Dee Karl: Isles Vs Panthers: Almost gave it away Closer than it should have been

Dee Karl: Isles Vs Panthers: Almost gave it away
Closer than it should have been
- Dee Karl

- Ur Not Me

Thanks for the new blog!

Once again...third period, on the road, 3-0 lead......1-2-2.....1-2-2.....four across at the blueline, one back, Florida dumps, rearguard dumps it right back out....fans go to sleep....game over. Can't bring themselves to do it. CANNOT. They were still sending two godd*mn forecheckers with 15 SECONDS LEFT AND THE OTHER GOALIE ON THE BENCH. THAT is what has to change, and that's coaching, period. That said, I'll take the two points.....Cizikas was a steal in the draft, for sure. The kid can play.

Becoming more of a cizikas fan every game he plays .

Becoming more of a cizikas fan every game he plays .
- The Iceman

I have man for Cizikas. That third period was brutal but unlike past years Isles found a way. So far things are breaking well for the Isles with other teams stumbling. Hopefully this continues.

I have man for Cizikas. That third period was brutal but unlike past years Isles found a way. So far things are breaking well for the Isles with other teams stumbling. Hopefully this continues.
- ses111

Yep. One thing i like. they seem to find a way. Years past they lost that game.

Lousy 3rd period but they won...last year would have been a loss...

Lousy 3rd period but they won...last year would have been a loss...
- kear20

Exactly, progress? I guess? Hopeless isles fan trying to eek a positive? Maybe? I'll take the win. Win their next game and I'll take them seriously, isn't that our way?

Exactly, progress? I guess? Hopeless isles fan trying to eek a positive? Maybe? I'll take the win. Win their next game and I'll take them seriously, isn't that our way?
- Cptmjl

They need to win Tuesday and split the back to back Thursday and Friday then I believe they will be in good position.

Lousy 3rd period but they won...last year would have been a loss...
- kear20

Thankfully they were playing Florida or a real team would have handed them their @sses.

XxNYIxX

Thankfully they were playing Florida or a real team would have handed them their @sses.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

For sure- they just collapse on occasion, and it's because they keep their foot on the gas at times when it isn't necessary. Sometimes, you just have to play defense....again, just as is the case with any team sport other than baseball, the idea is to have the time run out with more points than the other team. You'd think that would be the simple part.....

Exactly, progress? I guess? Hopeless isles fan trying to eek a positive? Maybe? I'll take the win. Win their next game and I'll take them seriously, isn't that our way?
- Cptmjl

Thanks... hopeless?...just trying to look at the glass half full...still think they need to overhaul the defense...get a power forward and build a 2nd line...not to much to ask for...

Why is everyone suprised by Cizikas. Kid has always been a stud.

Snow no question stole him as he was a 1st round talent that fell to later rounds b/c of the flag football incident.

He may not be a 1st line but he is a 3rd line centre , pk specialist and future selke winner.

All of us go nuts we blew 3-0 lead. Reality it happens a lot in NHL. Difference this year is we closing out the games this year more instead of blowing them

Just found out about the Kichton thing. That sucks. Apparently he wanted to be in Bridgeport this year...from June 18:

Brenden Kichton ‏@B_Kichton8
The only thing I want for my birthday.... A contract! #isles

Guess they thought the BPort D was too good and stacked for him

Just found out about the Kichton thing. That sucks. Apparently he wanted to be in Bridgeport this year...from June 18:

Brenden Kichton ‏@B_Kichton8
The only thing I want for my birthday.... A contract! #isles

Guess they thought the BPort D was too good and stacked for him
- UIF

If this guy is the real deal and they let him slip through their fingers for this it's some serious mismanagement

If this guy is the real deal and they let him slip through their fingers for this it's some serious mismanagement
- Cptmjl

Makes little sense. They haven't had an issue like this under Snow.

Just found out about the Kichton thing. That sucks. Apparently he wanted to be in Bridgeport this year...from June 18:

Brenden Kichton ‏@B_Kichton8
The only thing I want for my birthday.... A contract! #isles

Guess they thought the BPort D was too good and stacked for him
- UIF

or they thought with the lockout that Bridgeport would be crowded & made more sense for him to play another year in the WHL.. which I agree with.


XxNYIxX

If this guy is the real deal and they let him slip through their fingers for this it's some serious mismanagement
- Cptmjl

ohh relax, this happens all the time... it would suck to lose him, but its not the end of the world.

XxNYIxX

Makes little sense. They haven't had an issue like this under Snow.
- Isles316

"But the bombshell -- in relative prospect-hoarding terms -- was that Staple has heard Brenden Kichton rejected Isles contract offers and intends to re-enter the draft in June, feeling he can be higher than a fifth-round pick this time.

