It is, but one thing Murray does, above all else, is have teams play the way he wants.

But sometimes, just like Laviolette at the end, the players you have aren't totally suited to doing what you want, so you have to find ways to incorporate what they can do

The fact that Akeson continues to score like he does down there...somebody should give that kid a look, just to see...he's the only guy down there who has put up numbers under Murray except for Baby Schenn and Couturier, during the lockout
- AllInForFlyers

If Murray can just teach the players down there discipline, and defensive responsibility that would be good by me. Wins/losses isn't that important at the level imo. Or I should say it's not important to me as a fan.

They really don't have the talent to score much. Most of the guys on the Phantoms under Murray are no better than 3rd/4th line prospects at the NHL level, and they're not exactly locks to even be that.

Common fallacy about Murray is that he's a defense only guy...He coached 15 years in NHL and in 11 of them, his teams were in the top ten in goals scored.
- Jsaquella

I do think he changed over the years, though, began locking it down more after the lack of success in the playoffs.

His last two years in LA...they were nothing like his last years in Philly, as far as system.

If Murray can just teach the players down there discipline, and defensive responsibility that would be good by me. Wins/losses isn't that important at the level imo. Or I should say it's not important to me as a fan.
- PLindbergh31

The wins and losses are relatively unimportant to me, as well, and I do want them to learn how to play defense, and I do think Murray is great at that.

But it is a little concerning that even on a roster of limited talent, one forward, plus Tye McGinn, can score. Again, I'm not saying Nick Cousins is a great prospect, but neither he nor Petr Straka can score?

They aren't 6th or 7th rounders; Straka's a former 2nd, Cousins a 3rd...

After the junior seasons they had last year, neither can score at all?

It just seems a little odd, a little concerning.

Just curious, but are you trying to suggest that coaching is the only reason that the Islanders are in last in the Metro?
- BiggE

No. It's definitely a big reason amongst terrible goaltending and defense. Most of this board was saying how great amac is with you guys and was misused by us. Whose fault would that be? Can't have it both ways...

There was actually a contingent of Isles fans that believed this. I was not one of them. When a player is coughing up the puck two minutes into a game against the opposing teams third line it's hard to have perspective and think it was a inutes thing. I would have rather him be on the third pairing of course but the way he was playing I just wanted him gone.
- Cptmjl

I think it's pretty clear with how he has played as a Flyer, that contingent of Isles fans had it right. One play or turnover in a Hockey Season, doesn't define a player.

Yeah, Bourne just wrote a piece to that very point:

http://blogs.thescore.com...est-utilize-their-roster/
- Tomahawk

That story is exactly what I'm talking about.

Let me ask you this.... Since your dodging the other question... Which draft pick would you rather the Islanders forfeit to the Sabres..?

This years will likely be a top 5 pick, but in a weak draft... But 2015 is going to be a really deep draft, and knowing the islanders they will finish last or in the lottery if they forefit this pick and lose out on McDavid...

So which would you rather them give up?
- SchennBros

Not intentionally. What question was that? As far as the pick is concerned I feel if it's 5 or higher he gives it to the Sabres but he'll obviously wait till the lottery to decide. As far as where we finish that is on Snow and what he can do in the offseason. If he feels he can get a legit tender and a top 4 D man and be competent enough to bring in a new coaching staff then he along with every Islander fan would feel more comfortable keeping this yrs pick.

No. It's definitely a big reason amongst terrible goaltending and defense. Most of this board was saying how great amac is with you guys and was misused by us. Whose fault would that be? Can't have it both ways...
- Cptmjl

I think most of us don't understand why the Isles seemed so eager to get rid of him instead of sign him. Just because he's not a top pairing defenseman doesn't mean he's not worth retaining. The guy has fit in as a top 4 dman on a (hopefully) playoff team.

27 year old two-way, top 4 dmen don't grow on trees.

I think it's pretty clear with how he has played as a Flyer, that contingent of Isles fans had it right. One play or turnover in a Hockey Season, doesn't define a player.
- MJL

It doesn't you are correct. If that were the case our feelings would probably be different but due to it being every night and at times every shift most of us have the opinion we do. I guess the flip side of what you said could be 15 games doesn't define a player either... I wouldn't be so quick to say who was right. He is playing for a team now that is firing on all cylinders.

I think most of us don't understand why the Isles seemed so eager to get rid of him instead of sign him. Just because he's not a top pairing defenseman doesn't mean he's not worth retaining. The guy has fit in as a top 4 dman on a (hopefully) playoff team.

27 year old two-way, top 4 dmen don't grow on trees.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm an Islander fan, believe me I 100% agree with this sentiment. With that said we did not see that from amac save for his first season. After hearing his refusal to sign a 4mil four yr contract that sealed his fate as far as I was concerned. I have no sour grapes, I wish him the best. I'm happy he's no longer with us and you guys seem happy to have him. All is good in the world.

