But I think that's the only thing that would satisfy anyone. I agree with you that we need something more and we're all pretty tired of waiting and waiting and waiting for improvements that may or may not pan out based on internal improvement. Still, this is the way they're building this team and I don't expect it to change. Were it me in the office, I'd be pushing to deal a defensive prospect and pick away to bring in Vanek. Take the chance on his contract and work an extension out. Immediatley our 2nd and 3rd lines improve as a result of a deepened skillset. I'd wait on the dman since I think we'll likely see at least one more prospect join the group by next season.
- keaner17

I think this team should improve the D, since D prospects take longer to develop and not try and rush the kids.

I think this team should improve the D, since D prospects take longer to develop and not try and rush the kids.
- Ur Not Me

Generally you're right, it takes longer for D prospects. However, realize the Isles had long and serious discussions about keeping both Reinhart and Pullock up with the team. Both are very SMART dmen. Typically the development portion that takes dmen longer is learning positioning and assignments, not necessarily physical maturation. Reinhart is a VERY smart player. I think out of the bunch (Pedan, Reinhart, Pullock etc) one of them will very likely join the team next year.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday
Nabokov in goal vs. Sabres. Donovan out, Bouchard,
Carkner in for #Isles, other F out to be determined later.
(Im guessing Regin or Nelson?)


- Bags502

not totally surprised about this

Like i said it wouldn't take much, it doesn't need to be "drastic". Sometimes doing nothing is not always the right answer contrary to some beliefs on here. Adding Via trade or FA is a reality Snow is going to have to face eventually or be an unsuccessful GM with an unsuccessful team.
This team will not be a true legit contender without outside help. Don't take what I say and make it sound like I'm asking for the next Erhoff or Richards contract bcs that couldn't be further from the truth. We need a top 4 and a top 2 and a goaltender if we don't have a legit one coming up. Waiting for the stars to come in line for a top 4 is ridiculous if you think you have the other ones i the farm.
- Cptmjl

If you're adding, say, a top-2 D via FA, it's very likely you're paying the next Ehrhoff or Richards contract for that honor. That's just the reality of the current state of the FA market. You can get decent bargains, but not for the high-end players. Suter's a top-2 D...that's the price you'd have to pay. It's not like you can just find a Shea Weber in an obscure aisle that no one else is shopping in for a bargain $4.5m for 4 years.

Your only other choices, really, are to do what Garth does and take on some lesser-known reclamation projects for a song, or to take on a well-known established player on a discount because he has had his share of recent issues, like Bryzgalov. Honestly, the FA market has been insane lately, and I feel better about nibbling along the edges there rather than jumping in head first and severely regretting it later. Although, I remain in favor of addressing a need by a chance on a skilled player who is in less demand because of some type of falling out with the previous team...similar to the "Bryzgalov example" I mentioned.

By trade, there are good players for the Isles, but again, the reality is for the bigger targets, like Miller or Vanek, you have to pay...and not just in players you're trading, but many of these trade targets are players with expiring contracts that the team doesn't want to re-sign for one reason or another. To keep the players and avoid the trade being a very expensive rental, you'd have to shell out a lot of dollars.

I'm not saying they shouldn't do anything. I'm just saying making a splash...which is what addressing a major position like top-two D would likely require...means taking a chance and spending big. There's really no other way other than internal development to get elite players on the cheap.

Generally you're right, it takes longer for D prospects. However, realize the Isles had long and serious discussions about keeping both Reinhart and Pullock up with the team. Both are very SMART dmen. Typically the development portion that takes dmen longer is learning positioning and assignments, not necessarily physical maturation. Reinhart is a VERY smart player. I think out of the bunch (Pedan, Reinhart, Pullock etc) one of them will very likely join the team next year.
- keaner17

I wouldn't mind if the Isles tried 1 kid next year if we had better D-men already on the team. Just do not want this team to have several players on D with limited experience or lack there of.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday
Nabokov in goal vs. Sabres. Donovan out, Bouchard,
Carkner in for #Isles, other F out to be determined later.
(Im guessing Regin or Nelson?)


- Bags502

I'm guessing Nelson is the forward out, seeing how he and Bouchard played the same position on the same line in practice yesterday? If one's in, the other's probably out. Hope I'm wrong.

I'm guessing Nelson is the forward out, seeing how he and Bouchard played the same position on the same line in practice yesterday? If one's in, the other's probably out. Hope I'm wrong.
- UIF

prob brock, he wasnt anything fantastic against the predators (hold off the hate, i would also prefer brock plays over pmb) ...looks like cappy is giving PMB a chance to show what he has against a weak sabres team...looks like PMB is on notice.

