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Around SBN: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez Heats Up, Hughes Talks Retirement

Excited for Hunter's return?


Star-divide

As we near Trent Hunter's return to 100% health we have to think how this will affect the line-up we have been putting out there since his injury. If I had to take my guess I would have to say the only players you can scratch in favor of Hunter getting back on the ice would be Sim (My disapproval of his presence is well known , even though he has played well the last few) and possibly any of the three on the 4th line.

In my opinion I think i would rather have Jon Sim remain where he is instead of inserting Hunter. Even with his well known lack of skill his average speed and relentless pursuit of the puck actually seems to have inspired Bergie to put in that extra effort on his own forcheck leading to some open ice for one of our most skilled players Frans

 I definitely don't want them messing with the fourth line they have been developing some great chemistry and have developed into an extremely pesky forechecking line with some size and a little skill. They have been doing excedingly well at shutting down other teams top units as of late as well.

My conclusion is unless there is some type of injuries Hunter needs to receive the Tambellini/Schremp treatment and be forced to wait for this team to hit the skids and then only receive the smallest of opportunities to prove himself as an effective player with limited minutes. I was as big of a Hunter fan as anyone when he first came to the league and had that great rookie year but ever since then I have seen him digress as a player to the point where he is absolutely not a top 6 forward perhaps not even top 9. He has progressively gotten slower every year and it seems as if his puckhandling ability has only gotten worse as well so much so that id say his speed is well below league average and his hands are average at best. In today's NHL based on speed and skill, that's not how you build a winner. I know he hits as well, but there is a difference between playing the body and playing the body effectively and I don't see his hits really ever making a difference in the outcome of plays. I know this is blasphemy and will get ripped by a lot of you guys. But I calls em likes I sees em, and the best way I see Trent helping us out is in a deal for a skilled prospect or some draft picks.

Poll
How do you envision Trent Hunters role on this team?
Invaluable piece towards building a contender
9 votes
Solid trade bait
11 votes
3rd or 4th line gem
13 votes
Detriment to success , taking minutes from younger more skilled prospects
2 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

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I'll bite

Oh-ho-ho, goin’ after a favorite, eh? (No, in seriousness I like questioning of assumptions, particularly about favored players.)

Hunter’s speed, as always, deceives people into misreading his effectiveness. But I think he’s a smart, conscientious player, and the stats for how the team performs with him on the ice back that up. For last season, anyway, they gave up fewer 5-on-5 goals with him out there than most of his teammates not named Okposo or Bergenheim, and his relative plus/minus indicated the same. I think that’s why Gordon likes him: He has the hockey intelligence and positioning to compensate.

Is he top-six? No, not on a good team; his offense is probably too limited, his rookie year never to be replicated. But he is a gem for a third-line role (or in this case, on the 2B line), with the added ability to pinch in on any line and not hurt the team.

As to the immediate question, who indeed does he take out of the lineup? No way do I make him wait like Tambellini. Sim or Jackman would be the guy; I wouldn’t mind keeping Sim in, but I like Jackman against opponents that like to put on the foil.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Nov 2, 2009 12:30 AM EST reply actions  

THN rates him as a top six...who am I to argue?!

Hunts is a favorite whipping boy for many. Fact is that he has been the most consistent Islander skater in every respect including scoring and try to remember that he has rarely had the opportunity to play with very talented linemates and has had his share of injuries. If he can stay healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him return to rookie form.

by BCISLEMAN on Nov 2, 2009 1:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Trade value

Just throwing this out there, too: If you don’t think he can help the Islanders much anymore, which team do you suppose offers a skilled prospect or picks for him — and for what role?

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Nov 2, 2009 1:47 AM EST reply actions  

In Garth I trust

To be completely I have no clue id just hope he has his eye on a nice young player with some speed. Like they did with Parrish when they got Tambellinil. If I had my choice a player Ive had my eye on for years is Petr Prucha… if we could somehow swing Trent for Prucha I would be estatic

by Big Swoopty on Nov 2, 2009 1:57 AM EST up reply actions  

Gimme a break

Hunts has better stats than Prucha and is better at winning the battles in front of the net and along the boards. Why on earth would Garth trade Hunts for Prucha? Of course, he won’t trade him, so its immaterial…but Prucha…no thanks.

by BCISLEMAN on Nov 2, 2009 2:04 AM EST up reply actions  

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New York Islanders Roster

# Pos. DOB W H
Josh Bailey 12 LW 10/2/1989 190 6-1
Rick DiPietro 39 G 9/19/1981 190 6-1
Mark Eaton 4 D 5/6/1977 215 6-1
Michael Grabner 40 RW 10/5/1987 185 6-0
Travis Hamonic 3 D 8/16/1990 203 6-2
Milan Jurcina 27 D 6/7/1983 253 6-4
Andrew MacDonald 47 D 9/7/1986 196 6-1
Matt Martin 17 LW 3/8/1989 210 6-3
Al Montoya 35 G 2/13/1985 203 6-2
Mike Mottau 10 D 3/19/1978 190 6-0
Matt Moulson 26 LW 11/1/1983 205 6-1
Evgeni Nabokov 20 G 7/25/1975 200 6-0
Aaron Ness 55 D 5/18/1990 170 5-10
Nino Niederreiter 25 RW 9/8/1992 205 6-2
Frans Nielsen 51 C 4/24/1984 184 6-0
Kyle Okposo 21 RW 4/16/1988 205 6-0
Jay Pandolfo 29 LW 12/27/1974 190 6-1
P.A. Parenteau 15 LW 3/24/1983 193 6-0
Marty Reasoner 16 C 2/26/1977 205 6-1
Dylan Reese 42 D 8/29/1984 201 6-1
Brian Rolston 11 LW 2/21/1973 215 6-2
Steve Staios 24 D 7/28/1973 200 6-1
Mark Streit 2 D 12/11/1977 197 6-0
John Tavares 91 C 9/20/1990 202 6-0
Tim Wallace 36 RW 8/6/1984 207 6-1
Ty Wishart 6 D 5/19/1988 222 6-4
Calvin de Haan 44 D 5/9/1991 187 6-1

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