JOVO…HEJDA…HANNAN…WHITE…GREENE…
UFA Preview Finale: Defensemen for the Islanders
If the Islanders truly want to make an impact move at forward or on defense, they should consider a major trade. Requirements: player must have years left on his deal and not have a no-trade clause.
Kevin Bieksa, who was never signing here, re-signed as expected with the Stanley Cup finalist Vancouver Canucks. Joni Pitkanen, who may have considered the Islanders if he reached the open market, signed a new deal Tuesday with the Carolina Hurricanes. Christian Ehrhoff, we hardly knew ya.
The Unrestricted Free Agent Class of 2011 is thin on top-four defensemen, and even thinner on top-four defensemen who will consider signing with the Islanders. Here are some of the names Garth Snow and Doug Weight will ponder when the market opens on Friday.
Ed Jovanovski, Phoenix: Garth Snow is a big fan of Jovocop’s toughness and character. He once wasn’t keen on coming to Long Island when the opportunity was presented, but his options are a lot more limited now. If the 35-year-old doesn’t mind moving his family 3,000 miles East, Jovanovski could be signed by Snow.
Jan Hejda, Columbus: One of the most impressive players in the game that hardly anyone’s ever heard of. Columbus has that effect. (Heck, I re-checked three times to make sure I spelled his name correctly). Hejda’s 33 and will cost some money because his agent will receive a lot of calls from teams mistakenly thinking he can be bought cheaply.
Scott Hannan, Washington: Maybe he didn’t get the job done in Washington after he was acquired for Tomas Fleischmann, but Hannan has been a solid and rugged defenseman and a real pro’s pro in this league for a while now. If the Islanders met his price, he would be a good influence on this young squad.
Ian White, San Jose: He’s the rare very good player and very good person to be moved around the league like a journeyman the last two years. White will receive plenty of offers, including some from contenders he may find tough to decline, but he’d be a nice fit in Uniondale. He just turned all of 27 years old.
Andy Greene, Devils: Once viewed as a mainstay on the New Jersey blue line, Greene performed poorly last season and may have to part ways with the Devils, who have little cap room. Despite his minus-23 last season, Greene will be contacted by many suitors banking on a rebound. The Islanders love Americans, and Greene would be an upgrade over the (likely) departed Jack Hillen.
Jonathan Ericksson, Detroit: Could re-sign with the Red Wings after a step-back season in his development. But he’s 6-5, talented, coachable and the Islanders have done well with projects in need of an opportunity.
Bryan McCabe, Rangers: A few years ago, McCabe’s acquisition might have made sense. At this stage of the Can Opener’s career, personally, I would pass. Bryan, with close Long Island ties, would probably sign here in a second and do so cost-effectively. But it’s difficult to make a case for how he would upgrade the Islanders’ D.
As for those we’d consider only for one-year deals…
Anton Babchuk, Calgary: He’s 6-5 with some snarl, but not nasty or mobile enough to sign for more than one year. If he wants a Jurcina-type opportunity, go for it.
Sami Salo, Vancouver: Hard to believe he’s 36. A fine player when he isn’t suffering holy-spit injuries.
Tomas Kaberle, Boston: Hey Tommy, want to come here and rack up the points and rebuild your reputation as a two-way defender? The Islanders can help you in a much looser environment, if you want to roll the dice on a cheap one-year contract. You’ve made plenty the last half-decade.
Steve Eminger, Rangers: Only 28, 6-2, 215, tough, reliable. For inexpensive depth? Sure. A better buy than McCabe.
Radek Martinek, Islanders: There’s a chance Martinek is a better player than any other defenseman the Islanders sign in July. If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.
Again…
If the Islanders really want to make a splash, they’ll most likely have to do it by acquiring a player with years left on his contract and without a no-trade clause.
Comments?
201 Responses to JOVO…HEJDA…HANNAN…WHITE…GREENE…
UFA Preview Finale: Defensemen for the Islanders
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jisles says:
I don’t think an impact move is necessary. Bringing in a couple guys like Cole and Jokinen, and reeling in a dman or two from the list above would have the NYI lookin’ sharp.
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ray says:
White Eriksson if not them Hannan Greene or Eminger
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mond says:
I like our D now. We can always trade mid season if we have injuries. Might be smart to sign an AHL veteran or a young NHL D man to a 2 way contract as a reserve.
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Redding says:
I have said before….Jovanowski. But this list is putrid. Goes to show how bad this class is
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Steven says:
Sad looking at this list. The year when the Isles really want to spend and look who is available. Never a break.
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thin, CB its manorexic! thats a lot of free agent money chasing little talent…these guys could be “gomez like” overpaid. good for the players, bad for the teams in need. while we could use another top 4 defender,and who couldn’t, we are not desperate.
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Babchuck and Ericksson: both 6’5. That would be nice. Ericksson especially though.
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rob says:
Hell Id take Martinek back. Solid Dman.
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JTizzle91 says:
CB, why no offer sheets?
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Pete says:
That list is horrible!! Reads like a list of has been and never will be’s. Stick with what we have and don’t mess up the locker room mojo by over paying some slug just to say we got someone.
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Steve says:
These guys wouldn’t even get picked in a fantasy league. Sign Martinek. He actually wants to be here.
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Doug F. says:
As WC Fiekds once said “there is a sucker born every minute.” Garth needs to find the sucker…
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isles08025 says:
I vote for Martinek
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4 first Round picks for Doughty or Stamkos sure sounds like a trade to me CB!
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Staten Islander says:
White, Erickson or Hejda sound ok to me. I’d also be ok with Kaberle on a 1 year deal.I want no part of Jovo cop because he’s aging and because of that cheap shot elbow he threw at JT a couple of years ago.
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shlo says:
Forget the free agents already, it is a poor year for it and you’ll end up overspending for average talent. Let someone else make the mistake. Go with what you have, if a trade comes along so be it.
Somehow many of them sound good, every blogger likes them for his team. We may be better of this year without them. Let’s stay healthy… -
Tom D in NJ says:
I have no problem keeping Martinek. He gives everything he’s got and I believe his value to the Isles has been underated.
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JBinNYC says:
You can always come home again, to the Island. I vote for Radek Martinek.
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VA ISLES says:
JTizzle – please send me about 10 ounces of whatever you are lighting up. DUDE, WE ARE NOT GETTING STAMKOS. Add one or two more character pieces and let things fall where they may. As we’ve seen, when healthy, this team can play with almost any team in the league.
Stevy Y did not fall off the turnip truck on his way to the front office. You think riots in Vancouver were bad, imagine if TB let him walk?
Sorry for the caps, but christ, people must not watch hockey to think Stamkos is even in play.
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GPMD says:
I’d sign on for Ian White at a reasonable price. He was very good for SJ before his concussion.
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Winning says:
What year will the isles make the playoffs? 2,3,4 years from now? Thats why they cant get good players n why tavares is not asking for contract extension.
