Stats are skewed so I really don't wanna hear about that. Can hickey clear the crease? Can he not get outmuscled in his own end? Cause as a bottom pair dman as you say, I don't think the isles are or should be relying on his offensive prowess. The guy is a 7th dman to me, and prob would be that on any other team. The isles already had Freddie Meyer and Jack Hillen....no thanks.
- kindlyrick

You know hamonic got out played in front of his net just as often and people think he is the hulk

You know hamonic got out played in front of his net just as often and people think he is the hulk
- Dan Petriw

But it's ok, it doesn't matter because he's 6'2''. All is forgiven, praise the Size-God. We must appease him by sacrificing one 5'10'' hockey player before the sabbath.

But it's ok, it doesn't matter because he's 6'2''. All is forgiven, praise the Size-God. We must appease him by sacrificing one 5'10'' hockey player before the sabbath.
- eichiefs9

I think Hamonic's taken his share of criticism for not playing as mean as he can or should on a consistent basis. I'm not sure what your argument is though...I'd say it's not about every player having to be 6'4...it's that the Isles D as a group plays small and soft. Does every d-man need to be the Hulk? No. Would it be nice if one or two played with a bit of an edge and some physicality? When I see the team pinned in its own zone and unable to win battles along the boards, I'd say yes.

Also, has anyone actually argued this often-repeated line about every defenseman needing to be 6'4, or is it just sort of an invented straw man?

I think Hamonic's taken his share of criticism for not playing as mean as he can or should on a consistent basis. I'm not sure what your argument is though...I'd say it's not about every player having to be 6'4...it's that the Isles D as a group plays small and soft. Does every d-man need to be the Hulk? No. Would it be nice if one or two played with a bit of an edge and some physicality? When I see the team pinned in its own zone and unable to win battles along the boards, I'd say yes.

Also, has anyone actually argued this often-repeated line about every defenseman needing to be 6'4, or is it just sort of an invented straw man?
- UIF

Has anyone literally said that every defenseman needs to be 6'4''? No, of course not. It's an exaggeration for the purpose of making a point and comedic value.

But frankly I don't see the argument that, for example, Hickey get's repeatedly beat on physically as a completely sound one either. Has it happened? I'm sure it has, it's part of the game. Everyone does sometimes. But it's certainly not like Hickey goes ducking for cover and turtling every time he goes into the corner.

The fact is that there is clear, tangible evidence that when Hickey is on the ice the Islanders are generating more offense directed at the opposing teams net than the opposing team is directing towards our net. It's inarguable.

Valid point, there is definitely a void of handsomeness there
- Dan Petriw

have no fear i was there...the best player on the ice was hands down eamon mcadam

have no fear i was there...the best player on the ice was hands down eamon mcadam
- LetsGoIsles

I had two morbidly obese gentlemen sitting behind me doing actual play-by-play and complaining because one of them dropped half a pretzel. Also they were claiming some of our prospects were just camp invitees, ie: after Robbie Russo scored. I wanted to leap down the stairs head first.

I had two morbidly obese gentlemen sitting behind me doing actual play-by-play and complaining because one of them dropped half a pretzel. Also they were claiming some of our prospects were just camp invitees, ie: after Robbie Russo scored. I wanted to leap down the stairs head first.
- eichiefs9

Lol, again I'm reminded of the Canucks fan I had to sit next to last year who thought the horn at the end of the period meant the play was offside.

Lol, again I'm reminded of the Canucks fan I had to sit next to last year who thought the horn at the end of the period meant the play was offside.
- Isles_since_6

Nothing will ever beat this Ranger "fan" though.

Has anyone literally said that every defenseman needs to be 6'4''? No, of course not. It's an exaggeration for the purpose of making a point and comedic value.

But frankly I don't see the argument that, for example, Hickey get's repeatedly beat on physically as a completely sound one either. Has it happened? I'm sure it has, it's part of the game. Everyone does sometimes. But it's certainly not like Hickey goes ducking for cover and turtling every time he goes into the corner.

The fact is that there is clear, tangible evidence that when Hickey is on the ice the Islanders are generating more offense directed at the opposing teams net than the opposing team is directing towards our net. It's inarguable.
- eichiefs9

in addition to all of this (which i agree with), while hickey is obviously on the smaller side, he plays as big as he can...he isnt a mark streit or amac who looked like they were afraid to touch the opposition in fear of getting called for a foul (yes, a basketball reference). hickey hits and makes plenty of contact when someone enters the zone. he doesnt back down or shy away from contact.

I had two morbidly obese gentlemen sitting behind me doing actual play-by-play and complaining because one of them dropped half a pretzel. Also they were claiming some of our prospects were just camp invitees, ie: after Robbie Russo scored. I wanted to leap down the stairs head first.
- eichiefs9

in a general admission game, you only have yourself to blame for not moving...that is unless you were able to reap the benefits of the fat guys dropped pretzel

as for the game; mcadams and ho-sang were the ones who stood out to me...mayfield and pedan looked average at best...

