Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski

According to @25stanley, this was an actual rumor published somewhere: "Mark Streit + 2nd rounder for Scott Gomez + 1st rounder" #CrackKills


- eichiefs9

Someone posted this in an earlier thread. The deal supposedly included Gionta as well. Sounds great if Snow wanted to add to his collection of former Devils

Someone posted this in an earlier thread. The deal supposedly included Gionta as well. Sounds great if Snow wanted to add to his collection of former Devils
- PeteM

I've been waiting for the Sykora signing to come along....

That meant as a conversation-starter or as an indictment? As a conversation starter, excellent. Anything to pick up the pace. As an indictment, it doesn't really hold water. If you read a really bad magazine, you can point out how bad that magazine is and what little it does for you without necessarily having the know-how to put out a better one, no? Same deal with criticizing a sports team that chronically underperforms. I don't know exactly how to get better players or what it would take. But I can see plain as day that what we've trotted out there in recent years ain't enough. We have people whose full-time jobs are addressing the exact points in your post. If stuff goes wrong for years, they're the ones who should probably be held accountable, not random dissatisfied fans.
- UIF

both-- but i do want to hear names....AND considering youre a supporter of the rebuild, which you know very well takes time, im rather surprised by your approach. everyone knows (or should know) its going to take time to rebuild a contender. the time is coming, but cant skip steps. need to build a foundation. so yes, i do want to actually hear names bc those who complain when someone does/doesnt get signed/traded will be the same ones to complain once a prospect/"bad contract" is traded/signed

name players that you want and how would you get them...
- LetsGoIsles

I generally agree with asking this simply based on the idea that I doubt Garth is simply sitting around content to do nothing. That said, the Isles cannot expect the fanbase to get excited about this team if they offer only marginal upgrades. This team needs an impact move and it's appearing less and less likely we'll get it.
I would love to actually hear from a UFA who talked to the Isles and get their overall opinion of the 'attempted' courtship.

That meant as a conversation-starter or as an indictment? As a conversation starter, excellent. Anything to pick up the pace. As an indictment, it doesn't really hold water. If you read a really bad magazine, you can point out how bad that magazine is and what little it does for you without necessarily having the know-how to put out a better one, no? Same deal with criticizing a sports team that chronically underperforms. I don't know exactly how to get better players or what it would take. But I can see plain as day that what we've trotted out there in recent years ain't enough. We have people whose full-time jobs are addressing the exact points in your post. If stuff goes wrong for years, they're the ones who should probably be held accountable, not random dissatisfied fans.
- UIF

Okay, just for the sake of arguement, if you criticize said mag, you still have to at least provide how it sucked and why it could be better with realistic options. I guess the biggest question is, if you feel there is something the Isles could have done thus far, what would it be and is it feasible to do without comprimising the last four years of sacrificial pain we've endured? I'm not saying there aren't options out there, but I'd be interested in hearing what folks suggestions would be if they're going to send out a general complaint without advising of specifics.

Personally, I would have liked the Isles to make a big pitch to Suter, but I know it wasn't likely he'd join up. While they may fear anothe public rejectioin, I'm more concerned that the appearance of 'not trying' be it legit or not, may damage the teams image further for other UFA's. I'm not so sure what's available on the trade market at this point.

no way do isles trade streit away to get gomez. Gomez contract is horrific.

only way we take gomez off our hands is we get subban. And we really wouldnt have to give much in return.

Sykora is not getting signed by isles, If anything if he not resigned by devils he will get invite to camp and would at best get a one year deal.

no way do isles trade streit away to get gomez. Gomez contract is horrific.

only way we take gomez off our hands is we get subban. And we really wouldnt have to give much in return.

