I'd put Moulson in here as well, guys proved himself and for the amount of goals at his position you can't beat at his cap price. I also wouldn't like to move Martin, but pretty much everyone else... open season
- Killer' Carlson

agreed

If Strome isn't ready to step into the 2nd center spot, or shift to a top-6 wing, he should go back to Niagara. We won't know that until training camp, but no reason at all to dump him into the bottom 6, that kind of role isn't his skill-set so if he's not ready, which is fine by me, send him back to the Ice Dogs.
- eichiefs9

Unllike Nino.. he is on the small side. He could use the extra year to develop... lift weights..etc. I think the thought process with Nino is He would be better served getting used to the speed of the game up here and they could watch his conditioning and coach him closely..etc. I am not saying I agree with that one bit.. but that was their thought process..."he can't learn any more in juniors.." I don't think it was a wasted year, but it certainly wasn't a great idea for the kid's confidence.

playing devil's advocate there has been times where not having a guy under their nose ended up costing their prospect in developement. (usually this was in college... they were not happy with coach.. Okposo at Minn.. ness.. etc. )

What grit does PA bring. This team cannot go into this next season with the same top 6. They need more grit period. If Snow says he believes in this group one more time, im gonna lose it. It aint workin.

To me, this next draft will speak volumes. Im still mystified as to how this team feels winning at this point will help this team. Im not saying throw the games, but with 9 games to go, why not try different lines, or players. See what works, and then make decisions for next year. The way I see it, a top 3 pick has more value than a 5th or 6th overall...............spare me the playing hard till the end line, cause the fat lady is singing!!!
- kindlyrick

What grit to Okposo or Grabner bring? That's my point. PA actually engages physically while Okpso and Grabner run away from all contact usually. And PA produces

What grit to Okposo or Grabner bring? That's my point. PA actually engages physically while Okpso and Grabner run away from all contact usually. And PA produces
- Isles316

All three are soft..........so unless you trade the already signed contracts of Grabner and or Okposo, there is no need to add PA. If the isles could trade Grabner or Okposo, that would be different, but for now those are signed roster players.

What grit to Okposo or Grabner bring? That's my point. PA actually engages physically while Okpso and Grabner run away from all contact usually. And PA produces
- Isles316

For the record, Okposo is a third line winger, and Grabner is not the type of player that I like. Unfortunately the isles were so desperate to add scoring they picked him up.....for nothing.

And Boston does this why ???
- Killer' Carlson

never said they would...i said how does it sound.


btw-- sanchez trade might be nullfied

Looking at Nino's stats. Boy oh boy. You all should be pissed at management keeping him on the team rather than sending him back to junior.


They potentially ruined a prospect.
- jbold

Agreed. Hopefully he takes something away from the season, but he should have been in juniors this year.

Dont be ridiculous...........nowhere in what i said is Tavares on the same level as PA. Heck, one could even make the argument that PA has his pts from playing with Tavares. JT as im sure we all agree is the center piece..........Moulson contrary to what some may think is a perfect linemate for him. PA can score yes, but the line is missing that physical presence. For the money PA is going to get (and he will get 4+ shmill year) they cant pay him top money to not play top minutes. That top line needs a player to bang the boards, and play physical.

There are many problems with this team, but to make it a top priority to bring back a player who is one dimensional for top money, i say no thanks. To win in this league you need a certain mix. The isles are all finesse. PA is a finesse player, and with Grabner, Okposo, and whoever else signed for the next few years, you dont need another finesse player. The isles need to add grit, period. Grit is what wins in this league. Look at who is consistantly in cup contention...........all of those teams have those gritty power forwards.
- kindlyrick

Which is the reason I got a hard on when I heard that LA was thinking bout moving Dustin Brown.

I just think that if we go into next year with a top-six of:

Moulson-Tavares-PA
Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo

then we are simply asking for the same result, and anyone who would be shocked at being a lottery team again would probably keep reaching for the electrified piece of cheese as well. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed in one or two of those players, but have nothing against them. I like them all, but it's not a good mix for winning big games that matter. That much has been proven, I think. I believe at least three and possibly four players from the top-six should be replaced...either moved down to bottom-six roles, traded, or not re-signed.
- UIF

That top line was one of the best lines in the NHL this year. Our issue had a lot more to do with Back line then forwards. Priority number 1 is a top tier D-man plain and simple. The second and 3rd lines could CLEARLY use an upgrade and if they signed or traded for a top forward I would be ecstatic. That said I don't think if we signed a TOP D-man and let the kids play on our other 3 lines we would be far better than this year for a few reasons. The kids are getting older and better!! The other prospects would be fighting for spots.. depth better.. and I feel Ok and Grab had an off year and will bounce back.

