- eichiefs9

Incidentally the last time our crowd made any noise.

- eichiefs9

Chief we need the Benny Hill music after tonight. The Wolfpack may still be needed after all.

whelp....there ya go. Another grand performance by Cappy, the personell tactician. Amazing watching Strait botch the clear as Carkner watched slack jawed and did nothing. Yep, with two minutes left, Cappy sends out Carkner and Strait to close this baby out.

Bright spots? Not many. I heard someone talk about KO playing 'great' and perhaps by KO early regular season standards he was great, but on FOUR different occasions I watched KO kill odd man rushes with terribly inaccurate passes to wide open players at close range.

I'm going to refrain from going to negative on the players themselves at the moment since I really do think they'll reel it in at some point, but like many of us were saying at the end of last regular season, the worst thing about the Isles making the playoffs was that in ensured us that we'd have to spend AT LEAST another season with Cappy. Oh the irony of them trying to ram that "Cappy is a great coach' story dawn our throats....did anyone notice the gun at Hamonic's temple when he said "Cappy is the best coach I've ever had"?

It's way too early to start damning players but I was less than excited when we traded Nino for Cal for one reason. While Cal is a fan favorite, a hustler and one tough sob, we dealt away a future high end skill player, for yet another checking line guy. We're sitting young skilled players, for gritty guys. Long story short (too late), when you are a team with mid range talent, you can't pass up adding more talent. No one is going to benefit from watching the game in a press box. The team won't benefit by putting a 6'5" pylon out there in place of a young skilled defensemen. We don't benefit by putting Eric Friggin' Bolton out there in place of Brock Nelson.

He sounds thrilled with the game. Good thing you are not watching potvin.
- ses111

Thought they played well enough to win, but if you keep turning the puck over late in games in your own zone it's going to kill you and it did again tonight. Defense was brutal.

Positives, thought all 4 lines did their job and they had a lot of scoring chances. Ice was also brutal. Picked bounced more than I ever remember seeing it Bounce

whelp....there ya go. Another grand performance by Cappy, the personell tactician. Amazing watching Strait botch the clear as Carkner watched slack jawed and did nothing. Yep, with two minutes left, Cappy sends out Carkner and Strait to close this baby out.

Bright spots? Not many. I heard someone talk about KO playing 'great' and perhaps by KO early regular season standards he was great, but on FOUR different occasions I watched KO kill odd man rushes with terribly inaccurate passes to wide open players at close range.

I'm going to refrain from going to negative on the players themselves at the moment since I really do think they'll reel it in at some point, but like many of us were saying at the end of last regular season, the worst thing about the Isles making the playoffs was that in ensured us that we'd have to spend AT LEAST another season with Cappy. Oh the irony of them trying to ram that "Cappy is a great coach' story dawn our throats....did anyone notice the gun at Hamonic's temple when he said "Cappy is the best coach I've ever had"?

It's way too early to start damning players but I was less than excited when we traded Nino for Cal for one reason. While Cal is a fan favorite, a hustler and one tough sob, we dealt away a future high end skill player, for yet another checking line guy. We're sitting young skilled players, for gritty guys. Long story short (too late), when you are a team with mid range talent, you can't pass up adding more talent. No one is going to benefit from watching the game in a press box. The team won't benefit by putting a 6'5" pylon out there in place of a young skilled defensemen. We don't benefit by putting Eric Friggin' Bolton out there in place of Brock Nelson.
- keaner17

Keaner, while many of us like Cal and his toughness, it's very hard to be thrilled with that trade. I would have held onto Nino after the Schneider trade did not happen and put him on the #1 line with JT all year. Nelson should not be sitting for anyone, especially Bolton. Donovan should also be playing over Strait or Hickey. Isles have been waiting a long time for some of these kids and when they get here, Cappy thinks it is a great idea to sit them. Not playing Reinhart at least one game was plain dumb. I have no idea what the plan is for the Isles thisn year. Isles are not in a win at all cost mode this year. Cappy is acting like it though with sitting the kids.

whelp....there ya go. Another grand performance by Cappy, the personell tactician. Amazing watching Strait botch the clear as Carkner watched slack jawed and did nothing. Yep, with two minutes left, Cappy sends out Carkner and Strait to close this baby out.

Bright spots? Not many. I heard someone talk about KO playing 'great' and perhaps by KO early regular season standards he was great, but on FOUR different occasions I watched KO kill odd man rushes with terribly inaccurate passes to wide open players at close range.

I'm going to refrain from going to negative on the players themselves at the moment since I really do think they'll reel it in at some point, but like many of us were saying at the end of last regular season, the worst thing about the Isles making the playoffs was that in ensured us that we'd have to spend AT LEAST another season with Cappy. Oh the irony of them trying to ram that "Cappy is a great coach' story dawn our throats....did anyone notice the gun at Hamonic's temple when he said "Cappy is the best coach I've ever had"?

