I actually really like Blackwell. Gauthier has a tough road ahead in the top 9 without a trade.
- nyrangers9479

I think Buch is perfect trade bait right now. Right at the deadline. They’re gonna need to save money somewhere and he’s unfortunately the best candidate to do that. I love Buch but there just isn’t enough spots for him. Because of Blackwell, the RW position got awfully crowded very quickly

Because he’s finally getting more of a chance, playing well and he’s 6’4.

Wasn’t that what he had to do stay in the lineup from the masses here?

Blackwell is a good/nice player, but Jesus you all act like he’s Zuccarello
- Slimtj100

Not sure where you got all that from TJ, but Blackwell plays 2 more minutes a game at even strength more than Gauthier and has double the points. Quinn would be an idiot to take him out. Right now Blackwell is the better player. Its a fact. You act like I don't like Gauthier. You know who I like, the best players available. Maybe that changes and Gauthier becomes better but it just isn't the case right now

Ya, can’t be any worse than our actual centers haha.
- nyrangers9479

Rangers winning and Islander winning?

I cannot handle this madness. At least Buffalo is still losing so the world makes a little sense.
- ses111

Buffalo is going to suck until 2050.

Kravtsov eventually is going to replace someone and I’m telling you, Howden is going to stay in. Just a heads up If Blackwell stays in for Gauthier I’ll lose my poop

Blackwell is like Aaron Voros. I know he’s loved here lol.
- Slimtj100

You got a thing for the frogs?

I actually really like Blackwell. Gauthier has a tough road ahead in the top 9 without a trade.
- nyrangers9479

Same.
Once again, too many damned wingers and not enough quality centers.

Buffalo is going to suck until 2050.
- Fenrir

They just cannot get it right and it starts at the top. Saw the same thing with the Islanders for years.

You hire good people and then get the heck out of the way.

Not sure where you got all that from TJ, but Blackwell plays 2 more minutes a game at even strength more than Gauthier and has double the points. Quinn would be an idiot to take him out. Right now Blackwell is the better player. Its a fact. You act like I don't like Gauthier. You know who I like, the best players available. Maybe that changes and Gauthier becomes better but it just isn't the case right now
- mdw7413

What is this rational sense making? Gauthier was drafted higher, therefore he should get more minutes regardless of play. If Gauthier can win faceoffs let him play 30 minutes a game.

They just cannot get it right and it starts at the top. Saw the same thing with the Islanders for years.

You hire good people and then get the heck out of the way.
- ses111

Don't know where to begin with the Isles troubles. As much as I despise Milbury, he had zero to work with. That doesn't excuse him from the horrible management decisions he made. Honestly hope he never works in hockey again.

Don't know where to begin with the Isles troubles. As much as I despise Milbury, he had zero to work with. That doesn't excuse him from the horrible management decisions he made. Honestly hope he never works in hockey again.
- Fenrir

It was mostly ownership that was the problem. Milbury was horrible but also had to trade players because of money like Palffy. When Wang RIP finally hired a proven GM like Neil Smith, Wang should have gotten out of the way and let Neil run the show. That committee idea was a nightmare. Neil in 30 days was able to sign better FA's than Garth Snow was able to sign in years. Islanders are doing well now but would have liked to see Neil get a run as GM.

Not sure where you got all that from TJ, but Blackwell plays 2 more minutes a game at even strength more than Gauthier and has double the points. Quinn would be an idiot to take him out. Right now Blackwell is the better player. Its a fact. You act like I don't like Gauthier. You know who I like, the best players available. Maybe that changes and Gauthier becomes better but it just isn't the case right now
- mdw7413

Blackwell has 8 pts and Gauthier has 4 pts. Really man? Lol. Once Gauthier starts finishing, you are going to regret saying that ;

He also plays the power play. For some reason it doesn’t occur to them what Gautier could be in front of the net on the PP2. Could they try it once possibly? He’s built like Tomas Holmstrom. Blackwell gets the reps on it

It was mostly ownership that was the problem. Milbury was horrible but also had to trade players because of money like Palffy. When Wang RIP finally hired a proven GM like Neil Smith, Wang should have gotten out of the way and let Neil run the show. That committee idea was a nightmare. Neil in 30 days was able to sign better FA's than Garth Snow was able to sign in years. Islanders are doing well now but would have liked to see Neil get a run as GM.
- ses111

That's why I said he had zero to work with. Wang was the worst, he saw them as an investment, not for what they were. Honestly thought he was going to be good for the team as he seemed really excited when he bought them.
Yeah, that committee was a terrible idea, and Shoulder Pad Snow was also terrible.
Kinda forgot you guys had Neil, he could have turned things around but was way too smart to go along with that crap.
Hate to see you guys sucking less.

Blackwell has 8 pts and Gauthier has 4 pts. Really man? Lol. Once Gauthier starts finishing, you are going to regret saying that ;

He also plays the power play. For some reason it doesn’t occur to them what Gautier could be in front of the net on the PP2. Could they try it once possibly? He’s built like Tomas Holmstrom. Blackwell gets the reps on it
- Slimtj100

Wouldn't mind seeing him on the 2nd PP.

That's why I said he had zero to work with. Wang was the worst, he saw them as an investment, not for what they were. Honestly thought he was going to be good for the team as he seemed really excited when he bought them.
Yeah, that committee was a terrible idea, and Shoulder Pad Snow was also terrible.
Kinda forgot you guys had Neil, he could have turned things around but was way too smart to go along with that crap.
Hate to see you guys sucking less.
- Fenrir

Wang was setup to do very well and be a hero if he fired Milbury from the start and hired a proven GM. He also could have went smaller and mainly focus on a new building instead of a large hub project. Neil was respected around the league with players and agents and grew up in the Isles organization. Would have been a great story all around.

