Aaron Ward ‏@aaronward_nhl 4m
Travis Hamonic 7 years with New York Islanders at 27M total #TSN
- jimmc7722

Maybe this contract will get his parents back together.


XxNYIxX

Boston's weaker, Rangers about the same (weak), Pittsburgh is a bit weaker. Philly is marginally better if Emery can play better than Bryz, Columbus won't be better until december or January, New Jersey is hilarious and should be bad again. Toronto is about the same, Montreal marginally better if they can sustain that massive improvement of last season but I think they drop back. Ottawa is about the same bringing in Ryan and losing Alfie.

People keep talking about teams getting better but overall I think it's not the case.
- Isles_since_6

Personally, I think you should step away from whatever it is you're drinking.
The Isles were 8th; 7 teams better then them.
16 teams in the conference. The 8 directly in the Isles division -
CAR - Under the Islanders last year. Have improved but not great amount.
CBJ - Better then a year ago. Played in a tough division last year and just missed playoffs.
NJD - Every year people under estimate them. Having Brodeur and Schneider in net makes them DANGEROUS.
NYR - Finished 6th. Almost same team returning. One of the better teams in the division.
PHI - Complete redecoration of team. Unknown if chemistry will work. Finished 6 points behind the Islanders, played well at end of season.
PIT - Finished 1st. One of better teams in division. Lost older pieces, still have CORE.
WSH - Finished 3rd. Lost Ribero. I think team just like the Islanders because of size and speed. Younger goalie I think is difference.

Other division - BOS (Finished 4th), BUF (6 points behind the Isles), DET (haven't missed playoffs in 2 decades), FLA (young, like the Isles), MON (finished 2nd), OTT (finished 7th), TBL, and TOR (finished 5th).

The Isles have not improved to the point where anyone can say they are comfortable with the Isles making the playoffs. Maybe some are now optimistic because of last year, (I am. I enjoyed watching them and the heart they had) but this year with 82 games and no real upgrade anywhere, I'm not comfortable.

Maybe this contract will get his parents back together.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Again, I don't disagree to an extent... You have to get these kids some help. You can't go into the season half cocked with a bunch of hopefuls. I guess when you call Brian Strait a top four Dman in the NHL you can?
- Cptmjl

Strait can play bottom pairing with Donovan this year, Hickey and LV were a good pairing and Amac and Hamonic will continue to get big minutes, whether or not we like AMac that much.

Personally, I think you should step away from whatever it is you're drinking.
The Isles were 8th; 7 teams better then them.
16 teams in the conference. The 8 directly in the Isles division -
CAR - Under the Islanders last year. Have improved but not great amount.
CBJ - Better then a year ago. Played in a tough division last year and just missed playoffs.
NJD - Every year people under estimate them. Having Brodeur and Schneider in net makes them DANGEROUS.
NYR - Finished 6th. Almost same team returning. One of the better teams in the division.
PHI - Complete redecoration of team. Unknown if chemistry will work. Finished 6 points behind the Islanders, played well at end of season.
PIT - Finished 1st. One of better teams in division. Lost older pieces, still have CORE.
WSH - Finished 3rd. Lost Ribero. I think team just like the Islanders because of size and speed. Younger goalie I think is difference.

Other division - BOS (Finished 4th), BUF (6 points behind the Isles), DET (haven't missed playoffs in 2 decades), FLA (young, like the Isles), MON (finished 2nd), OTT (finished 7th), TBL, and TOR (finished 5th).

The Isles have not improved to the point where anyone can say they are comfortable with the Isles making the playoffs. Maybe some are now optimistic because of last year, (I am. I enjoyed watching them and the heart they had) but this year with 82 games and no real upgrade anywhere, I'm not comfortable.
- brodydog29

Nor should you be or any other fan. I don't think anyone is with this present roster?

Strait can play bottom pairing with Donovan this year, Hickey and LV were a good pairing and Amac and Hamonic will continue to get big minutes, whether or not we like AMac that much.
- Isles_since_6

Not exactly an intimidating blue line by any means. Hopefully our forwards play a good team defense and bang some bodies.

Good hands and appears to be a GREAT skater. Possesion players with speed, PA clone almost

exactly what the first line was missing last year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeuQjb6bd8

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 2m
Hurricanes sign Anton Khudobin, 1 year, $800,000.

Good hands and appears to be a GREAT skater. Possesion players with speed, PA clone almost

exactly what the first line was missing last year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeuQjb6bd8
- Danformo

ok

Maybe this contract will get his parents back together.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

27 million would ruin my marriage...

