Malone was available over the summer and could have been had for close to the league minimum then. He's with the Rangers now.

At this point, I don't see how Malone is anywhere near an improvement over Bickell.
- EKolb13

Malone might try to show up a lil more than bicks

Patrick Sharp is 32. He's not 33 until December. Additionally, what you're talking about here is speculative. "Won't be getting any better, only worse as he gets older." His production hasn't fallen off yet. If there was going to be a serious decline, it would have started to happen by now. Sharpie takes excellent care of himself, any of these guys who know the Hawks' can you tell you that he is always one of the best conditioned players, right up there with Hossa.

He also brings the intangible things that every serious cup contender needs to put them over the top: WINNING experience and leadership.

Lee(potential 2nd line winger) and Martin(3rd/4th line guy) for Sharp and I would pull the trigger. I would possibly throw in a mid level prospect or pick.
- Bjm84

Correct I meant he was going to be 33. Not saying he isn't in shape or not productive now. I said if the isles were serious cup contenders right now I would make that deal involving Lee. However they aren't so I don't see the Isles trading away someone like Lee just yet for an older player who might only have a couple of productive years left. I don't think saying a soon to be 33 year old is going to slow down is speculative I think its pretty much a fact, which is normal unless you're Jagr. I'm not knocking Sharp at all I would love for him to be on the isles, I'm just not sure if trading for him now is the right move if it involves Lee

Malone might try to show up a lil more than bicks
- southernhawk

That still doesn't mean that Malone would be an improvement over Bickell.

Lets be real here, if sharp was as godlike as youre making him out to be, you wouldn't be trying to move. I understand your over the cap but if sharp provides all this at his cap hit which is still a discount for what youve described then why not move bickell or hossa or others?
- rangerdanger94

Ok u can have bickel....for..Brian boyal

That still doesn't mean that Malone would be an improvement over Bickell.
- EKolb13

Yes it does...lol...effort vs no effort is better

Lets be real here, if sharp was as godlike as youre making him out to be, you wouldn't be trying to move. I understand your over the cap but if sharp provides all this at his cap hit which is still a discount for what youve described then why not move bickell or hossa or others?
- rangerdanger94

Patrick is Sharp is not godlike and I don't think I am making him out to be. I am simply stating the facts of his resume and what he would bring to a team like the Islanders. I would move Bickel for sure but he would not fetch nearly the return that Sharp would. I would NOT move Hossa because I like his all around game more. Sharp is primarily an offensive talent, brought in to make offense, score goals, and provide intangibles.

Correct I meant he was going to be 33. Not saying he isn't in shape or not productive now. I said if the isles were serious cup contenders right now I would make that deal involving Lee. However they aren't so I don't see the Isles trading away someone like Lee just yet for an older player who might only have a couple of productive years left. I don't think saying a soon to be 33 year old is going to slow down is speculative I think its pretty much a fact, which is normal unless you're Jagr. I'm not knocking Sharp at all I would love for him to be on the isles, I'm just not sure if trading for him now is the right move if it involves Lee
- Vukota

What has to be taken into account is Sharp's partial NTC. Would he waive it to go to the Isles?

In addition, it's not like free agents are dying to sign with the Isles. Then there's the problem of the Isles keeping big names with the team - Vanek refused to sign an extension after being acquired, and Boychuck could possibly walk after the end of the season.

We're not talking about Nick Leddy here. Some team will want Sharp.

Ok u can have bickel....for..Brian boyal
- southernhawk

Boyle is in Tampa.

Malone might try to show up a lil more than bicks
- southernhawk

Dont forget the blow

Dont forget the blow
- BlazinMike

That'll make ya show up

What has to be taken into account is Sharp's partial NTC. Would he waive it to go to the Isles?

In addition, it's not like free agents are dying to sign with the Isles. Then there's the problem of the Isles keeping big names with the team - Vanek refused to sign an extension after being acquired, and Boychuck could possibly walk after the end of the season.

We're not talking about Nick Leddy here. Some team will want Sharp.
- EKolb13

True but its a different team now. New owners coming in New Arena all the young talent is starting to rise. Don't be surprised to see Boychuk resign and I'm glad that nobody wanted Leddy as you just put it because he has fit right in and will continue to get better. If you look at the future of this team why wouldn't a player want to come to the Isles going forward? It took a while but its starting to come together

That'll make ya show up
- southernhawk

...in the back of a squad car...

Correct I meant he was going to be 33. Not saying he isn't in shape or not productive now. I said if the isles were serious cup contenders right now I would make that deal involving Lee. However they aren't so I don't see the Isles trading away someone like Lee just yet for an older player who might only have a couple of productive years left. I don't think saying a soon to be 33 year old is going to slow down is speculative I think its pretty much a fact, which is normal unless you're Jagr. I'm not knocking Sharp at all I would love for him to be on the isles, I'm just not sure if trading for him now is the right move if it involves Lee
- Vukota

or Hossa, Selanne, Whitney..... and so on. Some players slow down quickly, others a little, and others not much at all.There many variables including body type, conditioning, diet, preperation, etc. To say Patrick Sharp will not be a an above average player in a few years is speculative.

If you're not sure trading for Sharp is the right move then why did you bring it up?

What has to be taken into account is Sharp's partial NTC. Would he waive it to go to the Isles?

In addition, it's not like free agents are dying to sign with the Isles. Then there's the problem of the Isles keeping big names with the team - Vanek refused to sign an extension after being acquired, and Boychuck could possibly walk after the end of the season.

