A sign of a good team is even when they play below average, they still outplay their opponent. Good that we got the win and scored 2 ev goals.

No team can play at their max caliber every game, so let's hope next game we come out flying.
- Danformo

I thought they were OK defensively for the most part, which is the important thing. Ovechkin is going to score goals, so I'm not too worried about that- there are just certain teams you can't give a power play, and they're one of them, for that reason. The Isles are going to have to play a lot better to win on Friday though- despite their recent struggles, that's another good team, and sooner or later, they're going to figure that out.

I agree but if 1 of Pulock/Reinhart are ready later on into season and have better size and more potential, I'm sorry bro but I'd rather have them in line-up instead. Now that's just my opinion.

From last blog Cptmj
- Ur Not Me

I get what you're thinking, but you're not going to move a solid veteran defenseman on a good team for a middling draft pick if the team continues to fire on all cylinders throughout the entire season, unless that defenseman is clearly crap, like Strait or someone like that, or if it's part of a package for something you see as a clear upgrade somewhere else. Pulock or Reinhart would have to be absolutely destroying the AHL for that to happen.

Oh, and one more "unless" to add to the list- unless a crap team that has playoff delusions is going to give you their first pick in this draft straight up for him....in that case, I'd move him yesterday.

My man Lee does it again. Grabner is not getting Lee's spot. Going to have to be Bailey or someone else. Sorry Cpt.
- ses111

I'm thinking one of the left wings is going to have to go- there just isn't any room. Grabs is too good of a shot blocking penalty killer to leave him in the seats all year (to me, that's most of his value to this team, ironically enough), and Lee in Bridgeport at this point is a joke. It's a good problem to have, but I'd think they'd be better served by having better major league ready options than Strait and Donovan on the back end, than to have a LW who should be in the lineup sitting in the press box every night.

Anyone still mad about Jack Skille?
- Dan Petriw

Was anyone mad about jack skille?

I like Boychuk, but I love Leddy. Guy is so solid in both zones and dominate in the NZ. His underlying stats are insane and he passes the eye test for sure. Give this kid 5-7 years, 3-4 mil a year. Not to mention he's the same age as deHann (23).

When you guys go on NHL.com or the Islanders website, does it say that you've been hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army?

http://thehockeywriters.com/ville-pokka-paying-dividends-for-new-york-islanders/




- Ur Not Me

Nice find. Good read.

I get what you're thinking, but you're not going to move a solid veteran defenseman on a good team for a middling draft pick if the team continues to fire on all cylinders throughout the entire season, unless that defenseman is clearly crap, like Strait or someone like that, or if it's part of a package for something you see as a clear upgrade somewhere else. Pulock or Reinhart would have to be absolutely destroying the AHL for that to happen.

Oh, and one more "unless" to add to the list- unless a crap team that has playoff delusions is going to give you their first pick in this draft straight up for him....in that case, I'd move him yesterday.
- dcb1

1st of all - Happy Thanksgiving to all.....


Hickey is who I was talking about, and no team will give up a 1st for him, so not sure were u went from my post? I just pointed out that out of the isles 5/6/7 dmen, he has the best value to be moved if replaced by 1 of the kids, and u wont even get a 2nd pick (unless team was desperate) for him either.

I get how some are Hickey supporters, that's fine, he's a good kid, high hockey IQ and playing 3rd line mins (which is he's suited for) but lets not take my post out of context bc I said if someone would be replaced or traded I could see him over Viz, that's all and lets leave at that......

When you guys go on NHL.com or the Islanders website, does it say that you've been hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army?
- NYI44

The site's been hacked along with a bunch of others globally that use "Gigya CDN," whatever that is...I'm not the most tech-savvy person.

1st of all - Happy Thanksgiving to all.....


Hickey is who I was talking about, and no team will give up a 1st for him, so not sure were u went from my post? I just pointed out that out of the isles 5/6/7 dmen, he has the best value to be moved if replaced by 1 of the kids, and u wont even get a 2nd pick (unless team was desperate) for him either.

I get how some are Hickey supporters, that's fine, he's a good kid, high hockey IQ and playing 3rd line mins (which is he's suited for) but lets not take my post out of context bc I said if someone would be replaced or traded I could see him over Viz, that's all and lets leave at that......


- Ur Not Me

I really don't want to touch the roster. Even Grabner...where does he play and who's roster spot does he take?

Let's get to the trade deadline and see where we stand. There will be injuries, too, at some point.

I really don't want to touch the roster. Even Grabner...where does he play and who's roster spot does he take?

Let's get to the trade deadline and see where we stand. There will be injuries, too, at some point.
- potvin05

Bolded part - I don't either but when it gets towards the 2nd half of season and playoff's it becomes a grind. The only thing I would like this team to add sometime into season (if possible) is a legit W for JT's line & another veteran dman. Rather have the team bolstered and primed for playoff hockey... Oh shat, I said it again....

I like Boychuk, but I love Leddy. Guy is so solid in both zones and dominate in the NZ. His underlying stats are insane and he passes the eye test for sure. Give this kid 5-7 years, 3-4 mil a year. Not to mention he's the same age as deHann (23).
- Dgmilazz

I love Ledy as well. He has unbelievable hockey sense and skates like the wind. I think his camp will command at least 5 million a year.

