Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
31s
Sources: #NHL sent memo to 32 GMs today advising that acquiring injured players at the deadline to stash them on cap until playoffs will be “closely scrutinized” for cap circumvention.

This might take Nyquist and Henrique out of play, unless they can come back before end of szn.

NHL finally starting to crack down on the Tampa LTIR loophole
- eichiefs9

NHL is always all over things.

I mean, yeah. He's a 3rd pairing defenseman. He's not perfect, but I think he's been pretty good in his role. I think you're undervaluing his puck moving ability a little bit.

For the most part, a lot of the defenseman have been slugs in their own end this year. Mayfield and Pulock look retarded in the d-zone every bit as frequently as Aho does.
- eichiefs9

I don't think so. I said that's his strong part of his game. He doesn't put up enough points though to make up for how bad he is in his own end. You're right about Mayfield I don't know wtf happened to him but that's even more reason to get another D in here who can actually play D.

Hickey was 10x better in his own end. Aho definitely has some offense to his game but his D is so bad if he's not putting up 65 points plus a year I don't want him back there
- Vukota

The similarity is that they both had or have the problem of getting outmuscled by the big forwards, especially around the crease. Hickey was a little bigger and could throw a nice hip check from time to time. Hickey was tried at wing, so maybe your idea of moving Aho to wing has merit. Can he do push-ups wearing chains?

The similarity is that they both had or have the problem of getting outmuscled by the big forwards, especially around the crease. Hickey was a little bigger and could throw a nice hip check from time to time. Hickey was tried at wing, so maybe your idea of moving Aho to wing has merit. Can he do push-ups wearing chains?
- JohnScammo

If that gets Otto out of the lineup I'm all for it

I don't think so. I said that's his strong part of his game. He doesn't put up enough points though to make up for how bad he is in his own end. You're right about Mayfield I don't know wtf happened to him but that's even more reason to get another D in here who can actually play D.
- Vukota

I don’t disagree he has been fairly terrible in his own end but hasn’t our entire defense Corp? Also, I think if you remove aho then we have nobody that can skate the puck out of our end. I ask you to please not tell me Romanov can because more often then not that’s not the case so save that BS for somebody else.

I’m certainly not sticking up for Aho. I wish we had a better option but there isn’t right now is my point. I’ll also add our defense as a whole has been atrocious as a whole this entire season to such a level that I’m shocked we’re not in the running for Bedard.

I don't think so. I said that's his strong part of his game. He doesn't put up enough points though to make up for how bad he is in his own end. You're right about Mayfield I don't know wtf happened to him but that's even more reason to get another D in here who can actually play D.
- Vukota

Never liked Aho but I think he’s played better than I have ever expected lately.
I know it means nothing but he’s plus 7 I believe this year and I don’t think he’s been as bad as your saying in his own end. On top of that he is chipping in some points. I feel the team in whole have been incredibly inconsistent on the defensive side of the puck. This in itself has exposed ALL our Dman being out of position and making rushed decisions. Not saying If Lou can bring someone in at the deadline better than him than of course I’m all for it. Again not saying he great, but I’m pleasantly surprised at how he’s played in the d zone.
The game against Winnipeg was by all means the best defensive game played by the Islanders this year. I hope they can keep it up.

I don’t disagree he has been fairly terrible in his own end but hasn’t our entire defense Corp? Also, I think if you remove aho then we have nobody that can skate the puck out of our end. I ask you to please not tell me Romanov can because more often then not that’s not the case so save that BS for somebody else.

I’m certainly not sticking up for Aho. I wish we had a better option but there isn’t right now is my point. I’ll also add our defense as a whole has been atrocious as a whole this entire season to such a level that I’m shocked we’re not in the running for Bedard.
- Cptmjl

Nah he has been pretty god awful at times as well. Playing slightly better lately but he'll be fine long term at least I hope, lol. I agree no better options on the current roster that's why I would like to see them pick up a puck mover who can also be respecatable in his own end. That might have to wait until the offseason but it's definitely a priority I would think.

Nah he has been pretty god awful at times as well. Playing slightly better lately but he'll be fine long term at least I hope, lol. I agree no better options on the current roster that's why I would like to see them pick up a puck mover who can also be respecatable in his own end. That might have to wait until the offseason but it's definitely a priority I would think.
- Vukota

It was nice seeing Romanov score that goal the other night. Romanov and the entire defense have been a major disappointment. This has been the biggest shock this year.

Nah he has been pretty god awful at times as well. Playing slightly better lately but he'll be fine long term at least I hope, lol. I agree no better options on the current roster that's why I would like to see them pick up a puck mover who can also be respecatable in his own end. That might have to wait until the offseason but it's definitely a priority I would think.
- Vukota

I preemptively said that bcs I thought for sure you’d be a fan of him because he was sold to us as some big hitter.

He throws one occasionally but for the amount of big hits we’ve seen out of that guy I don’t think anyone should be selling that aspect of his game.

