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.
- potvin05

Agreed 100%... Thats the type of player every team is looking for. The Isles just have him playing as a C2 instead of a C3, where he belongs.

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.
- PeteM

We will agree to disagree. I couldnt call it better than anything with straight face. Hopefully that changes...

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.
- PeteM

We will agree to disagree. I couldnt call it better than anything with straight face. Hopefully that changes...

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

He's actually looked much better than PMB

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

He's actually looked much better than PMB

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

Sending nelson down would be a dumb move from what we've seen so far. He has looked comfortable out there. I think it's only a matter of time till we see something more from him.

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.
- Isles_since_6

Great post. Excellent way of putting it

....and this is what I mean about the West....Regin walked right in and scored....same play against an Eastern team, he'd have been lying prone, reaching behind him on the ice to grab his mouthguard......

We will agree to disagree. I couldnt call it better than anything with straight face. Hopefully that changes...
- Cptmjl

I'd give it the same as last year....which isn't good enough for me....but I'm extremely tough on defensemen....

Huge 5 on 3!!!

Nice set up there

Overall I see the Moulson situation like this:
Moulson has decent focus and fast enough hands to bang home rebounds. He's willing to put himself in the dirty areas to succeed and seems quite durable. Playing on a line with two 'feeders and shooters' he's the perfect garbage man. It doesnt' take a ton of talent ot be a garbage man, just patience and durability. Fortunately, he's also a great character guy.
Moulson lacks in physicality and skating ability. That lack of physicality tends to show up more in the more physical playoff type games, thus eroding his one core skill. He's slower than most average skaters and due to his playing deep in the offensive zone, he's almost always the last person for either team to enter the defensive zone. That's an issue that leaves his line constantly in chase mode. The problem there is it means your franchise player is not spending enough time doing what he needs to do, unless you have a RW capable of doing EVERYTHING well.
Overall, I like Moulson and have no problem keeping him around provided we are able to find a RW dynamic enough to compensate for his lack of overall hockey skills. My question to most would be the same I posed with PA when his contract was up.
Do you want Moulson to be your number one LW for the next 4-5 years?
If you say yes, then it's time to resign him.
If you have any shred of doubt and feel you'd like to move him to a lower line in 2 years, you DON'T want him here. Moulson is NOT going to produce close to 30 without JT and his other shortcomines would be magnified anywhere else. In other words, he's useless on any line other than your top line.
Personally, I'd love to see us get a Vanek or someone to replace him there, but that's probably unlikely. The question is, can we find that dynamic RW who can complete the puzzle? I think that may be the tougher find of the two.
Xxkeaner17xX

Tavares two minutes for tapping

Xxkeaner17xX

Tavares two minutes for tapping

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

....two minutes because we had a 5 on 3 already, and one of the Coyotes almost fell down....

Okposo has more compete in him tonight. Looks better to me

This is exactly the kind of team the Isles love to play, and why they do well against the West.....three forecheckers, a rover and a defenseman lost in the middle of the ice at the point...the puck goes off a skate and it's a 3 on 1, every time...."they spend most of the time in the Islanders zone", except when we come down the ice and score. It's a good thing for them Ekman-Larsson and Yandle are top shelf, or we'd be winning 5-0, already.

Anyone know what Martins hits totals are so far?

Howie saying 'Matt Donovan' just like Matt Damonin Team America

Xxkeaner17xX

Nabby beat high glove.. Wadda shock

Xxkeaner17xX

Anyone know what Martins hits totals are so far?
- 2raven2

http://scores.espn.go.com...boxscore?gameId=400484281

Thank you Mike Smith.

Was Tavares double shifting or did Crappy actually mix up the lines and go Bailey - JT - Grabner?????

Was Tavares double shifting or did Crappy actually mix up the lines and go Bailey - JT - Grabner?????
- brodydog29

EDIT - Nevermind. I see he's back on with Moulson and Okposo

At some point in the season when we're out shooting an opponent but can't seem to buy a bounce, remember October 8th.

Xxkeaner17xX

What (frank)ing game are u watching????? Regin has been one of the best forwards tonight...