All of these guys struggle from time to time. It is the elite that tend not to have too much down time. Say what you want about his size and play, but he has been the best forward the Isles have had in terms of goal scoring in the last five years. I do not believe there is anyone with a better track record goal wise over that period.

Also, I do not think Nelson was ever thought of as a power forward. I would not however say he is soft either.
- Nfdbulldawg

Totally agree on Nelson being the best and most consistent scorer the Islanders have had in the last few years. However he’s pretty reliable on both sides of the puck. He’s not flashy and quietly plays a pretty effective 2 way game. He’s got a quick and decisive release and has a great stick defensively stealing pucks off the opponents sticks. Also he skates very well for a big guy. For me, he’s one of the most underrated players in the game.

"We obviously didn't like the result on the empty netter," Toronto captain John Tavares said. "So, we're going to stick together and stand our ground when necessary."

Number, its an empty net goal. You do not like it play better. Secondly, if the NHL truly wants to stop head shots they will start enforcing stricter fines. Suspend this guy ten games no cap relief. Maybe next he will think twice about being stupid. This act is so unnecessary. If the NHL does not do anything than next I play them I go for the guys knees. Plain and simple. Stop these stupid unnecessary hits to the head.

Totally agree on Nelson being the best and most consistent scorer the Islanders have had in the last few years. However he’s pretty reliable on both sides of the puck. He’s not flashy and quietly plays a pretty effective 2 way game. He’s got a quick and decisive release and has a great stick defensively stealing pucks off the opponents sticks. Also he skates very well for a big guy. For me, he’s one of the most underrated players in the game.
- nyisles7

I agree. He is a solid No.2 Center.

"We obviously didn't like the result on the empty netter," Toronto captain John Tavares said. "So, we're going to stick together and stand our ground when necessary."

Number, its an empty net goal. You do not like it play better. Secondly, if the NHL truly wants to stop head shots they will start enforcing stricter fines. Suspend this guy ten games no cap relief. Maybe next he will think twice about being stupid. This act is so unnecessary. If the NHL does not do anything than next I play them I go for the guys knees. Plain and simple. Stop these stupid unnecessary hits to the head.
- Nfdbulldawg

NHL or NHLPA is not serious about player safety.

I agree. He is a solid No.2 Center.
- Nfdbulldawg

No question Nelson is solid but if plus/minus is a big deal, Nelson is -9. Palms is - 14. Islanders are going to need more from that 2nd line if they are to make any sort of run. Barzal and Bo cannot do everything.

I see someone like Barzal who has worked on his game and is breaking up plays in the D zone and I’m not seeing this type of effort from Nelson. I also doubt Nelson would have stepped up like Bo did the other night when Barzal got hit. I’m not looking for Nelson to be MM or Cal in terms of hits. I just want to see more overall effort and some tougher play.
- ses111

So, when he played with a busted face and dozen stitches in his forehead, he was not tough enough? The guy is third on the team in take aways with 30. Homie and Barzy the only two that have more.

Again, I do not think you are going to much tougher out him.

So, when he played with a busted face and dozen stitches in his forehead, he was not tough enough? The guy is third on the team in take aways with 30. Homie and Barzy the only two that have more.

Again, I do not think you are going to much tougher out him.
- Nfdbulldawg

He would kick all our asses in a hockey fight.

It was the sixth straight game the Isles have allowed a PP goal and the ninth power-play goal in the last 17 times they were short-handed. The unit is dead last in the NHL on the penalty kill at 71.3%

"It's hard always saying 'we were unlucky, we were unlucky,' but we didn't get the job done, period, said Roy in the post-game press conference. "

So, when he played with a busted face and dozen stitches in his forehead, he was not tough enough? The guy is third on the team in take aways with 30. Homie and Barzy the only two that have more.

Again, I do not think you are going to much tougher out him.
- Nfdbulldawg

Since I made the statement the other night about what I perceived as Nelson's lack of effort on occasions, I'll chime in here:

First off, the obvious. Brock Nelson is the best goal scorer on this team because he handles the puck well in tight space and has an absolutely elite shot. He's smart in terms of knowing where to be and how to find opportunities. Those are his strengths.
To me, his weaknesses are the result of sometimes lackadaisical play in terms of puck pursuit and an overall lack of physical play.

