Ben Shelley: METRO DIVISION COMPARISON PART 2: ISLANDERS/BLUE JACKETS

good write up Ben.. scary how much that team has changed. They gave up a lot of picks too (They still have their first in 2020.. yes?). I expected Panarin & Bob to leave. I figured there was a good shot that Duchene leaves too, but to even lose Dzingel who attended Ohio State. That just stinks for their fan base.

Edge definitely to the Isles.

Only note I would add is, if there is a coach that can get everything out of a team that isn't all that talented its Torts.

Edge definitely to the Isles.

Only note I would add is, if there is a coach that can get everything out of a team that isn't all that talented its Torts.
- mdw7413

True, though much the same could be said for Trotz.

Gotta ask Ben, why did you neglect to mention Anderson and Bjorkstrand? Both put up 20+ goals for the Jackets last year while playing top 6 minutes.

Edit: I see now that you did mention Anderson, but only very briefly.

Another good and fair write up. Thank You!

True, though much the same could be said for Trotz.

Gotta ask Ben, why did you neglect to mention Anderson and Bjorkstrand? Both put up 20+ goals for the Jackets last year while playing top 6 minutes.

Edit: I see now that you did mention Anderson, but only very briefly.
- Wildschwein

Personally think Philly is going to be at the bottom. Their issues have been D and goaltending and they bring in a coach who loves an offensive system, I could see it backfiring.

good write up Ben.. scary how much that team has changed. They gave up a lot of picks too (They still have their first in 2020.. yes?). I expected Panarin & Bob to leave. I figured there was a good shot that Duchene leaves too, but to even lose Dzingel who attended Ohio State. That just stinks for their fan base.
- niteislander

Thanks! Yes, they still have their first in 2020 (would have went to Ottawa if Duchene re-signed I believe). But yeah, really tough losses. At the same time though they took their shot, it's a tough situation now but have to respect taking the gamble they did.

Edge definitely to the Isles.

Only note I would add is, if there is a coach that can get everything out of a team that isn't all that talented its Torts.
- mdw7413

Fair point- CBJ never had back-to-back playoff seasons. Tortorella is 3/3 in making the playoffs in his three full seasons with Columbus.

True, though much the same could be said for Trotz.

Gotta ask Ben, why did you neglect to mention Anderson and Bjorkstrand? Both put up 20+ goals for the Jackets last year while playing top 6 minutes.

Edit: I see now that you did mention Anderson, but only very briefly.
- Wildschwein

I will say Anderson could have been mentioned more, he's a bigger piece to CBJ than I may have made him out to be. With Bjorkstrand he's still young but has hovered right around the 40 P/82 mark for the last three seasons. He had about the same PPG average as Cizikas last year. He could've been mentioned in the group with Foligno/Jenner, though.

Thanks for reading!

Another good and fair write up. Thank You!
- ses111

As always, thanks for reading!

hmm

Edge definitely to the Isles.

Only note I would add is, if there is a coach that can get everything out of a team that isn't all that talented its Torts.
- mdw7413

I mean, Trotz did it last year, though.

Personally think Philly is going to be at the bottom. Their issues have been D and goaltending and they bring in a coach who loves an offensive system, I could see it backfiring.
- mdw7413

Jackets may have the worst goaltending in the league. Philly's problems have been around goaltending, yes, but also severely overvaluing some really bad depth player while watching the core get older and older.

I mean, Trotz did it last year, though.
- BINGO!

Yup, they both are similar that way as coaches. I think Torts has a shorter shelf life but with the mass player exodus from Columbus it might actually help him

Jackets may have the worst goaltending in the league. Philly's problems have been around goaltending, yes, but also severely overvaluing some really bad depth player while watching the core get older and older.
- BINGO!

I think AV's system might backfire if he brings the same one from the Rangers to Philly. I personally liked his system at 1st as it was exciting but its to the detriment of the defense. Plus he likes to rely on quickness which I'm not sure Philly is really built that way

I think AV's system might backfire if he brings the same one from the Rangers to Philly. I personally liked his system at 1st as it was exciting but its to the detriment of the defense. Plus he likes to rely on quickness which I'm not sure Philly is really built that way
- mdw7413

You just thought he had a nice ass.

Personally think Philly is going to be at the bottom. Their issues have been D and goaltending and they bring in a coach who loves an offensive system, I could see it backfiring.
- mdw7413

A lot will hinge on Carter Hart repeating his rookie performance, which is a toss up for me

I think AV's system might backfire if he brings the same one from the Rangers to Philly. I personally liked his system at 1st as it was exciting but its to the detriment of the defense. Plus he likes to rely on quickness which I'm not sure Philly is really built that way
- mdw7413

True. The Flyers have some skill but I wouldn't call them an overly fast team.

Brennan Klak @nhlupdate
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#Isles UFA Stephen Gionta has retired, joining the #TBLightning as a pro scout.