I get it, I'm not trying to say you're stupid for wanting him or anything. Just that I'm going with the historically more reliable route of drafting "high-end" forward talent over "high-end" defensive/goaltending talent, because it's typically easier to project.

Erik Johnson had that size when he was drafted too. He's a good NHL defenseman, but nowhere near worthy of a 1st overall pick. He was drafted ahead of J. Staal, Toews, Backstrom (Caps), Kessel, and Giroux. In fairness, 21 other teams passed on Giroux too. I'd take any of those guys in a heartbeat ahead of Johnson.
- eichiefs9

You can make the same argument for forwards as well......Alexander Daigle was a first overall forward and never panned out.

You can make the same argument for forwards as well......Alexander Daigle was a first overall forward and never panned out.
- kindlyrick

I never said that all forwards drafted at #1 are going to be high-end players. You're always going to have your busts. But historically speaking, you have a better chance of getting a star player by drafting a forward, not a d-man/goalie, first overall.

I got a 100 bucks that says Martinek snaps his thumb in two when tries to sign the contract

- Vukota

No way I'm taking that bet Vukota

No way I'm taking that bet Vukota
- ses111

I wouldn't take it either. His thumb will probably snap when he turns the door knob to enter the room he was going to sign in.

I can see the Job interview going something like this

Wang: Brian what do you think you can do to improve the Islanders and help with this never ending rebuild?

Burke: I think in order to speed up the process you need to spend some money and bring in some quality players.

Wang: Excuse me Brian did you say spend money?

Burke: Yes that's what I said.

Wang: Thanks for coming in my secretary Alice will show you out.

Wang: (raising his voice) Garth where is my lunch?
- Vukota

Brillant Vukota It would take a miracle for Burke to get an interview.

I wouldn't take it either. His thumb will probably snap when he turns the door knob to enter the room he was going to sign in.
- eichiefs9

All kidding aside Radek should really retire. It's not like the Isles are Cup contenders. With all of Radek's injury history it's not worth it even if he was on a Cup contender.

All kidding aside Radek should really retire. It's not like the Isles are Cup contenders. With all of Radek's injury history it's not worth it even if he was on a Cup contender.
- ses111

Exactly, last thing I want to remember about Martinek is watching the Ice girls shoveling his broken up body off the ice

Exactly, last thing I wan to remember about Martinek is watching the Ice girls shoveling his broken up body off the ice
- Vukota

More and more you are seeing guys trying to hang on forever. I know the money is great but it's not worth your health. It's one thing if a guy can still play and has avoided injuries but this is not the case for Radek. Common sense has to win out.

Snow should just call em up and be like,

"listen turkey tits, get your ass over here and I'll trade you somewhere. Give me a list and I'll see what I can do but you need to report."
- Mr.Black

Here the NY Times article...Viznovski said Snow and Weight went after him....

http://slapshot.blogs.nyt...timessports&seid=auto

Nice picture of JT and friends...

https://mobile.twitter.co...89130325911666690/photo/1

Nice picture of JT and friends...

https://mobile.twitter.co...89130325911666690/photo/1
- kear20

Two major questions from that picture.

A) Why the hell is JT wearing a Missouri State sweatshirt?

B) Was it necessary for Gagner to dress up in his full Oilers practice attire?

Two major questions from that picture.

A) Why the hell is JT wearing a Missouri State sweatshirt?

B) Was it necessary for Gagner to dress up in his full Oilers practice attire?


- eichiefs9

I just speculating on the sweatshirt but I think his girlfriend goes there...he was interviewed on the Boomer and Carton show last year and he said his girlfriend went to college in the US. Who is the guy in the middle?

I just speculating on the sweatshirt but I think his girlfriend goes there...he was interviewed on the Boomer and Carton show last year and he said his girlfriend went to college in the US. Who is the guy in the middle?
- kear20

No clue, could be some guy that doesn't play anywhere special. Just a friend from home or something. I wouldn't have recognized Gagner without the Oilers threads either.

No clue, could be some guy that doesn't play anywhere special. Just a friend from home or something. I wouldn't have recognized Gagner without the Oilers threads either.
- eichiefs9

So the KHL put back every NHL players name back up on their rosters on the website tonight. Apparently they had taken them down today. This could be interesting for a lot of teams if a handful of guys just don't come to camp.

So now Brian Burke is the bar and standard We are looking to achieve. Why b/c kessel was such a great trade? Yeah.. trading the number 2 (Tyler Seguin) pick and a top 5 (Doug Hamilton) in consectutive drafts is just what we need. Toronto has been sooooooo much better than the Islanders. At least we have not pulled a Milbury/Burke and trade our future.
- niteislander

Brian Burke built one hell of a Stanley cup team in Boston!


XxNYIxX

Not to really get into this cause its a ridiculous argument, but how do you say no seth jones at #1? Are you one of those people who read that Nate Mackinnon is a great player and should go number 1? Look at Seth Jones size, skill and pedigree........those three reasons alone, have him in a league of his own.
- kindlyrick

Gotta agree, Players like Jones do not come along every day... he is just the type of player this back end needs.

XxNYIxX

Here the NY Times article...Viznovski said Snow and Weight went after him....

http://slapshot.blogs.nyt...w-nytimessports&seid=auto
- kear20

ahahaha!

"They came after me emotionally" - Visnovsky

I'm sorry, but my neighbour heard me laughing. The biggest fagg*t to lace up a pair of skates. Stay in Slovakia clown - no team needs a baby that bad.

Puts an end to an overrated career.

Brian Burke built one hell of a Stanley cup team in Boston!


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Anyone else hear that Visnovsky is the teams next Captain?


XxNYIxX

There are no passes.......sorry. Its 5 years in a row and the isles haven't come close to the playoffs. There is no argument.
- kindlyrick

you blame it on Snow when no FA wanted to take isles money, and Wang also didnt want to spend unless he had to reach the cap floor......

you blame it on Snow when no FA wanted to take isles money, and Wang also didnt want to spend unless he had to reach the cap floor......
- Ur Not Me

Not snows fault...I agree. He certainly isn't bill Torrey but with where the isles are organizationally now and 5 years ago is a pretty big jump. Not his fault visnovsky is being a Richard. A long line of guys that don't want to be here. Wang and snow have signed all of their good young players to extensions. That's when you'll see our cap go higher. Hamonic, niño etc, when all those guys are ready for contracts, the isles will give them contacts. They haven't let anyone walk for money purposes.

One thing I would have liked to see them do is hire an experienced head coach. That might jump start this program.