Looks liek he's being shopped... BOS is tight against the cap, and he could be the odd man out for the right deal.

What they would want in return, your guess is as good as mine, there!
- MrBeanTown

We'll take Boychuk

Question for you Isles fans, I am considering KO in a trade, keeper league. I love the guy and really think he broke out last year for good. Do you guys think he will stay healthy and repeat? Will he stay a fixture with JT? Thanks
- flyerdude17

Yes & Yes

Not necessarily... Playing left flank to tavares would be a treat
- MrBeanTown

I appreciate the optimism, but Tavares hasn't been enough to coax anyone else of value to come and/or stay here, so going off history...I don't see it doing the anything different for Marchand. I'd like to see him on the team, but I'm sure he'd rather play for a good team that with one great center.

Marchand would be a nice add for a scoring winger with some grit
- MrBeanTown

Marchand is a third liner and is only effective with mates like Lucic, Thornton etc.
He is like Kenny the Rat Linesman, a wormy little sob that hides and seeks the protection of his bigger tougher teammates.

What the roster should be:

Nelson - Tavares - Okposo
Lee - Nielsen - Jokinen/Vrbata
Bailey - Strome - Grabner
Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
McDonald, Boulton

What is would be good for:

20g/25a - 35g/40a - 30g/20a = 85g
20g/15a - 20g/35a - 20g/20a = 60g
10g/20a - 20g/20a - 20g/10a = 50g
5g/5a - 5g/10a - 10g/15a = 20g

TOTAL GOALS = 215

This doesnt include defense which should chip in 15-30 goals.

I think these lines are fairly balanced with size, skill, and grit.

Bailey and Grabner are 3rd line, PK specialists. They SHOULD NOT be relied on to score top-6 numbers. They havent. They never will. The DO make for great 3rd line options though - both Bailey's and Grabner's defensive play consistently gets overlooked - they are good at D - not so good at O.
- kcNYI

Eight 20-goal scorers?

What are you, the '83 Oilers now?




I love the optimism, though!

We'll take Boychuk
- eichiefs9

I hope they don't move him... IMO he's a perfect 3-4 dman that can play up if needed. I know with Cap issues its a possibility but I am hoping not.

I'd like to see them be able to move Kelly's contract, but that wont be easy either

Yes & Yes
- Vukota

Thanks

What the roster should be:

...

Bailey and Grabner are 3rd line, PK specialists. They SHOULD NOT be relied on to score top-6 numbers. They havent. They never will. The DO make for great 3rd line options though - both Bailey's and Grabner's defensive play consistently gets overlooked - they are good at D - not so good at O.
- kcNYI

Marchand is a third liner and is only effective with mates like Lucic, Thornton etc.
He is like Kenny the Rat Linesman, a wormy little sob that hides and seeks the protection of his bigger tougher teammates.
- flyerdude17

Thanks for your input LOL

25 & 28 goals in the last 2 full seasons, one of the best PK guys and not many other guys on the team put up those numbers, he creats a lot and not always due to playing with his linemates.

He doesn't play on a line with Thirnton or Lucic so not a really valid arguement, either.

Thanks for your input LOL

25 & 28 goals in the last 2 full seasons, one of the best PK guys and not many other guys on the team put up those numbers, he creats a lot and not always due to playing with his linemates.

He doesn't play on a line with Thirnton or Lucic so not a really valid arguement, either.
- MrBeanTown

I agree he is a top 6 forward. I would love to get him

Eight 20-goal scorers?

What are you, the '83 Oilers now?




I love the optimism, though!


- grand-magus

Yeah. The Houston Oilers.

Eight 20-goal scorers?

What are you, the '83 Oilers now?




I love the optimism, though!


- grand-magus

HAHA Awesome!

Thanks for your input LOL

25 & 28 goals in the last 2 full seasons, one of the best PK guys and not many other guys on the team put up those numbers, he creats a lot and not always due to playing with his linemates.

He doesn't play on a line with Thirnton or Lucic so not a really valid arguement, either.
- MrBeanTown

You send Marchand to say Florida and his stats drop to half. I do admire his work ethic and spirit but I still do not have to like him. Take Bergeron away as his center and see what he can do, probably just be all mouth.

Marchand would be a nice add for a scoring winger with some grit
- MrBeanTown

yes please! (and boychuck?)

What the roster should be:

Nelson - Tavares - Okposo
Lee - Nielsen - Jokinen/Vrbata
Bailey - Strome - Grabner
Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
McDonald, Boulton

What is would be good for:

20g/25a - 35g/40a - 30g/20a = 85g
20g/15a - 20g/35a - 20g/20a = 60g
10g/20a - 20g/20a - 20g/10a = 50g
5g/5a - 5g/10a - 10g/15a = 20g

TOTAL GOALS = 215

This doesnt include defense which should chip in 15-30 goals.

