Agreed...........look at the teams who are successful now. They're combinations of size, and speed. As you said there are obviously exceptions to the rule (Martin St Louis etc), but for me.........i like a Brock Nelson type (and he's only gonna get bigger).
- kindlyrick

3 years from now when Nelson has scored more NHL goals than Strome, we'll be wondering why he didn't get more attention as a prospect.

Nelson is my favorite of the kids.

It's a respect thing. It's why hockey is the greatest sport on the planet. There are unwritten rules in hockey.....and that's one of em. You just don't wear number 66.

It's not a rule that you can't pummel a star player if you're a "tough guy" but you just don't do it.
- kindlyrick

Sure you do... it's not retired from the NHL.

And 99 is respected around the league. 66... not so much!!!

I hear ya, but the problem is there appears to be little groups on here. If I happen to be debating with one person, the next thing i know, I have 4 people joining in like I kicked their dog because I said Hickey gets outmuscled. Thats fine, but its hard to respond while at work to everyone.

Bottom line, I love the isles and love hockey in general......I feel i have above average knowledge. That said, im no GM, but I can tell you this.......im tired of being a 5th overall pick team. I think the isles have turned the corner........but im still hoping snow addresses the backend before the start of the season.
- kindlyrick

on the same page for the second paragraph. The first paragraph, well, I can't address because I'm being friendly with everyone all summer lol

all's good, we're all frustrated, have been for years and would like something to cheer about. I'd like to see one more defenseman added, but it's all good for now.

Sure you do... it's not retired from the NHL.

And 99 is respected around the league. 66... not so much!!!
- jimmc7722

do I go here? Ho Sang was said to be a cancer and....I can't do it.

czuczman is what, 23-24? obviously going to be stronger than an 18 y/o kid, especially since the kid isn't particularly big to begin with. I'm not even thinking about it...first prospect camp means absolutely nothing.
- Isles_since_6

I know it means nothing.........i was more praising Czuczman.

3 years from now when Nelson has scored more NHL goals than Strome, we'll be wondering why he didn't get more attention as a prospect.

Nelson is my favorite of the kids.
- Isles_since_6

He's a pedigree.........and i agree, in 3 years he's gonna be a beast.

do I go here? Ho Sang was said to be a cancer and....I can't do it.
- Isles_since_6

Yea... it's ok.

Sure you do... it's not retired from the NHL.

And 99 is respected around the league. 66... not so much!!!
- jimmc7722

Back to this again??? Since Mario retired........how many NHLers wore his number? One player, TJ Brodie, wore it for 3 games I believe, and then switched. Mario Lemieux is the only other forward who's name can be said in the same sentence as Gretzky.

do I go here? Ho Sang was said to be a cancer and....I can't do it.
- Isles_since_6

Ho Sang is just a kid.

I remember 18 yrs old... I would be a mess in the NHL...

I would have been like Evander Kane... talking into my $$$$ phone.

Back to this again??? Since Mario retired........how many NHLers wore his number? One player, TJ Brodie, wore it for 3 games I believe, and then switched. Mario Lemieux is the only other forward who's name can be said in the same sentence as Gretzky.
- kindlyrick

What about Bobby Orr???

Lot's of great player... only one retired jersey #!!!

What about Bobby Orr???

Lot's of great player... only one retired jersey!!!
- jimmc7722

What about Bobby Orr?? Lots of guys wear his number.........its not about his skill level. Im not making this up.........look it up. Noone wears 66, for whatever the reason. Well noone except Joshua Ho Sang....

I know it means nothing.........i was more praising Czuczman.
- kindlyrick

I wonder how much of a shot he'll get in camp with the number of one way contracts we have. I do agree I liked what I saw for a limited sample size, in the regular season I mean. I didn't see the prospects scrimmage.

Ho Sang is just a kid.

I remember 18 yrs old... I would be a mess in the NHL...

I would have been like Evander Kane... talking into my $$$$ phone.
- jimmc7722

Yes he's a kid, and thats his only saving grace as far as im concerned. But, after reading some of his comments, I personally dont see him changing his tune. The kid really believes he's the best player to come outta the draft. The question I have is, what if he's not the best player to come outta the draft? Noone likes a big mouth.

Back to this again??? Since Mario retired........how many NHLers wore his number? One player, TJ Brodie, wore it for 3 games I believe, and then switched. Mario Lemieux is the only other forward who's name can be said in the same sentence as Gretzky.
- kindlyrick

I just don't seeing it being a big deal... Mario has nothing to do with the Isles!!!

