To be honest that was the mean reason why I wanted the Isles to sign JT. You then had JT, Barzy, Nelly and Casey down the middle. Coincidentally that was Barzal's best year. Go figure.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yeah agreed. Would’ve been pretty damn good down the middle and could have built out on the wings. If we had that lineup when Barry was coach maybe we win the cup.

Good players make players around them play better and elevate their play. That really cannot be said with Barzal. Again, Barzal is a good player. Is he elite? no...Is he a difference maker? no... He is a complementary player! Same can be said about Horvat...

Similar to the Nelson return, but adding a rostered player. Maybe.
- Nfdbulldawg

When the isles had Tavares, Barzal was a second liner. After losing Tavares the isles needed a guy to market and that became Barzal. For the last few decades the isles have thrown guys on that top line wing in the hopes they become a top line winger. From Satan, to Czerkawski, Grabner, Parenteau, etc etc. The list is endless. I don’t believe Barzal is elite but he has elite speed. I do believe he’s worth more in trade, as the isles re build.
Brady Tkatchuk LW would be a perfect addition to the isles. Anthony Duclair is not a 1LW (neither is Anders Lee)

[quote=ses111]There always seems to be a lot of complaining about Barzal. He was not drafted to be McDavid or Matthews. Maybe Barzal best spot is as 2C. I do think Barzal should shoot more, but he is the least of the issues.

ses 111, what does even mean? Because he was not an 1st overall you do not have expectations? Or do have insight on what the team was thinking when they drafted him?

He was drafted in first round 16th overall. Anyone drafted in the first round I would assume has expectations that they are going to be a difference maker.

When the isles had Tavares, Barzal was a second liner. After losing Tavares the isles needed a guy to market and that became Barzal. For the last few decades the isles have thrown guys on that top line wing in the hopes they become a top line winger. From Satan, to Czerkawski, Grabner, Parenteau, etc etc. The list is endless. I don’t believe Barzal is elite but he has elite speed. I do believe he’s worth more in trade, as the isles re build.
Brady Tkatchuk LW would be a perfect addition to the isles. Anthony Duclair is not a 1LW (neither is Anders Lee)
- kindlyrick

Pretty much spot on with this statement. The lone player during this merry go round was Vanek was the legitimate first liner with JT. It comes down to who is making these decisions. Who is evaluating this talent. GM and Scouting staff. We are 50% into a potential positive change.

[quote=ses111]There always seems to be a lot of complaining about Barzal. He was not drafted to be McDavid or Matthews. Maybe Barzal best spot is as 2C. I do think Barzal should shoot more, but he is the least of the issues.

ses 111, what does even mean? Because he was not an 1st overall you do not have expectations? Or do have insight on what the team was thinking when they drafted him?

He was drafted in first round 16th overall. Anyone drafted in the first round I would assume has expectations that they are going to be a difference maker.
- Nfdbulldawg

My point is Barzal is not going to be the difference maker of those players. Those players also have much better talent around them than Barzal has with the Islanders. It's not Barzal's fault his linemates outside of Bo have been questionable. Bo and Barzal were very good last year, and I have to think would have been this year if Barzal was not hurt. Barzal is a setup type of player. Get him wings that can finish and there is very little issue. Great Hocket players do not do it alone. They normally have the top player on their line. Barzal will most likely be viewed as disappointing with the current roster of the Islanders.

My point is Barzal is not going to be the difference maker of those players. Those players also have much better talent around them than Barzal has with the Islanders. It's not Barzal's fault his linemates outside of Bo have been questionable. Bo and Barzal were very good last year, and I have to think would have been this if Barzal was not hurt. Barzal is a setup type of player. Get him wings that can finish and there is very little issue. Great Hocket players do not do it alone. They normally have the top player on their line. Barzal will most likely be viewed as disappointing with the current roster of the Islanders.
- ses111

9.15 million for a “set up” guy without a pure goal scorer to play with. I like Bo Horvat with Barzal, but you need a 1LW who can score. I don’t know why the islanders can’t field a legitimate first line but enough is enough. In two decades, they had 2 months of a first line with Tavares, Vanek, and Okposo. There is a direct correlation between the PP being below average and their first line being below average. Over the years we’ve watched other teams have deadly firepower on their PP’s and the isles answer was MAB, Cliff Ronning, and a heartless Yashin. The new GM must get this isles team a legitimate top line, first and foremost.

9.15 million for a “set up” guy without a pure goal scorer to play with. I like Bo Horvat with Barzal, but you need a 1LW who can score. I don’t know why the islanders can’t field a legitimate first line but enough is enough. In two decades, they had 2 months of a first line with Tavares, Vanek, and Okposo. There is a direct correlation between the PP being below average and their first line being below average. Over the years we’ve watched other teams have deadly firepower on their PP’s and the isles answer was MAB, Cliff Ronning, and a heartless Yashin. The new GM must get this isles team a legitimate top line, first and foremost.
- kindlyrick

After banging Carol Alt every night he was probably exhausted.

9.15 million for a “set up” guy without a pure goal scorer to play with. I like Bo Horvat with Barzal, but you need a 1LW who can score. I don’t know why the islanders can’t field a legitimate first line but enough is enough. In two decades, they had 2 months of a first line with Tavares, Vanek, and Okposo. There is a direct correlation between the PP being below average and their first line being below average. Over the years we’ve watched other teams have deadly firepower on their PP’s and the isles answer was MAB, Cliff Ronning, and a heartless Yashin. The new GM must get this isles team a legitimate top line, first and foremost.
- kindlyrick

This is the point. Even Turgeon had a player like Thomas that could finish. Outside of Dobson, the Islanders have not had scoring threats on defense and this hurts the offense as well. These things all add up to Barzal not having big numbers. Last year he had 80 points and could have had more with a better left wing.

