interesting stuff, just looked at two teams to see how many years their rebuild took out of curiousity.

pens and hawks. Both were during the lockout season that was cancelled, but considering the year after that they were awful as well it took 6 years before they showed a serious increase in points. In the 5th year of the Pens rebuild they had 58 points. Going by that, we may actually be ahead of schedule.

problem being Pittsburgh got Malkin, Crosby and Fleury, and the Hawks got Kane and Toews and we've got Tavares. We need another piece. I hope Strome steps up
- Isles_since_6

Barry Melrose said the same thing. He felt if the Islanders got 1 or 2 more pieces similiar to John Tavares' talent, we would be contenders.

Barry Melrose said the same thing. He felt if the Islanders got 1 or 2 more pieces similiar to John Tavares' talent, we would be contenders.
- kear20

Moulson and Grabner aren't shabby. Niño and Strome are on the way. Isles real issue is defense/goaltending going forward. Nabby has been great but next couple years will Poulin/Nilsson prove they can be real good?

Barry Melrose said the same thing. He felt if the Islanders got 1 or 2 more pieces similiar to John Tavares' talent, we would be contenders.
- kear20

Barry Melrose also said that Stamkos should ride the bench his rookie year...

Moulson and Grabner aren't shabby. Niño and Strome are on the way. Isles real issue is defense/goaltending going forward. Nabby has been great but next couple years will Poulin/Nilsson prove they can be real good?
- Isles316

Melrose thought another superstar and the Islanders would be in good shape...he mention Moulson, Grabner, Bailey and Neilsen but he said while good, they aren't superstars...

up your ass Shanahan! Not defending McDonald, totally deserves the punishment but nothing for Phaneuf for throwing an identical hit??? (frank)ing assclown you are Shanahan!

Any callups with the McDonald suspension? I say probably not...they'll just play Boulton and move maybe Martin or Cizikas to the third line. Unfortunately, they won't be able to roll four lines as nicely as they did against Pitt. But Martin or Cizikas will keep the third line's identity intact..."balls to the wall" forecheck and high energy.

I was thinking it'd be interesting if they called up Nino and put him on that line. I know...it's not a top-six line, but the third line's been awfully productive, Nino played a little bit with Ullstrom when Ullstrom was moved up to the top line briefly in BPort, and that line plays Nino's style...physical and taking the puck directly to the net. It wouldn't be the same as getting 8 minutes with Pandolfo and Reasoner, imo.

But I doubt it'll go down that way. We'll probably get four minutes of Boulton instead for two games.

Any callups with the McDonald suspension? I say probably not...they'll just play Boulton and move maybe Martin or Cizikas to the third line. Unfortunately, they won't be able to roll four lines as nicely as they did against Pitt. But Martin or Cizikas will keep the third line's identity intact..."balls to the wall" forecheck and high energy.

I was thinking it'd be interesting if they called up Nino and put him on that line. I know...it's not a top-six line, but the third line's been awfully productive, Nino played a little bit with Ullstrom when Ullstrom was moved up to the top line briefly in BPort, and that line plays Nino's style...physical and taking the puck directly to the net. It wouldn't be the same as getting 8 minutes with Pandolfo and Reasoner, imo.

But I doubt it'll go down that way. We'll probably get four minutes of Boulton instead for two games.
- UIF

Hopefully its just one more game for mcdonald and then Bailey comes back and we never have to see mcdonald again

Hopefully its just one more game for mcdonald and then Bailey comes back and we never have to see mcdonald again
- Vukota

I agree Vukota. I really want to see Bailey on that first line.

only on this board can a 4-1 win lead to micromanaging every player on the (frank)ing team...we dominated the penguins and won the game I have nothing bad to say...was every player perfect?? no..you can be disappointed every game with somebody's performance,,but guys its ok to be happy once in awhile...let your self be happy and not be so damn critical...

Hopefully its just one more game for mcdonald and then Bailey comes back and we never have to see mcdonald again
- Vukota

McDonald leads the team in hits...taking the body and knows his role...he took a horrible penalty last night but i'm not sure what he has done wrong besides that play..the guy battles..i wish his physicality would rub off on moulson okposo and others

Barry Melrose also said that Stamkos should ride the bench his rookie year...
- eichiefs9

and was out coached with gretzky kurri robaitaille and others in the finals

McDonald leads the team in hits...taking the body and knows his role...he took a horrible penalty last night but i'm not sure what he has done wrong besides that play..the guy battles..i wish his physicality would rub off on moulson okposo and others
- NYI78

Not that he's irreplaceable or anything, but he is one-third of a very effective line so far...probably the most consistent line on the team game in and game out for all 60 minutes. I have no problem at all with McDonald on the team filling the role he's in.

only on this board can a 4-1 win lead to micromanaging every player on the (frank)ing team...we dominated the penguins and won the game I have nothing bad to say...was every player perfect?? no..you can be disappointed every game with somebody's performance,,but guys its ok to be happy once in awhile...let your self be happy and not be so damn critical...
- NYI78

This was very uplifting, thank you

Not that he's irreplaceable or anything, but he is one-third of a very effective line so far...probably the most consistent line on the team game in and game out for all 60 minutes. I have no problem at all with McDonald on the team filling the role he's in.
- UIF

He hasn't been too bad. Even the bad players on the team have been tolerable. They are playing more of a team game. Hopefully they can keep it going.

I agree Vukota. I really want to see Bailey on that first line.
- ses111

He hasn't been too bad. Even the bad players on the team have been tolerable. They are playing more of a team game. Hopefully they can keep it going.
- Cptmjl

Love the way the team is playing but to continue at a good pace we need key guys like Boyes and Okposo to step up.

McDonald leads the team in hits...taking the body and knows his role...he took a horrible penalty last night but i'm not sure what he has done wrong besides that play..the guy battles..i wish his physicality would rub off on moulson okposo and others
- NYI78

stop being so damn critical!!!

stop being so damn critical!!!


- LetsGoIsles

McDonald leads the team in hits...taking the body and knows his role...he took a horrible penalty last night but i'm not sure what he has done wrong besides that play..the guy battles..i wish his physicality would rub off on moulson okposo and others
- NYI78

that's fine he hasn't been horrible by any means. I would put Martin in his spot instead that's all. Not sure why he plays more then Martin though

Phaneuf is a cheap shot artist!!!

Leaf fans should be embarrassed!!!
- jimmc7722