Who knows, I saw Shane O'Brien re-signed yesterday, I would've liked him for a bottom pairing guy. Not a ton of talent out there, but there are some players that I think could help. As for what Snow has in store, your guess is as good as mine.
- eichiefs9

For once I actually see him doing something. Maybe it was the trade at the draft I dunno? I see another Dman coming our way. I just hope it's not Mottau

For once I actually see him doing something. Maybe it was the trade at the draft I dunno? I see another Dman coming our way. I just hope it's not Mottau
- Cptmjl

Funny you say that because it feels like there's more transparency lately into what Snow is doing. Ryan trade offer, #2 trade offer, Visnovsky trade, a pending substantial offer to Schultz. Maybe that transparency isn't all directly because of the Islanders, but regardless of where it came from it's nice to see that Garth is kicking the tires.

Funny you say that because it feels like there's more transparency lately into what Snow is doing. Ryan trade offer, #2 trade offer, Visnovsky trade, a pending substantial offer to Schultz. Maybe that transparency isn't all directly because of the Islanders, but regardless of where it came from it's nice to see that Garth is kicking the tires.
- eichiefs9

It is. The Visnovsky trade alone says a lot. It was a statement so to speak. Trading a second rounder is a pretty big deal especially with how highly touted next years draft class is. Hoping for an interesting July 1st.

With the make up of our team & the need for grit & salary.. i would give it to him.. If he were on the Rags & I ran them... id let him walk.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Yeah, I think I agree with that. Rangers are definitely in a different boat with Prust than the Isles would be with Martin in the same scenario. I think the Rangers have more of that "team toughness" where they can shed a player like that and not become too soft.

The guy plays way to many video games.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, I think I agree with that. Rangers are definitely in a different boat with Prust than the Isles would be with Martin in the same scenario. I think the Rangers have more of that "team toughness" where they can shed a player like that and not become too soft.
- UIF

The guy would be a good signing. I'm a fan of his style of play and this team needs someone like him badly. I can also imagine him stepping up big time for Isles Rangers games

Yeah, I think I agree with that. Rangers are definitely in a different boat with Prust than the Isles would be with Martin in the same scenario. I think the Rangers have more of that "team toughness" where they can shed a player like that and not become too soft.
- UIF

Prust: Fights like Konopka..plays hockey unlike Konopka.

Well put. I agree. I would have loved to see pa stay but he going for his payday. I'm sure snow gave him a very respectable offer. But at end of day, Tavares made pa, pa didn't make Tavares. Even when pa moved to next line, did any notice that all his points still game with jt on the pp. look at ko's stats when he moved to Tavares line.

Pa could very well get his money. But ask Jason Blake if he could do it ll over again. He went from isles go to guy to 3rd liner.

At end of day, not having pa isn't going to hurt the isles. A Ufa or isles current player will step in just fine.
- Spartiarti

Glad someone gets it. What id like to see is Josh Bailey on Tavares' wing. That would get things goin....

You all think Martin will go to arbitration, or will they work something out beforehand? I remember things dragging on a bit when they signed him to his ELC, so it wouldn't surprise me if his agent tries to play hardball.

You all think Martin will go to arbitration, or will they work something out beforehand? I remember things dragging on a bit when they signed him to his ELC, so it wouldn't surprise me if his agent tries to play hardball.
- UIF

well who cares? pay him as much as you want so he can stay with us forever!

Random thought after watching some of the IslesTV draft video of Reinhart...I know someone was saying he looked unhappy after we selected him. I think he's just a super low-key, even keeled guy. He doesn't seem to show a lot of emotion in any direction. That's exactly what I love to see in a d-man, a guy that isn't going to panic under stress or pressure out there. This concludes my random thought of the day.

Still shocked we are not resigning PA....
- Nolanders

shocked?!? you really believed that he ever had any intentions of actually ever resigning?

shocked?!? you really believed that he ever had any intentions of actually ever resigning?
- LetsGoIsles

They offered him a contract.

If he was smart... he would stay with Tavares.

Maybe he wants to see the offers, and give the Isles a chance to match it.

But I believe he will thrive in Montreal and the Isles will be left linking their wounds if we dont legitimately replace him.

I dont see anyone within the organization that can duplicate PAP's numbers at present. So unless we trade for or acquire someone thru UFA (which is gonna cost the same money that PAP wants ) we lose a heck of a lot of offense this coming yr. Also, our top line becomes history. Some new chemistry may take some time to brew up.

