If Pageau is moved, I'm not sure why we want to move all these people to C when they can just move the guy who's actually a center, Barzal, back there. Heck, he'd probably appreciate that. I get it creates a bit of a non-traditional setup where you have three top-six centers but... .... ...I mean, oh no! I don't really see that as a problem at all but rather an opportunity to think offense a bit more and make other teams figure out how to deal with that setup down the middle.

Some might worry about matching up against other teams' top lines, but I think Horvat, Nelson, and Cizikas are all good defensive centers to the point where they can be out there against another team's stars and do the job well enough, with the added bonus that, in the case of Horvat and Nelson, they themselves are threats that other teams will have to watch out for. As for ice time and one of those top three centers not getting enough of it, I don't think you set them in as line 1, line 2, and line 3. I think you roll them out there and whichever one is going on a particular night gets more ice time. They could even mix the centers with different wingers if one of them needs more time on ice.

I don't know...Barzal-Horvat-Nelson-Cizikas down the middle intrigues me more than Barzal at wing and plugging some random dude in as 3C because that's the more traditional thing to do.
- UIF

I’m with you on this UIF.

I know it won't happen but I would like to see Gauthier in a full time role over Clutterbuck or Martin.
- Vukota

Islanders are going to need to look at different options for Cal and MM at least Vukota. I thought Durandreau looked good when called on. Wonder how soon Dufour can challenge for a spot?

I understand we traded a number of picks, but to still struggle to find internal options at this point is not good. What has been done to improve the scouting department and player development?
- ses111

When you give up your first and second rounders because trading is your only option. You need to find that gem in the later rounds.

I can’t quote you for some reason Vukota, but I liked Gauthier on the Rangers. I’d be very surprised if he’s not a regular contributor this season. Still a fairly young guy, and big too.

When you give up your first and second rounders because trading is your only option. You need to find that gem in the later rounds.
- Nfdbulldawg

That you do. The jury is still out on 1st round picks like Wally and Holmstrom. Dobson, I expected to bounce back this year.

That you do. The jury is still out on 1st round picks like Wally and Holmstrom. Dobson, I expected to bounce back this year.
- ses111

Yeah I’m expecting a big season from Dobson. Think this is the year he puts it all together.

Yeah I’m expecting a big season from Dobson. Think this is the year he puts it all together.
- Cptmjl

Hopefully Aho improves as well.

Islanders are going to need to look at different options for Cal and MM at least Vukota. I thought Durandreau looked good when called on. Wonder how soon Dufour can challenge for a spot?
- ses111

I would assume another year or two in Bridgeport before he has a real chance at cracking the roster on a full-time basis. As of right now, Martin and Clutterbuck are the only regulars who are going to be on expiring contracts so it's going to be tough for him to break in next year unless someone(s) get moved out next summer.

Durandeau might have a shot in a fourth line role next year but there will be a lot of competition. Durandeau/Dufour/Iskhakov/Holmstrom/Koivula/MacLean will all be battling for a limited number of spots over the next couple years.

I would assume another year or two in Bridgeport before he has a real chance at cracking the roster on a full-time basis. As of right now, Martin and Clutterbuck are the only regulars who are going to be on expiring contracts right now so it's going to be tough for him to break in next year unless someone(s) get moved out next summer.

Durandeau might have a shot in a fourth line role next year but there will be a lot of competition. Durandeau/Dufour/Iskhakov/Holmstrom/Koivula/MacLean will all be battling for a limited number of spots over the next couple years.
- eichiefs9

Have to think another year for Dufour. The 4th line will have openings next year unless the Islanders want to run it back again.

Have to think another year for Dufour. The 4th line will have openings next year unless the Islanders want to run it back again.

- ses111

Bringing back either of those guys would be a colossal mistake that I don't think Lou will make

Bringing back either of those guys would be a colossal mistake that I don't think Lou will make
- eichiefs9

I agree but when it comes to Lou and vets, all bets are off. Some of these young players are really going to have to be impressive to stick.

Bringing back either of those guys would be a colossal mistake that I don't think Lou will make
- eichiefs9

I can see him bringing back Martin. I think Clutter is pretty much done at this point. He was talking about retiring after his hand injury.

I agree but when it comes to Lou and vets, all bets are off. Some of these young players are really going to have to be impressive to stick.
- ses111

I'm not even sure Clutterbuck will continue his career if he has another injury-plagued season

Yeah I’m expecting a big season from Dobson. Think this is the year he puts it all together.
- Cptmjl

I think he’s going to be just fine. Wouldn’t mind if he put on 20 lbs of muscle.

