very true!

if they make the playoffs then hell prob cash in the most that way....i just cant convince myself that there is a realistic chance itll happen, not with this defense, barring a major trade or 2.

(DONT READ INTO THAT, im not gonna stop rooting for them, i dont hate them, i WANT to be wrong)
- LetsGoIsles

I mean, yeah, that's the biggest issue. They were weak on D before Hamonic went down for two weeks. I wouldn't mind swapping a mid round pick for Andy Sutton, or just getting someone to fill the spot until he's back, and when he gets back, we add to the third pairing.

You're being an A-hole not because of what you're saying, but how you're saying it to people. Stop being a jerk. You asked me "who the F are you" when I QUOTED FRANS NIELSEN about him loving it here. In my book, that's a big A-hole. Yes, I want the top 6 to stay the same next year. Tavares-Moulson-Okposo has been one of the best lines in hockey (go look it up). Tavares and Okposo are only getting better, and Moulson is as consistent as they come, with three straight 30 goal seasons on the horizon. As for the second line, Nielsen is good but better suited on a third line, but Grabner and Parenteau are totally suitable second line wingers. Grabs has 34 goals last year and is on pace for a respectable 25 this year, while PA is 5th in the NHL in assists (playing a lot of the year not with JT). They could use a second line center in a perfect world, but there's no one out there in free agency I want, and Strome is going be 19 and not ready to be that type of center next year. And I don't want to trade Chara and Spezza for an overpaid underachiever again. I want to take this rebuild slow and do it right. Keep the kids. Pay for a defenseman like Suter. I'd go as far as offering him 7 years, $50M at midnight on July 1st.
- isles10289

dont get me wrong....im a HUGE supporter of the top line as anyone hear knows i was extra vocal (prob comes as no surprise) with dropping PA down and bringing KO up...i love the top line....having said that, moves have to be made moving forward in order to get MORE production.

JT, ko, MM, MG, FN, PA, MM, NN......the question still remains, where do you expect to be with the EXACT team?

the only way i can conceivably imagine its the same guys as mentioned is if they sign TWO top line defenseman....i still think they need more grit and physicality at forward though....id kiss pap and grabner goodbye, see what they get you and get a big talent body in here via trade or FA

Maybe you persuaded him!
- isles10289

Maybe...

About Nabby... we have 10 games before the trade deadline, 2 against Ottawa... plus we have 4 games on hand.


If we can move closer to the eight spot... then keep him and fight for it.

If we are out of it... then trade him... but I can't see us getting more than a 2nd or 3rd rounder for him.

Remember... He didn't cost anything to pick up.

Be really nice if Nabby decides to stay for another year or 2...he is absolutely the best goalie we've had since Billy Smith...great job Nabs, truly great job.
- bhockey47

an argument could be made here...

XxNYIxX

Breathe. Take a few deep breaths. Alright. I'm nobody; go read any article about it and listen to it FROM FRANS'S MOUTH. Anytime he's been asked, he's said "I love Long Island and want to stay there." As for the term, I'm speculating. He could have gotten more than $3M per year on the open market, and gave the Islanders a hometown discount. Perhaps he took less money for more years. Take it easy, lunatic.
- isles10289

I gotta agree with you 100%

XxNYIxX

Haven't seen anyone here, and especially not me, say he's not a good player.
- UIF

All i have read the past 2 weeks is how we should trade him, because we have "better" players in the pipeline to replace him.... well no we shouldnt trade him & no we dont have better defensive forwards in the pipeline then Franz.

XxNYIxX

All i have read the past 2 weeks is how we should trade him, because we have "better" players in the pipeline to replace him.... well no we shouldnt trade him & no we dont have better defensive forwards in the pipeline then Franz.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

id make a slight correction....all youve interpreted is that "we should trade him, because we have "better" players in the pipeline to replace him".....whats actually been said is that he currently has value therefore you sacrifice what he brings to the team now (again, up for discussion) with what he will bring back AND what his "replacement" brings to the team.

lets also not just assume that just because he was signed A) legitimizes him as a player B) gets him out of ever being traded....

dont get me wrong....im a HUGE supporter of the top line as anyone hear knows i was extra vocal (prob comes as no surprise) with dropping PA down and bringing KO up...i love the top line....having said that, moves have to be made moving forward in order to get MORE production.

