I think Bergeron is a pretty big star too,
- DDM-Coga

Bergeron is a Star amongst die hard fans who understand that a 60pt Center that plays elite defense wins more Championships that a 80 point center that doesn't know where his D-Zone is.

Bergeron is a Star amongst die hard fans who understand that a 60pt Center that plays elite defense wins more Championships that a 80 point center that doesn't know where his D-Zone is.
- Jeropotato

yup, he might not sell tickets for the casual fan, but the hockey purists come to games to see him play and to me thats a star

yup, he might not sell tickets for the casual fan, but the hockey purists come to games to see him play and to me thats a star
- DDM-Coga

To me a Star is the guy you have in your keepers pool, gets All-Star votes, scores lots of goals and is loved by 10 year old boys.

Kadri > Tavares

IMO
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Is this even serious?

Tavares is a franchise player. He'll stay on the Isles as long as they pay him his money.

That said, Kadri is ridiculously underrated.
- RogerRoeper

Is he really underratted? I mean, he's a good player, but can you say Kadri is in the elite top 10 in the league? I honestly cannot.

Honestly, I think the Isles have tremendous forward depth. In terms of the eastern conference, I would honestly put the Isles at #3 behind the Lightning and Bruins, with a slight edge over the Habs and Rangers, who lost a little depth over the summer.

The west is much tougher, and they don't stack up against the Kings, Hawks, Sharks just yet, and the Avs, Blues, Stars, Ducks and Wild are pretty solid as well (sorry, I can't put the Oilers in that category; let's see Yaku bounce back and Draisaitl play a game or two first).

The lineup, barring a trade, will look something like this:

Nelson - Tavares - Okposo
Kulemin -Grabovski - Strome
Lee -Nielsen- Grabner
Bailey -Cizikas- Clutterbuck
Conacher. Martin

Honestly, every single one of their top 9 has either the scored 25+ goals in the past or has the potential to do so in the very near future. Lee has been very productive in his limited NHL time thus far, Strome produced at a 55-point clip during his 2nd callup (and did it with bottom-6 caliber linemates), and Nelson, whose unimpressive numbers are due to playing tough minutes as a rookie, is the most complete player of the 3. If he gets into a more offensive role, I have no doubt he will produce.

Conacher and Clutterbuck can certainly chip in at times and even Bailey can contribute offensively after around St. Patrick's Day (needs about 65 games to round into form).

The blue line is a different story, the coach still sucks and they wear a sweater that everyone now associates with futility, but that is a pretty impressive group of forwards IMO.
- Snowblind

You're only as strong as your weakest link.....

I noticed you didnt post the isles defense combinations.......

yup, he might not sell tickets for the casual fan, but the hockey purists come to games to see him play and to me thats a star
- DDM-Coga

Guy is dead weight

You're only as strong as your weakest link.....

I noticed you didnt post the isles defense combinations.......
- kindlyrick

pretty funny. Going in om potential possibly again. Lets hope it works for once. I know I know

Guy is dead weight
- Cptmjl

pretty funny. Going in om potential possibly again. Lets hope it works for once. I know I know
- Cptmjl

Hey we all hope it works...........but would i bet money on it, no (frank)in way.

Theres just too much inexperience..........but hey, maybe Garth brings in help before the season. As it stands right now, this d lineup, isnt good enough, and thats before injuries.

It is deep, I was never questioning that, but how great to a man, are the players? Tavares is obviously elite, but after that who is there? Is this a high powered offense through committee?

And know, I don't know much about them aside from what I can read on a Stat sheet. Is there anyone on there that should be a household name soon?
- Jeropotato

Okposo has been outstanding since the stretch drive/playoffs in the '13 season. He had 71 points in 70 games last year. He has become a star power forward.

Nielsen does everything well; plays against the opposition's best line, kills penalties, can play the point on the power play; he may not put up gaudy numbers but he did have 58 points last year.

You know what Grabovski can do. Grabner and Kulemin are wild cards.

Strome has tremendous upside, Lee looks like he can pick up where Moulson left off, and Nelson is solid.

For this season, I see Tavares as an 85 point player, Okposo as 70 point player, and the rest of that group in the 40-60 range.

You're only as strong as your weakest link.....

I noticed you didnt post the isles defense combinations.......
- kindlyrick

A. That wasn't the topic.
B. As I wrote, "the blue line is a different story."
C. With the talent up front and the solid-looking goaltending, the lack of defensive depth won't be as big of an issue as you might think (at least in the regular season). Look at the Avs last year, or the Caps up until a couple of years ago before they lost all their forward depth.

