Ben Shelley: Metro Division Comparison Part 5: Islanders/Devils

Every time you talk about the Islanders core D you neglect Pelech. I think he is a solid #4 and rounds out the top 4 nicely. In this scenario for example, I think he brings them to at least a tie. Subban is a highly overrated defenseman and the rest are comparable at best to the Isles. Have enjoyed the match ups so far though, even with the slight to Pelech.

The Islanders big advantage in net is Greiss. Everyone else isn’t very reliable.

That said, Corey put up good numbers in the second half last season. The D should be improved not just with P.K. but also adding Ty Smith.

Why do these writers think PK is a positive?????? He is a team killer and still hasn't learned to shut his pie hole!!!!

Nice write up Ben, thx.

I agree on the forwards getting the edge in NJ. Going to be interesting to see how Gusev adjust to the smaller ice surface and tighter checking game of the NHL.
On the defensive I’m going to disagree and say the Isles defense and defensive game in whole is much better the NJ even after adding PK.
The Isles group is young, except for JB and I think we will see a huge growth in Pulock and Toews game this year

Why do these writers think PK is a positive?????? He is a team killer and still hasn't learned to shut his pie hole!!!!
- patersonnick46

Because they deal with facts. Not prejudice.

[quote=Queenie_5_hole]
Did you just pull your race card? Can’t tell?

[quote=Cptmjl]

No I pulled my ‘how about using facts instead of some bullpoop you heard about P.K. that you don’t really know poop about’ card. (Not meaning you personally)

Anybody know any actual examples of P.K. causing problems? Or just because Cary Price was a complete female dog in Montreal has that narrative become gospel?

When someone says why is this guy considered a positive for the defense and he’s a Norris trophy winner and multiple time all star what card is that idiot playing. The retard card?

[quote=Queenie_5_hole]
I don’t think many wouldn’t want him on their team. I mean we really don’t need him and need to pour some cash into our forwards so it wouldn’t have been money well spent but there always seems to be some bs following the guy around. Not saying it’s true but when you hear enough of it there probably is some substance to it. So if we had a need for him and not up front and we got him I would be happy as hell but there seems to be something to it. Just my two cents.

[quote=Cptmjl]

[quote=Queenie_5_hole]


Just wondering without knowing any facts about whether or not he’s a problem, however typically when a team has a Norris Trophy winning defenseman who is obviously very talented they typically hold on to them. Players like that don’t grow on trees.
That said PK has been traded twice which makes me wonder why.

[quote=nyisles7]

seems in the case of Nashville they were deep enough on D and they had a chance to sign a center that they desperately needed for about the same cap hit as PK.

Nice write up Ben and another spot on comparison. Isles are just lacking in terms of forwards right now.

I read each one and I waited for this one and I gotta say man I am shocked in a pleasant way lol. I thought for sure you where going to give the isles the edge on defense ! Im not sure who I would pick as there are a lot of variables but loved the series Ben !

[quote=Queenie_5_hole]


Im a fan of PK, but its def noteworthy that hes worn out his welcome in two cities with all that talent. How often do Norris winners get traded (twice)?

[quote=nyisles7]


I just wrote the same thing without seeing your post.

The point is even if PK is a certifiable asshat suggesting he is not a positive add is ridiculous. The guy is a high quality defender. And he did manage to get his preds into the cup finals so its not like he's been unsuccessful there. He's a $9M cap hit which is a big part of why they moved him.

Boston said the same thing about Tyler Sequin being a cancer and it's not like character assassination is that uncommon....

[quote=kindlyrick]
To be fair, the first time he was traded for Weber, who was a win-now defenseman. Didn’t work out for them. Weber fell off badly.

The second time the Preds needed to get scoring badly, and although Subban was a great defenseman, he wasn’t $9m in cap great. The Preds already had a bevy of fine blueliners and could afford to let him go for basically cap space and prospects in order to get some forward help. Which they promptly turned around into Duchene. You can argue if that was a mistake or not, but it did address a big need.

To think that two teams tossed him because he’s a bum is ridiculous. Cmon now. I don’t like him or the Devils, but you know better.

He’s certainly been questioned by his coach before in MTL, but that’s been some time. It’s not like they got peanuts for him. They got back the best guy at the time. And players aren’t traded because they’re simply loudmouths, either, unless they’re ripping the ownership and coaching. So he brags. Who cares? You don’t pack your bags for that.

The point is even if PK is a certifiable asshat suggesting he is not a positive add is ridiculous. The guy is a high quality defender. And he did manage to get his preds into the cup finals so its not like he's been unsuccessful there. He's a $9M cap hit which is a big part of why they moved him.

Boston said the same thing about Tyler Sequin being a cancer and it's not like character assassination is that uncommon....
- Queenie_5_hole

For what it's worth, the rumors and stuff weren't that he's a bad person, but just that he can be overbearing and wear out his welcome. Whether that's true or not, who knows? It's just stuff I've read from people who claim to know about these things, like this, from Custance in June when he put his trade-target article together:

...and Subban’s name is at the center of speculation. There are a couple reasons. Don’t shoot the messenger here but the topics that often come up when talking about Subban have returned, like the impact his big personality has on the dressing room. “Too much P.K. It’s too much everything,” said one NHL source this week.

https://theathletic.com/1...o-could-move-this-summer/

Even if that's true, I don't think it makes him some toxic player that a team would want to dump for anything, but maybe someone you're more likely to make available, especially with the $9m hit when there are needs in other areas.

[quote=Hesh_]


I think you're misunderstanding. I am a fan of PK Subban, but the answers are there. Shea Weber was way past his prime when that trade happened. You just don't see many Norris winners traded twice midway through his career. If the whispers are that he's got an attitude problem, i'll believe that based on the facts. We can agree to disagree......either way he's nice with it.

I had enough of Subban after watching his stand up routine after the draft once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggsDVds8Eg

[quote=kindlyrick]
Racist

- nyisles7

Would

[quote=kindlyrick]
Look, I’m not saying PK is a saint. His issues were with Therrien, so I almost take that with a grain of salt. The whole team was underachieving during that stretch when they pulled the trigger on the swap. PK took the brunt. Was it fair? Maybe. Prolly not.

But the recent trade was far more evident that Nashville had talent on the blue line out the ass, and PK’s cap hit was a problem. They needed relief to get some scoring. They still have a glut of defense, and now they have Duchene to show for their move.

It’s Duchene. He’s, well, we know what he is. Still an improvement for that forward crew. They felt it was a necessary move, and they got outta PK’s contract before the huge slide.

Hey, if you watched them in the playoffs, you know it wasn’t Subban’s fault for their underachieving. He tried. They were just, lost I guess.