Reminds me of someone else on this team NIno comes to mind
- kasperrko

I agree with that.. I am still hopeful that Nino will become the Massive Power forward we hoped for when drafted. He certainly has the size. He has the speed and the skill level. He looks like he is willing to crash the net. He is only 19 years old... etc. My only concern with him is he seems to not have a finishers Touch. I have yet to see him make a move or take a shot and think.. "wow". That does not mean he will not be a beast in 2 years... It was just something I was hoping to see eventually and still might.

Its more of a box step if you look at it closely!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

i dont get it....

"I don't even think there's a GM in the League that wouldn't take Zack over PA for $2.5 more, so as I originally stated... Why even bring it up?"

you first sentence answers your second sentence. i brought it up because you dont THINK there is a GM that wouldnt take ZP over PA even having to pay more for ZP.

personally, i agree. its a non-issue but i do know there are people out there who have a hardon for PAP (i personally dont care for the guy and wouldnt pay him more than 3.5) and would sign him over ZP if the numbers are skewed enough
- LetsGoIsles

why not both... PAP has grown on me but I am still not in love with the guy.

We have done this before... .comparing Bailey who is 90% of the time the first guy backchecking in his own Zone to Blake Comeau makes Zero sense. Blake and Bailey could not be more different. Blake NEVER went to the front of the net.. ever.. He Never backchecked.. ever .. You guys HATE Bailey.. I get it. It is stupid.. but I get it. He is a good hockey player. He back checks, he is a very good penalty killer, he has very good vision, and has shown signs that he can put the puck in the net when given the oportunity. .. and oh yeah.. he is 22 years old.
- niteislander

No need to get defensive...I didn't even mention Bailey once in my post, let alone compare him directly to Comeau. The entire point of my post was on the mentality of me as a fan, and my thoughts on the team as a whole based on what appears to be yet another meaningless hot streak that can lead to false expectations for next year. Also I was saying how much (or little) stock I will put in stat lines at the end of this year based on what happened last year. It wasn't only Comeau, but Grabner too that put up deceiving numbers. I used Comeau as an example since I was one of his biggest defenders, and I was pointing out that I was wrong about that. If you took that as a personal attack on Bailey, then frankly the entire post sailed way over your head.

We have done this before... .comparing Bailey who is 90% of the time the first guy backchecking in his own Zone to Blake Comeau makes Zero sense. Blake and Bailey could not be more different. Blake NEVER went to the front of the net.. ever.. He Never backchecked.. ever .. You guys HATE Bailey.. I get it. It is stupid.. but I get it. He is a good hockey player. He back checks, he is a very good penalty killer, he has very good vision, and has shown signs that he can put the puck in the net when given the oportunity. .. and oh yeah.. he is 22 years old.
- niteislander

However, since you brought him up, I think the defenders need to stop severely overreacting to any criticism of the guy. if you read back over everything I (and quite a few others) have written about him over the season, you won't see any post of mine that says "I hate Bailey." But when people start writing epic poems about him whenever he does something good after going pointless for an entire month, I point that out, and back it up with the actual numbers showing how little he had done in the weeks prior.

In fact, I'm sure I and others many times have written similar versions of the above paragraph explaining that we don't hate Bailey but he has to start delivering in a consistent way sooner rather than later. It's kind of crazy having to clarify the difference between "hating him" and expecting more every time this topic comes up. I wrote plenty of good things about Bailey and Martin playing well together even when he was not putting up any points during that time, as well as saying I'm fine with having Bailey on the team next year because he'd be an asset if he does finally put it together, and if he doesn't, at worst he'll be a good defensive forward/penalty killer. Those posts are ignored or forgotten though and I'm told I hate him because I'm being realistic about what he's actually done up to now in his career and how far he has to go to become a complete, consistent hockey player. No, I'm not ready to put him in as a second-line winger with permanent marker just yet based on a couple of nice weeks at the end of the year any more than I am ready to put Okposo there. Both still have plenty to prove. I don't "hate" Okposo either, for the record.

