Our most solid position. After this draft we'll be most solid at LW.

Yeah, I remember him getting high grades for his size and his pedigree. Lots of guys in juniors don't skate well......especially big d-men. The thought is that they will improve their skating before they reach the NHL. Just hasn't happened with Griff.... Maybe the Oilers can teach him how to skate.
- JohnScammo

He's definitely getting better.

Garth is really going to have to get creative to field a decent team if he can't get Nielsen to come back down to earth.

Lee-JT-Xx
Nelson-Strome-XX (Backes?)
Grabbo-Barzal-Xx
Prince-CC-Cluts

He's definitely getting better.


- nyisles7

I think snow is going all in on Stamkos and is waiting on the Frans until after, if stammer signs later Frans if not welcome back. The isles aren't talked about like Toronto det or buffalo but they have been mentioned a bit

Garth is really going to have to get creative to field a decent team if he can't get Nielsen to come back down to earth.

Lee-JT-Xx
Nelson-Strome-XX (Backes?)
Grabbo-Barzal-Xx
Prince-CC-Cluts
- Danformo

Here's a scary thought. Just looking at the forwards signed so far.... Bailey has moved up the depth chart all the way to the top line.

Here's a scary thought. Just looking at the forwards signed so far.... Bailey has moved up the depth chart all the way to the top line.
- JohnScammo

Apparently they will sign Frans for life

I think snow is going all in on Stamkos and is waiting on the Frans until after, if stammer signs later Frans if not welcome back. The isles aren't talked about like Toronto det or buffalo but they have been mentioned a bit
- Upstate_isles

Does Stamkos solve our problem? We're losing a lot of depth and the guy has stated numerous times he wants to be a center not play of the wing. Also, that's a ton of money to tie into one player with a Tavares contract coming up. Don't get me wrong Stamkos is incredible and I love the idea of getting him but is Snow the guy that could add him along with the depth that's needed to be a serious threat while staying cap compliant? I just don't see it happening. Who knows maybe Tavares has more influence then I give him credit for?

Here's a scary thought. Just looking at the forwards signed so far.... Bailey has moved up the depth chart all the way to the top line.
- JohnScammo

I think having Barzal and Prince penciled into the line up is all the scare I can take without even mentioning Bailey. There's a lot of assumptions in that line up. I can totally see snow doing it

Does Stamkos solve our problem? We're losing a lot of depth and the guy has stated numerous times he wants to be a center not play of the wing. Also, that's a ton of money to tie into one player with a Tavares contract coming up. Don't get me wrong Stamkos is incredible and I love the idea of getting him but is Snow the guy that could add him along with the depth that's needed to be a serious threat while staying cap compliant? I just don't see it happening. Who knows maybe Tavares has more influence then I give him credit for?
- Cptmjl

He would replace Frans at center but snow sucks so he won't end up here. Finally read that article by Larry Brooks no wonder boyle hates the guy makes me like boyle although only a very little

Fourth Period saying Neilson turned down the Isles contract? And the Rags are looking at Vanek.
- Nolanders

I was going to joke that the Rangers might save Garth by signing Vanek. He's exactly the type of player they often give retirement contracts to. At least HE won't cost them any 1st rd picks...

He would replace Frans at center but snow sucks so he won't end up here. Finally read that article by Larry Brooks no wonder boyle hates the guy makes me like boyle although only a very little
- Upstate_isles

I said the other day i dont like brooks and brett there bias is so apparent

Also if ice conditions are the main factor in where a free agent signs no one is going to vegas

Here's another guy who thinks the Isles have room for Stamkos:

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hoc...mkos-watch-is-on-1.516462

I said the other day i dont like brooks and brett there bias is so apparent

Also if ice conditions are the main factor in where a free agent signs no one is going to vegas
- Flexingtheshaft

I've played on 2 different rinks in Vegas. Privately owned & local. Both had excellent ice conditions.

Here's another guy who thinks the Isles have room for Stamkos:

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hoc...mkos-watch-is-on-1.516462
- PeteM

Every team is going to make him an offer then figure out aftee how to make the cap work

Every team is going to make him an offer then figure out aftee how to make the cap work
- Flexingtheshaft

Oodles of cap space

Oodles of cap space
- Upstate_isles

That could be Garth Snow's legacy...

I said the other day i dont like brooks and brett there bias is so apparent

Also if ice conditions are the main factor in where a free agent signs no one is going to vegas
- Flexingtheshaft

I was told that Barclays ice sucks because the ice making Equiptment is not state of the art by NHL standards. The facility was built without an NHL team in mind, and the ice surface was to be used by Disney on ice and ice Capades etc where ice requirements are softer than those desired by the NHL. This saved a lot of money when the BC was built. Just because the average temperature in Las Vegas is higher than Brooklyns doesn't mean their ice will be bad. Unless of course you've had the opportunity to go for a skate on it and know for a fact it is sh!tty then don't assume that it will be.

Here's another guy who thinks the Isles have room for Stamkos:

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hoc...mkos-watch-is-on-1.516462
- PeteM

How much does a friendship of two hockey players weight in these signings? Has to be overblown. Is there any precedent?

How much does a friendship of two hockey players weight in these signings? Has to be overblown. Is there any precedent?
- ziggy_skalica

Overblown unless it's Lebron and the rest of the NBA wanting to team up with their buddies.

Heard from a canadien friend that on radio isles interested on Eriksson and that Louie is looking for a 5-6yr deal for $5-6m per.....
Bos has a 4yr offer on table but wants term..... I'll take him for 5yrs and buyout the last year if necessary

Heard from a canadien friend that on radio isles interested on Eriksson and that Louie is looking for a 5-6yr deal for $5-6m per.....
Bos has a 4yr offer on table but wants term..... I'll take him for 5yrs and buyout the last year if necessary
- Ur Not Me

I would give Loui 5 year at 5-6 per.

I would give Loui 5 year at 5-6 per.
- ses111

I agree....
Perfect fit for team

edit: at least he can skate & play defense

I agree....
Perfect fit for team

edit: at least he can skate & play defense
- Ur Not Me

I will not miss KO falling over the blueline. You can put Lee on the line with JT and Loui.

I was told that Barclays ice sucks because the ice making Equiptment is not state of the art by NHL standards. The facility was built without an NHL team in mind, and the ice surface was to be used by Disney on ice and ice Capades etc where ice requirements are softer than those desired by the NHL. This saved a lot of money when the BC was built. Just because the average temperature in Las Vegas is higher than Brooklyns doesn't mean their ice will be bad. Unless of course you've had the opportunity to go for a skate on it and know for a fact it is sh!tty then don't assume that it will be.
- nyisles7

I dont know if there are "NHL Standards" for the equipment, beyond the requirement that the "equipment" is capable of making & maintaining ice at a certain temp.
But if that is the real reason, then that's great news. Chillers & compressors & engines are fairly easy to replace and cost couldn't be much more than $1M, or so. (So long as there are pipes to circulate the chilled water solution, already buried in the cement floor).

What's more likely are a combination of two things: Operator error & the arena AC/Climate Control's ability to counter the humidity & heat levels in the arena when all the lights are on and the fans are in the seats. If the whole HVAC system isn't able to exhaust the heat or cool the space well enough for hockey, that's a bigger problem, however still fixable but way more expensive.

this is a question for the contract experts here.
please educate me if Casey Cizikas at 3.3mm a year was expensive, what is Andrew Shaw at 3.9MM a year for Montreal?

let me guess, he is a lot better than casey?