Which is the reason I got a hard on when I heard that LA was thinking bout moving Dustin Brown.
- Killer' Carlson

Im the first one to crush Okposo for being the softest self proclaimed power forward there ever was............but get an aggressive coach in there and watch that change. Capuano was saying this year "its just not in some peoples make up to drop the gloves". SCREW THAT..........its the NHL. This isnt high school hockey. If you're a power forward, and you're built like football player, you need to be tough......bottom line. I say bring in a coach who will get in his face and make him play more physical.......i.e line up a guy, or drop the gloves when your linemate gets smashed. If that doesnt work..........see ya

Agreed. Hopefully he takes something away from the season, but he should have been in juniors this year.
- UIF

Hopeuflly he spends the summer working out with JT, Strome and Moulson.. certainly has done wonders for them

That top line was one of the best lines in the NHL this year. Our issue had a lot more to do with Back line then forwards. Priority number 1 is a top tier D-man plain and simple. The second and 3rd lines could CLEARLY use an upgrade and if they signed or traded for a top forward I would be ecstatic. That said I don't think if we signed a TOP D-man and let the kids play on our other 3 lines we would be far better than this year for a few reasons. The kids are getting older and better!! The other prospects would be fighting for spots.. depth better.. and I feel Ok and Grab had an off year and will bounce back.
- niteislander

27th in the league in goals/game. A top d-man with the same forwards will help, but not enough.

The kid isnt ruined..........he has the body of an 18 year old. You can see it clear as day. His first few steps are behind, because he's not developed yet physically. His skating and strength overall will improve. Dont sell Nino yet.......he's gonna be what they drafted, a power forward.
- kindlyrick

Dude, he has like 1 goal in 50 games.

It doesn't matter if he has a body of an 18 year old. You can ruin prospects on confidence alone.

They should of sent him back to junior where he had the time to develop properly into that body type of a power forward...

You can't develop that well in the NHL when you're not ready. And when you're thrown to the wolves like he has, it isn't good.

Dont be ridiculous...........nowhere in what i said is Tavares on the same level as PA. Heck, one could even make the argument that PA has his pts from playing with Tavares. JT as im sure we all agree is the center piece..........Moulson contrary to what some may think is a perfect linemate for him. PA can score yes, but the line is missing that physical presence. For the money PA is going to get (and he will get 4+ shmill year) they cant pay him top money to not play top minutes. That top line needs a player to bang the boards, and play physical.

There are many problems with this team, but to make it a top priority to bring back a player who is one dimensional for top money, i say no thanks. To win in this league you need a certain mix. The isles are all finesse. PA is a finesse player, and with Grabner, Okposo, and whoever else signed for the next few years, you dont need another finesse player. The isles need to add grit, period. Grit is what wins in this league. Look at who is consistantly in cup contention...........all of those teams have those gritty power forwards.
- kindlyrick

I never said that you said that about Tavares. My point was that if you say that we are finishing bottom 5 and then say "well why re-sign PA if he played and we still finished bottom 5", then you can say that about any single player on the team. He leads the team in assists (not to mention 6th in the entire league), is 2nd in points, and managed to be only a -2 on team that's almost exclusively minus players. We have what has proven to be an anemic offense, so dumping our 2nd/3rd most productive forward because he doesn't have all that much "grit" is a giant step backwards. He may not be the savior-solution, but he's so far from being the problem it's not even funny.

He also continued to produce points at a perfectly fine pace when he was bumped off the first line for Okposo.

That top line was one of the best lines in the NHL this year. Our issue had a lot more to do with Back line then forwards. Priority number 1 is a top tier D-man plain and simple. The second and 3rd lines could CLEARLY use an upgrade and if they signed or traded for a top forward I would be ecstatic. That said I don't think if we signed a TOP D-man and let the kids play on our other 3 lines we would be far better than this year for a few reasons. The kids are getting older and better!! The other prospects would be fighting for spots.. depth better.. and I feel Ok and Grab had an off year and will bounce back.
- niteislander

A blue chip defenseman is my #1 wish, but frankly our defense will be greatly improved if we just add 1-2 defensmen that aren't defensively inept. Barrett Jackman and Matt Carle are two guys that we may have somewhat of a shot at signing, should they not re-sign where they are, and would be tremendous upgrades over the heaping pile of crap that inhabits our blueline now.

Dude, he has like 1 goal in 50 games.

It doesn't matter if he has a body of an 18 year old. You can ruin prospects on confidence alone.

They should of sent him back to junior where he had the time to develop properly into that body type of a power forward...

