They have skilled guys in Stutzle and Formenton but instead of playing them together with Stutzle at C and Formenton on LW they're burying both those guys. I would have Batherson on the RW and have that line pin back the ears of Dmen around the league and make them worry about crossing the center ice line whenever that trio is out there.
- Whatisavailable

We're in agreement there - they're seriously misusing both Stutzle and Formenton... which could be among the fastest pairs in the entire league. Or else try Tkachuk-Stutzle, because Formenton looked really good beside Norris-Batherson to start the season. But it feels like unless they trade Paul, that kind of thing is just not going to happen.

He can lay out what the team's direction is, how the endless false statements by Dorion and Melnyk never materialized. What they are doing to rectify those false statements. I have wrote about it for a few days now on here and on Twitter.....I don't want to repeat it all here, but read my tweets and see why. I have had endless fans agree with my what I have wrote on Twitter and here.
- Kevin Francis

I guess what I’m saying is: nothing McGuire, PD or Melnyk tell the public, will make me feel any better about the current situation.

Actions speak louder than words.


Get Wright..that’s the goal.

PD would probably botch that though and draft Cooley

Your Sens crushed me tonight, I bet Carolina big. Good on your boys for getting it done, I love to see the Canadian teams do well.

Anyone else on here notice how bad Pageau has been for the Isles? 1G/3A and a -3 this season for what, 5miillion a year I think. Ouch.

Pierre McGuire is out sniffing butt's tonight in Heron cuz it reminded Him of His Childhood in Jersey.

We're in agreement there - they're seriously misusing both Stutzle and Formenton... which could be among the fastest pairs in the entire league. Or else try Tkachuk-Stutzle, because Formenton looked really good beside Norris-Batherson to start the season. But it feels like unless they trade Paul, that kind of thing is just not going to happen.
- khawk

Amen.

I am a huge fan of Formenton's game. I don't understand why Smith is so fast with the hook, it seems like Formenton is benched as soon as and whenever he has any form of defensive lapse. If Smith applied the same standard to some other players they would never, ever get to see a second shift.

I think we all know the wright answer to our current situation. I still like this team a lot and there is no better option than time and patience.

We're in agreement there - they're seriously misusing both Stutzle and Formenton... which could be among the fastest pairs in the entire league. Or else try Tkachuk-Stutzle, because Formenton looked really good beside Norris-Batherson to start the season. But it feels like unless they trade Paul, that kind of thing is just not going to happen.
- khawk

The guy that needs to go is Smith because he is starting to do some serious damage to this team. I don't even want to think about the players he will ruin over the next three years. That can't be permitted to happen.

Paul needs to be playing on the third line where he belongs.

We need a new coach. This team should be able to win 40-50% of their games the rest of the year and we still get a good pick.

Don't want to take a step backwards, would be very demotivating.

Your Sens crushed me tonight, I bet Carolina big. Good on your boys for getting it done, I love to see the Canadian teams do well.

Anyone else on here notice how bad Pageau has been for the Isles? 1G/3A and a -3 this season for what, 5miillion a year I think. Ouch.
- PuckPix

I've watched a few Islander games. He's been their best most consistent player. I'll agree I thought the contract was worrisome at the beginning but it's going to be good value I believe now.
The team should never have added old slow "friends and family" players to a speedy dynamic team. They used to be tough to play against, solid defense, quick counter attack. Now. They aren't.

I've watched a few Islander games. He's been their best most consistent player. I'll agree I thought the contract was worrisome at the beginning but it's going to be good value I believe now.
The team should never have added old slow "friends and family" players to a speedy dynamic team. They used to be tough to play against, solid defense, quick counter attack. Now. They aren't.
- Octavarium

See I think nearly everyone knew it was an overpay for a guy who has only skirted .5 ppg in his career playing with Mark Stone. The problem with the Isles is Lou. I honestly did not understand how that team was so consistent and competitive for so many years - good defense I get, but there is nothing of serious note up front outside Barzal, who's having a rough start - they're like the reverse Sens. I imagine it is likely because their ancient overpaid depth is finally showing their age. Don't get me wrong, I love the player, but I don't think that Pageau contract will age well at all.

Do what Spatso did. switch teams, it's worked out well for him.
- systemtool

I think there are a few issues here.

#1. Not using some of our best talent. Formenton, Brann, etc. We forget that these kids are still kids and need to develop. We should really be letting them play, letting them make mistakes and learn from them and develop. This year is a write off, but the team is better then our record shows.

#2. We really have not vets to help teach the young guys.... A Jason Spezza here would do wonders for teaching the young guys. Once he retires, I would really consider bringing him in as maybe as assistant coach or something.

#3. This "tanking" year, gives us a shot at Shane Wright and next year gives us a shot at Connor Bedard (Potentially the next Mcdavid). Yes I know it sucks to lose and keep losing but if we get a generational talent from it. That's huge.