Sykora is not getting signed by isles, If anything if he not resigned by devils he will get invite to camp and would at best get a one year deal.
- Spartiarti

that trade is made up we should move on...HOWEVER i would love having the habs first rounder coming back. that could be a top 4 pick

I generally agree with asking this simply based on the idea that I doubt Garth is simply sitting around content to do nothing. That said, the Isles cannot expect the fanbase to get excited about this team if they offer only marginal upgrades. This team needs an impact move and it's appearing less and less likely we'll get it.
I would love to actually hear from a UFA who talked to the Isles and get their overall opinion of the 'attempted' courtship.
- keaner17

its july 16...patience my son, patience

that trade is made up we should move on...HOWEVER i would love having the habs first rounder coming back. that could be a top 4 pick
- NYI78

As crazy as it sounds, I'd at least consider that deal. I thought Streit was flat out horrible last year and certainly didn't think he brought anything to the table as a Captain. If we were a year futher in de Haans development I'd probably feel a lot better about the idea. No doubt Gomez has been a dog but I think he'd be a suitable replacement for PA since they play a very similar game. Unfortunately he's another lefty, which we don't need as much.

***edit....I'm not really saying I'd do this...just saying I wouldn't dismiss it as ludacris

no way do isles trade streit away to get gomez. Gomez contract is horrific.

only way we take gomez off our hands is we get subban. And we really wouldnt have to give much in return.

Sykora is not getting signed by isles, If anything if he not resigned by devils he will get invite to camp and would at best get a one year deal.
- Spartiarti

hahah the fact that this is even a consideration is laughable/embarrassing

its july 16...patience my son, patience
- LetsGoIsles

Heh, I've been more than patient. That said, we're now seeing the mid tier free agents start to disappear as well. I'm not confident we'll see a lot of trade action once the CBA gets done. We shall see.

both-- but i do want to hear names....AND considering youre a supporter of the rebuild, which you know very well takes time, im rather surprised by your approach. everyone knows (or should know) its going to take time to rebuild a contender. the time is coming, but cant skip steps. need to build a foundation. so yes, i do want to actually hear names bc those who complain when someone does/doesnt get signed/traded will be the same ones to complain once a prospect/"bad contract" is traded/signed
- LetsGoIsles

Agreed. And I'd say those steps include developing players correctly and providing the proper support to them when they are put on an NHL team. I'd argue that following through on those steps goes hand-in-hand with realizing greater success earlier. Some extraordinary young players can rise above it all. We're very fortunate to have Tavares, when you consider his linemates to date have been players pulled off of other teams' scrap heaps, Grabner in his second year in the midst of some pretty bad struggles, and Kyle Okposo, who was a second-year developing player when on his line the first time and struggling after recovering from a shoulder injury the second time. Not one quality established vet to help him ever (in fact, lately we've been arguing here about who the latest struggling player is that we can put on his wing so "Tavares can get him 50+ points").

I'm happy with the drafting, and fully support what Snow's done there...not even in the first round, but the value he's gotten in later rounds. There's a lot to be desired when it comes to managing the NHL team itself and integrating the young players in ways that help them flourish, just in my opinion, anyway.

Okay, just for the sake of arguement, if you criticize said mag, you still have to at least provide how it sucked and why it could be better with realistic options. I guess the biggest question is, if you feel there is something the Isles could have done thus far, what would it be and is it feasible to do without comprimising the last four years of sacrificial pain we've endured? I'm not saying there aren't options out there, but I'd be interested in hearing what folks suggestions would be if they're going to send out a general complaint without advising of specifics.

Personally, I would have liked the Isles to make a big pitch to Suter, but I know it wasn't likely he'd join up. While they may fear anothe public rejectioin, I'm more concerned that the appearance of 'not trying' be it legit or not, may damage the teams image further for other UFA's. I'm not so sure what's available on the trade market at this point.
- keaner17

What suggestions can we realistically make based on the information we have at our disposal? In the vast majority of the rumors we see, the players involved are never moved, and the trades that do happen involve players we never knew were available. So we really have no frame of reference on what the market is.

I can say things like I would have been all over the Chicago Blackhawks when they had that big screw up with their RFAs, inquiring about and making serious offers for players like Versteeg and especially Ladd (I'm a big fan of his). But maybe the Isles did do that. Who knows? All I can judge are the results, and ultimately, I think that's all any of us care about. I'm sure Snow and the crew work really hard, and that's admirable. But I think we all agree this team needs more. Then of course there's the issue of having no idea where the accountability really lies. Is it with Snow for being responsible for building the team? Yes, according to some and no according to others who say Wang does not give him the resources...then others say that's not the case and so on. Sorry for rambling a bit, but I guess I'm back to my original point, phrased in a different way...I don't have to be a mechanic to know my car is broken and not going anywhere...