You can't develop that well in the NHL when you're not ready. And when you're thrown to the wolves like he has, it isn't good.
- jbold

Hes been averaging like 8 min a game playing on the 4th line. The fact that he's playing on the 4th line says they arent looking for his production this season. Rather, trying to ease him into the show. Dont forget he made the draft by like a day or so, so he really should have been in juniors this year. You cant call an 18 year old a busy.......sorry

I never said that you said that about Tavares. My point was that if you say that we are finishing bottom 5 and then say "well why re-sign PA if he played and we still finished bottom 5", then you can say that about any single player on the team. He leads the team in assists (not to mention 6th in the entire league), is 2nd in points, and managed to be only a -2 on team that's almost exclusively minus players. We have what has proven to be an anemic offense, so dumping our 2nd/3rd most productive forward because he doesn't have all that much "grit" is a giant step backwards. He may not be the savior-solution, but he's so far from being the problem it's not even funny.

He also continued to produce points at a perfectly fine pace when he was bumped off the first line for Okposo.
- eichiefs9

Because the islanders already have the same type of players who are signed to contracts already. So unless they move someone, there is no reason to resign PA for what he is going to get. If you think he's a first line player, then by all means, your argument makes sense. But, to me, they arent winning and are in need of physical play. Call him the odd man out, but I dont think he fits on this team unless he is signed for a reasonable amount. IF, he was going to sign for a reasonable amount then yes, he'd be perfect for a 2nd line but he's going to test the waters, and he will get paid.

I never said that you said that about Tavares. My point was that if you say that we are finishing bottom 5 and then say "well why re-sign PA if he played and we still finished bottom 5", then you can say that about any single player on the team. He leads the team in assists (not to mention 6th in the entire league), is 2nd in points, and managed to be only a -2 on team that's almost exclusively minus players. We have what has proven to be an anemic offense, so dumping our 2nd/3rd most productive forward because he doesn't have all that much "grit" is a giant step backwards. He may not be the savior-solution, but he's so far from being the problem it's not even funny.

He also continued to produce points at a perfectly fine pace when he was bumped off the first line for Okposo.
- eichiefs9

Can we not throw stats around...........the bottom line is PA played with Tavares. When he was bumped off his line, he was still getting PP minutes. If offensive ability were all it took to win in this league then yeah, keep PA, but to me, he's not a first line player, and the isles are a team of 2nd liners who are ALREADY signed!

Hes been averaging like 8 min a game playing on the 4th line. The fact that he's playing on the 4th line says they arent looking for his production this season. Rather, trying to ease him into the show. Dont forget he made the draft by like a day or so, so he really should have been in juniors this year. You cant call an 18 year old a busy.......sorry
- kindlyrick

Thats worse...

Instead, he could be playing 20+ minutes a night in junior....

Looking at Nino's stats. Boy oh boy. You all should be pissed at management keeping him on the team rather than sending him back to junior.


They potentially ruined a prospect.
- jbold

Not really.

XxNYIxX

never said they would...i said how does it sound.


btw-- sanchez trade might be nullfied
- LetsGoIsles

Sanchez isnt being traded...

Tebow trade may be reversed due to money

XxNYIxX

I just think that if we go into next year with a top-six of:

Moulson-Tavares-PA
Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo

then we are simply asking for the same result, and anyone who would be shocked at being a lottery team again would probably keep reaching for the electrified piece of cheese as well. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed in one or two of those players, but have nothing against them. I like them all, but it's not a good mix for winning big games that matter. That much has been proven, I think. I believe at least three and possibly four players from the top-six should be replaced...either moved down to bottom-six roles, traded, or not re-signed.
- UIF

Once again your right on target UIF. Isles cannot go into next year with the same top 6. Snow needs to be active this offseason and change the mix. Good signing today with Nabby. Let Nilsson and Poulin fight it out for the backup spot. No Staios, Pandolfo, and Rolston moves this offseason please.

Thats worse...

Instead, he could be playing 20+ minutes a night in junior....
- jbold

The argument was not about playing in the NHL vs juniors. You said he's a bust, cause he's scored 1 goal.......I said I disagreed

The argument was not about playing in the NHL vs juniors. You said he's a bust, cause he's scored 1 goal.......I said I disagreed
- kindlyrick

I thought the argument was about juniors vs. NHL...

All three are soft..........so unless you trade the already signed contracts of Grabner and or Okposo, there is no need to add PA. If the isles could trade Grabner or Okposo, that would be different, but for now those are signed roster players.
- kindlyrick

I don't think P.A. is soft. I think he gives you more on that front than his size tells you he should. It's not like it's a lot but in a big game, I trust Parenteau to be more physically engaged and and into the game then Okposo and Grabner