Plenty of "D" coming up from the minors.

Isles will be stocked with premium defencemen in the next 2 years.
- jimmc7722

Agreed...but need a vet d-man signed tor a year or two...

Moulson... JT... Strome

Bailey... Neilsen... Okposo

Clutterbuck.... Nelson.... Bouchard

Grabner.... Cizikas... Martin


Something has to give on the LW... too much talent.

Need to find a way to get Grabner more ice time!!!

I guess it's a good problem to have.

Maybe Strome starts in Bridgeport... then Bailey can play on the top line, and we can move Grabner into his spot for now!!!
- jimmc7722

If strome & Nelson make the team McDonald is facked! It's a shame I like him but when they got Clutterbuck he became expendable. Strome, & Nelson are closing in fast and its just a matter of time.

If strome & Nelson make the team McDonald is facked! It's a shame I like him but when they got Clutterbuck he became expendable. Strome, & Nelson are closing in fast and its just a matter of time.
- Vukota

Starting night will be
Moulson jt Bouchard
Bailey Nielson ko
Grabs Nelson clutterbuck
Martin Cizikas McDonald

What do you do with Clutterbuck then?
That is the most expensive third line in hockey too.
- quinnjj

Clutterbuck, for me, plays with Cizikas and Martin- our real problem is line two, unless both Strome and Nelson make the team, then Strome plays with JT and Moulson, and Nelson plays with Grabner and Bouchard- or Bouchard and Strome switch up. We basically will have four lines that can all play, which is a rarity in the NHL. I would love to trade some of that for defense, myself, but I'm not seeing them do that just yet...

As for the other question....the problem for me with Prospal is what Eklund alludes to in his blog....he can't skate with THIS team. He'd be an adequate idea if he's still sitting there in September, and they decide that Strome needs another year in the minors....but he's not a REAL answer, like Strome should be when he's ready.

Starting night will be
Moulson jt Bouchard
Bailey Nielson ko
Grabs Nelson clutterbuck
Martin Cizikas McDonald
- Spartiarti

Agreed. Question is for how long? If Strome explodes in the " A", they'll bring him up at the expense of someone like McDonald or even Grabs.

As for the other question....the problem for me with Prospal is what Eklund alludes to in his blog....he can't skate with THIS team. He'd be an adequate idea if he's still sitting there in September, and they decide that Strome needs another year in the minors....but he's not a REAL answer, like Strome should be when he's ready.
- dcb1

Prospal doesn't fit this team at all. He's completely unnecessary. We have enough "leadership". Garth wont sign him.

Prospal doesn't fit this team at all. He's completely unnecessary. We have enough "leadership". Garth wont sign him.
- Jethro09

I guess it depends on how ready these kids actually are. If Snow doesn't feel they're ready he may be an option?

I guess it depends on how ready these kids actually are. If Snow doesn't feel they're ready he may be an option?
- Cptmjl

I think we will see at least one or two vets pulled off the scrap heap and invited to camp just incase the kids aren't ready so they will at least have some vets around to fill holes in the roster until they are.

I also think everyone is putting Regin right into the minors. He signed a one-way deal which makes me think that they already have him penciled into the line-up as a 3rd line center and that Nelson will have to really out play him in order to get that spot! I think that if it is close Regin will get the spot, just seems like what they are thinking!

I guess it depends on how ready these kids actually are. If Snow doesn't feel they're ready he may be an option?
- Cptmjl

You're not going to find out about any of the kids unless you play them. Brock Nelson has played 2 or 3 years of NCAA Division 1 hockey and a full year of professional hockey in the "A", where he produced. I'd rather see Brock Nelson get a shot than to bring in a guy like Vinny Prospal to block him.

Starting night will be
Moulson jt Bouchard
Bailey Nielson ko
Grabs Nelson clutterbuck
Martin Cizikas McDonald
- Spartiarti

Agreed....

I think we will see at least one or two vets pulled off the scrap heap and invited to camp just incase the kids aren't ready so they will at least have some vets around to fill holes in the roster until they are.

I also think everyone is putting Regin right into the minors. He signed a one-way deal which makes me think that they already have him penciled into the line-up as a 3rd line center and that Nelson will have to really out play him in order to get that spot! I think that if it is close Regin will get the spot, just seems like what they are thinking!
- Islesfan28

I hope they don't bury Nelson in the minors to play Peter Regin. That would be insane to me. The guy had three f-ing assists in 27 games with Ottawa last season. Zero goals. I think the team as well as Nelson would be better off with Nelson getting a shot with the big club rather than Regin.