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islesrock73 says:
Not excited about that list. At least we got the pick back with the Ehrhoof trade to buffalo.
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eric r says:
I believe the best thing is to save that cap room like teams do in basketball.When the time is right use that money on players worth it like miami and the knicks did.See ya next year ZACH.Play the young guys and see what we got with De haan and Wishart and maybe Donovan and maybe bring back Radek for one more year.Please I rather have a guy with less talent play here WHO WANTS TO PLAY HERE than a guy playing here for just the money and not really want to be here.
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gordy lane says:
Isles got a 4th round pick from Buffalo for Christian Ehrhoff. Nice job costs the team nothing but probably a few picks later. Not crazy about any of the players on there but I will leave that to the pro’s.
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Frans Dish says:
I can’t wait until next year when we will make the playoffs and show all these doubters who are turning us down. Too often we get disrespected by free agents not playing for the Islanders because they can’t look past the record. Sure you can use the building as a scapegoat but, the detroit red wings have no problem getting players to sign at the joe and why is that? because they win, plain and simple. Make the playoffs this year, demand the respect from the rest of league, and lets start our second dynasty.
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dedshark says:
woulda been hysterical if he got a 3rd rd pick.
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Seth says:
anyone that actually thought Ehrhoff would sign here is just silly. to be honest, I would not be shocked if that was just a PR move from Wang.
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#20 I never said they would get him! But throw an offer sheet that they will have trouble matching and let the chips fall where they may! Worth a shot.
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streit02 says:
Who are we trading? You would have to think anyone acquired in a trade would have to be a pure salary dump. We still have Streit, MacDonald, Hamonic, Jurcina, Eaton and Mottau signed for next year. Thats 6 capable Dmen right there. Another stud on D would be nice, but lets not act as if we’re contending for the cup next year. Extend good offers for Cole for a year or 2 and/or Scottie Upshall. Any one of the D-men mentioned would serve as a good addition to our D-corps (no Andy Greene). We would then have 7 NHL Dmen and Wishart and Reese on call ups. The Isles current players will help themselves more than any of these free agents will at this point. Sign a couple of guys to fill some holes and get us to the floor and lets start the season (hopefully with a new deal in place for a Coliseum). Get the arena deal in place and have a strong season and next years free agency period will be completely different. Plus, that 2012 1st rd pick will probably be dangled like a bloody fish in shark infested waters.
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stamkos has to accept the offer sheet first right? so what would even make him accept it??
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jj says:
What about Wiz? He still might he a FA on Friday and would help the offense/power play….. why isn’t he even listed
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Mark P says:
Get Bognosian out of Winnipeg
Gubranson still not want to sign in Florida? -
Islz says:
Not impressed by that list. I was looking forward to Friday for some F/A action but hopefully we will get a surprise trade.
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Chris says:
it’s depressing being an isles fan when it comes to free agency… Think if we trade for a big name player they are not gonna want to play here either. Just like that Priss Kirk Muller.
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Isles99 says:
Pathetic list…but you left out Cam Barker and Roman Hamrlik…We should sign them both for less than 6 million per year combined!
Bring in Gagne as a top 6 and Torres as a third/fourth line player… -
Don’t be surprised if Ehrhoff signs here in a few days when he realizes no one will even come close to the $$$. It is his right to see what is out there. If I were him, I would do the same thing, it does not mean he is disrespecting the Isles. On a side note, XM radio has been talking Isles and Ehroff most of the day. At least we are getting attention, and they are impressed with the fact that the Isles are spending.
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Ryan says:
This list really is heinous. Its a shame that in a year the Isles seem like they are ready to spend, the free agent class is so thin. I know Tampa would likely match, and if they didn’t, the price is heavy, but I would seriously offer Stamkos a mega-contract. At the very least, they could force an Eastern conference rival to spend huge money on a player sooner than they wanted to. CB, any chance they take a look at Chris Drury? He obviously had a dreadful year due to injuries, but he has always been a tough player and good leader, and I could see him being a veteran presence that contributes on the ice as well.
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Playoffsnextyear! says:
Would any of you trade John Tavares for four first-round picks? No? Oh, okay, then why would Tampa Bay or Los Angeles trade Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty for that?
From the list, I like White, Jovanovski, Hejda, McCabe, Kaberle, and Martinek. No real interest in the rest, although Hannan wouldn’t be horrible. I also like Hamrlik, although he wasn’t on your list.
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AJAX says:
Can we please stop with the RFA offer dreaming PLEASE!!
Any GM knows it would be devastating to their club to put an offer out on another teams franchise player.
It would come back to haunt them 10 fold.
So please, just stop. -
Brian G says:
at least they got something back. I can see Mccabe for a low level 1 year deal with bonuses…Belanger is a must…and either Upshall or Fleischmann…
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Trade DeHann (or Streit), 2012 #1 and 1 B prospect for the rights to Gubranson or Striet, Comeau, Strome, 2012 #1 and 2 B prospects (Brock Nelson etc) for Weber
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@ dzruggie thats way to much for gudbranson and I would leave strome and Striet out of a trade together
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Let’s not talk about trading off our young talent. Doing that is why we are in the position we have been in since the mid nineties. We are a year or two away from having our own bonafide stars: Tavares, Grabner, Strome, Hamonic, the list goes on.
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KasierVanIslander says:
TSN is reporting that we just sold Ehrhoff rights to the Sabers for a 4th round pick. Nice job by Snow. His chance cost us nothing!
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sean says:
Comment 42 are you are crack!!!
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James from Swindles says:
Not that the Isles are one to talk, but, umm, find a team in a cash- or cap- crunch and do what it takes to land the Keith Yandles or Shea Webers of the world.
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Hey…everyone is saying we need vets, we want to no sorry, we have to win now. If we are getting a big time player, you have to give up something the other team would actually want. Nashville needs the scoring and would have to replace Weber or lose their fan base. Weber is flat out way better than Striet and not even in his prime yet. They are not taking Bailey so you have to bet the bank that he devlops for us. Look LA just sent the #1 prospect in hockey, Shen for Richards!! You want….you must give!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
@ dzruggie – Wow, just wow! Are you serious? Please don’t Mike Milbury us. It was really funny.
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Ray (#43) Gubranson was #3 overall and is considered a can’t miss top 2 d-man in the build of Pronger. Let’s say they take Streit and the pick…we are way better off long term as JT, Nino gain experience.
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THollinger says:
Enough with the Milbury era….don’t need any media motivated headline grabbing trades…medium to moderate upgrades, stick with the rebuild. Let prospects develop and grow. I nearly puked watching Chara hoist “OUR” Stanley Cup!
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Tom says:
Jovanovski is a dirtbag, so no.
McCabe is a fail, so no.
Steve Eminger looks like a horses ass when he skates, so no.
Martinek, Salo, Kaberle, Hannan…all interesting.
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KP says:
Why nor Martinek? What’s the harm?
