Goaltending has to be addressed? The address for our net is #20. Poulin could maybe play backup, but like it or not DP is going to "start" there.
- eichiefs9

Nabokov may disagree?

gallof staples and botta all stated don't look for DP to be bought out

sources are twitter, i dont feel like finding them but, they usually know what they are talking about - especially staples
- Danformo

I'm not going to get upset over it. It's out of the fans hands. Isles will need to answer if things do not work out. More press when they get to Brooklyn. They will not be able to hide from bad decisions anymore.

When a team struggles to make it to the salary floor, buying players out and having to replace that money to gt back to the flor isn't as simple as some of you make it sound
- LetsGoIsles

Cap floor is lower though, no? If they were prepared to comply with a higher floor, then they can comply now, or be very close, without the $4.5m. Whoever said it before is right...they're moving to a big boy arena now, it's time to act like a big boy team. Period. There are interests involved in that arena that are profit-driven, and I'm not sure they'll put up with the nonsense that the few fans left have put up with over the last handful of years. Time to erase the obvious, glaring mistakes of the past and move forward now. While it might be nice for Wang to have that salary for the cap floor this year and next, by not buying it out, he's basically saying he still wants it on the books in 2018, 2019, 2020...a forward-thinking owner would say, the team will probably be profitable and competitive by then...having a $4.5m anchor and a broken down goalie eating up cap space and a roster spot when you're actually serious about spending and winning won't be as palatable then.

Cap floor is lower though, no? If they were prepared to comply with a higher floor, then they can comply now, or be very close, without the $4.5m. Whoever said it before is right...they're moving to a big boy arena now, it's time to act like a big boy team. Period. There are interests involved in that arena that are profit-driven, and I'm not sure they'll put up with the nonsense that the few fans left have put up with over the last handful of years. Time to erase the obvious, glaring mistakes of the past and move forward now. While it might be nice for Wang to have that salary for the cap floor this year and next, by not buying it out, he's basically saying he still wants it on the books in 2018, 2019, 2020...a forward-thinking owner would say, the team will probably be profitable and competitive by then...having a $4.5m anchor and a broken down goalie eating up cap space and a roster spot when you're actually serious about spending and winning won't be as palatable then.
- UIF

It was me UIF and as usual you make a ton of sense. There is no room for DP in the new Islander world. Wang cannot act the same way as he did in the past in Brooklyn. He should stay on LI if he wants business as usual.

DP couldn't be bought out until next year... hopefully he retires due to injury before that.

Well see what happens.

Either way... I don't think he will be around much longer. (On the Ice anyway...lol)

DP couldn't be bought out until next year... hopefully he retires due to injury before that.

Well see what happens.

Either way... I don't think he will be around much longer. (On the Ice anyway...lol)
- jimmc7722

I've been hearing "this is the year" we'll get finality on DP since like 2009. It's not going to resolve itself, he's not going to retire, insurance isn't going to rescue Wang, etc. The mess will only go away when the owner of this team decides to fix his own mistake.

The new CBA gives him an opportunity to do that without the mistake lingering around on the cap for the rest of my natural life. This is a bigger decision for the future of the team than who to call up from Bridgeport, Strome making the team this season, etc.

DP couldn't be bought out until next year... hopefully he retires due to injury before that.

Well see what happens.

Either way... I don't think he will be around much longer. (On the Ice anyway...lol)
- jimmc7722

I can live with waiting until next year. It's not right though for him to play 5 games a year getting hurt over and over. Something has to give. He needs to be bought out or forced to retire.

I've been hearing "this is the year" we'll get finality on DP since like 2009. It's not going to resolve itself, he's not going to retire, insurance isn't going to rescue Wang, etc. The mess will only go away when the owner of this team decides to fix his own mistake.

The new CBA gives him an opportunity to do that without the mistake lingering around on the cap for the rest of my natural life. This is a bigger decision for the future of the team than who to call up from Bridgeport, Strome making the team this season, etc.
- UIF

The team can't do anything this year.

If DP doesn't step down on his own this year and retire due to injury... then Wang will have his chance to buy him out.

The team can't do anything this year.

If DP doesn't step down on his own this year and retire due to injury... then Wang will have his chance to buy him out.
- jimmc7722

Whenever the window is, they have to take it is what I'm saying.

