No . Because now I have to develop Ekbald for three to four years to play with this superstar . And I still have given away all my potential star forwards with no one to play with him . You make this sort of trade 3 years down the road when you have developed some offensive talent of your own . Irish and Sabrecat thank you for fulfilling their dreams of a instant rush to 8th for mediocre draft picks in the future . No long term success of the franchise. Do you have a Crystal ball telling you the Islanders pick will be a lottery pick . With the return of Tavares the team might not be that bad as you seem to think.
- Maximum Signal

The isles sucked this year before tavares got hurt
What makes u think they'll be better?
Not only would they have to get MAJOR production from their young kids to offset their losses, they'd also have to add players if they want to improve
The nyi pick will certainly be a lottery pick
Prob a top5 one

And u don't need to be so condescending to ppl with your "do u have a crystal ball" crap
Its obvious that that person thinks the isles won't be good

Ok, so I stopped being lazy today:

Ott/Vanek and Moulson = 58 points. Leino doesnt return = 69 points

Lets say that those that stay are 10% more productive across the board. Thats roughly 35 points.

So we need somone (or two people) to give us 34 points just to be as terrible as last year.

I think we can assume that one of Sams can contribute that much

Pick up a FA or two........we have now exceeded our production from 2013..

Now lets see how we can replace Millers 15 wins..... Enroth might be able to do that himself.....

So its probable that they won't be worse, but they probably won't be much better either.
- RynoBull

not really relevant to what you are saying.. but i think we should put whoever we draft back in the jrs. give them 9 games and send them back.. no point in wasting a year of ELC on them..

"Drafting Ekblad & then flipping a d-man isn't an unrealistic option."
Just for conversation sake, I''ll address this post with my thoughts. No, it's not unrealistic in the slightest. Will it happen? Unlikely, but never say never. I'll make a few examples using 4 different defenders we have and what I think their value is along with what I think Murray would be shooting for. Remember that his stance on our top defenders is only trading with a stellar deal in place. Let's note these are hypothetical fantasy trades where all I'm shooting for is realistic value.
- TheSabresTaco

Considering that we already have an idea of how Murray deals and what he values, I cant wait to read these proposals. Realistic value too! What do we have...

Ehrhoff & JT Compher & 2015 Buffalo 1st & 2 2nds to Colorado - Matt Duchene to Buffalo
- TheSabresTaco

Myers & Isles 2015 1st (likely) to Washington - Evgeny Kuznetsov to Buffalo
- TheSabresTaco

Pysyk & 2 2nds (14 Buf & 15 NYI) to Edmonton - David Perron to Buffalo
- TheSabresTaco

McCabe & St Louis 2015 1st & Buffalo 2014 2nd to Tampa Bay - Andrey Vasilevskiy to Buffalo
- TheSabresTaco

The isles sucked this year before tavares got hurt
What makes u think they'll be better?
Not only would they have to get MAJOR production from their young kids to offset their losses, they'd also have to add players if they want to improve
The nyi pick will certainly be a lottery pick
Prob a top5 one
And u don't need to be so condescending to ppl with your "do u have a crystal ball" crap
Its obvious that that person thinks the isles won't be good
- jdfitz77

There is no guarantee this happens. They made the playoffs the year before.

I don't need a debate on their roster either, I can't imagine Murray is thinking it's a for sure top 5 pick either.

There is no guarantee this happens. They made the playoffs the year before.

I don't need a debate on their roster either, I can't imagine Murray is thinking it's a for sure top 5 pick either.
- sbroads24

Nothing is guaranteed
But it is HIGHLY likely that without significant changes this years nyi team will be similar to last years version
Their roster is significantly worse then when they made the playoffs
Murray most certainly is estimating where he thinks that 2015 pick will be
He's not going to operate this off season in a bubble

The isles sucked this year before tavares got hurt
What makes u think they'll be better?
Not only would they have to get MAJOR production from their young kids to offset their losses, they'd also have to add players if they want to improve
The nyi pick will certainly be a lottery pick
Prob a top5 one

And u don't need to be so condescending to ppl with your "do u have a crystal ball" crap
Its obvious that that person thinks the isles won't be good
- jdfitz77

Get over Ekblad ! 2 seasons ago the Islanders were in the playoffs . They had an off year . Tavares will be back . Strome is coming up . Lots of players developed without Tavares at the end of the year. They sign a couple free Agents and they could be fighting for the 8th spot again . I don't want to bank on hoping the Islanders suck next year , what if they don't and their pick is in the teens instead of the top five as you are predicting . Now we have to wait another year to get a you notch forward in the fold . We have lots of defense prospects . we need people that can score now !!!

