Dan Petriw: Isles Positional Report, Who's on First?

If I'm Snow, I'd push hard with the Senators for Mike Hoffman. I realize it's unlikely they move him at this point since he played for Guy Boucher in the Q, but he's a guy that I fully believe would be an excellent goal-scoring compliment to Tavares.

It's a bit of a pipe dream at this point, but I'd offer up a nice deal for a guy like that.

I had never heard Skinner mentioned but Holy cow that would make me happy. I wanted the Isles to draft him b/c he rattled off 50 goals for the Kitchner Rangers. He then had 30 as an NHL rookie... He has had some health issues and is not the fastest skater but the kid is a flat out sniper. I would really like that move.

If I'm Snow, I'd push hard with the Senators for Mike Hoffman. I realize it's unlikely they move him at this point since he played for Guy Boucher in the Q, but he's a guy that I fully believe would be an excellent goal-scoring compliment to Tavares.

It's a bit of a pipe dream at this point, but I'd offer up a nice deal for a guy like that.
- eichiefs9

Agree Chief he would be a nice fit however I too don't think you can pry him out of Ott. As Dan said, at this point you almost would take any true first line winger we can get because as JT has proven in the past with the revolving door cast of characters he has played with it's time to get him some honest 1st line talent to play with, and stop with the blue light special plug ins.

Dan Petriw: Isles Positional Report, Who's on First?
- Dan Petriw

Nicely written......at this point, any of those wingers your mentioned would be an upgrade for #91

No scoring line really remains consistent throughout an entire season though...that's a bit too much to ask. Sometimes they have to work through a slump or two. I think that's been my biggest issue...we've had lines that look great, they struggle for a game or two, and they're ripped apart and held apart for a quarter of a season before pieces of the line find themselves back together when the Random Wheel of Line Making calls their numbers again. Very hard to build chemistry that way or to figure out what might work in the long term. I don't think it's a surprise that the only line on the team that functions as an actual unit is the only one that's actually been kept together.

So, can Nelson, for instance, work on the first line? Maybe, but they gotta stick with it for longer than two periods at a time to see if chemistry develops, and be a bit more patient if it does work but then hits a speed bump.

KO has been the only one who's gotten a real consistent look with JT over the years, and I'd argue he's looked pretty good there not just in scattered spots, but more often than not. Especially when they had the legit one-two punch of Tavares-Vanek...that was probably the best KO has ever looked and showed how dangerous of a first line the Isles could have if they keep what they've got and fill the LW need they've needed since Vanek left. It still surprises me Snow hasn't spoken with KO's agent since...when did they last speak, before the season started?

Seems like a lot to ask for the Isles to go to the market and pull in two first-line wingers. As most here pointed out when they failed to bring in a LW over the past two seasons, it's a lot easier to say "we need top-six scoring" than it is to ID a specific player and land him.

I had never heard Skinner mentioned but Holy cow that would make me happy. I wanted the Isles to draft him b/c he rattled off 50 goals for the Kitchner Rangers. He then had 30 as an NHL rookie... He has had some health issues and is not the fastest skater but the kid is a flat out sniper. I would really like that move.
- niteislander

Skinner's concussion history concerns me. He can play, no doubt about it..but I'm worried about injuries down the road. He's played full or close-to-full season the last 3 years, but it's always a looming concern.

Agree Chief he would be a nice fit however I too don't think you can pry him out of Ott. As Dan said, at this point you almost would take any true first line winger we can get because as JT has proven in the past with the revolving door cast of characters he has played with it's time to get him some honest 1st line talent to play with, and stop with the blue light special plug ins.
- nyisles7

It's unlikely, but I would most certainly consider offering something like Strome/19th overall for his RFA rights. If the Sens go for it great, if not...oh well, on to the next one.

*cough* Nash *cough*

(run and hides)

It's unlikely, but I would most certainly consider offering something like Strome/19th overall for his RFA rights. If the Sens go for it great, if not...oh well, on to the next one.
- eichiefs9

I dont think Strome and the 19th gets him.

I dont think Strome and the 19th gets him.
- kindlyrick

I'd toss in Mayfield, but I wouldn't go much more than that.

It may not get him and that's fine, there are other options out there.

It's unlikely, but I would most certainly consider offering something like Strome/19th overall for his RFA rights. If the Sens go for it great, if not...oh well, on to the next one.
- eichiefs9

Love his game. You would think Snow is on it.

*cough* Nash *cough*

(run and hides)
- Wildschwein

Love his game. You would think Snow is on it.
- nyisles7

Yeah I would imagine he at least makes/made a phone call, but I'm not holding my breath. It probably is just a pipe dream that never comes to fruition.

