http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/323299-gms-growing-hostile-to-trade-deadline

I don't think PA is going anywhere, nor do I think he should right now. And as long as this team is still in some kind of chase for the playoffs, there's no chance Snow is going to move Nabokov. Unless this team takes a massive dump over the next 19 days, the thought is going to be that we have a shot to make the playoffs and they're going to ride the hot hand in goal. Fact is were 10 pts back from 8th place Ottawa with 4 games in hand. Do I have utter confidence were going to make it? No, but it's certainly not impossible.
- eichiefs9

Not to nitpick, but we're 9 points back. Even more possible lol

Or you can forget about Parise all together. He's not signing on Long Island. Not now. He'll be one of the most sought after UFA's in years. He's going to get offers from contenders. the Isles won't be able to offer Parise what other teams likely interested in him will be.
- Jethro09

No one ever said he was.

I'd like to never hear the names Parise and Suter on this board again. Neither will sign here.
- eichiefs9

I'm writing this down so when they shock the world and sign Suter, you can't run away from this comment.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/323299-gms-growing-hostile-to-trade-deadline

I don't think PA is going anywhere, nor do I think he should right now. And as long as this team is still in some kind of chase for the playoffs, there's no chance Snow is going to move Nabokov. Unless this team takes a massive dump over the next 19 days, the thought is going to be that we have a shot to make the playoffs and they're going to ride the hot hand in goal. Fact is were 10 pts back from 8th place Ottawa with 4 games in hand. Do I have utter confidence were going to make it? No, but it's certainly not impossible.
- eichiefs9

Not impossible but it is much more difficult in this 3 point game era to make up ground than in past years. Unless you go on a run and win 8 or 9 in a row making up 9 points is very very difficult. If you look at Devils or Isles last year they were on fire from January on and did not get anywhere. If they lose tomorrow they could be in last place again by the next time they take the ice. (this point system sux by the way.. did I mention that?)

Not to nitpick, but we're 9 points back. Even more possible lol
- isles10289

Looked at Toronto's points by accident

I'm writing this down so when they shock the world and sign Suter, you can't run away from this comment.
- isles10289

From your mouth..

I'm writing this down so when they shock the world and sign Suter, you can't run away from this comment.
- isles10289

Like I said to Balky, I will publicly and readily admit if I was wrong. I'd be far too happy to care that I was wrong

I just can't see how it'll happen.

to be fair, this list contains 23 names coming from 18 drafts. Yes, good players are selected in all rounds, including late ones. But the probability that a guy picked in a mid to late round making it and being a contributor is not high. The draft is a crap shoot.
- Jethro09

Thank you. He was trying to show how the odds of getting a player were not as bad as I made it seem, but he only confirmed what I said. I never said you can't get great players in the draft; I said that the odds are so against it.

They now have a logjam at center going forward. That is great for a team that needs other pieces. Now, moving Bailey and/or Nelson or others can be done to address the glaring need for d-men. Long-term, I see JT, Strome, Nielsen and Cizikas as the team's four centers, unless Brock Nelson does something to shake things up. Bailey is probably a goner now or will be once Strome and/or Cizikas are NHL ready.
- Jethro09

Brock is making quite a name for himself, lately and will grow into his big frame- making him the biggest center in the org. I think Cizikas will be the next Frans Neilsen, with more grit. I wouldn't expect Garth to let go of Brock before he makes the pros, but I don't think Frans' contract guarantees him a spot for the next 4 years. The Isles HAD to sign him now to keep him here until our other young centers are ready. Even still, it's a huge raise for Frans but still an attractive salary if he were to be offered in a package. I agree Bailey may be the one most vunerable to trade but I wouldn't give up on him just yet or be outraged if say, they tried to move him to wing, given the glut of centers we have in the pipeline.

Last year the 8th place team had 93 points. this year in my opinion nothing short of 94 gets in the playoffs. The Isles have 52 points with 30 games left. They need about 43 points to get in the playoffs.. That is not a lot of room for error.

No, they can't offer him more money. First, yes, they have the cap space to offer a boatload. But they have an owner who doesn't have the revenue stream to make a huge offer to anyone. So the space is there, but the cash isn't. Second, I think that the Isles are going to be real hesitant to offer a UFA forward more $$ than JT makes.

As far as the "great team" comment goes, hey, I'm a fan too. I love this team to death. But look at this team an organization objectively. "Great teams" don't finish in the bottom five of the league every year. "Great teams" don't miss the playoffs six out of seven seasons. And "great future"? Where exactly is that "great future" going to take place? Because right now, they don't have an arena deal in place after 2014-15 and there is no construction commencing on a new arena for them.

If you look at the Isles' situation objectively and you compare it to the rest of the league, I don't see how a 40-goal scorer, elite player would pass up playing on a contender to sign with the Isles.
- Jethro09

Wang has always been willing to offer the money to guys he wants. See: Christian Ehrhoff, Paul Martin, Dan Hamhuis, Ryan Smyth, Chris Drury, etc.

I saw on the web Matt Gilroy could be traded soon. Could be a good pickup...not expensive, having a pretty good year and he is a local boy...for a mid round pick I would do it...

