Meh. We always try to justify someone's stupidity by blaming someone else within the team. Usually we blame Wang for Snow's shortcomings now were blaming Snow for Capuano's? Capuano is not the sharpest coach. How much more proof do we all need? Really think about some of the ridiculously stupid stuff we have all seen
- Cptmjl

No question about Cappy but who was it who hired him? Who was it who signed these medicore FA's? Isles talk about these popsects and how important they are and they pull this nonsense.

Did you see the interview with Capuano after the Devils game? Grabner pretty much single handidly won that game and Capuano was asked about Grabs play. He was borderline critical of him saying he has to continue being physical and add more to his game. I was shaking my head. Grabner would be ANY coaches dream.
- Cptmjl

I'm starting to think Grabs porked Ms. Capuano

We can say capuano is an idiot all we want but the isles have only lost 2 games in their last 20 regular season games ? The guy has the team playing winning hockey and with better goaltending had the penguins beaten in the playoffs. He deserves the benefit of the doubt a little bit right now
- Isles316

I'll stand by my belief that this team wins at times in spite of him. There is no logic in a lot of his decision making. In fact the decisions I'm referring to all had negative results some of which may have cost us games so I won't give him the benefit of the doubt. In fact every example I have listed today had a negative result. That's not good coaching with decisions that are purely common sense to the rest of the population. There's no justifying it.

I'm starting to think Grabs porked Ms. Capuano
- Danformo

That's what happened with Nolan in Buffalo with hasek's wife. There is definitely some kind of personal gripe Capuano has. If Grabner doesn't get re-signed it'll further my negative feelings for Capuano.

I was not among the people that said that about PA. In fact I said quite the contrary. Not to get this ball rolling again but PA is a better all around player than Moulson. Not that PA is some defensive stalwart(which we all know he's not) but he at least puts in a effort to play a complete game, I can't say the same for Moulson. Mark my words, Moulson will be at best half the player he is now unless he plays with someone close to JT's talent level and when a team does that they are locked into having him play ONLY with that particular player like we are handcuffed to have him play with JT now. Look what happened with his demotion to the 2nd line. Not so good.
Trade him before he hits free agency, we don't need to overpay or have this guy on our first line for at least the next four years. I don't think many would disagree with the idea of him being on our first line for the next four yrs isn't exactly appealing?
- Cptmjl

You really need to stop with all the Hate. I don't care who Moulson is playing with.. he is a very good goal scorer.. period. Just like PA... if he goes to another team he will still score 25+ a year and we will wonder why we let him ever go. Yes, JT is a fantastic Center and of courst playing on his line helps... But guess what.. If you can score in this league it's a big deal. LOTS of guys can't light the lamp ... It's a Skill and MM has it.. period. Some guys have that one abbaration year.. but if you can score 30 a year in the NHL.. with the other teams best shut them down line covering you.. it's an incredible accomplishment. Matt Crashes the net, Creates space, and makes some unbelievable shots. (did you see the Goal against Bobrovski?).

You really need to stop with all the Hate. I don't care who Moulson is playing with.. he is a very good goal scorer.. period. Just like PA... if he goes to another team he will still score 25+ a year and we will wonder why we let him ever go. Yes, JT is a fantastic Center and of courst playing on his line helps... But guess what.. If you can score in this league it's a big deal. LOTS of guys can't light the lamp ... It's a Skill and MM has it.. period. Some guys have that one abbaration year.. but if you can score 30 a year in the NHL.. with the other teams best shut them down line covering you.. it's an incredible accomplishment. Matt Crashes the net, Creates space, and makes some unbelievable shots. (did you see the Goal against Bobrovski?).
- niteislander

It's not hate it's reality. Don't confuse the two. I'll take that bet. If he goes to another team he will fall to earth. In fact i think he'll crash to earth. How many points did he put up after his deserved demotion off that line last year? One of the only intelligent things Capuano has done since becoming coach.

No, I get that he makes mistakes out there. Absolutely. But I also see when he remains calm during scrambles in front of the net and gets the puck out of there, or makes a subtle stick check that breaks up what could have been a dangerous scoring opportunity, or when he's in good position to block a shot, or when he plays conservatively enough to allow Hamonic to rush the puck up ice whenever he chooses. I'm not trying to say he's a top-pair d-man. I don't think the Isles have a single top-pair d-man on the roster, to be honest. But I've watched a decent amount of hockey so far this season and I just think some teams would rather have AMac on their rosters than some other guys I've seen bumbling around out there so far.
- UIF

Amazing...

