Comments on: Isles sign defenseman Strait — three years, $2.3 million

By: friedberg7

friedberg7 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:25:35 +0000

As a Pens fan losing Strait ticked me off. I felt the Pens should have let Bortuzzo go through waivers. However, due to Bortuzzo being a good hitter Pens decided to keep him instead. Bad move. Isles got a steal here.

By: kingmeech

kingmeech — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:33:35 +0000

Very smart move by Snow here. Great kid, hard worker, and a leader. By signing him now Snow is probably saving at least two million dollars in cap space each year moving ahead.

By: 19to77

19to77 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:07:55 +0000

The reason for the timing is that after six solid games, his value is $2.3m. After a whole solid season? Could be closer to $4-4.5m over the same length of time. If Snow is confident Strait’s play will remain at this level, he’s smart to sign him now, before that predicted consistency raises his value in negotiations.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:40:52 +0000

I think Eric Boulton might be a Devils castoff as well. He’s not much of a hockey player but I guess 1 over the hill player I can handle.

Last year was more like 5 (Rolston, Eaton, Mottau, Staois, Pandolfo)

By: thecheeman

thecheeman — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:36:48 +0000

Jay Pandolfo, Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau – the Devils middle age castoffs always seem to find a pointless home in Uniondale as of late.

By: phillyphanatic77

phillyphanatic77 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:18:21 +0000

*drafted by the Pens

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:17:43 +0000

Good points, and good to hear!

By: phillyphanatic77

phillyphanatic77 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:17:04 +0000

This is one underrated aspect of teams like the Islanders and Coyotes: their pro scouting. They have the innate ability to take cast offs from other teams and turn them into contributors. I mean Moulson was like 250th by the Pens, signed a two way deal with the Islanders and turns into a 30 goal scorer. Grabner was claimed off waivers when Florida tried to send him to the AHL. For as bad as the Islanders have been through the years Snow has made some savvy moves.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:16:44 +0000

I agree he’s been really solid. It’s just been a very small sample size, but obviously the scouts and Garth have seen a lot more than I have. I’m not really questioning it or objecting to it; just seems strange so early in the season.

By: hockeywithdrawal

hockeywithdrawal — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:15:26 +0000

As a Pens fan (and also a Strait fan) I can tell you that I don’t think it’s a bad move. We didn’t play him near enough – and the Isles are doing that – so the more you play him, the more you’ll see him make the plays, and the more his stock will rise. Lock him in at a low rate, what’s it hurting…by year end he may believe he’s worth more.

As long as you’re not expecting offensive contributions, he’s real good.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:13:56 +0000

Don’t forget Thomas Hickey. Its only been a few games but I really like what he brings so far. A 4th overall pick who has been steady and looks like he can eventually bring a scoring touch to our defense.

Definitely an upgrade over Staois/Jurcina/Mottau/Eaton of last year.

By: bcisleman

bcisleman — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:10:26 +0000

He has been very solid. Why wouldn’t Garth want to lock him up especially considering the price. Good defensemen are hard to find at any price. This is a steal.

By: bcisleman

bcisleman — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:08:20 +0000

Garth Snow leaves no stone unturned to improve his team. All of his waiver pickups have done well but Keith Aucoin and Strait have been especially good. They are a big part of the team’s improvement. The Isles look like a team that could contend this year even though some of their best talent is 1-2 years away from being NHL-ready.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:01:57 +0000

I don’t get the timing of this deal at all but at the same time, I don’t really mind it because of the price. He has been a real solid addition so far but I don’t see the urgency to lock him up after 6 FLIPPIN GAMES

Oh well, I guess Garth see’s something in the guy. Hopefully he will turn into another savvy waiver pickup/signing by the Isles and it will really piss off Penguins fans