Lets say that what you say is true and we draft Yakupov or Grigorenko. We will also have approximately 10 million that needs to be spent just to get to the floor. That could bring in a solid defenseman and a Brooks Laich-type forward that would go a long way to picking this team up off the floor.
We'll see though. I've been on this merry-go-round before.
We had that mony every off season and we did not use it. so to say it is there is pointless.
He will be 24 in April and he plays like an American flavor on the mythological euro-puddy when he is built to just go out there and play a simple - pound it out game. Maybe they will wait for him to wake up and do this, but to me we have a surplus of soft players and can't afford another one waiting for him to remember his strengths. If he can't play a more basic, power game, then crap or get off the pot about him and use him to get us something else we need.
Playing this wimpy game he is caught in right now is not filling a need - we have those players by the dozen. And yeah I realize you are moving him when his value is low, but that is normal in a case like this where you sour on a player, unlike say trading at the deadline when a guy is in his last contract year. In these cases with a kid you realize doesn't fit your needs and isn't progressing it is a "change of scenery" thing, and very likely will yield a similar return with both teams involved thinking they can find the gold where you only found lead.
The converse side of that i what, move him if he improves? That won't happen if he does improve, nor would anyone want him to go at that point.
The Isle's season is at a crossroads now. The club needs to make some hard decisions or watch the season piss away, again. I think some GMs would be interested in Kyle, like Lombardi. See if you can pry away a young defenseman from their overflowing stockpile of good young blueliners. I'd go for Johnson, and see what else he'd want for him.
That's exactly my point. It should be enough by now. But no, it's not working and now it's... 'oh well on to the next draft'. When are people going to realize the draft isn't going to help any longer? You can only draft so much top talent. If it doesn't materialize (which is what is close to happening here), what happens next? With this team, nothing. Free agents won't sign here and if our young guys continue to struggle, free agents REALLY won't sign here. And the cycle continues...
Look at our situation. Can you think of another professional sports franchise in worse shape both on the ice/field and off? Because I can't. This is the worst of the worst... in all of sports. And that's damn sad.
PHO has a pretty miserable situation - life support or not? Of course, the NHL has a vested interest in that team NOT playing in last place and competing, hence they have a solid payroll. Yet, that team, which has been playoff caliber (Bry or not) and was NOT built through the draft.
Wang refuses to spend the friggin money. In turn, he has diluted his product to the point of oblivion. You can't expect a core of developing players to WIN and overcome the odds of icing the LOWEST "cash" team in the league as Wang floats buyouts and bonuses to make the floor.
But even with Yakupov next season, this team will not be much better. Too many holes. Eventually, something will have to give.
I'm not so sure about that, at least from an offensive standpoint he would bolster this lineup and maximize the talent already here, and vice-a-versa (e.g. JT). But yes, still holes on the D side.
Okposo's game over the last couple of weeks has been pretty special. That wrister last night was one of the nicest ive seen in any game this year. His skating is fast and explosive, he's working well down low, generating offense through some playmaking and, dare I say, some of his dekes are even working.
Thing is, I dont know whether to be encouraged or pissed off from what im seeing. Why now when the games are virtually meaningless. Where was he for 5+ months? I know its hard coming back from injury, but he played half of last year and had a full preason to get back into it.
Not even sure what this thread is about he's 1 off his career high goal total. I'm not worried about him...
His inconsistency is frustrating.He had 0 goals,3 assists in his first 15 games.Went through a stretch of about 30 games where he played much better.Then went through another cold stretch.Now he's finishing up strong.
His inconsistency is frustrating.He had 0 goals,3 assists in his first 15 games.Went through a stretch of about 30 games where he played much better.Then went through another cold stretch.Now he's finishing up strong.
Exactly.
His start to the season was soooooooooooo miserable that he should have had his pay docked for the first quarter. He was AWFUL leading up to his three game benching and was even more awful in his first game back.
He's still inconsistent.
Fact is, we're seeing points coming at a time when the playoffs are no longer realistic.
What we've come to realize is that he's likely not a guy who's ever gonna be more than good for 15-20 goals, maybe 20-30 assists. We naturally we're hoping he'd be a poor man's Iginla.
His start to the season was soooooooooooo miserable that he should have had his pay docked for the first quarter. He was AWFUL leading up to his three game benching and was even more awful in his first game back.
