Anyone else going to the Amerks game Friday?

What makes you say that? Not being condescending or anything just very curious. Considering most of your high end prospects will be Islanders next year.
- Stripes77

If they can get an NHL ready player who is young and can contribute immediately it's a no brainer. We have good defensive depth in the pipe and we have three guys breaking the line up next year up front. Do the math it's kind of obvious if you think about it. All of those players will be RFA's in one or two yrs(minus Lee who is this yr) after their ELC's. Signing them shouldn't be any tough thing. It gives us time to not have a first for a couple. Not saying I wouldn't rather have a first of course but these are the circumstances we have and whether some of you guys believe it or not we are on the cusp of being competitive and a playoff team. Getting young NHL ready players is more of a priority for this team then adding more prospects. Skipping a year or two(don't forget we are getting an NHL player in return so it's not much of a "skip") with the prospect depth we have and the young players already contributing.

I can't wait for some playoff hockey

If they can get an NHL ready player who is young and can contribute immediately it's a no brainer. We have good defensive depth in the pipe and we have three guys breaking the line up next year up front. Do the math it's kind of obvious if you think about it. All of those players will be RFA's in one or two yrs(minus Lee who is this yr) after their ELC's. Signing them shouldn't be any tough thing. It gives us time to not have a first for a couple. Not saying I wouldn't rather have a first of course but these are the circumstances we have and whether some of you guys believe it or not we are on the cusp of being competitive and a playoff team. Getting young NHL ready players is more of a priority for this team then adding more prospects. Skipping a year or two(don't forget we are getting an NHL player in return so it's not much of a "skip") with the prospect depth we have and the young players already contributing.
- Cptmjl

I'm on the fence with how you guys are going to be next year. It all depends on adding the right FA guys. At least a good veteran goalie (there will be a few out there). You have a pretty young team so I agree the ELC's wont be an issue. You are also assuming those guys coming up will turn into good NHL players (we all know not all pan out). If you do miss the playoffs next year you would have a shot at a really good prospect in the 10-15 range.

You have one really good NHL line getting a good NHL player would help with the second line (or first depending on who you would acquire). It just seems like a gamble IMO to not draft in the first round in back to back years. Especially in the early parts of the first round (potentially).

I'm on the fence with how you guys are going to be next year. It all depends on adding the right FA guys. At least a good veteran goalie (there will be a few out there). You have a pretty young team so I agree the ELC's wont be an issue. You are also assuming those guys coming up will turn into good NHL players (we all know not all pan out). If you do miss the playoffs next year you would have a shot at a really good prospect in the 10-15 range.

You have one really good NHL line getting a good NHL player would help with the second line (or first depending on who you would acquire). It just seems like a gamble IMO to not draft in the first round in back to back years. Especially in the early parts of the first round (potentially).
- Stripes77

Also it's a assumption to think that other teams, especially good teams,won't get better. Every team has a few young players or prospects they are big on.

I get your logic behind it. It makes sense for the most part. My thinking is can the Islanders sacrifice 2 years of not drafting (in the 1st round and 2nd round this year) and not restocking the prospect cupboard? Not many teams are in position to be able to do that. Are the Islanders?
- Stripes77

taking a step back and looking at the islanders and there situation...i believe they are in a position to "skip" a few drafts because now they are in a position where they have "too many" prospects and are able to wait...having said that, they still have a decent amount of picks, albeit not in the first round; i feel like established players are more valuable than first round picks for the islanders at this point in their development.


as for putting talent around JT, its not the offense thats the issue...

jt, okposo, lee, strome, nelson, grabner, neilsen (clutterbuck, cizikas, martin, bailey)

the reason the isles rebuild has taken longer than expected is because defense takes longer to develop and defensemen were drafted later on into the rebuild -- ie after the forwards were. next year look out for dehaan, mayfield, czuczman, reinhardt, pulock...in addition to some of the guys they have now.

isles need a goalie and a vet top 4 (and get rid of cappy)

I'm on the fence with how you guys are going to be next year. It all depends on adding the right FA guys. At least a good veteran goalie (there will be a few out there). You have a pretty young team so I agree the ELC's wont be an issue. You are also assuming those guys coming up will turn into good NHL players (we all know not all pan out). If you do miss the playoffs next year you would have a shot at a really good prospect in the 10-15 range.

