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2011 Draft Picks; Draft Weekend 6/24-6/25
Topic Started: Jun 24 2011, 02:55 PM (2,595 Views)
aries44475
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Round 1- 5th(a.)

5th Pick - Ryan Strome C 175lb OHL Niagara

•Strome finished third in the Ontario Hockey League scoring with 106 points (33-73--106) in 65 games, leading the IceDogs to a franchise best 45 wins and 96 points in 2010-11. His 1.63 points-per-game average ranked first among all the top producing OHL forwards this season.

•He was voted the Most Improved Player and the Best Playmaker in the 2011 OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll. Strome also tied for the Best Stickhandler with Ryan Spooner, drafted 45th overall by Boston in 2010.

NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards
"He skates very well and has very good speed. He's a creative playmaker who sees the ice very well. He goes to the net and battles in front. He is able to get to rebounds and loose pucks in front. He has good hands and has scored some goals off tip-ins in front."



Round 2

34th Pick - Scott Mayfield B 197lbs 6' 4" USHL Youngstown

• Competing in his second season for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League, Mayfield recorded 16 points (7-9--16) in 52 games. The Phantoms missed the playoffs in 2010-11 by two points, but to combat the long off-season, he has been getting on the ice by helping his former youth and high school coach, Dave Garth, coach a spring team.

• Mayfield has committed to the University of Denver for the fall of 2011 – “My dad went to law school in Denver. I remember when I was eight, nine years old we would go and visit (my dad’s friends) and they would take me to the rink. Walking around, just seeing how big it was, I've always wanted to play there. At Christmas when I was ten years old I got a Denver jersey. It's been hanging above my bed (since then) and just to commit there was amazing for me.”

NHL Central Scouting's Gary Eggleston
“Scott plays the body well and is physical but not in an overly rambunctious way. He can close off the forechecker up high and is controlled, poised and calm in his play. He plays like a seasoned veteran. Scott has a smooth, strong and effortless stride, his passes are crisp and he sees the ice well. He has a very good wrist shot and controls the play from the point on the power play.”



50th(b.) Pick - Johan Sundstrom C 196lbs 6' 2" SWE



Round 3

63th(c.) Pick - ANDREI PEDAN D 201lbs 6' 4" OHL Guelph

Round 4

94th Pick - Robbie Russo D 189lbs 5' 11" USHL

Round 5

125th Pick - John Persson LW 199lbs 6' 2" WHL

127th(e.) Pick - Brenden Kitchton D 175lbs 5' 10" WHL

Round 6- no pick(f.)

Round 7

185th Pick - Mitchell Theoret C 210lbs 6' 1" OHL

Notes -

(a.) Islanders will be picking in the 5th slot because the New Jersey won the Draft lottery moving up from the 9th spot to the 4th spot for the 1st round only.

(b.) The Montreal Canadiens' compensatory second-round pick (50th overall) will go to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on December 28, 2010 that sent James Wisniewski to Montreal in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2012 and this pick. Montreal previously received the pick as compensation for not signing 2006 first-round pick David Fischer before August 15, 2010.

(c.) The Colorado Avalanche's third-round pick will go to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on June 26, 2010 that sent a fourth-round pick in 2010 to Colorado in exchange for this pick.

(d.) Isles original 3rd rd pick(65th) - The New York Islanders' third-round pick will go to the Anaheim Ducks as the result of a trade on July 30, 2010 that sent James Wisniewski to New York in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[38] The condition – New York had to choose to send either their own pick or the pick previously acquired from Colorado, until June 1, 2011

(e.) The Winnipeg NHL team's fifth-round pick will go to the New York Islanders as the result of a trade on June 26, 2010 that sent a pair of sixth-round picks in 2010 to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for this pick

(f.) The New York Islanders' sixth-round pick will go to the Phoenix Coyotes as the result of a trade on February 9, 2011 that sent Al Montoya to New York in exchange for this pick
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Rub Ur Ducky
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My fear is that we will look back at this draft and say if the devils didnt win the lottery we would have drafted Larsson.
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MNIslander13
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Rub Ur Ducky,Jun 24 2011
10:12 PM
My fear is that we will look back at this draft and say if the devils didnt win the lottery we would have drafted Larsson.

