Maybe waiving a guy who just scored 20+ goals for you is why you've been in the basement for the better part of the last decade. But I guess you guys had to go and get another Brad Boyes or his doppleganger.
- jmatchett383

Dude, are you seriously going to tell me about Blake Comeau? Those were the quietest 24 goals in NHL history. He got big minutes on a bad team with injuries. Secured a nice little chunk of change off that 24 goal season and then secretly retired.

Dude, are you seriously going to tell me about Blake Comeau? Those were the quietest 24 goals in NHL history. He got big minutes on a bad team with injuries. Secured a nice little chunk of change off that 24 goal season and then secretly retired.
- Snowblind

Kind of like grabners 30+ goal season

Kind of like grabners 30+ goal season
- rangerdanger94

Except Grabner's 30+ goals were very noticeable and he's actually scored a few goals since then. I doubt Comeau's scored 20 total goals in the last 4 seasons combined.

The only players getting their face smashed that series were the flyers. Giroux was staal and mcdonagh's biatch yo.
- rangerdanger94

Yeeeaaahhh...you just used the term "biatch."

Except Grabner's 30+ goals were very noticeable and he's actually scored a few goals since then. I doubt Comeau's scored 20 total goals in the last 4 seasons combined.
- Snowblind

Nino will probably score more goals than comeau, grabner, and clutterbuck combined this year. Clutterbuck will likely score more goals than couturier though so thats nice.

Except Grabner's 30+ goals were very noticeable and he's actually scored a few goals since then. I doubt Comeau's scored 20 total goals in the last 4 seasons combined.
- Snowblind

So, for kicks, I did a quick cap of the bottom-6 of the mighty Islanders you listed versus the bottom-6 of the Pens. The Pens scopred 143 points in 388 games to the Isles 171 in 396 game. Not bad. But, I'd say the Pens' top 6 will basically shred the top 6 of any other team in the EC besides Boston. I'll take Pitt's top-12 over any other top-12 in the Conference.

So, for kicks, I did a quick cap of the bottom-6 of the mighty Islanders you listed versus the bottom-6 of the Pens. The Pens scopred 143 points in 388 games to the Isles 171 in 396 game. Not bad. But, I'd say the Pens' top 6 will basically shred the top 6 of any other team in the EC besides Boston. I'll take Pitt's top-12 over any other top-12 in the Conference.
- jmatchett383

Tampas top 12 is pretty sexy. I'm one of the people that dont think pitt improved their depth too much. One injury and a guy like vitale or adams or whoever else was on the 4th line year when theywere considered really shallow will be back in the lineup. Thats not really depth.

Maybe waiving a guy who just scored 20+ goals for you is why you've been in the basement for the better part of the last decade. But I guess you guys had to go and get another Brad Boyes or his doppleganger.
- jmatchett383

because he's lit it up since then and made them regret that decision?

2011-12 New York Islanders NHL 16 0 0 0 6 -11 -- -- -- -- --
2011-12 Calgary Flames NHL 58 5 10 15 24 0 -- -- -- -- --
2012-13 Calgary Flames NHL 33 4 3 7 14 -9 -- -- -- -- --
2012-13 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 9 2 3 5 6 5 -- -- -- -- --
2013-14 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 61 5 11 16 36 -2 6 0 0 0 10
NHL Totals 422 72 92 164 223 6 0 0 0 10

for the record, I'm not arguing the Isles are the deepest up front, nor am I going to say that the Isles have a better top six than the Pens, Malkin and Crosby are both elite talents and i'd only consider JT elite on the isles, but we are definitely top three in the conference as far as forward depth.

bottom six...pens got better but it's like saying your chevy malibu is better than someone else's toyota tercel. whooo.

because he's lit it up since then and made them regret that decision?

2011-12 New York Islanders NHL 16 0 0 0 6 -11 -- -- -- -- --
2011-12 Calgary Flames NHL 58 5 10 15 24 0 -- -- -- -- --
2012-13 Calgary Flames NHL 33 4 3 7 14 -9 -- -- -- -- --
2012-13 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 9 2 3 5 6 5 -- -- -- -- --
2013-14 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 61 5 11 16 36 -2 6 0 0 0 10
NHL Totals 422 72 92 164 223 6 0 0 0 10

for the record, I'm not arguing the Isles are the deepest up front, nor am I going to say that the Isles have a better top six than the Pens, Malkin and Crosby are both elite talents and i'd only consider JT elite on the isles, but we are definitely top three in the conference as far as forward depth.

bottom six...pens got better but it's like saying your chevy malibu is better than someone else's toyota tercel. whooo.
- Isles_since_6

Top 3 on paper maybe. Plus like 25% of your top 12 are rookies.

Top 3 on paper maybe. Plus like 25% of your top 12 are rookies.
- rangerdanger94

Of course it’s on paper, do you have the results of the 2014-15 season yet? Moron.

Top 3 on paper maybe. Plus like 25% of your top 12 are rookies.
- rangerdanger94

Technically 1 out of 12, so 8.33%. But yeah they are not the kind of veteran team laden with the kind of NHL experience that Palat, Drouin, Tyler Johnson, Panik, Kucherov and Killorn can bring to the table.

Of course it’s on paper, do you have the results of the 2014-15 season yet? Moron.
- Isles_since_6

It would be wiser to look at the GF for teams last year and use those to help predict the 2014-15 rankings. You guys finished 9th in the conference. That was with missing Tavares for an extended period of time and without Kulemin or Grabovski. It would be understable to assume you would score more goals with a healthy Tavares and those two new additions, but I highly doubt it would catapult you to the top of the conference. I'd say you'd slot in right around the 5-7 mark based on using last year's statistics and an educated prediction.

