Dee Karl: Nothin' But 'D' A glimpse at the stats of the Isles defensive draft picks since 2010.

I think you guys got a great kid in Reinhart. He'll be sure to shore up your defense a couple years down the road, maybe even sooner.

from last blog


Sorry i've been on vacation for a week but I was very pleased with the draft and viz coming along. good weekend for the islanders..also makes de haan expendable if the right deal is there

I think you guys got a great kid in Reinhart. He'll be sure to shore up your defense a couple years down the road, maybe even sooner.
- JamieS

Hoping its sooner......approaching year 5 of the rebuild with no playoffs.

The Isles taking seven "D" men in this draft shows you what they thought of the organizational depth at the position. I think lots of people on these boards drastically overrate many of the "prospects" this team has on defense. Outside of de Haan, Donovan and Mayfield, I don't think the Isles really thought they had any sure-fire contributors on "D" at the NHL Level. I read that Pedan had a terrible year last season. They obviously don't feel too strongly about Wishart or Katic. Ness is real small and despite all his skill, he may never make it since he's small and not a physical player.

I'm psyched about Reinhart. I loved that selection after Murray was gone. With all the depth at forward, they needed to go heavy on "D". Plus, I love that the "D" they drafted are mostly big kids, not a bunch of Ness-sized mites that are incapable of hitting or moving anyone. It was a good draft only magnified by the trade for Visnovski.

from last blog


Sorry i've been on vacation for a week but I was very pleased with the draft and viz coming along. good weekend for the islanders..also makes de haan expendable if the right deal is there
- NYI78

deHaan in a package for Ryan...I hope...

The Isles taking seven "D" men in this draft shows you what they thought of the organizational depth at the position. I think lots of people on these boards drastically overrate many of the "prospects" this team has on defense. Outside of de Haan, Donovan and Mayfield, I don't think the Isles really thought they had any sure-fire contributors on "D" at the NHL Level. I read that Pedan had a terrible year last season. They obviously don't feel too strongly about Wishart or Katic. Ness is real small and despite all his skill, he may never make it since he's small and not a physical player.

I'm psyched about Reinhart. I loved that selection after Murray was gone. With all the depth at forward, they needed to go heavy on "D". Plus, I love that the "D" they drafted are mostly big kids, not a bunch of Ness-sized mites that are incapable of hitting or moving anyone. It was a good draft only magnified by the trade for Visnovski.
- Jethro09

The thing here is, these draft picks can all be big, but are they tough? Okposo looks like a linebacker, but he's not mean. No sense being 6 ft 5, if you're gonna play like 5 ft 5


Ive read the knock on Reinhart is that he shy's away from the physical aspect of the game.

From the last thread.
Sorry guys, forgot Stoll re-signed last week. Jackman, too, but he wasn't really that realistic an option.

I think you guys got a great kid in Reinhart. He'll be sure to shore up your defense a couple years down the road, maybe even sooner.
- JamieS

XxNYIxX

The Isles taking seven "D" men in this draft shows you what they thought of the organizational depth at the position. I think lots of people on these boards drastically overrate many of the "prospects" this team has on defense. Outside of de Haan, Donovan and Mayfield, I don't think the Isles really thought they had any sure-fire contributors on "D" at the NHL Level. I read that Pedan had a terrible year last season. They obviously don't feel too strongly about Wishart or Katic. Ness is real small and despite all his skill, he may never make it since he's small and not a physical player.

I'm psyched about Reinhart. I loved that selection after Murray was gone. With all the depth at forward, they needed to go heavy on "D". Plus, I love that the "D" they drafted are mostly big kids, not a bunch of Ness-sized mites that are incapable of hitting or moving anyone. It was a good draft only magnified by the trade for Visnovski.
- Jethro09

Couldn't agree with you more.

The thing here is, these draft picks can all be big, but are they tough? Okposo looks like a linebacker, but he's not mean. No sense being 6 ft 5, if you're gonna play like 5 ft 5


Ive read the knock on Reinhart is that he shy's away from the physical aspect of the game.
- kindlyrick

No he does not, he looks like a kid with stilts for legs. Guy has to pack on some weight.

