I keep hearing that Nylander is rising, plus that Washington is trying to move up and get him. Wonder if that could be a match to swap 1st's and Caps throw isles something???
- Ur Not Me

If Nylander is still on the board, I think there will be many teams other than the Caps that can offer the Islanders alot more. He drops to 5 who says Chicago doesn't get on the phone sending us Sharp while we send back the 5th and a prospect? Interesting to look at. They need a 2nd line center, not saying Nylander is going to jump right into the fire, but it is definitely something to look at.

Garth is at least kicking tires for a change.....hoping for a solid d-man, back up and top 6'er ....would be a decent mix with our core and the kids that are a year more experienced....
- Nolanders

More like he's paying a small price for permission to "kick the tires."
He apparantly didnt test the waters before jumping in on this one.
His newly dug well has already run dry. Its funny. Considering the numbers people on this blog are throwing around (spec offers) to an aging defensman. On the flip-side, Offer-Sheeting Subban, which would only benefit Subban staying in MTL. He's not leaving that team to come to this one. Get serious folks.

Zuccarello can sure distribute the puck well but my god is he awful at finishing
- eichiefs9

the guys has definitely missed 2 wide open nets (at least) in this series but hes been one of their most consistent players throughout the year.

Damn you Kings! I want to end this series so we can find out if the Isles are sold.
- ses111

I love the Rag$ fans who called WFAN and whined about their goalie before last night, presumably because he didn't shut the Kings out three times in a row. They fought hard not be embarrassed at home, he was excellent, and the Kings ran out of time. I'm thinking the Staples Center isn't on top of a heated train station, so the ice won't be slush, the great equalizer. If LA plays the way they did in the second half of the game last night, you'll get your wish on Saturday evening- it'll be over before the first intermission.

I like Josh, don't get me wrong. I'm baffled that he hasn't broken out yet. I think KO showed more promise 3 seasons ago before the shoulder injury. Took him the lockout season to fully recover from it. I have no clue what they should try with Josh—and the problem is, neither do the Isles. Burying him in the minors is a waste of money and talent. He doesn't deserve that. Trading him and eating some of his salary and getting something back is better than making him an overpaid career AHLer.
- jmo16

how is it that of all things JOSH BAILEY is the one and only thing that you like about the islanders?

FWIW:

Incarcerated Bob IBN ‏@incarceratedbob 34m

Don't count the Islanders out trying to make move up for Reinhart ... #Buzz #NHLDraft
Expand

Every time I see his name, I think I'm reading Boyes name—only one letter different.
- jmo16

More like he's paying a small price for permission to "kick the tires."
He apparantly didnt test the waters before jumping in on this one.
His newly dug well has already run dry. Its funny. Considering the numbers people on this blog are throwing around (spec offers) to an aging defensman. On the flip-side, Offer-Sheeting Subban, which would only benefit Subban staying in MTL. He's not leaving that team to come to this one. Get serious folks.
- jmo16

"Solid dman" doesn't have to be Subban. I would be fine with Boychuck, Markov, or Stralman.

Something interesting to think about: say Garth overpays Boyle to stay and fills him in on a few things he has negotiated with other teams about. 2 years, 11 mil for Boyle may be too much but I think it would be a great sign for the Islanders. The veteran on the blueline now wouldn't be a problem which means the pick could be shopped for a top 4 winger and that may just be enough for one of these free agents to realize they could be the missing piece from the Islanders being a serious contender.

Question: I don't know much about the draft, other than hearing its a weak draft. Is it worth it to try to move up to take Reinhart? I know it depends on the cost, but if have to think it would be #5 and a top prospect at least. If the isles can't turn #5 overall into a contributing veteran, would it be wise to try to trade up for Reinhart? Where is he projected to go?
- Jethro09

not worth it.

FWIW:

Incarcerated Bob IBN ‏@incarceratedbob 34m

Don't count the Islanders out trying to make move up for Reinhart ... #Buzz #NHLDraft
Expand
- PeteM

It's worth nothing.

