Frankly this team is dead in the water if they make the playoffs. We simply don't play the type of game necessary to win playoff hockey. In addition, and as mentioned previously, without a legitimate secondary scoring threat, other teams can simply play lockdown hockey on JT & Friends, thus turning us into a neutral zone team.
Since it appears Bridgeport's season is actually in worse shape than the Isles, it probably wouldn't hurt to consider bringing up someone like Nino or Kabanov just to see what they can do to help. Neither are going to gain useful playoff experience in the A this season.
- keaner17

They might get killed if they make the playoffs, but the Isles need to get there. They have to start showing some growth, some improvement. Going from 13 or 14 in the conference to a playoff team shows improvement. It gives the young guys a taste of playoff hockey and improves the image of the team to potential free agents. I don't care if they get blown out in four games, as long as they get into the playoffs in the first place.

They won't score goals. They haven't all year. They won't start now (at least they won't start until/if the Isles fall out of playoff contention). This team won't get secondary scoring until they import new players to make up their second line. Bailey and KO will not be those scorers.
- Jethro09

And its reasons like this that if we did by some chance make it to the dance, we will get crushed. Zero secondary scoring except Grabner, who is streaky anyways.

where are you getting he can't play defense..what games are you watching?
- NYI78

I watch most of the Bridgeport games

XxNYIxX

exactly my point from before..thank u
- hockeyman92

he cant, he's horrendous on the back check.

XxNYIxX

They might get killed if they make the playoffs, but the Isles need to get there. They have to start showing some growth, some improvement. Going from 13 or 14 in the conference to a playoff team shows improvement. It gives the young guys a taste of playoff hockey and improves the image of the team to potential free agents. I don't care if they get blown out in four games, as long as they get into the playoffs in the first place.
- Jethro09

I generally agree that just making it there is a huge stride and great experience for the players. That said, I also think the ultimate goal has to be to make this team as competitive as possible which means recognizing why we might not be that effective in a playoff series and making the proper adjustments to keep it from being as much of an issue. In other words, management needs to use their crystal ball here and make this team better, whether that be by trade or call up. If we're one to 2 players away from being able to be a better playoff team, we should look into who can help us reach that point.

he cant, he's horrendous on the back check.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

then he should have never been drafted!!!!!!!

Depth and secondary scoring is a glaring issue for this team. Baily/Okposo/Neilsen, these guys need to start scoring some fackin goals. Relying on JT's line for all of the offense is a ticket to nowhere. No team can be successful with only one solid line. Even if we were to somehow make it into the playoffs, one line of offense wont get the job done no matter who they play. We are just not a deep team. Cold hard reality.
- NewYawkIslandez

Has been for years now

Hopefully someone takes over as blogger.... Id rather have her and not read her posts, then not have anyone and no place to call our own.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

They might get killed if they make the playoffs, but the Isles need to get there. They have to start showing some growth, some improvement. Going from 13 or 14 in the conference to a playoff team shows improvement. It gives the young guys a taste of playoff hockey and improves the image of the team to potential free agents. I don't care if they get blown out in four games, as long as they get into the playoffs in the first place.
- Jethro09

Absolutely...the experience is a must. I mean if we made it and drew Boston or Pitt in the first round it would be an embarrassment but still one they need to suffer through.

Absolutely...the experience is a must. I mean if we made it and drew Boston or Pitt in the first round it would be an embarrassment but still one they need to suffer through.
- NewYawkIslandez

All successful teams that build through the draft usually get bounced a couple of times rather quick in the playoffs. Playing meaningful playoff like games the last week of the season would do this team wonders. They have been out of it by thanksgiving the last 5 years

then he should have never been drafted!!!!!!!
- hockeyman92

new to this?

XxNYIxX

Brad Boyes has definitely emerged as a top player on this team. Poor Reasoner actually plays an intelligent game but can't score. Sending DP down may have been a turning point. The team still has some progress to be made but they are actually a more solid lineup than the Rangers who lean heavily on Lundquist.
- Fan101

Brad Boyes sucks

new to this?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

nino neiderriter should have never been drafted 5th overall...it obvs should have been dougie hamilton in the first place..