I would strongly argue this point. If Nabby is moved he will go to a team that is desperate for a starting goaltender (Tampa, Chicago, etc.). The islanders have one thing going for them.. they guy they traded last year was a very big difference for Tampa in their playoff run. Then can easily refer to that trade. It is easily worth higher than second rounder. That said I really think he will sign an extension as will PA in the next coming weeks.
- niteislander

And how exactly is Tampa a buyer? They are behind us..

Not impossible but it is much more difficult in this 3 point game era to make up ground than in past years. Unless you go on a run and win 8 or 9 in a row making up 9 points is very very difficult. If you look at Devils or Isles last year they were on fire from January on and did not get anywhere. If they lose tomorrow they could be in last place again by the next time they take the ice. (this point system sux by the way.. did I mention that?)
- niteislander

And like I pointed to, I don't think that we're going to make it.

My point was that if we have a plausible reason to believe that we have some sort of realistic chance of making the playoffs, management would be ill-advised to send an already-soured fanbase the message that we're willing to trade a hot goalie. Especially one that gives us a chance, albeit a longshot, to make the playoffs.

I'm writing this down so when they shock the world and sign Suter, you can't run away from this comment.
- isles10289

I could see them signing Parise before Suter. Not saying they wouldn't try but I could see Parise accepting more than I could Suter. Only because of the slight tie to the franchise itself.

Like I said to Balky, I will publicly and readily admit if I was wrong. I'd be far too happy to care that I was wrong

I just can't see how it'll happen.
- eichiefs9

It'll happen if Wang gives Snow the green light, which he has many times, and Snow faxes a big offer to Suter at midnight on July 1, and can show Suter how Long Island is the place to be. Something along the lines of 7 years, $50M should get his attention. Time to show that Wang isn't holding Snow back.

Brock is making quite a name for himself, lately and will grow into his big frame- making him the biggest center in the org. I think Cizikas will be the next Frans Neilsen, with more grit. I wouldn't expect Garth to let go of Brock before he makes the pros, but I don't think Frans' contract guarantees him a spot for the next 4 years. The Isles HAD to sign him now to keep him here until our other young centers are ready. Even still, it's a huge raise for Frans but still an attractive salary if he were to be offered in a package. I agree Bailey may be the one most vunerable to trade but I wouldn't give up on him just yet or be outraged if say, they tried to move him to wing, given the glut of centers we have in the pipeline.
- jmo16

Again? How many times can the kid go back and forth? And for the record, he's been terrific lately. Keep him at third line center.

I saw on the web Matt Gilroy could be traded soon. Could be a good pickup...not expensive, having a pretty good year and he is a local boy...for a mid round pick I would do it...
- kear20

Matt Gilroy really sucks..

It'll happen if Wang gives Snow the green light, which he has many times, and Snow faxes a big offer to Suter at midnight on July 1, and can show Suter how Long Island is the place to be. Something along the lines of 7 years, $50M should get his attention. Time to show that Wang isn't holding Snow back.
- isles10289

IMO that's too much for Suter even though he is up with some of the better defenseman. I'd rather offer 2 good D-men just under Suter 3-4 each since we need that.

IMO that's too much for Suter even though he is up with some of the better sefenseman but I'd rather pay 2 good D-men just under Suter 3-4 each since we need that.
- BringBackBalky

We have tons of depth guys coming up the pipe. We need that one stalwart way more.

It'll happen if Wang gives Snow the green light, which he has many times, and Snow faxes a big offer to Suter at midnight on July 1, and can show Suter how Long Island is the place to be. Something along the lines of 7 years, $50M should get his attention. Time to show that Wang isn't holding Snow back.
- isles10289

I agree with most of the stuff you've said in this thread, I just don't see how that is any different than Ehrhoff or Paul Martin? We offered them both bigger contracts than they accepted.

Last year the 8th place team had 93 points. this year in my opinion nothing short of 94 gets in the playoffs. The Isles have 52 points with 30 games left. They need about 43 points to get in the playoffs.. That is not a lot of room for error.
- niteislander

Ottawa and Florida are falling off the face of earth. Why do you think it will take that many points? If the sens go ..500 the rest of the way they would have 87 points and Florida would have 89. The way they are both playing and the fact they aren't exactly teams with recent good track records, this is entirely possible. It could even be less.

I agree with most of the stuff you've said in this thread, I just don't see how that is any different than Ehrhoff or Paul Martin? We offered them both bigger contracts than they accepted.
- eichiefs9

That wasn't my point at all lol my point is that the money is there for an offer. Whether Suter accepts it or not is out of our control. My point was that the Islanders have the ability to make a competitive offer.

We have tons of depth guys coming up the pipe. We need that one stalwart way more.
- isles10289

We have unproven depth. I agree we need that big time guy but I just don't think Suter is worth 7+ a year even though we'd have to overpay to attempt to get him anyway.

I agree with most of the stuff you've said in this thread, I just don't see how that is any different than Ehrhoff or Paul Martin? We offered them both bigger contracts than they accepted.
- eichiefs9

Team is in a bit better light with Tavares signing long term as well as Frans. Also there are a lot more free agents this offseason so a couple of good ones might not have the options they have had in years past.