The names Dan mentioned would all be great adds, but I don't really see Pacioretty as realistic. I can't fathom why the Canadiens would move a big, scoring winger who has a ridiculously team-friendly deal.

There are a few free agents out there that would vastly improve this team's depth as well.

*cough* Nash *cough*

(run and hides)
- Wildschwein

Oilers want Nash?

*cough* Nash *cough*

(run and hides)
- Wildschwein

I'd take him if the Rangers retain 50% of his salary.

Yeah I would imagine he at least makes/made a phone call, but I'm not holding my breath. It probably is just a pipe dream that never comes to fruition.

The names Dan mentioned would all be great adds, but I don't really see Pacioretty as realistic. I can't fathom why the Canadiens would move a big, scoring winger who has a ridiculously team-friendly deal.

There are a few free agents out there that would vastly improve this team's depth as well.
- eichiefs9

I just hope we aren't going to go with the lets see what the kids can give us shat again. Young players prospects and picks are nice but I think we are way past the building phase and need to make some tough decisions and turn some of these assets into immediate dividends to take us to the next step. KO, Franz and MM all leave, there is a shat load of experience, Mins, points and heart etc to replace and I don't think the youth plug in works and will be a step backwards for this team.

If the cap goes down this off season its going to cause chaos with plenty of teams. When do the players vote on the escalator? This could be a wild summer.

I'd toss in Mayfield, but I wouldn't go much more than that.

It may not get him and that's fine, there are other options out there.
- eichiefs9

I guess anythings worth a shot. I happen to like Mayfield and was shocked that Strait played over him last season.

I just hope we aren't going to go with the lets see what the kids can give us shat again. Young players prospects and picks are nice but I think we are way past the building phase and need to make some tough decisions and turn some of these assets into immediate dividends to take us to the next step. KO, Franz and MM all leave, there is a shat load of experience, Mins, points and heart etc to replace and I don't think the youth plug in works and will be a step backwards for this team.
- nyisles7

Without a couple of proven additions this team will take a step back.

Also shouldn't Snow be wondering why our young players are not progression like they should be.

Also shouldn't Snow be wondering why our young players are not progression like they should be.
- roadworker

I don’t think there’s much to wonder about, Nelson needs to get stronger and go to the net harder and strome needs to stop coasting, go to the net and get stronger. Lee seemed like mostly puck luck which turned around for him just before he got hurt.

Young players very often take a step back at some point in the first couple of years, it’s banking on them to improve that is what gets a team in trouble.

If the cap goes down this off season its going to cause chaos with plenty of teams. When do the players vote on the escalator? This could be a wild summer.
- Isles_since_6

I think it's before July 1st and the FA kicks in, so end of this month then? But not sure.

I just hope we aren't going to go with the lets see what the kids can give us shat again. Young players prospects and picks are nice but I think we are way past the building phase and need to make some tough decisions and turn some of these assets into immediate dividends to take us to the next step. KO, Franz and MM all leave, there is a shat load of experience, Mins, points and heart etc to replace and I don't think the youth plug in works and will be a step backwards for this team.
- nyisles7

Well the hope is that Snow & Co. see that assuming young players will always follow a straight-line, upward trajectory isn't a good way to operate.

It's still to early to make a shopping list because of the uncertainty of Nielsen's status with the team. But he needs to add a winger to play with Tavares for sure, ideally a RH shot. With Okposo leaving, we are severely lacking RH shot wingers. Strome and Clutterbuck are the only two RH wingers up front.

There aren't too quality many UFA RH forwards out there:

- Stamkos
- Purcell
- Backes
- Versteeg
- Perron
- Brouwer

That's really just about it, in terms of players that I'd be happy signing. I'd be weary of overpaying Brouwer based off his playoff performance. Perron is good depth, but has issues staying healthy. That list, outside of Stammer, is entirely middle-6 guys. I'd be happy to add any of them for depth, but I don't think anyone really solves the "Tavares needs a winger" issue.

In terms of guys that could be traded and are righties:

- Eberle
- Shaw
- ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I guess anythings worth a shot. I happen to like Mayfield and was shocked that Strait played over him last season.
- kindlyrick

I'm not confident that Mayfield has the foot speed or the puck moving abilities to be an impact defenseman in the NHL. Big and mean is nice, but it means nothing if you're getting torched every night.

Not to mention that he's a RHD and we're pretty set with 3, 55, 6 down the right side. He could be the 7th defenseman this year, but he could also be dangled as trade bait too.