He's still inconsistent.
Fact is, we're seeing points coming at a time when the playoffs are no longer realistic.
What we've come to realize is that he's likely not a guy who's ever gonna be more than good for 15-20 goals, maybe 20-30 assists. We naturally we're hoping he'd be a poor man's Iginla.
I can't totally agree.
I posted earlier this yr, that I now expected Okposo to be a 50-55 pt a season player.The lower point totals would be ok, if he was doing the grunt work on his line: aggressive puck pursuit,fighting for loose pucks along the boards and behind the net.You expect closer to 35-50.
If Okposo had done anything in his first 15 games,except play like he was afraid to be injured again,he'd be on track for my projection.
His inconsistency is frustrating.He had 0 goals,3 assists in his first 15 games.Went through a stretch of about 30 games where he played much better.Then went through another cold stretch.Now he's finishing up strong.
His strong finish really doesn't matter. These games truly do not mean anything other than for those trying to get a camp invite. The team is loose now, there is nothing to play for, so sure, he can play better. But it's clear when the games matter he regresses to more of a perimeter player that doesn't drive the net. I hope he can change that aspect of his game, but I feel they need to bring in some strong vet leadership to lead by example. It won't happen.
Not even sure what this thread is about he's 1 off his career high goal total. I'm not worried about him...
Well this thread was started back in the begining of November, he was not 1 of his career high at that point. And even since then his game has been at best inconsistent.
His strong finish really doesn't matter. These games truly do not mean anything other than for those trying to get a camp invite. The team is loose now, there is nothing to play for, so sure, he can play better. But it's clear when the games matter he regresses to more of a perimeter player that doesn't drive the net. I hope he can change that aspect of his game, but I feel they need to bring in some strong vet leadership to lead by example. It won't happen.
I totally disagree.
Okposo's best play of the season was in a roughly 30 game stretch,after his 3 game benching.That benching came after the 14th/15th game of the season.
Okposo's best play of the season was in a roughly 30 game stretch,after his 3 game benching.That benching came after the 14th/15th game of the season.
I disagree. While he played better on JT's flank, I think we're now watching Okposo's best play of the season. These last couple of games, he's been the best forward for either team. Literally looks dominating and unstoppable at times. Unfortunately, this does the team no good as we're essentially eliminated. He needs to perform like this when the games matter most, not when they're actually counter-productive (relative to drafting position).
You should be worried. When did he score those goals?
He's considered a 'core' player by the Isles and he disappeared most of the season offensively and overal effectiveness.
Padding stats after you are eliminated from the playoffs is not a good thing. Isles need him to produce early and consistently to MAKE the playoffs.
Then someone should tell every other player on the roster that the team is not making the postseason,that they should stop trying to produce and finish the season strong.
Why are Frans Neilsen and Grabner trying to hit the 20 goal mark?
Why is Tavares trying to get 7 more pts,to finish with 82?Does it really matter since we are not making the playoffs?
His strong finish really doesn't matter. These games truly do not mean anything other than for those trying to get a camp invite. The team is loose now, there is nothing to play for, so sure, he can play better. But it's clear when the games matter he regresses to more of a perimeter player that doesn't drive the net. I hope he can change that aspect of his game, but I feel they need to bring in some strong vet leadership to lead by example. It won't happen.
If the team plays better when they are loose, then why not just play like that the entire season?
99.9% of the reason the Islanders stink year after year is lack of talent and coaching. Pressure is not what separates the Islanders from the cream of the crop.
Kyle is 23, I'm not worried. I think we are too hard on him because he's considered a "veteran". Rookies on the Detroit Red Wings are 23...
In general "power forwards" don't start hitting there stride till there mid 20s so Okposo still has a couple years left before he gets to that point. I think it's the same deal with Nino, we might not see him do his thing at a high level for 3-5 years
Gotta love the flurry of trade proposals with this guys name in it from November-February.
Never understood that, even when KO was at his worst this year. Trading away size from this team doesn't make any sense.
That said, I was really hard on KO this year but that was mainly because of how good I think/know he can be. Not too long ago he was consistently our best player on a nightly basis. After the injury he went into a funk. Now he looks to be coming alive again. This is the KO we need if we want to start turning the corner.
BTW, how awesome has Bailey been? I guess me just might have some of that secondary scoring.
