Yeah, like number 4. No one would ever wear that because the greatest defenseman to ever play the game Bobby Orr...wait, what's that? More players than I can count have worn that number since Orr? Hmm....
- UIF

http://thehockeywriters.c.../you-dont-wear-number-66/

do you think strome makes the team this yr?if so with,tavares,nielsen,grabovski,will he get a shot at center or will he be pushed to the wing to play with one of those centers?i'm guessing he gets playing time on second line wing.
- smackdaddy

I think with strome it's going to come down to one thing. Can he put on the weight/muscle he needs to compete at the NHL level. I think he plays 2nd line wing, but it shouldn't be handed to him because he was a top 5 pick.

2nd line wing likely.....Casey Cizikas will be 4th line C
JT
Grabo
Neilson
Cizikas
- Nolanders

Pretty darn strong up the middle if you ask me...

Dee Karl: Prospect Scrimmage: Why It Matters
Did ya see it?
- Dee Karl

I'd like to know the status of David Ulstrom? Is he playing over seas again this year? Having a tenacious kid like him who could play made a big difference. He adds some speed and skill to the bottom six. What's the deal with him this year??

4 is obviously a common number. But I was referring to 99, and 66. You just don't wear those two numbers.

For a kid who's supposed to "fly under the radar" wearing 66 is not a good start.
- kindlyrick

I see what you're saying, and do think there's a high level of respect for Lemieux among the generation that's come after him and around the league overall, and that's why no one has worn it. But I don't think it should be expressly off limits until the the end of time until and unless the league gives that number the same treatment it gave Gretzky's 99. If the league did decide to retire Lemieux's number, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. He was an extraordinary player. But until it's officially said otherwise, it's a number that a great player wore, retired by his team but up for grabs for anyone else.

I think anyone who does wear it is naturally assuming all the baggage that will come with it, but someday someone may take it, and once the first one's out of the way, others might follow.

I see what you're saying, and do think there's a high level of respect for Lemieux among the generation that's come after him and around the league overall, and that's why no one has worn it. But I don't think it should be expressly off limits until the the end of time until and unless the league gives that number the same treatment it gave Gretzky's 99. If the league did decide to retire Lemieux's number, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. He was an extraordinary player. But until it's officially said otherwise, it's a number that a great player wore, retired by his team but up for grabs for anyone else.

I think anyone who does wear it is naturally assuming all the baggage that will come with it, but someday someone may take it, and once the first one's out of the way, others might follow.
- UIF

It's a respect thing. It's why hockey is the greatest sport on the planet. There are unwritten rules in hockey.....and that's one of em. You just don't wear number 66.

It's not a rule that you can't pummel a star player if you're a "tough guy" but you just don't do it.

Pretty darn strong up the middle if you ask me...
- kindlyrick

Agreed, and all but Tavares are solid defensively. Kind of why I hope they don't trade Nielsen. Having Grabovski and Nielsen as a 2-3 punch...

Agreed, and all but Tavares are solid defensively. Kind of why I hope they don't trade Nielsen. Having Grabovski and Nielsen as a 2-3 punch...
- UIF

I think we isles fans are gonna like grabovski. For me, he lets fransy play where he should have been all along....3rd line center. I don't think scoring goals will be the problem this year.

It's a respect thing. It's why hockey is the greatest sport on the planet. There are unwritten rules in hockey.....and that's one of em. You just don't wear number 66.

It's not a rule that you can't pummel a star player if you're a "tough guy" but you just don't do it.
- kindlyrick

Just my thoughts, but we grew up watching Lemieux. So, for us, it means something more than just stats and video clips what he was able to do. Orr was way before my time...I recognize that he was an amazing player, but I never actually watched him redefine the defenseman position. At some point, Lemieux is going to be to a young NHLer what Orr is to us...a legend we're told about from a different era who we respect immensely, but probably don't entirely grasp because we never saw him rule the game.

Whenever that generation starts entering the league, I don't think it'll be out of the question to see one of them take that number. And if it does happen, it'll probably be in our lifetime and maybe not even too far off.

I think we isles fans are gonna like grabovski. For me, he lets fransy play where he should have been all along....3rd line center. I don't think scoring goals will be the problem this year.
- kindlyrick

Yeah, agreed all around. It allows for better depth on the wing too. We kept talking about whether Nelson or Strome should be center...both of them can start on the wings now. Plenty of good options for top-nine wingers with the extra center depth.

No it's cool, he looked good in a prospects scrimmage as a 21yr old so he's good to go, trust us.
- eichiefs9

All jokes aside he did look good

4 is obviously a common number. But I was referring to 99, and 66. You just don't wear those two numbers. Gretzky is retired league wide, but it's an unwritten rule, you don't wear 66.