Nothing is guaranteed
But it is HIGHLY likely that without significant changes this years nyi team will be similar to last years version
Their roster is significantly worse then when they made the playoffs
Murray most certainly is estimating where he thinks that 2015 pick will be
He's not going to operate this off season in a bubble
- jdfitz77

And you know they won't make changes ? Wang is trying to sell the team . What if he decides to make it attractive to buyers with on ice talent . You cannot bank on them sucking again to placate those of you in love with the exceptional one !

Get over Ekblad ! 2 seasons ago the Islanders were in the playoffs . They had an off year . Tavares will be back . Strome is coming up . Lots of players developed without Tavares at the end of the year. They sign a couple free Agents and they could be fighting for the 8th spot again . I don't want to bank on hoping the Islanders suck next year , what if they don't and their pick is in the teens instead of the top five as you are predicting . Now we have to wait another year to get a you notch forward in the fold . We have lots of defense prospects . we need people that can score now !!!
- Maximum Signal

Then we will draft another Drew Stafford, have someone of Derek Roy's caliber centering him, and we will be an average team. But hey, at least we have Shea Weber Jr.

And you know they won't make changes ? Wang is trying to sell the team . What if he decides to make it attractive to buyers with on ice talent . You cannot bank on them sucking again to placate those of you in love with the exceptional one !
- Maximum Signal

Nobody wants to go to the Isles.... Just like nobody wants to go to Buffalo.

Going to the game in Rochester. What is a great place to eat that we dont have in Buffalo?

Going to the game in Rochester. What is a great place to eat that we dont have in Buffalo?
- Buffalo-Sabres

My ex-gf's house....

Get over Ekblad ! 2 seasons ago the Islanders were in the playoffs . They had an off year . Tavares will be back . Strome is coming up . Lots of players developed without Tavares at the end of the year. They sign a couple free Agents and they could be fighting for the 8th spot again . I don't want to bank on hoping the Islanders suck next year , what if they don't and their pick is in the teens instead of the top five as you are predicting . Now we have to wait another year to get a you notch forward in the fold . We have lots of defense prospects . we need people that can score now !!!
- Maximum Signal

I don't really wan't Ekblad, but lets be realistic. Them making the playoffs was the off year. They have mostly been a bottom 5 team for a long time, this year they were terrible again and JT was playing for most of the season, and they won't have a couple of their other players this year (like moulson/vanek). Lets not forget that when they made the playoffs that one time, it was in a shortened season. I can't think of another bad team that made the playoffs that year and lost in the first round and missed it this year.

My ex-gf's house....
- jochfr

I meant a clean place

My ex-gf's house....
- jochfr

- dadeadhead

That was pretty funny

Get over Ekblad ! 2 seasons ago the Islanders were in the playoffs . They had an off year . Tavares will be back . Strome is coming up . Lots of players developed without Tavares at the end of the year. They sign a couple free Agents and they could be fighting for the 8th spot again . I don't want to bank on hoping the Islanders suck next year , what if they don't and their pick is in the teens instead of the top five as you are predicting . Now we have to wait another year to get a you notch forward in the fold . We have lots of defense prospects . we need people that can score now !!!
- Maximum Signal

Why do we "need ppl that can score NOW"?
Do u not realize we are gonna stink next year?
We are developing a team that can compete for years
"That doesn't happen overnight" -Tim Murray

If the isles are banking on those kids to make them a better team, its certainly possible... but not likely right away
Strome, Reinhardt, etc have barely sniffed the NHL
Its gonna take them time to replace the guys NyI lost
Plus, its gonna be hard for them to sign quality UFAs
And they need a goalie!

Could ALL these things happen?
Sure... but its pretty unlikely
And no, I don't have a crystal ball that tells me that
I just have common sense

I meant a clean place
- Buffalo-Sabres

She's clean, that's why we're not together anymore.

