I'd resign Bailey first before Boyes in my opinion...
- kear20

This shouldn't even be a question.
Edit: Just to add, Bailey is completely healthy for once. He's been hurt each of the last two seasons.

Caps and Isles are prob the hottest two teams in the east. Either way i dont think anyone wants to play the isles. If Nabby stays healthy, they can upset some teams with how theyre playing right now.

Sidenote : How can anyone chirp Boyes with how he's been playing lately. The guy can still dangle....
- kindlyrick

Like a turd that won't snap off.... He dangles.

Like a turd that won't snap off.... He dangles.
- keaner17

ewwwwwwwwww


XxNYIxX

ewwwwwwwwww


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Exactly what i say when he hits the ice..... We should call him Prairie Dog...

Like a turd that won't snap off.... He dangles.
- keaner17

Just remember this is a team sport and just remember whatever deficiencies you think a player has, the other players do adjust and compensate their game. I think one aspect of Boyes game is his experience and without that experience some of those chances may not have come the lines way. If you guys think he's the Plaxico Burress of the Isles well just look at Plax's Super Bowl ring. OK just a little optimism for us.
- Fan101

OK, so you're saying Boyes sucks and the other players compensate for his suckiness? His experience? With what? Turning the puck over and flubbing numerous scoring opportunities?

If you want a fast skating, elite passing winger that can create opportunities, and bury the puck... look no further than Ryan Strome!!!

And as for Nino... does he take Joensuu spot next year?

And as for Nino... does he take Joensuu spot next year?
- jimmc7722

Joensuu to me has been playing a good physical game. He gets opportunities and has had a couple nice helpers. He will start putting some in the net if he keeps playing at the level he has been. Capuano may have the ability to roll four lines if Nino and strome workout and can actually contribute next year? If that's the case there are a few other players Nino could replace if he is in fact ready for the NHL.

Useless (frank)ing devils...

And as for Nino... does he take Joensuu spot next year?
- jimmc7722

I wouldn't mind seeing
Moulson- Tavares- Okposo
Bailey- Nielsen- grabner
Martin- cizikas- joenuu
Strome- Nelson- niño
Spares are McDonald and ullstrom

I wouldn't mind seeing
Moulson- Tavares- Okposo
Bailey- Nielsen- grabner
Martin- cizikas- joenuu
Strome- Nelson- niño
Spares are McDonald and ullstrom
- 2raven2

Odd men out would be Boyes and Joensuu. McDonald just received a nice contract and has played a very good role here.
The hockey station on Sirius was talking yesterday a lot about Streit signing in Edmonton next season because they don't have the depth the young Islanders have and they are far more desperate so they will throw an extra year with some more money then Snow would.

I have a feeling Strome can step in and play the same role Boyes currently is. He doesn't need to be physical, or a leader. Just a smart positional hockey player who can create space for his linemates and take advantage of his opportunities when given which Tavares would give him plenty of.
I don't watch or follow Bridgeport but has Nino learned to use his body better? If he figured out to use his size and frame, he is easily an upgrade on Joensuu. Not a knock on JJ but, Nino seems to have a far bigger ceiling.

I wouldn't mind seeing
Moulson- Tavares- Okposo
Bailey- Nielsen- grabner
Martin- cizikas- joenuu
Strome- Nelson- niño
Spares are McDonald and ullstrom
- 2raven2

Still think it'll shake out as something like:

Moulson-Tavares-?
KO-Nielsen-Bailey
Grabner-Strome-Niederreiter
Martin-Cizikas-McD

Extras: Joensuu(?), Ullstrom, Boulton(?)

Fighting for spots: Nelson will battle Strome for that center spot; Lee will battle Nino for the wing.

First line right wing...think they'll hit the market for that -- either a trade or FA signing. The signing may be trying to lure a bigger fish, or taking a chance on another PA/Boyes type player.

