Well Sorokin based on reports appears to be ready for the NHL, so I guess you Varlamov will be insurance while he gets adjusted.
- Archaic

That’s the plan.

Complain to the NHL about the Florida tax. In a flat salary cap world. Tampas competitors can't add enough quality to challenge TampA who is already set.

This season is a huge success regardless of what happens this series. This is going to be a very difficult series to win. Hopefully the Isles bounce back in game 2.
- ses111

While that is a true statement.. u only get to this point so many times in your career as a hockey player. Their are only 4 teams left and the Isles are one of them.. they have to Play their game, their system, and play to the level that they can.. if they lose that way then you tip your cap to the Bolts. ... but if they play their game..It will be a close series.

The season is/was a big success I agree but I’m not a fan of this sentiment and I hope the team isn’t also. The isles need to rest up and play their game tomorrow.
- Cptmjl

Yep.. if they play like they did against the Caps, it will be a good series. If they play like last night they are toast.

While that is a true statement.. u only get to this point so many times in your career as a hockey player. Their are only 4 teams left and the Isles are one of them.. they have to Play their game, their system, and play to the level that they can.. if they lose that way then you tip your cap to the Bolts. ... but if they play their game..It will be a close series.
- niteislander

At the end of the day they need to just look at last night as a loss and get back to it tomorrow. One loss hurts them the same whether it's a 4OT game they lose by a goal or one where they get their Richards kicked in like last night.

Compartmentalize it as simply a loss and get ready for game 2. I don't expect this to be the norm in the series but they need to even the series tomorrow and not fall down 2-0 to a very good hockey team

Seems likely they'll get a good amount of PP opportunities in this series so they need to capitalize on those and find a way to contain Point and the TB defense from having major impacts. Not a lot of holes in that lineup though.

Question, do the Isles retain Greiss after this season and trade Varlomov? I havent seen much of Varlomov, not sure who is better between the two.
- Archaic

The reason they signed Varly in the first place (in most of our opinions) was to help with the Sorokin signing. He is supposed to be the 1a or 1b while Sorokin gets settled. Help him with the on ice stuff, language barrier, learn where to eat, live, etc.

This was why they were willing to let Lehner leave. That and these coaches loved Varly the summer before and were unable to get him.

All that said I think the isles will offer Greiss something to hang out if he doesn't get a big offer away. I would say that is unlikely but there is a LOT of goalies available this summer. Holtby, Crawford, Howard, Lehner, Murray, Markstrom Talbot, Khudobin, Elliot, Giorgieve, are all UFA. Have others that will surely be available too...

so If they can keep both of them while Sorokin plays in B-port to start the season and then move one at Trade deadline if He's moved up and plays as we all expect that would be ideal. .. but doubtful.

Complain to the NHL about the Florida tax. In a flat salary cap world. Tampas competitors can't add enough quality to challenge TampA who is already set.
- Landsbergfan

You have to complain to the NHL about Canada too then b/c they have a different tax code.. especially on Bonus money. Their "bonus" money is not taxed as ordinary income.. it's taxed at a much lower rate. which is why Marner did not sign until his contract was structured with a yearly Bonus..etc.

The only way they could make it fair is to phrase it "take home money" and have a cap that way.. wouldn't be easy but it would be interesting.

With Sorokin signed and Varlamov having three years on his contract left they won’t be resigning Greiss. Unfortunately...
- Cptmjl

I hope u are wrong.. I want them to sign Greiss and then trade Varly at deadline... probably not gonna happen but never know.

At the end of the day they need to just look at last night as a loss and get back to it tomorrow. One loss hurts them the same whether it's a 4OT game they lose by a goal or one where they get their Richards kicked in like last night.

Compartmentalize it as simply a loss and get ready for game 2. I don't expect this to be the norm in the series but they need to even the series tomorrow and not fall down 2-0 to a very good hockey team

Seems likely they'll get a good amount of PP opportunities in this series so they need to capitalize on those and find a way to contain Point and the TB defense from having major impacts. Not a lot of holes in that lineup though.
- eichiefs9

It looked a lot better last night for sure.. but need to score. We miss the net waay too much when we finally shoot. We seem to be looking for that perfect play or perfect shot... meanwhile our only goal was the way most happen.. toss it at net and jam in a rebound.

