Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman

NHL scout on newly signed #Isles prospect Johan Sundstrom, "Tremendous skater, good offensive skills, plays C and W, smart defensively".

having said that, if the islanders get into the playoffs next season, would you consider that a successful season/step in the right direction?
- LetsGoIsles

Absolutely. No question it would be a major step in the right direction and a successful season.

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman

NHL scout on newly signed #Isles prospect Johan Sundstrom, "Tremendous skater, good offensive skills, plays C and W, smart defensively".
- BringBackBalky

PLEASE!!! ENOUGH!!! NOTHING POSITIVE ALLOWED!!!

PLEASE!!! ENOUGH!!! NOTHING POSITIVE ALLOWED!!!
- LetsGoIsles

Correct...we only like negativity on this blog...

Exactly. The "rebuild" must be supplemented with productive, experienced veterans. You can't just run kids and useless, unproductive space holders for vets out there and expect to win.

That being said, I'm not keen on trading this years first rounder. The isles are not close enough to being a contender to give up that high of a pick for one veteran contributor. Unless the draft order changes, its looking like Ryan Murray is going to fall in the Isles' lap.
- Jethro09

Sorry for the late response. Im not saying trade the pick for an over the hill veteran. Im talking about a guy who is in his prime who can help contribute and lead.

Drafting another player, in the top 5 is not going to see results for at least 3 years. The isles have done that for 5 years now.........and NOW is the time to start adding legit NHLers to this roster.

Last year Wang, Snow, and Cappy sat down and basically said they're tired of hearing rebuild, and are ready to make the next step (playoffs). Well a year has past since that discussion and still no playoffs. So do we continue down the same road, or should they maybe be changing the business model from all drafting, to now making a trade? It seems to me that they have no choice at this point. This team needs to make the playoffs this next season.

PLEASE!!! ENOUGH!!! NOTHING POSITIVE ALLOWED!!!
- LetsGoIsles

Sorry for the late response. Im not saying trade the pick for an over the hill veteran. Im talking about a guy who is in his prime who can help contribute and lead.

Drafting another player, in the top 5 is not going to see results for at least 3 years. The isles have done that for 5 years now.........and NOW is the time to start adding legit NHLers to this roster.

Last year Wang, Snow, and Cappy sat down and basically said they're tired of hearing rebuild, and are ready to make the next step (playoffs). Well a year has past since that discussion and still no playoffs. So do we continue down the same road, or should they maybe be changing the business model from all drafting, to now making a trade? It seems to me that they have no choice at this point. This team needs to make the playoffs this next season.
- kindlyrick

They can do that without trading away #4 overall. They just have to open their purse strings a bit wider than some other teams for a few solid veteran contributors, not superstars, and if they want to make a trade, trade some of the plethora of prospects in the system or on the team now as opposed to #4 overall. If #4 overall becomes Ryan Murray on the Isles, we'll likely (nothing is guaranteed) to be real happy with that selection for the next 8 years or so.

* Did he have one of the worst seasons of his career in 2011-12? Yes.

* Did the Rangers make only one more playoff than the Islanders since 1997 backing in at home last season while Tampa beat Carolina going into 2011-12. Yes.

* Did the Rangers absolutely, positive say Richards was signed to be THE CENTER WITH GABORIK last summer. Yes.

* Were they broken up very early because they displayed no chemistry? Yes.
* When they were re-united late did they help a team that almost never scored more than three goals unless it was a powerplay? Yes.

* Did PA Parenteau have one more point that Richards in 2011-12? Yes.

* Was the contract massively front-loaded? Yes.

What's contrived about any of this beyond the fact you did not like to read it?

* I'm sorry what's his front-loaded deal 24m for the first two years? Did that come with guaranteed lockout protection cash and how much was that bonus money for 2011-12 as he was a non-factor most games?

I read 20m for 2011-12.
- NYI

Your attempt at irrelevant revisionist history is laughable. Just what does all that gobble-de-gook have to do with the current state of the Islanders? Why are you bringing up the Rangers in 1997? Is that supposed to make the Islander fans here feel better about Wang and Snow's presiding over yet another miserable season?

Is it possible Richards sacrificed some of his offense to buy into the defense first system the Rangers employed? Yes.

Did Richards help the Rangers to first place in the eastern conference with his unselfish play? Yes.

