It's far from the most ridiculous post you've ever read on here. I can assure you of that.

Correct me if I'm wrong but this team seems to have trouble signing legitimate free agents. So it's either go with who wants to play here and let young guys develop the way they should or fill out the rest of our roster with inexperienced kids and run the risk of ruining them, a la Josh Bailey.

As far as my "ludicrous" idea of Nino "learning" from and being "mentored" by Reasoner on the defensive aspects of the game...the only thing ludicrous is the notion that you believe that Reasoner is the one teaching Nino anything. I'm not sure if you've ever actually played the game of hockey, but when I played I did my learning from the coaches, not the guy who centered my line or my defensive partner. You're telling me when they go into a film session that Reasoner is the one standing there with a laser pointer telling Nino what he should and shouldn't do? Doubt that.

Oh, and Rolston actually gets no time on the first PP unit. That would be Streit and Frans on the point with Tavares, Moulson, and PA up front.
- eichiefs9

I haven't even read the rest of your post yet, but that was good.

Nabby tonight. From here on out, every single game for this team is huge

I haven't even read the rest of your post yet, but that was good.
- UIF

Dont bother. It's all down hill after the 1st line!

It's far from the most ridiculous post you've ever read on here. I can assure you of that.

Correct me if I'm wrong but this team seems to have trouble signing legitimate free agents. So it's either go with who wants to play here and let young guys develop the way they should or fill out the rest of our roster with inexperienced kids and run the risk of ruining them, a la Josh Bailey. You, and others, would be whining that we have a ton of young, clueless players if that were the case, just as much as you do about the guys that are here now.

As far as my "ludicrous" idea of Nino "learning" from and being "mentored" by Reasoner on the defensive aspects of the game...the only thing ludicrous is the notion that you believe that Reasoner is the one teaching Nino anything. I'm not sure if you've ever actually played the game of hockey, but when I played I did my learning from the coaches, not the guy who centered my line or my defensive partner. You're telling me when they go into a film session that Reasoner is the one standing there with a laser pointer telling Nino what he should and shouldn't do? Doubt that.

Oh, and Rolston actually gets no time on the first PP unit. That would be Streit and Frans on the point with Tavares, Moulson, and PA up front.
- eichiefs9

It seems from your posts that your rationalizing Nino on the fourth line. Correct me if I'm wrong. But if you are, I can't see how anyone can think that it is in the Isles' or Nino's best interests for Nino to be sitting on the bench for 52 minutes a game and when he does take a shift, he's playing with Reasoner, Wallace and Pandolfo.

This is where management again is an issue. Garth and Cappy need to be able to assess whether Nino is going to be able to take meaningful shifts at the NHL level and play at least 15 minutes a night before deciding to put him on the NHL roster. I don't think that was done here. I think Snow had Nino pegged for a roster spot since the summer and did so because he knew what the salary cap hit would be and how it would help get to the floor. That is the wrong reason to have Nino on the team.

Maybe Nino was "lighting it up" in the WHL, but if he wasn't ready as a player to skate on one of the top three lines, he should never have been put on the roster. But with him being on the roster, he should be skating on the third line over a guy like Rolston, who is awful and is a guy that is not part of the Isles' future.

Nino is not going to learn anything skating 8 minutes/game on a line with plugs. This was a completely wasted season for Nino's development. He accomplished nothing. I can't understand the logic of skating a bad, unproductive washed up vet who is gone after this season over an equally unproductive, but young and developing rookie who is considered part of this team's future. It makes absolutely no sense.

It seems from your posts that your rationalizing Nino on the fourth line. Correct me if I'm wrong. But if you are, I can't see how anyone can think that it is in the Isles' or Nino's best interests for Nino to be sitting on the bench for 52 minutes a game and when he does take a shift, he's playing with Reasoner, Wallace and Pandolfo.

This is where management again is an issue. Garth and Cappy need to be able to assess whether Nino is going to be able to take meaningful shifts at the NHL level and play at least 15 minutes a night before deciding to put him on the NHL roster. I don't think that was done here. I think Snow had Nino pegged for a roster spot since the summer and did so because he knew what the salary cap hit would be and how it would help get to the floor. That is the wrong reason to have Nino on the team.

Maybe Nino was "lighting it up" in the WHL, but if he wasn't ready as a player to skate on one of the top three lines, he should never have been put on the roster. But with him being on the roster, he should be skating on the third line over a guy like Rolston, who is awful and is a guy that is not part of the Isles' future.

