Im back in NY... this air does something to me!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Welcome home!!

I think teams closer to the Isles improved...Washington, NJ...and Columbus certainly didn't get any worse. I know Washington handed out an absurd contract to Orpik, but money aside, they addressed a weakness, as the Isles have, and brought in a damn good coach to boot.

As for the teams higher up, I agree the Rangers, Pitt and Philly took some hits, but that's a serious point swing for the Isles to catch them. Pitt was 30 points ahead of the Isles, The Rangers 17 points and Philly 15. I don't think they're that much worse and the Isles that much better to make that up on all or even two of those three teams. It's possible the wheels come off for one of them I suppose.

All I'm saying is, yes, the Isles are better. And yes, there's an outside chance they can get in. I think it's still an uphill battle though. A lot of things have to go right for the Isles to make up 11 points and get around that 90 mark, and quite a few things have to go wrong for other teams for the Isles to get in. One game at a time though.
- UIF

I really think u are severly underestimating just how important the position of Goalie is and the level of Skill of the 2 we signed. (I would agree on the Columbus point)... I think we seem to forget how teams fall in and out of the playoffs easily in this league. Especially in the east. .. toronto a year away from that melt down in the playoffs with Boston (who went on to win the east).. did not make the playoffs last year. Ottawa and their Star D-man karlsson having a great playoff appearance did not make it the following year ... (Alfredsson? injuries? ) How will they do this year without Spezza if he is moved? that is their top scoring forward. Devils are 2 years from a cup final and missed the playoffs. Phanuef gets moved does that help Toronto get in this year? ....

Isles will make it b/c the division got worse.. and they got better.

Let's not forget about the 2 forwards they signed that will be 2nd or 3rd line depending on if you love Franz or not...

OH YEAH!! (I like this.. kind of like XX sign off.)

He did
- Cptmjl

i just wanna read about it....

I really think u are severly underestimating just how important the position of Goalie is and the level of Skill of the 2 we signed. (I would agree on the Columbus point)... I think we seem to forget how teams fall in and out of the playoffs easily in this league. Especially in the east. .. toronto a year away from that melt down in the playoffs with Boston (who went on to win the east).. did not make the playoffs last year. Ottawa and their Star D-man karlsson having a great playoff appearance did not make it the following year ... (Alfredsson? injuries? ) How will they do this year without Spezza if he is moved? that is their top scoring forward. Devils are 2 years from a cup final and missed the playoffs. Phanuef gets moved does that help Toronto get in this year? ....

Isles will make it b/c the division got worse.. and they got better.

Let's not forget about the 2 forwards they signed that will be 2nd or 3rd line depending on if you love Franz or not...

OH YEAH!! (I like this.. kind of like XX sign off.)
- niteislander

In fairness, I like the Halak move but lets not hype up Johnson bc he played behind a very good defense/system in Boston. Plus keep in mind that Halak is streaky but Isles overall defense still needs to improve. But will admit the G position has improved.

- big_dion

The Bulgarian Brut.... Alex Rusev

The Bulgarian Brut.... Alex Rusev
- Ur Not Me

tavares should be thrilled that he finally has a legit 2nd line C to help him out.

expect 55-60 pts from grabovski.

he's a player that will take a hit to make a pass, literally the dumbest move in leafs nation since moving rask for raycroft was buying out grabovski.

tavares should be thrilled that he finally has a legit 2nd line C to help him out.

expect 55-60 pts from grabovski.
- big_dion

Yea we know, but he also needs to stay healthy.....

Edit: whats the word in TOR about Dion, staying or going???

Obviously I am Koolaide guy... so I will take the other side of your argument. The NHL is much closer than most people think. One or 2 players can make a HUGE difference in a teams success. Especially when that player is a goalie. Most of the better teams in the East got worse this summer b/c of Cap issues. Pens lost James Neal, Niskanen, Orpik, Jokinen, possibly Letang, etc.... (added Erhoff and our buddy Comeau) Crosby just had wrist surgery.... Rangers lost Richards who was their 3rd best in points on a team that struggled scoring goals.. and have a ton of guys to sign with little room (added Boyle and Lombardi), When you look around the East not a lot of team actually improved .. flyers God help them have A-mack to deal with all year and Streit and Timo a year older.. Hartnall gone.

I guess my point is the Isles lost 15 of 17 games when they had their only NHL goalie hurt along with 2 of their top 4 d-men. They now have 2 NHL goalies that IMO are far better than Nabby... and no matter what happens the rest of the season we will NOT see Martinek on the ice and Carkner playing top 4 minutes. The young kids are ready to make the jump.. or on the cusp (Czurczman, Mayfield, Reinhardt, Ville, donovan, etc.).. DeHaan and Hickey will have some experience under their belt and be bettter.. .. Hamonic, Strait and maybe Vis back...

