So if none of the kids make the Isles opening night, this is what the team might look like...

Moulson - Tavares - Bouchard
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
Grabner - Regin - McDonald
Martin - Cizikis - Clutterbuck
(Strome/Lee/Nelson)

Hamonic - MacDonald
Strait - Visnovsky
Carkner - Donovan
(Hickey, Finley)

Nabokov
Poulin
(Nilsson)

So far this off season I can see the improvments in the fowards (more depth, more physical) but the defense really is the same. I see Donovan being a good player but not a dynamic offensive threat. Still need a shutdown d-man (maybe/hopefully one is being grown on the farm).
- Bags502

I have a feeling that Reinhardt is gonna give Garth a long, hard decision

I have a feeling that Reinhardt is gonna give Garth a long, hard decision
- Danformo

I hope so but I think he still needs another year at Bridge.

I hope so but I think he still needs another year at Bridge.
- Bags502

wouldnt he need a first year before he gets another

wouldnt he need a first year before he gets another
- Danformo

XxNYIxX

wouldnt he need a first year before he gets another
- Danformo

No, he is ahead of the other defensive prospects the Isles have... he gets to skip his rookie year in Bridge and go straight to his 2nd.

No, he is ahead of the other defensive prospects the Isles have... he gets to skip his rookie year in Bridge and go straight to his 2nd.

- Bags502

I have a feeling that Reinhardt is gonna give Garth a long, hard decision
- Danformo

Where's he going to give it to him?

Where's he going to give it to him?
- Railbait

That's what she said

Where's he going to give it to him?
- Railbait

Right in the Wang.

Seems obvious now that Cal's asking price was too high for Minny, hence the trade. I've always liked Cal but almost $3 million per year is too much for a 10 -15 goals a season 3rd line agitator.

He's a hitting machine, but I think his biggest draw back is that he's constantly seeking out someone to hit which may or may not be the reason he's often times out of position and/or absent in the high percentage areas and taking ill-advised shots in the low percentage areas.

I dunno, maybe Capuano will utilize him in a way to enhance his offensive skills instead of using him as a disruptor, but at this stage of his career, might be hard to teach and old dog new tricks.

I wish Cal and Butch the best of luck on the Island!

So if none of the kids make the Isles opening night, this is what the team might look like...

Moulson - Tavares - Bouchard
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
Grabner - Regin - McDonald
Martin - Cizikis - Clutterbuck
(Strome/Lee/Nelson)

Hamonic - MacDonald
Strait - Visnovsky
Carkner - Donovan
(Hickey, Finley)

Nabokov
Poulin
(Nilsson)

So far this off season I can see the improvments in the fowards (more depth, more physical) but the defense really is the same. I see Donovan being a good player but not a dynamic offensive threat. Still need a shutdown d-man (maybe/hopefully one is being grown on the farm).
- Bags502

Donovan just led ahl dman in points and is second all time in bport history for points by a dman in only two seasons. he can contribute, it will be an interesting battle between Donovan and de haan for that spot

I hope so but I think he still needs another year at Bridge.
- Bags502

he can't play in bport yet...nhl or juniors

Seems obvious now that Cal's asking price was too high for Minny, hence the trade. I've always liked Cal but almost $3 million per year is too much for a 10 -15 goals a season 3rd line agitator.

He's a hitting machine, but I think his biggest draw back is that he's constantly seeking out someone to hit which may or may not be the reason he's often times out of position and/or absent in the high percentage areas and taking ill-advised shots in the low percentage areas.

I dunno, maybe Capuano will utilize him in a way to enhance his offensive skills instead of using him as a disruptor, but at this stage of his career, might be hard to teach and old dog new tricks.

I wish Cal and Butch the best of luck on the Island!
- MnGump

You signed Matt Cooke who is almost 10 years older and not as good for $250,000 less. So not sure it was $. I think the isles lack a little bit of grit from their forwards as a whole and your team can't score a goal so I think this was a good hockey trade for both teams. Although you lost Bouchard so again I see the wild struggling for offense.

