Oh I have. I've lived in cities voted the best in the world.

And you may think Toronto is not clean, but my comment isn't ridiculous. "Toronto" and "Clean" are used constantly. For a big city it's very clean. And the crime stats speak for themselves.

I was responding to someone from the paradise of Nova Scotia calling Toronto the biggest poophole.
- RogerRoeper

Its all relative I guess.

Kadri = Sam gagner

Oh I have. I've lived in cities voted the best in the world.

And you may think Toronto is not clean, but my comment isn't ridiculous. "Toronto" and "Clean" are used constantly. For a big city it's very clean. And the crime stats speak for themselves.

I was responding to someone from the paradise of Nova Scotia calling Toronto the biggest poophole.
- RogerRoeper

Every city on the face of the earth has a "run down, poverty stricken area". Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, while boasting relatively low crime and all a around clean downtown areas are no exception.

Having lived in all the above cities, I'd personally argue that Ottawa is by far the cleanest, greenest and quietest cities outside the smaller maritime " cities".

Dee Karl: Tavares: A Kern-al of Truth?
Heard it on the radio.
- Dee Karl

I like you once thought Rick Nash the captain and face of the franchise would never ask out......well guess it could happen to anybody, I wouldn't be surprised if Tavares wants out if the Islanders continue the way they are being runned.

Every city on the face of the earth has a "run down, poverty stricken area". Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, while boasting relatively low crime and all a around clean downtown areas are no exception.

Having lived in all the above cities, I'd personally argue that Ottawa is by far the cleanest, greenest and quietest cities outside the smaller maritime " cities".
- Whiskey-Tango

Lived in Vancouver (Coquitlam, Toronto, Ottawa and Jensen Beach Florida). Nothing compares to the sheer brilliance of Vancouver's majestic beauty. Florida beaches are about the nicest place you would want to spend endless days. Ottawa has the highest per capita income of any city in North America. The fascilities and public spaces are amazing. I know of no city that is better for raising a family.

I like you once thought Rick Nash the captain and face of the franchise would never ask out......well guess it could happen to anybody, I wouldn't be surprised if Tavares wants out if the Islanders continue the way they are being runned.
- Alexzanki

I agree. Thankfully the team was just sold and we are miving to a new arena. We also should start reaping the benefits of our prospects.

It's like the past 4 months haven't happened around here!


Did you know, my fine-feathered Tavares-to-TO-baiters (or is it -baters?) that:
1. That, during the playoffs, Isles traded for, then signed Jaroslav Halak?
2. They opted to keep their 1st round pick and used it to pick Michael Dal Colle?
3. Traded back into the 1st round to draft Josh Ho-Sang?
4. Signed Mikhail Grabovski, one of the better available UFAs?
5. Signed his running mate, Nikolai Kulemin?
6. Signed Chad Johnson, one of the better UFA depth goalies available?
7. Took a low-risk, high-reward flier on Cory Conacher?
8. Did the same with AHL-best d-man, TJ Brennan?
9. Wang just sold his majority-stake in the team?
10. Have one more farewell go-round in the old dumpy barn and then move to the newest arena in the league in 2015?

Y'all might wanna freshen up your talking points. The crackpot owner is on his way out, the "backup goalie" GM had himself a rock-solid offseason of wheelin' and dealin' and the team is about to move out of the oldest, most dilapidated arena in the league and into to the newest one smack-dab into the heart of Brooklyn, the hippest place in North America. Why would Tavares possibly want to leave right now when everything looks like it is finally falling into place for this franchise, when he was willing to stay 3 years ago when things were at their bleakest?

I think I'd pass on the Philly level of competitive....just saying....over the last 35 years, they've won just as often as those last three you mention....as in "zero" times....that "woo-hoo, we made the playoffs again" thing just doesn't cut it after a while. In fact, the "excellence in mediocrity" philosophy is the reason why when Milbury left, the Islanders franchise not only needed to be rebuilt, it needed to first be gutted, and then rebuilt. It has taken a lot of time, but at some point during the next couple of years (specifically, once they ditch their bad minor league coach), there's simply going to be too much young talent on this team for it not to be good- in fact, I'd say that the sooner the Isles AND Oilers fully address their defensive issues, the sooner it will happen for both of our teams. This nonsense about Tavares, to me, is just that- there are two underlying, very biased beliefs at work here that are behind the inane reasoning:

1. Everyone always wants to play for Toronto (this is ALWAYS the underlying Sirius XM angle, about any player)

2. Everyone MUST hate the idea of moving to Brooklyn (this is the angle of a small but vocal group of Islanders fans who would rather see a sh*t team that only costs them $19 for a ticket play in a decrepit dump that is only five minutes from their house- these people, I fear, would truly rather see them lose than move, which is about the most pathetic thing I've ever witnessed among fans of a sports franchise).

The first group is pretty self explanatory- the second one defies rational explanation of any kind.
- dcb1

I understand the sentiment when speaking of the Flyers and mediocrity, but I completely disagree. We should be envious of a team that most years is truly going for it, and making it to the finals isn't something anyone should brush off as insignificant , considering only 2 teams per year can make it.

