Ben Shelley: Islanders' options for third-line center

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Ben Shelley: Islanders' options for third-line center
- Ben Shelley

Personally, I’d rather just sign Brassard to a 1 year @ 1.5 deal. Pretty much zero risk for an established player.

Koivula needs another season in the AHL. Bring him up next year as 3C.

Honest question: Is Bobo his given name?

That about sums it up, Ben. I'd note that Fritz is one of those players the coaches always fall in love with, so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the job out of camp while we all fight here over how big of a deal that is. But, yeah, it's the least exciting option and doesn't help the Isles spread offense around.

As long as he makes the adjustment well in camp and gets the hang of playing a responsible and reliable game, I'm liking the idea of Beau at center the more I think about it. The third line just gets more interesting with some speed and offense in the middle.

To the point about taking away a scoring option at wing if Beau is at center, yeah, that's an issue. But, if he can hack it at center, I'd rather be stronger down the middle and weaker on the wings than the other way around. Also, trading for a decent winger might be easier than trading for a solid center.

I would prefer signing Brassad also to a one yr deal. Gives you more of a veteran presence in that position.

Nice write up Ben. I think camp and preseason will highly influence who gets the 3C job this year.

At the end of the day I’m glad that shat signing Filppula is gone!

Problem with Beau at 3C is his wings could end up being Leo and Ladd. This team still needs a top 6 forward. Ek has them asking about Laine. I would love to see him with Barzal and Lee. What you all think would be an offer to Jets?

Honest question: Is Bobo his given name?
- stonehead

Nope, Robert!

Nice write up Ben. I think camp and preseason will highly influence who gets the 3C job this year.

At the end of the day I’m glad that shat signing Filppula is gone!
- nyisles7

Thank you!

Yeah I also think the decision will be based mainly on preseason. I wouldn't have minded seeing Filppula back on another one-year deal but certainly not the $3M x 2 Detroit gave him.

Personally, I’d rather just sign Brassard to a 1 year @ 1.5 deal. Pretty much zero risk for an established player.

Koivula needs another season in the AHL. Bring him up next year as 3C.
- Wildschwein

I'd agree, was moreso just looking at options within the organization. Might command a bigger contract than 1.5M x 1 though IMO.

Thank you for reading!

I would prefer signing Brassad also to a one yr deal. Gives you more of a veteran presence in that position.
- Nfdbulldawg

Agreed, if Brassard takes a short-term, low-ish money contract, makes perfect sense.

Thanks for reading!

That about sums it up, Ben. I'd note that Fritz is one of those players the coaches always fall in love with, so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the job out of camp while we all fight here over how big of a deal that is. But, yeah, it's the least exciting option and doesn't help the Isles spread offense around.

As long as he makes the adjustment well in camp and gets the hang of playing a responsible and reliable game, I'm liking the idea of Beau at center the more I think about it. The third line just gets more interesting with some speed and offense in the middle.

To the point about taking away a scoring option at wing if Beau is at center, yeah, that's an issue. But, if he can hack it at center, I'd rather be stronger down the middle and weaker on the wings than the other way around. Also, trading for a decent winger might be easier than trading for a solid center.
- UIF

Thanks for reading!

Great point about trading for a winger versus trading for a center. If Beauviller could transition to center, easier to add a winger than a center long-term.

Problem with Beau at 3C is his wings could end up being Leo and Ladd. This team still needs a top 6 forward. Ek has them asking about Laine. I would love to see him with Barzal and Lee. What you all think would be an offer to Jets?
- chazpet

A move should be made to bulk up the top-six regardless of whether Beauvillier moves to center IMO.

I'd imagine trading Laine is an absolute last resort for Winnipeg. Most of the RFAs are waiting for someone else (Marner) to sign first to set a high comparable. Just my two cents but I think a deal between NYI and WPG would also be difficult to swing even if it went that route. Winnipeg is both building for the future but also contending now, so NYI would likely need to be giving up a young player who's already established in the NHL as part of the package. Don't know if the Islanders have the pieces.