Zuccarello can sure distribute the puck well but my god is he awful at finishing
- eichiefs9

He has the right idea, he just keeps missing the cross bar.

I like Josh, don't get me wrong. I'm baffled that he hasn't broken out yet. I think KO showed more promise 3 seasons ago before the shoulder injury. Took him the lockout season to fully recover from it. I have no clue what they should try with Josh—and the problem is, neither do the Isles. Burying him in the minors is a waste of money and talent. He doesn't deserve that. Trading him and eating some of his salary and getting something back is better than making him an overpaid career AHLer.
- jmo16

Waste of money? YES. Waste of talent? Slow your roll. He is TERRIBLE. You can't say he doesn't deserve to be buried in the minors because I think they would be doing him a favor if that were the case. Embarrassing

If Nylander is still on the board, I think there will be many teams other than the Caps that can offer the Islanders alot more. He drops to 5 who says Chicago doesn't get on the phone sending us Sharp while we send back the 5th and a prospect? Interesting to look at. They need a 2nd line center, not saying Nylander is going to jump right into the fire, but it is definitely something to look at.
- bjpgallagher

I just like that we are all talking about Nylander now.. I hope Garth is too. We have guys so he doesn't have to be rushed and will be best in the class with time. .. IMO.

Hopefully draft goes way it should and he is ours at 5.

Question: I don't know much about the draft, other than hearing its a weak draft. Is it worth it to try to move up to take Reinhart? I know it depends on the cost, but if have to think it would be #5 and a top prospect at least. If the isles can't turn #5 overall into a contributing veteran, would it be wise to try to trade up for Reinhart? Where is he projected to go?
- Jethro09

Garth has given next years pick to Buffalo, so in a way he conceded that this team will be better than last year or that it must improve enough to not be in top 5 or top 10. So why would Snow try to move up for a player in this draft while giving up on a loaded draft next year?

I think this pick is being moved.....

Question: I don't know much about the draft, other than hearing its a weak draft. Is it worth it to try to move up to take Reinhart? I know it depends on the cost, but if have to think it would be #5 and a top prospect at least. If the isles can't turn #5 overall into a contributing veteran, would it be wise to try to trade up for Reinhart? Where is he projected to go?
- Jethro09

I would not move up for anyone. Take the best player available, don't be distracted because he shares a last name

Garth has given next years pick to Buffalo, so in a way he conceded that this team will be better than last year or that it must improve enough to not be in top 5 or top 10. So why would Snow try to move up for a player in this draft while giving up on a loaded draft next year?

I think this pick is being moved.....
- Ur Not Me

yup...and def not giving up assets to get a prospect that wont be playing for the isles for another 2-3 years.

Garth has given next years pick to Buffalo, so in a way he conceded that this team will be better than last year or that it must improve enough to not be in top 5 or top 10. So why would Snow try to move up for a player in this draft while giving up on a loaded draft next year?

I think this pick is being moved.....
- Ur Not Me

I hope you are wrong... This team is already better b/c we have a Goalie. A real live bonofide .. not 40 year old goalie. It will be even better when Boyle signs this weekend... (I got a hunch). Then Garth can get a UFA top 6.. .and we are done.

I would not move up for anyone. Take the best player available, don't be distracted because he shares a last name
- Dan Petriw

I agree 100% ... (your tweet on the Anthem singer John amirante had my dying).

I hope you are wrong... This team is already better b/c we have a Goalie. A real live bonofide .. not 40 year old goalie. It will be even better when Boyle signs this weekend... (I got a hunch). Then Garth can get a UFA top 6.. .and we are done.
- niteislander

Really ??? how much better???

I would not move up for anyone. Take the best player available, don't be distracted because he shares a last name
- Dan Petriw

I agree. Take the best player available.

I agree 100% ... (your tweet on the Anthem singer John amirante had my dying).
- niteislander

?

