Anyone still think Tavares signing isn't based on the arena?
“Today is about the fans and today is about a guy like John Tavares telling me to go out to the tailgates. He told me that at the captains’ golf outing last week, about how much he enjoys seeing this environment. You can see the twinkle in his eye getting to play this game today.”

Here's the full article
https://www.lighthousehoc...belmont-rfp-arena-process
Go see these crazy bastards party this is where I want to be. Jt may have stepped up
- Upstate_isles

Yep me. I don't think it's solely based on the arena. Also, serious question here. Why is it so important to you to think it's only because of the arena? Do you actually think this is a great team after 11 years of rebuilding and Tavares is most likely satisfied with the teams progression to where it is today?
Well we know for a fact he's not because he literally stated HIMSELF he wanted to "see how the team progressed" when referring to him signing . I guess he must have been lying. It's all about the arena

Boooo isles go rangers

Barzal and Tavares with goals. I think you'll be seeing those names on the scoresheet a bunch this season.

Barzal looked great yesterday, hope that train keeps on rolling during the preseason.

Barzal looked great yesterday, hope that train keeps on rolling during the preseason.
- eichiefs9

Good to hear. If Barzal has a good camp, I do not have a big issue if he starts as 2C. The coaching staff can make adjustments as needed. He could be the 2C we are looking for?

Good to hear. If Barzal has a good camp, I do not have a big issue if he starts as 2C. The coaching staff can make adjustments as needed. He could be the 2C we are looking for?
- ses111

That's a tough answer one way or another. Young guys have stepped into the league and excelled before, but you can't expect that from him either.

That's a tough answer one way or another. Young guys have stepped into the league and excelled before, but you can't expect that from him either.
- eichiefs9

This is true chief, but it would be nice to see an Isles coaching staff trusting in young talent for once. If Barzal shows he is not ready, let him start in Bridge. If he shows in camp he is ready give him meaningful minutes.

This is true chief, but it would be nice to see an Isles coaching staff trusting in young talent for once. If Barzal shows he is not ready, let him start in Bridge. If he shows in camp he is ready give him meaningful minutes.
- ses111

I think this coaching staff is going to put a lot of responsibility on the young guys. Weight did it the rest of the season after he took over and I don't see why that would stop now.

The question with Barzal is "can he play 2C?". If not, I think he starts in BPT so he can be the #1 guy and play a lot of minutes. If they think he can handle the 2C duties, I think he'll make the team out of camp.

I think this coaching staff is going to put a lot of responsibility on the young guys. Weight did it the rest of the season after he took over and I don't see why that would stop now.

The questions with Barzal is "can he play 2C?". If not, I think he starts in BPT so he can be the #1 guy and play a lot of minutes. If they think he can handle the 2C duties, I think he'll make the team out of camp.
- eichiefs9

I have to think so. I think Doug and this staff seem to have good communication skills and that's key. Sorry to bring Nino up again, but he should have been put with JT for a long run and if it was not working you make adjustments. The plan can no longer be giving the kids a few minutes and then one mistake they are sitting for games.

I think this coaching staff is going to put a lot of responsibility on the young guys. Weight did it the rest of the season after he took over and I don't see why that would stop now.

The question with Barzal is "can he play 2C?". If not, I think he starts in BPT so he can be the #1 guy and play a lot of minutes. If they think he can handle the 2C duties, I think he'll make the team out of camp.
- eichiefs9

Who is most likely the 3c? Could you start him as a 3rd line center. Little less pressure.

Who is most likely the 3c? Could you start him as a 3rd line center. Little less pressure.
- mdw7413

Barzal as 3C would not be bad mdw. As long as he is getting good minutes and given a chance to succeed. I would think Nelson or Bailey would be 3C if Barzal is 2C?

Barzal as 3C would not be bad mdw. As long as he is getting good minutes and given a chance to succeed. I would think Nelson or Bailey would be 3C if Barzal is 2C?
- ses111

Yeah, I'm not saying Barzal couldn't be a 2c but thats putting a lot of pressure on a kid. I would start him as a 3c, get plenty of minutes a bit less pressure, plus he can be matched up against another teams 3rd line, and lower defensive pairing. He could always be moved up to 2c.

You don't have Cappy anymore so maybe the home advantage last change will actually be used now.

Who is most likely the 3c? Could you start him as a 3rd line center. Little less pressure.
- mdw7413

I honestly have no idea how the middle 2 centers are going to shake out. Nelson could be 2 and Beauvillier 3. Nelson could be 2 with Barzal at 3. Could flip-flop that last one. Could see Barzal/Beauvillier at 2/3. I don't think we'll know until camp breaks, either.

Yeah, I'm not saying Barzal couldn't be a 2c but thats putting a lot of pressure on a kid. I would start him as a 3c, get plenty of minutes a bit less pressure, plus he can be matched up against another teams 3rd line, and lower defensive pairing. He could always be moved up to 2c.

You don't have Cappy anymore so maybe the home advantage last change will actually be used now.
- mdw7413

Could we actually see matching lines from an Isles coach again?

