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.
- eichiefs9

We'll see this yr. He scored 7 goals during the last couple of months of last season. Not eye popping numbers but he caught managements eye.

I think he needs a boost to his confidence ( he hasnt exactly had a silver spoon career) and he'll hit double digits in goals and Double digits in fighting majors. (in Bridgeport) Exactly the kind of player we could use on the Isles 4th line.

Martin cant be our only sandpaper player. One or two gritty guys who can play hockey would help us immensely.

ullstrom might work on the first line..big body..phyiscal...create space for MM and JT and he has a good shot
- NYI78

He could definitely work. The good news is that Tavares is so amazing that he'll make just about anybody work on that right side. I'm jumping way ahead here, but I wouldn't mind Kabanov getting some playing time on his wing in the preseason, although I would imagine JT won't be playing in too many preseason games.

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?
- LetsGoIsles

NOPE.

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

Just addressed this with Chief

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

That thought has crossed my mind.

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?
- LetsGoIsles

No... not @ all. But wouldn't you want to make as much as you can and play with guys you have chemistry with?

That's why I said maybe he wants to see what the market will pay him, and give Garth the opportunity to match it.

Do you want to be that guy that gets the big contract on another team then possibly do nothing?

Blair Riley??? come on..i watched all his games last year...good energy guy but at TOPS he is a third line AHL player..
- NYI78

He's had approximately 5 months of Professional hockey experience in his resume and you've already decided the fate of his career?

I dont really think KO belongs on teh first line I see him more as a third line player right now. I mean I hope he breaks out this year but with him he takes a while. Ullstrom is interesting on the top line but for some reason it seems that management dont like him to much. I mean he was playing well before he got hurt and then they just buried him in the AHL for the rest of the year. MAde no sense to me.

I think the Islanders should sign someone and I think they should try someone like Wolski. Ok I know what you are thinking but this guy did net 30 goals a couple of years woth Colorado, he would ome cheap and is a bigger body. Just a though

He's had approximately 5 months of Professional hockey experience in his resume and you've already decided the fate of his career?
- SCLI

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but just pointing out that he's played 144 professional games.

He's had approximately 5 months of Professional hockey experience in his resume and you've already decided the fate of his career?
- SCLI

yes i told you 2 years ago dibo, katic and rakshani won't play in the nhl...i'm telling you his skating isn't good enough and he a third line ahl guy...if that changes this year and his skating vastly improves i'll change my opinion..but i'm just telling you what i see

I dont really think KO belongs on teh first line I see him more as a third line player right now. I mean I hope he breaks out this year but with him he takes a while. Ullstrom is interesting on the top line but for some reason it seems that management dont like him to much. I mean he was playing well before he got hurt and then they just buried him in the AHL for the rest of the year. MAde no sense to me.

I think the Islanders should sign someone and I think they should try someone like Wolski. Ok I know what you are thinking but this guy did net 30 goals a couple of years woth Colorado, he would ome cheap and is a bigger body. Just a though
- kasperrko

ullstrom wasn't buried in the ahl..when he got healthy they sent him down their as they were out of the playoffs and bport was fighting for the division..cappy loves ullstrom

All I am asking for is to sign a good defenseman and an offensive sniper. Let's get Shea Weber, Justin Schultz and Ryan!

All I am asking for is to sign a good defenseman and an offensive sniper. Let's get Shea Weber, Justin Schultz and Ryan!
- ISLES1119

shea weber is not a free agent..he is a rfa

Some interesting undrafted college/elsewhere guys at prospect camp

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but just pointing out that he's played 144 professional games.
- eichiefs9

I stand corrected. But not exactly a plethora of games. Were most of them ECHL?

Seems that many here will give certain players yr after yr to prove themselves while other players are case adrift almost immediately.

