Line Combos: Line Combos: now, next year, future, etc

[blinkman360]

I like the lines. I agree Moulson doesnt fit in this lineup. I'd be interested to see what we could get for him.

I think we could at least get a 1st with the track record he's built so far. I'm sure we won't get a Bobby Ryan return(a guy whose numbers have been similar), but I think a team with a high-end playmaking center would absolutely cough up a 1st... maybe more.

The only question is whether or not the Isles would even consider moving him. He's tight with Johnny, and 30+ goal guys obviously aren't easy to replace. It might come down to how much they think he'll want to re-sign, how much they think his numbers are a product of Tavares, and/or how much they think his lack of a defensive/physical/anything-other-than-scoring-goals game hinders the team.

 

[StumpNYI]

Anyone else like to see Moulson traded?...He already took a team friendly deal and he is going to ask for big money which I personally dont think he deserves. He is too one dimensonal. That said with Moulson gone what would the lines look like?

Bailey Tavares Strome
Grabner Nielsen Okposo
PMD Nelson Clutterbuck
martin cizikas Mcdonald

Thoughts?
Obviously we might get a player in return for Moulson not sure what fair value would be though.

Bailey isn't going to put up 30 goals, but I would trade some of Moulsons production for some defense and playmaking ability on that line in a heartbeat. I've been ok with trading Moulson for a while now. Find a team who needs goals and has a good young goalie available. We may slightly lower our GF but our GA would drop dramatically I feel with a trade like this. The differential would be easily worth it.

 

[kasper11]

Anyone else like to see Moulson traded?...He already took a team friendly deal and he is going to ask for big money which I personally dont think he deserves. He is too one dimensonal. That said with Moulson gone what would the lines look like?

Bailey Tavares Strome
Grabner Nielsen Okposo
PMD Nelson Clutterbuck
martin cizikas Mcdonald

Thoughts?
Obviously we might get a player in return for Moulson not sure what fair value would be though.

The problem is if we trade Moulson we are counting on two rookies to perform with little to know depth if they don't.

I agree Moulson doesn't really fit in with the up-tempo style the Isles are playing, but we need a replacement.

If we could get a dman for Moulson, and Wang was willing to sign a Damian Brunner type to replace him, I would be for it.

 

[rikker]

Anyone else like to see Moulson traded?...

Bailey Tavares Strome/Nelson
Grabner Nielsen Okposo
PMD Regin Clutterbuck
martin cizikas Mcdonald

yes. Moulson has done us good, but i think he is ready to move on. trade him now for a high pick. we also have Regin to play center. that would mean that we can slowly work Strome and Nelson in. maybe 20 games a piece? RW or center... and Lee and Persson on LW. Sundstrom at C.

i honestly think (even with Moulson gone), we are looking pretty for forwards.

defence and goalie? mmmm.... not so much

 

[doublechili]

My primary concern re: Moulson isn't his production or anything like that - from a purely hockey perspective I wouldn't mind if he goes. It really comes down to the Jean Potvin factor: how would JT feel if Moulson were traded?

 

[Felix Unger]

There's no reason to trade Moulson now. Unless Strome absolutely blows everyone's doors off, this is a non-issue. And honestly, who expects that? Strome is a hockey-sense guy, a "feel" guy whose game is based on creativity.

I'm not saying that he's going to take as long to develop as Markus Naslund or Marc Savard or Henrik Sedin... But it's more likely that he's like those guys than he is like Brad Richards in 2000-2001 scoring 60 points in his first year..

If Strome is kills it, you can deal with it. You can also bet there will be an injury along the way. Otherwise, if a deal can't get done with Moulson, trade him at the deadline to a team that needs PP help.

 

[Felix Unger]

My primary concern re: Moulson isn't his production or anything like that - from a purely hockey perspective I wouldn't mind if he goes. It really comes down to the Jean Potvin factor: how would JT feel if Moulson were traded?

I think this is massively overblown. JT is a competitive guy. If trading Moulson makes the team better, he won't have a problem. If, OTOH, NYI trades Moulson purely for money (and the team is worse as a result), that could rankle him.

 

[seafoam]

I don't think Moulson, arguably the best goal scorer on the Isles over the last three years, is dealt before the season. I can, however, see his role diminishing on this team as the year goes on. His style doesn't fit on this team anymore. The Isles coaching staff has preached gritty, in-your-face, hockey that involves speed and intensity. Moulson is not any of that. You can't take all those points away though and expect to still compete for a playoff spot so I think someone (Bailey?) needs to prove they can put up the points Moulson does while bringing that more complete game before Moulson goes anywhere.

Edit: I hate to bring this up, but Nino was not the guy that was going to bring that complete game the Isles are looking for and dethrone Moulson. I think this was a big reasoning why his trade value was so low.

 

[InformTheMasses]

Edit: I hate to bring this up, but Nino was not the guy that was going to bring that complete game the Isles are looking for and dethrone Moulson. I think this was a big reasoning why his trade value was so low.