As crazy as it sounds, I'd at least consider that deal. I thought Streit was flat out horrible last year and certainly didn't think he brought anything to the table as a Captain. If we were a year futher in de Haans development I'd probably feel a lot better about the idea. No doubt Gomez has been a dog but I think he'd be a suitable replacement for PA since they play a very similar game. Unfortunately he's another lefty, which we don't need as much.

***edit....I'm not really saying I'd do this...just saying I wouldn't dismiss it as ludacris
- keaner17

He still finished 9th for defensman in points. He was a -27 which is brutal. Definitely not his best season thats for sure

hahah the fact that this is even a consideration is laughable/embarrassing
- LetsGoIsles

You're not use to those types of signings or invites yet? Its been going on for years now

As crazy as it sounds, I'd at least consider that deal. I thought Streit was flat out horrible last year and certainly didn't think he brought anything to the table as a Captain. If we were a year futher in de Haans development I'd probably feel a lot better about the idea. No doubt Gomez has been a dog but I think he'd be a suitable replacement for PA since they play a very similar game. Unfortunately he's another lefty, which we don't need as much.

***edit....I'm not really saying I'd do this...just saying I wouldn't dismiss it as ludacris
- keaner17

I personally wouldn't make that trade. Streit is in the twilight of his career and is coming off a down season, but I still think he (at least in the short term) is real valuable to this team. He fills a need that we can't currently replace, in a offensive defenseman/PP QB. Visnovsky will undoubtedly help, but I don't think he'd be a suitable total replacement for Streit.

He's a fantastic trade chip at the deadline due to his manageable cap hit. Maybe he lands us a good prospect from a contender or maybe a mid-1st. Hell, maybe we shock everyone and will be in the hunt for the playoffs and we'll need to hang onto him. I think he'll rebound this year with the addition of Visnovsky because some of that offensive load will be taken off his shoulders.

Heh, I've been more than patient. That said, we're now seeing the mid tier free agents start to disappear as well. I'm not confident we'll see a lot of trade action once the CBA gets done. We shall see.
- keaner17

I actually feel the complete opposite. I think once owners/GM's know exactly what the cap situation is going to look like we'll see some more movement. There's a cap number now but everyone know's it's not likely to be the same, so if I'm a GM I'm not about to max myself out on cap space in the short term only to have to have a fire sale in September/October because the cap went down by $5m. But I agree that we will see, nobody knows anything right now.

Sorry for my copout answer there in the interest of making a point, keaner. Off the top of my head, here are some things I have supported in recent years:

Claiming Tuomo Ruutu back when he was a (I think) 25-year old put on waivers by Chicago.

As I mentioned earlier, jumping all over the Hawks' RFA situation.

Keeping Sutton until the team had a legitimate replacement for his size and physicality.

Taking a chance on some talented players that have an attitude issue in their current location (though I waver on this from player to player).

Re-signing Comeau before last season (which was done and was a disaster, probably why I'm not a GM, and also why I don't claim to have all the answers!)

Trading both PA and Nabokov for assets, anything, even second and third round picks. Those could be combined and traded at a later date for an asset or to move up at the draft.

Overpaying some mid-range players who are known for being hard workers, good-character players and who still have something left in the tank (I'm a big fan of the Carkner signing even though the price tag and term are well over what Ottawa offered...we need more signings like that, imo).

I personally wouldn't make that trade. Streit is in the twilight of his career and is coming off a down season, but I still think he (at least in the short term) is real valuable to this team. He fills a need that we can't currently replace, in a offensive defenseman/PP QB. Visnovsky will undoubtedly help, but I don't think he'd be a suitable total replacement for Streit.

