Fair point. I would rather have Nielsen play on the 3rd line, personally. Defense is his bread-and-butter.
- eichiefs9

It makes too much sense for Snow....he'll never do it anyway...

It makes too much sense for Snow....he'll never do it anyway...
- kear20

Wait...we're blaming Snow for the line combinations too? Dr. Mudd never had it so bad!

Wait...we're blaming Snow for the line combinations too? Dr. Mudd never had it so bad!
- keaner17

I was talking about a possible trade for Bozak...indirectly we are blaming Snow for the line combinations because he hired Crapuano...

I was talking about a possible trade for Bozak...indirectly we are blaming Snow for the line combinations because he hired Crapuano...
- kear20

Ahhhhhhh. Of course you can blame Wang then because he hired Snow. Or you could blame Milbury because he brought Snow in as a free agent originally. Some how it always leads back to Milbury It's like that movie '23'

Lots of shifting arguments since I last tuned in here. The "Garth's not done" crowd (I count myself among them) seems to be moving to damage control with the qualifier, "Even if he is done, that might not be so bad," to which I'd have to disagree. The July 1 signings and the Visnovsky trade were a good start to the offseason, but only if it's the start, not The Plan. There was near universal agreement with that even on July 1 after the signings. I hope that just days later we're not resigning ourselves to the "not horrible" bargain bin options again, and unloading on other fans for not doing cartwheels over that.

I don't see why some brief inaction and rumors of the team being done should change our opinions at all. I feel the same now as I did...and as just about everyone here did...on July 2. I'm happy with all the moves so far except for signing Bois, and I fully expect that our GM recognizes that more needs to be done, and that he will do so before the season starts. After seeing some of the money thrown around, I'm perfectly fine with being patient. Maybe there will be better deals to be made later on when the dust settles a bit. But clearly there needs to be more...either up front in the form of either a center, some scoring, or some size, and back on D in the form of a big body.
- UIF

couldn't have said it better myself.

Okposo is a shining example of one of the biggest problems for this franchise, player development. While he's a decent skater, he lacks the leg strength and sound balance to be an effective 'power forward'. He's constantly thrown off balance, down to one knee, stumbling in traffic. I knew he never would come here but I thought the best option to help Okposo would have been Jagr, as no one ever in the NHL (IMO) had the leg strength/balance that Jaromir did. Unfortunately I see no reason to believe the coaching staffs will ever get Kyle on the right track. He'll probably become another late bloomer with another team that knows how to teach their kids.
- keaner17

I could be wrong but were'nt you the guy saying he was built like an NFL line backer? I agree with this post because the guy gets knocked off the puck pretty quick.

Lots of shifting arguments since I last tuned in here. The "Garth's not done" crowd (I count myself among them) seems to be moving to damage control with the qualifier, "Even if he is done, that might not be so bad," to which I'd have to disagree. The July 1 signings and the Visnovsky trade were a good start to the offseason, but only if it's the start, not The Plan. There was near universal agreement with that even on July 1 after the signings. I hope that just days later we're not resigning ourselves to the "not horrible" bargain bin options again, and unloading on other fans for not doing cartwheels over that.

I don't see why some brief inaction and rumors of the team being done should change our opinions at all. I feel the same now as I did...and as just about everyone here did...on July 2. I'm happy with all the moves so far except for signing Bois, and I fully expect that our GM recognizes that more needs to be done, and that he will do so before the season starts. After seeing some of the money thrown around, I'm perfectly fine with being patient. Maybe there will be better deals to be made later on when the dust settles a bit. But clearly there needs to be more...either up front in the form of either a center, some scoring, or some size, and back on D in the form of a big body.
- UIF

Anyone who believes this was part of the, "we are a playoff team" crowd last year. Which is

Okposo is a shining example of one of the biggest problems for this franchise, player development. While he's a decent skater, he lacks the leg strength and sound balance to be an effective 'power forward'. He's constantly thrown off balance, down to one knee, stumbling in traffic. I knew he never would come here but I thought the best option to help Okposo would have been Jagr, as no one ever in the NHL (IMO) had the leg strength/balance that Jaromir did. Unfortunately I see no reason to believe the coaching staffs will ever get Kyle on the right track. He'll probably become another late bloomer with another team that knows how to teach their kids.
- keaner17

