2011-12 ISLANDERS PREVIEW: THE FORWARDS
NHL pro scouts provide goal projections for each
They have a group of forwards that’s easily among the top eight in the East right now. And the big thing for the Islanders is, they’re only going to get better over the next few years as Niederreiter and Strome develop.
Those are the words of one of Point Blank’s four NHL pro scouts polled for our on-going season preview. The Islanders have a very talented and young group of forwards, of that there is little debate. There are some questions about their overall toughness, and by that I do not mean their proficiency at fighting. Time will also tell if they’re capable of playing the high calibre of team defense required to become a playoff team.
For fun, I asked our scouts to project the goal totals for each of the Islanders’ forwards in 2011-12. I have listed the players in line combinations that, of course, are very subject to change. After each player you will see two numbers: the first is the average of projected goals by the scouts, the second is my estimate for each player. After each line are some notable comments from the scouts.
Matt Moulson (30, 28)
John Tavares (34, 38)
P. A. Parenteau (20, 20)
“Parenteau deserves to be back with that line for another year. They had a great second half together. Why mess with it?”
“I’m sure the Islanders see Neiderreiter on that line eventually, but he needs at least a year or two before putting that responsibility on him. Keep Tavares with the best players for him, and right now that’s Moulson and PA.”
Michael Grabner (28, 30)
Frans Nielsen (16, 16)
Kyle Okposo (20, 24)
“Should be a fun line to watch after a complete training camp together. It’s got a little bit of everything. Actually, it’s got a lot of everything.”
“If he stays healthy, this has to be Okposo’s breakout season. He may only be a 20-25 goal scorer, but he’s capable of adding 40 assists. I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t.”
“Frans Nielsen is the best bargain in the entire league. Unless his agent gives Snowy the home-team discount, he won’t be the biggest bargain a year from now. He’s such a steady player you can put out in every situation.”
Blake Comeau (20, 18)
Josh Bailey (14, 15)
Nino Niederreiter (12, 14)
“Bailey and Comeau have a lot of potential together. I would keep Niederreiter in junior one more year, but it doesn’t look like the Islanders see it that way.”
“The top-six may stay intact, but I’m sure there will be a lot of shuffling with the third and fourth lines.”
“I don’t see Comeau getting 24 goals again this year, but if he does it would be quite an achievement for him and he’d get a lot of interest in the market if the Isles don’t lock him up.”
Brian Rolston (18, 16)
Marty Reasoner (10, 7)
Matt Martin (6, 7)
Trevor Gillies (0, 1)
Micheal Haley (2, 3)
“Rolston was a real nice pickup by Garth. You’re gonna hear all year about his Rolston’s leadership and, if he’s on the power play, he can get 40 points for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rolston plays on every line by the end of the year and is re-signed by them.”
“Reasoner hasn’t been in a winning situation in a long time. I was happy to see him rewarded with a good contract. He’ll be solid for them.”
****
Agree or disagree with the scouts’ or my projections, that’s nevertheless plenty of goals from the forward position for a playoff team. Also consider there is some forward out there who is not on this list, maybe not even on the franchise’s extended roster, who will arrive and pitch in. (In an extreme example, no one had Grabner down for 34 goals as an Islander at this time last year). Second-year prospects such as David Ullstrom and Rhett Rakhshani will contribute. Goals will also come from defensemen, especially with the return of Mark Streit.
Best of all, as the scout pointed out, even if the Islanders lose a forward along the way to free agency or trade, they have a chance to be a genuine offensive juggernaut after Niederreiter and Ryan Strome are properly brought along.
Comments on the Islanders’ forwards are welcomed in this thread. Your chance to participate in our SNY Season Preview interviews continues in the next thread.
91 Responses to 2011-12 ISLANDERS PREVIEW: THE FORWARDS
NHL pro scouts provide goal projections for each
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Mike in Wantagh says:
I think I might agree with the scout that wanted to maybe see Nino in Juniors 1 more year. He is perfect for a good season in Bridgeport in my opinion but the Isles cant do that (which i think really stinks). 40 or so games in BPT would really give them a better idea on his progress since last year.
I am in the camp that is not convinced on Nino quite yet. I would like to see him earn a spot on this team and not just have it given to him
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isles14 says:
Man. The idea of Frans feeding Grabner all season has my skin tingling. Going to be so exciting to watch those two do some damage together, regardless of who plays on their wing.
