Filip Forsberg just got 6 years 36 million
- Dan Petriw

Someone will pay Okposo more than that and it's going to be hilarious.

Don't really lend much credence to what Jimmy Murphy says, but here you go anyway:

Jimmy Murphy
‏@MurphysLaw74
An NHL exec who just read my tweet on #Stamkos frontrunners: "Don't sleep on the #Islanders! They will make a push!"
- eichiefs9

I'm sure Snow will make a call, but I can't see Stamkos signing on with the Isles.

Filip Forsberg just got 6 years 36 million
- Dan Petriw

well worth it, this kid can really play. They have capitals to thank for that Erat-onious trade.

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.
- Jethro09

I so agree with this. If Garth cannot get it done when the Isles finally won a round and in a new building with new owners he has to go.

I'm sure Snow will make a call, but I can't see Stamkos signing on with the Isles.
- Jethro09

Probably not. But frankly, if Nielsen departs...they may be able to offer a bit more than another team. It'd mean we have to sacrifice a bit elsewhere, but I'm willing to do that to land Stamkos.

No, I'm not holding my breath. It's not gonna happen.

I feel the same way about KO. KO and Frans have not shown to be core guys you sign to big money deals. I get wanting to bring back Frans though at the right price. If the Isles can find a top wing for JT having Frans on the other side for his D is not a bad idea.
- ses111

The problem is that in this NHL, $6M per is not "big money" anymore. You can get that kind of money as a second line forward and even second pair "D" man now. The elite players are in the $9M-$11M range. Look at some of the garbage that has been signed to $6M per deals lately. Hell, even Snow dumped over $4M per on Kulemin. I like Kuli, but the guy has done nothing from an offensive standpoint.

I don't disagree that he's a versatile player, but I also don't think casey was signed to that deal to play 4th line center. I'd like nielsen back but that's too high imo.
- Isles_since_6

6, CC is a nice player and played 4th line center and did a great job playing on the PK as well. Will he play on the 3rd line this year, maybe? Once again we are counting on players to excel where maybe they won't. We put an awful lot of expectations on Strome,Nelson and Lee last year, how did that work out? CC is not a Frans Neilson imho, It would be asking an awful lot to ask him to fill that void. The Isles lose KO, and Frans without a couple significant signings / to replace them the Islanders are taking a step backwards.

I doubt Stamkos is a real option. It would be great to add him, but it would not be a crushing blow as the Isles would not be the favorites to land him. Other teams did not add #1 wings so I cannot get on Garth yet. I'll also really worry if no big moves are made a couple of days after free agency. I'm just pissed because we get the same talk every year that this is the year for big moves to be made and it never happens.
- ses111

The other teams didn't add wingers excuse doesn't fly with me. It's a load of shat excuse for an inability to get it done. If it were one season of inactivity it'd be easier to digest but this is more of the same from Snow save for one off season. He has time but so far this is a (frank)ing gong show and anyone saying anything else is fooling themselves. The guy just doesn't get it done in a results oriented business it's that simple.

I have no doubt the Isles will make a big push. Question is will it work?
- ses111

Their push will be 5 mil for 6 years..then Garth will say we tried at least.

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

I know people think Barzal is going to not only make the team, but be a solid contributor this coming season. But he's 19 years old, maybe 20 now. I wouldn't pencil him on the roster or as a significant contributor. And if the Isles' management does that, they're making a mistake.

The problem is that in this NHL, $6M per is not "big money" anymore. You can get that kind of money as a second line forward and even second pair "D" man now. The elite players are in the $9M-$11M range. Look at some of the garbage that has been signed to $6M per deals lately. Hell, even Snow dumped over $4M per on Kulemin. I like Kuli, but the guy has done nothing from an offensive standpoint.
- Jethro09

Don't forget the 5 mil. for 5 on Grabo.

The problem is that in this NHL, $6M per is not "big money" anymore. You can get that kind of money as a second line forward and even second pair "D" man now. The elite players are in the $9M-$11M range. Look at some of the garbage that has been signed to $6M per deals lately. Hell, even Snow dumped over $4M per on Kulemin. I like Kuli, but the guy has done nothing from an offensive standpoint.
- Jethro09

I just rather overpay for Loui or a Ladd then KO and Frans if I need to overpay. I hated the Kulemin and Grabo signings. I think Garth should have held firm at no more than 3 years. Should have done the same with Bailey. The Isles are in a tough spot if they do not want to trade away some young talent and prospects. I really love to know what Garth was offering besides the #19 pick.

