Looking Ahead: Free Agent Defensemen
by afrosupreme on Jan 27, 2012 11:25 PM EST
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I know it's a little early to start eyeing up free agents, but hey, we're Islander fans -- we're used to thinking about the offseason while there's still snow on the ground. And while I'm excited to watch the rest of the season play out, I've also come to some conclusions based on what I've seen the past few months about what I hope the summer brings.
It's hard to say what kind of spending the Islanders will do this offseason. They should have somewhere between $13-$20 million coming off the books depending on who re-signs or retires. Right now their cap payroll for next season is around $32M. Hopefully, that will soon be somewhere around $38M, with P.A. Parenteau and Frans Nielsen safely resigned. Another $2M for Matt Martin and David Ullstrom and you get to $40M, or around $9M shy of where they are now, with several spots to fill in still, largely on defense.
I believe they will fill forward vacancies from within next year, but they are likely looking at three new defenders to line up with Mark Streit, Travis Hamonic, and Andrew MacDonald. You hope a Calvin de Haan or Matt Donovan can grab one of those spots with strong play later this season, or in camp next year, but I wouldn't expect to see more than one rookie on the blue line in 12-13.
However, there are quite a few appealing free agents on defense this year, many more than I can remember in a while.
In essence, the Islanders should be looking to bolster all three pairings. They need to find a good partner for Streit, who can play in his own end and move the puck. I'd also look for someone who can really solidify the third pair, and give a rookie a chance to succeed. Additionally, you hope to add some size, and maybe more importantly physical play, and someone who can pair with Streit on the power play. I would hope to see two defensemen added, and possibly even a third, with an eye toward Streit's expiring contract.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of the free agents Garth & Co. will be looking over the next few months. I've limited the list to players 30 and under, hoping we can offer some multiyear deals to guys who can be expected to produce for the length of the contract.
Current Islanders
I'm going to pray assume we aren't going to see Mottau, Eaton, or Staios in orange and blue next year, but that still leaves two current Islanders who are pending UFAs.
Dylan Reese 6'1" 201lb Age:27 RH
We know what we have in Reese. He's generally played well and within himself. He's not a world-beater, but he's nota game-killer either. I wouldn't mind seeing him back for depth, especially if he's willing to take a two-way deal again.
Milan Jurcina 6'4" 253lb Age:28 RH
We all know the story on Jurcina. Big, not especially physical. Not bad, but not especially effective. I'd rather see him replaced, especially if he wants more than his current $1.6M.
First Pair-Cream of the Crop
Ryan Suter 6'1" 198lb Age:27 LH
Obviously the most coveted UFA this year. If Garth can somehow bring him to the Island it's the gamechanging signing we've looked for (but honestly hasn't been there) the past few years. This is the guy you break the bank for in my opinion. I'd love to see him paired with Hamonic, and watch them dominate games for years to come.
Next Best-Friends for Streit
One thing we've seen this year is Mark Streit struggle. His injury last year plays into this, as does his age, but more than anything I think it's been his partners. He's looked much better with Reese beside him lately, but I think he could get back to his prior game with a better player next to him. There's several guys that might fit the bill available this year.
Johnny Boychuk 6'2" 225lb Age:28 RH
A guy who has size and has progressed nicely with Boston the past few seasons. He seems to fly a little under the radar on a talented Bruins team, but he's done a lot of heavy lifting playing next to Chara this year. He might really cash in and earn a big boost from his current $2M salary, especially if he has a big playoff run, but may actually be worth what he gets.
Matt Carle 6'0" 205lb Age:27 LH
Carle is a very solid, if unexciting defenseman. He's the kind of guy you could park next to Streit on the second pair and expect the tandem to excel. However, he's having a very good year and is already making $3.4M, so he may go for upwards of $5M-will he be worth it?
Nicklas Grossman 6'4" 230lb Age:27 LH
A big body who plays tough minutes, though he doesn't necessarily excel in that role and doesn't play a physical game. He's having a down year, so he might come cheaper than usual. He's similar to Jurcina, but a better player. Might be worth exploring.
Dennis Wideman 6'0" 200lb Age:28 RH
He's a solid player, though I've always felt a touch overrated. Very offensively minded, he'd be a nice complement on the power play. Coming off a big All-Star season he's probably going to end up with a big contract (already at $4million).
Tim Gleason 6'0" 217lb Age:28 LH
Having his best season with Carolina, but it still isn't all that good. He's probably going to pull in more than his current $2.75 million, and I can see him disappointing at that price.
Carlo Colaiacovo 6'1" 200lb Age:29 LH
Perhaps our resident Blues fan can probably say more, but he seems like a good puck mover who has grown more comfortable in his own end. He does have a long injury history, though, and is already making $2.1M. Could pair well with Streit, but not the top choice.
Jason Garrisson 6'2" 214lb Age:27 LH
He's made a big jump this year, but it seems in no small part due to playing with the rejuvenated Brian Campbell. Moves the puck well, and fits in on the power play (8 goals there this year). Working well with Campbell indicates he might do well paired with Streit, and might give Streit the partner he's lacked on the first PP unit. Worth watching as the season progresses. Surely will get a raise, but is only pulling down $1.6M this year.
Third Pair-Easy Upgrade
After watching the Eaton/Mottau/Staios Parade this year, this should the where Garth can most easily improve the team. There's a number of guys here who I think could add a lot, and hopefully mesh with a young player.
Shane O'Brien 6'3" 230lb Age:28 LH
Advanced Numbers (unavailable)*
O'Brien isn't the best player, but he could provide what a lot of Islander fans feel has been lacking with size and physical play on the blueline, and TEH (ever-popular) GRITZ. He's not afraid to drop them, and might provide the protection some feel our stars need, while also contributing solid minutes. He's also only making $1.1M, but is having one of his better seasons to date.
Clayton Stoner 6'3" 225lb Age:26 LH
He's playing bottom pair minutes for MN, but doing it well. At 26 he seems to be coming along and would bring the size and physical play we've been lacking from the bottom pair. Seems willing to drop the gloves at times, and at $550K he could be a cheap upgrade. Another one worth keeping tabs on going forward.
