[quote=Danformo]I Read somewhere yesterday that the last 3 years in the playoffs, the Rangers 1st round matchup was against a team missing their starting goalie
(frank)ing rags...

Obviously why the Rangers dominated the Flyers tonight, love the hate and have fun drafting 5th.

Some great games tonight

I Read somewhere yesterday that the last 3 years in the playoffs, the Rangers 1st round matchup was against a team missing their starting goalie.

(frank)ing rags...
- Danformo

The Rag$ are a better team than the Flyers in my opinion- more consistent, anyway. I think they'd beat Philly, even with Mason. Of course, that'll be the end of their run, as usual.

I'd consider Camelleri Vrbata or Callahan
- Dan Petriw

These are Quality FA's, you are aiming to high for Snow's standards...



Think more reasonable please (garbage sense)

These are Quality FA's, you are aiming to high for Snow's standards...



Think more reasonable please (garbage sense)
- Ur Not Me

Heatley. From 50-goal scorer, to game-1 healthy scratch for Minnesota, to Isles next first-line reclamation project?

Not the rest of the hockey world... just this board.

I could care less what they make.

Not my money... I just want NHL players on this team.

Streit Hamonic

Vis De Haan

Amac Strait
- jimmc7722

jimmy, come on man!!!

is there a worse cop-out in a sports discussion then the old "its not my money" fallback??? come on

Heatley. From 50-goal scorer, to game-1 healthy scratch for Minnesota, to Isles next first-line reclamation project?
- UIF

They better not even think about it. Lee should be on that first line. Use money on a goalie and D. The forwards are not an issue.

They better not even think about it. Lee should be on that first line. Use money on a goalie and D. The forwards are not an issue.
- ses111

I don't think Lee should be there. Guy's played a grand total of 24 games and now he's a lock for the first line?

I agree- I think Schneider is their bright spot. I mostly see a bunch of old men and mediocre young players. The only thing that makes them good is their system. We swap coaches with them, and we'd finish WAY ahead of them, with the same players. No question in my mind about that.
- dcb1

who exactly are the old men you are referring to? jagr? the same jagr everyone would want to sign with the isles this coming year? zidlicky? as an islander fan, id be thrilled if they got him to be that veteran presence--hes gonna resign as well as jagr.

larsson is gonna be good...we all know that...sprinkle in 2 (defensive) top 50 nhl prospects in merrill and gelinas (not to mention Damon Severson who is also in the top 50- again another defensive prospect) and thats already 4 fantastic defensemen going into next season; greene being the 4th. thats a YOUNG top 4 with good veteran presence.

between zidlicky, fayne, salvador, volchenkov rounding out the top 6 guys, that is going to be one of the best defenses in the league...already was this past season.

isles have a much better offense, but in my opinion building a strong defensive system and having a goalie you can count on is much more difficult then have a good offense.

I don't think Lee should be there. Guy's played a grand total of 24 games and now he's a lock for the first line?
- UIF

when the possibility of guys like PMB, being on JTs wing, id rather roll the dice with a 24 game proven Anders Lee.

I hate everything about the Philly franchise but I am pulling hard for them to eliminate the rags early.
- mighty13duck

Not me...I actually prefer the Rags win this series. I'm blacked out through any series with the Flyers since I haven't bought fast Eddie's comcast cable package. The only team I hate more than the Rags are the Flyers.

Heatley. From 50-goal scorer, to game-1 healthy scratch for Minnesota, to Isles next first-line reclamation project?
- UIF

That was my suggestion a month or two ago. I think pairing him with JT could be the tonic to get him back on course and motivated, while he'd provide a great presence on the top line.

when the possibility of guys like PMB, being on JTs wing, id rather roll the dice with a 24 game proven Anders Lee.
- LetsGoIsles

It's taken most of our young talent a few years to put it all together consistently. If we do roll the dice with a rookie on the top line, then I'm even more convinced we should ship this year's pick to Buffalo.

I don't think Lee should be there. Guy's played a grand total of 24 games and now he's a lock for the first line?
- UIF

Still Lee has shown real promise. I love the idea of adding Lee's size and skill along with JT and KO. Why give up a ton of pieces when Lee might be the answer? We've heard about kids like Lee so let's see what they got. The focus needs to be on goalies and D and not forwards.

Heatley. From 50-goal scorer, to game-1 healthy scratch for Minnesota, to Isles next first-line reclamation project?
- UIF

Your probably right or have the right type of player in mind...

Still Lee has shown real promise. I love the idea of adding Lee's size and skill along with JT and KO. Why give up a ton of pieces when Lee might be the answer? We've heard about kids like Lee so let's see what they got. The focus needs to be on goalies and D and not forwards.
- ses111

- LetsGoIsles

Thank You! Kids like Nelson and Lee were highly touted prospects. The Isles brought them along slowly. Next year is the time to give them plenty of prime minutes in top 6 roles.

Still Lee has shown real promise. I love the idea of adding Lee's size and skill along with JT and KO. Why give up a ton of pieces when Lee might be the answer? We've heard about kids like Lee so let's see what they got. The focus needs to be on goalies and D and not forwards.
- ses111

Why would we have to "give up a ton of pieces" to gun for an FA? I agree with you that Lee's looked promising so far. But jeez, make the guy earn a spot on the first line by proving himself over a longer period and taking the spot from someone. Lee can still show what he has on a line with Frans or even Strome and Nelson.

