Isles UFA’s are heading to Free Agency Word from Kyle Okposo’s agent yesterday is that he and his client will head to free agency this summer, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. If you have been following along IslesBeat and twitter since last year, this should come as no surprise. Okposo has been looking for elite money as a top wing. ... Read More »
NHL teams do not want to take contracts these days. Every team has a couple they would love to dump. Take a look at the terrible contracts the Columbus Blue Jackets are habitually trying to move. Unless you find where someone is willing to take on salary… you are stuck in a tight situation. So, as I ... Read More »
It is funny to read rumors and conjecture…and the panic and passion all tied to it as if it is the ONLY route. Right now the entire NHL is waiting with bated breath to get final word if the Salary Cap is getting rolled back a bit, or moving up a tick. This really dictates much of what we ... Read More »
According to some fans and writers, we can afford ANYTHING this summer! Let’s all get excited! How? Well that is where it gets interesting… The current mantra is that everyone wants to “dump” contracts. How exactly do you do that? Reality is if you trade Bailey whomever takes him will want you to take a contract back or ... Read More »
“We will leave no stone unturned” This was said by Garth Snow on this year’s conference call with the media. Well, if he means it, then he will have to review and contemplate the only clear scenario that can add an elite offensive piece to the NY Islanders this summer. Let us start at the beginning… We all ... Read More »
History hasn’t been good for the Islanders when depending on free agency for help. They have had very mixed results through the years due to fact that someone else in the NHL is always willing to overpay for aging and declining players. Let us revisit that last wordage: Aging and declining players. That is the truth of free agency ... Read More »
Could the NY Islanders be forced to reassess their UFA situation? The NY Islanders had the best trade chip this summer. If you don’t think this, then you don’t understand the value of a top 3 or top 4 defensemen in this league. They are a PREMIUM. Add that Hamonic was playing top pairing minutes this year and his amazing ... Read More »
I said earlier this season that this would be our final accounting of NY Islanders coach Jack Capuano. Would he be able to get this team to the next step? Would Jack finally grow into the key role as a playoff experienced coach for a perennial playoff contender? This season was a mixed bag, and suffice to say, so has ... Read More »
Last night was one of those games you don’t shake off. You don’t shake it off as a writer, a fan, player or coach. Witness Islander’s coach Jack Capuano harping on Brian Boyle’s elbow in the press conference. It is wonderful selective memory to harp on that when the Islanders simply fell apart as Tampa ramped up pressure late ... Read More »
THINGS TO WATCH: First of all, Tampa’s top line is probably a bit more dangerous then Florida. They are different, though. They are small and fast. Their top line scores a vast majority of their goals. If the NY Islanders can contain them, then they will likely beat them. If they cannot, this will not be an easy time ... Read More »
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