I totally won one of the pie eating contest against my buddy last year so your were probably watching my fat ass..
- NYI78

You signed Matt Cooke who is almost 10 years older and not as good for $250,000 less. So not sure it was $. I think the isles lack a little bit of grit from their forwards as a whole and your team can't score a goal so I think this was a good hockey trade for both teams. Although you lost Bouchard so again I see the wild struggling for offense.
- Isles316

Good points. Don't like and don't AT ALL understand the Cooke signing. Not too many Wild fans I've talked to have or do.

Clutterbuck a much better player than Cooke as well as a purely clean hitter, unlike Cooke.

PMB always one of my favorite Wild players. Hope the move can give his career a shot in the arm. Hope he can stay healthy, because if he can, he'll be a big contributor for the Isles.

Don't like and don't AT ALL understand the Cooke signing. Not too many Wild fans I've talked to have or do.

Clutterbuck a much better player than Cooke as well as a purely clean hitter, unlike Cooke.

PMB always one of my favorite Wild players. Hope the move can give his career a shot in the arm. Hope he can stay healthy, because if he can, he'll be a big contributor for the Isles.
- MnGump

I hope you're right. I like his speed. Fits in well with isles system. Looks like he will play with Tavares or be 2nd line center . Cooke is a good player when he's focused on doing what's right and a team guy but he has too many moments as you know of just being a total Richard. I don't think his team mates even liked him

I hope you're right. I like his speed. Fits in well with isles system. Looks like he will play with Tavares or be 2nd line center . Cooke is a good player when he's focused on doing what's right and a team guy but he has too many moments as you know of just being a total Richard. I don't think his team mates even liked him
- Isles316

He's a dirty player, no if's and's or but's! Clutterbuck was one of the leagues cleanest hitting disruptors and he'll be missed here in Minne. Biggest thing is now we're stuck with Cooke for the next 3 seasons... I hope Niederreiter turns out to be the goal scorer he's been thought to be, because giving up Clutterbuck in lieu of Cooke if he doesn't is going to make or break Chuck Fletchers job here in Minne, and I've liked the majority of his decisions so far.... up until this off season.

He's a dirty player, no if's and's or but's! Clutterbuck was one of the leagues cleanest hitting disruptors and he'll be missed here in Minne. Biggest thing is now we're stuck with Cooke for the next 3 seasons... I hope Niederreiter turns out to be the goal scorer he's been thought to be, because giving up Clutterbuck in lieu of Cooke if he doesn't is going to make or break Chuck Fletchers job here in Minne, and I've liked the majority of his decisions so far.... up until this off season.
- MnGump

Niño could and probably will be a top 6 forward, however when he played at the NHL level he was horrendous. Especially in his own end. He had a really nice year at Bridgeport last year and his ceiling is high but I'd be lying if I told you it's a lock he will be that good. But most likely he will really help you.

Poulin will be fine... hopefully he gets @ least 30 to 35 games.

He has been successful @ every level of hockey.

It's just a matter of playing, and getting use to the speed of the NHL.


Still not sold on Bouchard on the top line... maybe KO will move up.

Bouchard is not a top line guy. Should be on the 2nd or third line.

They really need to look @ upgrading the top 6.

Bottom 6 will match up with any team in the league.
- jimmc7722

Said the other day,....KO was supposed to be our Nathan Horton-type player.
I don't think Garth/Jack would hesitate, IF Kyle was ready to earn and hold onto that spot, to give it to him.
Kyle, if you're reading/listening......

He's a dirty player, no if's and's or but's! Clutterbuck was one of the leagues cleanest hitting disruptors and he'll be missed here in Minne. Biggest thing is now we're stuck with Cooke for the next 3 seasons... I hope Niederreiter turns out to be the goal scorer he's been thought to be, because giving up Clutterbuck in lieu of Cooke if he doesn't is going to make or break Chuck Fletchers job here in Minne, and I've liked the majority of his decisions so far.... up until this off season.
- MnGump

Nino's skating is his biggest issue. He is pretty awful and slow. If he can work on his skating and get over being such a headcase he should be a pretty good player.

