We have truly hit the dog days of the hockey offseason. With that being said I thought we would take a look at the potential line combos that the Isles might have on opening night. It is really hard to project where the kids will fit. I do believe that one of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome will make the team. Also on the blue line I feel that one of Calvin De Haan and Matt Donovan will make the team. So after going through potential matchups here is what I came up with. This should at least give us something to yell about for a day or so. Enjoy
Forwards:
PMB – Tavares – Bailey
Okposo- Nielsen – Moulson
Grabner – Nelson – CLutterbuck
Martin – Cizikas – Mcdonald

Defense:
Hamonic – MacDonald
Hickey – Visnovsky
Donovan – Strait

Goalies:
Nabby
Poulin

Final Thoughts
I know many of you may raise some eyes at the top line but I really liked what I saw with Bailey playing next to JT. I think it’s worth giving this a shot and Bailey’s playmaking skills and ability to create some space for JT might work. I do believe that Strome will start the season in Bridgeport and will be up by Christmas. I think the biggest battle for a roster spot will be between Donovan and De Haan. I think Donovan is the favorite but all bets are off if De Haan is healthy. That’s all for today but feel to rip this apart.

Your aspiring blogger,
-Dan-

If you like talking hockey give me a follow on twitter @DanDanNoodles78

We have truly hit the dog days of the hockey offseason. With that being said I thought we would take a look at the potential line combos that the Isles might have on opening night. It is really hard to project where the kids will fit. I do believe that one of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome will make the team. Also on the blue line I feel that one of Calvin De Haan and Matt Donovan will make the team. So after going through potential matchups here is what I came up with. This should at least give us something to yell about for a day or so. Enjoy
Forwards:
PMB – Tavares – Bailey
Okposo- Nielsen – Moulson
Grabner – Nelson – CLutterbuck
Martin – Cizikas – Mcdonald

Defense:
Hamonic – MacDonald
Hickey – Visnovsky
Donovan – Strait

Goalies:
Nabby
Poulin

Final Thoughts
I know many of you may raise some eyes at the top line but I really liked what I saw with Bailey playing next to JT. I think it’s worth giving this a shot and Bailey’s playmaking skills and ability to create some space for JT might work. I do believe that Strome will start the season in Bridgeport and will be up by Christmas. I think the biggest battle for a roster spot will be between Donovan and De Haan. I think Donovan is the favorite but all bets are off if De Haan is healthy. That’s all for today but feel to rip this apart.

Your aspiring blogger,
-Dan-

If you like talking hockey give me a follow on twitter @DanDanNoodles78

- NYI78

Nice job. I agree we see Strome by christmas. I'm excited to see what Donovan can do this year

I also think PMB is more of a PA type then a Boyes type so that will help both JT and MM by creating more space for both of them. So my first line would be...

Moulson-Tavares-PMB

Not bad lines but I do think Cappy tries to keep the "magic" the 2nd line had at the end of the season together to at least start the season. So the second line is...

Okposo-Frans-Bailey

The third line center spot is the biggest question mark right now in my mind as it will be a battle between Nelson and Regin. I do think Regin starts on the big club in the spot but doesn't last long. The opening night 3rd line I see as...

Grabs-Regin-Clutterbuck

The fourth line I don't think will change at all, they were too good together last season and why change a good thing...

Martin-Cizikas-MacDonald

For Defense I do think Donnavan makes the team and starts 3rd pairing. I don't think cappy breaks up the pairing of Hamonic and McDonald. Viz I think starts with Strait and Donnavan works with a mixture of Hickey, Carkner and Finley as the season goes on. I would still like to see a better D-man be found to play with Viz but I am not holding my breath, so for opening night...

Viz-Strait
Hamonic-McDonald
Donnavan-Hickey

Goalies are Nabakov and Poulin unless something changes and those are self explainatory.

I know I've said it before, but Donovan I think is in a closing window. He has many placeholders and established players in front of him, and a giant wave of talented prospects coming in behind him. He needs to get a look very soon, and when he does, he needs to open some eyes quickly.

