In the Triumphant Return Department, first-time All-Star John Tavares' four-point game (two goals, two assists) Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C., served as a nice way for the Islanders to begin the season's second half.
It capped Tavares' hot January, during which he led the league in scoring (nine goals, 13 assists), picked up a point in 12 of 13 games, scored four game-winning goals and was named the NHL's top star of the month. And, it earned Tavares a day off from practice Wednesday, given that he has "played a lot of hockey and had a lot of travel recently," coach Jack Capuano said.
Hmmm...me thinks if we keep the secondary lines together a bit longer they will all get the hang of it and ***POOF***...secondary scoring problem solved.
This is the kind of player we need badly on our 2nd line.
ASSETS: He competes hard and is not afraid of the rough going. In fact, he enjoys stirring up opponents. Plays with both skill and confidence. Can both set up plays or finish them. Skates well and can line up at any forward position.
FLAWS: Injuries are always a concern. Will sometimes cross the line with questionable hits. Lacks overall consistency.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Scoring forward with agitating qualities and versatility
Would love to Sign Grabovski as a FA for that role
Would love Grabovski but would we be willing to shell out the 4.5-5 million over 5-6 to grab him? If we got him Bailey and Neilson would need to be shipped out and we would need to grab a big 3rd line center.
We need a 2nd line center. Nielsen hasn't stepped up and Bailey can't perform in an offensive role.
I am really curious as to how Garth will manage the C positions this offseason.
Strome is 2 year away and we need a stopgap in the mean time for the second line. I used to think Grabovski but look at the Laich contract, Grabovski might get that in free agency and do we need him for 6 years?
Nielsen isn't offensive enough for the second line but is still a great defensive dman and plays a key role in the 8th place PK but you have Cizikas, a defensive center playing incredible in the AHL.
Bailey is ok. I can't give him any more or less then that. He is solid on the PK but there are better options out there and can't get any offensive results. I have no doubt that he has trade value and will definitely prosper on a new team but that's it, a new team, not here.
Reasoner needs to go, no way around that. He was good in Florida and for some reason he isn't working here. Nothing really to investigate, he's a 4th liner, just send him out.
We need a 2nd line center. Nielsen hasn't stepped up and Bailey can't perform in an offensive role.
Are you that sure? Bailey has is best offensive moment in the beggining of last year (only six games) when he was playing with Comeau AND Parenteau.
I'd like to see Bailey back with Parenteau and see what happen. I'd complete that line with Ullstrom.
If I was the coach, that would be my line-up:
M. Moulson - J. Tavares - K. Okposo
D. Ullstrom - J. Bailey - PA. Parenteau
M. Grabner - F. Nielsen - M. Martin
N. Niederreiter - J. Pandolfo - R. Rakhshani
T. Wallace
This is the kind of player we need badly on our 2nd line.
ASSETS: He competes hard and is not afraid of the rough going. In fact, he enjoys stirring up opponents. Plays with both skill and confidence. Can both set up plays or finish them. Skates well and can line up at any forward position.
FLAWS: Injuries are always a concern. Will sometimes cross the line with questionable hits. Lacks overall consistency.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Scoring forward with agitating qualities and versatility
I think Ruuttu will get a nice return in February and will have a tonne of eyeball$ on July 1st. He's a perfect player for this team and for a lot of other teams. Isles get screwed on timing and their specific situation because they likely won't be buyers at the deadline and if he makes it UFA, the teams will be lined up for him.
Nice player though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hip Of Rick
Would love Grabovski but would we be willing to shell out the 4.5-5 million over 5-6 to grab him? If we got him Bailey and Neilson would need to be shipped out and we would need to grab a big 3rd line center.
I'm not huge on Grabo. He's looked amazing at times and ordinary at other times. He works hard, competes, he's become a much better player in the last 2-3 years but he's tough to play with. He doesn't pass well, kind of a puck-hog, lacks hockey sense. He's difficult to play with, like Grabner is. I don't like the fit and I don't like the dynamics of a free market and what it might do to his contract. Typically makes no sense to throw money around on July 1st.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin27NYI
I am really curious as to how Garth will manage the C positions this offseason.
me too. And I think it starts now, until the deadline. Will they re-sign Nielsen? Or trade him? Will they acquire a player WITH A CONTRACT at the deadline, for next season?
