You just answered your own question as to why they won. They came to play which they haven't done more often than not this season and last, and the one before that and so on. Capuano had nothing to do with it unless he suddemly grew a pair of balls and kicked his team in the ass?
- Cptmjl

we will find out thursday. If they sleeping, it was just a one off.

is anyone saying Trade KO today? didnt think so.

KO is an islanders. Bailey, Hamonic and KO are 3 isles players with most upside still on this team.

Nino should not be on this team. playing on 4th line is just stupid. Rushing him to NHL like they did Bailey and they going to rush Strome next year as well.
- Spartiarti

1st let me say this, I'm not looking to start an argument and I realize KO is one of your favorites. Just chipping in my 2 cents on KO.

No. No one is calling for his head today but nothing has changed in my mind. If you can get someone back who can better help the Isles. Then Bye Bye KO.

Same can be said of anyone on the Isles. Except one. I wouldnt trade JT straight up for anyone at this point.
I'm not that impressed with KO that I couldnt be happy with someone else putting up better numbers for the Isles at KO's expense.

That being said. I realize everyone is happy that KO is starting to be productive. Myself included. But lets not put the cart before the horse. In the 23 games he's played since being benched he has an impressive 9 goals and a not so impressive 7 assists. Playing with the top two lines he should have more assists. If he were doing the things hes suppose to.
He has only two minor penalties in those 16 games. This tells me he isnt getting dirty enough for a player of his size and strength. Still not enough Jam in his game. And although he's improving. He's still a minus 7 over that span.

So. Is KO playing better? Yep. But truthfully PAP put up pretty good numbers playing with JT also. And he's still producing on the line that KO left. And didnt Grabner get most of his goals playing with JT and MM?

Pretty much anyone who plays with JT and MM at this point is going to see their numbers improve. I want to see KO battling in the corners and coming out with the puck more. I want to see him jamming the crease for more then a second or two. I want him to use his 205 + lbs to his advantage and fight the "D" men for real estate. I want to see him pick up more penalties of aggression. Doesnt have to be fighting. (we know he cant fight a lick) But Roughing, Cross checking, Slashing and the like will do. Kyle should be the physical presence on the top line. Take some of the yeomen work off JT's shoulders. JT is still doing most of the heavy lifting. MM is taking most of the beatings. And KO is reaping lots of the benefits.

KO is getting better but he's go a ways to go in his overall game.

That being said. He's still young and should improve in the areas I've mentioned in time. 20-25 goals for KO would be pretty respectable at this point. Adding 20-25 assists wouldnt hurt either.

Speaking of Doug Weight do you think he becomes the next coach while Rolston gets promoted to assistant coach next year?
- mighty13duck

Come on Ducky I just had dinner.

they're going to get crushed by Philly because they will get hit. Detroit barely touched anyone and allowed the Isles to skate. This team plays scared against the bigger teams.

Play nabby and write the game off. I'd be surprised if they lose by less than 2 goals.

they're going to get crushed by Philly because they will get hit. Detroit barely touched anyone and allowed the Isles to skate. This team plays scared against the bigger teams.

Play nabby and write the game off. I'd be surprised if they lose by less than 2 goals.
- Isles_since_6

The Isles beat a team they always beat yesterday. All problems are not magically cured. Let's see what they do against Philly.

we will find out thursday. If they sleeping, it was just a one off.
- Spartiarti

We're on a little high right now. It's been a long time coming. Flyers have hit a bit of a wall recently going only 5 wins and 6 loses in the last 11. If we are going to have any chance of beating them its NOW. I think we will. And its about time. Look for the letdown against Buffalo.

Speaking of Doug Weight do you think he becomes the next coach while Rolston gets promoted to assistant coach next year?
- mighty13duck

Pretty much can book it unless we get a new owner.

1st let me say this, I'm not looking to start an argument and I realize KO is one of your favorites. Just chipping in my 2 cents on KO.

No. No one is calling for his head today but nothing has changed in my mind. If you can get someone back who can better help the Isles. Then Bye Bye KO.

Same can be said of anyone on the Isles. Except one. I wouldnt trade JT straight up for anyone at this point.
I'm not that impressed with KO that I couldnt be happy with someone else putting up better numbers for the Isles at KO's expense.

That being said. I realize everyone is happy that KO is starting to be productive. Myself included. But lets not put the cart before the horse. In the 23 games he's played since being benched he has an impressive 9 goals and a not so impressive 7 assists. Playing with the top two lines he should have more assists. If he were doing the things hes suppose to.
He has only two minor penalties in those 16 games. This tells me he isnt getting dirty enough for a player of his size and strength. Still not enough Jam in his game. And although he's improving. He's still a minus 7 over that span.

