Greg the problem is we have a bunch of injuries at the forward position and zero depth----we are IMO loaded with defense and could easily swing a deal and again IMO it is easier to deal from strength and trade when guys have value and are playing well then from weakness. we have been begging for offense for 2 years make a deal LOU forget about team chemistry as once playoff time comes this roster as currently constructed wont win squat without finishers
For the Islanders it's not about simply finding an elite scorer, it's finding the right player who fits the system and will score within it. I know +/- can't be the end all, be all evaluation of a player, but two of the player's fans wanted -- Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene have horrible +/-. Panarin has a 1, and Duchene a -1. Panarin, you could argue, is simply on a bad team, but I'm not convinced he would buy into Trotz's system. But Duchene is on a good team with a +11, as a whole, and if he isn't scoring, he isn't then making up for it on the other end. I like the way Wahlstrom and Bardreau play; perfect for the system. Push the puck offensively and look to be physical. And if goals start falling their way, and we get Eberle back, we could have simply fallen into a stronger offense than anticipated. I'm not saying we don't need a trade, just that it has to be the right player, not simply an elite scorer.
Well said JB, Patrick Laine would be the ideal fit for this team. Big, strong, fast and can score. He can also play the grind it out type of scheme that Trotz uses. The other play Lou might be using is this, forget about trading away young talent, bring them along slowly and build a young talented team that can start taking the place of guys like Bailey, Kunahckle, Ladd. Remember when the Isles traded away all the young players they drafted, Kasparitis, Palffy, Brewer, Roberto Luongo, Chara, Wayne Redden, Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Mcabe? Imagine if we kept those guys in house and had a good HC? I believe that is what Lou is doing, these current group of young guys will be ready to play at the NHL in a season or two, what a team we could have if we kept our talent, and plugged them in slowly as team moves forward.
Road trip going to Key Bank Center Saturday nite Islanders vs Sabres should be fun, I bought seats 5th row off the glass Lets Go Islanders
We made road trips to Buffalo 2 straight years. Saw the Jets beat the Bills when Rex was their coach. Then the next year when McDermott was in his 1st year there. The Jets lost that one. I keeping hoping that one year the Jets and Isles play up there on the same weekend. Catch a sat night Isles vs Sabres game then Jets vs Bills on Sunday.
I have been to a Bills game but this will be first time watching hockey. I saw the Jets lose at the end of December it was brrrrrrrrrrr. Hopefully the Isles make it 9 in a row Saturday nite
Have to get by Tampa first on Friday. That won't be easy even though the Rangers beat them last night.
Dobson and Beau were on the ice today for the morning skate, very good news,,,,,,now lets win 8 in a row !!!!!
Is Hedman still out? If he is then that is a big loss for them. I know he got hurt during the Rangers game and didn't play vs the Devils. Anyway hoping they keep it going and get their 8th straight win.