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Kevin H says:
Makes me want the season to start tomorrow!
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goislesgo105 says:
It’s not the forwards that concern me, it’s the defense. Until the defense improves and the goals against goes down the Isles will not be a serious playoff contender. But I am excited about the future. GO ISLES!!
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Corey says: The scouts are talking like it is a sure thing for Nino will be on the team, but with the addition of Rolston and some things Capuano has said, it looks like he is going to have to fight for his spot on the team. Either let him tear it up in juniors again, or risk him not being ready for the NHL full time. Bridgeport would probably be the best place for him this year. Too bad he is too young.
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drive45 says:
I’m loving these previews. I just disagree with one thing. Both CB and the scouts are too low on the goal total for Grabner. He will get 40 this year.
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Stu says:
Stop with all this positivity. You’re making me want to get season tickets!
Okposo gets 18, Grabner 36. Everyone else you’re in the zone.
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David in Lynbrook says:
without Nino on the team we don’t reach the cap floor. I hope he gets enough icetime and good linemates to get 20.
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Darren says:
I love Kyle but he’d have a better chance of scoring 24 goals if he had goal scoring hands. He doesn’t. He’ll average 20 goals and 55 points a season. Not bad and he brings a lot to the ice but just not a good goal scorer.
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DZLINY says:
Hard to disagree with these projections, though I see Grabner scoring closer to 40.
Chris is spot on with the bottom line prediction – this is a team that should score a lot of goals and finish with around 90 points. But I don’t see this team prevailing in a 5 team dogfight for the 7 and 8 spots in the East. As great as the team played during the second half, they often had trouble winning “crucial” games (a relative term when talking about a team out of the playoff hhunt) or holding third period leads. These tendencies won’t translate well in a playoff chase.
9th or 10th place is my prediction. Disappointing but a nice step forward.
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Tom says:
Anybody who skates like Grabner and averages 3-4 breakaways per game will have no problem scoring at least 30.
Also I think Matt Martin will hit double digits, and Micheal Haley has a lot more offensive skills than he is given credit for. Maybe 5 or 6 goals for him.
No way does Bailey only get 14. And Comeau? He scored over 20 goals last year and he missed a few games with injury. I’m expecting 25 from him.
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nhl80 says:
I’m sure some people will go nuts about the 28 and 30 predictions for Grabner, but if the guy averaged 30 goals for the next 5 years I would be very happy. He was a waiver wire pickup and we have him on a good contract.
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KyRick says:
Need defense and straighten out the goalie situation. Keep Poulin and Montoya, D.P. is washed up just sucking money from us. Naby should be used for trade bait. Forwards are good but young – need to grow. At best battling for 7th. But always go Isles !!
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Val says:
Bottom line is that if our key guys score that many goals again, we can make the playoffs with average defense and goaltending. Last season it was far below average.
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Piper (in DC) says:
Give Nino another year. Trade for a top 2 D-man and trade for starting goalie, look to van, they need cap space.
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Alan says:
I hope they give Nino one more year in juniors. He was invisible in the West final. Bring him here when he’s really ready and not when he may get 12 goals on a third line and seeing the bench from time to time. He’s still a kid and not the massive man-child the Isles pump him up to be.
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chyzowski says:
Even with Streit back, our forwards are so much better than our D its scary.
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Harry7273 says:
Nothing has gotten me as excited for this season as reading PB all summer. Okay, except for the referendum disaster. I’m going to look into buying a partial plan.
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jensen says:
I would have liked to do more than get Rolston and Reasoner, but I do like our top 6. I don’t love our 3rd line as much as my friends do, but like you said we have enough offense.
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UIF says:
For the scouts’ predictions, I’ll take the over on Tavares, Grabner, Comeau and Martin. Under on Rolston.
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Strummer's Army says:
Totally disagree with keeping PA on the top line. He is a HUGE liability on defense. Also, many players are capable of putting up better numbers if on a line with JT and Moulson. I don’t even agree with keeping PA on the roster. Out of the forwards he’d be the first guy I’d trade if possible.
Haley all projections are too low. He has some touch around the net and playing with Reasoner will help.
