Dee Karl: Here We Go Again MLK Day Game at the Coliseum 1 pm.

It amazes me that some kind of deal cannot get done to make even the smallest of upgrades to give these guys a fighting chance. It doesn't always take a blockbuster deal to put a team over the top. At this point some cheap veteran d men pending ufa would be acceptable. Something slightly better in net like a Justin Peters or Khudobin would help the cause.

This team has legit talent. A very potent top line and hidden gems below them that will break out as the season goes on but if we can stop the puck from going in our own net then it doesn't matter how good the offense is.

It's not looking good for the Islanders, going down the stretch. I don't know what Snow was thinking, when he traded Matt Moleson and a first for Tomas Vanak. Vanak is just a one dimensional Eurocrap player and has done nothing to warrant resigning at a high number, on the Island. Snow needs to be given the boot for this deal, because of giving up a top end draft pick. The question now becomes, do you give up the lottery protected pick, this year, because you don't want to gamble on losing out on Connor McDavid next year? What a conundrum that the Islanders are in and both options are bad.

It's not looking good for the Islanders, going down the stretch. I don't know what Snow was thinking, when he traded Matt Moleson and a first for Tomas Vanak. Vanak is just a one dimensional Eurocrap player and has done nothing to warrant resigning at a high number, on the Island. Snow needs to be given the boot for this deal, because of giving up a top end draft pick. The question now becomes, do you give up the lottery protected pick, this year, because you don't want to gamble on losing out on Connor McDavid next year? What a conundrum that the Islanders are in and both options are bad.
- PrinceLH

I was pondering the same thing. Dee- do you think the islanders will use their pick in this years draft, or next? Next year is mcdavid/eichel but their pick this year will most likely be top 5.

I was pondering the same thing. Dee- do you think the islanders will use their pick in this years draft, or next? Next year is mcdavid/eichel but their pick this year will most likely be top 5.
- Enzomatic

I believe if it is a top 10 pick it automatically goes to next years pick

It's not looking good for the Islanders, going down the stretch. I don't know what Snow was thinking, when he traded Matt Moleson and a first for Tomas Vanak. Vanak is just a one dimensional Eurocrap player and has done nothing to warrant resigning at a high number, on the Island. Snow needs to be given the boot for this deal, because of giving up a top end draft pick. The question now becomes, do you give up the lottery protected pick, this year, because you don't want to gamble on losing out on Connor McDavid next year? What a conundrum that the Islanders are in and both options are bad.
- PrinceLH

We wont have a shot at McDavid next season.

We wont have a shot at McDavid next season.
- mrock

Why would you say that? Any non playoff team has a chance to draft him. Of course it's a weighted draft, so your chances get smaller, the higher you go into the standings. Never say never. Look what happened to Colorado and see who they ended up with, last year. Two years ago, who would have even thought that Colorado would end up drafting Nathan McKinnon. I'd drop this years pick, since once you get by the top 3 or 4, there's a noticeable drop in perceived talent. If it's top 3, you keep it!

It's not looking good for the Islanders, going down the stretch. I don't know what Snow was thinking, when he traded Matt Moleson and a first for Tomas Vanak. Vanak is just a one dimensional Eurocrap player and has done nothing to warrant resigning at a high number, on the Island. Snow needs to be given the boot for this deal, because of giving up a top end draft pick. The question now becomes, do you give up the lottery protected pick, this year, because you don't want to gamble on losing out on Connor McDavid next year? What a conundrum that the Islanders are in and both options are bad.
- PrinceLH

1st of all, Snow made that trade to get a more polished W for JT, and Vanek is a better player than Moulson by miles. Since the Isles have issues attracting Elite FA to play here, he traded for 1. The picks are picks, isles have had so many, so taking a gamble for an Elite W was necessary to play along JT.
Plus the last time I checked, the isles top line has produced at a high level, that its been 1 of the best lines in all of NHL.
If Vanek signs then the trade was worth it, if not and Snow decides to trade him, then Vanek can bring back something of more worth than Moulson.

I believe if it is a top 10 pick it automatically goes to next years pick
- mrock

Its top 10 protected but Isles have choice to defer pick or keep it......

Unless Isles are in top 2, rather give Sabres the pick, not crazy about this years draft. Also think Isles will go on to 1 of those late season win streaks where it ruins their draft pick, this is the year to do so......