I don't think so. I said that's his strong part of his game. He doesn't put up enough points though to make up for how bad he is in his own end. You're right about Mayfield I don't know wtf happened to him but that's even more reason to get another D in here who can actually play D.
- Vukota

I don't think any true 3rd pairing defenseman really puts up offensive numbers that are meaningful though. I guess what I'm saying is that I think his puck-moving ability outweighs his defensive zone deficiencies by a not-insignificant margin.

Not implying he's some sort of immovable star defenseman, but at near-league minimum salary I'm happy to roll him every night

Nah he has been pretty god awful at times as well. Playing slightly better lately but he'll be fine long term at least I hope, lol. I agree no better options on the current roster that's why I would like to see them pick up a puck mover who can also be respecatable in his own end. That might have to wait until the offseason but it's definitely a priority I would think.
- Vukota

He's the same age as Dobson but it's pretty rare to see d-men develop as quickly as Noah did (and he even has a ways to go in terms of improving on some things). Romanov gets a lot of rope from me because a lot of the tools are there and he probably needs some time to put them together. I don't ever see him being a star but I think he can definitely a top-4 guy.

I preemptively said that bcs I thought for sure you’d be a fan of him because he was sold to us as some big hitter.

He throws one occasionally but for the amount of big hits we’ve seen out of that guy I don’t think anyone should be selling that aspect of his game.
- Cptmjl

I was definitely expecting more no doubt. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Young, a new team still trying to settle in. He gets a one year adjustment period. If he is this bad again next year all bets are off

I don't think any true 3rd pairing defenseman really puts up offensive numbers that are meaningful though. I guess what I'm saying is that I think his puck-moving ability outweighs his defensive zone deficiencies by a not-insignificant margin.

Not implying he's some sort of immovable star defenseman, but at near-league minimum salary I'm happy to roll him every night
- eichiefs9

Fair enough

He's the same age as Dobson but it's pretty rare to see d-men develop as quickly as Noah did (and he even has a ways to go in terms of improving on some things). Romanov gets a lot of rope from me because a lot of the tools are there and he probably needs some time to put them together. I don't ever see him being a star but I think he can definitely a top-4 guy.
- eichiefs9

I agree. I still like the trade. He is exactly what they need if he does what he is supposed to do. Way too early in the process to give up on him.

He's the same age as Dobson but it's pretty rare to see d-men develop as quickly as Noah did (and he even has a ways to go in terms of improving on some things). Romanov gets a lot of rope from me because a lot of the tools are there and he probably needs some time to put them together. I don't ever see him being a star but I think he can definitely a top-4 guy.
- eichiefs9

Any responsibility on Houda or it is pretty much on the players?

I agree. I still like the trade. He is exactly what they need if he does what he is supposed to do. Way too early in the process to give up on him.
- Vukota

Yea I still think we're a few years away from knowing what we have with him, for now I definitely agree that it was still a good trade

Any responsibility on Houda or it is pretty much on the players?
- ses111

I mean the coaches certainly bear some responsibility, but anyone expecting a 22/23 year old to play like a 28yo veteran has some very unrealistic expectations

I was definitely expecting more no doubt. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Young, a new team still trying to settle in. He gets a one year adjustment period. If he is this bad again next year all bets are off
- Vukota

Yeah agreed he has some time to improve.

I mean the coaches certainly bear some responsibility, but anyone expecting a 22/23 year old to play like a 28yo veteran has some very unrealistic expectations
- eichiefs9

I'm just not sure on Houda, but no doubt defensemen take time and no way you can give up on Romanov.

Forget about our defenseman it’s easier to talk smack about another teams defenseman. How about K’Andre Miller telling the world he accidentally spit on Drew Doughty. Come on man don’t be a pu$$y own it you (frank)ing idiot and move on. How does one accidentally spit on someone that’s six inches away from their face while they are looking at them?

Off-topic...curious to see what happens with this Matt Maggio kid they drafted in the 5th round last year. He's leading the OHL in goals and points as a 20yo. I wonder if they don't get him to Bridgeport after his season ends. Obviously the production comes with an asterisk as a overager, but I wonder what he turns out to be.

Alex Jeffries, too. 40pts in 33gp in his junior year at Merrimack

Did anyone see the goal Iskhakov scored the other day or at least I think it was the other day.

I don’t know anything about him could he possibly be a good prospect to make the roster in the future?

Did anyone see the goal Iskhakov scored the other day or at least I think it was the other day.

I don’t know anything about him could he possibly be a good prospect to make the roster in the future?
- maximumcarnage

Iskhakov seems to have the talent. I'm not sure if his size will hold him back?

Off-topic...curious to see what happens with this Matt Maggio kid they drafted in the 5th round last year. He's leading the OHL in goals and points as a 20yo. I wonder if they don't get him to Bridgeport after his season ends. Obviously the production comes with an asterisk as a overager, but I wonder what he turns out to be.

Alex Jeffries, too. 40pts in 33gp in his junior year at Merrimack
- eichiefs9

Maggio in Bridge would make sense. I wonder if either player can skate?

Maggio in Bridge would make sense. I wonder if either player can skate?
- ses111

Jefferies is a strong skater. No idea on Maggio