Lol yeah, Reasoner. If Raty plays it cannot be on the 4th line.
- potvin05

He was called up to fill in for Cizikas. There isn't anywhere else for him to play but the fourth line right now.

He was called up to fill in for Cizikas. There isn't anywhere else for him to play but the fourth line right now.
- eichiefs9

Move Barzal down to the 4th line

poop, I'd take Fantilli too. Or Michkov. Or the Swede, whatever his name is. This is going to be one hell of a draft.
- eichiefs9

Yea top 2 are a step above but yea the top 5 is amazing. Really Bedard is in his own class the isles are gonna need some rangers lotto luck

Really want to see raty

He was called up to fill in for Cizikas. There isn't anywhere else for him to play but the fourth line right now.
- eichiefs9

I wouldn’t get what the point of bringing him up is then. 4th line doesn’t exactly strike me as his skillset.

Yea top 2 are a step above but yea the top 5 is amazing. Really Bedard is in his own class the isles are gonna need some rangers lotto luck
- Upstate_isles

Michkov is right there with Bedard and Fantilli, problem is that he's signed long-term in the KHL. Until the end of the 2025-26 season. I still think someone takes a chance on him in the top 3 picks.

Move Barzal down to the 4th line
- Cptmjl

Was thinking Wally. Wonder if he’ll shuffle lines.

I wouldn’t get what the point of bringing him up is then. 4th line doesn’t exactly strike me as his skillset.
- potvin05

Nothing wrong with getting him some minutes in the NHL. Tons of forwards have started out in bottom six roles as rookies.

Was thinking Wally. Wonder if he’ll shuffle lines.
- streaks

Raty is a center and they seem very intent on keeping it that way. That's the exact reason Lou gave when he explained why they called Holmstrom up over Raty initially.

Nothing wrong with getting him some minutes in the NHL. Tons of forwards have started out in bottom six roles as rookies.
- eichiefs9

I mean. I definitely want to see this kid play at this level, so I’m not upset about it.

I mean. I definitely want to see this kid play at this level, so I’m not upset about it.
- potvin05

Gonna be tough for him to crack this roster as a center. Cizikas is signed for four years after this one and Pageau three more. And, unless his development skyrockets, he's definitely not unseating Barzal or Nelson.

He may ultimately have to be moved to wing, if he's not traded.

Gonna be tough for him to crack this roster as a center. Cizikas is signed for four years after this one and Pageau three more. And, unless his development skyrockets, he's definitely not unseating Barzal or Nelson.

He may ultimately have to be moved to wing, if he's not traded.
- eichiefs9

Love the guy but

Raty is a center and they seem very intent on keeping it that way. That's the exact reason Lou gave when he explained why they called Holmstrom up over Raty initially.
- eichiefs9

Oh right. Wasn’t considering that he only plays center. I’m excited to see him play even if it’s limited minutes on 4th line.

Love the guy but
- Cptmjl

Yeah that contract is going to age like milk. He's already declining pretty rapidly.

Gotta think Ratty gets his chance tonight. Looking forward to see what he can bring.
Have to think Salo takes a seat tonight. He was absolutely lost last night.

1. How close is the gap between Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli in the 2023 NHL Draft?
As the 2023 NHL Draft season has progressed, Connor Bedard has been tearing up the WHL as expected, but Adam Fantilli is currently second in NCAA scoring, too. He’s generated a ton of interest as an elite pro prospect, and several NHL sources are at least entertaining the idea he could be the best player in the draft class due to his unique combination of skill, skating and physicality.

When Bedard and Fantilli were on the same club in the spring at the U18 Worlds, Bedard was clearly better. Bedard has more offense in his game, and is almost a full year younger than Fantilli as well. As a returning member to the U20 team, it’s expected he’ll get a bigger role and frankly play better Fantilli. If that happens, I think any conversations about who is No. 1 could fizzle post-tournament. But, if the play of the two players is close by the time we get to the end, it could jumpstart a debate. In the pre-tournament, Bedard outplayed Fantilli notably in the first game, but Fantilli was better in the second match.


2. Is Leo Carlsson in the same conversation as Bedard and Fantilli?
One semi-common question that comes up with NHL scouts when discussing Bedard and Fantilli is “well, what about Leo Carlsson?” Carlsson has looked incredible in the SHL this season, at times looking like an impact player versus men due to his high-end skill and power combination. I think there’s a gap between him and the Canadian duo due to his lack of footspeed, but some scouts disagree and think he could push for No. 2 at a minimum.

