Who's the best d prospect then? Reinhardt is going to develope into a top 3.

Plucking right they're 8 games over 500. That home and home was huge. Talk about a confidence boost. The boys can hang with anyone in the league.
- kindlyrick

It's weird to see us go down a goal and not feel worried.

It's weird to see us go down a goal and not feel worried.
- Isles_since_6

I still get worried if they are up 2 goals in the third.

Who's the best d prospect then? Reinhardt is going to develope into a top 3.

Plucking right they're 8 games over 500. That home and home was huge. Talk about a confidence boost. The boys can hang with anyone in the league.
- kindlyrick

Pulock seems to be a step ahead.

I still get worried if they are up 2 goals in the third.
- JimmyP

Hopefully that fades away

Hopefully that fades away
- Cptmjl

I am not AS worried as I once was.. I no longer think I will see the opponent get a 1 goal lead, just get the 2 points in OT/SO. Before I was always afraid of them getting the goal and the points and us getting nothing.

Hopefully that fades away
- Cptmjl

It is fading slowly. It's been such a long time since this team has been good, I'm slow to adjust. This year it seems that they are more likely to score than let one up, but I still get that nervous feeling.

Reinhart and Pulock are blue chip D prospects. You dont move them unless you are getting back a no-question first line Wing for JT or a top pair d-man. You dont move guys like pulock or Reinhart in deals for depth players. I dont think EDM has a forward that they would trade for Reinhart that would fit the criteria.
- Jethro09

If you're trading a d-man prospect like Reinhart, I'd rather have a first round pick for him...I think Pulock will take Visnovsky spot next year...he seems to be ahead of Reinhart...

If you're trading a d-man prospect like Reinhart, I'd rather have a first round pick for him...I think Pulock will take Visnovsky spot next year...he seems to be ahead of Reinhart...
- kear20

But wouldn't it be nice to have Reinhart available to take Hickey's spot? And move Hickey to our #7 d-man spot?

Also, while I expect Snow to make every effort to sign Boychuk, it's not guaranteed. There was an article in today's Newsday that indicated that Boychuk is in no hurry to sign. He knows he will get a lot of attention on the open market as a UFA.

Edit: http://www.newsday.com/sp...-presence-known-1.9644963

See 2nd half of article..........Boychuk not ready ..... etc.

But wouldn't it be nice to have Reinhart available to take Hickey's spot? And move Hickey to our #7 d-man spot?

Also, while I expect Snow to make every effort to sign Boychuk, it's not guaranteed. There was an article in today's Newsday that indicated that Boychuk is in no hurry to sign. He knows he will get a lot of attention on the open market as a UFA.
- JohnScammo

Any other year but this, I would say JB walks. This year? I feel he might have mixed feelings. He is top on the D chart, giving him more time on ice. The Isles are doing good, gives him negotiating room. He has more responsibility vs. skill, therefore more wiggle room for mistakes (everyone makes them). JB knows he might have a good role on the Island, but I think how they lead up to the trade deadline will tell him if he should stay or bounce.

If the Isles keep rolling as they have been, I think he signs a couple years. If they falter, he bounces at the deadline and Pulock or GR comes up. He is not indispensable, but he is a damn good presence on the ice and in the room.

EDIT:: Given the added link from the quoted post, I still hold to the same thought. I think Leddy re-ups when needed (if the Isles continue on the upward swing) and JB does as well, if the Isles get to the playoffs and 2 rounds in (at minimum [and he also sees what Viz and Nabby saw in LI to stay]).

Any other year but this, I would say JB walks. This year? I feel he might have mixed feelings. He is top on the D chart, giving him more time on ice. The Isles are doing good, gives him negotiating room. He has more responsibility vs. skill, therefore more wiggle room for mistakes (everyone makes them). JB knows he might have a good role on the Island, but I think how they lead up to the trade deadline will tell him if he should stay or bounce.

If the Isles keep rolling as they have been, I think he signs a couple years. If they falter, he bounces at the deadline and Pulock or GR comes up. He is not indispensable, but he is a damn good presence on the ice and in the room.

EDIT:: Given the added link from the quoted post, I still hold to the same thought. I think Leddy re-ups when needed (if the Isles continue on the upward swing) and JB does as well, if the Isles get to the playoffs and 2 rounds in (at minimum
- psycomkl[and he also sees what Viz and Nabby saw in LI to stay]).

not worried about Leddy at all, he's an rfa for two more years so he'll be signing with us, the only question will be for how long and based on how he's playing, I think it's gonna be a 4-5 year deal.

Any other year but this, I would say JB walks. This year? I feel he might have mixed feelings. He is top on the D chart, giving him more time on ice. The Isles are doing good, gives him negotiating room. He has more responsibility vs. skill, therefore more wiggle room for mistakes (everyone makes them). JB knows he might have a good role on the Island, but I think how they lead up to the trade deadline will tell him if he should stay or bounce.

If the Isles keep rolling as they have been, I think he signs a couple years. If they falter, he bounces at the deadline and Pulock or GR comes up. He is not indispensable, but he is a damn good presence on the ice and in the room.

EDIT:: Given the added link from the quoted post, I still hold to the same thought. I think Leddy re-ups when needed (if the Isles continue on the upward swing) and JB does as well, if the Isles get to the playoffs and 2 rounds in (at minimum
- psycomkl[and he also sees what Viz and Nabby saw in LI to stay]).

I am cautiously optimistic that Boychuk will like Long Island as a good place to raise his family. He will find a nice home in northern Nassau County, his kids will be in a good school district, his wife will find good shopping nearby, etc.