I do believe we are still going to add a D-man via Trade. EVen if we don't we are a much better team with the Goalies, Added depth forwards, and the Young kids competing for spot on Back line. This team will Make the playoffs... Period.

Koolaide guy out... OH yeah!
- niteislander

Ill have what he's drinking!!!!



XxNYIxX

Yea we know, but he also needs to stay healthy.....
- Ur Not Me

i wouldnt worry too much about his health.

guys a freak of nature unless he breaks a bone he's in

Ill have what he's drinking!!!!



XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Capt & Coke

Yea we know, but he also needs to stay healthy.....

Edit: whats the word in TOR about Dion, staying or going???
- Ur Not Me

its all bullpoop, hes staying 100%.

people just love to get the media going on a frenzy around here.

its all bullpoop, hes staying 100%.

people just love to get the media going on a frenzy around here.
- big_dion

In all honesty, how do you see the Leafs doing this year? Plus why does the team want to trade 2 young players in Franson & Reimer?

In all honesty, how do you see the Leafs doing this year? Plus why does the team want to trade 2 young players in Franson & Reimer?
- Ur Not Me

im a straight shooter buddy and here is how i see it.

leafs are either goona be like 11-13 or they are goona be 5-6.

things are either going to click or be horrible, sounds stupid, but with the additions of Robidas on D, Polak on D and rielly and gardiner both being more mature, phaneuf will have more support.

the forward the leafs got in frattin, kontiola, santorelli, komarov are all DECENT 2 way players, whom they are replacing softer guys who may have a bit more offensive flare.

as for reimer and franson: leafs got 2 new right handed D men, we had none before, they also think Granberg is ready to make the jump and hes RH as well...solid 5-6 Dman and young.

reimer only because bernier is better and reimer is one of those goalies who's capable of starting but he needs the games to play, not spot duty, so i think hes going to have another challenging year..mind you, hes better than he played last year, i think he lost some confidence being replaced by bernier after marching the leafs into the playoffs for the first time in 9years and getting instantly replaced.

so overall, i think the leafs will have better D and wont give up as many shots, but of course bernier will have to play .925 hockey again for them to be solidified in a playoff spot.

my guess, leafs finish either 12th in the east or 7th.

im a straight shooter buddy and here is how i see it.

leafs are either goona be like 11-13 or they are goona be 5-6.

things are either going to click or be horrible, sounds stupid, but with the additions of Robidas on D, Polak on D and rielly and gardiner both being more mature, phaneuf will have more support.

the forward the leafs got in frattin, kontiola, santorelli, komarov are all DECENT 2 way players, whom they are replacing softer guys who may have a bit more offensive flare.

as for reimer and franson: leafs got 2 new right handed D men, we had none before, they also think Granberg is ready to make the jump and hes RH as well...solid 5-6 Dman and young.

reimer only because bernier is better and reimer is one of those goalies who's capable of starting but he needs the games to play, not spot duty, so i think hes going to have another challenging year..mind you, hes better than he played last year, i think he lost some confidence being replaced by bernier after marching the leafs into the playoffs for the first time in 9years and getting instantly replaced.

so overall, i think the leafs will have better D and wont give up as many shots, but of course bernier will have to play .925 hockey again for them to be solidified in a playoff spot.

my guess, leafs finish either 12th in the east or 7th.
- big_dion

Fair analysis....
If Robidas stays healthy all year, then yes your D has gotten better... And stop Dion from jumping in on the play might help too

Fair analysis....
If Robidas stays healthy all year, then yes your D has gotten better... And stop Dion from jumping in on the play might help too
- Ur Not Me

yep, robidas should help, and i think polak will be a good shutdown D man that we have been looking for since we got Komisarek years ago.

dion needs a REAL d partner, i hear Gardiner will play with him this year.

big improvement over what hes been playing with last few years...

gunnerson, holzer, kostka..

I think one of the major problems with the isles is the coaching. Every year that Jack Capuano has been the coach the isles have had a losing record at home. The reason home ice is an advantage is because the coach get the last line change to match up. Jack Capuano has failed miserably in every year at this. This team will most likely go nowhere without a winning record at home. That falls on the coach....3 years of a losing home record is a major problem that noone ever addresses.
- kindlyrick

Some on this site are oblivious to Cappys negative impact on the team and choose to ignore this fact. There's only ONE head coach. His job has a ripple effect on everything that happens with the team. Having Cappy for another season is slightly worse than giving the starting goalie job to Kevin Poulin. He's underexperienced to lead a team in rebuild mode and not talented enough to do the job night in & night out properly. The team got outplayed alot and were not always prepared for the games. Am not gonna blame Cappy for Bailey's lack of development but whatever happeed with Nino to cause the trade request is all on Cappy. Garth allowing him to keep his job is a failure as his GM duties everyday he allows it to continue.

