Why Aho before Dobson? Makes no sense to me. They went and got a vet ( forgot who already) for depth last year for the PO run and also played Hickey before bringing Aho into the mix. Maybe he gets a shot at a bottom pairing role but replace Leddy. I’m not buying it.
- nyisles7

That’d be Coburn.

The issue with Dobson is that he’s a RHD, and asking him to switch to the left side (I suppose you could ask Mayfield to swap, but…) might be a bit much when one considers his age and experience. Not so with Aho, though one could certainly see Hickey getting the first go as he’s a known quantity.

All that said, Aho has done nothing but prove his worth at every level below the NHL. You’d think that at some point the organization would give him an extended look, and this season seems as good as any.

I had mentioned Chara a while back. The whole "bring him home" for one more season kind of thing. That was either before Leddy got traded or right after when there was talk of replacing Leddy. I'd like Chara as a bottom 6 pairing, maybe even spot duty as a middle pairing. For a million bucks, I'd take a flyer on him. As long as there is space after everyone is signed and Leddy's spot is filled.
- Isleshockeyman

Chara would be an excellent short term fix to replace Leddy. He’s got some hockey left, and can easily play 2nd pair minutes. He’s been a workhorse his entire career, and can be a shut down guy for the isles.

I've been a fan of Aho. He's obviously not going to be a star, but he was very productive in the AHL in his 3 seasons there and I'd really like to see what he's got at the NHL level over a long period of time.

He probably fits, more or less, what Leddy was. Marginally-productive mobile puck-mover who's acceptable in his own end. It wouldn't be the worst thing to start the season with a little cap flexibility either.
- eichiefs9

I would have no issue at all with him getting a chance. I think he should’ve been inserted maybe a little more into the lineup when warranted so this would’ve been less of an exploratory thing and more of a known commodity. Though it would’ve been tough to do last season it was pretty tight standings wise. Problem is if he doesn’t work out we’re stuck with a pretty large hole on our backend desperate for a trade in season. Not an especially great position to be in. I still think this would be a last resort kind of thing for lameriello I doubt he looks at Greene as a top 4 and Aho as a bottom pair for a legit Stanley cup team at this stage.

I would have no issue at all with him getting a chance. I think he should’ve been inserted maybe a little more into the lineup when warranted so this would’ve been less of an exploratory thing and more of a known commodity. Though it would’ve been tough to do last season it was pretty tight standings wise. Problem is if he doesn’t work out we’re stuck with a pretty large hole on our backend desperate for a trade in season. Not an especially great position to be in. I still think this would be a last resort kind of thing for lameriello I doubt he looks at Greene as a top 4 and Aho as a bottom pair for a legit Stanley cup team at this stage.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, but if the alternative is to have to sign some scrapheap UFA, like Vatanen or worse, for ~$2M or give Aho a chance (with his $750k) to win a spot I'd rather just see how the kid does and go from there.

Trade route isn't going to be cheap, likely. There's a few guys on Anaheim that interest me, but they'd cost quite a bit.

Yeah, but if the alternative is to have to sign some scrapheap UFA, like Vatanen or worse, for ~$2M or give Aho a chance (with his $750k) to win a spot I'd rather just see how the kid does and go from there.

Trade route isn't going to be cheap, likely. There's a few guys on Anaheim that interest me, but they'd cost quite a bit.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. I’ve wanted Aho to get a longer/more looks then he has which would’ve let us have an idea what we have with him but yeah if the alternative is a journeyman past his prime I agree with you. With this said if we sign a mediocre D man Aho has to get some playing time for the exact situation we’re in right now.

I still am expecting a trade or 2 from Lou.

That’d be Coburn.

The issue with Dobson is that he’s a RHD, and asking him to switch to the left side (I suppose you could ask Mayfield to swap, but…) might be a bit much when one considers his age and experience. Not so with Aho, though one could certainly see Hickey getting the first go as he’s a known quantity.

All that said, Aho has done nothing but prove his worth at every level below the NHL. You’d think that at some point the organization would give him an extended look, and this season seems as good as any.
- Wildschwein

Yes Colburn thx.

Doby played both sides in Jrs. And capable of playing both well. I believe he actually played the off side for the The Isles at times.
The Islanders also have given him off season instructions and workouts to add weight. Which to me was his biggest weakness, dealing with the physically.
I think he gets a real look at top 4 this year.
Aho is certainly a very good AHL player but being on the small side he hasn’t shown much when in the NHL imo. You could be 100% correct and Barry and co could give Aho a long look. For me he hasn’t shown much but what do I know.
If Aho, why not Bolduc? He’s played top 4 minutes last year and played extremely well and certainly showed a lot in camp. He also scored more points than Aho.
That said we may see a trade before the season or go into the season giving these young guys a shot and see how they do and what is needed before Lou makes a trade.

I still am expecting a trade or 2 from Lou.
- niteislander

Agree with you. Like I said in an earlier post this is a last resort situation for Lou imo.

Yes Colburn thx.

