I think the real x factor will be Czuczman and Reinhart. Both are big kids (who reportedly added a lot of muscle this offseason) and are good stay at home dmen. I was very impressed by what I saw from Czuczman in terms of quickly adapting to the NHL game last season. Reinhart is coming of a huge performance last season and both have the talent and size to be significant contributors. Throw in Mayfield and Pulock getting his feet wet and I think folks are underestimating just how much some of this talent and size can overcome some of the defensive lapses.

IN addition, this teams backchecking was AWFUL last year. The addition of defensively responsible impact forwards like Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski will make the backpressure all that better and dmens job easier. It's like. Our defense was bad last year, but they were made worse by our forwards underperforming. It's like football, your corners look terrible without a pass rush..they're asked to cover too long and too much ground. Add a pass rush, and the corners look like a different unit.
- keaner17

I'm excited to see Reinhart get regular minutes, even if it's on the 3rd pairing. I think going forward we're going to have a steady stream of young talented defensemen coming to the big squad and eagerly waiting in the wings in Bridgeport.

Yes, it's not needed. It's the Vanek trade all over again.
- kindlyrick

its no where close to the vanek deal. not even remotely close.

Youre expecting improvement on all fronts as far as our defense and from former first year players. Doesnt always work out that way. In fact as islander fans we've seen it not work out more often than not. Though its completely possible that what you suggested happens( and I hope youre right) if I were betting on it id stick with what I said. This defense even with an upgrade in goal wont get us to the playoffs imo.
- Cptmjl

I agree with you.....sure hope we're wrong.

its no where close to the vanek deal. not even remotely close.
- LetsGoIsles

In the sense of the problem is defense and you're adding offense......so yes it's very near close.

Youre expecting improvement on all fronts as far as our defense and from former first year players. Doesnt always work out that way. In fact as islander fans we've seen it not work out more often than not. Though its completely possible that what you suggested happens( and I hope youre right) if I were betting on it id stick with what I said. This defense even with an upgrade in goal wont get us to the playoffs imo.
- Cptmjl

I think, given their ethic and talent level, it's reasonable to expect that De Haan and Strome will both continue their imrpovement.

As for the others, I also think it's likely that out of Czuczman, Reinhart, Pulock, Mayfield, Brennan and others, that one of those guys emerges to fill a significant role.

That said, I'm not suggesting the plan should be to bet the farm on them doing that...I'm merely saying we shouldn't allow ourselves to be the overpaying party in a trade based on the panic of filling that top four spot. Time is on our side.

if you need $1,000 but someone offers you $100, are you not going to take it?
- LetsGoIsles

If your car needs a new engine, does repainting it get it moving or does it just look closer to be ready to roll?

Kane is more of a power forward in the true sense of the term. Okposo is more of a stretch to me. Great player in his own right dont get me wrong.

*prepares self for huge debate with everyone on here on what a power forward is*
- Cptmjl

agreed...kane is a much grittier player and plays with a chip on his shoulder; he also doesnt mind dropping the gloves (9 nhl fights) as opposed to KO who isnt all that intimidating at this point in his career, although he is a good pusher (2 nhl fights)

Again, folks being down on Hickey is sort of funny to me. He's a damn smooth skater, good puck mover, nice vision, very good at backdoor shot attempts and arguably the most positionally sound dman we have. While true that he's not ever going to be a top pairing guy, he's shown steady improvement over time and I'm totally fine having him playing bottom pairing minutes for now.

The competition for that last pairing is getting very fierce, so either he gets stronger and better, or moves on. Either way, he's fine in that role for now if chosen.

I don't know what Friedman said to Staple on twitter but Staple just went ballistic on him

A lot hinges on Visnovsky staying healthy, I won't argue that. I'll be clear and say that I do want Garth to preferably add another piece on the blueline before camp starts. I just won't lose it if we start the season with what we have now.
- eichiefs9

I know. There isn't an Islander fan on this site that feels differently. I hope Snow can get it done. This has been his best off season, but I'll feel he fell short if he doesn't.

