New York Islanders
@NYIslanders
Islanders News: The New York Islanders have signed forward Marc Gatcomb to a one-year contract.
- PeteM

I love Gatcomb’s game for bottom six role. Glad we resigned him.

I love Gatcomb’s game for bottom six role. Glad we resigned him.
- streaks

Good player with a high compete level.
Team has good depth and competition for ice time. Nothing wrong with that

Good player with a high compete level.
Team has good depth and competition for ice time. Nothing wrong with that
- nyisles7

Nothing wrong at all. Pretty excited for next few years. Need to figure out/get rid of engvall and duclair imo. Neither worth their contracts based on last years work.

Nothing wrong at all. Pretty excited for next few years. Need to figure out/get rid of engvall and duclair imo. Neither worth their contracts based on last years work.
- streaks

I agree with you. Engvall came on at the end of the year. That said both are not needed.
I like the players Darsch is going after. It’s about competing and I love that!

https://www.nhl.com/news/..._12_07_34_334552~&mi_sc=t

If you like NHL history, this is an interesting read about the life of a hockey player in the Original Six days. If you think the players are tough today, they ain't nothing compared to the old days. Also, there are some great old pictures, including two that include a young d-man for the Blackhawks, named Al Arbour.

Yeah I just added to my prior post. Maybe they are looking to move a forward?
I have zero problem with any player starting in the minors. I think it’s good for developement and makes them hungry. A good player will realize it’s part of the process. He could/should start in the AHL and be first call up. That’s obviously if he doesn’t win a spot outta camp.
- kindlyrick

I don't have any issue with it either, but you just hope the kid wasn't expecting to make the roster out of camp and is now starting off his Isles tenure with a sour taste in his mouth. I think he's going to be a really, really good player and I want him to stick around for a long time.

Yes, I also don't disagree with the likely response of "he has to earn it, etc..." or anything like that. More than fine with all of that, but the Isles haven't had the greatest success with retention of high-end talent so I just hope they're all on the same page when it comes to his path to being an NHL regular and there are no hard feelings.

I don't have any issue with it either, but you just hope the kid wasn't expecting to make the roster out of camp and is now starting off his Isles tenure with a sour taste in his mouth. I think he's going to be a really, really good player and I want him to stick around for a long time.

Yes, I also don't disagree with the likely response of "he has to earn it, etc..." or anything like that. More than fine with all of that, but the Isles haven't had the greatest success with retention of high-end talent so I just hope they're all on the same page when it comes to his path to being an NHL regular and there are no hard feelings.
- Gabe Athaus

This would not be an issue if JGP was traded at the deadline.

This would not be an issue if JGP was traded at the deadline.
- ses111

No but if JGP was traded and the kids not ready for prime time it definitely would have been a problem. If he’s ready JGP can always be traded.

No but if JGP was traded and the kids not ready for prime time it definitely would have been a problem. If he’s ready JGP can always be traded.
- nyisles7

You worry about injury or a drop-in play for JGP. Hopefully he gets moved this year.

I don't have any issue with it either, but you just hope the kid wasn't expecting to make the roster out of camp and is now starting off his Isles tenure with a sour taste in his mouth. I think he's going to be a really, really good player and I want him to stick around for a long time.

Yes, I also don't disagree with the likely response of "he has to earn it, etc..." or anything like that. More than fine with all of that, but the Isles haven't had the greatest success with retention of high-end talent so I just hope they're all on the same page when it comes to his path to being an NHL regular and there are no hard feelings.
- Gabe Athaus

With 25 players signed who’s the odd man out to get down to 23?

With 25 players signed who’s the odd man out to get down to 23?
- kindlyrick

I would vote for Engvall and MacLean.

With 25 players signed who’s the odd man out to get down to 23?
- kindlyrick

Certainly seems like Ritchie will be one of them. My guess is Schaefer is the other, unless he somehow blows everyone away at camp. Maybe he gets a 9 game look and goes back to junior.

Certainly feels like we could see:

Drouin-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Holmstrom
Ducliar-Pageau-Shabanov
Tsyplakov-Cizikas-Heinemen
Engvall
MacLean

Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Pulock
George/Schaefer-Mayfield
Boqvist
Bear

to start. MacLean is probably highly replaceable at this point, although he's good depth to have around in case of injury. Tsyplakov probably doesn't belong on the fourth line (and is heading towards player-elected arbitration if they can't agree on a deal beforehand) but I would imagine he works his way up from there. Don't have much faith in Duclair at this point.

Certainly seems like Ritchie will be one of them. My guess is Schaefer is the other, unless he somehow blows everyone away at camp. Maybe he gets a 9 game look and goes back to junior.

Certainly feels like we could see:

Drouin-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Holmstrom
Ducliar-Pageau-Shabanov
Tsyplakov-Cizikas-Heinemen
Engvall
MacLean

Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Pulock
George/Schaefer-Mayfield
Boqvist
Bear

to start. MacLean is probably highly replaceable at this point, although he's good depth to have around in case of injury. Tsyplakov probably doesn't belong on the fourth line (and is heading towards player-elected arbitration if they can't agree on a deal beforehand) but I would imagine he works his way up from there. Don't have much faith in Duclair at this point.
- Gabe Athaus

Sounds about right, unless Varly goes on IR.
I feel like they’re gonna start the Russians together but I guess it’s whatever works in camp and pre season. Not sure how much English Shabanov speaks.