Technically 1 out of 12, so 8.33%. But yeah they are not the kind of veteran team laden with the kind of NHL experience that Palat, Drouin, Tyler Johnson, Panik, Kucherov and Killorn can bring to the table.
- Snowblind

Lee and Strome are still rookies I believe. I assumed one of Collberg or Dal Colle could crack the squad too.

Lee and Strome are still rookies I believe. I assumed one of Collberg or Dal Colle could crack the squad too.
- rangerdanger94

Strome played 37 NHL games last year. Dal Colle is almost certainly going back to the O, and Collberg is slated to play Bridgeport. Lee is the only true rookie who is likely to make the team.

Strome played 37 NHL games last year. Dal Colle is almost certainly going back to the O, and Collberg is slated to play Bridgeport. Lee is the only true rookie who is likely to make the team.
- Snowblind

I thought players lost rookie status at 40 games for some reason, so yes you are right. My bad.

It would be wiser to look at the GF for teams last year and use those to help predict the 2014-15 rankings. You guys finished 9th in the conference. That was with missing Tavares for an extended period of time and without Kulemin or Grabovski. It would be understable to assume you would score more goals with a healthy Tavares and those two new additions, but I highly doubt it would catapult you to the top of the conference. I'd say you'd slot in right around the 5-7 mark based on using last year's statistics and an educated prediction.
- rangerdanger94

Injuries to JT, Okposo, Visnoysky, amac on the pp turning the puck over, Hamonic injured, playing Martinek, Carkner and Ness all in the same games on defense, and playing Strome with Martin and Mcdonald as our third line, as well as huge scoreless streaks from Grabner and Bailey. Lee scored 9 goals in 22 games. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Looking purely at goal totals isn't an accurate projection and again, it's on paper. How many other teams can ice Nielson, Grabner and Lee as a third line? A couple of 20 goal scorers and a rookie on pace for 30? They won't score as much on the third line but most teams are happy getting a couple of guys with 10 goals on the third line.

Injuries to JT, Okposo, Visnoysky, amac on the pp turning the puck over, Hamonic injured, playing Martinek, Carkner and Ness all in the same games on defense, and playing Strome with Martin and Mcdonald as our third line, as well as huge scoreless streaks from Grabner and Bailey. Lee scored 9 goals in 22 games. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Looking purely at goal totals isn't an accurate projection and again, it's on paper. How many other teams can ice Nielson, Grabner and Lee as a third line? A couple of 20 goal scorers and a rookie on pace for 30? They won't score as much on the third line but most teams are happy getting a couple of guys with 10 goals on the third line.
- Isles_since_6

Well I think where we disagree is that you think Grabner is a good hockey player and I think he sucks. Nielson is nice on the 3rd line though I'll give you that. Not as nice as Hagelin and Malone/Stempniak though

Well I think where we disagree is that you think Grabner is a good hockey player and I think he sucks. Nielson is nice on the 3rd line though I'll give you that. Not as nice as Hagelin and Malone/Stempniak though
- rangerdanger94

Ryan Malone still plays hockey?

If you think Grabner flat-out sucks then you clearly don't see the Isles play very much. He may be a lousy finisher but his speed impacts the game whether he lights the lamp or not.

Of course it’s on paper, do you have the results of the 2014-15 season yet? Moron.
- Isles_since_6

I have the results I am just choosing to keep them to myself

I think its unanimous....the favorites are the penguins. Which will probably jinx the heck out of them and they barely squek into the playoffsa! Lol

Ryan McDonagh not mentioned one time in this whole blog.

good job fellas
- jimbro83

I dont understand how Ryan Mcdonagh not being mentioned in a season prediction blog is somehow reflective of what kind of job these guys did?

I don't know why that guy pretty much said the devils didn't improve. The problem I have with the isles is their coach is an idiot, yes they finally have a goalie but one who is or has been often injured. Personally I can't see the isles not riding the crap out of halak till he breaks down and I still don't get the deepest forward group comment ? You are banking on a lot of young players and just because they showed flashes doesn't mean try will be consistent or not have a down year in their second or first years depending in who makes the team. I also think that you got to see more from dehaan then one season to say he will be just as good because he finally had a good season as he might not be able to put it together but he also might I'm only pointing out question marks not really saying any of this happens. I think anyone not named pit and nyr could finish seventh in the metro and I wouldn't be overally shocked by it like many have said this will be the hardest year in a whole to predict the metro.
- blizzzard

Agree to an extent. The islanders biggest weakness is coaching then defense. Capuano is that much of an idiot.

You've seen the massive upgrades Pittsburgh has made to their bottom 6 this off season, right (Steve Downie not included)?
- jmatchett383

Who? Blake comeau? Come on. Just because a blogger says it doesnt mean its true. Stuart was beyond off with that comment. Thats depth? I think malkin and crosby alone make the penguins depth hard to surpass. Their talent is that huge but calling the penguins additions in the off season "massive" and thinking they added awesome depth to their secondary scoring is something I'm having a seriously hard time understanding.

Top 3 on paper maybe. Plus like 25% of your top 12 are rookies.
- rangerdanger94

Do teams have a "top 12"? I would think that's what most people call "your forwards".

I have the results I am just choosing to keep them to myself
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

don't tell me, if we miss the playoffs again I don't want to know because I'll still watch all the games. at least leave me the illusion of hope.

although I do want to know how low amac's +/- rating gets to.