I read in today's Newsday (kindle version) they've been mixing the lines in practice. Okposo is on the line with Tavares and Moulson, PA is on the 2nd line with Neilson and Rolston, Bailey between Nino and Grabner. I don't know if Cappy will keep those lines for the next game against Calgary, but I like Okposo playing alongside Tavares.
all well & good, but when are they going to realize that it's Moulson who is the weakest link on that 1st line. Yeah he has more goals than anyone else, but if he doesn't score, he is completely useless. At least PAP throws a hit, forechecks, skates the puck into the zone & can pass.
I can't believe people are nitpicking over fourth line players for the worst team in the conference. They didn't get this bad because of Reasoner or the lack of Konopka. Even if Reasoner was everything they hoped he'd be, the team would still be at the bottom. If they had Konopka instead, they would have a little more toughness, but still be at the bottom. So what.
Its not Konopka's hockey sense they needed.
I'm going to cheat and pull a post that I typed incorrectly at work the other day:
Quote:
This is where I point back to the difference between "boys 'playing a game'" and "men playing to win." The Isles' don't succeed simply by outworking the opponent; that gets them a few breaks and scoring chances that fade the minute the other team feels pressured and do what teams that play to win do: they raise the compete level to the point where the whole team plays with an edge.
Remember 24/7 Pens-Caps last year? How many times did we hear them tell each other "____ off!!" on the ice? There were collisions, there was fire, there was a desperation to be the team with the W at the end of those 60 minutes of hockey, and if the game went to overtime, they'd raise it again.
My impression of the Islanders isn't that they suffer from a lack of passion....it's that 95% of their firepower is made of a group of kids and young adults in roles half a size to big for them to fill that haven't all learned what makes the Bruins, Flyers & Pens better teams than they are just yet. They haven't learned how to channel effort, aggression and tenacity in the proper amounts. They could be up several goals, but without those three things present in every shift, a more experienced team will catch them sleeping and break their fragile confidence en route to turning the game around.
JT always has fight in him, as do Martin and Hamonic and Haley. Jurcina, Ullstrom & Nino get feisty as well. Parenteau & Moulson are NOT true scrappers, but their effort is at least obvious. After that, I see a group of players that show an inconsistent compete level or seem to have a tendency to buckle when pushed. I could be wrong, but that's my opinion.
Good teams are good because they will do what it takes to win. They employ players that make the opponent's fanatics punch walls. They expect to win. Watching an Isles' game is like watching these kids try something, see it fail, skate back to the bench frustrated and let it beat them repeatedly until they get a lucky bounce and it works. The last 2 players to try anything creative/surprising were JT and Bailey. That's not enough, and it's probably why they do seem to click better as a team when they play 'loosey-goosey.' They don't psychologically lose the game for themselves in the opening 8 minutes if they don't "overthink."
This is NOT a playoff team, but had they started the season out combining last year's angst and tenacity to shut the press up with a little more room to freewheel and not choke up, maybe they could have been. Some of these players may just been a fresh start elsewhere if this goes on long enough - that frustration/ennui has long been conditioned into the environment, though I feel that most of the signs of life strewn about are evidence that some of the philosophy behind drafting leadership material holds water.
What does this have to do with Reasoner/other 4th liners? Whatever points he gets from the 4th line aren't going to outweigh the positive effect of playing on a long leash while being reminded constantly not to give an inch when the opponent flexes on you. The team needs a louder voice on the bench to respond to. It helps counterbalance Capuano's lack of emotion. It doesn't have to be Konopka, and it may just wind up being Weight eventually, but when it worked, it made the Isles as offensively productive and as hard to hold off as a playoff team on a good night.
all well & good, but when are they going to realize that it's Moulson who is the weakest link on that 1st line. Yeah he has more goals than anyone else, but if he doesn't score, he is completely useless. At least PAP throws a hit, forechecks, skates the puck into the zone & can pass.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that recognizes that. What's most infuriating about Moulson, is that he purposely avoids physical play. If you watch him closely, he actually takes bad angles whenever he has to play the puck against the boards. He makes sure he gets to the play late, or if he does get there in time, he's only in a position to stick check. I can honestly say, Moulson is the softest player on the team. Although players like Nielson and PA are not very good against the boards, they at least make the effort and battle. That's more then I can say for Moulson.
Bossy and Gretzky were soft. I'll take the goal scorer. Just put a banger on his line, like Gillies or Semenko.
The plan is for Nino to be that guy on the top line. He's just not ready yet. If you ask me, this has been Garth's biggest failure--not getting a veteran banger with skill to play RW on the top line.
Does every ****ing thread have to end with a Konopka conversation? Jesus ****ing Christ move on people, the forth God damn line on the 27th place team in the league is NOT the problem. It's a lack of ****ing size up front on the top two lines and legit talent in the top-4 and top-6.
