I think Strome has a harder time making this team's 23 man roster, mostly because if he's here, he will have to be logging top end minutes. Lee can kind of fit in as LW (where we have less of a log jam of talent in general) on any line, and can also fill in at center, because of his size and style of play (he's older and probably always will be larger than Strome). Strome, at this point, has to be a right wing on one of the top two lines, or else it's a waste to have him here, like Niederreiter a couple of years ago. Plain and simple- Bailey, who is an overpaid stiff, is guaranteed to be in his way, because of the "overpaid" part, at least early in the season. Lee doesn't have that problem
- dcb1

I'd like to see them demote Bailey to the 4th line with Casey and Clutterbuck. That way both him and Martin get the message that they have to do more than they have, or they're gone.

Ok with the top ten forwards already a done deal, everyone thinks it is make or break whether Strome and Lee stick vs Conacher and McDonald etc, Honestly that is not a big factor.

Factor that two UFA forwards plus two Goaltenders were added. Yes D is not perfect but two or more prospects are developing and being considered as starters now or sometime this season.

You need to stay optimistic because they look like they are maturing as opposed to seeing a Strome or other top prospect swap for Phaneuf. Good D are hard to come by unless you want to grab Kaberle for nothing.

Also factor in some other forward BRI prospects like Sundstrom, Jr prospects ala Dal Colle, Ho Sang; and yes those older vets are looking over their shoulders.

Only 15 days into camp, and need to get out of panic mode and let the team take care of itself with all of the progress made in the last few months including JT's recovery and other players off season conditioning. KO looks like he's ready to rock.

New season should always be fun and optimistic especially with a 58 million payroll and two new owners!

If there's a trade im hoping its sooner rather than later so said player can adjust to Jack's (non) system.
- Cptmjl

He will also need extra time for the meetings. Or is that only for rookies?

I think Strome has a harder time making this team's 23 man roster, mostly because if he's here, he will have to be logging top end minutes. Lee can kind of fit in as a LW (where we have less of a log jam of talent in general) on any line, and can also fill in at center, because of his size and style of play (he's older and probably always will be larger than Strome). Strome, at this point, has to be a right wing on one of the top two lines, or else it's a waste to have him here, like Niederreiter a couple of years ago. Plain and simple- Bailey, who is an overpaid stiff, is guaranteed to be in his way, because of the "overpaid" part, at least early in the season. Lee doesn't have that problem.
- dcb1

I don't agree because I don't think there's going to be much difference in ice time between the second and third line. Someone-Grabovski-Kulemin is not worlds different in skill or offense from Someone-Nielsen-Grabner. As long as he's in the top-9, barring some brain-dead lineup decisions like dressing five fourth liners, Strome should be fine. You're not in career suicide playing on Nielsen's wing.

I don't agree because I don't think there's going to be much difference in ice time between the second and third line. Someone-Grabovski-Kulemin is not worlds different in skill or offense from Someone-Nielsen-Grabner. As long as he's in the top-9, barring some brain-dead lineup decisions like dressing five fourth liners, Strome should be fine. You're not in career suicide playing on Nielsen's wing.
- UIF

Nielson, Strome, Grabner would be the equivalent of our second line last year, and close to the top line after JT and KO went down. The third line should be chipping in offensively more than most third lines around the league. I don't see why it wouldn't benefit strome to play on the third line and occasionally get 2nd pp minutes. If staple's guess is correct and colin mcdonald is on our third line, then what have we really gained from last year? We still have a fringe NHL 4th liner playing in the top 9 if that's the case. This hurts us and doesn't give us our best roster.

tldr - I agree.

Clutterbuck scoring 15-20 and doing what he does with hitting , antagonizing and killing penalties makes him a very effective player. He has been know to score a clutch goal or two as well.

The isles no question mishandled nino but that bc we still had moulson. Also I think Nelson emerging as budding star made nino expendable. Instead of comparing nino to clutter. How about that Nelson is already better than nino and was taken 30th in same draft. Nelson may prove to be one of best players in his draft class.

Finally I say strome has to make team. Why? Bc look at isles record when strome was in lineup. Hard to explain but Our losing streak coniceded with the bullsht St. Louis OT vanek game winner reversal call by Toronto (notice that rule was changed this season) and cappy sending strome down before Olympics for no reason

I think bailey and strome are similar. Both are not scorers. They are possession guys and passers. Ideally neither should score more than 20 but they should have 40+ assists. Strome has way more offensive upside

Strome has to make this team. Or he will no question be another nino situation. Strome had nothing left to learn in ahl.

Also why I love lee you guys fair to realize he is same age as bailey and older than strome. He isn't better than either. Does lee have better scoring instincts yes. But is as well rounded, No.

