Capitals - Maybe (only because they always play them tough)
Leafs - Yes (but that will depend on how their young guns play this year)
Rangers - 60-40% (Rangers aren't that great this year. Sorry MDW, my opinion)
Habs - Yes (don't think they'll make the playoffs)
CBJ - No

Pens - No
TB - No
Carolina - No
- Isleshockeyman

Do you know Columbus has never won a series? What makes everybody so optimistic about Carolina? I just don't see it. Tampa is a 50/50 split because again I think this coaching staff is better than 2 years ago an with more playmaking ability on the roster. Also, TB lost Drouin. That will hurt down the road.

Thanks for that.
So now can you answer the question, Where will the Islanders place in the Metro and the Conference?
- nyisles7

I think the Isles will get the first WC spot and go through the Atlantic Division.

Speaking of that presidents trophy winning argument in the past, only 1 team has won the cup after clinching the presidents trophy in a full 82-game regular season in the last 11 years. On the other hand, at least 3 teams in the wildcard spot have clinched the cup finals in the last 11 years.
You really think this team can't beat the Capitals, Leafs(if they even get in this year, which I don't think they will), Rangers, Habs, or even Blue Jackets in the playoffs?
That's not kool-aid. That's me being a realist, and this is coming from a fan who has never picked this team to make the cup finals during my existence.
- bgainesDM

That's not the goal. No one cares at all. How many of them won the cup?

I don't think they could be the Capitals, Habs or Blue Jackets. Maybe they could beat the leafs. Despite playing well against Rangers during the season, I would put my money on the Rangers.

That's not the goal. No one cares at all. How many of them won the cup?

I don't think they could be the Capitals, Habs or Blue Jackets. Maybe they could beat the leafs. Despite playing well against Rangers during the season, I would put my money on the Rangers.
- JimmyP

Kings as a WC won the Cup in 2012 and Detroit won the Cup in the 2007-8 season as a Presidents trophy winner. 1 to 1. Though recently, it goes to show that anybody in any playoff position can go all the way.
Not scared of the Caps and I think Montreal is weak at Center and defense. Price can only do so much.

Capitals - Maybe (only because they always play them tough)
Leafs - Yes (but that will depend on how their young guns play this year)
Rangers - 60-40% (Rangers aren't that great this year. Sorry MDW, my opinion)
Habs - Yes (don't think they'll make the playoffs)
CBJ - No

Pens - No
TB - No
Carolina - No
- Isleshockeyman

No need to be sorry.

Defensively they should be a bit better. Offensively is going to be the question mark.

See if some of the younger guys grow off of last year. Center is a bit of an issue though.

Do you know Columbus has never won a series? What makes everybody so optimistic about Carolina? I just don't see it. Tampa is a 50/50 split because again I think this coaching staff is better than 2 years ago an with more playmaking ability on the roster. Also, TB lost Drouin. That will hurt down the road.
- bgainesDM

Do you know that at some point the Isles had never won a series? Just because they haven't, doesn't mean they never will. They keep improving and adding talent. Carolina has added talent as well. Not to mention they're young kids now have more experience as well. I think TB is going to depend on Stamkos playing healthy or being injured. Drouin, not sure how bad his loss will hurt.

Do you know that at some point the Isles had never won a series? Just because they haven't, doesn't mean they never will. They keep improving and adding talent. Carolina has added talent as well. Not to mention they're young kids now have more experience as well. I think TB is going to depend on Stamkos playing healthy or being injured. Drouin, not sure how bad his loss will hurt.
- Isleshockeyman

To me, not playoff talent.

7. There’s been criticism of the way Colorado’s handled this. I do think everyone — including Duchene — would benefit from a fresh start, but the Avalanche need this deal. The Ryan O’Reilly trade didn’t work, and you can’t move two of those talents without getting some kind of win. They are looking for young players with term, and I think the guys they’ve targeted include Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin from the Islanders; Brandon Carlo or Charlie McEvoy from the Bruins; Mattias Ekholm from the Predators. (Before someone from Barstool comes at me, I don’t think the McEvoy conversation was a long one.)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-matt-duchene-still-open/

No need to be sorry.

Defensively they should be a bit better. Offensively is going to be the question mark.

See if some of the younger guys grow off of last year. Center is a bit of an issue though.
- mdw7413

It won't be come trade deadline when Snow ships JT your way.

