I keep reading the same old nonsense about our Islanders being interested in Ducks
defenseman Mathieu Schneider. He's a steady guy with experience and great puck moving ability
while still retaining his offensive flair. Besides that, off the ice he's a great guy to have for any organization.

He made just under 6 million last year I believe.

Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Philly defenseman, Jason Smith is being sought by the Bolts.
He made about 5m last year.

Either of these 2 would be perfect guys to have for a team with guys like Meyer, Campoli and Gervais.
3 guys who were well rounded defenseman in juniors and in Meyers' case, college.

problem is, who would go?

This is just me speculating. Would you want to see a guy like maybe Sutton moved or packaged if one
of these 2 free agents was even possibly thinking to sign with us?

(personally, I think we're done with FA's, just curious to read everyone's thinking)

Radek could fetch some youth. He's under contract, he's a great skater and good puck mover but beyond the core age, yet not revered enough to be a mentor (ala Witt). You may want to think about it, especially now that we have Streit as a good puck mover.

That's what I was expecting to read but I'm a little miffed.
Streit will have a ton of pressure on him from us fans to be a number 1
when he hasn't been in that role on the NHL level.
A tall task.

Last year I even suggested trying to trade a guy like Witt because of his constant screening of
DP on shots instead of just keeping his feet moving and finishing guys off with checks on the rush or coming off the corner with the puck. That stood out more in my mind than the physical aspect of his game. I'm willing to soften on that.

But Sutton? Big guy and very inconsistent. I was thinking, more like dreaming of having a guy like
Smith or Schneider on a team with Streit that could help teach and rub off on guys like Campoli, Meyer and Gervais.

But yu're right in terms of market value...Radek could fetch more, Suttons salary could be a hindrance.

Just hockey fans dreaming.
:dontknow:

After last season, we may just want to stockpile all the D-men we can get our hands on.

Weapons of Mass D-struction.

Martinek doesn't have as much trade value as you think. He is incapable physically of playing a whole season. Fragile defensemen rarely catch anything on the market, except a cold...

:P

Schneider :thumbsup:

we have cap space... but roster room? hmm...
f#@k it, duh... if we get schneider, we make the room

Yeah, frankly, if Schneider came along, I would not hesitate to send Bruno or Camps back down to the bridge, or keep them scratched (assuming that Meyer is being sent down or getting scratched for Streit). Schneider is a very, very good defensmen, and if we had him and Streit on our PP, we might actually score. :fear:

OK I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SAY IT

WITT AS A MENTOR....OH PLEASE

HE NEEDS TO STOP SCREENING DP WITH ALL THIS SHOT BLOCKING STUFF
(not just him the whole team... clear the lane so dp can see something for a change)
AND HE NEEDS TO GET MEAN AGAIN AND FAST
BECAUSE I'VE GROWN A LITTLE WEARY OF HIS ROUTINE
IT WAS FUNNY WHEN HE FIRST SUCKERED SHANNY WITH THE GET IN YOUR FACE AND MAKE HIM BLINK FIRST
BUT HE'S BEEN MAKING A CAREER OUT OF IT THE LAST 2 SEASONS
NOW HE'S JUST LOOKING LIKE A LITTLE PUNK
GETTING IN YOUR FACE THEN HIDING IN HIS TURTLE SHELL
IF THATS ALL HE CAN GIVE NOW...TIME TO MOVE HIM

Great thought....

I was going to go crazy, but it was the lower case lettering that SHOCKED ME!

Cupz - are you slipping???

lane shouldn't be cleared, big difference between a forward at the point trying to block a shot and a guy down low trying to play goalie instead of trying to tie up an opposing forwards stick and/or keeping him out of the top of the crease for rebound or deflection.

Witt biggest problem is foot speed and poor decisions. if you're not aggressive, you minimize your effectiveness. I want to see the whole D become more mobile while also pressuring the puck carrier.
If they're going to beat us, let them make the great play.

Those who cant do, teach. :D

:crying2: Please, please let's build with youth and not send young, talented, qualified NHL defensemen who we developed back to the bridge.

I saw Camps play a conditioning stint in B'port in late 2006. He was playing way above the rest of the team, a fish out of water then, and he'd look ridiculously overqualified and out of place now, assuming he could clear waivers in the first place, which would not happen.

Incidentally, from where I'm sitting, Witt is still a great defender. Sutton and his expensive brand of skates (Nike Zero Foot Speed) I could do without, provided we get a responsible, physical defenseman in return.

HOW DOES THIS FACE

MAKE THIS FACE MEAN?????

THATS ABOUT IT
:cheers:

Make it look mean.

OH sh!t
NOW YOU'VE DONE IT NICK :ph43r:
ITS SO MEAN THEY WONT LET US SEE IT

ok all fixed now.

sutton stepped up to the plate when injuries hit us hard -I believe Meyer and Sutton brought the best out of eachother for a good 2 week stretch before andy sustained the season ending injury

as far as smith goes -he can play for me 8 days a week , but we're pretty loaded at d

as it stands , meyer or gervais are our #7 guy

For years we were complaining that we never had a defenseman that could clear the front of the net. Now we have two of them and it's not good enough because they create screens?

The key to a good defense IMO in the new NHL is 4 mobile defensemen and two bruisers who can keep the front of the net clear of other team's forwards looking to score around the net. I'll take a few screens if it means teams scoring a lot less garbage goals against us.

yes but the notion was, having a veteran, well rounded d-man to help those 4 younger mobile defensemen grow in their roles. At the cost of either Sutton or Witt for one of the 2 in the threads title?

As it stands now we have no one, not even an assistant coach who was a defenseman to help them along.

:yes:

Smith Signs with Ott

I hear you. But I think Sutton and Witt are both better than Gervais or Meyer, so it would have to be at the expense of one of them IMO.

Snowy, doesn't matter now what I think as Witt was signed to an extension
so as it stands the team obviously believes that witt is the primary guy so I have to take their word for it.
:thumbsup:

I would really love to see campoli or gervais have a great great year this season. not just because we need it, but well, we really need it.

Once again....


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16269

:blink: