Nah.

Parise put up only 8 less points while playing mainly with Pageau. Evan Rodrigues produced the majority of his points playing in Pittburgh’s top 6.

An argument could certainly be made for Rodrigues playing over the others though.
- Wildschwein

Kind of my point. Who does he knock out of the lineup? Then what do you do with the salary? To me lou seems dead set using one of aho or Salo on the bottom pairing(I think). Our fwd lines are pretty much set unless we’re knocking someone out of the lineup. I see erod getting somewhere around 3-3.5. That takes up the rest of our space. I don’t hate Rodriguez I just see him as more of the same middling wingers we already have. Also, if we’re in a playoff spot come the TDL I’d rather have that 3 million which we can use on a potentially better player prorated salary wise.

Edit; hey if you dump Bailey and replace him with erod and save a couple million in the process I’m all for it. But that’s not happening if Bailey were tradable he would be gone already…

Kind of my point. Who does he knock out of the lineup? Then what do you do with the salary? To me lou seems dead set using one of aho or Salo on the bottom pairing(I think). Our fwd lines are pretty much set unless we’re knocking someone out of the lineup. I see erod getting somewhere around 3-3.5. That takes up the rest of our space. I don’t hate Rodriguez I just see him as more of the same middling wingers we already have. Also, if we’re in a playoff spot come the TDL I’d rather have that 3 million which we can use on a potentially better player prorated salary wise.

Edit; hey if you dump Bailey and replace him with erod and save a couple million in the process I’m all for it. But that’s not happening if Bailey were tradable he would be gone already…
- Cptmjl

While an argument can certainly be made thar he’s worth that, I’m not convinced he’ll get it. Not unless he’s cool signing with a dumpster fire.

Nah.

Parise put up only 8 less points while playing mainly with Pageau. Evan Rodrigues produced the majority of his points playing in Pittburgh’s top 6.

An argument could certainly be made for Rodrigues playing over the others though.
- Wildschwein

I guess that's fair.

I'd still play him over anyone else I mentioned though

to me he seemed to take a next step last year and he could be a steal if he keeps playing like that or better... I would absolutely play him over Bailey (of course).. I would also be fine if he played over Parise, Johnston, MM, ... could even make a case for him over Palms if he starts as poorly as he did last year.

While an argument can certainly be made thar he’s worth that, I’m not convinced he’ll get it. Not unless he’s cool signing with a dumpster fire.
- Wildschwein

He may not with the way teams are strapped now but you have to figure that’s what he’s looking for at least.

to me he seemed to take a next step last year and he could be a steal if he keeps playing like that or better... I would absolutely play him over Bailey (of course).. I would also be fine if he played over Parise, Johnston, MM, ... could even make a case for him over Palms if he starts as poorly as he did last year.
- niteislander

I agree it would be great to have him at the very least to keep other players on their toes but I don’t see him playing on the fourth line as I already stated. I’m with you Bailey could never play as an Islander again and I’m ok with it. With all of this said I don’t see how it realistically works because none of the above is happening. If Lou finds a way to make someone disappear sign me up. By all accounts he has been unable to do that. He was quoted as saying the price was to steep to make it happen.

Not much new here, but it's a slow day in August, so here goes...

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t

Not much new here, but it's a slow day in August, so here goes...

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t
- JohnScammo

So I was listening to the NHL network yesterday and they were talking about Svechnekov and how he really has not taken that next step to elite. He was a top pick... scores 30 but never became that insanely elite player. ... Boomer was talking about something that I have believed for a while and it's kind of relevant for our current group of Islanders. He was saying that too many times fans and even GM's expect too much of these kids when they are entering the league as teenagers and early 20's. It takes a while for them to get used to the speed, size, and grind of the NHL. He said he expected Svech to have a break out year as many do in their 5th or 6th year. ......

That is how I feel about a lot of our players. We have had many years where we thought a player was never going to amount to sht b/c of inconsistency, mistakes, and long slumps... only to find when they got to around 26 or 27 they became a very good to great NHL players. All of us on here were ready to give up on Brock, Okposo, Pelech, Mayfield, deHaan, etc.... they turned a corner at that age.