Then, what happens in the off-season with UFAs like Ruuttu and Grabo and others.
We need a 2nd line center. Nielsen hasn't stepped up and Bailey can't perform in an offensive role.
I really disagree with this. I just think he needs to be playing with skilled players. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Matt Martin as we all do. In many ways he's the heart & soul of the team. But he's never going to score more than 10 goals in a season. Not to say that he doesn't fit with Bailey, a line of Bailey Martin & whomever is relegated to a checking line. Which is absolutely fine. But I feel that you're not getting the most out of Bailey.
Nielson is a PERFECT 3rd line center. He's perfect for a checking line. I don't understand what he's still doing on the 2nd line. Bailey has much better offensive skills & instincts. Put Bailey on the 2nd line with PA & Grabner. Or if you really want to keep Frans & Grabner together then put Nino on a line with PA & Bailey.
Bailey has done a decent job as a 3rd line checking center. Nielsen would do a better job.
Nielsen has done a meh job as a 2nd line playmaking center. IMO Bailey would do a better job.
Are you that sure? Bailey has is best offensive moment in the beggining of last year (only six games) when he was playing with Comeau AND Parenteau.
I'd like to see Bailey back with Parenteau and see what happen. I'd complete that line with Ullstrom.
If I was the coach, that would be my line-up:
M. Moulson - J. Tavares - K. Okposo
D. Ullstrom - J. Bailey - PA. Parenteau
M. Grabner - F. Nielsen - M. Martin
N. Niederreiter - J. Pandolfo - R. Rakhshani
T. Wallace
Ullstrom or Grabner on his left. Grabner's been snake bit but I see him coming out of it. Really like what Ullstrom showed when he last played.
Are you that sure? Bailey has is best offensive moment in the beggining of last year (only six games) when he was playing with Comeau AND Parenteau.
I'd like to see Bailey back with Parenteau and see what happen. I'd complete that line with Ullstrom.
If I was the coach, that would be my line-up:
M. Moulson - J. Tavares - K. Okposo
D. Ullstrom - J. Bailey - PA. Parenteau
M. Grabner - F. Nielsen - M. Martin
N. Niederreiter - J. Pandolfo - R. Rakhshani
T. Wallace
I like those lines, except Pandolfo has no place being on an NHL roster. Id actually like to see Haley on that line, at least him and nino will throw the body. Nice physical line like a 4th line should be. I also would be fine with moving nino to 3rd and martin down to 4th with haley and rhett.
I am really curious as to how Garth will manage the C positions this offseason.
Strome is 2 year away and we need a stopgap in the mean time for the second line. I used to think Grabovski but look at the Laich contract, Grabovski might get that in free agency and do we need him for 6 years?
Nielsen isn't offensive enough for the second line but is still a great defensive dman and plays a key role in the 8th place PK but you have Cizikas, a defensive center playing incredible in the AHL.
Bailey is ok. I can't give him any more or less then that. He is solid on the PK but there are better options out there and can't get any offensive results. I have no doubt that he has trade value and will definitely prosper on a new team but that's it, a new team, not here.
Reasoner needs to go, no way around that. He was good in Florida and for some reason he isn't working here. Nothing really to investigate, he's a 4th liner, just send him out.
I'd much rather have Nielsen or Bailey back then throw Cizikas into the roster. He's had a good year but let's just be safe and give him another year in the AHL.
We might as well just keep Reasoner into next season, then let him walk. I know he's done nothing but he's been on the 4th line all year, no big deal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xIsle
Are you that sure? Bailey has is best offensive moment in the beggining of last year (only six games) when he was playing with Comeau AND Parenteau.
I'd like to see Bailey back with Parenteau and see what happen. I'd complete that line with Ullstrom.
