Until they become irrelevant shortly after
- Cptmjl

TBD

(although the prospects will finally be ready to play)

TBD

(although the prospects will finally be ready to play)
- LetsGoIsles

(You hope they will be)

The Isles are being built as an offense attack team which should suit the talents of a forward like Vanek.

Insisting that Vanek goes to Minny is like saying JT wants Toronto which is not true.

Vanek is good as gone. It is not like just the NYI and Minn will be interested. On july first, a dozen teams with money, and solid rosters will make him huge offers. He will break the bank. His agent will not let him sign anything prior to July 1. He'd be foolish to sign prior to being able to select from plenty of offers.

Vanek is good as gone. It is not like just the NYI and Minn will be interested. On july first, a dozen teams with money, and solid rosters will make him huge offers. He will break the bank. His agent will not let him sign anything prior to July 1. He'd be foolish to sign prior to being able to select from plenty of offers.
- Killinsurgents

K, thanks for stopping by

The Isles are being built as an offense attack team which should suit the talents of a forward like Vanek.

Insisting that Vanek goes to Minny is like saying JT wants Toronto which is not true.
- Fan101

Yeah, nobody knows? I sure as hell don't. As of now there is a better chance of him signing somewhere else than here IMO. That's subject to change, if by some miracle we make the playoffs I'd say there's a better chance but that's a long shot. Players have a way of wanting to stay here usually even if they wanted out before they set foot on LI. We all have seen it with Vis, Nabakov, etc. This situation is a little different but I wouldn't be overly shocked if he stayed though like I said there is probably a better chance of him bolting but that's subject to change depending on how we do the second half. Tavares and him have some sick chemistry.

K, thanks for stopping by
- Cptmjl

Yeah, nobody knows? I sure as hell don't. As of now there is a better chance of him signing somewhere else than here IMO. That's subject to change, if by some miracle we make the playoffs I'd say there's a better chance but that's a long shot. Players have a way of wanting to stay here usually even if they wanted out before they set foot on LI. We all have seen it with Vis, Nabakov, etc. This situation is a little different but I wouldn't be overly shocked if he stayed though like I said there is probably a better chance of him bolting but that's subject to change depending on how we do the second half. Tavares and him have some sick chemistry.
- Cptmjl

Agreed. In there end, there's nothing to be solved by worrying about it. He'll either be signed, traded, or leave for nothing. If snow doesn't do one of the first two options then it'll be time to freak out. Until then, I enjoy watching him play with JT. He's got some sick hands and has created some passing plays we haven't seen here from another other than JT. That top line has been fantastic.

Agreed. In there end, there's nothing to be solved by worrying about it. He'll either be signed, traded, or leave for nothing. If snow doesn't do one of the first two options then it'll be time to freak out. Until then, I enjoy watching him play with JT. He's got some sick hands and has created some passing plays we haven't seen here from another other than JT. That top line has been fantastic.
- Isles_since_6

At times it's been all we've had to enjoy. Enjoy it while we can and hopefully it works out for us. If it doesn't we've been through worse.

Vanek's comments to NHL.com suggest he's wide open. He stated "he could definitely see" resigning with the Isles but kept it non commital otherwise.

While I think MN is a big possiblity, I think the assumptions that he ends up there are way overblown too. You have to first assume that he's actually in Minnesota's plans.

As far as the $$..I'm pretty sure the Isles will be in a position to offer more than most competitors and JT won't be a hinderance, in fact he'd likely lead the charge.
- keaner17

While the Wild have been hoping Vanek would not have to be in their plans, due to the amount of money it will take to sign him, I do not see how he cannot be in their plans. So far, the youngsters have not shown that they can consistently provide secondary scoring and the team overall cannot score for the life of them. The fans and owner want to see an exciting team, capable of putting up more than 2 goals a game...and unfortunately, Vanek gives this team the best chance to accomplish that. I am just very wary about locking up a guy at this stage in his career to a long, mega-bucks contract. Like a previous post stated; Heatley has (frank)ed this team so badly with his deteriorating play that most hockey fans out here hope the Islanders lock him up so we do not have to fall victim twice.
I think he stays put.

While the Wild have been hoping Vanek would not have to be in their plans, due to the amount of money it will take to sign him, I do not see how he cannot be in their plans. So far, the youngsters have not shown that they can consistently provide secondary scoring and the team overall cannot score for the life of them. The fans and owner want to see an exciting team, capable of putting up more than 2 goals a game...and unfortunately, Vanek gives this team the best chance to accomplish that. I am just very wary about locking up a guy at this stage in his career to a long, mega-bucks contract. Like a previous post stated; Heatley has (frank)ed this team so badly with his deteriorating play that most hockey fans out here hope the Islanders lock him up so we do not have to fall victim twice.
I think he stays put.
- SotaPopinski

If Vanek does hit the FA market, is there pressure in MINN to make sure that they sign him?

If Vanek does hit the FA market, is there pressure in MINN to make sure that they sign him?
- Ur Not Me

A ton of pressure. The sellouts will still come, but the overall feel of disinterest and frustration surrounding this team is growing by the week.

A ton of pressure. The sellouts will still come, but the overall feel of disinterest and frustration surrounding this team is growing by the week.
- SotaPopinski

If that's the case, and say Isles management could not sign Vanek before deadline, would it be wise for possibly MINN trying to trade for him regardless of outcome of the Wilds season? Getting Vanek in MINN early could help get a hometown discount instead of the other teams driving up the bidding in FA.