This is in NO way a "we need to get rid of Brock" statement. I do however think Brock's style of play is a reflection of the Snow era where he valued intelligence over intensity for his skill players. That 'country club' atmosphere was reflected in some players unwillingness to get dirty. Against Calgary, there were multiple occasions where Brock could have pressured a Flames player for puck possession but opted to simply glide and follow. That frustrates me in the same way that Bailey's lack of intensity did. The difference is, Brock produces! A few games before, Brock glided behind a Florida player inside our zone, making zero effort to catch his man, which ultimately led to the game winner. No player is perfect and that's just some of the cons to accompany his pros. I wouldn't say that Brock lacks toughness in terms of playing through things, but he definitely isn't anything close to a physical player either. He's also not what I'd call an 'intense' or 'emotional' player. He's even-keeled, and very specifically skilled in an area we lack skill. So he's needed.

Since I made the statement the other night about what I perceived as Nelson's lack of effort on occasions, I'll chime in here:

First off, the obvious. Brock Nelson is the best goal scorer on this team because he handles the puck well in tight space and has an absolutely elite shot. He's smart in terms of knowing where to be and how to find opportunities. Those are his strengths.
To me, his weaknesses are the result of sometimes lackadaisical play in terms of puck pursuit and an overall lack of physical play.

This is in NO way a "we need to get rid of Brock" statement. I do however think Brock's style of play is a reflection of the Snow era where he valued intelligence over intensity for his skill players. That 'country club' atmosphere was reflected in some players unwillingness to get dirty. Against Calgary, there were multiple occasions where Brock could have pressured a Flames player for puck possession but opted to simply glide and follow. That frustrates me in the same way that Bailey's lack of intensity did. The difference is, Brock produces! A few games before, Brock glided behind a Florida player inside our zone, making zero effort to catch his man, which ultimately led to the game winner. No player is perfect and that's just some of the cons to accompany his pros. I wouldn't say that Brock lacks toughness in terms of playing through things, but he definitely isn't anything close to a physical player either. He's also not what I'd call an 'intense' or 'emotional' player. He's even-keeled, and very specifically skilled in an area we lack skill. So he's needed.
- keaner17

You explained it much better than I did keaner. Nobody is saying trade Nelson for a 4th round pick. There are things about the game he could be better at with more effort in the d zone. Many got on Barzal and he cleaned things up in the D zone. I was spoiled growing up watching Sutter and Goring 2nd line type centers with skill and intensity.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...a548fa73efdc70c110f&ei=21


Even under Barry, many times this was an issue. Players better pick it up because no more coaching changes will be made.

Since I made the statement the other night about what I perceived as Nelson's lack of effort on occasions, I'll chime in here:

First off, the obvious. Brock Nelson is the best goal scorer on this team because he handles the puck well in tight space and has an absolutely elite shot. He's smart in terms of knowing where to be and how to find opportunities. Those are his strengths.
To me, his weaknesses are the result of sometimes lackadaisical play in terms of puck pursuit and an overall lack of physical play.

This is in NO way a "we need to get rid of Brock" statement. I do however think Brock's style of play is a reflection of the Snow era where he valued intelligence over intensity for his skill players. That 'country club' atmosphere was reflected in some players unwillingness to get dirty. Against Calgary, there were multiple occasions where Brock could have pressured a Flames player for puck possession but opted to simply glide and follow. That frustrates me in the same way that Bailey's lack of intensity did. The difference is, Brock produces! A few games before, Brock glided behind a Florida player inside our zone, making zero effort to catch his man, which ultimately led to the game winner. No player is perfect and that's just some of the cons to accompany his pros. I wouldn't say that Brock lacks toughness in terms of playing through things, but he definitely isn't anything close to a physical player either. He's also not what I'd call an 'intense' or 'emotional' player. He's even-keeled, and very specifically skilled in an area we lack skill. So he's needed.
- keaner17

All fair points however, I think the “Country Club” era ended the day Lou and then Trotz were hired. It certainly came back a bit when Lane came back but Roy is definitely not running a country club. Hell his practices are almost as intense as a game.
IMO, You don’t score 35 to 40 goals in the league being lackluster about playing the game or not playing with intensity in all 3 zones. Again I think Nelson isn’t flashy and does his job extremely well and usually makes the smart play and doesn’t turn the puck over that much. (These points you pointed out as well) I love watching when he pursues an opponent from behind and stick checks the opponent and steals the puck. He uses his reach well in all aspects of the game. I don’t see the lackadaisical effort and believe he is intense about the game as are most pros. Fact is you’re not going to play mistake free or score every game. That said, It’s not that they don’t want to. There’s also another team of pros trying to keep you from doing your best, game in, game out.