I still believe Comeau will be dealt. 1) His contract and 2)He’s inconsistent, one of the guys Botta referred to in concern about overall toughness and has trade value.
Matt Martin is more then capable of producing big numbers if put with good players just as Stamkos.
We here all the time about how great Jeff Skinner was and he beat Grabs (even though Grabs got no PP and had many of SH goals) for Rookie of the year. Look at playing time and production between the two. If Carolina can play Skinner with Staal, why can the Isles not play Nino (who has a year of seasoning and much better size then Skinner) play with JT from the get go?
Overall very good summer for Isles. Two concerns are what they have been for years. 1) The arena and 2) The wrong mix on defense.
Strome, Nino, Nelson, Ullstrom, Kabanov, Petrov, Lee, Sundtrom, Rhask etc. No shortage of talent, size, skill on the way on offense and defense has a ton of hope with DeHaan, Wishart, Mayfiedl, Pedan joining Streit, Hamonic, Mac D.
Goaltending is set. Happy overall. Get two D for now and get an arena!
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gooood stuff here as usual.
CB’s point about the toughness is the most spot on in this article in my opinion. i don’t seem them playing tough as a group…not enough at least. and just having the martins, haleys, and gillies of the world isn’t enough.
look at the successful playoff hockey teams…you get toughness out of other teams equivalent to our bailey, parenteau, tavares….
i think the key to this playing overall tough is Kyle Okposo. i feel there is tremendous pressure on him this year to play consistently better and tougher. i can live without a breakout in goals, but i would also not like it to seem like he is cursed when it comes to goal scoring.
the line combos will certainly change and i do think our 2 non-noise making additions will be very valuable to this team.
lastly, nino better bring it..i want him to fight and earn that roster spot and prove he was the right pick at #5…
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Fred says:
CB — by predicting fewer goals by Grabs, Comeau and Moulson you seem to be agreeing with the idea that goals will be harder to come by because the Isles won’t be playing in garbage time for the whole second half. I respect your opinion but disagree.
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Jeff says:
All these predictions may well come true and Isles will still miss the playoffs. That’s the scary thing.
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as cb said, the key is to develop nino and strome properly. however with wang and snow that never is the case. nino will be on the team, ready or not and if strome is signed,it would not surprise me in the least if strome is put on the team as well. wang and snow would not care if they ruined these 2 kids careers as they did with bailey. it would be a miracle if he scored 10 goals but at best i think he is good for 7 or 8. i am afraid jt will never score over 30 goals here sinse wang and snow dont care if he is used as a pinching bag and it will always effect him and that is why he will never stay here. it has nothing to do with the lease because if wang said the isles will only play in the ny area no matter what after 2015, jt would still not stay. the only goal wang and snow have every year is reaching the bottom of the cap floor, not competing to win a cup like the other teams. another reason jt will never stay. i dont see the D help they need coming because that costs money and with dp who is the worst goalie in the nhl by far being their so called number 1 goalie, i dont see the playoffs a realistic probability for the isles. at best if the isles stay healthy which is also very unlikly for many reasons, i could see a 500 winning percentage if dp gets hurt early and is out for the year which is the only player on the team which improves the team dramatically when he doesnt play.
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Grabner is a great find and creates a dynamic second line but the team is Tavares. You have to surround him with the best pure talent you have. PA is not the man, nor really is Moulson. I mean without Tavares Moulson is a nice player, maybe 15-20 goals but not a top 3, sorry. Tavares is the key here and either your trade chips that people want (Strome, Nino) to get a proven top 3 player or you put one (or both) of those guys with him now and let them grow up….it seemed to work with Trottier / Bossy (a couple of years of age not with standing).
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All speculation, but definitely a fun read. Should be an exciting year to say the least.
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Michael Delman says:
I guess I’m the only one who thinks Nino is underrated…I see him scoring 15-20. I agree with almost everything else.
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bingo says:
If Rhett Rakhshani makes this team it shows you how weak they really are. Strummer you’re comparing Matt martin to Steven Stamkos now?? lol…get a grip.
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Dom says:
“Offensive Juggernaut”?….that is so refreshing to hear when talking about the Islanders. Last time we saw that was the Cup years. Sure hope it happens again!
