I still like Casey as 3C and using Fritz as 4C. I would not have minded a 3rd line of Casey MDC and Ho Sang this year. That's not happening. Hopefully Wahlstrom is the real deal. Have to think he needs more time in Bridge. This team had everything break right in some top teams losing in the playoffs and still won only one round. Hard to think team can do better with the current roster.
- ses111

Clutterbuck and Martin are completely useless without cizikas. We’ve seen it time and again.

Clutterbuck and Martin are completely useless without cizikas. We’ve seen it time and again.
- Cptmjl

With the amount of problems with his back he may be completely useless no matter who his linemates are.

Thanks for the write up Ben! Hopefully Aho gets a shot this year. I'm just not sure Leddy will be moved and if he does get moved he brings the needed improvement to the top 6. This could be another year Isles sit tight. Just hope Barry and Barzal stay patient.
- ses111

Thanks for reading!

I think the Islanders should really be looking to move Leddy for scoring help after missing out in the UFA market but like you said I'm not sure it will actually happen.

Nice write up Ben.. appreciate all the work. Love the comparisons with other D-men in AHL.. I know that takes time. ty

I am not sure how I feel about Leddy being moved. If we need the cap room and/or he is moved for a top 6 forward I am all for it. I am also curious to see how much better he would get with another year of Trotz and his coaching staff trying to get him on board with the system. He certainly seemed to have a harder time with it than the other D-men but if they can ever get him fully on board he certainly has a fantastic skill set that would be great for a long time.

Aho played well in his brief stint on the Island and is certainly ready to make the jump. Will be interesting to see if there is a spot for him. My guess is he starts in AHL and when one of our D-men gets hurt he is first call up.
- niteislander

Thanks for the kind words!

Agreed that he's probably the call-up. With Leddy I think a trade should happen so long as the Isles could get a legitimate top-six forward back but if that's not a possibility at the moment then just be patient.

Showed glimpses of being a legit nhl defenseman and like you said would be great depth if Leddy got moved. I think he’ll stick eventually would be great if we could move Leddy and or Hickey to get some help up front.
- Cptmjl

Thanks for reading!

I doubt Hickey could bring back much of a return but if he's kept around it would be better to consider giving Aho some time in the NHL if there's an injury rather than automatically just slotting Hickey back into the lineup IMO.

https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/07/14/new-jersey-devils-mascot-has-biggest-hit-of-offseason-after-shattering-glass-at-kids-birthday-party/
- niteislander

With the amount of problems with his back he may be completely useless no matter who his linemates are.
- JimmyP

Exactly! That 4th line is not going to be together much longer.

Clutterbuck and Martin are completely useless without cizikas. We’ve seen it time and again.
- Cptmjl

Honestly, Casey was pretty ineffective without Martin and Cal. Just sayin, I K.

Honestly, Casey was pretty ineffective without Martin and Cal. Just sayin, I K.
- nyisles7

This was before Barry though. Have to think Casey could do fine on a 3rd line.

Thanks for reading!

I doubt Hickey could bring back much of a return but if he's kept around it would be better to consider giving Aho some time in the NHL if there's an injury rather than automatically just slotting Hickey back into the lineup IMO.
- Ben Shelley

I'd love to see Hickey traded Ben. Some though he could still be traded even though he was given a 4 year deal. Let's see what happens.

Lucic for Neil straight up.. wowza.

Lucic for Neil straight up.. wowza.
- niteislander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_3B_PTEYXo

This was before Barry though. Have to think Casey could do fine on a 3rd line.
- ses111

Maybe