That's an interesting move if he follows through: On one hand, it opens up valuation from other teams. On the other, it really doesn't improve his contract position much, as his rights would still be held by one team -- and it's not like the NHL has salary slots for draft picks the way other sports do. (Ed.: There are other sports?)

He will be 21 for this June's draft, which means his ELC will still be a three-year deal when he signs, having been exposed in the draft three times.

Kichton, who leads WHL defensemen in scoring again and captains his team, was passed over in the draft the first time (2010) but drew an invite to Red Wings prospect camp. Then the Isles selected him in the fifth round in 2011. He really wanted an NHL contract last summer, but the Isles didn't sign him -- whether in anticipation of a lockout-fueled crowd of bodies in Bridgeport, or concerns about his defense, or simply preferring to slot his ELC clock one year later ... all are plausible concerns.

Also plausible: That this leak is another leverage attempt to get the Isles to up their offer. Kichton is on Twitter (in a photo from Isles prospect camp).

The history of players who re-enter the draft is not exactly impressive and doesn't tend to result in moving up much, for whatever that's worth. But it's occasionally done well, and there are examples like Mike Van Ryn who followed it up with good NHL careers. (Van Ryn's career ended early due to injuries, not a lack of talent.) Kichton has a record of gaudy numbers in his corner.

If he flees, it's not a huge loss, but it is more significant than players like Jason Gregoire and Blake Kessel taking their services elsewhere. And it would be the second Spokane defenseman the Isles let get away, joining Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. We'll see where it goes from here."

XxNYIxX

Just found out about the Kichton thing. That sucks. Apparently he wanted to be in Bridgeport this year...from June 18:

Brenden Kichton ‏@B_Kichton8
The only thing I want for my birthday.... A contract! #isles

Guess they thought the BPort D was too good and stacked for him
- UIF

If Snow does not give a contract, and the kid goes back into the draft, Then Snow needs to go, bc Kichton has done better each yr and now has become a prospect/chip for the organizatin...something we need

"But the bombshell -- in relative prospect-hoarding terms -- was that Staple has heard Brenden Kichton rejected Isles contract offers and intends to re-enter the draft in June, feeling he can be higher than a fifth-round pick this time.

That's an interesting move if he follows through: On one hand, it opens up valuation from other teams. On the other, it really doesn't improve his contract position much, as his rights would still be held by one team -- and it's not like the NHL has salary slots for draft picks the way other sports do. (Ed.: There are other sports?)

He will be 21 for this June's draft, which means his ELC will still be a three-year deal when he signs, having been exposed in the draft three times.

Kichton, who leads WHL defensemen in scoring again and captains his team, was passed over in the draft the first time (2010) but drew an invite to Red Wings prospect camp. Then the Isles selected him in the fifth round in 2011. He really wanted an NHL contract last summer, but the Isles didn't sign him -- whether in anticipation of a lockout-fueled crowd of bodies in Bridgeport, or concerns about his defense, or simply preferring to slot his ELC clock one year later ... all are plausible concerns.

Also plausible: That this leak is another leverage attempt to get the Isles to up their offer. Kichton is on Twitter (in a photo from Isles prospect camp).

The history of players who re-enter the draft is not exactly impressive and doesn't tend to result in moving up much, for whatever that's worth. But it's occasionally done well, and there are examples like Mike Van Ryn who followed it up with good NHL careers. (Van Ryn's career ended early due to injuries, not a lack of talent.) Kichton has a record of gaudy numbers in his corner.

If he flees, it's not a huge loss, but it is more significant than players like Jason Gregoire and Blake Kessel taking their services elsewhere. And it would be the second Spokane defenseman the Isles let get away, joining Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. We'll see where it goes from here."

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Interesting points. We don't exactly have future Norris winners or any offensive defensemen in our system so I would hope they get this kid signed

Interesting points. We don't exactly have future Norris winners or any offensive defensemen in our system so I would hope they get this kid signed
- Isles316

Agreed, like i always say.. he is an asset & I hope we can get him signed.

But lets be realistic, if he goes back in the draft he's not a first rounder & second is a stretch as well.
So he moves up to say the third... moved up 2 rounds..what does he want a cookie?

XxNYIxX

Agreed, like i always say.. he is an asset & I hope we can get him signed.

But lets be realistic, if he goes back in the draft he's not a first rounder & second is a stretch as well.
So he moves up to say the third... moved up 2 rounds..what does he want a cookie?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

totally understand, but any type of prospect who is/has been improving should be signed, only gives the organization another chip, how many times we need to sign lame crap D-men to fill roster spots in bridge.....

and he deserves a brownie......

ohh relax, this happens all the time... it would suck to lose him, but its not the end of the world.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I'm relaxed. I know it's not the end of the world by any means but it would be a misstep on Snow's part if this kid turned out to be something, having him play in Bridgeport would not be a big deal.