Personally I love how the islanders are building a team. It seldom works when you throw big money at players. This same formula has worked for LA, Chicago, Boston.

The Kings did make two big trades when they thought they were ready to win. I don't think the isles are there yet, they don't have the defense or the goaltending.
- Isles316

Yes but Boston made a big splash in the Free agent market when they offered and landed Zedeno Chara. July 1, 2006, he signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract. That was big money back then.

That signing has stabilize the Boston "D" ever since and Chara is still a formidable presence for the Bruins.

If a team wants to win. It has to take a chance once in a while. You cant wait forever.

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

That is the problem Cptmjl. Isles do not have a bunch of great Vets that these kids should be sitting. Isles talk about building the team with these great prospects? Prove it!

Yes but Boston made a big splash in the Free agent market when they offered and landed Zedeno Chara. July 1, 2006, he signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract. That was big money back then.

That signing has stabilize the Boston "D" ever since and Chara is still a formidable presence for the Bruins.

If a team wants to win. It has to take a chance once in a while. You cant wait forever.

- SCLI

Plus he seems to be leaving out that both Chicago and LA did sign outside help via FA and trades. Hossa, Richards, Carter, Scuderi, etc... Not the best comparison.

That is the problem Cptmjl. Isles do not have a bunch of great Vets that these kids should be sitting. Isles talk about building the team with these great prospects? Prove it!
- ses111

Capuano is not a good coach and makes incredibely bad decisions.

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!
- UIF

Reason probably being he was cleared to play and Garth wanted his new toy as soon as possible, especially considering Nino has produced a little so far.

I don't like this tinkering with the 20. Not one bit. Let the (frank)ing kids play. Especially versus buffalo.

Capuano is not a good coach and makes incredibely bad decisions.
- Cptmjl

It's not just Capuano though.

Reason probably being he was cleared to play and Garth wanted his new toy as soon as possible, especially considering Nino has produced a little so far.

I don't like this tinkering with the 20. Not one bit. Let the (frank)ing kids play. Especially versus buffalo.
- potvin05

Sounds about right potvin. Poulin should get the start as well.

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!
- UIF

I just can't figure out why on earth they didn't let Cal come back for the homestand. He was practically invisible. As an undermanned squad against the Stanley Cup Champions, watering your intensity down with a guy essentially having his preseason game is a terrible decision.

I don't mind Nelson sitting here and there, but to sit him 2 out of 3 games and likely many more to come, is counter productive for his development. Most players don't learn much from the pressbox. Game experience is the be all and end all IMO.

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!
- UIF

i cant fault the decision for playing clutterbuck. to say PMB was doing "fine" is a bit of a stretch.

Sounds about right potvin. Poulin should get the start as well.
- ses111

nabby has been good...are we trying to win today or develop poulin??

Sounds about right potvin. Poulin should get the start as well.
- ses111

I thought Nabby made some great saves last game but also gave up a couple of long shots. It seems to me that tonight would have been ideal for Poulin to continue and build confidence. I have a (bad) feeling we're going to see Nabby starting 60 games this year which is just too damn much.

nabby has been good...are we trying to win today or develop poulin??
- LetsGoIsles

We have to see what Poulin has so everyone can get their excuses together for why Snow isn't getting a goaltender next offseason. I don't want to hear how we'll never know if we have a franchise tender unless they get playing time.

nabby has been good...are we trying to win today or develop poulin??
- LetsGoIsles

Wait..we're not trying to win if we play Poulin? Better yet, does this mean we should NEVER play Poulin? It seems to me that if the kid is going to get evaluated, he needs to be played where it makes sense. Today wouldn't be such a bad time.

Personally, if i was Nelson and Donovan I would be pissed off. You wanna rebuild through the draft, well eventually you have to play rookies.
I'd rather have Donovan than Carkner and Strait
And I'd rather have Nelson over Martin, Clutterbuck, at this point.