Should have went all in for Ryan...probably back to being a top 5 entry draft team...
- kear20

I respectfully disagree

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 2m
Hurricanes sign Anton Khudobin, 1 year, $800,000.
- Vukota

stop

Hamonic for 7 years @ $27 us another fantastic contract. No need to get impatient with signings. Isles are focused on the long term. No need to overpay.

Xxkeaner17xX

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 2m
Hurricanes sign Anton Khudobin, 1 year, $800,000.
- Vukota

Don't get that one...he's just stuck behind Ward there, isn't he? I guess no one wants to make Khudobin a starter.

Tony Lydman 35yr old d played with Viz in ANA, played alot, healthy dependable, need good depth for long season.

Personally, I think you should step away from whatever it is you're drinking.
The Isles were 8th; 7 teams better then them.
16 teams in the conference. The 8 directly in the Isles division -
CAR - Under the Islanders last year. Have improved but not great amount.
CBJ - Better then a year ago. Played in a tough division last year and just missed playoffs.
NJD - Every year people under estimate them. Having Brodeur and Schneider in net makes them DANGEROUS.
NYR - Finished 6th. Almost same team returning. One of the better teams in the division.
PHI - Complete redecoration of team. Unknown if chemistry will work. Finished 6 points behind the Islanders, played well at end of season.
PIT - Finished 1st. One of better teams in division. Lost older pieces, still have CORE.
WSH - Finished 3rd. Lost Ribero. I think team just like the Islanders because of size and speed. Younger goalie I think is difference.

Other division - BOS (Finished 4th), BUF (6 points behind the Isles), DET (haven't missed playoffs in 2 decades), FLA (young, like the Isles), MON (finished 2nd), OTT (finished 7th), TBL, and TOR (finished 5th).

The Isles have not improved to the point where anyone can say they are comfortable with the Isles making the playoffs. Maybe some are now optimistic because of last year, (I am. I enjoyed watching them and the heart they had) but this year with 82 games and no real upgrade anywhere, I'm not comfortable.
- brodydog29

counterpoints:

Carolina - agreed, about the same as last year
CBJ - had a vezina winning season from Bob, Horton's out with surgery until December. Any backsliding in net and they're worse than last year
NJD - sure they've got decent goaltending but they've just signed Clowe (lol) lost Clarkeson and still have to sign Henrique. Not as good this year, goaltending doesn't carry this team all year.
NYR - finished 1 POINT ahead of the Isles. Lost Clowe (upgrade lol)
Ott - 1 point ahead of the Isles, lost alfie, got ryan. Wash. Might be better if Karlsson is healthy all year.
Phi - defense is laughable. Emery as starter, Mason as backup. Not sure if that's the same or worse. Likely still wildly inconsistent, certainly wouldn't call it a better team this year.
Mon - severely overachieved. Marginally better with briere but may still drop back

Buff - worse, likely even worse when Miller and Vanek get moved
Florida - yeah right
Boston - weaker, still strong unless Rask holds out
TBL - could be about the same or a bit better depending on defense and goaltending
Tor - might be a bit better, might be the same. Overpaid huge for Bozak and Clarkeson
Pitts - weaker, lost depth and vets
Det - likely about the same, will be interesting to see how they play in the east

Overall, we slot in somewhere in the middle, just like last season. Here's the kicker - name one UFA at a somewhat reasonable contract that puts us into "sure thing" mode.

if if Snow makes a signing or trade later this summer we'll fully expect to see you recant all these doomsday posts 4 hours into free agency.

Goalies available as the UFA period opened:

Emery
Nabby
Labarbara
Hedberg

did we really have a wealth of opportunities there? Anything else in a trade costs assets, which may still happen, but Poulin or Nilsson will likely get an opportunity here next season to play 25-30 games. I think that's a good thing. At least we'll get a better idea of what we have.

This is how you find out if you have star players in your prospect pool. You play them.
- Isles_since_6

What Doomsday posts are you referring to???????????????????????????

If you had even a little clue. You would know that in the past I have admitted when I was wrong on a particular subject.

Can the same be said of YOU?? or are you always right?

If Snow gets the job done. I'll have no problem giving him credit.

BTW: find a post. any post where I disagreed with that statement.

Your putting words in my mouth. If anything I've been accused of wanting to bring up the kids to soon

Great deal for Hamonic. Will look even better in 3 years.

I'm so happy we sign hamonic long term. At great price too.