Do you know Columbus has never won a series? What makes everybody so optimistic about Carolina? I just don't see it. Tampa is a 50/50 split because again I think this coaching staff is better than 2 years ago an with more playmaking ability on the roster. Also, TB lost Drouin. That will hurt down the road.
- bgainesDM

Because they got better. Added a good 2 way Center in Kruger. Added a good 2 way forward in Josh Joris. They have a young fast puck moving defense that can only get better with the addition of TVR. Darling gives them better gTing than they got last year without question. They can be a surprises this year imho.

Also Tampa has a lot of offensive talent even without Drouin.

Ok, I'll bite. In what way shape or form are they "damn close" to the Penguins?

Crosby JT
Malkin Eberle
Kessel Lee
Hagelin Ladd (?)
Hornqvist Bailey(?)

Then you can get into their youngsters vs the Isles & defense.
- Isleshockeyman

Rutherford Snow

It won't be come trade deadline when Snow ships JT your way.
- Isleshockeyman

Never happen in a million years.

Only way Rangers get a sniff of JT is if he hits the ufa market and if Snow let that happen, he shouldn't even be allowed to run a food cart for the Isles.

Rutherford Snow
- Fan101

7. There’s been criticism of the way Colorado’s handled this. I do think everyone — including Duchene — would benefit from a fresh start, but the Avalanche need this deal. The Ryan O’Reilly trade didn’t work, and you can’t move two of those talents without getting some kind of win. They are looking for young players with term, and I think the guys they’ve targeted include Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin from the Islanders; Brandon Carlo or Charlie McEvoy from the Bruins; Mattias Ekholm from the Predators. (Before someone from Barstool comes at me, I don’t think the McEvoy conversation was a long one.)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-matt-duchene-still-open/


- eichiefs9

Bruins? that was so long ago

Never happen in a million years.

Only way Rangers get a sniff of JT is if he hits the ufa market and if Snow let that happen, he shouldn't even be allowed to run a popsicle stand in New York.
- mdw7413

*fixed

*fixed
- Isleshockeyman

If that happened probably be one of the all time worst (frank) ups in the NHL

If that happened probably be one of the all time worst (frank) ups in the NHL
- mdw7413

If that happened I'm pretty sure that Since_6 would fly down from Vancouver just to burn down Snow's house & kick his puppies.

If that happened I'm pretty sure that Since_6 would fly down from Vancouver just to burn down Snow's house & kick his puppies.
- Isleshockeyman

Honestly losing JT for nothing would probably spell the end of the franchise. Couldn't imagine fans showing up if that happened.

7. There’s been criticism of the way Colorado’s handled this. I do think everyone — including Duchene — would benefit from a fresh start, but the Avalanche need this deal. The Ryan O’Reilly trade didn’t work, and you can’t move two of those talents without getting some kind of win. They are looking for young players with term, and I think the guys they’ve targeted include Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin from the Islanders; Brandon Carlo or Charlie McEvoy from the Bruins; Mattias Ekholm from the Predators. (Before someone from Barstool comes at me, I don’t think the McEvoy conversation was a long one.)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-matt-duchene-still-open/


- eichiefs9

God, they just won't let the Duchene thing die will they. When was Boston in on the Duch sweepstakes?

Honestly losing JT for nothing would probably spell the end of the franchise. Couldn't imagine fans showing up if that happened.
- mdw7413

Wouldn't be the end of the franchise. It would just set them back about 10 years. It might be the only thing that gets Snow fired though.

God, they just won't let the Duchene thing die will they. When was Boston in on the Duch sweepstakes?
- Isleshockeyman

Oh it's dead. I can't see any possible outcome in which Sakic gets what he is actually asking for. He might get traded, but it won't be for Ekholm or McAvoy.

Honestly losing JT for nothing would probably spell the end of the franchise. Couldn't imagine fans showing up if that happened.
- mdw7413

I'd be willing to bet that there are thousands of Isles fans (and Rangers fans) that are just casual fans. Think it's fun to grab the wife & kids and go to a couple games a year. That don't follow teams like we do. Analyze every move and non move.

God, they just won't let the Duchene thing die will they. When was Boston in on the Duch sweepstakes?
- Isleshockeyman

Long time ago maybe a year I was told by a very reliable source

Oh it's dead. I can't see any possible outcome in which Sakic gets what he is actually asking for. He might get traded, but it won't be for Ekholm or McAvoy.
- eichiefs9

No way. And the longer he waits the closer he gets to that tipping point where the value inherently goes down. Not the value of Duchene, but what people are willing to give for him.

I'd be willing to bet that there are thousands of Isles fans (and Rangers fans) that are just casual fans. Think it's fun to grab the wife & kids and go to a couple games a year. That don't follow teams like we do. Analyze every move and non move.
- Isleshockeyman

True. I guess if the Panthers could survive with their crowd totals most games, anything is possible.