Very weak of JR to single the Isles out.
- ses111

he's been spending a lot of time with Milbury.

I find it hilarious the guy who destroyed our franchise usually takes shots at us. For real Mike?

These are both excellent signings. Nothing was given up to acquire these two and it makes our depth good enough to trade another forward. Also, important to me and I'm guessing a lot of other Islander fans these are two forwards that play on both sides of the puck. Who gives a shat if Snow over payed? We all realized that's what had to be done. Maybe this will help make us a little more appealing in a trade for a D man? No, they aren't 100 pt guys but both of them are players that have the potential to help this team a great deal. Now all Snow needs to do is fire Capuano and get a veteran top 4 defenseman and we will all have something to really look forward to next season.
- Cptmjl

These are not superstar signings, but they give options and allow the Isles to trade for D without causing huge holes at forward. The contracts are not an issue for the Isles.

I would think snow will move bailey, nielson, maybe grabner. whether that's enough to get a top 4 dman under contract with term remaining...I'm not sure.
- Isles_since_6

Grabner is a big possibility. Maybe Frans. Bailey is our big value chip but Snow might not be ready to part with him. I think any move will be an economical one. I keep hearing that Reinhart is already penciled in for a spot. It could be that we package a roster dman like Hickey with Bailey or Grabs for a salary dump. We'll see.

he's been spending a lot of time with Milbury.

I find it hilarious the guy who destroyed our franchise usually takes shots at us. For real Mike?
- Isles_since_6

Milbury has some stones taking shots at anyone.

this offseason has been pretty bad for the Pens so far. Not horrible, but certainly a step back
- Isles_since_6

The only step back is the loss of Neal, cheapshot artist or not, he's a damn good player, plus only 25yrs old. Hornquist is solid and will help but he's no Neal..

Erhoff is a very good replacement for Niskanen, and they have filled their bottom 6 with some decent signings so far but just need to find another player to replace Orpik so they don't have to put much pressure on their kids at D.

Grabner is a big possibility. Maybe Frans. Bailey is our big value chip but Snow might not be ready to part with him. I think any move will be a ln economical one. I keep hearing that Reinhart is already penciled in for a spot. It could be that we package a roster dman like Hickey with Bailey or Grabs for a salary dump. We'll see.
- keaner17

Have to think Frans with the talent and contract will be a huge plus for teams. I know we are not trading for a star dman. I just hope we bring in a solid reliable top 4 guy. Hate to think of not wanting to give up Frans costs the Isles a solid top 4 dman.

I don't mind signing these 2 but what happens to Strome an Lee, hope they are not in the AHL next yr. I wanna win with the kids we drafted and who are ready.

The only step back is the loss of Neal, cheapshot artist or not, he's a damn good player, plus only 25yrs old. Hornquist is solid and will help but he's no Neal..

Erhoff is a very good replacement for Niskanen, and they have filled their bottom 6 with some decent signings so far but just need to find another player to replace Orpik so they don't have to put much pressure on their kids at D.
- Ur Not Me

greiss was a nice signing for them too. I think losing jokinen and neal combined will hurt. I also keep looking at their cap space and the number of holes. I do think they're going to be a top team, but not quite the level as last year.

Strome has the potential to be a lot IMO. I'm not saying that because he was a top five pick I'm saying it because he surprised me last year. He has a pretty well rounded game that i was completely unaware of.
- Cptmjl

I agree. Better be getting some Dman if Strome is included in a deal.

I don't mind signing these 2 but what happens to Strome an Lee, hope they are not in the AHL next yr. I wanna win with the kids we drafted and who are ready.
- gizzy77

Thats not happening unless they play their way into the AHL.

Snow doesn't sign anybody and everybody says, "They must overpay this is ridiculous already"

Snow gets two good players and overpays a little, "Snow is the worst GM ever, 5 million for those guys?"
- NYI44

Yeah, I'm done talking about the money.....it is what it is. Good signings, decent players....leaves us chips to move, as everyone is saying.

Nice experienced forwards at 30 and 27 yrs old and adds to 5 on 5 play. Got a feeling Clutterbuck may be headed back to the Western Conference but no guarantee they will trade anyone right away. Think the entire third line is demoted with addition of these two.

I don't mind signing these 2 but what happens to Strome an Lee, hope they are not in the AHL next yr. I wanna win with the kids we drafted and who are ready.
- gizzy77

Frans, or Grabner, or a combination of them with Bailey, are going to be gone. There's really no other reason to sign these two players today- we NEED a defenseman who can play. There'll be plenty of spots for those two....they'll probably be two of our best offensive players, especially Lee- he's already 23 or 24 or whatever, so he really shouldn't be in Bridgeport anymore.

Nice experienced forwards at 30 and 27 yrs old and adds to 5 on 5 play. Got a feeling Clutterbuck may be headed back to the Western Conference but no guarantee they will trade anyone right away. Think the entire third line is demoted with addition of these two.
- Fan101

Kulemin especially can probably teach the other Isles forwards how to play D. Isles do not need Kulemin or Grabovski to put up huge numbers. Grabovski should be able to add to the offense though.

