JT will be playing in this season whether he's signed or not imho. Maybe not the whole season but he will be playing with or without a contract extension in an Islanders uniform. The Islanders are trying everything possible to sign this guy(as they should) and if it means waiting they will wait, because if you think about it he's really the one waiting for answers to make up his mind. If not, he would have said Im not signing and then the real shat hits the fan.
As far as the off ice Circus, He will have to deal with the media and the repetitive questions, but the other players will be behind the scenes going about business as usual. Will they be asked about it sure, but they aren't going to worry about something they have no control over. Its part of the game and others on the team have dealt with the very same issue, Badd, Leddy JB to name a few, again its part of the business end of the game imho. I wouldn't worry to much about that as far as JT's or the rest of the teams on ice performance. Although if they fail again to make the PO's its a perfect excuse for Garth to use.

JT will be playing in this season whether he's signed or not imho. Maybe not the whole season but he will be playing with or without a contract extension in an Islanders uniform. The Islanders are trying everything possible to sign this guy(as they should) and if it means waiting they will wait, because if you think about it he's really the one waiting for answers to make up his mind. If not, he would have said Im not signing and then the real shat hits the fan.
As far as the off ice Circus, He will have to deal with the media and the repetitive questions, but the other players will be behind the scenes going about business as usual. Will they be asked about it sure, but they aren't going to worry about something they have no control over. Its part of the game and others on the team have dealt with the very same issue, Badd, Leddy JB to name a few, again its part of the business end of the game imho. I wouldn't worry to much about that as far as JT's or the rest of the teams on ice performance. Although if they fail again to make the PO's its a perfect excuse for Garth to use.
- nyisles7

The problem is 7 that losing Leddy or JB does not have the same impact as losing JT. JT really needs to be honest with the Isles and not make them wait too long. JT can frank this team up bad by making them wait and then he leaves for nothing.

The problem is 7 that losing Leddy or JB does not have the same impact as losing JT. JT really needs to be honest with the Isles and not make them wait too long. JT can frank this team up bad by making them wait and then he leaves for nothing.
- ses111

SES Garth is never going to trade JT. MArk my words. He will try to get everything out of him and then lose him. He has done it so many times

SES Garth is never going to trade JT. MArk my words. He will try to get everything out of him and then lose him. He has done it so many times
- kasperrko

If the Isles lose JT for nothing it's on Garth, Ledecky, and Malkin. Nothing the fans can do.

Poor EK has so many greater rumors and trades to discuss, he is asking who will be the best Canadian teams.
- ses111

The Nova Scotia Islanders

Looking at the bright side JT's 5.5M Salary is very cap friendly for any team looking for a one season rental.

But also look at the fact that NSH had the identical record and were in the finals.

This team lost a playoff spot down the stretch by not getting a pt in TOR for a head to head matchup, 1pt in a CAR home at home and road game in PHA where they coughed up 1st period goals like arena excuses. In other words a lack of leadership and focus under an experienced coaching staff may have helped or a Greiss under pressure showing his wear.

On the brighter side, a new array of coaches with questionable experience, a more experienced d and maybe one of the new players will spark them. In other words every year brings some teasers.

I'm not going to complain about the second line when it looks like the top line may be complete and healthy.

The problem is 7 that losing Leddy or JB does not have the same impact as losing JT. JT really needs to be honest with the Isles and not make them wait too long. JT can frank this team up bad by making them wait and then he leaves for nothing.
- ses111

Ses, totally agree JB, and Leddy contracts don't have the impact JT's does on the team, without question. But it is a contract negotiation and they have all been through it.
As far as JT being honest with the team. I think it shows he is being honest with the team in the fact that his agent came out and said he's willing to wait on the Islanders before he makes his decision, which I honestly think that L and M asked him to do.

Hey John, give us some time here to right the ship and all its issues before you make a quick decision.

The Nova Scotia Islanders
- Fan101

Has a nice ring.

Ses, totally agree JB, and Leddy contracts don't have the impact JT's does on the team, without question. But it is a contract negotiation and they have all been through it.
As far as JT being honest with the team. I think it shows he is being honest with the team in the fact that his agent came out and said he's willing to wait on the Islanders before he makes his decision, which I honestly think that L and M asked him to do.

Hey John, give us some time here to right the ship and all its issues before you make a quick decision.
- nyisles7

It's nice JT is willing to wait and maybe he really wants to re-sign, what if this season does not go as well as JT hoped and he changes his mind and wants to walk? There is a real danger for the Isles to take this into the season.

Has a nice ring.
- ses111

Prince Edward Islanders.

Looking at the bright side JT's 5.5M Salary is very cap friendly for any team looking for a one season rental.

But also look at the fact that NSH had the identical record and were in the finals.

This team lost a playoff spot down the stretch by not getting a pt in TOR for a head to head matchup, 1pt in a CAR home at home and road game in PHA where they coughed up 1st period goals like arena excuses. In other words a lack of leadership and focus under an experienced coaching staff may have helped or a Greiss under pressure showing his wear.

On the brighter side, a new array of coaches with questionable experience, a more experienced d and maybe one of the new players will spark them. In other words every year brings some teasers.

I'm not going to complain about the second line when it looks like the top line may be complete and healthy.
- Fan101

The team lost a playoff spot because Garth and only Garth.

3 goalie rotation didn't work
Hung on to Crappy WAY WAY too long
Wouldn't recall Halak (for whatever reason)
Lost 3 players to FA and replaced them with 2 players

It all falls on Garth and only Garth.

Prince Edward Islanders.
- PeteM

That works as well. Did the Isles have camp there a couple of times?

It's nice JT is willing to wait and maybe he really wants to re-sign, what if this season does not go as well as JT hoped and he changes his mind and wants to walk? There is a real danger for the Isles to take this into the season.
- ses111

The Islanders can't lose JT for nothing thats it.

If Tampa had that attitude with Stamos who had issues with the team and certainly the head coach and where he was playing as far as wing/center would he be on Tampa today?
you need to be extremely careful imho before you trade JT because once you do your taking a step backwards.

Just listen to the Guns and Roses song Patience, it will help you with the JT saga and the boring off season.

The team lost a playoff spot because Garth and only Garth.

3 goalie rotation didn't work
Hung on to Crappy WAY WAY too long
Wouldn't recall Halak (for whatever reason)
Lost 3 core players to FA and replaced them with 1.5 players

It all falls on Garth and only Garth.
- JimmyP

Fixed*

Your welcome

The team lost a playoff spot because Garth and only Garth.

3 goalie rotation didn't work
Hung on to Crappy WAY WAY too long
Wouldn't recall Halak (for whatever reason)
Lost 3 players to FA and replaced them with 2 players

It all falls on Garth and only Garth.
- JimmyP

True, but I was doing a Post Garth Eff Ups analysis.

If you're going to rehash, you need to include Wang's Lighthouse Fiasco that the podcast pointed out. Of course Garth is Wang's Lab Creation which is why I find it fruitless to beat on Garth.

The Islanders can't lose JT for nothing thats it.

If Tampa had that attitude with Stamos who had issues with the team and certainly the head coach and where he was playing as far as wing/center would he be on Tampa today?
you need to be extremely careful imho before you trade JT because once you do your taking a step backwards.

Just listen to the Guns and Roses song Patience, it will help you with the JT saga and the boring off season.
- nyisles7

Who are these Guns and Roses you speak of?

You know Stamkos is different 7. He had real success with Tampa and his parents were moving to Tampa and it's Tampa. It's a huge step back if you lose JT for nothing. Hard to trust Garth and company.

If the Isles lose JT for nothing it's on Garth, Ledecky, and Malkin. Nothing the fans can do.
- ses111

I don't know what scares me more. JT walking for nothing, or Garth getting completely hosed in a trade. Sebastian Collberg and a 1st round pick for JT

Seriously, you all need to relax, including Dan. JT is not leaving the team. He wants to know where the team is going to be. It's his right. You play this through and wait until it's resolved. He won't leave though. And this team is a playoff roster. And yes they will be better than the Rangers this season in the end. Geez, chill the hell out.

Seriously, you all need to relax, including Dan. JT is not leaving the team. He wants to know where the team is going to be. It's his right. You play this through and wait until it's resolved. He won't leave though. And this team is a playoff roster. And yes they will be better than the Rangers this season in the end. Geez, chill the hell out.
- bgainesDM

They are a bubble team, just like they have been for years.

Who are these Guns and Roses you speak of?

You know Stamkos is different 7. He had real success with Tampa and his parents were moving to Tampa and it's Tampa. It's a huge step back if you lose JT for nothing. Hard to trust Garth and company.
- ses111

Agreed Ses, which is why the Islanders need to give JT time because if they say either sign or we are trading you he'll say trade me than. Then what are you going to get for JT when he's going to be a fA July 1st and anyone can sign him without losing anything. i don't trust Snow 1 bit in this situation but its who's running the show so, FINGERS CROSSED.

True, but I was doing a Post Garth Eff Ups analysis.

If you're going to rehash, you need to include Wang's Lighthouse Fiasco that the podcast pointed out. Of course Garth is Wang's Lab Creation which is why I find it fruitless to beat on Garth.
- Fan101

But what else would we do with our free time?

They are a bubble team, just like they have been for years.
- JimmyP

Anybody can beat anybody. People talk about the last 11 years and that's fine. I'm talking about the here and now. With the exception of last year, they've had back-to-back 100 point seasons WITH a crappy coach and crappy PP system. Given that that has no where to go but up at this point and with Pulock scoring more goals than Hamonic and Eberle getting more points than Strome, I think you can make the case for a deep playoff run. Is it really that hard for people to see this?

Agreed Ses, which is why the Islanders need to give JT time because if they say either sign or we are trading you he'll say trade me than. Then what are you going to get for JT when he's going to be a fA July 1st and anyone can sign him without losing anything. i don't trust Snow 1 bit in this situation but its who's running the show so, FINGERS CROSSED.
- nyisles7

I would not give JT any ultimatum. I would give him the time now and once September hits I seriously think of moving him if he has not signed yet. It's a bad spot for the Isles and it's made worse with Garth in charge.

Seriously, you all need to relax, including Dan. JT is not leaving the team. He wants to know where the team is going to be. It's his right. You play this through and wait until it's resolved. He won't leave though. And this team is a playoff roster. And yes they will be better than the Rangers this season in the end. Geez, chill the hell out.
- bgainesDM

You must be friends with Joey's friend too.

Tell me why he's signing? Don't just tell me he's signing.

The Rangers will be 100 X's better than the Islanders once JT is their 1st line center.

Who are these Guns and Roses you speak of?

You know Stamkos is different 7. He had real success with Tampa and his parents were moving to Tampa and it's Tampa. It's a huge step back if you lose JT for nothing. Hard to trust Garth and company.
- ses111

What success did Tampa have last year?