I'm feeling pretty good about the Isles but I'll feel a lot better if this offense continues against Hedman and a team like Tampa. Islanders still have to prove they can score against a top defense in the playoffs.

Blackwell has 8 pts and Gauthier has 4 pts. Really man? Lol. Once Gauthier starts finishing, you are going to regret saying that ;

He also plays the power play. For some reason it doesn’t occur to them what Gautier could be in front of the net on the PP2. Could they try it once possibly? He’s built like Tomas Holmstrom. Blackwell gets the reps on it
- Slimtj100

No offense TJ, but I'm done talking this with you. Gauthier will earn his minutes and again he might be better than Blackwell. You act like I'm saying Gauthier sucks and shouldn't play. I LIKE GAUTHIER!! But a smart coach plays the best players more. You can't argue Blackwell is better right now. Maybe that changes in 5 games maybe 3 games, maybe 10 games... who knows. I'm talking about playing right now.

What is this rational sense making? Gauthier was drafted higher, therefore he should get more minutes regardless of play. If Gauthier can win faceoffs let him play 30 minutes a game.
- Fenrir

Did you see Gauthier play today? That 5th goal doesn’t happen without him. Great D play, sets up the goal

I don’t understand what you guys have against this guy 🤷🏻‍♂️

Blackwell has 8 pts and Gauthier has 4 pts. Really man? Lol. Once Gauthier starts finishing, you are going to regret saying that ;

He also plays the power play. For some reason it doesn’t occur to them what Gautier could be in front of the net on the PP2. Could they try it once possibly? He’s built like Tomas Holmstrom. Blackwell gets the reps on it
- Slimtj100

I’m mostly with you on this one. Gauthier has impressed me the last few games, more so than Blackwell. And that’s taking nothing away from him, he’s been a real pleasant surprise this season. But we talk about wanting our own Tom Wilson and Gauthier is 6’ 4” and almost 230. He’s still playing a bit hesitant, and he’s definitely more of a skilled player than Wilson, be he could be just as imposing if he wanted to be. The upside with him is off the charts and it goes way further than points IMO.

No offense TJ, but I'm done talking this with you. Gauthier will earn his minutes and again he might be better than Blackwell. You act like I'm saying Gauthier sucks and shouldn't play. I LIKE GAUTHIER!! But a smart coach plays the best players more. You can't argue Blackwell is better right now. Maybe that changes in 5 games maybe 3 games, maybe 10 games... who knows. I'm talking about playing right now.
- mdw7413

I still love you 😍 but you guys are missing the boat is all I’m saying

Caps Tom Wilson was suspended 7 games for his hit on Carlo the other night...

I still love you 😍 but you guys are missing the boat is all I’m saying
- Slimtj100

I’m mostly with you on this one. Gauthier has impressed me the last few games, more so than Blackwell. And that’s taking nothing away from him, he’s been a real pleasant surprise this season. But we talk about wanting our own Tom Wilson and Gauthier is 6’ 4” and almost 230. He’s still playing a bit hesitant, and he’s definitely more of a skilled player than Wilson, be he could be just as imposing if he wanted to be. The upside with him is off the charts and it goes way further than points IMO.
- TC88

Tom Wilson currently averages .37 points per game in his career. The last few years have been better but not during a full 82 game season (covid and injuries). Not sure why this scum bag is the prototype of a PF we are comparing to.

I’m mostly with you on this one. Gauthier has impressed me the last few games, more so than Blackwell. And that’s taking nothing away from him, he’s been a real pleasant surprise this season. But we talk about wanting our own Tom Wilson and Gauthier is 6’ 4” and almost 230. He’s still playing a bit hesitant, and he’s definitely more of a skilled player than Wilson, be he could be just as imposing if he wanted to be. The upside with him is off the charts and it goes way further than points IMO.
- TC88

The worst thing you can do is not give a kid enough of a chance to prove himself with consistent minutes. Then he finds his way to another organization and blossoms. Gauthier is going to be good, we have to be patient but give him at least 4th duty. I get that he can’t crack the top 9 yet. He has to dress every game tho

Wang was setup to do very well and be a hero if he fired Milbury from the start and hired a proven GM. He also could have went smaller and mainly focus on a new building instead of a large hub project. Neil was respected around the league with players and agents and grew up in the Isles organization. Would have been a great story all around.

I'm feeling pretty good about the Isles but I'll feel a lot better if this offense continues against Hedman and a team like Tampa. Islanders still have to prove they can score against a top defense in the playoffs.
- ses111

Wang obviously had zero hockey sense or he would have lit Milbury on fire. I don't remember if Ziggy and Chara trades were before Wang when they had no cash.
Yeah, I know how Neil can build a team. Unfortunately he kinda lost it a few years later. A real GM would have gone a long way towards your rebuild. Milbury (frank)ed you guys for a few decades, which I obviously don't mind. Buffalo reminds me of your dark days.
Hey you guys are back in the playoffs, so that's a step, and how good is Barzal? Plus you have Trotz. He should have added getting a neck in his contract.

Caps Tom Wilson was suspended 7 games for his hit on Carlo the other night...
- TommyGTrain

Well more then I thought but less then I would’ve. The repeat offender 18 months thing is the biggest crock of poop this league has ever seen. Awful decision by the league

Did you see Gauthier play today? That 5th goal doesn’t happen without him. Great D play, sets up the goal

I don’t understand what you guys have against this guy 🤷🏻‍♂️
- Slimtj100

I have nothing against him except that he hasn't earned the ice time. He's not a bad player and I would like to see more of him, see Glut of Wingers et al.