Value of: Barzal to Buffalo

kerrabria

Registered User
May 3, 2018
4,005
4,973
I really, really liked Barzal during his first few seasons. I'd also love to see him back at Center, but this seems like a terrible fit.

Barzal is a soft, undisciplined, defensively lax, finesse forward who has underperformed his contract. He's struggled to find consistency--in large part because the Isles are a messy organization that went through four coaches in seven seasons. Sure, he has some playoff experience, but it's not like he's known leader with winning pedigree. The guy is 27, has been the highest paid Islander for years, but has never worn the 'A.'

Buffalo surely wouldn't get past his 22-Team NTC, but even if he would, why would they want him? Even if they dumped Cozens, that'd be a bad use of cap space given their disastrous blueline.
 

RWatson29

Registered User
Apr 24, 2012
1,257
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Ontario
The Isles have pieces that are appealing but somehow not appealing enough to offer a return of what the Islanders are truly lacking. Ideally they’re missing that piece to put with the Barzal/Horvat duo that can be the other lethal trigger man. That’s why I’m essentially asking for a kings ransom if Barzal was moved. Moving him out with no real return of equal depth is a tough one. The isles need more of a retool than a rebuild like everyone is pushing.

I’ve seen terrible takes on both Nelson and Palmieri claiming age has essentially caught up to both yet Brock outscored 9m man Jake Guentzel the past 3 seasons and can play a quality 200 foot game. Palmieri plays a gritty style and has an extremely good release.
My buddy is an isles fan and I’ve been screaming for years for them to get someone dynamic to play with Barzal. It truly seems like the only lacking point for years with that team. I do like horvat but I wish they maybe got someone a little more dynamic but I’m not even sure who was available at the time. But yeah I love a guy like Nelson. Plays both center & wing. Such a lethal shot. Good all around game. There’s no way even if he’s traded that he doesn’t go for a 1st + a good prospect.

Palmeri on the other hand I have a harder time gauging his value. He’s a really good middle 6 player who can go up the line up when needed. If I was spit balling I’d say a late first / 2 2nds for palmeri?

But yeah I don’t think sabres and isles make great partners in regards to a Barzal trade, unless NYI decided to try and do a full rebuild or something 😂 I do think a trade for a dman not named Dobson would make a ton of sense though.

For Pulock alone, what would be your ask? Or is he just too valuable where it doesn’t make sense dealing him

I really, really liked Barzal during his first few seasons. I'd also love to see him back at Center, but this seems like a terrible fit.

Barzal is a soft, undisciplined, defensively lax, finesse forward who has underperformed his contract. He's struggled to find consistency--in large part because the Isles are a messy organization that went through four coaches in seven seasons. Sure, he has some playoff experience, but it's not like he's known leader with winning pedigree. The guy is 27, has been the highest paid Islander for years, but has never worn the 'A.'

Buffalo surely wouldn't get past his 22-Team NTC, but even if he would, why would they want him? Even if they dumped Cozens, that'd be a bad use of cap space given their disastrous blueline.
Barzal has had to almost carry that offense possession wise. His numbers don’t mean anything to me. Put him on almost any other team and he’s a 90+ point guy in his sleep imo

But yeah I don’t see the fit in terms of team trading partners (where both teams are at right now) and I doubt he would waive for Buffalo either lol just spitballing
 

Panthaz89

Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Panthers fan
Dec 24, 2016
13,957
6,293
Buffalo,NY
Does trading Cousins and Power change the all too long losing culture in the Sabres’ core?
what the heck is this even supposed to mean there is nobody even left from 2015-2016 the team sucks because the management again doesn't understand that you can't win with mainly kids on team when they have the youngest team in the league still in 2024. Dahlin is laughably their veteran D-man of the group.
 

tsujimoto74

Moderator
May 28, 2012
30,726
23,622
Buffalo should be looking to fix up their team defense before trying to add another skill guy.

Islanders don't have enough skill guys.

Not sure how these teams could ever match up for something around Barzal.

Buffalo has been shut out twice in its last 4 games and is near the bottom of the league in 5-v-5 high danger chances. Far and away the biggest problem we have right now is the lack of offensive prowess in our forward group. An upgrade on Jokiharju is definitely on my wish list for this team, but not ahead of another established top 6 forward.
 
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n8

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Nov 7, 2002
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Minus the fact that it doesn’t help the Islanders one bit when it comes to an area of actual need.
I don't know you lineup so well but when I look down the left side and see Romanov, George, Hutton, I see a big need. I also don't know the injury status for Pelech or Reilly. And maybe those are two solid up and coming blue chips that I don't know about yet. But from the outsider's perspective, former #1OA Owen Power would be an improvement. You guys need to give Sorokin more support but maybe injured players coming back is enough.
 

miscs75

Registered User
Jul 2, 2014
6,585
6,161
I don't know you lineup so well but when I look down the left side and see Romanov, George, Hutton, I see a big need. I also don't know the injury status for Pelech or Reilly. And maybe those are two solid up and coming blue chips that I don't know about yet. But from the outsider's perspective, former #1OA Owen Power would be an improvement. You guys need to give Sorokin more support but maybe injured players coming back is enough.
Isles need more top 6 scoring than another defenseman. If Barzal is moved, there needs to be a way to replace his offensive threat/puck possession. Power would be a one step forward, 2 steps back type of trade honestly. Adding Power into the blueline would help from the blueline but losing Barzal in return wouldn’t be worth it honestly.

I’m not even looking at Reilly (L) (UFA in July along with Cholowski (L) and Hutton (R)) but Pelech (L) (should be back in a month or so), George (L), Romanov (L), Dobson (R), Pulock (R), Mayfield (R) are all either under contract or RFA this summer. Now add Owen Power to an already clogged up blueline. That becomes an issue.
 
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