Dee Karl: Life in the Desert & Other Stuff Thoughts on a busy Monday morning - some of them hockey related.

The place was full..ay?

Hey Dee,

2 Points on your blog.
1. The other thing you had to notice if you watched the games from the desert. That was a beautiful building as well as the area around it. Then we pull into that huge vacant lot with a big white dump of a building. Isles fans myself included are just tired of the political nonsense that revolves around Nassau County.

2. Newsday is ANTI UNION, ANTI COP, ANTI FIREFIGHTER (PAID OR VOLUNTEER) AND ANTI TEACHER. Why? Because if public unions can be busted then private ones don't stand a chance, which results in more profits for the Dolans, who afterall are really the one's who are hurting in this economy.

Thanks for the vent Dee, and as always LETS GO ISLANDERS!

The place was full..ay?
- Bones

If the Islanders made the playoffs, I would think the Nassau Coliseum would be full also...

If the Islanders made the playoffs, I would think the Nassau Coliseum would be full also...
- kear20

..if

..if
- Bones

A big if...

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?

Mainly throwing that out there because I could not give less of a sh!t about life in the desert.

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?

Mainly throwing that out there because I could not give less of a sh!t about life in the desert.
- eichiefs9

whats the reason for the change of heart?

im not overly impressed with any of these guys i read about (dk anything other than that)-- id ideally like to trade the pick for a dman

whats the reason for the change of heart?

im not overly impressed with any of these guys i read about (dk anything other than that)-- id ideally like to trade the pick for a dman
- LetsGoIsles

I'm not going to remember which articles/tweets it was that I've seen recently, but there's been a good amount of times I've read that while the draft is deep in terms of defensive talent, there is no truly elite talent. Not even Murray. Don't get me wrong he's projected to be good, but there are no Doughty's/Pietrangelo's etc... If that's the case we may be better of just taking best player available.

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?

Mainly throwing that out there because I could not give less of a sh!t about life in the desert.
- eichiefs9

Is this the guy who drastically underachieved this year? If so, no thank you. I know there is one guy who was projected at the top of the draft that had a terrible season this past year, I just don't know if it was this guy.

As for me, I know you draft "best available", but if there is a "D" who is equal to or on par with a forward at #4 as best available, the Isles have to go "D". The Isles' "D" is abysmal and aside from Mayfield, there is nobody in the system that projects as a big and/or physical d-man.

http://espn.go.com/new-yo...ratner-hopeful-nhl-tenant

Optimism. Pass it on!

I'm not going to remember which articles/tweets it was that I've seen recently, but there's been a good amount of times I've read that while the draft is deep in terms of defensive talent, there is no truly elite talent. Not even Murray. Don't get me wrong he's projected to be good, but there are no Doughty's/Pietrangelo's etc... If that's the case we may be better of just taking best player available.
- eichiefs9

I don't know exactly where Dumba is now on the charts but I feel he is the best option for this team based on what I have read. Not just because of his overall game but his presence and charisma. Other than JT who is only the face based on his production, I feel this team needs an outgoing face. He loves to hit so that's a big plus and he has an offensive side to him.

Is this the guy who drastically underachieved this year? If so, no thank you. I know there is one guy who was projected at the top of the draft that had a terrible season this past year, I just don't know if it was this guy.

As for me, I know you draft "best available", but if there is a "D" who is equal to or on par with a forward at #4 as best available, the Isles have to go "D". The Isles' "D" is abysmal and aside from Mayfield, there is nobody in the system that projects as a big and/or physical d-man.
- Jethro09

He didn't play this year because of a torn ACL. He made it back for only 6 playoff games. I've seen scouts that said he has all the talent of Yakupov, minus the explosive, high-end speed. He's going to be good. 83pts in 68 games his rookie season last year.

Edit: Sorry I apparently can't read. He played the final 2 regular season games for Sarnia also.

I don't know exactly where Dumba is now on the charts but I feel he is the best option for this team based on what I have read. Not just because of his overall game but his presence and charisma. Other than JT who is only the face based on his production, I feel this team needs an outgoing face. He loves to hit so that's a big plus and he has an offensive side to him.
- BringBackBalky

I know he dropped a lot in the NHL central scouting rankings, but that's certainly not the end-all/be-all of draft rankings. He's definitely got that "X-factor" that makes him exciting to watch. As far as I can tell he is a (very) slightly shorter PK Subban. If they want him, they need to trade down to get him. Taking him at 4 would be stupid. Not saying that I want that, but if the Isles had some love-affair with the kid they would be insane to not move back a few spots to pick him up.

If there truly is no "elite" defenseman in this draft, I'm all about best player available. If Murray goes before we pick, then the BPA is likely a forward. Even if Murray does make it to us, the forwards left could potentially be better.

