And I think that kind of risk...is what a GM is paid to take.

Again, I don't watch the Isles enough to know what Matt Moulson is or does.

But I have seen Thomas Vanek enough to think that he could score 50 with the right kind of center...and Tavares might be that guy.

I mean, Zach Parise's the No. 1 LW in Minnesota. Maybe that's where Vanek would like to go, but hell, maybe he's thinking "I'd like playing with a Hart Trophy-caliber center and put up ridiculous numbers like James Neal," and not have to deal with any crap.
- AllInForFlyers

I'm glad the Flyers didn't make this particular move. If the Sabres do sell off Moulson, I'd like to be in that discussion, depending on the cost.

I was talking to Sarmen on the twitter & he said that he's heard Moulson was interested in a return to LA....I could see the Sabres moving him there. He's married to Quick's wife's sister and would probably be a great fit with Carter & Rchards on a line there.

I'm glad the Flyers didn't make this particular move. If the Sabres do sell off Moulson, I'd like to be in that discussion, depending on the cost.
- Jsaquella

I was thinking the same thing.

Isles are nuts. They gave up a fortune.
- jstross

I like the moves for both teams. Grabner is a country mate with vanek. Vanek could very well stay. Him and jt will work out

The islanders maxed themselves out in last years playoffs. They need to take a chance as this could really pay immediate dividends.

If it doesn't work out. Trade vanek at the deadline and get your picks back


I like it for both teams

I'm glad the Flyers didn't make this particular move. If the Sabres do sell off Moulson, I'd like to be in that discussion, depending on the cost.
- Jsaquella

Buffalo will probably overpay him. They have an insanely weak offense now, depending on the inevitable return they get for Miller.

I like the moves for both teams. Grabner is a country mate with vanek. Vanek could very well stay. Him and jt will work out

The islanders maxed themselves out in last years playoffs. They need to take a chance as this could really pay immediate dividends.

If it doesn't work out. Trade vanek at the deadline and get your picks back


I like it for both teams
- Just5

If he won't sign with the Isles midseason he has 10-20% value at the deadline of what they just gave up.

Buffalo will probably overpay him. They have an insanely weak offense now, depending on the inevitable return they get for Miller.
- hereticpride

There's no need to keep him, if you're the Sabres...ship him right back out and get more picks for him

I like the moves for both teams. Grabner is a country mate with vanek. Vanek could very well stay. Him and jt will work out

The islanders maxed themselves out in last years playoffs. They need to take a chance as this could really pay immediate dividends.

If it doesn't work out. Trade vanek at the deadline and get your picks back


I like it for both teams
- Just5

i tend to agree with this

I like the moves for both teams. Grabner is a country mate with vanek. Vanek could very well stay. Him and jt will work out

The islanders maxed themselves out in last years playoffs. They need to take a chance as this could really pay immediate dividends.

If it doesn't work out. Trade vanek at the deadline and get your picks back


I like it for both teams
- Just5

don't think they'll get that kind of value back...BUF def gets the edge in this one

I'm glad the Flyers didn't make this particular move. If the Sabres do sell off Moulson, I'd like to be in that discussion, depending on the cost.
- Jsaquella

Hell, that's not a move we could make, at this exact moment.

For all the jokes people make about the Isles, their farm system still has Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhart, Brock Nelson and Ryan Pulock in it. Yeah, you don't want to just throw away first-round picks, but if there's a team out there that could risk one, it's them.

i tend to agree with this
- moylander

Biggest concerns I'd have as an Isles fan are how easy/hard it would be to keep Vanek and how do they address the holes in goal and on the blueline?

Huh. Didn't see that comin.

Hell, that's not a move we could make, at this exact moment.

For all the jokes people make about the Isles, their farm system still has Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhart, Brock Nelson and Ryan Pulock in it. Yeah, you don't want to just throw away first-round picks, but if there's a team out there that could risk one, it's them.
- AllInForFlyers

Absolutely. They have good depth in the system...but they also have needs in goal and defense, so there's other concerns that they have to address.

