So spot on... He had to eat crow on Giants as did Carton who said he would quit the show if they won the Super Bowl. He had to eat crow on Eli too. They were practically killing him for Daring to say he was in Tom Brady's category. They are 2 idiots.
- niteislander

Thanks...I just can't listen to them. I listened to the Tavares interview at the office. JT did a good job but they both are always goating their guests into saying something that a gust would regret later on. But they aren't different from any other radio/tv presentalities.

In no way to I want to re-hash the tremendous, day-long argument I stirred up here a few months ago, but I don't think it was the wrong decision to have him here this year. Crapping on a bunch of kids 3 years younger than you night-in night-out is useless. When you can just rely on your size over these kids to win puck battles you develop bad habits. There is, and always has been since we drafted him, an expectation of Nino to play a 2-way game. The fourth line is a fine place to learn the defensive side of the puck, while not feeling the pressure to rack up X amount of points. Power forwards take time, look at Martin. He's been slowly improving every year. As of now, I have no reason to think that Nino will be anything but fine going forward.

I totally understand the logic of how you, and I assume most, feel. I just think that we've all been spoiled by the learning curves of Tavares and Hamonic, and expect all rookies to step in right away and make a positive, noticeable impact. Bridgeport would have been the most ideal option, but that obviously wasn't one.
- eichiefs9

And again, I don't think he was dominating to the point where he was bored and had nothing left to learn. Strome dominated the OHL last year and this year far more than Nino dominated the WHL, and folks (me included) still want Strome to go back to juniors next year rather than go to the NHL, unless he really blows everyone's doors off at camp. I don't think we're spoiled by JT and Hamonic...our point is if he is going to be here, use him. Otherwise, send the kid back with explicit instructions on what he needs to work on.

I don't see that Nino has done a single thing yet. Whether you think he should have remained in juniors, or played with better linemates, all should probably agree that what he has done this year has been wrong, sit him in the press box for two straight games ]
Fixed.
- niteislander

Yes, we all know you blame everyone under the sun but Bailey for how he plays because he was rushed, but don't afford Nino the same courtesy

Yes, we all know you blame everyone under the sun but Bailey for how he plays because he was rushed, but don't afford Nino the same courtesy
- UIF

I am just having fun with you UIF. I don't blame Bailey for being rushed. I have just excepted that he is a good 2 way player and never going to score 30 goals. I still like him... (I am hoping that very soon I will hate him b/c we have guys out there Soooo much better on the ice, but as long as Pandolfo and Reasoner are still playing.. Bailey is not my biggest issue). Nino is a top 5 pick and I want to see him succeed. He needs to put the puck in the net. We have enough 3rd line players.. I was hoping Nino was a finisher (like Skinner who we passed on for Nino).

And again, I don't think he was dominating to the point where he was bored and had nothing left to learn. Strome dominated the OHL last year and this year far more than Nino dominated the WHL, and folks (me included) still want Strome to go back to juniors next year rather than go to the NHL, unless he really blows everyone's doors off at camp. I don't think we're spoiled by JT and Hamonic...our point is if he is going to be here, use him. Otherwise, send the kid back with explicit instructions on what he needs to work on.
- UIF

I want Strome on this team next year. And Lee, and Petrov, and Donovan, and DeHaan... oh yeah.. and Parise and Suter.

Cmon, this is not true at all. I've heard him break down the game lots of times. I guess cause he's a Ranger fan, you have a gripe with him? Carton is a blow hard however, he hates on hockey & is in general a MORON.
- B2B76

Carton sounds like he's one drink away from a full on slurred speech episode. He always sounds like he's on the cusp of slurring his words.

In no way to I want to re-hash the tremendous, day-long argument I stirred up here a few months ago, but I don't think it was the wrong decision to have him here this year. Crapping on a bunch of kids 3 years younger than you night-in night-out is useless. When you can just rely on your size over these kids to win puck battles you develop bad habits. There is, and always has been since we drafted him, an expectation of Nino to play a 2-way game. The fourth line is a fine place to learn the defensive side of the puck, while not feeling the pressure to rack up X amount of points. Power forwards take time, look at Martin. He's been slowly improving every year. As of now, I have no reason to think that Nino will be anything but fine going forward.

I totally understand the logic of how you, and I assume most, feel. I just think that we've all been spoiled by the learning curves of Tavares and Hamonic, and expect all rookies to step in right away and make a positive, noticeable impact. Bridgeport would have been the most ideal option, but that obviously wasn't one.
- eichiefs9

19 year old kids drafted in the top five of a draft don't get placed on NHL teams if they're not ready to play top nine munutes. No other team in hockey takes a 19 year old kid and instead of sending him back to JR to develop, puts him on the NHL roster to play 8 minutes a night with a revolving door of plugs all season. I don't want to hear about "paying dues" or his "defensive shortcomings". Nino was the same player in September that he is now. If he couldn't play "D" then, they should have sent him back to junior then, when he wouldn't have lost an entire year of development.

And again, I don't think he was dominating to the point where he was bored and had nothing left to learn. Strome dominated the OHL last year and this year far more than Nino dominated the WHL, and folks (me included) still want Strome to go back to juniors next year rather than go to the NHL, unless he really blows everyone's doors off at camp. I don't think we're spoiled by JT and Hamonic...our point is if he is going to be here, use him. Otherwise, send the kid back with explicit instructions on what he needs to work on.
- UIF

I didn't just mean dominated in terms of goals and assists. Nino had an NHL-ready frame as one of the youngest kids in the '10 draft. I get why you, and others feel that way, and I respect it. I just personally disagree. Definitely can't go through this debate again though, this dragged on for hours last time.