No need to get defensive...I didn't even mention Bailey once in my post, let alone compare him directly to Comeau. The entire point of my post was on the mentality of me as a fan, and my thoughts on the team as a whole based on what appears to be yet another meaningless hot streak that can lead to false expectations for next year. Also I was saying how much (or little) stock I will put in stat lines at the end of this year based on what happened last year. It wasn't only Comeau, but Grabner too that put up deceiving numbers. I used Comeau as an example since I was one of his biggest defenders, and I was pointing out that I was wrong about that. If you took that as a personal attack on Bailey, then frankly the entire post sailed way over your head.
- UIF

one thing about comments on these boards is trying to figure out the emotion behind them... I wasn't really getting defensive, upset, annoyed, or anything really. Just making my point b/c I am bored out of my skull at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi5NDFyIl6s This will be me on Monday though after I win 650 mill.

i don't think anyone ANYONE defends snow on here...my point is and i'll say it until i'm blue in the face...i fully believe snow has been not been given the "blank check" that he claims wang gives him. I fully beleive that wang has this entire organization on a show string budget until the arena mess is decided...and that means no money will be spent on this team
- NYI78

i support snow...i think for the rope (or lack thereof) he is given to work things out by wang, hes done a pretty good job. other than not trading nabokov and pa, i agree with just about everything he has done.

ill admit NOW that nabokov is signed that its not a big deal BUT (unless he somehow knew nabokov was going to sign) at the time, keeping nabby was not the right move.

as for pa, i stand strong on that, he should have been sent packing.

one thing about comments on these boards is trying to figure out the emotion behind them... I wasn't really getting defensive, upset, annoyed, or anything really. Just making my point b/c I am bored out of my skull at work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi5NDFyIl6s This will be me on Monday though after I win 650 mill.
- niteislander

Err...in that case, disregard my other really long post...

But it's ALL because he played with crappy line mates!!! I agree to a certain extent that line mates do account for part of the reason. However, there's this word effort that should also be mentioned. Bailey didn't show this much effort most of the year until it meant nothing. And he's not alone. When Bailey has some sort of consistency between the months of October and February, then I'll buy into it. Until then, this means nothing going forward.
- BringBackBalky

ill disagree with that...i think he showed a TON of effort and he pretty much performed in every aspect of the game EXCEPT the most important part, putting up points.

but to say his forechecking, PK, even physical didnt take a big step in the right direction is not fair to JB

ill disagree with that...i think he showed a TON of effort and he pretty much performed in every aspect of the game EXCEPT the most important part, putting up points.

but to say his forechecking, PK, even physical didnt take a big step in the right direction is not fair to JB
- LetsGoIsles

Okay, fine then. But Bailey isn't here as an effort type player. Might as well call him Pandolfo Jr if that's the case. And as I've stated before like others, I don't hate the guy. But as soon as he does something (usually when it doesn't matter) the Bailey lovers drool over him like he's doing something great. He did SHAT from October until February.

Okay, fine then. But Bailey isn't here as an effort type player. Might as well call him Pandolfo Jr if that's the case. And as I've stated before like others, I don't hate the guy. But as soon as he does something (usually when it doesn't matter) the Bailey lovers drool over him like he's doing something great. He did SHAT from October until February.
- BringBackBalky

dont play the "i dont hate bailey" card on me, i never said you did- lets just stop that now.

pandolfo jr? please!! everyone knows thats a bit dramatic. ive been a supporter of the guy all year round (a realistic support, i was disappointed with his play but saw the potential there) and wanted him off the line he was playing with. hell, if JT was playing with rolston and martin, he would not be as dynamic as he is on top line.

no, im not saying JB will be the same as JT, but he clearly has talent and (i think) with guys on his line with talent, hell be able to show them off. the idea of bailey and strome centering that line is nice...or the bailey, neilson, KO as a THIRD line is also intriguing.

totally unrelated topic

but as for NINO-- the isles should have looked at what the flyers did with SC. they too put him on the 4th line to try to ease him into the league and get the physical and forechecking game down pat. the reason why the flyers are smart with how they developed SC as opposed to the isles with nino is simple, Zac Rinaldo.

