I'm also aware I'm taking an unpopular position here.
- UIF

Hence the reason we ended up on the same side of the fence. Now put your black hat back on and keep firing!

Hence the reason we ended up on the same side of the fence. Now put your black hat back on and keep firing!
- keaner17

We have a couple spots open, we can protect you

We have a couple spots open, we can protect you
- Cptmjl

I think I'm like a Dark Jedi (nerdism there). Neither good nor bad, just plenty of self interest.

Totally disagree with this. I honestly think Boyes sucks so far minus the Leafs game. He is constantly in the wrong place and consistently makes horrible passes. I know he got an assist but one play doesn't make up for his short coming for the other 59 minutes
- Cptmjl

disagree...are you ok with KO on the top line or would you like someone else? who?

I think I'm like a Dark Jedi (nerdism there). Neither good nor bad, just plenty of self interest.
- keaner17

When you say Dark Jedi, do you mean Mace Windu?



XxNYIxX

Interesting comments by readers on TSN about the Islanders. People are starting to notice:

waukena
1 day ago
Keep an eye on these Islanders. They are a very dangerous team

farmer_ted
6 hours ago
Give the Isles some credit. The Pens didn't play bad, they just got outhustled and worked over by a good Islanders team. That's now 3 in a row the Isles have beat the Pens. Love how quickly Pittsburgh fans turn on their players in every sport. If you don't want MAF or Malkin, I am sure all the other teams would.

canam1
4 hours ago
The Isles are going to be a force this year... No longer will they be pushovers. This team is on the rise!!

helsinki
1 hour ago
Islanders and Oilers Cup Final. Shock the sports world

barms9
2 hours ago
The Penguins are now 0-3 against the Islanders since Lemieux unveiled his statue of Rich Pilon

I was very impressed with the Islanders team. Great defense by some truly unheralded players like Hamonic, Nielsen, Aucoin, Martin, Strait, and Grabner. And talking of Grabner- What a steal for NYI!

Even as a 3rd line center I find those things concerning...they become a bigger problem as a 2nd line center.
But this is an example of folks probably taking my (our) assessment a bit too much to the extreme. No one is 'killing' Frans over this. It is a simple evaluation that Frans has coughed up the puck a few times because someone was within 5 feet of him and it looked like he wanted to skate up into the upper deck. While I never did nor ever will expect Frans to throw a big hit, I do expect him to challenge for the puck. No matter who you are, what your style, if you can't do that, there's something wrong.
- keaner17

Interesting comments by readers on TSN about the Islanders. People are starting to notice:

waukena
1 day ago
Keep an eye on these Islanders. They are a very dangerous team

farmer_ted
6 hours ago
Give the Isles some credit. The Pens didn't play bad, they just got outhustled and worked over by a good Islanders team. That's now 3 in a row the Isles have beat the Pens. Love how quickly Pittsburgh fans turn on their players in every sport. If you don't want MAF or Malkin, I am sure all the other teams would.

canam1
4 hours ago
The Isles are going to be a force this year... No longer will they be pushovers. This team is on the rise!!

helsinki
1 hour ago
Islanders and Oilers Cup Final. Shock the sports world

barms9
2 hours ago
The Penguins are now 0-3 against the Islanders since Lemieux unveiled his statue of Rich Pilon

I was very impressed with the Islanders team. Great defense by some truly unheralded players like Hamonic, Nielsen, Aucoin, Martin, Strait, and Grabner. And talking of Grabner- What a steal for NYI!

- kear20

The Chief!!!

Boyes has been effective on the PP but invisible the rest of the time. I also agree that he needs to step it up considerably and I'd peg him to drop to the third line if someone moves up.
- Isles_since_6

exactly...hes been with JT and MM on the PP....see what im getting at?

1) a) bc KO sucks and, no only doesnt he deserve to be playing on the top line with top line minutes and top line players, they also just arent clicking. b) on the powerplay when the 3 of them are playing together it seems as if boyes jt and mm have been clicking and compliment each other nicely (refer to jts goal yesterday).