But since it is not guaranteed, I would hang onto Reinhart as insurance.

I still get worried if they are up 2 goals in the third.
- JimmyP

Ditto. In the Cappystrophic system, nightmares can still happen

not worried about Leddy at all, he's an rfa for two more years so he'll be signing with us, the only question will be for how long and based on how he's playing, I think it's gonna be a 4-5 year deal.
- Isles_since_6

Leddy I am not worried about this year, but I hope we start the negotiations this year instead of waiting. I agree with the term, but lower it to 3-4 years.

I am cautiously optimistic that Boychuk will like Long Island as a good place to raise his family. He will find a nice home in northern Nassau County, his kids will be in a good school district, his wife will find good shopping nearby, etc.

But since it is not guaranteed, I would hang onto Reinhart as insurance.
- JohnScammo

I think if the Isles pull wins to make the playoffs, JB signs for a year or two. 2 rounds, maybe a 3-4 year contract. While he says the family needs a place to settle, I think that is a lower percentage if the Isles falter, but if the Isles succeed, he will suddenly find a place his family can flourish, which in LI, with a person with money, can absolutely do.

Offer boychuk 6 years, 39 million (6.5 per). I think that would be the open market value for most teams. Other desperate teams could offer more, but those are teams you would think are struggling. Defensemen are very very hard to come by lately. I think that's a perfect contract for him.

I would like to see Reinhart stick around. I see no reason for any trade. The only two reasons I would entertain the thought of a trade would be a losing streak (and, God, I hope not) or the trade deadline. Otherwise, there is really no reason for it.

Offer boychuk 6 years, 39 million (6.5 per). I think that would be the open market value for most teams. Other desperate teams could offer more, but those are teams you would think are struggling. Defensemen are very very hard to come by lately. I think that's a perfect contract for him.
- Dedshark

I'd start a little lower, but I'd definitely sweeten it to around those numbers in the long run. His shot is just so heavy, and always finds the net.

I'd start a little lower, but I'd definitely sweeten it to around those numbers in the long run. His shot is just so heavy, and always finds the net.
- potvin05

It finds the net because no one wants to get in the way of it.

Snows not thinking trade right now. This team is humming. Theyre not going to make a trade that distrupts chemistry. I wouldn't be eager to trade a blue chip prospect like reinhart just because currently there is depth at that position.
- Jethro09

Well, my argument is obviously only if the trade is there, and the player is worth it- I wouldn't actively shop anyone just to get rid of them. I also wouldn't want another guy like Vanek, who's sh*t in his own end of the ice- it would have to be someone who fits the team as a whole. The other thing is that these trades generally don't cost nearly as much as you would think, especially if it's a money issue (Boychuk and Leddy, for two examples), so maybe it wouldn't even cost that much to bring that player in. I just think that an upgrade of that LW to add another guy who has the talent level of Okposo would simultaneously upgrade the third line as well (by freeing Kulemin to play with Nielsen), and make this team scary good. I agree with most of you, though- likely not going to happen.

I think if the Isles pull wins to make the playoffs, JB signs for a year or two. 2 rounds, maybe a 3-4 year contract. While he says the family needs a place to settle, I think that is a lower percentage if the Isles falter, but if the Isles succeed, he will suddenly find a place his family can flourish, which in LI, with a person with money, can absolutely do.
- psycomkl

Boychuk is going to be 31 by the end of the season. This is his one big chance to cash in on a long term contract for major dollars. He isn't taking a 3 year contract. He's going to get the max term for the most amount of dollars, and if the Islanders aren't offering that contract we may as well trade him at the deadline because there's no shot he's taking a short term contract. He finally has the opportunity to earn a ton of money.

I am cautiously optimistic that Boychuk will like Long Island as a good place to raise his family. He will find a nice home in northern Nassau County, his kids will be in a good school district, his wife will find good shopping nearby, etc.

But since it is not guaranteed, I would hang onto Reinhart as insurance.
- JohnScammo

Players want to play for good teams- the building is an embarrassment, but I'm sure they've already showed him the other one (I don't recall if he was here for that game they played, but if I was trying to sign him, that'd be the first thing on my agenda). If this team plays like a machine, and goes fairly deep into the playoffs, and the offer is there, I think he'll stay- especially if he does like the area, which can't be that much different from the Boston metro- suburban, climate nearly the same....and far more convenient to the beach, if you like that sort of thing. I'd also agree- no moving of Reinhart unless you have that settled....and again, I'm not actively shopping anybody, with the way they're playing. It's only if a deal falls into my lap.

Boychuk is going to be 31 by the end of the season. This is his one big chance to cash in on a long term contract for major dollars. He isn't taking a 3 year contract. He's going to get the max term for the most amount of dollars, and if the Islanders aren't offering that contract we may as well trade him at the deadline because there's no shot he's taking a short term contract. He finally has the opportunity to earn a ton of money.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, that's going to likely be a 6 year deal, for upwards of $6M a year. Think about what minus 47 got from the Flyers, and then consider Boychuk....the check is going to be large....

Yeah, that's going to likely be a 6 year deal, for upwards of $6M a year. Think about what minus 47 got from the Flyers, and then consider Boychuk....the check is going to be large....
- dcb1

And it should be. I'd pay him pretty much whatever he wants, within reason.

And it should be. I'd pay him pretty much whatever he wants, within reason.
- eichiefs9

100 million

100 million
- Cptmjl

A year?