He was a non-factor in most games? Hardly.

Did Gaborik score 42 goals in 2009-2010 playing with a multitude of centers not as talented as Richards? Yes.

Did Gaborik score 41 goals this season playing with a multitude of centers not as talented as Richards? Yes.

Did P.A. Parenteau's one more point help the Islanders to anything more than a lottery pick finish? No.

Did Richards get 20 million his first season? No.

Hey, if Parenteau is so much better than Richards do you think Snow or other GMs will be lining up July 1st to offer him a 60 million dollar front loaded contract?

Absolutely. No question it would be a major step in the right direction and a successful season.
- Jethro09

my only point being that we shouldnt fool ourselves into thinking that if the isles dont make it into the playoffs next season that it isnt a successful year. (not directed at you- just a point on your comment)

Maybe so, but I do think that at this point, it is better for the organization to use the #4 overall selection to take Ryan Murray (as I believe he will be the best available at that spot, based upon who is currently selecting ahead of the Isles) that to trade that pick for one established NHL veteran. Top pair d-men are nearly impossible to obtain in trades and the Isles can't get anybody good on the UFA market. They need to draft and develop top-pair talent.

Maybe I'm a glass half-empty guy, but I don't think the Isles are close to being a contender as currently constructed. They have no scoring outside of JT, MM and to a lesser extent Grabs. PAP may not even be back. All the guys who were supposed to be the secondary scorers (see Bailey, KO, Nielsen, etc.) didn't score at all until after the season was essentially lost and the playoffs were out of reach. there are only three "D" under contract and two of the open spots are likely to go to kids like Donovan, de Haan or Murray (if picked). I think they are more than two solid veterans away from being a playoff team, let alone a contender.

For me, I don't move the #4 overall pick with the team so many pieces away from being a contender. Just my opinion.
- Jethro09

I will disagree with you on one point here. I think the isles are two legit NHL players away from the playoffs.

I dont think the isles are that far away from playoff possiblities. The problem is that they have too much dead weight. There are too many of the same type of players. Its my beef with Snow. I feel as if hes just adding any and all kinds of players regardless if they fit the need. Garth needs to really decide what his recipe for success is, and follow it. Otherwise hes really just showing his ineptitude as GM.

As I said before, anyone can be a GM and just draft. But the GMs job is to put his finishing touches and stick his neck out with any kind of move. Since the Ryan Smyth trade, he's yet to do so.

having said that, if the islanders get into the playoffs next season, would you consider that a successful season/step in the right direction?
- LetsGoIsles

I think they HAD the talent to make the playoffs.
They LACKED a good enough coach to get them there. 14/16 pts were EASILY lost due to poor starts, late-game collapses/lost leads and losing to lesser teams.

This team is not far away from the playoffs on talent alone - not saying they would have gone deep - but you never know....

my only point being that we shouldnt fool ourselves into thinking that if the isles dont make it into the playoffs next season that it isnt a successful year. (not directed at you- just a point on your comment)
- LetsGoIsles

Well, if they finish in the bottom five again, its not a successful year. It would be more of the same. If they compete for one of the final playoff spots and miss by a few points, I would say it was a step in the right direction.

They can do that without trading away #4 overall. They just have to open their purse strings a bit wider than some other teams for a few solid veteran contributors, not superstars, and if they want to make a trade, trade some of the plethora of prospects in the system or on the team now as opposed to #4 overall. If #4 overall becomes Ryan Murray on the Isles, we'll likely (nothing is guaranteed) to be real happy with that selection for the next 8 years or so.
- Jethro09

They cant sign UFAs, regardless of what they are offering. We've seen it how many summers in a row now.

Youre saying trade prospects and not the pick? Is the 4th overall selection not going to be a prospect? Seems to me you're basing your argument on which "prospect" you like better. Doesnt take away from the fact that the isles MUST add legit NHL talent via trade. Noones gonna want, Robbie Russo, for a top 3 dman. We all know you gotta give to get.

This year the isles will only have 3 dman signed, but you are going to have DeHaan, Donovan, and Katic possibly making the team. Add to that Hamonic. and AMAC and thats 5 guys on d all drafted by the isles. The isles have the prospects...........they need to add by trading.