I’m probably going to get roasted for this, but where’s the James Wisniewski bandwagon? Guy really did nothing wrong when he was here. He was traded to try to be a top 4 guy and instead had to be a #1 when Streit went down. Streit will be back, MacDonald and Hamonic will be back, the Wiz is good on the PP and has a nasty streak to him. I’m all for retreading the Wiz.
We need a top four defenseman if we’re going to sniff the playoffs next year. Get these two guys signed and you’re looking at -
Streit
MacDonald
Hamonic
Wisniewski
Martinek
Eaton
Mottau
JurcinaEaton and Jurcina can’t be counted on to stay healthy. Then again neither could Martinek.
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91NYfan91 says:
They need to trade for someone, its very disappointing how NO ONE wants to come here.
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Number 42 that would be the worst trade ever.
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#51 – which one? Give me a trade for 1: Gubranson or 2: Weber….I am interesting in learning
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hathead68 says:
If Florida cannot sign Gudbranson, find out what it would cost to trade for him. What do you think CB?
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Unfortunately in Fresno they are blacking out the Met game for some reason….and my trades make sense lol
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Jzruggie says:
CB …I’m not getting very excited by this list of FA defensemen. I would almost rather see the Isles bring back Martinek.
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Petey Pete says:
I’ll take “None of the Above”. This list is missing Sven Butenschon.
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Marc says:
Bring back Martinek — he’d probably sign for a “hometown” discount, loves Long Island, and IF the Isles are not in playoff contention, can fetch a player or pick for him later in the season. Very little downside.
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chris says:
how about trade snow and wand that would be the best thing ever for this franchise going forward they have gutted the reputation of our once proud franchise.. GM GARTH SNOW STILL SOUNDS RIDICULOUS THEY NEVER LEARN DOUG WEIGHT LIKE SNOW ,THE MAN HAS NO CREDENTIALS AND SUDDENLY HES THE ASSISTANT GM AND ASSISTANT COACH 2 IN 1 .WHERE ELSE DOES THIS HAPPEN?
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isles316 says:
Hejda is actually very good. Don’t see why Martinek wouldn’t be the guy though when it comes to that list.
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Andre Legault says:
The one dman I’d like to get is Hamrlik. He’s played very well for Montreal.
I could see him as an Isles for the next two years. Would be a great mentor for the kids. Great mentor but also someone who can still play very good hockey.
And he’s been here before so he knows what Long Island is all about.
With Donovan and De Haan close to making it in the NHL, Macdonald and Hamonic already in, + Streit, it’s not like we need someone for many years.
Hamrlik would help while Donovan and De Haan get used to the pro in the AHL.
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Jack says:
Ericksson, White or nada, Jovo is an old, injury prone d man these days.
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ei8hty6ix says:
Keith Yandle? Yes, please…
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just a fan says:
#58 you have to be joking.. were you living under a rock in the 90′s? this franchise has been a wreck long before wang let alone snowy came into the equation. things are finally heading in the right direction and people like you will be jumping back on the bandwagon sooner than you think.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!
P.S a healthy Martinek is our most solid d-man. would love to see him in an islander sweater next season -
Petey Palmtree says:
I can’t help but feel a little dejected after ehrhoff. Chris made good points, but as far as all of these free agents go, do they not realize that this is New York? Who cares if you play in Uniondale, its a short commute via [insert transportation method here] to the city. They can go to detroit and wherever else, yea they may have good teams, but honestly living in detroit, etc., have fun chief the jokes on you.
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isles71 says:
Sign Martinek, hope deHaan is ready sooner than later for depth…save the big trade or UFA money for top 4 forward…I’m talkin Bailey, Ness & next years’ #1 for a really solid player. We’re at the point where we can skip a yr without a 1st rounder…especially if we make the playoffs and it is a #18 or below. We have sooo many players in the system, take the shot NOW!!! Go Isles!!!!
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PotvinRocks says:
Pass. Erickisson is interesting because he drove Detroit’s coaching staff because he gambles and loses a lot. But he is a big body who doesn’t shy away from the physical stuff. One year deal only
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doug says:
Let dehaan/ness/Donovan play and sign a one year center with a large cap hit like Gomez who has speed and can carry puck into zone for Tavares and Moulson
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BooBoo says:
GARTH SNOW AS GM, DOUG WEIGHT AS ASSISTANT COACH LOL…ABSURD. EVERY PLAYER IN THE NHL KNOWS CHARLES WANG IS AN EGOMANIAC WING-NUT WHO SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH “YES” MEN. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LOCATION OR ARENA. THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE AS LONG AS HE OWNS THIS TEAM. IT IS A FACT. OPEN YOUR EYES AND STOP BEING SUCH PATHETIC, NAIVE LOSERS. ALL THIS PRAISE FOR WANG IS JUST TOO VOMIT INDUCING. SEE YOU IN QUEBEC SUCKERS.
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Name says:
I would have offered Jagr 6 mill, 2 yrs until we find a keeper winger for JT. i dont care if Jagr best days are behind him. he would have help us in many ways.
heck, since wang is spending, over pay for kaberle short term. We need Jovocop to choke the opposition forwards.
I thought getting rid of Sutton was a dumb move from the beginning. -
Chris says:
CB,
I know you read these comments, can you answer one question for me? Would it be insane to trade for Keith Ballard and his contract Vancouver wishes they did not have? I cant speak to last season because I canceled center ice but when he was in Phoenix the kid could flat out play. I remember watching him play well in Florida too until he bopped Voukon on the nugget.
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Isles4cups says:
I would prefer the Isles to sign Scott Hannan from the list of available defense. Without doing all the research, he seems to be the most rugged, playing more than 75 games each of the last 10 seasons.
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Thank you for your post, “BooBoo.” I literally laughed out loud multiple times while reading the 74th post. A+ for humor. F- for everything else.
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I don’t know how this stuff works, but THANK YOOOOU, BUFFALO !!! for the mulligan. I like the Bogosian idea, wouldn’t mind at all if Martinek came back, and still think that Ehrhole could go scratch.
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i dont know what is more schocking. snow making a real good trade or the mets scoring touchdowns every night. regardless, as much sense a good trade would be good for the isles getting a top scoring young vet. which i believe is a top priorty, i dont see snow doing it. for some strange reason, wang and snow think their kids are untradeable but for the good of the team and his career, bailey should be moved. throw in a couple of draft picks and brock nelson for example, snow could get a very nice package in return that could include a few top players. while snow seems to think defense is a priority, i think top scoring fire power is more of a urgency. regarding the defense, if radek is healthy, i would take him over any of the available ufa defensemen.
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Steviel says:
I tell you, with Streit coming back and AMAC and Hamonic with another year under their belts, a healthy Mottau and Jurcina , I don’t see the desperation for a D-man. no need to overpay for mediocre. we will be find.
I would be intrigued by bringing the Long Island boys home, Higgins and Komisarek. Both are falling former stars who could find new life at home? -
Strummer's Army says:
DEHAAN, HAMONIC, STREIT, MAYFIELD, PADAN. THOSE are the pieces the Isles need to hold on to. Anyone else can be dealt for an upgrade. Reading the list of FA’s this year is disappointing. Some would be serviceable until upgrades can be acquired and youngsters are ready.