Well said......totally agree with you on this.

ok fine..but if he average 20-24 goals the next ten seasons does that make him a bad pick? if he is just a 45-50 point guy is he a bust because he never developed into a 40 goal scorer? i dunno..i think a healthy Okposo will be fine and if he is only a 50 point 2nd 3rd line tweener..i'm ok with that as well. we'll see this year the pressure is on bailey grabner and okposo to provide secondary scoring
- NYI78

I think Bailey is gonna have a big year. He'll finally be able to play with legit linemates.

like i said..okposo is healthy...i think he'll be fine..also maybe he isn't a power forward,,,,even in college he didn't hit anyone..so who knows but if these three are floundering around the trade deadline i would shake it up
- NYI78

He's called himself a power forward. Probably the only power forward in the league who doesnt play physical

My problem with Campbell would be that as of last year he wasn't capable of bringing what the Isles truly needed on the blue line which was a big tough nasty defensively responsible dman. I don't think Campbell qualifies in any of those categories.

With the Isles, the bottom line seems to be that we can't even attract big names by overpaying. Trades become difficult because we then start the vicious circle of depleting the very farm system we've tried so hard to restock. It seems our only recourse is and has been to remain patient and watch our prospects grow.
- keaner17

There has to be a point in a rebuild when you have enough assets to make a trade. Garth Snow said himself that they now have the prospect depth to bring in someone to make this team better.

As far as im concerned now is the time to part with a few prospects for a proven NHLer. As it stands right now, yes the islanders improved the blueline, but they arent much better on paper than they were last year. With the division they are in, id be shocked if Garth doesnt make a move before the season starts.

I could be wrong but were'nt you the guy saying he was built like an NFL line backer? I agree with this post because the guy gets knocked off the puck pretty quick.
- Cptmjl

Ive said in the past that he's thick and looks more like an NFL guy, but he's softer than a soup sandwich

Anyone who believes this was part of the, "we are a playoff team" crowd last year. Which is
- Cptmjl

Kinda hard not to believe it when the owner, GM, and coach sat at a press conference for all of us to watch, and said "We are done hearing we're rebuilding. We're ready to take the next step." BOLD STATEMENT!! One year, its rebuilding, then its man games lost to injuries, etc etc. What was the excuse last year? I'll tell you what it was.......poor managing. When a team doesnt win there is one person to blame, and thats the person who put that team on the ice.

I could be wrong but were'nt you the guy saying he was built like an NFL line backer? I agree with this post because the guy gets knocked off the puck pretty quick.
- Cptmjl

Not 'could'...' you are'.

He's called himself a power forward. Probably the only power forward in the league who doesnt play physical
- kindlyrick

ok but what he calls himself and what he is do not match...i remember DP saying he was good at handling the puck

ok but what he calls himself and what he is do not match...i remember DP saying he was good at handling the puck
- NYI78

I dont disagree.......but he's a self proclaimed power forward who doesnt hit.

As for Ricky, he is good at handling the puck, but thats not his job.

There has to be a point in a rebuild when you have enough assets to make a trade. Garth Snow said himself that they now have the prospect depth to bring in someone to make this team better.

As far as im concerned now is the time to part with a few prospects for a proven NHLer. As it stands right now, yes the islanders improved the blueline, but they arent much better on paper than they were last year. With the division they are in, id be shocked if Garth doesnt make a move before the season starts.
- kindlyrick

I think we're much better based on our defense being far more physical and our talent pool getting a year older. This teams biggest shortcoming over the last 3 years has been the lack of ability to clear the crease. We've had goalies run over regularly. With Lub and Carnkner, we now have a far more physical defense which can assist us in our transition game. Teams will have a far harder time dominating us down low. So by that standard, I think we are improved. That said, I think we all can agree this team needs to pull the trigger on a deal. I'm just afraid there may not be that many teams willing to talk since the salary cap won't be forcing teams like Pittsburgh, Philly or anyone for that matter to deal.