Nino is not going to learn anything skating 8 minutes/game on a line with plugs. This was a completely wasted season for Nino's development. He accomplished nothing. I can't understand the logic of skating a bad, unproductive washed up vet who is gone after this season over an equally unproductive, but young and developing rookie who is considered part of this team's future. It makes absolutely no sense.
- Jethro09

Not so much rationalizing as pointing out that I don't believe it's going to hurt his development. Leaving him in juniors would be a bigger waste than anything. He would be exponentially bigger and stronger, forgetting skills, than probably 95% of his competition. When he starts relying on the ease of beating smaller players with his size, he starts developing bad habits that will follow him to the league.

Tyler Seguin averaged 3 minutes more per game (still significantly under the 15 that you drew the line at for Nino). Yes the Bruins are 3000x better than the Islanders, but playing 4th line minutes and occasionally being scratched clearly didn't kill his development. Playing in the best league in the world, 9 minutes a game or not, is not something I'd consider a wasted year of his development. He's learned to play against bigger, stronger, faster men rather than be stuck playing with some kids that are barely legal to drive.

Nino argument again Oh boy! Ok here it goes it was good for him to play on the fourth for a few months but he should be up on the higher lines now. He is an upgrade over Rolston, and even Bailey. He should be on the third at least at this point. If he is not next year if I was Nino I would say get me the hell out of here

Its hard to to take this so called playoff push seriously when Rolston is in the lineup and actually playing on the 3rd line. Real teams that are serious about a playoff push look to make the team better anyway they can not just sit there idle as usual and do nothing. Blues 4 Isles 0

Not so much rationalizing as pointing out that I don't believe it's going to hurt his development. Leaving him in juniors would be a bigger waste than anything. He would be exponentially bigger and stronger, forgetting skills, than probably 95% of his competition. When he starts relying on the ease of beating smaller players with his size, he starts developing bad habits that will follow him to the league.

Tyler Seguin averaged 3 minutes more per game (still significantly under the 15 that you drew the line at for Nino). Yes the Bruins are 3000x better than the Islanders, but playing 4th line minutes and occasionally being scratched clearly didn't kill his development. Playing in the best league in the world, 9 minutes a game or not, is not something I'd consider a wasted year of his development. He's learned to play against bigger, stronger, faster men rather than be stuck playing with some kids that are barely legal to drive.
- eichiefs9

Don't agree with that at all. I know I always bring up Bobby Ryan when we talk about Nino, but it's because they're both power forwards and both are top-five picks. Nino compiled 70 points in the WHL when he supposedly had nothing left to learn there. Ryan had 89 points in the OHL in his draft year, and was sent back for two more seasons of junior hockey after that...gathering 95 and 102 points in those seasons. The payoff is Ryan hit the ground running in the NHL. I don't think Nino was completely embarrassing the competition in juniors the way some people make it sound. He only played two seasons there, and was not even a point-per-game player his first season. This isn't Tavares we're talking about, where he was scoring at well over a point-per-game for four years in juniors and triple digits for two of them, and clearly had nothing left to learn there. Furthermore, you said it earlier...power forwards take longer to develop. Nothing wrong with letting Nino fill out more and grow into his body in juniors for an extra year, and even in the AHL the year after that.

Nino argument again Oh boy! Ok here it goes it was good for him to play on the fourth for a few months but he should be up on the higher lines now. He is an upgrade over Rolston, and even Bailey. He should be on the third at least at this point. If he is not next year if I was Nino I would say get me the hell out of here
- kasperrko

Unfortunately I think the only way Nino gets anymore playing time is when the Islanders are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Next year is a whole different story of course.

Its hard to to take this so called playoff push seriously when Rolston is in the lineup and actually playing on the 3rd line. Real teams that are serious about a playoff push look to make the team better anyway they can not just sit there idle as usual and do nothing. Blues 4 Isles 0
- Vukota

Very good point Vukota. Nabby is a huge reason this team is even close along with JT, Moulson, and PA. It has nothing to do with Wang, Garth, and Jack. Isles are winning despite them. I just do not get that Wang does not understand he will have more leverage with a better team. If the Isles have a good team not even a great team every year how is Nassau going to blow them off about a new building?

