Kumelin and grabovski signed here for two reasons. First, they got "overpaid" and were promised they'd play together. I have no problem whatsoever with that. This is what you need to do to bring in people.

I don't listen to what Garth spews because its all BS. The bottom line is people don't wanna sign here because the isles as an organization are perrenial losers. The "committee" is the major problem. The reason why snows job is never in question is because all decisions have wangs input/approval. Therefor you can't hold Garth accountable when the decision making is every bit Charles as it is Garth.

I'm sick of hearing about the coliseum and the Marriott. Those excuses are about as old as the urinals at the coliseum.
- kindlyrick

They're perennial losers because they've been perennial low spenders up until now.. Now they've moved up on the cap with a legit goaltending tandem and forward corp. After firing Nolan, Smith and LaFontaine, the committee approach was a message to the fans that they were taking a low budget approach. One reason why Wang and Kumar were the lone bidders back in 2001 was because the franchise business model was hurting. Hopefully better days ahead!

Oh I agree. Quality centers are rare. Anyway here is my trade proposal.

Michael Rosival + Italian Beef sandwich for
Ray's large pepperoni pizza.
- faustus1500

Anything but Long Island Pizza isn't accepted around these parts.

They're perennial losers because they've been perennial low spenders up until now.. Now they've moved up on the cap with a legit goaltending tandem and forward corp. After firing Nolan, Smith and LaFontaine, the committee approach was a message to the fans that they were taking a low budget approach. One reason why Wang and Kumar were the lone bidders back in 2001 was because the franchise business model was hurting. Hopefully better days ahead!
- Fan101

I understand it all.......I'm just waiting patiently to see what Garth does to improve the backend.

Oh I agree. Quality centers are rare. Anyway here is my trade proposal.

Michael Rosival + Italian Beef sandwich for
Ray's large pepperoni pizza.
- faustus1500

I see what u tried here, u sneaky person...
tried to shed some salary by enticing us w/food...

Franson for Mayfeild and a 4th

Anything but Long Island Pizza isn't accepted around these parts.
- Danformo

Oh I agree. Quality centers are rare. Anyway here is my trade proposal.

Michael Rosival + Italian Beef sandwich for
Ray's large pepperoni pizza.
- faustus1500

Ill just take the beef sandwich for the rays. Rays sucks

Happy 4th everyone.
Now here's to anyone but JT or the rookies (except Strome, he can go) getting traded for a top 2 Defensemen.

Happy 4th everyone.
Now here's to anyone but JT or the rookies (except Strome, he can go) getting traded for a top 2 Defensemen.
- Isleswknowledge

???

The second most talented player we have can just.. go? But the other rookies.. the replaceable ones.. dont touch them??

XxNYIxX

I understand it all.......I'm just waiting patiently to see what Garth does to improve the backend.
- kindlyrick

You and me both.

Im very happy with what has been done so far... but if the backend is not upgraded at all from this point on... i would be disappointed.

XxNYIxX

You and me both.

Im very happy with what has been done so far... but if the backend is not upgraded at all from this point on... i would be disappointed.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Thus far I give him a B-

I don't see this upcoming season being that much different with the current defense. You can look at the roster and say its not bad, but injuries will happen and there just isn't any depth back there.
I think the isles are relying on Reinhardt being able to come in and contribute. DeHaan, and Visnovsky will def miss time from injury. Hamonic is hamonic. To me the kid Czuczman impressive from what little we saw. Big body and can skate.

If hickey, Donovan, carkner and strait are in the lineup on a regular basis this team is in trouble.

I see what u tried here, u sneaky person...
tried to shed some salary by enticing us w/food...
- Ur Not Me

Remember that half of can of Pringles I had from thr MacDonald offer........it can be yours.

Thus far I give him a B-

I don't see this upcoming season being that much different with the current defense. You can look at the roster and say its not bad, but injuries will happen and there just isn't any depth back there.
I think the isles are relying on Reinhardt being able to come in and contribute. DeHaan, and Visnovsky will def miss time from injury. Hamonic is hamonic. To me the kid Czuczman impressive from what little we saw. Big body and can skate.

If hickey, Donovan, carkner and strait are in the lineup on a regular basis this team is in trouble.
- kindlyrick

I think our D will be fine going into next season. Our top 4 is fine if not good and we do have some depth with Dono, Brennan, and Czuczman. Carkner isn't awful either. I'm anxious to see how they do sans MacD and with Halak as the back stop. DeHann, Hickey, Hanmer, and Vis have all been average to above average on D and all have some offensive upside. I do agree there are alot of injury risk with Vis and DeHann but if they have to make a trade midseason its not the end of the world and Reinhart could very well be ready as well.

I'm not saying I'm against a move for a top 4 guy but we should be okay with out one.

Honestly, what team is going to trade away a number one or number two defenseman? It would be like the Isles trading JT or KO. I think the reality is we maybe add one or two more experienced depth UFA vets, provided we think they are better than our bottom three, and hope the younger ones develop with the season.

Likewise adding and Kulemin adds to the 5 on 5 defensive play, especially late in the games, as well as second unit PP and PK. I think we are significantly improved if this team shows up in shape. They should be psyched.

I think our D will be fine going into next season. Our top 4 is fine if not good and we do have some depth with Dono, Brennan, and Czuczman. Carkner isn't awful either. I'm anxious to see how they do sans MacD and with Halak as the back stop. DeHann, Hickey, Hanmer, and Vis have all been average to above average on D and all have some offensive upside. I do agree there are alot of injury risk with Vis and DeHann but if they have to make a trade midseason its not the end of the world and Reinhart could very well be ready as well.

I'm not saying I'm against a move for a top 4 guy but we should be okay with out one.
- Dgmilazz

Not a fan of hickey at all. I don't care how well he skates.....he's constantly out muscled. I also don't think any of the above mentioned are that great at playing D (minus Hamonic).

Honestly, what team is going to trade away a number one or number two defenseman? It would be like the Isles trading JT or KO. I think the reality is we maybe add one or two more experienced depth UFA vets, provided we think they are better than our bottom three, and hope the younger ones develop with the season.

Likewise adding and Kulemin adds to the 5 on 5 defensive play, especially late in the games, as well as second unit PP and PK. I think we are significantly improved if this team shows up in shape. They should be psyched.
- Fan101

The only way a team is looking to part with a top pair d is to get rid of a bad contract. We keep seeing phaneufs name in the trade rumors. The reality is, phaneuf would be the top dman on the isles. He can play against other teams top lines, log minutes, and be key for the PP. Adding that minute eating top pair PP dman puts this team closer to the next step.

The only way a team is looking to part with a top pair d is to get rid of a bad contract. We keep seeing phaneufs name in the trade rumors. The reality is, phaneuf would be the top dman on the isles. He can play against other teams top lines, log minutes, and be key for the PP. Adding that minute eating top pair PP dman puts this team closer to the next step.
- kindlyrick

We could commit for seven years of seven million in cap space to one defenseman or take our chances on playing an up tempo game and rely on our own guys developing. Alot of teams face this situation including PITT.

Ill just take the beef sandwich for the rays. Rays sucks
- Cptmjl

Hey, remember you are taking on salaried players. You need dmen.

We could commit for seven years of seven million in cap space to one defenseman or take our chances on playing an up tempo game and rely on our own guys developing. Alot of teams face this situation including PITT.
- Fan101

In year 8 of mr snows tenure, it's time to, I dunno maybe win a playoff round? The time to let the "kids" mature and develope is getting tiring. Add a piece or two that's needed on defense....while the prospects develope in bport.

In 2013 we had Streit and a healthy Viz so I agree with the concern, but the goaltending and forwards are upgraded both offensively and defensively which will make for improved overall GA. Obvious questions about approaching the season with this young defense but they are a year older and Reinhart may also see action. You can't develop them if you don't play them. At 54 million I doubt they would add another big name defenseman. Some of the older forwards are tradeable but don't think they will fetch the return some are fantasizing about and nobody wants to see the young talent traded either.

We could commit for seven years of seven million in cap space to one defenseman or take our chances on playing an up tempo game and rely on our own guys developing. Alot of teams face this situation including PITT.
- Fan101

"Taking chances" on playing an "up tempo game" is exactly what we did wrong last year. Do you really want to revisit that?

"Taking chances" on playing an "up tempo game" is exactly what we did wrong last year. Do you really want to revisit that?
- Cptmjl

I agree, but last year Reinhart, Pokka, Czuchman and Mayfield were not in the mix. Sure Phaneuf is an option but the seven million makes him a Luongo contract problem. I'm surprised that Komisarek, Klesla and Volchenkov are all only thirty two years old. I don't think they are all washed up but rather their agents are all working for the higher offers. These are the guys who don't get the look and big offers during the July one surge.

Unlike last year they did make a big signing by effectively adding two thirds of a new second line which will impact the forward defensive play. The young defensemen mentioned above plus De Haan all need playing time and yes our defense will not be ideal from the start, especially in light of Viz's health.

I agree, but last year Reinhart, Pokka, Czuchman and Mayfield were not in the mix. Sure Phaneuf is an option but the seven million makes him a Luongo contract problem. I'm surprised that Komisarek, Klesla and Volchenkov are all only thirty two years old. I don't think they are all washed up but rather their agents are all working for the higher offers. These are the guys who don't get the look and big offers during the July one surge.

Unlike last year they did make a big signing by effectively adding two thirds of a new second line which will impact the forward defensive play. The young defensemen mentioned above plus De Haan all need playing time and yes our defense will not be ideal from the start, especially in light of Viz's health.
- Fan101

When viz gets hurt, who plays the PP?

When viz gets hurt, who plays the PP?
- kindlyrick

Donovan, deHaan or Frans


XxNYIxX

Donovan, deHaan or Frans


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

This is the problem. Donovan is not a PP guy, And Fransy is a forward who shouldn't be playing the point. The isles have yet to replace Streit, and it's been burning them. Special teams wins hockey games.
Snow needs to address this, otherwise don't expect anything other than an 8th seed/first round exit.