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The new isles gm says:
I give Garth a C for this summer. My reason: he did provide leadership with Rolston and Reasoner and managed to dump Hunter and Chef Bruno in the process, however he did not address the first line, add size and experience on D and seems timid to make a bold move. Did I mention we are shooting for the cap floor and Bailey and Strome aren’t signed yet? The goal totals listed here by the scouts and CB are good enough to be a winning hockey club. Our biggest issue as many of us agree is our GAA. If we don’t improve that number we will be talking about lottery picks by Christmas. Sometimes I question why players want to stay here…oh yea, the whole “brotherhood” thing.
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isles72 says:
I didnt really like Okposo on the Nielsen/Grabner line –he kinda stuck out like a sore thumb .
Move Kyle up to play with JT and MM and PA down to the Grabner/Nielsen line .
Frans/Grabs can make up for PA’s defensive shortcomings.
I’d also like to see Rolston playing on whatever Bailey’s line is .
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Jakebrake says:
As for the last paragraph, are the Islanders properly bringing along Niedereiter if he plays in the NHL this year? What bothers be with the Islanders is their propensity to get these kids in the show far too soon. It seems to be because they can’t get that star factor in here via UFA or trade, they are pushing these young, high picks into the league for marketing reasons. I hope that if there is even the slightest question that NN is ready for prime time that they send him back. I would rather have Nino sulke a little but mature mentally and work on his skating in the AHL.
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Check that, not the AHL (even though that is where he should be playing), I meant the Portland Winterhawks. Dumb rule.
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Billy the Kid says:
Disagree slightly. This is a contract year for JT and he will have a monster season. 34 is too low, 39 is in the right range.
Grabs will get 35 and Comeau will get 25.
All of the forwards will benefit by the return of Streit. He carries the puck, controls the play, gets it down to the net for the forwards,both ES and especially improve the power play. Comeau will not be dealt unless we get a top 2 defenseman back, not just an average #4. -
Bob E says:
Great preview on towards. Not only does our d and goaltending have to come thru but we need a few players to have some nice upside to be a playoff team. Those players are ko and Bailey. They need to show us more than is expected of them.
On niño. I’m in same camp as a lot of you. Needs another year. I don’t want niño in lineup getting 10 goals. I want niño in lineup winning the Calder.
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IslesFan says:
I think everyone is being a little bit too optimistic here. Remember, Grabner just had one good year. We have all seen Islander players have a good year and then drop off. I don’t think Grabner will be such a case, because he has that uncanny acceleration to his skating, but I also would not pencil him in for 40 goals just yet. The league will be aware of him and it will be tougher for him to score goals than ever before.
It should not be automatic that Nino makes the team.
Finally, I would put Kyle on a line with Bailey and Comeau (they have played great together in the past). Move PA to the Frans Nielsen and Grabner line. I would try Rolston on the top line.
Still don’t see the Islanders making the playoffs, but they should be improved over last season (I hope).
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Staten Islander says:
I agree with the scout that said Nino should spend another year in juniors. Let him overripe
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Ian Caterina says:
Bingo – Strummer meant that Matt Martin can be a good player when surrounded by good players. Stamkos and Martin were linemates in Junior and Martin put up really good numbers. 25 & 35 goals. I always thought Martin should be given 10 games up front with Moulson and Tavares over PA. I didn’t see the downside to trying that last year, we know what PA’s ceiling is, I think Matt has more.
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James from Swindles says:
I think this is the most promising, skilled, and exciting group of forwards the Isles have had in a decade (if not more). They have a nice balance of speed, skill, scoring, youth, veteran leadership, and grit.
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martin says:
I love the depth that we have up front, so much so that I propose trading Bailey and one of the young Dmen, not named Mayfield, DeHaan or Donovan, and a 3rd piece maybe a Rahkshani to Winnipeg for Zach bogosian. He’s 21 yrs old, 6’3, 205, and is coming off a down season, but the skies the limit. Get it done Garth!!!
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DWC says:
I’m looking forward to seeing a lockdown PK unit with Frans and Grabs, Rolston and Bailey/Comeau.
Improve on the PP with Rolston and Streit on the points.
Big keys to securing a playoff spot.
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Muzi says:
I completely agree with #37, Martin should be given a shot on the top line over PA, even for just 10games, he proved playing with Stamkos that he can finish and assist, all while bringing the toughness that top line desperately needed last year, you can really shake these lines up and put out four balanced lines if you wanted too, or stack three and let gillies play, balanced seems better to me, but i am not a pro, nore do i play one on tv.