Fletcher would have to over-pay bc Snow will be begged to take Heatley back bc of cap reasons.

If that's the case, and say Isles management could not sign Vanek before deadline, would it be wise for possibly MINN trying to trade for him regardless of outcome of the Wilds season? Getting Vanek in MINN early could help get a hometown discount instead of the other teams driving up the bidding in FA.

Fletcher would have to over-pay bc Snow will be begged to take Heatley back bc of cap reasons.
- Ur Not Me

I think so many other teams could make a better trade offer than the Wild, though. Fletcher gave up a lot for Pommer...he will not do the same for a pending ufa in Vanek, especially when his team is rumored to be Vaneks top destination.
I cannot believe Snow has sat on his hands since the Vanek trade. Not exactly the best sales pitch to a guy that could walk after the season.

I think so many other teams could make a better trade offer than the Wild, though. Fletcher gave up a lot for Pommer...he will not do the same for a pending ufa in Vanek, especially when his team is rumored to be Vaneks top destination.
I cannot believe Snow has sat on his hands since the Vanek trade. Not exactly the best sales pitch to a guy that could walk after the season.
- SotaPopinski

I agree with the last sentence. Team is playing really good now so I'm not expecting anything. Maybe a move for a defenseman by the deadline if the team keeps up at this pace?

Vanek is good as gone. It is not like just the NYI and Minn will be interested. On july first, a dozen teams with money, and solid rosters will make him huge offers. He will break the bank. His agent will not let him sign anything prior to July 1. He'd be foolish to sign prior to being able to select from plenty of offers.
- Killinsurgents

and if he walks... he walks... so friggen what??

There was a team before him there will be a team after him.

Would we like him to stay.. of course... will we be heartbroken if he leaves... no.

XxNYIxX

and if he walks... he walks... so friggen what??

There was a team before him there will be a team after him.

Would we like him to stay.. of course... will we be heartbroken if he leaves... no.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Yep. Us islander fans have thick skin. If vanek walks none of us will leap off the ledge

Yep. Us islander fans have thick skin. If vanek walks none of us will leap off the ledge
- Cptmjl

As if we haven't experienced worse then Vanek leaving.

XxNYIxX

I strongly think that Vanek will resign with Islanders for five years.
5 years for 38.5 million. I think that will do it. Vanek stated that he likes it here in Long Island and he is amazed how close it is to NYC. He and his family always could live in Minnesota during the summer. There is nothing exciting in Minnesota besides the cold weather and snow. Heh
- ISLES1119

I think you got it right on.. I have the same feeling, but there will be have to paid top dollar specially since him and KO with JT are clicking. That line is really coming together. He def. wont be going back to Buffalo lol... MInny is not that close to a cup either so I highly doubt that he will choose that team. These guys can afford houses in both NY and Minny and Austria for that matter lol..

Hope he comes to an agreement with SNOWBLOWER sooner then later..
4 years - 37Mil -

I think you got it right on.. I have the same feeling, but there will be have to paid top dollar specially since him and KO with JT are clicking. That line is really coming together. He def. wont be going back to Buffalo lol... MInny is not that close to a cup either so I highly doubt that he will choose that team. These guys can afford houses in both NY and Minny and Austria for that matter lol..

Hope he comes to an agreement with SNOWBLOWER sooner then later..
4 years - 37Mil -
- NYIslesNY

9.25 a year for four years...that is a lot for a player that's not a top twenty player in the league.

XxNYIxX

I think you got it right on.. I have the same feeling, but there will be have to paid top dollar specially since him and KO with JT are clicking. That line is really coming together. He def. wont be going back to Buffalo lol... MInny is not that close to a cup either so I highly doubt that he will choose that team. These guys can afford houses in both NY and Minny and Austria for that matter lol..

Hope he comes to an agreement with SNOWBLOWER sooner then later..
4 years - 37Mil -
- NYIslesNY

He's not even close to Crosby, Malkin, Perry, Getzlaf but u wanna pay him that or more then what those guys are making?

Please stop smoking or drinking NOW!!!!

I think you got it right on.. I have the same feeling, but there will be have to paid top dollar specially since him and KO with JT are clicking. That line is really coming together. He def. wont be going back to Buffalo lol... MInny is not that close to a cup either so I highly doubt that he will choose that team. These guys can afford houses in both NY and Minny and Austria for that matter lol..

Hope he comes to an agreement with SNOWBLOWER sooner then later..
4 years - 37Mil -
- NYIslesNY

He's not even close to Crosby, Malkin, Perry, Getzlaf but u wanna pay him that or more that what those guys are making?

Please stop smoking or drinking NOW!!!!
- Ur Not Me

Or start?

and if he walks... he walks... so friggen what??

There was a team before him there will be a team after him.

Would we like him to stay.. of course... will we be heartbroken if he leaves... no.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Not if; when. And your right...so friggin what! Thanks for Moulson, and the 1st and 2nd, Garth.

Not if; when. And your right...so friggin what! Thanks for Moulson, and the 1st and 2nd, Garth.
- Killinsurgents

I'm assuming you're one of the people that knows Vanek personally.