:yes:
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Way to start the season MSG.
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Rub Ur Ducky
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All our young guys/prospects are mainly small..We need size
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islesfever
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Rub Ur Ducky,Jun 24 2011
11:12 PM
My fear is that we will look back at this draft and say if the devils didnt win the lottery we would have drafted Larsson.

My fear of this draft is that Wanger uses youtube videos as his scouting reports :disgraced:
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Snowy
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Rub Ur Ducky,Jun 24 2011
11:12 PM
My fear is that we will look back at this draft and say if the devils didnt win the lottery we would have drafted Larsson.

Larsson is going to be good, but so is Strome. If I had my choice I'd have gone with Larsson but people are really undervaluing just how good Strome can be. He's going to be a 1a type of center who'll be able to keep up with Grabner.
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Webb20
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Lou Lamorello steps in it again...wins the lottery moves infront of us, then has 3 teams pass on the guy they needed most. But hey, if this kid can play along side Moulson and JT and has hands of gold then who am I to criticize. Heck of an offense we are building, and Nino will be in the lineup too. I hope this kid gets his nine games then heads back to Jrs for some more seasoning. I'm thinking it's why we signed PA to just one more season, he's a place holder for now.
I sold it all, retired and moved to Fabulous Las Vegas!
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Ben Franklin
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Snowy
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Webb20,Jun 25 2011
12:57 PM
Lou Lamorello steps in it again...wins the lottery moves infront of us, then has 3 teams pass on the guy they needed most. But hey, if this kid can play along side Moulson and JT and has hands of gold then who am I to criticize. Heck of an offense we are building, and Nino will be in the lineup too. I hope this kid gets his nine games then heads back to Jrs for some more seasoning. I'm thinking it's why we signed PA to just one more season, he's a place holder for now.

The Bruins are the first team in a long time that have used a grind it out defense to win a Stanley Cup. They also had incredible goaltending, which happens once every few years in the playoffs. They're definitely a good team, but I'm going to refer to them as the exception to the rule.

The good, young teams in this league who have been rebuilt are all offensive powerhouses. We aren't there yet, but we may be close with the addition of Strome. Theoretically, our 2012-13 opening night top two lines could be as follows:

Moulson-Tavares-Niederreiter
Grabner-Strome-Okposo

I'll take that over what they have in Edmonton any day of the week. Fellas, we're getting close. I won't go overboard with this team's future unless the arena deal gets settled, because it's possible the team won't be on the Island if/when it all comes together. But we all have to be excited.

The difference between a team like the Capitals and teams like the Penguins and Blackhawks was defense and goaltending. Between Poulin and Nilsson, I think one of them will be a legit #1 netminder. Snow added a couple of bruisers today in the draft, and hopefully they pan out. Mayfield from all accounts matches a strong physical game with very good skating ability. That's exciting. The Russian D seems like a bit more of a project. I like what we did today and I like our D prospects overall. Players like MacDonald and Hamonic already appear to be ready to play big roles in our defensive revival. And most importantly, we'll never have to see Bruno Gervais as an Islander ever again.

Bottom line is, you need defense and goaltending to win a championship. But you also need a high powered offensive team with 9 or 10 forwards to chip in goals. We're on our way.
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dragoneye
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Webb20,Jun 26 2011
01:57 AM
Lou Lamorello steps in it again...wins the lottery moves infront of us, then has 3 teams pass on the guy they needed most. But hey, if this kid can play along side Moulson and JT and has hands of gold then who am I to criticize. Heck of an offense we are building, and Nino will be in the lineup too. I hope this kid gets his nine games then heads back to Jrs for some more seasoning. I'm thinking it's why we signed PA to just one more season, he's a place holder for now.

