I'm still open as far as Bailey is concerned. New staff, renewed confidence after last season, hopefully new systems in place. Maybe he'll pick up where he left off. He could, of course, revert back to the old Bailey & not produce.
- Isleshockeyman

If Bailey isn't playing with JT he will be back to his old self. We may see a little more effort because he is in the last year of his contract.

The players that played in Long Island loved the coliseum. It was the perception outside of the Isles that had players talking negative about it. The first thing Wang did was completely renovate the locker rooms and the work out area. The player loved it...once they got here..

Barclays.. not so much.
- niteislander

We can agree to disagree. Especially given the fact that none of us have likely spoken to any player about their thoughts on either building, this conversation is likely circular and going nowhere.

the bolded part is key. This was how the conversation started. The Isles being a desirable place to go. The NVMC was a deterrent to free agents before, during and after Wang's renovations. Yes, the Barclays ice sucks. That is well-documented. And its in Brooklyn, not in the suburbs near the players' homes. But virtually each team in the league plays in a building within their respective city's limits. That's not uncommon.

If Bailey isn't playing with JT he will be back to his old self. We may see a little more effort because he is in the last year of his contract.
- JimmyP

Get ready for the 5 year extension

Get ready for the 5 year extension
- Cptmjl

I am expecting it right around January.

I am expecting it right around January.
- JimmyP

He'll probably sign him before camp because it makes zero sense aka "the Brian Strait signing".

Yep. I think of course having a shiny new arena with all of the amenities has an effect on a players decision making but I believe the on ice product, the way an orginization treats it's players, and organizational success as a whole plays a much more of a significant role imo.
- Cptmjl

This is where I really start to lose you. I agree that these are the most important factors (outside of money). But with the Isles, where is the evidence that they treat their players poorly? What examples do we have of this? In fact, from what i hear and read on the internet, its quite the opposite. The organization treats its players real well. Some cry-baby Nino throwing a tantrum because he wasn't invited to big team training camp after the lockout is not evidence of treating players poorly to me.

I also think that the on-ice product isn't bad. Bad is Colorado. Bad is what the Isles were before the last lockout. Since then, they've made the playoffs three times, and missed one year by one point. they had four respectable seasons in the last five. When someone objectively looks at the Isles team and organizational depth, I don't think they see a calamity. They likely see a team that has some talent, could use some more and if they get a few more pieces, they can make a real run. Those "few pieces" are the same that lots of teams are looking for.

Look, I get it. there is room for improvement from the top down. Snow is not a great GM. My criticism of Snow is well-documented. But I can't agree with a statement that the Isles are still the same garbage dumpster fire they were 8 years ago.

The more clips I see of Duchene the more I am with Capt and others who were not very high on the guy. Every time he got hit he turtled and skated away meekly. I am not looking for a guy to drop the gloves.. but at least show some emotion. I really think we will end up better off without the guy. I was in love with some of his stats...but there is a reason he is available.
- niteislander

A month ago, there were people on here that wanted to give the farm away for this guy. Now people are starting to realize that he's not a superstar. He's a second line center. At best. But if they don't add Duchene, they're not doing enough to win now and convince JT to stay?

The Isles can't get a**-raped in a deal with COL to bring Duchene in just because it may make JT happy. I'd still love to add him, but for a price commensurate with what Duchene actually is, not what Sakic wants the league to believe he is and worth.

This is unreal. A month ago, there were people on here that wanted to give the farm away for this guy. Now people are starting to realize that he's not a superstar. He's a second line center. At best. But if they don't add Duchene, they're not doing enough to win now and convince JT to stay?

The Isles can't get a**-raped in a deal with COL to bring Duchene in just because it may make JT happy. I'd still love to add him, but for a price commensurate with what Duchene actually is, not what Sakic wants the league to believe he is and worth.
- Jethro09

I think that's and exaggeration. As much as we all hate Snow, everyone is happy he didn't cave to Sakic's ridiculous demands.

This is where I really start to lose you. I agree that these are the most important factors (outside of money). But with the Isles, where is the evidence that they treat their players poorly? What examples do we have of this? In fact, from what i hear and read on the internet, its quite the opposite. The organization treats its players real well. Some cry-baby Nino throwing a tantrum because he wasn't invited to big team training camp after the lockout is not evidence of treating players poorly to me.

I also think that the on-ice product isn't bad. Bad is Colorado. Bad is what the Isles were before the last lockout. Since then, they've made the playoffs three times, and missed one year by one point. they had four respectable seasons in the last five. When someone objectively looks at the Isles team and organizational depth, I don't think they see a calamity. They likely see a team that has some talent, could use some more and if they get a few more pieces, they can make a real run. Those "few pieces" are the same that lots of teams are looking for.

Look, I get it. there is room for improvement from the top down. Snow is not a great GM. My criticism of Snow is well-documented. But I can't agree with a statement that the Isles are still the same garbage dumpster fire they were 8 years ago.
- Jethro09

I don't believe he's saying the players get sh!t on. What he's saying is that the perception, which isn't far off, is that the organization is a clown show. That it's a poorly run organization. It has been for over 20 years now. There's been issues with ownership, GM's, arena's. If you were an established player looking for a new team to play for, and your choices were Pitt., Chi., Edm., Isles & say, Dallas. Are you going to seriously tell me that the Isles would top your list of teams to go play for?

A month ago, there were people on here that wanted to give the farm away for this guy. Now people are starting to realize that he's not a superstar. He's a second line center. At best. But if they don't add Duchene, they're not doing enough to win now and convince JT to stay?

The Isles can't get a**-raped in a deal with COL to bring Duchene in just because it may make JT happy. I'd still love to add him, but for a price commensurate with what Duchene actually is, not what Sakic wants the league to believe he is and worth.
- Jethro09

Not sure who was saying that. A lot of us wanted him, but not at a ridiculous price and not at the expense of giving away all the young talent.

I think that's and exaggeration. As much as we all hate Snow, everyone is happy he didn't cave to Sakic's ridiculous demands.
- JimmyP

Yep.

This is where I really start to lose you. I agree that these are the most important factors (outside of money). But with the Isles, where is the evidence that they treat their players poorly? What examples do we have of this? In fact, from what i hear and read on the internet, its quite the opposite. The organization treats its players real well. Some cry-baby Nino throwing a tantrum because he wasn't invited to big team training camp after the lockout is not evidence of treating players poorly to me.

I also think that the on-ice product isn't bad. Bad is Colorado. Bad is what the Isles were before the last lockout. Since then, they've made the playoffs three times, and missed one year by one point. they had four respectable seasons in the last five. When someone objectively looks at the Isles team and organizational depth, I don't think they see a calamity. They likely see a team that has some talent, could use some more and if they get a few more pieces, they can make a real run. Those "few pieces" are the same that lots of teams are looking for.

Look, I get it. there is room for improvement from the top down. Snow is not a great GM. My criticism of Snow is well-documented. But I can't agree with a statement that the Isles are still the same garbage dumpster fire they were 8 years ago.
- Jethro09

The Islanders are an unstable mess with a GM who does little to nothing most of the time to help his team. As far as me listing things that players are looking for it was more of a general statement. I wasn't saying the islanders treat their players like shat though there have been some examples of it. As far as the islanders being "not that bad" I'll disagree with you. There isn't a player in the NHL who wants to play for a not so bad team unless they're over compensated. Most of these guys are competitors who want to win. Signing with a team that made it to the playoffs 2 out if the last four years is not exactly a selling point and I'll bet you everything i have that any player is looking at last season as a clear step back for this team and it's management team whether they missed the playoffs by one point or not.
This team is a question mark on so many levels besides the arena and I believe that is and always was the biggest deterrent for perspective players. Nassau Veterans was a factor also agreed but I don't believe for a second it was the biggest or even close to the biggest negative in most players eyes. This team is a well known circus throughout the league which has done little to dispel that personality. In fact Snow fuels that negativity seasonally. Blaming the building is a cop out imo and has been since Snow used it as an excuse for his ineptitude. Agree to disagree

We can agree to disagree. Especially given the fact that none of us have likely spoken to any player about their thoughts on either building, this conversation is likely circular and going nowhere.