I dont disagree.......but he's a self proclaimed power forward who doesnt hit.

As for Ricky, he is good at handling the puck, but thats not his job.
- kindlyrick

But that was why we drafted him. As I've said before, you have to remember that DP was drafted during the clutch and grab NHL. The Isles envisioned the team playing a trap system with a goalie who could move the puck like a dman (sound familiar..calling Marty). Milbury had made comments that the Devils were the model franchise and that's what he tried to do. Unfortunately the rule changes pulled the carpet out from under us by eliminating the redline and installing the trapazoid.
Like Okposo, DP is another example of a very good talent that was terribly mishandled. I celebrated Sudsy's dismissal this year as I think he's an awful goaltender coach.

I think we're much better based on our defense being far more physical and our talent pool getting a year older. This teams biggest shortcoming over the last 3 years has been the lack of ability to clear the crease. We've had goalies run over regularly. With Lub and Carnkner, we now have a far more physical defense which can assist us in our transition game. Teams will have a far harder time dominating us down low. So by that standard, I think we are improved. That said, I think we all can agree this team needs to pull the trigger on a deal. I'm just afraid there may not be that many teams willing to talk since the salary cap won't be forcing teams like Pittsburgh, Philly or anyone for that matter to deal.
- keaner17

I agree with you except i dont see how the isles are that much tougher on the backend. Yes, Carkner is a tough customer, but one man doesnt make the defense tough.

But that was why we drafted him. As I've said before, you have to remember that DP was drafted during the clutch and grab NHL. The Isles envisioned the team playing a trap system with a goalie who could move the puck like a dman (sound familiar..calling Marty). Milbury had made comments that the Devils were the model franchise and that's what he tried to do. Unfortunately the rule changes pulled the carpet out from under us by eliminating the redline and installing the trapazoid.
Like Okposo, DP is another example of a very good talent that was terribly mishandled. I celebrated Sudsy's dismissal this year as I think he's an awful goaltender coach.
- keaner17

I like having a goalie who can handle the puck.......its def an advantage. However, Rickys arrogance takes over, and he does too much.

I like having a goalie who can handle the puck.......its def an advantage. However, Rickys arrogance takes over, and he does too much.
- kindlyrick

His puck handling never bothered me that much. While he turns the puck over plenty of times, they rarely end up in our net. What has always bothered me the most about DP is I think he's awful at tracking the puck through crowds. Combine that with the fact that I've never liked seeing smallish goaltenders trying to play a pure butterfly style and you get a recipe for a kid who gets beat up high on long shots CONSTANTLY. That's a coaching issue, though I'm willing to buy in that DP's probably a difficult kid to coach. It seems that 75% of the goals he gives up are where a guy cuts accross the middle about 10-15 feet inside the blueline and rips a high shot that DP appears to have never seen. He was never taught how to play goalie in the NHL, or at least wasn't willing to learn.

Not 'could'...' you are'.
- keaner17

OK. I stand corrected . It was kindlyrick

Ive said in the past that he's thick and looks more like an NFL guy, but he's softer than a soup sandwich
- kindlyrick

Kinda hard not to believe it when the owner, GM, and coach sat at a press conference for all of us to watch, and said "We are done hearing we're rebuilding. We're ready to take the next step." BOLD STATEMENT!! One year, its rebuilding, then its man games lost to injuries, etc etc. What was the excuse last year? I'll tell you what it was.......poor managing. When a team doesnt win there is one person to blame, and thats the person who put that team on the ice.
- kindlyrick[/quote]
correct. Love the excuses. Snows not done, now its hes done but the team is better than last year. My question is how is the team better than last year? On paper I see it being the same if not worse with the loss of PA.

I agree with you except i dont see how the isles are that much tougher on the backend. Yes, Carkner is a tough customer, but one man doesnt make the defense tough.
- kindlyrick

Well, it's only IMO but I'm hoping Hamonic shows up a year older and far stronger. If that happens, we'll have 2 big physical defensemen in our top 4 defensive slots. To me, that's a huge difference over last year. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to add another physical dman, but I feel much better about that corps this year than last.