Hearing vanek s quote yesterday really does have me believe he wants to stay. He took it personally and I think after the blatant disrespect he wants to be a part of this teams turn around... He just sounded really passionate and upset. He sounded like an islander right there. I think that blown call makes him consider staying here believe it or not. He now sees what this team has to go through and wants to make a difference...
- Dedshark

I loved hearing that too, made it seem that he's emotionally invested in the isles. That being said, it also may open his eyes to the BS this franchise runs into and may compel him to leave. At the end of the day, this could be Vanek's last shot at UFA. He's gotta be certain that he wants to stay an islander. If he's not, he owes it to himself to test UFA. He owes the isles nothing other than to play as well as he has been. I hope he stays. It would be a shame to break up that line.

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

Always sad when a friend passes, We lost one of our friends, just 2 weeks ago, she was 49 yrs young.

I loved hearing that too, made it seem that he's emotionally invested in the isles. That being said, it also may open his eyes to the BS this franchise runs into and may compel him to leave. At the end of the day, this could be Vanek's last shot at UFA. He's gotta be certain that he wants to stay an islander. If he's not, he owes it to himself to test UFA. He owes the isles nothing other than to play as well as he has been. I hope he stays. It would be a shame to break up that line.
- Jethro09

It would, been great to watch those guys play together. Snow was right in his assumption that they would have great chemistry.

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

Very sorry for your loss Dan.

I loved hearing that too, made it seem that he's emotionally invested in the isles. That being said, it also may open his eyes to the BS this franchise runs into and may compel him to leave. At the end of the day, this could be Vanek's last shot at UFA. He's gotta be certain that he wants to stay an islander. If he's not, he owes it to himself to test UFA. He owes the isles nothing other than to play as well as he has been. I hope he stays. It would be a shame to break up that line.
- Jethro09

This was my concern as well. He didn't want to take one of the largest contracts in NHL history to stay with Buffalo because he didn't want to 'start over'. That means Vanek wants to be somewhere established that will win. It may seem like an uphill battle in his eyes seeing that the Isles still need to develop a few players to be a real contender all the while building for respect from around the league.

Regardless, Vanek's comments almost made his tenure here worth it, as a respected player only here for a short time and possibly just passing through, acknowledged something we 'paranoid' fans have said for years. Maybe he's just feeding the frenzy, but for those of us who've watched Toronto seemingly almost always rule against us on close calls, Campbell's obvious anti Isles bias in suspensions etc, it certainly gives reasons to keep the foil hats on for some.

I still say that Vanek will wait and see how things pan out with MN, but ultimately the Isles are more than just a serious contender to him. Each day that passes, each game with KO and JT make his departure all the harder for him. With comments like he made, it also will make him all the more popular with fans here which may make his stay even more 'comfy'

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

My condolences Dan...

Do you think Nelson and Strome are ready to be the #2 and #3 centers?
- kear20

I personally think Nelson is ready to be the #2 C on this team. His best position is C and he adds size & smarts in just his rookie season.
Grant it, the kid could have a sophomore slump next year, but I just don't see the kid being phased on what he's endured so far this season. This will only make Nelson hungrier and determined for next year.
Like I've mentioned in prior posts or past, Nelson in the next budding STAR on this team, and we are all watching him grow-up in front of us.

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

Condolences Dan....

I personally think Nelson is ready to be the #2 C on this team. His best position is C and he adds size & smarts in just his rookie season.
Grant it, the kid could have a sophomore slump next year, but I just don't see the kid being phased on what he's endured so far this season. This will only make Nelson hungrier and determined for next year.
Like I've mentioned in prior posts or past, Nelson in the next budding STAR on this team, and we are all watching him grow-up in front of us.
- Ur Not Me

I'd be fine with Brock taking over the 2C position on this team. Considering Strome is pretty much ready to never go back to the AHL again either, I think it would be worth considering having a 2A and 2B line which would hand out true second line duties based on the opponent.

I also think this makes Nielsen expendable. While he's had a great year and has been a damn fine Islander, I think both Nelson and Strome will be far more valuable to the team in the coming years at that center position and it could be a 'sell high' time for Frans.

I'd be fine with Brock taking over the 2C position on this team. Considering Strome is pretty much ready to never go back to the AHL again either, I think it would be worth considering having a 2A and 2B line which would hand out true second line duties based on the opponent.

I also think this makes Nielsen expendable. While he's had a great year and has been a damn fine Islander, I think both Nelson and Strome will be far more valuable to the team in the coming years at that center position and it could be a 'sell high' time for Frans.
- keaner17

I agree on all points keaner. Trade Frans now with his value this high.

I agree on all points keaner. Trade Frans now with his value this high.
- ses111

It could make more sense for an offseason trade since we're still trying to get in, but I think this certainly should be considered.

It could make more sense for an offseason trade since we're still trying to get in, but I think this certainly should be considered.
- keaner17

I agree. I do not see a trade for Frans now. If the Isles strike out in FA for goalies maybe you trade Frans for a goalie?