I don't really wan't Ekblad, but lets be realistic. Them making the playoffs was the off year. They have mostly been a bottom 5 team for a long time, this year they were terrible again and JT was playing for most of the season, and they won't have a couple of their other players this year (like moulson/vanek). Lets not forget that when they made the playoffs that one time, it was in a shortened season. I can't think of another bad team that made the playoffs that year and lost in the first round and missed it this year.
- Herzeleid

One Star player like JT can will a team to mediocrity . The gave the Penguins a tough time in the playoffs. I do not want to stake our future on something we have no control over . Who knows who goes there . Wang could open up the check book . Plus players might find it attractive playing Brooklyn now

Why do we "need ppl that can score NOW"?
Do u not realize we are gonna stink next year?
We are developing a team that can compete for years
"That doesn't happen overnight" -Tim Murray

If the isles are banking on those kids to make them a better team, its certainly possible... but not likely right away
Strome, Reinhardt, etc have barely sniffed the NHL
Its gonna take them time to replace the guys NyI lost
Plus, its gonna be hard for them to sign quality UFAs
And they need a goalie!

Could ALL these things happen?
Sure... but its pretty unlikely
And no, I don't have a crystal ball that tells me that
I just have common sense
- jdfitz77

They will score at some point , More than Ekbald will.
We have great defensive prospects . Time for offensive prospects
Get over Ekbald . He is not the next Bobby Orr!
No you don't have common sense , you want the shiny new truck even though you already have some good trucks
Time to add some sports cars to our collection.

What if The islanders even get a little better . I still do not like banking our future on now a 10 -15 pick .Ekbald is not what we need . can you please understand that.

And you know they won't make changes ? Wang is trying to sell the team . What if he decides to make it attractive to buyers with on ice talent . You cannot bank on them sucking again to placate those of you in love with the exceptional one !
- Maximum Signal

If u weren't so closed minded to the idea that we might have Ekblad #1 on the board...
Maybe u would see that I have said NUMEROUS times I'd take Reinhardt
I just don't think picking a stud defenseman is yge end of the world like u do
How do u KNOW that Wang will make major changes to make the NYI better?
Please tell me about all the teams that go out and spend BIG $$$ to attract free agents right before they sell the team?
That's stupid
1) prospective owners won't want to be burdened with big $$$ long term contracts
2) Wang would pay all that $$$ up front in signing bonuses to then sell the team right after? NO CHANCE would he increase the sale value of the team enough to make up for all that upfront $$$

Did Nashville?
How about Atlanta? What about Phoenix?
Has any team EVER made moves like that right before they sold the team?

And thats assuming they could even get substantial free agents to go there, that's a BIG if

If u weren't so closed minded to the idea that we might have Ekblad #1 on the board...
Maybe u would see that I have said NUMEROUS times I'd take Reinhardt
I just don't think picking a stud defenseman is yge end of the world like u do
How do u KNOW that Wang will make major changes to make the NYI better?
Please tell me about all the teams that go out and spend BIG $$$ to attract free agents right before they sell the team?
That's stupid
1) prospective owners won't want to be burdened with big $$$ long term contracts
2) Wang would pay all that $$$ up front in signing bonuses to then sell the team right after? NO CHANCE would he increase the sale value of the team enough to make up for all that upfront $$$

Did Nashville?
How about Atlanta? What about Phoenix?
Has any team EVER made moves like that right before they sold the team?

And thats assuming they could even get substantial free agents to go there, that's a BIG if
- jdfitz77

Close minded !!!
I want what we need to move forward with the rebuild . Great lets grab another defense man and be Nashville . can't argue with all their success.

You have no idea what Wang is going to do and neither does anyone else . I do not want to bank our future on it. It is still a professional sports franchise in New York City . He sweetens it up and he might be able to sell it easier. Easier to sell a winner than a loser !

Close minded !!!
I want what we need to move forward with the rebuild . Great lets grab another defense man and be Nashville . can't argue with all their success.

You have no idea what Wang is going to do and neither does anyone else . I do not want to bank our future on it. It is still a professional sports franchise in New York City . He sweetens it up and he might be able to sell it easier. Easier to sell a winner than a loser !
- Maximum Signal

Do people really believe we are locked in to take 2 top 5 picks in 2015?

Im guessing these same people knew that 2 of the 3 teams picking top 3 in 2013 would be in the playoffs this season

Do people really believe we are locked in to take 2 top 5 picks in 2015?

Im guessing these same people knew that 2 of the 3 teams picking top 3 in 2013 would be in the playoffs this season
- sbroads24

I guess . The power of the exceptional one makes their crystal ball work better. I don't want to put our future in the hands of Wang and Snow . No telling what those two might do.

Anything good going on tonight ?

I guess . The power of the exceptional one makes their crystal ball work better. I don't want to put our future in the hands of Wang and Snow . No telling what those two might do.
- Maximum Signal

I want the islanders to miss the playoffs and win the lottery for us .