Don't agree with that at all. I know I always bring up Bobby Ryan when we talk about Nino, but it's because they're both power forwards and both are top-five picks. Nino compiled 70 points in the WHL when he supposedly had nothing left to learn there. Ryan had 89 points in the OHL in his draft year, and was sent back for two more seasons of junior hockey after that...gathering 95 and 102 points in those seasons. The payoff is Ryan hit the ground running in the NHL. I don't think Nino was completely embarrassing the competition in juniors the way some people make it sound. He only played two seasons there, and was not even a point-per-game player his first season. This isn't Tavares we're talking about, where he was scoring at well over a point-per-game for four years in juniors and triple digits for two of them, and clearly had nothing left to learn there. Furthermore, you said it earlier...power forwards take longer to develop. Nothing wrong with letting Nino fill out more and grow into his body in juniors for an extra year, and even in the AHL the year after that.
- UIF

I'm not saying I agree one way or another on either side of the argument, but he had 76 pts in 78 games (incl playoffs) so to say he wasn't a point per game player in his first year is really splitting c**t hairs.

I'm not saying I agree one way or another on either side of the argument, but he had 76 pts in 78 games (incl playoffs) so to say he wasn't a point per game player in his first year is really splitting c**t hairs.
- BringBackBalky

I was looking at regular season...60 points in 65 games.

Nino argument again Oh boy! Ok here it goes it was good for him to play on the fourth for a few months but he should be up on the higher lines now. He is an upgrade over Rolston, and even Bailey. He should be on the third at least at this point. If he is not next year if I was Nino I would say get me the hell out of here
- kasperrko

Everyone has solid points on Nino. I do think at this stage he should be playing at least third line. Rolston should not even be playing but if he is in the lineup he should be getting the least possible minutes. Not sure why Ullstrom is not playing and why Wishart was called up to sit? Managment needs to decide are they in or out regarding the team making the playoffs. If they are in Management needs to make the proper moves to help the team make the playoffs.

Don't agree with that at all. I know I always bring up Bobby Ryan when we talk about Nino, but it's because they're both power forwards and both are top-five picks. Nino compiled 70 points in the WHL when he supposedly had nothing left to learn there. Ryan had 89 points in the OHL in his draft year, and was sent back for two more seasons of junior hockey after that...gathering 95 and 102 points in those seasons. The payoff is Ryan hit the ground running in the NHL. I don't think Nino was completely embarrassing the competition in juniors the way some people make it sound. He only played two seasons there, and was not even a point-per-game player his first season. This isn't Tavares we're talking about, where he was scoring at well over a point-per-game for four years in juniors and triple digits for two of them, and clearly had nothing left to learn there. Furthermore, you said it earlier...power forwards take longer to develop. Nothing wrong with letting Nino fill out more and grow into his body in juniors for an extra year, and even in the AHL the year after that.
- UIF

Ryan (or, actually, Stevenson..fun fact!) also got to play just short of a full season in the AHL, as well as 19 AHL playoff games. In my opinion that would have benefited him more than the one extra season in juniors that he has on Nino. If we could send Niederreiter to Bridgeport I would be on here campaigning for that daily. Also, his first season in Portland he was not only one of the absolute youngest players in the league, it was his first season playing on a smaller ice surface is N. America. Not a huge deal, but it certainly doesn't make things either coming to a new continent and playing on a different sized rink.

Don't agree with that at all. I know I always bring up Bobby Ryan when we talk about Nino, but it's because they're both power forwards and both are top-five picks. Nino compiled 70 points in the WHL when he supposedly had nothing left to learn there. Ryan had 89 points in the OHL in his draft year, and was sent back for two more seasons of junior hockey after that...gathering 95 and 102 points in those seasons. The payoff is Ryan hit the ground running in the NHL. I don't think Nino was completely embarrassing the competition in juniors the way some people make it sound. He only played two seasons there, and was not even a point-per-game player his first season. This isn't Tavares we're talking about, where he was scoring at well over a point-per-game for four years in juniors and triple digits for two of them, and clearly had nothing left to learn there. Furthermore, you said it earlier...power forwards take longer to develop. Nothing wrong with letting Nino fill out more and grow into his body in juniors for an extra year, and even in the AHL the year after that.
- UIF

I'm willing to bet Nino barring a dramatic turnaround this summer will be playing for BP next season at least to start

Very good point Vukota. Nabby is a huge reason this team is even close along with JT, Moulson, and PA. It has nothing to do with Wang, Garth, and Jack. Isles are winning despite them. I just do not get that Wang does not understand he will have more leverage with a better team. If the Isles have a good team not even a great team every year how is Nassau going to blow them off about a new building?
- ses111

you said wang

Ryan (or, actually, Stevenson..fun fact!) also got to play just short of a full season in the AHL, as well as 19 AHL playoff games. In my opinion that would have benefited him more than the one extra season in juniors that he has on Nino. If we could send Niederreiter to Bridgeport I would be on here campaigning for that daily. Also, his first season in Portland he was not only one of the absolute youngest players in the league, it was his first season playing on a smaller ice surface is N. America. Not a huge deal, but it certainly doesn't make things either coming to a new continent and playing on a different sized rink.
- eichiefs9

Ryan has two extra seasons in juniors (he played four seasons there, and two seasons after he was drafted) on Nino...in addition to that AHL season. That's sort of my point. I highly doubt he puts up 31 goals and 57 points in 64 games in in '08 without all of that extra...maybe even over-development.

