I'm one of the guys who thinks Donovan can be an NHL defenseman but I can't disagree with you here. He's not ready and he's not in the picture at all at the moment. Badly handled and hasn't looked good in any opportunities since he was paired with Dehaan. He just looks bad.
- Isles_since_6

How so? Every time he was given a shot he shat the bed. I don't want to hear about Carkner either. He was terrible in this preseason without Carkner. Plenty of players who star in the AHL and it never translates in the NHL and I think he will just be another T.J. Brennan

My buddy lives in Toronto and had been telling me before the game that the Leafs scouting report was to shoot blocker side on Halak. I laughed it off until the game started. Man I find it disturbing that all the goals went in on that side, and when you look back at where he was beat in previous games.......most were to the same side. I hope the goalie coach helps him to adjust because its too easy right now for the shooters.
- islesrbettr

Well I guess you can't include Nash's weak backhand dribbler in that category.

Tryout? The guy flat out sucks and everybody knows that. You mean it took them 6 games this year to figure that out?
- Vukota

i dont necessarily agree with that. i dont think he SUCKS, i think there were better options than CMc IE lee.

i dont necessarily agree with that. i dont think he SUCKS, i think there were better options than CMc IE lee.
- LetsGoIsles

Tell me one thing McDonald does that is good at the NHL level besides sucking?

Isles introduce new owners today at 3 pm.
- niteislander

does that mean they're handing-over the keys to the shop?
C'mon Charles....retire. You don't need the $$$ now. Go be a stay-at-home dad. Your son's BFF. Take the wife around the world. They got it from here...

No facking way. Donovan makes Strait look like an all star
- Vukota

strait > donovan

I don't know where to stand on Donovan. I haven't given up on him yet, as I think he's played generally well in Bridgeport. But he hasn't shown a ton at the NHL level so right now he's kind of in limbo. My hope is that they work out a deal for him, maybe get a pick for this years draft...but with the depth of the '15 draft I'm not particularly hopeful that it's going to be a very valuable one. I don't know if he's worth an NHL player. Maybe one that is overpaid from a cap-strapped team, but even that might be a stretch.
- eichiefs9

they will not get much for donovan...no legit player. nothing better than a 4th/5th draft

Staple says per a league source there won't be any supplemental discipline for de Haan
- eichiefs9

Maybe having Pronger working in the NHL is a good thing?

He reviews the tape and mutters to himself....."Nah, that's not a dirty shot. I used to hit guys like that all the time.....in practice."

For those of you in the tri-state area, I'm guessing Brett Cyrgalis is now the NY Post's full-time Islanders beat writers...he's done a pretty good job these first two weeks. His articles have been pretty well written and honest.

How so? Every time he was given a shot he shat the bed. I don't want to hear about Carkner either. He was terrible in this preseason without Carkner. Plenty of players who star in the AHL and it never translates in the NHL and I think he will just be another T.J. Brennan
- Vukota

Tell me one thing McDonald does that is good at the NHL level besides sucking?
- Vukota

i think hes a fine bottom 6 guy on a middle of the pack/bad team. hustles. back/forechecks. hits.

For those of you in the tri-state area, I'm guessing Brett Cyrgalis is now the NY Post's full-time Islanders beat writers...he's done a pretty good job these first two weeks. His articles have been pretty well written and honest.
- potvin05

imagine that? honesty in the news. what a relief.

i think hes a fine bottom 6 guy on a middle of the pack/bad team. hustles. back/forechecks. hits.
- LetsGoIsles

All average at best and that's being nice

imagine that? honesty in the news. what a relief.
- jmo16

It's a dying tradition, that's for sure.

All average at best and that's being nice
- Vukota

i dont disagree...but the point is, to give the guy a 2 game tryout isnt the end of the world, especially when there is $$ and business involved.

in a playstation game, i would have kept up Lee but he had a 2 way contract and didnt have to be placed on waivers, CMc did and they didnt want to potentially lose him without being sure. they prob also figured if he didnt warrant a spot on the team then other teams would be less inclined to pick him up.

either way, its spilled milk. i didnt love the decision but i understand it and im happy with the result.

i dont disagree...but the point is, to give the guy a 2 game tryout isnt the end of the world, especially when there is $$ and business involved.

in a playstation game, i would have kept up Lee but he had a 2 way contract and didnt have to be placed on waivers, CMc did and they didnt want to potentially lose him without being sure. they prob also figured if he didnt warrant a spot on the team then other teams would be less inclined to pick him up.

either way, its spilled milk. i didnt love the decision but i understand it and im happy with the result.
- LetsGoIsles

Vukota just PM'ed me and told me you smell like AIDS, FYI.

just put Lee in Grabos spot...and leave other lines intact...I still have no issue with Conacher...he didn't lose the game yesterday...1st period it was almost like the top line was waiting for something to just happen rather then work for it...yes JT scored but he and KO were not themselves til the 3rd when they all decided to wake up.

any update on Grabner

Vukota just PM'ed me and told me you smell like AIDS, FYI.
- eichiefs9

lmao

The new owners were asked if they had a message to the fans what would it be and Ledecky just said 5th Ring

BTW- Wang is a disaster

just put Lee in Grabos spot...and leave other lines intact...I still have no issue with Conacher...he didn't lose the game yesterday...1st period it was almost like the top line was waiting for something to just happen rather then work for it...yes JT scored but he and KO were not themselves til the 3rd when they all decided to wake up.
- Nolanders

The first line is doing nothing at even strength

The first line is doing nothing at even strength
- Dan Petriw

Exactly. Conacher is the next one on the outs if he doesn't start doing something

just put Lee in Grabos spot...and leave other lines intact...I still have no issue with Conacher...he didn't lose the game yesterday...1st period it was almost like the top line was waiting for something to just happen rather then work for it...yes JT scored but he and KO were not themselves til the 3rd when they all decided to wake up.
- Nolanders

his role isnt to "not lose games" its to be offensively productive. he should be seeing 3rd/4th line minutes at this point.

The first line is doing nothing at even strength
- Dan Petriw

Conacher didn't lose the game for them but he only has 1 point so far while his linemates have 10 and 8.

Why is this team's sssoooo ssslllloooowww to make adjustments? Anyone watching this team knows that Anders Lee is a far more suitable replacement for Grabovski than Colin McDonald, yet Snow/Cappy had to waste 2 games proving it. Why does Cappy wait until the 3rd period to make adjustments when the game was lost in the middle 10 minutes of the 2nd period? And, of course, there's still Brian Strait playing over Reinhart or Pulock, and, of course the smaht guy himself still as uncreative as ever with a new wrinkle of being less enthusiastic and more critical after a win than after a loss that gives us one more nonsensical trait to puzzle over.