As for that 2nd group of fans, this is the first I heard of that, and its truly mindblowing.

Guy is definitely going to the leafs
- Cptmjl

Burke made him a jersey already remember.

As for that 2nd group of fans, this is the first I heard of that, and its truly mindblowing.



- Jeropotato

Some of those fans even have blogs.

It's like the past 4 months haven't happened around here!


Did you know, my fine-feathered Tavares-to-TO-baiters (or is it -baters?) that:
1. That, during the playoffs, Isles traded for, then signed Jaroslav Halak?
2. They opted to keep their 1st round pick and used it to pick Michael Dal Colle?
3. Traded back into the 1st round to draft Josh Ho-Sang?
4. Signed Mikhail Grabovski, one of the better available UFAs?
5. Signed his running mate, Nikolai Kulemin?
6. Signed Chad Johnson, one of the better UFA depth goalies available?
7. Took a low-risk, high-reward flier on Cory Conacher?
8. Did the same with AHL-best d-man, TJ Brennan?
9. Wang just sold his majority-stake in the team?
10. Have one more farewell go-round in the old dumpy barn and then move to the newest arena in the league in 2015?

Y'all might wanna freshen up your talking points. The crackpot owner is on his way out, the "backup goalie" GM had himself a rock-solid offseason of wheelin' and dealin' and the team is about to move out of the oldest, most dilapidated arena in the league and into to the newest one smack-dab into the heart of Brooklyn, the hippest place in North America. Why would Tavares possibly want to leave right now when everything looks like it is finally falling into place for this franchise, when he was willing to stay 3 years ago when things were at their bleakest?
- Snowblind

...spot on my friend. if none of the above occurred I may start to believe all the talk, JT isn't going anywhere anytime soon....

JT falling behind Stamkos guys...lets get some votes in for our guy ...vote as often as you want....http://www.tsn.ca/franchisefaceoff/

It's like the past 4 months haven't happened around here!


Did you know, my fine-feathered Tavares-to-TO-baiters (or is it -baters?) that:
1. That, during the playoffs, Isles traded for, then signed Jaroslav Halak?
2. They opted to keep their 1st round pick and used it to pick Michael Dal Colle?
3. Traded back into the 1st round to draft Josh Ho-Sang?
4. Signed Mikhail Grabovski, one of the better available UFAs?
5. Signed his running mate, Nikolai Kulemin?
6. Signed Chad Johnson, one of the better UFA depth goalies available?
7. Took a low-risk, high-reward flier on Cory Conacher?
8. Did the same with AHL-best d-man, TJ Brennan?
9. Wang just sold his majority-stake in the team?
10. Have one more farewell go-round in the old dumpy barn and then move to the newest arena in the league in 2015?

Y'all might wanna freshen up your talking points. The crackpot owner is on his way out, the "backup goalie" GM had himself a rock-solid offseason of wheelin' and dealin' and the team is about to move out of the oldest, most dilapidated arena in the league and into to the newest one smack-dab into the heart of Brooklyn, the hippest place in North America. Why would Tavares possibly want to leave right now when everything looks like it is finally falling into place for this franchise, when he was willing to stay 3 years ago when things were at their bleakest?
- Snowblind

I agree fully. Garth had a great summer. The one thing I don't understand from talking to Isles fans is the quality of their forward depth. I understand that they can ice 12 good forwards on any night, but what is the quality like? I know what JT and Grabo at Center, and know enough to be impressed by Okposo and of course Kuli is a solid possession player, but who are the rest of seemingly untouchable players? Nielson put up some solid numbers over the past few years but other than that nobody jumps out off the page from an outsiders point of view.
Defense aside, how does the Islanders forwards stack up against some of the other high powered teams in the NHL. I'm not talking depth, I'm talking quality. How do the top 9 forwards compare against the BlackHawks, Sharks, Kings, Habs and even Oilers?

"Stamkos is in the same situation"....

http://www.tampabay.com/s...-want-to-win-here/2196144

I agree fully. Garth had a great summer. The one thing I don't understand from talking to Isles fans is the quality of their forward depth. I understand that they can ice 12 good forwards on any night, but what is the quality like? I know what JT and Grabo at Center, and know enough to be impressed by Okposo and of course Kuli is a solid possession player, but who are the rest of seemingly untouchable players? Nielson put up some solid numbers over the past few years but other than that nobody jumps out off the page from an outsiders point of view.
Defense aside, how does the Islanders forwards stack up against some of the other high powered teams in the NHL. I'm not talking depth, I'm talking quality. How do the top 9 forwards compare against the BlackHawks, Sharks, Kings, Habs and even Oilers?
- Jeropotato

Nelson and Strome will fill out our top 6 while Nielsen and Grabner are on the third line alongside one of Lee Bailey Conacher. The quality is certainly there, it might not be up to top nhl team quality but much better than we have had in a long time.

Also with Dal Colle and Ho-Sang developing our fowards are nothing to be worried about.

