Pulock looked pretty damn good again last night.
- Cptmjl

He did have a good game. He's prone to defensive mistakes here and there, but that's entirely expected. Not saying you were implying this, but I wasn't knocking him. Just meant that he was sort of unreliable by default, because he's young.

But he is most definitely making a case for being a mainstay in the lineup.

Pelech, Mayfield, Seidenberg, and Hickey (in no particular order) are all pretty terrible. Pulock is young.

That's 5 out of 8 defenseman that are varying degrees of unreliable.
- eichiefs9

They really could use an upgrade. I thought it was important to give Pulock more of a look and especially with de Haan's deal coming up. I would have started Pulock with de Haan to start the year and if he was that bad you make changes.

I said Duchene wasn't as good as thus thread was making him out to be. What was that proposal again?
Barzal, Nelson, Pulock and a first
- Cptmjl

I never wanted barzal in there and honestly I dont think the isles would put him in any deal even OEL. this kid is the 2 in the 1 2 punch they've been looking for, Ill go as far as to say he could be a major reason jt resigns along with arena. snow sucked for a long time but hes done well of late with 2 55 and 72 13. we have major depth on d moving up in toews and aho so we can move a pulock along with a forward and a pick. if youre JT and you see the move for ladd( i know you guys hate him but he really has been better this year) and the addition of eberle and the emergence of barzal along with two dominant scoring lines and the potential for 66 and 72 you have to like what you see.

They really could use an upgrade. I thought it was important to give Pulock more of a look and especially with de Haan's deal coming up. I would have started Pulock with de Haan to start the year and if he was that bad you make changes.
- ses111

If they can't land a real impact-type defenseman because prices are too high, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Chara play out his contract (aka the rest of this season) in the uniform he wore first.

Pelech, Mayfield, Seidenberg, and Hickey (in no particular order) are all pretty terrible. Pulock is young.

That's 5 out of 8 defenseman that are varying degrees of unreliable.
- eichiefs9

D really should be the focus as goalie will most likely need to wait until the offseason.

Pelech, Mayfield, Seidenberg, and Hickey (in no particular order) are all pretty terrible. Pulock is young.

That's 5 out of 8 defenseman that are varying degrees of unreliable.
- eichiefs9

I don't understand the Pelech bashing. I think he is fine. Not great not terrible and still young. Much rather have him then Seidenberg & Hickey that's for sure

He did have a good game. He's prone to defensive mistakes here and there, but that's entirely expected. Not saying you were implying this, but I wasn't knocking him. Just meant that he was sort of unreliable by default, because he's young.

But he is most definitely making a case for being a mainstay in the lineup.
- eichiefs9

Just flagged this. Hahaha.
He looks better and better each game whenever he plays. He needs the playing time it's pretty obvious. He's not making anymore mistakes then the rest of the defense.

If they can't land a real impact-type defenseman because prices are too high, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Chara play out his contract (aka the rest of this season) in the uniform he wore first.
- eichiefs9

Chara would be very nice for someone like Toews or Aho to learn from and especially if the Isles did not have to give up any assets. I do not see de Haan coming back and especially if he is looking for a big deal.

They need to find a way to add a defenseman that can help steady things on the back-end. Whether that's Ekman-Larsson, Hjalmarsson, or someone else...I don't know. But something has to give back there. They aren't going to move assets for another goaltender, so the blueline is where they need to improve most.

Also, de Haan will be gone next year. So they're going to need another competent-at-worst veteran presence back there on the left side.
- eichiefs9

yes we will lose hickey dehaan seidenberg one of toews or aho could step in but a legit d man goes a long way and gives this team to pairs they can match up against other teams. OEL wont happen but if it did imagine 2 55 and him and 44 as a top 4, thats pretty good

I don't understand the Pelech bashing. I think he is fine. Not great not terrible and still young. Much rather have him then Seidenberg & Hickey that's for sure
- Vukota

He wasn't terrible yesterday but the last five games or so before he was probably our worst defenseman without a doubt imo.

100% agree he plays a solid d game out there and its why there dont scratch him

this too https://www.sbnation.com/...landers-panthers-nhl-2017

I don't understand the Pelech bashing. I think he is fine. Not great not terrible and still young. Much rather have him then Seidenberg & Hickey that's for sure
- Vukota

I think he's awful. He is AMac 2.0, in that everyone will say "well, sure, he's not an all-star but he works hard and, for what the Islanders are paying him, he's a good player"

He does have decent games sometimes, but all I see is terrible decisions with the puck in his own end and he is completely devoid of any speed and/or offensive talent.

He's serviceable enough for now, but I don't think he fits in here for very much longer. He's a stop-gap until guys like Toews, Aho, MVS, and Wotherspoon are (or aren't) ready to make the jump.

Just flagged this. Hahaha.
He looks better and better each game whenever he plays. He needs the playing time it's pretty obvious. He's not making anymore mistakes then the rest of the defense.
- Cptmjl

I just never got the pushback from some that giving Pulock a real shot was going to ruin this perfect defense.

I think he's awful. He is AMac 2.0, in that everyone will say "well, sure, he's not an all-star but he works hard and, for what the Islanders are paying him, he's a good player"

He does have decent games sometimes, but all I see is terrible decisions with the puck in his own end and he is completely devoid of any speed and/or offensive talent.

He's serviceable enough for now, but I don't think he fits in here for very much longer. He's a stop-gap until guys like Toews, Aho, MVS, and Wotherspoon are (or aren't) ready to make the jump.
- eichiefs9

look at those guys coming up man if they can develop in time while this forward core is here this team could actually be a legit top team

Chara would be very nice for someone like Toews or Aho to learn from and especially if the Isles did not have to give up any assets. I do not see de Haan coming back and especially if he is looking for a big deal.
- ses111

de Haan is gone, I would bet a lot of money on that one.

