Isles are gearing up for a trade.

It wont be for that right wing we all want but they will ship a guy or two out

Theres to many guys on one way contracts and with thr expansion draft coming guys are going to get moved for prospects or picks


I could see hickey, bailey, berube and maybe even nelson all getting traded for something.

Btw we are not getting guadraeu or kucherov....were more likely to get perry from the ducks

Well, for one, maybe they shouldn't always sign washed up vets for depth because the "kids" don't have experience...which then prevents those same younger players from actually getting experience. Is Mayfield still going to be an "inexperienced kid" at 26? 27? At some point, fish or cut bait. Answer the question of whether one or two of these guys could play instead of making it an endless philosophical debate.

Last season probably would have been the perfect time to get Pulock and Mayfield real minutes. Instead, we needed to watch Strait and Zidlicky be stat anchors for whoever was unlucky enough to be paired with them. I know that's treading over old ground, but let's face it, it made little sense.

I'm not so sure Seidenberg's going to be a better option. Normally? Absolutely he would be. But didn't he have like spine surgery or something last season? Back problems usually don't just vanish after surgery, and a bad back can make you a lot less eager and able to play a physical game. One thing I do know is that if he's able to put skates on, Cappy will play him over Mayfield 10 times out of 10 no matter who earns what.

To actually answer your question, though, I think he should be cycled into games with Pulock. Don't have a "top six"...in games where you need more physicality, play Mayfield. Where there's some more room, play Pulock. See who's handling it better after 25 games or so.
- UIF

Sorry but I disagree with him splitting time with Pulock. Pulock is a top end prospect who should be out there every night playing.

Just a little digression here. How cool is it that the conversation is who should be the 7th/8th D-man & when does he get to gain experience? If this was ±10 years ago, it would've been something like '...so after Mayfield as the 4th, who is the bottom pairing?'.
Cappy will definitely play him over Mayfield. I will agree that Mayfield should have been played last year. I would have rather seen a German Sheppard out there instead of Strait. Personally, I think there is a trade brewing. I've been saying it all summer. Think there'll be a trade right before the season. A cap-hell team needing to dump.
- Isleshockeyman

Yeah, definitely, it's much better debating the optimal lineup tweaks to succeed rather than arguing about who to rush into the meat grinder.

I'll also say I like the idea of having the player that Seidenberg was as an option. Just not sure that's who we're getting. We'll see. I don't know a lot about Boston's young d-men, but glancing over their depth, I'm not seeing a lot of names after the obvious ones that jump off the page at me, and Boston saw fit to not even keep him around for depth purposes. That's gotta say something, although who knows since Sweeney's decisions don't always make a ton of sense to me.

Yeah, definitely, it's much better debating the optimal lineup tweaks to succeed rather than arguing about who to rush into the meat grinder.

I'll also say I like the idea of having the player that Seidenberg was as an option. Just not sure that's who we're getting. We'll see. I don't know a lot about Boston's young d-men, but glancing over their depth, I'm not seeing a lot of names after the obvious ones that jump off the page at me, and Boston saw fit to not even keep him around for depth purposes. That's gotta say something, although who knows since Sweeney's decisions don't always make a ton of sense to me.
- UIF

They bought out Seidenberg for financial reasons. If he was making 1 million a year they would have kept him.

Sorry but I disagree with him splitting time with Pulock. Pulock is a top end prospect who should be out there every night playing.
- Vukota

Fair enough. I'd say we know about as much about how Pulock will do over a long stretch as we do Mayfield. If they split time and Pulock is clearly the better option in all situations, then the experiment's over that quickly.

Hopefully Bailey won't be on the top line...
- Isles_since_6

Good old George. Probably shouldn't admit this, but I've known him for years. (Never met in person, just a cyber bud) He's quite a character.

Years ago, the Isles website had a chat room attached where people could comment during games. It was moderated by a couple of Islander employees. This was during some of the Isles' darkest days.......e.g., when our Top 4 d-men included Bruno Gervais and A-Mac. Anyway, George used to post funny, sarcastic comments about the team.......only he was relentless. So relentless, that one of the employees quit mid-season, and then the following year, the chat room was shut down altogether.

Sorry but I disagree with him splitting time with Pulock. Pulock is a top end prospect who should be out there every night playing.
- Vukota

The bottom line is nothing is handed to you(unless your name is Strait). If he can't beat out anyone on the big club, then he needs to go to the A, or get traded. I just don't think he holds much value, wherein, as discussed, he would be part of a package. Go work your ass off skating, do agility drills, whatever it is he can do to improve is what he needs to do. If there are people at my work that did the same job as me only better, than guess what. I'm going to put in the time to improve. I want the bigger paycheck, the accolades, the responsibility. If he puts in the work and still doesn't improve, then, as you said, cut bait.