Sprinkle in AHL level coaching and an owner that is concerned with maximizing ROI over a winning product and not having the proper hockey staff assembled all the way through to the Bridge.
Konopka is a forth line goon who loses most of his fights, his type will be out of the league next year! Just because he was a bit vocal to the media and on the bench everyone gets a hard-on for him, same for 4 second shift Haley!
Bring in quality talent that will do the same thing who doesn't play less then 6 minutes a night!
all well & good, but when are they going to realize that it's Moulson who is the weakest link on that 1st line. Yeah he has more goals than anyone else, but if he doesn't score, he is completely useless. At least PAP throws a hit, forechecks, skates the puck into the zone & can pass.
Moulson is a 30 goal scorer!! Will take that any day of the week over PAP. Dont care if he is soft or not. he scores.
While PAP has impressed me this year, his faults show when he is on the 1st line. He looks much better on the 2nd line. He gets bad penalties, makes bad passes, loses the puck too often when he carries it in, he does that all way too much to be on the first line.
Like he first line of Moulson-JT-Okposo. I think that line can be very lethal. JT and Okposo doing most of the work and Moulson banging in the rebounds. Works for me. Might be the closest thing to a 1st line this team has had in years
all well & good, but when are they going to realize that it's Moulson who is the weakest link on that 1st line. Yeah he has more goals than anyone else, but if he doesn't score, he is completely useless. At least PAP throws a hit, forechecks, skates the puck into the zone & can pass.
I agree that Tavares and the team are better off with a different mix on top line. I have grown to like PAPs game more and dislike MM's game more over the past year or so. MM reminds me of Chow in some ways...
Would love to see Martin on top line for a game or two...would love to see Bailey along side there too. Why not?
I didn't hear the interview, but my brother relayed some information to me about a fan's question regarding Nino Niederreiter, and he's here because Snow told him that he would be here for the season during training camp, and he had nothing to prove in junior? Seriously? That's why Nino Niedereitter is not back in Portland? Because of a promise? Wow! This is why we fail!! It's clearly personal feelings over meritocracy. And a good boss never shows his cards like that. If this is the case, why hold a training camp? Why make cuts? Just put your squad together that you had in your heart and let everyone else get on with their life.
This organization is a joke. We are the true "Mickey Mouse" organization. Where's Wayne Gretzky when you need him? Haven't we learned anything from the Kirk Mueller trade that completely backfired on us? A week prior to the trade, Surge Savard promised Mueller that he would not be traded, and a week later, he is traded. Montreal gets a rejuvenated Pierre Turgeon, and we get a whining and crying veteran in Kirk Mueller, and we also got a decent Mathieu Schneider. Yeah, we gave up an extremely temperamental Vladamir Malakhov, but he played better for Montreal than he did for us. And that trade was following a promise. Promises from a boss can never end well.
The thing is this, a good business cannot sustain on matters of the heart. Snow is a joke, and it's largely because he's inexperienced and his boss is a joke.
Make a stand folks, limit the amount of games you go to, and DEFINITELY DO NOT ATTEND THE DRAFT PARTY. I DON'T CARE IF WE ARE PICKING FIRST. THE DRAFT FUELS THIS TEAM'S FIRE. WE NEED THEM GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moulson is a 30 goal scorer!! Will take that any day of the week over PAP. Dont care if he is soft or not. he scores.
While PAP has impressed me this year, his faults show when he is on the 1st line. He looks much better on the 2nd line. He gets bad penalties, makes bad passes, loses the puck too often when he carries it in, he does that all way too much to be on the first line.
Like he first line of Moulson-JT-Okposo. I think that line can be very lethal. JT and Okposo doing most of the work and Moulson banging in the rebounds. Works for me. Might be the closest thing to a 1st line this team has had in years
If you had to point a finger as to why JT doesn't score more goals, where would you point it?
If Moulson is a sure thing, 30 goal scorer, why not move him to another line? You don't think JT has something to do with Moulson's numbers? PA leads the team in points, with 28. Would he have 28 points if he didn't play on JT's line? Moulson is actually hurting Tavares, that's a big deal. Moulson is the main reason that JT's line doesn't spend more time in the offensive zone. More time in the offensive zone, means more goals...for Tavares.
Bossy and Gretzky were soft. I'll take the goal scorer. Just put a banger on his line, like Gillies or Semenko.
The plan is for Nino to be that guy on the top line. He's just not ready yet. If you ask me, this has been Garth's biggest failure--not getting a veteran banger with skill to play RW on the top line.