For a kid who's supposed to "fly under the radar" wearing 66 is not a good start.
- kindlyrick

That explains why he didnt take 99. Good for him.. 66 looks good on him.

XxNYIxX

That explains why he didnt take 99. Good for him.. 66 looks good on him.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

66 looks good on one person and one person only. Wearing 66 at a prospect camp is arrogant and obnoxious.

Just my thoughts, but we grew up watching Lemieux. So, for us, it means something more than just stats and video clips what he was able to do. Orr was way before my time...I recognize that he was an amazing player, but I never actually watched him redefine the defenseman position. At some point, Lemieux is going to be to a young NHLer what Orr is to us...a legend we're told about from a different era who we respect immensely, but probably don't entirely grasp because we never saw him rule the game.

Whenever that generation starts entering the league, I don't think it'll be out of the question to see one of them take that number. And if it does happen, it'll probably be in our lifetime and maybe not even too far off.
- UIF

Call me old fashioned but I don't think anyone should wear 66. I just think its a respect thing. For me, his number should be retired league wide. But, being that its not, I don't think anyone should be rocking 66

Leave it to the isles to draft a kid who comes out with Super Mario on his back.

Call me old fashioned but I don't think anyone should wear 66. I just think its a respect thing. For me, his number should be retired league wide. But, being that its not, I don't think anyone should be rocking 66

Leave it to the isles to draft a kid who comes out with Super Mario on his back.
- kindlyrick

old fashion...why respect someone who has zero respect for our organization

old fashion...why respect someone who has zero respect for our organization
- Dan Petriw

I really don't care what he said about the islanders organization. The guy is one of if not the greatest player to play the game.

66 looks good on one person and one person only. Wearing 66 at a prospect camp is arrogant and obnoxious.
- kindlyrick

So what?

Unless he's traded to the Penguins where the number is retired... he can wear it on every other team in the league.

XxNYIxX

I really don't care what he said about the islanders organization. The guy is one of if not the greatest player to play the game.
- kindlyrick

In my opinion he is THE greatest player to ever play.. with that said... F$ck Mario.


XxNYIxX

So what?

Unless he's traded to the Penguins where the number is retired... he can wear it on every other team in the league.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I don't know why I respond to you....you either just want to argue for the sake of arguing, or you just don't get it.

I really don't care what he said about the islanders organization. The guy is one of if not the greatest player to play the game.
- kindlyrick

yeah he was.. i'm still not kissing his ass..i don't care what number the kid wants to wear

So what?

Unless he's traded to the Penguins where the number is retired... he can wear it on every other team in the league.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I don't know why I respond to you....you either just want to argue for the sake of arguing, or you just don't get it.

yeah he was.. i'm still not kissing his ass..i don't care what number the kid wants to wear
- Dan Petriw

I don't think it's kissing his ass......I think it's a respect thing. For a kid who was passed up by almost every NHL team because of his "arrogance" or "attitude problem" coming out wearing 66 showa that he's still not getting it. I'd rather him show his skills and fly under the radar instead of screaming look at me.

Just my two cents...

I don't think it's kissing his ass......I think it's a respect thing. For a kid who was passed up by almost every NHL team because of his "arrogance" or "attitude problem" coming out wearing 66 showa that he's still not getting it. I'd rather him show his skills and fly under the radar instead of screaming look at me.

Just my two cents...
- kindlyrick

i dunno..kid wore 99 cause he loves gretzky..so he flipped it upside down to 66.. just doesn't seem like a big deal to me.. if thats the worst that happens i think we will all be happy

i dunno..kid wore 99 cause he loves gretzky..so he flipped it upside down to 66.. just doesn't seem like a big deal to me.. if thats the worst that happens i think we will all be happy
- Dan Petriw

There's a reason why NOONE in the NHL wears 66. It's just understood. For a kid who was on half the leagues "do not draft" list, I personally would prefer him to tone it down and focus on hockey. Wearing Lemeiuxs number is just arrogant.

i dunno..kid wore 99 cause he loves gretzky..so he flipped it upside down to 66.. just doesn't seem like a big deal to me.. if thats the worst that happens i think we will all be happy
- Dan Petriw

From Ho Sang

“If I was a general manager and had first pick in the draft, I’d pick me No. 1,” he told The Sun. “In three years, I’ll be the best player in this draft. And I have no doubt about that. I know myself. I know the other players. I believe in my ability. There are guys ranked ahead of me who are nowhere near me."

Something tells me the 66 thing isn't going to be the worst thing with him. Lucky for him he's still young and will mature. Just hope he bulks up, cause 5 ft 8, 165lbs ain't cutting it in the NHL