Bellows is a sniper... I am excited he is being called up.

The thing lost in this whole scenario is the Islanders perspective. the previous year the Isles had a few offers out to goalies and were waiting for replies. The replies they finally got was news the goalies had signed somewhere else... They then hired Lehner off the scrap heap with all his baggage and issues hoping to catch lightnening ina bottle. .... It obviously worked out well for the Isles and Lehner.

Once you give a guy your best offer you are willing to give him given all the issues and things that come with him.... if he hangs up the phone and doesn't get back to you quickly.... you can't assume he is calling back. If anything once he did not call back immediately you have to assume he is getting a better offers.
- niteislander

Isles are not in a situation they can wait on players. Isles have a tough enough time signing FA's. Maybe things change with Belmont? I think offering Robin two years was more than fair. He got one with the Hawks.

Bellows is a sniper... I am excited he is being called up.
- niteislander

I'm thrilled with a player that actually wants to shoot.

Isles are not in a situation they can wait on players. Isles have a tough enough time signing FA's. Maybe things change with Belmont? I think offering Robin two years was more than fair. He got one with the Hawks.
- ses111

Despite what most on here Thinks.. Varlamov has been very good. His numbers will continue to get better working with our goalie coaches (just like Lehner's did last year). Our goalie coaches actually wanted Varly both last summer and the summer before when we supposedly wanted to trade for him. ... while Like all of you I wish we had Lehner this year. I am also going to continue to give our coaching staff the benefit of the doubt.

Historically Varlomov has been a very streaky goalie. He already had an incredible streak this year with us... Hopefully he heats up again.

I'm thrilled with a player that actually wants to shoot.
- ses111

he struggled last year to understand the rest of the game they wanted him to play. I honestly think what happened with JHS helped him... that happened and then he was healthy scratched. Has been on fire ever since. I think it woke him up to the reality that if he doesn't get it soon his window might be closing no matter where he was drafted.

I like the kid.. and really think he might be a big time Goal scorer.

Despite what everyone on here Thinks.. Varlamov has been very good. His numbers will continue to get better working with our goalie coaches (just like Lehner's did last year). Our goalie coaches actually wanted Varly both last summer and the summer before when we supposedly wanted to trade for him. ... while Like all of you I wish we had Lehner this year. I am also going to continue to give our coaching staff the benefit of the doubt.

Historically Varlomov has been a very streaky goalie. He already had an incredible streak this year with us... Hopefully he heats up again.
- niteislander

I'm not a fan of giving Varly 4 years but I have issues with most of these contracts. I do trust the Isles in terms of goalies though. Isles need a young goalie that can play a number of games in a row and hopefully that will be Sorokin. Isles need to finally have a true #1 goalie again.

he struggled last year to understand the rest of the game they wanted him to play. I honestly think what happened with JHS helped him... that happened and then he was healthy scratched. Has been on fire ever since. I think it woke him up to the reality that if he doesn't get it soon his window might be closing no matter where he was drafted.

I like the kid.. and really think he might be a big time Goal scorer.
- niteislander

Isles need to show some confidence in young players as well. Do not go the Garth and Cappy route and sit them in the pressbox. Play them and if they cannot play you send them back.

The thing lost in this whole scenario is the Islanders perspective. the previous year the Isles had a few offers out to goalies and were waiting for replies. The replies they finally got was news the goalies had signed somewhere else... They then hired Lehner off the scrap heap with all his baggage and issues hoping to catch lightnening ina bottle. .... It obviously worked out well for the Isles and Lehner.

Once you give a guy your best offer you are willing to give him given all the issues and things that come with him.... if he hangs up the phone and doesn't get back to you quickly.... you can't assume he is calling back. If anything once he did not call back immediately you have to assume he is getting a better offers.
- niteislander

Lehner said he wanted to stay and said the money wasn't far off. Just like JT, oh wait...

Well it doesn't matter Sorokin said he's coming so, there's always that.

Lehner said he wanted to stay and said the money wasn't far off. Just like JT, oh wait...

Well it doesn't matter Sorokin said he's coming so, there always that.
- nyisles7

very good point.

Isles need to show some confidence in young players as well. Do not go the Garth and Cappy route and sit them in the pressbox. Play them and if they cannot play you send them back.
- ses111

In general they have done that... we have Dobson playing a lot, They had Whalstrom up earlier this year, Koivula got some games, So did Bardreau. Toews last year is now full time.. etc. I think these guys get it more than the last regime.. thank God.

I feel like it took way too long for Trotz to figure out how that 3rd line was an issue... we had talked about it for l;ast 5 games.

