i love the devlopment debate...the got bailey and nino wrong..they totally rushed them..but did they rush Hamonic, Macdonald, Nielsen, Cizikas, Ulmstrom, Martin,Okposo? it works both ways. all i know is it took the kings hawks and penguins 7 years and i expect NOTHING from this team until the arena situation is resolved. NOTHING will happen until then..this team will miss the playoffs. i'm not going to stop rooting for them...i'm not going to stop rooting for my team. i feel that since i've been on here i'm one of the more rational fans but honestly if you want to give me and others crap for hoping then go like another team. their are 29 others out there
- NYI78

Have you seen either enough of or enough out of either of these two to say one way or another that they are NHL-ready right now? I haven't. I think Cizikas could definitely use at least another season in Bridgeport before getting a serious look. Ullstrom showed some promise, but he wasn't a clear-cut every night NHL player during his call-ups.

Bringing up guys from juniors or from the "A" is a case-by-case thing. But I'd rather see the organization err on the side of patience rather than rush guys to the NHL.

I'll just say it's very easy to be a debbie downer as an Isles fan. It's not like this team has done everything it can to win and has not given us years of lousy hockey.
- ses111

Exactly my point, I have no problem coming on here talking about the draft or trade scenarios that are realistic but when someone comes on here from their bubble and starts talking about Snow getting two top four Dmen and a Top six fwd or two I wince. Some may call it being a Debbie downer and I'm fine with that. Whatever makes you feel better and if it helps anyone to feel warm fuzzy things about this team then good for them. There is very little to get excited about with this team. The draft is exciting but to watch a whole season for the last six years and discussing draft position by December is tiring.

I'm not under valuing anyone. People have to stop talking about Kirill Kabanov like he's the second coming of Kirill Petrov. Oh wait...
- Cptmjl

"coming" might not be the best term to use when discussing Petrov...

Exactly my point, I have no problem coming on here talking about the draft or trade scenarios that are realistic but when someone comes on here from their bubble and starts talking about Snow getting two top four Dmen and a Top six fwd or two I wince. Some may call it being a Debbie downer and I'm fine with that. Whatever makes you feel better and if it helps anyone to feel warm fuzzy things about this team then good for them. There is very little to get excited about with this team. The draft is exciting but to watch a whole season for the last six years and discussing draft position by December is tiring.
- Cptmjl

so is reading constant negativity....

Have you seen either enough of or enough out of either of these two to say one way or another that they are NHL-ready right now? I haven't. I think Cizikas could definitely use at least another season in Bridgeport before getting a serious look. Ullstrom showed some promise, but he wasn't a clear-cut every night NHL player during his call-ups.

Bringing up guys from juniors or from the "A" is a case-by-case thing. But I'd rather see the organization err on the side of patience rather than rush guys to the NHL.
- Jethro09

I constantly say the same things in so many words. They do show promise but to say these kids are going to carry third line or even fourth line minutes consistently is putting alot of faith in these kids, they are relatively unproven. I believe most peoples thought process is, "well they are better than Rolston, Reasoner, and Pandalfo(who we will all be happy when he signs during UFA)".

"coming" might not be the best term to use when discussing Petrov...
- Jethro09

so is reading constant negativity....
- LetsGoIsles

Don't read it

Have you seen either enough of or enough out of either of these two to say one way or another that they are NHL-ready right now? I haven't. I think Cizikas could definitely use at least another season in Bridgeport before getting a serious look. Ullstrom showed some promise, but he wasn't a clear-cut every night NHL player during his call-ups.

Bringing up guys from juniors or from the "A" is a case-by-case thing. But I'd rather see the organization err on the side of patience rather than rush guys to the NHL.
- Jethro09

i think casey could use a year in bport..and ullstrom i think is ready..my point is they weren't thrown to the wolves

Exactly my point, I have no problem coming on here talking about the draft or trade scenarios that are realistic but when someone comes on here from their bubble and starts talking about Snow getting two top four Dmen and a Top six fwd or two I wince. Some may call it being a Debbie downer and I'm fine with that. Whatever makes you feel better and if it helps anyone to feel warm fuzzy things about this team then good for them. There is very little to get excited about with this team. The draft is exciting but to watch a whole season for the last six years and discussing draft position by December is tiring.
- Cptmjl

i don't think anyone expects us to get 2 top six forwards and two top 4 d...its what we need but i think most of us realize it ain't happening

i think casey could use a year in bport..and ullstrom i think is ready..my point is they weren't thrown to the wolves
- NYI78

I'm guessing you see these kids more than any of us? From what you have seen of Cizikas what do you think he could wind up being?

i don't think anyone expects us to get 2 top six forwards and two top 4 d...its what we need but i think most of us realize it ain't happening
- NYI78

Meh, some do some don't

I'm guessing you see these kids more than any of us? From what you have seen of Cizikas what do you think he could wind up being?
- Cptmjl

mike peca...solid third line 40-50 point player..high energy..could wear a letter..