Dear God no more Martinek! I think Snow has rightfully turned the page on guys like Martinek, Hillen, and Geravis. Last we saw Martinek he was splattered on the ice with another injury and concussion.
I believe the way the Isles will do this is via a trade, especially for an RFA. I do like the idea of Bognosian, Gudbranson etc. It seems likely Isles need to grab a young blue chip from a team needing cap help and other assets.
Lets stop the nutso talk of trading DeHaan, Streit, Strome etc.
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Steve M says: #81 – Agreed, go for Higgins at least.
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Pfff higgins? what a difference maker ha. I rather sign Rupp then him
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Dave says:
I have seen in the last 10 yrs that the only players signing on the Islanders are one’s close to retirement or not getting alot of offers to play else where. I think the Islanders still have another year before reaching the playoffs and making a statement. Anyone here of Mike K. from Toronto? What about Paul Mara as an alternate? cause until the Islanders show they are a playoff team. UFA players will not sign here even if the money is double. Right now the only way is through trade for a top notch NHL player!
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just wondering says:
I think Garth Snow has done a fine job in the past few years, but I must ask:
Why did Neil Smith not have any problem getting players to come to Long Island in his 40 days as GM? Did the water in Long Island’s acquifers magically change ph levels? Did the crust of the swamp land underneath the homes on the South Shore change, and then change back when Neil Smith was fired? It doesn’t seem to make sense to me that Long Island’s locale, arena situation and political situation would have been so radically different during those 40 Neil Smith days.I know this question is borne from frustration, but it begs asking.
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The Islanders Need at least 2 vets with playoff experience to teach this young team how to win in pressure situations. Case in point Boston Bruins have Chara and John LaClare among some others to complement the youngsters. The Edmonton Oilers did it the right way…Re-requring Ryan Smyth.
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Bjorn Holland says:
I see no use in signing one of these UFA’s. Let De Haan and Wishart make minutes.
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ODG says:
Should have kep Hillen, puck rushing D who was only a minus five who started to come into his own in the second half of the season under Capuano….let him walk for no compensation.
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#74 true the Islanders have run the Orginzation for years as a circus getting ride of top quality employees. The NHL players and Agents are aware of it all! The Arena deal going on for 10 yrs now is part of the problem with no solution until maybe now! but, still as an owner of a franchise you can’t have a revolving door. It spreads throughout the league like bees!
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@ Dave #86: Eric Cole is a UFA and would be a great fit for the Isles. Lots of playoff experience and a cup ring.
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Pez19 says:
I think the Isles should look at a couple of solid vets that play with some snarl and they will actually have a shot at signing like Shane O’Brien or Jim Vandermeer. McCabe proved in the playoffs with the Rangers that he doesn’t have much left in the tank and Ian White…..if Streit and Macdonald are healthy i feel like we have enough two-way defensemen and need some toughness in front of our own net. Shane O’Brien can bring that to the Isles and he’ll come cheap!
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mike says:
botta love your list bc its reality….off the list of D that you have i would like to see in order to sign with the team is Ehroff (Big veteran D-man) Brian McCabe (would love to have a second go around on the Island) Radek (BEST DEFACENMAN that we had in awhile) then Kaberle….lets hope snow can pull something out of his magic hat
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joe in alberta says:
trade for souray 7th rnd pick.
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NY711ot says:
Call me crazy but I have a lot of confidence in this team … If healthy I would put Streit, AMac and Hamonic in the upper echelon of defensemen in the league. Jurcina was a difference maker when he played. If he can continue to develop his physical game who knows…. I realize we are stuck with Eaton and Mottau in the mix, but they are vets and serviceable. I really like the guys behind them. I was really impressed by Katic last year and will not be surprised if brass thinks that a rushing dman is the element missing he takes the 7 spot from Dehaan, Donovan, Wishart…
Up front we had 5 20 goal scorers, a Selke candidate who I think will get 20 this year. One of our young guys is making this team in addition to Nino…Who that is remains to be seen but Im thinking more exciting than Jesse Joensuu (Cizikas perhaps)…. Haley will be a huge asset…If Martin wants to play hes going to have to outwork Hunter. And I’m already at 10 forwards….
The DP issue must be resolved but once gone the sky is the limit for Poulin/Montoya.
I think everyone, including Islander fans are seriously underestimating this team. -
Andre says:
The Isles need to go after Bogosian or perhaps go after Yandle. Jovo would be a very nice pick up but he is not coming here. I think he will go to florida or Vancouver ( they need to fill Ehrhoff spot. I know he has a no trade clause but would Jay Bouwmeester be that bad of a pick up). He did play on a poor offensive team.
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booten326 says:
VA ISLES @ #20 – thank you! I’ve been saying the same thing…what even makes people think Stamkos is an option?! Absolutely no way on earth will that happen, especially since JT will be RFA next year…unbelievable. And throw Doughty in there too! As if we needed any other reason for people to look down on us than abusing cap space by offer sheeting the faces of a couple rising franchises.
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Why everyone think jovanoski be a good pick up when he is older now and never wanted to play her in the past. Until arena issue is solved no big market player will play here.
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joee says:
I’m a father of a 6 year old. I know for a fact the kids want to play at the house with the nicest pool!
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Jpjames39 says:
Hey why not go after guy like Green Im pretty sure Washington wants to shed some cash it would helps get to the cap floor and he’s proven he could play with a young uptempo team. offer 1 or 2 prospects to get it done
Green Streit
Hamonic AmAC
Eaton Jurinca
Mottau -
Bob E says:
What a sad list of dman. No wonder we made a play for ehrhoff. Jovo won’t come. Aside from that I haven’t really seen any of these guys pay.
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gary91922 says:
A trade?!?! Does Garth make trades for anything other than swap a draft pick on a mediocre talent or “give him a chance” type of player.
I like Garth’s draft picks.. Still truly yet to be properly graded
I like the way he has built some organizational depth
I like the chances we have taken, not all have worked (Shremp) but some have (Grabner), and some are still waiting.
Now is the time for the GM to survey the battlefield and be willing to sacrifice some troops to get that hill. Can he make a deal? To get quality he will have to give quality and/or value. Its time to trade next years #1, and say goodbye to one or more of our current top 8 as well as some our better prospects to get a vet who can lead.
Think about what we traded for Peca.. I know Connoly has had injuries but, he’s still playing and Peca only lasted a few years. Its that type of talent that we will have to let go of to raise the Isles bar to the next level.
Go GARTH, jump in… The water is fine.. But watch out for the Sharks….
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Isles Fanatic says:
CB,
Another option is the not much talked about RFA route… With the quantity of prospects now in the system, the organization should seriously look at this.
