- eichiefs9

It's an E4 so Hall will be playing for the Isles tonight right?

Don't disagree about that one bit.

I think this is sort of a half-assed "shit or get off the pot" moment for him. I don't think he needs to come in and light the world on fire by any means but we're four years post-draft for him and he's just getting into his first NHL action tonight. If he's going to be any sort of an impact player for us it'd be nice to see a little bit of something while he's got the chance.
- eichiefs9

Exactly right.

Exactly right.
- Wildschwein

I just love waiting years on many of these prospects.

I just love waiting years on many of these prospects.
- ses111

Patience is a virtue my friend.

Don't disagree about that one bit.

I think this is sort of a half-assed "shit or get off the pot" moment for him. I don't think he needs to come in and light the world on fire by any means but we're four years post-draft for him and he's just getting into his first NHL action tonight. If he's going to be any sort of an impact player for us it'd be nice to see a little bit of something while he's got the chance.
- eichiefs9

It would be nice to see him get some time in the top 6. Give him a chance to succeed and help the team rather than try to carry a line that NOBODY else has been able to do anything with. Brassard blows especially as a center. Unless there’s some kind of instant chemistry I don’t expect Bellows to suddenly make that line wonderful. That is an unrealistic expectation IMO.

Patience is a virtue my friend.
- Wildschwein

I guess. I've always struggled with patience. Must be because of years with Garth and Cappy.

It would be nice to see him get some time in the top 6. Give him a chance to succeed and help the team rather than try to carry a line that NOBODY else has been able to do anything with. Brassard blows especially as a center. Unless there’s some kind of instant chemistry I don’t expect Bellows to suddenly make that line wonderful. That is an unrealistic expectation IMO.
- Cptmjl

It would be nice to see Bellows get top 6 time. Barzal or Bailey can pass to Bellows and he can shoot the entire game.

It would be nice to see him get some time in the top 6. Give him a chance to succeed and help the team rather than try to carry a line that NOBODY else has been able to do anything with. Brassard blows especially as a center. Unless there’s some kind of instant chemistry I don’t expect Bellows to suddenly make that line wonderful. That is an unrealistic expectation IMO.
- Cptmjl

Well then you gotta move either Lee or Beau down in the lineup. I saw, and agreed with, the argument for maybe giving Wahlstrom a shot for a little bit with a top-6 line, because after Eberle it gets a little murkier than it does on the other side of the ice. But tough to say Lee or Beau should be rolling with the third line, even though Lee has been largely-disappointing so far this season.

Bellows will probably be, mostly, a non-factor in this game. He's not killing penalties and probably won't get much (if any) PP time. He definitely won't play if the score is close at the end of the game. Wahlstrom played about 9 minutes a night in most of his time here and that's about what I'm expecting Trotz to do with Bellows.

Well then you gotta move either Lee or Beau down in the lineup. I saw, and agreed with, the argument for maybe giving Wahlstrom a shot for a little bit with a top-6 line, because after Eberle it gets a little murkier than it does on the other side of the ice. But tough to say Lee or Beau should be rolling with the third line, even though Lee has been largely-disappointing so far this season.

Bellows will probably be, mostly, a non-factor in this game. He's not killing penalties and probably won't get much (if any) PP time. He definitely won't play if the score is close at the end of the game. Wahlstrom played about 9 minutes a night in most of his time here and that's about what I'm expecting Trotz to do with Bellows.
- eichiefs9

He has?

This isn’t my irrational fanboy side asking either. Other than his lack of PP production, what fault have you found in Lee’s performance this season?

He has?

This isn’t my irrational fanboy side asking either. Other than his lack of PP production, what fault have you found in Lee’s performance this season?
- Wildschwein

He's got a $7M contract and he's on pace for about 26 goals and 47 points. They need more than that for the money they're paying him.

Well then you gotta move either Lee or Beau down in the lineup. I saw, and agreed with, the argument for maybe giving Wahlstrom a shot for a little bit with a top-6 line, because after Eberle it gets a little murkier than it does on the other side of the ice. But tough to say Lee or Beau should be rolling with the third line, even though Lee has been largely-disappointing so far this season.

Bellows will probably be, mostly, a non-factor in this game. He's not killing penalties and probably won't get much (if any) PP time. He definitely won't play if the score is close at the end of the game. Wahlstrom played about 9 minutes a night in most of his time here and that's about what I'm expecting Trotz to do with Bellows.
- eichiefs9

The expectations can’t be for him to score and produce on a line that’s been unable to do so the entire season then. It’s completely unrealistic unless he has some instant chemistry with Brassard or something along those lines. Who knows maybe that happens but I wouldn’t bet on it. Just my opinion.

He's got a $7M contract and he's on pace for about 26 goals and 47 points. They need more than that for the money they're paying him.
- eichiefs9

Yup.

