Left at the alter alone for scraps? Funny thing is if they invited some leftover for a tryout you would be the first one complaining about bringing in some has been on a tryout
- Vukota

No I wouldn't, u have me pegged wrong. When the team lacked talent and then bring in scrubs, YES I would complain bc it didn't/doesn't help the team

But now that the team is in better shape bc theres more NHL talent on team, Im looking for "fillers" that might/could help.

I'll wager $5.00 Radek Martinek is present at camp.
- jmo16

No need to bet bc he's been a fixture in isles camp for 10yrs n counting

Lately.. I've been naked, drinking those juices... spending more time with Cappy thou.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

FIXED!

Anyone hear anything on camp invites? Or once again islanders are left at alter alone....
- Ur Not Me

What's out there that would be an upgrade on a tryout basis? Other than Derek Morris who I think may still have something left in the tank it's all just crap.

No I wouldn't, u have me pegged wrong. When the team lacked talent and then bring in scrubs, YES I would complain bc it didn't/doesn't help the team

But now that the team is in better shape bc theres more NHL talent on team, Im looking for "fillers" that might/could help.



- Ur Not Me

What filler is there? No room at forward, in net we're set, on defense there's almost nothing that could even be considered interesting

What filler is there? No room at forward, in net we're set, on defense there's almost nothing that could even be considered interesting
- Isles_since_6

Dmen.... Im not sure who's left or available but Morris, Pitkanen (if healthy) anyone with n NHL resume, remember its only a try-out.....

FIXED!


- SCLI

Ohh to be THAT lucky!

XxNYIxX

Dmen.... Im not sure who's left or available but Morris, Pitkanen (if healthy) anyone with n NHL resume, remember its only a try-out.....
- Ur Not Me

Exactly... when you are lite on NHL talent on the back end like we are.. it can not hurt to have as many D-men with an NHL resume trying out for your team.

XxNYIxX

Exactly... when you are lite on NHL talent on the back end like we are.. it can not hurt to have as many D-men with an NHL resume trying out for your team.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Was hoping that Tallinder who had gotten an invite instead of going to Leafs ( I think) But knowing Snow's mentality is having the kids fight it out instead of maybe have them develop a little in AHL then call up. Or keep relying on Strait, Carkner....
D is the hardest to learn & adjust to in the NHL, the kids dont need the pressure in the early part of season. That's my take....

Interesting

http://nypost.com/2014/09...wild-for-islanders-stake/

Interesting

http://nypost.com/2014/09...wild-for-islanders-stake/
- Vukota

Who wrote this article

Before he can quit the Wild, however, he has to tame some of this business troubles.

Interesting, regardless.

Who wrote this article

Before he can quit the Wild, however, he has to tame some of this business troubles.

Interesting, regardless.
- eichiefs9

Being investigated by the SEC....awesome. That's who we want involved in owning this team moving forward. Another corporate thief. I guess they all pretty much are. Sure even Warren Buffett has made a few deals that weren't on the up & up but at least his industry is tangible in most situations. F'in bankers/brokers/fund managers all crooks in $harp $uits.

No need to bet bc he's been a fixture in isles camp for 10yrs n counting
- Ur Not Me

He helps collect cones & pucks after practice, too.

Hey guys, swamped with my other job. I'll have a new blog out on Thursday

Was hoping that Tallinder who had gotten an invite instead of going to Leafs ( I think) But knowing Snow's mentality is having the kids fight it out instead of maybe have them develop a little in AHL then call up. Or keep relying on Strait, Carkner....
D is the hardest to learn & adjust to in the NHL, the kids dont need the pressure in the early part of season. That's my take....
- Ur Not Me

I usually agree with you and for the most part, I agree with this post regarding rushing the prospects. I disagree that Tallinder would be an upgrade. I’m not sure Derek Morris is an upgrade over what we have. I see our defense being made up of:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, strait, Donovan, carkner, brennan, reinhart

That’s 9 players, most either quite young or marginal nhl players at best.

Take out carkner and you’re down to 8 that will have a shot in camp. Assuming the locks are:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, that leaves likely 3 spots (2 dressed, 1 scratched assuming we’re keeping 2 extra forwards due to the numbers of contracts there)

Strait, Donovan, brennan look to get a shot there,but reinhart’s play in camp could bump any one of those three. Is tallinder better than all three of these at this stage of his career? If you think he is, is it significantly better to sign him and push these guys either onto waivers or down to Bridgeport? Is Derek Morris? I don’t know I believe either is enough of an upgrade.

Now if we’re talking boychuk, oduya or even nick leddy, I believe the answer is a solid yes, but of the available players who would come on a camp invite? I don’t see it. Czuzman, Pulock, Pedan, Mayfield all could be ready within the year and there wouldn’t be space for them.

I think if we’re looking at adding a defenseman (which I believe we still need a major upgrade to compete this year) then we need to add someone who comes in and can play above visnovsky or hickey. Push one of those two onto the bottom pairing and you’ve upgraded our defense. Add a fringe nhl vet to the bottom pairing who’s not viewed as valuable enough to anyone else to offer a contract and it’s a side grade. We need something significant, and if we don’t do that, what we have is going to be what we see in the season opener.

I usually agree with you and for the most part, I agree with this post regarding rushing the prospects. I disagree that Tallinder would be an upgrade. I’m not sure Derek Morris is an upgrade over what we have. I see our defense being made up of:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, strait, Donovan, carkner, brennan, reinhart

That’s 9 players, most either quite young or marginal nhl players at best.

Take out carkner and you’re down to 8 that will have a shot in camp. Assuming the locks are:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, that leaves likely 3 spots (2 dressed, 1 scratched assuming we’re keeping 2 extra forwards due to the numbers of contracts there)

Strait, Donovan, brennan look to get a shot there,but reinhart’s play in camp could bump any one of those three. Is tallinder better than all three of these at this stage of his career? If you think he is, is it significantly better to sign him and push these guys either onto waivers or down to Bridgeport? Is Derek Morris? I don’t know I believe either is enough of an upgrade.

Now if we’re talking boychuk, oduya or even nick leddy, I believe the answer is a solid yes, but of the available players who would come on a camp invite? I don’t see it. Czuzman, Pulock, Pedan, Mayfield all could be ready within the year and there wouldn’t be space for them.

I think if we’re looking at adding a defenseman (which I believe we still need a major upgrade to compete this year) then we need to add someone who comes in and can play above visnovsky or hickey. Push one of those two onto the bottom pairing and you’ve upgraded our defense. Add a fringe nhl vet to the bottom pairing who’s not viewed as valuable enough to anyone else to offer a contract and it’s a side grade. We need something significant, and if we don’t do that, what we have is going to be what we see in the season opener.
- Isles_since_6

I agree. We need to bring in a Boychuk ,Oduya, or Leddy type. Tallinder or Morris are not going to cut it. I also do not want to see a guy like Lee having to start in the AHL because of Bailey's contract. Isles need to play the best players and not play the guys to protect the GM. We have seen in the past mediocre FA signings get all the time in the world before they are replaced. Those days have to end.

I agree. We need to bring in a Boychuk ,Oduya, or Leddy type. Tallinder or Morris are not going to cut it. I also do not want to see a guy like Lee having to start in the AHL because of Bailey's contract. Isles need to play the best players and not play the guys to protect the GM. We have seen in the past mediocre FA signings get all the time in the world before they are replaced. Those days have to end.
- ses111

you and me both re: Lee. The kid is big, can move well enough, goes to the front of the net and scores goals. They need to find a spot in the top 9 for him at the very least, keeping him down in the ahl again to start the year imo is a mistake. he signed his qualifying offer without making any noise and deserves a full shot, not to be part of a numbers game that makes him an easy cut so they don't lose someone else who may not have earned a roster spot.

you and me both re: Lee. The kid is big, can move well enough, goes to the front of the net and scores goals. They need to find a spot in the top 9 for him at the very least, keeping him down in the ahl again to start the year imo is a mistake. he signed his qualifying offer without making any noise and deserves a full shot, not to be part of a numbers game that makes him an easy cut so they don't lose someone else who may not have earned a roster spot.
- Isles_since_6

Lee put his time in at College and Bridge and showed real promise at the NHL level. He should be in the top 9. There is an article on Newsday with Cappy looking for guys with work ethic. That is Lee. Isles sending Lee down would be a bad sign to the rest of the guys that it is business as usual. Lee and Strome both need to be on this team to start. Isles do not have an all-star roster that should keep these guys down in Bridge.

