are we starting this again???

can we let the offseason play out before we assume the defense we have today is the defense thatll be on opening night?
- LetsGoIsles

I have a hard time believing it will be with the amount of forwards we have. He obviously is going to make a trade for some help on our blue line. The last time I said this was the Vanek trade. Let's hope this time it ends differently.

I have a hard time believing it will be with the amount of forwards we have. He obviously is going to make a trade for some help on our blue line. The last time I said this was the Vanek trade. Let's hope this time it ends differently.
- Cptmjl

Well at least we don't have a number one draft pick to give away

- kasperrko

Im sorry if you can't see the talent on the team and the talent coming through the system and put it all together. It doesn't surprise me thou.

XxNYIxX

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 1m
Hearing that Frans Nielsen is not and will not be in play. Garth still has plenty of assets, though. #Isles

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 1m
Hearing that Frans Nielsen is not and will not be in play. Garth still has plenty of assets, though. #Isles
- Charlie21

There ya go

Im sorry if you can't see the talent on the team and the talent coming through the system and put it all together. It doesn't surprise me thou.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I've been saying since the playoffs ended 2 seasons ago that we needed a bridge to get to the undeveloped, unquestioned potential talent that we already had in the system and I know I'm not the only one. Yesterday finally gives me an inclination to think this may finally be happening.

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 1m
Hearing that Frans Nielsen is not and will not be in play. Garth still has plenty of assets, though. #Isles
- Charlie21

He shouldn't have to trade Frans in a package for a solid, NHL defenseman. If you're talking about one of the top shelf guys, that's a different story.

He shouldn't have to trade Frans in a package for a solid, NHL defenseman. If you're talking about one of the top shelf guys, that's a different story.
- dcb1

Correct... he shouldn't have to trade him to get d help... but he has to be willing to part with him for upper echelon back end talent.

XxNYIxX

He shouldn't have to trade Frans in a package for a solid, NHL defenseman. If you're talking about one of the top shelf guys, that's a different story.
- dcb1

The only package that I can think of that made even half-sense that I would have (moot now) considered trading Frans in would have been Nielsen, 5th overall and a prospect for Brent Seabrook, because CHI needed a 2nd line center. That's the sort of caliber player I'd trade Nielsen for.

- Charlie21

Exactly....Bailey's Native American name is "Smart Like Tree"....

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 1m
Hearing that Frans Nielsen is not and will not be in play. Garth still has plenty of assets, though. #Isles
- Charlie21

this tweet doesnt mean much to me...frans is certainly not untouchable. if garth gets a deal that helps further strengthen the team and it involves frans, he will certainly pull the trigger if necessary.

The only package that I can think of that made even half-sense that I would have (moot now) considered trading Frans in would have been Nielsen, 5th overall and a prospect for Brent Seabrook, because CHI needed a 2nd line center. That's the sort of caliber player I'd trade Nielsen for.
- eichiefs9

Agreed...you have to use that chip for a talent who automatically moves our team straight up the totem pole, otherwise it's a waste of the asset. What I'm thinking is this: a defensive defenseman who can skate a little bit, who is solid in the locker room, and who helps the youngsters learn the job- for example, trading one of the 2nd tier defensive prospects, with maybe someone else (Bailey..Grabner... depending on how good the return is, how long he is signed for, etc) in exchange for a player who is on the talent level of a Stralman- a solid 5.

Im sorry if you can't see the talent on the team and the talent coming through the system and put it all together. It doesn't surprise me thou.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Just you saying that it is Garths plan. I mean it only took him 8 years of the rebuild that we were promised in 5 and not only that but depending on how the team performs with the same crap coach it could be year 9 of the rebuild

I'm not trying to minimize Fransy's importance to the team but for arguments sake, I'd say that as a second line center and key penalty killer, Frans plays the second most important role on the team so naturally he'd appear to be our second most valuable forward. That said, I think there are other forwards with better suited skillsets to his role as the second line center. As many have admitted, including yourself, Frans is a better fit and third line center than second. When looking at this team now, I think Frans is more expendable than ever.

Now I'm not suggesting we start knocking on doors looking for the first taker, but it would seem to me that Frans is at a 'sell high' point in a position that could be potentially upgraded.
- keaner17

Beyond where he happens to be slotted, he's incredibly versatile, which is why I think he's valuable...he can create offensively, put the puck in the net when he's asked to, skate well and play a smart defensive game. The only thing you can really ask more of from him is some physicality. Other than that, he's a complete player, and at center...not the easiest type of player to come by.

Beyond where he happens to be slotted, he's incredibly versatile, which is why I think he's valuable...he can create offensively, put the puck in the net when he's asked to, skate well and play a smart defensive game. The only thing you can really ask more of from him is some physicality. Other than that, he's a complete player, and at center...not the easiest type of player to come by.
- UIF

A solid third line center, with the added bonus of being a 50-60 point player. He's worth a lot- and he'd be worth a lot more if he could actually play that position, instead of the second line center position he has had to play for the last three years. I'd rather see him blanket opposing forwards and score 40 points, than have to be a second line center with some far lesser player in the spot he should be manning, because we don't have anyone else to do it.

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 1m
Hearing that Frans Nielsen is not and will not be in play. Garth still has plenty of assets, though. #Isles
- Charlie21

good, this is good

A solid third line center, with the added bonus of being a 50-60 point player. He's worth a lot- and he'd be worth a lot more if he could actually play that position, instead of the second line center position he has had to play for the last three years. I'd rather see him blanket opposing forwards and score 40 points, than have to be a second line center with some far lesser player in the spot he should be manning, because we don't have anyone else to do it.
- dcb1

Agreed. The thing is, it seems like when he's asked to stay in his comfort zone and be that shutdown defensive center, the offense flows as a result from his line. I'd love to start the season down the middle as-is with Tavares-Grabovski-Nielsen-Cizikas. Let the young guys play the wing for now, and who knows what happens as the season goes on with injuries, slumps and surges, etc.

good, this is good
- Dan Petriw

Agreed. Id rather not lose Nielsen.

I'm not against trading Frans, just if we do I want a great defensemen coming back. Not Boychuk (only one year), Leddy (overrated), etc etc.

Frans has some great value right now with his career year and the cap conditions right now.

Frans could/should fetch more then Kesler did

I'm not against trading Frans, just if we do I want a great defensemen coming back. Not Boychuk (only one year), Leddy (overrated), etc etc.

Frans has some great value right now with his career year and the cap conditions right now.

Frans could/should fetch more then Kesler did
- Danformo

i want boychuk..mabe he won't cost as much but get him in here..and pay him top pairing minutes..i reall like hwat he could add to the lineup.

i want boychuk..mabe he won't cost as much but get him in here..and pay him top pairing minutes..i reall like hwat he could add to the lineup.
- Dan Petriw

Boychuk would be a good fit for what we need, but what would Boston want for him? 2nd and a 3rd? they can't take back salary.

Boychuk would be a good fit for what we need, but what would Boston want for him? 2nd and a 3rd? they can't take back salary.
- Isles_since_6

i don't know honestly

garth on the fan at 4

Garth Snow trying to sell the host a season ticket package

i don't know honestly
- Dan Petriw

I personally think that BOS would try to trade McQuaid 1st before Boychuk even gets considered..