We have to see what Poulin has so everyone can get their excuses together for why Snow isn't getting a goaltender next offseason. I don't want to hear how we'll never know if we have a franchise tender unless they get playing time.
- Cptmjl

but starting a goalie is more of their philosphy vs yours... everyone knows nabby is the starter and poulin is the backup...

EDIT: and everyone knows that nabby will be playing over poulin at about a 2:1 ratio

clearly by starting nabby, the isles want to give themselves the best chance of winning tonight against a team thats floundering...i expect to see poulin start a lot of games vs western conference teams...

but starting a goalie is more of their philosphy vs yours... everyone knows nabby is the starter and poulin is the backup...

clearly by starting nabby, the isles want to give themselves the best chance of winning tonight against a team thats floundering...i expect to see poulin start a lot of games vs western conference teams...
- LetsGoIsles

I see. So play your back up against stronger opponents? This is a smart plan.

I see. So play your back up against stronger opponents? This is a smart plan.
- Cptmjl

you play your backup against teams that cant hurt you in the standings if you lose... pretty sure you understood that.

you play your backup against teams that cant hurt you in the standings if you lose... pretty sure you understood that.
- LetsGoIsles

I understood it but forgive me for still thinking it's stupid

I understood it but forgive me for still thinking it's stupid
- Cptmjl

forgiven.

but i cant understood why thats a stupid strategy? im curious to understand it...

i cant fault the decision for playing clutterbuck. to say PMB was doing "fine" is a bit of a stretch.
- LetsGoIsles

Didn't say that...I said the line was doing just fine, even if PMB didn't have much to do with that. Ultimately, I guess I just didn't see much point in fumbling around with a lineup that hadn't lost in regulation yet and was coming off a 6-1 win just to play a third liner who wasn't in shape for 8 minutes. It's not like it was Tavares coming off of injury where even at 60 percent he'd be one of the best players on the ice.

forgiven.

but i cant understood why thats a stupid strategy? im curious to understand it...
- LetsGoIsles

You should play your goaltender to their strong points, which teams they match better up too. If there is an opportunity to play your back up against a weaker opponent then you don't take it bcs it's an intraconference team? Especially a rookie tender who could gain confidence along with playing time. There are too many variables to simplify it like that and say playing your back up goaltender against Western conference teams is a great stratedgy. You can't say "give the team the best chance to win" then say this is a viable stratedgy.

You should play your goaltender to their strong points, which teams they match better up too. If there is an opportunity to play your back up against a weaker opponent then you don't take it bcs it's an intraconference team? Especially a rookie tender who could gain confidence along with playing time. There are too many variables to simplify it like that and say playing your back up goaltender against Western conference teams is a great stratedgy. You can't say "give the team the best chance to win" then say this is a viable stratedgy.
- Cptmjl

again, just a difference in philosophy...if you were coach, youd do things differently. doesnt make it right or wrong.

Personally, if i was Nelson and Donovan I would be pissed off. You wanna rebuild through the draft, well eventually you have to play rookies.
I'd rather have Donovan than Carkner and Strait
And I'd rather have Nelson over Martin, Clutterbuck, at this point.
- Danformo

Can I get an Amen? Prove this rebuild was not just an excuse to not spend big money.

I thought Nabby made some great saves last game but also gave up a couple of long shots. It seems to me that tonight would have been ideal for Poulin to continue and build confidence. I have a (bad) feeling we're going to see Nabby starting 60 games this year which is just too damn much.
- keaner17

I think Nabby played fine this year. Does not mean Poulin cannot play tonight. Why not let Poulin try to build off his game against the Hawks?

again, just a difference in philosophy...if you were coach, youd do things differently. doesnt make it right or wrong.
- LetsGoIsles

Ok. So playing Reasoner in game one against the Pens or hundreds of other Capuanoism's was just a different philosophy? You can call it whatever you want but I'll call it wrong.