Lee put his time in at College and Bridge and showed real promise at the NHL level. He should be in the top 9. There is an article on Newsday with Cappy looking for guys with work ethic. That is Lee. Isles sending Lee down would be a bad sign to the rest of the guys that it is business as usual. Lee and Strome both need to be on this team to start. Isles do not have an all-star roster that should keep these guys down in Bridge.
- ses111

Easy solution for Strome and Lee to be in the nhl for opening night. Go win the jobs

Easy solution for Strome and Lee to be in the nhl for opening night. Go win the jobs
- Dan Petriw

I hope it's that easy Dan. Nothing is that easy with this team.

I hope it's that easy Dan. Nothing is that easy with this team.
- ses111

Derek Morris sucks. Going to be interesting. Right now it seems there is no way Lee going be there opening night.
Starting Lines
Nelson Tavares Okposo
Grabner Grabovski Kumelin
Bailey Nielsen strome
Martin Cizikas Clutterbuck.

Defense
De Haan Hamonic
Viznosky Hickey
Strait Brenan/Reinhart/Carkner

Lee will also be compete with Conacher, Skille, and Cappy's All Star Colin MacDonald.

Easy solution for Strome and Lee to be in the nhl for opening night. Go win the jobs
- Dan Petriw

Depends if Wang wants to save bucks or snow doesn't want to trade or lose a forward. We've seen it before where players are handed jobs without earning them.

Depends if Wang wants to save bucks or snow doesn't want to trade or lose a forward. We've seen it before where players are handed jobs without earning them.
- Isles_since_6

This is my fear. Snow was aggressive this offseason and it would be a big letdown to hand jobs to players based on contracts. Isles have to do business in a different way and let the players know contracts do not matter. Maybe this will help with the team getting off to bad starts.

I usually agree with you and for the most part, I agree with this post regarding rushing the prospects. I disagree that Tallinder would be an upgrade. I’m not sure Derek Morris is an upgrade over what we have. I see our defense being made up of:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, strait, Donovan, carkner, brennan, reinhart

That’s 9 players, most either quite young or marginal nhl players at best.

Take out carkner and you’re down to 8 that will have a shot in camp. Assuming the locks are:

Hamonic, dehaan, hickey, visnovsky, that leaves likely 3 spots (2 dressed, 1 scratched assuming we’re keeping 2 extra forwards due to the numbers of contracts there)

Strait, Donovan, brennan look to get a shot there,but reinhart’s play in camp could bump any one of those three. Is tallinder better than all three of these at this stage of his career? If you think he is, is it significantly better to sign him and push these guys either onto waivers or down to Bridgeport? Is Derek Morris? I don’t know I believe either is enough of an upgrade.

Now if we’re talking boychuk, oduya or even nick leddy, I believe the answer is a solid yes, but of the available players who would come on a camp invite? I don’t see it. Czuzman, Pulock, Pedan, Mayfield all could be ready within the year and there wouldn’t be space for them.

I think if we’re looking at adding a defenseman (which I believe we still need a major upgrade to compete this year) then we need to add someone who comes in and can play above visnovsky or hickey. Push one of those two onto the bottom pairing and you’ve upgraded our defense. Add a fringe nhl vet to the bottom pairing who’s not viewed as valuable enough to anyone else to offer a contract and it’s a side grade. We need something significant, and if we don’t do that, what we have is going to be what we see in the season opener.
- Isles_since_6

U might be taking my post completely out of character. 1st off I'm basically saying inviting those type of Dmen as camp invites, not sign them to NHL contracts. U never know what can happen, plus I'd rather have Morris, Tallinder, Pitkanen over the likes of Carkner & Strait bc they have a better NHL resume.
The isles D is nothing to brag about or guaranteed bc its not solid. I like the kids but don't want them rushed, grant it by mid-season I don't mind if kids come up and replace some players on D, but to start the season I rather have more stable Dmen than erratic ones.

look at what we have;

DeHaan - if can stay healthy is very good (health is key)
Hamonic - which hammer are we getting? Bc he's regressed unfortunately
Viznosky - he's becoming more fragile than Martinek (health is key)
Strait - very slow and avg Dmen at best
Carkner - no need to explain
Donovan - still young and raw (u don't know what ur getting)
Hickey - high hockey IQ but very small (makes a small D even smaller)
Brennan - career AHLer, offensive Dman who doesn't play D
*Reinhart* - Rookie (again don't know what 2 expect bc he's a rookie)

so this mix of Dmen doesn't scare away any opposing F's if the isles have a lead or its a tie game.

