I'd rather give the spot to pulock but not first line minutes.
- Isles_since_6

I agree.

Really since the season hasn't even started yet and two guys with the most medical questions coming in are already banged up.
- Vukota

Let's me put it differently, I'm not more concerned than I already was. Neither seems even remotely serious. If either ends up out longer than predicted...then I'll worry.

deHaan's injury isn't related to his previous injuries.
Viz isn't concussion related.

It's just bumps and bruises.

You don't think Butchie sugarcoats anything?
- Vukota

its hard to tell...im not even sure if he realizes what hes doing or where he is half the time.

its hard to tell...im not even sure if he realizes what hes doing or where he is half the time.
- LetsGoIsles

"Wow Howie, that pass by Tavarski sure was an axe in an outhouse shoe-horn!"

Let's me put it differently, I'm not more concerned than I already was. Neither seems even remotely serious. If either ends up out longer than predicted...then I'll worry.
- eichiefs9

Either way you look at it its not good that two of our top 4 D-Men will most likely start the season on IR when there is no depth to begin with.

its hard to tell...im not even sure if he realizes what hes doing or where he is half the time.
- LetsGoIsles

i happen to disagree... i dont think howie (or butch goring) sugarcoats anything. and either did billy jaffe, which got him axed.

id say pens are by far #1 homer and then the distant second group includes the bruins guys.

as for doc... .... much MUCH better than most at calling a game.
- LetsGoIsles

I can take or leave Doc, really. Olcyzk, Pang and McGuire are horrendous. Jaffe is doing OK up here. A good counter balance to Joe Hagerty who such a honk he makes Jack Edwards look like Switzerland.

I can take or leave Doc, really. Edzo, Pang and McGuire are horrendous. Jaffe is doing OK up here. A good counter balance to Joe Hagerty who such a honk he makes Jack Edwards look like Switzerland.
- glove_was_stuck

I really liked Jaffe when he was doing the isles games

Either way you look at it its not good that two of our top 4 D-Men will most likely start the season on IR when there is no depth to begin with.
- Vukota

Come on, you even (correctly) quoted Staple saying that Visnovsky is likely to be on the opening night roster.

If deHaan has to sit out a game or two, then so be it. It'll give us a chance to see Pulock in real NHL action. Maybe he'll make a case for Snow to bag Strait.

I can take or leave Doc, really. Olcyzk, Pang and McGuire are horrendous. Jaffe is doing OK up here. A good counter balance to Joe Hagerty who such a honk he makes Jack Edwards look like Switzerland.
- glove_was_stuck

Doc really DRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVEs me crazy.

Come on, you even (correctly) quoted Staple saying that Visnovsky is likely to be on the opening night roster.

If deHaan has to sit out a game or two, then so be it. It'll give us a chance to see Pulock in real NHL action. Maybe he'll make a case for Snow to bag Strait.
- eichiefs9

I'm thinking big picture over a full season. If Viz is already banged up what's going to happen over the long haul of a grueling season? You can't ignore Dehaan's injury history either. I'm not saying its a big thing right now but you're only fooling yourself if you think the odds are good these two aren't going to miss big chunks of the season more Viz then Dehaan but Dehaan scares me as well.

Guys like McDonald & Skille are a dime a dozen. if you lose one or both of them to waivers they'll be 200 more just like them looking for a shot
- Vukota

True but they are loyal to their vets. You still need a core of vets and I think they want to give McDonald another chance. Conacher and Brennan came out of BUF, so they have to know the AHL is a real possibility. Skille is another 1st rd pick who they think can find his game again.

BTW I don't argue against the talent and skill aspects but fielding a team also means having guys with a good level of smarts who can keep in shape and play a role for team. A good example is Philly last year that had a good mix of vets and kids, but it was the coach figuring out his team and getting a system in place that got their season going.