1. How close is the gap between Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli in the 2023 NHL Draft?
As the 2023 NHL Draft season has progressed, Connor Bedard has been tearing up the WHL as expected, but Adam Fantilli is currently second in NCAA scoring, too. He’s generated a ton of interest as an elite pro prospect, and several NHL sources are at least entertaining the idea he could be the best player in the draft class due to his unique combination of skill, skating and physicality.

When Bedard and Fantilli were on the same club in the spring at the U18 Worlds, Bedard was clearly better. Bedard has more offense in his game, and is almost a full year younger than Fantilli as well. As a returning member to the U20 team, it’s expected he’ll get a bigger role and frankly play better Fantilli. If that happens, I think any conversations about who is No. 1 could fizzle post-tournament. But, if the play of the two players is close by the time we get to the end, it could jumpstart a debate. In the pre-tournament, Bedard outplayed Fantilli notably in the first game, but Fantilli was better in the second match.


2. Is Leo Carlsson in the same conversation as Bedard and Fantilli?
One semi-common question that comes up with NHL scouts when discussing Bedard and Fantilli is “well, what about Leo Carlsson?” Carlsson has looked incredible in the SHL this season, at times looking like an impact player versus men due to his high-end skill and power combination. I think there’s a gap between him and the Canadian duo due to his lack of footspeed, but some scouts disagree and think he could push for No. 2 at a minimum.
- Upstate_isles

Ecstatic we are discussing the draft again.

Ecstatic we are discussing the draft again.
- Cptmjl

Just something I read the other day and don't worry the isles will be close enough to the playoffs to get a meh impact player

Just something I read the other day and don't worry the isles will be close enough to the playoffs to get a meh impact player
- Upstate_isles

Most likely right. If this losing continues, I would hope lameriello would look at this as an opportunity to unload some contracts and get something back at the trade deadline. Mayfield would probably get a pretty decent return at the TDL if we’re really out of contention by then. Nobody is taking on a Palmieri or anyone with term. Maybe a team would take a chance on Beau even though he has an extra year and sucks?

Most likely right. If this losing continues, I would hope lameriello would look at this as an opportunity to unload some contracts and get something back at the trade deadline. Mayfield would probably get a pretty decent return at the TDL if we’re really out of contention by then. Nobody is taking on a Palmieri or anyone with term. Maybe a team would take a chance on Beau even though he has an extra year and sucks?
- Cptmjl

I'd like them to resign Mayfield as he's a really good 5th type guy and pk'r. I don't think they can really unload many guys due to age or term.

I'd like them to resign Mayfield as he's a really good 5th type guy and pk'r. I don't think they can really unload many guys due to age or term.
- Upstate_isles

I like mayfield for exactly the same reasons you do but I have a feeling some other team is going to be willing to pay him more then we should. Maybe he’ll take a home town discount but I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t. Can’t pay him a heck of a lot he’s a bottom pairing defenseman on this team no matter how good he is.

I like mayfield for exactly the same reasons you do but I have a feeling some other team is going to be willing to pay him more then we should. Maybe he’ll take a home town discount but I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t. Can’t pay him a heck of a lot he’s a bottom pairing defenseman on this team no matter how good he is.
- Cptmjl

Yea that's where you need to build from within

Gonna be tough for him to crack this roster as a center. Cizikas is signed for four years after this one and Pageau three more. And, unless his development skyrockets, he's definitely not unseating Barzal or Nelson.

He may ultimately have to be moved to wing, if he's not traded.
- eichiefs9

Or… Barzal gets moved to RW.

Tito-Nelson-Bailey
Lee-Räty-Barzal

I like mayfield for exactly the same reasons you do but I have a feeling some other team is going to be willing to pay him more then we should. Maybe he’ll take a home town discount but I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t. Can’t pay him a heck of a lot he’s a bottom pairing defenseman on this team no matter how good he is.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, I can’t see him staying. Some team like Vancouver will pony up bigly for his services, and there ain’t enough room here to match.

Yeah, I can’t see him staying. Some team like Vancouver will pony up bigly for his services, and there ain’t enough room here to match.
- Wildschwein

Yep. If we’re out of it by then he’ll more then likely be moved. Either that or they will give him more then he’s worth(to us at least) because we don’t really have anything that can adequately come close to replacing him. That’s just saying we’re sticking with the same group without actually saying it