We really need another defenseman

[Nuch3232]

Saw/Read this from Katie Strang's ESPN chat:

Katie Strang of ESPN: (chat) Strang thinks the Islanders could be a logical trading partner for the Bruins who could be looking to trade Johnny Boychuk or Matt Bartkowski. The Islanders would like to make a trade to upgrade their defense. Strang thinks that Jack Capuano (NYI) and Randy Carlyle (TOR) are coaches with the shortest leash. Strang thinks that Johnny Oduya is the likely candidate to be moved by the Blackhawks to get under the salary cap.

 

[Fan101]

At 6' 4" 214 lbs Reinhart has the size to be here and we may be willing to live with his learning curve especially if he is a fast learner.

With the forward depth it does say trade but why trade a kid who is still maturing?

In theory you can make alot of swaps but teams don't let go of top four d men for average forwards.

The upgrade in goal plus Grabo Kulemin adds D as well and I think alot of teams wish they had our roster now.

 

[kasper11]

Everything depends. Yes, we would like to upgrade the D. No, there are no true upgrades currently available.

I think Snow is hoping that, with improved goaltending and forward depth, the Isles can get by with this defense until somebody becomes available.

 

[Nuch3232]

I agree Kasper. I think this D will be OK. Not great, OK.

Might as well see what they have/got before assuming they will suck again. Until somebody is available for the right price then make the trade if need be.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

I think what we get upset about is that we know that one more defenseman will make this team really, really good and it's frustrating that they haven't been able to acquire one. We need a Wisniewski-like trade.

 

[Brunomics]

Saw/Read this from Katie Strang's ESPN chat:

Katie Strang of ESPN: (chat) Strang thinks the Islanders could be a logical trading partner for the Bruins who could be looking to trade Johnny Boychuk or Matt Bartkowski. The Islanders would like to make a trade to upgrade their defense. Strang thinks that Jack Capuano (NYI) and Randy Carlyle (TOR) are coaches with the shortest leash. Strang thinks that Johnny Oduya is the likely candidate to be moved by the Blackhawks to get under the salary cap.

They better make a deal for someone. You would think after the Nabokov disaster last year where everyone except Snow knew they needed to upgrade their goaltending that he would learn.

You cannot go into this season with any of Brenann/Donovan/Strait/Carkner as a regular. They all suck something fierce.

 

[kasper11]

They better make a deal for someone. You would think after the Nabokov disaster last year where everyone except Snow knew they needed to upgrade their goaltending that he would learn.

You cannot go into this season with any of Brenann/Donovan/Strait/Carkner as a regular. They all suck something fierce.

You're assuming someone is available. Boston may move Boychuck, in which case I think Snow would be involved. Otherwise, who? Nick Leddy is not a top-4 defenseman yet. Who else is rumored to be on the move?

 

[Brunomics]

You're assuming someone is available. Boston may move Boychuck, in which case I think Snow would be involved. Otherwise, who? Nick Leddy is not a top-4 defenseman yet. Who else is rumored to be on the move?

Boston is playing with the idea of moving one of Boychuck/McQuaid/Bartowski, also Chicago is willing to move Leddy.

Leddy may not be ready as a top 4 dman yet but you wouldn't need him to be. Slot him and Reinhart on the bottom pairing, have Demonic as your top and Lubo/Hickey as your middle pairing.

To me that's good enough to get the season rolling and Reinhart should be progressing well through the season and with any luck Leddy as well.

I want to see them hitting their stride Nov/Dec. Not dying off like usual.

 

[islescoop]

I agree Eklund has a zero percent accuracy ratio when it comes to the islanders. But, this one actually makes a lot of sense. I think there's a good chance Krug gets traded and we make as good a sense as anyone for a trading partner. So, my question remains, what do you think of Krug compared to Leddy, Oduya and others. What would you give up for him?

 

[seabass45]

Eklund reporting Isles talking with Bruins about Torrey Krug. Who would you give up for him? I am hoping Matt Martin goes the other way as I really see him as the odd man out. He would fit in the Bruins style of play. I hope we don't add Grabner to the mix and even though everyone hates him, i'd give bailey one more year. With so many d- prospects, i'm sure they will want one back. Does Martin/Donovan get it done?

Probably Martin or some other cheap bottom six player. They have to save cap money so that might be all it takes.

Honestly though, Isles are probably pushing for Boychuk, B's said no, so Isles check in to see how much Krug would cost. Garth can still circle back to Boychuk because Boston has to do something to get under the cap.

 

[seabass45]

Eklund also says the B's are trying to clear space for Ryan O'Reilly (?!?!??!?) and I just don't see that happening.