the bolded part is key. This was how the conversation started. The Isles being a desirable place to go. The NVMC was a deterrent to free agents before, during and after Wang's renovations. Yes, the Barclays ice sucks. That is well-documented. And its in Brooklyn, not in the suburbs near the players' homes. But virtually each team in the league plays in a building within their respective city's limits. That's not uncommon.
- Jethro09

The point I was trying to make is that deterrent was b/c of the bad press.. mainly from that clown Larry Brooks. The player who actually played at the NVMC DID like playing there.. I have spoken to a few of them about it. It was an old building, but the amenities if the Home Locker were top notch. They loved the sound in the building when it was packed. The did like that it was fairly close to their homes and easy to get to.. they liked the History of the 4 cups in the building. The nickname "fort Never Lose" in it's hey day.

We had a lot of guys turn down contracts b/c of the building, management, etc. That is 100% accurate. We also had a lot of guys who came here begrudgingly and then ended up re-signing and staying long term. (Nabby, Boychuk, Leddy, etc.)....

I see you took a selfie before getting on the boat last night. Like I've told you before, stop posting pics of yourself and claiming them as me. It's ok. You be you. We won't judge. Well, Upstate will. But the rest of us won't care.
- Isleshockeyman

Always watching, judging
https://youtu.be/9PEdGOVQaFI

[quote=nyisles7]

I don't even sail a 6 foot sail fish.

Was invited on a sunset sail so why not. I'm a motor boat guy.
- niteislander[/quote]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0FMcSEoqDw

Geez, was cpt piloting that boat? Probably not, because the women in bikinis were too old for him...

I think this is the year we are very happy to have Ladd on the team. I think we will hate Bailey again.. and really be upset we ever signed Boychuk. Those are my feelings.
- niteislander

When did we stop hating Bailey?

Geez, was cpt piloting that boat? Probably not, because the women in bikinis were too old for him...
- JohnScammo

And that guy was to young to be him I mean we need at least a 50 year difference in age

I adopted her she was an orphan. Momma didn't raise no fool.
- Cptmjl

The Woody Allen method. Nice.

The Woody Allen method. Nice.
- PeteM

http://www.kare11.com/mb/...with-anders-lee/457774524

When did we stop hating Bailey?
- PeteM

I didn't.

I didn't.
- JimmyP

If you don't say you hate Bailey this place will turn on you quick

http://www.kare11.com/mb/amp/sports/how-hard-can-it-be-trick-shots-with-anders-lee/457774524
- Upstate_isles

Where is Schwein? This would be like porn for him.

The Islanders are an unstable mess with a GM who does little to nothing most of the time to help his team. As far as me listing things that players are looking for it was more of a general statement. I wasn't saying the islanders treat their players like shat though there have been some examples of it. As far as the islanders being "not that bad" I'll disagree with you. There isn't a player in the NHL who wants to play for a not so bad team unless they're over compensated. Most of these guys are competitors who want to win. Signing with a team that made it to the playoffs 2 out if the last four years is not exactly a selling point and I'll bet you everything i have that any player is looking at last season as a clear step back for this team and it's management team whether they missed the playoffs by one point or not.
This team is a question mark on so many levels besides the arena and I believe that is and always was the biggest deterrent for perspective players. Nassau Veterans was a factor also agreed but I don't believe for a second it was the biggest or even close to the biggest negative in most players eyes. This team is a well known circus throughout the league which has done little to dispel that personality. In fact Snow fuels that negativity seasonally. Blaming the building is a cop out imo and has been since Snow used it as an excuse for his ineptitude. Agree to disagree
- Cptmjl

I don't think i ever said that players stayed away from the Isles because of the NVMC and that alone. Clearly there are other factors. I just think that those other factors were far more negative than they are now. I don't see the same "train wreck" that I saw in 2008, 2009 or so when I look at the team now. Are the Isles a "model franchise"? No. But they aren't the circus show that they were five years ago, despite the popular perception they are. But as you said, we agree to disagree.

If you don't say you hate Bailey this place will turn on you quick
- Upstate_isles

Yeah, I'm one of the biggest Bailey haters. I wouldn't mind him walking at the end of the season. I'd rather see him traded, but Snow will never trade his boy.