It sickens me to see discussions about who to take in the top 5 once again, as the Ranger fans all look forward to tonight's playoff game. Here we are rebuilding, and other teams blow right past us in a quiet rebuild of their own. It's ridiculous to think that we can pull this thing off through the draft only. Look to Manhattan to see how a blend of solid FA aquisitions, and solid draft picks make for a good team. I know nobody wants to come here, I get it, just so f'n sick of it; it's not funny.

short rant over. therapeutic.

Also, Kirill Petrov's KHL contract expires today

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?

Mainly throwing that out there because I could not give less of a sh!t about life in the desert.
- eichiefs9

I dont know much about Galchenyuk except for reports that he's been great until his prior injury. My question is, how many Centers do you want the Isles to have? Remember we have Tavares for 6yrs, Frans for 4yrs, Cizikas here now, plus Brock Nelson, Johan Sundstrom, Anders Lee on the way...

Plus i dont know if its a good risk on a player who's been injured for a long time, could have more lingering affects possible going forward, plus we dont need that, we have DP, lol

It sickens me to see discussions about who to take in the top 5 once again, as the Ranger fans all look forward to tonight's playoff game. Here we are rebuilding, and other teams blow right past us in a quiet rebuild of their own. It's ridiculous to think that we can pull this thing off through the draft only. Look to Manhattan to see how a blend of solid FA aquisitions, and solid draft picks make for a good team. I know nobody wants to come here, I get it, just so f'n sick of it; it's not funny.

short rant over. therapeutic.


- Charlie21

AGREED!!!!!!

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?

Mainly throwing that out there because I could not give less of a sh!t about life in the desert.
- eichiefs9

I didnt include Strome bc I do believe he will be moved to Wing,
Also possible of Anders Lee move to Wing also

I didnt include Strome bc I do believe he will be moved to Wing,
Also possible of Anders Lee move to Wing also
- Ur Not Me

I don't think Strome will be moved to wing at all, unless we draft (or acquire) an equally (or more) talented center. If we took Gally (he's got a bigger frame more suited for the pivot) then Strome could shift to the wing. Lee will probably play wing. Cizikas played wing all year in BP, so whenever he earns a full-time spot it may be on the wing. Sundstrom is a big maybe, projects as a bottom 6 center anyway.

If Gally medically checks out I have no problem taking him. Strome can't move to wing if we don't have another skilled center to play behind Tavares. Frans isn't offensively talented enough to keep playing second line center.

I don't think Strome will be moved to wing at all, unless we draft an equally (or more) talented center. If we took Gally (he's got a bigger frame more suited for the pivot) then Strome could shift to the wing. Lee will probably play wing. Cizikas played wing all year in BP, so whenever he earns a full-time spot it may be on the wing. Sundstrom is a big maybe, projects as a bottom 6 center anyway.

If Gally medically checks out I have no problem taking him. Strome can't move to wing if we don't have another skilled center to play behind Tavares. Frans isn't offensively talented enough to keep playing second line center.
- eichiefs9

I see Strome on a line w/JT & Moulson, I believe Strome works out with them in the off-season, thats the 1 reason why we drafted him.
I think the Isles envision Brock Nelson as the 2nd line Center, in the future....

I see Strome on a line w/JT & Moulson, I believe Strome works out with them in the off-season, thats the 1 reason why we drafted him.
I think the Isles envision Brock Nelson as the 2nd line Center, in the future....
- Ur Not Me

I'm not so sure Nelson is going to produce enough points at the professional level to justify making him the second line center. I'll wait to form an opinion until he gets to play in the AHL next year for awhile. Draft Galchenyuk, however, and then you can afford to shift Strome to wing.

Kind of shifting from wanting a defenseman to wanting Galchenyuk, if he's available. Thoughts?
- eichiefs9

I'm with you on Galchenyuk, but I wanted Fowler and Couturier. So I don't expect the Isles to pick him.

I read somewhere that he would have challenged for the number one pick if he was healthy the whole year.

Murray if he falls in our lap, then Galchenyuk.

It sickens me to see discussions about who to take in the top 5 once again, as the Ranger fans all look forward to tonight's playoff game. Here we are rebuilding, and other teams blow right past us in a quiet rebuild of their own. It's ridiculous to think that we can pull this thing off through the draft only. Look to Manhattan to see how a blend of solid FA aquisitions, and solid draft picks make for a good team. I know nobody wants to come here, I get it, just so f'n sick of it; it's not funny.

short rant over. therapeutic.


- Charlie21

It sickens me seeing the Rangers and Devils in and the Islanders out. It bothers me even more Wang could care less we missed the playoffs again.

[quote=ses111]
Don't forget, its fun to watch the kids develop