You've never seen Hickey get muscled off the puck? As far as Bailey goes I've never disliked him. I'm one of the few that wanted him on the team this year. He did show the same laziness that drew so much ire from most fans though in the preseason which made me more inclined to trade him. Also, I might add. I could care less if I'm right about being more patient with Bailey besides the obvious boost for the team. Being wrong about a player on hockeybuzz is not going to ruin my day nor do I expect accolades if I'm "right" about said player. Stop with your sarcasm if you got nothing to back it up with it's not funny. Really think about that bold and then answer that question.
- Cptmjl

the point being, Hickey b/c he isn't 6'4 and 230 doesn't have to rely on pushing guys or guys pushing him. He uses his strong skating and positioning again opposing players. If he plays the body and then stick check he puck away from player, how is that not effective? If you think there wasn't any Hickey bashing then go back and read the old blogs. What are you going to tell me next, there wasn't any KO bashing either before the came alive?

I've always been alone defending guys that it think have the skill and just haven't found their game. To give up on someone b/c they haven't put up points like Stamkos or Tavares makes no sense. Even Bailey as disappointed as we all have been still managed to be 5th in Isles points last season. Everyone always cries that he not scoring 25-30 goals but fail to see he has 30 assists. At Age 25 what if he puts in 15 and has 45 assists? Would you say he sucks? that would probably put him in top 50 in NHL.

Hickey was a decent pickup...he'll probably stick with the Islanders as a 6/7 defenseman...
- kear20

agree with this. I would say he is 5-6 dman on this team. 7th implies he not a starter. I don't think he has every given anyone a reason not to have him in lineup.

Ever since XX comments I want Reinhardt off the team.. .is that wrong? fck him! He is as slow as Carkner.

Hickey has played well...Like almost everyone said he is a good 6/7 dman. (He is too small and when the Isles were in playoffs the Pens made it a point to hit him...every shift.. it had an effect on him.).

Clutterbuck was excellent on the PK and if Casey C had of scored on that one play through their whole team it would have been best play of the night. Annoyingly MM looked like crap to me (I hate u all for making me look for deficiancies).
- niteislander

I have always said that Cappy uses Casey as 4th liner. I think if Casey Cizikas was ever given the chance in scoring role he would be a ryan Callahan type player. Casey Cizikas was a 1st round talent that we got in later rounds b/c of the Tackle Football death incident.

the point being, Hickey b/c he isn't 6'4 and 230 doesn't have to rely on pushing guys or guys pushing him. He uses his strong skating and positioning again opposing players. If he plays the body and then stick check he puck away from player, how is that not effective? If you think there wasn't any Hickey bashing then go back and read the old blogs. What are you going to tell me next, there wasn't any KO bashing either before the came alive?

I've always been alone defending guys that it think have the skill and just haven't found their game. To give up on someone b/c they haven't put up points like Stamkos or Tavares makes no sense. Even Bailey as disappointed as we all have been still managed to be 5th in Isles points last season. Everyone always cries that he not scoring 25-30 goals but fail to see he has 30 assists. At Age 25 what if he puts in 15 and has 45 assists? Would you say he sucks? that would probably put him in top 50 in NHL.
- Spartiarti

I didn't and you still didn't answer the question.

I have always said that Cappy uses Casey as 4th liner. I think if Casey Cizikas was ever given the chance in scoring role he would be a ryan Callahan type player. Casey Cizikas was a 1st round talent that we got in later rounds b/c of the Tackle Football death incident.
- Spartiarti

cizkias is used in a perfect role and their is no chance he plays over the centers in front of him. nothing wrong with being a 4th line center

new blog out in minutes

cizkias is used in a perfect role and their is no chance he plays over the centers in front of him. nothing wrong with being a 4th line center
- Dan Petriw

Well he's a "first round talent". Definitely bump Tavares or Nelson out put'em on the 4th line where they belong.

How do you know im not.. still doesn't make me a liar.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I never said you're a liar

the point being, Hickey b/c he isn't 6'4 and 230 doesn't have to rely on pushing guys or guys pushing him. He uses his strong skating and positioning again opposing players. If he plays the body and then stick check he puck away from player, how is that not effective? If you think there wasn't any Hickey bashing then go back and read the old blogs. What are you going to tell me next, there wasn't any KO bashing either before the came alive?

I've always been alone defending guys that it think have the skill and just haven't found their game. To give up on someone b/c they haven't put up points like Stamkos or Tavares makes no sense. Even Bailey as disappointed as we all have been still managed to be 5th in Isles points last season. Everyone always cries that he not scoring 25-30 goals but fail to see he has 30 assists. At Age 25 what if he puts in 15 and has 45 assists? Would you say he sucks? that would probably put him in top 50 in NHL.
- Spartiarti

I don't think they said he wasn't effective at times. They just said he gets knocked off the puck easily because of his small size and that is true. That doesn't mean he isn't effective it just means he has a weakness and sometimes that weakness is exposed along the boards and in the corners. Not the end of the world because most players have some kind of weakness. Just because people aren't in love with parts of his game doesn't make that player useless or bad

How do you xx isn't at home right now dressed like Dracula surrounded by a bunch of dolls?
- Vukota