Not even hindsight. That was my position.
- Cptmjl

I thought he was referring to me. Frankly it was my position too. My disclaimer is that I get to change my opinion every 5 minutes, since I'm only an internet GM and not a real one.

I thought he was pretty invisible in Friday's loss to Columbus. I like Fasching better.
- JohnScammo

I get why Lambert threw Bailey out there. He was hoping he’d step up after sitting some games and he wanted to send a message to Holmstrom. I get it but Bailey showed exactly why he should continue sitting.

I get why Lambert threw Bailey out there. He was hoping he’d step up after sitting some games and he wanted to send a message to Holmstrom. I get it but Bailey showed exactly why he should continue sitting.
- Cptmjl

Yup, I'm officially done with the great Bailey experiment. It only took me 15 years to reach this point.

Stromer's game has been consistent. Starting to grow on me.
- Nfdbulldawg

Throws his body, is good on the forecheck and corners. Also has a good shot.
Gotta think he’s back in next game.

I thought he was referring to me. Frankly it was my position too. My disclaimer is that I get to change my opinion every 5 minutes, since I'm only an internet GM and not a real one.
- JohnScammo

The way things get twisted on here it’s just easier to laugh at it. Use to be a good group on here for years. We would disagree, fight, debate, on a daily basis. It was part of the fun. Not so much anymore. A lot of the good posters on here are gone for exactly that. Who would’ve thought having an opinion on a sports thread would have such an adverse effect for some.

I thought he was pretty invisible in Friday's loss to Columbus. I like Fasching better.
- JohnScammo

So does Lambert that’s why he didn’t sit

Yup, I'm officially done with the great Bailey experiment. It only took me 15 years to reach this point.
- JohnScammo

It was just twelve hours ago when you were hoping the assist machine would have the opportunity to feed Horvat all game.

I thought he was referring to me. Frankly it was my position too. My disclaimer is that I get to change my opinion every 5 minutes, since I'm only an internet GM and not a real one.
- JohnScammo

That’s the difference you know you’re not a real one. Some of the others truly believe they know better than the NHL coaches and GM’s.
Don’t ask who Cause I can’t Put my finger on Them right now.

Um once again I don’t see any criticism. I see people pointing out the guy hasn’t scored in a while and is in a slump. Not sure where you found criticism in people pointing out that fact.
- Cptmjl

But your facts are criticizing how he is playing...Definition of criticism: the analysis and judgment of the merits and faults

Isn't that what you are pointing in your facts???

But you facts are criticizing how he is playing...Definition of criticism: the analysis and judgment of the merits and faults

Isn't that what you are pointing in your facts???
- Nfdbulldawg

It was just twelve hours ago when you were hoping the assist machine would have the opportunity to feed Horvat all game.
- Cptmjl

Yup, I'm officially done with the great Bailey experiment. It only took me 15 years to reach this point.
- JohnScammo

I'm ahead of you by about 10 years.

I'm ahead of you by about 10 years.
- JimmyP

Just to be clear, I have criticized him repeatedly over the years, yet I kept hoping he would step up on a more consistent basis. Then, as Cpt alluded to, I thought a multi-game benching would motivate him to come out on fire yesterday like we occasionally got to see during the playoffs. Instead we got mid-season Bailey, a guy who seems content to just collect a rather large paycheck.

The way things get twisted on here it’s just easier to laugh at it. Use to be a good group on here for years. We would disagree, fight, debate, on a daily basis. It was part of the fun. Not so much anymore. A lot of the good posters on here are gone for exactly that. Who would’ve thought having an opinion on a sports thread would have such an adverse effect for some.
- Cptmjl

Hey I'm still here

Just to be clear, I have criticized him repeatedly over the years, yet I kept hoping he would step up on a more consistent basis. Then, as Cpt alluded to, I thought a multi-game benching would motivate him to come out on fire yesterday like we occasionally got to see during the playoffs. Instead we got mid-season Bailey, a guy who seems content to just collect a rather large paycheck.
- JohnScammo

They sent him to the AHL and it didn't make a difference. He's an infuriating player. He shows flashes of talent every once in a while then just disappears. He is who he is, it's not going to change.

Some stats on horvat

https://twitter.com/Stats...Odb-_5NmQFxNl3A44Fjg&s=19

But you facts are criticizing how he is playing...Definition of criticism: the analysis and judgment of the merits and faults

Isn't that what you are pointing in your facts???
- Nfdbulldawg

The fact that he’s not scoring yeah. He’s not. If you think that’s criticism than ok. To me it’s pointing out the obvious. He’s not. Criticism would be taking that a couple steps further imo. I don’t think anyone, myself included, thinks Horvat is a bad player. He’s just having a slump, for whatever reason, at a bad time.

Hey I'm still here
- Upstate_isles

You’re ok in my book but the day is young.

Just to be clear, I have criticized him repeatedly over the years, yet I kept hoping he would step up on a more consistent basis. Then, as Cpt alluded to, I thought a multi-game benching would motivate him to come out on fire yesterday like we occasionally got to see during the playoffs. Instead we got mid-season Bailey, a guy who seems content to just collect a rather large paycheck.
- JohnScammo

I thought there was a chance we would see a better Bailey last night. As did Lambert. Unfortunately that didn’t go according to plan.

One positive from yesterday's game: Varlamov was fantastic. I was worried that it might take him a while to shake the rust off. Not at all......he kept the Isles in the game when they were giving up too many quality chances to the Sabres. He finished with a .971 save % for the game.

You’re ok in my book but the day is young.
- Cptmjl

One positive from yesterday's game: Varlamov was fantastic. I was worried that it might take him a while to shake the rust off. Not at all......he kept the Isles in the game when they were giving up too many quality chances to the Sabres. He finished with a .971 save % for the game.
- JohnScammo

Yeah he usually takes a few games to shake off the rust. He was great that loss certainly wasn’t on him. It was on everyone else.

The fact that he’s not scoring yeah. He’s not. If you think that’s criticism than ok. To me it’s pointing out the obvious. He’s not. Criticism would be taking that a couple steps further imo. I don’t think anyone, myself included, thinks Horvat is a bad player. He’s just having a slump, for whatever reason, at a bad time.
- Cptmjl

I would agree...Maybe trying to hard...Kinda of like Parise was doing in the beginning.

Definitely at a bad time and definitely his longest drought of the season.

Yup, I'm officially done with the great Bailey experiment. It only took me 15 years to reach this point.
- JohnScammo

The biggest frustration with Bailey exactly what pre-draft scouts said about hom. Great talent but lacks intensity. If he had a greedy mentality like say Ovechkin, he probably could have been at least a 30 goal guy. His supposed greatest strength of being cerebral is actually his biggest weakness. The praise of him being such a great defensive player is built off the fact that he's a terrible forechecker and therefore behind the offensive play

I would agree...Maybe trying to hard...Kinda of like Parise was doing in the beginning.

Definitely at a bad time and definitely his longest drought of the season.
- Nfdbulldawg

I think my concern with Horvat is that it isn't unreasonable to say that perhaps his spoke in goal scoring has people expecting too much.
Before this season, Horvat averaged 24 goals per 82 games. I think of Bo as more of a Pageau guy albeit with a different skillet. He's a great faceoff guy with a good shot that plays a strong two way game. A good penalty killer. What he is not is a great skater or passer. He's 'good' at both.
I just think we probably need to temper our expectations with him. Naturally he doesn't help that he's stuck with Lee and either Holmstrom or Bailey. That said, I don't think he's REALLY a 35-40goal guy.