SBNation.com User Blog: metrostar57

Image FanShot

metrostar57 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:16:59 -0000

Image FanShot

metrostar57 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:17:10 -0000

Players request list o' divers

metrostar57 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:44:20 -0000

Players request list o' divers

Some would like if for the refs, some for the public shaming. Sounds nice, but unlikely.

Who could/should play on JT's Right wing to start the season?

metrostar57 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 21:43:33 -0000

Hoping a 2012-2013 season occurs, the departure of PA Parenteau puts a big hole on the 1st wing. We already have multiple options to fill out the spot. But the couple players contending for that spot each would contribute in different ways.

Kyle Okposo, 24g, 21a, 45 pts

Kyle Okposo already has an injury history. As he missed 2010-2011 with a torn labrum. His strength may be an issue, but can contribute physicality and forechecking to the 1st line. Some might cite that he hasn't had a breakout season, which is why playing him on the first line would make sense. On the first line, KO provides intangibles no other candidate does, with solid scoring.

Pros: Forechecking, Physical play, Development

Cons: Less straight up offensive talent, Injury history,

Brad Boyes, 8g, 15a, 23pts,

Brad Boyes is fickle. He is a season detached from a 41 point season where he nabbed 12 goals and 29 assists. His production may be reliant on whether or not he can get confidence early. That's is in part why he is recommended to play on the first line. Worth mentioning is that Boyes had a 43 goal 08'-09' season for the Blues. While the fanbase should not expect that kind of production, a form of cautious optimism could be placed on Boyes if he plays on the first line. But that kind of performance will not happen if he loses his confidence.

Pros:Skies are the limit with a solid past that could be revived playing with John Tavares, Best shot of the bunch, non-restrictive contract where he won't be playing on a line simply because of his contract,

Cons: Could fail to gain confidence and not produce,

(Note: I doubt that the following will spend a lengthy time at this spot, but I can envision them playing a few games in this spot, whether it be due to injury, solid play, or call up)

Josh Bailey, 13g, 19g, 32pts,

Josh Bailey is frustrating and enigmatic to watch. He has sequences where he makes a beautiful play, whether it be seeing a seam, or dancing his way through the defense. But he also makes boneheaded plays at critical moments in the game, like the soul crushing loss to the Capitals that is seared into the minds of most of us when we recall last season. He could get a sniff at the spot if he beats out Boyes for the second line and impresses on the second line. Albeit a long shot, we may see the Bailey we got flashes of in seasons past, and in turn see him with JT.

Pros: Potential breakout season, strong start to the season could lead to high confidence, in turn a better season playing lower lines, Needs breakout season to stay in the NHL

Cons: Could simply under perform, not generate points, Is Josh Bailey,

Ryan Strome*, reg season 46gp, 30g, 38a, 68pts, Playoffs 20gp, 7g, 16a, 23pts

*Abridged, minors numbers

Strome probably won't be in the NHL this year, he needs a year of physical development until he moves to the AHL. But he earned the 9 game stint he recieved. Playing with JT for the 9 games would give a nice taste of playing with his future center if he moves to the wing.

Pros: playing with potential future center,

Cons: Could cost the season's long-term fixture playing time with JT, less chemistry

Nino Niederrieter 55gp, 1g, 0a,

Nino's last season was terrible, he played all year on the right wing with Brian Rolston and Marty Reasoner. To make things worse, he rarely, if ever, received PP time. Last years failures should not kill Nino's NHL chances though. If Nino does well in the AHL, (He should, as he had solid numbers in a short stint in the AHL he made while rehabbing from a preseason groin injury) he could end up playing the 1st line for the sake of his confidence.

Pros: Extra power forward if KO gets injured, Confidence,

Cons: None really, Nino can be brought up at any time, and gain NHL experience alongside a fantastic center

So, it looks like there are plenty of different options and roles to accompany JT and MM. None will likely fill the Parenteau-sized hole in our roster, but it seems to be that we have a few good options to go with.

Poll

MM-JT-?

Kyle Okposo

47 votes

Brad Boyes

77 votes

Ryan Strome

12 votes

Nino Niederrieter

21 votes

Lockout plays all the positions and we suffer from a year- long august

9 votes

166 votes | Poll has closed

Isles Prospects in CAN vs RUS challenge

metrostar57 — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:50:43 -0000

Isles Prospects in CAN vs RUS challenge

Canadian juniors play Russian juniors. With Islanders prospects! Loser adopts communism or something. oh well, its hockey in August, so yeah.

Michael DelZotto, Future Islander?

metrostar57 — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:21:27 -0000

Michael DelZotto,Islander to the stars?

Considering last years islanders roster only contained 3 defenseman that were not, to put it lightly, fully useful through the entire season, (Mark Eaton' OT winner be damned) you could assume that the teams biggest problem would be turning those empty three spots into at least someone worth watching.

Now, Hamonic, MacDonald, and Streit can fill out the top three halves of the D-line. But that leaves three additional spots on the 2nd and 3rd line. The club could bring in a Bridgeport player, Dylan Reese, a UFA, a draft defenseman, or one of last years non-factors. But the chances of Dylan Reese becoming NHL calibre, (not that that would stop Capuano) a Bridgeport player being ready for the big leagues, and Garth Snow getting a player that could go to any team in the league to even consider going to LI are very, very, slim.

Del Zotto is a young offensive defenseman, and while the Isles may already have Streit, he's 34, and just came back from a mediocre season after shoulder surgery. We may be seeing the end of the line with Streit, and while it may not seem much like it now, I doubt Streit has more than 3 seasons left in him. Delzotto has the ability to get a shot through traffic, and could quarterback the 2nd powerplay while learning the isles wonderful ingenious man-to-man coverage system (/sarcasm).

He can be a liability defensively,"Great purely offensive defenceman. Has all the offensive abilities of moving the puck up the ice and shooting it through traffic. Somewhat of a defensive liability though, has to work on that to truly be effective, has all offensive instincts to make him successful. Brings some physical play for his size, but is something that will never be part of "his game"". but the fact he managed to stay on John Torterrela's shot block heavy system probably gave him some defensive experience.

He is an RFA who's rights could be acquired for cheap via a third round (offer sheet). He would fill out a spot quite nicely and could become a valued player if DeHaan does not pay off.

Poll

Would DelZotto be a possibility?

Yes, by offer sheet

30 votes

Yes, by trade

6 votes

DelZotto is not a player the Islanders should look for as the Isles have better defensive options in the long run

18 votes

DelZotto is worth more than the Islanders can afford to give and still gain from the trade

22 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed