Pretty sure Anders Lee signed a two way so he's starting the season in bport.
- kindlyrick

That does nothing for his development. The notion that Lee, Strome, etc. are starting in Bridgeport solely because of contract status rather than whether they actually outplay some of the deader weight sounds like another personnel mistake to me. Conacher's on a one-way...does he get a spot over better players because of that? Crazy if the answer's yes.

Plus, if the forwards remain as they are, this whole top-six/bottom-six thing doesn't mean what it usually does. A third line with Nielsen and Grabner may well be more productive offensively than a second line with Grabovski and Kulemin. Grabner's played nearly 140 fewer games than Kulemin but scores at a slightly higher rate per game (.5 vs .46) and Grabovski and Nielsen are nearly the same in both total points and points per game. All four are two-way players.

We're not exactly talking about the difference between playing with Tavares and Okposo versus Reasoner and Pandolfo...whichever rookie gets to play with Nielsen will be lucky to have a responsible, intelligent and productive center...even if that line has a number 3 next to it instead of 2.

Pretty sure Anders Lee signed a two way so he's starting the season in bport.
- kindlyrick

I would wait till camp plays out

the Bailey bashing very reminiscent of the view on Okposo 3 years ago.

its doesn't click for everyone immediately but when it does its great. I think we all agree that Bailey has the skills to be great player.

Bailey had confidence, he was captain of his Junior team. As bad as we all say, he always seems to wind up 4th or 5th in points on isles every year.

What better player to pay than with Tavares. Give the guy a shot. Instead of Cappy asking him to go dig in corners. Give bailey a shot in the SLOT early in season instead of waiting till end of season to do so.

the Bailey bashing very reminiscent of the view on Okposo 3 years ago.

its doesn't click for everyone immediately but when it does its great. I think we all agree that Bailey has the skills to be great player.

Bailey had confidence, he was captain of his Junior team. As bad as we all say, he always seems to wind up 4th or 5th in points on isles every year.

What better player to pay than with Tavares. Give the guy a shot. Instead of Cappy asking him to go dig in corners. Give bailey a shot in the SLOT early in season instead of waiting till end of season to do so.
- Spartiarti

The problem is that when Bailey gets the opportunity to shoot from the slot he'll make another pass instead

That does nothing for his development. The notion that Lee, Strome, etc. are starting in Bridgeport solely because of contract status rather than whether they actually outplay some of the deader weight sounds like another personnel mistake to me. Conacher's on a one-way...does he get a spot over better players because of that? Crazy if the answer's yes.

Plus, if the forwards remain as they are, this whole top-six/bottom-six thing doesn't mean what it usually does. A third line with Nielsen and Grabner may well be more productive offensively than a second line with Grabovski and Kulemin. Grabner's played nearly 140 fewer games than Kulemin but scores at a slightly higher rate per game (.5 vs .46) and Grabovski and Nielsen are nearly the same in both total points and points per game. All four are two-way players.

We're not exactly talking about the difference between playing with Tavares and Okposo versus Reasoner and Pandolfo...whichever rookie gets to play with Nielsen will be lucky to have a responsible, intelligent and productive center...even if that line has a number 3 next to it instead of 2.
- UIF

It is crazy, but is that any different than the last minute tryout signings who I'm sure were all promised definitive ice time if they "tried out".

I will say one thing. I does appear that the isles finally have enough depth that they will actually have players competing for spots.

I've said for year that Anders Lee is one of the best prospects in the organization. I thought at the end of last year he could work on his skating (his first step specifically). For that reason I don't have a problem with him starting out in bport.

As for 2nd vs 3rd lines. You can call it 2a and 2b, but the bottom line is Frans and Grabner just weren't getting it done. The isles consistently were inconsistent when it came to scoring from any other line not centered by JT. The additions of grabovski and kumelin addresses that.....hopefully.

I would wait till camp plays out
- Dan Petriw

Don't hold your breath. As it stand there are too many forwards signed on one ways. This is the isles where every dollar counts. Smart money has Anders Lee starting the season in Bridgeport.

That does nothing for his development. The notion that Lee, Strome, etc. are starting in Bridgeport solely because of contract status rather than whether they actually outplay some of the deader weight sounds like another personnel mistake to me. Conacher's on a one-way...does he get a spot over better players because of that? Crazy if the answer's yes.

Plus, if the forwards remain as they are, this whole top-six/bottom-six thing doesn't mean what it usually does. A third line with Nielsen and Grabner may well be more productive offensively than a second line with Grabovski and Kulemin. Grabner's played nearly 140 fewer games than Kulemin but scores at a slightly higher rate per game (.5 vs .46) and Grabovski and Nielsen are nearly the same in both total points and points per game. All four are two-way players.