Have you seen either enough of or enough out of either of these two to say one way or another that they are NHL-ready right now? I haven't. I think Cizikas could definitely use at least another season in Bridgeport before getting a serious look. Ullstrom showed some promise, but he wasn't a clear-cut every night NHL player during his call-ups.

Bringing up guys from juniors or from the "A" is a case-by-case thing. But I'd rather see the organization err on the side of patience rather than rush guys to the NHL.
- Jethro09

The Isles don't have a choice. We don't want the NHL scraps in Pandolfo, Rolston, Mottau and so on... We don't want the young kids rushed into the NHL... They can't sign quality depth, so what should they do??

mike peca...solid third line 40-50 point player..high energy..could wear a letter..
- NYI78

That sounds good too me! Looks like the grinder mucker type from what Ive seen/read. We need those 40-50 pt guys that can hit and grind it out, every team does.

That sounds good too me! Looks like the grinder mucker type from what Ive seen/read. We need those 40-50 pt guys that can hit and grind it out, every team does.
- Cptmjl

the kid has overachieved throughout his career but i think that is a reasonable projection

so is reading constant negativity....
- LetsGoIsles

Garth and Charles can do a whole lot to kill off plenty of the negative talk. They have the power to improve the team.

the kid has overachieved throughout his career but i think that is a reasonable projection
- NYI78

Yeah, there was a lot of talk about him during the WJC and when he was in juniors. He looked pretty solid to me what little I saw, maybe has to smooth out the rough edges of course but looked solid none the less.

Garth and Charles can do a whole lot to kill off plenty of the negative talk. They have the power to improve the team.
- ses111

They can and hopefully will do something to kill off the boo birds like me! I don't think its so much "negative talk" it's just the reality of this teams situation. It sucks

The Isles don't have a choice. We don't want the NHL scraps in Pandolfo, Rolston, Mottau and so on... We don't want the young kids rushed into the NHL... They can't sign quality depth, so what should they do??
- brodydog29

I don't think they should sign scrap heap junk nor do I think they should rush prospects. See, I don't buy the BS that they can't sign quality depth. I see teams like Phoenix who are owned by the league under a three-year threat to move able to sign quality depth. I see Florida able to go out and sign quality depth, despite being a bottom-feeding team for the better part of a decade. Its all in who you target and what you're willing to pay.

The Isles M.O. is to make a push for one specific player, maybe two, per summer and if it doesn't pan out, to simply go to the scrap heap. That's what happened when Hamhuis and Martin passed on the Isles two summers ago and when Ehrhoff passed on the Isles last summer. You didn't see the team have any viable fall-back, option B and C. They simply went from their one target to the scrap heap. The Isles problem is that they relegate themselves to the scrap heap to soon and too early.

I know some people on these boards disagree with me on this issue, but the Florida model is not a bad model for the Isles to follow at all. People need to get over the "overpayment" nonsense, the fact that some depth guys are getting too much $$. The Isles have to reach a salary floor. I'd rather see them "overpay" a few quality depth guys on short-term deals to add to the core than to rush prospects or sign garbage off the scrap heap.

Florida has a pool of young prospects that are promising, but not NHL ready. So instead of rushing them, they went out and traded for Campbell & Versteeg and signed Upshall, Fleischmann, Theodore/Clemensen, Bergenheim. Florida didn't bring those guys in to replace their upcoming prospects. They brought them in to hold places for their prospects while they properly develop. There's no reason the Isles can't do that too, sign quality depth guys to short-term deals until guys like Strome, de Haan, Nino, this year's prospects, etc. are truly ready to play in the NHL.

Yeah, there was a lot of talk about him during the WJC and when he was in juniors. He looked pretty solid to me what little I saw, maybe has to smooth out the rough edges of course but looked solid none the less.
- Cptmjl

It would not surprise me if Casey can make the team next year. From what I saw and I'm far from an expert he does not seem to need a lot of time in Bridge.

I don't think they should sign scrap heap junk nor do I think they should rush prospects. See, I don't buy the BS that they can't sign quality depth. I see teams like Phoenix who are owned by the league under a three-year threat to move able to sign quality depth. I see Florida able to go out and sign quality depth, despite being a bottom-feeding team for the better part of a decade. Its all in who you target and what you're willing to pay.