Bouchard could be the great pickup if he stays healthy. Having nabby one more year is solid. We need Poulin or Nilsson to step up this year.


Martin clutterbuck Cizikas and McDonald going to hit everyone in sight. Love it.

I'm so happy we sign hamonic long term. At great price too.

Bouchard could be the great pickup if he stays healthy. Having nabby one more year is solid. We need Poulin or Nilsson to step up this year.


Martin clutterbuck Cizikas and McDonald going to hit everyone in sight. Love it.
- Spartiarti

And maybe a few they dont see.

And maybe a few they dont see.
- SCLI

Hopefully the other teams will be too worn down to take advantage of Nabby and our D.

Good to have u back.. The wolfpack has returned!!!
- niteislander

I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack and wait a second...could it be?
And now I know for sure I just added two more guys to my wolfpack...

What Doomsday posts are you referring to???????????????????????????

If you had even a little clue. You would know that in the past I have admitted when I was wrong on a particular subject.

Can the same be said of YOU?? or are you always right?

If Snow gets the job done. I'll have no problem giving him credit.

BTW: find a post. any post where I disagreed with that statement.

Your putting words in my mouth. If anything I've been accused of wanting to bring up the kids to soon
- SCLI

quoted your post:

Goalie? by staying Pat. We are worse off. Nabby a yr older following a bad PO performance. Say what you will. I dont think he wanted to return. Had Emery not gone to Philly. I believe Nabby would have been a Flyer. Aside from them. I doubt anyone wanted him. Thats why he's still an Islander.

who else was available as a UFA when noon est hit? Poulin/Nilsson need to play more than 10 games to get an idea of what we have.

Point out where I'm incorrect and I'll own it. And calm the hell down, it's a discussion, not a personal attack.

counterpoints:

Carolina - agreed, about the same as last year
CBJ - had a vezina winning season from Bob, Horton's out with surgery until December. Any backsliding in net and they're worse than last year
NJD - sure they've got decent goaltending but they've just signed Clowe (lol) lost Clarkeson and still have to sign Henrique. Not as good this year, goaltending doesn't carry this team all year.
NYR - finished 1 POINT ahead of the Isles. Lost Clowe (upgrade lol)
Ott - 1 point ahead of the Isles, lost alfie, got ryan. Wash. Might be better if Karlsson is healthy all year.
Phi - defense is laughable. Emery as starter, Mason as backup. Not sure if that's the same or worse. Likely still wildly inconsistent, certainly wouldn't call it a better team this year.
Mon - severely overachieved. Marginally better with briere but may still drop back

Buff - worse, likely even worse when Miller and Vanek get moved
Florida - yeah right
Boston - weaker, still strong unless Rask holds out
TBL - could be about the same or a bit better depending on defense and goaltending
Tor - might be a bit better, might be the same. Overpaid huge for Bozak and Clarkeson
Pitts - weaker, lost depth and vets
Det - likely about the same, will be interesting to see how they play in the east

Overall, we slot in somewhere in the middle, just like last season. Here's the kicker - name one UFA at a somewhat reasonable contract that puts us into "sure thing" mode.
- Isles_since_6

I'm not trying to fight about FA. What I wanted as a fan was solid movements to sure up the team. Things like not getting Schneider or Ryan. Things that will drastically improve a team not only on the ice but also with the league, their reputation, their own fans who are always skeptical because they play with the least amount of money year in and year out.
I'm not jumping off a bridge here. There is an entire summer. It just looks from the naked eye, the Isles lose pieces and they filled them with more crap pieces.
I have no idea what their plan is. No idea what direction they are looking to, I just feel after watching these last few weeks, a lot has gone by that I felt the Islanders should have been in on. I paid good money for season tix and was finally happy with the result last season. But, I said to my buddy, I want to wait this year before renewing because I want to see if they jump in and go after trades, FA, whatever to make that splash to move forward or do they just ride the wave they were on and coast into next season. They have a crap ton of pieces, I just hope they use them before someone realizes 1/2 of these pieces are worthless.

I'm so happy we sign hamonic long term. At great price too.

Bouchard could be the great pickup if he stays healthy. Having nabby one more year is solid. We need Poulin or Nilsson to step up this year.


Martin clutterbuck Cizikas and McDonald going to hit everyone in sight. Love it.
- Spartiarti

Bouchard is good either way. If he stays healthy, great. If not, it's a one year deal, and either Strome, Nelson, or Lee can come up from the Bridge if he gets hurt. If he stays healthy, those guys get another year of development.