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ENV79 says:
Interesting article – that’s 230 goals combined from ONLY our forwards; if you add 15-20 goals from the D, based on last year’s data that’s not top 8, that’s top 4 in the conference. Meanwhile our entire TEAM only scored 229 last year, and that’s including the bonus goal to noone in particular for winning shootouts. I don’t necessarily disagree, I’m just saying that’s a big jump.
Also, unless Cappy is some kind of tactical genius a la Ken Hitchcock or Andy Murray, he’s not somehow going to squeeze more out of the system than Gordon did (individual player growth aside). This may mean we’re overestimating for Nino, Grabner, Rolston and Nielsen.
I will more than happily eat crow on this though.
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Hollywood says:
The numbers look good. i have my own opinion on some. Regardless the main issue offensively will be the PP. They need to have a solid PP to compete.
Grabner gets too many opportunities to not get at least 35 goals.
Expecting PA to have 20 goals again might be a little to optimistic.
I think Rolston will have less than 15 goals.
Matt Martin could hit 10 goals -
anarcurt says:
Those numbers seem rather conservative. Okposo and JT seem to be the only ones with higher totals then last year and Okposo missing half the season makes that an easy call. I’d put money on the Isles having a 40 goal scorer this season (probably JT or Grabs). And there is no way Bailey only nets 14 (assuming a full season). He’s so close to putting it all together. And having Nino or Rolston on the wing instead of Schremp or the AHL call-up of the week will be a huge improvement.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
I think all the numbers are accurate except for Grabs and Haley. Even though Grabs won’t be an unknown anymore he still has the speed to get behind D men and should be able to convert a bit more than he did last season. Haley might get Jon Sim (sorry, had to say it) like minutes and should be able to net at least 5-8 goals. I hate the idea of NN being on the third line but I am not going to try to line juggle this far before training camp even starts.
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BattFist says:
JT puts up 40+ goals.
Nino is here to stay…
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Michael Pastore says:
I truely believe the Islanders will be better next season. They will be in the playoff hunt BUT, unless Snow makes a couple of moves they will not make the playoffs.
It will not be the offense that holds them back!!!!!
1. DiPi can not play anymore. He is an elephant on the back of this franchise. Montoya and Nabokov should be in goal at the start of the season. Poulin and Kosi need to be in BP. If Montoya is playing well use Nabokov as trade bait at the trade deadline and bring up whoever is playing better Poulin or Kosi if they are ready if not keep Nabokov for the playoff push.
2.If the Islanders want to definately be in the playoffs they need a legitimate top 4 vet Defenseman. I would trade Parenteau and the Islanders 1st round pick for a top 2 defenseman or Parenteau and a 2nd rounds for a 3 or 4th defenseman.With Nino on this team this season he must play 1st or 2nd line duty. That means that PA is the odd man out. He is the trade bait with a draft pick to bring us the talent we need on defense.
The most important thing is THE DIPI AS THE STOMACH TURNS SOAP OPERA MUST END BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS or it will be another top 10 draft pick again this season.
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Subydude says:
Remember when we didn’t have ANY forwards? Whether you agree or not with those projections we have come a long way!
I find it inconcievable that Snow has not addressed the blueline. I appreciate that Wang has tried to find an arena solution good for all parties and believe he is a good man, but to throw all that $ into bad development deals and now keep payroll at the floor is despicable.
I could not agree more that the DP saga has got to come to an end, if not by camp by Thanksgiving. Hopefully Wang told his friend that he can only give him this one last chance.
Seasons just aren’t in the budget right now but me and the entire family will be there making some noise Oct 8! LGI
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MoreDraftPicks says:
Then, as I mentioned many times, trade one or 2 of the forwards with the depth we have, for a top 2-4 Dman. If Garth can address the need on D, we can compete for a plyoff spot. If not, we will lose many 5-4 games
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Stumpy32 says:
I don’t think there’s much in the way of opposition to our dynamite offense. Last season made it plainly evident that we can score, pretty much on all lines. Adding Nino, Rolston, and Reasoner will only help, because they’re replacing guys with less scoring ability in all three places.