I'm not even sure Clutterbuck will continue his career if he has another injury-plagued season
- eichiefs9

I'm sure a lot will be determined in terms of changes based on how this season goes. Have to think L & M will not be happy with missing the playoffs or out in the 1st round again.

I think Ek is really Garth Snow. That is the reason all this "leaks " come out. Most of them make zero sense for the Islanders. The ones that do make sense never happen . Now I just need to find out if Lou gave him this assignment or has he gone Rouge.

I think he’s going to be just fine. Wouldn’t mind if he put on 20 lbs of muscle.
- kindlyrick

Yep for his height he should be a good 25/30 lbs heavier.

If Pageau is moved, I'm not sure why we want to move all these people to C when they can just move the guy who's actually a center, Barzal, back there. Heck, he'd probably appreciate that. I get it creates a bit of a non-traditional setup where you have three top-six centers but... .... ...I mean, oh no! I don't really see that as a problem at all but rather an opportunity to think offense a bit more and make other teams figure out how to deal with that setup down the middle.

Some might worry about matching up against other teams' top lines, but I think Horvat, Nelson, and Cizikas are all good defensive centers to the point where they can be out there against another team's stars and do the job well enough, with the added bonus that, in the case of Horvat and Nelson, they themselves are threats that other teams will have to watch out for. As for ice time and one of those top three centers not getting enough of it, I don't think you set them in as line 1, line 2, and line 3. I think you roll them out there and whichever one is going on a particular night gets more ice time. They could even mix the centers with different wingers if one of them needs more time on ice.

I don't know...Barzal-Horvat-Nelson-Cizikas down the middle intrigues me more than Barzal at wing and plugging some random dude in as 3C because that's the more traditional thing to do.
- UIF

It sounds like you want our top scorer (Nelson) on the 3rd line. If Barzal, Horvat, and Nelson are the top 3 centers, who will be on the 3rd line? Sorry but I want them all on the top two lines. In fact, I’d like to see them tried on a line together if we are desperate for a goal late in the game. JGP and Casey could be the defensive centers then.

Crazy, huh?

It sounds like you want our top scorer (Nelson) on the 3rd line. If Barzal, Horvat, and Nelson are the top 3 centers, who will be on the 3rd line? Sorry but I want them all on the top two lines. In fact, I’d like to see them tried on a line together if we are desperate for a goal late in the game. JGP and Casey could be the defensive centers then.

Crazy, huh?
- David_Volek

I also rather not see Nelson as 3C. This was the issue in bringing in another C in Bo when the need was scoring wing and you are set at C. I agree you have to load up the top 6 with as much offense as possible. Barzal or Bo needs to play wing.

It sounds like you want our top scorer (Nelson) on the 3rd line. If Barzal, Horvat, and Nelson are the top 3 centers, who will be on the 3rd line? Sorry but I want them all on the top two lines. In fact, I’d like to see them tried on a line together if we are desperate for a goal late in the game. JGP and Casey could be the defensive centers then.

Crazy, huh?
- David_Volek

Not really. Maybe some nights, but not others:

I don't think you set them in as line 1, line 2, and line 3. I think you roll them out there and whichever one is going on a particular night gets more ice time. They could even mix the centers with different wingers if one of them needs more time on ice.
- UIF

That you do. The jury is still out on 1st round picks like Wally and Holmstrom. Dobson, I expected to bounce back this year.
- ses111

If Dobson does not look like a deer in the headlights in his own end and reduces the number the of giveaway's. If Wally can be the consistent sniper that the team was hoping for when he was drafted.

This would add a different dynamic to a team that needs it. It would be the missing pieces. If would also take pressure off of others and make this team my tougher to defend against.

Not really. Maybe some nights, but not others:
- UIF

What you are stating is that the centers remain constant and the wings slide through through the 3 centers? I will be honest. I like Horvat as #1 and Nelly #2, I think Barzal is better suited for the wing.

Barzal will be a play maker whether he lines up in the middle or on the wing. Once your are in the offensive zone and cycling it does not matter. Where it matters is on the dot and in the D zone. Two non-strengths of Barzal.

Also, by allowing Barzal to be on the wing you give him more leeway to leave the zone sooner allowing him to use his speed. Using stretch passes through middle or up the boards.

What you are stating is that the centers remain constant and the wings slide through through the 3 centers? I will be honest. I like Horvat as #1 and Nelly #2, I think Barzal is better suited for the wing.

Barzal will be a play maker whether he lines up in the middle or on the wing. Once your are in the offensive zone and cycling it does not matter. Where it matters is on the dot and in the D zone. Two non-strengths of Barzal.