It's way too early to start damning players but I was less than excited when we traded Nino for Cal for one reason. While Cal is a fan favorite, a hustler and one tough sob, we dealt away a future high end skill player, for yet another checking line guy. We're sitting young skilled players, for gritty guys. Long story short (too late), when you are a team with mid range talent, you can't pass up adding more talent. No one is going to benefit from watching the game in a press box. The team won't benefit by putting a 6'5" pylon out there in place of a young skilled defensemen. We don't benefit by putting Eric Friggin' Bolton out there in place of Brock Nelson.
- keaner17

Not going to kill capuano when 6 out of 7 dmen on the roster are currently playing over their heads. As a group it's pretty weak. Hickey, strait and Carkner in the same lineup every night just won't hold leads. I don't care if al arbour is back there. Also, I love J.t but he got beat clean on tht faceoff

Keaner, while many of us like Cal and his toughness, it's very hard to be thrilled with that trade. I would have held onto Nino after the Schneider trade did not happen and put him on the #1 line with JT all year. Nelson should not be sitting for anyone, especially Bolton. Donovan should also be playing over Strait or Hickey. Isles have been waiting a long time for some of these kids and when they get here, Cappy thinks it is a great idea to sit them. Not playing Reinhart at least one game was plain dumb. I have no idea what the plan is for the Isles thisn year. Isles are not in a win at all cost mode this year. Cappy is acting like it though with sitting the kids.
- ses111

I agree with most of what you're saying but Boulton played tonight because buffalo goons it up. They are a dirty team. Need a guy like him in the Lineup and hey, he started a nice goal scoring play. He played well

Thought they played well enough to win, but if you keep turning the puck over late in games in your own zone it's going to kill you and it did again tonight. Defense was brutal.

Positives, thought all 4 lines did their job and they had a lot of scoring chances. Ice was also brutal. Picked bounced more than I ever remember seeing it Bounce
- Isles316

Isles need to go to Brooklyn next year. Ice is brutal and you pretty much can feel a lame duck vibe. You need the 80's Oilers offense just to have a chance with this lousy D. I was worried about the D last year and nothing changed.

I agree with most of what you're saying but Boulton played tonight because buffalo goons it up. They are a dirty team. Need a guy like him in the Lineup and hey, he started a nice goal scoring play. He played well
- Isles316

Martin and Cal and Carkner should be able to handle the fighting. Even KO should be able to fight. He showed it in the playoffs.

Martin and Cal and Carkner should be able to handle the fighting. Even KO should be able to fight. He showed it in the playoffs.
- ses111

Don't disagree but I don't think it was a horrible decision to play Boulton. He also played quite well too.

As for your other post, I've been to the last two home games and yea it's a bit off with the crowd, even smaller crowds get going more. Just seems the team can't get anything consistent going and you're always waiting for the shoe to drop because that's the cycle. Can't close out games.

Isles need to go to Brooklyn next year. Ice is brutal and you pretty much can feel a lame duck vibe. You need the 80's Oilers offense just to have a chance with this lousy D. I was worried about the D last year and nothing changed.
- ses111

The D if anything got worse. I know Streit wasn't great outside the power play but he was a veteran and he ate up more ice time than the 5 and 6 guys are eating up now. So now you have either hickey, Carkner or strait playing significant minutes out of necessity. I get that what the flyers paid for him is a joke but Im dumbfounded that they are going to go with this group. They individually all could have a role but they lack that scuderi type shutdown defenseman big time

The D if anything got worse. I know Streit wasn't great outside the power play but he was a veteran and he ate up more ice time than the 5 and 6 guys are eating up now. So now you have either hickey, Carkner or strait playing significant minutes out of necessity. I get that what the flyers paid for him is a joke but Im dumbfounded that they are going to go with this group. They individually all could have a role but they lack that scuderi type shutdown defenseman big time
- Isles316

I would have thrown big money at Scuderi. Great Vet Dman for guys like Hammer and Donovan. All reports are Scuderi did not want to play back home and it's doubtful the Isles wanted to pay the money.

I would have thrown big money at Scuderi. Great Vet Dman for guys like Hammer and Donovan. All reports are Scuderi did not want to play back home and it's doubtful the Isles wanted to pay the money.
- ses111

My good friend is his cousin in law. That's exactly right. Wouldn't want to play here. Too many distractions. But love the guy for this alone. He took less money to play for LAK a few years back over NYR. He hates the rangers still lol.

Me too. 4-3 Sabres.
Our first win comes on the island!
- KevinJames

Nice Call

Wow .our guy makes a pass and it goes in the net ?