If you ask me given out log jam at foward lee prob has the most trade value for a dman.

I don't agree because I don't think there's going to be much difference in ice time between the second and third line. Someone-Grabovski-Kulemin is not worlds different in skill or offense from Someone-Nielsen-Grabner. As long as he's in the top-9, barring some brain-dead lineup decisions like dressing five fourth liners, Strome should be fine. You're not in career suicide playing on Nielsen's wing.
- UIF

I agree in terms of talent level- I just think that they're really going to want that Nielsen line to be the first line of defense, and I don't know if they want to throw the kid into that situation.

Nielson, Strome, Grabner would be the equivalent of our second line last year, and close to the top line after JT and KO went down. The third line should be chipping in offensively more than most third lines around the league. I don't see why it wouldn't benefit strome to play on the third line and occasionally get 2nd pp minutes. If staple's guess is correct and colin mcdonald is on our third line, then what have we really gained from last year? We still have a fringe NHL 4th liner playing in the top 9 if that's the case. This hurts us and doesn't give us our best roster.

tldr - I agree.
- Isles_since_6

If McDonald is on our third line, then Bailey is gone. If they think he's going to play on line two with the two new guys, they're going to be sorely disappointed- the only bright spot with those line combinations is that they will get Capuano fired sooner.

If McDonald is on our third line, then Bailey is gone. If they think he's going to play on line two with the two new guys, they're going to be sorely disappointed- the only bright spot with those line combinations is that they will get Capuano fired sooner.
- dcb1

If they go into the season with something along the lines of what staple said theyre going to get shelled. I have a hard time relating to that being the best possible line up this team could throw out there. If thats the case we have some more rebuilding to do. Whether capuano gets canned or not is another story. Wont that go against the "its Wang's fault" that Capuano is still here theory? I'd hate to lose points so early in the season especially to a team like carolina whether we crap the bed against them or not but Capuano getting fired literally has me salivating. The problem is who takes his place?

Nielson, Strome, Grabner would be the equivalent of our second line last year, and close to the top line after JT and KO went down. The third line should be chipping in offensively more than most third lines around the league. I don't see why it wouldn't benefit strome to play on the third line and occasionally get 2nd pp minutes. If staple's guess is correct and colin mcdonald is on our third line, then what have we really gained from last year? We still have a fringe NHL 4th liner playing in the top 9 if that's the case. This hurts us and doesn't give us our best roster.

tldr - I agree.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah, wasn't crazy about Staple's lines given the available options! Hope he's wrong.

Yeah, wasn't crazy about Staple's lines given the available options! Hope he's wrong.
- UIF

The good thing about Staple is he's usually wrong.

So what's on the docket for arguing about today?

So what's on the docket for arguing about today?
- eichiefs9

Lets pick up where we left off yesterday. Looked like we were heading into another Nino getting mistreated thread. Or we can rehash the generational talent debate. Flip a coin.

So what's on the docket for arguing about today?
- eichiefs9

How about made-up possible rumors to help the team..... ?????


I'll start... Frans & Grabner + pick for Yandle......

I agree with this 100%.
- jimmc7722

I like it also, and if you have to play Bailey, put him on the 4th line with CC &CC.

How about made-up possible rumors to help the team..... ?????


I'll start... Frans & Grabner + pick for Yandle......
- Ur Not Me

Love it....Done!!!

Which one of you guys is trolling the rangers thread under that dundee alt

Lets pick up where we left off yesterday. Looked like we were heading into another Nino getting mistreated thread. Or we can rehash the generational talent debate. Flip a coin.
- Cptmjl

Which one of you guys is trolling the rangers thread under that dundee alt
- rangerdanger94

- eichiefs9

I'm guessing this is a scene of Capuano attempting to coach Bailey in practice...

I'd like to see them demote Bailey to the 4th line with Casey and Clutterbuck. That way both him and Martin get the message that they have to do more than they have, or they're gone.
- David_Volek

My fear is that they demote Lee and Strome at least for the beginning of the year, simply because they can, and are still trying to figure out what to do with the other guys.....speaking of career AHLers, I give you our coach as a prime example...

Which one of you guys is trolling the rangers thread under that dundee alt
- rangerdanger94

Just read his stuff. Wish i could take credit for it. Guy is brilliant.

I'm guessing this is a scene of Capuano attempting to coach Bailey in practice...
- dcb1

Nah. The guy with the stick is putting in more effort than Capuano could muster up.

Nah. The guy with the stick is putting in more effort than Capuano could muster up.
- Cptmjl

LOL....or he'd be hitting the wrong horse...

LOL....or he'd be hitting the wrong horse...
- dcb1

Jack Capuano beats a dead hose