"Solid dman" doesn't have to be Subban. I would be fine with Boychuck, Markov, or Stralman.

Something interesting to think about: say Garth overpays Boyle to stay and fills him in on a few things he has negotiated with other teams about. 2 years, 11 mil for Boyle may be too much but I think it would be a great sign for the Islanders. The veteran on the blueline now wouldn't be a problem which means the pick could be shopped for a top 4 winger and that may just be enough for one of these free agents to realize they could be the missing piece from the Islanders being a serious contender.
- bjpgallagher

Boychuk would require a trade. Markov is too old and brittle. Stralman and/or Fayne are the guys I'm thinking of- just a defenseman, who can play defense. Orpik would fill that too, but he's a little old and a little too expensive for what he brings to the table. Boyle is old and expensive, too, but he can still fill that QB role- a completely different kind of guy from these who we're discussing here.

As for the forward, as you say, if Boyle signs, then we only have to worry about that, but I'd still at least talk to Vanek- he may have his heart set on Minnesota, but that requires that franchise to agree to pay him a lot of money, which maybe they're not inclined to do. If that is the case, the worst you can do is ask the question again. Regardless of what Montreal thought of him, he made OUR team (our power play, specifically) better. You'd have to think a power play of Tavares-Vanek-Okposo-Boyle-Visnovsky might pot a few goals. I know the issue is defense, but that's an issue for the whole team- Tavares is no prize when it comes to that or faceoffs, either. That has more to do with the moron behind the bench than anything else.

I agree 100% ... (your tweet on the Anthem singer John amirante had my dying).
- niteislander

LOL....an 85 year old man, with a 12 year old's hair on his head....

Waste of money? YES. Waste of talent? Slow your roll. He is TERRIBLE. You can't say he doesn't deserve to be buried in the minors because I think they would be doing him a favor if that were the case. Embarrassing
- bjpgallagher

Yeah, he's either going to be thrown in as part of something larger, or he's not long for the NHL, anyway- if he stays as he is, a couple of years from now he won't be good enough to play on this team anymore. I'd not be surprised to see him demoted at some point, unless the light bulb goes on early in this season, the way it did for Okposo a couple of years ago. If he has 10 points in the first half, by February, he'll either be in Bridgeport, or someone who sucks more than we do will pull him off waivers.

I think (thank God) that Snow is finally done waiting around to see what's going to happen with some of these guys- there seems to be an urgency to improve now...this more than anything leads me to believe that he's going to have a new boss shortly.

Boychuk would require a trade. Markov is too old and brittle. Stralman and/or Fayne are the guys I'm thinking of- just a defenseman, who can play defense. Orpik would fill that too, but he's a little old and a little too expensive for what he brings to the table. Boyle is old and expensive, too, but he can still fill that QB role- a completely different kind of guy from these who we're discussing here.

As for the forward, as you say, if Boyle signs, then we only have to worry about that, but I'd still at least talk to Vanek- he may have his heart set on Minnesota, but that requires that franchise to agree to pay him a lot of money, which maybe they're not inclined to do. If that is the case, the worst you can do is ask the question again. Regardless of what Montreal thought of him, he made OUR team (our power play, specifically) better. You'd have to think a power play of Tavares-Vanek-Okposo-Boyle-Visnovsky might pot a few goals. I know the issue is defense, but that's an issue for the whole team- Tavares is no prize when it comes to that or faceoffs, either. That has more to do with the moron behind the bench than anything else.
- dcb1

Completely agree. I'm not a fan of Vanek's work ethic but for a player of his caliber to say the Vanek-JT-KO line was "the best line hes ever been on" it says something. If Boyle signs (a stretch at best) I think you try and trade for Sharp before signing Vanek. I also think Callahan would be great for our system. No matter who is on the ice there will eventually come a point where Garth has to realize he's going nowhere with Capuano behind the bench. He has to get fired like 6 months ago.