I think these lines are fairly balanced with size, skill, and grit.

Bailey and Grabner are 3rd line, PK specialists. They SHOULD NOT be relied on to score top-6 numbers. They havent. They never will. The DO make for great 3rd line options though - both Bailey's and Grabner's defensive play consistently gets overlooked - they are good at D - not so good at O.
- kcNYI

They can't rely solely on the free agent market to get this team where it needs to be. I believe they should sign Ryan Callahan because although he is injury prone he would help our PK which was absolutely horrible, and then test the trade market.

Looks like they are thinking Patrick Sharp will be the odd man out in Chicago this year. Give up the 5th overall and Pokka and that gaping hole to the left of JT is suddenly filled.

Don't think they will be done there though. The blueline needs a vet and a guys like Boychuck or Markov could be the answer. Boston lacks speed so this may result in Grabner's departure from the island.

Could you imagine....

Sharp - Tavares - Okposo
Lee - Nielsen - Cally
Bailey - Strome - Nelson
Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
McDonald, Boulton

It's been a long day at work, I think I am day dreaming

I would stay away from Vrbata, he has proven he can only play in the desert. Just ask the TB Lightning.
- flyerdude17

based on the 18 career games hes played with them??

also FWIW, the rumors are that boyle will become a free agent on 7/1

based on the 18 career games hes played with them??

also FWIW, the rumors are that boyle will become a free agent on 7/1
- LetsGoIsles

I hope the islanders a terrible and taveres injury comes back and they finish in the bottom two with the sabres.

Realistically i dont see them making playoffs though. taveres is amazing but the injury is going to put him back couple weeks. With garth snow u never know what he is going to do. They need to trade the fifth pick with other prospects. Maybe go after spezza or thorton to play second line center. That would take pressure off top line and even the scoring out.
- hanleyaj

If anyone wasn't positive you were a dope.. that line should do it. yes they need another center to go with the 5 on the team. Great point..

Marchand would be a nice add for a scoring winger with some grit
- MrBeanTown

I hate that lil sonuva... which means I'd love him on my team.

If anyone wasn't positive you were a dope.. that line should do it. yes they need another center to go with the 5 on the team. Great point..
- niteislander

Don't forget the injury JT recovered from a couple of weeks ago will set him back a few weeks 3 months from now

What the roster should be:

Nelson - Tavares - Okposo
Lee - Nielsen - Jokinen/Vrbata
Bailey - Strome - Grabner
Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck
McDonald, Boulton

What is would be good for:

20g/25a - 35g/40a - 30g/20a = 85g
20g/15a - 20g/35a - 20g/20a = 60g
10g/20a - 20g/20a - 20g/10a = 50g
5g/5a - 5g/10a - 10g/15a = 20g

TOTAL GOALS = 215

This doesnt include defense which should chip in 15-30 goals.

I think these lines are fairly balanced with size, skill, and grit.

Bailey and Grabner are 3rd line, PK specialists. They SHOULD NOT be relied on to score top-6 numbers. They havent. They never will. The DO make for great 3rd line options though - both Bailey's and Grabner's defensive play consistently gets overlooked - they are good at D - not so good at O.
- kcNYI

Didn't Grabner have 34 goals his rookie year?

Didn't Grabner have 34 goals his rookie year?
- niteislander

and he was on pace for 30 plus in the lockout season two years ago

Vanek is still in the mix at least until July 01. Vanek, JT and KO were the best line in hockey for about two months last season. Therrien has a history of screwing up some players and I do not like the way Vanek was treated in Montreal so don't hold his playoff performance against him, imo.
Halak, Vanek and Boyle would really add to the Isles.
- flyerdude17

I am not a Vanek fan (as anyone on this board will attest to)... but I 100% agree with your post. When I watched Vanek in the playoffs I saw him trying to make a lot of passes and plays that he just did not have the guys on his line for it to work. Whether they were not expecting it, not those type of players, or he did not have Chemistry... I saw good plays where everyone else (milbury, JR, etc.) saw terrible plays. At the end of the day He did like his time here... and I don't think he will get the MONSTER $ he was hoping for elsewhere... He could end up back on that line.

(It would certainly remove some ot the Egg on Garth's face too.. which is why I can see him pulling the trigger too. afterwards.. OK so was it a bad trade now? We got Vanek who would never have come if we did not let him play on that line for a few months and see Long Island, We got Coldberg who is the best Jewish Swedish prospect ever... and our second round pick back this draft.. all for our first next year).

and he was on pace for 30 plus in the lockout season two years ago
- Vukota

Not saying I disagree with him on 3rd line either... just think he may have another breakout season this year. I love him on PK b/c of Break aways too.

Not saying I disagree with him on 3rd line either... just think he may have another breakout season this year. I love him on PK b/c of Break aways too.
- niteislander

I agree he is a borderline top 6 winger