Parenteau is one of the biggest question marks on the team. If he supplies the same offense or better than last year, he will be a commodity. At least at the level of say Toe Drag Comrie. This may be stretching it a bit, but think 1st round draft pick or top prospect. Two consecutive 50 point seasons should pump his value up considerably.
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Islander4cups
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dragoneye,Jun 25 2011
04:08 PM
Webb20,Jun 26 2011
01:57 AM
Lou Lamorello steps in it again...wins the lottery moves infront of us,  then has 3 teams pass on the guy they needed most.    But hey, if this kid can play along side Moulson and JT and has hands of gold then who am I to criticize.  Heck of an offense we are building, and Nino will be in the lineup too.  I hope this kid gets his nine games then heads back to Jrs for some more seasoning.  I'm thinking it's why we signed PA to just one more season, he's a place holder for now.

Parenteau is one of the biggest question marks on the team. If he supplies the same offense or better than last year, he will be a commodity. At least at the level of say Toe Drag Comrie. This may be stretching it a bit, but think 1st round draft pick or top prospect. Two consecutive 50 point seasons should pump his value up considerably.

But PA won't have another 50 point season this year...

Sorry but he isn't going to get the PP time this year that he did last year. And he won't be playing with JT and Moulson this year. El Nino isn't playing jrs again this year so he will be a top 6 forward. Who is PA going to bump out of the top 6?? KO, Tavares, Moulson, Grabner, Bailey, El Nino? If you say Bailey, that will be FRanz doing it, not PA.

PA will be a very good third liner with Comeau and Franz...where they all should be. Strome will get his 9 nhl games and then go back to jrs in all likelihood and don't be surprised if his drafting lights a fire under Bailey as well.

PA simply won't get the icetime he did last season. NO PP time, no first line time. He'll get PK time and 3rd line time...a nice role for him and a more fitting one.
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OlTimeHockey
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If Parenteau works with JT and Moulson, he works with JT and Moulson. I don't buy a kid coming up and supplanting Parenteau unless he earns it. That would mean his game meshes better with JT's which I'm not sure it does. I think Nino's game would be IDEAL with Okposo and Bailey or Comeau and Bailey.

And another thing....why split up Nielson and Grabner? Because this new kid is ours? He goes back to Juniors unless we're stupid. AGAIN.

It's nice our picks look great but the lines and chemistry dictated by a surprsingly impressive Isles offense have to be managed carefully and wisely.

So let's start Nino on line 3 or 4 and let him earn it......like that Lafontaine kid did wway back when. He'll get there, so let's not Bailey him into oblivion with high expectations. And let's forget Strome is alive for a year if we can (assuming he doesn't look make me eat my words in camp and beyond)

(meaning: he earns it).
"clearly it's Rick DiPietro's stupidity that's put the islanders in this situation getting into an altercation when a game was over..." Keith Jones on VS

"But the Coliseum became a repository for all the team's troubles, a convenient scapegoat. There were suggestions that no major free agent ever would set foot in such a decrepit place. We have two words for anyone making that argument: Fenway Park. History says free agents would play in an old boxcar if they got enough money and had a chance to win." - Mark Herrmann

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BritBlueNOrange
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OlTimeHockey,Jun 26 2011
12:23 AM
If Parenteau works with JT and Moulson, he works with JT and Moulson. I don't buy a kid coming up and supplanting Parenteau unless he earns it. That would mean his game meshes better with JT's which I'm not sure it does. I think Nino's game would be IDEAL with Okposo and Bailey or Comeau and Bailey.

And another thing....why split up Nielson and Grabner? Because this new kid is ours? He goes back to Juniors unless we're stupid. AGAIN.

It's nice our picks look great but the lines and chemistry dictated by a surprsingly impressive Isles offense have to be managed carefully and wisely.

