are the rumors true? is radek back?
- LetsGoIsles

X NYI X

If all it would take is a 1st rd pick, then yes Snow should pull the trigger cause the Isles had enough picks & prospects, so really do not care about anymore picks, and also don't mind moving a fringe prospect...

But I think it will take more for Kulikov
- Ur Not Me

That will cost you AT LEAST a current useful NHLer OR a top end prospect AND a first round pick. Defensemen, especially ones with talent, are expensive- this is why Garth gets the big office next to the broken sewer pipes- it's a tough decision. Of course, at least for now, he has taken the easy way out, as usual. The problem is that I could draft the next guy on the big list, and sign Radek Martinek every six months....we need our GM to be a GM, for once in his life...

Time for Howie to show that Martinek clip after every Isles game
- mighty13duck

Which shattered limb are we talking about?

That will cost you AT LEAST a current useful NHLer OR a top end prospect AND a first round pick. Defensemen, especially ones with talent, are expensive- this is why Garth gets the big office next to the broken sewer pipes- it's a tough decision. Of course, at least for now, he has taken the easy way out, as usual. The problem is that I could draft the next guy on the big list, and sign Radek Martinek every six months....we need our GM to be a GM, for once in his life...
- dcb1

I've been saying for a while that Snow has to evaluate his talent and roster players and choose who is part of the future and who is not. Unfortunately Snow is also formulating a team with restrictions, that's why I had mentioned that Snow needs to be creative on bringing in better talent.

To me, anyone on this roster except for a couple of players are expendable, and I mean probably 2 or 3 players I might keep. Now I wont just give players away, it also has to be for better talent. I wont trade just for a trade....

Bobby Ryan should have been an Islander at almost any cost, he's the young STUD that fits on JT's wing.......

Bobby Ryan should have been an Islander at almost any cost, he's the young STUD that fits on JT's wing.......
- Ur Not Me

ehhh

XxNYIxX

I've been saying for a while that Snow has to evaluate his talent and roster players and choose who is part of the future and who is not. Unfortunately Snow is also formulating a team with restrictions, that's why I had mentioned that Snow needs to be creative on bringing in better talent.

To me, anyone on this roster except for a couple of players are expendable, and I mean probably 2 or 3 players I might keep. Now I wont just give players away, it also has to be for better talent. I wont trade just for a trade....

Bobby Ryan should have been an Islander at almost any cost, he's the young STUD that fits on JT's wing.......
- Ur Not Me

Really the isles issues aren't because they aren't talented, it's because they can't keep the puck out of their own net

Really the isles issues aren't because they aren't talented, it's because they can't keep the puck out of their own net
- Isles316

Why can't the Isles keep the puck out of their own net?

Is it a system they play or lack of talent on the defensive side?
Maybe possible the goalie situation? How about some of the F's not contributing on D ?


I think its a combination of possibly all the above, do you..??

Why can't the Isles keep the puck out of their own net?

Is it a system they play or lack of talent on the defensive side?
Maybe possible the goalie situation? How about some of the F's not contributing on D ?


I think its a combination of possibly all the above, do you..??
- Ur Not Me

I don't think it's the system. I think it has to do with defenseman making mistakes and the inability to clear the puck out of the zone. Besides last night, there aren't really any goals outside one in Nashville that nabby could really be blamed for.

I don't think it's the system. I think it has to do with defenseman making mistakes and the inability to clear the puck out of the zone. Besides last night, there aren't really any goals outside one in Nashville that nabby could really be blamed for.
- Isles316

Nabby is not our biggest issue, you are bang on there...it is the defense. If all of us clearly can see we do not have a full helping of NHL d-men why the hell can't the organization. Hickey Strait and Carkner are hurting us...I like Hickey and he can become effective in time...but so can Mayfield and Reinhart etc...but they are not on the team yet..and nor should Hickey. Strait and Carkner can't clear the puck and can not clear the net well enough. Strait just can't, Carkner has the size but doesn't recognize the play well enough. Thee were so many other guys available that we did not go after...had we I bet we would have at least 3 more wins right now.Garth needs to send a few good prospects to another team to get what we need in return. And yes someone else does need to be brought in as back up. Only matter of time Nabby burns out at his age....judging by the shorter season last year and when he stunk in the playoffs I'd say by Feb he will be hurt or too inconsistent....we need some insurance...if garth fixed these glaring issues we would be in the thick of things all season...so if we all know this, and we all do...why can't Garth change it..assets are there...trades can be made....