JT, ko, MM, MG, FN, PA, MM, NN......the question still remains, where do you expect to be with the EXACT team?

the only way i can conceivably imagine its the same guys as mentioned is if they sign TWO top line defenseman....i still think they need more grit and physicality at forward though....id kiss pap and grabner goodbye, see what they get you and get a big talent body in here via trade or FA
- LetsGoIsles

PA is a UFA so he wouldn't get us anything, and I'd be careful about letting him go because he won't be so easy to replace. He's a guy who has been successful on multiple different lines, and in a lot of situations, and is 5th in the league in assists. I would definitely look into re-signing him. Grabner would be an interesting trade guy, but again, he's a young kid who has already had a 30 goal season in this league and is the fastest guy out there, all the while wanting to be here and signing up for 5 more years. Even if these guys eventually settle on a third line, they are good contributors. With Grabs though, if a team is willing to overpay for him, you obvs. have to listen. I think, in a perfect world, within the next 5 years the Islanders hope to see:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Niederrieter (the speed of Grabs and Strome could be sick)
Martin-Bailey-[open]
Cizikas-Nielsen-[open]

with Rahkshani, Ullstrom, Lee, Nelson, DiBenedetto, Free agents, etc. competing for those last two wing spots. That's a real solid offense.

PA is a UFA so he wouldn't get us anything, and I'd be careful about letting him go because he won't be so easy to replace. He's a guy who has been successful on multiple different lines, and in a lot of situations, and is 5th in the league in assists. I would definitely look into re-signing him. Grabner would be an interesting trade guy, but again, he's a young kid who has already had a 30 goal season in this league and is the fastest guy out there, all the while wanting to be here and signing up for 5 more years. Even if these guys eventually settle on a third line, they are good contributors. With Grabs though, if a team is willing to overpay for him, you obvs. have to listen. I think, in a perfect world, within the next 5 years the Islanders hope to see:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Niederrieter (the speed of Grabs and Strome could be sick)
Martin-Bailey-
- isles10289[open]
Cizikas-Nielsen-[open]

with Rahkshani, Ullstrom, Lee, Nelson, DiBenedetto, Free agents, etc. competing for those last two wing spots. That's a real solid offense.

i have a very hard time predicting future years lines but as far as core guys. id keep the top line, strome, nino and would love to hold onto martin....as for everyone else, id obviously give them a shot but i HOPE all the guys you listed wont be with the organization in a few years....sounds like a lot of (potentially) wasted talent competing for a spot....

All i have read the past 2 weeks is how we should trade him, because we have "better" players in the pipeline to replace him.... well no we shouldnt trade him & no we dont have better defensive forwards in the pipeline then Franz.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Whoa...not so. When we were talking about trades I said we should see what we can get for him because he is one of the few players on team that is an upcoming FA and that has any value whatsoever. PA too. In fact I specifically stated more than once during those conversations that if all that's offered is a draft pick or prospect then they should bring both players back. I also said the second line could use a different mix...that Grabner-Nielsen-PA is a line that's good off the rush, but useless when it comes to battling for pucks in the corner.

I find it funny that people want their top-four d-man or physical winger that can score, but all they're willing to dangle out there is Reasoner, Rolston and Eaton. Not gonna get it done. People want bigger bodies and some more skill, and they say no FAs will sign here, but they are completely unwilling to give up any player on the team that can still play the game of hockey...

id make a slight correction....all youve interpreted is that "we should trade him, because we have "better" players in the pipeline to replace him".....whats actually been said is that he currently has value therefore you sacrifice what he brings to the team now (again, up for discussion) with what he will bring back AND what his "replacement" brings to the team.

lets also not just assume that just because he was signed A) legitimizes him as a player B) gets him out of ever being traded....
- LetsGoIsles

Interpreted??? no.. its what has been SAID

A) I never said him being signed Legitimizes him.. his play has done that since the day he pulled on that Islander Jersey
B) I know he can be traded & l8ike I have said a million times, ill trade JT if it makes the team better.

