Ben Shelley: Islanders sign Erik Gustafsson to PTO

Ben Shelley: Islanders sign Erik Gustafsson to PTO
- Ben Shelley

If he happens to make the team even odds he scores a GWG against Philly

Definitely !

He might score a goal but he'll give up 3 while on the ice

John Tonelli for HOF.

He might score a goal but he'll give up 3 while on the ice
- GPerogie

That's where you're wrong. With Trotz as his coach, he'll only give up 2.

What's the deal with this guy? He put up 60 points with Hawks. Was that mostly PP? Still a lot of points to put up. His D game is obviously garbage judging from the posts.

John Tonelli for HOF.
- Tee56

John Tonelli for HOF.
- Tee56

What's the deal with this guy? He put up 60 points with Hawks. Was that mostly PP? Still a lot of points to put up. His D game is obviously garbage judging from the posts.
- ziggy_skalica

1 good year apparently. Obviously he isn't a great player to still be on the market at this stage of the off-season. Who knows, maybe under the right coach and system, he could be a solid #5 or 6. Maybe depth at #7 or 8. Reckon we're gonna find out soon enough.

- Isleshockeyman

- Isleshockeyman

1 good year apparently. Obviously he isn't a great player to still be on the market at this stage of the off-season. Who knows, maybe under the right coach and system, he could be a solid #5 or 6. Maybe depth at #7 or 8. Reckon we're gonna find out soon enough.
- Isleshockeyman

My thoughts too.

At the very worst, his presence put the onus on Aho and Hickey to step up.

My thoughts too.

At the very worst, his presence put the onus on Aho and Hickey to step up.
- Wildschwein

At this point neither of those guys should need to be inspired to step up.

Here is a concept, given the choices the Islanders currently have and/or are reluctant to do. Lets see how this guys adjusts to the team and if he can make a difference.

At this point neither of those guys should need to be inspired to step up.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, I don't think there's some other level to Hickey's game that we just haven't seen yet. I'm not trying to knock the guy, but he is what he is. Hell, I think heart and effort have always been two things in the positive column for him.

Overall, I'd also point out that while depth and competition are all well and good, we're not looking for a bottom-pair or depth replacement. The Isles need to replace a guy who logged some pretty big minutes in the top-four, led all D-men in points, and was top-five in points on the entire team. He wasn't a perfect player by any means, and he's certainly not irreplaceable, but I think it'll be hard to replace what Leddy brought by hunting through the bargain bin. He's just simply a better caliber player than any question mark or leftover.

It might fall to someone like Dobson to really step up into that role, and the depth/tryouts/etc. can then battle for Dobson's bottom-pair spot, but, apart from being a big ask of Dobson, that's complicated by the fact that Dobson's a RD (violins & cellos!).

Anyway, a guy like Lou knows the importance of defense. If whatever the plan is to start the season isn't working, he'll no doubt move mountains to fix it during the season. I guess my point is, as the team stands right now, I'm not seeing a guy who can step in and replace Leddy's minutes, production, and importance to the D corps.

At this point neither of those guys should need to be inspired to step up.
- Cptmjl

Touché.

Yeah, I don't think there's some other level to Hickey's game that we just haven't seen yet. I'm not trying to knock the guy, but he is what he is. Hell, I think heart and effort have always been two things in the positive column for him.

Overall, I'd also point out that while depth and competition are all well and good, we're not looking for a bottom-pair or depth replacement. The Isles need to replace a guy who logged some pretty big minutes in the top-four, led all D-men in points, and was top-five in points on the entire team. He wasn't a perfect player by any means, and he's certainly not irreplaceable, but I think it'll be hard to replace what Leddy brought by hunting through the bargain bin. He's just simply a better caliber player than any question mark or leftover.

It might fall to someone like Dobson to really step up into that role, and the depth/tryouts/etc. can then battle for Dobson's bottom-pair spot, but, apart from being a big ask of Dobson, that's complicated by the fact that Dobson's a RD (violins & cellos!).