I don't consider any of them likely signings, but UFA's next year:
Gaborak
Heatley
Vanek
Marleau
there's a pretty decent list of UFA's next year. It all depends on Moulson's asking price and flexability.
I'm not saying these guys excell in ALL of those categories, but they are IMO upgrades on Moulson.
- keaner17

I've seen enough of Vanek (and Gaborik for that matter) to tell you he's no defensive stalwart. I think he'd be an amazing winger for Tavares and would bring a lot to the table...more than Moulson...but defense really isn't his strength.

Time for Howie to show that Martinek clip after every Isles game
- mighty13duck

"Let me tell you about the time Martinek got first star of the game and skated all the way around the rink..."

I've seen enough of Vanek (and Gaborik for that matter) to tell you he's no defensive stalwart. I think he'd be an amazing winger for Tavares and would bring a lot to the table...more than Moulson...but defense really isn't his strength.
- UIF

No one is saying either one of them play defense. That said, both are likely more capable of backchecking than Matt.
The point is, they are upgrades over Moulson and if he's going to approach $5-$6 million teritory on a contract, they should be looked at as well.

I was actually only listing the top four free agents off of next years list so Heatley was not a suggestion. There are quite a few decent players available next year. Enough that I'd balk at a 5 year deal with Moulson

Gab is 10 goals more a season but the same d liability
Heatley isnt better then Mouslon
Vanek would be a nice idea.
I have loved Marleau since the day he was drafted.. but he retires a Shark.. If he hit the market thou...

With all that said... Moulson has something that we don't know if any of these players would have with JT... chemistry.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

An overused term IMO. Players click with time. Guys like Tavares are capable of creating 'cemistry' with anyone.

I've seen enough of Vanek (and Gaborik for that matter) to tell you he's no defensive stalwart. I think he'd be an amazing winger for Tavares and would bring a lot to the table...more than Moulson...but defense really isn't his strength.
- UIF

thats why they need to get vanek on one wing and a more defensive minded with a scoring touch on the other (preferably with some snarl) -- thats my IDEAL top line combo.

An overused term IMO. Players click with time. Guys like Tavares are capable of creating 'cemistry' with anyone.
- keaner17

if anyone watches the all-star game (first off, shame on you) but for the most part they all seem to hit the tape despite playing with each other for maybe 1 practice...chemistry is such an excuse

I like the Martinek signing, but I think it's useless if either he's going to just sit, or if his ice time comes at the expense of Donovan. Cappy has to be willing to sit one of the real culprits here, like Strait.

Nabby is not our biggest issue, you are bang on there...it is the defense. If all of us clearly can see we do not have a full helping of NHL d-men why the hell can't the organization. Hickey Strait and Carkner are hurting us...I like Hickey and he can become effective in time...but so can Mayfield and Reinhart etc...but they are not on the team yet..and nor should Hickey. Strait and Carkner can't clear the puck and can not clear the net well enough. Strait just can't, Carkner has the size but doesn't recognize the play well enough. Thee were so many other guys available that we did not go after...had we I bet we would have at least 3 more wins right now.Garth needs to send a few good prospects to another team to get what we need in return. And yes someone else does need to be brought in as back up. Only matter of time Nabby burns out at his age....judging by the shorter season last year and when he stunk in the playoffs I'd say by Feb he will be hurt or too inconsistent....we need some insurance...if garth fixed these glaring issues we would be in the thick of things all season...so if we all know this, and we all do...why can't Garth change it..assets are there...trades can be made....
- Nolanders

Pretty much sums it up Noland.


Upgraded Additions to the club should have been made last summer.

Seems like Snow is channeled into a "waiting mode" for the next group of prospects to take us to the next level.

Since recent Isles history has taught us that prospects take a considerable amount of time to mature (or not) at the NHL level. It could be sometime before they make enough contributions to bring the Team to that next level.

I also think its time for a trade or two. (Isles should have made a strong pitch for Ryan)

Unless we're content to wait another 2-3-4 yrs and hope our next tier of Prospects can do what the Isles expect them to do.