I think guys like Barzal, Beau, Aho, Grant, and even Salo are all that "break out" age and it could mean good things for Isles season.

that said we have to remember Dobson and Romanov are both only 22. They both have had a ton of NHL experience but I am leery putting them on the same pairing.

Edit: I am not comparing our guys to Svech... just bringing up the age point.

One last point on the GM part of that.. there are teams that constantly give up on guys waaay too early. The Flyers and Rangers always seem to give up on kids right before they figure it out.. (JT miller, JVR, Buchnevich, Kevin Hayes, etc.).. quite often if they had a little patience with their player's developement it would have served them much better..

So I was listening to the NHL network yesterday and they were talking about Svechnekov and how he really has not taken that next step to elite. He was a top pick... scores 30 but never became that insanely elite player. ... Boomer was talking about something that I have believed for a while and it's kind of relevant for our current group of Islanders. He was saying that too many times fans and even GM's expect too much of these kids when they are entering the league as teenagers and early 20's. It takes a while for them to get used to the speed, size, and grind of the NHL. He said he expected Svech to have a break out year as many do in their 5th or 6th year. ......

That is how I feel about a lot of our players. We have had many years where we thought a player was never going to amount to sht b/c of inconsistency, mistakes, and long slumps... only to find when they got to around 26 or 27 they became a very good to great NHL players. All of us on here were ready to give up on Brock, Okposo, Pelech, Mayfield, deHaan, etc.... they turned a corner at that age.

I think guys like Barzal, Beau, Aho, Grant, and even Salo are all that "break out" age and it could mean good things for Isles season.

that said we have to remember Dobson and Romanov are both only 22. They both have had a ton of NHL experience but I am leery putting them on the same pairing.

Edit: I am not comparing our guys to Svech... just bringing up the age point.
- niteislander

I generally agree about the need for patience with the young players, but I'm not sure I would include Okposo or de Haan in that group. Okposo improved somewhat with age, but has never become a great or even very good player. De Haan was so frequently injured that it's hard to judge him. By the way, I believe he is still an unsigned UFA. Would you want Lou to sign him?

I generally agree about the need for patience with the young players, but I'm not sure I would include Okposo or de Haan in that group. Okposo improved somewhat with age, but has never become a great or even very good player. De Haan was so frequently injured that it's hard to judge him. By the way, I believe he is still an unsigned UFA. Would you want Lou to sign him?
- JohnScammo

Yeah Okposo was a fairly mediocre player save for one season. He was bad in Buffalo got sick/injured and was worse. Wasn’t a case of anyone giving up on him more a case of overvaluing a player by the fanbase imo. Dehaan a lot expected to be some offensive defenseman other then that I don’t remember anyone souring on him really. I certainly didn’t and you could include brock in that I’ve always been a fan. Some on here were a little dissatisfied with him a couple of seasons that’s about it. He’s not a game breaker but he’s a good player always has been imo.

Yeah Okposo was a fairly mediocre player save for one season. He was bad in Buffalo got sick/injured and was worse. Wasn’t a case of anyone giving up on him more a case of overvaluing a player by the fanbase imo. Dehaan a lot expected to be some offensive defenseman other then that I don’t remember anyone souring on him really. I certainly didn’t and you could include brock in that I’ve always been a fan. Some on here were a little dissatisfied with him a couple of seasons that’s about it. He’s not a game breaker but he’s a good player always has been imo.
- Cptmjl

Okposo's Chiclets interview was actually really good.

He said Snow got the GM job because he was really good at fantasy hockey

I generally agree about the need for patience with the young players, but I'm not sure I would include Okposo or de Haan in that group. Okposo improved somewhat with age, but has never become a great or even very good player. De Haan was so frequently injured that it's hard to judge him. By the way, I believe he is still an unsigned UFA. Would you want Lou to sign him?
- JohnScammo

When he left we all liked Ok a lot.. he had that scary eye injury so I wasn't exactly devastated he left but he turned into a much better player and had a very good run of 4 or 5 years before he left.

no interest on deHaan at this point for the reasons u mentioned. He gets hurt a lot and he is a lot older now.

