thats 3 times as many games as some are giving PMB to prove himself.

joking aside, for me its a physical issue, frans isnt built to take the abuse that comes in contending for a stanley cup during a playoff series...you cant teach size.
- LetsGoIsles

There are a hundred examples that say otherwise

Hes not a second line center. Not his fault. Maybe Garth should start going after true second line centers instead of signings like Regin,Aucoin etc
- mighty13duck

Agreed....which was sort of the point. Fransy should be a 3rd liner, as should his whole line.


xxkeaner17xx

Regin and Bouchard were bad pick ups... didn't like it when it happened. Like it even less now.

When Clutterbuck comes back... Regin takes a seat in the press box.

You're the only one talking sense...you don't trade a goal scorer like Moulson. The only way he is traded is if Garth can't come up with an extension at the trade deadline. I think 3 or 4 year deal at $4.5-$5 million will get it done...
- kear20

Or Jason Blake?
I certainly don't think you trade MM unless you have a legit plan for his replacement and I don't think we do at this point. That said, you can't simplify a players importance to one stat category. Especially a guy whose job is to be the garbage man. There are plenty of LWers out there I'd prefer over MM on our top line. If I thought I could get a guy like Evander Kane for Moulson, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Of course now I'm just dreaming... My bigger issue is that Moulsons inability to do ANYTHING else effectively makes his being a 30 goal scorer less impresive to me. It's like having a baseball player who can hit home runs but has a terrible average...He's the Carlos Pena of the team!


xxkeaner17xx

OK, then we're not seeing the same thing. I think Hickey, Strait and AMAC are pretty terrible. Snow can call Strait a top 4 dman all he wants all i see is a steaming pile of shat that can't skate worth a damn. AMAC who has looked terrible a measley two games in. You might as well have nobody in our end then him, it's just as effective. I don't think I've seen anyone weaker on the puck in my entire life next to Moulson of course. I can't count how many times AMAC has gotten outmuscled/hustled behind our net in 2 games. Watch him tonight. Hockey is just too small to be effective as an NHL Dman, sorry little guy. I think defense is our weakest link, been saying it since last April. Unfortunately the rest of the league is aware of this too.
- Cptmjl

So you'd prefer the likes of Campoli, Gervais and Hillen? Or should we have Freddi Meyer and M A Bergeron too? And I thought we were all happy that Streit took his 'defensive' game to Philly. Take a look back at the last 7 or 8 years of rosters. This defense may not be better than average but they're surely better than whats been here in at least that long.

Like I said, Niederreiter concerned me tonight. He just seemed to be confused system-wise a few times glaringly tonight. There was one forecheck in the first period where he could have easily made it a 2-on-1 if he had supported Dany Heatley down low. He stopped, turned and skated back to the circle like he was supposed to be the third man high. But Coyle was already back there as third man high. Maybe I’m reading what I saw wrong, but to me, Niederreiter should have been down there forechecking with Heatley to outman the Anaheim defenseman.

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/226627091.html

Like I said, Niederreiter concerned me tonight. He just seemed to be confused system-wise a few times glaringly tonight. There was one forecheck in the first period where he could have easily made it a 2-on-1 if he had supported Dany Heatley down low. He stopped, turned and skated back to the circle like he was supposed to be the third man high. But Coyle was already back there as third man high. Maybe I’m reading what I saw wrong, but to me, Niederreiter should have been down there forechecking with Heatley to outman the Anaheim defenseman.

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/226627091.html


- eichiefs9

The Reasoner/Pandolfo effect

Xxkeaner17xX

Like I said, Niederreiter concerned me tonight. He just seemed to be confused system-wise a few times glaringly tonight. There was one forecheck in the first period where he could have easily made it a 2-on-1 if he had supported Dany Heatley down low. He stopped, turned and skated back to the circle like he was supposed to be the third man high. But Coyle was already back there as third man high. Maybe I’m reading what I saw wrong, but to me, Niederreiter should have been down there forechecking with Heatley to outman the Anaheim defenseman.

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/226627091.html


- eichiefs9

Yea well, niño without the puck has always been the issue

Kabanov reassigned to ECHL. What the heck is that about ?