Gone: Aucoin and possibly Joensuu and Boulton. I think they'll want to keep Boulton around to sub in when necessary. Joensuu's looked pretty good, but good enough to bring back? Not sure...I guess a lot will depend on what he does from here to whenever the Isles' season ends.

I think the third line becomes the second line if Strome and Nino transition well into scoring roles, letting the Nielsen line become a solid shutdown third line that can also put up points.

Ok whats the defence going to look like next year?

Ok whats the defence going to look like next year?
- 2raven2

Hamonic / MacDonald

Visnovsky / Hickey

Strait / DeHaan? Donovan? Reinhardt? Martinek?

Ok whats the defence going to look like next year?
- 2raven2

Great question. Just not sure if they'll pay what Streit wants. I guess if he doesn't come back, it'll leave Vis, Hamonic, AMac, Strait, Carkner as the definites signed for next year. Gotta believe they'll retain Hickey. Finley's signed for next year too...not sure what the plan would be with him. And Donovan absolutely deserves a legit chance to crack the lineup...really can't say enough about how good he's looked in BPort even since early in the season.

So maybe something like:

Vis-Hickey
AMac-Hamonic
Strait-Donovan
Carkner

Carkner in for Donovan in games against teams with bigger, stronger forwards.

Wonder what the plan is for Finley. Sure, he's not mobile like the higher-end big guys in the league, but neither was Sutton, and he filled a decent role while here (intimidation, shot-blocking). If Finley can grow into the same role, then it'd be worth keeping him around next season at the 1/2 mil he's signed for.

Also wouldn't mind if they took a look at the trade and FA markets for a bigger d-man that's more mobile than Carkner and Finley.

For the Jets fans out there....say goodbye to Revis. Deal is officially done.

Another question...what does goaltending look like next year? Love to see them bring in a solid vet to start, and re-sign Nabby to take about 35-40% of the starts...give Poulin another season with Nilsson in Bport and see if both of them can get their A-games back. Dream situation for me that would never happen...Isles trade for Miller But I think Buffalo would be foolish to give him up, and if they do, it'd probably cost more than Garth would pay.

How did Howard get such a big extension in Detroit? I don't know why, but I just saw him on the TV and thought that to myself.

I wouldn't mind seeing
Moulson- Tavares- Okposo
Bailey- Nielsen- grabner
Martin- cizikas- joenuu
Strome- Nelson- niño
Spares are McDonald and ullstrom
- 2raven2

Strome is not going to be playing third or fourth line minutes. If that's the only spot open for him then send him back to Bridgeport.

And as for Nino... does he take Joensuu spot next year?
- jimmc7722

I think Snow puts him in the package for Bobby Ryan...

Ok whats the defence going to look like next year?
- 2raven2

If Striet doesn't resign with the Islanders, I'll go with :
Visnovski- Hickey
Hamonic- McDonald
Stright, UFA
Carkner and Donovan are the backups. Reinhardt, Mayfield and Pedan are one year away...

For the Jets fans out there....say goodbye to Revis. Deal is officially done.
- potvin05

Good. I'm not sure a first and a conditional fourth is enough but I guess that's all they could get.

Now if the Jets had someone who could throw the ball to their own team they'd be able to win every few weeks.

For the forwards:

At the draft the Islanders trade their #1 pick, Nino and a def. prospect for Bobby Ryan... Here are the lines:

Moulson-JT-Ryan
Nelson or Lee-Strome-Grabner
Bailey-Neilsen-Okposo
MacDonald-Cizikas-Martin

Spares: Aucoin, Lee or Nelson- they will alternate;

If Striet doen't resign with the Islanders, I'll go with :
Visnovski- Hickey
Hamonic- McDonald
Stright, UFA
Carkner and Donovan are the backups. Reinhardt, Mayfield and Pedan are one year away...
- kear20

Streit is the best UFA D available. We need to give him the 5.5 for 3 like he asked for and be done with it.