Exactly right. Nino was Moulsons heir apparent. And when the Islanders made the determination that the compete and drive level just wasn't there coupled with a sour attitude.. it was curtains for nino.

Moulsons new heir apparent? Anders Lee. Same slow skater but more hustle strength and leadership abilities than Molson and nino combined. Also better defensively (though everyone will disagree based on the whopping 15 minutes they saw him play). Same great hands in front of the net. Better at screens than Moulson and better in the corners than nino and moulson.

If the islanders are going to dress a skater or two slow of foot. Lee and Martin are it.

 

[blinkman360]

I don't think Moulson, arguably the best goal scorer on the Isles over the last three years, is dealt before the season. I can, however, see his role diminishing on this team as the year goes on. His style doesn't fit on this team anymore. The Isles coaching staff has preached gritty, in-your-face, hockey that involves speed and intensity. Moulson is not any of that. You can't take all those points away though and expect to still compete for a playoff spot so I think someone (Bailey?) needs to prove they can put up the points Moulson does while bringing that more complete game before Moulson goes anywhere.

Edit: I hate to bring this up, but Nino was not the guy that was going to bring that complete game the Isles are looking for and dethrone Moulson. I think this was a big reasoning why his trade value was so low.

I think if the Isles don't see Moulson as part of the future here, they are in a bit of a pickle.

Do you trade him at the deadline? If he has value at the deadline, that means he's probably scoring goals. If that's the case, it's a bit risky moving a guy like that in the middle of a playoff run(assuming they are in the hunt, which most teams are/think they are at that point in the season).

Do you ride out the season, and either let him walk or trade his rights for a 3rd or 4th? Not ideal at all, especially if looking back you had the opportunity to get a 1st+ for him.

Do you trade him now, and hope that PMB/Bailey can hold down the top-six LW spots, and hope that Strome can step into a top-six(most likely 1st line) role this season? If that doesn't work out and the team struggles in the goal-scoring department, I could see a lot of fans turning on Garth.

Curious to see how it goes down, but my guess is they ride him out for one more year and then deal his rights.

 

[Felix Unger]

Moulsons new heir apparent? Anders Lee. Same slow skater but more hustle strength and leadership abilities than Molson and nino combined. Also better defensively (though everyone will disagree based on the whopping 15 minutes they saw him play). Same great hands in front of the net. Better at screens than Moulson and better in the corners than nino and moulson.

If the islanders are going to dress a skater or two slow of foot. Lee and Martin are it.

Moulson had a bad end to the season. So, I think we all sometimes forget just how unusual Moulson's finishing ability is. His hands in tight make Kyle Turris look like a third-liner. It's nearly impossible to expect Anders Lee, or anyone else, to approximate that.

 

[blinkman360]

Moulson had a bad end to the season. So, I think we all sometimes forget just how unusual Moulson's finishing ability is. His hands in tight make Kyle Turris look like a third-liner. It's nearly impossible to expect Anders Lee, or anyone else, to approximate that.

True, I just wish he'd add one more element to his game. Whether it's focusing more on defense, or forchecking, or being more physical, or just skating harder in general. I love his scoring ability, it's just everything else that makes me hate his game. When he's not scoring, he's the easiest player to dislike.

He either needs to buy in to the whole "we are gonna live and die by out-working teams", or he needs to go. Plain and simple.

 

[InformTheMasses]

Moulson had a bad end to the season. So, I think we all sometimes forget just how unusual Moulson's finishing ability is. His hands in tight make Kyle Turris look like a third-liner. It's nearly impossible to expect Anders Lee, or anyone else, to approximate that.

Moulson is a proven consistent 30 goal scorer. I wouldn't put those expectations on any prospect, at least not right away.

I watched both of these kids play quite a bit of college hockey (in person and other medias). I can tell you that for me there wasn't much difference in goal scoring ability and touch around the net. I can also say that Lee's competition in the CCHA the last three seasons was MUCH better than Moulsons competition a decade or so ago in the ECAC. Sure Lee was on a better team, but he was a first line player and best player on the team since he walked in the door as a freshman.

Again, I'm not saying Lee will BE Moulson. But they share a similar asset, and think Lee has a much stronger all around game. You're comparing a 23 year old Lee to Moulson that you watched skate next to John Tavares EVERY night from age 26 to 29. That's a HUGE difference.

 

[NYI13]

I'm gonna go out on (somewhat) of a limb here and say Brian Strait proves this year that he is a solid #3-4 Dman. I think everyone forgets how good he was before he got injured.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

I'm gonna go out on (somewhat) of a limb here and say Brian Strait proves this year that he is a solid #3-4 Dman. I think everyone forgets how good he was before he got injured.

But he really didn't play that well in the playoffs. I'd love to see him get back to the form he was at the start of the season though.

 

[NYI13]

But he really didn't play that well in the playoffs. I'd love to see him get back to the form he was at the start of the season though.