Matt Gilroy 6'1" 201lb Age:27 RH
Probably saw enough of him as a Ranger to know he's not really the answer, but he might be a good option if the pool has thinned out and we still haven't filled out the roster. Plus he's another righty.
Derek Smith 6'1" 197lb Age:27 LH
He has some nice AHL seasons under his belt and appears to be figuring out the NHL this year. Seems more of a puck mover than banger.
Shaone Morrisonn 6'4" 210lb Age:29 LH
A casualty of Buffalo's cap madness stuck in Rochester this year, Morrisonn has never really met first round expectations. It's hard to peg what kind of contract he'll get (he's currently making $2 million to play in the AHL) given the loss of this season. If he somehow comes cheap, he could fill out a bottom pair, but he's not much of an upgrade.
Depth, Depth, and More Depth
If we end up missing out on a couple of the above, there should definitely be an effort to add some bottom depth-two seasons in a row have taught us that. Here's a few players that seem capable of giving that, with a little bit of upside.
Matt Smaby 6'6" 239lb Age:27 LH
A giant with a pedigree who's never really stuck despite being an early second round pick. Had a solid half-season last year with TB, but has missed all season with a thumb injury.
Tyson Strachan 6'2" 215lb Age:27 RH
Not a ton of data on the guy, so it's hard to say, but he has size and a right-handed shot. Again, maybe Dom can fill us in on whether he's a guy who just needs regular minutes, or is a two-way depth signing at best.
Alexander Sulzer 6'1" 204lb Age:27 LH
Another guy I don't know much about who has some very strong AHL numbers to go with some very underwhelming NHL ones.
Summer of Love?
Do we finally feel the love this summer as Islander fans? I think two dependable defensemen would go a long way to making next season a winning one. Of course there's 30 other teams vying for these players, but hopefully Garth is ready (and able) to be bold this offseason and can pull off some moves to help this team get to the next level.
*The apostrophe in O'Brien's name throws off the search query. I emailed Gabe Desjardins, and he wrote back that he would look into it, so if something comes of that, I'll update the link.
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Great food for thought; thanks for organizing this so well
My one hesitation about the class is that in my memory it usually looks better in January than in July, because the class tends to thin thanks to re-signings.
On the Blues/ex-Blues: Colaiacovo was on my radar last time (but chose to re-sign) as someone who provides exactly the mix they need at a nice price point. His injury luck is damn near Martinekian though. I mean we’re not talking fitness or strength injuries either — we’re talking anvils falling from the sky type of injuries. My rational side says those are no reason to avoid a player, and yet they keep happening.
Strachan I think would give us more of what we have: Frustration in a lesser known package. Unless he does the late-20s smart defenseman evolution, he’s a more physical but worse poor man’s Eaton.
I agree with the concept of rebuilding three pairs. I’m actually open to keeping Jurcina, BUT only with the idea that he’s likely in the 6/7 role, and I doubt they both re-sign him and pencil him in for that slot.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Poor man's Eaton
Dear god. What is that? A department store mannequin on skates?
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
by PGI on Jan 28, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I think the whole “_ is a poor man’s ______” thing should apply to good/well-paid type of players.
Guys like Eaton belong in the first blank, not the second.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 28, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Too true
But I needed to go beyond convention to get my point across.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
True
We’ll be crossing guys off this list the next few months, but hopefully more than a few of them are left come July.
Thanks for the scouting report of the Blues. I didn’t really know much about Colaiacovo, so I’m glad to hear that about him since he really does seem like a good fit (although spelling his name is awfully challenging). And it seems like he might end up squeezed out by numbers in St. Louis.
That’s my main problem with Jurcina too. It seems likely they’ll continue to think he can be relied on for important minutes, rather than just fighting to get into the lineup. And I doubt they’ll pay him like a guy desperate for minutes.
by afrosupreme on Jan 28, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Great write up Fro
I’m a big fan of the Isles making a run at Dennis Wideman (as Roundtable Part 2 shall show), but you’re right that “all-star” tag will probably run his price up. If we could grab him for 4-5 years for $5 mil though, I think they should seriously consider it.
It would give you a chance to have have Calvin de Haan play with either Streit or Wideman, and then in 2013, if Streit again looked average, you could let him walk and hopefully a more mature de Haan could step into his place along side Wideman as your 1-2 d-men.
The New York Islanders: saving their best for the wrong conference since '05
Good Article like it!
I would love to see R.Suter in a Isles uni, I agree that he could make us in to a special team. With some of the talent we have on the offence if we can upgrade on the D we could have a good season next year. But getting Suter is like trading in the Missus for Amber Heard. I like to think we could get it done but not sure. I’m talking about Suter & not the Missus that is. Oh thinking about it I’ll take both.
3 Teams 3 Different Sports Same Torture!!!
by Kung Fu Panda 48 on Jan 28, 2012 4:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The missus is like a restricted free agent every year
You retain her rights year after year, but she’s guaranteed a raise every year
The New York Islanders: saving their best for the wrong conference since '05
by Chris McNally on Jan 28, 2012 5:27 AM EST up reply actions
Nice one
Made me smile :)
3 Teams 3 Different Sports Same Torture!!!
by Kung Fu Panda 48 on Jan 28, 2012 5:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
A young R.Sutter type of player,
Roman Josi, is spending his All-Star break on Long Island with Streit and Niederreiter. Maybe he can put in a good word to his D teammate in Nashville about the perks of life on Long Island.
"If you have what you say you have, I’ll make you rich. If you don’t, I’ll make you into shoes" Jim Moriarty 1/1/2012
They were at the Knicks game last night, according to Nino's Twitter
What’s the deal with Josi? I’d never heard of him. Maybe he’s an option.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Josi has quite a hype here in Switzerland
Yes, he is hyped even more than Niederreiter and Bärtschi. I would say he is the most touted Swiss prospect.
Only 21, Josi is already playing his 5th season as a pro. He debuted in NLA at 16 with SC Bern (one of the best Swiss teams) and carried their defence at 18. After winning a Swiss Championship in 2010, he made the jump to the US. One season apprenticeship in the AHL and here he is, logging more than 20 minutes a game for the Predators and taking Weber’s spot when he was out with a concussion.
He is an offensive defenceman, with a nice shot, and many Predators fans say he reminds them of a young Sutter.