Some on this site are oblivious to Cappys negative impact on the team and choose to ignore this fact. There's only ONE head coach. His job has a ripple effect on everything that happens with the team. Having Cappy for another season is slightly worse than giving the starting goalie job to Kevin Poulin. He's underexperienced to lead a team in rebuild mode and not talented enough to do the job night in & night out properly. The team got outplayed alot and were not always prepared for the games. Am not gonna blame Cappy for Bailey's lack of development but whatever happeed with Nino to cause the trade request is all on Cappy. Garth allowing him to keep his job is a failure as his GM duties everyday he allows it to continue.
- jmo16

Why because they don't whine and complain about him everyday all day? I think its safe to say that EVERYBODY on this site knows he is the not the right coach for the team but after a while MOST posters just know there is nothing they can do about it so they don't cry about it all day long. Somehow some guys on here take that as being Cappy supporters, how? I have no idea

Welcome home!!
- niteislander

Thank you... heading back to NC tomorrow morning... then back in NY for a few weeks a week from today. It never ends!!! Weeeeeeee.

XxNYIxX

does anyone know for sure if Visnosky is even coming back? I haven't heard anything indication he was. I really hope he is.

I happy at our goaltending situation this year but I still think Cappy going to screw it up with players.
We are loaded at forward and yet somehow Cappy will chose Colin MacDonald in his line up. Its like the obsession with Andy Hilbert all those years coach Nolan ( was he the coach then? )

does anyone know for sure if Visnosky is even coming back? I haven't heard anything indication he was. I really hope he is.

I happy at our goaltending situation this year but I still think Cappy going to screw it up with players.
We are loaded at forward and yet somehow Cappy will chose Colin MacDonald in his line up. Its like the obsession of Andy Hilbert all those years.
- Spartiarti

He is. Positive.

Some on this site are oblivious to Cappys negative impact on the team and choose to ignore this fact. There's only ONE head coach. His job has a ripple effect on everything that happens with the team. Having Cappy for another season is slightly worse than giving the starting goalie job to Kevin Poulin. He's underexperienced to lead a team in rebuild mode and not talented enough to do the job night in & night out properly. The team got outplayed alot and were not always prepared for the games. Am not gonna blame Cappy for Bailey's lack of development but whatever happeed with Nino to cause the trade request is all on Cappy. Garth allowing him to keep his job is a failure as his GM duties everyday he allows it to continue.
- jmo16

No.. its all on Nino and Snow.

Cappy sucks @ss but how the Nino fiasco is any of his fault ill never know.

XxNYIxX

Islanders: Sharp and Leddy

Hakws: Neilsen, Martin, Pokka, and 5th rounder

Sharp-JT-KO
Kulemin-Grabo-Nelson
Lee-Strome-Grabner
Clutterbuck- Cizikas-Conacher

If I'm Garth I give Chicago what they are looking for in Neilsen and Martin. Use Boulton (only in games when needed) to fill the shoes of Martin. I then package Bailey with Donvoan and a pick/prospect and go after a top 4 D man.

Before any of you get your panties in a bunch, this is me wishing out loud.

does anyone know for sure if Visnosky is even coming back? I haven't heard anything indication he was. I really hope he is.

I happy at our goaltending situation this year but I still think Cappy going to screw it up with players.
We are loaded at forward and yet somehow Cappy will chose Colin MacDonald in his line up. Its like the obsession with Andy Hilbert all those years coach Nolan ( was he the coach then? )
- Spartiarti

Ofcourse he's coming back.. why does anyone think otherwise???

XxNYIxX

Islanders: Sharp and Leddy

Hakws: Neilsen, Martin, Pokka, and 5th rounder

Sharp-JT-KO
Kulemin-Grabo-Nelson
Lee-Strome-Grabner
Clutterbuck- Cizikas-Conacher

If I'm Garth I give Chicago what they are looking for in Neilsen and Martin. Use Boulton (only in games when needed) to fill the shoes of Martin. I then package Bailey with Donvoan and a pick/prospect and go after a top 4 D man.

Before any of you get your panties in a bunch, this is me wishing out loud.
- bjpgallagher

No.. no... god no.. no!

XxNYIxX