Chara would be a fine depth guy. He's a shell of his former-self, but I'd be willing to bet that he's better than Seidenberg, Mayfield, Pelech, and Hickey. Probably wouldn't cost a whole lot either. Maybe a mid-round pick + a late pick.

look at those guys coming up man if they can develop in time while this forward core is here this team could actually be a legit top team
- Upstate_isles

I loved the Aho pick. He got passed over so many times and really grew his game in Sweden. I just have a good feeling he'll be a part of this team in the future.

Vande Sompel has been a pleasant surprise too. First ever pro season and he's put up 11pts in 17 games on the blueline.

Toews on track to break last years point total.

No idea about Wotherspoon. Only dressed for 12 games so far. Not sure if that's a numbers thing or he's played poorly.

I think he's awful. He is AMac 2.0, in that everyone will say "well, sure, he's not an all-star but he works hard and, for what the Islanders are paying him, he's a good player"

He does have decent games sometimes, but all I see is terrible decisions with the puck in his own end and he is completely devoid of any speed and/or offensive talent.

He's serviceable enough for now, but I don't think he fits in here for very much longer. He's a stop-gap until guys like Toews, Aho, MVS, and Wotherspoon are (or aren't) ready to make the jump.
- eichiefs9

I have to agree. He's probably best as a 6th dman in the best situation. Isles really need to stabilize the d next year and go with 6 guys on a regular basis.

de Haan is gone, I would bet a lot of money on that one.

Chara would be a fine depth guy. He's a shell of his former-self, but I'd be willing to bet that he's better than Seidenberg, Mayfield, Pelech, and Hickey. Probably wouldn't cost a whole lot either. Maybe a mid-round pick + a late pick.
- eichiefs9

de Haan just has not developed like I though he would. No question Chara is better than the guys you mentioned and would probably be fine as a 5th dman if needed.

I think he's awful. He is AMac 2.0, in that everyone will say "well, sure, he's not an all-star but he works hard and, for what the Islanders are paying him, he's a good player"

He does have decent games sometimes, but all I see is terrible decisions with the puck in his own end and he is completely devoid of any speed and/or offensive talent.

He's serviceable enough for now, but I don't think he fits in here for very much longer. He's a stop-gap until guys like Toews, Aho, MVS, and Wotherspoon are (or aren't) ready to make the jump.
- eichiefs9

He is on pace for slightly less then 40 points which is pretty decent for a dman. I just don't see the so called awful side that you guys see. Playing almost 20 minutes a night against top 6 talent and I feel is holding his own. He might not be in their future don't know that for sure but I could think of 3 or so Dman much worse then him right now.

know I posted this but this is incredible

Here’s a look at the top NHL goal scorers from Nov. 23, 2016 through today.

1. Nikita Kucherov, 50 goals
2. Anders Lee, 49 goals
3. Auston Matthews, 47 goals
T4. Filip Forsberg, 44 goals
T4. Vladimir Tarasenko, 44 goals
T4. Alex Ovechkin, 44 goals
T4. Sidney Crosby, 44 goals
8. Brad Marchand, 42 goals
T9. Evander Kane, 40 goals
T9. John Tavares, 40 goals

Also I'm done with Quine he turns the puck over all the time at the worst possible times.

I just never got the pushback from some that giving Pulock a real shot was going to ruin this perfect defense.
- ses111

It's people that put their unbridled faith in the orginization's developmental skills.

All kidding aside I don't understand it either. First few games this season he was lost and now he's a legitimate contributor and you can see the kid has hands and the ability to rush the puck as well as his obvious shot (105mph). He's developing. It's plain as day. That's what you do with prospects it's the whoke point of rebuilding through the draft. Mind boggling how some don't grasp this.

know I posted this but this is incredible

Here’s a look at the top NHL goal scorers from Nov. 23, 2016 through today.

1. Nikita Kucherov, 50 goals
2. Anders Lee, 49 goals
3. Auston Matthews, 47 goals
T4. Filip Forsberg, 44 goals
T4. Vladimir Tarasenko, 44 goals
T4. Alex Ovechkin, 44 goals
T4. Sidney Crosby, 44 goals
8. Brad Marchand, 42 goals
T9. Evander Kane, 40 goals
T9. John Tavares, 40 goals
- Upstate_isles

So glad Lee was not moved like some Isles fans wanted. Could have been like the lack of patience showed with Bertuzzi. You have to give power forwards longer to develop.

know I posted this but this is incredible

Here’s a look at the top NHL goal scorers from Nov. 23, 2016 through today.

1. Nikita Kucherov, 50 goals
2. Anders Lee, 49 goals
3. Auston Matthews, 47 goals
T4. Filip Forsberg, 44 goals
T4. Vladimir Tarasenko, 44 goals
T4. Alex Ovechkin, 44 goals
T4. Sidney Crosby, 44 goals
8. Brad Marchand, 42 goals
T9. Evander Kane, 40 goals
T9. John Tavares, 40 goals
- Upstate_isles

You're right can't believe evander Kane is there

It's people that put their unbridled faith in the orginization's developmental skills.

All kidding aside I don't understand it either. First few games this season he was lost and now he's a legitimate contributor and you can see the kid has hands and the ability to rush the puck as well as his obvious shot (105mph). He's developing. It's plain as day. That's what you do with prospects it's the whoke point of rebuilding through the draft. Mind boggling how some don't grasp this.
- Cptmjl

He has been better the last few games but he has also been a train wreck at times as well can totally understand why he sits at times