Knock on Josi is he already had his third concussion in september 2011 and fluke injuries are not unknown to him.
Streit and Josi have a very good relationship, they train together in the summer, and that also explains Josi’s momentary presence on Long Island.
That being said, I don’t think the Preds would trade him.
"If you have what you say you have, I’ll make you rich. If you don’t, I’ll make you into shoes" Jim Moriarty 1/1/2012
Maybe if Josi gets a phone call
from Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Fraser, he could be persuaded to force a trade…
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Suter & Amber Heard, very similar in this analogy
because as i (unfortunately) don’t see Sute signing with us, nor would Amber go along with the swap, unless she was the one getting your wife.
yeah, she plays for the other team. sorry.
of course, that could make it hotter (Heard, not Suter)
Thanks for clearing that one up.
If we can get Suter no matter how hard it might be. My disappointment about Heard will be wiped away.
3 Teams 3 Different Sports Same Torture!!!
by Kung Fu Panda 48 on Jan 28, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
I would move back to the Island and get season tix
if the Isles signed Heard
"..."
by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 28, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Your Point on Boychuck is Key
A guy who has size and has progressed nicely with Boston the past few seasons. He seems to fly a little under the radar on a talented Bruins team, but he’s done a lot of heavy lifting playing next to Chara this year. He might really cash in and earn a big boost from his current $2M salary, especially if he has a big playoff run, but may actually be worth what he gets.
The statement….
He seems to fly a little under the radar on a talented Bruins team, but he’s done a lot of heavy lifting playing next to Chara this year
That is the key…the isles need to find a guy who right now is not quite carrying a pairing or shouldering monster minutes but is ready to take on a more responsible role. Since he plays with Chara he probably does get helped but I think you have th right idea with a guy like this….A PLAYER THAT IS maybe a third or 4th guy on a better team who is ready to start shouldering more responsibility.
From Your list…I like Boychiuck and Stoner.
I am also still a believer in Wishart. A good finish in BPT could carry a lot of confidence for the group down there.
Don’t forget Katic (although we should probably expect a tough bounce back after the injury-lost 2011-12 for him).
Good Post…I’m gonna look all of these guys in more detail.
Thanks
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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano
I like Boychuk the most
mainly because he has an awesome, old school hockey guy name. A guy named Johnny Boychuk sounds like he played with Eddie Shore.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
the isles need to find a guy who right now is not quite carrying a pairing or shouldering monster minutes but is ready to take on a more responsible role.
The last time that happened, the Isles got Wisniewski. Yeesh.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 30, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
It would be nice.
If one of our prospects could make the the team & really make a name of themselves?
3 Teams 3 Different Sports Same Torture!!!
by Kung Fu Panda 48 on Jan 28, 2012 6:21 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree
I’d like to see Wishart, CDH, and Donovan at least vying for a spot. But I’d also like to have the depth that we can call them up when they are ready, not when we need them, and still be able to ice a team that can compete. Ideally you could have two of them with the big club, among the bottom three, fighting to not be the healthy scratch.
by afrosupreme on Jan 28, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Good post
I looove to dream like the next guy, but I think acquiring Suter is just that, a dream. He’s most likely going somewhere who will contend. I’m hoping that somewhere will be in someone else’s division ie Detroit or San Jose, and not with somewhere like Philly, the Rags or Pitt. I think if we can snag any of: Wideman, Boychuk or even Gleason, I’d be happy Boychuck would be my preference bc he’s been under the radar, he’s won and he’s a righty. I’d over pay for Boychuck in the range of 5 mill if necessary. I think he’d help that much. Would I be happy with Gleason as a 4? Not convinced but I think we’re desperate, so I’d take it.
What about Wishart? Have we moved on already? I’m suprised we haven’t allowed him to atleast try to earn a depth spot on our terrible D.
by DirtyIsle on Jan 28, 2012 9:02 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
great food for thought...
i’m a glutton for looking towards free agency when the season hasn’t ended yet. if garth really wants to make a big splash and put this team into overdrive, i could see the isles working out a deal with nashville for shea weber. if that doesn’t work, make a pitch for suter while showing heavy interest in boychuk. landing weber/suter and boychuk would really allow the good times to start rolling. understanding that there are 29 other teams trying to land free agents, the isles have the farm to land weber…
with the nash talk before, maybe something like:
Isles get Weber
Preds get Nash
Jackets get prospects and such from Isles
speculation if the Preds are interested in Nash…
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
Why would they trade Weber for Nash, who they'd be paying $7.8M per year? May as well re-sign Weber.
Because offense is their weakness, they are a budget team, and they can't afford to have that much money locked up in their D and goalie.
Unless they wanna start spending towards the cap, they really can’t afford Weber and Suter and Rinne all @7mil/yr on a $49mil budget team. That’s almost half their budget in 3 defense “oriented” players.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
I like that idea. And it would make a lot of sense from all teams involved as long as we give up the "should be" high amount of prospects/picks.
It should cost us somewhere around 2 1sts and a 2nd rounder + 3rd rounder value if we go what NASH/COLU would get for compensation on losing a RFA like Weber/Nash. Say a package of Strome or Nino + Brock Nelson(or a 1st rounder) + Ullstrom or Cizikas(or a 2nd rounder) + a 3rd rounder(or equivalent). You give up a lot, but you fill a huge hole if he will sign a solid extension/contract.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Too high IMO
I say go for one of the D’s Afro suggested and give up any combination of Bailey + either more prospects [Rhett, Dibo, Cizikas, and or piks] Brock we will need, I like Nino better than Bailey and Strome really has not shown his high pik status one way or another.
The price is high, the payoff is big, but it fills arguably our biggest organizational hole: a top pairing d-man.
Yes, the cost is high but the payoff is arguably worth it.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
right on...
bottom line: isles need solid, reliable defensemen. isles have plenty of assets to land weber and would give much incentive for boychuk to also sign given garth and the others sell the idea of being a top dman on a blossoming isles team. your top six would be Streit, Weber, Boychuk, Hamonic, Macdonald, (whoever) next season. that right there screams playoffs and possibly further down the line. keep in mind, this team has no home beyond 2015 right now. they gotta sell to the county/whoever on the team being an asset to LI. getting the fans to come see a winning team every night will only help make it easier. gotta take the risks worth taking if you wanna see something happen.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
If there was a move to be made, it should be made for a top 4 d-man without question.
