Hate is a strong word but if your one redeeming quality as a professional hockey player is dumping the puck you shouldn’t be in the line up. Both him and Komarov need to sit. Not really sure what Trotz’s problem is with bellows kid needs to play.
- Cptmjl

I don’t hate him as a person, nor would I wish anything bad on the guy. But I certainly hate his game and the $5.5M he’s tying up that could be used for a viable goal scorer.

Hate is a strong word but if your one redeeming quality as a professional hockey player is dumping the puck you shouldn’t be in the line up. Both him and Komarov need to sit. Not really sure what Trotz’s problem is with bellows kid needs to play.
- Cptmjl

Barry likes the players that do not try to do too much that causes turnovers. It takes a lot to earn Barry's trust.

I don’t hate him as a person, nor would I wish anything bad on the guy. But I certainly hate his game and the $5.5M he’s tying up that could be used for a viable goal scorer.
- TogaIsles

I have a better chance in hitting the lottery than MDC even trying to make a risky offensive play. Barry seems to like the safe player.

Barry likes the players that do not try to do too much that causes turnovers. It takes a lot to earn Barry's trust.
- ses111

Fire Barry, Can Lou!

Fire Barry, Can Lou!
- nyisles7

Let's not be too hasty. Give them a couple more games at least.

I agree
- Upstate_isles

The shootout sucks and so does OT. In what other sport do they change the whole dynamic and strategy of the game so someone can be the winner. Makes no sense and the loser point is just as stupid.
Play the game, 3 points to the winner, 0 points to the loser, and 1 point for each if the game results in a draw.

Let's not be too hasty. Give them a couple more games at least.
- ses111

Fire Lou, Can Barry ?

The shootout sucks and so does OT. In what other sport do they change the whole dynamic and strategy of the game so someone can be the winner. Makes no sense and the loser point is just as stupid.
Play the game, 3 points to the winner, 0 points to the loser, and 1 point for each if the game results in a draw.
- nyisles7

Hockey ratings have gone through the roof with these OT changes.

Fire Lou, Can Barry ?
- nyisles7

You might be on to something. We at least have Garth as backup and Thompson can come up and coach.

I don’t hate him as a person, nor would I wish anything bad on the guy. But I certainly hate his game and the $5.5M he’s tying up that could be used for a viable goal scorer.
- TogaIsles

I’m talking about MDC and you’re talking about Ladd.

Tough loss last night. One constant his season is that without Barzel and Varlamov this team would be dead in the water. Guys like Nelson & Bailey, who play in high impact roles, have to find a way to pick things up. Nelson: 2g, 2a and Bailey 1g 3a is not the type of production we can afford from guys playing extensive ice time in a top six role.
I'm not saying trade them, though if the return was nice maybe, but I do think at this stage Bailey needs to be matched up with a guy who will fire pucks in the slot more like say Pageau. For all of the folks who want to point out Bailey's point production over the years and say you have to replace that, I don't believe that's as hard as you may think it is. Bailey see's extensive ice time on the 5x5, PP and PK. An average seconed liner in the NHL puts up around 48-55 points per season. Over the last 7 seasons, Josh has averaged 43 points per season. This for a guy that's spent a decent amount of that time playing on the top line and see's as much ice time as just about any forward on the team. Despite having an above average season last year, his points per 60 min ranked him 117th in the NHL.
I think Josh will ultimately be looked at as a 'good career Islander' but I'm certainly not under the impression that his absence from the top six would leave a gaping hole of productivity,.

I’m talking about MDC and you’re talking about Ladd.
- Cptmjl

We're both talking about MDC's inept hockey ability. I was just clarifying that I just hate Ladd's game, not him personally. My original point was that MDC's game is approaching my opinion of Ladd's game.

Tough loss last night. One constant his season is that without Barzel and Varlamov this team would be dead in the water. Guys like Nelson & Bailey, who play in high impact roles, have to find a way to pick things up. Nelson: 2g, 2a and Bailey 1g 3a is not the type of production we can afford from guys playing extensive ice time in a top six role.
I'm not saying trade them, though if the return was nice maybe, but I do think at this stage Bailey needs to be matched up with a guy who will fire pucks in the slot more like say Pageau. For all of the folks who want to point out Bailey's point production over the years and say you have to replace that, I don't believe that's as hard as you may think it is. Bailey see's extensive ice time on the 5x5, PP and PK. An average seconed liner in the NHL puts up around 48-55 points per season. Over the last 7 seasons, Josh has averaged 43 points per season. This for a guy that's spent a decent amount of that time playing on the top line and see's as much ice time as just about any forward on the team. Despite having an above average season last year, his points per 60 min ranked him 117th in the NHL.
I think Josh will ultimately be looked at as a 'good career Islander' but I'm certainly not under the impression that his absence from the top six would leave a gaping hole of productivity,.
- keaner17

I don’t think you are going to see Nelson or Bailey traded. This team was pretty successful in the last couple of years and quite honestly I don’t think Lou and Barry are going to be in panic mode and strip the teams core down so quickly.
Beau being out has certainly put a kink in that lines production and yes they weren’t firing on all cylinders when all together but let’s give it some time before we start looking to trade 2 of your top 6 offensive players. Josh in the last 3 full years has put up an avg of 61 points.

