On the Islanders Beat

Do you think the transfer agreement will forbid petrov to play for the Isles? When do you think he will skate for us ?

What were they thinking? They had the second most talented player in the draft in their laps and they traded down? Do they like Bailey that much or did things not pan out as they had hoped ?

Same S**T, different year. Don't ya think?

Same S**T, Different Year. Don't ya think?

John,

A case could be made that Bailey was the 2nd most talented player in the draft.
He WAS 2nd to Stamkos in scoring this year with 96(?) points.

I am glad that they did not draft Filatov, the book says 160 pounds, he looked barely over 150 pounds and I wonder if he needs a step stool to get over the boards.

How long do you think a guy like that is gonna last in an 82 game season?

In all honesty, Filatov is a year away from being a NHL player. Needs to bulk up a bit, and transition from playing in a junior league to a more professional one whether its in russia or not. After that I think he will be fine. As for how he will hold up in the long run, probably as well as pure-offense guys like Bossy, Gretzy, Bure, or Palffy ... retire after 10 or 15 seasons with back, or knee problems.

"Tim Jackman is signed to a two-way deal, so, that's one possibility. But I suspect that question might yet be addressed in free agency...."

Looks like everyone is forgettting about the Wrecker!
LOL, I like that kid. :)

I liked the comment about the Isles would consider taking Mccabe from the Leafs if Fletcher "sweetened the pot", with a quality young player.

Hmmmm...

Schenn is young and quality....that would be sweet.

And Snow would be anointed king.

Isles505-Bailey was NOT second in scoring to Stamkos. Bailey finished 10th in the OHL in scoring. Stamkos finished 5th. The leading scorer in the OHL was Justin Azevedo with 124 pts.

505...Good looking out asking my question for me...The anser he gave made me physically ill, but that's the BOBBLEHEADS for you! God forbid they ask the caoch anything! Probably to busy asking his son in law and grandson what a blueline is !!!

Isles505-Keep dreaming. Toronto didn't trade up to get the Islanders 5th pick just so they could trade it right back to them and get McCabe off their hands. Schenn isn't going to happen. We missed out and are now stuck with another second rate prospect. Garth is looking more like Algar now instead of a solid GM.

...and for all of you who didn't get that - it was a Waynes World reference.

Game On...

freestylin.....
"Isles505-Keep dreaming. Toronto didn't trade up to get the Islanders 5th pick just so they could trade it right back to them and get McCabe off their hands. Schenn isn't going to happen."

Thanks freestylin...I never would have guessed.
(I was being "funny"??, sorry I missed you, but then I understand why after you felt the need to explain your own Wayne's World reference).

kman
I stand corrected on the scoring numbers. Something said along those lines stuck with me from the weekend.

Steady.
"The answer he gave made me physically ill"
Well it didn't make me ill but it answered more than that question for me.

Anyone who is still P.O'd and has their head between their ass about the draft should really go read BD Gallof's column from yesterday on the HockeyBuzz.
Interesting e-mail he received from one of the ISS guys.

One more thing freestylin......
You call Bailey a "second rate prospect".
How so?
Please elaborate.

To clear up the confusion

Bailey was the second highest "draft eligible" player in the OHL

I think Snow did a good job. The Isles had the most picks (13) in what many experts say is the deepest draft in awhile. I think if they finished in the top 4, they would've kept the pick and taken one of the 3 coveted defeseman (Doughty, Bogosian, Pietrangelo). I don't think they were enamored with Filatov (smallish winger w/ skill) or Schenn (stay-at-home type). They ended up with two additional second round picks, which they used to take 2 defenseman who sound very promising (one of whom, Ness, is called Mr. Canada). In a deep draft like this, it's a good bet the 2nd and 3rd picks are going to be quality players. Snow knew this, so he stocked up and decided to replenish the system. They get a player (Bailey) they liked anyway, at a position they need (center). After not drafting until the 3rd round last year (when they took Katic), the Isles needed to beef up the system. Nice job by Snow and his staff. I think people are foolish to compare this guy to Milbury.

Pilon,

"take 2 defenseman who sound very promising (one of whom, Ness, is called Mr. Canada)."

