Team misses players like Toews and Leddy that can skate the puck out of trouble.
- ses111

I think Dobson, Pelech, and Pulock do a decent enough job, I just think the weakness for the last few years has been protecting the house. There’s panic which causes breakdowns and ultimately goals against. They need a vet presence to help close out games.

I think Dobson, Pelech, and Pulock do a decent enough job, I just think the weakness for the last few years has been protecting the house. There’s panic which causes breakdowns and ultimately goals against. They need a vet presence to help close out games.
- kindlyrick

Two of three players you mentioned are vets. You could even make an argument that Dobson is.

Two of three players you mentioned are vets. You could even make an argument that Dobson is.
- Cptmjl

The issue is not needing another vet. Islanders should have more than enough experience. Islanders have trouble with either passing or skating the puck out of trouble.

Two of three players you mentioned are vets. You could even make an argument that Dobson is.
- Cptmjl

One could make your argument about pelech and pulock although I still think Dobson has some room to grow. I also think Pulock and Pelech are at their best when they had help….i.e Boychuk, Greene, and Chara. The bottom pair of the isles should be sound, not b port call ups

The issue is not needing another vet. Islanders should have more than enough experience. Islanders have trouble with either passing or skating the puck out of trouble.
- ses111

It’s decision making in their own end which was best with Boychuk and Leddy these last few years.

One could make your argument about pelech and pulock although I still think Dobson has some room to grow. I also think Pulock and Pelech are at their best when they had help….i.e Boychuk, Greene, and Chara. The bottom pair of the isles should be sound, not b port call ups
- kindlyrick

In a cap world, you should have a young dman for the 3rd pair. The top 4 should be playing the critical minutes down the stretch.

It’s decision making in their own end which was best with Boychuk and Leddy these last few years.
- kindlyrick

Outside of Bolduc, there should be enough experience for the dmen to make better decisions. We are not talking about the Islanders having a bunch of 18-year-old dmen. The NHL is about speed now. You need to be able to move the puck quickly in terms of passing it and skating it out of trouble.

In a cap world, you should have a young dman for the 3rd pair. The top 4 should be playing the critical minutes down the stretch.
- ses111

We can agree to disagree. The isles young dmen were Aho, Salo, and Bolduc. Neither of those three were reliable or consistent. For me, I’d rather that 3rd pair be journeymen vets who can play it safe and can close out a games.

We can agree to disagree. The isles young dmen were Aho, Salo, and Bolduc. Neither of those three were reliable or consistent. For me, I’d rather that 3rd pair be journeymen vets who can play it safe and can close out a games.
- kindlyrick

This goes back to the Islanders not drafting and developing well.

Outside of Bolduc, there should be enough experience for the dmen to make better decisions. We are not talking about the Islanders having a bunch of 18-year-old dmen. The NHL is about speed now. You need to be able to move the puck quickly in terms of passing it and skating it out of trouble.
- ses111

Should be is the key word but too often the isles get caught pinned in their and and can’t get the puck safely out. The statistics of blown third period leads are a result of that.

This goes back to the Islanders not drafting and developing well.
- ses111

Agreed, but until they have that talent, I don’t think it makes sense filling spots with career minor leaguers. IMO

Aho, Salo and Bolduc are the new Hillen, Ness and Hickey. No thanks

See what Wahlstrom can get on the blackend in terms of a 10-15 min vet Dman

Agreed, but until they have that talent, I don’t think it makes sense filling spots with career minor leaguers. IMO
- kindlyrick

They are not. Mayfield and Reilly will most likely be the 3rd pair. The more you can use young players in the 3rd pair and bottom 6 forwards, the more you can spend elsewhere though.

They are not. Mayfield and Reilly will most likely be the 3rd pair. The more you can use young players in the 3rd pair and bottom 6 forwards, the more you can spend elsewhere though.
- ses111

See my edits.

I’m not talking about adding an overpriced veteran. Wahlstroms days are numbered. Take his salary and replace it with a vet dman who can play PK and close out a game with a min to go.

See my edits.

I’m not talking about adding an overpriced veteran. Wahlstroms days are numbered. Take his salary and replace it with a vet dman who can play PK and close out a game with a min to go.
- kindlyrick

Who is this vet dman replacing? Mayfield or Reilly? The Islanders have trouble if they cannot rely on their top 4 to close out games.