So let's start Nino on line 3 or 4 and let him earn it......like that Lafontaine kid did wway back when. He'll get there, so let's not Bailey him into oblivion with high expectations. And let's forget Strome is alive for a year if we can (assuming he doesn't look make me eat my words in camp and beyond)

(meaning: he earns it).

I cannot find a fault with this post, I agree with every word.

:thumbsup:
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A short interview with our #50 draft pick Johan Sundström
http://www.gp.se/sport/ishockey/1.661215-f...es-av-islanders

Translation:
Frölunda propect drafted by Islanders
Frölunda's Johan Sundström was drafted by New York Islanders in the second round of the NHL draft.

18 year old Frölunda forward Johan Sundström was picked as number 50 in yesterdays draft and he was very satisfied with the outcome.

- I couldn't be more happy. It feels extremely good och this is obviously a dream come true, he says.

Right now he's not very updated on the team that drafted him, but he knows it's a noble team with tradition.

- I've only talked briefly with the Islanders after the draft, so I'm not certain what their plans are for me, but I've got my mind set on the upcoming season with Frölunda, he says.
"Well, um, icing happen when the puck come down, bang you know, before the other guys you know. Nobody there, you know. My arm go comes up then the game stop then start up." ~ Denis Lemieux

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stevedepot
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A nice article on someone who could be a top 2 defenseman for us in 4 years,
Scott Mayfield.

http://thehockeywriters.com/the-next-ones-...that-next-step/

So happy with this pick. Time will tell but this could be one hell of draft
to look back on.
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Webb20
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Some more insight on Ryan Strome.

Quote:
 
Strome had his sights on the Islanders and was relieved when he heard his name called. He already knows New York forwards John Tavares(notes) and Matt Moulson(notes), who are workout partners.

“I love the colors and I think I’ll fit in great there,” Strome said. “I couldn’t be happier right now.

“They’re a young team. They’ve got a ton of assets. I want to grow with the team, and I want to win a championship. I know I’m young saying that, but that’s what you want to do. You want to build from the ground up and that’s what New York’s doing, and I hope to contribute to that.”

The Islanders have missed the playoffs in four straight years and five of six seasons. Strome will join a young core of forwards that features Okposo as well as Tavares, who was the 2009 No. 1 overall pick, fellow first-rounder Josh Bailey(notes), and rookie of the year finalist Michael Grabner(notes).

“We have set out a plan to build a young core of players that will consistently compete for the Stanley Cup, and Ryan is another key addition to that core,” general manager Garth Snow said. “He is a highly skilled forward who’s been very impressive in first two OHL seasons. Ryan’s speed and creativity will help solidify our lineup for years to come.”

Strome had to wait a moment as the Islanders were making the pick because even as he heard the name of his junior team being announced. He wasn’t sure if they were calling him or his Niagara teammate, defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who went No. 9 to Boston.

“I saw Dougie Hamilton still on the board, so I wasn’t sure,” Strome said. “But I was just so thrilled. I really can’t remember much of it. I have to watch the video when I’m done, but it was great. It was so fantastic.”

Strome visited the Islanders before the NHL combine and put him through the rigors of a battery of tests before deciding they wanted to pick him.

“They did a psychological test,” he said. “They came to Niagara, and I met with them another at the combine and went down to New York. I knew the interest was there, and I knew where they were selecting so it was a very good possibility. Things worked out.

“I got X-rays done, and MRIs of my body and a whole bunch of medicals done to make sure I’m healthy. I sat down and talked with them, and after they got to know me a little better, I think they wanted to do an extra background check.”



This team is really taken shape.
I sold it all, retired and moved to Fabulous Las Vegas!
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Ben Franklin
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."-Ronald Reagan
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Islander4cups
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OlTimeHockey,Jun 26 2011
12:23 AM
If Parenteau works with JT and Moulson, he works with JT and Moulson. I don't buy a kid coming up and supplanting Parenteau unless he earns it. That would mean his game meshes better with JT's which I'm not sure it does. I think Nino's game would be IDEAL with Okposo and Bailey or Comeau and Bailey.