Aaron Ness is "Mr. Hockey" in Minnesota. That is the award they give to one schoolboy in Minnesota every year.

But yashur, dat boy Ness, he be preeeety guud. Come from up dair in Roozz-o, dontcha no, day make guud pla-yas up dair, den thar now.
Heel be a guud un.

Andyaknowthentherenow....itsfriggencoldupdareindatpartaminnsoda.

I believe Snow did an excellent job at drafting. I think this is the first time that any GM with the Isles has a positive plan since Torrey. Mark my words Islanders fans will reap the benefits of this draft in three years. I like the pick (Bailey). I believe he drafted Bailey with Opkoso in mind.
Schenn is a stay home defensemen. We don't need a stay home defensemen. Russian kid come on...that kid did not weight more than 150 pounds. No player can dominate at 150 pounds and he won't be gaining 30-40 pounds in 3 years. Due to the draft movement the Isles got Bailey, Ness, Towes for either Schenn or Russian kid I would have drafted the three ahead of either one of those guys and i would bet many GM's in the league would have as well.

I am more hopeful about the draft then I was on draft day, but we won't know for a while if snow made the right moves.

I want the isles to sign danny markov. he played in russia last year is 32. he doesn't have much offensive talent but he is exciting. who else are we gonna spend our money on. lets at least get a guy who will hit and fight anyone.

Boy, This Bandwagon is getting full with everybody jumping on all of a sudden. LOL LOL.............Sir William

Do not take seriously !!

No one ever takes your dribble seriously sir yaps a lot.

I have my season tickets, so I'll show up next year--and at the Bridge too.

Can't wait for the schedule to come out!

Wellwood got waived?

Hmmmm. That's interesting. There is somebody i wouldn't mind taking a chance on. He'd be cheap and he's 25. Injury-prone? yes. But why not?

When healthy he could put up at least 40 points.

Thoughts?

All I know is that I've got my tickets and I'm ready for the season on the Island and the Bridge.

Can't wait for the sked to come out.

Seriously, on Wellwood - CLAIM CLAIM CLAIM.

Toronto is finally clearing all the chaff....Raycroft is also on waivers,and Mother Tucker was bought out. They might be a team to watch, and I would absolutely put in a claim on Wellwood. Snow is beyond out of his mind if he doesn't claim a potential top-6 center who will get playing time and trust never afforded to him in Toronto. Come on Garth, make me proud!

Nick

What are your thoughts about McCabe.....just wondering?

Nick
Give me a reason for Wellwood.

He's been a walking tylenol poster child for 3 years.
Sports hernia?
Some guys never recover from that.

As we type he is nursing a broken foot.
Done while playing SOCCER (which is reason enough for me to veto him--we've got one toe dragger too many as it is).

I'm back! After a month (or two?) away from the blog. Just to say a quick LOL to 505's last comment, which gave me a good wee-hours chuckle. Talk to y'all soon!

LOL!! Newsday is showing the images from the Isles Draft Party..... how many peopel showed? 10?

Once agin the Isles throw a party and nobody shows up. Typical.

WB KH!!
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Wellwood is tempting ... BUT ... I'm not sure if that is taking a step back to the old strategy or what. He'd have to go through his own personal combine to prove he's healthy in my opinon.

On the plus side ... he's capable ... and he's free.
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Hey ... speaking of combines ... would it not be helpful if any player opting for Freeagency have to experience a combine to help set the player's market price? We do it for the kids ... why not for FAs?
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About the draft?

Well ... what else is there to say that hasn't been said here ... or by the suedo hockey experts in the hockey fraternity?

I'll just say that overall I liked what I saw this past weekend. Nick has said that expectations could of been managed better in order to quell the dissent .... and 505 has said he preferred Snow's poker face strategy .... I agree with both ya guys ... but I think all Snow had to say was .... when you are sitting at #5 ... there are so many opportunities that can present itself ... so we'll see what happens.

I noted prior to the draft that I don't envy Snow ... because no matter what he does ... he's going to have critics.