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David Volek says:
I cannot believe that Jovo cop was the top of the UFA list? To quote the movie Copland, “We gave you a chance AND YOU BLEW IT…….YOU BLEWWWW IT”
Stay the course Garth Vador…….you’re doing a heck of a job. Im still in for 4 season tickets……
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tom in nj says:
White is a solid offensive D-man. grab him!
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Not to overly post, but I read someone write about Wizniewski. If he isnt signed by July 1st, I say bring him in. He’s exactly what the isles are looking for…..
He’s a guy who can log minutes, play the body, chip in a goal here and there, and stand up for his mates………am i missing something here?
Ehrhoff, was a talented offensive defensman, but so is Streit, and so is DeHaan………we need more grit back there.
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GM GARTH SNOW ,ASSISTANT GM/COACH DOUG WEIGHT ….THEY NEVER LEARN AS LONG AS WANG IS OWNER WE WILL ALWAYS BE THE LAUGHINGSTOCKS OF THE NHL
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“Another option is the not much talked about RFA route… With the quantity of prospects now in the system, the organization should seriously look at this.”
Can you say Parise? Top of the list buddy. Dreaming to get him in orange and blue. Only 27 too.
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
A highly unimpressive list. This reminds me of 1980 when the Isles needed a second line center and were looking at Ron Chipperfield. Torrey makes the big trade gets Goring and the rest was history. Garth we need a big trade .
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Hollywood says:
Forget the FA market. None of these guys are that big of an improvement compared to what we have. Snow needs to stop jerking around and make a big trade. We obviously need to drag players here since overpaying isn’t good enough.
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isles72 says:
if I had to choose a greybeard , Hamrlik is my guy.He has the uncanny ability to stay healthy in the back 9 of his career .Obvious past connection to the team / area would help the sales pitch
he’s been a tad overpaid at 5 mil per lately so maybe he’d come in at around 3.75/4.25 on a 2 year deal .
other greybeard I like is a mean s.o.b Sean O’Donnell .
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Honestly there are no trades to make…and Snow doesn’t make trades for players unless they are being given away like the Wiz
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Randy Wood says:
Butch Goring was on the Fan 590 in Toronto last night. He said he spoke to Erhoff on the phone. Butch apparently coached him in Germany a few years back. He tried to sell Long Island to him. Erhoff was straight up with him and said he wants to go to a team that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup now. If that’s the case I understand his view, that being said if he signs with Buffalo or any other mid range team he would just be slapping the Islanders in the face. Let’s see what happens……..
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kevo says:
Is there anyone decent on waivers? That seems to work out pretty well for us. ex: grabner, moulson
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Doug says:
How about a trade with Toronto for Michael Komisarek? Two years left on his contract at $4.5 million…has grit, local guy…would fit in nicely with the defensemen they currently have. If Toronto makes a play for Richards, they might want to shed some salary.
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If you ask me looking at this, i dont see how getting any of these guys makes us meaninful better on the back line.
I say Streit, Hamonic, A-Mac, Jurcina, Eaton and give this kid Wishart more mins. He was plus rated for us and had highest Corsi rating on team. That says alot about his play.
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MikeInNYC says:
Thats BS from Erhoff. The first team he had turned down big money from, the team he played for (vancouver), went to game 7 of the cup finals. He was already in his ideal situation.
He wants it both ways…he wants to be overpaid AND be on a cup contender, which won’t work because any team that’s going to contend for a cup won’t waste 6 million a year on a second-pair power play quarterback.
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dan says:
Why has no one mentioned shane o’brien? I feel he is one of the toughest D in the market,he has size and a big mean streak! I feel he is exactly the type of D we are looking for!
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Mike239 says:
I dont think we as Islanders fans should look for anything major on Friday. Looking for a big UFA signing of big trade is setting yourself up to be letdown. Nabokov didnt want to come to LI, Ehrhoff didnt want to come to LI…so who would WANT to come to LI??? There will be a UFA frenzy in the NHL on Friday, but the Isles will be lucky to do ANYTHING. Makes no sense to think otherwise.
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alan says:
Mike239, I couldnt agree more.
The Rangers will sign Brad Richards and The Islanders will sign Bryan McCabe and Andrew Gordon.Enough said!!!
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FrankieD says:
Get Radek back. He’s a shutdown D-man and wants to play here. His only downside is he gets injured because he gives 110%. Sign him to a one year deal.
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Did not realize that Butch knew Ehrhoff.
All this I WANT nonsense, maybe he wants the team he signs with to guarantee him a Stanly Cup next year……reminds me of Eric Lindros and his shenanigans ,look how he ended up…if you are not a team player we do not want you or need you. -
4theisles says:
If we have room financially for only one big upgrade there is a bigger need and that is at goal. I like Bobrofsky and Philly has gone for big bucks there, so he might be avaiable. The bunch we have at Goal now has potential but also are injured or recovering. If there is to be a play-off run the buck stops at that position and also the puck!
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Hank says:
My sentiments exactly Mike239 #119,
I have not wanted to but I am now starting to believe that being an Islander fan is never going to be like it was in the 80′s.
Ever since we traded away Pat Lafontain our ownership has not been able to get us back to be a respected team in the NHL.
Yes, we had that magical year in ’93 but please we need to prove to the league that our team is relevent again before big names will come and play for us, and it is sad to say but we NEED this arena deal to go through so we have stability at least a home a place the team will stay for a long time. Then our young players need to play above and beyond themselves to prove to all others that this place can be a winning environment again and a place that the Cup could definitly return to.
And not until this team shows to the league that it can win again and again will we be allowed back into the group.
It is sad to say but we are the ones last picked, and if this team doesn’t start getting relevent again I do not see JT staying with us either.
Oh well still hoping and looking for a great season to come. -
jamie says:
Come July 1 the Islanders will sign one of these four D-men!
1)Bryan McCabe
2)Andy Greene
3)Matt Gilroy
4)Steve Eminger -
John says:
this garth snow is starting to intrigue me. i think he and wang are working on something of significant magnitude. garth was dropping some uncharacteristic hints of a big trade in the newsday piece yesterday. the front office knows that now is the moment of truth. the time has come to make the move and bring a top forward and top d-man to the island. i’m going to go against conventional wisdom and say they get it done. and once they do i am calling the isles ticket office and getting three season seats. i will want to lock in before the demand rises.
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Hank #123 I agree with you about we are last picked to come to because we have been a joke for the past 20 years and the colisuem does not help either but I like what Garth is doing and the drafts he has chosen to build depth. I believe we have a young core of guys that can bring us back the Stanley cup and the most important key factor is building this new arena to start with. August 1st is the fate of this franchise and nassau county also because one of the owners of a restaurant by the colisuem said that nassau is done if the islanders leave and an empty arena doesn’t help anything in the economy. I personally think it was that smg contract signed in the mid 80s that brought this team a joke that no owner could profit from because majority of smg took in. Someone got money under the table for that contract.