You know hamonic got out played in front of his net just as often and people think he is the hulk
- Dan Petriw

ok you take hickey....ill take hamonic

But he's not 6'4'' and a hulking, bruising, crease-clearer that protects John Tavares so therefore all logic goes out the window and thus he is a completely ineffective hockey player.
- eichiefs9

how'd it work out last season with that d?

in a general admission game, you only have yourself to blame for not moving...that is unless you were able to reap the benefits of the fat guys dropped pretzel

as for the game; mcadams and ho-sang were the ones who stood out to me...mayfield and pedan looked average at best...
- LetsGoIsles

I didn't move because I was having a good time with my buddy making comments and listening to the absurdity. It was like a car-wreck, I couldn't look away (or move).

Mayfield didn't look great but I assume that after playing a full pro season that he wasn't out there giving 110% against younger kids, although Ho-Sang did torch him. Pedan I swear to christ I didn't even realize was playing until the hardest shot event.

Speaking of Ho-Sang he impressed, but he sure looked like he loved to float. There were a couple times he was caught leaving the zone before the puck or just hung out around the far blueline when the puck was just out of the zone.

But it was a scrimmage and frankly none of it really is all that indicative of anything, so it was just nice to see some hockey in July.

Hickey is at least a league average defenseman and a real solid bottom 4 guy. He is worlds better than strait and without a doubt should be on the ice for this team. Hickey was a positive possession player who drove play. He makes smart passes and the team was clearly better with him on the ice. http://www.extraskater.co.../thomas-hickey#production

http://www.extraskater.co...dashboard?players=678,497
- Dgmilazz

right.....thats why the isles picked 5th overall.....hickey and strait.....real winners

how'd it work out last season with that d?
- kindlyrick

Did Thomas Hickey clone himself 6x and play every defensive position?

I love the arguments around here.

-->Here are x, y, and z statistics that show something tangible.

->I don't care about facts, but my unfounded opinion is completely right.
- eichiefs9

bottom line.....certain guys are on the ice against certain lines. Both hickey and strait should be 7th dmen. Get off hickeys d!ck already.....he sucks

bottom line.....certain guys are on the ice against certain lines. Both hickey and strait should be 7th dmen. Get off hickeys d!ck already.....he sucks
- kindlyrick

Bottom line is your arguments are weak, at best.

What does the bolded even mean?

Did Thomas Hickey clone himself 6x and play every defensive position?
- eichiefs9

cause 29 other teams are all vying for thomas hickey......please. You guys see an isles jersey and immediately pump him up. Proof is in the pudding.....isles defense should not have hickey or strait if the want to be successful

Bottom line is your arguments are weak, at best.

What does the bolded even mean?
- eichiefs9

because you guys are stat nerds, and im saying there's a lot more to the sport of hockey than corsi

cause 29 other teams are all vying for thomas hickey......please. You guys see an isles jersey and immediately pump him up. Proof is in the pudding.....isles defense should not have hickey or strait if the want to be successful
- kindlyrick

Ok, well you keep using pudding as your benchmark of a successful/unsuccessful NHL player. I prefer things like math and facts.

because you guys are stat nerds, and im saying there's a lot more to the sport of hockey than corsi
- kindlyrick

If you actually payed attention to anything instead of stamping your feet like a baby every time you read "corsi" or "possession numbers" you'd see that several people have repeatedly admitted that stats are not the end-all-be-all of player evaluation. But that doesn't make them a useless tool.

Ok, well you keep using pudding as your benchmark of a successful/unsuccessful NHL player. I prefer things like math and facts.
- eichiefs9

yeah, math is gonna keep opposing forwards outta the crease

If you actually payed attention to anything instead of stamping your feet like a baby every time you read "corsi" or "possession numbers" you'd see that several people have repeatedly admitted that stats are not the end-all-be-all of player evaluation. But that doesn't make them a useless tool.
- eichiefs9

thats been the hickey argument

as i said having hickey and strait in the lineup is a joke.....its filler

You guys see an isles jersey and immediately pump him up.
- kindlyrick

Holy (frank)ing poop!! Can these stupid (frank)ing statements stop being made?? I literally want to find the sharpest object around and run into it as fast as I can when I see dumb (frank)ing poop like this written.

The majority of posters here are very honest and don't hold back when it comes to criticizing the players, so enough of the bullpoop straw man statements like this.

Holy (frank)ing poop!! Can these stupid (frank)ing statements stop being made?? I literally want to find the sharpest object around and run into it as fast as I can when I see dumb (frank)ing poop like this written.

The majority of posters here are very honest and don't hold back when it comes to criticizing the players, so enough of the bullpoop straw man statements like this.
- potvin05

i cant argue with anyone who says holy franking poop