It's not hate it's reality. Don't confuse the two. I'll take that bet. If he goes to another team he will fall to earth. In fact i think he'll crash to earth. How many points did he put up after his deserved demotion off that line last year? One of the only intelligent things Capuano has done since becoming coach.
- Cptmjl

You would have take that bet with PA too... don't say you wouldn't have.. you really only see 1/2 empty with Islanders.. it's dumbfounding to me. There is no question JT makes players better... (by the way so did Yashin). How many has Ok been able to put in the back of the net when JT puts in on his tape? It's not easy in this league... Moulson is VERY good around the Net.

You would have take that bet with PA too... don't say you wouldn't have.. you really only see 1/2 empty with Islanders.. it's dumbfounding to me. There is no question JT makes players better... (by the way so did Yashin). How many has Ok been able to put in the back of the net when JT puts in on his tape? It's not easy in this league... Moulson is VERY good around the Net.
- niteislander

I wouldn't have taken that bet. Go back and read my posts from when he signed with the AV. I said from day one he would do good. You're wrong. Moulson is a purely one dimensional player. Unfortunately for him(and us)he is so one dimensional that the other dimensions of his game are bad. Really bad actually. Like i said PA was one dimensional to an extent but the other aspects of his game were not anywhere near as negative as Moulson's. I really am starting to believe you have a hard time being objective with these guys? Calling AMAC a "VERY GOOD DEFENSEMAN" is not something even his biggest supporters would sign their name too.
To me it's almost denying what is right in front of you. Like looking at something that's black and telling everyone it's white. Now don't get me wrong I know he's a thirty goal scorer and I'm not taking that away from him but he's not some elite player. You would 100% see that if he went to another team. I NEVER said that about PA because I knew he'd do well. I 100% would not/could not say that about Moulson.

You would have take that bet with PA too... don't say you wouldn't have.. you really only see 1/2 empty with Islanders.. it's dumbfounding to me. There is no question JT makes players better... (by the way so did Yashin). How many has Ok been able to put in the back of the net when JT puts in on his tape? It's not easy in this league... Moulson is VERY good around the Net.
- niteislander

I've become pretty sick of this topic yet here I go. Okposo's role on that top line is COMPLETELY different than that of Moulsons. First off, I think Okposo is completely wrong for that line. That said, because of Moulson's inability to fetch and feed, he is essentially a pylon in front of the net whose ONLY responsibility is to bang rebounds home. ANYONE with a limited function like that on your top line had better be good for at least 25 goals a year. Due to Moulson's limited uses, it means the right wing has to be a fetch & feed guy, as in someone who can stickhandle, skate, battle in corners, pass and play defense.
This isn't to say that Moulson MUST be replaced or should be let go, but simply to say that his limited role dictates precisely what type of player can play on the RW and what type of game that player must play. You can't put a sniper on that side because then you have two guys waiting to be fed the puck all the time.

So for Okposo, PA, Bailey or whoever, their goal totals will always be dramatically lower than Moulson's.

Xxkeaner17xX

I get the hate for Cappy, but he's doing an above average Job.
I don't think Nelson will sit tomorrow in Nash

Amazing...
- niteislander

And here we were agreeing for the most part today!

Really though, I don't see anyone as a bonafide top-pair d-man. Hamonic perhaps could be once he rounds out some rough edges in his game. Vis...maybe if he was paired with a true top-level number-one d-man, he could be a decent partner on a top-pair. Beyond that, I think there are some second- and third-pair d-men, and then a few guys who haven't really played enough to determine what they'll ultimately be. I like that the d-men actually have skill-sets finally...not like when we had guys like Eaton, Mottau, etc. who were just filling sweaters back there. But personally, I don't see anyone who can really take charge of a game from the back end on the Isles' D, which I'd define as being a true top-pair d-man.

I also think the D overall still needs some more toughness and size (thankfully it looks like there's some on the way in the system). I think they'll still really struggle against a good, physical forecheck.

I get the hate for Cappy, but he's doing an above average Job.
I don't think Nelson will sit tomorrow in Nash
- Danformo

I'm not trying to be insulting here so pls don't take this the wrong way but that's a typical islander fan response to a stupid move. Well he won't do it again tomorrow so it's not so bad now is it? Th point is if it's stupid today chances are it'd be stupid tomorrow and in now way does a good decision tomorrow justify a stupid decision today.