So. Is KO playing better? Yep. But truthfully PAP put up pretty good numbers playing with JT also. And he's still producing on the line that KO left. And didnt Grabner get most of his goals playing with JT and MM?

Pretty much anyone who plays with JT and MM at this point is going to see their numbers improve. I want to see KO battling in the corners and coming out with the puck more. I want to see him jamming the crease for more then a second or two. I want him to use his 205 + lbs to his advantage and fight the "D" men for real estate. I want to see him pick up more penalties of aggression. Doesnt have to be fighting. (we know he cant fight a lick) But Roughing, Cross checking, Slashing and the like will do. Kyle should be the physical presence on the top line. Take some of the yeomen work off JT's shoulders. JT is still doing most of the heavy lifting. MM is taking most of the beatings. And KO is reaping lots of the benefits.

KO is getting better but he's go a ways to go in his overall game.

That being said. He's still young and should improve in the areas I've mentioned in time. 20-25 goals for KO would be pretty respectable at this point. Adding 20-25 assists wouldnt hurt either.
- SCLI

Could not agree more.

they're going to get crushed by Philly because they will get hit. Detroit barely touched anyone and allowed the Isles to skate. This team plays scared against the bigger teams.
- Isles_since_6

I don't think it's so much scared- they're just not big, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that most of them are still kids. When they're all 28 years old, they'll be a bit better able to handle the physical part of the game. That said, they NEED to get the guys who are somewhat tougher, like Martin and Ullstrom (when he returns), on the top lines. The combo of skill and toughness is pretty much necessary (think Gillies, with Bossy and Trottier), and I think that they'd get a lot more scoring from at least a couple of lines if they did that. They also MUST move Niederreiter up to line two- the kid can play, and it's pointless to have Rolston taking his ice time.

is anyone saying Trade KO today? didnt think so.

KO is an islanders. Bailey, Hamonic and KO are 3 isles players with most upside still on this team.

Nino should not be on this team. playing on 4th line is just stupid. Rushing him to NHL like they did Bailey and they going to rush Strome next year as well.
- Spartiarti

Strome and Nino are in a different class of skill than Bailey. Bailey was rushed, Nino has nothing left to prove in juniors, he scored at a near goal-a-game pace last year in the Dub. Assuming Strome played the same 65 games he did last year (which he obviously won't, b/c of staying with the Isles for a few weeks and World Jr's) he would be on pace for 68 goals and 144 points in 65 games.

we will find out thursday. If they sleeping, it was just a one off.
- Spartiarti

I hate to sound like the Debby Downer but what difference does it make? They play great for two or three games then suck for ten

Come on Ducky I just had dinner.
- SCLI

I was hoping he was kidding but it wouldn't shock me. That would be the straw that broke the camels back for me

We're on a little high right now. It's been a long time coming. Flyers have hit a bit of a wall recently going only 5 wins and 6 loses in the last 11. If we are going to have any chance of beating them its NOW. I think we will. And its about time. Look for the letdown against Buffalo.
- SCLI

Why would anyone be on a high honestly? They lost to two teams that are in the bottom of the standings and lost horribly to one of them. Even if they beat Philly what does it mean, we've all seen this show before.

Why would anyone be on a high honestly? They lost to two teams that are in the bottom of the standings and lost horribly to one of them. Even if they beat Philly what does it mean, we've all seen this show before.
- Cptmjl

Your right we've seen this show many times before. They beat a top team or win two or three in a row and the bottom falls out. This team currently constructed is going nowhere.

Come on Ducky I just had dinner.
- SCLI

Sorry. It just seems inevitable unfortunately.

The Astros have claimed OF Fernando Martinez off waivers, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
- LetsGoIsles

This post says it all about Islanders hockey!

I have not posted on here in a while as I am in grad school and have tons of work to do. However, to totally switch subjects from what everyone else has been talking about I just have one question:

Is anyone else as happy as me that as of tonight the Penguins are not in a playoff spot, have lost a ton of games recently, and are facing the same injury woes the Isles have had the last few seasons?

I must say even though we don't have much to brag about it feels pretty sweet to know that this has got to be humbling to the bandwagon Pens fans (even though they won't admit it). Maybe they will start to realize that without Crosby for an extended period of time and some other key injuries they have, they are not the greatest team in the world like their fans and homer commentators seem to think.

I would have a field day if the Pens happen to miss the playoffs this season. I also think it would be even more humbling to them if Crosby had to retire or was not the same player anymore because of the concussions. On a personal level I do not wish that on anyone. But from a hockey perspective maybe its what they need to hopefully stop them from being so arrogant about a team who sucked for way longer than the Isles before they won the cup in 09.

Thoughts?