I'm not a fan of giving Varly 4 years but I have issues with most of these contracts. I do trust the Isles in terms of goalies though. Isles need a young goalie that can play a number of games in a row and hopefully that will be Sorokin. Isles need to finally have a true #1 goalie again.
- ses111

He was a UFA and that is what he was going to get from us or possibly someone else.

He was a UFA and that is what he was going to get from us or possibly someone else.
- niteislander

You cannot go by me and these contracts. I'm very extreme in terms of my hate with many of the contracts. It would be a little different with no Cap.

I was gonna say Bellows was disappointing but then I saw the rest of the stats for that Bridgeport team.

Kid's gonna feel like he died and went to heaven.

In general they have done that... we have Dobson playing a lot, They had Whalstrom up earlier this year, Koivula got some games, So did Bardreau. Toews last year is now full time.. etc. I think these guys get it more than the last regime.. thank God.

I feel like it took way too long for Trotz to figure out how that 3rd line was an issue... we had talked about it for l;ast 5 games.
- niteislander

To be fair he has tried to spread the talent out as well ( That was loved on here ) and that didn't work so with the players he has available there's not much else he can do. The 1st, 2nd and 4th lines have been good. Toffoli and or Pageau are a need this TD. Pageau is the 1st choice but Toffoli can play center as well. Hopefully we can get one of them.

I was gonna say Bellows was disappointing but then I saw the rest of the stats for that Bridgeport team.

Kid's gonna feel like he died and went to heaven.
- BINGO!

He had an atrocious start to the season but has really turned it around. I believe he was the AHL player of the month for December and has continued playing really well. 3 goals in his first 20 and 13 goals in his last 25 make that 15 in his last 26.

Brian Heyman @bheyman99
30m
Kieffer Bellows practicing at LW on the third line. Brassard at C. Dal Colle or Kuhnhackl RW. #Isles #Islanders #NHL

Brian Heyman @bheyman99
30m
Kieffer Bellows practicing at LW on the third line. Brassard at C. Dal Colle or Kuhnhackl RW. #Isles #Islanders #NHL
- eichiefs9

Moose should not even be an option to play right now. Has to be Brassard Bellows and MDC.

He had an atrocious start to the season but has really turned it around. I believe he was the AHL player of the month for December and has continued playing really well. 3 goals in his first 20 and 13 goals in his last 25 make that 15 in his last 26.
- eichiefs9

I still think we need a new coach in Bridge. Isles should hire a young coach for Bridge.

I still think we need a new coach in Bridge. Isles should hire a young coach for Bridge.
- ses111

I'm kind of indifferent on that one. I wouldn't call myself a "fan" of Thompson, but I'm also hesitant to blame him for this season. Their goaltending leaves a lot to be desired and they've dealt with a lot of roster shuffling for various reasons.

I'm kind of indifferent on that one. I wouldn't call myself a "fan" of Thompson, but I'm also hesitant to blame him for this season. Their goaltending leaves a lot to be desired and they've dealt with a lot of roster shuffling for various reasons.
- eichiefs9

I was hoping the goalies situation would be better by now in Bridge. I just think it's time for a change and maybe a younger coach can relate better?

He had an atrocious start to the season but has really turned it around. I believe he was the AHL player of the month for December and has continued playing really well. 3 goals in his first 20 and 13 goals in his last 25 make that 15 in his last 26.
- eichiefs9

Certainly has made a case to be given a shot for sure.

I was hoping the goalies situation would be better by now in Bridge. I just think it's time for a change and maybe a younger coach can relate better?
- ses111

Can't really blame Thompson for that, he can only play the guys he has. I'd have no issue if they went in a different direction though.

I'm kind of indifferent on that one. I wouldn't call myself a "fan" of Thompson, but I'm also hesitant to blame him for this season. Their goaltending leaves a lot to be desired and they've dealt with a lot of roster shuffling for various reasons.
- eichiefs9

I think Thompson had his hands tied to Cappy and Doug's systems for years. I think with Trotz at the helm the young guys in BP are well aware of whats expected of them. I think he's good with the young guys at least that's the reputation he has. For me since Trotz has been here the Kids that are called up look like they are in tune with what's expected when they are here, except for maybe JHS. As for him I hope he turns things around this year, he's so talented.

Can't really blame Thompson for that, he can only play the guys he has. I'd have no issue if they went in a different direction though.
- eichiefs9

No blame for Thompson on the goalies. I was hoping Soderstrom or Skarek would show more at this point.

Dan Rosen
@drosennhl
Anton Khudobin will be in the net for the Stars.

Isles get Bishop tomorrow