Good old George. Probably shouldn't admit this, but I've known him for years. (Never met in person, just a cyber bud) He's quite a character.

Years ago, the Isles website had a chat room attached where people could comment during games. It was moderated by a couple of Islander employees. This was during some of the Isles' darkest days.......e.g., when our Top 4 d-men included Bruno Gervais and A-Mac. Anyway, George used to post funny, sarcastic comments about the team.......only he was relentless. So relentless, that one of the employees quit mid-season, and then the following year, the chat room was shut down altogether.

- JohnScammo

The guys is a facking tool. He is the main reason I stopped reading the comments when Staple sends out tweets

Isles are gearing up for a trade.

It wont be for that right wing we all want but they will ship a guy or two out

Theres to many guys on one way contracts and with thr expansion draft coming guys are going to get moved for prospects or picks


I could see hickey, bailey, berube and maybe even nelson all getting traded for something.

Btw we are not getting guadraeu or kucherov....were more likely to get perry from the ducks
- Flexingtheshaft

Perry would be awesome big mean agitates scores has it all

Fair enough. I'd say we know about as much about how Pulock will do over a long stretch as we do Mayfield. If they split time and Pulock is clearly the better option in all situations, then the experiment's over that quickly.
- UIF

That's not necessary. Pulock is ten times better then Mayfield today, tomorrow, the next day and so on.

Fair enough. I'd say we know about as much about how Pulock will do over a long stretch as we do Mayfield. If they split time and Pulock is clearly the better option in all situations, then the experiment's over that quickly.
- UIF

Mayfield has played 11 NHL games. Pulock played 15. If the decision is Pulock stays and Mayfield is fighting for 7th/8th, then the experiment is already over.

Perry would be awesome big mean agitates scores has it all
- Upstate_isles

Don't know what the cap situation is with him but, hey if we're spit balling, I like it. Imagine that Ladd, Jt, Perry. Don't know how many teams would (frank) with them.

Mayfield has played 11 NHL games. Pulock played 15. If the decision is Pulock stays and Mayfield is fighting for 7th/8th, then the experiment is already over.
- Isleshockeyman

Yea dans right we have 8 better d men and no room so he goes down or is traded we have more players than can play on the big team which is great but you have to move them for higher end players at some point they cant all sit in the wings

Don't know what the cap situation is with him but, hey if we're spit balling, I like it. Imagine that Ladd, Jt, Perry. Don't know how many teams would (frank) with them.
- Isleshockeyman

Jt wouldnt be getting run much

The guys is a facking tool. He is the main reason I stopped reading the comments when Staple sends out tweets
- Vukota

George was comic relief when the team sucked. He even set up his own chat room after the Isles closed theirs down. Ironically, he seemed to lose interest when the team started to improve. His relentless sarcasm no longer made any sense once the team became respectable again.

Yea dans right we have 8 better d men and no room so he goes down or is traded we have more players than can play on the big team which is great but you have to move them for higher end players at some point they cant all sit in the wings
- Upstate_isles

You're right, they can't sit & rot in the A just because there's no room in the Bigs. At the same time, you don't want to empty the cupboard bringing in high end talent. Isles are moving down the draft board. Most teams can hit a homerun when there's a McDavid or Matthews in the top 3. When you're picking in the late 20's, it starts to thin out and your scouting staff needs to have their game down. Somebody is getting moved.

George was comic relief when the team sucked. He even set up his own chat room after the Isles closed theirs down. Ironically, he seemed to lose interest when the team started to improve. His relentless sarcasm no longer made any sense once the team became respectable again.
- JohnScammo

Do you mean like yesterdays rant (if that's when it was).

Well, for one, maybe they shouldn't always sign washed up vets for depth because the "kids" don't have experience...which then prevents those same younger players from actually getting experience. Is Mayfield still going to be an "inexperienced kid" at 26? 27? At some point, fish or cut bait. Answer the question of whether one or two of these guys could play instead of making it an endless philosophical debate.

Last season probably would have been the perfect time to get Pulock and Mayfield real minutes. Instead, we needed to watch Strait and Zidlicky be stat anchors for whoever was unlucky enough to be paired with them. I know that's treading over old ground, but let's face it, it made little sense.