The Isles M.O. is to make a push for one specific player, maybe two, per summer and if it doesn't pan out, to simply go to the scrap heap. That's what happened when Hamhuis and Martin passed on the Isles two summers ago and when Ehrhoff passed on the Isles last summer. You didn't see the team have any viable fall-back, option B and C. They simply went from their one target to the scrap heap. The Isles problem is that they relegate themselves to the scrap heap to soon and too early.

I know some people on these boards disagree with me on this issue, but the Florida model is not a bad model for the Isles to follow at all. People need to get over the "overpayment" nonsense, the fact that some depth guys are getting too much $$. The Isles have to reach a salary floor. I'd rather see them "overpay" a few quality depth guys on short-term deals to add to the core than to rush prospects or sign garbage off the scrap heap.

Florida has a pool of young prospects that are promising, but not NHL ready. So instead of rushing them, they went out and traded for Campbell & Versteeg and signed Upshall, Fleischmann, Theodore/Clemensen, Bergenheim. Florida didn't bring those guys in to replace their upcoming prospects. They brought them in to hold places for their prospects while they properly develop. There's no reason the Isles can't do that too, sign quality depth guys to short-term deals until guys like Strome, de Haan, Nino, this year's prospects, etc. are truly ready to play in the NHL.
- Jethro09

Jethro are you saying Charles and Garth go into a fetal position when they get rejected? I agree 100% about the Florida model. That is what the Isles should do. They should have traded for Campbell and forgot the other three guys they brought in.

They can and hopefully will do something to kill off the boo birds like me! I don't think its so much "negative talk" it's just the reality of this teams situation. It sucks
- Cptmjl

You have no idea how bad I want Garth and Charles to shut me up.

I don't think they should sign scrap heap junk nor do I think they should rush prospects. See, I don't buy the BS that they can't sign quality depth. I see teams like Phoenix who are owned by the league under a three-year threat to move able to sign quality depth. I see Florida able to go out and sign quality depth, despite being a bottom-feeding team for the better part of a decade. Its all in who you target and what you're willing to pay.

The Isles M.O. is to make a push for one specific player, maybe two, per summer and if it doesn't pan out, to simply go to the scrap heap. That's what happened when Hamhuis and Martin passed on the Isles two summers ago and when Ehrhoff passed on the Isles last summer. You didn't see the team have any viable fall-back, option B and C. They simply went from their one target to the scrap heap. The Isles problem is that they relegate themselves to the scrap heap to soon and too early.

I know some people on these boards disagree with me on this issue, but the Florida model is not a bad model for the Isles to follow at all. People need to get over the "overpayment" nonsense, the fact that some depth guys are getting too much $$. The Isles have to reach a salary floor. I'd rather see them "overpay" a few quality depth guys on short-term deals to add to the core than to rush prospects or sign garbage off the scrap heap.

Florida has a pool of young prospects that are promising, but not NHL ready. So instead of rushing them, they went out and traded for Campbell & Versteeg and signed Upshall, Fleischmann, Theodore/Clemensen, Bergenheim. Florida didn't bring those guys in to replace their upcoming prospects. They brought them in to hold places for their prospects while they properly develop. There's no reason the Isles can't do that too, sign quality depth guys to short-term deals until guys like Strome, de Haan, Nino, this year's prospects, etc. are truly ready to play in the NHL.
- Jethro09

The question is why do they go to the scrap heap so quick? Is it because they know these guys are going to shoot them down and they go into it with that idea? Lets satisfy the fans by saying, "hey, we try'd"? It seems like they go after the A level players and revert right to the F level almost like throwing their hands in the air and say oh well. Some on here would say, "well who should they sign then"? That's not my job, that's Snows job. I agree with your Phoenix comparison. Is it Snow just not being a capable GM? I think that has more to do with it then most on here want to believe. Whether it be the respect he receives in the league or otherwise.

You have no idea how bad I want Garth and Charles to shut me up.
- ses111

You and I both

The question is why do they go to the scrap heap so quick? Is it because they know these guys are going to shoot them down and they go into it with that idea? Lets satisfy the fans by saying, "hey, we try'd"? It seems like they go after the A level players and revert right to the F level almost like throwing their hands in the air and say oh well. Some on here would say well who should they sign then? That's not my job, that's Snows job. I agree with your Phoenix comparison. Is it Snow just not being a capable GM? I think that has more to do with it then most on here want to believe. Whether it be the respect he receives in the league or otherwise.
- Cptmjl

I certainly wouldn't say they signed those guys quick. Staios and Pandolfo were training camp invitees and the Hunter/Rolston trade was a month into the free agent period.