I don't see much in the way of Bellows future with this club. Not good enough defensively to stick on the 3rd line long-term and not going to unseat Lee or Beau in the top-6.
- eichiefs9

I like having him as the fill in over MDC though... He will score if he plays a couple more games. Kid's shot is deadly.

First period was tough to watch.. just got dominated for the whole period.

I like that Trotz mixed up the lines after the first to wake everyone up.. Wahlstrom and Beau had a great shift. Had Pulock with Chara for a while.. trying to hide Chara at this point. He really just can't do it anymore.

Bailey has all the time in the world and does that on the pp
- Cptmjl

He loves to force a pass through 3 sticks .. drives me nuts. Even when he gets it through it's not a great pass.. the guy is as dumb as a box of hair.

These ESPN broadcasts have been absolutely terrible so far. Sean McDonough sounds like he took too much Xanax
- eichiefs9

It would be nice if they at least new the rules. the 3 minute ramble on why Trotz challenged the Chicago goal to save the shut out.. There was 27 seconds left. That is controlled by Toronto.. not the coach. You would think when there was no Power play once the goal was confirmed they would have figured it out at least... 2 dopes.

Chara's lack of speed was really getting exploited last season. I was hoping it was just situational.
- keaner17

he is a traffic cone

I like that Trotz mixed up the lines after the first to wake everyone up.. Wahlstrom and Beau had a great shift. Had Pulock with Chara for a while.. trying to hide Chara at this point. He really just can't do it anymore.
- niteislander

Trotz sucks. Bring back Cappy. At least he didn't use or waste timeouts like Trotz does. And why mix up the lines? You set your lineup and let 'em go. If it works it works, if it doesn't then you send out the same lineup next game and see what happens. Rinse & repeat.

he is a traffic cone
- niteislander

Unfortunately I have to agree. Maybe he'll be worth it once the playoffs start. When the Isles are more defensively orientated.

I like having him as the fill in over MDC though... He will score if he plays a couple more games. Kid's shot is deadly.
- niteislander

Bellows is brutal panik should be in over him any day of the week

I like having him as the fill in over MDC though... He will score if he plays a couple more games. Kid's shot is deadly.
- niteislander

I don't entirely agree. Good shot, yes. But that's about it for him.

Dal Colle is as boring and offensively-challenged as it gets, but he plays a much more complete game. And the kind of game that can win you a spot in the bottom six.

I also don't think the only option after Bellows is Dal Colle. Panik or Komarov are probably next in line if they need top-9 LW. Johnston if the 4th line needs a wing.

I like having him as the fill in over MDC though... He will score if he plays a couple more games. Kid's shot is deadly.
- niteislander

I think it was early in the 3rd period, Bellows had the puck in the slot with all the time in the world to pick a corner to shoot at. Instead he shot it into the goalie's crest for an easy save. I know it was only one play, but the rest of his game doesn't translate into a lot more opportunities. I think his days are numbered as an Islander.

He loves to force a pass through 3 sticks .. drives me nuts. Even when he gets it through it's not a great pass.. the guy is as dumb as a box of hair.
- niteislander

Bailey drives me nuts, too. He was the only Islander last night with a negative plus/minus. He has a team worst -5 through the first 3 games. He is doing NOTHING out there to help the team. I hope Trotz benches him just to send him a message.

Bellows is brutal panik should be in over him any day of the week
- Upstate_isles

Panik was a good grinding player that played a bottom 6 role well for a few years. With that said he’s not the player he was the last couple of seasons there’s a reason why he landed in our lap and he was put on waivers. He very well may got a shot bellows was very unimpressive last night but my expectations aren’t exactly high with panik. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

Bailey drives me nuts, too. He was the only Islander last night with a negative plus/minus. He has a team worst -5 through the first 3 games. He is doing NOTHING out there to help the team. I hope Trotz benches him just to send him a message.
- JohnScammo

Maybe Bailey wishes he was taken by Seattle?

I don't entirely agree. Good shot, yes. But that's about it for him.

Dal Colle is as boring and offensively-challenged as it gets, but he plays a much more complete game. And the kind of game that can win you a spot in the bottom six.

I also don't think the only option after Bellows is Dal Colle. Panik or Komarov are probably next in line if they need top-9 LW. Johnston if the 4th line needs a wing.
- eichiefs9

I prefer Komarov over Panik or MDC. At least he provides some PK support. MDC brings nothing. But who gets waived to make room?

I'm not ready to give up on Bellows yet. I still would give him a few more games as a fill in when needed. But the leash is short. He may work out being a third line winger. I didn't think he was as bad as some of you think.

Chara or Greene need to be the 7th defenseman. Take your pick, they are both struggling. Time for Aho to get a game or three.

I like that Trotz mixed up the lines after the first to wake everyone up.. Wahlstrom and Beau had a great shift. Had Pulock with Chara for a while.. trying to hide Chara at this point. He really just can't do it anymore.
- niteislander

I think Pulock and Pelech need to be split up right now.

I prefer Komarov over Panik or MDC. At least he provides some PK support. MDC brings nothing. But who gets waived to make room?

I'm not ready to give up on Bellows yet. I still would give him a few more games as a fill in when needed. But the leash is short. He may work out being a third line winger. I didn't think he was as bad as some of you think.

Chara or Greene need to be the 7th defenseman. Take your pick, they are both struggling. Time for Aho to get a game or three.
- David_Volek

Hopefully Aho plays well when he gets put in. Still would love Salo to be able to make the jump this year maybe later in the year?

Maybe Bailey wishes he was taken by Seattle?
- ses111

Bailey is doing nothing to make Seattle think they made the wrong choice.

Hopefully Aho plays well when he gets put in. Still would love Salo to be able to make the jump this year maybe later in the year?
- ses111

I would like to see Salo also, but after Aho gets his shot.

Bailey drives me nuts, too. He was the only Islander last night with a negative plus/minus. He has a team worst -5 through the first 3 games. He is doing NOTHING out there to help the team. I hope Trotz benches him just to send him a message.
- JohnScammo

And just when we start lauding Bailey for his play the last couple seasons, he reverts right back to playing like Crappy is coaching again. That's our Bails!

Bailey is doing nothing to make Seattle think they made the wrong choice.
- Isleshockeyman

Bailey is incredibly frustrating. He has stepped up in the last few playoffs I'll give him that.

I would like to see Salo also, but after Aho gets his shot.
- David_Volek

With Greene & Chara, I think we'll see both of them this season. I think Bolduc might also get a sniff.

I would like to see Salo also, but after Aho gets his shot.
- David_Volek

Salo seems to be the better long term bet with his size but Aho will get the shot first I hope he can make it count.

Bailey drives me nuts, too. He was the only Islander last night with a negative plus/minus. He has a team worst -5 through the first 3 games. He is doing NOTHING out there to help the team. I hope Trotz benches him just to send him a message.
- JohnScammo

He's on a line of Defensive guys too... he just seems like a dope to me. Constantly staring off into space and makes the dumbest plays over and over.

Bailey is incredibly frustrating. He has stepped up in the last few playoffs I'll give him that.
- ses111

He has tons of skill... He's just a dope.