I don't know what Friedman said to Staple on twitter but Staple just went ballistic on him
- eichiefs9

Holy crap this is good...Staple saying he was plagiarized by friedman...

Staple: "Still waiting for an apology from the time you plagiarized me, kid. You best leave it, and me alone. Got it?"

Staple: "Still waiting for an apology from the time you plagiarized me, kid. You best leave it, and me alone. Got it?"
- keaner17

Friedman must have deleted whatever he said to set Stape off, I want to know what it was so bad. I hate that little doofus.

Friedman must have deleted whatever he said to set Stape off, I want to know what it was so bad. I hate that little doofus.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, I was trying to find out. I've had some exchanges with Friedman, he's friendly, but I don't think he's a real independent thinker...as apparently Staple has now insinuated

I agree, and I think that the defense isn't as incomplete as most are saying. I would certainly love to get another quality guy back there but I don't hate what we have right now.
- eichiefs9

yup. agreed. amac gone. another year of development. significantly better goaltending. prospects maturing....all reasons why defense will be better this year than last (and thats without any upgrades)

I know. There isn't a person on this site that feels differently. I hope Snow can get it done. This has been his best off season, but I'll feel he fell short if he doesn't.
- JimmyP

But why does Snow need to rush a move? For the first time, he has more chips to play with than his opponents. Every time the Isles have gone into a trade, they have had their backs against the wall because they needed the pieces more than the other team. Now, they have the depth, talent and prospects to allow them to fight it out, allow for injuries and allow OTHER GM's to say, "hey, I need so and so... here's what I've got available."
Let them go into camp. Let the fringe players know they can't drift around anymore because there's 3 other players on their heels. Bailey has been a waste of space because there really has been no one around pushing for his job. Now there is and, many are just calling to trade it all away for the sake of a trade. Sometimes, competition alone makes you a better employee, whether it's sports or the business world.

Yeah, I was trying to find out. I've had some exchanges with Friedman, he's friendly, but I don't think he's a real independent thinker...as apparently Staple has now insinuated
- keaner17

I think someone once gave him the advice, on covering hockey, of "just declare many things and then stand behind them unwavering no matter what"

He just routinely says things about guys in the league that are sometimes asinine and then defends them to the death like his statements are his family.

The best was when he was arguing with the LHH guys saying he's "studied the game intently for years" and how he was basically like a scout because he's devoted his life to studying the game of hockey.

I think someone once gave him the advice, on covering hockey, of "just declare many things and then stand behind them unwavering no matter what"

He just routinely says things about guys in the league that are sometimes asinine and then defends them to the death like his statements are his family.

The best was when he was arguing with the LHH guys saying he's "studied the game intently for years" and how he was basically like a scout because he's devoted his life to studying the game of hockey.
- eichiefs9

Yeah..he took a lot of crap (deservedly so) for that one. I also love how he keeps finding ways to bring up Moulson.

I have a feeling this one is going to be a big shot to his twitter existence!

In the sense of the problem is defense and you're adding offense......so yes it's very near close.
- kindlyrick

from what i can tell, your entire premise for not making the bailey, MDC, 3rd asset for Kane is because "snow wont trade multiple prospectS", which may or may not be trade. but putting that aside, the question is, would that deal be done. essentially taking 1 roster player (who say say is not deserving to be on the roster and only playing bc of $$) + Prospects and turning that into a 1st line power forward. its a done deal, gotta happen. its a wash in terms of roster sports and a HUGE addition to the forwards. while i see that it isnt the #1 priority, we should confuse the current forwards on the islanders to the canadian hockey team.

they is always room for improvement.