KABANOV REASSIGNED TO STOCKTON (ECHL)

http://www.soundtigers.co...ID=22700&ATCLID=209278923

Edit: Too slow.

UPDATE 5:20P Islanders prospect Kirill Kabanov has been reassigned to Stockton of the ECHL. I'm digging into this... CT Post writer Mike Fornabaio reported that he was late to a team meeting today and Arthur Staple is reporting that its not a demotion and the team wants to get him more minutes saying Kirill hasn't earned top six minutes... so take from that what you will...

UPDATE 5:20P Islanders prospect Kirill Kabanov has been reassigned to Stockton of the ECHL. I'm digging into this... CT Post writer Mike Fornabaio reported that he was late to a team meeting today and Arthur Staple is reporting that its not a demotion and the team wants to get him more minutes saying Kirill hasn't earned top six minutes... so take from that what you will...
- Dan Petriw

They sending Nelson down?

This is my last post for some time. Why the fack would they move Grabner to the 1st line???? He is one of the few players on this team that doesn't need JT to produce. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not the way to go. Keeping Grabner off the 1st line gives them scoring depth and doesn't allow the other team to just focus on one line. How do some of you not see that? Instead of sitting there and crying and complaining about every little thing pull your head out of your arse for a second and just think. Some of you are facking idiots!!
- Vukota

This is exactly what I about you Mick. The way you tip toe around the issues.

Regin and Bouchard were bad pick ups... didn't like it when it happened. Like it even less now.

When Clutterbuck comes back... Regin takes a seat in the press box.
- jimmc7722

Count me in on that Jimc. Didnt understand the signings then or now.

One correction though. Regin should be @ Bridgeport.

They sending Nelson down?
- mighty13duck

I certainly hope not. He's looked good for us on the third line and I'd like to see him more this season. Reinhart going back to juniors still makes the most sense

I think Kabanov has just been written out of the team's plans or they're sending him a message.

I certainly hope not. He's looked good for us on the third line and I'd like to see him more this season. Reinhart going back to juniors still makes the most sense

I think Kabanov has just been written out of the team's plans or they're sending him a message.
- Isles_since_6

No idea what happened there but Kabanov has been good for BPT not sure what the problem is

I disagree with the Moulson hate. Hes one of the few on this team that puts the puck in the net. Period. I hope hes resigned. The problem with their line is that we need someone for the left side. Ko and Grabner don't belong on that line. Bailey is ok and probably our best play to fit the mold for the time being. The hate MM is getting is the same PA got and look at PA now.
- mighty13duck

PA is not that great of a hockey player but he is a BETTER hockey player than Moulson. You can put up how many goals Moulson has scored, don't care. Really watch him play tonight. Watch how other teams are actually beginning to home in on him when he has the puck in the neutral zone or even when he's along the boards in the offensive zone. Easy as taking candy from a baby. I don't hate the guy though I know it seems that way but we need an upgrade over him on that line or we will never see what JT really has. Snow should be able to do better than Moulson OR expecting PMB or brad Boyes to fill that void. I'm sick of hearing how Strome is JT's next winger like you guys know what Snow has in store, it's nonsense.
It's time too find a suitable winger for the player you're building a team around. Enough of the BS. Get Okposo the fack off that line how many more facking times do we have to see that experiment fail? Put Bailey on it or if he's got a better option someone please tell me who it is and don't say Grabner.

So you'd prefer the likes of Campoli, Gervais and Hillen? Or should we have Freddi Meyer and M A Bergeron too? And I thought we were all happy that Streit took his 'defensive' game to Philly. Take a look back at the last 7 or 8 years of rosters. This defense may not be better than average but they're surely better than whats been here in at least that long.
- PeteM

Freddie Myer or Hillen over Hickey or Strait. I'm sorry that's a no brainer and if you think Strait and Hickey or even the great AMAC come out on top with that equation than we'll agree to disagree. Let's call a spade a spade here. Our defense sucks. Everyone knows it, not a big mystery. Watch the game tonight, you need proof? Some of you can spray Glade all over that pile of shat you call our defense and think it smells like roses if that makes you happy but I'll stay over here in reality land till Donovan makes a push for the Norris.

