Islanders Claim Joe Finley off Waivers from Sabres

[IhateLindros]

The New York Islanders announced today that Joe Finley has been claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.

Finley, 25, has appeared in 36 American Hockey League games this season with the Rochester Americans, scoring five points (one goal, four assists) with a plus-3 rating. The Edina, MN, native has appeared in five career National Hockey League games, all with Buffalo in 2011-12.

The Washington Capitals selected Finley in the first round (27th overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft. In 101 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears and Rochester, the 6’8, 249-pound defenseman has totaled 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) with 246 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating.

Finley played four years at the University of North Dakota, highlighted by a National Championship in 2006. In 150 career games in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Finley totaled 35 points (seven goals, 28 assists) with 297 penalty minutes and a plus-61 rating.

Finley becomes the 27th player on the Islanders training camp roster and the ninth defenseman.

[flyersrule]

Let's see how he responses are by the rest of the division.

[IhateLindros]

Isles have Finley, Carkner, Martin and Boulton now. I may actually be excited to watch games now.

[flyersrule]

Originally Posted by IhateLindros

Isles have Finley, Carkner, Martin and Boulton now. I may actually be excited to watch games now.

id certainly trade out that bum vishnovsky for finley.

[lilburtis9363]

Not a bad pickup, big team. Finley's overrated as fuk IMO

[IhateLindros]

Originally Posted by lilburtis9363

Not a bad pickup, big team. Finley's overrated as fuk IMO

You're probably right but it's the Islanders here. The team that came to camp with FOUR defenseman. Yeah FOUR. Either way I love this pickup.

[lilburtis9363]

Originally Posted by IhateLindros

You're probably right but it's the Islanders here. The team that came to camp with FOUR defenseman. Yeah FOUR. Either way I love this pickup.

Can't argue with that, they definitely have a situation there especially with Visnovsky not wanting to come back. Either way Finley brings a physical game and fits in well with the new lineup.

[ValJamesRules]

Damn! He did a nice job when called up last season by Buffalo. Nice waiver pickup. The Isles are going to be tough to play against.

[Broons66]

Good pickup. Don't think Tavares has to be worried about anyone taking runs at him.

[nyislesfan45]

Originally Posted by IhateLindros

Isles have Finley, Carkner, Martin and Boulton now. I may actually be excited to watch games now.

Im on line buying tickets at the coliseum right now lol.

[pesadillamal]

If you line up the Rangers top five fighters against the Islanders top 5 in order of best to worst, I don't think the Rangers win one fight. Can't say I am all too comfortable with that fact. I do get Islander games so I am happy in that sense but this could get bad. Carkner owns the Rangers and he has a lot of help right now. I guess we will see who plays.

[papas1175]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

If you line up the Rangers top five fighters against the Islanders top 5 in order of best to worst, I don't think the Rangers win one fight. Can't say I am all too comfortable with that fact. I do get Islander games so I am happy in that sense but this could get bad. Carkner owns the Rangers and he has a lot of help right now. I guess we will see who plays.

Im not worried. Rangers arent that tough fighting wise but their a gritty team. The point of hockey is to win the game. Not match teams by one on one fights. We have asham rupp bickel to take on legit fighters. Haley is a great call up if we need him for the rough stuff. Sather isnt scared to add a heavy if rupp cant handle it. Going to be a fun year

[gdameo]

When he first came to Sabres, I was pretty excited about it but then after a year or so, I didn't really like him. His defense game is OK and his fighting skill is horrible just like Chara BUT...a bit BUT...he definitely stand up for his teammates. That's the only part I like about him. He would never have a position for Sabres anyway. We have too many defense men.

[Broons66]

Originally Posted by papas1175

Im not worried. Rangers arent that tough fighting wise but their a gritty team. The point of hockey is to win the game. Not match teams by one on one fights. We have asham rupp bickel to take on legit fighters. Haley is a great call up if we need him for the rough stuff. Sather isnt scared to add a heavy if rupp cant handle it. Going to be a fun year

I wouldn't be worried unless there's a line brawl. But yea, the Rags are a big, physical team that gave the big, bad, Bruins fits last year. Looking forward to opening night.

[nyislesfan45]

The Islanders literally don't have enough d-men to play right now so he has a real chance at making this lineup. Him, Carkner, Boulton and Martin.....we aren't going to win **** but I couldn't be happier if they all play.