I don't think they are ahead of the Rangers, but they're in the mix with the Flyers, Devils, Jackets and Caps.

Their goaltending was atrocious last year, and their defense definitely had some holes. Halak should be a vast improvement and a healthy Tavares gives them a superstar level player. They have a solid top four now in Vishnovsky, Hamonic, Boychuk and Leddy, and they added good, solid two way depth in Grabovski and Kulemin.

In the short term, they are improved. The trouble comes when the prices they paid come due.
- Jsaquella

Not to mention, Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart are both high picks who could make an impact.

The Flyers definitely need to bank points on the Blue Jackets -- I have this feeling that Nathan Horton's either done, or close to done. Johansen's a very good player, but I just can't believe a guy can miss all of training camp/preseason and be ready to rock from Game 1 on.

Any cushion the Flyers can get on them will be a good thing

Same with the Rags -- Stepan being out can't help them
- AllInForFlyers

The Jackets have had some horrible luck late in the summer/early fall. Johansen missed camp, who knows how well he will play out of the gate? Jenner is a big loss. He's a damned good player, who is hardnosed and skilled. Horton, man what a disaster that deal has been for the Jackets.

Now, with Dubinsky out they're losing another gritty, two way guy who is a pain in the balls to play against. Definitely not the way a team coming off a good season and playoff effort wants to start the season.

The season looks a little different if he plays well, doesn't it?
- AllInForFlyers

schenn and mdz = the wild cards

Not to mention, Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart are both high picks who could make an impact.
- aflyerpower8

As well as Calvin de Haan and Sebastian Collberg. They have some decent prospects who are a few years away like Dal Colle and Ho Sang, but they're really going to be missing picks in the next couple drafts.

I don't think they are ahead of the Rangers, but they're in the mix with the Flyers, Devils, Jackets and Caps.

Their goaltending was atrocious last year, and their defense definitely had some holes. Halak should be a vast improvement and a healthy Tavares gives them a superstar level player. They have a solid top four now in Vishnovsky, Hamonic, Boychuk and Leddy, and they added good, solid two way depth in Grabovski and Kulemin.

In the short term, they are improved. The trouble comes when the prices they paid come due.
- Jsaquella

I agree they're in the mix. I'm just still not sold on them. They brought in a ton of new parts, spent a lot of money and gave up some picks. They missed the playoffs by 14 points last season and finished dead last in the division. It would need to be a HUGE improvement for them to make the playoffs.

Halak will help. The Grabo/Kulemin signings seem like the types of deals that will blow up in the Isles face. I like both of those guys, but that's a long term and a lot of money for two guys who were depth forwards on teams that missed the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's the issue. They added some solid players for secondary roles, but they had to overpay for them. I like their short term prospects better than the long term prospects, which isn't good, because they aren't a serious contender

That's the issue. They added some solid players for secondary roles, but they had to overpay for them. I like their short term prospects better than the long term prospects, which isn't good, because they aren't a serious contender
- Jsaquella

We'll see what happens. It would be so like the Islanders to miss the playoffs and have this all blow up in their faces

We'll see what happens. It would be so like the Islanders to miss the playoffs and have this all blow up in their faces
- PhillySportsGuy

They gave up 2 2nd round picks for Boychuk, and conditional 3rd if the trade him in the Eastern Conference. He's a UFA at the end of the year, and if he doesn't want to sign there, what do the Islanders do if they are in the hunt for the playoffs?

schenn and mdz = the wild cards
- -davies-

I know there are legitimate questions that can be asked of both, but if there's anything left of the player Del Zotto was, he can still help us. They both can

That's the issue. They added some solid players for secondary roles, but they had to overpay for them. I like their short term prospects better than the long term prospects, which isn't good, because they aren't a serious contender
- Jsaquella

See, it depends on if Strome and Reinhart pan out -- if they do, then you can likely withstand the loss of picks even in the medium term.

