im all for giving the "new guy" a shot and time to learn the system, but 8 games in and a grand total of 3 points (all assists-- 2 of which are secondary assists), no physical game and invisible in the defensive zone...his time is running out.
- LetsGoIsles

And a full camp as well... this guy is just not cutting it.


XxNYIxX

Here is the funny part.. Bobby Ryan has the same Negatives as Moulson. Doesn't get back on Defense, doesn't back check ..etc. Oh and by the way so does Heatley. If we had either of those guy u would all have issues with them too. Grass is always greener on this board and the glass is always half empty.

Koolaide guy out
- niteislander

Bobby Ryan is highly overrated as a ducks fan I have watched him a lot, there is a reason the ducks got rid of him and kept Getzlaf and Perry. Also Moulsons back checking wouldn't be so much of a problem if our defense could actually play defense.

Can't keep preaching about "earning ice time" and "too many passengers" and keep guys like this on the team. Reasoner, Pandolfo, Regin, Bouchard, etc. etc. etc.... I just don't get it at all.. very upsetting.
- niteislander

that is all Snow. Cappy would bench those guys if he could.

Bobby Ryan is highly overrated as a ducks fan I have watched him a lot, there is a reason the ducks got rid of him and kept Getzlaf and Perry. Also our defense wouldn't be so much of a problem if moulson could actually backcheck.
- mighty13duck

fixed

that is all Snow. Cappy would bench those guys if he could.
- mighty13duck

how do you know this??

No one is saying either one of them play defense. That said, both are likely more capable of backchecking than Matt.
The point is, they are upgrades over Moulson and if he's going to approach $5-$6 million teritory on a contract, they should be looked at as well.

I was actually only listing the top four free agents off of next years list so Heatley was not a suggestion. There are quite a few decent players available next year. Enough that I'd balk at a 5 year deal with Moulson
- keaner17

Who realistically is an upgrade over moulson that we can get ? Vanek? He's gonna get $7 mill from some dumb ass team

Who realistically is an upgrade over moulson that we can get ? Vanek? He's gonna get $7 mill from some dumb ass team
- Isles316

even if we cant get someone to replace moulsons 30 goals (and mind you, thats ALL hes replacing) id be thrilled with someone who can get into the corners and dish the puck to JT and play some defensive hockey and backcheck... id glad take 20 goals + all those other qualities over moulson any day... and again, losing moulson wouldnt be the worst thing...not improving this defense would be; if money is going to be spent, its gotta be on Dfense and goalie...

even if we cant get someone to replace moulsons 30 goals (and mind you, thats ALL hes replacing) id be thrilled with someone who can get into the corners and dish the puck to JT and play some defensive hockey and backcheck... id glad take 20 goals + all those other qualities over moulson any day... and again, losing moulson wouldnt be the worst thing...not improving this defense would be; if money is going to be spent, its gotta be on Dfense and goalie...
- LetsGoIsles

How do you know this?

even if we cant get someone to replace moulsons 30 goals (and mind you, thats ALL hes replacing) id be thrilled with someone who can get into the corners and dish the puck to JT and play some defensive hockey and backcheck... id glad take 20 goals + all those other qualities over moulson any day... and again, losing moulson wouldnt be the worst thing...not improving this defense would be; if money is going to be spent, its gotta be on Dfense and goalie...
- LetsGoIsles

I kind of agree with this logic... its one thing that the D is lacking, but when the forwards cant play any D either, we are F-ed.
This team can score goals.. that's not the issue at all.. A LOT of them cant back check to save their lives.. this is the one BIG issue they had with Nino's game.. it should be their issue with alot of other guys.

XxNYIxX

Here is the funny part.. Bobby Ryan has the same Negatives as Moulson. Doesn't get back on Defense, doesn't back check ..etc. Oh and by the way so does Heatley. If we had either of those guy u would all have issues with them too. Grass is always greener on this board and the glass is always half empty.

Koolaide guy out
- niteislander

I think the bigger issue is that people get rose colored glasses when it comes to comparing our 'stars' to others. Ryan is miles ahead of Moulson as a player. Miles.
That said, I don't think anyone can fault Snow for 'not bringing Ryan in'. The Ducks were another team trying to take on little to no salary and the Isles weren't looking to deal a top level prospect for instant gratification on a team that still wouldn't be ready to challenge for another year or two.

how do you know this??
- LetsGoIsles

It goes back to the Reasoner era. Do you really think Cappy liked what he saw from him? Snow signed these guys and wants them to play. If Cappy really thinks these guys are better than the Nelsons, Stromes etc then we are in bigger trouble than we think.

That just isnt true.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Sure it is. Players from time to time may feel like they're on the same wave length and operate with cohesion, but in the case of a slot banger like Moulson, he's essentially there to sweep in the garbage as a result of the attention Tavares draws and plays he creates. "chemistry' would suggest that they have a natural knack for succeeding together, however Moulson has been bad enough at times that he was demoted late last season and then again this season. So I suppose it's part-time chemistry

It goes back to the Reasoner era. Do you really think Cappy liked what he saw from him? Snow signed these guys and wants them to play. If Cappy really thinks these guys are better than the Nelsons, Stromes etc then we are in bigger trouble than we think.
- mighty13duck

I think there is some truth to this but lets face it. it was Cappy that messed up using Nino.
you look at some of the best coaches in league.
Quenville rewarded Sadd by putting him on top line.
Gallagher in Montreal got more mins the better he played.

