You're not suggesting Conacher is our day-to-day enforcer are you? Or do you just want to refer to our 4th line as the CC line?
- jmo16

Nobody on earth needs an enforcer.

Nobody on earth needs an enforcer.
- eichiefs9

So where are they needed?

So where are they needed?
- Cptmjl

Mars. Put them all in a rocket ship and shoot them to Mars. Along with their old, worn out storylines of "grit" and "protecting star players".

If I were him, I'd ask for a trade...what a joke...
- kear20

Or maybe he should throw himself on the ground and have a tantrum like Nino did. Then again he can be a man go down to Bridgeport and play hockey.

Mars. Put them all in a rocket ship and shoot them to Mars. Along with their old, worn out storylines of "grit" and "protecting star players".
- eichiefs9

Is there a connection here?

Is there a connection here?
- Cptmjl

I like outer space. I have, on numerous occasions in my life, suggesting blasting off all sorts of stupid people to that particular area.

I like outer space. I have, on numerous occasions in my life, suggesting blasting off all sorts of stupid people to that particular area.
- eichiefs9

If you like outer space why would you want to send stupid people there?

If you like outer space why would you want to send stupid people there?
- Cptmjl

Because, to my complete and utter surprise, Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic have priced me out of their commercial space flights. Who would have guessed I couldn't afford a $250,000 flight into space?

They're carrying a lot of goalies. How's this Injured Reserve guy, I can't find any info on him.
- jmatchett383

I got the joke.. and thought the same thing at first glance. She forgot to hit return and then Bold the IR...

Nobody on earth needs an enforcer.
- eichiefs9

If you have NO size it becomes an issue. The best part of the Isles defensive prospects coming up through the ranks is they are BIG and Tough. If you have that on the ice on the back line you don't have to worry about a Goon having a spot on your team. If you have neither it becomes and issue and has in the past for Isles teams.

If you have NO size it becomes an issue. The best part of the Isles defensive prospects coming up through the ranks is they are BIG and Tough. If you have that on the ice on the back line you don't have to worry about a Goon having a spot on your team. If you have neither it becomes and issue and has in the past for Isles teams.
- niteislander

I don't have an issue with Boulton as he's not really going to play much, but Bailey should have been moved or waived this offseason and especially after showing nothing in preseason. No effort, no drive.

If you have NO size it becomes an issue. The best part of the Isles defensive prospects coming up through the ranks is they are BIG and Tough. If you have that on the ice on the back line you don't have to worry about a Goon having a spot on your team. If you have neither it becomes and issue and has in the past for Isles teams.
- niteislander

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

If he looks in any way like he did in the two preseason games I watched him in I'm all for him going and I'm a fan of players like him(or should i say like he was?). There's no place for one dimensional goons. I agree. He's got to start fore checking, hitting when it's a good time and not just to get a hit, and up his defensive game a bit to be a relevant part of this team. If not send him packing. we have too much depth to be sweating players like that. I've turned into a depth snob.

If I were him, I'd ask for a trade...what a joke...
- kear20

then you dont get it.

If he looks in any way like he did in the two preseason games I watched him in I'm all for him going and I'm a fan of players like him(or should i say like he was?). There's no place for one dimensional goons. I agree. He's got to start fore checking, hitting when it's a good time and not just to get a hit, and up his defensive game a bit to be a relevant part of this team. If not send him packing. we have too much depth to be sweating players like that. I've turned into a depth snob.
- Cptmjl

I respect what he has done and tries to do for the team, I like him. But if he plays like he did last year then he's going to drop like a rock, down the list of players who actually mean something to this team. Hopefully he crushes Bailey when he hits bottom.

He's not going anywhere though. As Staple (or one of the bloggers...someone) pointed out, the marketing around the final season at the Coli is two-fold. Part of it is celebrating the past and the history and the other part is celebrating the current guys, of which Tavares, Okposo, and Martin are the 3 prominent ones. So being a part of a marketing plan like that leads me to believe that he pretty much has a safe lineup spot... save for an astronomically horrid season.

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

Great point about Lewis, King, and Nolan.

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

How is Martin any different then Lewis & Nolan. He scored more goals then both of them and we all know hits more then them despite all of a sudden according to a lot on here 90% of his hits are meaningless So if Martin is on his way out as you say wouldn't those two be on the way out as well?

How is Martin any different then Lewis & Nolan. He scored more goals then both of them and we all know hits more then them despite all of a sudden according to a lot on here 90% of his hits are meaningless So if Martin is on his way out as you say wouldn't those two be on the way out as well?
- Vukota

The timing of his hits last year and where the puck was (or wasn't) was what made most of them meaningless and made it look like he was padding his hit total. If he can get into the play where the puck is he'll be a lot more effective.