I think we will see at least one or two vets pulled off the scrap heap and invited to camp just incase the kids aren't ready so they will at least have some vets around to fill holes in the roster until they are.

I also think everyone is putting Regin right into the minors. He signed a one-way deal which makes me think that they already have him penciled into the line-up as a 3rd line center and that Nelson will have to really out play him in order to get that spot! I think that if it is close Regin will get the spot, just seems like what they are thinking!
- Islesfan28

Forgot about him....He might start the 3rd line, and have Nelson in AHL to possibly start the season. We also have to remember, injuries do occur and these kids will be 1st in line for replacement...

I hope they don't bury Nelson in the minors to play Peter Regin. That would be insane to me. The guy had three f-ing assists in 27 games with Ottawa last season. Zero goals. I think the team as well as Nelson would be better off with Nelson getting a shot with the big club rather than Regin.
- Jethro09

I'd rather see Nelson also, but another yr or 1/2 yr will not hurt the development of these kids. building chemistry in Bridgeport w/others is a good thing

I hope they don't bury Nelson in the minors to play Peter Regin. That would be insane to me. The guy had three f-ing assists in 27 games with Ottawa last season. Zero goals. I think the team as well as Nelson would be better off with Nelson getting a shot with the big club rather than Regin.
- Jethro09

I agree that Nelson will be better than Regin but I am just warning everyone, don't write him off so quickly! I see the opening night roster looking like this...

Moulson--JT--PMB
Bailey--Frans--KO
Grabs--Regin--Clutterbuck
Martin--CC--McDonald

I'd rather see Nelson also, but another yr or 1/2 yr will not hurt the development of these kids. building chemistry in Bridgeport w/others is a good thing
- Ur Not Me

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

You're not going to find out about any of the kids unless you play them. Brock Nelson has played 2 or 3 years of NCAA Division 1 hockey and a full year of professional hockey in the "A", where he produced. I'd rather see Brock Nelson get a shot than to bring in a guy like Vinny Prospal to block him.
- Jethro09

I don't disagree with you but I think that's the way they're thinking? I don't want to see prospal on this team. I just have a feeling he'd be the second coming of Reasoner. Unless these kids are completely not ready there is no reason. I think after Bailey and Nino they are more hesitant to bring these kids up. The problem with this club is they seem to go to extremes at times with their decision making. I'd be happy if Nelson and Strome were both main stays with the club this year. Though you have to wonder why Regin was given a one way contract if Snow truly thought they were ready?

Worst case scenario... Strome and Nelson play on the top line in Bridgeport for 20 to 30 games.

You will not be able to hold them down for too long!!!

The last we need is Prospal... where would he play?

Grabner already loses ice time to Bailey and Moulson!!!

I think we will see at least one or two vets pulled off the scrap heap and invited to camp just incase the kids aren't ready so they will at least have some vets around to fill holes in the roster until they are.

I also think everyone is putting Regin right into the minors. He signed a one-way deal which makes me think that they already have him penciled into the line-up as a 3rd line center and that Nelson will have to really out play him in order to get that spot! I think that if it is close Regin will get the spot, just seems like what they are thinking!
- Islesfan28

Yep. I think Regin was signed to take Keith Aucoin's spot. Garth seems to be very big on specific roles to the team and finds players with similar skillsets to fill those roles. Regin is likely here, at least in the immediate future, as Keith's replacement. I think Nelson may be asked to shift to wing. We'll see.

Xxkeaner17xX

Yep. I think Regin was signed to take Keith Aucoin's spot. Garth seems to be very big on specific roles to the team and finds players with similar skillsets to fill those roles. Regin is likely here, at least in the immediate future, as Keith's replacement. I think Nelson may be asked to shift to wing. We'll see.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

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...

I think bailey has a chance to play with JT, he was good with him last year...so heres what im thinking

bailet jt pmb
moulson Nielsen okposo
grabner nelson clutterbuck
McDonald cizikas martin

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

I don't think it's smart but things move very slowly around here. Hopefully the Regin signing is seen more as a contingent plan, but I'm afraid the Isles have already made the mind up that Strome is going to be in the A.

Xxkeaner17xX

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

When I brought up who I believe should get a shot, most here said that should solely be decided by who has a better camp. What if Regin has a better camp than Nelson?

When I brought up who I believe should get a shot, most here said that should solely be decided by who has a better camp. What if Regin has a better camp than Nelson?
- UIF

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.

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

Agree and agree. I still think we're going to see a trade that opens a forward roster spot for one of the kids.