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Isles UFA Targets for D:
1. Hejda = 3 years
2. Jovo = 2 years
3. McCabe = 1 year
4. Hamrlik = 1year
5. O’Brien = 2 years
6. Martinek = 1 yearOnly trade Canidates I could see are:
Sarich (CGY), Sutton (ANA), or Komisarek (TOR) ….no one else -
TimQ says:
As much as I like Martinek’s ability we need an upgrade on size and grit. We also don’t need dmen that are more interested in putting up points than keeping the puck out of their own net.
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walker says:
Jovanavski
Kaberle
Martinek -
RHL Vin says:
I hate to say it but the Isles had the chance to acquire an impact forward. Carter and Richards were available and Snow wasnt interested. That would have have been the splash that we needed. I dont really see any impact players that are available via trade. Do we want Jason Spezza? Im not sure we do. I dont count Parise, Stamkos, Weber or Doughty cause none of them are going anywhere. Unfortunatley the talent is not there in this Free Agent class. Stay the course and maybe make one or two small smart signings. Dont make a move just to make one. Stay the course and develop what we have. I believe in Snow. He has done a good job up to this point. He gave it a shot with Erhoff and once he knew it wasnt happening he quickly moved on. Lets not over pay someone with money and term if they are not worth it. It could end up biting us in 2 or 3 years when we need the cap space. Stay the course and make the playoffs this year. Get the arena approved and July 1st 2012 could be alot different.
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RHL VIN…no way the Flyers were going to trade those guys to a division rival.
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#130—Jovo and Kaberle are the most overated players in hockey. They make absolutely no difference to the team they are on. Keep them off the Island. I also do not want a trade to be made simply for the sake of change. We have an excellent young team that will only get better with a little more experience. I don’t think its vital that we overspend for mediocre talent just to show “some” people we mean business. They will see that once we have a winning record, and then it won’t matter if we play in my backyard everyone will want to play here! Save the big bucks for Parise.
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Ethan K says:
LOL… for the people saying Martinek is the best on the list, recall that Kaberle yielded a first round pick and more for the Maple Leafs, and Garth couldn’t even get a third for Martinek. For anyone that actually watched him play in the rarity that he was healthy, Martinek was usually the most frustrating dman to watch. Never would check anyone, and couldn’t EVER clear the zone. Clearing the zone is the most important task for a defenseman. If you can’t move the puck the other way, you tire your own team out and give the other team more chances.
Moving on… Jovanovski is the best player on that list for our team. Jan Hejda would be a good upgrade too. If I were Snow, I would’ve already thrown a monster trade offer to Nashville for Shea Weber (2 First rounders, Bailey, Nelson, and/or whatever else gets it done), sign him to an 8 year, 7.5 mil contract, and tell him Joel Ward can come with him.
This of course will never happen, and we’ll end up with another year of poor defense, pick another forward in the first round next year, and then wonder why having the worst GAA in the league isn’t good enough for the playoffs.
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Steve M says:
Now thinking back I wish we kept Wiz and signed him to a 2/3 year deal. He’s what we need and still want.
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Irish Isle says:
Anyone who thinks the Isles can make the playoffs without improving the D is kidding themselves.
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Steve M says:
#136 – Anyone who thinks the Isles can make the playoffs with DP in net is kidding themselves.
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Jersey Jerry says:
Ok, here’s what to do, not saying it will happen but… sign B.Richards, give him 8 mil per year, then trade Bailey, Dehaan and a low level prospect to Washington for Mike Green.Listen I know im dreaming but you gotta try something.
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islesfan999 says:
DP is not going to play we will have Montoya and another goalie Poulin or Nabakov or someone else. Relax DP will be done and finally retire!!
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SCLI says:
This UFA crap is getting old. Year in and year out. Forget the marginal UFA’s. Bring back Konopka and Martinek and call it a day. At least they want to be Islanders. Then offer RFA Stamkos 11 million for 1 year and let fate take its course. Time to play hard ball. No one in the NHL takes us seriously.
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Jersey Jerry…Richards will only go to a contending team who is a first-line center away from being a powerhouse. Like all big-name free agents, he wants to be the final peice of the puzzle somewhere. This is the main reason why teams like Detroit, San Jose, Boston, etc. can sign big name free agents. The large fan support and new arenas these teams have are just consequential to having a strong, contending hockey team. If the Islanders had lost in the eastern conference finals last year or after a long series in the second round, Ehrhoff mightve taken the extra money to play here.
Like Compton was saying all season long during Isles Interactive, the only thing that’s going to change the culture around here is winning. If the Islanders win a playoff series this year or next year, the young core and rebuild we have will finally mean something to a free agent.
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jon from nj says:
When all is said and done, this team goes nowhere with DP as their first-string starter. Frankly, Error-hoff erred on the side of caution to play with a proven winner. He sees DP back there and his plus/minus plummets.
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Nick M says:
here’s a lot of rumors going around regarding Z. Parise availability on the trade market. It has been said that NJ has a glaring need for a puck moving D-man, to a back Even better a solid goalie prospect and NJ is week down the middle at the center possition. The devils are 12.5 under the cap while they need to address there needs including te pressure of a Parise signing that would be 7mill+.
With that said lou much be getting an idea of what Parise wants and if he could lock up him up for good. Lou is reason the right to the solid puck movers being traded which means they possibly never hit the open market ( wiz, ehrhoff),while jussi pitkanen and others have signed with there clubs, and kaberle would be too expensive even with a pay cut due to his lack of performance. -
Dan- Wilton CT says:
Anyone Ever thought of Bringing back Witt? I know he was slow but we are playing a different system under Cappy then we were under Gordon. I know he is a bit slow but he is the tough, physical, stay at home D that we are looking for.
He would come very affordable to us as well…guess it would also depend on if he has been skating or not as well
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The proposal with explaination:
Sreit- the puck moving D devils need that’s killing there offense being forced to use a deep pass that never connects. Why I’m ok with him leaving; u gotta give to get, also he has just as much uncertainty then Parise (both coming over season ending MAJOR surgery). And lastly streit is getting up there I’m age, yes we need leadership but as CB showed the list of UFAs is full of leadership, old, role guys. Plug one of them in and you fill the void until our prospects are ready which isn’t far away.Goalie- take you pick lou! We did waste a whole draft just taking goalies. With DP in the mix there’s room for oh so much.
Prospect- more valuable then a pick most times, NJ is we down the middle throw in a center prospect Trivino. Throw in collition in for good measure. We simply have too many prospects that yes good be good but wont be better then Nielsen, strome, Bailey(if he developed, give him time), JT, cizikas. That’s all 4 lines taken With spares.
Draft pick- as a sweetener 2013d 1st rounder. ( by then we don’t need it, and NJ has to fork over a 1st with in the next 3 years.
Cap friendly for the devils while addressing all the needs.
Isles get there guy while unloading some of the overload we have. -
Nabokov will be dealt to the Wings. Martinek signs with the Habs.