After banging Carol Alt every night he was probably exhausted.
- JimmyP

Haha. I was once in a clothing store in manhasset and Yashin was in there with Carol Alt and she was bossing him around while he tried on clothes. His relationship mimicked his hockey…..gutless.

This is the point. Even Turgeon had a player like Thomas that could finish. Outside of Dobson, the Islanders have not had scoring threats on defense and this hurts the offense as well. These things all add up to Barzal not having big numbers. Last year he had 80 points and could have had more with a better left wing.
- ses111

When’s the last time the isles had a player like Turgeon? Tavares for all he was touted couldn’t skate…..he could never go end to end. I just don’t get the idea of paying Barzal 9.15 as a top line set up guy, and you don’t go out and bring in a finisher. Anders Lee playing 1LW was absurd. You have one of the fastest players in the league with one of the slowest…..make it make sense. Anders Lee and Trent Hunter goal line to goal line…..I dunno who wins. Anthony Duclair is the guy to address the 1LW??? Fail

Pretty much spot on with this statement. The lone player during this merry go round was Vanek was the legitimate first liner with JT. It comes down to who is making these decisions. Who is evaluating this talent. GM and Scouting staff. We are 50% into a potential positive change.
- Nfdbulldawg

Agreed. I’m actually excited for a re build or re tool whatever you wanna call it with a new set of eyes. Bringing in a guy like Pat Brisson as president would only help luring UFAs here.

When’s the last time the isles had a player like Turgeon? Tavares for all he was touted couldn’t skate…..he could never go end to end. I just don’t get the idea of paying Barzal 9.15 as a top line set up guy, and you don’t go out and bring in a finisher. Anders Lee playing 1LW was absurd. You have one of the fastest players in the league with one of the slowest…..make it make sense. Anders Lee and Trent Hunter goal line to goal line…..I dunno who wins. Anthony Duclair is the guy to address the 1LW??? Fail
- kindlyrick

Turgeon was special and also went 1st overall. He also was not physical, but he had good size unlike Barzal. Barzal is clearly overpaid like many players. Barzal is a very good player, but cannot get it done alone and he should not have to. We have to be honest the lack of overall talent is the much bigger issue than Barzal. You just have to look at some great players and look at their forwards and other teammates.

This is the point. Even Turgeon had a player like Thomas that could finish. Outside of Dobson, the Islanders have not had scoring threats on defense and this hurts the offense as well. These things all add up to Barzal not having big numbers. Last year he had 80 points and could have had more with a better left wing.
- ses111

My favorite player growing up. He's probably still my favorite Islander. That guy never quit and never backed down.

Haha. I was once in a clothing store in manhasset and Yashin was in there with Carol Alt and she was bossing him around while he tried on clothes. His relationship mimicked his hockey…..gutless.
- kindlyrick

Did she at least look hot?

My favorite player growing up. He's probably still my favorite Islander. That guy never quit and never backed down.
- JimmyP

1000%. GREAT islander. Cameo in Youngblood too!

My favorite player growing up. He's probably still my favorite Islander. That guy never quit and never backed down.
- JimmyP

Was a big fan of his myself. Guy did it all.

My favorite player growing up. He's probably still my favorite Islander. That guy never quit and never backed down.
- JimmyP

I was always a big fan of Thomas and it's my point the Islanders do not have shooters and players like him. Even great players like Gretzky and Lemieux had great wingers that could finish. Someone like Jari Kurri would have been a very good player without Wayne. Mario had Jagr and Kevin Stevens. They were not playing with stone hands players.

I was always a big fan of Thomas and it's my point the Islanders do not have shooters and players like him. Even great players like Gretzky and Lemieux had great wingers that could finish. Someone like Jari Kurri would have been a very good player without Wayne. Mario had Jagr and Kevin Stevens. They were not playing with stone hands players.
- ses111

To be fair you are talking about legendary lines. We may be setting our expectations a bit high wanting a Stevens, Lemeiux, Jagr, line.

To be fair you are talking about legendary lines. We may be setting our expectations a bit high wanting a Stevens, Lemeiux, Jagr, line.
- Cptmjl

Dream big Cpt.



I'm just stating those great players had a lot of help and did not do it on their own. Islanders have not had anything close to that level of talent. Barzal obviously worked hard to improve his defense, so he does care. There is only some much he can do without better talent though.

Mike Sullivan out as Pens coach. Most likely the next Ranger coach.

Dream big Cpt.



I'm just stating those great players had a lot of help and did not do it on their own. Islanders have not had anything close to that level of talent. Barzal obviously worked hard to improve his defense, so he does care. There is only some much he can do without better talent though.
- ses111

Yeah sure but let’s not forget Mat Barzal is not Mario Lemeuix which is what we’re really talking about.

Yeah sure but let’s not forget Mat Barzal is not Mario Lemeuix which is what we’re really talking about.
- Cptmjl

Is he at least Luigi?

Is he at least Luigi?

- ses111

Depends, has he killed any CEO's?

Depends, has he killed any CEO's?
- Gabe Athaus

He’s so handsome and so obviously didn’t do it.

Depends, has he killed any CEO's?
- Gabe Athaus