19 year old kids drafted in the top five of a draft don't get placed on NHL teams if they're not ready to play top nine munutes. No other team in hockey takes a 19 year old kid and instead of sending him back to JR to develop, puts him on the NHL roster to play 8 minutes a night with a revolving door of plugs all season. I don't want to hear about "paying dues" or his "defensive shortcomings". Nino was the same player in September that he is now. If he couldn't play "D" then, they should have sent him back to junior then, when he wouldn't have lost an entire year of development.
- Jethro09

Again, I'm not getting back into this. But Tyler Seguin played fourth line minutes and was scratched last season and in the playoffs.

Eh, I don't see that Nino has done a single thing wrong other than not be ready from a developmental standpoint yet. Whether you think he should have remained in juniors, or played with better linemates, all should probably agree that what has been done with him this year has been wrong, and it's even more wrong to just sit him in the press box for two straight games starting a day after the deadline to send him back down to juniors for a playoff push
- UIF

100% dead on.

I want Strome on this team next year. And Lee, and Petrov, and Donovan, and DeHaan... oh yeah.. and Parise and Suter.
- niteislander

I don't want any of them on the team if they're not ready. I don't want another Bailey/Nino situation, where a kid clearly not ready for the NHL is rushed because the team needs a cap hit or because the team feels it needs to justify a draft selection. Just because a kid "dominates" in JR doesn't mean he's ready to play in the NHL. There's a difference between the two. Sometimes, those who dominate junior are not ready for the NHL (see: Nietereiter, Nino). Another year of junior can't hurt even if the playeris "dominating".

19 year old kids drafted in the top five of a draft don't get placed on NHL teams if they're not ready to play top nine munutes. No other team in hockey takes a 19 year old kid and instead of sending him back to JR to develop, puts him on the NHL roster to play 8 minutes a night with a revolving door of plugs all season. I don't want to hear about "paying dues" or his "defensive shortcomings". Nino was the same player in September that he is now. If he couldn't play "D" then, they should have sent him back to junior then, when he wouldn't have lost an entire year of development.
- Jethro09

This is also very accurate.

I don't want any of them on the team if they're not ready. I don't want another Bailey/Nino situation, where a kid clearly not ready for the NHL is rushed because the team needs a cap hit or because the team feels it needs to justify a draft selection. Just because a kid "dominates" in JR doesn't mean he's ready to play in the NHL. There's a difference between the two. Sometimes, those who dominate junior are not ready for the NHL (see: Nietereiter, Nino). Another year of junior can't hurt even if the playeris "dominating".
- Jethro09

You bring up a good point about the cap hit. Niño has a 3 million dollar cap hit. They wouldn't have hit it without him.

Again, I'm not getting back into this. But Tyler Seguin played fourth line minutes and was scratched last season and in the playoffs.
- eichiefs9

What does that mean? That it did Nino good to sit on the bench and play with Wallace all year? Besides Seguin, who was the last 19 year old to be on an NHL team and sit on the bench for 52 minutes/game and skate on the fourth line when they actually got a shift? Every player is different. Obviously, Nino wasn't ready to take an NHL shift coming out of camp. Even before he was hurt, he did nothing. His defensive shortcomings couldn't have been an overnight development, one that the coaches didn't notice over training camp. And if they were, then the coaches should be ashamed of themselves.

Its painfully obvious that Nino was only put on the roster so the isles could use his salary to get to the floor. That's obvious from Nino's "abilities" or lack thereof. The kid needs serious development. There's more to being an NHL player than having a big body and "dominating" the WHL.

You bring up a good point about the cap hit. Niño has a 3 million dollar cap hit. They wouldn't have hit it without him.
- Isles316

Hence, the reason (and the wrong one at that) why Nino was an Islander this year.

Dee Karl: I Lied. New Post. Nilsson Recalled
Don't know when this happened, but it seems Al Montoya has an injury.
- Dee Karl

I'll be at buffalo wild wings too. Had plans to go there before I knew it was a party.

Reading that blog was like watching "Groundhog Day" but less humorous!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I thought it was just as funny

Josh Bailey scores on his own rebound for the first goal of the game. Looks like we'll be blowing the game in OT again

Josh Bailey scores on his own rebound for the first goal of the game. Looks like we'll be blowing the game in OT again
- eichiefs9

Wow bailey gets to play with 2 good players 2 games in a row, and whad'ya know he scores in both games

Wow bailey gets to play with 2 good players 2 games in a row, and whad'ya know he scores in both games
- kindlyrick

It's not much but it's something. I'll be impressed when he can string together 8-10+ good games.

What in god's name is the Flyers goal song? Holy crap that sounded like an audible abortion

What in god's name is the Flyers goal song? Holy crap that sounded like an audible abortion
- eichiefs9

Unfortunately we haven't heard the last of it.

Anyone else happy the Isles kept these stiffs? The players are really rewarding Snow.

Anyone else happy the Isles kept these stiffs? The players are really rewarding Snow.
- ses111

I am doing a happy dance!!!

I am doing a happy dance!!!
- kear20

The Jeff Carter trade did not work out but at least the Blue Jackets tried to improve. Snow and Wang's idea of improving is getting rid of Rolston and Mottau. Looks like Nabby has given up some softies. Figures he would go in the tank after the Isles kept him.