Tough loss last night. One constant his season is that without Barzel and Varlamov this team would be dead in the water. Guys like Nelson & Bailey, who play in high impact roles, have to find a way to pick things up. Nelson: 2g, 2a and Bailey 1g 3a is not the type of production we can afford from guys playing extensive ice time in a top six role.
I'm not saying trade them, though if the return was nice maybe, but I do think at this stage Bailey needs to be matched up with a guy who will fire pucks in the slot more like say Pageau. For all of the folks who want to point out Bailey's point production over the years and say you have to replace that, I don't believe that's as hard as you may think it is. Bailey see's extensive ice time on the 5x5, PP and PK. An average seconed liner in the NHL puts up around 48-55 points per season. Over the last 7 seasons, Josh has averaged 43 points per season. This for a guy that's spent a decent amount of that time playing on the top line and see's as much ice time as just about any forward on the team. Despite having an above average season last year, his points per 60 min ranked him 117th in the NHL.
I think Josh will ultimately be looked at as a 'good career Islander' but I'm certainly not under the impression that his absence from the top six would leave a gaping hole of productivity,.
- keaner17

I agree keaner. Bailey is certainly not the best top 6 type player. Bailey would be better with someone like Pageau. Islanders are not trading Nelson or Bailey but no reason not to give Wahlstrom some time with Barzal. Islanders despite the success of the last two years still need to find a better balance between the offense and defense.

I don’t think you are going to see Nelson or Bailey traded. This team was pretty successful in the last couple of years and quite honestly I don’t think Lou and Barry are going to be in panic mode and strip the teams core down so quickly.
Beau being out has certainly put a kink in that lines production and yes they weren’t firing on all cylinders when all together but let’s give it some time before we start looking to trade 2 of your top 6 offensive players. Josh in the last 3 full years has put up an avg of 61 points.
- nyisles7

Right, like I said, I'm not saying to 'trade them'. Naturally no player is untradeable but I think there's a genuine affection for Bailey from within the Isles org, which I get. He's been a loyal player for years. Nelson to me is maddenly incosistent. He also 'appears' to not always give the most consistent of efforts. Couple that with the fact that he takes his share of dumb penalties and it makes a goal scoring drought all the more frustrating, but his overall talent an eventual streak makes him worthwhile for the most part.
Bailey's 61point average was helped mightliy by being paired with JT and Lee for most of the 2017 season where he notched 71, so like grading a curve, you throw out the high and the lowest seasons. I think Bailey is best defined as a 50-55 point player who has massive talent and potential but just can never seem to become an aggressive enough player to realize it. That may be the most frustrating thing about him to me. He has hands that can make you jump out of your seat at times, but a total reluctance to use them and go for the jugular. As I said, I think he'd be much better paired with JPP on that third line than being with another guy who likes to dish the puck like Barzy.

We're both talking about MDC's inept hockey ability. I was just clarifying that I just hate Ladd's game, not him personally. My original point was that MDC's game is approaching my opinion of Ladd's game.
- TogaIsles

MDC has 2 points in 5 games and is +1.

Nelson and Bailey each have 4 points in 12 games and are -5 and -2, respectively.

So MDC's point production per game is slightly better and his +/- is better as well.

MDC has 2 points in 5 games and is +1.

Nelson and Bailey each have 4 points in 12 games and are -5 and -2, respectively.

So MDC's point production per game is slightly better and his +/- is better as well.
- JohnScammo

Lol that’s great production for a second line winger - 2pts in 5 games and I know one was a secondary assist. Not sure comparing with Nelson and Bailey helps convince me any different.

Lol that’s great production for a second line winger - 2pts in 5 games and I know one was a secondary assist. Not sure comparing with Nelson and Bailey helps convince me any different.
- TogaIsles

I didn't say it was great production, or that MDC was a great player. Just pointing out that his point production is .4 per game, while Nelson's and Bailey's is .33 per game. And his +/- is much better. And he doesn't get as much power play time as Nelson and Bailey.

So I'm not sure why you're blaming the guy with the $700K cap hit, and not the guys with the $6 million and $5 million cap hits.