Its top 10 protected but Isles have choice to defer pick or keep it......

Unless Isles are in top 2, rather give Sabres the pick, not crazy about this years draft. Also think Isles will go on to 1 of those late season win streaks where it ruins their draft pick, this is the year to do so......
- Ur Not Me

I agree, we have the depth to let one get away but I would still keep the top 10 and trade it for a piece we need.

You know I will admit I was pissed about the Moulson trade but have definitely seen a far more dominant line with the Vanke JT KO combo then anything I ever saw with Moulson. I am not knocking Moulson but Buffalo is kind of proving the theory he was made by Tavares. Vanek is an opportunity for Tavares to play with an elite caliber player. If Vanek can resign then I would definitely take him. Snow will look like a genius. If he walks, I commend Snow on trying but trade him for something.

I would love to know what it would take to get a Tyler Myers. You grab him and an Adam McQuaid type D-man, then throw in a mediocre goalie like Khudobin or Peters and I say we hit the playoffs.

I agree, we have the depth to let one get away but I would still keep the top 10 and trade it for a piece we need.
You know I will admit I was pissed about the Moulson trade but have definitely seen a far more dominant line with the Vanke JT KO combo then anything I ever saw with Moulson. I am not knocking Moulson but Buffalo is kind of proving the theory he was made by Tavares. Vanek is an opportunity for Tavares to play with an elite caliber player. If Vanek can resign then I would definitely take him. Snow will look like a genius. If he walks, I commend Snow on trying but trade him for something.

I would love to know what it would take to get a Tyler Myers. You grab him and an Adam McQuaid type D-man, then throw in a mediocre goalie like Khudobin or Peters and I say we hit the playoffs.
- mrock

This is a weak draft this yr. If our picks is out of the top five I'd expect Snow to trade it. The following yrs draft is expected to be strong deep into the second round. The islanders won't make the playoffs this season but they should be playing to get that pick out of the top ten at the very least.

Why would you say that? Any non playoff team has a chance to draft him. Of course it's a weighted draft, so your chances get smaller, the higher you go into the standings. Never say never. Look what happened to Colorado and see who they ended up with, last year. Two years ago, who would have even thought that Colorado would end up drafting Nathan McKinnon. I'd drop this years pick, since once you get by the top 3 or 4, there's a noticeable drop in perceived talent. If it's top 3, you keep it!
- PrinceLH

This yrs pick will be given to Buffalo unless it's in the top five I'd think with the upcoming draft being as weak as it is.

I agree, we have the depth to let one get away but I would still keep the top 10 and trade it for a piece we need.

You know I will admit I was pissed about the Moulson trade but have definitely seen a far more dominant line with the Vanke JT KO combo then anything I ever saw with Moulson. I am not knocking Moulson but Buffalo is kind of proving the theory he was made by Tavares. Vanek is an opportunity for Tavares to play with an elite caliber player. If Vanek can resign then I would definitely take him. Snow will look like a genius. If he walks, I commend Snow on trying but trade him for something.

I would love to know what it would take to get a Tyler Myers. You grab him and an Adam McQuaid type D-man, then throw in a mediocre goalie like Khudobin or Peters and I say we hit the playoffs.
- mrock

bryz for future considerations and edm retain half of his salary to nyi.

It's not looking good for the Islanders, going down the stretch. I don't know what Snow was thinking, when he traded Matt Moleson and a first for Tomas Vanak. Vanak is just a one dimensional Eurocrap player and has done nothing to warrant resigning at a high number, on the Island. Snow needs to be given the boot for this deal, because of giving up a top end draft pick. The question now becomes, do you give up the lottery protected pick, this year, because you don't want to gamble on losing out on Connor McDavid next year? What a conundrum that the Islanders are in and both options are bad.
- PrinceLH

Vanek is the most talented and all around better player Tavares has had on his wing since he came into the NHL. I'd take Vanek over PA, Moulson, or anyone who has played on his wing. Moulson is just not a good hockey player I've never been a fan and that's not sour grapes it's the truth. He scores but that's literally it, he is invisible anywhere but in fron of the net and was completely ineffective without Tavares. That's why he was traded. He's not worth 5+million over 5-7 yrs which he will get from some stupid team. Some team WILL regret signing him. He makes Vanek look like a defensive stalwart.
I'd do that trade again, the problem I have with it is that there was nothing done following the trade to help our defense and goaltending. That's where the problem lies. If Vanek resigning hinges upon the teams success than why do nothing to help the team succeed? If Vanek doesn't resign(which more than likely he will not) the trade is awful for that reason and that reason alone.

bryz for future considerations and edm retain half of his salary to nyi.
- deks1

No thanks.

