Dee Karl: Poulin & Orange vs Blue Young 'uns

Dee Karl: Poulin & Orange vs Blue
Young 'uns
- Dee Karl

Today @ 11:12 PM ET
Latest Newsday article quotes snow as saying he is happy with goaltending so there ya go folks. Nilsson and poulin will fight for backup role

From Puck Daddy's free agency grades...

New York Islanders
The most significant move for the Islanders was re-signing Travis Hamonic for 7 years at $27 million. In typical fashion, it was a move trashed by uppity Canadian media types that watched the Islanders for the first time in seven years during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which ignores the fact that Garth Snow locked up a 23-year-old minutes-eating two-way defenseman at $3.857 million through 2020.

Assuming Evgeni Nabokov gives them exactly what he did in 2012-13, it’s not a bad move to bring him back for another year, even at $3.25 million. But you’d like to see the Islanders add another goalie to that mix.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been called “tentative” and “soft” by Minnesota Wild observers that have seen his game diminish in the last few injury-riddled seasons. One year, $2 million, and the chance to resurrect his career with Tavares and Moulson? That’s a better investment than relocating to Brooklyn.

GRADE: A

Agree or disagree, it's always nice to see the Isles not get dumped on by the media.

Today @ 11:12 PM ET
Latest Newsday article quotes snow as saying he is happy with goaltending so there ya go folks. Nilsson and poulin will fight for backup role
- Isles316

Yea... Nabby and Poulin will split the games!!!

Yea... Nabby and Poulin will split the games!!!
- jimmc7722

No.poulin hasn't made team yet. Team stated today that if he doesn't, he will go through waivers to Bridgeport and could be claimed. Nabby isn't getting 3.25 million to play 41 games. He's going to play 60

No.poulin hasn't made team yet. Team stated today that if he doesn't, he will go through waivers to Bridgeport and could be claimed. Nabby isn't getting 3.25 million to play 41 games. He's going to play 60
- Isles316

Actually Poulin can start in minors and come up without being claimed
He cannot ever be sent down tjough

No.poulin hasn't made team yet. Team stated today that if he doesn't, he will go through waivers to Bridgeport and could be claimed. Nabby isn't getting 3.25 million to play 41 games. He's going to play 60
- Isles316

The problem is that if Nabokov plays 60 and we make the dance, he's going to sh*t the bed like he did last year....I mean, a lot of that was the fact that they couldn't bring themselves to win the last three games, and so they had to play the Penguins in round one- Ottawa's goalies didn't look any better against them, as I recall. That said, at his age, he's going to be flat out of gas if he plays 3 out of every 4 games for 6 months. Someone else is going to have to bring something to the table.

Like I also said, Poulin's problem is simple- they need to hire whoever taught him how to play goal in junior, to make him forget the stuff Sudsie taught him...the f**king rain dance, and the dying fish....last year he just looked too much like DiPietro for my liking, and that wasn't the case the first time I saw him play a couple of years ago.

His problem is mostly "bad habits", for lack of a better way of saying it. Just stand your big a$$ in front of the net and stop the puck. The less a goalie who is taller than 6'2" moves, the better, IMO. That stuff works for Dubie, who is the size of one of my legs, but for him, he looks like a horse who stepped on a hornet's nest. Just stand still and keep those two mattresses on your legs together.

Actually Poulin can start in minors and come up without being claimed
He cannot ever be sent down tjough
- Danformo

Pretty sure even if he starts in AHL he has to clear waivers. Since he was 20 years old when he signed his first contract you have i belive 80 games played in either ahl or nhl before you have to clear waivers. If I miss understood the rules forgive me the stuff reads like stereo intructions

From Puck Daddy's free agency grades...

New York Islanders
The most significant move for the Islanders was re-signing Travis Hamonic for 7 years at $27 million. In typical fashion, it was a move trashed by uppity Canadian media types that watched the Islanders for the first time in seven years during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which ignores the fact that Garth Snow locked up a 23-year-old minutes-eating two-way defenseman at $3.857 million through 2020.

Assuming Evgeni Nabokov gives them exactly what he did in 2012-13, it’s not a bad move to bring him back for another year, even at $3.25 million. But you’d like to see the Islanders add another goalie to that mix.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been called “tentative” and “soft” by Minnesota Wild observers that have seen his game diminish in the last few injury-riddled seasons. One year, $2 million, and the chance to resurrect his career with Tavares and Moulson? That’s a better investment than relocating to Brooklyn.