The timing of his hits last year and where the puck was (or wasn't) was what made most of them meaningless and made it look like he was padding his hit total. If he can get into the play where the puck is he'll be a lot more effective.
- Isles_since_6

My point was how can he say look at guys like Nolan & Lewis and then turnaround and in his eyes say Martin is on his way of the NHL when they are the same exact players. If anything Martin has slightly out produced them as well but he is on his way out???

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

i think your take on martin is a bit extreme. the guy is able to finish and can skate decently. the biggest issue with him last year is that he got hit-happy and made hits when they werent needed or which took him out of the play. hes shown the ability to finish.

i actually think that matt martin is the new generation of "goons" bc he isnt a one trick fighting pony. but i do agree that he has to learn when is the right time to hit someone and not get caught deep in the zone because of a missed hit.

Forget Bailey, we have Conacher as our first line LW. Lee couldn't fill that role better than him?
- Dgmilazz

Well, that certainly fits with our "defense last" philosophy. That said, I'd rather have both the guys you mentioned than Bailey.

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

I get the goon hatred.. I do get it. That said I have 2 points.
1. I truly don't understand all the Matt Martin hate on these boards. It makes zero sense to me. He hits more than ANYONE i nthe league and somehow does it without getting a penalty every single shift. He engages the Refs to make sure he is doing everything right for that very reason. He drops the gloves with anyone He feels he needs to as a teamate ... or a guy doing stupid sht to our goalie, Captain..etc. He scores some goals, takes beating in front of net, kills penalties... and has become a better skater every season. I just don't see the hate...
2. I have been a Season ticket holder for a Loooong time for this team. I have seen many years when he had size but still no one who would stand up for Teamates and drop the gloves. What happens is a guy gets his head taken off and no one does anything about it.. It destroys a team from the inside. You might not need goons... but you need a guy who will not let a Lucic, Rinaldo, etc. punch JT in the head every shift. .... and that is Matt Martin.

Size and being an enforcer are not the same thing. Being tough isn't the same thing as being an enforcer.

Enforcers are talent-less goons that bring no other discernible skill than punching people in the head and playing 4 minutes per night.

Look at the Kings. Guys like Lewis, King, and Nolan can all play physical and fight when needed. The difference between them and some d!ckwad like John Scott or Colton Orr is that they are actually capable of playing hockey at a somewhat respectable level.

I'm not advocating that size and toughness being thrown to the wind. I'm saying that guys that bring no hockey skills whatsoever to a team are, and should be, going by the wayside. Matt Martin is approaching that level at a meteoric pace, in my eyes.
- eichiefs9

As I said, they unfortunately ARE needed, because teams like Philadelphia make it so. To me, I'd rather have a Lucic-type player, but if you don't have one, you really have no choice other than to protect your star players with someone. I don't like it, either- most importantly, it can slow the game to a crawl. It just is what it is....and I've seen far worse all-around players than Boulton (Mitch Fritz, anyone?)......he's not glaringly inferior to Martin or McDonald, IMO. The other thing is, I'll trade Boulton for Simmonds, any day of the week. For those five minutes, we win.

I get the goon hatred.. I do get it. That said I have 2 points.
1. I truly don't understand all the Matt Martin hate on these boards. It makes zero sense to me. He hits more than ANYONE i nthe league and somehow does it without getting a penalty every single shift. He engages the Refs to make sure he is doing everything right for that very reason. He drops the gloves with anyone He feels he needs to as a teamate ... or a guy doing stupid sht to our goalie, Captain..etc. He scores some goals, takes beating in front of net, kills penalties... and has become a better skater every season. I just don't see the hate...
2. I have been a Season ticket holder for a Loooong time for this team. I have seen many years when he had size but still no one who would stand up for Teamates and drop the gloves. What happens is a guy gets his head taken off and no one does anything about it.. It destroys a team from the inside. You might not need goons... but you need a guy who will not let a Lucic, Rinaldo, etc. punch JT in the head every shift. .... and that is Matt Martin.
- niteislander

Matt Martin is important to this team... he just needs to get back some of that energy and passion from years past.

I think he will... being in a winning environment along with Clutterbuck and Czikas will only help the cause.

I think they feed off each other.

NHL network last night is their dumb "Information" scroll on the bottom of screen had this lovely tid bit.

"New York Islanders have not made the playoffs since 2006/2007"

amazing.