SC at any given time knew that if he made a big hit or did something him knowing that someone had his back at any given time no matter what he did, helped him give the confidence to let loose on the opposition and hit/check/be aggressive at will.

had the isles stuck haley with nino throughout the entire season, i guarantee nino would be significantly more physical and aggressive because he would have had what SC, which is a teammate that will be there in case he screws up and the opposition comes after him. something tells me marty reasoner and jay pandolfo dont have the same intimidation factor as zac rinaldo or michael haley....what could have been!!

dont play the "i dont hate bailey" card on me, i never said you did- lets just stop that now.

pandolfo jr? please!! everyone knows thats a bit dramatic. ive been a supporter of the guy all year round (a realistic support, i was disappointed with his play but saw the potential there) and wanted him off the line he was playing with. hell, if JT was playing with rolston and martin, he would not be as dynamic as he is on top line.

no, im not saying JB will be the same as JT, but he clearly has talent and (i think) with guys on his line with talent, hell be able to show them off. the idea of bailey and strome centering that line is nice...or the bailey, neilson, KO as a THIRD line is also intriguing.
- LetsGoIsles

I never said you said I hated him. It was a general reference to him.

I mentioned Pandolfo ONLY in regards to the effort part. You can't that Pandolfo doesn't give his all in regards to effort. I never said they have the same skill. In fact far from it.

So then please explain to me where Josh was last year when he had Frans on his line? Comeau on his line (last years Comeau, not since)?

I never said you said I hated him. It was a general reference to him.

I mentioned Pandolfo ONLY in regards to the effort part. You can't that Pandolfo doesn't give his all in regards to effort. I never said they have the same skill. In fact far from it.

So then please explain to me where Josh was last year when he had Frans on his line? Comeau on his line (last years Comeau, not since)?
- BringBackBalky

I think we all need a drink.

I never said you said I hated him. It was a general reference to him.

I mentioned Pandolfo ONLY in regards to the effort part. You can't that Pandolfo doesn't give his all in regards to effort. I never said they have the same skill. In fact far from it.

So then please explain to me where Josh was last year when he had Frans on his line? Comeau on his line (last years Comeau, not since)?
- BringBackBalky

cant this argument be made for anyone thats improved from 1 year to the next?

JT has 75 points this year and only had 67 last (and 54 the year before)...what happened last year? why couldnt he put up the same points hes putting up this year? i dont know. no one knows. i can make educated guesses; a year older; a year stronger; a year smarter; a year to adjust more to the league; a year to learn to play with his team/line mates; a year to develop his body....i can go on forever, whats the EXACT reason? no idea

FWIW, bailey has 31 points this year as opposed to 28 points last year, thats while being on rolstons line (no talent)

cant this argument be made for anyone thats improved from 1 year to the next?

JT has 75 points this year and only had 67 last (and 54 the year before)...what happened last year? why couldnt he put up the same points hes putting up this year? i dont know. no one knows. i can make educated guesses; a year older; a year stronger; a year smarter; a year to adjust more to the league; a year to learn to play with his team/line mates; a year to develop his body....i can go on forever, whats the EXACT reason? no idea

FWIW, bailey has 31 points this year as opposed to 28 points last year, thats while being on rolstons line (no talent)
- LetsGoIsles

JT is superior to Bailey in pretty much all aspects of the game. No reason that comparison should even be mentioned. How come Bailey has only "improved" in the last month or so? And once again, it's not about the point production as much as it is about the consistency.

JT is superior to Bailey in pretty much all aspects of the game. No reason that comparison should even be mentioned. How come Bailey has only "improved" in the last month or so? And once again, it's not about the point production as much as it is about the consistency.
- BringBackBalky

dont read the names, read what the point was- dont get stuck on JT vs JB thats ridiculous....

and my earlier comment of "no, im not saying JB will be the same as JT" applies forever. talk about short term memory!!!

Dude Bailey still sucks. I dont care what he does when he is playing for nothing and there is no pressure on him. If he plays like this all year next year then you have something to talk about, not because he played well for two weeks
- kasperrko

Kasper, I have to disagree big time. What pressure is it that you speak of that has so suddenly been lifted off this teams' shoulders?
This team hasn't been IN a playoff spot since the third week of the season. So, WHAT have they had to lose? No one expects them there - it's not like we're in Toronto.
Hockey players aren't starting pitchers-they don't feel the whole game is on them... If anything, it was the Pens not taking a bottom-standing team seriously.
Bailey doesn't suck. Neither does Nino. Maybe their mental attitude is off because their coach sucks and has made horrible line combos/in-game decisions/benchings & non-benchings all season. Maybe being on the checking line against the #1 line of your opponent with lesser talented wingers has contributed toward that? Honestly, I don't know why these things happen and Im not afraid to admit it. And if your theory had ANY merit, why hasn't JT/MM/PP scored 10 goals and 20 assists in the past 3 games, if this pressure you speak of is no longer there???