GRADE: A

Agree or disagree, it's always nice to see the Isles not get dumped on by the media.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, I can't see criticizing that move- here's why it's different from DiPietro. DiPietro is a goalie; you only get ONE on the ice at a time, and you can't hide him. You can bury a defenseman if he's cr*p, and with what defensemen are getting nowadays, he's not making THAT much money that it kills you.

I hate to say it, but this team is doing things exactly the right way for once. It probably means that some of us (ok, me, for example) are going to have to have some patience as far as the final product, which is probably still three years away, and may take a step back this season (we're in a division where we could finish with exactly the same winning percentage as last year, and yet be sixth and out). They are going to do what they're doing, and they don't really care what anyone wants.

I think the problem as New York metro area fans is that we're used to teams always trying to do "something" to appease the idea that they're "trying to win". This team IS trying to win. It's just taking its time getting there, which is frustrating, but in the end, it's better than always trying to not quite be good enough to win- even our neighbors in Manhattan have seemed to have figured that one out, after watching New Jersey for all those years.

In fact, in the NHL, that only still seems to be a problem in Philly and Toronto- Philly seems to constantly rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, and Toronto just does some of the dumbest things ever (look at Clarkson's ACTUAL stats.....he's not what I would call a "30 goal scorer".....unless you think Brady Anderson was a "50 home run slugger"). Clarkson's stats are more like Okposo's at this point, and he's never impressed me in all the times I watched him play....never stood out to where I said, wow, I'd really like to have THAT guy on our team. In fact, I love the quote from Washington's GM, who basically said that he didn't buy anything off the rack this year because it was all overpriced cr*p.

I'll say it again- I'd still like to see this team go into the season with another solid, veteran defenseman, but other than that, I'd roll this group to see what it can do. It's only going to get better over the next few seasons, which is a welcome change around here.

Pretty sure even if he starts in AHL he has to clear waivers. Since he was 20 years old when he signed his first contract you have i belive 80 games played in either ahl or nhl before you have to clear waivers. If I miss understood the rules forgive me the stuff reads like stereo intructions
- oopsb13

Yeah, it reads like the stereo instructions that my father doesn't read....he thinks "manual" is the guy who's going to come over and hook up the VCR.

Yeah, it reads like the stereo instructions that my father doesn't read....he thinks "manual" is the guy who's going to come over and hook up the VCR.
- dcb1

What's a VCR?!

Poulin will suprise us. Lets not forget before he went down with that freaky pre game injury he was one of best goalie prospects out there. Patrick Roy himself said Poulin was best goalie in ohl. With goalies confidence is everything.

Cappy wouldn't play Poulin b/c dp was still in mix beginning of year and it was shortened season. If Poulin can prove his worth I don't think cappy would be scared to give him start. It's what's best for nabby too. Nabbys worst games were when he had too many consecutive starts.

If Poulin or nillson can prove there worth we could see isles build off this past year.

Isles need one more dman. That unless Reinhart Donovan or De Hann can step in.

If playoff ko arrives to start season, Bouchard has good chemistry with jt, and Poulin/nillson could play 25-30 games for us. Isles going to make some noise this year.

I think we will see a lot of Poulin this season because it will be a make or break season for him. He has to show Snow and Co that he can play in the NHL and be helpful or they won't re-sign him next summer. He seems to be the first of the 3 "older" goalie prospects in our system (not meaning age just time in system) getting their true shot at the NHL and if he fails it will be next one up next season and see ya to Poulin.

I think his biggest problem is that he seems to be a rythmn goalie that needs to start on a regular basis in order to get comfortable and be sucessful. That is going to be something he has to get over this season if he wants to keep a spot on this team.

I am also excitied about PMB if he can stay healthy. He is the type of winger JT needs, someone that can carry the puck in the zone and allow MM and JT to find soft spots in the D to just slam the puck home! Last year with Boyes, JT had to carry the puck all over the place and I feel like you could see him getting fustrated having to do all the heavy lifting. PMB is just like PAP with dare I say it in this place...more skill! The health scares me but if he is healthy that line can be so much better this season then last!

