agreed. We did this last year with Donovan and it wasn't pretty. Although I see Lee being much more effective than him.
- mighty13duck

Only difference was Donovan didn't prove anything before being thrown in at least we have a small sample size with Lee

Gotcha.... What most of us will do makes to much sense
- Ur Not Me

Lol exactly... I know they will (frank) it up.. I'm using reasonable thought

Agreed. My point throughout this discussion has been that we should not conduct offseason business with the mindset that Lee is our top line RW.
- keaner17

I agree.. It took 21 pages but we are on the same page

This quote is about Mike Woodson but this should be directed at Capuano and Snow should have known this.



When coaches use injuries as a crutch, that thinking gives players an easy out. That has to change here, and the next coach here needs to adopt the Popovich/Thibodeau no-excuses approach.

Even counting all the injuries, Woodson had a terrible season. Every player regressed from a year ago.

agreed. We did this last year with Donovan and it wasn't pretty. Although I see Lee being much more effective than him.
- mighty13duck

Definitely. I think Lee has all of the attributes we want in a top six player. I just think it's silly to pencil him in as our top line winger after 24 games.

The Heatley suggestion came up on my part (after UIF mentioned him) because I don't think he's going to require a big contract. Coming here, he'd likely accept a short term at an affordable price and know it's his last chance to fight for a contract. He's been to cup final, scored nearly 400 goals and is still only 33. Contrary to popular belief, he's not an upopular guy in the lockeroom.

For a team like the Isles, who other big name players typically run from laughing, it would be a low risk acquisition. If he sucks, screw it..bury him and let Lee takeover. At least you have a contingency plan....

Definitely. I think Lee has all of the attributes we want in a top six player. I just think it's silly to pencil him in as our top line winger after 24 games.

The Heatley suggestion came up on my part (after UIF mentioned him) because I don't think he's going to require a big contract. Coming here, he'd likely accept a short term at an affordable price and know it's his last chance to fight for a contract. He's been to cup final, scored nearly 400 goals and is still only 33. Contrary to popular belief, he's not an upopular guy in the lockeroom.

For a team like the Isles, who other big name players typically run from laughing, it would be a low risk acquisition. If he sucks, screw it..bury him and let Lee takeover. At least you have a contingency plan....
- keaner17

Only problem with that is Cappy does it months after everybody else already knows he sucks and its too late

I agree.. It took 21 pages but we are on the same page
- Dan Petriw

Eh...we agreed all along on that. just not on Heatley. He's not my top choice, but given realistic scenarios, I think he'd be willing to come here. I realize you don't want him, but guys like Cammelleri and Vrbata likely don't want us.

Definitely. I think Lee has all of the attributes we want in a top six player. I just think it's silly to pencil him in as our top line winger after 24 games.

The Heatley suggestion came up on my part (after UIF mentioned him) because I don't think he's going to require a big contract. Coming here, he'd likely accept a short term at an affordable price and know it's his last chance to fight for a contract. He's been to cup final, scored nearly 400 goals and is still only 33. Contrary to popular belief, he's not an upopular guy in the lockeroom.

For a team like the Isles, who other big name players typically run from laughing, it would be a low risk acquisition. If he sucks, screw it..bury him and let Lee takeover. At least you have a contingency plan....
- keaner17

The only problem is Cappy do not like to bury Garth's FA signings until the damage is done.

Only problem with that is Cappy does it months after everybody else already knows he sucks and its too late
- Vukota

You and I had the same thoughts Vukota.

The only problem is Cappy do not like to bury Garth's FA signings until the damage is done.
- ses111

hes probably not allowed

You and I had the same thoughts Vukota.
- ses111

I saw that

hes probably not allowed
- mighty13duck

He shouldn't be allowed. Snow knows better then everybody else. Just ask him

Why are you guys even talking about the first line? Their biggest need is a goalie. Without a good goalie the season will go nowhere. Nabby will get hurt again if he's the number one guy. I'd be surprised if he can play more than 50 games. It won't matter at all who's on JT's wing.

Why are you guys even talking about the first line? Their biggest need is a goalie. Without a good goalie the season will go nowhere. Nabby will get hurt again if he's the number one guy. I'd be surprised if he can play more than 50 games. It won't matter at all who's on JT's wing.
- JimmyP

Everybody knows about the goalie situation. Nobody is saying that the 1st line winger solves their problems.

I saw that
- Vukota

I just rather not have Regin and PMB type of fall back plans this year. We saw how that worked out. I say have faith in guy like Lee and Nelson who are top prospects and who have proven themselves at all other levels so far.

I just rather not have Regin and PMB type of fall back plans this year. We saw how that worked out. I say have faith in guy like Lee and Nelson who are top prospects and who have proven themselves at all other levels so far.
- ses111

I'm with you. If you can't get a legit top winger then go with Lee over a project

He shouldn't be allowed. Snow knows better then everybody else. Just ask him
- Vukota

Cappy will be even more in the tank this year for Garth if that is possible.

Everybody knows about the goalie situation. Nobody is saying that the 1st line winger solves their problems.
- Vukota

I didn't say that. A number one LW should be the least of Snow's priorities. Look at it in terms of points. A good goalie could be a 25 point swing in the Isles favor. A number one LW would be about a 5 point swing.

Lol exactly... I know they will (frank) it up.. I'm using reasonable thought
- Dan Petriw

I didn't say that. A number one LW should be the least of Snow's priorities. Look at it in terms of points. A good goalie could be a 25 point swing in the Isles favor. A number one LW would be about a 5 point swing.
- JimmyP

I don't think anybody is disputing that.

Eh...we agreed all along on that. just not on Heatley. He's not my top choice, but given realistic scenarios, I think he'd be willing to come here. I realize you don't want him, but guys like Cammelleri and Vrbata likely don't want us.
- keaner17

Jokinen, Mason Raymond, Brian Gionta, Michalek.... I'd look at those guys as well

What's happened in the lockerroom is he's continually named a Captain and called a leader.

As for past production, there's no doubt the drop in numbers is disturbing, though I refuse to believe he suddenly went from a guy who scored 39 goals in 2010 to one who can't crack a lineup in 2014. I'm not saying this would be my top target, but certainly a guy a team in our shoes could stand to take a flyer on.
As for blocking kids. I'm also not interested in once again banking that our kids are ready to be hold vital roles on this team thus kissing next season goodbye as well. That didn't go so well this year.
- keaner17

Why? It happens sometimes.

I didn't say that. A number one LW should be the least of Snow's priorities. Look at it in terms of points. A good goalie could be a 25 point swing in the Isles favor. A number one LW would be about a 5 point swing.
- JimmyP

I don't think there's any question a goaltender is this teams number one priority. That said, based on what I saw this year, I don't think we would have had a 25 point swing. I think maybe 15 and a very good goalie with shattered confidence.

The priorites have to be:
1. Goalie
2. Dman
3. Top six forward

As I've said, I think people should temper their expectations on just how good #1 and #2 will actually be. We obviously would love a Vezna and Norris guy but will likely have to settle for a satisfactory starter and vet dman.
In my opinion, guys like Hiller & Halak are realistic targets as are Meszaros, Orpik and Niskanen...none of these guys are elite goalies or top pairing dmen, but they're decent additions. That said, Garth has already shown that he values a legit top line partner for JT, so I think he'll search for someone there too.

Why? It happens sometimes.
- Cptmjl

Not that drastically and that young. Not in the NHL. I still think he's a 25-35 goal guy.

Everybody knows about the goalie situation. Nobody is saying that the 1st line winger solves their problems.
- Vukota

Snow thought it would