I don't think there's too much to knock with Nelson's game. Back in the day, consistency was the thing we all wanted to see from him, and he pretty much fixed that. What we have with him now is a solid two-way center who you can comfortably put out against any line in the league, can play either the PK or PP, can fill the net with pucks at a remarkably consistent rate, and who also stays relatively healthy. Asking for even more than that would kind of be demanding that he play at the level of only a handful of elite players in the league, and he's not supposed to be a $12m man; he's supposed to be our second-line C.

That's not to say they shouldn't look at trades involving Nelson. But, if they were to trade him, I think it wouldn't be because of perceived flaws in his game, but rather it'd be if they can't break into a playoff spot and wanted to shift directions...Nelson would be their best asset who's going to command a high salary well into his late 30s.

As long as the plan involves winning now with the current squad, though, it's hard to see how that squad doesn't include Nelson.

Since I made the statement the other night about what I perceived as Nelson's lack of effort on occasions, I'll chime in here:

First off, the obvious. Brock Nelson is the best goal scorer on this team because he handles the puck well in tight space and has an absolutely elite shot. He's smart in terms of knowing where to be and how to find opportunities. Those are his strengths.
To me, his weaknesses are the result of sometimes lackadaisical play in terms of puck pursuit and an overall lack of physical play.

This is in NO way a "we need to get rid of Brock" statement. I do however think Brock's style of play is a reflection of the Snow era where he valued intelligence over intensity for his skill players. That 'country club' atmosphere was reflected in some players unwillingness to get dirty. Against Calgary, there were multiple occasions where Brock could have pressured a Flames player for puck possession but opted to simply glide and follow. That frustrates me in the same way that Bailey's lack of intensity did. The difference is, Brock produces! A few games before, Brock glided behind a Florida player inside our zone, making zero effort to catch his man, which ultimately led to the game winner. No player is perfect and that's just some of the cons to accompany his pros. I wouldn't say that Brock lacks toughness in terms of playing through things, but he definitely isn't anything close to a physical player either. He's also not what I'd call an 'intense' or 'emotional' player. He's even-keeled, and very specifically skilled in an area we lack skill. So he's needed.
- keaner17

These are all good points. I would give you that Nelson's intensity level in a game is not always were we would like it to be. This makes more sense to me. That is where Parise was good for this team as he would not give up every time he was on the ice.

I don't think there's too much to knock with Nelson's game. Back in the day, consistency was the thing we all wanted to see from him, and he pretty much fixed that. What we have with him now is a solid two-way center who you can comfortably put out against any line in the league, can play either the PK or PP, can fill the net with pucks at a remarkably consistent rate, and who also stays relatively healthy. Asking for even more than that would kind of be demanding that he play at the level of only a handful of elite players in the league, and he's not supposed to be a $12m man; he's supposed to be our second-line C.

That's not to say they shouldn't look at trades involving Nelson. But, if they were to trade him, I think it wouldn't be because of perceived flaws in his game, but rather it'd be if they can't break into a playoff spot and wanted to shift directions...Nelson would be their best asset who's going to command a high salary well into his late 30s.