And another thing....why split up Nielson and Grabner? Because this new kid is ours? He goes back to Juniors unless we're stupid. AGAIN.

It's nice our picks look great but the lines and chemistry dictated by a surprsingly impressive Isles offense have to be managed carefully and wisely.

So let's start Nino on line 3 or 4 and let him earn it......like that Lafontaine kid did wway back when. He'll get there, so let's not Bailey him into oblivion with high expectations. And let's forget Strome is alive for a year if we can (assuming he doesn't look make me eat my words in camp and beyond)

(meaning: he earns it).

I'll tell you why we break up FRanz and Grabner... because Franz is dead weight offensively. Franz probably cost Grabner 5+ goals and 15 assists this season.

I know everyone is enamored with Franz because of his "all around" game, but he's a fantastic PK guy and a far better defensive center than he is an offensive center. In fact, imho he's clueless 5 on 5 and on the PP.

I agree with you that we send our #1 pick Strome back to jrs this year. No need to rush him. Look what it did for El Nino and what it didn't do for Bailey.

However, at some point, there is going to be a FAR better option at second line center than Franz. Personally, I hope it will be Bailey this year and that the drafting of Strome was a wakeup call.

As far as PA goes, he's another guy who is playing above his level. Yes, he scored 20 goals, but he easily should have had 25+ with all the set ups he blew this year. To me, he's a product of playing with Moulson & Jt, not a guy who made that line better. Someone with more offensive talent (which we will now see on our team in the next 2-3 seasons in Nino and Strome) would be far better suited in that role. jmho, but pa is going to be well served playing on a reg third line with the likes of Comeau and Franz. I think that could be a strong 3rd line rolling forward in the future.
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stevedepot,Jun 26 2011
09:01 AM
A nice article on someone who could be a top 2 defenseman for us in 4 years,
Scott Mayfield.

http://thehockeywriters.com/the-next-ones-...that-next-step/

So happy with this pick. Time will tell but this could be one hell of draft
to look back on.

Yeah, I really liked that pick. I hope he has 3-4 terrific years in college, plays for the US in the world jrs 2x and then thinks about signing a pro deal...no need to rush this kid.

Just like deHaan and Hamonic, let them start their year as a pro in the Bridge and see what happens. At least, I hope Calvin takes that route this year.
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OlTimeHockey
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Islander4cups,Jun 26 2011
11:26 AM
OlTimeHockey,Jun 26 2011
12:23 AM
If Parenteau works with JT and Moulson, he works with JT and Moulson. I don't buy a kid coming up and supplanting Parenteau unless he earns it. That would mean his game meshes better with JT's which I'm not sure it does. I think Nino's game would be IDEAL with Okposo and Bailey or Comeau and Bailey.

And another thing....why split up Nielson and Grabner? Because this new kid is ours? He goes back to Juniors unless we're stupid. AGAIN.

It's nice our picks look great but the lines and chemistry dictated by a surprsingly impressive Isles offense have to be managed carefully and wisely.

So let's start Nino on line 3 or 4 and let him earn it......like that Lafontaine kid did wway back when. He'll get there, so let's not Bailey him into oblivion with high expectations. And let's forget Strome is alive for a year if we can (assuming he doesn't look make me eat my words in camp and beyond)

(meaning: he earns it).

I'll tell you why we break up FRanz and Grabner... because Franz is dead weight offensively. Franz probably cost Grabner 5+ goals and 15 assists this season.

I know everyone is enamored with Franz because of his "all around" game, but he's a fantastic PK guy and a far better defensive center than he is an offensive center. In fact, imho he's clueless 5 on 5 and on the PP.

