If he doesn't spend this offseason, that's next years avatar!
- keaner17

For sure. I don't know Keaner if we are at the NVMC he is not going to spend a dime. I mean come on this team made the playoffs no need to spend money.

Oh one last beef when is the Andrew MAcdonald experiment going to end. He sucks more than half our defenseman out there!!

For sure. I don't know Keaner if we are at the NVMC he is not going to spend a dime. I mean come on this team made the playoffs no need to spend money.

Oh one last beef when is the Andrew MAcdonald experiment going to end. He sucks more than half our defenseman out there!!
- kasperrko

Agreed....I don't think the spending starts until we're definitely ready to move into the Barclay Center.
As for AMac...I think Amac is the perfect example of how being part of a losing organization for so long can cause us to become jaded by ordinary or even mediocre players. Amac had a very promising first year with us and instantly at the beginning of the following season we heard how Amac was one of the brightest up and coming dmen in the league. Sure, on a team that was a lottery contender year in and year out, Amac looked like a #3 or 4 dman, but as we've improved a bit and he's been asked to fill a role, his shortcomings are now more evident than ever. He's a depth guy who probably should be a #6 or 7 and otherwise filling time at the Bridge.

Agreed....I don't think the spending starts until we're definitely ready to move into the Barclay Center.
As for AMac...I think Amac is the perfect example of how being part of a losing organization for so long can cause us to become jaded by ordinary or even mediocre players. Amac had a very promising first year with us and instantly at the beginning of the following season we heard how Amac was one of the brightest up and coming dmen in the league. Sure, on a team that was a lottery contender year in and year out, Amac looked like a #3 or 4 dman, but as we've improved a bit and he's been asked to fill a role, his shortcomings are now more evident than ever. He's a depth guy who probably should be a #6 or 7 and otherwise filling time at the Bridge.
- keaner17

I see Amac as the next Campoli and or Hillen. They have talent but just enough of it to be a day in and day out NHL defenseman

Some take-aways from Staple's chat today:

Staple: I would think, if there's another offensive no-show in Game 2, there could be more drastic changes like Nelson or Strome coming in. I don't see Donovan playing, since the Isles have a few different defensemen who could play; but yes, if desperate measures are needed, Nelson and Strome could certainly crack the lineup

Strait built up a lot of confidence early and he clearly lost some As I said, if Capuano makes a switch for Game 2, Strait probably sits.

Staple: They do need someone who can carry the puck to free up Tavares. Strome might be that guy; Nino could be too, or it could be Lee. I don't see the Isles going for broke on a FA forward this summer, but we'll have to wait and see who's out there on July 5.

Well, I think it's looking more and more like Mark Streit won't be back. Without knowing much about Snow's plans yet, since he's focused on the current squad, I'd think Marek Zidlicky could fit a short-term plan on D. Big shot, PP experience. He's not terrific in his own zone, but he wouldn't be playing big EV minutes. I don't think there'll be many forwards the Isles will overpay for, not with Strome/Nelson/Nino in the pipeline.

Staple: I think Snow is waiting to see what the FA market looks like after buyouts. He wasn't looking for quick fixes at the deadline, not with a team that's quite clearly still learning the ropes. This summer could be time for a more decisive trade.

.Well, I think it's looking more and more like Mark Streit won't be back. Without knowing much about Snow's plans yet, since he's focused on the current squad, I'd think Marek Zidlicky could fit a short-term plan on D. Big shot, PP experience. He's not terrific in his own zone, but he wouldn't be playing big EV minutes. I don't think there'll be many forwards the Isles will overpay for, not with Strome/Nelson/Nino in the pipeline.

I'd think Nino plus a high draft pick could land Bernier. Have to be sure that's the area you want, because you only get one shot when you're giving up that kind of asset and a high

My Favorite:

I wouldn't say Nino has fallen, but he's been a distraction this season with his agent's trade request, so let's say he's risen to the top of the "promising, but perhaps expendable" list

I see Amac as the next Campoli and or Hillen. They have talent but just enough of it to be a day in and day out NHL defenseman
- kasperrko

Both Hillen and Camoli were very good skaters though. Seems like we produced a lot of guys like that, Tarnstrom, Campoli, Hillen etc.... But Amec isn't nearly as good of a skater as any of those guys. He's serviceable but not above average in any one category. I've been so pleased with Hickey's game, I think it makes Amac all the more expendable. Problem is, I think he's one of these guys who the club really appreciates and see's as one of their loyalists, so he'll probably stick around.