3C for Barzal would not be bad at all. This team does have some decent options. Like most teams, Isles can use more talent but it's not like they have JT and it's a big scramble to find someone else decent.

no cappy for a full season = playoffs

hey fellas, i figured i share some experiences from the weekend.
Isles practice saturday - These guys were working hard and you could see impact of a fulll coaching staff. Ho Sang can dangle.

Also picked up tickets to go see the game yesterday with my lil guy. I take back what i said on Barzal. Maybe last year he wasnt ready but yesterday he was the 2nd best players on ice for isles after JT. Barzal could very well be making a case to be 2C which will make for some tough decision for Weight this camp. I also thought that Ladd looked very healthy. Pulock was solid but still needs to get better at finding space to let his Bomb go as he only had one chance to shoot during PP. Of course shot hit one of the flyers in shin pad and still managed to drop him to the ground in pain.

If we can get a great start to the year, we could definitely turn some heads.
I also thought both bridgeport Prospects Gibson and Gudlevskis were solid in net.

Thoughts on NYCB Live - I think the seating was great. For those of you have not being inside since the renovation you can now walk around the whole interior of the arena during game. (similar to most new arenas). Also boy did i miss how loud it gets. the place ERUPTED when Tavares scored the first goal.

The bad - Concession and bathroom lines still suck.

Could we actually see matching lines from an Isles coach again?

3C for Barzal would not be bad at all. This team does have some decent options. Like most teams, Isles can use more talent but it's not like they have JT and it's a big scramble to find someone else decent.
- ses111

Could we actually see a time-out used from an Isles Coach?

Personally, i think the lines will shake out like this (barring a trade):
Lee-JT-Ebs
Ladd-Nelly-Bails
Chimera-Beau/Barz-JHS
Kuli-CC-CC

With Quine/Prince/Gionta,etc as an extra. Yes, I know, Q/P are injured, but they'll be back.

no cappy for a full season = playoffs
- batteryjackson

totally agree with this. Cappy sucked. You had to see how hard guys were working at practice on saturday. you even had Braithwaite and two other coaches working drills with goalies. It looked like a real camp.

Every player had a jump in their step. Even some of the guys trying out that probably wont make the team looked great.
Burroughs, Witherspoon were some that stood out for me.

totally agree with this. Cappy sucked. You had to see how hard guys were working at practice on saturday. you even had Braithwaite and two other coaches working drills with goalies. It looked like a real camp.

Every player had a jump in their step. Even some of the guys trying out that probably wont make the team looked great.
Burroughs, Witherspoon were some that stood out for me.
- Spartiarti

Good to hear. Maybe having former NHLers put a little drive into the guys.

totally agree with this. Cappy sucked. You had to see how hard guys were working at practice on saturday. you even had Braithwaite and two other coaches working drills with goalies. It looked like a real camp.

Every player had a jump in their step. Even some of the guys trying out that probably wont make the team looked great.
Burroughs, Witherspoon were some that stood out for me.
- Spartiarti

I thought Burroughs played well yesterday too. Made a couple of nice defensive plays and was noticeable a good handful of times. Still a long-shot to be an NHL'er, but he's a guy to keep an eye on in BPT for sure.

Could we actually see a time-out used from an Isles Coach?

Personally, i think the lines will shake out like this (barring a trade):
Lee-JT-Ebs
Ladd-Nelly-Bails
Chimera-Beau/Barz-JHS
Kuli-CC-CC

With Quine/Prince/Gionta,etc as an extra. Yes, I know, Q/P are injured, but they'll be back.
- Isleshockeyman

i like those lines alot. Ladd look ready. I do believe his slow start last year was attributed to the his back being hurt.

Could we actually see a time-out used from an Isles Coach?

Personally, i think the lines will shake out like this (barring a trade):
Lee-JT-Ebs
Ladd-Nelly-Bails
Chimera-Beau/Barz-JHS
Kuli-CC-CC

With Quine/Prince/Gionta,etc as an extra. Yes, I know, Q/P are injured, but they'll be back.
- Isleshockeyman

Hey now, don't be stealing AV's shtick.

i like those lines alot. Ladd look ready. I do believe his slow start last year was attributed to the his back being hurt.
- Spartiarti

7 will never buy the back injury from Ladd.

Could we actually see a time-out used from an Isles Coach?

Personally, i think the lines will shake out like this (barring a trade):
Lee-JT-Ebs
Ladd-Nelly-Bails
Chimera-Beau/Barz-JHS
Kuli-CC-CC

With Quine/Prince/Gionta,etc as an extra. Yes, I know, Q/P are injured, but they'll be back.
- Isleshockeyman

One thing at a time hockeyman. Let's work on matching lines and then go onto using timeouts. I can see these lines starting the season.

totally agree with this. Cappy sucked. You had to see how hard guys were working at practice on saturday. you even had Braithwaite and two other coaches working drills with goalies. It looked like a real camp.

Every player had a jump in their step. Even some of the guys trying out that probably wont make the team looked great.
Burroughs, Witherspoon were some that stood out for me.
- Spartiarti

Doug and this staff do not have to embarrass guys in the press, but they need to push these players like never before. Doug saw all the things not to do working with Cappy so he should be ready to go on how to coach properly. I have a good feeling about this staff.