Here are my two major, major issues that will keep us from being great:
(1) Defense. So, we gave up just an embarrassment of goals last season, and that’s with having Rolo for much of the first half, and Poulin acting as a brick will for a good 10-15 game period. Our defense has not improved, unless Streit comes back and is better than he was before. While there’s a ton of talent here, Jurcina is not a top-4 guy on any team other than ours, barring a few injury-related exceptions. Wishart could be good, but hasn’t shown the ability thus far. Streit, Hamonic, AMac…great. I said it before – Eaton and Mottau are more key to this team’s success than we want to believe. They were somewhat forgotten last season, but when we got them, I thought they were exceptional veteran parts with some success. They are key to improvement on defense.
(2) The 4th line. So, if we’re going to keep PA on the 1st line (I would have preferred a MM-JT-KO line), and it looks like Rolston won’t be with Frans and Grabs on the second line…then who’s on the 4th? Rolston, Reasoner, and Martin? We’re going to get killed over there. I like Rolston and Reasoner – certainly upgrades over the guys they replaced. However, Rolston is not a 4th line guy, and Martin was up and down, and a little too highly touted for my taste. That could be a dangerously bad line against other 4th lines.
Obviously, goaltending is key, but I’d like to believe that we’ll batten down the hatches somehow with the 4-headed situation we have going – probably with Montoya playing 35, DP playing 25, and Poulin playing 20. Nabakov can’t possibly make this team.
Either way, should be a really exciting season, with the looming specter of armageddon above us, as always.
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eric r says:
I believe Snow would not take on a 5 million dollar contract to play on the 4th line. He must believe Rolston to be a least a top 9 foward. What team would knowingly take a 5 million dollar player to play on the 4th line? And dont say it is because of the cap floor. If he wanted he could reach the cap floor by signing a free agent (Brian Mcabe)or giving BAILEY and COMEAU a bonus laiden contract to reach the floor like Doug Weight or restructing current deals. There are differt ways to reach the floor. I think Rolston still has a lot left. He helped the devils in the second half win all those games. He still is a fast skater with a good shot and leadership qualities. I think the lines should look like this:
1)moulson tavares P.A
2)rolston frans grabs
3)comeau bailey okposo
The islanders can than role out 3 lines playing 17 to 18 minutes a game that can score and have balance. I would like Okposo or Grabs playing on the first line but that would weaken lines 2 or 3. The first line played well the second half so if it aint broke why fix it. The second line would be our speed line to play especially in the third period when teams are tired . Rolston, Frans, and Grabs are all fast skaters and Rolston should be a 20 goal scorer or more playing with these guys.The third line has now the chance to score 60 goals. Comeau and Okposo scoring 45 between them and Bails chipping in hopefully 15 goals. Nino plays next year when either Rolston or P.A. walks . It gives Nino a chance to further develop in the minors the way detriot does it with there young guys which is over due it.He is still a teenager and to think another year in whl would hurt him is crazy. He can get stronger and work on his skating regardless of the competion without holding the islanders back this year. Finally the islanders have players in the nhl that can give our young guys the time to develop the right way without rushing them. -
Islesfan_in_Vancouver says:
I don’t understand why some are saying Nino *must* play in the top 6 in his rookie season. Why can’t he get his feet wet on the third line? Why should the Isles bump a guy who had 20 goals and 50 points off the top line for a rookie who had 1 goal in 9 games last year?
This team could be a playoff team this year, but I don’t know if the depth they have is enough to withstand the injuries every team goes through. If this team has another season like last year regarding injuries, it’s over before december.
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doc says:
I think that there is obvious room for improvement, break-out seasons and slumps or disappointments just the same… but some of the projected goal totals seem low. Grabner could be 35 and above. Moulson could be 35 and above. Comeau should be 25 and above. Tavares should be 35 and above. Of course it’s all speculation… but why not??? If the team as a whole is better, and they don’t have that abysmal 25 game drought in the middle of the season, it seems reasonable that their totals could be on the higher end of the projections.
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Lets face it, its gonna be Montoya/Poulin by Black Friday with Cappy going with the hot hand. I’m ok with this but a move for a D-man has to happen or yes, lots of 5-4 losses.
Rolston on the 4th line with Bailey and lots of PP time would not surprise me. $5 mil is alot but I think they wanted him for alot of the other reasons stated. Funny how this move has looked better and better with a little time.