If I was the coach, that would be my line-up:
M. Moulson - J. Tavares - K. Okposo
D. Ullstrom - J. Bailey - PA. Parenteau
M. Grabner - F. Nielsen - M. Martin
N. Niederreiter - J. Pandolfo - R. Rakhshani
T. Wallace
I'm pretty sure. Even though Bailey hasn't played with the best linemates this season, to me he hasn't shown any of the offensive potential he had. I haven't seen any of that great playmaking ability I know he has (or had). I'm really not high on him obviously.
And Bailey didn't play with Parenteau at all. PA never left JT's wing last year.
Would love Grabovski but would we be willing to shell out the 4.5-5 million over 5-6 to grab him? If we got him Bailey and Neilson would need to be shipped out and we would need to grab a big 3rd line center.
Not necessarily. You could always shift Bailey to wing. Something I feel they should do anyway.
and for the love of god, keep Strome in Juniors or the AHL next year (if he's eligible?)
I have felt for a few months trying to land Olli Jokinen for the 2nd line would be perfect. Slot him between Grabner and PAP and you have a secondary scoring line. Jokinen would free up cap room for Calgary in the future. He is physical and decent sized.
Isles could make a nice run if they went after Olli and Tyutin. I think for Jokinen, possibly a 2nd rounder and either Nilsson or Koskinen could bring him in. For Tyutin, maybe a 2013 2nd rounder and they take back Eaton.
Isles could make a nice run if they went after Olli and Tyutin. I think for Jokinen, possibly a 2nd rounder and either Nilsson or Koskinen could bring him in. For Tyutin, maybe a 2013 2nd rounder and they take back Eaton.
I think that team would make a playoff run and we don't give up much future in getting Jokinen and Tyutin.
Why go for Jokinen who is a UFA after this year, unless we are willing to pay him above market value to stay. If I remember he demanded a trade once already to get out of here.
We also have pretty much zero shot at the playoffs
Tyutin would cost way more than a 2nd, Eaton has 5th round pick to perhaps negative value.
I have felt for a few months trying to land Olli Jokinen for the 2nd line would be perfect. Slot him between Grabner and PAP and you have a secondary scoring line. Jokinen would free up cap room for Calgary in the future. He is physical and decent sized.
Isles could make a nice run if they went after Olli and Tyutin. I think for Jokinen, possibly a 2nd rounder and either Nilsson or Koskinen could bring him in. For Tyutin, maybe a 2013 2nd rounder and they take back Eaton.
I'd much rather have Nielsen or Bailey back then throw Cizikas into the roster. He's had a good year but let's just be safe and give him another year in the AHL.
We might as well just keep Reasoner into next season, then let him walk. I know he's done nothing but he's been on the 4th line all year, no big deal.
I'm pretty sure. Even though Bailey hasn't played with the best linemates this season, to me he hasn't shown any of the offensive potential he had. I haven't seen any of that great playmaking ability I know he has (or had). I'm really not high on him obviously.
And Bailey didn't play with Parenteau at all. PA never left JT's wing last year.
Tavares miss the beggining of last season. He wasnt ready until the Isles fourth or fifth games of last year. So if my memory serves me well, Parenteau start the season with Comeau and Bailey before been move with Tavares and Moulson about a week or two later (when Tavares was ready to come back). And if I'm not wrong, Moulson start the season with Nielsen.
I think he is a UFA so he could be had for less, I think he is the ideal fit for this team to slot between Grabs and PAP on a 2nd line. Bailey can move to 3rd line wing with Frans and Martin.
Why go for Jokinen who is a UFA after this year, unless we are willing to pay him above market value to stay. If I remember he demanded a trade once already to get out of here.
We also have pretty much zero shot at the playoffs
Tyutin would cost way more than a 2nd, Eaton has 5th round pick to perhaps negative value.
I think Tyutin is a 3/4 that can play in a top pairing, I would not give up a first rounder to get him. Not sure if i would give up Donovan or Ness and a 2nd, but that might do the trick.
I don't think Jokinen demaned a trade, he was part of some bigger trade from what I can recall. I think he is the perfect place sitter for Strome, and if he is a UFA I would overpay him since we will need to replace Rolston's cap hit next year. Jokinen is physical, even will drop the gloves and would benefit from PAP's vision while setting up Grabner.
