The bigger question is when it doesn't what stupid move does Snow make? He will be scrambling to save face b/c he let all 3 UFA's walk and then did not get his prize.

I could care less about Ok leaving.. he will get 7 mill a year...fine. I am even OK with Franz leaving if he is going to make over 6 mill a year. I am still furious that he is letting Martin leave. Guy wanted 2.5 mill? He is worth that no matter what you guys think. This team will regret not signing Matt Martin.... they will either have a good that can't skate or you will all be complaining how soft they are game in and game out. Absurd to let him leave for that money.
- niteislander

No way can I blame Garth not wanting to give Frans 6 Mill and whatever KO will be looking for. I like Martin and if it makes sense I would not mind brining him back. The Bailey, Grabo, Kulemin, and Halak deals hurt the Isles. If they do lose Martin, they need to bring in someone with similar toughness and hopefully a little better skater.

Team will still need an enforcer type player (just in case) bc Boulton's gone, Martin leaving and wouldn't mind Ryan White as an extra or someone like him....
- Ur Not Me

Who is the "enforcer" on the Penguins, lightning, Sharks??? Don't need an "enforcer" just need someone willing to fight

The report is not that he will get at least three which is even more absurd. He is a 1.5-2 million player tops. I love Martin but you can find a cheaper replacement that can do the same thing. I think Halmo gets a real shot
- Dan Petriw

I don't think you can easily replace a Matt Martin. You do... I get it.. but I don't. He is one of the tougher guys in league. Halmo is a guy who doesn't win fights. He can actually skate.. scores some goals, cycles and does dirty work in corners. I don't understand when you have a line that is playing this well how you think u can just "upgrade" it. it was reported that Martin asked Isles for 4 years 2.5 per. That is not a ton of money. They should have signed him...

My kid is on his way to Matt's camp this morning. Ton of Matt's teammates going to be at the camp. It's absurd to me they are letting this guy walk.

I'd rather have Ladd for $6 million than Neilsen...I would think they are only going to sign two UFA's anyway and hope one of their prospects like Barzal makes the team out of training camp...we haven't won much with Okposo, Martin and Neilsen anyway...

I don't think you can easily replace a Matt Martin. You do... I get it.. but I don't. He is one of the tougher guys in league. Halmo is a guy who doesn't win fights. He can actually skate.. scores some goals, cycles and does dirty work in corners. I don't understand when you have a line that is playing this well how you think u can just "upgrade" it. it was reported that Martin asked Isles for 4 years 2.5 per. That is not a ton of money. They should have signed him...

My did is on his way to Matt's camp this morning. Ton of Matt's teammates going to be at the camp. It's absurd to me they are letting this guy walk.
- niteislander

Of the three I'd sign Martin...Franzie is too old and Okposo is too streaky...

No way can I blame Garth not wanting to give Frans 6 Mill and whatever KO will be looking for. I like Martin and if it makes sense I would not mind brining him back. The Bailey, Grabo, Kulemin, and Halak deals hurt the Isles. If they do lose Martin, they need to bring in someone with similar toughness and hopefully a little better skater.
- ses111

Troy Brouwer???

I'd rather have Ladd for $6 million than Neilsen...I would think they are only going to sign two UFA's anyway and hope one of their prospects like Barzal makes the team out of training camp...we haven't won much with Okposo, Martin and Neilsen anyway...
- kear20

1) Ladd thinks he better than 6MM and 2) Frans is better overall than him and younger I believe.

Martin is great guy but we will live without him. I have to say if his Hits were punishing I would think differently but they really aren't. You cant tie up 2.5MM a year on guy that plays 4th line and just hits.

Troy Brouwer???
- kear20

I thought the talk was he wanted to go home to Vancouver?

I don't think you can easily replace a Matt Martin. You do... I get it.. but I don't. He is one of the tougher guys in league. Halmo is a guy who doesn't win fights. He can actually skate.. scores some goals, cycles and does dirty work in corners. I don't understand when you have a line that is playing this well how you think u can just "upgrade" it. it was reported that Martin asked Isles for 4 years 2.5 per. That is not a ton of money. They should have signed him...

