If he goes to the rangers I may stop watching hockey. if he walks for free and snow is not fired I will stop and just follow D1
- Upstate_isles

I said it on here a while ago and people discounted it but The Rags like it or not are one of the teams in the NHL every player wants to play for. Its an original 6, they treat their players second to none and your in a great city to live and play in. He will definitely listen to them thats for sure. Not saying it happens but it's foolish to not believe it could happen.

The worst part of this whole JT saga thing is that the team is screwed either way. If he signs with the rangers or someone else, we lose credibility as a respected franchise, which pretty much has continued to happen year after year already. If he signs...............we are a joke overpaying a legless cripple who belongs in the sled hockey league. The only way this would have worked in the Isles favor was if he was traded for a kings ransom.

Dont read every link on here
- Upstate_isles

Well John said (frank) cpt is right again and you commented on his post from what I remember. Listen it's a stupid debate it's water under the bridge but I don't understand how you just say "it never happened" when everything points to that NOT being the case besides staples new backpedaling tweet which is just par for the course for the guy.

Messier had a great supporting cast but with that said messier was a superbly clutch player. Save for one series Tavares has proven to be otherwise and has proved it once again this season. I'm not taking Tavares for granted I like him and want him to stay just like the next guy but he hasn't exactly risen to the occasion when needed multiple times.
- Cptmjl

Well you have said it, as many on here have Cpt, that our GM sucks and doesn't know how to take the next step nor surround his superstar with the supporting cast he needs. Hockey is a team sport and 1 guy can't do it all. There's a reason why mediocre players have come here and blossomed playing with JT. It's not just a coincidence.
As far as stepping up, in our only PO series win he basically did it on his own as far as I'm concerned.
For me JT is a great player and unfortunately if we lose him I think a lot of people will realize it but unfortunately to late.

Edit: A real NHL coach might make a bit of a difference as well.

Well John said (frank) cpt is right again and you commented on his post from what I remember. Listen it's a stupid debate it's water under the bridge but I don't understand how you just say "it never happened" when everything points to that NOT being the case besides staples new backpedaling tweet which is just par for the course for the guy.
- Cptmjl

I'll chime in here and I think it's a silly debate because truly no one but Snow Balls and Chia and maybe the people close to them what transpired on calls discussing Harmonic and maybe Hall.

So both of you go take a shat and slide in it

Messier had a great supporting cast but with that said messier was a superbly clutch player. Save for one series Tavares has proven to be otherwise and has proved it once again this season. I'm not taking Tavares for granted I like him and want him to stay just like the next guy but he hasn't exactly risen to the occasion when needed multiple times.
- Cptmjl

Exactly and Messier opened his mouth to get changes made and did not take mediocrity. Messier was not concerned with being a nice guy and put himself out there for criticism and he got results. Messier is an all time great player and it was a stupid comment to mention JT with Messier.

Well you have said it, as many on here have Cpt, that our GM sucks and doesn't know how to take the next step nor surround his superstar with the supporting cast he needs. Hockey is a team sport and 1 guy can't do it all. There's a reason why mediocre players have come here and blossomed playing with JT. It's not just a coincidence.
As far as stepping up, in our only PO series win he basically did it on his own as far as I'm concerned.
For me JT is a great player and unfortunately if we lose him I think a lot of people will realize it but unfortunately to late.
- nyisles7

Yeah agree but with that said it doesn't explain him completely disappearing having little to no impact in a game except for coughing up the puck for long stretches. You've seen it, I've seen it, we all have seen it. I find it funny people try to make believe that there's not long stretches he's actually more of a detriment than anything else out there like right now. This has been going on for months. That's not supposed to happen with "great players" and to me it happens far too often with Tavares. He's on a line playing with guy's he has put up points with. That's the supporting cast he was quoted as saying he wanted what's the excuse? Listen I want him signed but I will say he's overrated by just about every Islander fan IMO.

I think he can be better with a better supporting cast BUT I'm convinced you'll always see this side of him for long stretches and his failure to get up for big games save for that Florida series is a negative to me. He seems to fold more often than not for big games. I want him signed I love the guy but he has gotten a ton of chinks in his armor for a while now as far as I'm concerned.