And imo, if we can bring in a top 4 d-man that is a “proven” RFA or signed for multiple years, I think putting our hand into the prospect/picks tank to get one would be smart. Some would argue, “It’s too early to go for broke”, but this isn’t really going for broke if this is for a d-man that will be here at least a few years and this is arguably a necessity given our d situation/problems to put us over the hump into a playoff team. These players that we should be looking at that fit this are:
-Shea Weber (RFA)
-Keith Yandle (Signed for 4yrs@5.25mil/yr after this year)
-Jay Bouwmeester (NTC. 2yrs@$6.7mil/yr after this year)
—PK Subban (RFA)
-Marc Methot as a 6’3’’ 230lbs physical defensive d-man stop gap (3yrs@3mil/yr after this year)
Yeah, Snow “could” mend this problem with rentals (ala wisniewski for a 3rd rounder, or ), but that only solves the problem temporarily. Either way, I think we all agree that the defense “should” be addressed heavily in the offseason. Even though, just the subtraction of Eaton/Mottau/Staios will help a lot, we should really replace at least 1 of them with a solid top 4 d-man.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Excellent round-up
I think realistically, the Islanders can target Boychuk, Stoner and Morrisonn, who’s a hell of a lot younger than I thought he was. Seems like he’s been around forever. And with about a billion dollars in unused cap space, a little overpayment might not be the worst thing in the world. Maybe one of the unheralded guys turns into the defenseman version of Moulson or Parenteau.
They might have an outside shot at Gleason, which would royally fuck up the plans of a few other teams if they got him at the deadline. Rumors are that Jim Rutherford is asking for the moon for him, though. I say Suter and Garrison are the long shots.
Here’s my issue: for two straight summers, Garth has tried to get a solid defensman via free agency and swung and missed twice. He’s fouled off a few pitches (Jurcina, and Staios/Eaton who, while very limited in their abilities, are probably playing as well as could be expected), but is still looking for a hit. If he tries again, he could strike out and we’s all be looking at a season very much like this one next year.
I think the best bet, and Botta has mentioned this in the past, too, is to trade for a defenseman with a big contract that his team may no longer want. Someone like, but not limited to, Jay Bouwmeester or Fedor Tyutin. Jersey’s Andy Green is a longshot, but if the Devils’ financial problems are real, Lou might be willing to listen.
Two other thoughts:
1. Subban!
2. You know who’s a UFA at seasons end? The master minute muncher himself, Adrian Aucoin.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I loved Aucoin back in the day
but bringing another 38-year-old to the roster just makes me cringe
Still feels weird cheering for Nabokov
by ilopan on Jan 28, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The Isles should have kept Aucoin in the first place.... bringing him back now would most likely be a teeny bit disappointing.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 28, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, I agree with both of you
If they essentially trade Staios, Eaton or Mottau for Aucoin, then there’s gonna be some serious problems. But at least Aucoin is a legacy.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Boychuk
I live in southern CT, so I get all the Bruins games, along with NYI/NYR/NJ. I’ve watched a bunch of non-Isles games the past two seasons, and Boychuk looks good every time. He hits, plays solid defensively, and has a hard shot. He would fill a bunch of Isles needs at once. Pair him with Streit or AMac (or even with de Haan could function as 2nd pair behind Hamonic/AMac and save Streit’s legs for the PP.)
He would be a good fit.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 28, 2012 11:22 AM EST reply actions
Yeah
I’m not as up on other teams, and the wider league in general, but it seems like with all the guys who are going to be available he might be someone you could swoop in and snag while other teams are lining up for Suter, Wideman, Gleason, etc. But like I said, I just don’t have a sense if he does have that kind of buzz and I’m not aware of it.
by afrosupreme on Jan 28, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
Gill and Oduya
If we replaced Mottau and Staios with those 2, and watched the boys in Bridgeport improve/mature another year, I wouldn’t be heartbroken (/ preparing myself for another July 1st letdown).
Like a wet blanket, NSIF is there (sung to State farm Insurance music)
It might not be so bad as this, but watch my reasoning develop.
First, the debatable. What is it going to take to get Ryan Suter to come the Long Island? I’ve long since given up on the notion that professional athletes are really interested in anything other than the dollar signs. By that, I mean that (with the exception of our darling JT — and I’ll wait until he signs his forst UFA contract before certifying on that) players don’t make their early UFA decisions on going to a contender. They make them on money. By way of proof, DirtyIsle suggests he’s going somewhere that will “contend”. Is there a younger, more exciting, CONTENDING team than Nashville? Seriously. The Preds are three points out of the Conference Lead, playing in the toughest division in hockey. If Suter is going to hit the UFA market hard, he’s looking for a huge payday, not necessarily a contender.
While this may give some hope that he might consider ex-Isleing himself, How much is this going to cost?
First, even if we ignore that cap-circumventing villainy that is the Ehrhoff contract, I submit that there is no way Suter signs for less than 7-10 years at $8.5-9.5 million a year, front loaded. To come to the Island, I suggest you add 15% to that as a premium. Debate that if you will, but I think that’s reasonable.
What does that do to us?
For 2012-13, at Forward, the Isles have Tavares, Moulson, Grabner, Okposo, Niederreiter, Reasoner, Bailey and the ghost of Alexei Yashin tied up to the tune of $19.8 million. I think we can count on PAP and Frans, if we can keep them, costing $5-7 mil between them and Strome will run about $1.8 mil. This is $26.6 million, minimum, with ten guys. Matt Martin, and let’s say, Rahkshani, Ullstrom and maybe Kirill Kabanov, will cost us, conservatively, $3.5 million between them. This is a total of $30.5 million or so.
On ‘D’, they have Streit, at $4.1 Million, Hamonic and MacDonald at a remarkably cheap (and going to skyrocket in ‘13-14) $1.3 Million between them. Reese and Katic, at 600-800K each, deHaan at $1.5 million, Donovan and/or Ness at $900K each. A minimum of $8.5 Million, even assuming we’re only counting 6 Dmen. We’ll still need some depth.
