X. Benedict Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 In my opinion, Islanders are a bottom 5 team. Not many teams got significantly worse this off-season, by that I mean fall to the bottom of the standings worse. However some of the bottom dwellers have taken quality steps in the right direction. Florida Panthers made a few, not so big name signings and appear to be poised to crawl from the bottom 5. In my mind they filled a few gaps this year and will be a 6-10 team. Edmonton Oilers have finally addressed some needs, look for them to make a push for the playoffs this year, yes I believe there time had come. Carolina Hurricanes are a 6-10 team right now but may be unloading some quality players so a potential bottom fiver could be in the making. Vancouver Canucks will be competing for a playoff spot this year and will not be a bottom 5 team by any means. Calgary Flames have taken a step in the right direction, I think the last will be close to the bottom again this year. Winnipeg Jets are a bubble team, there name does not belong in a conversation about who the Isles will finish ahead of. Nashville predators could be taken down a few pegs from where they finished last year, I don't follow them too much So I could be wrong. The point I'm trying to make here is the Isles don't have a very balanced roster, they have terrible possession numbers and did little to address any needs they had going into free agency. That's being said Reinhart and Strome could have a positive impact as soon as this year. I'm quite comfortable in saying that they will finish bottom 5 unless one of them has a Calder trophy year, and even then. P. S I wrote this on my phone so please save me the grief of pointing out spelling mistakes, I'm sure there are many Enjoyed this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robviously Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Enjoyed this. Then it's settled; the only teams that will finish in the bottom 5 this year are the Sabres and Islanders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Crotch Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 In my opinion, Islanders are a bottom 5 team. Not many teams got significantly worse this off-season, by that I mean fall to the bottom of the standings worse. However some of the bottom dwellers have taken quality steps in the right direction. Florida Panthers made a few, not so big name signings and appear to be poised to crawl from the bottom 5. In my mind they filled a few gaps this year and will be a 6-10 team. Edmonton Oilers have finally addressed some needs, look for them to make a push for the playoffs this year, yes I believe there time had come. Carolina Hurricanes are a 6-10 team right now but may be unloading some quality players so a potential bottom fiver could be in the making. Vancouver Canucks will be competing for a playoff spot this year and will not be a bottom 5 team by any means. Calgary Flames have taken a step in the right direction, I think the last will be close to the bottom again this year. Winnipeg Jets are a bubble team, there name does not belong in a conversation about who the Isles will finish ahead of. Nashville predators could be taken down a few pegs from where they finished last year, I don't follow them too much So I could be wrong. The point I'm trying to make here is the Isles don't have a very balanced roster, they have terrible possession numbers and did little to address any needs they had going into free agency. That's being said Reinhart and Strome could have a positive impact as soon as this year. I'm quite comfortable in saying that they will finish bottom 5 unless one of them has a Calder trophy year, and even then. P. S I wrote this on my phone so please save me the grief of pointing out spelling mistakes, I'm sure there are many Good analysis. I've been a Preds season ticket holder for the last 5 years and I'm probably less optimistic about this year's Preds team than in any prior year. I think the departed Barry Trotz is a better coach than Peter Laviolette. And, the team hasn't done a lot other than trade Hornqvist and Spaling for James Neal. Hornqvist is a really underrated player who is likely to score more goals than Neal did in Pittsburgh. Horny plays a "go to the net and get tips and rebounds" sort of game. Not unlike what Moulson does. The one thing that could save the Preds this year is the return of Pekka Rinne in net (he was out pretty much all last year). Probably the only worse team than the Preds in the (loaded) central division is Winnipeg. I think they have a shot at finishing dead last. The central is so loaded (Blues, Stars, Wild, Hawks, Avs) that the Preds and Jets will lose a lot of divisional games due to strength of competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Then it's settled; the only teams that will finish in the bottom 5 this year are the Sabres and Islanders. You still grumpy? You're too young to be like this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robviously Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 You still grumpy? You're too young to be like this! Being a Buffalo sports fan in the 90s aged me prematurely. :( I'm actually pretty happy. The last 8 days have been exciting. Although it's funny how so many fans can be both ecstatic about the Sabres' moves and still confident we'll finish 30th in the league. I doubt we will do that twice in a row, but I'm not convinced McDavid or Eichel is a requirement for us to be contenders in a couple years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjag Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Being a Buffalo sports fan in the 90s aged me prematurely. :( I'm actually pretty happy. The last 8 days have been exciting. Although it's funny how so many fans can be both ecstatic about the Sabres' moves and still confident we'll finish 30th in the league. I doubt we will do that twice in a row, but I'm not convinced McDavid or Eichel is a requirement for us to be contenders in a couple years. my gut tells me that Buffalo tanked one season to early. Relying on the Isles is a fool's mission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Then it's settled; the only teams that will finish in the bottom 5 this year are the Sabres and Islanders. Not settled at all. But at least we have another reason to pay attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabresBillsFan Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 my gut tells me that Buffalo tanked one season to early. Relying on the Isles is a fool's mission. I agree as I feel the Coyotes might be in the running for 1st overall and with Darcy there it might be just our luck they land him. Plus think about it u don't think the NHL wouldn't mind helping out a teams struggling fan base! Something to think about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byebye Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 (edited) Good analysis. I've been a Preds season ticket holder for the last 5 years and I'm probably less optimistic about this year's Preds team than in any prior year. I think the departed Barry Trotz is a better coach than Peter Laviolette. And, the team hasn't done a lot other than trade