Cappy deserves credit for getting the boys ready to play down the stretch. We rip him when they're flat, so we should give him a nod when they're not. But even when they were at their best, he still made some maddening lineup decisions (sitting Martinek for the rest of the season for the sin of having his best game of the season and getting a goal, for example), and their success never came from superior in-game decisions and matchups.
- UIF

Really? So where was that preparedness the last 3 games of season & last night?
Cappy is the equivalent of writing your name properly on the SAT's. You get a 600 just for showing up. Cappy is in way over his head, thanks to Garth, who is also.

thanks kear20, interesting stuff. He made our point about the team needing better skaters up front with JT. I'd hate to throw Strome into his first NHL game on the top line during a rough series like this. That said, he's so damn talented he'd probably succeed better than anyone else presently available on the roster.

Really? So where was that preparedness the last 3 games of season & last night?
Cappy is the equivalent of writing your name properly on the SAT's. You get a 600 just for showing up. Cappy is in way over his head, thanks to Garth, who is also.
- jmo16

Garth is fine. If you're going to complain about the administrative portion of the club, I'll come along with you on Cappy but given the resources, Garth actually got this team into the playoffs with NOTHING to work with. I'll wait to really let him have it when he has some money to spend and doesn't get the job done.

Not many GM's would do much better in the situation of building a team completely off the waiver wire and draft.

Both Hillen and Camoli were very good skaters though. Seems like we produced a lot of guys like that, Tarnstrom, Campoli, Hillen etc.... But Amec isn't nearly as good of a skater as any of those guys. He's serviceable but not above average in any one category. I've been so pleased with Hickey's game, I think it makes Amac all the more expendable. Problem is, I think he's one of these guys who the club really appreciates and see's as one of their loyalists, so he'll probably stick around.
- keaner17

Awesome. Another Trent Hunter

Awesome. Another Trent Hunter
- jmo16

Yep

Garth is fine. If you're going to complain about the administrative portion of the club, I'll come along with you on Cappy but given the resources, Garth actually got this team into the playoffs with NOTHING to work with. I'll wait to really let him have it when he has some money to spend and doesn't get the job done.

Not many GM's would do much better in the situation of building a team completely off the waiver wire and draft.
- keaner17

No he's not. He's "learning as he goes" which is almost NEVER done in the NHL. Traditionally, you're a coach or Asst GM FIRST. Garth has no experience except an MBA in Biz Mgmnt, which he shelved for 10+ years while playing hockey. I said it a few weeks ago...Garth is awesome at evaluating young talent and should be our Head Scout and run the draft. As a GM who is responsible to upgrade the team through trades, signings and acquisitions, he's a failure at 2 of the 3. He's a piss poor communicator, has back tracked on his own words and gameplan and is always careful to cover his ass. Basically, a bureaucrat. Oh, I almost forgot...he hired this coach....HA! This team can only succeed right now through the players figuring it out and pulling off a miracle bigger than the one Herbie inspired. But when you're ready to talk about Garth's lack of prowess, I'll still be here....waiting.....

Yep
- keaner17

Trent is available as well could be the new winger for JT next year

No he's not. He's "learning as he goes" which is almost NEVER done in the NHL. Traditionally, you're a coach or Asst GM FIRST. Garth has no experience except an MBA in Biz Mgmnt, which he shelved for 10+ years while playing hockey. I said it a few weeks ago...Garth is awesome at evaluating young talent and should be our Head Scout and run the draft. As a GM who is responsible to upgrade the team through trades, signings and acquisitions, he's a failure at 2 of the 3. He's a piss poor communicator, has back tracked on his own words and gameplan and is always careful to cover his ass. Basically, a bureaucrat. Oh, I almost forgot...he hired this coach....HA! This team can only succeed right now through the players figuring it out and pulling off a miracle bigger than the one Herbie inspired. But when you're ready to talk about Garth's lack of prowess, I'll still be here....waiting.....