My did is on his way to Matt's camp this morning. Ton of Matt's teammates going to be at the camp. It's absurd to me they are letting this guy walk.
- niteislander

4th line players that don't kill penalties are replaceable players. Not guys you give 2.5 or 3 mil per for.

Who is the "enforcer" on the Penguins, lightning, Sharks??? Don't need an "enforcer" just need someone willing to fight
- Dan Petriw

I just want someone that can respond if another team takes cheap shots at JT. Halmo seems like a nice 4th line player, I'm not sure I want him as our only tough type player?

Troy Brouwer???
- kear20

Brouwer would be great but I feel his price tag went up bigtime given his performance in Playoffs. He may have been the best Capital all playoff long.

I really liked the Bellows pick. I cannot say much on the other guys drafted. To be honest, I'm not focused on these prospects that are years away. It's all about what trades and signing we could make.

I really like Chimera as an option for the Isles on the 4th line.
- ses111

The Islanders had a good draft. Bellows was a steal at 19, I can't believe Philly traded down and passed on him. I was sure that they were going to scoop him up. If the "middle 3" defense prospects were gone (Fabbro, Bean, McAvoy), Bellows was the guy I wanted them to take if they kept the pick.

Anatoly Golyshev could be utter larceny in the fourth round. He's small, but drawing a lot of comparisons to Panarin. He would have been a free agent that was eligible to be signed after next season. He's signed through 2019 in the KHL, but the Isles head scout was quoted as saying that they are reasonably confident that they may be able to buy him out of his contract after next season. Here's an article from February about Golyshev and Here's another one from more recently, with some highlights.

Don't know a thing about Koivula, but he's a huge bodied 17yo that's already 6'4'' and 219lbs. Can play either wing and put up 26g and 58pts in 49 games in Finland's junior league.

This was some info I was able to find on him, ignore the grades used...they aren't out of 100:

Otto Koivula – Scouting report

Bio:
Team: Ilves U20, Finland Draft status: 2016 eligible
Position: LW/RW

To date stats: 49 GP, 26 G, 32 A, 58 Pts, 18 PIMs
Shoots: L
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 220 lbs.

Characteristics:

Skating:

Skating is Koivula’s biggest weakness. He is a bit clumsy at times and is not an agile skater in any way. He has a decent top speed but needs some time to get there. A lot of work ahead for Koivula regarding his skating. Grade: 35

Shooting:

Koivula can shoot the puck as good as nearly anyone. He has a quick release and can shoot the puck both from close range or near the boards. Grade: 60

Puck skills:

Koivula handles the puck well and can control it in tight situations. He can protect the puck well and likes to dangle too. Has a good reach and knows how to use it for his advantage. Grade: 55

Smarts:

Koivula’s hockey IQ is high and he sees the ice well. He makes consistently good decisions on whether to shoot, pass or drive to the net. Is also sound defensively and can be used on the penalty kill. Grade: 60

Physicality:

Koivula knows how to use his body. He rarely throws big hits but he likes to drive to the net protecting the puck with his strength. He does not back away from physical battles either. There is still a lot to improve in this category for a guy with his size. Grade: 55

General assessment:

Koivula has signed his first professional contract for next season and he will have a professional skating coach available in the summer. If he could get his skating to at least a decent level, he could be a dominant force in the game.

Overall Future Projection: 52



The kid they picked last, David Quenneville, is tiny for a defenseman but put up just short of a PPG in the WHL. He's a long shot, but in the 7th round that pick really has no risk.

I don't know much about Pastujov or Adams.