I'm not trying to be insulting here so pls don't take this the wrong way but that's a typical islander fan response to a stupid move. Well he won't do it again tomorrow so it's not so bad now is it? Th point is if it's stupid today chances are it'd be stupid tomorrow and in now way does a good decision tomorrow justify a stupid decision today.
- Cptmjl

This entire response to him is an insult. People are entitled to their own opinions, even if you do not agree, or may think they are not in the best interest of the team.

It is full of insults. But if you say, I'm not trying to be insulting, it makes it ok.

This entire response to him is an insult. People are entitled to their own opinions, even if you do not agree, or may think they are not in the best interest of the team.

It is full of insults. But if you say, I'm not trying to be insulting, it makes it ok.
- bixll

None the less, its still a stupid move by a stupid coach...
Lets bench Nelson cuz PMB is a vet and deserves to play? No, PMB has been out played by Nelson and everyone else on the team. If you are playing well, you deserve to play. If the worst player so far "had" been Bailey... Then you bench Bailey or whoever that may be. In this case, PMB.
Just Cappy being afraid to bench a vet.
Doesnt make sense to me.

Exactly right! This move has Wang and Snow's hands all over it.
- ses111

I was gonna bring this up...I think this is more of snows decision more than cappy.

None the less, its still a stupid move by a stupid coach...
Lets bench Nelson cuz PMB is a vet and deserves to play? No, PMB has been out played by Nelson and everyone else on the team. If you are playing well, you deserve to play. If the worst player so far "had" been Bailey... Then you bench Bailey or whoever that may be. In this case, PMB.
Just Cappy being afraid to bench a vet.
Doesnt make sense to me.
- Bags502

Why is it so stupid ? Playing devils advocate here, we aren't there in practice and as someone pointed out before, the hawks are a very fast team and so is PMB. That's how you beat them. At their own game.

If tomorrow we see PMB scratched and Nelson in the lineup for a more grind it out opponent then maybe we can see where capuano is going with all this.

Take the positive that for (frank)ing once we only have one player not really doing their job instead of 6

Why is it so stupid ? Playing devils advocate here, we aren't there in practice and as someone pointed out before, the hawks are a very fast team and so is PMB. That's how you beat them. At their own game.

If tomorrow we see PMB scratched and Nelson in the lineup for a more grind it out opponent then maybe we can see where capuano is going with all this.

Take the positive that for (frank)ing once we only have one player not really doing their job instead of 6
- Isles316

I get ur position and I guess you dont like the decision either but to play into it... Lets say at work your up for a promotion. You do this great report and are always busting ur ass... but there is this guy at work who been there a little longer (or just older with more experience) but he is late once in a while or just doesnt put forth the same effort or level of work. Then he gets the promotion. Youd be pissed, right? I bet ur work would suffer and youd get that feeling of why should I kill myself if Im not gonna get rewarded? Well if Nelson is out preforming PMB and still doesnt get rewarded...

Hopefully that doesnt happen but its not like Nelson is a monument here... he is young and can skate. Maybe not as fast as PMB but he can still skate and play. Plus wouldnt you want one of the future core members playing against a team that just won the cup? I would.

And practice is practice... Unless Nelson forgot how to skate, practice shouldnt decide if a guy should be benched when he has hands down outplayed the other guy in live game action.

But like some other have said, this has Wang/Snow written all over it...
Not wanting a FA acquisition ($2m) sitting up in the suite.

Just my opinion... you work hard and outplay someone, you should be rewarded.

I get ur position and I guess you dont like the decision either but to play into it... Lets say at work your up for a promotion. You do this great report and are always busting ur ass... but there is this guy at work who been there a little longer (or just older with more experience) but he is late once in a while or just doesnt put forth the same effort or level of work. Then he gets the promotion. Youd be pissed, right? I bet ur work would suffer and youd get that feeling of why should I kill myself if Im not gonna get rewarded? Well if Nelson is out preforming PMB and still doesnt get rewarded...

Hopefully that doesnt happen but its not like Nelson is a monument here... he is young and can skate. Maybe not as fast as PMB but he can still skate and play. Plus wouldnt you want one of the future core members playing against a team that just won the cup? I would.

And practice is practice... Unless Nelson forgot how to skate, practice shouldnt decide if a guy should be benched when he has hands down outplayed the other guy in live game action.

But like some other have said, this has Wang/Snow written all over it...
Not wanting a FA acquisition ($2m) sitting up in the suite.