- jmo16

Not necessarily true. Again, I'll give you an example. Bobby Clarke...stepped directly off the ice and into the Flyers GM position. He became one of the best GM's in the NHL.
His drafting record has been pretty solid (IMO). Better than a lot of other GM's in the league. He's made some nice small deals despite having very little to trade. Vis for a 2nd rounder looks brilliant now considering he's resigned. Moulson great move. Even the Smyth trade proved to have little overall negative impact despite him walking. His waiver work has probably been the best in the league over the last 5 years. In Grabner, Hickey and Nabby alone you have a perennial 30 goal scorer who is one of the best pkers in the league. A top 4 dman capable of doing power play work and an experienced goaltender who is among one of the best in the league.
We can debate the free agency issue all day long but the fact remains that our owner is not spending money now due to huge financial losses and the team is in the worst stadium in the NHL. This team has a terrible reputation that started a good 10 years before Garth ever took the position. Very few GM's would be able to persuade anyone to come here under those circumstances. Yet here we are, in the playoffs and with a TON of talent ready to join this team for next year and tons of cap space. Pretty good job IMO
While there will always be a few people who will cling on the negative yet understandable shock of when Garth was first hired here, the fact is those numbers have decreased drastically over the last year because people are recognizing that he's managed to build a team in quite possibly the worst GM position in professional sports.

No he's not. He's "learning as he goes" which is almost NEVER done in the NHL. Traditionally, you're a coach or Asst GM FIRST. Garth has no experience except an MBA in Biz Mgmnt, which he shelved for 10+ years while playing hockey. I said it a few weeks ago...Garth is awesome at evaluating young talent and should be our Head Scout and run the draft. As a GM who is responsible to upgrade the team through trades, signings and acquisitions, he's a failure at 2 of the 3. He's a piss poor communicator, has back tracked on his own words and gameplan and is always careful to cover his ass. Basically, a bureaucrat. Oh, I almost forgot...he hired this coach....HA! This team can only succeed right now through the players figuring it out and pulling off a miracle bigger than the one Herbie inspired. But when you're ready to talk about Garth's lack of prowess, I'll still be here....waiting.....

- jmo16

it's kind of late to be questioning snow as a gm. we're in year six, made the playoffs (granted looking bad so far) but for having absolutely nothing in place when he took over I think he's been alright. The few trades he's made have worked out reasonably well and/or not hurt us and the talent is starting to come along. We can go back to bashing Snow, Wang, Cappy as much as we like but the fact remains the team is showing progress.

I'll say it again, I fully expected the Penguins to beat us, and to throw down at least one or two blowouts during it. We don't lose anything by losing in the playoffs - making them is a step and a necessary one. Now they've seen playoff hockey from one of the best teams if not the best this year. Next year they'll have a better idea of what it'll take to make it to the playoffs and what it'll be like. Anyone expecting us to win with a mostly "new to the playoffs" line up was only fooling themselves.

Can anyone spare a nickel for Charlie....we need to add another winger next year

- keaner17

Garth is fine. If you're going to complain about the administrative portion of the club, I'll come along with you on Cappy but given the resources, Garth actually got this team into the playoffs with NOTHING to work with. I'll wait to really let him have it when he has some money to spend and doesn't get the job done.

Not many GM's would do much better in the situation of building a team completely off the waiver wire and draft.
- keaner17

Not necessarily true. Again, I'll give you an example. Bobby Clarke...stepped directly off the ice and into the Flyers GM position. He became one of the best GM's in the NHL.
His drafting record has been pretty solid (IMO). Better than a lot of other GM's in the league. He's made some nice small deals despite having very little to trade. Vis for a 2nd rounder looks brilliant now considering he's resigned. Moulson great move. Even the Smyth trade proved to have little overall negative impact despite him walking. His waiver work has probably been the best in the league over the last 5 years. In Grabner, Hickey and Nabby alone you have a perennial 30 goal scorer who is one of the best pkers in the league. A top 4 dman capable of doing power play work and an experienced goaltender who is among one of the best in the league.
We can debate the free agency issue all day long but the fact remains that our owner is not spending money now due to huge financial losses and the team is in the worst stadium in the NHL. This team has a terrible reputation that started a good 10 years before Garth ever took the position. Very few GM's would be able to persuade anyone to come here under those circumstances. Yet here we are, in the playoffs and with a TON of talent ready to join this team for next year and tons of cap space. Pretty good job IMO
While there will always be a few people who will cling on the negative yet understandable shock of when Garth was first hired here, the fact is those numbers have decreased drastically over the last year because people are recognizing that he's managed to build a team in quite possibly the worst GM position in professional sports.
- keaner17

annnnnd

thanks kear20, interesting stuff. He made our point about the team needing better skaters up front with JT. I'd hate to throw Strome into his first NHL game on the top line during a rough series like this. That said, he's so damn talented he'd probably succeed better than anyone else presently available on the roster.
- keaner17

No problem...depends what happens tomorrow...they might give Strome or Nelson a shot if things aren't going well...interesting to see his thoughts on Nino...