I would wear it out of spite...

Mario is a hypocrite!!!

What about Bobby Orr?? Lots of guys wear his number.........its not about his skill level. Im not making this up.........look it up. Noone wears 66, for whatever the reason. Well noone except Joshua Ho Sang....
- kindlyrick

if Ho Sang makes the NHL, and does wear 66, I'll be curious to see the crowd reaction for his first game in Pittsburgh. That'll be an interesting one.

I wonder how much of a shot he'll get in camp with the number of one way contracts we have. I do agree I liked what I saw for a limited sample size, in the regular season I mean. I didn't see the prospects scrimmage.
- Isles_since_6

The prospect scrimmage was pretty uneventful. I think Czuczman will have a legit shot to make the squad. He's got all the tools......its just a question if he can put them all together. His size, speed and hands are NHL material.......i think he's the kind of kid thats gonna get better every game.

if Ho Sang makes the NHL, and does wear 66, I'll be curious to see the crowd reaction for his first game in Pittsburgh. That'll be an interesting one.
- Isles_since_6

Screw the crowd, I think if he comes out wearing 66, he's gonna get run. Heck, I bet you he gets smashed in training camp wearing that number.

Yes he's a kid, and thats his only saving grace as far as im concerned. But, after reading some of his comments, I personally dont see him changing his tune. The kid really believes he's the best player to come outta the draft. The question I have is, what if he's not the best player to come outta the draft? Noone likes a big mouth.
- kindlyrick

Then the players around him will need to settle him down... if not other players from other teams will.

Hockey player are a quiet bunch... nobody loves a showboat, and loud mouth.

I just don't seeing it being a big deal... Mario has nothing to do with the Isles!!!

I would wear it out of spite...

Mario is a hypocrite!!!
- jimmc7722

Perhaps, but that doesnt take away from the fact that he's arguably the best forward to ever play the game. What he did on the ice was pure magic. I dont care about his comments in the media.......he was protecting his team, as any REAL owner would.

What about Bobby Orr?? Lots of guys wear his number.........its not about his skill level. Im not making this up.........look it up. Noone wears 66, for whatever the reason. Well noone except Joshua Ho Sang....
- kindlyrick

What about Bobby Orr???

What about Gordie Howe???

Lot's of legends out there.

What is your reasoning for him not wearing it???

Why is Mario so special???

Then the players around him will need to settle him down... if not other players from other teams will.

Hockey player are a quiet bunch... nobody loves a showboat, and loud mouth.
- jimmc7722

Wearing number 66, and saying he's going to be the best player to come out of the draft is just that.......showboating, and being a loud mouth.

They have him rooming with Reinhardt........after hearing Reinhardt being interviewed, the kid sounds like a real deal professional. Hopefully that rubs off.

What about Bobby Orr???

What about Gordie Howe???

Lot's of legends out there.

What is your reasoning for him not wearing it???

Why is Mario so special???
- jimmc7722

Bro, im not in the NHL.........all im saying is NOONE wears Mario's number. My guess is its outta respect. Let me say this for the final time. Since Mario retired, only ONE PLAYER wore his number and then switched after 3 games. Clearly theres an unwritten rule that EVERYONE IN THE NHL FOLLOWS. Everyone except the isles 28th overall pick .

Perhaps, but that doesnt take away from the fact that he's arguably the best forward to ever play the game. What he did on the ice was pure magic. I dont care about his comments in the media.......he was protecting his team, as any REAL owner would.
- kindlyrick

He says how much he hates cheapshots and that type of hockey, and who do they sign???


Steve Downie???

Screw the crowd, I think if he comes out wearing 66, he's gonna get run. Heck, I bet you he gets smashed in training camp wearing that number.
- kindlyrick

Smashed by one of his own team mates for the number on his back?

Seriously??

If one of my players takes a run at one of my top prospects because of the number he chose to wear on his back I would run THAT player off my team.

Its one thing if hes being taught a lesson for something that happened, or said.. but a number?? Really??

XxNYIxX

He says how much he hates cheapshots and that type of hockey, and who do they sign???


Steve Downie???
- jimmc7722

Theres a fine line nowadays with "cheap shots". It wasnt that long ago when Scott Stevens layed out Eric Lindross and it was a clean hit to the head.

Again, I dont care what Mario says or does nowadays.......doesnt take away what he did on the ice.