Also thanks for reading!

A move should be made to bulk up the top-six regardless of whether Beauvillier moves to center IMO.

I'd imagine trading Laine is an absolute last resort for Winnipeg. Most of the RFAs are waiting for someone else (Marner) to sign first to set a high comparable. Just my two cents but I think a deal between NYI and WPG would also be difficult to swing even if it went that route. Winnipeg is both building for the future but also contending now, so NYI would likely need to be giving up a young player who's already established in the NHL as part of the package. Don't know if the Islanders have the pieces.

Also thanks for reading!
- Ben Shelley

Have to think they would want Dobson and or wahlstrom plus picks

A move should be made to bulk up the top-six regardless of whether Beauvillier moves to center IMO.

I'd imagine trading Laine is an absolute last resort for Winnipeg. Most of the RFAs are waiting for someone else (Marner) to sign first to set a high comparable. Just my two cents but I think a deal between NYI and WPG would also be difficult to swing even if it went that route. Winnipeg is both building for the future but also contending now, so NYI would likely need to be giving up a young player who's already established in the NHL as part of the package. Don't know if the Islanders have the pieces.

Also thanks for reading!
- Ben Shelley

Larry Brooks wrote an article recently saying "IF" a team is to offer sheet Marner the only way it would "work" (Toronto wouldn't be able to match), is if its October 1, and the leafs don't have the time to move the pieces to create cap space to match.

Beauvillier, Wahlstrom and a first for Laine.

I would do that trade above, but I'm an Islanders fan. I am not sure if thats enough for the Jets. Maybe another pick?

I just saw this,

Potential Suitors
A possible return to the New York Islanders could always be a possibility. MacDonald played his best years here and could serve as a veteran who could fill in as a 6/7th blueliner and another veteran who could help out with a bunch of up-and-coming defensive prospects such as Noah Dobson and Bode Wilde. However, the team does have several veterans already and likely wouldn’t show a significant interest unless some of those players went down with injuries.

NO NO NO

Larry Brooks wrote an article recently saying "IF" a team is to offer sheet Marner the only way it would "work" (Toronto wouldn't be able to match), is if its October 1, and the leafs don't have the time to move the pieces to create cap space to match.

Beauvillier, Wahlstrom and a first for Laine.
- kindlyrick

I think for laine they will want Dobson and that's a no go for the isles. Top pair d men are harder to find than scores, at least what hes projected to be

I just saw this,

Potential Suitors
A possible return to the New York Islanders could always be a possibility. MacDonald played his best years here and could serve as a veteran who could fill in as a 6/7th blueliner and another veteran who could help out with a bunch of up-and-coming defensive prospects such as Noah Dobson and Bode Wilde. However, the team does have several veterans already and likely wouldn’t show a significant interest unless some of those players went down with injuries.

NO NO NO
- chazpet

Whoever said this is a moron

Whoever said this is a moron
- Upstate_isles

Cpt.?

i love to see Koivula. he was most impressive playing in kids scrimmage a year ago. wasnt surprised how much he grew in bridgeport.

Beau can play center problem is he isnt a passer. I really feel he can find his game this year b/c he was the biggest disappointment for me last year.

Also a great move isles can make to improve is not have LADD anywhere in this lineup. I wish him the best and he was good player back in day but seems his body is telling him its over.

i love to see Koivula. he was most impressive playing in kids scrimmage a year ago. wasnt surprised how much he grew in bridgeport.

Beau can play center problem is he isnt a passer. I really feel he can find his game this year b/c he was the biggest disappointment for me last year.

Also a great move isles can make to improve is not have LADD anywhere in this lineup. I wish him the best and he was good player back in day but seems his body is telling him its over.
- Spartiarti

This post needs more Bailey.

Cpt.?
- nyisles7

Exactly what this team needs. A little amac. 😂

One of my least favorite islanders of all time. Incredible how many debates I got into on here about how effective he was his first couple of seasons🤮

That AMac idea was from Holgar Stolzenberg of ProHockeyRumors.com . I don't know what credentials you need to write for them.