I agree with you that we send our #1 pick Strome back to jrs this year. No need to rush him. Look what it did for El Nino and what it didn't do for Bailey.

However, at some point, there is going to be a FAR better option at second line center than Franz. Personally, I hope it will be Bailey this year and that the drafting of Strome was a wakeup call.

As far as PA goes, he's another guy who is playing above his level. Yes, he scored 20 goals, but he easily should have had 25+ with all the set ups he blew this year. To me, he's a product of playing with Moulson & Jt, not a guy who made that line better. Someone with more offensive talent (which we will now see on our team in the next 2-3 seasons in Nino and Strome) would be far better suited in that role. jmho, but pa is going to be well served playing on a reg third line with the likes of Comeau and Franz. I think that could be a strong 3rd line rolling forward in the future.

Well, I think Franz has more offense than he lets on (KJ syndrome - defense first and strict positional adherence) and helps Grabner and winger 2 thusly:

When Grabner makes a solid breakaway, winger 2 (Okposo?) goes up. Assignment to stay back goes to the most solid defensive forward we have bar none: Frans Nielson.

Remember, the line is not our prime scoring line but a matchup against the best the other team has. The team is not utilizing Grabner as a breakaway sniper but as a solid role player who can contribute offense in spades.

Who did Ray Ferraro play with? A scorer and a two way gem. I believe Frans has supreme passing and stellar defense, so he COMPLIMENTS that line perfectly. Think about it....a tight defense to stop in zone attacks springs Grabner. Change the pivot to Tavares and JT's defense is not going to help. His skating ability in fact might hurt his offense if he cannot keep up with Grabner.

Now consider defense first Nielson and Grabner with speedy Strome in a few years? A fast set up guy, a fast scoring threat and a fast enough compliment to hold the fort low in case of turnovers?

Would that not help? Breakaways can just as easily become odd man rushes with two forwards committing to fast up ice drives.


Now PA worked with JT and MM and Nino has not played one shift with them this year. In Islander fan fashion, we throw the egg out the window expecting flight. If PA's passing and shooting remains what it has and he works on puck possession and timing, he scores more and gets more assists. That said, if Nino can take the job from him, I'm all for it.
"clearly it's Rick DiPietro's stupidity that's put the islanders in this situation getting into an altercation when a game was over..." Keith Jones on VS

"But the Coliseum became a repository for all the team's troubles, a convenient scapegoat. There were suggestions that no major free agent ever would set foot in such a decrepit place. We have two words for anyone making that argument: Fenway Park. History says free agents would play in an old boxcar if they got enough money and had a chance to win." - Mark Herrmann

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Islander4cups
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OlTimeHockey,Jun 26 2011
01:27 PM
Islander4cups,Jun 26 2011
11:26 AM
OlTimeHockey,Jun 26 2011
12:23 AM
If Parenteau works with JT and Moulson, he works with JT and Moulson. I don't buy a kid coming up and supplanting Parenteau unless he earns it. That would mean his game meshes better with JT's which I'm not sure it does. I think Nino's game would be IDEAL with Okposo and Bailey or Comeau and Bailey.

And another thing....why split up Nielson and Grabner? Because this new kid is ours? He goes back to Juniors unless we're stupid. AGAIN.

It's nice our picks look great but the lines and chemistry dictated by a surprsingly impressive Isles offense have to be managed carefully and wisely.

So let's start Nino on line 3 or 4 and let him earn it......like that Lafontaine kid did wway back when. He'll get there, so let's not Bailey him into oblivion with high expectations. And let's forget Strome is alive for a year if we can (assuming he doesn't look make me eat my words in camp and beyond)

(meaning: he earns it).

I'll tell you why we break up FRanz and Grabner... because Franz is dead weight offensively. Franz probably cost Grabner 5+ goals and 15 assists this season.

I know everyone is enamored with Franz because of his "all around" game, but he's a fantastic PK guy and a far better defensive center than he is an offensive center. In fact, imho he's clueless 5 on 5 and on the PP.