From Puck Daddy's free agency grades...

New York Islanders
The most significant move for the Islanders was re-signing Travis Hamonic for 7 years at $27 million. In typical fashion, it was a move trashed by uppity Canadian media types that watched the Islanders for the first time in seven years during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which ignores the fact that Garth Snow locked up a 23-year-old minutes-eating two-way defenseman at $3.857 million through 2020.

Assuming Evgeni Nabokov gives them exactly what he did in 2012-13, it’s not a bad move to bring him back for another year, even at $3.25 million. But you’d like to see the Islanders add another goalie to that mix.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been called “tentative” and “soft” by Minnesota Wild observers that have seen his game diminish in the last few injury-riddled seasons. One year, $2 million, and the chance to resurrect his career with Tavares and Moulson? That’s a better investment than relocating to Brooklyn.

GRADE: A

Agree or disagree, it's always nice to see the Isles not get dumped on by the media.
- eichiefs9

im sorry, but im sick and tired of that statement.......thats band aides on a flesh wound. Address the top line wing with legit talent already.....STOPPPPP with the cheap "resurrection" guys!

No.poulin hasn't made team yet. Team stated today that if he doesn't, he will go through waivers to Bridgeport and could be claimed. Nabby isn't getting 3.25 million to play 41 games. He's going to play 60
- Isles316

Poulin will be fine... hopefully he gets @ least 30 to 35 games.

He has been successful @ every level of hockey.

It's just a matter of playing, and getting use to the speed of the NHL.


Still not sold on Bouchard on the top line... maybe KO will move up.

Bouchard is not a top line guy. Should be on the 2nd or third line.

They really need to look @ upgrading the top 6.

Bottom 6 will match up with any team in the league.

I still feel the Islanders need to go out and get a reliable back up. Not convinced with the kids yet and our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs. The only way you do that is with great goaltending and defense

I still feel the Islanders need to go out and get a reliable back up. Not convinced with the kids yet and our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs. The only way you do that is with great goaltending and defense
- kasperrko

you know how I feel about poulin,,,,im skeptical at best

The problem is that if Nabokov plays 60 and we make the dance, he's going to sh*t the bed like he did last year....I mean, a lot of that was the fact that they couldn't bring themselves to win the last three games, and so they had to play the Penguins in round one- Ottawa's goalies didn't look any better against them, as I recall. That said, at his age, he's going to be flat out of gas if he plays 3 out of every 4 games for 6 months. Someone else is going to have to bring something to the table.

Like I also said, Poulin's problem is simple- they need to hire whoever taught him how to play goal in junior, to make him forget the stuff Sudsie taught him...the f**king rain dance, and the dying fish....last year he just looked too much like DiPietro for my liking, and that wasn't the case the first time I saw him play a couple of years ago.

His problem is mostly "bad habits", for lack of a better way of saying it. Just stand your big a$$ in front of the net and stop the puck. The less a goalie who is taller than 6'2" moves, the better, IMO. That stuff works for Dubie, who is the size of one of my legs, but for him, he looks like a horse who stepped on a hornet's nest. Just stand still and keep those two mattresses on your legs together.
- dcb1

Poulin hasn't looked the same since he had the freak knee injury. Which he has had in both knees now. Nabby wasn't good in playoffs but the isles defense didn't help him much and Pitt scored a lot of freak goals. Not making total excuses but my bigger worry is the isles defense. Lubo, hamonic are the only two d men that make most NHL rosters right now. Strait and carkner are a horror show, hickey has some positives but also some negative, and macdonald in my opinion is vastly over rated by the fan base. He is a giveaway machine. The isles need another steady d man or nabby will be getting hung out to dry nightly again

Yeah, I can't see criticizing that move- here's why it's different from DiPietro. DiPietro is a goalie; you only get ONE on the ice at a time, and you can't hide him. You can bury a defenseman if he's cr*p, and with what defensemen are getting nowadays, he's not making THAT much money that it kills you.

I hate to say it, but this team is doing things exactly the right way for once. It probably means that some of us (ok, me, for example) are going to have to have some patience as far as the final product, which is probably still three years away, and may take a step back this season (we're in a division where we could finish with exactly the same winning percentage as last year, and yet be sixth and out). They are going to do what they're doing, and they don't really care what anyone wants.