So everyone's wish of Boychuk, Oduya, Leddy has to stop bc Dmen like that are hard to acquire.

But my original comment was just on camp invites ..... More proven veteran players wont hurt on a try-out....

U might be taking my post completely out of character. 1st off I'm basically saying inviting those type of Dmen as camp invites, not sign them to NHL contracts. U never know what can happen, plus I'd rather have Morris, Tallinder, Pitkanen over the likes of Carkner & Strait bc they have a better NHL resume.
The isles D is nothing to brag about or guaranteed bc its not solid. I like the kids but don't want them rushed, grant it by mid-season I don't mind if kids come up and replace some players on D, but to start the season I rather have more stable Dmen than erratic ones.

look at what we have;

DeHaan - if can stay healthy is very good (health is key)
Hamonic - which hammer are we getting? Bc he's regressed unfortunately
Viznosky - he's becoming more fragile than Martinek (health is key)
Strait - very slow and avg Dmen at best
Carkner - no need to explain
Donovan - still young and raw (u don't know what ur getting)
Hickey - high hockey IQ but very small (makes a small D even smaller)
Brennan - career AHLer, offensive Dman who doesn't play D
*Reinhart* - Rookie (again don't know what 2 expect bc he's a rookie)

so this mix of Dmen doesn't scare away any opposing F's if the isles have a lead or its a tie game.

So everyone's wish of Boychuk, Oduya, Leddy has to stop bc Dmen like that are hard to acquire.

But my original comment was just on camp invites ..... More proven veteran players wont hurt on a try-out....
- Ur Not Me

I get what you’re saying but given the number of defensemen we already will have playing in Bridgeport, and the fact that guys like strait and carkner have no trade value, unless someone is picked up that can make a noticeable difference, there’s no real point to bringing anyone to camp on a tryout. We simply don’t have the room for another 3rd pairing defenseman.

Consider this:

Hamonic
Visnovsky
Dehaan
Hickey
Strait
Carkner
Brennan

That’s 7. We’re going to have 2 extra forwards so that’s all we can carry on the NHL roster. Now consider the number of defenseman who could be playing in bridgeport

Donovan
Reinhart
Czuczman
Pedan
Pelach
Mayfield
Pokka
Pulock
Ness
Leduc
Graham

So you`ve got 11 defenseman trying for a possible 8 spots at max. So figure 18 defensemen in camp, you`ve got a full roster and a half of young defensemen who will be pushing for roster spots this year and over the next two years, why bother with offering someone like Morris or Tallinder a camp invite when you have nowhere to put these guys that you already have? 3 players on d at a minimum will either have to be sent back to junior if there’s an option to do so, or perhaps Pokka back to Europe, or to the ECHL.

I see the same weaknesses in our current defense as you, I’m not disagreeing with that at all. What I’m saying is that bringing someone in for a camp invite when you really don’t have a need for another marginal 3rd pairing defenseman isn’t useful. Of all these kids, expecting that one or two may be able to get their feet wet on the bottom pairing isn’t unrealistic, it’s asking them to play top four minutes that I’m worried will happen, especially if we have injuries and we will.

Asking morris or tallinder to play top four minutes is also a bad idea, so signing either of those guys doesn’t help us. Why add a vet that’s trying to hang on when we can promote one of the many, many kids we have if needed? The issue with our defense isn’t the lack of guys who could play bottom pairing minutes, it’s the lack of guys who can play top four minutes which is why training camp invites are a waste of time. We don’t need one of those guys, we need someone better, and failing making a move for that, we’re better off working with the plethora of young defensemen we have than trying to get anything out of older guys who no one else valued either.