Either way you look at it its not good that two of our top 4 D-Men will most likely start the season on IR when there is no depth to begin with.
- Vukota

We could have 6 Bobby Orr's play d and still find a way to lose to Carolina

True but they are loyal to their vets. You still need a core of vets and I think they want to give McDonald another chance. Conacher and Brennan came out of BUF, so they have to know the AHL is a real possibility. Skille is another 1st rd pick who they think can find his game again.
- Fan101

Skille was signed for bport but has had a really good camp.. Remember Matt Moulson was expected to be in bport. Not comparing the two but sometimes players come in and won jobs and if Anders Lee and Ryan Strome can't beat out those guys then that's on them

True but they are loyal to their vets. You still need a core of vets and I think they want to give McDonald another chance. Conacher and Brennan came out of BUF, so they have to know the AHL is a real possibility. Skille is another 1st rd pick who they think can find his game again.
- Fan101

How is McDonald a vet? He was basically a career minor leaguer. Frans, Grabvoski, Kulimen, JT, KO are just as much vets as facking colin mcdonald is. Give McDonald another chance to do what? Lead the team at another -22? Skille will clear waivers. Anybody who gets claimed has to stay up with the big team so between rosters pretty much already being set and the salary cap small chance they get claimed and if they do? Nobody will care

Skille was signed for bport but has had a really good camp.. Remember Matt Moulson was expected to be in bport. Not comparing the two but sometimes players come in and won jobs and if Anders Lee and Ryan Strome can't beat out those guys then that's on them
- Dan Petriw

I don't care if Skille & McDonald let the team in scoring during the preseason they are career minor leaguers with a limited ceiling.

I have no problem with Brennan as a 7th. Yeah everything else I would pretty much agree with for the most part
- Vukota

Vukota, I agree with you about Brennan...it's the six defensemen in front of him is what I'm worried about...

Skille was signed for bport but has had a really good camp.. Remember Matt Moulson was expected to be in bport. Not comparing the two but sometimes players come in and won jobs and if Anders Lee and Ryan Strome can't beat out those guys then that's on them
- Dan Petriw

If it's a question of Lee playing part time in the NHL vs full time in BRI, he benefits in BRI improving his game while McDonald gets inserted part time. Young players including d men should be playing full time somewhere. Grabner is actually a bigger problem because of his big salary he has to play full time while McDonald and Skillw you can justify as a part time player.

I don't care if Skille & McDonald let the team in scoring during the preseason they are career minor leaguers with a limited ceiling.
- Vukota

Exactly! I love these great vets the Isles seem to be so loyal to.

I'm thinking big picture over a full season. If Viz is already banged up what's going to happen over the long haul of a grueling season? You can't ignore Dehaan's injury history either. I'm not saying its a big thing right now but you're only fooling yourself if you think the odds are good these two aren't going to miss big chunks of the season more Viz then Dehaan but Dehaan scares me as well.
- Vukota

I don't disagree with your points. I just think that neither injury is related to anything that has been nagging either player. Of course concerns exist. Like I said...I'm just not going to go nuts worrying right now. There's still over a week until opening night, a lot of things can change.

Guys like McDonald & Skille are a dime a dozen. if you lose one or both of them to waivers they'll be 200 more just like them looking for a shot
- Vukota

I like Skille...he hustles but you only need one on a team and I think Conacher gets the nod over Skille and McDonald...

I don't disagree with your points. I just think that neither injury is related to anything that has been nagging either player. Of course concerns exist. Like I said...I'm just not going to go nuts worrying right now. There's still over a week until opening night, a lot of things can change.
- eichiefs9

I'm with you

Include me in the no fan of Brennan club.
- ses111

Dont gwt me wrong the guy can be a big pile of junk after a few games ive seen him play three preseason games. Its certainly not the best gauge.

Guys like McDonald & Skille are a dime a dozen. if you lose one or both of them to waivers they'll be 200 more just like them looking for a shot
- Vukota

Agreed.

Skille was signed for bport but has had a really good camp.. Remember Matt Moulson was expected to be in bport. Not comparing the two but sometimes players come in and won jobs and if Anders Lee and Ryan Strome can't beat out those guys then that's on them
- Dan Petriw

It should be opposite. The Skille's & McDonalds of the world should be called up a month into the season if the kids struggle. It shouldn't be Lee & Strome getting the call if McDonald & Skille or Conacher struggle IMO