Must be nice to Frans. Must be nice to Frans.

.

I'm not looking for fights from Nelson. Just drive the net and be tougher in the D zone
- ses111

I did notice him coasting on a backcheck last night. Not as bad as Ovie, when the "controller disconnected" but he wasnt giving much effort.

thats a great answer Ses
- nyisles7

I really feel guilty giving him a hard time. Could this explain Nelson?

But where does Bailey play then
- nyisles7

The organ in the arena

I did notice him coasting on a backcheck last night. Not as bad as Ovie, when the "controller disconnected" but he wasnt giving much effort.
- jmo16

It's a big problem with Nelson and other forwards. JT has improved in this area.

Oh yeah, I don't think that anything is happening at the deadline. I don't really want any rentals. Market is thin, prices will be high, and there isn't much talent out there in that market.

Any significant moves will be made after the playoffs are over. But there won't be much time because, if I recall, the expansion draft will be at some point in June, before the regular draft.
- eichiefs9

ok so let me play devil's advocate, no moves are made... and lets say Col does move 1 or both if their guys... its a weak draft a weak UFA class, and if Col makes a move 2 of the best possible player trades are now off the table and now most teams locking up good young players early... so its quite plausible that the islander Roster will look almost exactly as it does this year, which has been under whelming and viewed as a regression league wide ... Do you honestly think that a 19yr old Barzal is the difference maker next year that gets the Islanders to cup contention? How is the Islanders new president gonna make a splash if their is no splash to be made, over paying then rather then maybe doing so now for Duchene?

The organ in the arena
- eichiefs9

Exactly

ok so let me play devil's advocate, no moves are made... and lets say Col does move 1 or both if their guys... its a weak draft a weak UFA class, and if Col makes a move 2 of the best possible player trades are now off the table and now most teams locking up good young players early... so its quite plausible that the islander Roster will look almost exactly as it does this year, which has been under whelming and viewed as a regression league wide ... Do you honestly think that a 19yr old Barzal is the difference maker next year that gets the Islanders to cup contention? How is the Islanders new president gonna make a splash if their is no splash to be made, over paying then rather then maybe doing so now for Duchene?
- jmoney4080

Well once they fired zippy the Chimp their play has been pretty dam good, imho.

The organ in the arena
- eichiefs9

Chief serious question: Are you sold on Josh Bailey?? I mean if you were Snow what would you do with him?

PErsonally I am not sold on him at all and fear next year he will go back to the old Bailey. I need a few years like this myself before I am sold but would like to know your thoughts

ok so let me play devil's advocate, no moves are made... and lets say Col does move 1 or both if their guys... its a weak draft a weak UFA class, and if Col makes a move 2 of the best possible player trades are now off the table and now most teams locking up good young players early... so its quite plausible that the islander Roster will look almost exactly as it does this year, which has been under whelming and viewed as a regression league wide ... Do you honestly think that a 19yr old Barzal is the difference maker next year that gets the Islanders to cup contention? How is the Islanders new president gonna make a splash if their is no splash to be made, over paying then rather then maybe doing so now for Duchene?
- jmoney4080

Do you think the Islanders are actual Cup contenders if we get Duchene?

I'm not saying Barzal is going to come in and be a superstar, but the asking price for Duchene isn't going to be just Matt Barzal.

Forgetting all outside factors, what are you actually willing to pay for Duchene? Are you willing to give up Barzal, Pulock, and a 1st round pick? Maybe even another asset in that deal? Or Leddy, MDC, and a 1st?

Chief serious question: Are you sold on Josh Bailey?? I mean if you were Snow what would you do with him?

PErsonally I am not sold on him at all and fear next year he will go back to the old Bailey. I need a few years like this myself before I am sold but would like to know your thoughts
- kasperrko

If I was Garth Snow I'd jump off a bridge.

If I was Islanders general manager eichiefs9 then I would move Bailey after this year. Sell him as high as he'll ever be, after a career year in goals, assists, and points. He's got 1 year left at a completely manageable $3.3M and no NTC/NMC to worry about. I don't think it would be a hard move to make.

Too much talent breathing down his neck and too few roster spots.

So, no, I'm not totally sold on Bailey. I'm yet to find anyone who struggles long-term on Tavares' wing. I suspect that this is much more a by-product of playing with Tavares than actually turning into a decent player.

Strome has passion and also has skill. Nelson is a softy and has very little drive.
- ses111

Im always amazed at the amount of people get on Nelson, who's basically been the highest scorer behind Tavares. What else do you want from him? If he was putting up those numbers with physicality, he'd have been a top 5 draft pick. Im happy with his play and pt production.

Well once they fired zippy the Chimp their play has been pretty dam good, imho.
- nyisles7

Doug Weight or another coach along with guys like Barzal and Pulock could really help. Hard to say what type of moves could be made at this point. Isles will have to move some contracts. Might have to wait another year before the big splash?

Everyone LOVES prospects, I remember hearing how the Islanders should be patient with Reinhart it takes d longer to develop, and that when drafted his upside is Pronger'esque-- the truth is very rarely are prospect slam dunk cant miss types. Brazal is a nice prospect, he is by no stretch a cant miss. He is probably 2 years out from being an effective NHL player, and thats still just a maybe... Duchene is an elite level type player, who still hasn't reached his ceiling. Having JT and Duchene in their primes seems like a better way to becoming a cup contender than JT and waiting and hoping on yet another Islander prospect who may or may not develop

If I was Garth Snow I'd jump off a bridge.

If I was Islanders general manager eichiefs9 then I would move Bailey after this year. Sell him as high as he'll ever be, after a career year in goals, assists, and points. He's got 1 year left at a completely manageable $3.3M and no NTC/NMC to worry about. I don't think it would be a hard move to make.

Too much talent breathing down his neck and too few roster spots.

So, no, I'm not totally sold on Bailey. I'm yet to find anyone who struggles long-term on Tavares' wing. I suspect that this is much more a by-product of playing with Tavares than actually turning into a decent player.
- eichiefs9

I also move Bailey this year. Isles cannot fall into the trap and give him another long term deal.

Do you think the Islanders are actual Cup contenders if we get Duchene?

I'm not saying Barzal is going to come in and be a superstar, but the asking price for Duchene isn't going to be just Matt Barzal.

Forgetting all outside factors, what are you actually willing to pay for Duchene? Are you willing to give up Barzal, Pulock, and a 1st round pick? Maybe even another asset in that deal? Or Leddy, MDC, and a 1st?
- eichiefs9

In todays NHL you need more than 1 elite player to contend, and Yes i think Duchene puts you way deeper way faster into the conversation then sitting and waiting for someone to develop or fall in your lap

Do you think the Islanders are actual Cup contenders if we get Duchene?

I'm not saying Barzal is going to come in and be a superstar, but the asking price for Duchene isn't going to be just Matt Barzal.

Forgetting all outside factors, what are you actually willing to pay for Duchene? Are you willing to give up Barzal, Pulock, and a 1st round pick? Maybe even another asset in that deal? Or Leddy, MDC, and a 1st?
- eichiefs9

Its tough to answer this as Snow mismanaged assets leading into this season. I will say that if the isles had Duchene last year in the playoffs they could have gone deeper, and then who knows. Duchene instantly makes the isles PP relevant, and special teams is the difference maker in most games.

Im always amazed at the amount of people get on Nelson, who's basically been the highest scorer behind Tavares. What else do you want from him? If he was putting up those numbers with physicality, he'd have been a top 5 draft pick. Im happy with his play and pt production.
- kindlyrick

Nelson has disappeared during many of the 2nd half's of seasons and the playoffs. I want more consistency and more physical play for a guy with his size.

In todays NHL you need more than 1 elite player to contend, and Yes i think Duchene puts you way deeper way faster into the conversation then sitting and waiting for someone to develop or fall in your lap
- jmoney4080

You still didn't answer about what you'd be willing to part with to get him.

Do you think the Islanders are actual Cup contenders if we get Duchene?

I'm not saying Barzal is going to come in and be a superstar, but the asking price for Duchene isn't going to be just Matt Barzal.

Forgetting all outside factors, what are you actually willing to pay for Duchene? Are you willing to give up Barzal, Pulock, and a 1st round pick? Maybe even another asset in that deal? Or Leddy, MDC, and a 1st?
- eichiefs9

it's either Barzal or Pulock, not both.. and from their i would be Flexible

Leddy is not even in the conversation Unless its for both Land and Duchene

I also move Bailey this year. Isles cannot fall into the trap and give him another long term deal.
- ses111

Exactly and this is what I am afraid of. I really hope that they dont resign him and possible get something back for him. To much better talent waiting to come up and he should not be a player to block that

Everyone LOVES prospects, I remember hearing how the Islanders should be patient with Reinhart it takes d longer to develop, and that when drafted his upside is Pronger'esque-- the truth is very rarely are prospect slam dunk cant miss types. Brazal is a nice prospect, he is by no stretch a cant miss. He is probably 2 years out from being an effective NHL player, and thats still just a maybe... Duchene is an elite level type player, who still hasn't reached his ceiling. Having JT and Duchene in their primes seems like a better way to becoming a cup contender than JT and waiting and hoping on yet another Islander prospect who may or may not develop
- jmoney4080

Agreed, and to further add to this.......what cup contending team doesnt have a 1-2 punch on their PP?

Its tough to answer this as Snow mismanaged assets leading into this season. I will say that if the isles had Duchene last year in the playoffs they could have gone deeper, and then who knows. Duchene instantly makes the isles PP relevant, and special teams is the difference maker in most games.
- kindlyrick

There's no doubt that Duchene makes the Isles a much better offensive team. But the point is are you willing to sacrifice the future and go all-in with Duchene and the rest of the roster the way it is?

"Yes" is a perfectly acceptable answer, but if that's the case then I think you (not literally you) are completely overlooking the fact that we have a career backup as our starting goaltender and a mediocre defensive corps. Those aren't things that are usually conducive to winning a Cup.

Nelson has disappeared during many of the 2nd half's of seasons and the playoffs. I want more consistency and more physical play for a guy with his size.
- ses111

Exactly I think Nelson is done here to be honest his days are numbered.

Exactly and this is what I am afraid of. I really hope that they dont resign him and possible get something back for him. To much better talent waiting to come up and he should not be a player to block that
- kasperrko

If Garth stays get ready for the new long term Bailey deal.

it's either Barzal or Pulock, not both.. and from their i would be Flexible

Leddy is not even in the conversation Unless its for both Land and Duchene
- jmoney4080

Sakic has an astronomically high price set for Duchene and no need to move it.

That's what you can expect to deal for him. If you want to think they'll take less feel free to, but you'd be way off the mark.