Im having a hard time understanding the love for columbus?
- Cptmjl

Big fan of Johansen so that helps. Like i said before i like the younger players on that team (jenner, wennberg, atkinson and potentially dano). Once they get guys like Murray and Dubinsky back in i think they can do well. I won't deny im being overly optimistic about them but I like their chances to do well again this year, especially if bobrovsky keeps it up.

I've always been a JT fan. Kinda wished we'd figured out a way to get him at the draft. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that his Uncle is a beloved sports icon here.
- HonkFortheGoose

I still smile when I think of how Burke had told everyone who would listen he was going to move up for Tavares and then the look on his face on the draft floor walking back from the isles table when snow had obviously told him no. That makes me chuckle every time I think of it

Big fan of Johansen so that helps. Like i said before i like the younger players on that team (jenner, wennberg, atkinson and potentially dano). Once they get guys like Murray and Dubinsky back in i think they can do well. I won't deny im being overly optimistic about them but I like their chances to do well again this year, especially if bobrovsky keeps it up.
- Sabresfan-365

I don’t disagree, and they do have a lot of very good players and a nice mix, I just think they’re more likely to maintain and be in the mix for a wild card at best, I don’t see them having enough to jump up to a top 3 position in the division, but who knows. Every year teams surprise for different reasons.

I still smile when I think of how Burke had told everyone who would listen he was going to move up for Tavares and then the look on his face on the draft floor walking back from the isles table when snow had obviously told him no. That makes me chuckle every time I think of it
- Isles_since_6

Didn't they turn down a separate deal involving moving kaberle/schenn + for 2nd overall that year? Probably the other way around but I like to believe he just dropped the ball

That's what I mean. You have said in the past that with Nelson and Lee and Tavares healthy you are a playoff team. I disagreed but understood what you were saying. Now without Nelson you are still a playoff team in your eyes?

Understanding management helps understand moves (just like I understand why Girgorenko was sent to Rochester). But understanding the moves doesn't make your roster better.

Plus a good camp or not Concaher is now on his 4th team in 3 years and is playing on your top line. It doesn't add up IMO to being a playoff team.
- Stripes77

I dont know if you're saying I said they were a playoff team or not but if you were it wasnt me. I didn't pick them to make it last year. After the vanek trade I did say if snow shook up the defense there was a shot but he sat on his hands as if vanek was the missing piece which was obviously moronic.
This yr the departure of amac (huge, no exagerrating our defense was instantly better without himthe numbers dont lie), the emergence of dehaan, hamonic healthy, a top six and an excellent defensive fwd up fron where there's alot of depth already. Another year of nelson (he will be a beast mark my words), strome, and lee. Our goaltending which was worst in the league last yr improved vastly to at least average. Of course the additions of boychuck and the potential of leddy. Listen, im not the rose colored variety of islander fan but theres a lot to like. My one and only concern is capuano and its a big concern. I hope they are wuick to react of things go south and they have a good idea for a viable nhl coach to replace him. Theres too much talent imo to let it go to shat.

Didn't they turn down a separate deal involving moving kaberle/schenn + for 2nd overall that year? Probably the other way around but I like to believe he just dropped the ball
- Sabresfan-365

I can't remember exactly, only that snow wouldn't say who he was picking so Burke kept trying to move up.. He's a piece of work.

Don't deny your past transgressions or reason for committing it . As I said please point out the Sabre fans that have done you wrong and they will be stoned in public for you.
- Maximum Signal

Whats the point? They know who they are. Youve been on our thread before who are you kidding?

You guys are making a big deal about the Islanders and standings now. October and November are barley relevant anyways. Move on.

Take it to PMs, gentlemen.

Looks like PMs, gentlemen.
- stashu

Fixed

You guys are making a big deal about the Islanders and standings now. October and November are barley relevant anyways. Move on.
- Buffalo-Sabres

It's important for us, a good start or a bad one in the first two months can raise or sink a team early. It's not that it's the most important thing but every year we've missed the playoffs has been marked by an extended losing streak in November.