But why does Snow need to rush a move? For the first time, he has more chips to play with than his opponents. Every time the Isles have gone into a trade, they have had their backs against the wall because they needed the pieces more than the other team. Now, they have the depth, talent and prospects to allow them to fight it out, allow for injuries and allow OTHER GM's to say, "hey, I need so and so... here's what I've got available."
Let them go into camp. Let the fringe players know they can't drift around anymore because there's 3 other players on their heels. Bailey has been a waste of space because there really has been no one around pushing for his job. Now there is and, many are just calling to trade it all away for the sake of a trade. Sometimes, competition alone makes you a better employee, whether it's sports or the business world.
- brodydog29

I think the Isles are a bubble team right now. I also don't think Vis will make it through the season without an injury. I want another solid D-man to get this team to the next level. Defense was the number two priority this off season (after goal tending). We all agree that it's the biggest weakness right now. I'm not saying Snow should panic and get shafted in a trade, but I'd be disappointed if he couldn't address this obvious need.

If your car needs a new engine, does repainting it get it moving or does it just look closer to be ready to roll?
- kindlyrick

trust me, i understand the example. it makes sense. but in your example if the car's paint is chipping, you can ALSO get it repainted; just bc the engine is most important, doesnt mean it has to be taken care of fiirst

Again, folks being down on Hickey is sort of funny to me. He's a damn smooth skater, good puck mover, nice vision, very good at backdoor shot attempts and arguably the most positionally sound dman we have. While true that he's not ever going to be a top pairing guy, he's shown steady improvement over time and I'm totally fine having him playing bottom pairing minutes for now.

The competition for that last pairing is getting very fierce, so either he gets stronger and better, or moves on. Either way, he's fine in that role for now if chosen.
- keaner17

i think a lot of people would say your entire argument is arguable. but i agree. i like hickey; he does HIS job.

I think the Isles are a bubble team right now. I also don't think Vis will make it through the season without an injury. I want another solid D-man to get this team to the next level. Defense was the number two priority this off season (after goal tending). We all agree that it's the biggest weakness right now. I'm not saying Snow should panic and get shafted in a trade, but I'd be disappointed if he couldn't address this obvious need.
- JimmyP

I get that but, as fans we really don't know what we already have in terms of prospects... Who's to say that Reinhart doesn't step in and play the 4th D spot. Have Hamonic / Dehaan, Viz / Reinhart, and any of the remainders that play well enough in the system be the 5,6. I do want a top 4 guy. I just don't want the Isles to deplete what they just built on the F end to do it or block some of these kids if they truly are ready and can handle it. I know, a lot of "ifs" but, as an Islander fan, I've grown used to that word. It just seems this years "ifs" are little easier to swallow than past years.

I get that but, as fans we really don't know what we already have in terms of prospects... Who's to say that Reinhart doesn't step in and play the 4th D spot. Have Hamonic / Dehaan, Viz / Reinhart, and any of the remainders that play well enough in the system be the 5,6. I do want a top 4 guy. I just don't want the Isles to deplete what they just built on the F end to do it or block some of these kids if they truly are ready and can handle it. I know, a lot of "ifs" but, as an Islander fan, I've grown used to that word. It just seems this years "ifs" are little easier to swallow than past years.
- brodydog29

I don't share your optimism. I'm sick of the "ifs". I've heard it too many times and it hasn't been successful.

I don't think Snow is done yet. We'll have to wait and see what happens. Even if no other moves are made, this will still be the best roster we've seen in a long time.

I get that but, as fans we really don't know what we already have in terms of prospects... Who's to say that Reinhart doesn't step in and play the 4th D spot. Have Hamonic / Dehaan, Viz / Reinhart, and any of the remainders that play well enough in the system be the 5,6. I do want a top 4 guy. I just don't want the Isles to deplete what they just built on the F end to do it or block some of these kids if they truly are ready and can handle it. I know, a lot of "ifs" but, as an Islander fan, I've grown used to that word. It just seems this years "ifs" are little easier to swallow than past years.
- brodydog29

I think everyone concedes that there's a chance that these guys can surprise us and play above where we all thought they would. But if's and but's don't really mean anything so I think you'd have to go into the season assuming things like Reinhart only being a 3rd pairing defenseman. We all hope he's Shea Weber, but for now I don't think it's all that fair to even mention it until he gives us a reason to.