I hope Bailey tears up the NHL for 15 years in an Islander uniform.
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Free Agency ~

I don't expect much ... He's not going to take up a roster spot just to fill it ... and quality free agents aren't going to be knocking down the doors to play at the NVMC for a re-building team ... that being said ... I was surprised at the draft... so your guess is as good as mine.

My logic on Wellwood is incredibly simple:

He's 25 years old, won't sign for vastly more than $1-2 million next year, has potential top-six talent, and I can't imagine being able to sign a free-agent center that will have as good a year, especially not for so cheap.

He's worth it because he's a young player who might benefit from the change of scenery, and, 505, we already talked about how Sillinger can't be expected to contribute much given his age and the nature of his injury. Could it backfire? Of course it could, but that's the nature of the beast. I'd rather try out a 25-year-old center than sign Wes Walz and trumpet him as the missing piece of the puzzle.

As for McCabe, Netminder, I think we need to all back off since he hasn't actually waived any NTC yet (as a matter of fact he may have a NMC, which hamstrings Fletcher must more). I agree with the point made on XM radio and here by Greg: Garth won't do it unless Toronto sweetens the deal. They will need to give us a solid young player or a high draft pick and be willing to take little in return (no more than a middling prospect and a 3rd or 4th round pick). It's bad business to simply give a conference rival free cap relief.

By the way...I know it's 15 minutes long, but I suggest everyone take a listen to the clip of Garth on XM Radio yesterday (the Isles have a link to it). He shot down the Yashin rumors and said repeatedly that this will be a young team and he won't make any moves that block the top young players from a spot on the team next year. I can see signings like Vrbata, Hagman, and Liles, or an acquisition of McCabe (ON THE CHEAP) for one simple reason: the cap floor.

I have been saying it for months boys and gals.....Snow is NOT going after any major F.A's. He is going youth youth youth. People like us may not mind that as long as he sticks to it, but others are going to stay far away from NVMC...Expect an empty building and a lot of growing pains!

I just hope we do not lose DP mentally along with some of the other vets that were promised a different direction when they were signed!

By the way, interesting theory...

With the spate of moves they're making, is Toronto challenging us for the pre-season Tavares derby?

Hate to keep posting like this, I'm just over at a leafs board on Hockeybuzz taking a look at their mood....They are dead-set convinced they can pawn McCabe off on us and get as much as TRENT HUNTER out of us. Um, sorry, your problems are exactly that: yours.

No way would we trade Hunter for McCabe...Toronto just thinks we are a duming ground and problem solver...The way we all think about other teams when we need a ball player for Yanks or Mets..."Oh lets just get that guy from KC or the Reds and dump him there...They are dumb enough to take him!"

God, that is scary....A NY team thought of that way...Up to the Bobbleheads to change that perception!

10:50 is, of course, not me.

19Isles

"speaking of combines ... would it not be helpful if any player opting for Freeagency have to experience a combine"

I hope you're talking about a John Deere combine.
Cuz I can come up with 10-12 names for that one.

I'm sure Steady is searching for MAB to throw him in the combine as we speak.

Post at 10:54 not me, either. Wellwood is an interesting possibility, but I see SNow looking at the rostaer and thinking "I already have enough players who have yet to prove themselves. Why do I need another one?"

I think that they will pass on him.

As for FA's. There is no logic in signing players like Tank or Joe Vas again. But I do see Snow going after a couple of young FA's
that he can sign long term.

Anyone know what the payroll is now with the dumping of all the dead weight? And next year they lose Guerin, Witt and possibly Comrie. Except for DP there will be no players making big money here. This is why I beleive Snow has to spend some money just to reach the cap floor.

It makes sense to lock up a couple of the younger FA's now while the payroll is so low............Sir William

Well, they DID pass on Wellwood...he was claimed by Vancouver.

Spector is reporting that Dubie has signed with a Russian team.
Good luck, Wade..............Sir William

Dubie on his way to Russia.....???

Contrary to many opinions expressed here and elsewhere...I don't think the NHL should simply dismiss the new "oil money" league in Russia.
I suspect that a lot of lower to middle tier NHL players (like Dubie) will be attracted by big money and head over there for a year or two.

Which will only dilute an already diluted NHL player pool.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.