Matt Moulson adds nothing to the Tavares line. He floats around in front of the net, watches JT and PAP chase the puck and fight for possession, if he happens to journey behind the net, he's usually flicked away by the defensemen like a harmless butterfly. I don't know how JT can deal with that.
Does Tavares also have to carry Moulson's luggage when the Islanders travel!!!
Both Okposo and Bailey have looked pretty strong on the puck lately and they've been pretty good using their size battling for the puck. How about giving one of them a shot on the 1st line. They would give JT far more support then Mathew Moulson. Matty is nothing more then a 3rd line player.
Moulson = Parrish. Completely incapable of generating on his own and plays too similiar a game to JT in some ways to have both together. While were at it, get Parenteau off that line too. Never seen a player so scared to get hit in my life.
Moulson = Parrish. Completely incapable of generating on his own and plays too similiar a game to JT in some ways to have both together. While were at it, get Parenteau off that line too. Never seen a player so scared to get hit in my life.
My bet is that both are moved from JTs line.
Grabner-JT-Martin
I don't think Moulson plays a similiar game to JT. JT is not only a good scorer, he's also a playmaker, capable of moving the puck up ice and find his teamates with crisp passes. Moulson will try and get in front of the net for a deflection or rebound, the problem with his game, is that he can't do anything else. He's a big guy, yet he's useless in the trenches. He never wins any battles behind the net and he's doesn't check anyone. Defenders have picked up on that, believe me.
I remember us trying it for a few games a year or two ago(at least I think we did), but I wouldn't mind trying out a Bailey-Tavares-Okposo line.
Leaves us short a center though.
I wasn't suggesting putting both Okposo and Bailey with Tavares, I was suggesting trying one of them out. Although PAP isn't exactly a 1st line player, the Islanders still lack depth and really don't have a true 1st liner outside of Tavares, so I would leave PAP on the 1st line for all around balance.
I wasn't suggesting putting both Okposo and Bailey with Tavares, I was suggesting trying one of them out. Although PAP isn't exactly a 1st line player, the Islanders still lack depth and really don't have a true 1st liner outside of Tavares, so I would leave PAP on the 1st line for all around balance.
Oh, I know. Just saying I wouldn't mind trying out that combination again.
Moulson needs to be sent a message. PA is trying to improve his skills while Moulson is satisfied riding JT's coattails. I think he relys on his friendship with John to keep his place with the first line.
We could kill 2 birds with one stone by bringing up Matt Martin to the first line to protect John who's getting bounced around and hopefully Martin will begin developing his offensive game which will never develop if he skates on Pandolfo's line. Meanwhile Moulson can skate with Josh and KO and hopefully their passing skills will complement his one dimensional scoring.
Our lines could be JT-PAP-Martin
Josh-KO-Moulson
Frans-Nino-Grabner
Reasoner-Comeau-One of the Devil's rejects Rolston or Pandolfo
Moulson needs to be sent a message. PA is trying to improve his skills while Moulson is satisfied riding JT's coattails. I think he relys on his friendship with John to keep his place with the first line.
We could kill 2 birds with one stone by bringing up Matt Martin to the first line to protect John who's getting bounced around and hopefully Martin will begin developing his offensive game which will never develop if he skates on Pandolfo's line. Meanwhile Moulson can skate with Josh and KO and hopefully their passing skills will complement his one dimensional scoring.
Our lines could be JT-PAP-Martin
Josh-KO-Moulson
Frans-Nino-Grabner
Reasoner-Comeau-One of the Devil's rejects Rolston or Pandolfo
I'm all for changing the lines. But long term, I doubt it'll have much impact. The team that was assembled in the off-season just wasn't good enough and we're seeing that now.
I don't think Moulson, Parenteau CAN PLAY better than they have. They are not underachieving.
Okposo scored 5 goals in a half season last year. His pace is similar this year. Should we be so shocked?
Are we shocked that Grabner's not getting 3-4 breakaways a game? Did we really think that was sustainable?
Was Snow EXPECTING Bailey to suddenly score 20 goals and 50 points now that Rolston was brought along to play left wing? We should have kept Weight.
This is a GM that mis-read the talent on the team OR he was simply planning to throw away another season.
I know I'm bitter because they've lost six straight - but this is the FOURTH EFF'N off-season that arm-chair GM message board wannabes see the glaring holes, unaddressed, yet the people paid to make decisions sit on the sidelines and sell non-sense. It's pathetic.
There are TWO franchise players in this June's draft - let's hope the NYI are smart enough to tank hard enough to get one of those two russians. How sad, ten games in.
Been saying this for awhile. A line of niño jt pap would work. In preseason they took the wrong person off the line. If niño isn't ready them put someone else there that wants to work. Moulson just is playing lazy and uninterested. Can't really fault one playing bcuz the whole team sucks balls recently.
What is the obsession with pushing Martin up to the first line? Do his 5 career goals scream 1st line minutes to you? I like the guy but he is a 4th/3rd line guy until he shows an offensive game. Martin is what you want from your 3rd line not Rolston, Bailey, and Comeau.