Absolutely. They have good depth in the system...but they also have needs in goal and defense, so there's other concerns that they have to address.
- Jsaquella

Tavares for Vanek and Miller

Are the Isles looking at a first line of Vanek-JT-Okposo?

That's dynamite

Biggest concerns I'd have as an Isles fan are how easy/hard it would be to keep Vanek and how do they address the holes in goal and on the blueline?
- Jsaquella

no doubt. sounds a little like flyers fans in the offseason (defense, goalie), especially since for the flyers the third hole was a sniper for giroux (which the isles may have just solved for tavares if vanek resigns).

Hell, that's not a move we could make, at this exact moment.

For all the jokes people make about the Isles, their farm system still has Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhart, Brock Nelson and Ryan Pulock in it. Yeah, you don't want to just throw away first-round picks, but if there's a team out there that could risk one, it's them.
- AllInForFlyers

In a few years the flyers will be chasing the isles and buffalo meanwhile the flyers will always be middle of the pack... Sad sad sad

no doubt. sounds a little like flyers fans in the offseason, especially since for the flyers the third hole was a sniper for giroux (which the isles may have just solved for tavares if vanek resigns).
- moylander

Yeah...Adding Vanek could give JT a fantastic running mate for the next few years, if he re-signs. It's going to be interesting to see.

Are the Isles looking at a first line of Vanek-JT-Okposo?

That's dynamite
- Giroux_Is_God

Yep, and he'll help their already smoking hot PP unit

Yep, and he'll help their already smoking hot PP unit
- Jsaquella

Yikes they could be nasty.

Get the Couturier line out there!

In a few years the flyers will be chasing the isles and buffalo meanwhile the flyers will always be middle of the pack... Sad sad sad
- PhillaBully

That is doubtful. Buffalo is a long ways off from even being a playoff team.

The Islanders are still questionable on the blueline and in net.

In a few years the flyers will be chasing the isles and buffalo meanwhile the flyers will always be middle of the pack... Sad sad sad
- PhillaBully

We just have to make sure that whatever we do, we don't eff it up. We're still in the game with them, but the margin for error is small, especially with the Islanders.

If we keep Schenn/Couturier, then get them wingers to play with -- and to their credit, the Flyers finally gave Couturier two wingers. Schenn is currently playing with Hartnell and Voracek.

Those two have no excuses. Now, they have to perform.

The defense...that's going to be trickier. We all know that. I have no idea what you do to get a guy in here who preferably is a Top-Two defenseman...it might not even be possible, in today's NHL.

But right now, the Flyers have a huge advantage over the Isles in net. Steve Mason, again...I don't believe in jinxes. We have a goaltender.

So. That's it. We can still stay with the Isles...but it's all on Schenn and Couturier. Really, it's always been about them, hasn't it?

Come on guys, the Flyers future is very bright. Have some quality young players.

I was waiting for somebody legit to say it...Damned high price for Vanek.
- Jsaquella

So glad this happened. One potential stupid move for the Flyers is now off the board.

Also, I saw Mirtle tweek that Vanek and Moulson are both 29 and have identical goals per game since 2009-10. Doesn't that makes the a pretty questionable move for the Isles? I suppose one could argue that Moulson benefited greatly from playing with Tavares, and really hadn't done much before playing with him, whereas Vanek is has scored well with a variety of linemates.

Still, I would think they'll have to spend a ton to keep him on Long Island after this season. And Mouslon would have definitely re-signed and seemed like he wanted to be there. I heard him interviewed on the radio the other day and he was very grateful to the Isles for giving him his big chance at a regular NHL job, and seemed like he really liked it there.

All in all, pretty much of a head scratcher for the Islanders imo.

I love what Buf is doing and they still have Miller to flip