But I think that's the only thing that would satisfy anyone. I agree with you that we need something more and we're all pretty tired of waiting and waiting and waiting for improvements that may or may not pan out based on internal improvement. Still, this is the way they're building this team and I don't expect it to change. Were it me in the office, I'd be pushing to deal a defensive prospect and pick away to bring in Vanek. Take the chance on his contract and work an extension out. Immediatley our 2nd and 3rd lines improve as a result of a deepened skillset. I'd wait on the dman since I think we'll likely see at least one more prospect join the group by next season.
- keaner17

You're making an assumption there.

prob brock, he wasnt anything fantastic against the predators (hold off the hate, i would also prefer brock plays over pmb) ...looks like cappy is giving PMB a chance to show what he has against a weak sabres team...looks like PMB is on notice.
- LetsGoIsles

Cappy sometimes seems to have very little patience though. Gotta give these young players time to make some mistakes, get used to the pace and establish some kind of rhythm. I felt like it was the same with Ullstrom...started with being scratched occasionally when everyone thought he was playing well, and then after a while it became a self-fulfilling prophecy where he was kept out because he was inconsistent, but was never allowed to play enough games in a row to get into any kind of flow. Hopefully this isn't a repeat of that.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 7m
Would appear that Nelson is forward out tonight for #Isles, though he may take warmups.

You're making an assumption there.
- Cptmjl

Well, isn't that what 90% of the comments are here?

Cappy sometimes seems to have very little patience though. Gotta give these young players time to make some mistakes, get used to the pace and establish some kind of rhythm. I felt like it was the same with Ullstrom...started with being scratched occasionally when everyone thought he was playing well, and then after a while it became a self-fulfilling prophecy where he was kept out because he was inconsistent, but was never allowed to play enough games in a row to get into any kind of flow. Hopefully this isn't a repeat of that.
- UIF

i dont disagree but, right or wrong, as the rookie hes the easy pick... i see the connection btwn brock and ullstrom but i think nelson will be given the chance to play...

Well, isn't that what 90% of the comments are here?
- keaner17

thats quite an assumption!!

What pisses me off more is Donovan sitting.
Lets be real, a rookie is going to make mistakes, especially against the franking BHawks.
But after a game like the Preds where we couldn't move the puck at all, we sit Donovan again, who is one of the better puck movers we have?
He needs to (frank)ing play to get better

Well, isn't that what 90% of the comments are here?
- keaner17

I think a lot of people over compensate with overcompensation.

Cappy sometimes seems to have very little patience though. Gotta give these young players time to make some mistakes, get used to the pace and establish some kind of rhythm. I felt like it was the same with Ullstrom...started with being scratched occasionally when everyone thought he was playing well, and then after a while it became a self-fulfilling prophecy where he was kept out because he was inconsistent, but was never allowed to play enough games in a row to get into any kind of flow. Hopefully this isn't a repeat of that.
- UIF

Young players ar not allowed to make mistakes. On the other hand veterans can make as many as they want in a game.

thats quite an assumption!!
- LetsGoIsles

I'm assuming you knew that all along....

What pisses me off more is Donovan sitting.
Lets be real, a rookie is going to make mistakes, especially against the franking BHawks.
But after a game like the Preds where we couldn't move the puck at all, we sit Donovan again, who is one of the better puck movers we have?
He needs to (frank)ing play to get better
- Danformo

Totally agree with you... Donovan should be playing over Hickey, Strait and Carkner.

I think a lot of people over compensate with overcompensation.
- Cptmjl

Perhaps I went to far...I would have stopped myself but I was too busy going too far!

I'm assuming you knew that all along....
- keaner17

i had an inkling, if i had to put a number on it id value it at about 90%

Totally agree with you... Donovan should be playing over Hickey, Strait and Carkner.
- Bags502

he should be in for carkner....hickey and strait are playing just fine...carkner is in today because buffalo is going to be out for blood....they are a frustrated team. if it doesnt get nasty then isles shouldnt have a problem handling them quite easily tonight.

i had an inkling, if i had to put a number on it id value it at about 90%
- LetsGoIsles

9 times out of 10 you'd probably be right!

Totally agree with you... Donovan should be playing over Hickey, Strait and Carkner.
- Bags502

Folks need to have more patience with Hickey. He's only 9 months older than Donovan and has played a pretty significant role with this team.
Strait should be nothing more than a #5-6 guy...unfortunately we have a few 5-6 guys. My choice to sit would be Carkner who brings little to nothing. I'm afraid he's there to earn his paycheck more than have a noted impact.

Perhaps I went to far...I would have stopped myself but I was too busy going too far!
- keaner17

The Nelson-Regin-PMB line was doing just fine before it was broken up for the Chicago game, even if PMB really didn't have a lot to do with that. Might as well just not mess with something that wasn't broken to begin with. But they had to get a tired, not-in-peak-condition Clutterbuck in the lineup for some reason!