JULY 1st free agent signing

[willc7786 0]

i'm not sure if you mean Poti will be good or horrible...i'm leaning towards the latter. Granted, he got more heat from ranger fans then he deserved because he came in right when Leetch left, but still, Poti is a 3-4 defenseman

[hockey3 0]

Montreal signed Samsonov to a 2 year deal worth 7.05 million

[EBondo 233]

AO has some help now...Capitals acquire Richard Zednik from Montreal.

http://www.washingtoncaps.com/news/news.asp?story_id=4117

[willc7786 0]

well, there goes my one hope (samsonov) for neil smiths first offseason...D- grade in my opinion...i'd give it an F but sillinger was a great pick up

going to be another long season on the island

[ecjp11 0]

well, there goes my one hope (samsonov) for neil smiths first offseason...D- grade in my opinion...i'd give it an F but sillinger was a great pick up

going to be another long season on the island

you thought adding ANOTHER big contract was the answer?

I'm an islanders fan and personally think everything they've done so far is pretty good. They only gave out a couple of 3year deals (Sillinger and Witt) and kept the others short (1 year deals for Poti and Simon). This is a team full of young players looking for some leadership. They've got 8 young guys on the team, with another 4 very close to making the team. Clearly a youth friendly coach like Nolan is going to help this situation a lot, but they need some on-ice leadership. Where did they get that from last year? captain Yashin? do you see my point.

Sillinger is what he is, a grinder who can check and take faceoffs and still has a little pop. Witt is a solid defenceman, who doesn't do anything spectacular, but doesn't make a lot of mistakes. What you can say for both of those guys is that they are balls out every shift and bring a great work ethic. Showing a possible 12 kids under the age of 25 how to be a pro is huge responsibility.

Poti and Simon are clearly there to fill a roll. Poti is a vastly overrated defenceman who has the ability to make a decent first pass. He has zero physical aspect to his game, but they don't need that when they already have Witt and Zhitnik. Simon has a great relationship with Ted Nolan and will clearly be an extension of him. Simon has proven that he can function on a line with 'star' players, while keeping the other team honest. Unfortunatly Asham and Godard don't carry the same intimidation. This was a neccessary pick up that only cost a million. Poti was overpaid, but the D market dried up pretty quick. I hate him because he's a NYR.

Adding another long term big contract was not the answer. This team is not 1 player away from making a run at the cup. They are still a season or 2 from being a playoff contender. Think about it like this; If you've endured years and years of Milbury giving away prospects, why not wait a couple years and see how this group turn out - what's the worst that could happen?. By that time Yashins contract will be gone and THEN you can add players.

Sorry for being long winded. Guess I'm just excited about the black cloud of Milbury moving off the island!

[willc7786 0]

Trust me, I hear you about Milbury being gone...its painful to see 50% of the superstars in the NHL now are ex-islanders or guys the islanders could have drafted, heatley and spezza especially. My problem with Witt is his penalty minutes. Zhitnik was #2 (amont defensemen) in PIM until he got hurt, and guess who was #1? Witt. Our PK went from amazing 2-3 years ago to horrible last year, and having the two most penalized defensemen can be a problem. Especially if that leaves Poti to be there on the PK.

As for "another long contract", where are you getting that from? Samsonov signed a 2yr deal. I'll gladly take samsonov for 2yrs. Plus its known that him and yashin (countrymen) like each other. Now I'm pretty sick of sucking up to Yashin and him still not doing anything, but if you're not going to buy him out, and last make every effort to get him producing. A speedy winger could open up a lot of ice for him. They tried with Blake, and even though he's one of my fav islanders, blake doesn't have the hands/respect that samsonov does.

[willc7786 0]

forgot to add this, as if the last post wasn't long enough lol

And having the veteran presence for the young players is a great thing, but the problem is that all these vets are making it so that the young players won't have roster spots and they'll all be in bridgeport. Look at the D, it's: Witt, Zhitnik, Poti, Bouchard, Martinek, Campoli. The only young player is Campoli, who had a stellar rookie year in my opinion. Yeah it can't hurt him to have some vets ahead of him, but its not like he needed it. Guys that do like Grebeshkov(love the potential of him) and Gervais are now going to be in bridgeport, only seeing these vets on callups and camp. Same goes with the forwards. With Sillinger and Simon added, the only young players will be 2 out of these three: Nilsson, Hilbert, Bergenheim. Besides whoever gets left out of those 3, there's also no room for Tambellini, Colliton, O'Marra, and Nokelainen. Do these guys need time to develop, of course. But if you're argueing "veteren presence", then they're not getting any.

I agree that in a couple seasons these guys will be big parts of the lineup, but signing these vets to 1-2 year deals means they won't be here in those couple of years when the young guys get a chance again up here

[ecjp11 0]

I Think both of us a neglecting the fact that players have to WANT to go to the isle as a free agent. Who knows how long a Samsonov phone call even lasted.

Now i agree that Witt's PIM's were brutal, but keep in mind that he played for pretty much the worst team in the league (take AO off the caps and they MAYBE win 5 games). He does have a history of this, but if thats the biggest complaint I'm okay with it. Keeping a team disciplined in a coaches job. Good Luck Teddy. PK definitly needs improvement, but so does their whole system. A consistent coach WILL help.

Clearly Satan on the left side of Yashin is a natural fit. Satan is a whole lot better than Samsonov. I've always seen Samsonov as an "all show, no go" kind of guy. tons of fancy stickhandling, but nothing on the scoresheet. I would have been happier to see them come away with Marc Savard. That guy could have helped a ton.

