Comments on: ANDREW MacDONALD UP FROM BRIDGEPORTBrendan Witt out “for personal reasons”

By: JoeRiverside

JoeRiverside — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:38 +0000

#25, I respectfully disagree. Isles can pay $5M for a Hossa type player, but not now. No NHL GM will publically say it, but when you’re in such sorry shape as the Isles were a couple of years back with no talent anywhere in the organization, the right thing to so is to take your lumps and draft talent. That’s why the draft is set up the way it is. Bad teams pick first. Once you get 4-5 top notch players (KO, JT, maybe JB?), then you start bringing in the Free Agent talent (see Pittsburgh blue print as an example). If you try to bring in Hossa talent right now you end up in the middle of the pack (see Isles blue print past 10-15 years). As fans we have to support the game plan. I am.

By: big dally mac

big dally mac — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:54:35 +0000

A good Cape Breton boy gets his chance. Good luck Andrew MacDonald from Dallas MacDonald bro…..rip it up tonight kid. Big win tonight would help. Boston is right on our heels.

By: Staten Islander

Staten Islander — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:51:36 +0000

I agree with easton. they can’t go more than 1 more off season without trying to be a major player in the free agent market. But that said, they have to show that they’re going to change their current perception around the league. The arena situation has to be settled and they have to show that they are definatly an up and coming organization.

By: goislesgo105

goislesgo105 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:26:33 +0000

Gordon has to start playing Tamby. On this team he is a top six forward. Park does NOT belong on the first line. Put OK back with Moulson and JT and put Tamby with Hunter and Franz and give Tamby some PP time.He certainly has the shot to be a goal scorer. Not playing him doesn’t help the rebuild at all.I know that this team needs alot more rebuilding but I do see progress. And if we can beat the Rangers (only 2 pts. back) it will be a GREAT year!! Good luck tonight Andy McDonald. Hope he helps the “D”. GO ISLES

By: eastonhockey

eastonhockey — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:52:01 +0000

If the isles intend on missing the playoffs so they can aquire some good players that creates 2 problems. #1- any player who cares about winning will be gone first chance they get (streit, okiposo, tavares).. #2 the fan base will continue to dwindle #3. whats the point of drafting hall of fame players if you cant pay them after the first three years of the contract runs out? If they Isles cant pay 5 million a year to a HOSSA, how can they Pay tavares 8 million a year on his next contract? If they need to be under the cap minimum, (which they are) they can NEVER put a great team together.

By: Willet's Point Islanders

Willet's Point Islanders — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:06:54 +0000

I’m sure they’d take a playoff birth, but mmm22 is right that the org needs more top level talent. Constantly shooting for the 8th spot is ridiculous and not a long-term plan for Cup-level success. And bringing in another veteran simply takes ice time away from kids who need that ice time to show if they are part of the future or not.

Anyway, let’s not forget that the Isles are almost surely the 5th best team in the division, so once all the division games start accumulating, this whole standings thing may take care of itself.

By: Sumo Goalie

Sumo Goalie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:59:53 +0000

Hope all is well with Witt. Good luck Mac!

By: CJCB

CJCB — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:09:38 +0000

The oilers just waived Steve MacIntyre ! The panthers picked him up and waived him again to send to the A. Im shocked the Islanders passed on him as he beat the Wrecker twice last year. He would have allowed us to leave the forward rotation the same and not compromise it by having a guy that only plays a couple of minutes which is the excuse many use(not me) for not playing a guy like Rechlitz. He would have added legit toughness to the D and given us a heavy which this team needs. Lets face it our guys for the most part very rarly take physical play to the other team and this is alarming and when they do the big guys on this team lose to middleweights.

By: Spartiarti - RVC

Spartiarti - RVC — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:48:35 +0000

Its fine. Interesting to see how another dman fits in. Witter is suppose to be our stay home dman and beat up opposing fowards. It seem that on sutton doing that for us lately.

I like witt but I feel like his age has caught up to him.

By: mmm22

mmm22 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:59:48 +0000

Sorry its late, second sentence should read “If that’s true I tend…”

By: mmm22

mmm22 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:57:37 +0000

I’m not convinced that the powers that be really want this team to go to the playoffs…If thats the cup I tend to agree with them. The system is just too thin on close to being ready talent. JJ is CB’s #2 ranked talent in the AHL and he has 1 goal, the #1 talent just had hip surgery. They need another good draft including a top 6 pick. We can talk all day about just going out and getting free agents but the team hasn’t gotten to the salary cap as long as I can remember and even if they did what is it like 15 million more than what they are spending now? That’s one good wing and a good defender, I dont think that this team plus those two players would get you a cup. Ever.

By: DAVE

DAVE — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:16:51 +0000

garth get us a legit heavyweight skilled defender already for gods sake we need a couple of those then we will be alright be cause we do have some firepower i knew that going into this season our weakness would be the glaring problem and it has been wake up garth look at all the blown leads no defenders=no playoffs plain and simple have a nice day