Gretzky and Bossy were not Moulson soft. As a matter of fact, when Gretzky had the puck behind the boards, it was very difficult to get the puck from him, when Moulson has the puck, a simple little shove does the trick. Here again, I wouldn't mind so much if I felt Moulson was actually trying, but Moulson literally gives up, he's afraid of physical play.
Gretzky and Bossy were not Moulson soft. As a matter of fact, when Gretzky had the puck behind the boards, it was very difficult to get the puck from him, when Moulson has the puck, a simple little shove does the trick. Here again, I wouldn't mind so much if I felt Moulson was actually trying, but Moulson literally gives up, he's afraid of physical play.
Not everyone is a banger.
Not everyone is built to go into the corners and win the battles.
To jump up and down on Moulson, who is doing the job he is tasked with doing, and doing it well seems strange.
Why not make the move to move P.A. to line #2 and push K.O. up to the top unit... wait a tick...I think that is what will happen.
With K.O. playing the way he should be playing of late, there is the chance that he can really bring the top line some more grit, creating room for himself, and his line mates. P.A. may do well as part of the second unit with Neilsen and Grabner.
What I don't like about Nino being used on the 4th line is that there is not enough ice time.
If anything, I would like to see the 4th unit be Matt Martin, Nino and Bailey, with Ulstrom, Wallace and Reasoner as the 4th line for now. That said, we still run into the issue of having too many players of the same style. Ulstrom is likely better slotted for the 3rd line.
All of this should begin to shake out next season.
I don't expect Pandolfo, Rolston or P.A. to be back.
In fact, I would not be surprised if P.A. is an element of a trade package, for what I am not quite sure.
The main reason why Tavares desn't have more goals is the blueline. Moulson is a good hockey player.
I think it has alot to do with offensive zone time. All I'm asking is to please focus in on #26 away from the puck. Keep on eye on his actions when the puck comes in his direction behind the net or against the boards. I don't have a problem with a player that might not be that great against the boards, due to size or strength. What I'm saying, is that Moulson intentionally takes bad angles or slows up when he's in a position to play the puck against the boards. I'm bothered by the lack of effort, which I believe is intentional.
I'll also suggest it again. If Moulson is such a good player, take him off the Tavares line, it shouldn't affect his numbers and it would bring some balance to the 2nd or 3rd line (I doubt he'll put up those numbers).
Last edited by LAIslanderFan: 12-28-2011 at 05:11 PM.
Why not make the move to move P.A. to line #2 and push K.O. up to the top unit... wait a tick...I think that is what will happen.
With K.O. playing the way he should be playing of late, there is the chance that he can really bring the top line some more grit, creating room for himself, and his line mates. P.A. may do well as part of the second unit with Neilsen and Grabner.
What I don't like about Nino being used on the 4th line is that there is not enough ice time.
If anything, I would like to see the 4th unit be Matt Martin, Nino and Bailey, with Ulstrom, Wallace and Reasoner as the 4th line for now. That said, we still run into the issue of having too many players of the same style. Ulstrom is likely better slotted for the 3rd line.
From my earlier posting: I read in today's Newsday (kindle version) they've been mixing the lines in practice. Okposo is on the line with Tavares and Moulson, PA is on the 2nd line with Neilson and Rolston, Bailey between Nino and Grabner. I don't know if Cappy will keep those lines for the next game against Calgary, but I like Okposo playing alongside Tavares.
Does every ****ing thread have to end with a Konopka conversation? Jesus ****ing Christ move on people, the forth God damn line on the 27th place team in the league is NOT the problem. It's a lack of ****ing size up front on the top two lines and legit talent in the top-4 and top-6.
Sprinkle in AHL level coaching and an owner that is concerned with maximizing ROI over a winning product and not having the proper hockey staff assembled all the way through to the Bridge.
Konopka is a forth line goon who loses most of his fights, his type will be out of the league next year! Just because he was a bit vocal to the media and on the bench everyone gets a hard-on for him, same for 4 second shift Haley!
Bring in quality talent that will do the same thing who doesn't play less then 6 minutes a night!
You are right it is not about Konopka. But it is about the team being soft/failure to bring it every night. I hate to do this, but did you watch the two games against the rangers? They played for each other and they sacraficed for the better of the team (chemistry is not about pretty passes). This has nothing to do with your skating ability, your release, or your hockey IQ. It has EVERYTHING to do with your compete level. Players like Konopka (and others,see Callahan rangers, Clarkson devils, Torres PHX, Perron STL- all different except their compete/will to do anything to win levels) have a very aggressive game, players like Reasoner do not (not that he is a bad player but not what the Isles needed). I have been fortunate to have played on teams with both type of locker rooms with levels of success. Let me say that we won on some teams w/o the most talent because of players like Konopka and other mentioned. And until this organization understands that, we will be bickering on these boards for a long time.
I am not saying that a team should be full of these players, but like anything in life you need balance. And this team does not have the proper balance.
