Dan

Ginormous Islanders fan unfortunately

[Dan @DM_8080]

(THREAD)
It's UDFA season so I figured i'd put together a list of players the Isles might be targeting. It's a weak crop this yr.
Last year the isles were able to land the top guy in Max Tsyplakov.
They've been surprisingly quiet otherwise, in an area they should always be active

[Dan @DM_8080]

Kashawn Aitcheson with one of his patented open ice bone crushers the other night.

Fought and drew an instigator from it. Was at the end of his shift as well.

22G-28A-50PTS in 41 GP so far this year. Tons of overall growth in his game, especially with skating and pace. #Isles

[Dan @DM_8080]

This is going to keep happening by the way.

Darche absolutely needs to address this because Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield are the ones dealing with this trash on the bench rn.

But I love the response by the Isles again. You could see how fired up their bench is. This group is a real team #Isles

[Spittin' Chiclets @spittinchiclets]

WE GOT A DOG PILE AFTER ZADOROV MUGS SCHAEFER

[Dan @DM_8080]

@nickiacoban I have a feeling Lawrence will be the first forward taken behind McKenna come draft time. Him being the only real center at the top (dont see it with Roobroeck) will matter a lot, as it always does.

[Dan @DM_8080]

He's been HUGE for BPT.

Completely different level of team confidence playing physically now that they finally have someone who leads the charge. He stood in with Kale Kessy last game, a guy who literally doesnt play hockey besides going out to fight.

His line has been fun to watch this year regardless of which young players are playing with him too. He's been a big part of the culture change.

[NHL @NHL]

MATTHEW SCHAEFER‼️

That's the 18-year-old's fourth of the season already!

[Sydney Esiason Martin @sydneyemartin]

Boompa couldn’t help himself @7BOOMERESIASON

[The Elmonters @TheElmonters]

Kashawn Aitcheson: The OT Celly King! @OHLBarrieColts

[Dan @DM_8080]

Kashawn Aitcheson with the OT winner and then gives it to the Brantford crowd, capping off a really chippy game #Isles

[Dan @DM_8080]

Cal Ritchie back healthy and doing Cal Ritchie things #Isles

[Dan @DM_8080]

Very much agree with this. Mayfield has been great with Schaefer. A lot of communication, he’s looking out for him, and he’s been solid defensively.

The DeAngelo pair is a black hole no matter who plays with DeAngelo. That’s really the spot that needs change. #Isles

[Rocco @PizzaSportsGuy]

Played physical, stay at home guy next to Schaefer and has come to his defense a few times. Far from perfect and he does get beat at times, but he’s paid to be bottom pair. Don’t think he’s one of the bigger issues on the back end right now

[Dan @DM_8080]

Completely different hockey player this year, and a lot of it stems from this type of confidence/swagger

https://t.co/TA7dBqgQSi

[YESUV🚙 @IslesWhiteSUV]

Warren #isles

[Dan @DM_8080]

Marshall Warren, who literally has never dropped his gloves in his hockey career, not backing down a centimeter from one of the NHL's heavyweights 😂

Kid's confidence is so awesome. #Isles

[Dan @DM_8080]

Completely disagree for a number of reasons.

1) everyone agrees the team needs to stick up for the young superstar as a whole. It’s non-negotiable.

2) But that’s all reactive AFTER someone already does something to Schaefer. It’s just a response (And the isles don’t even have a single player who makes anyone worried about the response either).

3) What having a tough guy does is proactive. Appleton knows one of his star teammates will get killed if he cheap shots Schaefer. That usually stops a random plug like Appleton from doing that. Getting jumped by Scott Mayfield isn’t scary to anyone.

4) Patrick Roy doesn’t play his 4th line 5v5. They currently have MacLean and Tsyplakov doing nothing as 4th line wingers. It really doesn’t matter to have a guy whose main game is physicality to be playing those 5 minutes.

And again, his job isn’t needed to be on the ice with Schaefer. It’s to be loud and making it clear that someone’s star teammate will pay if Schaefer gets touched. That’s how NHL code has worked for 75+ years. That’s how you still see top teams dealing with people going after their own stars.

I’m not saying you need someone who can’t skate, but with the current lack of a single player that can take care of business, the need for that overrides the potential slight difference between a MacLean or a tougher player. Protecting Schaefer should be priority #1. Period. #Isles

[Stefen Rosner @stefen_rosner]

I saw a ton of fans calling for the #Isles to add an enforcer/a more physically imposing player to protect rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer.

I disagree with that idea, completely.

Here's why @TheElmonters

https://t.co/5nivWNAULN

[Dan @DM_8080]

I always had a theory that he permanently damaged his shoulder as a prospect and it ruined his practical physicality as a pro.

I think the last time i saw him throw an actual shoulder check was in a prospects scrimmage where he was killing guys with open ice hits. Ever since he just cross checks, shoves, and hits with his back.

His lack of upper body strength always shows up when he fights and i think it stems from the same issue.

[Dan @DM_8080]

@jamescarrello He also was calling him fake tough and trying to get Drew to fight for him… when Veremyev has very clearly been challenging guys all night. Had me confused

[Dan @DM_8080]

Another line brawl/scrum just broke out after this. Veremyev, Mitchell and Gatcomb in the middle of it.

Absolutely love the way this team is playing and sticking up for each other. Complete opposite of last season. Very impressed with the culture Thompson has instilled in BPT. #Isles

[Isles In The Sound @IslesInTheSound]

#Isles #ReturnoftheRoar

Chaos ensues in Hartford. Gleb Veremyev gets two minutes for interference, while Hunter “Nailgun” Drew gets escorted to the locker room after throwing haymakers at Wolfpack D-man Cooper Moore around a referees.

@FloHockey

[Dan @DM_8080]

@IslesInTheSound Gleb has been looking for a fight the past 2 games he's played. You can see him challenging guys. Just a matter of time before he gets his first out of the way.

Yea, also kind of crazy they're calling the Isles for everything but letting Mackey cheap shot guys all night

[Dan @DM_8080]

@IslesInTheSound Yep. Nice seeing them with leads this year though. Last year they’d just get blown out whistle to whistle most games

[Dan @DM_8080]

Bridgeport has been dominant tonight so far. They've consistently started games on fire under Rocky Thompson.

Veremyev-Thiesing-Drew has been a fun line. They're looking to hit people and start trouble. Good to see Gleb get on the board after sitting last game. #Isles

[Isles In The Sound @IslesInTheSound]

#Isles #ReturnoftheRoar

🚨Veremyev (1)
🍎Day (1)

Isles Lead 3-0 🎣

@FloHockey