I don't mind signing these 2 but what happens to Strome an Lee, hope they are not in the AHL next yr. I wanna win with the kids we drafted and who are ready.
- gizzy77

He whomever makes the team plays.. Come into camp hungry and ready to go. I want to win games, I don't give two poops on who is in the lineup as long as we win

The only step back is the loss of Neal, cheapshot artist or not, he's a damn good player, plus only 25yrs old. Hornquist is solid and will help but he's no Neal..

Erhoff is a very good replacement for Niskanen, and they have filled their bottom 6 with some decent signings so far but just need to find another player to replace Orpik so they don't have to put much pressure on their kids at D.
- Ur Not Me

Neal couldn't create on his own anyway. Hornqvist will take pressure off Sid or Geno and will make our powerplay better, strangely, because we won't be overloaded with left handers looking for one-timers. We'll probably only get 25-25 out of Horny, but come playoffs we'll have more balance.

Orpik has been bad for two years; Despres has played way, way better in spurts and Maatta will be top 4 ready so we definitely don't need any more D with the Ehrhoff signing. In fact, we'd be willing to give up Scuderi. Maybe even Martin for the right deal.

What do you guys want for Grabner?

Strome's a goner?
Seven years of this rebuild and you have learned nothing? Every move made is to help our core. This team has no intention on trading Strome.
- keaner17

Seven years of rebuilding gives you prospects to trade for an upgrade. First line center JT. Second line center could be 1 of 4 guys. Strome fits where on wing? Doubt it. Dangle him an get what you need.

Seven years of rebuilding gives you prospects to trade for an upgrade. First line center JT. Second line center could be 1 of 4 guys. Strome fits where on wing? Doubt it. Dangle him an get what you need.
- kindlyrick

Shouldn't have to trade Strome to get a dman.. You are really hard on him. Were you this hard on tavares after his first 50 games??

Shouldn't have to trade Strome to get a dman.. You are really hard on him. Were you this hard on tavares after his first 50 games??
- Dan Petriw

This should be real easy. We are not trading for a star dman so no need to talk about moving guys like Nelson or Strome or Reinhart. We get the best dman for Frans, Grabner, Bailey and some of the other prospects or picks.

Neal couldn't create on his own anyway. Hornqvist will take pressure off Sid or Geno and will make our powerplay better, strangely, because we won't be overloaded with left handers looking for one-timers. We'll probably only get 25-25 out of Horny, but come playoffs we'll have more balance.

Orpik has been bad for two years; Despres has played way, way better in spurts and Maatta will be top 4 ready so we definitely don't need any more D with the Ehrhoff signing. In fact, we'd be willing to give up Scuderi. Maybe even Martin for the right deal.

What do you guys want for Grabner?
- cygnus41

Scuderi AND Martin

Scuderi AND Martin
- Cptmjl

Would have loved Scuderi from a few years ago. Watch Scuderi want to play for the Isles now.

Scuderi AND Martin
- Cptmjl

Just Scuds?

Or Grabner a 1st and Bailey for Martin?

Neal couldn't create on his own anyway. Hornqvist will take pressure off Sid or Geno and will make our powerplay better, strangely, because we won't be overloaded with left handers looking for one-timers. We'll probably only get 25-25 out of Horny, but come playoffs we'll have more balance.

Orpik has been bad for two years; Despres has played way, way better in spurts and Maatta will be top 4 ready so we definitely don't need any more D with the Ehrhoff signing. In fact, we'd be willing to give up Scuderi. Maybe even Martin for the right deal.

What do you guys want for Grabner?
- cygnus41

No thanks on Scuderi and not sure about Martin... Grabner might fetch something good in a package deal but not sure if Pens have a good deal/player that the isles might want.

Oh I hope your not trying to compare Neal to Hornquist bc there is none. You can say all u want about Neal bc now he's gone from your team but sorry Charlie that's a big loss. Neal is leaps n bounds better offensively, plus you lost Jokinen who was solid.

This should be real easy. We are not trading for a star dman so no need to talk about moving guys like Nelson or Strome or Reinhart. We get the best dman for Frans, Grabner, Bailey and some of the other prospects or picks.
- ses111

Simple addition by subtraction....

for only 4 more years, if isles trade for Phaneuf, it only adds $3M+ to payroll if swapped for Bailey? I'm ok w/that

Just Scuds?
- cygnus41

Snow would do it even though Scuderi had a off year. He's not done and from here. I like Grabner a lot but if Capuano is going to completely misuse the guy I'd honestly rather see him succeed somewhere else. I'd rather it not be the pens but if that's the only deal we have we take it without even thinking about it. Scuderi is a good defenseman with some great experience and is exactly what we are lacking on our blue line. The problem is I have a friend who played with him and is pretty close with the guy and he has told him numerous times he would never play here. Don't know whether that's changed but i have my doubts