Im not surprised about bouchard and regin. Had no hopes for them but Bailey's play has been a little shocking to me. Probably shouldn't be but it is
- Cptmjl

I thought he would build off his play from last year. The scouting report was right on him.This guy needs a coach all over him 24/7 otherwise he floats.

I thought he would build off his play from last year. The scouting report was right on him.This guy needs a coach all over him 24/7 otherwise he floats.
- ses111

and Capuano is definitely not that coach. It's a shame bcs I think he's got incredible talent. Decent shot, great hands. Decent speed. I just don't get how a kid could possibly half a$$ it in the NHL? I've probably been one of his biggest supporters on here but there's nothing I can say positive about his game anymore. Done with this but if he puts it together somewhere else I'll be pissed but I'm becoming increasingly confident that may not happen.

So in essence you're trading Moulson a 1st and a 2nd for Barret Jackman?

Mike Milbury would be proud.
- PeteM

I never would have traded the picks with Moulson for Vanek without an extension.

and Capuano is definitely not that coach. It's a shame bcs I think he's got incredible talent. Decent shot, great hands. Decent speed. I just don't get how a kid could possibly half a$$ it in the NHL? I've probably been one of his biggest supporters on here but there's nothing I can say positive about his game anymore. Done with this but if he puts it together somewhere else I'll be pissed but I'm becoming increasingly confident that may not happen.
- Cptmjl

Oleg Kvasha?

Watching the Pitt - Minn game, and look at this D line-up;

Bortuzzo, Despres, Dumoulin, Niskanen, Maattaa, Samuelson.
A bunch of kids shutting down the Wild, that's enough proof to show its all about coaching and teaching kids how to position themselves.

Like I mentioned before, Niskanen is 1 FA defenseman I would go after!!!!!

Oh and Zatkoff is in goal for Pitt

Watching the Pitt - Minn game, and look at this D line-up;

Bortuzzo, Despres, Dumoulin, Niskanen, Maattaa, Samuelson.
A bunch of kids shutting down the Wild, that's enough proof to show its all about coaching and teaching kids how to position themselves.

Like I mentioned before, Niskanen is 1 FA defenseman I would go after!!!!!

Oh and Zatkoff is in goal for Pitt
- Ur Not Me

The Isles should throw a huge offer at Niskanen.

The Isles should throw a huge offer at Niskanen.
- ses111

Couldn't agree more, he's the type of player on D the Isles need. A young D-man with a winning pedigree from Pitt and veteran enough to help the kids.... I believe he's only going to be 27 or 28?

5yrs $22.5 - 25M should get him.... I hope

We have a trade...

NHL on TSN @NHLonTSN 40m
Buffalo Sabres acquire Linus Omark from the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional 6th round pick. #TSN #NHL

We have a trade...

NHL on TSN @NHLonTSN 40m
Buffalo Sabres acquire Linus Omark from the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional 6th round pick. #TSN #NHL
- kear20

Holding out for a firing...

Holding out for a firing...
- Cptmjl

It will come soon enough...I'm thinking around the Olympic break...

It will come soon enough...I'm thinking around the Olympic break...
- kear20

Ill believe it when I see it

i think you got your >, < backwards...unless you think vanek is better...
- LetsGoIsles

then I got it the way I wanted it

XxNYIxX

He means MM and JT are better together thank Vanek and JT, however Vanek is the better player. Hes talking about the chemistry of it. I would prefer to have them both on the team next year and its very possible if they are willing to spend some money.
- mighty13duck

As if you took the words out of my mouth... thank you

XxNYIxX

the first sentence i understood...its this, that i dont get:



i think hes saying if he were drafting a team, hed take moulson before vanek (but had the signs mixed up)
- LetsGoIsles

If i was drafting a team i wouldn't pick either.... but if i HAD to... Vanek would be the pick.

Unless I had JT at center

XxNYIxX

Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday 1h
By the by -- I don't write the headlines for my articles, which are sent out with the links.

I guess he is talking about this headline:

Michael Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Josh Bailey line delivers for Islanders

There might not be many outside the Islanders' dressing room who think the team still has a chance to turn this season around. But the players think they can.

After two of the tougher losses the Islanders have had this season, they limp into Madison Square Garden for Friday night's game with the Rangers on a 1-9-4 slide. They have tightened up in plenty of areas in the past two games, but they still haven't found a way to win in regulation in more than a month.

