The bigger issue, without question, is asking that "bottom pairing guy" to cover Sidney Crosby in a playoff series because the team doesn't have a true top four (well, and because Cappy never seems to fully grasp the whole "matchup" thing). Not much different than when we had Richard Park on our first line, or Nate Thompson playing in roles he was in no way suited for. Isles need more talent on D...particularly players who are solid in their own zone. After that's done, I don't think you'll see many complaints about players like Hickey and Strait if they're truly number 6 or 7 guys.
- UIF

Exactly. Blaming bottom pairing defenseman for the defense being awful is like blaming your secretary for your company failing.

Exactly. Blaming bottom pairing defenseman for the defense being awful is like blaming your secretary for your company failing.
- eichiefs9

Ok I like Hickey, I think he has been actually pretty good. The thing is the Kings did not have any room for him on their roster as they had plenty of defensive prospects. so the Islanders benefited and jumped on him. He is not as bas as some people think. I think he has a great upside and could be a real good offensive defenseman.

So we will be in the same position we might have to let one of our guys go one day cause there will be no room and some one else will benefit from it. That does not mean that they were not good enough to make the team but someone has to go

Ok I like Hickey, I think he has been actually pretty good. The thing is the Kings did not have any room for him on their roster as they had plenty of defensive prospects. so the Islanders benefited and jumped on him. He is not as bas as some people think. I think he has a great upside and could be a real good offensive defenseman.

So we will be in the same position we might have to let one of our guys go one day cause there will be no room and some one else will benefit from it. That does not mean that they were not good enough to make the team but someone has to go
- kasperrko

Translation: Hickey is (frank)ing awesome and we will miss the poop out of him when we HAVE to get rid of him. We'll rue the day!

ok you take hickey....ill take hamonic
- kindlyrick

I'm not saying that at all... Take out Chara and Weber and tell who the best dman in this league are. Doughty, Keith, Pietrangelo, seabrook etc.. They aren't sky scrapers but they all have one thing in common... They can skate and move the puck. That is crucial in today's nhl

I'm not saying that at all... Take out Chara and Weber and tell who the best dman in this league are. Doughty, Keith, Pietrangelo, seabrook etc.. They aren't sky scrapers but they all have one thing in common... They can skate and move the puck. That is crucial in today's nhl
- Dan Petriw

We shood sine Darien Hatcher

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

And you think it's 1993 and derian and Kevin hatcher rule the league

Translation: Hickey is (frank)ing awesome and we will miss the poop out of him when we HAVE to get rid of him. We'll rue the day!
- potvin05

I love this new potvin

We shood sine Darien Hatcher


- eichiefs9

Nah brah.

Let's just bring up Brendan Witt from the minors.

We shood sine Darien Hatcher


- eichiefs9

I love this new potvin
- Vukota

same as the old Potvin

yeah, math is gonna keep opposing forwards outta the crease
- kindlyrick

Yes actually because if you are in the other teams end you don't have to clear the crease

Translation: Hickey is (frank)ing awesome and we will miss the poop out of him when we HAVE to get rid of him. We'll rue the day!
- potvin05

umm no. If we can replace him I am all for that but since he is not going anywhere he is not that bad

umm no. If we can replace him I am all for that but since he is not going anywhere he is not that bad
- kasperrko

Translation: I *heart* Thomas Hickey 4eva!!1!!

umm no. If we can replace him I am all for that but since he is not going anywhere he is not that bad
- kasperrko

Right over your head

Last time I talk about this Hickey fiasco.

Do I expect Hickey to be on this team in the next 2-3 years? No. We have a ton of pretty good prospects on the way. Is Hickey a top 4 d-man? No. Was Hickey serviceable last year as a 5-6th D-man? Yes. Do I think he will catch on with another team if the isles let him walk in a year or so? Yes. Will he be a regular? Probably not.

The End
- Vukota

This ^ my point is the best teams in this league have primary puck movers in their top 3 and sprinkle in size in their bottom three. You need a combo of both to be successful. Soooo people who can possess and move the puck have value. Ok I'm done with this

What did that Buffalo fan say about Tyler Myers a week ago?

Well...that's how Kasper feels about Hickey.

The bigger issue, without question, is asking that "bottom pairing guy" to cover Sidney Crosby in a playoff series because the team doesn't have a true top four (well, and because Cappy never seems to fully grasp the whole "matchup" thing). Not much different than when we had Richard Park on our first line, or Nate Thompson playing in roles he was in no way suited for. Isles need more talent on D...particularly players who are solid in their own zone. After that's done, I don't think you'll see many complaints about players like Hickey and Strait if they're truly number 6 or 7 guys.
- UIF

i agree...the fact that thomas hickey and brian strait were just blamed for a bottom 5 finish is a joke!!

the original comment was if no trades are made, reinhart should be on the team, i said of course he should be bc there arent many options at that point and subsequently posted the pairings that would be assigned assuming no other moves...is that my ideal lineup? no. would that be the lineup? most likely yes

And you think it's 1993 and derian and Kevin hatcher rule the league
- Dan Petriw

You don't have to be 6 ft 5 to clear the crease. Sean Hill wasnt enormous but he cleared the crease.

This ^ my point is the best teams in this league have primary puck movers in their top 3 and sprinkle in size in their bottom three. You need a combo of both to be successful. Soooo people who can possess and move the puck have value. Ok I'm done with this
- Dan Petriw

Puck movers AND size?
Possess AND move the puck?
On the same roster?

Whoa, Dan, you just blew my (frank)in' mind.

Right over your head
- Vukota

IM SHOCKED!!!!

-NoOne

We have Aaron Ness....

Crease cleared.

I'm not saying that at all... Take out Chara and Weber and tell who the best dman in this league are. Doughty, Keith, Pietrangelo, seabrook etc.. They aren't sky scrapers but they all have one thing in common... They can skate and move the puck. That is crucial in today's nhl
- Dan Petriw

A lot of guys can skate and move the puck though. I think what separates the guys you listed is they excel at defense as well...and they can play the game of hockey any way you like. They can play up-tempo, or grind it out in a physical battle (Doughty, Keith and Seabrook...I honestly have not watched Peitrangelo play much so can't really speak to his game). For example, aside from any offense they bring, Keith and Seabrook most importantly excel as a shutdown pair.

Last time I talk about this Hickey fiasco.

Do I expect Hickey to be on this team in the next 2-3 years? No. We have a ton of pretty good prospects on the way. Is Hickey a top 4 d-man? No. Was Hickey serviceable last year as a 5-6th D-man? Yes. Do I think he will catch on with another team if the isles let him walk in a year or so? Yes. Will he be a regular? Probably not.

The End
- Vukota

I agree with you, but having a guy who's serviceable is not a serious team. I don't want serviceable guys. I want guys who can come in and make a difference. No more projects....

A lot of guys can skate and move the puck though. I think what separates the guys you listed is they excel at defense as well...and they can play the game of hockey any way you like. They can play up-tempo, or grind it out in a physical battle (Doughty, Keith and Seabrook...I honestly have not watched Peitrangelo play much so can't really speak to his game). For example, aside from any offense they bring, Keith and Seabrook most importantly excel as a shutdown pair.
- UIF

Agreed. Those upper echelon dmen do it all. Big, physical, with speed and skill.