I really don't want to touch the roster. Even Grabner...where does he play and who's roster spot does he take?

Let's get to the trade deadline and see where we stand. There will be injuries, too, at some point.
- potvin05

Neither do I. The choice is Lee or Grabner? I love the way Lee plays. We need that hard nose type player that can play hockey on the roster but, on the other hand Grabners speed is very valuable...hard choice for the coaching staff. Like you said there will be injuries

Didn't someone say a week ago Tavares should be sent down to Bridgeport to find his game...

Didn't someone say a week ago Tavares should be sent down to Bridgeport to find his game...

I really don't want to touch the roster. Even Grabner...where does he play and who's roster spot does he take?

Let's get to the trade deadline and see where we stand. There will be injuries, too, at some point.
- potvin05

Right now Grabner=Healthy Scratch

Neither do I. The choice is Lee or Grabner? I love the way Lee plays. We need that hard nose type player that can play hockey on the roster but, on the other hand Grabners speed is very valuable...hard choice for the coaching staff. Like you said there will be injuries
- dack1972

I think they're going to trade Grabner. Personally I'd rather keep him and trade Bailey...and before I get lectured on how great Bailey's been playing, I'll point out that I do see improvement in his game and agree he's been playing well. I just think Grabner's better. He's faster, a scoring threat on the PK, and for all the talk of his "stone hands," I think he has a harder and more accurate wrist shot than Bailey. Bailey has a bit more hockey sense, but not enough to tip the scales for me.

Neither do I. The choice is Lee or Grabner? I love the way Lee plays. We need that hard nose type player that can play hockey on the roster but, on the other hand Grabners speed is very valuable...hard choice for the coaching staff. Like you said there will be injuries
- dack1972

Sitting Lee would be unfathomable at this point. I'd still like to see where he deserved the extra 2 minutes last night but he completely bossed that fight last night. He could be a Keith Primeau type.

Hey, we got a numbers problem and IMO that's a good problem to have. I agree with kear at this point, Grabs might have to continue sitting. Even the 4th line has been great lately. I'd rather Grabner not play on the 4th line anyway.

I think they're going to trade Grabner. Personally I'd rather keep him and trade Bailey...and before I get lectured on how great Bailey's been playing, I'll point out that I do see improvement in his game and agree he's been playing well. I just think Grabner's better. He's faster, a scoring threat on the PK, and for all the talk of his "stone hands," I think he has a harder and more accurate wrist shot than Bailey. Bailey has a bit more hockey sense, but not enough to tip the scales for me.
- UIF

I agree with post completely.

Was anyone mad about jack skille?
- Cptmjl

Who is Jack Skille?

Sitting Lee would be unfathomable at this point. I'd still like to see where he deserved the extra 2 minutes last night but he completely bossed that fight last night. He could be a Keith Primeau type.

Hey, we got a numbers problem and IMO that's a good problem to have. I agree with kear at this point, Grabs might have to continue sitting. Even the 4th line has been great lately. I'd rather Grabner not play on the 4th line anyway.
- potvin05

Grabner is better than at least Bailey, Martin, and Cizikas. I dont care if Grabner plays 7 minutes a night on the fourth line, it's better than him playing zero minutes. Even if he is on the fourth line he will get PK time and should help that tremendously as the PK might be our biggest weakness. Dress your best top 12, period.

I think they're going to trade Grabner. Personally I'd rather keep him and trade Bailey...and before I get lectured on how great Bailey's been playing, I'll point out that I do see improvement in his game and agree he's been playing well. I just think Grabner's better. He's faster, a scoring threat on the PK, and for all the talk of his "stone hands," I think he has a harder and more accurate wrist shot than Bailey. Bailey has a bit more hockey sense, but not enough to tip the scales for me.
- UIF

I 2nd that...........


Don't care how he's playing or whatever happens this year, to me he's a replaceable part on roster....
Plus rid that contract... oooff

Who is Jack Skille?
- kear20

The guy who didn't beat out Colin McDonald

I think they're going to trade Grabner. Personally I'd rather keep him and trade Bailey...and before I get lectured on how great Bailey's been playing, I'll point out that I do see improvement in his game and agree he's been playing well. I just think Grabner's better. He's faster, a scoring threat on the PK, and for all the talk of his "stone hands," I think he has a harder and more accurate wrist shot than Bailey. Bailey has a bit more hockey sense, but not enough to tip the scales for me.
- UIF

Agreed, it's between the two. Bailey should be the one to go. He probably has a little more trade value because he can play center or wing.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Grabner is better than at least Bailey, Martin, and Cizikas. I dont care if Grabner plays 7 minutes a night on the fourth line, it's better than him playing zero minutes. Even if he is on the fourth line he will get PK time and should help that tremendously as the PK might be our biggest weakness. Dress your best top 12, period.
- Dgmilazz

If Grabner plays, Bailey sits. Martin and Cizikas are not part of that equation. Plus, if Martin sits, the other team might start taking liberties with our best players without fear of retribution.