We're not exactly talking about the difference between playing with Tavares and Okposo versus Reasoner and Pandolfo...whichever rookie gets to play with Nielsen will be lucky to have a responsible, intelligent and productive center...even if that line has a number 3 next to it instead of 2.
- UIF

Lee getting top line minutes in Bridgeport would absolutely be beneficial to his development. Sure, I'd rather see him on the Island over a guy like Conacher too but he's not going to be an impact player on this team playing on the third line. As pointed out above me, his skating still leaves plenty of room for improvement and getting big minutes certainly isn't going to hurt that.

The problem is that when Bailey gets the opportunity to shoot from the slot he'll make another pass instead
- eichiefs9

That's very funny and very true

That's very funny and very true
- kindlyrick

It really is sad. He's passed up the opportunity to shoot right down a clear lane so many times to make that one extra pass that just destroys the offensive momentum. I don't think he realizes that even if he doesn't score, it may result in a rebound that someone can bang home.

It really is sad. He's passed up the opportunity to shoot right down a clear lane so many times to make that one extra pass that just destroys the offensive momentum. I don't think he realizes that even if he doesn't score, it may result in a rebound that someone can bang home.
- eichiefs9

You're right but it all boils down to one thing.....confidence, or lack there of.

You're right but it all boils down to one thing.....confidence, or lack there of.
- kindlyrick

I agree and I genuinely think that if he gets traded he may put it together and be a good player. I just think it's time to move on and give him a fresh start in a new city.

For what it's worth, Matt Donovan is not listed on the defensive roster on the Islanders website.

For what it's worth, Matt Donovan is not listed on the defensive roster on the Islanders website.
- eichiefs9

Cause he signed a two way. He's def starting the season in bport.

I agree and I genuinely think that if he gets traded he may put it together and be a good player. I just think it's time to move on and give him a fresh start in a new city.
- eichiefs9

I agree. It's time.

Cause he signed a two way. He's def starting the season in bport.
- kindlyrick

That's mostly where I was going with that. But a tiny part of me is hoping he's getting moved in some sort of trade for a real defenseman.

the Bailey bashing very reminiscent of the view on Okposo 3 years ago.

its doesn't click for everyone immediately but when it does its great. I think we all agree that Bailey has the skills to be great player.

Bailey had confidence, he was captain of his Junior team. As bad as we all say, he always seems to wind up 4th or 5th in points on isles every year.

What better player to pay than with Tavares. Give the guy a shot. Instead of Cappy asking him to go dig in corners. Give bailey a shot in the SLOT early in season instead of waiting till end of season to do so.
- Spartiarti

i do agree with this...KO was being run out of town and he woke up the following season. as for bailey, while i agree with the idea tht JT should improve his game, its not JTs job to hold his hand along the way. the team is called the Islanders not the Baileys. if JB cant get his act together thats no one elses problem but his own to figure out. JT shouldnt be limited bc bailey needs help...

Don't hold your breath. As it stand there are too many forwards signed on one ways. This is the isles where every dollar counts. Smart money has Anders Lee starting the season in Bridgeport.
- kindlyrick

smart money doesnt make bets before all the information is available...i agree with dan, ill wait till the offseaon is over before i set my lines.

Lee getting top line minutes in Bridgeport would absolutely be beneficial to his development. Sure, I'd rather see him on the Island over a guy like Conacher too but he's not going to be an impact player on this team playing on the third line. As pointed out above me, his skating still leaves plenty of room for improvement and getting big minutes certainly isn't going to hurt that.
- eichiefs9

Eh, I don't want it to seem like I'm arguing for the sake of arguing here, but I genuinely don't agree. Lee's skating is vastly improved from when he played his first NHL game. I'm not saying he's Grabner, but he sure ain't Trevor Gillies either. I don't think his skating was holding him back last season, and it should only be better come camp. I don't see much benefit from playing him in Bport when he's already shown he's ready physically and mentally for a legit shot in the NHL. Let's see if his production was an aberration or the real deal. We won't know that from him racking up points in the AHL.

And again, the projected "third line," if we assume Nielsen and Grabner as 2/3 of it, is no different production-wise as the "second line," if we assume Grabo and Kulemin as 2/3. I don't think playing regularly with Nielsen is in any way a detriment no matter what you call that line, and don't think Nielsen's line is going to see any severe limits on ice time (I'd say there will be a relatively even split in the minutes Grabo's line and Nielsen's line get...that's the benefit of keeping both centers, if the Isles choose to do that). In fact, I'd argue Nielsen is actually a better setup man for a player like Lee than Grabo is.