You guys had this game won
- cabin

Between AMAC and strait we didn't have a shot. Brilliant no look pass by Amac from behind our net to a sabre in the slot and strait doing what he does. Sucking

Brian Strait gets the star of the game for the Sabres...he makes a lousy clearing pass in his own zone and then he screens the goalie...he (frank)ing sucks...get him the (frank) out of here...
- kear20

Amac made that exact same play

Hickey is better dman than you realize. he has a plus rating on year. He isnt our problem.

while im upset we missed out on 2 points in reg, i do agree that last night was great effort. Buffalo played last night like it was their last game in the NHL ever.

we had 44 shots on net. keep that effort every night and we will win more than we lose.

However to be successful it true, isles need to find a way to win.
the blackhawks were up 2-0 last night to carolina, they too let the lead get away. however they won the shootout.

Yesterday was clutterbucks best game as isles. PMB also played well but if anything was guilty of overpassing. He missed a gapping open net.
If isles capalize on easy goals we would have won the blackhawks game too.

we are 3rd in our division. we win next two games and all is forgotten.

Hickey is better dman than you realize. he has a plus rating on year. He isnt our problem.

while im upset we missed out on 2 points in reg, i do agree that last night was great effort. Buffalo played last night like it was their last game in the NHL ever.

we had 44 shots on net. keep that effort every night and we will win more than we lose.

However to be successful it true, isles need to find a way to win.
the blackhawks were up 2-0 last night to carolina, they too let the lead get away. however they won the shootout.

Yesterday was clutterbucks best game as isles. PMB also played well but if anything was guilty of overpassing. He missed a gapping open net.
If isles capalize on easy goals we would have won the blackhawks game too.
- Spartiarti

A Sabre deflected that shot away. Made a great play.

I agree with most of what you're saying but Boulton played tonight because buffalo goons it up. They are a dirty team. Need a guy like him in the Lineup and hey, he started a nice goal scoring play. He played well
- Isles316

when you're the superior team, there is no need to 'goon it up' simply because the other team goons it up. We already had Martin and Clutterbuck in the lineup, there was no need to throw another guy in there. Given Bolton had a nice play on the goal, he should not be chosen over one of our top prospects to match muscle for muscle with a lottery contender.

Someone hit the nail on the head... Why are players (Carkner), who play once every 2 weeks - out on the ice with 2 minutes to go in a game with a one goal lead? I would add why is Strait but they were D partners so I guess I could just say, why is the 5-6 D pairing out with the game on the line?
This is becoming brutal to watch. The Isles blow a point against CBJ, IMO 2 points to NSH and a point to BUF all because "its the beginning of the year and we still have guys learning the system" Unacceptable.

I have been saying all summer...call Toronto see what they want for Cody Franson. He's big (6'5"), plays good defense (+4 last year), 124 hits in 48 games and can QB the PP...he's seems to be banged up now but he would be a perfect fit...also what's the sense of drafting defensemen in the first round...they don't play them anyway...ask Reinhart...he might be their best defenseman right now...
- kear20

I agree, Franson would make a lot of sense. If you want to keep playing Amac and Lubo, you need to have other large D to make up for their lack of size and plays top 4 minutes. Carkner doesnt count.

when you're the superior team, there is no need to 'goon it up' simply because the other team goons it up. We already had Martin and Clutterbuck in the lineup, there was no need to throw another guy in there. Given Bolton had a nice play on the goal, he should not be chosen over one of our top prospects to match muscle for muscle with a lottery contender.
- keaner17

The Isles are not a superior team!!!

They have Tavares... that's it.

Any team can win on any night... the Isles haven't played a complete game yet this season.

Hickey is better dman than you realize. he has a plus rating on year. He isnt our problem.

while im upset we missed out on 2 points in reg, i do agree that last night was great effort. Buffalo played last night like it was their last game in the NHL ever.

we had 44 shots on net. keep that effort every night and we will win more than we lose.

However to be successful it true, isles need to find a way to win.
the blackhawks were up 2-0 last night to carolina, they too let the lead get away. however they won the shootout.

Yesterday was clutterbucks best game as isles. PMB also played well but if anything was guilty of overpassing. He missed a gapping open net.
If isles capalize on easy goals we would have won the blackhawks game too.
- Spartiarti

Hickey is not the problem. He plays with Lubo and needs to cover Lubo's lack of defensive play in the back end. Hickey's and Lubo's +/- was positive last year (+9 and +12, the highest on the team) and is also positive this year. It helps that they dont play against top lines though, so have to discount their play a bit. I would actually like to see how Hickey plays with Hamonic.

Someone hit the nail on the head... Why are players (Carkner), who play once every 2 weeks - out on the ice with 2 minutes to go in a game with a one goal lead? I would add why is Strait but they were D partners so I guess I could just say, why is the 5-6 D pairing out with the game on the line?
This is becoming brutal to watch. The Isles blow a point against CBJ, IMO 2 points to NSH and a point to BUF all because "its the beginning of the year and we still have guys learning the system" Unacceptable.
- brodydog29

Why you ask? The answer is bcs we have a moronic coach.