All successful teams that build through the draft usually get bounced a couple of times rather quick in the playoffs. Playing meaningful playoff like games the last week of the season would do this team wonders. They have been out of it by thanksgiving the last 5 years
- Isles316

exactly

nino neiderriter should have never been drafted 5th overall...it obvs should have been dougie hamilton in the first place..
- hockeyman92

nino neiderriter should have never been drafted 5th overall...it obvs should have been dougie hamilton in the first place..
- hockeyman92

Hamilton was a year later...when we drafted Strome. Fowler was the big one on the board the year we drafted Nino. I can't believe he fell as far as he did. I'm always a fan of picking the top guys who are late fallers for seemingly no reason. I actually wanted the Isles to take Nino and Strome before both drafts, but when we were going to the podium in both years, I felt we should have grabbed the fallers...Fowler and Couturier.

Brad Boyes sucks
- Cptmjl

I dont think he sucks but I dont think he belongs on a teams #1 line... He would be better suited as maybe a 2nd line guy or a 3rd line guy on a deep team. He has been showing that he can play and has the talent... he just needs to show that he can do it, night in and night out consistantly.

As far as the Isles go, he fits on the Isles 1st line cuz they just arent deep enough right now...

Good win last night but NEED the 2 pts tomorrow for a successful Florida trip IMO.

Hamilton was a year later...when we drafted Strome. Fowler was the big one on the board the year we drafted Nino. I can't believe he fell as far as he did. I'm always a fan of picking the top guys who are late fallers for seemingly no reason. I actually wanted the Isles to take Nino and Strome before both drafts, but when we were going to the podium in both years, I felt we should have grabbed the fallers...Fowler and Couturier.
- UIF

true...my bad...still like strome over hamilton....but DEFINATELY couturier over nino. i thought couturier was gonna go earlier than nino that year...

I dont think he sucks but I dont think he belongs on a teams #1 line... He would be better suited as maybe a 2nd line guy or a 3rd line guy on a deep team. He has been showing that he can play and has the talent... he just needs to show that he can do it, night in and night out consistantly.

As far as the Isles go, he fits on the Isles 1st line cuz they just arent deep enough right now...

Good win last night but NEED the 2 pts tomorrow for a successful Florida trip IMO.
- Bags502

He does'nt hit, back check, 9 out of ten passes he makes are on the opposing teams sticks. He sucks. Maybe second line player you could'nt put him the third line for the reasons I stated. He would not be putting up points if he was'nt playing with JT.

true...my bad...still like strome over hamilton....but DEFINATELY couturier over nino. i thought couturier was gonna go earlier than nino that year...
- hockeyman92

Fowler that year. Couturier was 2011 with Strome and Hamilton. A few people here were pulling for Skinner in Nino's year too if I remember right. I liked the Nino pick...while it felt wrong leaving Fowler on the board, a chance at a high-end power forward wasn't a bad dart to throw, imo.

nino neiderriter should have never been drafted 5th overall...it obvs should have been dougie hamilton in the first place..
- hockeyman92

you got your drafts mixed up...

He does'nt hit, back check, 9 out of ten passes he makes are on the opposing teams sticks. He sucks. Maybe second line player you could'nt put him the third line for the reasons I stated. He would not be putting up points if he was'nt playing with JT.
- Cptmjl

sounds like pap to me

Fowler that year. Couturier was 2011 with Strome and Hamilton. A few people here were pulling for Skinner in Nino's year too if I remember right. I liked the Nino pick...while it felt wrong leaving Fowler on the board, a chance at a high-end power forward wasn't a bad dart to throw, imo.
- UIF

nino neiderriter should have never been drafted 5th overall...it obvs should have been dougie hamilton in the first place..
- hockeyman92

Hamilton was a year later in 2011

XxNYIxX

Hamilton was a year later...when we drafted Strome. Fowler was the big one on the board the year we drafted Nino. I can't believe he fell as far as he did. I'm always a fan of picking the top guys who are late fallers for seemingly no reason. I actually wanted the Isles to take Nino and Strome before both drafts, but when we were going to the podium in both years, I felt we should have grabbed the fallers...Fowler and Couturier.
- UIF

XxNYIxX