We have truly hit the dog days of the hockey offseason. With that being said I thought we would take a look at the potential line combos that the Isles might have on opening night. It is really hard to project where the kids will fit. I do believe that one of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome will make the team. Also on the blue line I feel that one of Calvin De Haan and Matt Donovan will make the team. So after going through potential matchups here is what I came up with. This should at least give us something to yell about for a day or so. Enjoy
Forwards:
PMB – Tavares – Bailey
Okposo- Nielsen – Moulson
Grabner – Nelson – CLutterbuck
Martin – Cizikas – Mcdonald

Defense:
Hamonic – MacDonald
Hickey – Visnovsky
Donovan – Strait

Goalies:
Nabby
Poulin

Final Thoughts
I know many of you may raise some eyes at the top line but I really liked what I saw with Bailey playing next to JT. I think it’s worth giving this a shot and Bailey’s playmaking skills and ability to create some space for JT might work. I do believe that Strome will start the season in Bridgeport and will be up by Christmas. I think the biggest battle for a roster spot will be between Donovan and De Haan. I think Donovan is the favorite but all bets are off if De Haan is healthy. That’s all for today but feel to rip this apart.

Your aspiring blogger,
Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell Williams

If you like talking hockey give me a follow on twitter @DanDanNoodles78

- NYI78

fixed

fixed
- LetsGoIsles

look I tried to be clever and you picked up on it!!!

I know I've said it before, but Donovan I think is in a closing window. He has many placeholders and established players in front of him, and a giant wave of talented prospects coming in behind him. He needs to get a look very soon, and when he does, he needs to open some eyes quickly.
- UIF

He needs to hit daHaan as hard as he can in camp.

XxNYIxX

look I tried to be clever and you picked up on it!!!
- NYI78

hahah...i like it.

but you glossed over what you made for dinner, i was kinda curious

I know I've said it before, but Donovan I think is in a closing window. He has many placeholders and established players in front of him, and a giant wave of talented prospects coming in behind him. He needs to get a look very soon, and when he does, he needs to open some eyes quickly.
- UIF

The one thing Donovan has over the other guys is his offensive game. I don't see the same potential in the other guys. I think most of those other D prospects will be stay at home punishing type. Dehaan is Donovans biggest threat IMO

I know I've said it before, but Donovan I think is in a closing window. He has many placeholders and established players in front of him, and a giant wave of talented prospects coming in behind him. He needs to get a look very soon, and when he does, he needs to open some eyes quickly.
- UIF

The last time I was this excited about an Islander D-man most were not talking about was Hamonic... Donovan will be on this team for a long time.

I love the blog/effort.... I think it's either Bailey or PMB on top line (although I would love Clutterbuck). I also think Hickey has no shot at second pairing. That is Strait's to lose.. and Donovan will be the guy to take it. Hickey can move puck very well but he was exposed in Pitts series as they purposely went after him physically. In general though.. I like the idea of Strome starting lower and most of your line combos...especially no Regin.

The one thing Donovan has over the other guys is his offensive game. I don't see the same potential in the other guys. I think most of those other D prospects will be stay at home punishing type. Dehaan is Donovans biggest threat IMO
- Vukota

I would not mind seeing them both on the team b/c that would mean they were playing THAT good.

Only thing that worries me about a PMB Tavares Bailey line is the lack of physicality. Bailey is responsible defensively (kinda) so that may work, but we could have some trouble with a physical defense Unfortunately we don't have anyone to really fill that role on the top line yet anyway. I also think this line would offer very little presence in the dirty areas.
It underscores how we really need a power forward!

Nice write up though...no recipes?

Xxkeaner17xX

I would not mind seeing them both on the team b/c that would mean they were playing THAT good.
- niteislander

I think that's very possible. Snow has already tipped his hand that he expects Donovan there. If de Haan stays healthy, it may be difficult to keep him down as well. How refreshing to have enough talent that these decisions become more difficult!