Islanders placed Komarov on waivers

I didn't say it was great production, or that MDC was a great player. Just pointing out that his point production is .4 per game, while Nelson's and Bailey's is .33 per game. And his +/- is much better. And he doesn't get as much power play time as Nelson and Bailey.

So I'm not sure why you're blaming the guy with the $700K cap hit, and not the guys with the $6 million and $5 million cap hits.
- JohnScammo

I hear what you’re saying. And I agree you didn’t say it was great production. I was leaving the Bailey and Nelson bashing for the other guys - that’s been years in the making. When factoring in cap hit you’re right MDC has been the better player - which is not saying much as Bail and Nel have been horrible. I guess I just don’t see MDC ever being a top 6 player and would rather Bellows get a shot until Beau comes back.

I didn't say it was great production, or that MDC was a great player. Just pointing out that his point production is .4 per game, while Nelson's and Bailey's is .33 per game. And his +/- is much better. And he doesn't get as much power play time as Nelson and Bailey.

So I'm not sure why you're blaming the guy with the $700K cap hit, and not the guys with the $6 million and $5 million cap hits.
- JohnScammo

Given the role MDC plays, I'm not really focussing much on him since players with larger anticipated roles are failing as bad or worse. On occasion he helps create an opportunity off of sheer effort but I find his lack of talent for a top five pick really disappointing. I also find the draft day scouting report of him really ..um...off:

Dal Colle is a rangy, gifted center with hands that can dangle in a phone booth. He dazzles with the puck on his stick and can weave through defenses with ease. Given his stickhandling ability, Dal Colle is also one of the premier set-up men available. He knows where his teammates are at all times and passes with precision. His skill also comes with a mesmerizing wrist shot that he isn’t afraid to use. His wrister is fast, accurate, and deadly. And although he doesn’t use his slap shot as often, that too is lethal for opposing goalies.

Who is this dal Colle guy they're talking about, because it sure as hell ain't ours!

Given the role MDC plays, I'm not really focussing much on him since players with larger anticipated roles are failing as bad or worse. On occasion he helps create an opportunity off of sheer effort but I find his lack of talent for a top five pick really disappointing. I also find the draft day scouting report of him really ..um...off:

Dal Colle is a rangy, gifted center with hands that can dangle in a phone booth. He dazzles with the puck on his stick and can weave through defenses with ease. Given his stickhandling ability, Dal Colle is also one of the premier set-up men available. He knows where his teammates are at all times and passes with precision. His skill also comes with a mesmerizing wrist shot that he isn’t afraid to use. His wrister is fast, accurate, and deadly. And although he doesn’t use his slap shot as often, that too is lethal for opposing goalies.

Who is this dal Colle guy they're talking about, because it sure as hell ain't ours!
- keaner17

That is some seriously bad scouting.

Given the role MDC plays, I'm not really focussing much on him since players with larger anticipated roles are failing as bad or worse. On occasion he helps create an opportunity off of sheer effort but I find his lack of talent for a top five pick really disappointing. I also find the draft day scouting report of him really ..um...off:

Dal Colle is a rangy, gifted center with hands that can dangle in a phone booth. He dazzles with the puck on his stick and can weave through defenses with ease. Given his stickhandling ability, Dal Colle is also one of the premier set-up men available. He knows where his teammates are at all times and passes with precision. His skill also comes with a mesmerizing wrist shot that he isn’t afraid to use. His wrister is fast, accurate, and deadly. And although he doesn’t use his slap shot as often, that too is lethal for opposing goalies.

Who is this dal Colle guy they're talking about, because it sure as hell ain't ours!
- keaner17

That’s like someone putting a pic of a super model on their tinder bio and showing up for the date as Amy Schumer 😆😆. Wow you sure that’s not Barzals bio!!??

That’s like someone putting a pic of a super model on their tinder bio and showing up for the date as Amy Schumer 😆😆. Wow you sure that’s not Barzals bio!!??
- TogaIsles

Believe it or not, there were a few scouts saying this. Some said he was the 'best stickhandler' in the draft. I believe Draisaitl, Nylander and Pastrnak all went after him in that draft

I didn't say it was great production, or that MDC was a great player. Just pointing out that his point production is .4 per game, while Nelson's and Bailey's is .33 per game. And his +/- is much better. And he doesn't get as much power play time as Nelson and Bailey.

So I'm not sure why you're blaming the guy with the $700K cap hit, and not the guys with the $6 million and $5 million cap hits.
- JohnScammo

MDC is not the biggest issue and I think can work in a bottom 6 role just not top 6. Wahlstrom was drafted for a top 6 role and needs to be given a look with Barzal. Does need mean you keep Wahlstrom in the top 6 no matter what.