I've been hearing "this is the year" we'll get finality on DP since like 2009. It's not going to resolve itself, he's not going to retire, insurance isn't going to rescue Wang, etc. The mess will only go away when the owner of this team decides to fix his own mistake.

The new CBA gives him an opportunity to do that without the mistake lingering around on the cap for the rest of my natural life. This is a bigger decision for the future of the team than who to call up from Bridgeport, Strome making the team this season, etc.
- UIF

I know DP will not retire but there is something very wrong when a guy like DP can get hurt every season and basically never play and still collect his full salary and we can have this viscious cycle until the contract is up unless he is bought out.

We are that much closer to hearing Capuano in his post game presser saying he liked the teams effort after a 6-0 loss

Thank God this ridiculous lockout is over. I couldn't take much more of this nonsense.

Thank God this ridiculous lockout is over. I couldn't take much more of this nonsense.
- Jethro09

I Have a feeling after the Isles first 10 games we'll be begging for the lockout to return

We are that much closer to hearing Capuano in his post game presser saying he liked the teams effort after a 6-0 loss
- Vukota

Vukota's just happy he'll be able to hear Butchie's keen insights and analysis again. Admit it, you were going through withdrawal.

Vukota's just happy he'll be able to hear Butchie's keen insights and analysis again. Admit it, you were going through withdrawal.
- UIF

Ok...downeaster is right. There are two amnesty buyouts that won't count against the Cap, one can be used after this season and the other after next season.

Knowing Wang, DP will "prove" he's healthy by playing in like 3 games and DP will not be bought out.
The rule is all about guys like DP, so Wang better use this clause.
- potvin05

who you think wanted the clause??

I Have a feeling after the Isles first 10 games we'll be begging for the lockout to return
- Vukota

we'll be 10-0!!

XxNYIxX

We are that much closer to hearing Capuano in his post game presser saying he liked the teams effort after a 6-0 loss
- Vukota

The end of the lockout can only fix certain things Vukota.

who you think wanted the clause??
- Mr.Black

Rangers and Philly? You would think Wang wanted it as well but I have my doubts.

Eleven teams are over the cap according to Larry Brooks which means there should be some opportunities for the Islanders to bring in a player or two. If I was the GM, the first thing I would look to do is add a defenseman who still is signed through next year. The reason is there are six defensemen (I'm counting Donovan to be on the team this year) on the roster. Two of them (Streit and Lubo) are free agents after the season and are in the mid 30's. I don't believe they will be back next year and if the Islanders get off to a slow start, I would look for Snow to trade them for picks.

They also need two power forwards. Nino is one of them but I would keep him in Bridgeport this year unless there are injuries. I think they should look for a forward for JT's line...how about Bobby Ryan? I would make a call to Anaheim and see what they would want for him. If it doesn't cost Strome, then there could be a framework for a trade. If it cost Reinhardt, Nelson and a player on the roster maybe I would do it.

In the summer,I would look to probably add another defenseman and hope one of the young d-men they drafted are NHL ready. Upfront, I would think Strome and Nino to be the start of the makings of the second line. Goaltending and coaching will also have to be addressed. Are Poulin and/or Neilsen ready and is DiPietro bought out?
- kear20

I dont trade Nelson or Reinhart..........at this point to me, any trade that brings in a top NHLer, should be ONE prospect and picks.

I honestly dont see them buying Ricky D out. I really believe that Wang is waiting for him to get injured where by his insurance will kick in.

Thank God this ridiculous lockout is over. I couldn't take much more of this nonsense.
- Jethro09

Are you referring to the blogs and comment section, or the actual lockout?

I dont trade Nelson or Reinhart..........at this point to me, any trade that brings in a top NHLer, should be ONE prospect and picks.

I honestly dont see them buying Ricky D out. I really believe that Wang is waiting for him to get injured where by his insurance will kick in.
- kindlyrick

It better be a special player if we are trading both. If Germany did not prove DP can no longer play I do not know what will?

Thank God this ridiculous lockout is over. I couldn't take much more of this nonsense.
- Jethro09

The lockout nonsense is over but we may have other nonsense to put up with Jethro. Hopefully less nonsense that in the past.

It better be a special player if we are trading both. If Germany did not prove DP can no longer play I do not know what will?
- ses111

Wait what do you mean...........he played 1 game. Doesnt mean he got hurt (laying the sarcasm as hard as i can).