Xxkeaner17xX

Nice job Dan...I still think Moulson stays on the top line and deHaan will start the season in Bridgeport but probably be up with the big club by January...Strome too...

I love the blog/effort.... I think it's either Bailey or PMB on top line (although I would love Clutterbuck). I also think Hickey has no shot at second pairing. That is Strait's to lose.. and Donovan will be the guy to take it. Hickey can move puck very well but he was exposed in Pitts series as they purposely went after him physically. In general though.. I like the idea of Strome starting lower and most of your line combos...especially no Regin.
- niteislander

I actually would love to see Donovan with harmonic..i think it would enhance the offense in hammer as well

Nice job Dan...I still think Moulson stays on the top line and deHaan will start the season in Bridgeport but probably be up with the big club by January...Strome too...
- kear20

This may work!!!

as I write this i'm actually making chicken salad..i can post the directions if you want... I can out blog dee and I could cook her under the table...I can cook like a mofo I stand by that... lol

as I write this i'm actually making chicken salad..i can post the directions if you want... I can out blog dee and I could cook her under the table...I can cook like a mofo I stand by that... lol
- NYI78

to your house? not sure i can to and from Connecticut for lunch all within an hour...let me ask my boss

Here is what I think the Isles lines will look like if Strome doesnt make the team...
(I know I have posted this before)

Moulson - Tavares - Bouchard
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
Grabner - Nelson - McDonald
Martin - Cizikis - Clutterbuck
(Regin, Boulton)

Hamonic - MacDonald
Visnovsky - Donovan
Strait - Hickey
(Carkner, Finely)

Nabakov
Poulin
(Nilsson)

If Strome makes the team...

Moulson - Tavares - Strome
Grabner - Nelson - Bouchard
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
Martin - Cizikis - Clutterbuck
(McDonald, Regin, Boulton)

Hamonic - MacDonald
Visnovsky - Donovan
Strait - Hickey
(Carkner, Finely)

Nabakov
Poulin
(Nilsson)

EDIT
Nice Blog!

to your house? not sure i can to and from Connecticut for lunch all within an hour...let me ask my boss
- LetsGoIsles

why ask, just tell your boss the way its gonna be!

XxNYIxX

why ask, just tell your boss the way its gonna be!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

My guess is because he knows his boss can find somebody else in a second to mop up those peep show booths

My guess is because he knows his boss can find somebody else in a second to mop up those peep show booths
- Vukota

Not just anyone can do that stuff....

Xxkeaner17xX

We have truly hit the dog days of the hockey offseason. With that being said I thought we would take a look at the potential line combos that the Isles might have on opening night. It is really hard to project where the kids will fit. I do believe that one of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome will make the team. Also on the blue line I feel that one of Calvin De Haan and Matt Donovan will make the team. So after going through potential matchups here is what I came up with. This should at least give us something to yell about for a day or so. Enjoy
Forwards:
PMB – Tavares – Bailey
Okposo- Nielsen – Moulson
Grabner – Nelson – CLutterbuck
Martin – Cizikas – Mcdonald

Defense:
Hamonic – MacDonald
Hickey – Visnovsky
Donovan – Strait

Goalies:
Nabby
Poulin

Final Thoughts
I know many of you may raise some eyes at the top line but I really liked what I saw with Bailey playing next to JT. I think it’s worth giving this a shot and Bailey’s playmaking skills and ability to create some space for JT might work. I do believe that Strome will start the season in Bridgeport and will be up by Christmas. I think the biggest battle for a roster spot will be between Donovan and De Haan. I think Donovan is the favorite but all bets are off if De Haan is healthy. That’s all for today but feel to rip this apart.

Your aspiring blogger,
-Dan-

If you like talking hockey give me a follow on twitter @DanDanNoodles78

- NYI78

Good job. I like these lines hope that's the way they look cone october

My guess is because he knows his boss can find somebody else in a second to mop up those peep show booths
- Vukota

i wonder if that's a Union job?

XxNYIxX