The thing here is, these draft picks can all be big, but are they tough? Okposo looks like a linebacker, but he's not mean. No sense being 6 ft 5, if you're gonna play like 5 ft 5


Ive read the knock on Reinhart is that he shy's away from the physical aspect of the game.
- kindlyrick

reinhart will be fine the kids they took rounds 3-5 all have mean streaks

Couldn't agree with you more.
- Cptmjl

i also think people on these boards over rate size...unless the guy is 5'6 size size isn't an issue

Hoping its sooner......approaching year 5 of the rebuild with no playoffs.
- kindlyrick

I know that feeling

The thing here is, these draft picks can all be big, but are they tough? Okposo looks like a linebacker, but he's not mean. No sense being 6 ft 5, if you're gonna play like 5 ft 5


Ive read the knock on Reinhart is that he shy's away from the physical aspect of the game.
- kindlyrick

Shies away, or is just not physically dominant? I understood it to be the latter, rather than the former. In fact, I've read he finishes his checks and uses his size to gain leverage when fighting for pucks along the boards, he just is not a "predatory" physical player who actively looks to make big hits. I think a lot of folks misunderstand that. He's not Wishart/Eaton...players with size that simply refuse to use it. Almost every scouting report points to his use of his size and strength. But he's not Dion Phaneuf looking to make a huge hit as a player comes over the blue line.

i also think people on these boards over rate size...unless the guy is 5'6 size size isn't an issue
- NYI78

Seriously.. if the guy can defend his zone... THAT is all that matters

XxNYIxX

i also think people on these boards over rate size...unless the guy is 5'6 size size isn't an issue
- NYI78

It's good to have a big body in the NHL. We witnessed it for the last couple years watching other teams knock the shat out of our smaller players. I don't think it's over rated. On the same note if you have size and don't play physical that's a whole different story(Jurcina).

Seriously.. if the guy can defend his zone... THAT is all that matters

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I agree but we watched larger players steam roll over our smaller/weaker guys. Unfortunately size does matter(that's what she said!).

It's good to have a big body in the NHL. We witnessed it for the last couple years watching other teams knock the shat out of our smaller players. I don't think it's over rated. On the same note if you have size and don't play physical that's a whole different story(Jurcina).
- Cptmjl

i agree but you can be 6'1 and be a great defensman in the nhl

I know that feeling
- JamieS

When are you guys starting the rebuild???

The Isles taking seven "D" men in this draft shows you what they thought of the organizational depth at the position. I think lots of people on these boards drastically overrate many of the "prospects" this team has on defense. Outside of de Haan, Donovan and Mayfield, I don't think the Isles really thought they had any sure-fire contributors on "D" at the NHL Level. I read that Pedan had a terrible year last season. They obviously don't feel too strongly about Wishart or Katic. Ness is real small and despite all his skill, he may never make it since he's small and not a physical player.

I'm psyched about Reinhart. I loved that selection after Murray was gone. With all the depth at forward, they needed to go heavy on "D". Plus, I love that the "D" they drafted are mostly big kids, not a bunch of Ness-sized mites that are incapable of hitting or moving anyone. It was a good draft only magnified by the trade for Visnovski.
- Jethro09

I don't think you can overrate what you don't have....lol.

I think this is why Garth and the scouts went out and drafted all defenceman.

Throw all of them against a wall, and hope a couple stick....

We need to address a top 6 forward, and another top 4 defenceman in free agency or through trade.

Plus add some grit all around. We need some players that don't mind crashing and banging. That play every game like it's their last game!!!

i agree but you can be 6'1 and be a great defensman in the nhl
- NYI78

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.

Seriously.. if the guy can defend his zone... THAT is all that matters

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Plus you have to remember the bigger these guys are the less mobile they are.

You need a good combination of both on your team.

But... I do agree this team could use a big tough defenceman to clear the crease.

That could be Reinhart very soon.

“I think my playoff run definitely helped. Being on a winning team can’t hurt and, I think, my play just kept picking up. I got more intense, more physical, and just kept improving. I knew I needed to improve on that because, when I’m physical, I’m playing my best hockey.”

--Reinhart



Looks like he's perfectly willing to add more of a physical element, and in fact is already starting to.

“I think my playoff run definitely helped. Being on a winning team can’t hurt and, I think, my play just kept picking up. I got more intense, more physical, and just kept improving. I knew I needed to improve on that because, when I’m physical, I’m playing my best hockey.”

--Reinhart



Looks like he's perfectly willing to add more of a physical element, and in fact is already starting to.
- UIF

Music to my ears. Hopefully he continues to build on it.