Official 2011-2012 New York Islanders Thread

[bigjack]

Thanks again-unreal!

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by Two-Four

Gotta love putting a string of wins together when it's completely meaningless.

And it helps the Rangers...

At least it was good to see Okposo hit 20 goals for the first time in his career after some serious struggles this season. But 5 points for Josh Bailey? WTF?

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

And it helps the Rangers...

At least it was good to see Okposo hit 20 goals for the first time in his career after some serious struggles this season. But 5 points for Josh Bailey? WTF?

I believe he's been showing signs all year of being a better player, and if they move him back to center, they need to all be shot.

Epecially since we now have JT. Strome, Frans and Casey. Those should be our 4 centers by at least 2013. If they keep Bailey, he needs to be on the wing.

[nyislesfan45]

That was a fun win to be at. I was in a section with alot of Pens fans and had an absolute blast torturing the idiot in front of me who wouldn't stop yelling everytime the Pens had the puck.


It's just odd though, where was this Bailey/Okposo the rest of the year? They can't just kick points in when the seasons over. Some consistency would be nice.

[29th_Candidate]

True, the Isles aren't going to make the playoffs (again), but seeing them take two in a row from the Pens is a refreshing turnaround from last year's season-ending losses to the Pens. Imagine how this team would look if both the Tavares and Nielsen lines functioned like this on a consistent basis? The mind boggles.

[metalrider]

Possibly the worst season I ever witnessed as far as entertainment goes. The 00-01 was really bad, but this is just as bad if not even worse. What bothers me the most is that they had something to build on las season and management decided to wipe it all away, now they're playing like a bunch of schoolgirls.
So what's your thoughts for next season, who will get traded, who'll be the new coach?
I'm hoping for a major trade to get a good solid d-man or two.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by metalrider

So what's your thoughts for next season, who will get traded, who'll be the new coach?
I'm hoping for a major trade to get a good solid d-man or two.

Capuano will be the coach next year. Since he doesn't actually know how to run a professional sports franchise, Wang likes to be loyal to his people and fears outsiders. The heir apparent to the coaching job appears to be Doug Weight since Garth Snow seems firmly entrenched as the GM. Not a great situation. Not that I think Capuano is TERRIBLE, but I don't view him as an NHL coach, but he's also been given such weak resources to work with in a lot of respects, I can't blame him too much for the team's struggles. But he's still more likely to go than Snow ever is.

I don't see any major trades. For as great as the Islanders try to hype up their prospect cupboard, the few truly top prospects they have that could bring back quality assets they can't afford to part with. We know they can't attract the marquee free agents, so we have to hope Snow does a better job of convincing middle-level people to play here.'

The defense, outside of Streit, Hamonic, and MacDonald, needs a total overhaul. I'd actually keep Dylan Reese around for depth, but Jurcina, Eaton, and Staios should not be brought back. They need major upgrades back on the blueline. They desperately need to bring in at least one, and optimally 2 top 4-quality defensemen, but I doubt they'll get any. Streit's getting older. That leaves Hamonic and MacDonald (who hasn't looked great in such an important role this year). I'm not sold on any of the prospects being able to step in and really contribute next year. Maybe Ness, from what I've seen he looks the best, but I wouldn't rely on him for heavy minutes.

They need to pay Parenteau even though they'll probably lose him. He's unlikely to match this level of production next season, but we also know they can't attract outside talent to replace his lost offense. I'm sure they'll try to find a bargain bin find like they always seem to do, but that's unlikely to pan out. If guys play at the level they are capable of, they shouldn't have to do a whole lot to upgrade the offense, but we haven't seen that consistency out of anyone besides Moulson and Tavares. So I'd like to see a legitimate top 6 forward added, which I also know they won't be willing or able to accomplish. And the bottom six needs to be fixed. End the Marty Reasoner experiment, even though he finally scored. Bring in some grit (which they won't) and guys who play hard and can contribute.

And in goal, I think Montoya is gone. I think the organization is too stupid to do what needs to be done and bury Rick DiPietro on the depth chart (or in a ditch somewhere near Bridgeport if you have to). They'll go into camp with him hanging around next year, creating the uncertainty that will prevent the team from ever being prepared to build a competitive product. It'll be Nabokov and either a mediocre free agent back-up (I'd rather keep Montoya) or one of the prospects (who to me haven't shown they're really NHL-ready).

Moral of the story, it shouldn't take too much to turn this team into a playoff team, but given the often very poor decision making of management and ownership, and the inability to attract free agents, I don't see us likely to make the postseason next year either.

[nyislesfan45]

Just for that convo:

UFA: Pandolfo, PaP, Eaton, Staois, Jurcina, Reese, Montoya.
RFA: Martin. (Haley)

If Martin isn't brought back, I'll be furious. He's the only source of heart on this squad. I'm hoping that all the UFA's are gone other than Pa, Montoya and a two-way for Reese. Sadly, I think Haley will be gone even though he had a great year with Bport. I didn't even add Gillies as UFA, it seems like his ticket has been punched.

My pipee dream hopes would be either Shane Doan or Zach Parise as a top signing, they have PLENTY of cap space so massive money thrown at a top FA would be necessary. I'd also love a Matt Carle or Ryan Suter signed. Again, this is barely a pipe dream, I'm sure more Reasoner, Staios and Pandolfo types will be signed.

At the very least, Krys Barch and George Parros are available...it's too much to ask for a professional sports franchise to make it's fans happy though. Lots of MW guys in Asham, ZK, Mcleod etc. also available.

[Two-Four]

Can one of you guys post Howie's rant about "weenies who don't watch hockey" that is on IPB point blank in the Hockey related media section. It belongs there.

[nyislesfan45]

Originally Posted by Two-Four

Can one of you guys post Howie's rant about "weenies who don't watch hockey" that is on IPB point blank in the Hockey related media section. It belongs there.

Got it.


And today was...pathetic.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Congrats, Matty Marts!! I get the feeling when Nystrom watches the Isles, he wants to barf most of the time. I'm sure he loves Matt.

[nyislesfan45]

What a nightmare of a seaon.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

nyislanders‏@nyislandersreply
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#isles dipietro "i'm excited about this team. Li deserves a championship team. No one's satisfied until we have a winning team." #commitment

lol.

[Two-Four]

Could you guys imagine if the Islanders were actually in one of these tough fast paced hard hitting playoff series'? They'd be run out of the building every night with this soft little team that never fights back. They might have now finally brought up Haley and he'd have to take on the whole team by himself. Hope they're watching these games.

[nyislesfan45]

Originally Posted by Two-Four

Could you guys imagine if the Islanders were actually in one of these tough face paced hard hitting playoff series'? They'd be run out of the building every night with this soft little team that never fights back. They might have now finally brought up Haley and he'd have to take on the whole team by himself. Hope they're watching these games.

Sadly, the people that should be watching and taking notes (management) won't do anything to bring this team up to par. Let's hope they see what it takes to win and act accordingly this offseason.


I'm interested to see how all these coaching staff changes shake out...