We actually have prospects? You can tell it's a Dubas draft. Midgets and forgettable picks. If we're lucky, one might come out of that class.....maybe Niemela in another 3 years. He'll be another Sandin or Liljegren and be shipped out after a looksee at the NHL level.
We actually have prospects? You can tell it's a Dubas draft. Midgets and forgettable picks. If we're lucky, one might come out of that class.....maybe Niemela in another 3 years. He'll be another Sandin or Liljegren and be shipped out after a looksee at the NHL level. - PrinceLH
these picks were only from 2016-2017 (while Dubas was around)
Location: I usually disagree with Dozzer, ON Joined: 12.16.2013
Mar 11 @ 4:41 PM ET
Niemela is a top 6 dman next year
Book it - mr.sir
I'm thinking he will get a couple of cups of coffee with the big club but I doubt he sticks full time. Seeing how Tre is looking for big tough experience D, I can't see any scenario he is playing in the playoffs next year.
True - Under Roy they are playing .639 hockey (10-5-3); under Lambert it was .544. Although the Metro, once you get past the Rangers and Hurricanes, isn't particularly strong right now. You have Washington at .528 (8-7-3), the Flyers are .474 (8-9-2) the Devils are .425 (8-11-1) and the Penguins are .400 (7-11-2).
One of the most important things helping the Islanders ascension back to relevance in their division is how poor the rest of the division has been playing.
That said: DJ Smith was 11-15; Jacques Martin is 14-18-4. It's too early to say on Green in Jersey, but I never thought much of him as a coach, so I'm sticking with that opinion.
McLellan was 23-15-5; Hiller is 9-5-1.
But the good stories, when they are good, they are good - in Minnesota, Evason was 5-10-4; Hynes is 26-17-3 - and obviously in Edmonton, the puppet who wanted to be a real boy was 3-9-1 and Knoblauch is 36-12-2.
Location: This world is just a veil and the face you wear is not your own., ON Joined: 07.06.2007
Mar 11 @ 4:55 PM ET
I'm thinking he will get a couple of cups of coffee with the big club but I doubt he sticks full time. Seeing how Tre is looking for big tough experience D, I can't see any scenario he is playing in the playoffs next year. - rSole
If Liljegren fails to take the step we’ve all been waiting for, I’d say Topi gets a real look. Pairing mobile and tough is kinda what they’re looking to do, especially if one of the two is on an ELC
Location: I usually disagree with Dozzer, ON Joined: 12.16.2013
Mar 11 @ 5:13 PM ET
If Liljegren fails to take the step we’ve all been waiting for, I’d say Topi gets a real look. Pairing mobile and tough is kinda what they’re looking to do, especially if one of the two is on an ELC - Canada Cup
I agree he will get a couple of looks next year. I hope he surprises but I really doubt it. He is actually very similar to Liljegren. But Liljegren is 24, 6' and 192 lbs. He also spent 4 years up and down with the Marlies before he became a regular. Topi is 21, 6' and 179lbs and this is his first full year with the Marlies. Expecting him to be a full time NHLer next year is very wishful thinking. Liljegren gets pushed around pretty easily, Topi is smaller and less experienced. Teams like the Bruins would make him their little bi-tch in the corners and in front of the net.
I believe Topi will be an NHL'er, but could be another 2 years away.
True - Under Roy they are playing .639 hockey (10-5-3); under Lambert it was .544. Although the Metro, once you get past the Rangers and Hurricanes, isn't particularly strong right now. You have Washington at .528 (8-7-3), the Flyers are .474 (8-9-2) the Devils are .425 (8-11-1) and the Penguins are .400 (7-11-2).
One of the most important things helping the Islanders ascension back to relevance in their division is how poor the rest of the division has been playing.
That said: DJ Smith was 11-15; Jacques Martin is 14-18-4. It's too early to say on Green in Jersey, but I never thought much of him as a coach, so I'm sticking with that opinion.
McLellan was 23-15-5; Hiller is 9-5-1.
But the good stories, when they are good, they are good - in Minnesota, Evason was 5-10-4; Hynes is 26-17-3 - and obviously in Edmonton, the puppet who wanted to be a real boy was 3-9-1 and Knoblauch is 36-12-2. - Monkeypunk
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
Mar 11 @ 5:34 PM ET
I agree he will get a couple of looks next year. I hope he surprises but I really doubt it. He is actually very similar to Liljegren. But Liljegren is 24, 6' and 192 lbs. He also spent 4 years up and down with the Marlies before he became a regular. Topi is 21, 6' and 179lbs and this is his first full year with the Marlies. Expecting him to be a full time NHLer next year is very wishful thinking. Liljegren gets pushed around pretty easily, Topi is smaller and less experienced. Teams like the Bruins would make him their little bi-tch in the corners and in front of the net.
I believe Topi will be an NHL'er, but could be another 2 years away. - rSole
I'm not going to argue that Niemela is ready or on the cusp because I don't know - but I can say that if you look at some of the other really undersized D in the league - Spurgeon is 5'7 / 165lbs, Girard is 5'8 / 170lbs, Quinn Hughes is 5'8 / 180 - and I do realize that Hughes is a special skater - they fare well for the most part. I can say that in the last 3 years, to your example, Spurgeon hasn't done well facing a guy like Charlie Coyle, but he has been fine facing a guy like Tage Thompson. In fact outside of the core talent (Pastrnak, McAvoy), an undersized guy like Spurgeon carried the play against more of the Bruins than those he didn't (like Marchand, Bergeron, etc.). Even some of the bangers like Foligno.
What it comes down to is how well you handle an aggressive forecheck and how quick you are with the puck. If you panic when a big forechecker bears down on you and turn the puck over - yeah there are a lot of teams that will feed you your lunch. If you can remain composed, make the play and sidestep the brunt of the oncoming hit, you're more than an asset, you're trapping guys behind the play.
I mean the way the NHL is called now - when Brodie pinned the Habs' player's stick on Saturday people wanted to know why it wasn't a slashing penalty - they were legitimately outraged and it was the farthest thing from a slash - just solid defensive coverage. Being the biggest meanest largest defender out there - until you've developed the reputation that lets you get away with murder - is just a license to be penalized.
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
Mar 11 @ 5:36 PM ET
a 15-0 run did help greatly. - dmnted
It did, but it can't really be discounted because no one else did it and other teams had segments of their schedules that were as easy or easier and they didn't even come close.