"It certainly doesn't feel good right now with the results we've had, but things are eventually going to go the right way," Brian Strait said. "It's hard to swallow these past two games, but defensively we've been good. There's no time to linger on things."

The Islanders had consecutive practice days for the first time since the last week of November to try to preserve the better parts of those two previous games -- a 1-0 overtime loss to the Canadiens and an inexplicable 3-2 shootout loss to the Lightning -- and work on correcting the breakdowns that led to dropping the extra point in each game.

One of the bright spots is the work of the Michael Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Josh Bailey line. Grabner led the team with seven hits in the loss to Montreal and the line generated a half- dozen scoring chances against Tampa Bay, including two first-period breakaways for Bailey and a pair of two-on-ones.

Nielsen scored on the last two-on-one off a feed from Grabner. It was Grabner's first point in 25 games. Bailey also got an assist, his first point in 12 games.

"We could have had six goals as a line in that game," said Grabner, who still doesn't have a goal since scoring twice in the season opener, a span of 31 games. "We've been playing better, but now we need the points, and we can start on Friday in the Garden."

Nielsen made an egregious giveaway that led to the first of Valtteri Fippula's goals in the final 2:53 to tie it on Tuesday, but no one thinks Nielsen, among the most responsible Islanders forwards, has a real problem in his own zone.

"I would bet Fransie never does that again," Grabner said. "Never."

The Islanders had one of a handful of key turning points last season at the Garden, rallying from two goals down to take a 4-3 shootout decision from the Rangers on Valentine's Day.

Of course, that was only game 12 of the shortened 48-game season. This season's Islanders have 47 games left, but close to the halfway mark, the Isles were 10 points out of a playoff spot entering Thursday night's games.

"Once we can break through and win a game in regulation, I think we'll go on a run," Grabner said. "It's time to get going."

Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday 1h
By the by -- I don't write the headlines for my articles, which are sent out with the links.

I guess he is talking about this headline:

Michael Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Josh Bailey line delivers for Islanders

There might not be many outside the Islanders' dressing room who think the team still has a chance to turn this season around. But the players think they can.

After two of the tougher losses the Islanders have had this season, they limp into Madison Square Garden for Friday night's game with the Rangers on a 1-9-4 slide. They have tightened up in plenty of areas in the past two games, but they still haven't found a way to win in regulation in more than a month.

"It certainly doesn't feel good right now with the results we've had, but things are eventually going to go the right way," Brian Strait said. "It's hard to swallow these past two games, but defensively we've been good. There's no time to linger on things."

The Islanders had consecutive practice days for the first time since the last week of November to try to preserve the better parts of those two previous games -- a 1-0 overtime loss to the Canadiens and an inexplicable 3-2 shootout loss to the Lightning -- and work on correcting the breakdowns that led to dropping the extra point in each game.

One of the bright spots is the work of the Michael Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Josh Bailey line. Grabner led the team with seven hits in the loss to Montreal and the line generated a half- dozen scoring chances against Tampa Bay, including two first-period breakaways for Bailey and a pair of two-on-ones.

Nielsen scored on the last two-on-one off a feed from Grabner. It was Grabner's first point in 25 games. Bailey also got an assist, his first point in 12 games.

"We could have had six goals as a line in that game," said Grabner, who still doesn't have a goal since scoring twice in the season opener, a span of 31 games. "We've been playing better, but now we need the points, and we can start on Friday in the Garden."

Nielsen made an egregious giveaway that led to the first of Valtteri Fippula's goals in the final 2:53 to tie it on Tuesday, but no one thinks Nielsen, among the most responsible Islanders forwards, has a real problem in his own zone.

"I would bet Fransie never does that again," Grabner said. "Never."

The Islanders had one of a handful of key turning points last season at the Garden, rallying from two goals down to take a 4-3 shootout decision from the Rangers on Valentine's Day.

Of course, that was only game 12 of the shortened 48-game season. This season's Islanders have 47 games left, but close to the halfway mark, the Isles were 10 points out of a playoff spot entering Thursday night's games.

"Once we can break through and win a game in regulation, I think we'll go on a run," Grabner said. "It's time to get going."


- kear20

Does Charles write his articles? Seems Staple is having more Twitter followers not happy he is not doing a rip job on Charles and co. Right or wrong, the team is this bad and fans want red meat.

