Patrick may not be an all-time great coach, and he makes some strange decision but look at what he has had to put up with. Not to mention, Lou undermining him with forcing Martin on him and calling Pierre back up.
- ses111

This is why I would like to see him with a more consistent line up and the ability to bring in his own people. Move on from MacLean and Albelin. Then if you want to let him go after that fine. I still believe in Roy.

In a draft that is viewed by most as thin, maybe he flips what he has this year by moving back and grabbing chips for next year. They are stating that next years second is an extension of the first. That is how deep they are predicting the draft will be.
- Nfdbulldawg

There is a zero % chance he trades this years picks for next years picks. The guy himself said he doesn’t value draft picks. He even said after this recent TDL he was looking for at worst prospects not picks. He’s not going to kick the can to next year for more picks. He’s looking for almost fully developed prospects OR active NHL players. That’s exactly what I expect him to trade our current picks for. Primarily the latter if I had to guess.

Back tracking a little, but Ritchie is a prospect I'm super excited about. This was just one recent write-up on him:

Ritchie is the complete package and has been one of the top players in the OHL for the last two seasons (I think he has a claim as the best player in the league this year). From my first live viewing of him four Octobers ago in St. Catharines when he looked like the Generals’ most talented forward in just the second game of his OHL career; to his four-goal, seven-point series in Oshawa’s six-game first-round defeat against the Kingston Frontenacs three years ago; to his Hlinka performance two summers ago; to Langley at the CHL Top Prospects Game, Switzerland for U18 worlds and continued live viewings in Oshawa, Ritchie has consistently impressed me (he didn’t elevate at the World Juniors for Canada but I thought he was fine there and it was a collective problem). On the puck, he’s a multifaceted playmaker who often looks like the player who was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and an OHL First All-Rookie Team member.

He has quick hands (he’s prolific on breakaways/in the shootout), a dangerous curl-and-drag wrister, decent cleverness to his game as a passer (whether through seams or often blind), slick skill in traffic and out wide sliding pucks under sticks and rotating through coverage or past checks for a player his size, and a knack for finessing pucks into spots for himself or his linemates to skate onto. He has also begun to fill out his frame (though his shoulder surgery did hurt a key summer for him post-draft), which has helped turn him into a diligent, relied-upon two-way player off the puck. He’s also strong in the faceoff circle, makes those around him better, and has picked up a bit more of an acceleration gear from a standstill (and his skating was completely fine before that).

He takes smart routes with and without the puck, he has become a reliable three-zone player and the skill is there (he has superb puck control skill). He does a good job finding inside ice in possession (or off it). He’s also a very selfless player for his age who is quick to change in the offensive zone and will sooner make the right play than try to overdo it. I’ve noticed an uptick in his physicality this year as well, both in the OHL and at the World Juniors where he did a good job forechecking and finishing his checks. I’ve liked the progress I’ve seen in how strong he is over pucks and getting up and under sticks to take them back in pursuit or go to the net for tips (which he’s actually quite dexterous on) instead of always trying to free himself for his shot. When he keeps his feet moving, he’s an impressive player. I see clear second-line potential.

There is a zero % chance he trades this years picks for next years picks. The guy himself said he doesn’t value draft picks. He even said after this recent TDL he was looking for at worst prospects not picks. He’s not going to kick the can to next year for more picks. He’s looking for almost fully developed prospects OR active NHL players. That’s exactly what I expect him to trade our current picks for. Primarily the latter if I had to guess.
- Cptmjl

I get it but that is what this basement GM would do. He will make a few minor deals, state that the free agents he wanted they could not come to terms with, and we will be a third- and fourth-line team next year with guys a year older and a year slower.
Man games missed will increase.

But he will say that he likes the make-up. Blah Blah Blah.....

I get it but that is what this basement GM would do. He will make a few minor deals, state that the free agents he wanted they could not come to terms with, and we will be a third- and fourth-line team next year with guys a year older and a year slower.
Man games missed will increase.

But he will say that he likes the make-up. Blah Blah Blah.....
- Nfdbulldawg

You have not received your internet GM certification yet? I would think, like us, you qualify.

You have not received your internet GM certification yet? I would think, like us, you qualify.
- Cptmjl

- Nfdbulldawg

❤️

You have not received your internet GM certification yet? I would think, like us, you qualify.
- Cptmjl

I got mine years ago. It's great.

You have not received your internet GM certification yet? I would think, like us, you qualify.
- Cptmjl

Just have to fill out the form on the back of the Cracker Jack box and mail in proof of purchase

I got mine years ago. It's great.
- JimmyP

It really opens doors.

It really opens doors.
- ses111

The only downside is that I get hounded for my autograph at UBS Arena.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
35m
It's unlikely to happen but
@PierreVLeBrun
did say on Insider Trading that there have been discussions regarding the cancellation of the 2026 #NHL All-Star Game, which #Isles are supposed to host
@TheHockeyNews

But then we would miss out on so many of the historically significant skills competition events like:

- Players race an actual horse at the racetrack. Last place finisher has to euthanize the horse after it breaks its legs running and falling on ice
- The Bagel Boss Breakaway Bonanza, when the players compete in a thrilling breakaway competition but use bagels instead of pucks because New York
- The Solo Stove Accuracy Challenge - the stakes are raised as we will see competitors fire pucks at fish sticks mounted on all four corners of the net
- The Hardest Shot Competition
- The Cross Island Passing Challenge - Competitors attempt to safely pass someone in the left lane without being catastrophically rear-ended by someone driving 96mph in a 2023 BMW M5 who also lives in Section 8 Housing

The only downside is that I get hounded for my autograph at UBS Arena.
- JohnScammo

Me too. Every time I buy something the cashier always hands me a little piece of paper and asks me to autograph it for them at the bottom.

The only downside is that I get hounded for my autograph at UBS Arena.
- JohnScammo

Ha-ha!

Ledecky will be jealous.

The only downside is that I get hounded for my autograph at UBS Arena.
- JohnScammo

You think it's bad now, just wait until you get inducted into the Internet GM HOF. I need a disguise to go out in public.

The only downside is that I get hounded for my autograph at UBS Arena.
- JohnScammo

You think it's bad now, just wait until you get inducted into the Internet GM HOF. I need a disguise to go out in public.
- JimmyP

Ha-ha!

Ledecky will be jealous.
- ses111

Hudson Fasching was a nice story two years ago and injected some life into the team, but he's just not good.

sOrOkin on fire WOW!!

sOrOkin on fire WOW!!
- nyisles7

That first period was The Ilya Show.

The rest of the team......

That first period was The Ilya Show.

The rest of the team......


- JohnScammo

So True so he said (frank) you guys I’m letting Dry score!!

Hudson Fasching was a nice story two years ago and injected some life into the team, but he's just not good.
- keaner17

Keaner Mayfield LOL X2

Bo with good timing!

Engvall FINALLY showing something. Would love for him to workout and have him be a valuable player.