But ultimately, who knows who will be traded come October. All I'm saying is if Lee, Nelson and Strome all come into camp and look ready and hungry, they should be on the team, and I think there's a big difference between playing on a "2B" line with Nielsen and playing on a 4th line with a couple of retreads like what happened to Nino.

Don't hold your breath. As it stand there are too many forwards signed on one ways. This is the isles where every dollar counts. Smart money has Anders Lee starting the season in Bridgeport.
- kindlyrick

Please don't discount the value of camp.. Like these deceisons are all ready made.. McDonald and or Boulton could easily be sent to bport and clear waivers. Let camp play out

For what it's worth, Matt Donovan is not listed on the defensive roster on the Islanders website.
- eichiefs9

He is on the prospects page

Eh, I don't want it to seem like I'm arguing for the sake of arguing here, but I genuinely don't agree. Lee's skating is vastly improved from when he played his first NHL game. I'm not saying he's Grabner, but he sure ain't Trevor Gillies either. I don't think his skating was holding him back last season, and it should only be better come camp. I don't see much benefit from playing him in Bport when he's already shown he's ready physically and mentally for a legit shot in the NHL. Let's see if his production was an aberration or the real deal. We won't know that from him racking up points in the AHL.

And again, the projected "third line," if we assume Nielsen and Grabner as 2/3 of it, is no different production-wise as the "second line," if we assume Grabo and Kulemin as 2/3. I don't think playing regularly with Nielsen is in any way a detriment no matter what you call that line, and don't think Nielsen's line is going to see any severe limits on ice time (I'd say there will be a relatively even split in the minutes Grabo's line and Nielsen's line get...that's the benefit of keeping both centers, if the Isles choose to do that). In fact, I'd argue Nielsen is actually a better setup man for a player like Lee than Grabo is.

But ultimately, who knows who will be traded come October. All I'm saying is if Lee, Nelson and Strome all come into camp and look ready and hungry, they should be on the team, and I think there's a big difference between playing on a "2B" line with Nielsen and playing on a 4th line with a couple of retreads like what happened to Nino.
- UIF

Eh, I don't want it to seem like I'm arguing for the sake of arguing here, but I genuinely don't agree. Lee's skating is vastly improved from when he played his first NHL game. I'm not saying he's Grabner, but he sure ain't Trevor Gillies either. I don't think his skating was holding him back last season, and it should only be better come camp. I don't see much benefit from playing him in Bport when he's already shown he's ready physically and mentally for a legit shot in the NHL. Let's see if his production was an aberration or the real deal. We won't know that from him racking up points in the AHL.

And again, the projected "third line," if we assume Nielsen and Grabner as 2/3 of it, is no different production-wise as the "second line," if we assume Grabo and Kulemin as 2/3. I don't think playing regularly with Nielsen is in any way a detriment no matter what you call that line, and don't think Nielsen's line is going to see any severe limits on ice time (I'd say there will be a relatively even split in the minutes Grabo's line and Nielsen's line get...that's the benefit of keeping both centers, if the Isles choose to do that). In fact, I'd argue Nielsen is actually a better setup man for a player like Lee than Grabo is.

But ultimately, who knows who will be traded come October. All I'm saying is if Lee, Nelson and Strome all come into camp and look ready and hungry, they should be on the team, and I think there's a big difference between playing on a "2B" line with Nielsen and playing on a 4th line with a couple of retreads like what happened to Nino.
- UIF

I never said his skating was holding him back or entering the "Trevor Gillies Zone". But there is room for improvement still. I don't think getting top line minutes in Bridgeport is going to stunt his development in the slightest. Like I said, I'd prefer he starts the year with the big club but I won't be super pissed if he has to start in Bridgeport.

That's mostly where I was going with that. But a tiny part of me is hoping he's getting moved in some sort of trade for a real defenseman.
- eichiefs9

But he has been on the roster the whole summer up until now

I never said his skating was holding him back or entering the "Trevor Gillies Zone". But there is room for improvement still. I don't think getting top line minutes in Bridgeport is going to stunt his development in the slightest. Like I said, I'd prefer he starts the year with the big club but I won't be super pissed if he has to start in Bridgeport.
- eichiefs9

That's one zone you don't want to fack with

I never said his skating was holding him back or entering the "Trevor Gillies Zone". But there is room for improvement still. I don't think getting top line minutes in Bridgeport is going to stunt his development in the slightest. Like I said, I'd prefer he starts the year with the big club but I won't be super pissed if he has to start in Bridgeport.
- eichiefs9

You unlock this door with the power of your fist. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of holding the boards for balance. A dimension of missed checks. A dimension of record suspensions. You're moving...awkwardly...into a land of both lesser talent and political turmoil (the KHL). You just crossed over into...the Trevor Gillies Zone.