Exactly and Messier opened his mouth to get changes made and did not take mediocrity. Messier was not concerned with being a nice guy and put himself out there for criticism and he got results. Messier is an all time great player and it was a stupid comment to mention JT with Messier.
- ses111

I probably hate messier more than anyone on here. I mean that I (frank)ing hated the guy he was a dirty (frank)img player
(frank)ing guy loved spearing players I remember him doing it multiple times to Malakhov in one game and got away with it. Refs just let him do whatever he wanted constantly drove me nuts.
With that said you can't even speak tavares's name in the same sentence as messier. Sorry messier is in a completely different stratosphere.

I probably hate messier more than anyone on here. I mean that I (frank)ing hated the guy he was a dirty (frank)img player
(frank)ing guy loved spearing players I remember him doing it multiple times to Malakhov in one game and got away with it. Refs just let him do whatever he wanted constantly drove me nuts.
With that said you can't even speak tavares's name in the same sentence as messier. Sorry messier is in a completely different stratosphere.
- Cptmjl

Messier will never be my favorite player sorry mdw, but the guy did everything very well and his leadership was off the charts. We can talk about his supporting cast, but does anyone think he would have put up with Cappy and Garth for years like JT? It's no comparison and I want JT to stay.. Does not change the facts JT is not close to being the same player as Messier.

The worst part of this whole JT saga thing is that the team is screwed either way. If he signs with the rangers or someone else, we lose credibility as a respected franchise, which pretty much has continued to happen year after year already. If he signs...............we are a joke overpaying a legless cripple who belongs in the sled hockey league. The only way this would have worked in the Isles favor was if he was traded for a kings ransom.
- islesrbettr

unless you're an accomplished former NHL player you should probably do us all a favor and shut the (frank) up, this guy is a star and while he may have slumps hes a ppg player in the post season (.92 22 points in 24 games) which is impressive as its a tighter game and harder to find time and space. this guy needs to stay just so this organization is semi respectable and can land other high end players. hes almost worth it for that alone cause if he could go anywhere but stays it speaks to other players

unless you're an accomplished former NHL player you should probably do us all a favor and shut the (frank) up, this guy is a star and while he may have slumps hes a ppg player in the post season (.92 22 points in 24 games) which is impressive as its a tighter game and harder to find time and space. this guy needs to stay just so this organization is semi respectable and can land other high end players. hes almost worth it for that alone cause if he could go anywhere but stays it speaks to other players
- Upstate_isles

So over paying JT will help to bring in other high end players that also need to make big dollars? Gotcha! Take off the blinders buddy! the guy does just as much bad as what he does good. he plays defense like a one legged mongoloid! the game has changed to it all being about speed and he has ZERO. They are not close to competing for real and they barely beat Florida which doesn't say much. He is obviously no leader because the team is so up and down. So if you cant lead and cant skate...........what the hell are you getting paid 10 mil or more a year for?

https://www.newsday.com/s...nders-capitals-1.17404597

unless you're an accomplished former NHL player you should probably do us all a favor and shut the (frank) up, this guy is a star and while he may have slumps hes a ppg player in the post season (.92 22 points in 24 games) which is impressive as its a tighter game and harder to find time and space. this guy needs to stay just so this organization is semi respectable and can land other high end players. hes almost worth it for that alone cause if he could go anywhere but stays it speaks to other players
- Upstate_isles

100%

I probably hate messier more than anyone on here. I mean that I (frank)ing hated the guy he was a dirty (frank)img player
(frank)ing guy loved spearing players I remember him doing it multiple times to Malakhov in one game and got away with it. Refs just let him do whatever he wanted constantly drove me nuts.
With that said you can't even speak tavares's name in the same sentence as messier. Sorry messier is in a completely different stratosphere.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, that was basically my point. I am a fan of JT. But Messier was probably one of the Top 5 2-way centers ever to lace them up. He was a vocal leader who guaranteed a victory in a playoff game when his team desperately needed a boost. Heck, he even dropped the gloves when the situation called for it. He won 6 Stanley Cups. I could go on and on.....

https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-capitals-1.17404597
- ses111

These guys need to stop with this bs. Where was this never die attitude a month or two ago? Tavares has been a huge part of this teams demise the last couple months whether anyone wants to admit it or not so he needs to keep his trap shut. Stop talking and start doing though it's too late this team is not making the playoffs. They had their chance and they mailed it in Tavares hugely included in that.