I'm not so sure Seidenberg's going to be a better option. Normally? Absolutely he would be. But didn't he have like spine surgery or something last season? Back problems usually don't just vanish after surgery, and a bad back can make you a lot less eager and able to play a physical game. One thing I do know is that if he's able to put skates on, Cappy will play him over Mayfield 10 times out of 10 no matter who earns what.

To actually answer your question, though, I think he should be cycled into games with Pulock. Don't have a "top six"...in games where you need more physicality, play Mayfield. Where there's some more room, play Pulock. See who's handling it better after 25 games or so.
- UIF

Pulock isn't a small kid, he's already what, 215lbs? He's already way past mayfield imo. Can't sit him for mayfield.

Do you mean like yesterdays rant (if that's when it was).
- Isleshockeyman

Nah, yesterday's rant was not remotely funny. He was just being negative for the sake of negativity. During the Isles' darkest days, the guy's sarcasm brought some comic relief to seasons where the Isles were out of playoff contention by the end of November.

Pulock isn't a small kid, he's already what, 215lbs? He's already way past mayfield imo. Can't sit him for mayfield.
- Isles_since_6

Yea and pulock is physical too maybe not as mean but hes not Griffen im 5'8" Reinhart

Yea and pulock is physical too maybe not as mean but hes not Griffen im 5'8" Reinhart
- Upstate_isles

from what we saw of him at the end of the regular season and playoffs he's able to handle himself and has the ability to jump up in the play in addition to the tremendous weapon his shot is. There should be no one stepping in front of him this year. He should play minimum 3rd pairing minutes and top power play with leddy.

mayfield isn't in the same class of player, he's a fill in. I like him, but the waiver rules were specifically created to allow players who can't crack a deep lineup to have a chance on a weaker team if the only option for him is the ahl. If he's claimed, it happens.

Yall need to stop worrying there is 0% ( barring unjury or trade) that pulock doesnt make the opening roster.

He will play 3rd pair with hickey. He will have protected minutes. BUT he will be on the first powerplay unit.

Lets be honest who was the last right handed scoring dman we had like pulock???

With no injury it will be

Leddy hamonic
Dehaan/seidenburg boychuk
Hickey pulock

Pelech in the AHL

Mayfield will get his games in. Most likely boychuk rotates in and out this year to keep him fresh

Just my opinion feel free to go "george" on me

Last year the talk was all about Strait as the sixth d man as opposed to giving Mayfield a chance at making the team as a seventh or eight. Gotta give them credit for bringing guys through the system and into the NHL.

Last year Halak was a question and Greiss. A wild card. Also nobody thought all three UFA's would go.

My feeling is that the new vets can help the present team raise their game level because the real story of the playoffs was not winning the first round but Tampa essentially just waiting this team out.

from what we saw of him at the end of the regular season and playoffs he's able to handle himself and has the ability to jump up in the play in addition to the tremendous weapon his shot is. There should be no one stepping in front of him this year. He should play minimum 3rd pairing minutes and top power play with leddy.

mayfield isn't in the same class of player, he's a fill in. I like him, but the waiver rules were specifically created to allow players who can't crack a deep lineup to have a chance on a weaker team if the only option for him is the ahl. If he's claimed, it happens.
- Isles_since_6

Here's the thing, we're talking about Mayfield not getting a fair shake at playing time. He had his audition. Pulock did a better job with his audition. Hence, he's staying. Let's look at a different angle. Generally,the feeling here is that Barzal will get at least a 9 game look. What is the knock on Dal Colle? His skating. So if Barzal does get a 9 game look, will anyone say that Dal Colle should get some time for experience as well? No! Barzal earned it, see if he can stick. Sometimes there are just players that are better than you. AHL or trade for Mayfield. Speaking of, send Mayfield to the coyotes so I can watch him here in Tucson.

Here's the thing, we're talking about Mayfield not getting a fair shake at playing time. He had his audition. Pulock did a better job with his audition. Hence, he's staying. Let's look at a different angle. Generally,the feeling here is that Barzal will get at least a 9 game look. What is the knock on Dal Colle? His skating. So if Barzal does get a 9 game look, will anyone say that Dal Colle should get some time for experience as well? No! Barzal earned it, see if he can stick. Sometimes there are just players that are better than you. AHL or trade for Mayfield. Speaking of, send Mayfield to the coyotes so I can watch him here in Tucson.

- Isleshockeyman

I've seen both players play a ton in the AHL. Pulocks ceiling is a through the roof. He has special abilities can skate and is physical. Mayfield could be a bottom pairing dman if he can improve his skating. This is not on Mayfield but he isn't in Pulocks level of potential. I had a scout tell me that Pulocks low end is Brian McCabe and his high end is PK Subban. We'd sign up for either