Well, if they finish in the bottom five again, its not a successful year. It would be more of the same. If they compete for one of the final playoff spots and miss by a few points, I would say it was a step in the right direction.
- Jethro09

How many years can the isles keep missing the playoffs, without changing up the business model? 5 years ago, i agreed with all the picks and adding more picks. But now that the prospect pool is respectable, its time for this team to start taking shape.

Well, if they finish in the bottom five again, its not a successful year. It would be more of the same. If they compete for one of the final playoff spots and miss by a few points, I would say it was a step in the right direction.
- Jethro09

my bad, i meant to say that if they get in to the playoffs and dont make it far it would still be considered a successful year (or at least i think so)...obviously more would be great.

i actually happen to think if they are competing all year and dont make it into the playoffs, its a lost year and unsuccessful (sorry, didnt mean to hang you out like that)

I think they HAD the talent to make the playoffs.
They LACKED a good enough coach to get them there. 14/16 pts were EASILY lost due to poor starts, late-game collapses/lost leads and losing to lesser teams.

This team is not far away from the playoffs on talent alone - not saying they would have gone deep - but you never know....
- jmo16

as terrible and as much as i dislike capuano, id blame the defense first and foremost. i think if they had a few better dmen (and if streit was healthy) those games could have started out much better

my bad, i meant to say that if they get in to the playoffs and dont make it far it would still be considered a successful year (or at least i think so)...obviously more would be great.

i actually happen to think if they are competing all year and dont make it into the playoffs, its a lost year and unsuccessful (sorry, didnt mean to hang you out like that)
- LetsGoIsles

If the isles dont make the playoffs by a point, its a failed season.

If the isles dont make the playoffs by a point, its a failed season.
- kindlyrick

If we have the same team as last year minus Parenteau it is a failed season before it starts.

Well, if they finish in the bottom five again, its not a successful year. It would be more of the same. If they compete for one of the final playoff spots and miss by a few points, I would say it was a step in the right direction.
- Jethro09

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but i almost feel as if Wang, doesnt want the isles to start "competing" until 2015. Why blow their load in the coliseum with the first playoff success since 1993?? Keep things as is, costs down, drafting every year, and by 2015 they will have a legit new team, in a new arena.

PLEASE!!! ENOUGH!!! NOTHING POSITIVE ALLOWED!!!
- LetsGoIsles

If we have the same team as last year minus Parenteau it is a failed season before it starts.
- mighty13duck

PA Parentheau is not the answer.

PA Parentheau is not the answer.
- kindlyrick

No he is not but if he is gone without a replacement we are worst than last year.

I think they HAD the talent to make the playoffs.
They LACKED a good enough coach to get them there. 14/16 pts were EASILY lost due to poor starts, late-game collapses/lost leads and losing to lesser teams.

This team is not far away from the playoffs on talent alone - not saying they would have gone deep - but you never know....
- jmo16

Disagree. I agree there is talent, but I don't think the mix of the team was playoff-worthy at all this year, especially in the Atlantic Division. With Nielsen, Bailey, Okposo, Grabner and Parenteau, you're talking about five players that logged a lot of minutes between them in the top-six (Bailey spent more time on the third line, granted, but bear with me) that don't play a physical, mean game or consistently crash the net. I like all of the players, I think they're all talented, and individually, I'm fine with them on the Islanders. But as a group, I believe the Islanders need a lot more grit and ability to drag defenders to the net than this crowd provides as a unit.

Some of those players, with the right guidance, maybe can change their game to fit that role. Bailey, when he does play physical, does it well. Okposo is flat out built for that kind of role. But neither has consistently played that physical role nor been a consistent net presence for the Isles.

The Atlantic is a big, strong division with elite teams. Consider this: the Atlantic made up the top three points teams in the East, and four of the top five points teams in the East. Impressive, considering they play each other more than anyone else. Also, the only Atlantic team that didn't make it out of the first round this year was ousted by...another Atlantic team.

Need a bigger, meaner, more balanced mix than we have now to play in that sandbox, imo.

If the isles dont make the playoffs by a point, its a failed season.
- kindlyrick

I agree. At this point the Isles should be able to make the playoffs. I think Garth has done a good job at building up the future he needs to focus on the present this offseason.

fixed
- LetsGoIsles

Wait a second, I was referring to someone else's post. That means I didn't write it! Pigs are flying but the day is young