X. Benedict Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I thought this deserved its own topic. We have trusted one of our number 1 picks to the loving hands of Islanders GM Garth Snow. In Garth I have a great amount of trust. Just last year he won Buffalo's executive of the year award for doing the most to help the Buffalo Sabres. We count on him still. Not since the days of Billy Smith have we had a better reason to wish rotten luck, hard cheese, and misfortune upon the prospects of the Islanders. Our new second favorite team is any team playing the Islanders in 2014-15. So far the Islanders are not looking completely incompetent up front.....their blue-line is another story. Offseason moves to date: Mikhail Graboski - 1/2 point a game centerman via Washington Nikolai Kulemin - Once 30 goal scorer in 2010-11, he has had just 30 goals since. Via Toronto TJ Brennan - Well known to Rochester fans. Cannon shot. AHL savant. Unproven NHL talent Halak - Via - St. Louis - via Buffalo. Cody Conacher - Still young, but career sputtering since his rookie campaign. The Isles Top 6 include: Tavares, Neilson, Okposo, all who can put up points. The Isles blueline is not very deep: Visnovsky, Hickey, Harmonic, Carkner Youngsters Ryan Strome, and Griffin Reinhart could emerge this year. Although the Isles have some talent, lack of depth at every position threatens the success of their season. I think following the Islanders could be one thing that takes some of the sting out of following the NHL next season from a Buffalo perspective. So opening volley. Which teams today are the Islanders better than? Looking at rosters, I have this optimistic assessment: I think they are better than only Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, and Florida with certainty, and maybe tie with Ottawa and Winnipeg. So in Wangs world style, we say: Tank on, Garth, Tank on, Wang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I thought this deserved its own topic. We have trusted one of our number 1 picks to the loving hands of Islanders GM Garth Snow. In Garth I have a great amount of trust. Just last year he won Buffalo's executive of the year award for doing the most to help the Buffalo Sabres. We count on him still. Not since the days of Billy Smith have we had a better reason to wish rotten luck, hard cheese, and misfortune upon the prospects of the Islanders. Our new second favorite team is any team playing the Islanders in 2014-15. So far the Islanders are not looking completely incompetent up front.....their blue-line is another story. Offseason moves to date: Mikhail Graboski - 1/2 point a game centerman via Washington Nikolai Kulemin - Once 30 goal scorer in 2010-11, he has had just 30 goals since. Via Toronto TJ Brennan - Well known to Rochester fans. Cannon shot. AHL savant. Unproven NHL talent Halak - Via - St. Louis - via Buffalo. Cody Conacher - Still young, but career sputtering since his rookie campaign. The Isles Top 6 include: Tavares, Neilson, Okposo, all who can put up points. The Isles blueline is not very deep: Visnovsky, Hickey, Harmonic, Carkner Youngsters Ryan Strome, and Griffin Reinhart could emerge this year. Although the Isles have some talent, lack of depth at every position threatens the success of their season. I think following the Islanders could be one thing that takes some of the sting out of following the NHL next season from a Buffalo perspective. So opening volley. Which teams today are the Islanders better than? Looking at rosters, I have this optimistic assessment: I think they are better than only Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, and Florida with certainty, and maybe tie with Ottawa and Winnipeg. So in Wangs world style, we say: Tank on, Garth, Tank on, Wang. Nicely done. I would add Calgary to the list as well. Hopefully Florida and the Oilers have improved themselves enough to escape the bottom five. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Nicely done. I would add Calgary to the list as well. Hopefully Florida and the Oilers have improved themselves enough to escape the bottom five. Good point on Calgary. I think Calgary will be the better team, but competing in a tougher West. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 You know what would be fun? Trading for the Islander's Reinhart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Looking at the whole vibe of that franchise, they could have one more good tank in them before things pick up in Brooklyn. Inexplicably, Capuano is still the coach and Snow is still the GM. Wang is looking to sell, but everything seems to be status quo for the last season in the Coliseum. Losing is just entrenched there. They annually go into a November funk that's something to behold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robviously Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) Looking at rosters, I have this optimistic assessment: I think they are better than only Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, and Florida with certainty, and maybe tie with Ottawa and Winnipeg. So in Wangs world style, we say: Tank on, Garth, Tank on, Wang. Philly, Nashville, Calgary. I think they could finish higher than Vancouver just because Vancouver is in the West. Maybe Washington too since the Caps are generally a tire fire these days. I think their pick is probably in the 11-15 range. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong last year, they signed a couple decent players yesterday, their goaltending will be better this year (because it has to be), and Strome should be able to contribute. Edited July 3, 2014 by Robviously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I will continue to proudly be in the minority: the Islanders are a bubble team this year. If we get McDavid or Eichel, we're earning it with our own pick. I'll also agree with Brawndo that Calgary is some serious competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I will continue to proudly be in the minority: the Islanders are a bubble team this year. If we get McDavid or Eichel, we're earning it with our own pick. I'll also agree with Brawndo that Calgary is some serious competition. I don't think you're in the minority. It feels like I'm one of the few who will be shocked if they finish higher than last year. Most seem to pencil them in between five and 15. I haven't seriously compared rosters and won't until September, but off the top of my head, bottom five again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I don't think you're in the minority. It feels like I'm one of the few who will be shocked if they finish higher than last year. Most seem to pencil them in between five and 15. I haven't seriously compared rosters and won't until September, but off the top of my head, bottom five again. I expect us to finish higher than the Islanders in the standings. Count on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Aud Smell Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 They also added the Bruins' backup goalie, Chad Johnson. I will say: Those two former Leaf forwards they signed are considered "smart" signings in terms of analytics (puck possession, mostly). And they look like they will get average, rather than terrible goaltending this season. I said it elsewhere very recently: I fear that they're going to finish in that 18-22 range rather than 26-30. I think their pick is probably in the 11-15 range. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong last year, they signed a couple decent players yesterday, their goaltending will be better this year (because it has to be), and Strome should be able to contribute. I will continue to proudly be in the minority: the Islanders are a bubble team this year. Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I know I'm repeating myself here, but I really believe the last-season-in-Nassau factor will be significant. The atmosphere in the building will range between dead and hostile, with plenty of support most nights for the opponents. I think you're looking at a good 10%-20% point reduction based on that factor alone (relative to how they would do in a normal home arena). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I don't think you're in the minority. It feels like I'm one of the few who will be shocked if they finish higher than last year. Most seem to pencil them in between five and 15. I haven't seriously compared rosters and won't until September, but off the top of my head, bottom five again. Perhaps we should track the votes to see which side can properly claim being in the minority? :lol: Seriously though, the sense I get while reading is most people are saying "They're the Islanders and Garth is still there, of course they'll suck!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dEnnis the Menace Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Perhaps we should track the votes to see which side can properly claim being in the minority? :lol: Seriously though, the sense I get while reading is most people are saying "They're the Islanders and Garth is still there, of course they'll suck!" A poll wouldn't be a bad idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattPie Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 A poll wouldn't be a bad idea. Not new thread worthy. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 A poll wouldn't be a bad idea. That's wh... never mind, too easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 We're all aware of how the knee could limit Tavares this year. On top of that, they've taken one hell of a hit on his left wing with the loss of Moulson/Vanek. Who is going to fill that slot? Kulemin/Graboski are essentially a lock to be paired up together on their 2nd line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dEnnis the Menace Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Not new thread worthy. :) haha thanks That's wh... never mind, too easy. yeah....my bad lol :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Aud Smell Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I know I'm repeating myself here, but I really believe the last-season-in-Nassau factor will be significant. The atmosphere in the building will range between dead and hostile, with plenty of support most nights for the opponents. I think you're looking at a good 10%-20% point reduction based on that factor alone (relative to how they would do in a normal home arena). Are they moving to Brooklyn? Man - from what I heard about the Raptors-Nets series, that arena may not be much better for the home team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MILFHUNTER#518 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) I cannot wait to see what this board looks like when Snow gets the boot after this season and Darcy is the new GM :w00t: Edited July 3, 2014 by MILFHUNTER#518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I cannot wait to see what this board looks like when Snow gets the boot after this season and Darcy is the new GM :w00t: Unless we get another future #1 draft pick from them, I think most of us will wash our hands of the Isles. I know I won't want to pay attention to that team once we have no future return from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Anyone considering Toronto's ability to somehow worm their way to the bottom 5 and surprise surprise land the next crosby in the hockey hub of the universe that is desperate for a superstar? I don't think anything is beyond their ability and the nhl's meddling to have that happen. I just have a serious ill feeling some nasty sheeite is gonna go down between now and the end of next june. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluca67 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Anyone considering Toronto's ability to somehow worm their way to the bottom 5 and surprise surprise land the next crosby in the hockey hub of the universe that is desperate for a superstar? I don't think anything is beyond their ability and the nhl's meddling to have that happen. I just have a serious ill feeling some nasty sheeite is gonna go down between now and the end of next june. :doh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Their goaltending is better, their 2nd line is better. Their D is a disaster, their 1st line should be slightly weaker. Not sure about lines 3 & 4. Gut feel is 3-7 and hoping that Garth finally fully works his magic to 30th place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That Aud Smell Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Anyone considering Toronto's ability to somehow worm their way to the bottom 5 and surprise surprise land the next crosby in the hockey hub of the universe that is desperate for a superstar? I don't think anything is beyond their ability and the nhl's meddling to have that happen. I just have a serious ill feeling some nasty sheeite is gonna go down between now and the end of next june. I hate to give credence to conspiracy theories. That said, I think Toronto is a dark horse candidate for a bottom-5 finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I hate to give credence to conspiracy theories. That said, I think Toronto is a dark horse candidate for a bottom-5 finish. The best example to point at each time conspiracy theories pop up for the NHL: The New York Rangers were tied for the highest odds of winning the lottery for Sydney Crosby. Where did he wind up? Pittsburgh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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