Only two more months give or take till opening night, it's been tough in here of late. Nice article ben, rangers are way more dynamic up front than the isles and at the moment I'd take them to make the playoffs over the isles

Only two more months give or take till opening night, it's been tough in here of late. Nice article ben, rangers are way more dynamic up front than the isles and at the moment I'd take them to make the playoffs over the isles
- Upstate_isles

The heat and waiting for a big Isles move is not a good combo. You have to like the Rangers chances over the Isles at this point.

The heat and waiting for a big Isles move is not a good combo. You have to like the Rangers chances over the Isles at this point.
- ses111

Their talent up front is deep with panarin being elite, kakko will be and zibinijab is very good and the supporting cast is very good.

Their talent up front is deep with panarin being elite, kakko will be and zibinijab is very good and the supporting cast is very good.
- Upstate_isles

Most Isles fans are not going to be happy when the Devils and Rangers are making moves and nothing from the Isles. When is it the Isles turn in terms of making moves? 3rd and 4th line moves do not cut it.

Only two more months give or take till opening night, it's been tough in here of late. Nice article ben, rangers are way more dynamic up front than the isles and at the moment I'd take them to make the playoffs over the isles
- Upstate_isles

Thank you for reading!

Most Isles fans are not going to be happy when the Devils and Rangers are making moves and nothing from the Isles. When is it the Isles turn in terms of making moves? 3rd and 4th line moves do not cut it.
- ses111

I get the impression that Lou is a very patient man. Too bad he’s inherited an impatient (justifiably so) fanbase.

I get the impression that Lou is a very patient man. Too bad he’s inherited an impatient (justifiably so) fanbase.
- Wildschwein

I worry about wasting Barzal's prime years like what happened with JT. I get not wanting to trade someone like Dobson. I would hope the Isles have other prospects they can trade to get help. I hope we do not have to wait for two more drafts for the Isles to be able to make an impact move.

I worry about wasting Barzal's prime years like what happened with JT. I get not wanting to trade someone like Dobson. I would hope the Isles have other prospects they can trade to get help. I hope we do not have to wait for two more drafts for the Isles to be able to make an impact move.
- ses111

With belmont allegedly coming they cant miss on ufas forever can they?

With belmont allegedly coming they cant miss on ufas forever can they?
- Upstate_isles

Even with Belmont, Isles have to hope they have some quality UFA's to sign and they also have to hope the Rangers and other popular teams are in Cap trouble.

Even with Belmont, Isles have to hope they have some quality UFA's to sign and they also have to hope the Rangers and other popular teams are in Cap trouble.
- ses111

Well signing like komorov will ensure the isles aren't in cap trouble

Well signing like komorov will ensure the isles aren't in cap trouble
- Upstate_isles

This Leo contract will never make sense. Even Hickey's deal did not make sense. Lou got it right with Fili.

This Leo contract will never make sense. Even Hickey's deal did not make sense. Lou got it right with Fili.
- ses111

I am not worried with the Komarov and Hickey contracts. I am worried about the Ladd contract. Hickey is tradeable. Ladd is not.

I am not worried with the Komarov and Hickey contracts. I am worried about the Ladd contract. Hickey is tradeable. Ladd is not.
- ziggy_skalica

I hope Hickey is tradable. He is still on the team. Leo is a problem if he blocks MDC or another young player. Isles will be stuck with Ladd and maybe something gets done with Seattle?

Nice write up Ben.

Rags have the offensive edge currently on paper but are over the cap. So Chris Kreider, or Pavel Buchnevich may or may not be in the picture. It Could also be someone else who becomes the odd man out do to the cap, however they need to become cap compliant by seasons start so the roster will change a bit and it will have an impact imho. Also as we have seen in the league in the past, being good on paper means nothing. Chemistry among the players/Team can turn out quite different.

That said the Isles are sound defensively and in net and have the Cap space to add to the offense if need be. They have some prospects in the pipeline or younger rostered players(Beau, MDC etc.) that can take the next step in their NHL careers. Let’s not forget the addition of Hiller as PP coach ( Gomez is gone ). Which can also provide additional offense to the Islanders next season. I feel all and all the Isles will be better offensively and take the next step. Only time will tell. Sorry if I’m too optimistic, I know that doesn’t sit well around here with most.

I can’t wait for the season to start as these threads have become the typical mid summer dumpster fires.

I am not worried with the Komarov and Hickey contracts. I am worried about the Ladd contract. Hickey is tradeable. Ladd is not.
- ziggy_skalica

Anyone’s tradable it’s just how much you have to take it in the ass to make it happen and with Badds contract it’s gonna be deep.
That said he could pot 28 goals this year

Nice write up Ben.