Under Cappy, there is no reward system.
Even Poor Martinek, Who has a blister slapshot scored last year then got benched the next game.

I think there is some truth to this but lets face it. it was Cappy that messed up using Nino.
you look at some of the best coaches in league.
Quenville rewarded Sadd by putting him on top line.
Gallagher in Montreal got more mins the better he played.

Under Cappy, there is no reward system.
Even Poor Martinek, Who has a blister slapshot scored last year then got benched the next game.
- Spartiarti

I am no Cappy supporter by any means. I just think Snow needs to start getting some blame for his actions. Coaches are generally the scapegoat. look at the Rangers and Flyers

I am no Cappy supporter by any means. I just think Snow needs to start getting some blame for his actions. Coaches are generally the scapegoat. look at the Rangers and Flyers
- mighty13duck

Thank god we don't have the Flyers problems!

XxNYIxX

It goes back to the Reasoner era. Do you really think Cappy liked what he saw from him? Snow signed these guys and wants them to play. If Cappy really thinks these guys are better than the Nelsons, Stromes etc then we are in bigger trouble than we think.
- mighty13duck

In short...'yes'. It was quite apparently when Cappy spent a whole pregame interview justifying why HE decided to put Reasoner in for the Pens series. I think the underlying tone here is that Cappy, like Nolan before him, feels that experience will win more games than youthful talent. It's apparent by his line combos that he's THAT dense.

I am no Cappy supporter by any means. I just think Snow needs to start getting some blame for his actions. Coaches are generally the scapegoat. look at the Rangers and Flyers
- mighty13duck

The place to hit Snow is his plan. If you aren't satisfied with what you're seeing or what he's done, it's his overall plan you're objecting to. Love him or hate him, he's remained consistent with his approach since this rebuild began.
Snow will not overspend.
He will not go shopping just to shop.
He has specific roles he wants filled and continually looks for temporary plugs to fill those roles until his draft picks are ready to take that spot permanently. He is a fiscally responsible GM who refuses to consider any shortcuts now.
From a fans perspective, it's frustrating because we see guys like Bernier, Ryan, Hiller, Halak, etc etc and want to see the team to make a pitch but that won't happen.
There will be no trade for a goalie. No trade for a top four dman. Your next goalie is either Nilsson, Mikko or Poulin (or another prospect) and dmen are Reinhart, Pullock, Pedan etc...
That's the plan, I wouldn't expect anything more.
From there, Cappy will implement the lineups as he sees fit.

How do you know this?
- mighty13duck

i dont...thats clearly my opinion.

had i said "if money is going to be spent, it WILL BE spent on defense or goalie" youd have a point....

It goes back to the Reasoner era. Do you really think Cappy liked what he saw from him? Snow signed these guys and wants them to play. If Cappy really thinks these guys are better than the Nelsons, Stromes etc then we are in bigger trouble than we think.
- mighty13duck

i think most of us think we are in pretty big trouble...garth signs these guys but who is the one demoting grabner to 3rd line and scratching nelson all the while playing the reasoner/pmb type of players?

That just isnt true.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Amen.

i think most of us think we are in pretty big trouble...garth signs these guys but who is the one demoting grabner to 3rd line and scratching nelson all the while playing the reasoner/pmb type of players?
- LetsGoIsles

Big Trouble... yes

Pretty Big Trouble... i wouldn't go there yet.

We aren't trying to talk Bryan McCabe or Roman Hamerlik out of retirement yet!

XxNYIxX

Bobby Ryan is highly overrated as a ducks fan I have watched him a lot, there is a reason the ducks got rid of him and kept Getzlaf and Perry. Also Moulsons back checking wouldn't be so much of a problem if our defense could actually play defense.
- mighty13duck

And if our goalie stopped the friggin puck. A good / great goalie hides many issues.

And if our goalie stopped the friggin puck. A good / great goalie hides many issues.
- niteislander

Lundqvst is the best example of this.

I am no Cappy supporter by any means. I just think Snow needs to start getting some blame for his actions. Coaches are generally the scapegoat. look at the Rangers and Flyers
- mighty13duck

confusing comment for me... if Anything Snow's conservatism and patience have us in a place a thousand times better than those 2 teams. You can argue that is b/c he wasn't alloud to spend the money but he also could have done some dumb trades when everyone got hurt in the past and would not.. you have to give him credit for that at least. Our contracts are admirable... our prospects and youth on the team are good/great and we have a TON of cap room. I blame Snow for the dumb scrap heap signings but in general we are in a very good place.

Lundqvst is the best example of this.
- mighty13duck

I agree.. but Lundqvst not having a system where his whole team blocks shots and keep the front of his net clear has certainly dented his stats so far.. not blaming him or saying this is going to happen all year.. but ... Let's see.