Why would we have to "give up a ton of pieces" to gun for an FA? I agree with you that Lee's looked promising so far. But jeez, make the guy earn a spot on the first line by proving himself over a longer period and taking the spot from someone. Lee can still show what he has on a line with Frans or even Strome and Nelson.
- UIF

What FA can we sign that will be a better option that a guy with Lee's size and skill? The rebuild was about developing guys like Lee and Nelson into NHL players. They were not rushed. They need to be given bigger roles in the top 6. Makes no sense in wasting money on forwards with baggage when you have very promising young forwards.

What FA can we sign that will be a better option that a guy with Lee's size and skill? The rebuild was about developing guys like Lee and Nelson into NHL players. They were not rushed. They need to be given bigger roles in the top 6. Makes no sense in wasting money on forwards with baggage when you have very promising young forwards.
- ses111

So Lee is better than every available FA? I think this is another case of the Next Islander Rookie Savior Syndrome. I've seen it before.

edit: And "top six" is one thing. Counting on him and only him on the first line, which is the only one on the team that scores with consistency, is exactly the type of thing people will be slamming Snow about 30 games into the season if it doesn't work out. "Snow misjudged his talent again!" etc.

So Lee is better than every available FA? I think this is another case of the Next Islander Rookie Savior Syndrome. I've seen it before.
- UIF

Have you seen the FA's the Isles have been signing UIF? Lee does not have to be a savior being a line with JT and KO. If Lee looked good without JT this year, how much better will he look on JT's line next year? This is new not being on the same page with you UIF. Next year is not a Cup run year. Why not really let guys like Lee and Nelson show how good they can be?

So Lee is better than every available FA? I think this is another case of the Next Islander Rookie Savior Syndrome. I've seen it before.

edit: And "top six" is one thing. Counting on him and only him on the first line, which is the only one on the team that scores with consistency, is exactly the type of thing people will be slamming Snow about 30 games into the season if it doesn't work out. "Snow misjudged his talent again!" etc.
- UIF

I wouldn't have had an issue with Lee getting top six minutes NOW but in the larger scheme of trying to build a better team, which I think is only 3 players away from being very formidable, I think the focus shouldn't be on just improving the defense and goaltending but making the team stronger in every possible role.
So for that, I agree that Heatley would be a better choice to acquire as our top line forward than just assuming Lee is ready to take that role. If Lee then offers them no other choice but to promote him to that tope line after the first quarter of next season then win-win. That said, if the Isles can grab a player like Heatley and get him to around 35-40 goals (Very possible) with JT, while allowing Strome Lee and Nelson to perform together on say the second or third line, then this team just got a whole lot deeper and more dangerous.

Why would we have to "give up a ton of pieces" to gun for an FA? I agree with you that Lee's looked promising so far. But jeez, make the guy earn a spot on the first line by proving himself over a longer period and taking the spot from someone. Lee can still show what he has on a line with Frans or even Strome and Nelson.
- UIF

although it isnt necessarily considered "pieces" we all know how precious wangs money is, therefore i believe the focus of where it should be spent on is in goal or on the blueline, if there is some leftover (HA!) then address forward if there is value in it. otherwise im fine and confident between Nelson/Lee that one or both of them can fill that top line role.

Still Lee has shown real promise. I love the idea of adding Lee's size and skill along with JT and KO. Why give up a ton of pieces when Lee might be the answer? We've heard about kids like Lee so let's see what they got. The focus needs to be on goalies and D and not forwards.
- ses111

No one is disputing Lee's size & skill, but also why rush this kids development by thrusting him 1st line duties. All we had was a small sample size of Lee, and he'd probably can handle it but why automatically anoint him? I personally would want him to be on 3rd line w/Nelson & Strome and watch these kids develop together and earn top 6 spots.
Isles seem to have issues of how to develop kids, plus where to place them in line-up.

I wouldn't have had an issue with Lee getting top six minutes NOW but in the larger scheme of trying to build a better team, which I think is only 3 players away from being very formidable, I think the focus shouldn't be on just improving the defense and goaltending but making the team stronger in every possible role.
So for that, I agree that Heatley would be a better choice to acquire as our top line forward than just assuming Lee is ready to take that role. If Lee then offers them no other choice but to promote him to that tope line after the first quarter of next season then win-win. That said, if the Isles can grab a player like Heatley and get him to around 35-40 goals (Very possible) with JT, while allowing Strome Lee and Nelson to perform together on say the second or third line, then this team just got a whole lot deeper and more dangerous.
- keaner17

while this is all true...it is 100% unrealistic...you can actually expect a top tier goalie, a top 4 and danny heatley to all sign during the offseason. so many issues expecting that.
1) money money money
2) all 3 of those "players" will WANT TO sign here...past has shown that LI isnt the easiest sell
3) in recent history how many teams have gone out and gotten 3 really important players during the offseason via free agency?...it just doesnt happen.