We're not talking about Nick Leddy here. Some team will want Sharp.
- EKolb13

What it is.

or Hossa, Selanne, Whitney..... and so on. Some players slow down quickly, others a little, and others not much at all.There many variables including body type, conditioning, diet, preperation, etc. To say Patrick Sharp will not be a an above average player in a few years is speculative.

If you're not sure trading for Sharp is the right move then why did you bring it up?
- Bjm84

I said giving up Lee in a trade for Sharp at this current time might not be the smartest thing to do. I never said trading for sharp wasn't the right move. It all depended on what the asking price was.

True but its a different team now. New owners coming in New Arena all the young talent is starting to rise. Don't be surprised to see Boychuk resign and I'm glad that nobody wanted Leddy as you just put it because he has fit right in and will continue to get better. If you look at the future of this team why wouldn't a player want to come to the Isles going forward? It took a while but its starting to come together
- Vukota

I'll agree that the Isles could be up and coming with all the young talent they have, but that's hardly a guarantee of success. New ownership coming in signals a change, but that's hardly a guarantee that the team will be any different than it is now.

Like any team that has had to climb out of the cellar, I believe that the Isles will have to overpay to keep Boychuck, or bring in another big named UFA. It happened here in Chicago with Campbell. It's happened in Florida. Edmonton has grossly overpaid a couple of players this summer. I believe that the Isles new ownership will have to as well just to show that they're serious.

I said giving up Lee in a trade for Sharp at this current time might not be the smartest thing to do. I never said trading for sharp wasn't the right move. It all depended on what the asking price was.
- Vukota

And I sure you, something like the above package would be the asking price. As Eli said, this is not Nick Leddy we're talking about. Teams will covet Sharp, which will in turn raise the asking price. I could never see StanBo parting with Sharp for anything less than what I outlined(Lee plus Martin). I could see him throwing in a prospect such as McNeil, Rasmussen or 2-3 pick(maybe).

Dont forget the blow
- BlazinMike

Hes a perfect fit here in NY

I'll agree that the Isles could be up and coming with all the young talent they have, but that's hardly a guarantee of success. New ownership coming in signals a change, but that's hardly a guarantee that the team will be any different than it is now.

Like any team that has had to climb out of the cellar, I believe that the Isles will have to overpay to keep Boychuck, or bring in another big named UFA. It happened here in Chicago with Campbell. It's happened in Florida. Edmonton has grossly overpaid a couple of players this summer. I believe that the Isles new ownership will have to as well just to show that they're serious.
- EKolb13

Of course nothing is guaranteed and they will have start winning to prove it and to get players to come here. Most teams over pay so its not like they would be doing something a majority of the other teams don't already do. Isles are far from a finished product but again its not like years past. For arguments sake they can't sign Boychuk it wouldn't be the end of the world with Pulock & Reinhart coming up to stay next year. Unlike in the past where losing someone like Boychuk would set them back a few years. Now they have kids who are just about ready for their shot if it doesn't work out

And I sure you, something like the above package would be the asking price. As Eli said, this is not Nick Leddy we're talking about. Teams will covet Sharp, which will in turn raise the asking price. I could never see StanBo parting with Sharp for anything less than what I outlined(Lee plus Martin). I could see him throwing in a prospect such as McNeil, Rasmussen or 2-3 pick(maybe).
- Bjm84

I agree. I'm sure a team closer to competing for the cup might offer a better package because they need to win now. Absolutely. I'm curious to see if Snow would pull the trigger on that deal if it was offered today. I wouldn't lose sleep over it but I would just hate to lose Lee but you have to give to get

NEW BLOG IS UP

I agree. I'm sure a team closer to competing for the cup might offer a better package because they need to win now. Absolutely. I'm curious to see if Snow would pull the trigger on that deal if it was offered today. I wouldn't lose sleep over it but I would just hate to lose Lee but you have to give to get
- Vukota

I've got news for you, in a salary cap era, you will lose one of either Nelson, Okopso, or Lee in a few years anyway. I've seen it happen with the Blackhawks. Prospects come up, they develop, the win, and they get too expensive to keep. Something has to give.

And I would say the Isles are only next season or 2 seasons away from contending, especially given the weak Eastern conference.

I've got news for you, in a salary cap era, you will lose one of either Nelson, Okopso, or Lee in a few years anyway. I've seen it happen with the Blackhawks. Prospects come up, they develop, the win, and they get too expensive to keep. Something has to give.

And I would say the Isles are only next season or 2 seasons away from contending, especially given the weak Eastern conference.
- Bjm84

Actually, the Isles still have a ton of cap room. I don't think they have to worry about losing their prospects yet.

I've got news for you, in a salary cap era, you will lose one of either Nelson, Okopso, or Lee in a few years anyway. I've seen it happen with the Blackhawks. Prospects come up, they develop, the win, and they get too expensive to keep. Something has to give.

And I would say the Isles are only next season or 2 seasons away from contending, especially given the weak Eastern conference.
- Bjm84

That very well can happen especially when they have to break the bank to sign JT.

I hope so. It looks they are finally on the right path

Actually, the Isles still have a ton of cap room. I don't think they have to worry about losing their prospects yet.
- EKolb13

No but JT will be making over 10 million a year in a couple of years. They caught a huge break by getting him to sign for 5.5 on his last deal. He going to recoup those loses in a big way I don't know about a ton of space I think they are at 63 million and max is what 69? My numbers might be off a little