XxNYIxX

Whoa...not so. When we were talking about trades I said we should see what we can get for him because he is one of the few players on team that is an upcoming FA and that has any value whatsoever. PA too. In fact I specifically stated more than once during those conversations that if all that's offered is a draft pick or prospect then they should bring both players back. I also said the second line could use a different mix...that Grabner-Nielsen-PA is a line that's good off the rush, but useless when it comes to batting for pucks in the corner.

I find it funny that people want their top-four d-man or physical winger that can score, but all they're willing to dangle out there is Reasoner, Rolston and Eaton. Not gonna get it done. People want bigger bodies and some more skill, and they say no FAs will sign here, but they are completely unwilling to give up any player on the team that can still play the game of hockey...
- UIF

But you arent the only one posting here.

I agree everyone whats their cake and they want to save it & eat it & they dont want it to cost anything.
I DONT want us to trade for a top 4 d-men.. i DONT want us to trade for a top line winger... if it would happen.. awesome.. but i want to stay the damn course.


XxNYIxX

i have a very hard time predicting future years lines but as far as core guys. id keep the top line, strome, nino and would love to hold onto martin....as for everyone else, id obviously give them a shot but i HOPE all the guys you listed wont be with the organization in a few years....sounds like a lot of (potentially) wasted talent competing for a spot....
- LetsGoIsles

That's true, but we're hoping those guys can develop into solid third or fourth liners. I think the top 6, at least in Garth's mind, is JT, Moulson, KO, Grabs, Strome, and Nino. Again, if there was room for a big time free agent, that would be great, but I think management imagines those 6 as their long-term top 6.

PA is a UFA so he wouldn't get us anything, and I'd be careful about letting him go because he won't be so easy to replace. He's a guy who has been successful on multiple different lines, and in a lot of situations, and is 5th in the league in assists. I would definitely look into re-signing him. Grabner would be an interesting trade guy, but again, he's a young kid who has already had a 30 goal season in this league and is the fastest guy out there, all the while wanting to be here and signing up for 5 more years. Even if these guys eventually settle on a third line, they are good contributors. With Grabs though, if a team is willing to overpay for him, you obvs. have to listen. I think, in a perfect world, within the next 5 years the Islanders hope to see:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Niederrieter (the speed of Grabs and Strome could be sick)
Martin-Bailey-
- isles10289[open]
Cizikas-Nielsen-[open]

with Rahkshani, Ullstrom, Lee, Nelson, DiBenedetto, Free agents, etc. competing for those last two wing spots. That's a real solid offense.

How about this? Sign Parise (if we can, of course) put him on the second line, move Grabner to the 3rd line, trade Bailey, move Nielsen to the 3rd line, Cizikas centers the 4th line...........fill in the rest. Okay LetsGoIsles, rip me a new a-hole.

How about this? Sign Parise (if we can, of course) put him on the second line, move Grabner to the 3rd line, trade Bailey, move Nielsen to the 3rd line, Cizikas centers the 4th line...........fill in the rest. Okay LetsGoIsles, rip me a new a-hole.
- BringBackBalky

Even if Parise signed here, I think he'd go with JT. I don't want to just trade Bailey either. Obviously, if I could trade him for Parise, I would, but I'm a Bailey fan.

Even if Parise signed here, I think he'd go with JT. I don't want to just trade Bailey either. Obviously, if I could trade him for Parise, I would, but I'm a Bailey fan.
- isles10289

JT & Parise would be a "waste" together on the same line. Need to spread the offense out. My only reason for trading Bailey is because he'd be down on the 4th line if I had the lines that way. I don't dislike him but he almost has no role.

If the isles can not sign PA and/or Nabby to an extension before the deadline they should move them.. period. That goes for all the others too including Jurcina. extension or see ya.

If the isles can not sign PA and/or Nabby to an extension before the deadline they should move them.. period. That goes for all the others too including Jurcina. extension or see ya.
- niteislander

No. Not period. This season still counts buddy. Besides, a lot of players don't like to talk extensions midseason.

JT & Parise would be a "waste" together on the same line. Need to spread the offense out. My only reason for trading Bailey is because he'd be down on the 4th line if I had the lines that way. I don't dislike him but he almost has no role.
- BringBackBalky

Or you could put JT and Parise together and make one of the best duos in the NHL.

