Comments on: ISLANDERS DECIDE THEY WANT TO BE BIGGERMatt Martin, Joensuu joining the slumping big club

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:21:46 +0000

Joensuu may have size, but since when did size make up for grit? Joensuu plays like a guy 5″10′. He doesn’t even bring a physical element to his AHL team. Martin, from what I understand (I only saw him in one game) brings the physical element the Islanders are looking for in a smaller package. Remember, size isn’t everything. The Islanders need grit (look at Avery and Carcillo) not necessarily size.

By: Mike L

Mike L — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:37:21 +0000

Real hockey fan #129- I totally agree. I just dont like the idea of a four-minute enforcer (i.e. Fritz, Rechliz, Gillies). As RVC said I think a guy like Martin could provide a spark and still play the actual game. These are the kind of guys I hope the team goes after. Guys like Boogaard fight and could protect but only drop the gloves when they have to, not every game. I think Martin could be a poor-man’s Lucic and could help provide that spark.

By: CJCB

CJCB — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:27:08 +0000

I want an Enforcer on this team as bad as anything but the Wrecker is far from being NHL ready when it comes to the only thing he can provide, fists. Since his return to Bridgeport this guy looks worse than Jackman as a fighter if that is possible. Smoked in every fight he has had, a couple of times looking worse than Godard when he fought Orr. Martin is another kid who when i have seen him looks over matched physically against bigger guys and has done alright against the non fighting type but nothing that says wow this kid is ready. He does provide a spark and will have a bright future as an aggitator but not as a fighter. He really needs a guy like Gilles to ride shotgun with because the tough guys in the NHL will look to destroy him if he starts hitting guys like he does in the AHL and he cannot handle the tough guys here. I would like Gilles to be brought up as he has had a great year fighting does not get overmatched against anybody. But i guess Martin is better than nothing which is what we have physically on this team now.

By: ExtraButterRVC

ExtraButterRVC — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:03:52 +0000

#129 …EXACTLY – grit and passion. No one has ever compared Martin to a Fritz or Wrecker.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:57:04 +0000

@ Spartiarti-RVC #122……i agree 100 percent

By: a REAL hockey fan

a REAL hockey fan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:47:26 +0000

.. #128 Mike — Have you watched this team lately? Im NOT trolling or starting a fight but have you? They are ‘dead’ on the ice!!

.. Its NOT just about a enforcer, its about adding some grit and passion and emotion on the team. The current Isles team just SLEEPWALKS through these games – they are not doing *anything* on the ice, the games are beyond BORING!!

.. I know we need more talent (of course) but its easier to add some energy/passion than it is to add talent! The least they can do is play hard, forecheck, take the body and play a hard nosed game! If they are low on talent they should be high on energy and right now they are DREADFULL ZOMBIES out on the ice – they need a wakeup call!! These type players can only help

By: Mike L

Mike L — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:11 +0000

I still dont understand the love affair with enforcers. Could they provide a spark? Absolutely. But you first have to bring in talent. That spark may make a crappy team play like a mediocre team at best

By: Hoser14

Hoser14 — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:57:12 +0000

Well after playing in a Groundhog Day existence of losing the same games 3 to 1, with plenty of shots missed, posts hits, quick whistles and very few goals.

So it’s about time to insert real prospects like Jesse Joensuu and Matt Martin and sit the dead wood (ie Hunter, Park, Sim and Weight).

The season is just about done because of a lack of scoring, so what’s to lose!

By: Kevin Hasbrouck

Kevin Hasbrouck — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:44:20 +0000

I LOVE THIS MOVE! JJ is an underrated Defensive Forward. He is ready! Martin will be a fan favorite right away if he is given any icetime. Get rid of Park & Weight and time to look at the Future. This year is lost. Once we decided DiPi’s development was more important that keeping Roli in the Hot Streak he was on, that was it. Roli lost his groove, DiPi has been bad, & now we can’t score either. These 2 kids deserve big minutes. Let Kohn play 15 minutes; not 8 min! . I’ve basically given up on Comeau. I would package any of Gervais, Comeau, Tambellini, Witt, Biron, Weight, Park 2nd/3rd rd pick to try to get a 1st rd pick. Maybe give Sean Bentivoglio & Trevor Smith a chance down the road. The future is now. I’m praying we can draft Nino Niedereyer. Lets see what we have now because we need to give Kiril Petrov & Travis Hamonic 2 spots on the Roster next yr.

By: ERIKA TENCIC

ERIKA TENCIC — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:27:32 +0000

I have never seen the wrecker do anything positive. The only thing he has wrecked is our chance to win. TALENT!!!! that is what we need.

By: GUNNER

GUNNER — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:09:00 +0000

I AGREE WITH #102 THE WRECKER WOULD ADD SOME PHYSICAL SIZE, AND NEEDED SPARK TO THIS TEAM. WE NEED SOME ENERGY OUT THERE.

By: Park Must Go

Park Must Go — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:02:31 +0000

To add to that point…
-Matt Martin was a 5th round pick
-Justin DiBenedetto (BPort leading scorer) was a 6th round pick
-Andrew MacDonald was a 6th round pick

Park for another guy like the one’s mentioned above is fine in my book. SELL SELL SELL!!! Make it happen Garth