I realize that there's a good chance I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't be upset if they locked him up for 5yrs either. A bit of a risk given his injury history, but if he can keep improving on a season like the last, he'll be a steal in a few years.
- eichiefs9

Too much of a risk for me . You're right. Could wind up being a real good contract or biting us in our arse. I'd rather be a little less aggressive with him and his injury history.

The injury thing is overblown. Off his four major injuries three were major penalties leading in suspensions and the fourth someone fell on his shoulder socket. The injury he suffered against Ovechkin last year was not serious and he could have played if the games meant anything. Honestly he has had some poop luck
- Dan Petriw

I don't disagree and maybe the injuries didn't happen by any fault of his own or because he was born frail. But my only concern is that they did happen and I don't know what kind of damage was done and if they are more likely to happen going forward. It's not a major concern either. I absolutely loved the way he played last season and am far more excited about him than I had ever planned on being.

The injury thing is overblown. Off his four major injuries three were major penalties leading in suspensions and the fourth someone fell on his shoulder socket. The injury he suffered against Ovechkin last year was not serious and he could have played if the games meant anything. Honestly he has had some poop luck
- Dan Petriw

The same could be said for Martinek and his injuries

The same could be said for Martinek and his injuries
- Cptmjl

and DP

and DP
- mighty13duck

A lot of DP's injuries were more of a result from him being stupid. Fractured face and the concussion when he was practically at center ice in Montreal come to mind.

I was thinking that two.. 3 years 800k something like that
- Dan Petriw

On a better team i could see that contract happening. On a defense starved not so great Islander team I think he'll get more. Hopefully you're right.

The injury thing is overblown. Off his four major injuries three were major penalties leading in suspensions and the fourth someone fell on his shoulder socket. The injury he suffered against Ovechkin last year was not serious and he could have played if the games meant anything. Honestly he has had some poop luck
- Dan Petriw

Once you dislocate your shoulder the chances of it happening again are very high. Im very worried...

On a better team i could see that contract happening. On a defense starved not so great Islander team I think he'll get more. Hopefully you're right.
- Cptmjl

He'll get 1 shmill a year.....3 yrs

Bottom line is just by eliminating Poulin Donovan and hopefully Carkner the Isles are significantly better. By adding 2 competent goalies and 2 decent forwards makes the Isles a bubble team. Add one more defenseman and we could be competing for first in the metro. I don't see any other forward group in our divison that has more depth than us.

The injury thing is overblown. Off his four major injuries three were major penalties leading in suspensions and the fourth someone fell on his shoulder socket. The injury he suffered against Ovechkin last year was not serious and he could have played if the games meant anything. Honestly he has had some poop luck
- Dan Petriw

Im looking forward to seeing him play and staying healthy with the big club. It would be great if he was a paired with a solid vet so the pressure isnt on him as much as it was with Hambone. Yes, Travis became top pair b/c of Lubo's injury but Garth was supposed to get defense LAST off-season. Put us in a hole outta the gate.

Once you dislocate your shoulder the chances of it happening again are very high. Im very worried...
- kindlyrick

My sister has issues with her shoulder after she dislocated it in elementary school.. she still has to go to the hospital every couple of years for redislocation issues.

Bottom line is just by eliminating Poulin Donovan and hopefully Carkner the Isles are significantly better. By adding 2 competent goalies and 2 decent forwards makes the Isles a bubble team. Add one more defenseman and we could be competing for first in the metro. I don't see any other forward group in our divison that has more depth than us.
- mighty13duck

First place in metro will require more than One good defenseman. Dennis Potvin in his prime wouldnt be enough for this team to compete for 1st place. At present, we are a bubble playoff contender at best. Goal differential needs a huge improvement.

The entire line was a dumpster fire
- Dan Petriw

I was actually more upset with Martin. I loved him when he first joined the team. Then he caught the Josh Bailey sickness.

I was actually more upset with Martin. I loved him when he first joined the team. Then he caught the Josh Bailey sickness.
- JimmyP

I think the new 4th line of Clutterbuck, Martin & Cizikas will a pain in the arse to play against this year. MM & CC need to bounce back this year

I was actually more upset with Martin. I loved him when he first joined the team. Then he caught the Josh Bailey sickness.
- JimmyP

I think we will see Martin's departure in the not-too-distant future and you will see stupid fans cry about it and say things like "we need his grit to protect JT and win games".

I think we will see Martin's departure in the not-too-distant future and you will see stupid fans cry about it and say things like "we need his grit to protect JT and win games".
- eichiefs9

He didn't have the best year but I think some might be exaggerating at how bad it really was. His year was pretty much duplicated by most of the team save for a few. I do believe we need his "grit" and i for one would not want to see him go. Hoping for a better performance from him this season.

I think we will see Martin's departure in the not-too-distant future and you will see stupid fans cry about it and say things like "we need his grit to protect JT and win games".
- eichiefs9

If he's playing with grit I'll be sad to see him go. If he plays like he did last year then I won't care.

I think the Isles were a bit too optimistic with their fourth line for parts of last season...asking them to perform a shutdown role rather than an energy role at times. We heard a lot about the "confidence Capuano has in his fourth line." Like many Isles, I think they were asked to do a bit more than they should have. That said, Martin and Cizikas in particular have to do better.

He didn't have the best year but I think some might be exaggerating at how bad it really was. His year was pretty much duplicated by most of the team save for a few. I do believe we need his "grit" and i for one would not want to see him go. Hoping for a better performance from him this season.
- Cptmjl

I agree. This team is still pretty soft and you need a couple of guys like Martin & Clutterbuck to wear down the other team. I have a feeling he will bounce back. Lots more competition for spots now so nobody should come in feeling like they have a spot locked up outside of a few on the top lines

He didn't have the best year but I think some might be exaggerating at how bad it really was. His year was pretty much duplicated by most of the team save for a few. I do believe we need his "grit" and i for one would not want to see him go. Hoping for a better performance from him this season.
- Cptmjl

I've felt since the trade for Clutterbuck that it's a bit redundant having both. Not sure how badly they need two players hanging around the offensive zone well after the puck's cleared to throw a check that you can hear but never see. I'd consider moving whoever has more value out of the two.

He didn't have the best year but I think some might be exaggerating at how bad it really was. His year was pretty much duplicated by most of the team save for a few. I do believe we need his "grit" and i for one would not want to see him go. Hoping for a better performance from him this season.
- Cptmjl

I think at the end of the day he's a fourth liner and very replaceable. I like that he's homegrown and I'd prefer to keep him, but I certainly won't call for Garth's head and/or think that it's going to have a significant impact on the team should he be shown the door.

I think at the end of the day he's a fourth liner and very replaceable. I like that he's homegrown and I'd prefer to keep him, but I certainly won't call for Garth's head and/or think that it's going to have a significant impact on the team should he be shown the door.
- eichiefs9

Sure if they bring in another banger. If you replace Martin with a soft player then I think that would be a mistake

‏@renlavoietva · 10s
Kirill Kabanov is on waivers. He will be bought out by the Islanders. #tvasports

‏@renlavoietva · 10s
Kirill Kabanov is on waivers. He will be bought out by the Islanders. #tvasports
- tomburton99

Not surprised. He never took that next step

Sure if they bring in another banger. If you replace Martin with a soft player then I think that would be a mistake
- Vukota

I think it'd be best to just have some more size and physicality throughout the lineup...particularly from skilled top-six players rather than just having another bottom-six banger. Maybe players like Nelson and Lee can play big while also bringing more offense. A transition to players who can play more of a power-forward game rather than a couple of checkers among a land of soft smurfs that we've seen over the years here.