As long as the plan involves winning now with the current squad, though, it's hard to see how that squad doesn't include Nelson.
- UIF

I'm definitely not expecting Nelson to change his game at this stage and I certainly don't expect him to become early Eric Lindros 2.0. My concern, as I pointed out with him the other night, was that I think there are moments where he could put a stronger effort on defensive coverage and loose pucks. The recent examples I pointed out highlighted some of that. Those type of moments seem to come in bunches for Brock.
Expecting a bit more effort in those cases is much different than expecting him to throw crushing checks or turn into a high energy guy.
Naturally this is just random commentary on one player. Nelson is one of the top three forwards on this team right now. His lack of effort in some cases can be frustrating

All fair points however, I think the “Country Club” era ended the day Lou and then Trotz were hired. It certainly came back a bit when Lane came back but Roy is definitely not running a country club. Hell his practices are almost as intense as a game.
IMO, You don’t score 35 to 40 goals in the league being lackluster about playing the game or not playing with intensity in all 3 zones.......
- nyisles7

Totally agree on the point with Roy. I also don't think Trotz would have allowed it either. My point was more that Snow was okay with laid back personalities who weren't high intensity guys. Nelson is NOT an emotional guy. He's certainly not high intensity. I think sometimes that may translate into on ice approach. More cerebral than energy.
As for the 35-40 goal point. I think we've seen more than our share of goal scorers who don't always put in their best effort away from the puck. Very few are 100% go-go all the time. That said, I have seen that pattern with Brock his whole career. Fortunately he's so good at everything else, it's more acceptable

"I was looking for a goal. [Wahlstrom] didn't have his best game," Roy said. And then the last, what four or five minutes, I tried to double shift Barzal with Pageau and Holmstrom and then after that, Casey [Cizikas] on the wing with them.”

I would say Wahlstrom is toast unless he has an immediate turn around with his play. That doesn’t seem realistic with what he’s shown. The lack of effort is glaring imo. Not sure if he’s still harboring that injury or the issue is between the ears but his time is just about up I would think.

"I was looking for a goal.
- Cptmjl[Wahlstrom] didn't have his best game," Roy said. And then the last, what four or five minutes, I tried to double shift Barzal with Pageau and Holmstrom and then after that, Casey [Cizikas] on the wing with them.”

I would say Wahlstrom is toast unless he has an immediate turn around with his play. That doesn’t seem realistic with what he’s shown. The lack of effort is glaring imo. Not sure if he’s still harboring that injury or the issue is between the ears but his time is just about up I would think.

If we do end up making a move for a forward he's gotta be the leader in the clubhouse to either go in the trade or head to the press box. Nobody else is really playing bad enough to warrant losing their spot.

In regard to Engvall hitting the top line:

I'm not expecting great success with this move. The guy played 19 games with Brock Nelson and amassed one point. Furthermore, i just don't think he's the right type player to help Barzal and Bo. Sure he's fast, but he is completely incapable of physical battles around and behind the net. I just don't see that working well over the long term. Maybe it adds an initial spark, but I'm willing to bet this experiment ends after 6-7 games....

If we do end up making a move for a forward he's gotta be the leader in the clubhouse to either go in the trade or head to the press box. Nobody else is really playing bad enough to warrant losing their spot.
- eichiefs9

When will it be Ruslan time? If nothing else, he should be able to help with OT and the SO.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...479a0732619928d2583&ei=10

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/the-time-has-come-for-anders-lee-to-step-up-as-islanders-captain/ar-BB1id3Oh?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=3a334cbd79594479a0732619928d2583&ei=10
- ses111

It's interesting that we all busted on Anders, saying he was done and just couldn't keep up. Then suddenly he broke out and scored a few goals. I even saw him force a foot race for a dump in where he absolutely shocked me with his speed. Now he's disappeared again

When will it be Ruslan time? If nothing else, he should be able to help with OT and the SO.
- ses111

I mean it would be fun to give him a look, but I'm not banking on that happening anytime soon. They're going to have to do it at some point and it would make sense while he's still waivers exempt.

I mean it would be fun to give him a look, but I'm not banking on that happening anytime soon. They're going to have to do it at some point and it would make sense while he's still waivers exempt.
- eichiefs9

Hope he does not get frustrated and takes off. I'm not sure what else he needs to show in Bridge?

It's interesting that we all busted on Anders, saying he was done and just couldn't keep up. Then suddenly he broke out and scored a few goals. I even saw him force a foot race for a dump in where he absolutely shocked me with his speed. Now he's disappeared again
- keaner17

Lee has not had much of an impact lately We can talk about coaching, but this roster is still a huge challenge.