We will make a trade for someone with experience
I see Garth signing Drury..I really do. Gonna be a let down I’m sure…..not for lack of Garth and co trying their best -
There’s a lot of rumors going around regarding Z. Parise availability on the trade market. It has been said that NJ has a glaring need for a puck moving D-man, to a back Even better a solid goalie prospect and NJ is week down the middle at the center possition. The devils are 12.5 under the cap while they need to address there needs including te pressure of a Parise signing that would be 7mill+.
With that said lou must be getting an idea of what Parise wants and if he could lock him up for good. Lou is seeing the rights of the solid puck movers being traded which means they possibly never hit the open market (wiz, ehrhoff),while jussi pitkanen, bieska and others have signed with there clubs, and kaberle would be too expensive even with a pay cut due to his lack of performance. -
#132 – agreed it’s very possible they didn’t want to deal within division but we haven’t heard a peep that the Islanders inquired. We heard the Leafs were in it but nothing about the Isles. Those two guys are in there mid 20s and exactly what this team needed. We prob could have had Carter for our 1st pick and Bailey. Granted we would have had an 11 year contract on our books but for a decent cap hit of 5.25 mill. Not bad. I don’t believe Carter is overpaid. That’s about right for a 40 goal scorer.
My point is I don’t really see an impact player available for the Islanders to acquire. And if the Islanders continue backload contract offers they ate going to have a real tough time signing anyone of significance.
CB – do u have any suggestions of specific players the Islanders might target via trade?
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
@islanders22:
Drury=the perfect replacement for Weight!
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Ethan K #134. Garth couldn’t get anything for martinek because he was injured. No one will give up a pick for an injured player they can’t immediately use.
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Swan says:
*Sigh*. Carter would have required something like our 2011 1st, Bailey and Grabner. To start.
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Dan C. says:
While this is not a great list, the truth is almost every single one of these players would be an upgrade over Eaton, Jurcina and Mottau as a #4 defenseman.
I would go with Ian White. He was very good when he was on the Leafs, but has bounced around since then and failed to find a home. He’d surely get top-4 minutes here and could do very well.
Kaberle was lousy with the Bruins, but I think he could help the Isles offensively.
Hannan had very little impact with the Caps.
McCabe was a nonentity with the Rangers.
Sami Salo is always good when he’s healthy, which is about 40 games a year.
I think it’s time to move on from Martinek.
A couple of players worth taking fliers on would be Matt Gilroy and Cam Barker. I don’t think Tortorella ever gave Gilroy a real chance to thrive with the Rangers. He has the wheels to be a Mike Green-like rover if given the opportunity. Cam Barker has just about played himself out of the league, but he’s still young and clearly has talent (although with Wishart around he might be redundant.)
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Eric C. says:
FYI: Isles offered Ehrhoff $33 mil over 6 years
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1) Probably best to wait until late September/early October for the waiver wires to acquire MUCH cheaper “talent” to complete the roster/add depth
2)As most REAL/cogent Isles fans know this team is NOT ready to compere for the Cup, so why trade away young assets or overpay a player in free agency?
3) There will be plenty of players available at much more reasonable prices once the hoopla of July 1st passes. Be patient! -
MarioGazz says:
Are we so desperate to do something that now we are trading Streit?? R U guys kidding me?? Just get to the cap floor, sign Zenon today, and lets roll.
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CB tweets
“Ehrhoff agent Rick Curran: he wants to go to a team where he can win.”i guess Erhoff is not interested about LI’s vineyards.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I think you listed some fine candidates CB … I’m one of those in the camp that feel that the Islanders need one more veteran defender to hold the line while Hamonic, A-Mac continue their development in the NHL, and the recent crop of defensive prospects ripen in the “A”. Parting ways with Martinek, although not inevitable, is a signal of both sides moving on and the Islanders taking another step to become a bubble team for the 7th and 8th spot.
The same could be said with the Isles up front… that is unless for some reason Trent Hunter has a Masterton Trophy finalist type of season.
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Grabner would have not have been part of any Carter deal. The Flyers were looking for cap space.
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theres a guy who played for Tampa 2 years ago who could fight kill penalities and win faceoffs we should go after him look him up his name is Zenon Konopka…he might actually want to play here and stick up for the Organization
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FL Islanders Fan says:
CB Why discount McCabe?? MCCABE would be a MAJOR Impact player on this team. Sign him for 2 years and give the captaincy to him too. I watch every Panthers game and he was the MAN for the Panthers Defense, and was terribly missed on D when he left. He hits/scores/wants to be on LI/is big&tough/plays hurt, everything we’re looking for. Way better than Martinek. He was a great veteran leader for the Rangers too by the way.
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Lean Cugine says:
If you are going to go with anyone from this thin list, you better go with the biggest and grittiest guy, thats it!
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Are Cam Barker, Mike Commodore possibilities? Surely, they aren’t eye-popping, but I’d think Commodore brings some grit.
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Hey Chris, I think we are on schedule with this rebuild. No need yet to break the bank or trade away young talent. If we end up in the lotto next year it will be tough to swallow but next years group is significantly better than this year’s talent. With the improvement they showed in the second half and the annual February salary dumps I am confident we will not miss the April dance. Ian White would look nice in blue and orange.
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@ joe from NJ i would take a shot at Barker…with the Buyout he wont be expansive and hes still young and might do him good to be in a new place…
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WM says:
Read on TSN that Ehrhoff talks have been “positive” with the Sabres. So help me, if he signs there for equal or less than the Isles offered, I hope he gets injured big-time.
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@WM why would you be mad….They have Miller we have DP They have Vanek and Stafford and I think have a better chance at making Ehrhoff “look” good that we can….Our best dman is Striet he is Mostly offense…..
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not interested in kaberle at all…softer than a new borns butt!
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Al L says:
Come on WM! Ehrhoff is merely victim of the damn perception around here. Don’t wish injury on the guy or anyone! The instability of the future and losing culture hopefully change soon,but as we speak those problems remain. These players understandably take that into account.
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@Ray….I understand but I guess I’m just getting frustrated over players unwilling to play here.
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@151
Do you really think Grabner, Bailey and the #5 pick in the draft is equal to Voracek and the #8 pick in the draft?
I wouldn’t trade Grabner for Carter straight up. Not with Carter’s ridiculously long contract in a salary cap league, which the NHL is.
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not much mention of rfa keith yandle who has quietly crept up into the high end d-men ranks.
that would be an avenue worth exploring after july 1 when we’d be able to include nabokov+++ in an offer to phx for yandle.
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Blizz says: This sucks being the Pariah of the league. And guess what..its not the buildings fault.
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Eddie Shack says:
Surprise Surprise. Ehrhoff didn’t sign with the Isles. Big Shock! Why would he want to go nuts playing in front of Red Light Ricky “the Happy Wanderer.” Why would any talented player want to play here with an antiquated arena, the Laurel and Hardy of the NHL (Snow/Wang), and a minor league coach? If you’re a free agent, you go to a club that has a chanace at the cup. Snow will sign a 4th line wing and a bench d-man. Prove me wrong tomorrow Snow/Wang.