But, Waiting may prove to be a bigger gamble then including a couple of them in a major trade. Prospects are always a big gamble. No matter how they are handled. And no matter how much talent and growth potential they possess. Some just never pan out in the NHL.

Isles system is deep enough (according to some hockey sites) to use some of these assets to bring in established talent.

All I know is that this team is really showing some glaring weaknesses that could have been addressed last Spring or last summer.

The sad thing about those weaknesses is that...they have been glaring issues for quite sometime now.

Pretty much sums it up Noland.


Upgraded Additions to the club should have been made last summer.

Seems like Snow is channeled into a "waiting mode" for the next group of prospects to take us to the next level.

Since recent Isles history has taught us that prospects take a considerable amount of time to mature (or not) at the NHL level. It could be sometime before they make enough contributions to bring the Team to that next level.

I also think its time for a trade or two. (Isles should have made a strong pitch for Ryan)

Unless we're content to wait another 2-3-4 yrs and hope our next tier of Prospects can do what the Isles expect them to do.

But, Waiting may prove to be a bigger gamble then including a couple of them in a major trade. Prospects are always a big gamble. No matter how they are handled. And no matter how much talent and growth potential they possess. Some just never pan out in the NHL.

Isles system is deep enough (according to some hockey sites) to use some of these assets to bring in established talent.

All I know is that this team is really showing some glaring weaknesses that could have been addressed last Spring or last summer.

The sad thing about those weaknesses is that...they have been glaring issues for quite sometime now.
- SCLI

does this mean you have insiders telling you they didnt?

I've been saying for a while that Snow has to evaluate his talent and roster players and choose who is part of the future and who is not. Unfortunately Snow is also formulating a team with restrictions, that's why I had mentioned that Snow needs to be creative on bringing in better talent.

To me, anyone on this roster except for a couple of players are expendable, and I mean probably 2 or 3 players I might keep. Now I wont just give players away, it also has to be for better talent. I wont trade just for a trade....

Bobby Ryan should have been an Islander at almost any cost, he's the young STUD that fits on JT's wing.......
- Ur Not Me

Here is the funny part.. Bobby Ryan has the same Negatives as Moulson. Doesn't get back on Defense, doesn't back check ..etc. Oh and by the way so does Heatley. If we had either of those guy u would all have issues with them too. Grass is always greener on this board and the glass is always half empty.

Koolaide guy out

If you add up all the "B" level signings by Snow...Bouchard, Regin and Martinek...about 3.4 million...you could have gotten one good defenseman and you wouldn't be blocking any prospects...
- kear20

I 1000% agree with this comment and said it over the summer (as did everyone on this board). Instead of us just Signing 1 "a" UFA we signed 3 or 4 Sub standard guys trying to catch lightening in a bottle. I would even be ok with this approach if when it wasn't working we cut bait... but we keep marching them out there and it drives us all nuts.

I'm going to guess not unfortunately.
- Cptmjl

I just assumed I am older than u.

I 1000% agree with this comment and said it over the summer (as did everyone on this board). Instead of us just Signing 1 "a" UFA we signed 3 or 4 Sub standard guys trying to catch lightening in a bottle. I would even be ok with this approach if when it wasn't working we cut bait... but we keep marching them out there and it drives us all nuts.
- niteislander

PMB has no business being a regular on this team...he should be scratched until he proves he can play and ready to be a big boy.

PMB has no business being a regular on this team...he should be scratched until he proves he can play and ready to be a big boy.
- LetsGoIsles

Can't keep preaching about "earning ice time" and "too many passengers" and keep guys like this on the team. Reasoner, Pandolfo, Regin, Bouchard, etc. etc. etc.... I just don't get it at all.. very upsetting.

Can't keep preaching about "earning ice time" and "too many passengers" and keep guys like this on the team. Reasoner, Pandolfo, Regin, Bouchard, etc. etc. etc.... I just don't get it at all.. very upsetting.
- niteislander

im all for giving the "new guy" a shot and time to learn the system, but 8 games in and a grand total of 3 points (all assists-- 2 of which are secondary assists), no physical game and invisible in the defensive zone...his time is running out.

An overused term IMO. Players click with time. Guys like Tavares are capable of creating 'chemistry' with anyone.
- keaner17

That just isnt true.

XxNYIxX