He has more talent then beau but it's his 2 way game that will make or break him
- Upstate_isles

Well, I've always thought if Barzal proves he's capable of that and he has so far(I know it's one game, but one can still hope), he should take that number 2 spot. Otherwise, keeping him at line 3, in my opinion can hurt his progress. And if he does prove it, you have a logjam at forward, so therefore somebody needs to get traded.

Also, I like the idea of keeping the Chimera - Beauvillier - Ho-Sang line as my 3rd line anyways so in a perfect world, I'd want both B's on the main team.

An A55hole and a hipster? You are shorty! So go:


- nyisles7

How (frank)ing dare you

Why is Barzal the one you would move to wing? I was thinking Nelson. Maybe then he would finally crash the net.

I still say the second line will be Ladd Nelson Bailey. The third line will be Chimera Beau Ho-Sang. Barzal will have to play his ass off to make the team.
- JimmyP

Very small (and preseason) sample, but Barzal has looked lightyears better than Beauvillier so far. Beauvillier did not look great in the Ranger game. Just because he made the big club last year doesn't mean he has earned the assumption that he is ready for full-time NHL duty.

I think it's every bit as likely that Beauvillier starts the year in BPT as it is that Barzal does.

Very small (and preseason) sample, but Barzal has looked lightyears better than Beauvillier so far. Beauvillier did not look great in the Ranger game. Just because he made the big club last year doesn't mean he has earned the assumption that he is ready for full-time NHL duty.

I think it's every bit as likely that Beauvillier starts the year in BPT as it is that Barzal does.
- eichiefs9

Did any player. It was like 5 minutes of 5-5 the whole game.

Very small (and preseason) sample, but Barzal has looked lightyears better than Beauvillier so far. Beauvillier did not look great in the Ranger game. Just because he made the big club last year doesn't mean he has earned the assumption that he is ready for full-time NHL duty.

I think it's every bit as likely that Beauvillier starts the year in BPT as it is that Barzal does.
- eichiefs9

if barzal outplays him I'm sure 72 is ahl bound. at least to start the year.

ps, barzal better be able to step in and contribute as the second line center because Nelson looks like he's already in late season form. If Nelson is the 2C the Isles are going to struggle this season. still think they need to make a move to add one but if Barzal earns the spot I'll wait and see.

I'm still irritable about this team always needing one more move and snow always stops short of giving them what they need. That said, despite how pissed off I was at the end of the year, I caved and reordered center ice even without the 2C.

so now I'm still pissed at snow, as well as myself.

Did any player. It was like 5 minutes of 5-5 the whole game.
- mdw7413

Yeah, like I said...it's not really a fair representation. I just don't believe in penciling a young kid into the lineup simply because he spent the year with the Islanders last year. Barzal's ceiling is undeniably higher than Beauvillier, so if Barzal is playing better out of camp and they have to pick between the two of them then I see no reason why Barzal shouldn't start the year with the Islanders.

It's not like either of them require waivers, so either can easily be recalled/sent to BPT with no issue.

if barzal outplays him I'm sure 72 is ahl bound. at least to start the year.

ps, barzal better be able to step in and contribute as the second line center because Nelson looks like he's already in late season form. If Nelson is the 2C the Isles are going to struggle this season. still think they need to make a move to add one but if Barzal earns the spot I'll wait and see.

I'm still irritable about this team always needing one more move and snow always stops short of giving them what they need. That said, despite how pissed off I was at the end of the year, I caved and reordered center ice even without the 2C.

so now I'm still pissed at snow, as well as myself.
- Isles_since_6

I'm not ready to judge Nelson one preseason game into things, same way it's not a fair sample size for Barzal/Beauvillier. I mean the guy scored a completely legitimate goal in the Rangers game too, albeit one that got unfairly taken back, but it's easy to just point to him getting walked by Pionk in OT and be upset.

Yeah, like I said...it's not really a fair representation. I just don't believe in penciling a young kid into the lineup simply because he spent the year with the Islanders last year. Barzal's ceiling is undeniably higher than Beauvillier, so if Barzal is playing better out of camp and they have to pick between the two of them then I see no reason why Barzal shouldn't start the year with the Islanders.