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Mike from Sarasota says:
No, it’s not the building and in this case it probably was not even Wang and the meddling clown perception.
After just having a first hand view of Tim Thomas in the Finals would you really sign with a team that has Rick DiPietro under contract for the next ten seasons or one that has Ryan Miller?
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Agree 171 Blizz-whoever has bought into that crap is drinking the old kool aid again…and i have seen some posters who have…
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Denis says:
Snow is not capable of making a major trade.
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KJCossin says:
Would it be great to sign a top-pair defender sure, but what would be greater is to have a season long run with our very capable D-men with many fewer injuries.
Sign Kaberle or Ebinger or both to a 1 or 2 yr deal, and keep our D-men health… = win!!
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DP has to go. I dont care if the isles have Ovi on the team. I would still not feel confident as a fan with DP as our goalie.
There will a time that he will be bought out. i Predict in 3 years.
It’s funny that DP says the right things for management to hear. When asked about his hips, kness and facial fracture- he says that it makes it that much sweeter when we win the cup. who is this guy kidding? It makes me sick to my stomach. -
JImfromStJames says:
Read this site daily and more and more I really think the guys who ( IN CAPS ) are trashing Snow and Wang are closet Ranger fans…
I’d really rather have Martinek back than any of these guys, heck and Hillen too, not sure why they are giving up on him, he was just starting to look like he wasn’t afraid of the puck anymore.
and to assume Errorhoff didn’t sign is because of the team, is a but foolish. maybe he wants to go play with his childhood idol like Smyth did with Sakic.
and would we really want to pay a 2nd-3rd D-man 6 mil a year?? If all goes as planned they will need that cap space. -
Dan #118, good call. I agree, we need a big nasty, body on defense. All in all, the free agent list stinks. This is the first year I hope we do little. Watch, now we over pay for an over rated player.
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WOW The Dirty Rags dont have anything going? Thier fans seem to always put in thier 2 cents around here….not that its worth anything….Garth has done a good job…Im glad he stood at his price and woulndt give in…Remeember we are not talking a 28 year old Chara or Lidstrom
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After reading complaint after complaint of Isles mngmt and owners and everything else under the sun regarding every player the isles dont sign/draft/trade for, it is hilarious listening to people’s opinion’s on what they should or should have done. The lack of knowledge and common sense as fans out there is alarming. And these are probably the one’s who do the most complaining.
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IslanderFAN says:
You can add Preds’s D-man Shane O’Brien to FA…TSN said he wont resign with them so Garth should go after Shane.
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O’Brien would be a good fit
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Spinner9 says:
I know I’m in the minority but I don’t think our D is in that bad a shape next year. Remember Streit missed the whole season, Mottau and Eaton each missed most of the season and Jurcina was in and out. I think MacDonald and Hamonic will continue to improve and Wishart has some potential. While Jurcina, Eaton and Mottau aren’t world beaters they are more than servicable defensemen for a year or so until the young guys move up. Eaton is +17 for his career and Mottau was a +24 in ’08. These guys can play. Is there room for improvement, certainly but no need for panic either. Essentially MacDonald and Hamonic are the only D men on the team that played more than half a season last year. Just by virtue of having everyone healthy the D should improve. Anyone else notice that Snow got a high draft choice when he peddled Wiz and the return on him the other day was only a 7th rounder. Snow has made some shrewd moves that go generally unnoticed.
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We should go after O’Brien-but we wont-Garth never gets anyone that we the fans think would be a good fit-look at ehrhoff-there was no mention of his name by any of us before the shanagans started.
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@spinner9 I dont think your in the Minority… we do have a solid d but we need a better one if we are to make a run at the playoffs…Mottau is geting older and coming off of an injury same with Eaton the same….I love Striet but who knows how his shoulder is going to hold up…we need some insurance thats all…Hamonic was a plesent surprise but I dont want to end up taking that chance with deHann…I think deHann has somthing special and he should not be rushed…
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#158 Vin, #169 Dan: Was making a comment on equal trade/talent value (Voracek > Bailey). Personally would NOT have made that trade (#1, Grabner, Bailey).
Definitely would trade Grabner for Carter, straight up. No brainer.
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Kevin says:
Bring Martinek back. No brainer. He is the best and most cost efficient option. Radek is an Islander!
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With our luck about injuries, we need all the defensemen we can get. you can never have to many of them. I feel the isles need another offensive dman in-case Streit has set backs. i say sign Kaberle 5 mill 1 year if they have too. The isles have a difficulty time rushing in the zone to set up the PP. over pay for JovoCop to come here. his grit is needed and he can play second unit on the PP with AMac. I want Jurchina to be the 6th dman on this team. Mattuea and Eaton will get their chance to play when the injury bug haunts us again.
Wang is spending? so spend! -
Man, tough times to get good free agents here. Wish this arena thing was done and approved and have a better chance in the free agent market. even in a trade deal don’t need another kirk muller cry baby player.
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Oren says:
Souray was just released. Is that a viable alternative.Play him on the second pp unit. Maybe he can ressurect himself a bit.
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We don’t need Martinek. Marty was a nice 5-6 Dman who played a consistent 30 games a year. They need a guy to replace Motteu mainly because he’s old and sucks. Expect Snow to sign another stiff to play so they can waive Notteu. Bring on the trades. Tomorrow has snoozefest written all over it for us. Snow has to make a move in the next couple of days to promo Aug 1st.
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Please no Souray!
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Garthsnow says:
Hockeybreak just announced deal in Buffalo basically done. 5.3 multi year deal.
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10 year 40 million announced by tsn
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Erhoff probably asked Grabs, Who’s your coach?
Grabs: Capuono
Erhoff: WHO?
Grabs: lol
Erhoff: LOL. Get i coach i’ve heard of and call me back.
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Every little thing think is taken into consideration as a UFA.
Seriously, Mr. Wang, get serious and then I will too -
Ha…what a joke the Erhoff signing is. I am thankful that he balked at whatever the Islanders offered him.
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wow he took less money per year to play in Buffalo…Im telling myself that its because the 10 year security….Im not trying to offend anyone but really is Buffalo better than long Island? I visted my brother for college there it cool but not to settle down and live…LI is the place for that….Im glad garth didnt do 5mil for 10 years
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#198, is buff better than LI?
hmmm, lets see here..
Pugula ready to win now? yes. isles? no
Buff has an established GM? yes. isles? no
Buff has an established coach? yes. isles no
Buff has a nice arena? yes. isles? noif the isles can do half those things, i would be impressed.
yet, I’m glad we didnt give ERROR-Hoff that many yrs.
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Babchuk 1 year deal….he’s big, shoots right and is good on the pp plus he will be cheap…don’t overpay Garth for washed up old dmen ,the market for dmen is crap this year.
Ward or Cole on wing and we good to go.
What a horrible list. I would rather trade for one of Philadelphia’s 3 Dmen being talked about – Coburn, Carle or Meszaros!!