15 of Lee’s 16 goals have come at even strength. League wide, that puts him in a tie for 27th place, ahead of players like Stamkos, Tavares, Svechnikov and Bergeron. He’s also tied for 11th in game winning goals.

He’s on pace to exceed his career high in shots on a team that sits 31st in shots for.

He plays on a team that has currently been awarded the fewest PPs per game.

He plays on a team that requires a “defence first” system in order to succeed.

While it’s true that he’s struggled on the PP this year, is it a stretch to think he’d be over 20 goals if the Islanders received their fair share of man advantages?

Personally, I’ve been pleased with his production thus far. Do I wish he scored more? Of course. But considering how the team plays, and the baffling way they are officiated, I’d say he’s done quite well.

Yup.

15 of Lee’s 16 goals have come at even strength. League wide, that puts him in a tie for 27th place, ahead of players like Stamkos, Tavares, Svechnikov and Bergeron. He’s also tied for 11th in game winning goals.

He’s on pace to exceed his career high in shots on a team that sits 31st in shots for.

He plays on a team that has currently been awarded the fewest PPs per game.

He plays on a team that requires a “defence first” system in order to succeed.

While it’s true that he’s struggled on the PP this year, is it a stretch to think he’d be over 20 goals if the Islanders received their fair share of man advantages?

Personally, I’ve been pleased with his production thus far. Do I wish he scored more? Of course. But considering how the team plays, and the baffling way they are officiated, I’d say he’s done quite well.
- Wildschwein

I get all of that, and I'm not sitting here saying the guy stinks, but at the end of the day you can't be getting 47pts from a guy that gets top line minutes and just signed a big ticket.

You can argue that the Isles are low-scoring/low-shooting, and you're correct, but a sizable portion of that falls on Lee's shoulders.

He's 3rd on the team in total ice time per game and 3rd in PP ice time. The ES numbers are certainly good, but he's gotta find a way to produce more. He also gets to play with the team's most offensively talented center.

Yup.

15 of Lee’s 16 goals have come at even strength. League wide, that puts him in a tie for 27th place, ahead of players like Stamkos, Tavares, Svechnikov and Bergeron. He’s also tied for 11th in game winning goals.

He’s on pace to exceed his career high in shots on a team that sits 31st in shots for.

He plays on a team that has currently been awarded the fewest PPs per game.

He plays on a team that requires a “defence first” system in order to succeed.

While it’s true that he’s struggled on the PP this year, is it a stretch to think he’d be over 20 goals if the Islanders received their fair share of man advantages?


Personally, I’ve been pleased with his production thus far. Do I wish he scored more? Of course. But considering how the team plays, and the baffling way they are officiated, I’d say he’s done quite well.
- Wildschwein

He's worth every penny Schwein. There's more to him than scoring goals. Could you imagine the top 6 without him

I get all of that, and I'm not sitting here saying the guy stinks, but at the end of the day you can't be getting 47pts from a guy that gets top line minutes and just signed a big ticket.

You can argue that the Isles are low-scoring/low-shooting, and you're correct, but a sizable portion of that falls on Lee's shoulders.

He's 3rd on the team in total ice time per game and 3rd in PP ice time. The ES numbers are certainly good, but he's gotta find a way to produce more. He also gets to play with the team's most offensively talented center.
- eichiefs9

True.

I do believe Lee is capable of producing more, but I think the key to that lies in the PP.

The Islanders currently rank 20th in PP potency. While there’s certainly room for improvement, I can’t help but wonder how the lack of opportunities might be neutering its effectiveness.

He's worth every penny Schwein. There's more to him than scoring goals. Could you imagine the top 6 without him
- nyisles7

I once had a nightmare in which Lee was a Flame. Woke up in tears.

True.

I do believe Lee is capable of producing more, but I think the key to that lies in the PP.

The Islanders currently rank 20th in PP potency, and while there’s certainly room for improvement, I can’t help but wonder how the lack of opportunities are affecting its effectiveness.
- Wildschwein

They've been getting more lately, the real lack of PP's was mainly over the first chunk of the season. I'm pretty sure there aren't stats readily available breaking down PP opportunities over different periods of time, but I'd be willing to bet that the Isles have been a lot closer to league-average over the last 3-4 weeks than they were over the first couple months of the season.

I'm sure it's affecting the PP to some degree, but going off last year as well....their PP clearly leaves a lot to be desired, as a whole.

They've been getting more lately, the real lack of PP's was mainly over the first chunk of the season. I'm pretty sure there aren't stats readily available breaking down PP opportunities over different periods of time, but I'd be willing to bet that the Isles have been a lot closer to league-average over the last 3-4 weeks than they were over the first couple months of the season.

I'm sure it's affecting the PP to some degree, but going off last year as well....their PP clearly leaves a lot to be desired, as a whole.
- eichiefs9

Do you think that the lack of PPs early might’ve stunted its effectiveness later?