Just excited the season is underway.

Whats the point? They know who they are. Youve been on our thread before who are you kidding?
- Cptmjl

Pre draft I really thought u guys were a bottom team and was way to harsh on you guys. Since the draft Garth has had an impressive off season. Isles could be a bubble team or better.

Fixed
- cabin

It's important for us, a good start or a bad one in the first two months can raise or sink a team early. It's not that it's the most important thing but every year we've missed the playoffs has been marked by an extended losing streak in November.

Just excited the season is underway.
- Isles_since_6

Wyrd. I think its fair to say no one can peg what either team will be exactly. Was need a base of a few weeks at least to have an idea. HOCKEY!!!!!

Pre draft I really thought u guys were a bottom team and was way to harsh on you guys. Since the draft Garth has had an impressive off season. Isles could be a bubble team or better.
- joshs

appreciate that, we had a lot of back and forth on dan's blog and I'm glad we can just let it go and talk some hockey.

Pre draft I really thought u guys were a bottom team and was way to harsh on you guys. Since the draft Garth has had an impressive off season. Isles could be a bubble team or better.
- joshs

You were one of them . There were far worse though. We were able to have a debate with you for the most part. I get the vested interest in us losing thi season its not rocket science but when the complete non factual bs starts flying around is when everyone gets defensive myself included. Lets all move on. Good luck tonight.

appreciate that, we had a lot of back and forth on dan's blog and I'm glad we can just let it go and talk some hockey.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah for sure. It happens. U guys have to be very happy now that u got boychuk for pennies. I always liked him and thought he was underrated

Wyrd. I think its fair to say no one can peg what either team will be exactly. Was need a base of a few weeks at least to have an idea. HOCKEY!!!!!
- Buffalo-Sabres

The most unpredictable sport there is imo.

Yeah for sure. It happens. U guys have to be very happy now that u got boychuk for pennies. I always liked him and thought he was underrated
- joshs

He was my first choice based on our needs, but I honestly didn't think he would be available, or that it wouldn't cost us one of our top prospects. Snow was horrid last year and left the team with huge holes on the roster but has done well this offseason. I'd still like to see a new coach, but he's going to be given a chance. I just hope the leash is a very short one.

You were one of them . There were far worse though. We were able to have a debate with you for the most part. I get the vested interest in us losing thi season its not rocket science but when the complete non factual bs starts flying around is when everyone gets defensive myself included. Lets all move on. Good luck tonight.
- Cptmjl

Yeah sorry. Offseason on hockey buzz is a dark dark place

Wyrd. I think its fair to say no one can peg what either team will be exactly. Was need a base of a few weeks at least to have an idea. HOCKEY!!!!!
- Buffalo-Sabres

Well we have a hard time with Carolina so if we lose both games this weekend we'll have people losing their minds on our board. I'm going to try and be patient with the team for the first month before losing mine, but no guarantees.

Yeah sorry. Offseason on hockey buzz is a dark dark place
- joshs

Not many survive that time either.

The most unpredictable sport there is imo.
- Cptmjl

Who saw the Kings getting beat 4-0? I didn't.

Not many survive that time either.
- cabin

It's a very tough time to be on the boards. It's like a dog chasing it's tail.

Not many survive that time either.
- cabin

well, that and it's worse when you've had a number of years of frustration. I think a good portion of people who are frustrated with the previous year and waiting for months to get hockey going again tend to get a little touchy.

I do hope you guys get better quickly. I was hoping the Isles might move up for sam reinhart but that would have been impossible with calgary and the sabres looking for a top line center. He should be a very good one, reminds me a bit of Pierre Turgeon. Not necessarily the biggest or fastest, but very good vision on the ice and very gifted offensively. He may not stick this year but will be a fixture there as early as next season.