KABANOV REASSIGNED TO STOCKTON (ECHL)

http://www.soundtigers.co...ID=22700&ATCLID=209278923

Edit: Too slow.
- eichiefs9

Him and Petrov are supposed to be JT's wingers though?

Moulson plays the left side? We've been looking for a right winger for years

PA was ripped for constant turnovers and lazy backchecking, Moulson can't skate and because of that he can't play effective defense even if he wanted to. Two different stories.
- Isles_since_6

PA looks like Jordan Staal when compared to Moulson

Not really sure why everyone is flipping out... The Islanders have played 2 games and gotten 3 out of 4 points.

Regin and Bouchard have played about 35-40mins of hockey this year and they are already busts? Can we give them a little more time? Maybe?

Moulson isnt going anywhere... period. He scores 30+ goals a year, a team player, everyone likes him and is one of JT's best friends. Not to mention he isnt going to break the bank.

Frans is a damn good hockey player... Not everyon needs to score 20+ goals. He really is a 3rd line defensive center but the Isles have him playng the 2nd line. If you told him to play offensive and not defensive he would score more but thats not his game. And he isnt a physical player... get over it, not everyone is. Thats why the Isles have guys like Martin, Cizikis, Clutterbuck, MacDonald.

Lastly, everyone busts on AMac but you have to realize that the Isles are having him play out of position, like Frans. Hes playing as a top-pair dman when he is a 4-5 dman. He blocks shots, skates and can pass. Last time I checked he plays close to 25mins a night and kills himself every night. If he made the same mistakes he does now playing 13mins a night on the 3rd d-pairing then yes get rid of him. He is worth more then you realize.

Im out...

LGI!

thats 3 times as many games as some are giving PMB to prove himself.

joking aside, for me its a physical issue, frans isnt built to take the abuse that comes in contending for a stanley cup during a playoff series...you cant teach size.
- LetsGoIsles

Not for nothing, but really? You blame Nielsen for being played out of position and then say guys his size can't succeed in the playoffs.

How big do you think guys like Bossy, Gretzky and, even Denis Savard were? I'm not comparing them as players but that's a very generalizing statement.

Freddie Myer or Hillen over Hickey or Strait. I'm sorry that's a no brainer and if you think Strait and Hickey or even the great AMAC come out on top with that equation than we'll agree to disagree. Let's call a spade a spade here. Our defense sucks. Everyone knows it, not a big mystery. Watch the game tonight, you need proof? Some of you can spray Glade all over that pile of shat you call our defense and think it smells like roses if that makes you happy but I'll stay over here in reality land till Donovan makes a push for the Norris.
- Cptmjl

I never said the defense was filled with Norris Trophy candidates. My whole point was that I think this years group, as a whole, is better than the defenses this team has been throwing out there the past few years. Is that saying a whole hell of a lot? O f course not. But I also don't think it's as bad as you're making it out to be.

Frans Nielsen is exactly the type of player a playoff team needs: on the 3rd line, primarily killing PKs. 50 points is his ceiling, the unreasonable expectations on this board are ridiculous.

I like Moulson in general, great in front of the net, good hands, willing to take a beating to score a goal, great team attitude. The issue for me is that the rest of the team seems to be getting faster and it's almost like he's getting slower. He's an asset, has great chemistry with JT and can score, and we don't have many guys who can consistently put the puck in the net. Aside from JT, Moulson is the next best one we have. Problem is, if he can't play defense, and his line gets pinned in their own end for a shift or two a period, is it helping? Would we be better off with someone else on that line? Would we be better off moving him for someone else?

I don't know. Really unsure of what we'll have with the kids in strome, lee and nelson over the next year or two. So do you move Moulson and suddenly have a hard time finding two wingers for JT and hope the kids step in at a high level, or do you hold onto him and work around the skating issue.

Not quite sure what the best option is. I don't like the idea of throwing away a 30 goal man, but man...those shifts where they can't get out of their own end are just painful as hell to watch.