I think the problem as New York metro area fans is that we're used to teams always trying to do "something" to appease the idea that they're "trying to win". This team IS trying to win. It's just taking its time getting there, which is frustrating, but in the end, it's better than always trying to not quite be good enough to win- even our neighbors in Manhattan have seemed to have figured that one out, after watching New Jersey for all those years.

In fact, in the NHL, that only still seems to be a problem in Philly and Toronto- Philly seems to constantly rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, and Toronto just does some of the dumbest things ever (look at Clarkson's ACTUAL stats.....he's not what I would call a "30 goal scorer".....unless you think Brady Anderson was a "50 home run slugger"). Clarkson's stats are more like Okposo's at this point, and he's never impressed me in all the times I watched him play....never stood out to where I said, wow, I'd really like to have THAT guy on our team. In fact, I love the quote from Washington's GM, who basically said that he didn't buy anything off the rack this year because it was all overpriced cr*p.

I'll say it again- I'd still like to see this team go into the season with another solid, veteran defenseman, but other than that, I'd roll this group to see what it can do. It's only going to get better over the next few seasons, which is a welcome change around here.
- dcb1

Pretty much dead on. How many teams in the east have better forwards than the isles right now ? Not many. I'm talking about four lines. Not many have 12 forwards that can score a goal and right now the isles do

Poulin will suprise us. Lets not forget before he went down with that freaky pre game injury he was one of best goalie prospects out there. Patrick Roy himself said Poulin was best goalie in ohl. With goalies confidence is everything.

Cappy wouldn't play Poulin b/c dp was still in mix beginning of year and it was shortened season. If Poulin can prove his worth I don't think cappy would be scared to give him start. It's what's best for nabby too. Nabbys worst games were when he had too many consecutive starts.

If Poulin or nillson can prove there worth we could see isles build off this past year.

Isles need one more dman. That unless Reinhart Donovan or De Hann can step in.

If playoff ko arrives to start season, Bouchard has good chemistry with jt, and Poulin/nillson could play 25-30 games for us. Isles going to make some noise this year.
- Spartiarti

Donovan is going to make the team and with that, they need another defenseman. Is Donovan,hickey,strait, or carkner a legit top 4 ? Do you really want 3 out of those 4 in the lineup every night ?

you know how I feel about poulin,,,,im skeptical at best
- NYI78

Yeah don't trust the guy as of yet. I still think he needs some retooling.

Poulin will be fine... hopefully he gets @ least 30 to 35 games.

He has been successful @ every level of hockey.

It's just a matter of playing, and getting use to the speed of the NHL.


Still not sold on Bouchard on the top line... maybe KO will move up.

Bouchard is not a top line guy. Should be on the 2nd or third line.

They really need to look @ upgrading the top 6.

Bottom 6 will match up with any team in the league.
- jimmc7722

The upgrade will come when Strome and Nelson and whoever else are ready. I don't see this franchise under Wang ever adding a huge "name" player.

Still wish we could have gotten some REAL help for Tavares.

Poulin hasn't looked the same since he had the freak knee injury. Which he has had in both knees now. Nabby wasn't good in playoffs but the isles defense didn't help him much and Pitt scored a lot of freak goals. Not making total excuses but my bigger worry is the isles defense. Lubo, hamonic are the only two d men that make most NHL rosters right now. Strait and carkner are a horror show, hickey has some positives but also some negative, and macdonald in my opinion is vastly over rated by the fan base. He is a giveaway machine. The isles need another steady d man or nabby will be getting hung out to dry nightly again
- Isles316

Agree on him he is horrendous. He cant hit the net and he is on the ice for more opposing goals then golas for us

The upgrade will come when Strome and Nelson and whoever else are ready. I don't see this franchise under Wang ever adding a huge "name" player.

Still wish we could have gotten some REAL help for Tavares.
- Mancalledsting

I think Bouchard is going to surprise people. He will really help Tavares and moulson. He's very fast and shifty with the puck.

I think Bouchard is going to surprise people. He will really help Tavares and moulson. He's very fast and shifty with the puck.
- Isles316

In watching some highlight vids of him on youtube, you may be right. I just wish that they wouldn't be wasting years of a young Tavares (and his contract) and not getting the maximum for both. A top flight winger who can just consistently finish would be an absolute FORCE with Tavares.