I think PA should be signed it's not like we don't have the cap space. If we have to overpay then so be it. No reason to just let him walk.
- mighty13duck

no reason to overpay for the guy just to cover up a mistake during last seasons trade deadline either

why?!?!?!?!?!

assuming that "rumor" is true, isnt a 2nd rounder better than nothing????
- LetsGoIsles

Correct me if im wrong but there is actual talent past the first round. 2nd round picks have legit value. The problem here is that Garth tried to play hard ball being that PA's numbers were inflated. His numbers were decent because more than half his points were assists, playing on a line with two 30 goal scorers. Guess the rest of the league agreed that PA isnt as special as some fans and perhaps Garth thought.

I don't really care that they bolted in terms of the Islanders. But that's a loss of Bridgeport's #1 and #4 leading scorers from last season. More surprised that Katic left with only 3 d-men under contract on the Isles. He had a shot at making the team, but far from the end of the world. Kabanov, Nelson, Persson, and Sundstrom should more than make up for the lost offense.
- eichiefs9

The guys that left werent part of this rebuild, and they knew it. The names coming in are all part of Garths master plan. Its really the first step in the isles "system" finally getting our draft picks in there to develope. Guys like Dibo and Rhett were just filler.......sad but true

The bottom line is there is no place on this team for Rhett or Dibo. They are too small to really excel at the NHL level. The isles organization benefits from having them in the system as "depth" in case of injury, but if you're those players you gotta know this team has no intention of you making it full time.
- kindlyrick

I thought that with a bit more work on his part, Rhett could have become a player like Tyler Ennis on Buffalo...small and very shifty, capable of drawing attention away from other players and even putting in some goals to boot. Ennis is 5'9, 157 and already has a 20-goal season under his belt, so if he could do it, Rhett could too. Didn't think he'd give up on it all until after this season at least, although I think the word is he wants to come back to the NHL after this year, so who knows what will end up happening.

I don't really care that they bolted in terms of the Islanders. But that's a loss of Bridgeport's #1 and #4 leading scorers from last season. More surprised that Katic left with only 3 d-men under contract on the Isles. He had a shot at making the team, but far from the end of the world. Kabanov, Nelson, Persson, and Sundstrom should more than make up for the lost offense.
- eichiefs9

Absolutely.

new direction. better direction imo . More exciting to.

The guys that left werent part of this rebuild, and they knew it. The names coming in are all part of Garths master plan. Its really the first step in the isles "system" finally getting our draft picks in there to develope. Guys like Dibo and Rhett were just filler.......sad but true
- kindlyrick

Very perceptive. very true

I thought that with a bit more work on his part, Rhett could have become a player like Tyler Ennis on Buffalo...small and very shifty, capable of drawing attention away from other players and even putting in some goals to boot. Ennis is 5'9, 157 and already has a 20-goal season under his belt, so if he could do it, Rhett could too. Didn't think he'd give up on it all until after this season at least, although I think the word is he wants to come back to the NHL after this year, so who knows what will end up happening.
- UIF

The problem is, Rhetts been in the same position the last few years with no end in sight. He has to know the isles dont have any intention on him being with the big club. Ive said this for years.......

Rakhshani to Sweden, DiBo to Austria, Katic to Germany. Bridgeport got raped.
- eichiefs9

three less prospects some people can insert in the line combos for next year

why?!?!?!?!?!

assuming that "rumor" is true, isnt a 2nd rounder better than nothing????
- LetsGoIsles

Yep!

And if we had two second rd picks this draft.

Maybe we turn em into something better!

Like another 1st rd pick or a Vet "D" man or what ever...

three less prospects some people can insert in the line combos for next year
- Cptmjl

find me one time any of us mentioned those guys in an argument...

new Dee blog.. fyi...

The guys that left werent part of this rebuild, and they knew it. The names coming in are all part of Garths master plan. Its really the first step in the isles "system" finally getting our draft picks in there to develope. Guys like Dibo and Rhett were just filler.......sad but true
- kindlyrick

Now Rakshani is filler? Two days ago a few on here were telling me he's an excellent third line NHL player? Now he's filler. BTW, I always looked at him as filler

three less prospects some people can insert in the line combos for next year
- Cptmjl

Three losers...............