2) there would obviously have to be something coming back or someone ready to play the 2C if neilson were to be traded...im just saying, i wouldnt be opposed to him being dealt and i would dangle his name out there, use him as trade bait and see what the return would be.
- LetsGoIsles

Fair enough. Boyes does look good on the PP with them but 5 on 5 he is pretty much invisible outside of the Leafs game

When you say Dark Jedi, do you mean Mace Windu?



XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

exactly...hes been with JT and MM on the PP....see what im getting at?
- LetsGoIsles

Unfortunately you can't play 5 on 4 for 60 minutes

- keaner17

Ohh yha... I went there.

XxNYIxX

You said it's not about stats but keep bringing up his overall production and his plus-minus. Can't have it both ways...if your overall stats are relevant, then my stats that support my contention of him playing smaller in physical games have to be just as relevant. Overall though, I agree it's not about just stats. And I'm not underrating him. In fact I called him an intelligent and good player. I'm plenty aware of what he does well and the value he adds. If you think he has played bigger in the tight-checking games, though, then we simply disagree there. If this team ever does take a step forward and is in a playoff race at the end of a season or, God willing, an actual playoff series, there won't be a lot of ice available, and bodies will be flying around. Everyone will need to step it up from a grit standpoint. Sorry if I'm slaughtering a sacred cow here, but I see that as a flaw in his game. I'll use Grabner as an example...non-physical player, but he was plenty involved in the Winnipeg game. Not in the way of knocking people over or throwing big checks...but involved. He wanted the puck. Little more of that from Frans in a physical game would be great.
- UIF

i agree...grabners physical play has picked up significantly and that isnt to say im confusing him with matt martin but he is neutralizing the opposition and putting a body on his man; i think that has helped out his overall game and certainly makes him more valuable to the team.

disagree...are you ok with KO on the top line or would you like someone else? who?
- LetsGoIsles

Def do not want ko there maybe Ullstrom, grabber? I'm all for Bailey when he returns. Think that may be a good fit? Boyes may work? Who knows really? Sometimes lines just click. I just don't think he has yet to show anything to warrant that opportunity.

I think I'm like a Dark Jedi (nerdism there). Neither good nor bad, just plenty of self interest.
- keaner17

Sweden

Unfortunately you can't play 5 on 4 for 60 minutes
- Vukota

very true...well put

but you can play him with the line-mates that he plays with on the 5 on 4 and see how that works out, right? maybe, just maybe, they will play well on 5 on 5 as well...

Ohh yha... I went there.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Great.....now look what you've done!

Sweden
- Cptmjl

That' one's 2 for 2!

1. I'd rather resign Streit than trade him
2. Boyes is doing fine where he is, the chemistry will come
3. Grabner is healthy and he's a beast
4. Never thought I'd say this, but Reasoner has been solid
- Mr.Black

1) really?!? i mean...depending on what his trade value is....
2) i think hes doing fine, i just think hed do better with jt and mm...well agree to disagree
3) BIG TIME!
4) reasoner had a very solid game yesterday....as for the other games, not so sure id agree with that.

Great.....now look what you've done!

- keaner17

If that was the case you might as well deal 3/4's of the team because very few are physical. Also whatever return we got for him would not be enough for what he gives to this team.
- Cptmjl

i doubt either of us know if this is in fact true or not...

i doubt either of us know if this is in fact true or not...
- LetsGoIsles

Definitively no but I'd be willing to bet on it. Let me try your approach. What do you think would be a realistic return for Nielsen?

Def do not want ko there maybe Ullstrom, grabber? I'm all for Bailey when he returns. Think that may be a good fit? Boyes may work? Who knows really? Sometimes lines just click. I just don't think he has yet to show anything to warrant that opportunity.
- Cptmjl

id be more than ok with ullstrom, he brings some gritty play...i wouldnt want to bump grabner right now...hes in a good place

Kinda off Topic but Carolina just put Zach Boychuk on waivers...
You think the Isles bite? I would. Then try to sneak Finley thru waivers to Bridge. If not, no big loss there...