Dan you do have a voice and we're all listening...over 500 responses. Your tone and direct comments are well received and appreciated. Of course the Isles won't give you and audience, you tell the truth. That's a no no Dan. HA HA Have you read Staples idiotic articles. It appears he's now on Wang payroll. I've been a fan of this team since day 1, prior used to watch the Ducks at Commack Arena, so I've been around for a while. In the early days we knew the team was bad, but each year they got better brought in key plays and eventually won 4 cups. Charles Wang has owned this team for 13 years and not once has he fielded a NHL level caliber team...he's used the building excuse for the first 10 years, now who knows what his excuses are...but thanks for being honest and direct. At least someone sees it like it is, well other than us true Isles fans.

So why is Bettman always boo'd...we can start with a zero reaction for 13 years doing nothing about this once storied franchise just sitting in the wings watching Charles destroy it...Charles has never once put a NHL level caliber team on the ice...in fact he's just running a side show and expecting us to pay to watch it. While Charles is a farce, Bettman is the ultimate joke.

Dan you do have a voice and we're all listening...over 500 responses. Your tone and direct comments are well received and appreciated. Of course the Isles won't give you and audience, you tell the truth. That's a no no Dan. HA HA Have you read Staples idiotic articles. It appears he's now on Wang payroll. I've been a fan of this team since day 1, prior used to watch the Ducks at Commack Arena, so I've been around for a while. In the early days we knew the team was bad, but each year they got better brought in key plays and eventually won 4 cups. Charles Wang has owned this team for 13 years and not once has he fielded a NHL level caliber team...he's used the building excuse for the first 10 years, now who knows what his excuses are...but thanks for being honest and direct. At least someone sees it like it is, well other than us true Isles fans.
- bhockey47

This is just not true at all

XxNYIxX

Here's the problem with the coach, in as simple terms as I can put it: if we had a REAL coach, Nielsen would be benched for what happened on the FIRST goal the other night. The second goal was a fluke of the kind that happens once in a while. The first goal occurred because Nielsen, instead of dumping the puck around to someone who could dump it out, tried to pass it to someone else in front of his own net. However, Nielsen will not be benched- not because the coach is a wuss, but because attempting to pass the puck to someone else from wherever you happen to be on the ice is APPARENTLY THE GAME PLAN. This team desperately needs a coach who understands that the point of the game is to keep the puck out of your own net, not to constantly try to figure out a way to put it into the other one, even when it's ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that it's not a possibility.

Watching the Pitt - Minn game, and look at this D line-up;

Bortuzzo, Despres, Dumoulin, Niskanen, Maattaa, Samuelson.
A bunch of kids shutting down the Wild, that's enough proof to show its all about coaching and teaching kids how to position themselves.

Like I mentioned before, Niskanen is 1 FA defenseman I would go after!!!!!

Oh and Zatkoff is in goal for Pitt
- Ur Not Me

Because they.....EVEN Pittsburgh....at least f***ing attempt to play defense for 60 minutes at a time. We are weak in the personnel area, needless to say, but the Isles CAN win games with this bunch- look at the chances they had in the first two periods the other night, which directly resulted from playing defense and forechecking. Unfortunately, they've got that up tempo, puck moving crap so ingrained in their minds that they can't get through 60 minutes without reverting back to it.

Your offense does NOT need to begin from behind your own net...it just doesn't, especially with the speed our forwards possess, which is this team's best attribute. Trying to make the puck do all the work is taking away from what should be their advantage. If you're open at the opponent's blue line, you'll be the first one to the corner to get the puck as well. There's no need to make a 135 foot pass unless the other team is changing and they all trip over each other at the bench. When this team starts playing hockey for 60 minutes like a normal team, they'll start having success, even with the largely garbage that they sport on the back end. The on ice philosophy has been at least 90% of the problem.

I would feel better if we beat Rangers tonight but god knows that would never happen with our atrocious defense!

I would feel better if we beat Rangers tonight but god knows that would never happen with our atrocious defense!
- ISLES1119

A single win would mean little for me. I'll feel better if I saw Wang and co doing something to help this team and show they care.

A single win would mean little for me. I'll feel better if I saw Wang and co doing something to help this team and show they care.
- ses111

That would be a cold day in H@LL

Are they still in that closed door meeting??



XxNYIxX