I by no means think Blair will be anything more then a 4th line NHL player. But he may be the type of 4th line player we have been lacking for a long time. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Gotta go. See ya later Boys

I dont really think KO belongs on teh first line I see him more as a third line player right now. I mean I hope he breaks out this year but with him he takes a while. Ullstrom is interesting on the top line but for some reason it seems that management dont like him to much. I mean he was playing well before he got hurt and then they just buried him in the AHL for the rest of the year. MAde no sense to me.

I think the Islanders should sign someone and I think they should try someone like Wolski. Ok I know what you are thinking but this guy did net 30 goals a couple of years woth Colorado, he would ome cheap and is a bigger body. Just a though
- kasperrko

How does Wolski approach the game any differently than Okposo did this past season? This is sort of what I meant by being against bringing in a 20-goal scorer that plays the same way as our forwards did this past season. He doesn't add any dimension to this team beyond what it already has...just another similar body with a new name. Even if he pops in 20 goals, I'm not sure it would help us get any closer to the playoffs. We need players that fill holes, not more of the same. Pure sniper, power forward with hands, gritty heart and soul player. If a forward does not fall into any of those three categories, then I'd rather we pass and look for one who does.

I dont really think KO belongs on teh first line I see him more as a third line player right now. I mean I hope he breaks out this year but with him he takes a while. Ullstrom is interesting on the top line but for some reason it seems that management dont like him to much. I mean he was playing well before he got hurt and then they just buried him in the AHL for the rest of the year. MAde no sense to me.

I think the Islanders should sign someone and I think they should try someone like Wolski. Ok I know what you are thinking but this guy did net 30 goals a couple of years woth Colorado, he would ome cheap and is a bigger body. Just a though
- kasperrko

i think the concussion had something to do with it....

I stand corrected. But not exactly a plethora of games. Were most of them ECHL?

Seems that many here will give certain players yr after yr to prove themselves while other players are case adrift almost immediately.

I by no means think Blair will be anything more then a 4th line NHL player. But he may be the type of 4th line player we have been lacking for a long time. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Gotta go. See ya later Boys
- SCLI

55 games with Bridgeport last year, 59 in the ECHL in '10-'11. A few various other games in both leagues, almost a 50/50 split.

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.
- SCLI

i actually really like the idea of bailey on JTs line. hes got a great passing eye and JT would pot a lot of goals from him...the only thing is there would be ABSOLUTELY no muscle on that line and JT will continue to get hit hard. id think about switching moulson to the 2nd line to bring martin up with bailey but i know what kind of reaction that would get....

Some interesting undrafted college/elsewhere guys at prospect camp
- eichiefs9

like who?? any bios??

The guy plays way to many video games.
- Cptmjl

so you agree.. he's perfect!!!

XxNYIxX

so you agree.. he's perfect!!!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Ok dont let me start on the Comeau bashing now. I just got over the DP thing. Comeau is totally useless

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

His agent seems like a hardass. Hopefully it doesn't go to arbitration, sometimes that can get messy. Give the kid a reasonable raise and move on

so you agree.. he's perfect!!!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I remember seeing an in between period show with him and Okposo playing basketball on playstation. Not only were they playing video games they were playing basketball!!!!!

like who?? any bios??
- LetsGoIsles

Nothing special, but a couple guys that stood out for their schools/teams.

Adam Berkle 6'3 184 Bowling Green St. (NCAA) 44 7 14 21 In his first season at Bowling Green St., Berkle ranked fourth on the team with 21 points and second with 14 assists.

Andrew Calof 5'10 166 Princeton (NCAA) 32 9 24 33 In his second season at Princeton, Calof led his team in goals, assists and points. He has 64 points (26 goals, 38 assists) in 64 NCAA games.

Max MacKay 6'1 194 Walpole (AtJHL) 29 25 37 62 Posted over two points-per-game for the second straight season with Walpole and is commited to Providence College in 2012-13.

Michael Pereira 5'10 176 UMass-Amherst (NCAA) 35 17 17 34 In his second season with UMass-Amherst, Pereira's 17 goals led the team, while his 34 points were good for third on the roster.

Full list is here, http://islanders.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=81186&navid=DL|NYI|home&navid=DL|NYI|home