Rags have the offensive edge currently on paper but are over the cap. So Chris Kreider, or Pavel Buchnevich may or may not be in the picture. It Could also be someone else who becomes the odd man out do to the cap, however they need to become cap compliant by seasons start so the roster will change a bit and it will have an impact imho. Also as we have seen in the league in the past, being good on paper means nothing. Chemistry among the players/Team can turn out quite different.

That said the Isles are sound defensively and in net and have the Cap space to add to the offense if need be. They have some prospects in the pipeline or younger rostered players(Beau, MDC etc.) that can take the next step in their NHL careers. Let’s not forget the addition of Hiller as PP coach ( Gomez is gone ). Which can also provide additional offense to the Islanders next season. I feel all and all the Isles will be better offensively and take the next step. Only time will tell. Sorry if I’m too optimistic, I know that doesn’t sit well around here with most.

I can’t wait for the season to start as these threads have become the typical mid summer dumpster fires.
- nyisles7

I don’t feel this was a heartfelt apology.

Nice write up Ben.

Rags have the offensive edge currently on paper but are over the cap. So Chris Kreider, or Pavel Buchnevich may or may not be in the picture. It Could also be someone else who becomes the odd man out do to the cap, however they need to become cap compliant by seasons start so the roster will change a bit and it will have an impact imho. Also as we have seen in the league in the past, being good on paper means nothing. Chemistry among the players/Team can turn out quite different.

That said the Isles are sound defensively and in net and have the Cap space to add to the offense if need be. They have some prospects in the pipeline or younger rostered players(Beau, MDC etc.) that can take the next step in their NHL careers. Let’s not forget the addition of Hiller as PP coach ( Gomez is gone ). Which can also provide additional offense to the Islanders next season. I feel all and all the Isles will be better offensively and take the next step. Only time will tell. Sorry if I’m too optimistic, I know that doesn’t sit well around here with most.

I can’t wait for the season to start as these threads have become the typical mid summer dumpster fires.
- nyisles7

You can blame the wonderful NHL offseasons for the dumpster fire threads. You can also blame division rivals making real improvements. It's not going to be a comfort to Isles fans when Isles are not making moves as well. I just want to see my team improve and it's hard with these long term contracts and if you do not have the perfect new building yet to sign FA's.

I hope young players like Beau and MDC take the next step and Lou can make some more moves to improve the offense. I just know it's a lot of pressure on Barry and the coaching staff if this is going to be pretty much it with the roster.

I don’t feel this was a heartfelt apology.
- Cptmjl

Sorry

You can blame the wonderful NHL offseasons for the dumpster fire threads. You can also blame division rivals making real improvements. It's not going to be a comfort to Isles fans when Isles are not making moves as well. I just want to see my team improve and it's hard with these long term contracts and if you do not have the perfect new building yet to sign FA's.

I hope young players like Beau and MDC take the next step and Lou can make some more moves to improve the offense. I just know it's a lot of pressure on Barry and the coaching staff if this is going to be pretty much it with the roster.
- ses111

Fair

Only two more months give or take till opening night, it's been tough in here of late. Nice article ben, rangers are way more dynamic up front than the isles and at the moment I'd take them to make the playoffs over the isles
- Upstate_isles

I K

I don’t feel this was a heartfelt apology.
- Cptmjl

https://getyarn.io/yarn-c...0c-47c1-8ef9-5f87178d5b94

Real nice blog....and fair. I still think it’s tough to review now with the ranger cap issues and they will be seeing some changes there. I am hoping that Lou can make a late move during the cap purge to pick up some good players.

This was a good read. Well done

Isles boards are flat out painful to read. All you doom and gloom guys have to be kidding me.... OH NO WE DIDN'T SIGN A GUY FOR $4.5 MILL a year who has never played in the NHL... WTF is LOU DOING?!?!?!?!

Team was 5th in the league in points last year. They have Lee who has scored over 100 goals the last 3 years signed. Brock who has scored over 100 goals the last 5 years and is good for at least 20 a year. Eberle 20 goals a year, Barzal is 22 and will score at least 20, Beauv is 22 and will score at least 20, They have a core of young D-men and D-prospects that will continue to get better every year. ... and they have 3 first round picks that are fighting for a spot. Their 4th line Center scored 20 goals last year, but somehow the Rangers have more depth at forward?

IF and this is a big IF Lou doesn't add a top 6 forward before October this team is still better than the Rangers and the Devils... by a lot.

Isles were 1 point from winning the Metro last year.. fyi. You guys must really think Val was a stud if we are going to suck this year.