When he left we all liked Ok a lot.. he had that scary eye injury so I wasn't exactly devastated he left but he turned into a much better player and had a very good run of 4 or 5 years before he left.

no interest on deHaan at this point for the reasons u mentioned. He gets hurt a lot and he is a lot older now.
- niteislander

Signing de Haan to a one year deal at like $1M-$1.5M would be a good add. He's still a good defensive defenseman and they can mitigate his minutes/injury exposure by rotating guys like Aho/Salo into the lineup. There's a lot of risk in throwing those two young guys out there with no safety net.

Yeah Okposo was a fairly mediocre player save for one season. He was bad in Buffalo got sick/injured and was worse. Wasn’t a case of anyone giving up on him more a case of overvaluing a player by the fanbase imo. Dehaan a lot expected to be some offensive defenseman other then that I don’t remember anyone souring on him really. I certainly didn’t and you could include brock in that I’ve always been a fan. Some on here were a little dissatisfied with him a couple of seasons that’s about it. He’s not a game breaker but he’s a good player always has been imo.
- Cptmjl

Mostly true .. but we gave Ladd the same contract Ok got..and he certainly performed better than Ladd even with the injuries.

Ok had a 3 year stint where when he was on the ice he was very good... Was one of the few guys who actually performed ok in the playoffs too.

2013//14 71 games 27 goals 42 assists 69 points
2014/15 60 games 18 goals 33 assists 51 points
2015/16 79 games 22 goals 42 assists 64 points

Okposo's Chiclets interview was actually really good.

He said Snow got the GM job because he was really good at fantasy hockey
- eichiefs9

Scary

Okposo's Chiclets interview was actually really good.

He said Snow got the GM job because he was really good at fantasy hockey
- eichiefs9

Loved that interview.

And barring his injury plagued seasons (of which he had no control) I’ve always thought highly of Okposo. Never great, but generally pretty good. It’s was awesome watching his comeback in Buffalo last year.

Mostly true .. but we gave Ladd the same contract Ok got..and he certainly performed better than Ladd even with the injuries.

Ok had a 3 year stint where when he was on the ice he was very good... Was one of the few guys who actually performed ok in the playoffs too.

2013//14 71 games 27 goals 42 assists 69 points
2014/15 60 games 18 goals 33 assists 51 points
2015/16 79 games 22 goals 42 assists 64 points
- niteislander

I say mediocre but he would be on our top line now with those point totals

Loved that interview.

And barring his injury plagued seasons (of which he had no control) I’ve always thought highly of Okposo. Never great, but generally pretty good. It’s was awesome watching his comeback in Buffalo last year.
- Wildschwein

Yeah by all accounts a good human. Wish him the best.

Loved that interview.

And barring his injury plagued seasons (of which he had no control) I’ve always thought highly of Okposo. Never great, but generally pretty good. It’s was awesome watching his comeback in Buffalo last year.
- Wildschwein

I definitely like the guy too, hope he gets a little success in Buffalo before he hangs them up

I definitely like the guy too, hope he gets a little success in Buffalo before he hangs them up
- eichiefs9

Rather hoping he gets named their next Captain. He’d be a good place holder till some of the youth becomes more established.

I definitely like the guy too, hope he gets a little success in Buffalo before he hangs them up
- eichiefs9

I hope for good things for KO as well.

I generally agree about the need for patience with the young players, but I'm not sure I would include Okposo or de Haan in that group. Okposo improved somewhat with age, but has never become a great or even very good player. De Haan was so frequently injured that it's hard to judge him. By the way, I believe he is still an unsigned UFA. Would you want Lou to sign him?
- JohnScammo

It would be nice to have more patience with young players. Many coaches are worried about their job security and they tend to lean on the Vets much more. I liked de Haan but his offensive game never really developed and he had a lot of injuries. KO I also liked but had trouble improving his game.

One last point on the GM part of that.. there are teams that constantly give up on guys waaay too early. The Flyers and Rangers always seem to give up on kids right before they figure it out.. (JT miller, JVR, Buchnevich, Kevin Hayes, etc.).. quite often if they had a little patience with their player's development it would have served them much better.
- niteislander

I'm not downplaying your point about players getting better with experience. However there could be other contributing factors. Being traded could be a wake up call and result in a better effort. New coaches or a new system could also help a young player get better.