But everything else you wrote...Nino coming over from Europe...being almost a full year younger than the rest of his draft class...that makes an even stronger case, imo, for benefitting from an extra year of development.

It's one thing if you say you think an extra year of juniors wouldn't have helped him that much, but I guess I take more of an issue with arguing that it would have hurt his development. I'm hard pressed to find many, if any, players whose careers were stunted or ruined from being over-developed.

Ryan has two extra seasons in juniors (he played four seasons there, and two seasons after he was drafted) on Nino...in addition to that AHL season. That's sort of my point. I highly doubt he puts up 31 goals and 57 points in 64 games in in '08 without all of that extra...maybe even over-development.

But everything else you wrote...Nino coming over from Europe...being almost a full year younger than the rest of his draft class...that makes an even stronger case, imo, for benefitting from an extra year of development.

It's one thing if you say you think an extra year of juniors wouldn't have helped him that much, but I guess I take more of an issue with arguing that it would have hurt his development. I'm hard pressed to find many, if any, players whose careers were stunted or ruined from being over-developed.
- UIF

Sidney Crosby

Ryan has two extra seasons in juniors (he played four seasons there, and two seasons after he was drafted) on Nino...in addition to that AHL season. That's sort of my point. I highly doubt he puts up 31 goals and 57 points in 64 games in in '08 without all of that extra...maybe even over-development.

But everything else you wrote...Nino coming over from Europe...being almost a full year younger than the rest of his draft class...that makes an even stronger case, imo, for benefitting from an extra year of development.

It's one thing if you say you think an extra year of juniors wouldn't have helped him that much, but I guess I take more of an issue with arguing that it would have hurt his development. I'm hard pressed to find many, if any, players whose careers were stunted or ruined from being over-developed.
- UIF

I meant the extra year in juniors after being drafted, should have said that. For now I will just agree to disagree because I just can't beat this argument into the ground anymore. I will, however, say I appreciate the fact that you can disagree with me and still form polite, logical counterpoints. I don't think some people realize the two aren't mutually exclusive.

Nash submitted his list of teams he'd waive his no trade for..they are the Leafs,Bruins,Rangers Sharks and Kings..so we can all go on with our lives now

Gary Carter passed away

Gary Carter passed away
- Vukota

Gary Carter passed away
- Vukota

Its always sad to be a Mets fan....but its a sad day if you are a baseball fan. Loved this guy

Gary Carter passed away
- Vukota

a great player, a great Met, a great loss for baseball, and a great loss for his family! Prayers for his family!!!!1

Don't agree with that at all. I know I always bring up Bobby Ryan when we talk about Nino, but it's because they're both power forwards and both are top-five picks. Nino compiled 70 points in the WHL when he supposedly had nothing left to learn there. Ryan had 89 points in the OHL in his draft year, and was sent back for two more seasons of junior hockey after that...gathering 95 and 102 points in those seasons. The payoff is Ryan hit the ground running in the NHL. I don't think Nino was completely embarrassing the competition in juniors the way some people make it sound. He only played two seasons there, and was not even a point-per-game player his first season. This isn't Tavares we're talking about, where he was scoring at well over a point-per-game for four years in juniors and triple digits for two of them, and clearly had nothing left to learn there. Furthermore, you said it earlier...power forwards take longer to develop. Nothing wrong with letting Nino fill out more and grow into his body in juniors for an extra year, and even in the AHL the year after that.
- UIF

I agree with you that Nino wasn't exactly dominating the WHL last year. He was an above-average player for sure. But was he THAT much better than everyone else? His numbers don't suggest that. He could have definitely benefitted from another year in the WHL. It would have been much better for his development to play another year in the WHL than to sit on the bench in the NHL playing 8 minutes a night with Pandolfo and Wallace.

People keep confusing his physical size with truly being NHL-Ready. Just because he's big doesn't mean he was ready to be an NHL player. I see no good reason for the Isles to have had Nino on the roster this season, just like I didn't see a good reason to have Bailey on the roster in 2008-09 season.