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

Sorry to hear this man

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

Condolences, brother...

Thank you for all the kind words

I loved hearing that too, made it seem that he's emotionally invested in the isles. That being said, it also may open his eyes to the BS this franchise runs into and may compel him to leave. At the end of the day, this could be Vanek's last shot at UFA. He's gotta be certain that he wants to stay an islander. If he's not, he owes it to himself to test UFA. He owes the isles nothing other than to play as well as he has been. I hope he stays. It would be a shame to break up that line.
- Jethro09

That's why I've been saying that if we're going to keep him, he's going to get paid a LOT of money for a LONG time. I just hope that the genius in the office who made that trade understood that when he made it, and didn't think he was going to be able to talk Vanek into something else.

I would leave Nelson right where he is for now on the third line. Those three have real chemistry and I wouldn't touch a thing. I think Nelson has 25-30 goal potential and if you can get that from a third line center you are in good shape. I'm not ready to move frans yet.. Maybe put Strome on his wing because Nielsen could use some talent to play with

I'd be fine with Brock taking over the 2C position on this team. Considering Strome is pretty much ready to never go back to the AHL again either, I think it would be worth considering having a 2A and 2B line which would hand out true second line duties based on the opponent.

I also think this makes Nielsen expendable. While he's had a great year and has been a damn fine Islander, I think both Nelson and Strome will be far more valuable to the team in the coming years at that center position and it could be a 'sell high' time for Frans.
- keaner17

That's one of my issues w/Snow. Knowing who is a part of future and evaluating talent. Snow has held onto players thinking that they have turned the corner, but unfortunately have not, and he loses his chance to sell high.
I personally think that if you can receive a good/better return for a player, u take the risk bc your only trying to improve your team.

I would leave Nelson right where he is for now on the third line. Those three have real chemistry and I wouldn't touch a thing. I think Nelson has 25-30 goal potential and if you can get that from a third line center you are in good shape. I'm not ready to move frans yet.. Maybe put Strome on his wing because Nielsen could use some talent to play with
- Dan Petriw

If this season is a failure, you have to try to explore how to make this team better in the future bc NO FA will sign here....
Unfortunately the trade route is Snow's only option, unless of course Isles keeping signing scrap heap guys again.....

I'd be fine with Brock taking over the 2C position on this team. Considering Strome is pretty much ready to never go back to the AHL again either, I think it would be worth considering having a 2A and 2B line which would hand out true second line duties based on the opponent.

I also think this makes Nielsen expendable. While he's had a great year and has been a damn fine Islander, I think both Nelson and Strome will be far more valuable to the team in the coming years at that center position and it could be a 'sell high' time for Frans.
- keaner17

I'd buy that IF Snow could get something they specifically need in exchange for him. It's not a question of selling before someone figures out that he sucks, for as high a draft pick as you can get, as is the case with MacDonald. The reason I'm not just selling Nielsen to sell him is because this team is bad enough defensively without having two rookies and a second year player at center ice, not to mention the fact that, to me, the two flaws in JT's game are overall defense, and faceoffs- especially faceoffs in the defensive zone. If I could trade Nielsen out of conference in some sort of package for a one/two defenseman or a top shelf goalie, as long as the player coming back is signed for at least the next two or three years, I'd do it. Otherwise, I think I'd hold on to him until it's clear that he isn't really needed anymore.

I would leave Nelson right where he is for now on the third line. Those three have real chemistry and I wouldn't touch a thing. I think Nelson has 25-30 goal potential and if you can get that from a third line center you are in good shape. I'm not ready to move frans yet.. Maybe put Strome on his wing because Nielsen could use some talent to play with
- Dan Petriw

Nielsen with Regin is becoming harder to watch with every game. That line was terrible on saturday.

That's one of my issues w/Snow. Knowing who is a part of future and evaluating talent. Snow has held onto players thinking that they have turned the corner, but unfortunately have not, and he loses his chance to sell high.
I personally think that if you can receive a good/better return for a player, u take the risk bc your only trying to improve your team.
- Ur Not Me

We had Milbury trading all the young talent away and no we have to hold on to all the young talent no matter what. No happy medium with this team.

Nielsen with Regin is becoming harder to watch with every game. That line was terrible on saturday.
- Cptmjl

We should be getting a look at Lee or Sundstrom at this point over Regin.

Nielsen with Regin is becoming harder to watch with every game. That line was terrible on saturday.
- Cptmjl

Regin is a spare part, as he was in Ottawa- the only reason he is on line three right now is because they like line four the way it is, for which I don't blame them. He's filling time on that line until they can bring Strome up for good- which I would imagine should be in the next couple of days. Hopefully they can sign Vanek to an enormous, long term contract, so they'll no longer need to sign the Regins of the world to make the cap floor, as he can be replaced by pretty much anyone on the Bridgeport roster.

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't posted anything all weekend. I had a friend pass away suddenly and was dealing with that. I'll be back this afternoon with a preview of tonight's game
- Dan Petriw

My condolences Dan.