Your right we've seen this show many times before. They beat a top team or win two or three in a row and the bottom falls out. This team currently constructed is going nowhere.
- ses111

We are beating the Flyers... we are due. (Would love to see Poulin do it)

XxNYIxX

I have not posted on here in a while as I am in grad school and have tons of work to do. However, to totally switch subjects from what everyone else has been talking about I just have one question:

Is anyone else as happy as me that as of tonight the Penguins are not in a playoff spot, have lost a ton of games recently, and are facing the same injury woes the Isles have had the last few seasons?

I must say even though we don't have much to brag about it feels pretty sweet to know that this has got to be humbling to the bandwagon Pens fans (even though they won't admit it). Maybe they will start to realize that without Crosby for an extended period of time and some other key injuries they have, they are not the greatest team in the world like their fans and homer commentators seem to think.

I would have a field day if the Pens happen to miss the playoffs this season. I also think it would be even more humbling to them if Crosby had to retire or was not the same player anymore because of the concussions. On a personal level I do not wish that on anyone. But from a hockey perspective maybe its what they need to hopefully stop them from being so arrogant about a team who sucked for way longer than the Isles before they won the cup in 09.

Thoughts?
- litlchuck55

Personally... i would rather beat a healthy Pens team then to see them crumble due to an injury to the worlds best player. Id love to see him get his head together & dominate the NHL for years to come... I want to beat THAT team.

XxNYIxX

half the team looks like that in their own end. When an opposing team starts to cycle it looks like the isles haven't been coached to defend it and they get lost or leave people wide open. It's hardly just a problem with Nino.
he also can't go to portland. It was either here or back to juniors. If he's here, he should be playing at least on the top three lines, otherwise why waste a year of his development playing with plugs? I'm sure it's not making him more confident or allowing him to be creative with the puck by playing 8 minutes a game with a couple of statues.
- Isles_since_6

I disagree he is by far the worst defensive player the islanders have and that is saying something . Portland was his junior team. He should be there.

far from backtracking-- i dont particularly care for the guy....

what my comment had to do with the parenteau discussion is that talking about how much other guys suck isnt much of a conversation--- talking about something more people may disagree with at least gets the wheels turning in this blog.

again, i wholeheartedly stand by not caring for PAP-- having said that, is he my #1 problem? hell no....just saying i dont care for the guy- i dont think he is a legit NHL player. hes taking advantage of the time he is given--

kasper, your thinking that he was a ranger is retarded-- makes absolutely no difference to me
- LetsGoIsles

He is taking advantage of the ice time he has been given. Isn't that what we hope the entire team does? Pap is a legit 2ndtier playmaker and I would hope that the fact he is taking advantage of his ice time is a good thing. You make it sound like anyone would have 30something points given the same ice time.

I hate to sound like the Debby Downer but what difference does it make? They play great for two or three games then suck for ten
- Cptmjl

That's not correct. We are and equal parts sucky team. Win 2 lose 2. .500 hockey is good and all but our annual big losing streak takes us out of contention.

Cappy is not capable of coaching this team to playoffs. He couldn't get an ahl team there.

That's not correct. We are and equal parts sucky team. Win 2 lose 2. .500 hockey is good and all but our annual big losing streak takes us out of contention.

Cappy is not capable of coaching this team to playoffs. He couldn't get an ahl team there.
- Spartiarti

Well, in fairness, we did nothing for two years but raid said AHL team for players. It's hard to win consistently when you're sporting a different squad every night. That said, AT THIS LEVEL, I agree- we need a coach who instills a little bit more fear than this one does, IMHO.

One win is not going to make me stop the Venom. What are you talking about Dee?? It is one win that is all. Once this team wins like 5 or 6 in a row then the Venom will stop. One win does not change all the rpoblems this team still has. It is games like this that make Wang and Snow and sit there and say see I told you so we dont need to do anything we can beat anyone.

On a side note another reason why JAck should not be coaching in the NHL. Who the hell takes a time out with 20 seconds left up 5 - 1? If I was Babcock I would have went after JAck and gave him a beat down. That is so Bush League in my book and you want to know why we dont get respected. Look at our clueless coach.

See Dee still plenty of Venom and more to come after Philly comes in here and beats us yet once again, and I guarentee you Nabby is in net as well
- kasperrko

Good morning. I asked around and Jack took the time out because the players were tired and he didn't want them getting hurt. That was the answer I got and I'm fine with it.
and yes... there's always plenty of venom -- win or lose.

That's not correct. We are and equal parts sucky team. Win 2 lose 2. .500 hockey is good and all but our annual big losing streak takes us out of contention.

Cappy is not capable of coaching this team to playoffs. He couldn't get an ahl team there.
- Spartiarti

.500 is good? You generally need...I forget the exact number, is it 92 points to get into the playoffs? .500 doesn't get it done.