It's not like either of them require waivers, so either can easily be recalled/sent to BPT with no issue.
- eichiefs9

Yup, and thats the key.

I'm not ready to judge Nelson one preseason game into things, same way it's not a fair sample size for Barzal/Beauvillier. I mean the guy scored a completely legitimate goal in the Rangers game too, albeit one that got unfairly taken back, but it's easy to just point to him getting walked by Pionk in OT and be upset.
- eichiefs9

I'm ready to judge Nelson based on many NHL games. Barzal and Beau are just starting out so if they mess up or have a bad game it's different. Nelson should be traded with one of the #1 picks and another piece. I understand they cannot get Duchene for this package so get someone else.

I'm ready to judge Nelson based on many NHL games. Barzal and Beau are just starting out so if they mess up or have a bad game it's different. Nelson should be traded with one of the #1 picks and another piece. I understand they cannot get Duchene for this package so get someone else.
- ses111

You're trading 20 or more goals you better replace them.

You're trading 20 or more goals you better replace them.
- Cptmjl

I'm hoping you can get a 20 goal player back for Nelson a #1 pick and another piece. I rather take my chance on someone else than Nelson who disappears for long stretches when the team needs him the most.

I'm ready to judge Nelson based on many NHL games. Barzal and Beau are just starting out so if they mess up or have a bad game it's different. Nelson should be traded with one of the #1 picks and another piece. I understand they cannot get Duchene for this package so get someone else.
- ses111

Nelson certainly struggles with consistency, no argument there. He's not a perfect player but I'm not sure why some fans think he was expected to be some sort of top line point producer. He was the last pick of the first round, that's not exactly where you go to find top-tier talent. I think his production has been commensurate with his draft position.

I'd like to see him distribute his points a bit more evenly, instead of being hot for stretches and then invisible for stretches, but at the end of the day he is a consistently-healthy guy that has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last three consecutive seasons. I'd like to see his point totals go up by about 10-or-so points, into the mid-50's, but it's not like the guy is some sort of anchor.

Nelson certainly struggles with consistency, no argument there. He's not a perfect player but I'm not sure why some fans think he was expected to be some sort of top line point producer. He was the last pick of the first round, that's not exactly where you go to find top-tier talent. I think his production has been commensurate with his draft position.

I'd like to see him distribute his points a bit more evenly, instead of being hot for stretches and then invisible for stretches, but at the end of the day he is a consistently-healthy guy that has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last three consecutive seasons. I'd like to see his point totals go up by about 10-or-so points, into the mid-50's, but it's not like the guy is some sort of anchor.
- eichiefs9

I did not expect JT numbers, but he was not expected to be a 3rd line checker either. The guy clearly has the talent to be much better. He has no desire or drive whatsoever. That's the issue and the coaching staff have to lay down the law with guys like Nelson that dogging it will no longer be accepted like with Cappy. That OT goal was the perfect chance for Doug and his staff to make an example out of Nelson.

Nelson isn't changing his game if you put him to wing.

My point on Barzal was if he shows the skill set and offensive abilities to help the team, however struggles in the FO dot and his defensive responsibilities as a center he should and will be given a chance at the wing as many centers who broke into the league have done before him. Of course some on here said if he doesn't play center he will be at BP. I don't agree with this.
- nyisles7

This may be the longest sentence ever posted on Hockeybuzz.

I did not expect JT numbers, but he was not expected to be a 3rd line checker either. The guy clearly has the talent to be much better. He has no desire or drive whatsoever. That's the issue and the coaching staff have to lay down the law with guys like Nelson that dogging it will no longer be accepted like with Cappy. That OT goal was the perfect chance for Doug and his staff to make an example out of Nelson.
- ses111

I get that he is lazy at times but that OT goal he was out there for over two minutes and was gassed. I don't think any player out there that long would have stopped that move. Shat that was the prototypical JT overtime shift right there

Nelson certainly struggles with consistency, no argument there. He's not a perfect player but I'm not sure why some fans think he was expected to be some sort of top line point producer. He was the last pick of the first round, that's not exactly where you go to find top-tier talent. I think his production has been commensurate with his draft position.