You have one really good NHL line getting a good NHL player would help with the second line (or first depending on who you would acquire). It just seems like a gamble IMO to not draft in the first round in back to back years. Especially in the early parts of the first round (potentially).
- Stripes77

1 good line?? actually the facts are that one good line is missing a player...just JT and KO.

having said that Strome (37 games), Nelson (72 games), Lee (22 games) have played enough games to know what itll take to compete...they know what their weaknesses are...so thats 5 players.

then dont forget about serviceable guys...neilsen, grabner, clutterbuck...thats 8.

tough guys and grinders...martin, cizikas...10

team isnt far off.

I'm on the fence with how you guys are going to be next year. It all depends on adding the right FA guys. At least a good veteran goalie (there will be a few out there). You have a pretty young team so I agree the ELC's wont be an issue. You are also assuming those guys coming up will turn into good NHL players (we all know not all pan out). If you do miss the playoffs next year you would have a shot at a really good prospect in the 10-15 range.

You have one really good NHL line getting a good NHL player would help with the second line (or first depending on who you would acquire). It just seems like a gamble IMO to not draft in the first round in back to back years. Especially in the early parts of the first round (potentially).
- Stripes77

We do and we also have a pretty good 4th line and one of the best second line centers in the league along with some players who aren't really prospects and are already contributing up front. In other words, we have a little wiggle room as far as missing a draft or two in the first round especially if we get the right player back in a trade with the pick. Again, not saying it's a great thing just stating it would have less of an impact than you may think trading the pick for immedite help. I for one hope he trades it in part of a package for a real starter or D man. I'm on the fence too but that has more to do with Snow being our GM and not making a coaching change or doing anything at all(possibility). As far as our needs there isn't much. A new coach would be huge but it's already rumored we will have Capuano again next yr which will not help our cause.

1 good line?? actually the facts are that one good line is missing a player...just JT and KO.

having said that Strome (37 games), Nelson (72 games), Lee (22 games) have played enough games to know what itll take to compete...they know what their weaknesses are...so thats 5 players.

then dont forget about serviceable guys...neilsen, grabner, clutterbuck...thats 8.

tough guys and grinders...martin, cizikas...10

team isnt far off.
- LetsGoIsles

I guess I should have said HAD one good line:

Vanek/Moulson-JT-KO

Adding a true top 6 forward would be huge for the Islanders but IMO you are asking a lot from players that haven't even played a half of a NHL season. Sure they know what they need to work on and will improve but you can't say with certainty they would improve enough to make the Islanders a playoff team. 2015-2016 season I would agree but next year I'm not so sure.

I guess I should have said HAD one good line:

Vanek/Moulson-JT-KO

Adding a true top 6 forward would be huge for the Islanders but IMO you are asking a lot from players that haven't even played a half of a NHL season. Sure they know what they need to work on and will improve but you can't say with certainty they would improve enough to make the Islanders a playoff team. 2015-2016 season I would agree but next year I'm not so sure.
- Stripes77

Tavares made Brad Boyes look good it's not a stretch to think Lee or even Strome could be effective on that line.

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=714502

draft lottery game we lost 6 times already wtf ...

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=714502

draft lottery game we lost 6 times already wtf ...
- gerbe75pts

I've done it 15 times so far, still haven't picked the sabres...

VanX5
CgyX3
TorX3
EdmX2
Fla
Phoenix

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=714502

draft lottery game we lost 6 times already wtf ...
- gerbe75pts

I like the results of the one I just did . I did it three times we won two of them and the Panthers the other one. You guys didn't win once.

Edit; Edmonton won the last three times. That better not happen.