That would involve trading real assets....there really hasn't been anyone worth signing over the last couple of years, even if we were inclined to....
- dcb1

No good player has been moved to another team in the past few YEARS via trade?????? AYFKM?
That's denser than a dumptruck full of matter from a collapsed star, just before it implodes and turns into a super-massive black hole, which is obviously where any intelligence from your brain has been sucked into.



What do you do with your season tickets? Wallpaper you basement mancave?
Like I said, some folks commend Garth for every move AND non-move he makes.
I'm sure, years from now, they'll liken the Clutterbuck signing to Butchie joining the Isles from LA and helping to win the 1st cup. Or MacTavish for the Rags or Carter & Richards for the Kings....

No good player has been moved to another team in the past few YEARS via trade?????? AYFKM?
That's denser than a dumptruck full of matter from a collapsed star, just before it implodes and turns into a super-massive black hole, which is obviously where any intelligence from your brain has been sucked into.



What do you do with your season tickets? Wallpaper you basement mancave?
Like I said, some folks commend Garth for every move AND non-move he makes.
I'm sure, years from now, they'll liken the Clutterbuck signing to Butchie joining the Isles from LA and helping to win the 1st cup. Or MacTavish for the Rags or Carter & Richards for the Kings....
- jmo16

DC said there wasn't anyone worth signing over the last couple years via Free agency & you turned that into him saying no good players have been traded????


XxNYIxX

No good player has been moved to another team in the past few YEARS via trade?????? AYFKM?
That's denser than a dumptruck full of matter from a collapsed star, just before it implodes and turns into a super-massive black hole, which is obviously where any intelligence from your brain has been sucked into.



What do you do with your season tickets? Wallpaper you basement mancave?
Like I said, some folks commend Garth for every move AND non-move he makes.
I'm sure, years from now, they'll liken the Clutterbuck signing to Butchie joining the Isles from LA and helping to win the 1st cup. Or MacTavish for the Rags or Carter & Richards for the Kings....
- jmo16

Which part of the word "signing" did you miss? I can't write things and read for you. Trading requires parting with assets. Every time anyone suggests moving VIABLE assets (not "let's trade Moulson and Franzie for Malkin"), we as fans never seem to be able to bring ourselves to part with anything. So, the only alternative in that case is to SIGN free agents, and none of those who cost stupid money over many years have been worth a d*mn for the last couple of years. Therefore, the ONLY alternative is to sign guys like Bouchard for one year and hope they work out. That is the point. It's not that Snow can't make a trade, it's that, like most of you, he doesn't want to part with significant pieces of our future for a superstar who can help now. My argument is that this is because Snow's boss doesn't want to pay that kind of money to any player not named Tavares. Right or wrong? I don't know....

[quote=Bags502]So if none of the kids make the Isles opening night, this is what the team might look like...

Moulson - Tavares - Bouchard
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
Grabner - Regin - McDonald
Martin - Cizikis - Clutterbuck
(Strome/Lee/Nelson)

Hamonic - MacDonald
Strait - Visnovsky
Carkner - Donovan
(Hickey, Finley)

Nabokov
Poulin
(Nilsson)

I kinda liked Bailey playing with JT to be honest.....I'm sure he would love it and it would help his stats in a big way.

From Puck Daddy's free agency grades...

New York Islanders
The most significant move for the Islanders was re-signing Travis Hamonic for 7 years at $27 million. In typical fashion, it was a move trashed by uppity Canadian media types that watched the Islanders for the first time in seven years during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which ignores the fact that Garth Snow locked up a 23-year-old minutes-eating two-way defenseman at $3.857 million through 2020.

Assuming Evgeni Nabokov gives them exactly what he did in 2012-13, it’s not a bad move to bring him back for another year, even at $3.25 million. But you’d like to see the Islanders add another goalie to that mix.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has been called “tentative” and “soft” by Minnesota Wild observers that have seen his game diminish in the last few injury-riddled seasons. One year, $2 million, and the chance to resurrect his career with Tavares and Moulson? That’s a better investment than relocating to Brooklyn.

GRADE: A

Agree or disagree, it's always nice to see the Isles not get dumped on by the media.
- eichiefs9

I agree. They didn't overpay for anyone and Nabokov was a needed signing, yet they only invested one year of cash.