no where did you say is there another forward that is like martin. i took it to mean, is there another physical/tough/fighter like martin....you call me crazy, ill call you unclear.

id bet the house there were plenty of people that understood it the same way i did.
- LetsGoIsles

Ok bet the house.........the plenty of people that understood it your way, would you please chime in?


Why dont you re read my post : Ask yourself this. Do the islanders have another Matt Martin on their team? How about in bport? The answer is no they do not. Cizikas cannot fight like MM and Boulton isn't as good of a player.


I would think that im above average with islander knowledge, and i would think you would know this. Being that the two other players i referenced were forwards (Cizikas, and Boulton), one would think the reference were forwards. Do you not think i would have thought of Carkner, or say Hamonic if I was referring to team toughness?

To me Ullstrom bridges the gap between size and skill nicely. Similar size (lighter) to Martin and a hell of a lot more skill.
- eichiefs9

Ulstrom should see PP time for sure.........the kid's tenacious, bottom line.

And the problem with that is...
- Jethro09

Yashin epitomizes everything you dont want on your hockey team. The opposite or heart.......the opposite of winner.....

What you and a few others said was being the league leader in hits wasn't a big deal and shouldn't mean he gets a raise. I disagreed.
- kindlyrick

Incorrect. I never said he shouldn't get a raise. Show me where I wrote that. He should get a raise but not because all he does is hit. He's more than that. If guys should get raises because they hit, Micheal Haley would have been a mid-seven figure player.

I asked a rhetorical question as to what the big deal was that he was the league leader in hits. I'm a Matt Martin fan. I want him signed long-term. I just don't think its eggregeous that he's not signed to a lucrative contract as of yet. It seems to me that you are upset by that.

How do you know he's not?
- Cptmjl

That was exactly my point that I think I stressed in a later post. Nobody knows whats going on with the negotiations, if anything. To speculate that the Isles are low-balling Martin or that Martin's camp are being pigs is irresponsible. People are making a lot more out of Martin not being signed by now than it really is.

Incorrect. I never said he shouldn't get a raise. Show me where I wrote that. I asked a rhetorical question as to what the big deal was that he was the league leader in hits. I'm a Matt Martin fan. I want him signed long-term. I just don't think its eggregeous that he's not signed to a lucrative contract as of yet. It seems to me that you are upset by that.
- Jethro09

Its a HUGE deal that the guy who led the NHL on the islanders was not offered an extension. I dont care what anyone one here says. For a team like the islanders who cannot put for a consistent effort, to have the most consistent hitter in the league on their team........he should have been awarded an extension. Agree or disagree, thats how the world works.

I didnt say he should get a lucrative contract. Show me where I wrote that. I said 1.5 for 3-4 years to me should suffice (I didnt use the word suffice before Letsgoislanders copies and pastes my exact verbage). Knowing the isles, they probably offered him a 50k raise, and a free dinner at Rothmanns (minus wine).

That was exactly my point that I think I stressed in a later post. Nobody knows whats going on with the negotiations, if anything. To speculate that the Isles are low-balling Martin or that Martin's camp are being pigs is irresponsible. People are making a lot more out of Martin not being signed by now than it really is.
- Jethro09

In theory you are correct, noone knows. But ask yourself this........gun to your head, which side do you think is being the cheapy? Do the terms bargain basement, low risk high reward, salary cap floor all ring a bell. Lets go with the smart money on this one, and say its most likely Snow and Wang going the cheap route. I'd say thats the safe bet...

Its a HUGE deal that the guy who led the NHL on the islanders was not offered an extension. I dont care what anyone one here says. For a team like the islanders who cannot put for a consistent effort, to have the most consistent hitter in the league on their team........he should have been awarded an extension. Agree or disagree, thats how the world works.

I didnt say he should get a lucrative contract. Show me where I wrote that. I said 1.5 for 3-4 years to me should suffice (I didnt use the word suffice before Letsgoislanders copies and pastes my exact verbage). Knowing the isles, they probably offered him a 50k raise, and a free dinner at Rothmanns (minus wine).
- kindlyrick

Again, how do you know he wasn't offered an extension? Maybe they're in the...negotiation phase. You make it seem as if the Isles waived MM. That's not close to what has happened.

Maybe the Isles have made multiple contract offers, none of which Martin accepted? Maybe they've made none and both sides agreed to let the CBA work itself out first?

In theory you are correct, noone knows. But ask yourself this........gun to your head, which side do you think is being the cheapy? Do the terms bargain basement, low risk high reward, salary cap floor all ring a bell. Lets go with the smart money on this one, and say its most likely Snow and Wang going the cheap route. I'd say thats the safe bet...
- kindlyrick

This is not going to be an earth-shattering negotiation. Regardless of how much money Martin ultimately gets, because of his RFA status and low offensive output, he is not a candidate to earn the type of salary that the isles would low-ball him on. They're not going to nickel and dime him. They don't need to. His salary will be low enough that it would be unnecessary to do so.

Again, how do you know he wasn't offered an extension? Maybe they're in the...negotiation phase. You make it seem as if the Isles waived MM. That's not close to what has happened.

Maybe the Isles have made multiple contract offers, none of which Martin accepted? Maybe they've made none and both sides agreed to let the CBA work itself out first?
- Jethro09

Read my in theory post in response to this...

This is not going to be an earth-shattering negotiation. Regardless of how much money Martin ultimately gets, because of his RFA status and low offensive output, he is not a candidate to earn the type of salary that the isles would low-ball him on. They're not going to nickel and dime him. They don't need to. His salary will be low enough that it would be unnecessary to do so.
- Jethro09

They're not going to nickel and dime? Dude, they got rid of the radio broadcast to cut expenses............EVERYTHING THEY DO is nickel and dime.