At Goaltender, we have (barring some miracle change of status) DiP at $4.5 Million. If we let Montoya and Nabokov walk, we’re looking at Nillson and Poulin at a total of $2.6 Million. It’s certainly no cheaper if we sign Montoya, imo.
So that’s $46 Million and by no means should be considered complete. This year’s floor is $48.3, with no sure indication of where it will be next year, not that that matters in this conversation. We’re left wondering, however, what the budget for salaries will be for 2012/13, but let’s keep in mind that an insanely big long term contract for Suter could put a real crimp in our ability to sign AMac and Hammer to long term deals when they come due in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
I guess what I’m saying, in my long winded way, is that we may just not be able to afford Suter, even assumin he’d be willing to come here.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jan 28, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions
Right
That’s what I alluded to saying who knows what they will spend. Wang used to be willing to spend some money-will he again? I think he realizes that putting a winning team out there is the quickest way to improve his draw. Now that there is a solid core in place with JT, et.al., is he willing to step it up and spend $10M, or more, over the (current) floor? As a fan you hope so, but it’s true, the past few years aren’t particularly encouraging.
by afrosupreme on Jan 28, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
well from what we have seen
going after big name dmen like Erhoff and Martin the past few years is that they are willing to add a 6-7 million dollar guy to the roster. We shall see if it happens this year.
Yes, and...
…even though Isles needed to add about that much salary (Ehrhoff) to meet the floor, which they eventually did with Rolston, if the Isles signed Ehrhoff, it would have put them well over the salary floor 2-3 years from now, assuming Wang/Snow keep teh core together.
So the effort made to sign Ehrhoff is a good sign that Wang hasn’t told Snow he needs to stay right at the salary floor.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jan 28, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
Ok are you saying Suter is going to look for 7-10 years at $8.5-9.5M per year from other teams?
He’s never ever ever getting that. He won’t even get that from the Islanders. The most realistic thing there is maybe he could get 7 years. If I’m the Islanders, I offer him 7 years. I’d go up to $6.5-7M for him on a 7 year deal.
Agree with the money part, but I do think it's money + contending
I mean Nashville is doing well, but they’re in a tough division where two competitors will spend to the cap and the third contender is at least as viable.
I think guys like Suter are looking to get paid in places where getting paid does not mean the team around them is less of a contender. The guys who get top dollar in Pittsburgh know the team will spend all the way around them; guys who get top dollar in Nashville — where the financial foundation of ownership is hardly out of the woods yet — fear they’ll get their money but be stuck because their own contract makes improving the team difficult.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
He's going to look for a big pay day...
…on a perennial contender. The Nashville preds just don’t have the budget to play with the big clubs. Sure, every once in a while they’ll play well, ‘contend’ as you say, but they’re a small market team on a small budget with a predictable forecast unlike that of Det, Phily, etc. Wang has the cash, he has to spend to the floor, Suter just won’t want to come here bc we’re not big market, we’re not contending any time soon, and we have Snow and Wang.
Ummmmm
we’re not big market, we’re not contending any time soon, and we have Snow and Wang.
It’s New Freaking York, we’re cointending within three years and I encourage you to name one free agent who has declined to come to the Island because of Snow and Wang.
We haven’t competed recently, we’ve got a crappy stadium and small crowds. That’s why they won’t come.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jan 29, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Ryan Smyth
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 30, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Nah- he seemed to like Snow & Wang
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 30, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
snow, wang, the arena, many years of losing, etc..
…it’s all part of our ‘value proposition’, as they say in business. Yep, we could be three years away from contending: if we develop our young talent the right way, if our prospects are legit, if we fire garth snow (kidding, maybe), if we get a new arena, if we get a new owner?, etc, etc… There are just so many unknowns and things that need to play out for us to be contending. Who really knows why no good free agents have come here in many many years exactly, but when I listen to the so called experts, and most hockey fans, their perception of Wang and possibly Snow, ain’t so good. But you’re right, until we win and get a new rink, we’re going to be hard pressed to get good free agents to come here, without over paying them. But hey, i’m ok with overpaying the right guy so let’s do it.
Well played...
I did something like this the other day. I think the Isles would have to get to a $55M CAP, $50M Budget to be contenders. Signing Suter explodes that to over $60M, and I really can’t see Wang authorizing that when they are losing money with a sub basement budget.
The team that waives a 26 year old 20+ goal scorer to save on the $2.5M budget hit is not going to commit ~$9M for ~8years… It’s just not going to happen.
I see offers made to all the big names… and we wind up with Oduya (who, for good reason, Fro didn’t even have listed)
My realistic dream is that they overpay for Boychuck… I missed his UFA status earlier (why Fro’sr write-up was terrific). He fills a HUGE chasm in the organization. You can check all the boxes: AGE, SIZE, TEH GRITZ, RH (to pair with almost all LH upcoming puck movers) and he fits well (if <3.5M) under the budget constraints.
Like Dom brought up earlier, this is probably a better conversation for March-June when we havea better understanding of the inventory available… but most likely they stick to the OLD INEFECTIVE DEVIL program… and we get you know who…
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Right
to an extent. I used that calculator tool over at capgeek to get a sense of this. I assumed, for the sake of this, that Ullstrom, Cizikas, de Haan, and Poulin make the team (largely because I assume even if they don’t, whoever does will have a similar contract) and came up with the following:
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Matt Moulson ($3.133m) / John Tavares ($5.500m) / Kyle Okposo ($2.800m)
Michael Grabner ($3.000m) / Joshua Bailey ($1.050m) / Nino Niederreiter ($2.795m)
Casey Cizikas ($0.900m) / Marty Reasoner ($1.350m) / David Ullstrom ($0.891m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($4.100m) / Travis Hamonic ($0.875m)
Andrew MacDonald ($0.550m) / Calvin de Haan ($1.470m)
GOALTENDERS
Rick DiPietro ($4.500m) / Kevin Poulin ($0.891m)
BUYOUTS: Alexei Yashin ($2.204m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $36,010,665; BONUSES: $3,085,000
CAP SPACE (15-man roster): $28,289,335
So that’s $36M. I’m hoping they bring back PAP and Frans, and figure that could range anywhere from $5-$7M. So let’s use the high end at $7. They also need to resign Martin-probably around $1M. I’d like for them to resign Montoya-I doubt that is more than $2M if it’s that. So after taking care of goalies and forwards we’re up to $46M.
