I have to agree, the team last year was scary to play against. The trade with Buffalo really set you guys back for so many reasons. IMO Vanek have an almost 0% chance of resigning so I am not sure what the point of this trade was...
- SgtSerge

I think the Isles looked at the Vanek trade as an attempt to get an elite winger to play with Tavares. They weren't going to get him as a UFA so why not get him here for a year and have negotiating rights until July. Most players that come to the Islanders like it here. Look at all the long term contracts players have.

I think as a whole, if you're willing to give up Neiderreiter, Moulson, and two good picks, and spend $3 mill in free agent signings on forwards how do you not even address the team's glaring weaknesses? The defense is now screwed with 2 of your top 4 are out long term with injuries and it wasn't very good to start with.

I have to agree, the team last year was scary to play against. The trade with Buffalo really set you guys back for so many reasons. IMO Vanek have an almost 0% chance of resigning so I am not sure what the point of this trade was...
- SgtSerge

They were .500 before the trade, and HORRIBLY inconsistent. The players kept saying even then how they weren't raising the level of their play to where they were at the end of last season and they didn't know why. Trade has nothing to do with it...other than Moulson would have at least probably been in the lineup these last few games while Vanek's been hurt. Seriously, it's a poor excuse, and not supported by how they played both before and afterward. It's the inability to sustain a forecheck and consistently blown coverage in the D zone when they're trapped there for extended time that's doomed them.

I'm sad at the write up. Pretty much everything I've seen from Dee has been well written, researched and executed. This was poorly done, with grammatical errors, player's names misspelled, and sentences left half finished. Such a shame from a normally very sharp writer.

I hope that you're right about the Leafs making the SCF
- lumlums

You just all credibility with this statement. I stopped reading right there and will not read anymore of your posts.

I think the Isles looked at the Vanek trade as an attempt to get an elite winger to play with Tavares. They weren't going to get him as a UFA so why not get him here for a year and have negotiating rights until July. Most players that come to the Islanders like it here. Look at all the long term contracts players have.

I think as a whole, if you're willing to give up Neiderreiter, Moulson, and two good picks, and spend $3 mill in free agent signings on forwards how do you not even address the team's glaring weaknesses? The defense is now screwed with 2 of your top 4 are out long term with injuries and it wasn't very good to start with.
- Isles316

If you're calling Vanek an elite winger than so is Moulson. I think the Isles looked at that trade as a huge letdown. Taking a guy who they can build around who had great chemistry with their franchise cornerstone and giving him away for a lesser scorer plus two picks. Stupid, stupid trade.

If you're calling Vanek an elite winger than so is Moulson. I think the Isles looked at that trade as a huge letdown. Taking a guy who they can build around who had great chemistry with their franchise cornerstone and giving him away for a lesser scorer plus two picks. Stupid, stupid trade.
- charlieb83

Moulson is an elite scorer yes. But he isn't an elite player. I agree Vanek isn't 2 picks better though. It still befuddles me but Tavares zone time has never been higher since the Moulson trade if you believe in the fancy stats. Tavares been producing well without Moulson as well.

If you're calling Vanek an elite winger than so is Moulson. I think the Isles looked at that trade as a huge letdown. Taking a guy who they can build around who had great chemistry with their franchise cornerstone and giving him away for a lesser scorer plus two picks. Stupid, stupid trade.
- charlieb83

As an Isles fan married to a Sabres fan, and having watched both teams quite a bit over the years, that's just a ridiculous statement, based probably on looking just at stats. It's about way more checking goals and assists on HockeyDB. Moulson simply cannot control play in the offensive zone like Vanek can. I say this as a fan of Moulson...someone who always said he could produce away from Tavares, and who never got on him like others who weren't thrilled with what he brought to the table. His game is based way more on going unnoticed and letting others do the work...then he can sneak into the right area and bang the puck in. Vanek draws attention to him. Very different styles; both useful in their own way. But the Islanders need someone to take some of the attention away from Tavares. The guy is triple teamed every night.

When Vanek was in the lineup, Tavares scored goals in consecutive games where he was WIDE open in front of the net. Easy goals that he never got without that second genuine threat on his line.

Vanek's been hurt for several games now...let's wait until he actually plays a bit to declare Moulson the Islanders' Jesus that they denied three times or whatever. If there's a major problem with the trade, it's that Vanek could very well walk. That's the elephant in the room. Although, Moulson was traded b/c he's an upcoming FA that's going to get ridiculous money the Isles aren't willing to pay (and probably shouldn't) for what he brings. See Streit, Mark. Everyone said how foolish the Isles were for not re-signing him at any cost because of how critical he was, but ask Flyers fans how much he really brings to the table.