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To: Islesfan_in_Vancouver
PA Parenteau is not a 1st line player. After the Islanders were officialy eliminated JT did a interview he said it was more important for PA to get to 20 goals then for him to get to 30. Moulson and JT were always looking to set up him 1st. That is why Moulson did not get to 35 and JT did not score 30. HE WAS FORCE FED THE GOALS. He is good trade bait nothing else. -
SCLI says:
Scouts predictions?
I’ll take the over on Tavares, Grabner, Haley, Moulson.Rolston, Reasoner, PAP and Comeau?
My money goes on the under.If Nino makes the team and gets top 6 minutes. He’s my best bet for the over.
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rpchief2 says:
I totally agree with #42, that seems like a good deal for both teams. After looking at all the players Garth has assembled, maybe some of you can get off his back for a while. He promised a slow and steady rebuild and here we go, injuries have slowed it down, but we are better off were we finished last year because we got Strome. Garth is doing a great job.
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Steve says:
Great preview, Chris! You know how to generate the buzz! I agree with the assessment, nice to see you gave Trevor a shot at a goal!
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Winning says:
I cant think of a softer, top 9 on hockey better suited for soccer then hockey, if you watched the isles against toronto get beat down by tucker/roberts or you saw the nhl playoffs this year, isles will get eaten alive and injured if they see a playoff game with this top nine.
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Paul says:
@Strummers Army…..goaltending is not even close to being set.
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Having the PAP Smear on the first line needs to be re-evaluated. A vacuum cleaner could score 20 w/ JT and MM. Niklas Andersson was a first-liner too w/ Ziggy, and w/o him was back in Sweden. But I’d watch Rolston. Even at his age, with his wheels he’s a better LW and scorer than either PAP Smear or Nino on the third line. The real numbers to ask are the assist totals for Grabner, Moulson, Bailey and Comeau.
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Steven says:
It’s very exciting potentially. It’s also critical that they perform well so as to show Tavares that there is a future with this franchise, or else we risk being like the L.A. Clippers – constantly building but eventually surrendering core talent.
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Ed from Hempstead says:
Strange to read the stuff on the Newsday blog today about them considering offering invites to burnt out 4th liners Chris Clark and Jay Pandolfo. What’s the point? Maybe CB was right about Haley being far from a fixture on this team.
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Lav says:
For this season this is a good, not great group of forwards. No one should get too carried away. Opposing teams are not afraid of this lineup.
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jdun89 says:
I love people saying Grabner wont have a good year because they will “be aware” of him this year. Im pretty sure people were “aware” of him before he scored his final goal. Im sure they were “aware” of him as he was proving to be the fastest skater in the NHL at the all-star break during the skills competition. Just because people are “aware” of him doesn’t mean they can catch up to him.
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kg says:
I can’t wait for the season to start. Thanks for all the coverage this summer. We are gonna be the surprise of the league. It just won’t be a surprise to many of us.
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Patty says:
People expecting Grabner to become a superstar this season and get 40 goals are going to be very disappointed. I love Grabs as much as anyone but I’d sign up for 30 from him right now. Nothing wrong with that. Face it. If Grabner thought he was a 40 goal scorer he wouldn’t have signed for what he did.
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Nyles says:
Let’s make sure the home opener is sold out and we all support this great young team. Thanks for the stories Chris.
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rob says:
1. Ride Montoya. Make the other 2 earn it.
2. Pick up one solid veteran D
Playoffs!!!!!!!!
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Volek says:
Good to see Garth has Newsday writing about possible camp invites today so no one gets the idea that he’s been on vacation all summer.
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Billy the Kid says:
I’ll take the over on Tavares. He gets at least 40. Comeau will be over by a little, maybe 22. I’m ok with the others. It’s a good group of forward we’ve got. We all know where the problem is.
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Charlie says:
Would love to see Nino earn a roster spot. The key word there is earn. Otherwise let him over-ripen in juniors another year.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
It seems like only yesterday when we had one 2nd line and three 4th lines!
The key to this team and its future is its strength up the middle. JT, Frans, Bailey, Strome, Nelson and the grit/D of Ullstrom and Czikas. A nice mixture with a few extra assets to trade.
