Ben Shelley: Islanders sign Zdeno Chara

John Tonelli for HOF

Nice addition Lou! Strong D for the 21/22 season.

Nice signing, congrats.

Thank goodness I don't have to watch Chara pounding the crap out of Matt Martin again....

I’m sure he came affordable, so why not? A solid move by the Islanders, they aren’t counting on this guy to play major mins, and the young guys can learn from him as well.

Halak it a lot. This makes them a tougher team to play and adds some more protection to the smaller guys if the opponents know them might get a thumping from big Z for taking liberties on our guys.

Thank goodness I don't have to watch Chara pounding the crap out of Matt Martin again....
- JohnScammo

https://twitter.com/Isles...tatus/1439263822267797513

[quote=Tee56]John Tonelli for HOF

Your persistence on Tonelli’s behalf is admirable. I know a guy who is a one man force trying to get Tony Oliva into the baseball HOF. He’s still working it and Tony’s still waiting.

https://twitter.com/IslesWhiteSUV/status/1439263822267797513


- JimmyP

Bringing this over from the last thread:

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 a team 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.

Bringing this over from the last thread:

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.
- nyisles7

I like the Chara acquisition but I cant see team play 2 40yrs old players on D at same time for numerous games, Im hoping Gustefson or Aho make it bc there's literally no offense from LHD side.
I can see Lou make a deadline deal for a dman if team is lacking on something

I like the Chara acquisition but I cant see team play 2 40yrs old players on D at same time for numerous games, Im hoping Gustefson or Aho make it bc there's literally no offense from LHD side.
I can see Lou make a deadline deal for a dman if team is lacking on something
- Hell_Bent

I think Greene and Dobson played very well last year and also as I said Z and Mayfield will be a tough Duo to play against.
I agree Trots has choices and if it isn’t working Lou can go out and make a deal as you said. Interested to see how it works out.

I like the Chara acquisition but I cant see team play 2 40yrs old players on D at same time for numerous games, Im hoping Gustefson or Aho make it bc there's literally no offense from LHD side.
I can see Lou make a deadline deal for a dman if team is lacking on something
- Hell_Bent

I'm more worried about Greene. I think Chara will work out well. Would have been nice to be able to add Murray and Chara but Greene was needed for the draft.

I'm more worried about Greene. I think Chara will work out well. Would have been nice to be able to add Murray and Chara but Greene was needed for the draft.
- ses111

Greene if possible should be used sparingly. He was obviously worn down for the playoffs definitely a step behind. With that said he was great during 3/4’s of the regular season but you could see him wearing down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think he would be most effective with limited ice time and giving him some breaks during the season. Give him a break and give a kid like Bolduc a look here and there.

Greene if possible should be used sparingly. He was obviously worn down for the playoffs definitely a step behind. With that said he was great during 3/4’s of the regular season but you could see him wearing down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think he would be most effective with limited ice time and giving him some breaks during the season. Give him a break and give a kid like Bolduc a look here and there.
- Cptmjl

I agree Cpt. Aho or Bolduc should be given looks for Greene this year. In the perfect world the Isles would not have re-signed Greene at least as a regular.

I agree Cpt. Aho or Bolduc should be given looks for Greene this year. In the perfect world the Isles would not have re-signed Greene at least as a regular.
- ses111

I don’t necessarily think signing Greene was a bad move especially since we haven’t really filled the hole that Leddy left. I just think he’ll be much more effective of a player if he’s given limited minutes and breaks.

https://twitter.com/IslesWhiteSUV/status/1439263822267797513


- JimmyP

Wasn't that the 2nd fight they had in the same game?

I think they both held back b/c Martin's hit on the Caps player wasn't meant to injure.

That fight was strictly "for the fans"

[quote=Tee56]John Tonelli for HOF

Your persistence on Tonelli’s behalf is admirable. I know a guy who is a one man force trying to get Tony Oliva into the baseball HOF. He’s still working it and Tony’s still waiting.
- Minnyhock

LOL ! JT for HOF

Wasn't that the 2nd fight they had in the same game?

I think they both held back b/c Martin's hit on the Caps player wasn't meant to injure.

That fight was strictly "for the fans"
- jmo16

It looked like Chara was holding back. Martin has a clean reputation. He throws a lot of hits, but he doesn't take cheap shots.

It looked like Chara was holding back. Martin has a clean reputation. He throws a lot of hits, but he doesn't take cheap shots.
- JimmyP

Matt and Z are class guys all the way.

I agree Cpt. Aho or Bolduc should be given looks for Greene this year. In the perfect world the Isles would not have re-signed Greene at least as a regular.
- ses111

They had to sign him to have a d man to expose for the expansion draft. Who knows whether Lou would have made a deal with him otherwise. I think at least he would have been able to wait till around now to make that call. I doubt that teams would have been breaking the door down to sign him.