Also, by allowing Barzal to be on the wing you give him more leeway to leave the zone sooner allowing him to use his speed. Using stretch passes through middle or up the boards.
- Nfdbulldawg

On the first bold, not always. But if they need to slide a center up with different wingers to get one of them more ice time, then yeah. I don't even mind playing two of them together...or what was mentioned earlier about playing all three centers together...if the situation calls for it. The Oilers and Pens do it. But, when I look at the Isles' wingers, I don't really see clear-cut first, second, and third liners anyway. I see a collection of middle-six guys that has to get the job done offensively and defensively. Plug a center in and whoever gets that job done on a given night plays first-line minutes.

On the second bold, I just don't think that's true if it's a permanent move. That's not what Barzal said about moving to wing and some of the differences there, and I believe him since he's the one doing it. I think there's more to it...the approach, the board work, etc....than just a vacation from faceoffs and defense.

And as for the last paragraph...maybe that's true in theory. I can't say I saw all that much of it when he played wing. I also think you lose a bit of his ability to transport the puck out of the zone from down low and build up speed. I'm not concerned about Barzal's play making. That will always be there. I just think you're limiting his ability to possess the puck by putting him on wing, and that's what he does best. Maybe it's for the better. Maybe he becomes the straight-ahead guy some people want him to be. I'm just not convinced until I see it.

On the first bold, not always. But if they need to slide a center up with different wingers to get one of them more ice time, then yeah. I don't even mind playing two of them together...or what was mentioned earlier about playing all three centers together...if the situation calls for it. The Oilers and Pens do it. But, when I look at the Isles' wingers, I don't really see clear-cut first, second, and third liners anyway. I see a collection of middle-six guys that has to get the job done offensively and defensively. Plug a center in and whoever gets that job done on a given night plays first-line minutes.

On the second bold, I just don't think that's true if it's a permanent move. That's not what Barzal said about moving to wing and some of the differences there, and I believe him since he's the one doing it. I think there's more to it...the approach, the board work, etc....than just a vacation from faceoffs and defense.

And as for the last paragraph...maybe that's true in theory. I can't say I saw all that much of it when he played wing. I also think you lose a bit of his ability to transport the puck out of the zone from down low and build up speed. I'm not concerned about Barzal's play making. That will always be there. I just think you're limiting his ability to possess the puck by putting him on wing, and that's what he does best. Maybe it's for the better. Maybe he becomes the straight-ahead guy some people want him to be. I'm just not convinced until I see it.
- UIF

I don't totally disagree with your logic, but I think running all three of them down the middle spreads the already-thin talent even thinner. Also, the cap space cleared by moving Pageau probably doesn't really doesn't make enough room to add any type of significant scorer. The only guy I could think of would maybe be Kane because he's likely going to have to settle for less than he'd normally get due to his hip resurfacing procedure.

What might make sense, if he is even going to try and play next season, was if they moved Pageau and signed both Toews and Kane. Toews could play 3C and the top 6 would feature all of Barzal/Nelson/Kane/Horvat. Not going to happen and a semi-absurd pipedream but Toews, if he plays, would probably be on a close-to-veteran-minimum deal. A trade of Pageau and maybe Wahlstrom for futures could potentially clear the space needed as well as help start to restock the pipeline with some combination of picks/prospects.

I don't totally disagree with your logic, but I think running all three of them down the middle spreads the already-thin talent even thinner. Also, the cap space cleared by moving Pageau probably doesn't really doesn't make enough room to add any type of significant scorer. The only guy I could think of would maybe be Kane because he's likely going to have to settle for less than he'd normally get due to his hip resurfacing procedure.

What might make sense, if he is even going to try and play next season, was if they moved Pageau and signed both Toews and Kane. Toews could play 3C and the top 6 would feature all of Barzal/Nelson/Kane/Horvat. Not going to happen and a semi-absurd pipedream but Toews, if he plays, would probably be on a close-to-veteran-minimum deal. A trade of Pageau and maybe Wahlstrom for futures could potentially clear the space needed as well as help start to restock the pipeline with some combination of picks/prospects.
- eichiefs9

Spreading the talent is the issue. I think the Islanders are going to have to load up on the top two lines. Kane would be nice to have for a year, but I have to think the Islanders will need to be a true contender for Kane to even think about signing with them. Toews on a one-year cheap deal would make sense as well. Islanders are in a very tough spot to acquire that true scoring wing. I do not think this Islander team is bad, but I think it will again be a struggle to make the playoffs and I'm just not sure they have the horses for a long run.