I agree, players have to produce and if they don't the team needs to get what they can for them and move on. But, frustrating as it is, when you see the flashes of their ability, it make s you scratch your head and ask, "Where the hell was that the whole damn season????" Garth is a patient man. That works for and against him. Like most of life, it's a Catch-22.

Oh lord, now we're going to get all the Bailey supporters coming out with guns a blazing over how amazing he is.
- BringBackBalky

He did the same thing at the end of the season 2 years ago and the beginning of the season last year. If he can keep up some sort of consistent scoring pace (not necessarily the 15p in 15g he's riding now) through next year..I'll start believing.

dont read the names, read what the point was- dont get stuck on JT vs JB thats ridiculous....

and my earlier comment of "no, im not saying JB will be the same as JT" applies forever. talk about short term memory!!!
- LetsGoIsles

THIS is exactly the point!

Edit: I don't have an issue with the point totals for Bailey, it's about when he gets them. And I wouldn't say having 3 points more than the year before in 5 more games an improvement.

He did the same thing at the end of the season 2 years ago and the beginning of the season last year. If he can keep up some sort of consistent scoring pace (not necessarily the 15p in 15g he's riding now) through next year..I'll start believing.
- eichiefs9

That's all I'm asking for is consistency. I don't expect him to take over games on a nightly basis, never did. And of course he's going to have streaks where he doesn't put up points consistently, everyone does. Just don't make it from October through February.

That's all I'm asking for is consistency. I don't expect him to take over games on a nightly basis, never did. And of course he's going to have streaks where he doesn't put up points consistently, everyone does. Just don't make it from October through February.
- BringBackBalky

notice the date of this article.... http://www.nesn.com/2012/...-front-will-provide-.html


and he has 3 more points (so far) this year with essentially playing on a 2 man line and the other of the 2 was a hitting forward, not much of a play maker....

Kasper, I have to disagree big time. What pressure is it that you speak of that has so suddenly been lifted off this teams' shoulders?
This team hasn't been IN a playoff spot since the third week of the season. So, WHAT have they had to lose? No one expects them there - it's not like we're in Toronto.
Hockey players aren't starting pitchers-they don't feel the whole game is on them... If anything, it was the Pens not taking a bottom-standing team seriously.
Bailey doesn't suck. Neither does Nino. Maybe their mental attitude is off because their coach sucks and has made horrible line combos/in-game decisions/benchings & non-benchings all season. Maybe being on the checking line against the #1 line of your opponent with lesser talented wingers has contributed toward that? Honestly, I don't know why these things happen and Im not afraid to admit it. And if your theory had ANY merit, why hasn't JT/MM/PP scored 10 goals and 20 assists in the past 3 games, if this pressure you speak of is no longer there???

I agree, players have to produce and if they don't the team needs to get what they can for them and move on. But, frustrating as it is, when you see the flashes of their ability, it make s you scratch your head and ask, "Where the hell was that the whole damn season????" Garth is a patient man. That works for and against him. Like most of life, it's a Catch-22.
- jmo16

As for Bailey what pressure the pressure to perform. Listen I know you say they were out of it the third week of the season. It hink they were out after the first game but as the season winded down and we were definitely not making the playoffs the stress was lifted off everyones shoulders to perform. Now they can play relaxed cause they are now playing for nothing. This team does that every year. Beginning of the year no one knows how to play hockey and then the last couple of weeks everyone gets it makes no sense. He showed me nothing basically all year. I hope he continues into next year and then yeah I will love him but I am not falling fast for this guy after a couple of weeks

notice the date of this article.... http://www.nesn.com/2012/...-front-will-provide-.html


and he has 3 more points (so far) this year with essentially playing on a 2 man line and the other of the 2 was a hitting forward, not much of a play maker....
- LetsGoIsles

He has 8 points in the past 2 games..............Do we all of a sudden forget prior to those 2? Without this 2 game surge he would have 5 less points than last year and still have played 5 more games. As I've said over and over again, the numbers mean NOTHING to me. It's when they're attained.

and just to boil your blood a little.....

http://espn.go.com/boston...t-returning-boston-bruins