The horror begins if neither one of them fulfill their potential, Boychuk walks and you miss the playoffs -- woof, if that happens

Anyway I can watch the game
Don't have Comcast.
Center ice and game center blacked out

See, it depends on if Strome and Reinhart pan out -- if they do, then you can likely withstand the loss of picks even in the medium term.

The horror begins if neither one of them fulfill their potential, Boychuk walks and you miss the playoffs -- woof, if that happens
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, Garth is definitely playing a risky game. I'm guessing with the ownership situation, he's figuring that he has to get to the playoffs or somebody else will be in his chair next summer.

Anyway I can watch the game
Don't have Comcast.
Center ice and game center blacked out
- Winning

It's on NBC Sportsnet

We'll see what happens. It would be so like the Islanders to miss the playoffs and have this all blow up in their faces
- PhillySportsGuy

It would, but they're definitely in the mix for this season, so they are source of concern.

Anyone know if Akeson is playing?

Anyone know if Akeson is playing?
- MrBigglesworth

Should be. Haven't seen any definite word, yet

Yeah, Garth is definitely playing a risky game. I'm guessing with the ownership situation, he's figuring that he has to get to the playoffs or somebody else will be in his chair next summer.
- Jsaquella

Plus, they've got Pulock in their back pocket...I don't necessarily mind risk. I'm always dubious when a Hot-Seat Manager engages in it, for the obvious reasons, but if you're Snow, then maybe they have enough pieces to play that game.

It is a risky one, for sure

Plus, they've got Pulock in their back pocket...I don't necessarily mind risk. I'm always dubious when a Hot-Seat Manager engages in it, for the obvious reasons, but if you're Snow, then maybe they have enough pieces to play that game.

It is a risky one, for sure
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, Pulock is a very good prospect as well. It's not an empty backfield, but man did they expend picks at an alarming rate. They gave up a lot to get Boychuk and while they paid less for Leddy, in a few years, the kid they traded could end up being better than Leddy is now. But with Reinhart, Puock and De Haan, they have a handful of good young defensemen.

So how much you guys wanna bet that Mike Milbery in the pregame show is gonna choose the Bruins to win this game and look for a reason to bring up Bryzgalov so he can call him Mr. Universe, when Bryz has nothing to do with anything anymore.

Yeah, Garth is definitely playing a risky game. I'm guessing with the ownership situation, he's figuring that he has to get to the playoffs or somebody else will be in his chair next summer.
- Jsaquella

This is what I'm thinking as well.
They finished dead last in team save % last year. My guess is that by bolstering the d and their goalies, he's hoping that should, combined with a healthy JT, be enough to compete for a playoff spot.

So how much you guys wanna bet that Mike Milbery in the pregame show is gonna choose the Bruins to win this game and look for a reason to bring up Bryzgalov so he can call him Mr. Universe, when Bryz has nothing to do with anything anymore.
- SuperSchennBros

Sam Carchidi has written more stories in the last two years about Simon Gagne than any defenseman not named Coburn. There's no surprise when Milbury does a story that has nothing to do with the Flyers.

Yeah, Pulock is a very good prospect as well. It's not an empty backfield, but man did they expend picks at an alarming rate. They gave up a lot to get Boychuk and while they paid less for Leddy, in a few years, the kid they traded could end up being better than Leddy is now. But with Reinhart, Puock and De Haan, they have a handful of good young defensemen.
- Jsaquella

I think at least two of their youngsters play and they make the playoffs this year. Islanders look promising.

I think at least two of their youngsters play and they make the playoffs this year. Islanders look promising.
- SuperSchennBros

I also think the changes the Isles made will put them in the playoffs. I'm certainly not rooting for them, but even a full year of Tavares will make them leaps and bounds better.

I think at least two of their youngsters play and they make the playoffs this year. Islanders look promising.
- SuperSchennBros

I also think the changes the Isles made will put them in the playoffs. I'm certainly not rooting for them, but even a full year of Tavares will make them leaps and bounds better.

Finally ready for real hockey!!!!