Yeah, that was basically my point. I am a fan of JT. But Messier was probably one of the Top 5 2-way centers ever to lace them up. He was a vocal leader who guaranteed a victory in a playoff game when his team desperately needed a boost. Heck, he even dropped the gloves when the situation called for it. He won 6 Stanley Cups. I could go on and on.....
- JohnScammo

Whether JT stays with the Isles or goes elsewhere, no amount of money will make him close to Messier. JT is a very good offensive player, but if you are looking for him to add leadership and lots of intangibles like Messier you will be disappointed. That's the point that blog missed.

Well Messier had a pretty dam good supporting cast around him in Edmonton and New York.

In NY he had a hell of a d man in Leach, a goal tender that was terrific in Richter to start. Give JT the assets around him like Messier had he would be a lot better and quite honestly he's a great Hockey player and you guys are taking him for granted.

The biggest disappointment unfortunately will be when he leaves The Islanders for nothing followed by the Rangers ( if he goes there ) kicking our ass with him in a couple years and being a true contender for the Stanley Cup while we wallow in mediocrity.
- nyisles7

Trust me, if Snow stays here they'll be kicking our ass without him too.

These guys need to stop with this bs. Where was this never die attitude a month or two ago? Tavares has been a huge part of this teams demise the last couple months whether anyone wants to admit it or not so he needs to keep his trap shut. Stop talking and start doing though it's too late this team is not making the playoffs. They had their chance and they mailed it in Tavares hugely included in that.
- Cptmjl

You are not wrong Cpt. This is not an example of great leadership to me.

Trust me, if Snow stays here they'll be kicking our ass without him too.
- PeteM

Sadly this is true.

So over paying JT will help to bring in other high end players that also need to make big dollars? Gotcha! Take off the blinders buddy! the guy does just as much bad as what he does good. he plays defense like a one legged mongoloid! the game has changed to it all being about speed and he has ZERO. They are not close to competing for real and they barely beat Florida which doesn't say much. He is obviously no leader because the team is so up and down. So if you cant lead and cant skate...........what the hell are you getting paid 10 mil or more a year for?
- islesrbettr

yea if the isles are good enough for him to stay then it must be a good place to play, also players respect him and want to play with a guy like him so yes staying is a good thing. also it wont be his contract that kills the isles it will be ladd boychuk casey and cal

100%
- Cptmjl

holy poop I fell off my chair

Yeah agree but with that said it doesn't explain him completely disappearing having little to no impact in a game except for coughing up the puck for long stretches. You've seen it, I've seen it, we all have seen it. I find it funny people try to make believe that there's not long stretches he's actually more of a detriment than anything else out there like right now. This has been going on for months. That's not supposed to happen with "great players" and to me it happens far too often with Tavares. He's on a line playing with guy's he has put up points with. That's the supporting cast he was quoted as saying he wanted what's the excuse? Listen I want him signed but I will say he's overrated by just about every Islander fan IMO.

I think he can be better with a better supporting cast BUT I'm convinced you'll always see this side of him for long stretches and his failure to get up for big games save for that Florida series is a negative to me. He seems to fold more often than not for big games. I want him signed I love the guy but he has gotten a ton of chinks in his armor for a while now as far as I'm concerned.
- Cptmjl

Fair.

But every player has highs and lows in a season. The key is the numbers at the end of the season for me and in the past 5 he has had great numbers and a couple of Hart Trophey considerations. He’s one of the top point producers in the league in the past 5 seasons as well.
As far as folding in big games, most teams know you take JT out of the game you win. He’s been pretty much on his own Island for his career here so far.

We agree to a certain point and leave it at that.

BTW were have you been the last week or so.

holy poop I fell off my chair
- Upstate_isles

So did I

So over paying JT will help to bring in other high end players that also need to make big dollars? Gotcha! Take off the blinders buddy! the guy does just as much bad as what he does good. he plays defense like a one legged mongoloid! the game has changed to it all being about speed and he has ZERO. They are not close to competing for real and they barely beat Florida which doesn't say much. He is obviously no leader because the team is so up and down. So if you cant lead and cant skate...........what the hell are you getting paid 10 mil or more a year for?
- islesrbettr

Stick to picking oranges

Fair.

But every player has highs and lows in a season. The key is the numbers at the end of the season for me and in the past 5 he has had great numbers and a couple of Hart Trophey considerations. He’s one of the top point producers in the league in the past 5 seasons as well.
As far as folding in big games, most teams know you take JT out of the game you win. He’s been pretty much on his own Island for his career here so far.

We agree to a certain point and leave it at that.

BTW were have you been the last week or so.
- nyisles7

Ovie and Kane are the only players woth more goals then jt in the last 6 years so there is that