Here you go:

Hamonic - de Haan
Visnovsky - Hickey
Reinhart - Brennan
Dononvan, Strait, Carkner
(Pokka, Pulock)

Not great. Small, but mobile. Definitely inexperienced and below average on the whole.

Is he really underratted? I mean, he's a good player, but can you say Kadri is in the elite top 10 in the league? I honestly cannot.
- kindlyrick

He was kidding with tavares and Kadri comparison. Hes a decent player but hes not elite.

Bergeron is a Star amongst die hard fans who understand that a 60pt Center that plays elite defense wins more Championships that a 80 point center that doesn't know where his D-Zone is.
- Jeropotato

I'd say any fan that knows anything about hockey would love to have Bergeron on their team.....totally agree with you.

I'd say any fan that knows anything about hockey would love to have Bergeron on their team.....totally agree with you.
- Nolanders

Id take him on our third line!!

XxNYIxX

Bergeron is a Star amongst die hard fans who understand that a 60pt Center that plays elite defense wins more Championships that a 80 point center that doesn't know where his D-Zone is.
- Jeropotato

I think Boston would have won a cup with a one-dimensional, 80 point C in 2011'.

Bergeron would have no cup ring if it wasn't for Thomas having one of, if not the best season for a goalie in NHL history.

I honestly think defensive play is now being overrated. Offensive talent is far more important. You can teach defense. You can't teach skill.

Is he really underratted? I mean, he's a good player, but can you say Kadri is in the elite top 10 in the league? I honestly cannot.
- kindlyrick

The entire thing was a joke.

I'm calling Kadri underrated because of how useless he is deemed throughout the NHL.

The entire thing was a joke.

I'm calling Kadri underrated because of how useless he is deemed throughout the NHL.
- RogerRoeper

Really? Ive never heard anything but good things...........hes a good little player

A. That wasn't the topic.
B. As I wrote, "the blue line is a different story."
C. With the talent up front and the solid-looking goaltending, the lack of defensive depth won't be as big of an issue as you might think (at least in the regular season). Look at the Avs last year, or the Caps up until a couple of years ago before they lost all their forward depth.

Here you go:

Hamonic - de Haan
Visnovsky - Hickey
Reinhart - Brennan
Dononvan, Strait, Carkner
(Pokka, Pulock)

Not great. Small, but mobile. Definitely inexperienced and below average on the whole.
- Snowblind

When Visnovsky DeHaan and possibly Hamonic get hurt..........yikes.
Hickey is not a top 4 dman. Brennan has no experience.

On a positive note.........yes postitive, I think Reinhart is ready for the next level, but thats not the answer to all the backend problems.

I think Boston would have won a cup with a one-dimensional, 80 point C in 2011'.

Bergeron would have no cup ring if it wasn't for Thomas having one of, if not the best season for a goalie in NHL history.

I honestly think defensive play is now being overrated. Offensive talent is far more important. You can teach defense. You can't teach skill.
- RogerRoeper

*blows loudest, longest, wettest fart.

why would tavares be upset now?? this is the most they have done in an offseason in 12 years. moving into a new building that should be profitable..this is just same old same old north of the border.. nothing to see here

Really? Ive never heard anything but good things...........hes a good little player
- kindlyrick

Meh... He's ok.

When Visnovsky DeHaan and possibly Hamonic get hurt..........yikes.
Hickey is not a top 4 dman. Brennan has no experience.

On a positive note.........yes postitive, I think Reinhart is ready for the next level, but thats not the answer to all the backend problems.
- kindlyrick

Debatable... Hickey is a pretty solid Dman.

*blows loudest, longest, wettest fart.
- Jeropotato

Thanks for the analysis.

Thats how I see the Islanders, as a team outsider and looking at the forward ranks around the league, you could break them down they fall into a few categories:

Prove First Line Talent:
Tavares, Okposo

Proven Top 6
Gravovski, Nielsen

Proven Top 9
Grabner, Kulemin, Clutterbuck

Young Promising talent but Unproven (based on long term productivity)
Nelson, Strome, Lee

Its a nice list of forwards, put its still a but bottom heavy, however if the Young Promising Category can add themselves into the Top 6 category it becomes a bit more balanced in terms of as a Top in the East forward depth team
- DDM-Coga

If Strome and Nelson take off where they left off (without improving) Nelson is a top 6 and Strome is a 40+ pt forward. I think we will be in great condition at forward