I think we all need to recognize the negative but remain positive about the future.

I think there are a few issues here.

#1. Not using some of our best talent. Formenton, Brann, etc. We forget that these kids are still kids and need to develop. We should really be letting them play, letting them make mistakes and learn from them and develop. This year is a write off, but the team is better then our record shows.

#2. We really have not vets to help teach the young guys.... A Jason Spezza here would do wonders for teaching the young guys. Once he retires, I would really consider bringing him in as maybe as assistant coach or something.

#3. This "tanking" year, gives us a shot at Shane Wright and next year gives us a shot at Connor Bedard (Potentially the next Mcdavid). Yes I know it sucks to lose and keep losing but if we get a generational talent from it. That's huge.

I think we all need to recognize the negative but remain positive about the future.
- Maverick1818

People too easily forget how horrible young rebuilding teams can appear. Think about Colorado even after putting MacKinnon in the lineup. Edmonton looked really weak with both McDavid and Draisaitl playing lots of minutes.

We all need to watch for positives and progress that are different than won/loss and standings. Last night I enjoyed the play of Forsberg and every shift that Formenton skated.

I think there are a few issues here.

#1. Not using some of our best talent. Formenton, Brann, etc. We forget that these kids are still kids and need to develop. We should really be letting them play, letting them make mistakes and learn from them and develop. This year is a write off, but the team is better then our record shows.

#2. We really have not vets to help teach the young guys.... A Jason Spezza here would do wonders for teaching the young guys. Once he retires, I would really consider bringing him in as maybe as assistant coach or something.

#3. This "tanking" year, gives us a shot at Shane Wright and next year gives us a shot at Connor Bedard (Potentially the next Mcdavid). Yes I know it sucks to lose and keep losing but if we get a generational talent from it. That's huge.

I think we all need to recognize the negative but remain positive about the future.
- Maverick1818

Good post. And I would totally be positive about the future if management would speak to the fans, rather than leaving us in the dark (or lying to us) and, FIRST AND FOREMOST, we had a new owner

We could lose very game for the remainder of of season I would feel hopeful for the future if we got a new owner.

People too easily forget how horrible young rebuilding teams can appear. Think about Colorado even after putting MacKinnon in the lineup. Edmonton looked really weak with both McDavid and Draisaitl playing lots of minutes.

We all need to watch for positives and progress that are different than won/loss and standings. Last night I enjoyed the play of Forsberg and every shift that Formenton skated.
- spatso

Formenton looked awesome. Mete....what the exact opposite of that, but harsher?

Formenton looked awesome. Mete....what the exact opposite of that, but harsher?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Useless as tit$ on a bull. This is the problem when you go player-shopping in the waivers bin... you inevitably find out the reasons why the player was put on waivers in the first place. You can have a bit of a honeymoon phase, where the player is extra-motivated and sometimes will exceed low expectations... but sooner or later, their critical weakness emerges, whether it's a matter of limited skill mix, consistency, motivation, intensity, etc. Forsberg is a great example - he's obviously capable of the 40+ save game, but will just as often be relatively sub-standard. If you're a playoff-quality team, and what you really need from your back-up goaltender is consistent solid play, then it's not too hard to see how he could be found on waivers, especially when he's also 29 (i.e. kind of a baked cake in terms of potential).

Once Brannstrom is back from injury, it's time for them to make it clear that he's the more important player for them to try to develop, and deploy the ice time accordingly. The future is increasingly now in terms of d-men... Thomson is ready, JBD is close, and Brannstrom needs to play. Trade Mete away as a cheap depth option for like a 7th round pick (or just waive him), get Sanderson signed ASAP after the NCAA season is over, and prove to your fanbase (WITH ACTIONS) that you're serious about putting an exciting young high-potential team on the ice.

Once Brannstrom is back from injury, it's time for them to make it clear that he's the more important player for them to try to develop, and deploy the ice time accordingly. The future is increasingly now in terms of d-men... Thomson is ready, JBD is close, and Brannstrom needs to play. Trade Mete away as a cheap depth option for like a 7th round pick (or just waive him), get Sanderson signed ASAP after the NCAA season is over, and prove to your fanbase (WITH ACTIONS) that you're serious about putting an exciting young high-potential team on the ice.
- khawk

Agree, people chide Brannstrom for his defensive lapses when we already know this current blue line is already a defensive lapse waiting to happen. If we're gonna concede so many shots we might as well balance it out by putting more on the opposition net. He may only be a 3LD offensive specialist at the end of the day, but give him top 4 minutes this year while we wait for Sanderson for crying out loud - what can it hurt for somebody who's proven himself at every other level? Otherwise he's gonna turn Brown on us. And put Formenton in the top six, line him up with Stützle at C and Brown on the right - let's get our actually hopeful players playing in a way that actually generates hope.

New blog up!