Hey dont blame me. Obviously even Garth believed that.

find me one time any of us mentioned those guys in an argument...

new Dee blog.. fyi...
- niteislander

Rakshani was mentioned a few times recently as a fourth line/thied line player of the future. DiBo no, Rhett yes.

Rakshani was mentioned a few times recently as a fourth line/thied line player of the future. DiBo no, Rhett yes.
- Cptmjl

Katic YES

find me one time any of us mentioned those guys in an argument...

new Dee blog.. fyi...
- niteislander

Not being an ass but Rhett was mentioned a few times. Truth, go back and look yourself if you don't believe me, I don't find it fun going through Dee's old blogs. It was posted. Don't remember who but I cracked up at it every time. As well as Katic . Now they suck

Katic YES
- SCLI

find me one time any of US mentioned those guys in an argument...

new Dee blog.. fyi...
- niteislander

There are literally 1000's of posts. Not even fair to suggest that someone go a find the couple where Rett and Katic were mentioned.

And take my word on it. Someone mentioned them.

And BTW: you dont need to include yourself. No one said it was U(s).

Yep!

And if we had two second rd picks this draft.

Maybe we turn em into something better!

Like another 1st rd pick or a Vet "D" man or what ever...
- SCLI

EXACTLY!

The problem is, Rhetts been in the same position the last few years with no end in sight. He has to know the isles dont have any intention on him being with the big club. Ive said this for years.......
- kindlyrick

It's only been two seasons. At least play out the final year of the ELC and see what happens, then go to Europe (I believe he has one more year on the entry level contract, correct?). As far as the Isles' intentions, it's not like the team is overflowing with NHL-ready talent yet. If Rakh put up 3 or 4 points in his 5 games this past season, it'd be amazing how quickly the Isles would find room for him on the big club. Instead he hasn't put up any points in any of his NHL games. It's on him to make himself an option over some of the other players.

Now Rakshani is filler? Two days ago a few on here were telling me he's an excellent third line NHL player? Now he's filler. BTW, I always looked at him as filler
- Cptmjl

A few on here was not me.........ive said for years, that he's filler.

It's only been two seasons. At least play out the final year of the ELC and see what happens, then go to Europe (I believe he has one more year on the entry level contract, correct?). As far as the Isles' intentions, it's not like the team is overflowing with NHL-ready talent yet. If Rakh put up 3 or 4 points in his 5 games this past season, it'd be amazing how quickly the Isles would find room for him on the big club. Instead he hasn't put up any points in any of his NHL games. It's on him to make himself an option over some of the other players.
- UIF

The bottom line is its all about money. He's able to make more money playing in europe and he took the opportunity. I dont blame him. The only way he sniffs the islanders is if the injury bug hits.

The bottom line is its all about money. He's able to make more money playing in europe and he took the opportunity. I dont blame him. The only way he sniffs the islanders is if the injury bug hits.
- kindlyrick

Hamonic took advantage of that very situation and made it impossible for the team to send him back down. All I'm saying is that it seems like he gave up awful quickly, which shows me that he lacked the confidence in himself to make it at the next level. Players absolutely committed to making it to the NHL have overcome longer odds and waited a lot longer than two years in the AHL to break onto an NHL roster.

Why does he HAVE to be on JT's wing to teach him anything?
Dont you think Doug Weight is a Vet presence to JT?
Wasnt Rolston, Eaton, Strait, Reasoner, Pandawful, Staios, all Vets added to the team?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

the only reason why id say he HAS TO BE on his wing, is for when JT needs someone to stick up for him when he gets run...assuming this guy is a physical threat. someone get me milan lucic!!!!

Iginla is Long Island bound!
- Mr.Black

he would be a great fit on JTs wing....obviously the price has to be right

Hamonic took advantage of that very situation and made it impossible for the team to send him back down. All I'm saying is that it seems like he gave up awful quickly, which shows me that he lacked the confidence in himself to make it at the next level. Players absolutely committed to making it to the NHL have overcome longer odds and waited a lot longer than two years in the AHL to break onto an NHL roster.
- UIF

The difference in your scenario is that the isles were soooo thin defensively and Hamonic took his opportunity and ran with it. Confidence has a lot to do with hockey players. Kinda hard for a guy like Rhett to be confident when theres 15 guys competing for a handful of spots. Once the isles started this rebuild in 2008, Rhett had to know his chances with this organization were slim to none.