isles he got 48 points, then 53, then 69. Last season he got 44 points. If you stretch that out over 82 games, he was on pace for 75 points, although his goal total would have been lower at 25. It's not as if he's falling off the map here production-wise...
- UIF

I agree with MM becoming better. I think JT has a lot to do with this. Learning to play with JT type talent does take a while. They are a great duo. Finding the third player for a line is the hard part. Many teams have issue finding the third player for the top line.

I agree with MM becoming better. I think JT has a lot to do with this. Learning to play with JT type talent does take a while. They are a great duo. Finding the third player for a line is the hard part. Many teams have issue finding the third player for the top line.
- bixll

Absolutely. Actually, I think Moulson is the same exact player he has been since getting a chance on the Islanders. His increasing point totals are probably directly related to Tavares' development...the better JT gets at finishing and distributing, the more points Moulson gets.