Again im not saying Matt Martins contract should be earth shattering. But, the way I see it, when you want someone, or something you let it be known. In hockey last season Matt Martins contract should have been extended. The same way Grabner and Okpsoso's were. Its called, showing your players they are important to the team going forward.......so much so that you've invested in them. That was not the case with the league leading hitter on a team who's forwards are all pu$$ys

EVERYTHING THEY DO is nickel and dime.


- kindlyrick

They're not going to nickel and dime? Dude, they got rid of the radio broadcast to cut expenses............EVERYTHING THEY DO is nickel and dime.

Again im not saying Matt Martins contract should be earth shattering. But, the way I see it, when you want someone, or something you let it be known. In hockey last season Matt Martins contract should have been extended. The same way Grabner and Okpsoso's were. Its called, showing your players they are important to the team going forward.......so much so that you've invested in them. That was not the case with the league leading hitter on a team who's forwards are all pu$$ys
- kindlyrick

the islanders are a hockey team that pay hockey players; wouldnt it make sense that if they are cutting costs they would cut non-hockey related departments as opposed to the assets that make them a team?

Did anyone see the pictures of the ice rink at the Barclay's Center. Didn't look bad...you can see them on islanderspointblank...I guess they are getting ready for some KHL games...

the islanders are a hockey team that pay hockey players; wouldnt it make sense that if they are cutting costs they would cut non-hockey related departments as opposed to the assets that make them a team?
- LetsGoIsles

Sure it would, and if they didnt spend 12 million on Yashin, Dipietro, and Rolston (most useless guy on the roster) to make the cap floor, i might say you have a point. But they did and you dont........next question please.

They're not going to nickel and dime? Dude, they got rid of the radio broadcast to cut expenses............EVERYTHING THEY DO is nickel and dime.

Again im not saying Matt Martins contract should be earth shattering. But, the way I see it, when you want someone, or something you let it be known. In hockey last season Matt Martins contract should have been extended. The same way Grabner and Okpsoso's were. Its called, showing your players they are important to the team going forward.......so much so that you've invested in them. That was not the case with the league leading hitter on a team who's forwards are all pu$$ys
- kindlyrick

They can't nickel and dime on players salaries like they can on non-player related expenses. There's a salary floor they need to reach.

Sure it would, and if they didnt spend 12 million on Yashin, Dipietro, and Rolston (most useless guy on the roster) to make the cap floor, i might say you have a point. But they did and you dont........next question please.
- kindlyrick

wouldnt those 3 players prove my point that they are willing to spend money (in this case, way too much money) on players?

We'll I see not much has changed in here this whole summer.



Nicely done boys

They can't nickel and dime on players salaries like they can on non-player related expenses. There's a salary floor they need to reach.
- Jethro09

They cant? And here i thought going after a guy like Viznovsky because they only pay him 3 million on a 5.4 cap hit was just that.....

wouldnt those 3 players prove my point that they are willing to spend money (in this case, way too much money) on players?
- LetsGoIsles

No it wouldnt.......they had basically 2 players not playing to make up the cap floor. That proves that they would rather use that money that is guarenteed to make up the cap floor as opposed to bringing in actual rostered players to better the team.


I get it that you like to argue, but dont argue a point for the sake of arguing. Its bushleague

Rolston played the point, but regardless Martin doesn't have nearly enough skill to warrant a spot on the PP. I'd rather see Ullstrom there. I'm not trying to dump on him, he's one of my favorite players. But putting him with JT or on the powerplay is just not the right move.
- eichiefs9

Its not the wrong move either... and yes he does have enough skill to warrant a spot on this team. Also any good coach knows you change things up depending on the situation & team you're playing. Having a guy like Martin in front of the net with a big hard to move body on a PP helps, JT should have more than enough room to move around the ice with the man advantage. Not tryin to argue, just saying that if sometimes Lavy likes to have Simmonds & Hartnell on the PP with Giroux, and I've seen those 2 both go in front of the net while G and the Dmen pass the puck around till 1 of the 3 shoot. I agree with Ulstrom too

i happen to love MM...but the facts are boulton is significantly more physical than martin and that isnt a knock on MM...and carkner is also a tough guy.

so to answer your question, this coming season, the islanders do have another mm
- LetsGoIsles

If boulton could keep up with the play he might be physical, but he seems to have little left in the tank.

Its not the wrong move either... and yes he does have enough skill to warrant a spot on this team. Also any good coach knows you change things up depending on the situation & team you're playing. Having a guy like Martin in front of the net with a big hard to move body on a PP helps, JT should have more than enough room to move around the ice with the man advantage. Not tryin to argue, just saying that if sometimes Lavy likes to have Simmonds & Hartnell on the PP with Giroux, and I've seen those 2 both go in front of the net while G and the Dmen pass the puck around till 1 of the 3 shoot. I agree with Ulstrom too
- Killer' Carlson

Nice example with the flyers. I think the point that makes sense that you made is that sometimes different situations require a different lineup. Its not like the isles made the playoffs last year.........why not change it up. Thats called coaching.....

I remember Crappy at the press conference last year before the season saying "the best players will play" That was not the case last year...

If boulton could keep up with the play he might be physical, but he seems to have little left in the tank.
- rmdevil313

What gave that away.........his zero points last year?


Edit: you were talking about physicality, my bad...

Did anyone see the pictures of the ice rink at the Barclay's Center. Didn't look bad...you can see them on islanderspointblank...I guess they are getting ready for some KHL games...
- kear20

Yeah it looks alright to me as well. Im curious what they were thinking with the horseshoe idea? Im not that knowledgeable about basketball arenas, but i have been to about 12 NHL arenas and ive never seen that. Why would they limit themselves long term on the whole horseshoe setup? Either way, id be very happy with the barclays arena as the isles new home...