Doby played both sides in Jrs. And capable of playing both well. I believe he actually played the off side for the The Isles at times.
The Islanders also have given him off season instructions and workouts to add weight. Which to me was his biggest weakness, dealing with the physically.
I think he gets a real look at top 4 this year.
Aho is certainly a very good AHL player but being on the small side he hasn’t shown much when in the NHL imo. You could be 100% correct and Barry and co could give Aho a long look. For me he hasn’t shown much but what do I know.
If Aho, why not Bolduc? He’s played top 4 minutes last year and played extremely well and certainly showed a lot in camp. He also scored more points than Aho.
That said we may see a trade before the season or go into the season giving these young guys a shot and see how they do and what is needed before Lou makes a trade.
- nyisles7

Bolduc has 24 games of AHL experience (against only 2 different teams) to Aho's 181 combined AHL/NHL games (156/25). Over a much bigger sample Aho has put up .67ppg to Bolduc's .58ppg

Aho is older, has produced a better ppg rate (over a much bigger sample) in the AHL, and has some NHL experience. If the decision came down to one of them (and I'm very skeptical it'd be either) Aho is the easy choice

Bolduc has 24 games of AHL experience (against only 2 different teams) to Aho's 181 combined AHL/NHL games (156/25). Over a much bigger sample Aho has put up .67ppg to Bolduc's .58ppg

Aho is older, has produced a better ppg rate (over a much bigger sample) in the AHL, and has some NHL experience. If the decision came down to one of them (and I'm very skeptical it'd be either) Aho is the easy choice
- eichiefs9

For you Aho is the choice and I understand your thinking for sure. That said I don’t think either will get a chance at top 4 because I truly believe they are counting on Dobson to take the next step and play Leddy’s minutes.
I think if Aho or Bolduc get minutes it will be in a bottom 6 roll and I would give Bolduc that chance first. Bigger body, 6’4 and skates very well, and plays tougher, just my opinion. I honestly don’t think Bolduc will be in the AHL as long as AHO because I think he’s better and will be up sooner I believe he was rated as the Islanders best D prospect recently as well.
Who knows what’s going to happen but if Dobson does take the next step,( which I think he will get a chance to prove ) Lou only needs to get a bottom pair guy which would cost much less than trading for a top 4. And then maybe Barry could give Aho or Bolduc a shot as well on the bottom pair?

Going to be interesting to see the roster that enters camp.

- eichiefs9

Getting a little excited are we?

Getting a little excited are we?
- Wildschwein

Not sure, but I think Chiefs was showing concern that the arena might not be completed in time for the home opener against the Flames. But then again, it's only the Flames, so who cares?

Not sure, but I think Chiefs was showing concern that the arena might not be completed in time for the home opener against the Flames. But then again, it's only the Flames, so who cares?
- JohnScammo

Not actual concern, but I am baffled as to how something that looks as incomplete as the arena does will be completely finished in exactly three months

Like, I can buy that all the seats will be in, everything will be wired up, iced over, and everything will be structurally completed but I just can't picture like sheetrock being hung, grass being planted outside, paint on the walls, etc... by that date.

I know they'll finish on time, it just boggles my mind that they'll get it done in another 12 weeks.

And on the complete flip-side of things:

Not actual concern, but I am baffled as to how something that looks as incomplete as the arena does will be completely finished in exactly three months

Like, I can buy that all the seats will be in, everything will be wired up, iced over, and everything will be structurally completed but I just can't picture like sheetrock being hung, grass being planted outside, paint on the walls, etc... by that date.

I know they'll finish on time, it just boggles my mind that they'll get it done in another 12 weeks.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, I didn't take it as ACTUAL concern. I wonder who in the Islanders organization is in charge of completing the project timely. I wouldn't want to be that guy if and when he has to tell Lou the project is behind schedule...

Yeah, I didn't take it as ACTUAL concern. I wonder who in the Islanders organization is in charge of completing the project timely. I wouldn't want to be that guy if and when he has to tell Lou the project is behind schedule...
- JohnScammo

I would assume that's an Oak View managed thing, but yea...talk about a high-stress job

And on the complete flip-side of things:




- eichiefs9

It's nice to know that there's at least one organization in worse shape than the Sabres.

It's nice to know that there's at least one organization in worse shape than the Sabres.
- JohnScammo

They're such an embarrassment. I'd hope they get moved somewhere that they could function as a team, but I'd be kidding myself because they're trash from ownership all the way down to the on-ice product

They're such an embarrassment. I'd hope they get moved somewhere that they could function as a team, but I'd be kidding myself because they're trash from ownership all the way down to the on-ice product
- eichiefs9

We're talking about Arizona, right? Cuz the Sabres have their share of problems, too, but at least they have a devoted fan base and a decent arena.

We're talking about Arizona, right? Cuz the Sabres have their share of problems, too, but at least they have a devoted fan base and a decent arena.
- JohnScammo

Yea, they're economically viable. They're just poorly run.

The Coyotes are run even more poorly, have no fans, and have a terrible relationship with the city they play in. It's a complete and total disaster

They're such an embarrassment. I'd hope they get moved somewhere that they could function as a team, but I'd be kidding myself because they're trash from ownership all the way down to the on-ice product
- eichiefs9

It wasn’t that long ago that this type of sh!t happened to the Isles! 😆😆 Any idea if there’s an alternate arena for them to play within relatively close proximity?

It wasn’t that long ago that this type of sh!t happened to the Isles! 😆😆 Any idea if there’s an alternate arena for them to play within relatively close proximity?
- streaks

Haven't got a clue. They might be better off in Quebec or Saskatoon. Hockey seems foreign to the desert Southwest. It's not as if there a ponds that freeze over in the winter.

Haven't got a clue. They might be better off in Quebec or Saskatoon. Hockey seems foreign to the desert Southwest. It's not as if there a ponds that freeze over in the winter.
- JohnScammo

Haha there’s an arena in Brooklyn with some horrible sight lines, blind spots in corners, awful ice and a Honda Pilot sitting in the corner seeking a hockey team 😆😆

And on the complete flip-side of things:




- eichiefs9

Huh.

Portland bound? Or maybe Kansas?