Don't forget the 5 mil. for 5 on Grabo.
- nyisles7

True. That deal is an albatross as well, mostly because Grabo can't play more than 50 games max per season. But the Grabo and Kuli contracts, which i was fine with when they were signed, have turned out to be anchors on the team.

The other teams didn't add wingers excuse doesn't fly with me. It's a load of shat excuse for an inability to get it done. If it were one season of inactivity it'd be easier to digest but this is more of the same from Snow save for one off season. He has time but so far this is a (frank)ing gong show and anyone saying anything else is fooling themselves. The guy just doesn't get it done in a results oriented business it's that simple.
- Cptmjl

At the end of the day you are right Cpt. It's not an excuse that can fly. I will have a real problem if Garth was only offering the #19 pick and nothing else of real value. Garth needs to get it done this offseason no matter what money players are looking for. He is out of time and the rebuild is over. He has more than enough prospects after another draft.

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.
- Jethro09

Ironically it very well might be worse...

At the end of the day you are right Cpt. It's not an excuse that can fly. I will have a real problem if Garth was only offering the #19 pick and nothing else of real value. Garth needs to get it done this offseason no matter what money players are looking for. He is out of time and the rebuild is over. He has more than enough prospects after another draft.
- ses111

Like I said he has some time but at the end of the day if he doesn't improve this Team this offseason there's zero excuse for it.

Ironically it very well might be worse...
- kindlyrick

Yep. I can see it now. Prince and Quine thrust into roles that they have no business playing in because they each had a good playoff game. We've all seen this circus act before.

Of the three I'd sign Martin...Franzie is too old and Okposo is too streaky...
- kear20

Pick the guy who scores the least? Where are our goals coming from if we jettison our second- and third-highest point producers because they're not perfect players? I get that KO is maddeningly streaky, and that Frans is sort of over-glorified for what he is. I'd part with both if the team had proven scoring to spare.

I also don't think Frans at $6m would be a smart move. Maybe it wouldn't have come to that if there was a stronger effort to re-sign these players prior to five minutes before free agency begins.

I think they're in a tough spot now where their earlier efforts to play hardball and avoid having a bad contract on the books are going to result in having worse contracts on the books...whether it's paying more now to hang on to these guys than maybe they would have paid in November, or paying an even higher price for their replacements.

I'll say this...if they do come out of the offseason with a better offense than last season and a somewhat favorable cap situation, Snow will be a damn magician.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 2m2 minutes ago
Deadline for RFAs to receive QOs is today. #Isles sent theirs out weeks ago -- Strome, Prince, Mayfield, Berube, Gibson, Quine all received.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 2m2 minutes ago
Not sure about two other RFAs -- Petrov and Justin Vaive. Kevin Czuczman and Mike Halmo are Group VI FAs and unlikely to be back.

Nothing earth-shattering here.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 37s38 seconds ago
#Isles prospects reported this AM for mini-camp. One surprise addition: G Ilya Sorokin making his first appearance on Long Island.

Yep. I can see it now. Prince and Quine thrust into roles that they have no business playing in because they each had a good playoff game. We've all seen this circus act before.
- Cptmjl

I'd be lying if I wasnt happy with Prince's play in the playoffs. I was prob leading the pack in chirping snow for that as his deadline aquisition. I will say that if he's banking on Prince, Quine or Barzal to be the answer for JT....its not going to end well.

I really don't see the isles singing any of the top UFA's. I just dont see it happening. SO that brings the isles to have to make a trade.......everyone's waiting to see what July 1st brings. If Garth misses on the UFA's and then signs an old past his prime vet to stick with JT, im gonna vomit.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 37s38 seconds ago
#Isles prospects reported this AM for mini-camp. One surprise addition: G Ilya Sorokin making his first appearance on Long Island.
- eichiefs9

Oh I thought he wasnt able to come to the US? At least thats what was said on hockeybuzz...

Oh I thought he wasnt able to come to the US? At least thats what was said on hockeybuzz...
- kindlyrick

He can come for camp. but he's still under contract in Russia. He can't play in the US yet.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 2m2 minutes ago
Deadline for RFAs to receive QOs is today. #Isles sent theirs out weeks ago -- Strome, Prince, Mayfield, Berube, Gibson, Quine all received.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 2m2 minutes ago
Not sure about two other RFAs -- Petrov and Justin Vaive. Kevin Czuczman and Mike Halmo are Group VI FAs and unlikely to be back.

Nothing earth-shattering here.
- eichiefs9

So there goes Halmo replacing Martin.

So there goes Halmo replacing Martin.
- ses111

I must admit, i do not wanna be in Snow's shoes. He' s painted himself into a corner here. If nothing else....it will be interesting to see if/how he can get out.