And as far as improvements needing to be made, what sorts of changes were you thinking?

Do you think that the lack of PPs early might’ve stunted its effectiveness later?

And as far as improvements needing to be made, what sorts of changes were you thinking?
- Wildschwein

I'm hesitant to say that the PP% was significantly affected by a severe lack of PP opportunities, but I suppose it's possible you could make a case that it had a small effect on things.

But we're looking at a subpar PP that's now spread across the better part of two seasons with two different coaches being in charge of it, and almost entirely the same personnel (save for Brassard and, to a tiny degree, Dobson). It's trending towards being an issue of the players on the ice and not the coaching staff or lack of opportunities.

I can't say what they need to fix it, honestly, and I'm not necessarily suggesting any changes be made. My original comment was just to Cpt saying that I didn't think they could really stick Bellows in a top-six role because it's tough to justifying removing Lee or Beauvillier from their spots for him.

I'm hesitant to say that the PP% was significantly affected by a severe lack of PP opportunities, but I suppose it's possible you could make a case that it had a small effect on things. But we're looking at a subpar PP that's now spread across the better part of two seasons with two different coaches being in charge of it, and almost entirely the same personnel (save for Brassard and, to a tiny degree, Dobson). It's trending towards being an issue of the players on the ice and not the coaching staff or lack of opportunities.

I can't say what they need to fix it, honestly, and I'm not necessarily suggesting any changes be made. My original comment was just to Cpt saying that I didn't think they could really stick Bellows in a top-six role because it's tough to justifying removing Lee or Beauvillier from their spots for him.
- eichiefs9

Yeah I get that but give him a few minutes in the top 6(I know this wasn’t really the point of your post). If he gets three games on the third line and everyone throws their hands in the air and says well the kid didn’t score or even get a point he’s not ready that to me is moronic. He’s almost certainly not going to produce on that line when countless NHL veterans failed. It’s completely unrealistic to think otherwise.

I'm hesitant to say that the PP% was significantly affected by a severe lack of PP opportunities, but I suppose it's possible you could make a case that it had a small effect on things.

But we're looking at a subpar PP that's now spread across the better part of two seasons with two different coaches being in charge of it, and almost entirely the same personnel (save for Brassard and, to a tiny degree, Dobson). It's trending towards being an issue of the players on the ice and not the coaching staff or lack of opportunities.

I can't say what they need to fix it, honestly, and I'm not necessarily suggesting any changes be made. My original comment was just to Cpt saying that I didn't think they could really stick Bellows in a top-six role because it's tough to justifying removing Lee or Beauvillier from their spots for him.
- eichiefs9

Perhaps you’re both right. Keep Bellows on the 3rd at even strength, but bump him to Lee’s spot on the 1st PP unit.

Perhaps you’re both right. Keep Bellows on the 3rd at even strength, but bump him to Lee’s spot on the 1st PP unit.
- Wildschwein

Yeah I would like to see him get some PP time. He's a shoot-first guy and I can't really say I'd classify anyone else as that type of player.

While I don't love him on the Brassard line (Cpt I'm just responding to you and Schweiner in one post) I understand why they're doing it. I don't think anyone is going to expect him to step in and start lighting the lamp. I'd rather give him 2-3 games to get comfortable out there playing low minutes than just throw him right into the deep end and put him on a line where the expectation is going to be that he has to be producing.

If he's keeping up with the pace and generating some chances then we can start exploring the idea of maybe getting him some more minutes with better players. But this is not some big-time prospect that I think we should just stick right into the top-six with no questions asked.

Do you think that the lack of PPs early might’ve stunted its effectiveness later?

And as far as improvements needing to be made, what sorts of changes were you thinking?
- Wildschwein

I’ll Jump in here and throw my two cents into the ring. The major issue I see with the pp is everyone is playing the perimeter. There’s zero net presence and for the few seconds there is it’s not getting to the net. When we scored in the last minute to tie the other night against Vancouver there were players on either side of the net below the hash marks looking for a rebound looking to tap in. Amazing how it worked. They don’t use having the extra player to their advantage to simplify what I’m saying. I get that was 6 on 5 but the point remains the same.

Also, their puck movement is predictable, slow, and all around terrible and having Barzal sitting above the circle passing to the point men is not working. He’s not in position to ever work it down low. Having your most talented players prime role is to pretty much solely feed the point men is to me beyond stupid. They seem super reluctant to change anything it’s consistent repetition of something that’s not working expecting it to suddenly click. It’s like Gomez never left.

Just reading through the Hawks beat writer's article about who should/could/won't be moved at the deadline and thought this was pretty interesting. Not sure exactly what the price tag on him would be, I'm sure not particularly cheap, but I'd be very interested in exploring it:

Perhaps you’re both right. Keep Bellows on the 3rd at even strength, but bump him to Lee’s spot on the 1st PP unit.
- Wildschwein

Lee is needed for net front presence.