Dad, What Should Jan Do With All These Centers?

I actually don’t think they’re anchored to any decisions because (assuming they extend Nielsen) they basically only have two centers they can be sure of. Bailey, though improving, is still a wild card. Cizikas is still an AHLer for now. Ullstrom might be a wing (so might Cizikas and Srome and Bailey and Nelson, you never know).

I’m a fan of finding out what you have first — or that you definitely have a surplus — before trading from that strength. But I agree if all card turn over positively then they’ll have to make a decision (and there might be some mild market for a distressed-value Reasoner).

P.S. Man, do they still run that ad?

One of the most obvious weaknesses of this team is a lack of a second scoring line to take pressure off JT’s first line. If the Islanders are to become contenders in the next few years, it is imperative that they get/develop a legitimate scoring threat as the center of the second line.

I think Strome is the key. Ideally, he will develop strength to complement his offensive abilities, and will become that anchor to the second line. That is probably not going to happen next year, though. His production in junior is actually down from last year; he’ll probably need more seasoning either in junior or the pros.

Centering the third and fourth lines of the future should be in good hands with Nielsen and (probably) Cizikas.

Bailey, though improving, has pathetic offensive production. Unless he dramatically improves his output, I think he will be gone in a few years.

Brock Nelson and Anders Lee were both drafted as centers, but are now playing on the wings, according to their team web sites.

And yeah, you never know. Maybe some will shift to wing or back to center. Maybe another prospect (Johan Sundstrom, or a 2012 draft pick) will take off and overtake the others on the depth chart. It should be fun to see how things shake out in the next few years.

Come up with a novel approach to positioning and take the hockey world by Strome storm.

you nearly slayed me in the middle of my office with this fanpost’s title.

That said, should Strome be given a little more time to fill out before he starts playing with the big kids? I recall him (unless I"m mistaking him for someone else) not being especially large.

In any event, it’s a good problem to have. Once the prospects are established, then Garth can think about moving guys around or out. Nielsen is most likely resigned. If Strome, Nelson, Bailey (still holding out hope) or, even Cizikas, can fill that second line spot, they’re golden.

I’m not gonna give you every prediction on every forward, but I’ll tell you what I think is gonna happen. I think as prospects come up and work themselves up, they will work their way into NHL shots. And once they get to the nhl (or are at the nhl level) they will play themselves into nhl spots or into depth/ahl players. And if we have too many, we trade them away or move them to wing or eventually let them walk as UFA. And that’s without knowing the Nielsen factor, but I’d much prefer to have an elite checking center on my team then trade him away and have Bailey as a starting 2nd line center next year. Even if we traded Nielsen for a top 4 d-man, that’s 3 steps back and 1 step forward imo.

When Josh Bailey is the “most assured” of the bunch, it is time to reconsider whether you actually have an excess of non-terrible centers.

Strome might be a winger in the NHL for all we know. Remember how Minn kept trying to make Kyle a C in college? College and Jrs usually make their best forwards play center- that doesnt mean that where they will always be.

As much as I dislike Snow, I consider Cizikas Snow’s best draft pick that he actually had to think about (JT was a no-brainer) . Casey was originally rated a low 1st-high 2nd rounder. Garth took a chance and stole this kid. Love the work ethic. Franz re-signs and becomes 3rd line, leaving the rest for 4th. If I’m right, and I’m usually not, it does still leave SnowWang a few bargaining chips.