So if Suter costs $9M and you bring in another big name for $5 you hit $60. But there are some caveats. First, you could land just Suter and roll with two other BP guys (Wishart). PAP + Frans could very well end up closer to $5M than $7M. And of course the 800lb gorilla-DP. His $4.5M could go a long way to freeing up money for useful players. We’re not even having this discussion if it’s not on the books.
All that said, I’d love to see them really go after Boychuk, though I’m not sure he’ll come in under $3.5M if Gleason just got $4M. Boychuk and Garrisson would be a nice second prize (honestly, I prefer Garrisson to Wideman). But I don’t think it’s impossible to see them staying around $55 AND landing Suter.
by afrosupreme on Jan 30, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
This is very similar to the conversation
we had a few days ago. Part of the missing budget is depth.
I think our varying points were guys like Jurcina and Eaton. They will need >8 defensemen on the bid, and I think 6 of them have to be above 1.5M each (especially when AMAC is out of his indentured servitude). It’s okay to rely on $800K cap gappers on their ELCs for the bottom end of that depth, but the Islanders rely on <$1M full timers like Staios and Reese.
They have THREE NHL defensemen signed for next year. That’s walking the high wire on July 1. That’s why I say you can give Jurcina up to $2M for two years. Even if he becomes a #7 guy, I think you can rely on him for okay minutes for 50+ games. You should get one or two of the (Katic, Wishart, Reese, Donovan, deHaan) pool into the 8 man rotation, but that leaves you with 6 defensemen, and a budget pool. They have about $10M to spend on defensemen with a 3 year term window (after resigning Jurcina and Reese)… You can blow your wad on Suter, or possibly get 3 valuable players to put in the pool ex (Boychuk + X + X).
Snow has his work cut out for him… i just hope he improves on HIS productivity over the past two years.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
I guess I just feel
that the depth can start to come from within. All the guys you mention can start filling those 6-8 slots. Or you have Reese, or someone like him in the mix also. I’d have a hard time with them bringing back Jurcina at $2M per, when you could have Reese for $750K, in part because I think Reese is more effective overall.
I agree, it’s tough when you only have three guys signed right now. But I have no problem pencilling in someone in the system as a fourth. So really you want to sign two, and possibly some depth guys, but the depth guys shouldn’t total more than $2M. If you’ve already given that $2M to Jurcina, well then…
My D Whiteboard
a big part of that is getting Wishart up, and maybe even Donovan.
Reese is almost a known commodity. They can send him back to A and let Wishart have a go in the NHL again.. or give Donovan 10 games to guage where he is. (same relationship as Wallace v Rhett) I definitely don’t want to go into next year with the the same question marks.
Hell, this year I didn’t think Wishart was even a question mark, but we have Steve Staios and Mike Mottau getting playing time in front of him and Reese. Both of whom were better than Mottau last year.
Jurcina isn’t Chara, but he’s an effective 6/7 guy and probably an easy re-sign. Milan looks happy (maybe “happier” than some would like).
2012-13 (9)
Macdonald-Hamonic
Streit-UFA
Wishart-Jurcina
(Donovan/Katic/deHaan)
(AHL rookies:Kichton)
If they do nothing the Boychuk role goes to Jurcina or Wishart… and let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
2013-14 (10)
Donovan-Hamonic
deHaan-UFA
Macdonald-Wishart
Jurcina, Katic?, Reese?, Kichton
(AHL rookies: Mayfield Pedan)
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
If the Isles were a contender, they'd be short a #1, 4, & 6 D
Jurcina can not play too physical b/c he is injury prone, he is also too slow to be an adequate mate for Streit. I agree, Eaton, Staois and especially Mottau have to go, and I would also resign Reese as 7th D men depth, but if not the system should be able to handle that role.
Hamonic in my mind is and is going to be, a solid all around number 2 D on any top team. I see a lot of Serge Savard, Kevin Lowe, Ken Morrow in him…
Streit is an offensive D man, who should not be getting defensive zone starts, he needs a partner that can skate and play with him, that is not Juice or anyone else currently on team…it may be Donovan, but what if Donovan is not ready?
Amac would be a good number 5 D, with a solid partner who could dominate defensive zone starts.
Since it is unlikely the team will sign a number one D, and the trade price would leave more holes in the team than the trade would solve, it is more likely Amac and Hamonic will remain together, as the second offensive zone pairing and the top defensive zone pairing.
That means, if Donovan isn’t ready, you need someone who can skate and play with Streit to be the top offensive zone pairing, and never have defensive zone starts.
This is where I think the state of the D may not be as bad as it looks. Your third pairing is a defensive pairing, one of the best models is Lane and Langevin. Well, Pedan and Mayfield won’t be ready for a while, assuming they make it, so a couple of signings or trades will be needed. Obviously, this pairing will never get an offensive zone start.
The good news is, outside of a potential number 1, if it should come about, the two D spots that can not be filled from within are not blockbuster acquisitions…and I wouldn’t mind a pair of over 30s, so long as they are solid D, on the third pairing.
After Pap and Frans are resigned, Reasoner should be the only forward next year older than Moulson, Frans & Pap, who with KO and Grabs are the new forward vets.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jan 28, 2012 2:37 PM EST reply actions
Tavares, Tavares, Tavares......
whether he is conscious of it or not, i think you can add recruiter to Tavares’ growing list of responsibilities with this organization. Im not saying he should go out and make phone calls to players or do anything more than he’s currently doing. Im saying that Tavares is going to be the player where other guys around the league say, I’d love to play with that guy and help build something there. As Tavares’ reputation grows around the league so will interest in coming to the Islanders. Of course, we will still have huge hurdles in our way from things we almost can not control, but I believe Tavares will be the key to bringing players here(and of course winning, but we need Tavares for that also). We’ve seen in the past that our money alone isnt good enough. Please Johnny, make Suter look like a fool at the All-Star game so he does not want to face you anymore lol.
Great Job
Lets hope that Snow has the smarts and the cash to make a good deal[s]. Unfortunately, based on history he may not.