Or you could put JT and Parise together and make one of the best duos in the NHL.
- isles10289

But then we go back to the one line scoring again.

No. Not period. This season still counts buddy. Besides, a lot of players don't like to talk extensions midseason.
- isles10289

OH SNAP!! did you just "Buddy" me? not cool man.. totally not cool. Next thing you know I will get a "hey pal" and then it's go time.

In all seriousness the Islanders can not afford to let anything of value go to waste. "Get them to sign on the line which is dotted".. or ship em for whatever you can get. Ask the Mets if it was worth it to keep Reyes.. in the long run get something of value. I don't care if they end up with 4 friggin second round picks in this years draft.. I want something!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI 3 minute mark... you hear me u ...

OH SNAP!! did you just "Buddy" me? not cool man.. totally not cool. Next thing you know I will get a "hey pal" and then it's go time.

In all seriousness the Islanders can not afford to let anything of value go to waste. "Get them to sign on the line which is dotted".. or ship em for whatever you can get. Ask the Mets if it was worth it to keep Reyes.. in the long run get something of value. I don't care if they end up with 4 friggin second round picks in this years draft.. I want something!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI 3 minute mark... you hear me u ...
- niteislander

Difference between Reyes and Nabokov: the Islanders will get a third rounder who will most likely become nothing for Nabokov, while the Mets could have had 2 or 3 top prospects for Reyes.

OH SNAP!! did you just "Buddy" me? not cool man.. totally not cool. Next thing you know I will get a "hey pal" and then it's go time.

In all seriousness the Islanders can not afford to let anything of value go to waste. "Get them to sign on the line which is dotted".. or ship em for whatever you can get. Ask the Mets if it was worth it to keep Reyes.. in the long run get something of value. I don't care if they end up with 4 friggin second round picks in this years draft.. I want something!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI 3 minute mark... you hear me u ...
- niteislander

Love the video though lol

PA is a UFA so he wouldn't get us anything, and I'd be careful about letting him go because he won't be so easy to replace. He's a guy who has been successful on multiple different lines, and in a lot of situations, and is 5th in the league in assists. I would definitely look into re-signing him. Grabner would be an interesting trade guy, but again, he's a young kid who has already had a 30 goal season in this league and is the fastest guy out there, all the while wanting to be here and signing up for 5 more years. Even if these guys eventually settle on a third line, they are good contributors. With Grabs though, if a team is willing to overpay for him, you obvs. have to listen. I think, in a perfect world, within the next 5 years the Islanders hope to see:

Moulson-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Niederrieter (the speed of Grabs and Strome could be sick)
Martin-Bailey-
- isles10289[open]
Cizikas-Nielsen-[open]

with Rahkshani, Ullstrom, Lee, Nelson, DiBenedetto, Free agents, etc. competing for those last two wing spots. That's a real solid offense.

It is???

Difference between Reyes and Nabokov: the Islanders will get a third rounder who will most likely become nothing for Nabokov, while the Mets could have had 2 or 3 top prospects for Reyes.
- isles10289

why will a third rounder most likely become nothing??

patrick sharp, Tomas Plekanec, Gregory Campbell, Frans Nielsen, Clarke MacArthur, Brandon Prust, Alexander Edler, Johan Franzen, Kristopher Letang, Brad Marchand, Cal Clutterbuck, Adam Henrique were all picked in 3rd round...

some other notables:

Jonathan Ericsson (9th round, 291st overall in 2002)
Patric Hornqvist (7th round, 230th overall in 2005)
Shea Weber (2nd round, 49th overall in 2003)
Henrik Lundqvist (7th round, 205th overall in 2000)
Martin Gerber (232nd overall in 2001)
Henrik Zetterberg (210th overall in 1999)
Tomas Kaberle (204th overall in 1996)
Tomas Vokoun (9th round, 225th overall in 1994)

Mark Streit (9th round, 262nd overall in 2004)
Travis Hamonic (2nd round, 53rd overall in 2008)
EVGENI NABAKOV (9th round, 219th overall in 1994)