Hands down one of my all time favorite players.
- jaumiller

I was at the game. It was an amazing atmosphere and the way they won the game, makes me think they are ready to chase those demons from last year. They battled back with Gibson in net who can make some huge saves at huge times. The kid is calm and cool the whole game.

Anyone else going to the Amerks game Friday?
- HonkFortheGoose

Thinking about it

I guess I should have said HAD one good line:

Vanek/Moulson-JT-KO

Adding a true top 6 forward would be huge for the Islanders but IMO you are asking a lot from players that haven't even played a half of a NHL season. Sure they know what they need to work on and will improve but you can't say with certainty they would improve enough to make the Islanders a playoff team. 2015-2016 season I would agree but next year I'm not so sure.
- Stripes77

i agree to the point that 15-16 they will be even stronger but for this coming season, i dont see 6-8th in the east as being impossible or out of the realm of possibility.

Islanders are not getting vanek or moulson this offseason. Let's say they do get gaborik, how is that gonna make them better than Columbus, who thought enough of him to trade him off before the playoffs?? A #4 dman is not gonna make a huge impact and goalies are victims to the team ahead of them. I'm Not sold on the difference between a great goalie and a ok goalie. Buffalo, St. Louis , Boston, all come to mind. When a team says they only need a top 6 foward, a top 4 dman, a new coach, and an elite goalie. If say next season is gonna be tough for them lol

You mean Toronto ?
- jaumiller

I fully expect them to win it....

i agree to the point that 15-16 they will be even stronger but for this coming season, i dont see 6-8th in the east as being impossible or out of the realm of possibility.
- LetsGoIsles

I just think its a tall task to make the playoffs next year. There are 6 teams you would need to jump to get in. I like Columbus I think they are going to get better and Detroit is Detroit they always make the playoffs. Its going to be tough thats for sure.

Islanders are not getting vanek or moulson this offseason. Let's say they do get gaborik, how is that gonna make them better than Columbus, who thought enough of him to trade him off before the playoffs?? A #4 dman is not gonna make a huge impact and goalies are victims to the team ahead of them. I'm Not sold on the difference between a great goalie and a ok goalie. Buffalo, St. Louis , Boston, all come to mind. When a team says they only need a top 6 foward, a top 4 dman, a new coach, and an elite goalie. If say next season is gonna be tough for them lol
- joshs

not many people feel they need a top six and definitely dont expect vanek/moulson/gaborik...

going into the offseason expecting a goalie, top 4 and coach isnt that far-fetched.

I just think its a tall task to make the playoffs next year. There are 6 teams you would need to jump to get in. I like Columbus I think they are going to get better and Detroit is Detroit they always make the playoffs. Its going to be tough thats for sure.
- Stripes77

TBD...ill see you in a year from now

Anyone else going to the Amerks game Friday?
- HonkFortheGoose

I am , Going with my buddy that is photographer for the Sabres

not many people feel they need a top six and definitely dont expect vanek/moulson/gaborik...

going into the offseason expecting a goalie, top 4 and coach isnt that far-fetched.
- LetsGoIsles

Fair enough. Good luck to ya.

not many people feel they need a top six and definitely dont expect vanek/moulson/gaborik...

going into the offseason expecting a goalie, top 4 and coach isnt that far-fetched.
- LetsGoIsles

Thats a pretty big wish list for any franchise, let alone an Islander franchise that has a bumbling owner who hand cuffs his GM. If they are sold maybe it gets done but even then its a tall task to get even 2 out of the 3. You are going to be in our boat until they start winning both franchises will lose out to the Detroits, Chicagos, Pittsburghs of the world

Off topic, I need some help with a hockey-ish related problem. Hypothetically speaking, say you walk into a hockey conversation with a group of people who usually are interesting and entertaining. But there are a couple different people in the convo and the group spends way too much time talking about the minority's favorite team, instead of the majority of the group's favorite team. For arguments sake, let's make up a name, say, the Drylanders. How do you politely and tactfully move the conversation from the Drylanders drivel to something worthwhile?

Thanks. I'll hang up and listen.