Now I'm totally speculating, but based on 18 skaters and carrying 20. I'd have to think that Campoli, Grebeshkov, Bergenheim, Nilsson, Nokelainen and maybe Tambellini will make the team. But what about players like York and Hunter, age 28 and 26. Both have the potential of having letters on their sweaters in the near future.

I think I'm a little gun shy of them spending money, but mostly I'd like to see the under 30's get as much ice time as possible. I think they're an exciting team. If you watched a lot of games last year you saw 11 one goal losses. Adding those to the win column this year should be the goal.

I see your point though. Isles fans have been patient long enough, asking to wait longer is brutal. But you have to admit the future looks a whole lot brighter than the last 12 years.

[willc7786 0]

I don't disagree at all, our future is better now then it has been in a long, long time. And I have season tickets, so I was there through the thick and thin. Onto some other points you made: I think Nolan is a great coach, but I'm not sure how well he will fit in with the new NHL. He likes more of a grinding game, which works great in the playoffs, but I'm somewhat concerned for the regular season. I think he'll be very good, but I have my reservations until I see the team play.

As for Satan being a natural fit with Yashin...what are you talking about? They NEVER clicked at all the entire season. Satan did his best on a line with York and Hunter...they were by far the best line all of last season. Satan was signed for Yashin, but Satan is much better away from yashin.

I don't see how you figure that those young guys will make the team. Lets look at the (potential) lines: (I'm going to go a lot on what worked last season, Nolan might have different ideas)

Blake-Yashin-Nilsson

Satan-York-Hunter

Simon-Sillinger-Hilbert

Asham-Bates-Bergenheim

(I feel like I'm forgetting someone too...maybe I'm just used to factoring in Parrish/Kvasha)

and on D:

Witt-Zhitnik

Poti-Martinek

Bouchard-Campoli

Now you could have Noka/Tambellini/Grebesh/etc on as reserves, but why have them not even dress when they could be playing in bridgeport. Also, after the isles signed Poti Grebeshkov asked to play in Russia instead of Bridgeport.

[willc7786 0]

Theo: I'm not against what they were trying to do, getting a physical dman, a puck moving dman, and a gritty forward who has some scoring touch...I just feel like the players they got to fill those rules have way too much of a downside.

Also, the Islanders biggest problem last season was scoring goals. They couldn't keep up with the teams that could net 4+ goals. They did nothing to address the offense.

[willc7786 0]

and of course you liked our moves, we took Poti off your hands lol

[willc7786 0]

i agree, the islanders are definitely on a 3yr plan it seems, with small improvements to draw in other players while other teams have spent too much money this year. That being said, they did lure in Yashin and Peca all in one weekend. Not that that worked out well lol

We're much, much grittier (thats definitely only a hockey word lol), and I think this team would do really well in a 7 game series...I'm just not sure this team can get to a 7 game series, especially in their division

[Cavs019 710]

I'm a Rags fan, but I love a lot of the guys in the Isles system. Nokie, Bergenheim, and Nilsson all flat out fly out there. The Isles have flexibility where they can either field the slow, Yashin-esque team of last year, or play a poor-mans Oiler style of play with speed, youth and grit. I'm excited to see how Nolan handles the situation.

[willc7786 0]

Yeah, the Islanders system is great right now. Perhaps Smith/Nolan should look at the fact that the islanders had a better win percentage after the trade deadline then before it. And for those that don't know, the trade deadline is when they traded away 4-5 vets for young players and called up pretty much half of bridgeport. I guess no one told the kids they weren't supposed to win.

[Cavs019 710]

Funny how that ends up working over and over again and people are surprised every time.

[Eazy_b97 1]

The kids have something to play for and the majority of teams are already set in a certain place. If you aren't playing teams who are playing for something you have a huge advantage.

Look at the Leafs, the only game they lost in the last 12 was to Buffalo, the game after they were mathematically eliminated. They're roster was garbage for that 12 game win streak too.

[warrior37 0]

i hope he doesnt find the DC area 'Gay'

[Chanimal 0]

Anyone heard anthing about Kenny Johnsson of the Swedish national team? I think he would make a good D-man addition to a team like the Canucks. And those who are from the Buffalo area, what can you say about Taylor Pratt? we just signed him today, wonder what he brings....

Any prediction as to where Mike Peca will end up?

[kosydar 0]

Theres a whole lot of talk about Peca in the "Peca to Leafs?" thread. Everyone is saying that the Leafs are the frontrunners, but my impression is that if he was going to be a Leaf he'd have signed by now. I don't think there is much interest in him around the league because he is asking way too much ($2.5-3 million) for a 2nd line defensive center.

I heard Johnsson is wanting a lot of money, and teams aren't willing to pay that much for someone who wasn't proven in the NHL last year.

[Chanimal 0]

I don't think that Johnsson even played in the NHL last year, did he? I thought he played in Sweden?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Second Division in Sweeden to be closer to his family.

Still has the talent to play though.

[kosydar 0]

I don't think that Johnsson even played in the NHL last year, did he? I thought he played in Sweden?

Thats what I meant, although it wasn't clear.

[Patrick67 1]

He plays for Rögle, his boyhood team, in the Allsvenska.

His D-partner is a 16year old dane, who is the youngest player to ever play at that level in Sweden.

[kosydar 0]

He plays for Rögle, his boyhood team, in the Allsvenska.

His D-partner is a 16year old dane, who is the youngest player to ever play at that level in Sweden.

Who is that? Is he draft eligable for next year's draft or in two years?

[EBondo 233]

"Ovechkin Protection?" Caps sign Brashear.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2519570

Edit-Theo beat me, woops.