As an Isles fan married to a Sabres fan, and having watched both teams quite a bit over the years, that's just a ridiculous statement, based probably on looking just at stats. It's about way more checking goals and assists on HockeyDB. Moulson simply cannot control play in the offensive zone like Vanek can. I say this as a fan of Moulson...someone who always said he could produce away from Tavares, and who never got on him like others who weren't thrilled with what he brought to the table. His game is based way more on going unnoticed and letting others do the work...then he can sneak into the right area and bang the puck in. Vanek draws attention to him. Very different styles; both useful in their own way. But the Islanders need someone to take some of the attention away from Tavares. The guy is triple teamed every night.

When Vanek was in the lineup, Tavares scored goals in consecutive games where he was WIDE open in front of the net. Easy goals that he never got without that second genuine threat on his line.

Vanek's been hurt for several games now...let's wait until he actually plays a bit to declare Moulson the Islanders' Jesus that they denied three times or whatever. If there's a major problem with the trade, it's that Vanek could very well walk. That's the elephant in the room. Although, Moulson was traded b/c he's an upcoming FA that's going to get ridiculous money the Isles aren't willing to pay (and probably shouldn't) for what he brings. See Streit, Mark. Everyone said how foolish the Isles were for not re-signing him at any cost because of how critical he was, but ask Flyers fans how much he really brings to the table.
- UIF

At the end of the day, the score sheet doesn't lie and Moulson has outproduced Vanek. I won't pretend Vanek isn't the better player, but to trade away a guy who liked it on the Island and who had chemistry with JT for a guy who will most definitely walk plus those picks is insane. If you're loading up for a playoff run, trade away some future for Vanek - not a guy who scores more. That's just a silly lateral move.

Dee,

How do you cut a 3 goal deficit in half?

Going from a 3 goal (4-1) to a 2 goal (4-2) deficit is not cutting the deficit in half (like going from a 2-0 to 2-1 would be).

At the end of the day, the score sheet doesn't lie and Moulson has outproduced Vanek. I won't pretend Vanek isn't the better player, but to trade away a guy who liked it on the Island and who had chemistry with JT for a guy who will most definitely walk plus those picks is insane. If you're loading up for a playoff run, trade away some future for Vanek - not a guy who scores more. That's just a silly lateral move.
- charlieb83

The first line with Vanek on it has been excellent as far as pressure goes since the trade. My bigger issue is that this team isn't better with Vanek if you don't upgrade the defense or goaltending. You could clone Tavares,Vanek and Nielsen and Okposo and have them be your 4 lines but when you can't stop anyone what's the point

The first line with Vanek on it has been excellent as far as pressure goes since the trade. My bigger issue is that this team isn't better with Vanek if you don't upgrade the defense or goaltending. You could clone Tavares,Vanek and Nielsen and Okposo and have them be your 4 lines but when you can't stop anyone what's the point
- Isles316

well said

The first line with Vanek on it has been excellent as far as pressure goes since the trade. My bigger issue is that this team isn't better with Vanek if you don't upgrade the defense or goaltending. You could clone Tavares,Vanek and Nielsen and Okposo and have them be your 4 lines but when you can't stop anyone what's the point
- Isles316

I hear what you're saying. You're an Isles fan so you have more intimate knowledge of their shortcomings. As a Leaf fan, (aka someone who doesn't closely follow the Isles game-by-game) I can't understand the trade. But if you think it's worth it, or at least a high price to pay but worth it, than I trust your assessment on that.

It would really be a shame if they didn't make the playoffs. I like having a New York team I don't hate and would love to see them in the playoffs.

I hear what you're saying. You're an Isles fan so you have more intimate knowledge of their shortcomings. As a Leaf fan, (aka someone who doesn't closely follow the Isles game-by-game) I can't understand the trade. But if you think it's worth it, or at least a high price to pay but worth it, than I trust your assessment on that.

It would really be a shame if they didn't make the playoffs. I like having a New York team I don't hate and would love to see them in the playoffs.
- charlieb83

Well that's the thing. I don't think it's worth it when you correctly stated that Matt Moulson isn't exactly poopsack Johannson and your defense couldn't stop You and I. If you're willing to part with assets like you did, why in the hell wasn't it for someone that actually helps keep the puck out of your own net. It wont matter if JT scores a bit more with a better linemate if you can't stop anyone.

Well that's the thing. I don't think it's worth it when you correctly stated that Matt Moulson isn't exactly poopsack Johannson and your defense couldn't stop You and I. If you're willing to part with assets like you did, why in the hell wasn't it for someone that actually helps keep the puck out of your own net. It wont matter if JT scores a bit more with a better linemate if you can't stop anyone.
- Isles316

The question becomes, do they have the assets to acquire a real goalie and significant help on defense? And not rentals - I would imagine they want long-term solutions, especially in net.