Hope they dont rush Strome up before he's ready.
- SCLI

maybe moving KO or Bailey up with JT/MM although i personally wouldnt mind seeing matt martin on the top line. pretty sure he wont produce the same numbers that PA did but he will certainly give JT the confidence to be a bit more aggressive....

maybe moving KO or Bailey up with JT/MM although i personally wouldnt mind seeing matt martin on the top line. pretty sure he wont produce the same numbers that PA did but he will certainly give JT the confidence to be a bit more aggressive....
- LetsGoIsles

KO and Bailey might become expendable if/when guys like Strome, Nelson, Kabanov, Ullstrom, and Cizikas start to pan out.

PA leaves who do we replace him with? Not many FA this year are first line players and the ones that are will most likely not sign here.We better hope Bailey finally has a great year along with Okposo and Grabner or we are in for huge disappointment again. Anyways bring back konopka and sign Prust!
- mighty13duck

common mistake....just because pap played on the top line DOES NOT make him a first line player...

--no on konopka, the guy isnt effective. i agree they need a physical player but not someone just to fight, he needs to be able to produce as well...prust is good

$2.1 million? I guess I'll put it this way...given the current makeup of the Islanders, and what I think they really need, I'd actually rather give a tough checking forward with reasonable skill that much than give the same amount to an 18-22 goal scorer who approaches the game the same exact way as most of our other forwards did this past season. That might sound crazy, but I really think our skill players play a whole lot better when they have some muscle out there to back them up. I think we saw that the season before this one. The addition of an exact replica of, say, the 2011-12 version of Michael Grabner doesn't make the team any better than it was, imo. A tough player that can actually take a regular shift, add some physicality, chip in an occasional goal and be a heart-and-soul type...I think it would elevate the entire team. I'd pay a premium for that, considering you have to pay a premium in free agency, and especially if you're the Islanders and hope to lure anyone here.

My question to you...asked more out of curiosity than to prove any point...Would you pay $2.1m to Matt Martin if it was the only way to keep him here? I know he's an RFA who was qualified, but say he was going to free agency and wanted $2.1m...would you give it to him or pass and let him walk?
- UIF

Your Preaching to the Choir UIF.



Wow! Very good question. A difficult question. One that deserves some thought. IMO,The Matt Martin that we've seen so far doesnt warrant $2 million plus per season. Dont get me wrong. Matt lays it all on the ice. Does everything he's asked to do. But for $2.1 million hes got to elevate his game some more. Yes he can hit and check. Yes he'll fight. But unless he raises his offensive game a bit and improves in other areas I'm not sure anyone would pay him that kind of money. And I'd like to see him add a few pounds of muscle to his frame. Not only would it help him when he fights but I believe it would give him an advantage battling "D" men in the crease and winning battles for pucks along the boards. And with all the body checks he throws. Some additional muscle wont hurt to protect his body from injury.

Chris Neil makes $2 million per yr. Chris is more then Muscle in the lineup. He's a pretty damn good hockey player. Matt Martin isnt in his class just yet. But he could be in a few years. Matt's making about $600,000. I think raising his salary to the $1.3- $1.5 million per yr is more then fair value when the time comes. But it all depends on his progress or his regression this coming season.

Remember, Isles are high on Blair Riley. He's a late bloomer. Tough and has some hockey skill. Go back and look at his profile from a few years ago. He was considered a skilled offensive player. Isles over the yrs have not been very loyal to their tough guys because they know they can always find another one in the pile at a cheaper price.

2 and change per season? That's not astronomical for a player who actually has a use. I'd rather see Prust here for even $3m/year than pay a clown like Rolston $5m/year.
- UIF

ill take it a step further....id rather have prust for $3MM as opposed to PA for $4.5MM

Your Preaching to the Choir UIF.



Wow! Very good question. A difficult question. One that deserves some thought. IMO,The Matt Martin that we've seen so far doesnt warrant $2 million plus per season. Dont get me wrong. Matt lays it all on the ice. Does everything he's asked to do. But for $2.1 million hes got to elevate his game some more. Yes he can hit and check. Yes he'll fight. But unless he raises his offensive game a bit and improves in other areas I'm not sure anyone would pay him that kind of money. And I'd like to see him add a few pounds of muscle to his frame. Not only would it help him when he fights but I believe it would give him an advantage battling "D" men in the crease and winning battles for pucks along the boards. And with all the body checks he throws. Some additional muscle wont hurt to protect his body from injury.