Just my opinion... you work hard and outplay someone, you should be rewarded.
- Bags502

I hear what you're saying but Nelson will still get his $$ if he sits in the press box. It's only been 3 games so I'm not going to get worked up either way about who sits. If this had been a longer stretch with similar results I'd feel stronger about it. I agree PMB should sit but I'm not going to go nuts about it either. The isles are 13-2-5 in their last 20 regular season games. Tough for me to validate knocking the coach with those results. Just my opinion

That's what happened with Nolan in Buffalo with hasek's wife. There is definitely some kind of personal gripe Capuano has. If Grabner doesn't get re-signed it'll further my negative feelings for Capuano.
- Cptmjl

Grabs more important to this team's success than Cappy.

I was gonna bring this up...I think this is more of snows decision more than cappy.
- Dedshark

2 years ago, Garth defended Rolston every chance he got, citing his veteran experience and last year gave reasoner starting time vs Pitt. because he had playoff experience...Garth doesn't want to sit any player he's awarded a lottery gift-contract to. it would make his decision look suspicious and reveal his inability to make trades.

2 years ago, Garth defended Rolston every chance he got, citing his veteran experience and last year gave reasoner starting time vs Pitt. because he had playoff experience...Garth doesn't want to sit any player he's awarded a lottery gift-contract to. it would make his decision look suspicious and reveal his inability to make trades.
- jmo16

What's he supposed to say ? That Rolston is a piece of poop ? He moved him later that year. You can't rip a guy you have and lower his trade value

Why is it so stupid ? Playing devils advocate here, we aren't there in practice and as someone pointed out before, the hawks are a very fast team and so is PMB. That's how you beat them. At their own game.

If tomorrow we see PMB scratched and Nelson in the lineup for a more grind it out opponent then maybe we can see where capuano is going with all this.

Take the positive that for (frank)ing once we only have one player not really doing their job instead of 6
- Isles316

I think Nelson's been a reason why the third line has looked good so far. Subtle things, like on Regin's goal where he just made the smart play and chipped the puck up the boards to spring Regin. I'm not sure it really makes sense to sit him just based on the speed argument. Making the smart play like that is what generates speed more than just skating fast. I think PMB actually slows things down a bit by pulling up and hanging around the perimeter.

That said, I figured Nelson, as the rookie, would be the one to sit. That's Cappy's style...to defer to the vets. I don't agree, but I also don't think it's the end of the world for a rookie to watch a game from above and get a different perspective.

More than "who should sit," I'm curious to see how much Clutterbuck actually adds. I really wouldn't have minded having him sit a couple more games until someone obviously played themselves out of the lineup (edit -- and if the argument is the need for a speedier lineup tonight over grit, then Clutterbuck would definitely be the one to sit over either Nelson or PMB). I hope he really shows something to justify messing with a lineup that just won 6-1.

I think Nelson's been a reason why the third line has looked good so far. Subtle things, like on Regin's goal where he just made the smart play and chipped the puck up the boards to spring Regin. I'm not sure it really makes sense to sit him just based on the speed argument. Making the smart play like that is what generates speed more than just skating fast. I think PMB actually slows things down a bit by pulling up and hanging around the perimeter.

That said, I figured Nelson, as the rookie, would be the one to sit. That's Cappy's style...to defer to the vets. I don't agree, but I also don't think it's the end of the world for a rookie to watch a game from above and get a different perspective.

More than "who should sit," I'm curious to see how much Clutterbuck actually adds. I really wouldn't have minded having him sit a couple more games until someone obviously played themselves out of the lineup (edit -- and if the argument is the need for a speedier lineup tonight over grit, then Clutterbuck would definitely be the one to sit over either Nelson or PMB). I hope he really shows something to justify messing with a lineup that just won 6-1.
- UIF

Clutterbuck addition will be interesting to see. Feel similarly as you do on the entire thing

What's he supposed to say ? That Rolston is a piece of poop ? He moved him later that year. You can't rip a guy you have and lower his trade value
- Isles316

Of course not. He was lying to cover his ass. Guy spent half the year on 1st PP unit and couldn't put a shot on net to save his life. He had no trade value. Surprised we got more than a bag of pucks for him. He was a solution at $5Mil for one year to getting rid of Hunter $2.5M/2yrs, who Garth gave the contract to. Simple accounting and ass-covering maneuver. LL waived Hunter before he made his first practice and LA picked him up. Think Hunter got his name on the CUP. Devils shedded $2.5 in salary and WE got Rolston eating a space on the roster, contributing next to nothing. #winning!

Still waiting 4 years now for Garth to trade one of our many assets(NOT STROME or REINHART) for the "Impact" player he said he would get to help the team make a leap.
He's also said for 4 years that $$$ is NOT an issue. Quote: "Charles has NEVER said no to me when I asked if I could offer a player (significant) money."