He's a fantastic trade chip at the deadline due to his manageable cap hit. Maybe he lands us a good prospect from a contender or maybe a mid-1st. Hell, maybe we shock everyone and will be in the hunt for the playoffs and we'll need to hang onto him. I think he'll rebound this year with the addition of Visnovsky because some of that offensive load will be taken off his shoulders.
- eichiefs9

Snow has no problem holding onto guys and then letting them walk for nothing come July so I wouldn't hold my breathe come March and the Isles are 20 points out of the 10th spot in the east

Agreed. And I'd say those steps include developing players correctly and providing the proper support to them when they are put on an NHL team. I'd argue that following through on those steps goes hand-in-hand with realizing greater success earlier. Some extraordinary young players can rise above it all. We're very fortunate to have Tavares, when you consider his linemates to date have been players pulled off of other teams' scrap heaps, Grabner in his second year in the midst of some pretty bad struggles, and Kyle Okposo, who was a second-year developing player when on his line the first time and struggling after recovering from a shoulder injury the second time. Not one quality established vet to help him ever (in fact, lately we've been arguing here about who the latest struggling player is that we can put on his wing so "Tavares can get him 50+ points").

I'm happy with the drafting, and fully support what Snow's done there...not even in the first round, but the value he's gotten in later rounds. There's a lot to be desired when it comes to managing the NHL team itself and integrating the young players in ways that help them flourish, just in my opinion, anyway.
- UIF

agreed, having said that ill throw out a name and an offer than if the islanders were the ones to have offered the 30 million/4 year deal to doan id be ALL for it!! (assuming the rumor of it happening is actually legit)

He still finished 9th for defensman in points. He was a -27 which is brutal. Definitely not his best season thats for sure
- Vukota

He's definitely a producer offensively. My problem is he's flat out awful defensively. It's like MAB without the shot, although he's a better skater.

He's definitely a producer offensively. My problem is he's flat out awful defensively. It's like MAB without the shot, although he's a better skater.
- keaner17

I agree outside of Hamonic none of them play solid D (maybe AMAC once in a while)

agreed, having said that ill throw out a name and an offer than if the islanders were the ones to have offered the 30 million/4 year deal to doan id be ALL for it!! (assuming the rumor of it happening is actually legit)
- LetsGoIsles

Why? Just curious

What suggestions can we realistically make based on the information we have at our disposal? In the vast majority of the rumors we see, the players involved are never moved, and the trades that do happen involve players we never knew were available. So we really have no frame of reference on what the market is.

I can say things like I would have been all over the Chicago Blackhawks when they had that big screw up with their RFAs, inquiring about and making serious offers for players like Versteeg and especially Ladd (I'm a big fan of his). But maybe the Isles did do that. Who knows? All I can judge are the results, and ultimately, I think that's all any of us care about. I'm sure Snow and the crew work really hard, and that's admirable. But I think we all agree this team needs more. Then of course there's the issue of having no idea where the accountability really lies. Is it with Snow for being responsible for building the team? Yes, according to some and no according to others who say Wang does not give him the resources...then others say that's not the case and so on. Sorry for rambling a bit, but I guess I'm back to my original point, phrased in a different way...I don't have to be a mechanic to know my car is broken and not going anywhere...
- UIF

And that in turn is my point. I understand when folks, including myself are frustrated at the lack of transactions, but I also can't condemn someone for not doing their job when I don't have any realistic options or proof to say they aren't trying. Certainly the end result from a fans perspective will be worth complaining about, but even at that we don't know the variables. You're right, you don't have to be a mechanic to know your car is broken, but you also can't condemn your mechanic without having some idea what went wrong.

I agree outside of Hamonic none of them play solid D (maybe AMAC once in a while)
- Vukota

Hamonic is our brightspot. I have high hopes for Reinhart and Mayfield too, though that obviously does us nothing for the next season. I liked what I saw from AMAC two years ago but he was God-awful last year. It seems we've gotten so used to watching subpar talent over the years, that as soon as we see someone on the team who'd only be average elsewhere, we elevate thim a few notches. The Isles really made a big deal about AMAC two years ago and I think the bar was set too high. He's a #5 or #6 IMO.