 

[Brunomics]

I agree Eklund has a zero percent accuracy ratio when it comes to the islanders. But, this one actually makes a lot of sense. I think there's a good chance Krug gets traded and we make as good a sense as anyone for a trading partner. So, my question remains, what do you think of Krug compared to Leddy, Oduya and others. What would you give up for him?

I'd like it if Eklund was right on this but how is he on the defensive side of the puck? He puts up points but I'm more concerned with keeping pucks out of the net than scoring.

 

[Jiggs]

Everything depends. Yes, we would like to upgrade the D. No, there are no true upgrades currently available.

I think Snow is hoping that, with improved goaltending and forward depth, the Isles can get by with this defense until somebody becomes available.

I also think with the additions/development of Donovan, Brennan, Reinhart, Pulock, Mayfield etc. we've got better depth (albeit unproven) to protect against injuries to our d(Visnovsky). Cappy's got to watch Visnovsky's ice time and can't overplay him so he's got to be rotating Donovan, Brennan, Carkner, Mayfield, etc as needed or else we'll be in for a replay of last season.

Boston is playing with the idea of moving one of Boychuck/McQuaid/Bartowski, also Chicago is willing to move Leddy.

Leddy may not be ready as a top 4 dman yet but you wouldn't need him to be. Slot him and Reinhart on the bottom pairing, have Demonic as your top and Lubo/Hickey as your middle pairing.

To me that's good enough to get the season rolling and Reinhart should be progressing well through the season and with any luck Leddy as well.

I want to see them hitting their stride Nov/Dec. Not dying off like usual.

Ottawa's got some depth on d and I heard a lot of the Ottawa media talking about Methot's contract issues and potential availability. Also a guy like Patrick Weircoch may be available as well.

 

[ziggy7716]

Eklund also says the B's are trying to clear space for Ryan O'Reilly (?!?!??!?) and I just don't see that happening.

I think he meant to say Reily Smith, another one of their unsigned RFA's

 

[Isles5513]

The only thing we need more is a real GM and, well a coach who could actually coach.

 

[Brunomics]

The only thing we need more is a real GM and, well a coach who could actually coach.

Yea... he was out there and his name is Barry Trotz. Missed the boat on that one.

 

[Isles5513]

Yea... he was out there and his name is Barry Trotz. Missed the boat on that one.

Ya. It all starts with snow. I we had a GM capable of doing his job, aka not snow, we might've actually got a real coach which would've made me , but since Snow is GM and follows the philosophy of "If you bang your head against a brick wall, that wall will eventually break," I am .

 

[The Underboss]

I threw Jello at the wall and a piece with Martin's name stuck. That's how Eklund got his rumor.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

I think what we get upset about is that we know that one more defenseman will make this team really, really good and it's frustrating that they haven't been able to acquire one. We need a Wisniewski-like trade.

agree with the first part.
wisniewski-like trade? a trade for a player who's cap hit exceeds his actual salary? that's snow/wangs specialty! I was unimpressed with him during his brief tenure here, and he didn't last a full season. He is only remembered for his hand gesture. I'd like to add someone of higher caliber.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

I threw Jello at the wall and a piece with Martin's name stuck. That's how Eklund got his rumor.

My brother actually met Eklund once at one of the Drafts he was covering, and said Eklund only reports the things he hears. Whether it be inquisitions or serious trade talks. The Isles could be inquiring about Krug, but it may not be as serious as other reporters make their reports to be.

 

[ScaredStreit]

This team needs TWO defensemen. One top-4 and one bottom pairing. We're kidding ourselves if we think we need anything less than that.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

My brother actually met Eklund once at one of the Drafts he was covering, and said Eklund only reports the things he hears. Whether it be inquisitions or serious trade talks. The Isles could be inquiring about Krug, but it may not be as serious as other reporters make their reports to be.

If you walked up to him and told him you heard X for Y he would report it.

So yes I believe he reports what he hears. No I don't think he cares where it comes from. Quoting his own words, "I only report what I hear."

 

[The Underboss]

My brother actually met Eklund once at one of the Drafts he was covering, and said Eklund only reports the things he hears. Whether it be inquisitions or serious trade talks. The Isles could be inquiring about Krug, but it may not be as serious as other reporters make their reports to be.

The man behind Eklund, I'm sure he's a nice guy. In regards to his rumors, what's his success rate? It's got to be below 10% correct.

 

[ScaredStreit]

The man behind Eklund, I'm sure he's a nice guy. In regards to his rumors, what's his success rate? It's got to be below 10% correct.

If what the poster said is true (and honestly I have no reason to doubt him), then it sounds like Eklund reports EVERY little thing he hears--instead of vetting it. Which would make sense to me.

 

[The Underboss]

If what the poster said is true (and honestly I have no reason to doubt him), then it sounds like Eklund reports EVERY little thing he hears--instead of vetting it. Which would make sense to me.

Yeah, but he should do a better job vetting stuff he hears.