Not intentionally. What question was that? As far as the pick is concerned I feel if it's 5 or higher he gives it to the Sabres but he'll obviously wait till the lottery to decide. As far as where we finish that is on Snow and what he can do in the offseason. If he feels he can get a legit tender and a top 4 D man and be competent enough to bring in a new coaching staff then he along with every Islander fan would feel more comfortable keeping this yrs pick.
- Cptmjl

The Question was..."You have yet to tell us how you feel about Garth Snow turning Moulson, 1st, 2nd, 5th into a conditional 2nd and prospect... "

I know, I was actually the first one on this thread to say the same thing. And then he has to bring up Wade Redden after I said that, so, it goes on.
- jimbro83

Yes, but the Rangers kept overspending for past their prime players, creating a team of names and kept MISSING THE PLAYOFFS. hahahahaha
There's a huge difference.

I'm an Islander fan, believe me I 100% agree with this sentiment. With that said we did not see that from amac save for his first season. After hearing his refusal to sign a 4mil four yr contract that sealed his fate as far as I was concerned. I have no sour grapes, I wish him the best. I'm happy he's no longer with us and you guys seem happy to have him. All is good in the world.
- Cptmjl

You talk about adding a top 4 dman. Look at the market. Its Niskanen, Amac, Markov, Boyle and Timonen. Niskanen and Amac are out of your price range and the other 3 are veterans who will be looking for a team ready to win a cup now. Timonen will either be a Flyer or retire.

I'm an Islander fan, believe me I 100% agree with this sentiment. With that said we did not see that from amac save for his first season. After hearing his refusal to sign a 4mil four yr contract that sealed his fate as far as I was concerned. I have no sour grapes, I wish him the best. I'm happy he's no longer with us and you guys seem happy to have him. All is good in the world.
- Cptmjl

Are you happy with the return they got for him?

The Question was..."You have yet to tell us how you feel about Garth Snow turning Moulson, 1st, 2nd, 5th into a conditional 2nd and prospect... "
- SchennBros

Yes he did. He didn't like the deal and thought they should have looked for a defenseman or goalie instead of a top line upgrade.

Edit: He doesn't like Snow either. We're all on board with this one.

It doesn't you are correct. If that were the case our feelings would probably be different but due to it being every night and at times every shift most of us have the opinion we do. I guess the flip side of what you said could be 15 games doesn't define a player either... I wouldn't be so quick to say who was right. He is playing for a team now that is firing on all cylinders.
- Cptmjl

I think that is an exaggerration of MacDonald's play. It's pretty clear how good of a defenseman he is. Obviously there is a bias there for some reason. It's the Isles loss.

The Question was..."You have yet to tell us how you feel about Garth Snow turning Moulson, 1st, 2nd, 5th into a conditional 2nd and prospect... "
- SchennBros

Dude. You're trolling.

Just stop.

Yes, but the Rangers kept overspending for past their prime players, creating a team of names and kept MISSING THE PLAYOFFS. hahahahaha
There's a huge difference.
- KINGKENZO

Really? This topic died hours ago... We have collectively moved onto the Islanders... There is nothing interesting going on with the Rangers today...

Dude. You're trolling.

Just stop.
- Giroux_Is_God

I wasnt really trolling. And I didn't see him answer the question in other talks. What I was getting at was if he was ready to move on from Snow.

Not a troll. Besides... i'm in a Flyers forum.

Hextall, 88-89
- BiggE

Cechmanek for three straight years if we're just talking about the regular season.

http://www.goaliesarchive...om/flyers/yearbyyear.html

I'm an Islander fan, believe me I 100% agree with this sentiment. With that said we did not see that from amac save for his first season. After hearing his refusal to sign a 4mil four yr contract that sealed his fate as far as I was concerned. I have no sour grapes, I wish him the best. I'm happy he's no longer with us and you guys seem happy to have him. All is good in the world.
- Cptmjl

Every player is gonna want to be overpaid to play for the islanders. If a player asking for too much money is a gamebreaker, you will never sign a free agent.

I wasnt really trolling. And I didn't see him answer the question in other talks. What I was getting at was if he was ready to move on from Snow.

Not a troll. Besides... i'm in a Flyers forum.
- SchennBros

You should back read because he's mentioned a few times about his lack of trust in Snow and the coach. He's ready to move on from both.

I have zero problem w/ AMac at his current salary, in his current 4-5 swing role.
- Tomahawk

He's already the #3/4 in terms of ice time per game, and is playing as much at ES as Coburn.

I wasnt really trolling. And I didn't see him answer the question in other talks. What I was getting at was if he was ready to move on from Snow.

Not a troll. Besides... i'm in a Flyers forum.
- SchennBros

He said it like three times. At this point it seems like you're just going "HEY HEY. HE REALLY (frank)ED UP THAT VANEK THING DIDN'T HE? DIDN'T HE?! LOLOLOLOL"

who's in net tonight for the Rags?