The Flyers are actually a terrible afternoon team over the past 3-4 seasons.

1st of all, Snow made that trade to get a more polished W for JT, and Vanek is a better player than Moulson by miles. Since the Isles have issues attracting Elite FA to play here, he traded for 1. The picks are picks, isles have had so many, so taking a gamble for an Elite W was necessary to play along JT.
Plus the last time I checked, the isles top line has produced at a high level, that its been 1 of the best lines in all of NHL.
If Vanek signs then the trade was worth it, if not and Snow decides to trade him, then Vanek can bring back something of more worth than Moulson.
- Ur Not Me

You can never have enough first round picks. Especially when you trade one for a guy who may or may not want to resign with you. They may be able to flip him for a 1st at the TDL, but chances are the team they trade him to won't be drafting ahead of NYI's spot (unless more comes back to offset it).

I say make Vanek an offer before the deadline....if he doesn't resign you have to trade him and hopefully trade him for a goalie or defensemen for the future. I'm not opposed to not having draft picks, if you look at Detroit, they are constantly making the playoffs, and Its not because of high draft picks. They draft well, later in rounds but they make key additions to fill holes. Now I know Detroit is a place where free-agents would rather sign, however they went through some tough years just like we are now.

You can never have enough first round picks. Especially when you trade one for a guy who may or may not want to resign with you. They may be able to flip him for a 1st at the TDL, but chances are the team they trade him to won't be drafting ahead of NYI's spot (unless more comes back to offset it).
- jmatchett383

Like I said in the post, Snow had to gamble and bring in an Elite W for JT and early into the season. Only time will tell if Vanek resigns or not? But the risk is worth it by a mile. No Elite FA is being attracted to the island, so the next best thing is to trade for 1. Moulson is a nice player and would command a high salary that is not worth it and Snow wouldn't have signed him to his demands. Vanek is a much better player by far and getting him early into the season allows Vanek to see what NY has to offer, which gives Isles a legitimate chance to resign. And if Vanek does not sign here, Snow would trade him and he still can bring something back of worth.

Also like I mentioned before, this year draft is very weak and unless Isles are top 3, there's really no stud player coming out worthy, so yes, picks are picks and the isles have had many, time to speed up the rebuild coming off last year......

Like I said in the post, Snow had to gamble and bring in an Elite W for JT and early into the season. Only time will tell if Vanek resigns or not? But the risk is worth it by a mile. No Elite FA is being attracted to the island, so the next best thing is to trade for 1. Moulson is a nice player and would command a high salary that is not worth it and Snow wouldn't have signed him to his demands. Vanek is a much better player by far and getting him early into the season allows Vanek to see what NY has to offer, which gives Isles a legitimate chance to resign. And if Vanek does not sign here, Snow would trade him and he still can bring something back of worth.

Also like I mentioned before, this year draft is very weak and unless Isles are top 3, there's really no stud player coming out worthy, so yes, picks are picks and the isles have had many, time to speed up the rebuild coming off last year......
- Ur Not Me

i think you guys would've been better off trading away a different winger than moulson though like bailey maybe.

i think you guys would've been better off trading away a different winger than moulson though like bailey maybe.
- rangerdanger94

Your kidding right??????
Bailey has no value right now, let alone enough value to obtain an Elite W

i think you guys would've been better off trading away a different winger than moulson though like bailey maybe.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah in hindisght that would have been a great idea.

Your kidding right??????
Bailey has no value right now, let alone enough value to obtain an Elite W
- Ur Not Me

right now, but early on in the season he probably did.

Yeah in hindisght that would have been a great idea.
- Cptmjl

no, i think it would've made sense to begin with. the whole chemistry deal that i know you guys hate

right now, but early on in the season he probably did.
- rangerdanger94

Not even in the early part of the season or any other season. Bailey has been an enigma of sorts. He has not put up consistent numbers to even warrant value of an Elite W.
The downfall to Bailey is that he's been rushed and not developed properly, but the only upside is that he's still young enough but Isles need a better coach who might help him become a better player.....