Who is this vet dman replacing? Mayfield or Reilly? The Islanders have trouble if they cannot rely on their top 4 to close out games.
- ses111

Depending on who’s slumping one of Mayfield or Reilly is the 7th guy. The isles have blown third period leads two years in a row with this top 4 so whether we wanna admit it or not that’s a major problem.

Depending on who’s slumping one of Mayfield or Reilly is the 7th guy. The isles have blown third period leads two years in a row with this top 4 so whether we wanna admit it or not that’s a major problem.
- kindlyrick

A fringe vet dman will not likely help much. The current dmen and Albelin need to figure it out. Big time help is not coming.

A fringe vet dman will not likely help much. The current dmen and Albelin need to figure it out. Big time help is not coming.
- ses111

It could help the PK and close out games. Whether it happens or not will remain to be seen. What we do know is the isles have had issues holding leads which seemed to have been corrected under Trotz, albeit they had Leddy and Boychuk.
As I said before, Wahmstrom appears to be losing his spot. I’d rather swap his expense for a vet dman….but that’s just me.

It could help the PK and close out games. Whether it happens or not will remain to be seen. What we do know is the isles have had issues holding leads which seemed to have been corrected under Trotz, albeit they had Leddy and Boychuk.
As I said before, Wahmstrom appears to be losing his spot. I’d rather swap his expense for a vet dman….but that’s just me.
- kindlyrick

You are still talking about a 7th dman that is not going to play every game. These vet dmen should know what to do at this point. Houda is out so it's all on the players now.

You are still talking about a 7th dman that is not going to play every game. These vet dmen should know what to do at this point. Houda is out so it's all on the players now.
- ses111

Reilly is the 7th Dman until injury IMO.
I’m not disputing what you’re saying about it being up to the players. I’m saying it’s been up to them and the continuous blown leads were a problem. Something has to give. Albelin alone is not the answer.
Are we gonna watch another year of Wahlstrom taking up space, or admit that he’s not the player they thought they drafted. Fish or cut bait I say

Reilly is the 7th Dman until injury IMO.
I’m not disputing what you’re saying about it being up to the players. I’m saying it’s been up to them and the continuous blown leads were a problem. Something has to give. Albelin alone is not the answer.
Are we gonna watch another year of Wahlstrom taking up space, or admit that he’s not the player they thought they drafted. Fish or cut bait I say
- kindlyrick

I thought Bolduc was the 7th dman? I'm fine with losing Reilly. You just have to understand another Vet dman being brought in is not going to magically fix things. Even if Lou liked to make moves, he did not leave room with the Cap.

I thought Bolduc was the 7th dman? I'm fine with losing Reilly. You just have to understand another Vet dman being brought in is not going to magically fix things. Even if Lou liked to make moves, he did not leave room with the Cap.
- ses111

Bolduc and Reilly should be 7 and 8th Dman. A vet dman isnt magically the answer but if it holds leads in half the games they blew it matters
Also, Wahlstrom (it’s looking like) has no role on this team. Why wait? It’s a wasted expense on an asset that’s not performing.

Bolduc and Reilly should be 7 and 8th Dman. A vet dman isnt magically the answer but if it holds leads in half the games they blew it matters
Also, Wahlstrom (it’s looking like) has no role on this team. Why wait? It’s a wasted expense on an asset that’s not performing.
- kindlyrick

The thing is the Islanders do not seem to see Reilly as a 7th or 8th dman. Whether we like it or not, the current dmen will need to get it done.

The thing is the Islanders do not seem to see Reilly has a 7th or 8th dman. Whether we like it or not, the current dmen will need to get it done.
- ses111

I hear ya. We shall see. I don’t think this roster is set, and there appears to be a lot of competition up front thus far.

I hear ya. We shall see. I don’t think this roster is set, and there appears to be a lot of competition up front thus far.
- kindlyrick

The forwards may be looking better this year. A lot of pressure on the D and Pelech and Pulock returning to form and Dobson being better on the defensive end.

i carry it well. think kevin owens
- batteryjackson

That's great, you're a tank then