Based on history, it has not been lack of smarts or money that has explained everything away
FA are allowed to choose teams, they are not forced to go to whoever wants them or makes them an offer.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jan 29, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
TMC I agree, but...............
Its the chicken and egg story again. If we don’t improve the team than the the FAs don’t sign and so and so… I was also talking about not only good piks but good trades. Rolston/Hunter didn’t work out too well. The jury is still out on Strome and even Nino. Bailey is not looking so good. Snow has stolen some great players, Matty, Grabs, PAP, and maybe Streit. The Reasoner/Pondolfo/ Rolston/Staios,/Mottau/Eaton wern’t brilliant, but as you point out they may have been the best he could do. Also rushing BPT players too soon is not always the answer, again Bailey and maybe Nino are good examples. Bottom line, its the Arena problem which is the biggest problem in the Franchises’ future on the Island. And that is in Wang’s court.
It's not in Wang's court
if he wants to stay in Nassau. Then it’s in Kate Murray’s and Ed Mangano’s and every other glad-handing, two-faced, cover-your-ass politician that puts his hand out every time someone walks into the Coliseum parking lot’s court.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
by PGI on Jan 30, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That is going to midnight, no doubt.
The TOH has a revenue stream without having to add one thin dime to the budget. So don’t expect any of that to change until the lease is done… and when it is done, expect the Islanders to be elsewhere. They are not going to make the same mistake twice. D’Amato gave Wang bad advice, and his throwing good money after bad has just made it worse. If they decide to build an arena on the same property it’ll just be another 30 years of the same.
The only real chance they have of staying out of THE CITY, or ANOTHER CITY is Belmont.
I’ve gone from thinking that Wang was foolish, to just about feeling sorry for him… but I just can’t feel sorry for the guy with how he got the money he’s losing on the team in the first place.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
Great Job.
I’d say:
Step 1, acquire a top 4 d-man:
Go for broke on Suter. If he doesn’t sign 5/6yrs@$7-$8mil/yr, then pursue other top 4 d options on the market. Any one of these guys preferably and realistically, at $5mil/yr for 3yrs will do:
-Boychuk
-Garrison
(other options aren’t bad, but these I see as good realistic targets, but who knows).
Step 2, fill out the rest of the D.
Now we should have Hamonic/A-mac, Streit/Top 4 D, XXX/XXX. Reese or Juice as the 7th d-man) I’d take either and I wouldn’t mind Jurcina as the 6th d-man because he has a lot of size, decent physicality, and great puckmoving skills for a bottom pair d-man.
Then, fill out the rest of the D. We should have Donovan and/or DeHaan NHL ready next year, so I fill in 1 there and we either upgrade outside or resign Jurcina for that. Upgrades that are my favorites for bottom pair d-men “should/could” be for this are:
-Stoner
-O’brien
-Jurcina(just because he has a rare combo of size/physicality/puckmoving abilties)
And that should finish the D roster with:
Hamonic/A-mac(or throw a-mac with streit if we sign a defensive top 4 d-man)
Streit/Top 4 d-man
Bottom pair upgrade/Donovan(or DeHaan)
Reese
I hope Snow grabs 2 d-men in the offseason, but for some reason I just feel we are gonna be going into next year with something like:
Hamonic/A-mac
Streit/DeHaan
Jurcina/Donovan
Reese
I hope not, but that’s what could happen.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Ozzy
Have you and {Snow] given up on Wishart?
I forgot him. I wouldn't say given up though.
I just don’t put a lot of stake on Wishart. Wishart is a 23yr old defensive prospect that is getting out played by younger prospects/players in BP right now. Last year Wishart did show a glimpse that he could be a reliable bottom pair d-man last year, but I don’t think we should expect more than that from him in the near future. Donovan is ahead of Wishart on the depth chart, DeHaan is above Wishart on the depth chart, Reese is ahead of Wishart on the depth chart, and possibly even Katic/Ness. I don’t think the organization has completely given up on him, but they sure are treating him like a depth d-man with little to no nhl future. I think he could defintiely have a future as a journeyman bottom pair guy, but I don’t know. I don’t think he has top 4 D in him though given age/stats(small sample/stats/watching him).
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
I honestly do think Subban should be a real trade option to explore.
His on-ice skills are unquestionable. But he is an ass off the ice and apparently in the locker room. Maybe under the right coach he’d be more of a comical guy and less of an ass or more quieted. I think Capuano keeps everything light, sort of like a senior year class room in high school teaching a laid back class. Capuano “might” be the right coach for a Subban type player. Just a thought. We supposedly have one of the lightest locker rooms around and a lot of chemisrty, so I don’t see how a Subban type player would destroy on ice chemistry, I never heard of him taking shifts off and his talents are top shelf. He may be a bit short tempered, but besides PAP, I don’t really see anyone that he would actually get into a fight with on our team. In fact, he might be just the type of player that could show our team that we should “push back” when we get messed with on the ice. I’m not saying go overboard, but Subban is the type of guy that doesn’t take any crap(sometimes it gets him in trouble though). And he can drop the gloves, but probably shouldn’t. He also obviously plays his ass off.
And if the rumors are true about Subban’s value being tested on the trade market, I’d say Snow should be a calling and giving a good offer. I’d personally give 1st rounder+ for Subban, likely even Nino or Strome + 1st rounder or Nelson + a 2nd rounder for him because Subban is a legit top pairing D talent and will likely be one for a while. Subban’s talents just can’t be ignored. Top pairing defensive competition, 2nd most d-zone % starts for d-men, and on a mediocre team and he still is gonna put up a 5goal/30pts season with great corsi numbers in his 1st year in a top pairing role. Given that, if Subban was in the Streit role, he should highly likely put up 10goals/50pts with ease. Elite skating abilitiy, elite defensive puckhandling abilitiy, physical, can run a PP, shows commitment to defense, and a booming slap shot. Subban has all the talent in the world to excel as a d-man besides size, and even in the size department he’s average. And as it looks now, he’s on his way to becoming a solid top pairing d-man for many years to come.