Just saw on Twitter from Brett Cyrgalis (covers the Isles for the NY Post): "Capuano after watching tape of game 1: It wasnt as bad as I thought it was"

Just saw on Twitter from Brett Cyrgalis (covers the Isles for the NY Post): "Capuano after watching tape of game 1: It wasnt as bad as I thought it was"

- NewYawkIslandez

He was probably watching the game in January when they won...last night's game was bad...

No problem...depends what happens tomorrow...they might give Strome or Nelson a shot if things aren't going well...interesting to see his thoughts on Nino...
- kear20

I still think Nino will ultimately be a piece of this club for a long time but if it creates a better return by say packaging him and our 1st round pick for a guy like say Ryan, I might be interested. I just hope they don't feel that they NEED to trade him because they certainly don't.

I also think that the consideration of Strome and Nelson signals undoubtedly that they'll both be here at the start of next season. That may be more a suprise in terms of Nelson than Strome, but good news all together as it means the Keith Aucoin tenure will likely end with Reasoner. That would give us JT, Frans, Cizikas and Nelson up the middle...pretty good IMO.

Just saw on Twitter from Brett Cyrgalis (covers the Isles for the NY Post): "Capuano after watching tape of game 1: It wasnt as bad as I thought it was"

- NewYawkIslandez

I would say that from the middle of the second period on it wasn't that bad, but the Pens had taken their foot off the gas at that point.

I still think Nino will ultimately be a piece of this club for a long time but if it creates a better return by say packaging him and our 1st round pick for a guy like say Ryan, I might be interested. I just hope they don't feel that they NEED to trade him because they certainly don't.

I also think that the consideration of Strome and Nelson signals undoubtedly that they'll both be here at the start of next season. That may be more a suprise in terms of Nelson than Strome, but good news all together as it means the Keith Aucoin tenure will likely end with Reasoner. That would give us JT, Frans, Cizikas and Nelson up the middle...pretty good IMO.
- keaner17

I can live with Nino being moved for Ryan. Bernier is another possibility. I have to think Strome and Nelson may both start the year with the Isles. The question is will Strome play Wing or Center?

I still think Nino will ultimately be a piece of this club for a long time but if it creates a better return by say packaging him and our 1st round pick for a guy like say Ryan, I might be interested. I just hope they don't feel that they NEED to trade him because they certainly don't.

I also think that the consideration of Strome and Nelson signals undoubtedly that they'll both be here at the start of next season. That may be more a suprise in terms of Nelson than Strome, but good news all together as it means the Keith Aucoin tenure will likely end with Reasoner. That would give us JT, Frans, Cizikas and Nelson up the middle...pretty good IMO.
- keaner17

I agree with you they'll only trade Nino if a significant piece come back like Ryan or Bernier or a really good blue chip defenseman...maybe Yandle. They need one of the forward prospects to be the 1(a) with Taveras being the number 1...another prospect who they needs to stay healthy and hope to bring him up quickly is Calvin deHaan...he could eventually be the other PP QB with Visnovski...

I would say that from the middle of the second period on it wasn't that bad, but the Pens had taken their foot off the gas at that point.
- keaner17

Capuano and his facking tape. So sick of hearing how he watches tape constantly, how about making some sound coaching decisions you facking chump? Just make a clearly sensible decision one facking time. Any one of us wouldn't have put Reasoner out there last night. It's such a stupid decision there is no words for it. Obviously the team as a whole mailed it in but the guy was a liability out there. How about motivating your team? Yeah I know they should be able to get up themselves but that was a disgrace yesterday. How can you possibly say to the press that it wasn't as bad as you thought when you lost 5-0? How about a little pride you buffoon? Your team couldn't get a decent shot on that half a fag the entire night. I could've gotten a shut out last night. "wasn't as bad as I thought", wake the fack up Capuano you chump.