Nelson and Strome will fill out our top 6 while Nielsen and Grabner are on the third line alongside one of Lee Bailey Conacher. The quality is certainly there, it might not be up to top nhl team quality but much better than we have had in a long time.
- BattleLevel9k

Top 8 in the East quality?

Phanuef for Bailey!!!!

Phanuef for Bailey!!!!
- jimmc7722

I have a bad feeling the Oilers will be moving Jeff Petry for Center depth....lots of talk that the Islanders are a good trade partner.Thoughts? Or do few of you even know what Petry brings to the table?

It's like the past 4 months haven't happened around here!


Did you know, my fine-feathered Tavares-to-TO-baiters (or is it -baters?) that:
1. That, during the playoffs, Isles traded for, then signed Jaroslav Halak?
2. They opted to keep their 1st round pick and used it to pick Michael Dal Colle?
3. Traded back into the 1st round to draft Josh Ho-Sang?
4. Signed Mikhail Grabovski, one of the better available UFAs?
5. Signed his running mate, Nikolai Kulemin?
6. Signed Chad Johnson, one of the better UFA depth goalies available?
7. Took a low-risk, high-reward flier on Cory Conacher?
8. Did the same with AHL-best d-man, TJ Brennan?
9. Wang just sold his majority-stake in the team?
10. Have one more farewell go-round in the old dumpy barn and then move to the newest arena in the league in 2015?

Y'all might wanna freshen up your talking points. The crackpot owner is on his way out, the "backup goalie" GM had himself a rock-solid offseason of wheelin' and dealin' and the team is about to move out of the oldest, most dilapidated arena in the league and into to the newest one smack-dab into the heart of Brooklyn, the hippest place in North America. Why would Tavares possibly want to leave right now when everything looks like it is finally falling into place for this franchise, when he was willing to stay 3 years ago when things were at their bleakest?
- Snowblind

I agree, things are looking immensely better with the pending sale of the team and the move to brooklyn.
HOWEVER: Tavares is about to begin his 5th season. The team looks improved on paper with the best goalie duo they've had in over a decade but still operates on a thrifty budget and gets negative press for most of the off-ice decisions they make. They are extremely coy about communicating with the press and have a strangle-hold mentality when it comes to anyone saying/suggesting anything other than the future looks all rosey-posey. They have spoon-fed the fans that their "Rebuild" is making steady progress and soon, they might actually have all the makings of a perennial contender and the reputation of a professional franchise. But even if they deliver on all the things that they aspire to be, there's no guarantee that success will find them playing late into the month of June. As a Yankee fan, I have lived through the best & worst years, scratching my head along the way when they fail to make it to the Series with the highest payroll in sports year in & year out.

So, I wouldn't blame JT if he wasn't happy with the current state of the team. Lord knows, we the fans aren't cart-wheeling all over the place( with a few exceptions) about how things have gone. But JT DID sign one of the most modest contracts in modern sports for a player of his talent, as an RFA, with minimum option but he did give them a break, in good faith, in hopes that they could add the missing pieces.
I believe he is morally among the highest calibre of any pro athlete we have EVER seen. He is highly dedicated to improving himself and takes little, if nothing for granted regardless that he has been followed, whispered about and heralded as a future superstar since he was 14 years old. He wants to win more than anything and have his name engraved on the holiest of all sports awards. But there is no guarantee that even if he were traded to the Penguins and played with Gino & Sid and they re-incarnated 25-year old versions of Denis Potvin, Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky that the Cup would be his for a day next summer. We can only hope that his passion and commitment rubs off on the players around him and the stars align just right but when his contract comes to an end, if this team isn't feared & revered, I will help carry his bags to the airport as he departs to another team and sincerely wish him all the best and thank him for the pleasure of watching him play for the team I have loved since I was 9 years old. It will surely make all Isles fans forget about how Milbury passed & traded away a starting lineup of future Hall of Famers and cement Garth & Charles' legacy as one of the worst duos of sports owner/GM in the history of all sports. My it never come to that but there's a better than 50% chance it will.

I have a bad feeling the Oilers will be moving Jeff Petry for Center depth....lots of talk that the Islanders are a good trade partner.Thoughts? Or do few of you even know what Petry brings to the table?
- Jeropotato

I'd take a petrie-dish full of anthrax for Bailey at this point.

Top 8 in the East quality?
- Jeropotato

Without a doubt. Up front is not where the question marks are.

I have a bad feeling the Oilers will be moving Jeff Petry for Center depth....lots of talk that the Islanders are a good trade partner.Thoughts? Or do few of you even know what Petry brings to the table?
- Jeropotato

We have more centers than lines.

Despite not being sold on their D, the Isles are starting to look like they're ready to take the next step.

Halak should provide stability in net, the young forwards are getting better every game, and is it just me or is Tavares the least talked about superstar in the sports world?

Yeah, his skating isn't the best, but his hands, vision and creativity are off the charts- didn't they used to say the same about Gretzky?*


*I'm not saying Tavares is Gretzky.

Kadri = Sam gagner
- howamidointhis

Kadri is clearly better. He's younger than Sam and has accomplished more.