New York Islanders
@NYIslanders
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#Isles News: The New York Islanders have signed forward Victor Eklund to a three-year, entry-level contract.
- eichiefs9

Admittedly I don’t know much about Victor Eklund but from what I’ve read, he could be a steal in the draft. I guess there’s a reason he’s the first ‘25 pick to sign/be given, or sign an ELC

Admittedly I don’t know much about Victor Eklund but from what I’ve read, he could be a steal in the draft. I guess there’s a reason he’s the first ‘25 pick to sign/be given, or sign an ELC
- kindlyrick

He was seemingly universally assumed to go in the late end of the top-10, so getting him at 16 was fantastic value. He's a feisty little forward with some skill to boot. Saw lots of Travis Konecny stylistic comparisons

He was seemingly universally assumed to go in the late end of the top-10, so getting him at 16 was fantastic value. He's a feisty little forward with some skill to boot. Saw lots of Travis Konecny stylistic comparisons
- eichiefs9

This will be the most competitive camp we’ve seen in a very long time. I’m also seeing Bport making some signings so there’s definitely more emphasis on improving overall depth.

This will be the most competitive camp we’ve seen in a very long time. I’m also seeing Bport making some signings so there’s definitely more emphasis on improving overall depth.
- kindlyrick

They're very obviously trying to improve Bridgeport. I suspect moving the farm team from CT to Hamilton, ON will be a good thing for them too. They might actually turn a profit playing in Canada.

Camp will be fun. I'd really hope that Schaefer goes to NCAA or back to Erie though, I'm super excited about him but he's not even 18 until September and he barely played last year. I don't want to destroy the kid's confidence getting his ass handed to him by full grown men at the NHL level. Friedman speculated that he may get his 9 game showing and then get returned. I think at that point he'd have to go back to Erie, I don't think he'd be NCAA eligible if he was getting paid as a pro.

They're very obviously trying to improve Bridgeport. I suspect moving the farm team from CT to Hamilton, ON will be a good thing for them too. They might actually turn a profit playing in Canada.

Camp will be fun. I'd really hope that Schaefer goes to NCAA or back to Erie though, I'm super excited about him but he's not even 18 until September and he barely played last year. I don't want to destroy the kid's confidence getting his ass handed to him by full grown men at the NHL level. Friedman speculated that he may get his 9 game showing and then get returned. I think at that point he'd have to go back to Erie, I don't think he'd be NCAA eligible if he was getting paid as a pro.
- eichiefs9

I think Schaefer gets the 9 games. I can’t recall the last time a first overall didn’t make the big club. That said I don’t wanna rush the kid but the truth is, he’s that good. One thing he does need to work on is getting bigger and stronger which will come over time. His body might be the only thing stopping him, cause his skating is better than most in the NHL….his stride is tremendous.

I think Schaefer gets the 9 games. I can’t recall the last time a first overall didn’t make the big club. That said I don’t wanna rush the kid but the truth is, he’s that good. One thing he does need to work on is getting bigger and stronger which will come over time. His body might be the only thing stopping him, cause his skating is better than most in the NHL….his stride is tremendous.
- kindlyrick

I'm not concerned about his skill or his skating in the slightest, my real concern is that he's super, super young (he's not even allowed to sign his ELC until Sept when he turns 18) and, as mature-beyond-his-years as he is, he is going to be very physically outmatched and that can take a mental toll on a kid.

For as rare as it is for a 1st overall pick not to make the big club after his draft year, there have been plenty of guys who have busted or been disappointing 1st overall picks and I think a lot of that has to do with this idea that they absolutely have to make the NHL in year 1. Bedard has had struggles, Slafkovsky has, Lafreniere, Hall, Yakupov, etc...

And I'm not chalking it up only to the fact that they made their big clubs right out of the draft, but I don't think marinating for another year is ever going to be a bad decision. Schaefer's extremely young age plus the fact that he missed all but 17 or so games in his draft year says to me that it would be highly beneficial for him to not jump right to the NHL. I'd prefer he goes to the NCAA where he can learn how to handle bigger/stronger/older opponents and also have a lighter game schedule where he can spend Mon-Fri in the gym working out and getting bigger.

I'm not concerned about his skill or his skating in the slightest, my real concern is that he's super, super young (he's not even allowed to sign his ELC until Sept when he turns 18) and, as mature-beyond-his-years as he is, he is going to be very physically outmatched and that can take a mental toll on a kid.

For as rare as it is for a 1st overall pick not to make the big club after his draft year, there have been plenty of guys who have busted or been disappointing 1st overall picks and I think a lot of that has to do with this idea that they absolutely have to make the NHL in year 1. Bedard has had struggles, Slafkovsky has, Lafreniere, Hall, Yakupov, etc...

And I'm not chalking it up only to the fact that they made their big clubs right out of the draft, but I don't think marinating for another year is ever going to be a bad decision. Schaefer's extremely young age plus the fact that he missed all but 17 or so games in his draft year says to me that it would be highly beneficial for him to not jump right to the NHL. I'd prefer he goes to the NCAA where he can learn how to handle bigger/stronger/older opponents and also have a lighter game schedule where he can spend Mon-Fri in the gym working out and getting bigger.
- eichiefs9

Can’t argue with anything you’ve said. It makes the most sense. I do think Schaefer would benefit from the 9 games to see what it takes at this level. Hes going to be the future PP QB so getting him some reps can’t hurt, and being up a man takes some physicality out of the equation.