If your team needs its LW play like a center its probably not a very good team. The Isles have too uch crap back there and the only way to get breakouts is to have every forward in deep. A good team will have its winger stretch plays and be ready to breakout. The Isles need them to play defense and overcompensate.
So the solution? Replace Moulson with another winger who will also look lost defensively? No thanks.
Konopka and Callahan in the same sentance is laughable. I know fans heere have hard ons for untalented punching people but lets get real. Torres, Cally, and Clarkson can all play in your top six (Cally more so). Konopka can't play above 4th line.
Cool, think I will take up a Pensacola Ice Flyers game instead of watch him skate over the blue line only to ignore his teammate and shoot a shot 3 feet wide of the net. Wonderful.
All the wont 'deviate from a path', 'wont put the future at risk', 'have a plan and are sticking to it', 'what is best for the long term and short term' all this equates too more or less not signing anyone good but simply continue to do what we are doing and continuing to suck.
The truth is that the Islanders do not have 1 problem, they have 5 or 6 serious problems. I dont for one second believe Garth Snow honestly believed this to be a playoff team at the start of the year. They have decided for better or for worse to not spend a penny more than they have to until it is their own home grown players getting the payoff. I am including guys like Moulson and Parenteau in the home grown guys.
The Islanders are very soft, I love Konopka and would welcome him back with open arms, but more importantly we are soft on our top lines both offensively and defensively. They need a top 6 power forward and rather then bringing one it the Islanders are going to wait it out for Nino, Lee and Nelson.
Next the Islanders have next to no talent at all on their blue line. I dont think there is any other team in the league carrying three borderline NHL defenders on their roster (Eaton, Mottau and Jurcina). I would not be surprised to see all three out of the league after this season. I think that Staois is a good 5 or 6 guy but until he got hurt he was filling the #2 roll next to inferior post injury Mark Streit. You have to love Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald is a solid NHL player but there isnt much depth. In my opinion the Islanders will be lucky if one of Ness, Donovan or deHaan turned into an above average player and they dont have many other prospects in the system.
Veteran leadership. The Islanders lack veteran leadership from players in their prime. All the Islanders vets are well past their time and in the twilight of their career. This is in my opinion a greatly overlooked issue. A guy like Rolston was a great player but I dont believe he pulls the respect of his opponents or brings credibility to the franchise.
Rick DiPietro. I know people are sick of hearing about it but it is a major problem. They need to cut the cord and let him play in the AHL until he proves himself an NHL goalie again. This would allow them to sign Montoya for a couple more years and let him compete with Poulin/Nilsson/Koskinen for the franchise goalie spot.
Coaching. The Islanders don't have any experience in NHL or AHL coaching roles. At some point the Islanders have to put a legit staff together. Remember Ted Nolan's roster made the playoffs and that wasnt the best roster ever assembled. I do believe the same cast of players would be better in the standings under Laviolette or Nolan.
Charles Wang. I dont mind a hands on owner but every decision Wang makes bites the Islanders in the ass. Remember when Milbury didnt let him interfere with the franchise we were respected enough to entice NHL players to play for us. I by no means want Milbury back but I want someone in this franchise to tell Wang when he needs to relax. I really wish the comittee of Trottier, LaFontaine and Smith could have found a way to work. I am 99% certain that the 15 year DiPietro contract idea is what ultimatley led to the dismissal of Smith.
I just don't get the blind love for Konopka. A fringe NHL player who is only good at faceoffs and losing fights.
The BLIND love for Konopka is for the LACK of overall TEAM TOUGHNESS.
Just like the BLIND love for a VERY 1 dimensional Matt Moulson who is the softest hockey player in the NHL.
That is why our #1 line gets hammered and pushed around, THAT is why our hockey team gets pushed around.
Get it now???
When fellow Isles fans bring up Konopka, it's because Konopka helped incite and instill something that was missing last year so as to make a POINT.
Too bad that POINT gets misinterpreted. It's not the same as stating Konopka was THE answer and that we NEEDED him more than anything on THIS team other than an improvement over the collective SOFT stink they brought in.
Either way, we are still a bottom 5 team but at least they learned to stand up for themselves.
WTF???
Did everyone forget how Tavares was cross checked, elbowed and even lost a tooth before we woke up last year???
Anyone watching the games???
Sorry to go off. I cannot sit by idly and read some of this stuff.
all well & good, but when are they going to realize that it's Moulson who is the weakest link on that 1st line. Yeah he has more goals than anyone else, but if he doesn't score, he is completely useless. At least PAP throws a hit, forechecks, skates the puck into the zone & can pass.
Spot on. Moulson does very little else as a hockey player excpt score. He is the new Mark Parrish, and Parry actually hit more than Moulson.