Chris Neil makes $2 million per yr. Chris is more then Muscle in the lineup. He's a pretty damn good hockey player. Matt Martin isnt in his class just yet. But he could be in a few years. Matt's making about $600,000. I think raising his salary to the $1.3- $1.5 million per yr is more then fair value when the time comes. But it all depends on his progress or his regression this coming season.

Remember, Isles are high on Blair Riley. He's a late bloomer. Tough and has some hockey skill. Go back and look at his profile from a few years ago. He was considered a skilled offensive player. Isles over the yrs have not been very loyal to their tough guys because they know they can always find another one in the pile at a cheaper price.
- SCLI

I'm not sure how much skill he has. He's been bounced between the ECHL and the AHL his entire career. He had a nice senior year at Ferris State, but that's really been it. I think he falls into that dime-a-dozen sandpaper player category.

Your price on Martin sounds fair. I assume(d) he would get around $1m-$1.5m per year. And I'd have no issue with that at all.

Surprised nobody has pointed out this undrafted/unsigned player on the prospect camp roster....

Hiromichi Terao 5'7 165 Japan (WC D1A) 5 0 2 2 Skated with Japan's senior entry at the World Championships for the first time in his career, netting a pair of assists in five international games.

They offered him a contract.

If he was smart... he would stay with Tavares.

Maybe he wants to see the offers, and give the Isles a chance to match it.
- jimmc7722

is it really so crazy to think that a guy wants to make as much money as he possibly could regardless of who he is playing with?

KO and Bailey might become expendable if/when guys like Strome, Nelson, Kabanov, Ullstrom, and Cizikas start to pan out.
- eichiefs9

and thats ok...assuming the return is of equal (or greater) value

maybe moving KO or Bailey up with JT/MM although i personally wouldnt mind seeing matt martin on the top line. pretty sure he wont produce the same numbers that PA did but he will certainly give JT the confidence to be a bit more aggressive....
- LetsGoIsles

KO had several good games while on the 1st line last season. If we dont address PAP's loss from outside the organization then I think he's the logical 1st choice provided Snow stays with in the organization. At least until he proves other wise.

Bailey would be an interesting situation. It would more then likely define his career as an Isle if he were given a spot on the top line. A sink or swim opportunity. If he swims, we have a choice. Keep him there or trade him while his value is high.
If he sinks. He anit worth $hit to us or any other organization and his already low value will fall even further.

Matt Martin on the 1st line? A poor mans Clark Gillies. Might be worth a try. At least for a few weeks to see if MM can raise his offensive game a notch or two. May free up some room for Moulson and JT. It certainly wouldnt hurt to have him close to JT. If nothing more then to deter players who constantly take liberties with JT.

KO and Bailey might become expendable if/when guys like Strome, Nelson, Kabanov, Ullstrom, and Cizikas start to pan out.
- eichiefs9

ullstrom might work on the first line..big body..phyiscal...create space for MM and JT and he has a good shot

Your Preaching to the Choir UIF.



Wow! Very good question. A difficult question. One that deserves some thought. IMO,The Matt Martin that we've seen so far doesnt warrant $2 million plus per season. Dont get me wrong. Matt lays it all on the ice. Does everything he's asked to do. But for $2.1 million hes got to elevate his game some more. Yes he can hit and check. Yes he'll fight. But unless he raises his offensive game a bit and improves in other areas I'm not sure anyone would pay him that kind of money. And I'd like to see him add a few pounds of muscle to his frame. Not only would it help him when he fights but I believe it would give him an advantage battling "D" men in the crease and winning battles for pucks along the boards. And with all the body checks he throws. Some additional muscle wont hurt to protect his body from injury.

Chris Neil makes $2 million per yr. Chris is more then Muscle in the lineup. He's a pretty damn good hockey player. Matt Martin isnt in his class just yet. But he could be in a few years. Matt's making about $600,000. I think raising his salary to the $1.3- $1.5 million per yr is more then fair value when the time comes. But it all depends on his progress or his regression this coming season.

Remember, Isles are high on Blair Riley. He's a late bloomer. Tough and has some hockey skill. Go back and look at his profile from a few years ago. He was considered a skilled offensive player. Isles over the yrs have not been very loyal to their tough guys because they know they can always find another one in the pile at a cheaper price.
- SCLI

Blair Riley??? come on..i watched all his games last year...good energy guy but at TOPS he is a third line AHL player..