Can’t argue with anything you’ve said. It makes the most sense. I do think Schaefer would benefit from the 9 games to see what it takes at this level. Hes going to be the future PP QB so getting him some reps can’t hurt, and being up a man takes some physicality out of the equation.
- kindlyrick

I'm fine with the 9 games to give him a taste, I just hope they give him the runway to develop that best suits him. Even if he plays 9 games, thrives, and sticks...he may struggle down the line and then they will have burnt a year of his ELC whether they send him back to Erie or not. So much of the Isles future hinges on this kid being as-advertised, so taking the patient approach shouldn't be off the table at all.

And the obvious disclaimer here is: I fully trust Darche to do the right thing, so far. Just sharing my general thoughts.

I'm fine with the 9 games to give him a taste, I just hope they give him the runway to develop that best suits him. Even if he plays 9 games, thrives, and sticks...he may struggle down the line and then they will have burnt a year of his ELC whether they send him back to Erie or not. So much of the Isles future hinges on this kid being as-advertised, so taking the patient approach shouldn't be off the table at all.

And the obvious disclaimer here is: I fully trust Darche to do the right thing, so far. Just sharing my general thoughts.
- eichiefs9

I like your idea of letting him play next season at an NCAA school. Even 2 seasons in a good NCAA program might be a good idea. Question: Does he have a college picked out in case the Islanders want him to go that route?

I like your idea of letting him play next season at an NCAA school. Even 2 seasons in a good NCAA program might be a good idea. Question: Does he have a college picked out in case the Islanders want him to go that route?
- JohnScammo

Obviously I have no idea, regarding the last part, but I have to imagine they've covered all scenarios with him and his agent. No shortage of high-end programs to choose from either. Penn State just added Gavin McKenna, so with the new rules I'm sure every program will be coming after him with NIL money to go there if that is the route that everyone decides to go.

I like your idea of letting him play next season at an NCAA school. Even 2 seasons in a good NCAA program might be a good idea. Question: Does he have a college picked out in case the Islanders want him to go that route?
- JohnScammo

He would be taken by any NCAA program in the country with a full ride, no questions asked.
If he/they decide to go the college route.
I’m more inclined to think he is going back to Erie if he doesn’t make the team. I think the kid might surprise a lot of people and stick around after the 9 game threshold.

https://www.nhl.com/islan...-internship-6375714203112

I'm surprised no one posted this. Cal's got a future in comedy.

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/cal-clutterbuck-s-summer-islanders-internship-6375714203112

I'm surprised no one posted this. Cal's got a future in comedy.
- JohnScammo

Yeah it was great….he's a personality. They’re trying to improve and broaden their online presence. Makes sense….everything is online and there’s big money there. Great way to build their brand which was non existent under Lou and his predecessors. Maybe the isles do a team sponsored podcast with Cal involved?

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/cal-clutterbuck-s-summer-islanders-internship-6375714203112

I'm surprised no one posted this. Cal's got a future in comedy.
- JohnScammo

He has definitely not been hitting the gym.

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/cal-clutterbuck-s-summer-islanders-internship-6375714203112

I'm surprised no one posted this. Cal's got a future in comedy.
- JohnScammo

Wow this was great. Thanks for posting.

Wow this was great. Thanks for posting.

- nyisles7

Every time this site goes down I'm convinced it's never coming back

Every time this site goes down I'm convinced it's never coming back
- UIF

Yup

https://www.nhl.com/news/..._12_07_34_334552~&mi_sc=t

Every time this site goes down I'm convinced it's never coming back
- UIF

I didn't even notice it was down.

By the way, on another subject, my browser recently stopped supporting my ad blocker. This site is horrendous to use without an ad blocker. Anyone have a favorite ad blocker?

I didn't even notice it was down.

By the way, on another subject, my browser recently stopped supporting my ad blocker. This site is horrendous to use without an ad blocker. Anyone have a favorite ad blocker?
- JohnScammo

What browser/blocker were you using? I have uBlock Origin and Ad Block Plus installed on Chrome and everything is still working fine for me

I didn't even notice it was down.

By the way, on another subject, my browser recently stopped supporting my ad blocker. This site is horrendous to use without an ad blocker. Anyone have a favorite ad blocker?
- JohnScammo

I use the browser Brave. I'd send you a link but most people don't trust links posted on the internet (I don't blame them). You'll find it easily if you google it.

I didn't even notice it was down.

By the way, on another subject, my browser recently stopped supporting my ad blocker. This site is horrendous to use without an ad blocker. Anyone have a favorite ad blocker?
- JohnScammo

Firefox with uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger seems to work for me.

I use the browser Brave. I'd send you a link but most people don't trust links posted on the internet (I don't blame them). You'll find it easily if you google it.
- JimmyP

I have Brave on my phone for the twice a year I feel the need to access Hockeybuzz on the go

I haven't used the desktop version though

I have Brave on my phone for the twice a year I feel the need to access Hockeybuzz on the go

I haven't used the desktop version though
- eichiefs9

I use it on both.