Certainly seems like Ritchie will be one of them. My guess is Schaefer is the other, unless he somehow blows everyone away at camp. Maybe he gets a 9 game look and goes back to junior.

Certainly feels like we could see:

Drouin-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Holmstrom
Ducliar-Pageau-Shabanov
Tsyplakov-Cizikas-Heinemen
Engvall
MacLean

Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Pulock
George/Schaefer-Mayfield
Boqvist
Bear

to start. MacLean is probably highly replaceable at this point, although he's good depth to have around in case of injury. Tsyplakov probably doesn't belong on the fourth line (and is heading towards player-elected arbitration if they can't agree on a deal beforehand) but I would imagine he works his way up from there. Don't have much faith in Duclair at this point.
- Gabe Athaus

Be interesting to see Tsipy and Shaby on the same line.

We may well see another move or two before camp. The free agent market's pretty much dried up and, if there's any truth to all the analysts' chatter, there are a lot of teams that see themselves as contenders that still have work they want to get done, so the trade market might heat up soon. I don't know if the Isles have what those teams are looking for, but I'd guess Darche would be open for business if they want to talk.

We may well see another move or two before camp. The free agent market's pretty much dried up and, if there's any truth to all the analysts' chatter, there are a lot of teams that see themselves as contenders that still have work they want to get done, so the trade market might heat up soon. I don't know if the Isles have what those teams are looking for, but I'd guess Darche would be open for business if they want to talk.
- UIF

They seemingly don't want to move Pageau. Friedman's last podcast of the summer spoke about everything the Isles have done and one of the bullet points was that another exec said that the Islanders were adamant about holding onto him. I don't love the risk associated with that, injury or a down season, but it could also work in their favor if some GM gets desperate at the deadline and gives up a lot for him

They seemingly don't want to move Pageau. Friedman's last podcast of the summer spoke about everything the Isles have done and one of the bullet points was that another exec said that the Islanders were adamant about holding onto him. I don't love the risk associated with that, injury or a down season, but it could also work in their favor if some GM gets desperate at the deadline and gives up a lot for him
- Gabe Athaus

It's a risky move for sure. I'm sure the owners want to make the playoffs. I'm not sure the defense will be good enough. Offense should be in better shape.

They seemingly don't want to move Pageau. Friedman's last podcast of the summer spoke about everything the Isles have done and one of the bullet points was that another exec said that the Islanders were adamant about holding onto him. I don't love the risk associated with that, injury or a down season, but it could also work in their favor if some GM gets desperate at the deadline and gives up a lot for him
- Gabe Athaus

And Pageau would probably be the most likely target for another team... But, maybe Darche changes his mind if a team gets desperate now. I also wonder if "adamant" simply means Darche just turned down that exec's crappy offer

And Pageau would probably be the most likely target for another team... But, maybe Darche changes his mind if a team gets desperate now. I also wonder if "adamant" simply means Darche just turned down that exec's crappy offer
- UIF

Possible, maybe they're just holding out in the hopes of artificially driving up his price and they'll circle back at some point over the summer

And Pageau would probably be the most likely target for another team... But, maybe Darche changes his mind if a team gets desperate now. I also wonder if "adamant" simply means Darche just turned down that exec's crappy offer
- UIF

Hopefully Lee will be a target at the deadline.

Hopefully Lee will be a target at the deadline.
- ses111

On paper the isles are a better roster this year than last. I think they are a 7-8th seed and if they make the post season, everyone prob stays. My 2 cents

I will say if Cal Ritchie shows he’s ready that makes Pageau expendable.

With Nelson off the team the Isles have certainly weakened themselves up the middle. Especially on the defensive side of the puck. Barzy going back to c is definitely going to be interesting. I'm sure they will see how he does before shipping out JGP in my opinion. Strong D and strength down the middle is a must if you want to compete. Brazil and JGP are both smaller C's but JGP certainly is much more physical than Barzal and definitely better in the circle and the d side of the puck.
Just my opinion of course but before you trade jGP you better have your C positions secured with players that can compete against NHL Centers. Can't hope Barzal and Ritchie can play the D side adequately. You have to know before trading JGP.

On paper the isles are a better roster this year than last. I think they are a 7-8th seed and if they make the post season, everyone prob stays. My 2 cents

I will say if Cal Ritchie shows he’s ready that makes Pageau expendable.
- kindlyrick

Pelech and Pulock are a concern for the defense. Things have to break well for the Islanders to make the playoffs.

With Nelson off the team the Isles have certainly weakened themselves up the middle. Especially on the defensive side of the puck. Barzy going back to c is definitely going to be interesting. I'm sure they will see how he does before shipping out JGP in my opinion. Strong D and strength down the middle is a must if you want to compete. Brazil and JGP are both smaller C's but JGP certainly is much more physical than Barzal and definitely better in the circle and the d side of the puck.
Just my opinion of course but before you trade jGP you better have your C positions secured with players that can compete against NHL Centers. Can't hope Barzal and Ritchie can play the D side adequately. You have to know before trading JGP.
- nyisles7

Well-said.

Well-said.
- JohnScammo