What he is right now is a better skater and fighter than Martin is right now, with lots of upside. And he's cheap for another year.
- Puckin_Island

That “upside” you and a few others see will never “develop” into anything, and saying he’s cheap for another year is borderline hysterical because he’s overpaid and that’s coming from someone who likes heavy players. The guy just doesn’t bring anything to the table.

That “upside” you and a few others see will never “develop” into anything, and saying he’s cheap for another year is borderline hysterical because he’s overpaid and that’s coming from someone who likes heavy players. The guy just doesn’t bring anything to the table.
- Cptmjl

But when CCM are healthy and together they do have chemistry and it works.

Johnson would be better as an elephants butt plug imho.

That “upside” you and a few others see will never “develop” into anything, and saying he’s cheap for another year is borderline hysterical because he’s overpaid and that’s coming from someone who likes heavy players. The guy just doesn’t bring anything to the table.
- Cptmjl

But we're going to turn him into the next Tom Wilson

I just assume that’s a given. A great guy who has done a ton for the community and gave a lot to this team. It’s just time to move on.
- Cptmjl

It was time 3 years ago when he signed with Toronto

But we're going to turn him into the next Tom Wilson
- PeteM

💯

It was time 3 years ago when he signed with Toronto
- PeteM

I don’t disagree.

Lee left an additional 2 million per (Montreal offered him 9 per as a FA) to remain an Islander.
.
- Wildschwein

How solid is that info? Lee is good, but not THAT good. Last confirmed info I heard before signing was he was thinking about talking to Chicago.

But we're going to turn him into the next Tom Wilson
- PeteM

Wilsons first 4 years: 310 games, 21G, 48A, 6% shooting.

Ross first 4 years: 74 Games, 7G, 7A, 14.9% shooting.

Tom scored just 21 goals in his first 4 years, mostly on scoring lines. Ross skates as well, or better than Tom, and has at times displayed better hands. Ross isn't going to develop with how little Trotz plays him. Ross will figure that out and move on. If the Isles leave him unprotected, he's gone. Then you'll miss him, because he'll flourish under a coach who knows how to develop young talent. Oddly enough, Trotz has said "we're lucky to have him on our team", but he refuses to be patient and give Ross ice time to develop his skills. Ross makes a mistake, and he's off the ice for weeks.

Wilsons first 4 years: 310 games, 21G, 48A, 6% shooting.

Ross first 4 years: 74 Games, 7G, 7A, 14.9% shooting.

Tom scored just 21 goals in his first 4 years, mostly on scoring lines. Ross skates as well, or better than Tom, and has at times displayed better hands. Ross isn't going to develop with how little Trotz plays him. Ross will figure that out and move on. If the Isles leave him unprotected, he's gone. Then you'll miss him, because he'll flourish under a coach who knows how to develop young talent. Oddly enough, Trotz has said "we're lucky to have him on our team", but he refuses to be patient and give Ross ice time to develop his skills. Ross makes a mistake, and he's off the ice for weeks.
- Puckin_Island

Johnston and his agent are still recovering from the shock that an NHL team offered them a four year 4 million dollar contract.

I can see the argument for Boychuk, but Eberle? Since when is 5.5 per too much for a 20 goal - 55/60 point winger?
- Wildschwein

exactly.. Eberle would have gotten more on the open market and we would have heard from all the haters what a mistake it was to let him leave.

I can’t imagine any coach wanting to play either due to them both sucking but I guess that’s a whole other subject. Martin is done. Great guy, liked him as a player, but it’s time to move on. Johnston is a useless player that some fans have a strange obsession with and think for some unknown reason that he’s going to develop into something other than he is. He won’t.
- Cptmjl

I think Martin will be back next year. Not at 2.5 mill of course but he will be back. Lou loves the guy and the team does too.

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
15h
The #FreeAgentFrenzy interview period has now been eliminated under new CBA. Back to old school, scramble on the phone at 12noon ET.
- eichiefs9

Not sure why but I like this.. lol

1) If it were up to me, neither Clutterbuck nor Komarov would be making more than 1.5 million per. Actually, Komarov wouldn’t even be an Islander.

2) Eberle took a 1/2 million pay cut to remain an Islander.

Lee left an additional 2 million per (Montreal offered him 9 per as a FA) to remain an Islander.

So yeah. If Cizikas wants to remain an Islander, I expect him to take a pay cut. If he wants to cash in on free agency, I’m cool with that too. But I wouldn’t overpay to retain him.
- Wildschwein

My guess is the new Contract will allow every team at least one buy out.. so we will say goodbye to Johnny or Leo. If 2.. then probably both.

My guess is the new Contract will allow every team at least one buy out.. so we will say goodbye to Johnny or Leo. If 2.. then probably both.
- niteislander

It's zero. There aren't going to be any compliance buyouts.

Not sure why but I like this.. lol
- niteislander

It'll certainly make for a more exciting July 1st for fans. It wasn't as fun when all the big fish signed within an hour of 1pm and the rest of the day was left to signing bottom six guys off the scrap-heap.

It was time 3 years ago when he signed with Toronto
- PeteM

Meh, When MM left Casey and Cal weren’t the same. MM came back and that line when reunited were a big part of the teams success Trot’s first year.
Some times individuals aren’t that good alone but if you find chemistry it can make a big difference. When all are healthy, together they are have been effective.

It'll certainly make for a more exciting July 1st for fans. It wasn't as fun when all the big fish signed within an hour of 1pm and the rest of the day was left to signing bottom six guys off the scrap-heap.
- eichiefs9

For sure, I like it.

For sure, I like it.
- nyisles7

We're agreeing too much lately.

Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket

I think Martin will be back next year. Not at 2.5 mill of course but he will be back. Lou loves the guy and the team does too.
- niteislander

He may be but that’s not a reason to take up a roster spot.

We're agreeing too much lately.

Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket
- eichiefs9

Vegas maybe?

Your getting smarter as you age.

He may be but that’s not a reason to take up a roster spot.
- Cptmjl

When that 4th line is healthy they are still a very good line. It's one of the reasons I think we will do well in this playoff run.. those guys are all healthy. (obviously Pelech back helps too).

When that 4th line is healthy they are still a very good line. It's one of the reasons I think we will do well in this playoff run.. those guys are all healthy. (obviously Pelech back helps too).
- niteislander

Martin was pretty much a complete non factor the entire season unless he was playing injured not really sure what the reasoning is for bringing him back? Wasn’t physical, defensively was not good, obviously didn’t score. Couple that with that entire lines obvious injury problems which is a normal progression for players like that. That leaves signing him because people like him which I don’t think is a valid reason to taking up a roster spot and dedicating salary.

He may be but that’s not a reason to take up a roster spot.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, I’m 50/50 whether he’ll be back. If he gives a team friendly discount then they may sign him. The fact he didn’t do well away from the Island last time and his home is here he may just do it and eventually move into a position with BP in player development or scouting etc.

The Rags are another possibility. Young team that can use some Vets with some snarl to their game. Just my opinion.

I think Martin will be back next year. Not at 2.5 mill of course but he will be back. Lou loves the guy and the team does too.
- niteislander

That would be a disaster. I hope Lou stops thinking with his heart and uses his head instead. Too many 'character' guys and not enough scoring guys.

That would be a disaster. I hope Lou stops thinking with his heart and uses his head instead. Too many 'character' guys and not enough scoring guys.
- Puckin_Island

I think Lou knows what he's doing.. fyi.