I agree with you that we send our #1 pick Strome back to jrs this year. No need to rush him. Look what it did for El Nino and what it didn't do for Bailey.

However, at some point, there is going to be a FAR better option at second line center than Franz. Personally, I hope it will be Bailey this year and that the drafting of Strome was a wakeup call.

As far as PA goes, he's another guy who is playing above his level. Yes, he scored 20 goals, but he easily should have had 25+ with all the set ups he blew this year. To me, he's a product of playing with Moulson & Jt, not a guy who made that line better. Someone with more offensive talent (which we will now see on our team in the next 2-3 seasons in Nino and Strome) would be far better suited in that role. jmho, but pa is going to be well served playing on a reg third line with the likes of Comeau and Franz. I think that could be a strong 3rd line rolling forward in the future.

Well, I think Franz has more offense than he lets on (KJ syndrome - defense first and strict positional adherence) and helps Grabner and winger 2 thusly:

When Grabner makes a solid breakaway, winger 2 (Okposo?) goes up. Assignment to stay back goes to the most solid defensive forward we have bar none: Frans Nielson.

Remember, the line is not our prime scoring line but a matchup against the best the other team has. The team is not utilizing Grabner as a breakaway sniper but as a solid role player who can contribute offense in spades.

Who did Ray Ferraro play with? A scorer and a two way gem. I believe Frans has supreme passing and stellar defense, so he COMPLIMENTS that line perfectly. Think about it....a tight defense to stop in zone attacks springs Grabner. Change the pivot to Tavares and JT's defense is not going to help. His skating ability in fact might hurt his offense if he cannot keep up with Grabner.

Now consider defense first Nielson and Grabner with speedy Strome in a few years? A fast set up guy, a fast scoring threat and a fast enough compliment to hold the fort low in case of turnovers?

Would that not help? Breakaways can just as easily become odd man rushes with two forwards committing to fast up ice drives.


Now PA worked with JT and MM and Nino has not played one shift with them this year. In Islander fan fashion, we throw the egg out the window expecting flight. If PA's passing and shooting remains what it has and he works on puck possession and timing, he scores more and gets more assists. That said, if Nino can take the job from him, I'm all for it.

I'm predicting Nino will take the job from him because PA is NOT going to get better with his shooting or passing. He managed ONLY 19 goals playing with Moulson and JT and he blew many great chances. I'm saying that PA MAXED OUT what he can do and someone with more offensive talent like Strome in 2 years or Nino this year can and will do more.

This is not a case of simply thinking our rookies will come in and light up the world. This is simply a case of believing, off what I've seen, the PA is not a good offensive forward. Look at what nobodies did playing with Lemieux early in his career only to be taken off the line and never to be heard from again. I'm not saying JT and Moulson = Mario, but it is a similar senario. PA scored 19 because of them and if someone with legit offensive skills was on the wing, it would have been 25+.

As for Franz being the one who "stays high" in the O zone to keep odd man rushes from happening, that might be how he sees his job, but it doesn't excuse the dozen plus chances he had with the puck to shoot with great scoring chances and didn't. The guy is going to be 28 next season. We are seeing him enter his prime. His offense sucks. Him centering two legit wings in Grabner and KO didn't add much to his scoring this season and when the three were united this year, it seemed Franz stick is where scoring chances go to die. jmho

Either Bailey is going to be number 2 center this season or Strome will in a year or two, but by the time this is a playoff team, there is no way Franz is our #2 center.
I miss these :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: and want more of them
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IslandersWin86
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The thing I love about this weekend...the fact that NONE of these kids will make the team this year...not because they're not good, but because we don't need them to. Big difference between now and 2008.

The more I think about Strome the more excited I get...and I might be just as excited about Scotty Mayfield, and I like that he's going to Denver which has done a pretty good job developing prospects.
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