or some stale cupcakes
- jmo16

Or a Sharpie. And an 8X10 of DP.

Or a Sharpie. And an 8X10 of DP.
- PeteM

For some reason all the pictures of DP appear to be torn...

For some reason all the pictures of DP appear to be torn...
- eichiefs9

For some reason all the pictures of DP appear to be torn...
- eichiefs9

And tear stained

And tear stained
- PeteM

I think you mean "tear" as in teardrop but I think "tear" as in labral hip tear is more accurate.

Imagine the depth:

Nelson JT Okposo
Kulemin Grabovski Strome
Lee Nielson Grabner
Bailey Cizikas Clutterbuck

Martin, Mcdonald, Conacher, Bolton

Now if we could move bailey and a pick and get back a pending ufa at the end of next year and fit him into our top 4 then with the upgraded goaltending we should be quite a bit better. Our forwards are substantially deeper and all of them are under contract or rfa’s for a while. This has the makings of a much better team.

All the kids up front are a year older, all got some NHL experience last year. The top 9 would be the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.

send McDonald and conacher to Bridgeport, keep martin and Bolton as scratches that can step in for more physical games.

Imagine the depth:

Nelson JT Okposo
Kulemin Grabovski Strome
Lee Nielson Grabner
Bailey Cizikas Clutterbuck

Martin, Mcdonald, Conacher, Bolton

Now if we could move bailey and a pick and get back a pending ufa at the end of next year and fit him into our top 4 then with the upgraded goaltending we should be quite a bit better. Our forwards are substantially deeper and all of them are under contract or rfa’s for a while. This has the makings of a much better team.


All the kids up front are a year older, all got some NHL experience last year. The top 9 would be the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.

send McDonald and conacher to Bridgeport, keep martin and Bolton as scratches that can step in for more physical games.
- Isles_since_6

That is one of the best forwards groups in the league if healthy and everyone plays up to par.

Imagine the depth:

Nelson JT Okposo
Kulemin Grabovski Strome
Lee Nielson Grabner
Bailey Cizikas Clutterbuck

Martin, Mcdonald, Conacher, Bolton

Now if we could move bailey and a pick and get back a pending ufa at the end of next year and fit him into our top 4 then with the upgraded goaltending we should be quite a bit better. Our forwards are substantially deeper and all of them are under contract or rfa’s for a while. This has the makings of a much better team.

All the kids up front are a year older, all got some NHL experience last year. The top 9 would be the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.

send McDonald and conacher to Bridgeport, keep martin and Bolton as scratches that can step in for more physical games.
- Isles_since_6

Anyway you slice it, we have a surplus of forwards on the big club and more in B'port. Some of them need to be used to trade for an upgrade at defense. Yes its a hard decision but thats what a GM'a job entails.

Anyway you slice it, we have a surplus of forwards on the big club and more in B'port. Some of them need to be used to trade for an upgrade at defense. Yes its a hard decision but thats what a GM'a job entails.
- jmo16

I'd like to see another top 4 added, but I kinda like the forward depth. If we could move Bailey and a prospect for a cap casualty I'd be perfectly happy with it.

Anyway you slice it, we have a surplus of forwards on the big club and more in B'port. Some of them need to be used to trade for an upgrade at defense. Yes its a hard decision but thats what a GM'a job entails.
- jmo16

just for kicks - a random projection of goal scoring (erring on the conservative side, except where noted)

JT 30
KO 25
Nelson 18
Kulemin 12 (I really don't know what to expect here, so I'm adding a few to his total last year...which was bad)
Grabovski 22
Strome 16
Lee 12
Nielson 14
Grabner 25 (he's been alternating good year/bad year, last year was bad so this is a guess)
Bailey 8 (lol)
Cizikas 6
Clutterbuck 10


looking at this, obviously injuries could play a huge part, trades, ice time etc. But as a rough, shot in the dark, somewhat edumacated guess, this gives us a total of 198 goals(from forwards).

realistic? doubtful, some guys always have better years, some have bad years. I don't think I've gone too crazy here except possibly given Grabovski a bit high of a number (although its not insane) and possibly strome might be a little high depending on his icetime. Grabner could also not bounce back and have another frustrating year, and Bailey might not even score 8. Interesting to look at though.

just to add on, our defense last year scored 19 goals I believe? so that would put my projected (very loose and with very little thought into it) at 217 goals. 9 less than last year, but with much better goaltending and the goal scoring numbers could be higher, from some guys could be a fair bit higher. However it could also be worse...

I'd like to see another top 4 added, but I kinda like the forward depth. If we could move Bailey and a prospect for a cap casualty I'd be perfectly happy with it.
- Isles_since_6

You'll have to give up more than that. Bailey has no real trade value.