Anyway, a guy like Lou knows the importance of defense. If whatever the plan is to start the season isn't working, he'll no doubt move mountains to fix it during the season. I guess my point is, as the team stands right now, I'm not seeing a guy who can step in and replace Leddy's minutes, production, and importance to the D corps.
- UIF

Well-said. I am slowly coming around to accepting the fact that the Isles are not going to be quite as good to start the season as they were last season. But that's the nature of expansion drafts. All the teams' talent gets watered down a bit to form the new team. Tampa lost Yanni Gourde who was an excellent playoff performer for them. And, as you said, if the Isles' D isn't working out, Lou can try to make a trade during the season.

Well-said. I am slowly coming around to accepting the fact that the Isles are not going to be quite as good to start the season as they were last season. But that's the nature of expansion drafts. All the teams' talent gets watered down a bit to form the new team. Tampa lost Yanni Gourde who was an excellent playoff performer for them. And, as you said, if the Isles' D isn't working out, Lou can try to make a trade during the season.
- JohnScammo

When you looked at the expansion draft, the cap space, and all the key players that needed to be re-signed, it could have been a disaster of an offseason for the Isles. That the team is largely intact with even upgrades at some positions, I'd say Lou did a damn good job.

It's not surprising that there's still a hole to fill, and Leddy was the obvious choice to move out for cap space at that time. But, yeah, it's still a hole in the lineup and Leddy wasn't just some plug. I'm positive we're not saying anything that Lou doesn't know, so we'll see what happens in camp and what he does if no one steps up. It's actually kind of nice knowing we have a GM that will almost certainly make a move if the team really stumbles.

When you looked at the expansion draft, the cap space, and all the key players that needed to be re-signed, it could have been a disaster of an offseason for the Isles. That the team is largely intact with even upgrades at some positions, I'd say Lou did a damn good job.

It's not surprising that there's still a hole to fill, and Leddy was the obvious choice to move out for cap space at that time. But, yeah, it's still a hole in the lineup and Leddy wasn't just some plug. I'm positive we're not saying anything that Lou doesn't know, so we'll see what happens in camp and what he does if no one steps up. It's actually kind of nice knowing we have a GM that will almost certainly make a move if the team really stumbles.
- UIF

With the extended road trip to start the season, one would think some initial stumbling is inevitable.

What sorta start do you guys figure the boys will have? Personally, I’ll be ecstatic if they go .500 on the opening roadie.

With the extended road trip to start the season, one would think some initial stumbling is inevitable.

What sorta start do you guys figure the boys will have? Personally, I’ll be ecstatic if they go .500 on the opening roadie.
- Wildschwein

Yeah, I wasn't even thinking about that! I agree... .500 after a massive road trip like that would set them up well to rattle off wins in a home-heavy schedule after that.

When you looked at the expansion draft, the cap space, and all the key players that needed to be re-signed, it could have been a disaster of an offseason for the Isles. That the team is largely intact with even upgrades at some positions, I'd say Lou did a damn good job.

It's not surprising that there's still a hole to fill, and Leddy was the obvious choice to move out for cap space at that time. But, yeah, it's still a hole in the lineup and Leddy wasn't just some plug. I'm positive we're not saying anything that Lou doesn't know, so we'll see what happens in camp and what he does if no one steps up. It's actually kind of nice knowing we have a GM that will almost certainly make a move if the team really stumbles.
- UIF

I think the Isles will be fine. The team offensively is better for sure this year and that’s truly what needed to be addressed imho. The defensive structure the “team” plays will be the same and defensively the Islanders will be just as good as last year. Remember when Toews was traded and there was a “hole” to fill and needed to be filled or the Islanders would not be as good. As UIF said Leddy was an important part of the team however I think this team is exactly that and will be able to over come the loss of 1 player. Whether it was due to injury or trade The Isles have persevered. I think Lou did a tremendous job adding to the offense and keeping the core of the team together this off season. I’m looking forward to see what Chara can give us as far as toughness on the Blue line and think a tandem of He and Mayfield will be very tough to play against.