I'd like to see him distribute his points a bit more evenly, instead of being hot for stretches and then invisible for stretches, but at the end of the day he is a consistently-healthy guy that has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last three consecutive seasons. I'd like to see his point totals go up by about 10-or-so points, into the mid-50's, but it's not like the guy is some sort of anchor.
- eichiefs9

- Vukota

- eichiefs9

Yeah, like I said...it's not really a fair representation. I just don't believe in penciling a young kid into the lineup simply because he spent the year with the Islanders last year. Barzal's ceiling is undeniably higher than Beauvillier, so if Barzal is playing better out of camp and they have to pick between the two of them then I see no reason why Barzal shouldn't start the year with the Islanders.

It's not like either of them require waivers, so either can easily be recalled/sent to BPT with no issue.
- eichiefs9

Serious Question but why do people think the isles can field a team with both Beauvillier and Barzal?

Nelson certainly struggles with consistency, no argument there. He's not a perfect player but I'm not sure why some fans think he was expected to be some sort of top line point producer. He was the last pick of the first round, that's not exactly where you go to find top-tier talent. I think his production has been commensurate with his draft position.

I'd like to see him distribute his points a bit more evenly, instead of being hot for stretches and then invisible for stretches, but at the end of the day he is a consistently-healthy guy that has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last three consecutive seasons. I'd like to see his point totals go up by about 10-or-so points, into the mid-50's, but it's not like the guy is some sort of anchor.
- eichiefs9

Well said

You're trading 20 or more goals you better replace them.
- Cptmjl

This is the reason why I think the isles will be better. They've added that scoring.

Very small (and preseason) sample, but Barzal has looked lightyears better than Beauvillier so far. Beauvillier did not look great in the Ranger game. Just because he made the big club last year doesn't mean he has earned the assumption that he is ready for full-time NHL duty.

I think it's every bit as likely that Beauvillier starts the year in BPT as it is that Barzal does.
- eichiefs9

I think it's Beau's spot to lose. Beau has a year of NHL experience under his belt. Having two rookies (Ho-Sang and Barzal) on the team is a big risk. We'll see how the next weeks play out.

Serious Question but why do people think the isles can field a team with both Beauvillier and Barzal?
- kindlyrick

It's possible, I guess. I just don't see it as particularly likely. Islanders have one too many forwards on the roster to make it a reality. Which is fine, because there are going to be a lot of forward contracts expiring after this season. Bailey, Kulemin, Chimera are all going to be UFA's. Getting way ahead of myself here, but I would love to bring Chimera back in a fourth line role when Kulemin walks.

I think it's Beau's spot to lose. Beau has a year of NHL experience under his belt. Having two rookies (Ho-Sang and Barzal) on the team is a big risk. We'll see how the next weeks play out.
- JimmyP

I would disagree on that point. Beauvillier had a solid rookie season, but he was not a major offensive contributor and saw some time in the press box. That's not getting down on the kid at all, it's completely expected from a young kid who wasn't a top-2 selection. But I don't think he's earned any sort of right to have his roster spot as "his to lose" just by way of making the roster a season ago.

He should certainly have the edge, having a year of NHL play under his belt, but I see absolutely no reason to hand him a roster spot if Barzal proves he can manage the workload.

I would disagree on that point. Beauvillier had a solid rookie season, but he was not a major offensive contributor and saw some time in the press box. That's not getting down on the kid at all, it's completely expected from a young kid who wasn't a top-2 selection. But I don't think he's earned any sort of right to have his roster spot as "his to lose" just by way of making the roster a season ago.

He should certainly have the edge, having a year of NHL play under his belt, but I see absolutely no reason to hand him a roster spot if Barzal proves he can manage the workload.
- eichiefs9

I didn't mean "his to lose" in the sense that he's has the spot locked up. I meant that Barzal will have to solidly outplay him to get the spot. All things being equal I think they go with Beau. Since Dougie hasn't call me for advice I'll have to wait and see.