You'll have to give up more than that. Bailey has no real trade value.
- JimmyP

That depends on which defenseman.

just for kicks - a random projection of goal scoring (erring on the conservative side, except where noted)

JT 30
KO 25
Nelson 18
Kulemin 12 (I really don't know what to expect here, so I'm adding a few to his total last year...which was bad)
Grabovski 22
Strome 16
Lee 12
Nielson 14
Grabner 25 (he's been alternating good year/bad year, last year was bad so this is a guess)
Bailey 8 (lol)
Cizikas 6
Clutterbuck 10


looking at this, obviously injuries could play a huge part, trades, ice time etc. But as a rough, shot in the dark, somewhat edumacated guess, this gives us a total of 198 goals(from forwards).

realistic? doubtful, some guys always have better years, some have bad years. I don't think I've gone too crazy here except possibly given Grabovski a bit high of a number (although its not insane) and possibly strome might be a little high depending on his icetime. Grabner could also not bounce back and have another frustrating year, and Bailey might not even score 8. Interesting to look at though.

just to add on, our defense last year scored 19 goals I believe? so that would put my projected (very loose and with very little thought into it) at 217 goals. 9 less than last year, but with much better goaltending and the goal scoring numbers could be higher, from some guys could be a fair bit higher. However it could also be worse...
- Isles_since_6

I would think JT pulls 35-37 out on a fully healthy (non-Olympic) season. With him completely healthy, you can move KO up slightly maybe 28-30, depending on the other wing.

A lot of wind was taken out of our sails with major injuries, Olympics, November *cough*, and untimely goals against with a subpar goaltending tandem. We fixed the goaltending issue, the forwards are coming in healthy.. young D has had time to get experience, but as everyone knows, we need another top-4 (or 2).

I would give us a better goals for vs. against next year and I think JT will come out like a man on fire. This all depends on KO continuing his climb to being what we all thought he would be and Halak/Johnson carrying our young and small D. The team knows it has to step up to the plate. Snow gave them some of the parts they need (not all, see D), now they need to show the NHL and the FA pool next year that the Isles are not a team to be laughed at anymore. (we can still laugh.. we know our upper management and coaching )

As Dennis Miller always said.. these are my opinions, I could be wrong.

I would think JT pulls 35-37 out on a fully healthy (non-Olympic) season. With him completely healthy, you can move KO up slightly maybe 28-30, depending on the other wing.

A lot of wind was taken out of our sails with major injuries, Olympics, November *cough*, and untimely goals against with a subpar goaltending tandem. We fixed the goaltending issue, the forwards are coming in healthy.. young D has had time to get experience, but as everyone knows, we need another top-4 (or 2).

I would give us a better goals for vs. against next year and I think JT will come out like a man on fire. This all depends on KO continuing his climb to being what we all thought he would be and Halak/Johnson carrying our young and small D. The team knows it has to step up to the plate. Snow gave them some of the parts they need (not all, see D), now they need to show the NHL and the FA pool next year that the Isles are not a team to be laughed at anymore. (we can still laugh.. we know our upper management and coaching )

As Dennis Miller always said.. these are my opinions, I could be wrong.
- psycomkl

I think ur projections are modest for sure. I think alot of the teams' fate lies with the X-factor that is Capuano. I cant see/dont expect this team making any significant strides with our less than stellar coach. Of course, he doesnt have an adequate roster to work with. Granted, its a little better with a real goalie duo but unless deHaan has a healthy season & Reinhart blows them away in camp & earns a spot we'll be on the outside again ckme christmas.

I think ur projections are modest for sure. I think alot of the teams' fate lies with the X-factor that is Capuano. I cant see/dont expect this team making any significant strides with our less than stellar coach. Of course, he doesnt have an adequate roster to work with. Granted, its a little better with a real goalie duo but unless deHaan has a healthy season & Reinhart blows them away in camp & earns a spot we'll be on the outside again come christmas.
- jmo16

I would think JT pulls 35-37 out on a fully healthy (non-Olympic) season. With him completely healthy, you can move KO up slightly maybe 28-30, depending on the other wing.

A lot of wind was taken out of our sails with major injuries, Olympics, November *cough*, and untimely goals against with a subpar goaltending tandem. We fixed the goaltending issue, the forwards are coming in healthy.. young D has had time to get experience, but as everyone knows, we need another top-4 (or 2).

I would give us a better goals for vs. against next year and I think JT will come out like a man on fire. This all depends on KO continuing his climb to being what we all thought he would be and Halak/Johnson carrying our young and small D. The team knows it has to step up to the plate. Snow gave them some of the parts they need (not all, see D), now they need to show the NHL and the FA pool next year that the Isles are not a team to be laughed at anymore. (we can still laugh.. we know our upper management and coaching )

As Dennis Miller always said.. these are my opinions, I could be wrong.
- psycomkl

JT will get 50 this season.....gets better every year and scoring will be his big improvement this season.....book it.