After missing so much time, I can't say I was surprised, the guy came back with like 5 games left after missing 2 months and looked horrendous. I see him coming into this season with a point to prove to establish himself on a team that has options on the back end going forward.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

After missing so much time, I can't say I was surprised, the guy came back with like 5 games left after missing 2 months and looked horrendous. I see him coming into this season with a point to prove to establish himself on a team that has options on the back end going forward.

I hope you're right, I was a huge fan of his at the beginning of the season.

 

[Islander Prophet]

This is how I would set up the lines. Just look at that third line, might be the best in the NHL !!!

Bailey/Tavares/Okposo
Moulson/Bouchard/Grabner
Martin/Nielsen/Clutterbuck
Regin/Cizikas/McDonald

Hamonic/MacDonald
Visnovsky/Strait
Carkner/Donovan

I like this roster lots and lots

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

I see no reason to start the season with Bouchard at center.

 

[bigd]

After missing so much time, I can't say I was surprised, the guy came back with like 5 games left after missing 2 months and looked horrendous. I see him coming into this season with a point to prove to establish himself on a team that has options on the back end going forward.

He was far from horrendous but ya, he was a step behind when he should have been a step ahead. Understandable after missing so much time with a foot injury. If it's an upper body injury you can still maintain your skating throughout the time off but being a broken ankle really sets your foot work back. I think he will be fine although ideally he is a 5-6 D-man on a top roster.

 

[Felix Unger]

Moulson is a proven consistent 30 goal scorer. I wouldn't put those expectations on any prospect, at least not right away.

I watched both of these kids play quite a bit of college hockey (in person and other medias). I can tell you that for me there wasn't much difference in goal scoring ability and touch around the net. I can also say that Lee's competition in the CCHA the last three seasons was MUCH better than Moulsons competition a decade or so ago in the ECAC. Sure Lee was on a better team, but he was a first line player and best player on the team since he walked in the door as a freshman.

Again, I'm not saying Lee will BE Moulson. But they share a similar asset, and think Lee has a much stronger all around game. You're comparing a 23 year old Lee to Moulson that you watched skate next to John Tavares EVERY night from age 26 to 29. That's a HUGE difference.

Moulson did a lot of his first-year scoring on Nielsen's wing.

Again, Moulson is arguably one of the best in ALL of hockey in doing what he does. Now, I believe that Moulson may see a significant decline in his play because of the absolute pounding he takes to play his game. Too bad for him, he's not built like Lucky Luc. That aside, talking about replacing his ability with ANY prospect doesn't make sense to me. That's why I used Turris as a comparison. There was nobody, and I mean NOBODY who finished around the net as a non-professional player as well as he did. Moulson isn't any bigger or stronger than Turris. Yet Turris hasn't come close to Moulson's numbers.

All in all, i think NYI keeps Moulson. I think he'll decline over the course of the year because of the pounding he takes. I don't think NYI will resign him. I don't think he'll have much trade value, and NYI will want to keep him around for the playoff stretch. Most likely, he walks after the season and we'll consider his 5 years as an Islanders a very extended free lunch. And kiddies get one last year to develop. I'm totally fine with this.

 

[InformTheMasses]

Moulson did a lot of his first-year scoring on Nielsen's wing.

Again, Moulson is arguably one of the best in ALL of hockey in doing what he does. Now, I believe that Moulson may see a significant decline in his play because of the absolute pounding he takes to play his game. Too bad for him, he's not built like Lucky Luc. That aside, talking about replacing his ability with ANY prospect doesn't make sense to me. That's why I used Turris as a comparison. There was nobody, and I mean NOBODY who finished around the net as a non-professional player as well as he did. Moulson isn't any bigger or stronger than Turris. Yet Turris hasn't come close to Moulson's numbers.

All in all, i think NYI keeps Moulson. I think he'll decline over the course of the year because of the pounding he takes. I don't think NYI will resign him. I don't think he'll have much trade value, and NYI will want to keep him around for the playoff stretch. Most likely, he walks after the season and we'll consider his 5 years as an Islanders a very extended free lunch. And kiddies get one last year to develop. I'm totally fine with this.

I agree with all of this.

 

[isles71190]

You guys are all out of your birds if you think this lineup is anything but
Moulson-JT-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Regin-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald

 

[bigd]

You guys are all out of your birds if you think this lineup is anything but
Moulson-JT-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Regin-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald

Boulton as the extra forward and 8 D-men. Doesn't look like there's any room for rookie forwards unless there are injuries or we move a D-man.

 

[IslesRock4]

You guys are all out of your birds if you think this lineup is anything but
Moulson-JT-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Regin-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald

It's not unreasonable to think Nelson makes the team. Even Strome is possible. It's July 11th, still three months for anything to happen.

On my end, I would actually be surprised if Regin is a regular in the lineup. Think he was signed more for depth than anything.