Who is the "enforcer" on the Penguins, lightning, Sharks??? Don't need an "enforcer" just need someone willing to fight
- Dan Petriw

Ok well then the team needs players (more than 1) who are able to drop mitts bc this team gets speared all the time and besides Martin/Boulton team lacks mitt droppers

Ok well then the team needs players (more than 1) who are able to drop mitts bc this team gets speared all the time and besides Martin/Boulton team lacks mitt droppers
- Ur Not Me

Having toughness is one thing. But the "enforcer" days are over. That's a defunct position now and having a useless goon on the team is pointless and detrimental.

In all seriousness the Islanders and Devils should sue Larry Brooks for these B.S. articles. He works for a newspaper that is widely followed and constantly puts complete garbage about these 2 teams in the paper. If Anyone chooses to believe this crap it makes it an issue for signing free agents. What if Stamkos or Ladd's agent reads this "dangerous ice" crap and decides to take it seriously. It's absurd He can write crap like this every year.

Having toughness is one thing. But the "enforcer" days are over. That's a defunct position now and having a useless goon on the team is pointless and detrimental.
- eichiefs9

I look forward to you "This team is so Fackin soft" posts all season long. When Flyers, Bruins, and Rangers are head hunting our guys and not one is doing a damn this about it.

I just want someone that can respond if another team takes cheap shots at JT. Halmo seems like a nice 4th line player, I'm not sure I want him as our only tough type player?
- ses111

Then tell boychuk and hamonic to take the glue out of their gloves. Did Martin fight more than 7 times last year?? JT gets run all the time.. Martin did nothing to prohibit that

I look forward to you "This team is so Fackin soft" posts all season long. When Flyers, Bruins, and Rangers are head hunting our guys and not one is doing a damn this about it.
- niteislander

I didn't say that physicality isn't important and never have. I'm not looking to have a "soft" team. I said the enforcer is a defunct position and it couldn't be more true. If you think Matt Martin ever deterred one single person from "head hunting" (or anything else of that nature) then you are lying to yourself.

I look forward to you "This team is so Fackin soft" posts all season long. When Flyers, Bruins, and Rangers are head hunting our guys and not one is doing a damn this about it.
- niteislander

Even with Martin this team is too soft.. Need more sand paper on the top nine. Ladd and Mcginn would go a long way into solving that

In all seriousness the Islanders and Devils should sue Larry Brooks for these B.S. articles. He works for a newspaper that is widely followed and constantly puts complete garbage about these 2 teams in the paper. If Anyone chooses to believe this crap it makes it an issue for signing free agents. What if Stamkos or Ladd's agent reads this "dangerous ice" crap and decides to take it seriously. It's absurd He can write crap like this every year.
- niteislander

It's a worry if players and agents have this perception about the Isles. Let's hope the Isles do not strike out with FA's. The talk will only increase if they do.

Filip Forsberg just got 6 years 36 million

Even with Martin this team is too soft.. Need more sand paper on the top nine. Ladd and Mcginn would go a long way into solving that
- Dan Petriw

Top 6 needs to be tougher for sure. I really like McGinn and adding a Loui or Ladd if Stamkos cannot happen.

If Garth cannot sign any of the top FA's, he needs to be willing to move some of the young players and prospects. I really hope that Ledecky and Malkin are not going to want to hear any excuses. I hope they did not spend half a billion to be happy with the same old thing.
- ses111

If Garth cannot find a way to upgrade the top six, either by trade or UFAs, then this needs to be his last summer in charge. Snow is all out of time and excuses to fail to upgrade. Waiting for Strome, Nelson and Lee to "take the next step" is over with. The bottom line for Snow is that the top six going into October needs to be better than it was this past season.

Then tell boychuk and hamonic to take the glue out of their gloves. Did Martin fight more than 7 times last year?? JT gets run all the time.. Martin did nothing to prohibit that
- Dan Petriw

Very True, Isles don't have anyone that is mean, Perhaps Mayfield if he makes the bottom 6 on defense could be that guy.

Even with Martin this team is too soft.. Need more sand paper on the top nine. Ladd and Mcginn would go a long way into solving that
- Dan Petriw

Exactly. Sandpaper that can play hockey. Martin's type of sandpaper is better served being dollar store toilet paper.