Also why hand Nino first line minutes. No other team hand feeds 19 year olds minutes they don't deserve or earn. A high draft position earns you nothing, play in the NHL does. I guess the Islanders always know better than everyone else.
What is the obsession with pushing Martin up to the first line? Do his 5 career goals scream 1st line minutes to you?
Probably the fact that he's the only physical player on the Islanders, and Tavares could use some room and someone to go to the net to cause some trouble.
I'm just shocked that Capuano has admitted he needs to change lines. That's tantamount to strategy, which is anathema to him.
What is the obsession with pushing Martin up to the first line? Do his 5 career goals scream 1st line minutes to you? I like the guy but he is a 4th/3rd line guy until he shows an offensive game. Martin is what you want from your 3rd line not Rolston, Bailey, and Comeau.
Also why hand Nino first line minutes. No other team hand feeds 19 year olds minutes they don't deserve or earn. A high draft position earns you nothing, play in the NHL does. I guess the Islanders always know better than everyone else.
You do not necessarily have to be an offensive dynamo to play on the first line. Martin has abilities that would more compliment what that line needs and that is some darn LIFE. I am not advocating putting Martin with the first line, esp with Nino on his way back, however the Islanders could benefit more from moving Moulson off that line and replacing him with say Bailey or Grabner.
I have no qualms with Reason taking on third line center duties and maybe double shift someone for the fourth line if need be.
Moulson was picked up from the scrap heap. The Isles were lucky enough to get 2 30 goal seasons from him. He can't skate pass or receive a pass at the NHL level. Now he won't screen the goalie as he stands to the side as not to get hit with the puck.
I did not want to put Nino on the first line, but he has to go there to give JT something to work with. Comeau might wake up on that line, he did score 24 goals last year and does get at least 3 hits a night.
Reasoner is better offensively than Frans and Bailey so he has to warm the 2nd line center spot up for Strome.
Moulson is a 3rd liner like LAIslander says. Martin should be moved to 3rd line for his efforts.
Bailey needs to be punished to be made better, only way it works is 4th line duty. PAP is great for a 4th line, he agitates and hustles.
And if this doesn't work Dibo, Tim Wallace and Dylan Reese should get call ups to shake things up.
You do not necessarily have to be an offensive dynamo to play on the first line. Martin has abilities that would more compliment what that line needs and that is some darn LIFE. I am not advocating putting Martin with the first line, esp with Nino on his way back, however the Islanders could benefit more from moving Moulson off that line and replacing him with say Bailey or Grabner.
I have no qualms with Reason taking on third line center duties and maybe double shift someone for the fourth line if need be.
You don't need to be an offensive dynamo but you need skill. Martin has shown very little skill and is not and will not be a first line player. He is a good 3rd line player, maybe we should play guys in the role they are suited for and let them play it well instead of pretending they are more than they are (same could be said for Okposo also Nino for now).
I'm just shocked that Capuano has admitted he needs to change lines. That's tantamount to strategy, which is anathema to him.
Of course, everyone else knew the lines needed to change before that. Perfect time to do it would have been when the Isles had 4 days off to practice with their new linemates.
someone tweet this to Moulson for me..... You're a huge pu$$y grow a set of cojones and play some hockey like a man. Just read Niño hit two posts in his first game back YOUR TIME IS FADING MATTY
Of course, everyone else knew the lines needed to change before that. Perfect time to do it would have been when the Isles had 4 days off to practice with their new linemates.
But someone might get upset that they changed lines. Can't have the players get upset. That's why they didn't like Gordon.
Bleh.
Can DiBenedetto do better than Moulson, I remember him last year having a big set of cajones. I mean 8 goals in 10 games in the AHL means nothing, since Jon Sim was the second coming of Marc Tardif in the WHA at Bridgeport.
Moulson = Parrish. Completely incapable of generating on his own and plays too similiar a game to JT in some ways to have both together. While were at it, get Parenteau off that line too. Never seen a player so scared to get hit in my life.
My bet is that both are moved from JTs line.
Grabner-JT-Martin
The bolded section. There is just something so brilliant (in theory) about this line combination (idea). Martin opens up space for both JT AND Grabner with his hitting in the corners, yet also would be good for setting up screens/tip ins for both JT and Grabner, Martin also stops people from taking liberties with JT, sort of a more talented Dave Semenko.. Grabner's speed opens up space for JT. I really like this idea. My only problem with it, is both Grabner's and Martin's passing abilities, or lack thereof. But, I bet a guy like Martin can pop in 20 goals (maybe not this year) with Tavares as his center, as well as add tons of grit. Eventually, I'm hoping Niederreiter rides shotgun with JT, but I'd love to see Grabner get some first line ice time, and see what he can do with an offensive wizard like JT.
Been saying this for awhile. A line of niño jt pap would work. In preseason they took the wrong person off the line. If niño isn't ready them put someone else there that wants to work. Moulson just is playing lazy and uninterested. Can't really fault one playing bcuz the whole team sucks balls recently.
you posted this from your phone right? I hate how they auto correct nino & put a ~ over the 2nd N.
anyway, i don't want to just hand Nino 1st line minutes. I'm even weary about handing him 2nd line minutes. but somethings gotta be done with this club. they certainly can't play any worse.