I agree with those who’d like to see KO on the top line. I think his work on the boards and defensive presence would make it an all around better line. I also agree that Rolston’s speed would better complement the 2nd line.
Start PA with Bails, and let Nino get his feet wet with the veteran Reasoner. I think he’s proven all he’s had to in Jrs.
There’ll be plenty of time/room for him on the other lines when the inevitable injury bug strikes.Grit in meaningful (read:playoffs) games, defense, and goal are the big ???s
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Dan C. says:
I’m usually a nattering nabob of negativity when it comes to this team, but I think these predictions are really selling Grabner short. He’s lightning fast, generates his own offense, and I’d bet that no player in the NHL scored even close to 34 goals with so little ice time and PP time last season. Plus he was arguably the best player in the entire league for the month after the All-Star break. Opposing teams will be ready for him this time around, but the Isles will also now know what they have and won’t be giving him 4th-line minutes for the first quarter of the season, either.
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Claude says:
Betcha haley nets no less than 10
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Blizz says: P.A is not a top line player. He had a nice season but seriously. Is this the best we can do for JT? Hopefully Nino can step in.
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shlo says:
Snow should hire an assistant coach to teach Grabner how to score on a breakaway.
He missed too many. If he can manage to score on 30% of his chances it will be great.
Not that I have the stats what his actual percentage was, but he missed way too many one on one. -
Mike says:
I think Haley has more talent then 2 goals I think around 10 maybe more depending on ice time!! October can’t come soon enough!!! DROP the PUCK!!!!
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admin says:
I like Haley a lot, but I wouldn’t be too sure about him playing enough games in the NHL this season to get that many goals…CB
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terry says:
I hope Haley plays the whole season in the nhl. Nino should stay in jrs another yr it works for det to keep guys in jrs and ahl longer then needed.Play Martin with JT and MM and see if he can give them a little more room and work the boards for that line.Haley has more ability then he is give credit for.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Predictions usually don’t mean anything. Whatever the numbers are its going to be fun season even if Playoffs are not in reach. Enjoy everyone.
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Erika says:
Montoya and Poulin should be our goalie tandem.
D.P. and Nabakov spells trouble.
Agree on our forwards, they are exciting and can score! The problem is that they get knocked off the puck too easily. I’m not sure if they are just not strong enough or receive poor conditioning or what, but I would put a tough guy on every line, not just make all the tough guys play on the 4th line. Martin with J.T and Matty, Haley with Grabs and Franzie etc,. This way our forwards will have some room to cycle rather than get pounded by a team like Philly.
Is it October yet??? -
moonshine says:
tbh, the way i look at it there’s nothing to get excited about until the islanders are actually in the playoff chase at the wire.
it’s always fun to watch the team you root for, as we’ve been doing for a long time even without a sniff of success on the ice, but if we think this year is going to be different, we have to be referring to an actual, legitimate, season-long playoff hunt. -
reaper81 says:
this might not be popular, but one thing struck me is scout suggesting they keep NINO another yr in Junior and i kinda agree, whats another year and hes barely 18, lotta pressure on a kid only entering 3rd yr in North America…no need to rush, different position than we team was 3 years ago…Hey, i agree Hamonic looked great last year at young age, but each players different etc…
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Nino does everything that would qualify him to be NHL ready. I wouldn’t worry about him. It’s Ok to play him with Bails and Comeau for a while. Baily is the #2 center on this team and will prove it this year. If he doesn’t then it will just solidify him being moved to make room for Strome next year.
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
Forwards better than most playoff teams. D is worse than most playoff teams . Goaltending is minor leagues compared to Thomas, , Price
Bryz , Miller, Vokun Brodeur MAF . Until this is resolved playoffs are a pipe dream. -
anthony c says:
Tavares can get between 35-40 goals this year. Nino 15-20. Most PA will get is 18. Bailey I got no faith in. Guy regressed big time, and is now our 3rd line center which is pathetic. Still can’t believe he didn’t take his qualifying offer. He won’t get as much as he did on his ELC or more. Be lucky if he gets 1 year for $1 million.
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Ethan K says:
Either Tavares or Grabner will get 35+ goals. I’ll go with Grabner since Tavares will be up against the other team’s top d pairing.
I’m excited for this season. This is a talented group of young forwards who will be exciting to watch.