Hornqvist and Spaling for James Neal. Hornqvist is a really underrated player who is likely to score more goals than Neal did in Pittsburgh. Horny plays a "go to the net and get tips and rebounds" sort of game. Not unlike what Moulson does. The one thing that could save the Preds this year is the return of Pekka Rinne in net (he was out pretty much all last year). Probably the only worse team than the Preds in the (loaded) central division is Winnipeg. I think they have a shot at finishing dead last. The central is so loaded (Blues, Stars, Wild, Hawks, Avs) that the Preds and Jets will lose a lot of divisional games due to strength of competition. Valid points you made! I actually live nearby Winnipeg and only catch a couple games a year I watch as many as I can on TV. While you make a good point that they are in a but if not the toughest division, I think that they are too good to finish last. I'm expecting really good years from Schifele and Trouba, hopefully Kane can learn to play a team game too. Pavelec is a shaky goalie at the best of times but I think they will be out of the bottom 5. Edited July 5, 2014 by Naulter8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 I'd like to see the lottery painstakingly broadcast live. Like, here's each team's allotment of balls. Here's them going into the spinner. Here's each ball selection. Give me video proof. There's really no reason not to. That could be a half-hour show in itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl Shannon's +/- Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) There's really no reason not to. That could be a half-hour show in itself. If they wanted to get crazy with it, it could be primetime the night before the draft. I'd certainly tune in. There isn't enough movement to really upset the apple cart, in the Sabres case this year it was #1 or #2. Edited July 5, 2014 by Darryl Shannon's +/- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 Note: there is only one ball selected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) Note: there is only one ball selected. Yes, but d4rk wants to see each team's allotment of balls added to the mix. Break for commercial, interview a couple of GMs, and there's your half hour. If they wanted to get crazy with it, it could be primetime the night before the draft. I'd certainly tune in. There isn't enough movement to really upset the apple cart, in the Sabres case this year it was #1 or #2. That doesn't give teams enough time to make decisions or trades, though. Remember, there's only one winner. Everyone else has some thinking and/or moving to do. Edited July 5, 2014 by Eleven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 Yes, but d4rk wants to see each team's allotment of balls added to the mix. Break for commercial, interview a couple of GMs, and there's your half hour. That doesn't give teams enough time to make decisions or trades, though. Remember, there's only one winner. Everyone else has some thinking and/or moving to do. You got it. I want to see the process leading up to the selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastPommerFan Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 You got it. I want to see the process leading up to the selection. Start at the first team that missed the playoffs, show everyone their balls, clips of the season, some expert analysis of draft needs, then dump the balls in the hopper and move on the the next team? Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 Start at the first team that missed the playoffs, show everyone their balls, clips of the season, some expert analysis of draft needs, then dump the balls in the hopper and move on the the next team? Love it. I mean, if people watch poker on tv this can't be any less entertaining, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader1969 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Islanders looking for a D help http://thehockeywriters.com/new-york-islanders-trade-for-a-defenseman-imminent/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Islanders looking for a D help http://thehockeywriters.com/new-york-islanders-trade-for-a-defenseman-imminent/ Trading for the rights to talk to Dan Boyle for a couple of days before everyone else could talk to him too - was Garth really stupid enough to think that would work? Personally I chalk it up to desperation - was the evidence they're looking to upgrade the D. The reality is so far they've only been able to bring in 1 Sabres reject. I expect other GM's will smell the desperation over the phone and am hoping that any trade he manages to make is for a 6 or a 7 (at best for anyone else) and weakens the current forwards. Here's to keeping fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Trading for the rights to talk to Dan Boyle for a couple of days before everyone else could talk to him too - was Garth really stupid enough to think that would work? Personally I chalk it up to desperation - was the evidence they're looking to upgrade the D. The reality is so far they've only been able to bring in 1 Sabres reject. I expect other GM's will smell the desperation over the phone and am hoping that any trade he manages to make is for a 6 or a 7 (at best for anyone else) and weakens the current forwards. Here's to keeping fingers crossed. Chris Butler is available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattPie Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Chris Butler is available. I hear Garth Snow is working out a deal to trade a pick for negotiating rights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader1969 Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Islanders Blue/White scrimmage from the 2014 developement camp is availabe on their website. Ho-Sang has a good game but probably not ready to contribute this season. pretty sure Reinhart is going to step into their line-up though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Islanders Blue/White scrimmage from the 2014 developement camp is availabe on their website. Ho-Sang has a good game but probably not ready to contribute this season. pretty sure Reinhart is going to step into their line-up though Reinhart is going to be in the Isle's lineup? Interesting......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byebye Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Reinhart is going to be in the Isle's lineup? Interesting......... If he is, in fact talking about Reinhart stepping into the Isles lineup, and not ours. I would assume he meant Griffin Reinhart, Sam's older brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader1969 Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 i would have thought a self appointed expert would know that one of the Islanders top prospects is the captain of the memorial cup winning Edmonton Oil Kings -Griffen Reinhart. maybe you should watch the prospects game and learn a little about them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Oh, it's a Friday night throwdown! Crusader looking to make a name for him/herself against one of the true titans of SabreSpace! Imma make popcorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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