To an extent it's always been somewhat like this, but I think the Blues winning last year may trick teams that anyone can come in and steal the thing if they got hot. There was no world where the Canucks should have bought Toffoli, but yet here we are.
- 2sticks1puck

IDK, I think Vancouver is realistic about their chances. They are sitting 3rd in a volatile division. They have the 2nd most RW, 4th for ROW and 3rd best goal differential in the conference. Without Boeser the rest of the way, it may go for naught, but they didn't know that at the time, as far as I'm aware.

- mdw7413

you do realize that Islanders fans may have the pain of watching Bellows or Wahlstrom have long careers in Manhattan for a few months of Kreider

or better yet, they trade for Kreider and miss the playoffs

you do realize that Islanders fans may have the pain of watching Bellows or Wahlstrom have long careers in Manhattan for a few months of Kreider

or better yet, they trade for Kreider and miss the playoffs
- jimbro83

That would be the best scenario. Miss the playoffs and don't re-sign him

Only way I would be ok with that

That would be the best scenario. Miss the playoffs and don't re-sign him

Only way I would be ok with that
- mdw7413

ok, here is the bad scenario

we trade Kreider to Colorado for a package less than what the Islanders are offering

the Islanders sign Kreider to a 7 year 50 million deal July 1st

isn't it better to get the better package of players if for arguments sake you assume Kreider will be an Islander July 1st no matter what?

you do realize that Islanders fans may have the pain of watching Bellows or Wahlstrom have long careers in Manhattan for a few months of Kreider

or better yet, they trade for Kreider and miss the playoffs
- jimbro83

I want the Isles to be dumb like the series of trades with Wendel Clark. Except we aren't going to gift them Luongo (for which of course they blew cause Milbury)

I want the Isles to be dumb like the series of trades with Wendel Clark. Except we aren't going to gift them Luongo (for which of course they blew cause Milbury)
- 2sticks1puck

if we don't re-sign Kreider, I'd be willing to bet the ranch he's an Islander July 1st

he's perfect for them, imagine him and Barzal, the two fastest forwards in the East playing together

ok, here is the bad scenario

we trade Kreider to Colorado for a package less than what the Islanders are offering

the Islanders sign Kreider to a 7 year 50 million deal July 1st

isn't it better to get the better package of players if for arguments sake you assume Kreider will be an Islander July 1st no matter what?
- jimbro83

I don't think Kreider would sign on with the Isles. imo. Don't think the Isles could afford him. But yeah that would suck if it happened.

if we don't re-sign Kreider, I'd be willing to bet the ranch he's an Islander July 1st

he's perfect for them, imagine him and Barzal, the two fastest forwards in the East playing together
- jimbro83

NO I don't want to

I don't think Kreider would sign on with the Isles. imo. Don't think the Isles could afford him. But yeah that would suck if it happened.
- mdw7413

I don't think they'd have any problems affording him, new building opening, they were all in on Panarin

if we don't re-sign Kreider, I'd be willing to bet the ranch he's an Islander July 1st

he's perfect for them, imagine him and Barzal, the two fastest forwards in the East playing together
- jimbro83

I will take that bet. I lose, I have to get a Skjei jersey, you lose you have to get a Hamrlik jersey

I will take that bet. I lose, I have to get a Skjei jersey, you lose you have to get a Hamrlik jersey
- mdw7413

haha, no, you have to take my Brendan Smith jersey and pay for the shipping

I don't think they'd have any problems affording him, new building opening, they were all in on Panarin
- jimbro83

We need that slug chiefs here. I thought they had some players coming up on contract they need to sign

I will take that bet. I lose, I have to get a Skjei jersey, you lose you have to get a Hamrlik jersey
- mdw7413

If I was a sportsbook, I'd put you as a slight favorite. We always hear about the isles ready to sign guys and they try, but in the end they never really do. They whiffed on both Russians last offseason. People just don't sign there. Maybe it'll change once Belmont opens, but it was supposed to change with Brooklyn and alas here we are.

haha, no, you have to take my Brendan Smith jersey and pay for the shipping
- jimbro83

I think I'm the last person who is ok with Smith, not his contract, but his play

I want the Isles to be dumb like the series of trades with Wendel Clark. Except we aren't going to gift them Luongo (for which of course they blew cause Milbury)
- 2sticks1puck

He was a Islander for about a month or 2 in 1995 around the time when everyone wanted out of there (Kirk Muller, Turgeon).

haha, no, you have to take my Brendan Smith jersey and pay for the shipping
- jimbro83

he has to wear it with stains and all

I think I'm the last person who is ok with Smith, not his contract, but his play
- mdw7413

He is what he is, much like with the Tanner Glass nonsense I'm never gonna get too excited about the 12th/13th forward or 7th D man on the team, bigger fish to fry

All this speculation, fun, fun, fun

He is what he is, much like with the Tanner Glass nonsense I'm never gonna get too excited about the 12th/13th forward or 7th D man on the team, bigger fish to fry
- B2B76

Staal has surprised me the most. I was ready to go Billy Batts on him last year. He has actually been really good in his own zone this year

He is what he is, much like with the Tanner Glass nonsense I'm never gonna get too excited about the 12th/13th forward or 7th D man on the team, bigger fish to fry
- B2B76

Well Smith is a bit different cause he is the 13th forward/ 7th d man making 4.5 million a year

He was a Islander for about a month or 2 in 1995 around the time when everyone wanted out of there (Kirk Muller, Turgeon).
- B2B76

The series of trades is hilarious. They basically gave up Claude for him ( not a terrible trade by stats, but the final piece of the puzzle for the Avs) then got some iffy NHL players back from the Leafs, but since the Leafs are also just always bad, their 1st wound up rising to 4th overall. Of course the isles screwed the porch by trading Luongo (who they picked with Toronto's pick).

Well Smith is a bit different cause he is the 13th forward/ 7th d man making 4.5 million a year
- TPC

DOH

Well Smith is a bit different cause he is the 13th forward/ 7th d man making 4.5 million a year
- TPC

I really think 50% retained someone bites on Smith this offseason for that reason he can do either role.

The series of trades is hilarious. They basically gave up Claude for him ( not a terrible trade by stats, but the final piece of the puzzle for the Avs) then got some iffy NHL players back from the Leafs, but since the Leafs are also just always bad, their 1st wound up rising to 4th overall. Of course the isles screwed the porch by trading Luongo (who they picked with Toronto's pick).
- 2sticks1puck

oH gAWD so many disasters in that Milburry era (error) too many to go through. How crazy was it they gave up Chara? But in hindsight I never thought he would make it either, I still remember him as a rookie looking so lost out there, was terrible on his skates and just looked goofy. Never would have thought he would be a Hall of Fame D man who would go on to play another 21-22 years and still going.

haha, no, you have to take my Brendan Smith jersey and pay for the shipping
- jimbro83

take it to a dry cleaner or something and have them switch the 4 & 2 to 24.

buy a kakko name plate off the internet.

boom