The evidence:
Slapshot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ_7VfOMEDg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgNRkxvmy-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHu62ImoZYU
Highlight Compilation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EteYiH1WCOk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QcGaEIbuWA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg03UulshiY
JT/SUBBAN Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsYO1a-Vupo
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Love Subban
My only question is, how many years of control are left? Is it just next year? I’d have to give up too much for a guy who’s an RFA and might walk after one year.
I calculated 4 more years of having his rights, not including this year. And possibly more if we can get him to sign a contract/extension longer than that. So it's a pretty good amount of time to have him if we can get him.
And obviously he’s really young and not “an old guy”. lol
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Per my Bailey Fan Post........
How about Bailey, Cizikas, Wishart and 2 pik for Subban?
What?
That’s a gross overpayment for Subban.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jan 30, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Why
Bailey has 13 points, Cizikas hasn’t played a game in the NHL, Wishart can’t make it back to the NHL.and only 35% of 2nd piks become NHL regulars and that is after 3 years+. Subban is the young feisty star we need now.
Subban is MTL’s best D in all zones, in all situations, I think. Top pair D and probably has another 3-4 years of growth, assuming D top out around 27.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 30, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
What is exactly...........
his problem with the Habs that is leading to all this gossip?
He’s “struggled” this season, like Doughty has. For both of them, I don’t think there’s any cause for long-term concern: at least for Doughty, for a while at 5v5 (I think through December) while he was on the ice his team was shooting worse than your average defenseman (under 3%). Subban only has 3 goals this year after 14 last season, but his shooting% is about a third of what it was last season.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 30, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
That and the whole "fighting the captain in practice" and his cocky on ice attitude and possible locker room problem rumors.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
Oh, right. I think the on-ice attitude isn’t really a big deal—he’s effective in part because he’s a pest. I hadn’t heard the locker room stuff, but I’m inclined to believe that’s usually overstated, like it was with Zherdev, and follows from inconsistency, like with Semin and Ovechkin.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Jan 31, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
Great Job Fro
As posted above, I’m kinda leaning towards a hard play for Boychuk. I obviously wouldn’t mind Suter or Wideman, but the Isles have bargain level replacements for those guys. They don’t havea boychuk anywhere in their organization. He makes the most value sense when you look ahead to 2013-14.
MacDonald-Hamonic
Donovan/deHaan-Boychuk
(Katic, Wishart, Reese, Mayfield, Pedan)
Add to that this year’s crop, and I kind of think Jurcina is going to get another 2 years pretty soon.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
if the isles go after boychuk...
who I’m in complete agreement w you JP that he’d be the guy you make an offer to (i also happen to be a boychuk fan), then I’d say they’d have to make a play for a big name defenseman to compliment that potential signing. When you have POTENTIALLY available stud dmen like Suter, Weber, and Subban available for trade, how could you not look to bring in one of those guys? if the isles go into next season with:
(pick from the 3 above) – streit
boychuk – hamonic
macdonald – (whoever),
that right there is telling everyone the isles are serious. that top 4 would possibly be better than when the isles had jonsson, aucoin, hamrlik, and niinamaa. you’d have to make a deal to bring in a top dman, especially when streit’s contract is coming to an end.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
You make a good point...
but the problem is that there are 29 other teams in the league, and from an economic standpoint (CAP+BUDGET) there are probably 15 teams in a better position to make a deal for those guys.
What they would need is a comittment for a new arena somewhere. I know we really don’t want to talk about it, but it is the 300 lb gorilla. If there were negotiations with somebody other than the TOH in the works I’d be a whole lot more confident that they would be closer to a $65M budget in 2013-14. They’re decision making is still based more on budget than anything else… and I’m semi-okay with that. It’s how you spend, and who you spend on that makes me crazy. When you are spending under $40M on the 21 guys that play the game, and $5M is going to you know who… that tells me you have a very thin margin for error.
You want Suter, Weber or Suban on a team that promised playoff contention with Rolston, Pandolfo, Staios and Mottau… This is where Alice crawls into the rabbit hole for me.
I believe in ELI! Go Blue!
@JPinVA
you're right...
there probably are more teams in better position to make deals for those guys. the arena may be the 300 pound gorilla, but a building doesn’t make a team play better. it is what it is, a building. the isles still have time before a deal is made for a new arena or if they move to brooklyn or somewhere else. it would likely take them a year to a year and a half to build a new arena if a deal is made. the uncertainty itself makes long island unattractive, but there is still upside for players making a decision on whether or not they want to play here. as a free agent, how could i write off the isles now as a potential team to play for and a great place to raise my family with the incentives of playing with JT or taking control of a unit that gives me the responsibility of what i crave for? it all comes down to one thing: WINNING. bottom line: if the isles win, everyone takes notice.
i think it could be likely for one of those guys to come here via trade. Subban being best friends w JT in juniors is a big plus that would help land a Dman like him here. the team is only getting better. it’s easy to write me off and say that i’m being too optimistic, but how can you not be optimistic with the core of young talent in this organization? you can’t say they’re on the wrong track even with signing rolston & co. they’re all one year, low risk signings. they’ll all be gone at season’s end, while freeing up valuable cap space. it’s clear to me the reason why those guys were signed was because it needed to buy one more year of time for the rest. could they have made it easier? of course. but you can’t ask brian rolston to score 20 goals or steve staios to play 30 minutes of shut down hockey. i’m glad they’ll be gone next season, but for now, we know this is not the year. next year can only be positive, bearing freak unfortunate injury.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
and...
being said that we know this is not the year, doesn’t make it a complete failure. it establishes what we know for sure and what is needed to grow. it also highlights the good that came out this season: JT turning the corner, KO accepting a role on a line where he seems to be making a difference, Hamonic is a top defenseman for years to come, Nabokov held down the fort in a situation he didn’t care much for, and more that i’m not going to get into.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
And...Gleason's off the table
4-year extension with The Hurrcanes. The good news is, the Flyers don’t get him.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Kind of glad
I wasn’t nuts about him. Not a terrible contract at $4M, but as I said above, I could see being disappointed with him at that rate.
by afrosupreme on Jan 30, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I liked Gleason's game, but those type of players are the ones that burn out spontaneously in their early 30's usually.
A la Witt.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
we need one thing
a big strong two way defenseman.
Who's the number one shootout scorer in nhl history? Frans Nielsen!
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