I would think JT pulls 35-37 out on a fully healthy (non-Olympic) season. With him completely healthy, you can move KO up slightly maybe 28-30, depending on the other wing.

A lot of wind was taken out of our sails with major injuries, Olympics, November *cough*, and untimely goals against with a subpar goaltending tandem. We fixed the goaltending issue, the forwards are coming in healthy.. young D has had time to get experience, but as everyone knows, we need another top-4 (or 2).

I would give us a better goals for vs. against next year and I think JT will come out like a man on fire. This all depends on KO continuing his climb to being what we all thought he would be and Halak/Johnson carrying our young and small D. The team knows it has to step up to the plate. Snow gave them some of the parts they need (not all, see D), now they need to show the NHL and the FA pool next year that the Isles are not a team to be laughed at anymore. (we can still laugh.. we know our upper management and coaching )

As Dennis Miller always said.. these are my opinions, I could be wrong.
- psycomkl

I'd agree with this, but the one member of the team who has something to prove to me is the guy who stands behind the bench. I think he's most of the problem, with the goaltending being most of the rest, and the rest of this stuff being peripheral. They need to play defense as a cohesive unit, and with this guy, I'm not holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

I wouldn't want them to put Strome in that trade....actually hate to see Grabs go too.
Here's one I saw on Spector Hockey this am.....One of my readers recently claimed he’d read a rumor claiming the Bruins would trade Dougie Hamilton for a top-six right wing. I doubt very much the Bruins will move the 6-5, 215-pound Hamilton. The 21-year-old will eventually replace the ageing Zdeno Chara when the latter retires or departs via free agency.

I would for sure get involved in this one if true....and I would include Strome to get him.

I wouldn't want them to put Strome in that trade....actually hate to see Grabs go too.
Here's one I saw on Spector Hockey this am.....One of my readers recently claimed he’d read a rumor claiming the Bruins would trade Dougie Hamilton for a top-six right wing. I doubt very much the Bruins will move the 6-5, 215-pound Hamilton. The 21-year-old will eventually replace the ageing Zdeno Chara when the latter retires or departs via free agency.

I would for sure get involved in this one if true....and I would include Strome to get him.
- Nolanders

That stupid rumor that a reader "claimed he heard" literally gets shot down in the same paragraph that you bolded. Not going to happen. Ever.

That stupid rumor that a reader "claimed he heard" literally gets shot down in the same paragraph that you bolded. Not going to happen. Ever.
- eichiefs9

I agree my man...was just sharing it anyway thought we were playing ''trade talk'' today to keep us from being bored....no need to get

That depends on which defenseman.
- Isles_since_6

Not really, because Bailey has no trade value. It doesn't matter who you are trading for. The other team will still need to take Bailey at 3-4 mil per year for 4 more years. No team will accept that.

Not really, because Bailey has no trade value. It doesn't matter who you are trading for. The other team will still need to take Bailey at 3-4 mil per year for 4 more years. No team will accept that.
- JimmyP

disagree. He may not have much value, but this isn't a Luongo situation. He's still a kid who's shown he has talent but needs someone kicking him in the ass. I can see a team like Calgary or phoenix thinking they can help him reach his potential. I'm not saying we'd be getting back a good top 4 defenseman for him, likely would need to be someone in their mid 30's on an expiring contract or someone looking to dump a bigger contract.

disagree. He may not have much value, but this isn't a Luongo situation. He's still a kid who's shown he has talent but needs someone kicking him in the ass. I can see a team like Calgary or phoenix thinking they can help him reach his potential. I'm not saying we'd be getting back a good top 4 defenseman for him, likely would need to be someone in their mid 30's on an expiring contract or someone looking to dump a bigger contract.
- Isles_since_6

...or another young, underperforming player with potential.

...or another young, underperforming player with potential.
- UIF

yup, there's options out there. would they be upgrades? maybe not. Snow does love a fixer upper though.

Imagine the depth:

Nelson JT Okposo
Kulemin Grabovski Strome
Lee Nielson Grabner
Bailey Cizikas Clutterbuck

Martin, Mcdonald, Conacher, Bolton

Now if we could move bailey and a pick and get back a pending ufa at the end of next year and fit him into our top 4 then with the upgraded goaltending we should be quite a bit better. Our forwards are substantially deeper and all of them are under contract or rfa’s for a while. This has the makings of a much better team.

All the kids up front are a year older, all got some NHL experience last year. The top 9 would be the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.

send McDonald and conacher to Bridgeport, keep martin and Bolton as scratches that can step in for more physical games.
- Isles_since_6

I would think Grabner and Clutterbuck would have the most value...