The question becomes, do they have the assets to acquire a real goalie and significant help on defense? And not rentals - I would imagine they want long-term solutions, especially in net.
- charlieb83

They do still and already gave up a bunch during the offseason. You guys got Bernier. Your GM addressed your needs. Mine didn't

They do still and already gave up a bunch during the offseason. You guys got Bernier. Your GM addressed your needs. Mine didn't
- Isles316

Well, good luck. Will be interesting to see what Garth does. I can't imagine missing the playoffs is an option this year. Especially when you're not holding your first rounder.

I see half of the comments to this blog that were pure gold have been deleted!

you guys can have the human turnover factory, can't shoot streit back.

he is beyond terrible

seriously when snow traded moulson this team started sucking again & going backwards, they need skill that wants to stay, (like taveras)
- puckhead17

yes...streit is horrendous...like everyone said when he signed.

team DID start sucking once moulson was traded...of course vanek being injured prob has something to do with it.

The Islanders showed last year that they could play with any team in the NHL offensively. They lost that Pens series due to bad defense, bad PK (Pitt was 13-21 in the series) and shaky goaltending.

Fast Forward to now, you let Streit walk which as you can see wasn't exactly terrible for that contract he got, let Brad Boyes walk who had an ok year although not a first liner in my mind, let Keith Aucoin walk who did some good things on the 3rd line last year, traded your #2 prospect in Nino Neiderreiter, traded Matt Moulson who has only been outscored by 5 players since his first year on the isles (vanek not one of them), traded a #1 pick, #2 pick.

You've acquired Cal Clutterbuck via trade, Thomas Vanek via trade, signed Pierre Marc Bouchard, Peter Regin all who have been underwhelming to put it mildly.

You haven't acquired another defensemen to replace Streit and the goaltending is the same as last year.

Someone tell me why any Islanders fan shouldn't be mad as hell right now? Isles had a great opportunity to take a next step but instead put their roster back a year at least because they can't keep the puck out of their own net.
- Isles316

lubo and strait would be a big boost to this defense...having them out really hurts

Well, good luck. Will be interesting to see what Garth does. I can't imagine missing the playoffs is an option this year. Especially when you're not holding your first rounder.
- charlieb83

The first rounder given to Buffalo is conditional. If it's top 10 pick or higher the Isles can keep it and give them next years pick

lubo and strait would be a big boost to this defense...having them out really hurts
- LetsGoIsles

I think Strait is horrible in his own right. Visnovsky is very missed.

If you're calling Vanek an elite winger than so is Moulson. I think the Isles looked at that trade as a huge letdown. Taking a guy who they can build around who had great chemistry with their franchise cornerstone and giving him away for a lesser scorer plus two picks. Stupid, stupid trade.
- charlieb83

this comment is so shallow... takes the trade at face value...dig a little bit and come back when youre ready to explain why vanek is better than moulson and why the trade makes sense for the isles.

The first rounder given to Buffalo is conditional. If it's top 10 pick or higher the Isles can keep it and give them next years pick
- Isles316

Really? Didn't know that - makes a huge difference. Isles luck will see them with the 11th pick, keep it and fare worse the following year.

I know Leaf luck would dictate that sequence of events.

this comment is so shallow... takes the trade at face value...dig a little bit and come back when youre ready to explain why vanek is better than moulson and why the trade makes sense for the isles.
- LetsGoIsles

Why would I explain that? I DON'T necessarily think Vanek is a better scorer than Moulson and I don't think the trade makes sense for the Isles.

And yes, I took it at face value as I'm not an Isles fan and I openly said that. Try having constructive conversations like Isles316 had.

Oh, wait, you added clever emoticons. You win.

At the end of the day, the score sheet doesn't lie and Moulson has outproduced Vanek. I won't pretend Vanek isn't the better player, but to trade away a guy who liked it on the Island and who had chemistry with JT for a guy who will most definitely walk plus those picks is insane. If you're loading up for a playoff run, trade away some future for Vanek - not a guy who scores more. That's just a silly lateral move.
- charlieb83

In the last six seasons, Lucic has only posted more points than Semin twice. Does that make Semin a better player for a team's first line? The score sheet doesn't lie, after all. Or are they different players that bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table, irrespective of the goal and assist totals? My guess is more teams would opt for Lucic given the choice between the two. Keep in mind, I'm not comparing Moulson, Semin, Lucic and Vanek, I'm just showing how comparing two players based only on stats is foolish, and it doesn't tell the whole story. Anyone who's watched these guys play can tell you that.

I think Strait is horrible in his own right. Visnovsky is very missed.
- Isles316

def not horrible...was very solid before he got injured last year and hes still young.