Being a realist, the isles were going to need to fire on all cylinders at both ends of the ice to beat Tampa. This is a team that ran over 2 very strong opponents, but they aren't 6 goals better than the isles. The Islanders paid the price for letting the Flyer series drag out. Slow feet and low energy had this game decided in the 1st.

Banging with Tampa wont work. Scoring first will do little to slow them down. Islanders need career performances out of everyone, game after game, to win this.

I hope u are wrong.. I want them to sign Greiss and then trade Varly at deadline... probably not gonna happen but never know.
- niteislander

Unfortunately I’m right that’s never going to happen.

Complain to the NHL about the Florida tax. In a flat salary cap world. Tampas competitors can't add enough quality to challenge TampA who is already set.
- Landsbergfan

Or you know... you could vote in politicians that will lower taxes. Every region has it's own things going for and against it. But this is like tying one of your hands behind your back then complaining that everyone else isn't doing the same.

While that is a true statement.. u only get to this point so many times in your career as a hockey player. Their are only 4 teams left and the Isles are one of them.. they have to Play their game, their system, and play to the level that they can.. if they lose that way then you tip your cap to the Bolts. ... but if they play their game..It will be a close series.
- niteislander

No question. The fans can look at it like it's a success regardless of what happens in this series. The players have to give it their all and if they lose because Tampa is better you live with it. If the Isles play like last night the entire series then that is not acceptable.

It looked a lot better last night for sure.. but need to score. We miss the net waay too much when we finally shoot. We seem to be looking for that perfect play or perfect shot... meanwhile our only goal was the way most happen.. toss it at net and jam in a rebound.
- niteislander

Unfortunately I’m right that’s never going to happen.
- Cptmjl

No way do I see Sorokin spending time in Bridge. Cannot see Greiss being kept.

No way do I see Sorokin spending time in Bridge. Cannot see Greiss being kept.
- ses111

They may want him to do that just to get used to the NA rink.

I'd be interested in signing someone like Malcom Subban to a two-way deal. He'd be the backup to start the season with Varly getting the majority of the workload and then he could easily be sent down to Bridgeport when Sorokin plays his way out of there. Gives them a competent backup with NHL experience that would be an improvement at the AHL level when it's time for him to go back there.

No idea if he'd do that or if Lou has other plans but, to me, that would be a smart low-risk move. Doesn't necessarily have to be Subban, but someone along those lines that's looking for a new opportunity. Louis Domingue, Mike Condon, etc...

They may want him to do that just to get used to the NA rink.

I'd be interested in signing someone like Malcom Subban to a two-way deal. He'd be the backup to start the season with Varly getting the majority of the workload and then he could easily be sent down to Bridgeport when Sorokin plays his way out of there. Gives them a competent backup with NHL experience that would be an improvement at the AHL level when it's time for him to go back there.

No idea if he'd do that or if Lou has other plans but, to me, that would be a smart low-risk move. Doesn't necessarily have to be Subban, but someone along those lines that's looking for a new opportunity. Louis Domingue, Mike Condon, etc...
- eichiefs9

It's a tough call. Who knows when Sorokin will be ready for an NHL debut. They have to start the season with two goalies that give them a chance to win. I don't know who would sign knowing they may end up in the AHL or hope they get picked up on waivers.

It's a tough call. Who knows when Sorokin will be ready for an NHL debut. They have to start the season with two goalies that give them a chance to win. I don't know who would sign knowing they may end up in the AHL or hope they get picked up on waivers.
- JimmyP

I’m pretty certain both him Lameriello, and his agent agreed upon all of this before he came over. What they agreed upon who knows?

I’m pretty certain both him Lameriello, and his agent agreed upon all of this before he came over. What they agreed upon who knows?
- Cptmjl

I meant the 2nd goalie next year. I'm not sure who would agree to the job knowing there is a decent chance they get sent down mid season.

Unless Sorokin is lights out in camp he probably starts with the Sound Tigers.

I’m pretty certain both him Lameriello, and his agent agreed upon all of this before he came over. What they agreed upon who knows?
- Cptmjl

Have to think so. I'm not sure how Sorokin would react to having to start in Bridge?

Have to think so. I'm not sure how Sorokin would react to having to start in Bridge?
- ses111

Would you be comfortable with him starting the season with the Isles?

...for those times when deciding who should be in goal THIS year doesn't satiate the head coach in you.