Friedman: Islanders are following the Canucks real closely for a while now

[blinkman360]

The defense and Sorokin are the backbone of the team, I can't see the Isles tinkering at all with it any time soon. If the team goes down the tubes then maybe Mayfield gets shopped, but I think it's more likely he gets re-signed. The #6 spot in the Aho/Salo battle is the only uncertainty yet is promising and a good problem in the grand scheme of things.

The Isles need that other star offensive player to pair with Barzal, but it's not a dying need as their forward group is solid yet unspectacular.

I really want to see Bolduc get a look next to Mayfield on that 3rd pairing. Lou and Lambert have been looking for offense from the left side, which I believe is why Aho has been getting the nod over Salo, but Bolduc has been on an absolute tear offensively so far in Bridgeport - to the point where he can't really be ignored for much longer. Especially with a glaring hole in that 3-LD spot. Aho has looked better overall lately but he's still clearly tiers below the rest of the defenders on this team. If anything I think Aho has proven he can be a reliable #7 with the way he's played, but he should still absolutely be a guy we look to upgrade from.

I think this is really the perfect time to give Bolduc his shot. Early in the year/low pressure; 3rd pairing low-stress minutes next to a reliable defender in Mayfield, and a guy who will have his back after the whistle. He'd be the only rookie in the lineup, assuming we're not counting guys like Dobson and Wahlstrom as rookies anymore. It makes too much sense to me.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

Raty makes him expendable

Let him play a 50 NHL games first and then we can determine that or not.

Would love Boeser. His injury history worries me though, but I want no part of Myers. Dude's been on the decline for a while now.

 

[Bgav]

Or Pod. If I were a betting man I’d say him or Garland are the targets, that’s if this is all true.

Why on earth would Canucks trade pod

 

[Foppberg]

Why on earth would Canucks trade pod

Didn't say they would.

 

[the_fan]

When you follow someone closely, isn't that considered stalking?

 

[mm11]

have a feeling Sweet Lou is targeting Garland.

 

[EP to Kuzmenko]

Question:

Bo is currently 2nd in the NHL for goals and on pace(unsustainably) for 74 goals. It is not hard to imagine he puts up 40 this year. Would his value be anything less than 2 1st and a Blue Chip Prospect?

 

[saintunspecified]

I think NYI are putting themselves in a position to wait, and see how things develop wrt to their need for a winger. God willing, that continues.

I'd rather see NYI acquire a player who is a better fit as a rental (most obviously Tarasenko if the Blues don't turn it around) than acquire a mult-year contract held by a player we're not quite sure about.

Watched those highlights from last night's VAN-ANA game... Y'all playing Dougie Weight (as a coach) hockey.

 

[miscs75]

Question:

Bo is currently 2nd in the NHL for goals and on pace(unsustainably) for 74 goals. It is not hard to imagine he puts up 40 this year. Would his value be anything less than 2 1st and a Blue Chip Prospect?

We tried this with JT Miller. It all depends. If it’s out of character (aka Kreider), not a chance. If it’s consistent scoring pace and can statistically be shown, then yes.

Edit to include stats. Not a chance this gets you 2 1sts and a blue chip. Nothing here screams consistent PPG player.

 

[Big Muddy]

If the Isles make any kind of deal like that it will be time to take Lou to the woodshed. Pulock is too good to give up in a deal like that.

Re: bolded. Why is that? Did Lou do something?

Also, not sure what the Islanders are doing. Are they trying to reduce their cap hit? Have they decided to rebuild? Maybe an Islanders fan with some knowledge could chime in. Just not sure why the Islanders would be looking to dump decent defenders (generally speaking, not necessarily aimed at Pulock) unless something is going on (perhaps along the lines mentioned/questioned here).

 

[EP to Kuzmenko]

We tried this with JT Miller. It all depends. If it’s out of character (aka Kreider), not a chance. If it’s consistent scoring pace and can statistically be shown, then yes.

I'd say consistent. you take a look as GP and goals from season to season and his pace is generally around 30g, last year hit 31 in 70.

Miller has now been consistent in his production all 4 years in Vancouver playing top line minutes. Years beyond that no longer matter, 4 seasons is more than enough of a sample size. The thing with Miller is that he is a winger that can play center as needed, not a center that can play winger. Which is one reason I think he works well for CBJ as he can take pressure off Sillinger and Kent as their 1c for a season or two and then move to one of their wings when ready.

EDIT since you added: Goals have more value than assists in this league. a guy on pace for well over 40g and a career average of 25g (his goals per game steadily increased since rookie) has move value than a guy with 15-20g and 60 assists. HIs playoff performances have been stellar as well. Our last stint in the playoffs he led the league in goals and wasn't passed until the SCF.

 

[saintunspecified]

Also, not sure what the Islanders are doing. Are they trying to reduce their cap hit? Have they decided to rebuild?

No. Their goal scorers are still scoring goals despite being on the wrong side of the 30 (but that could dry up quickly), their defense is among the better corps in the league, and they have a top-5 goalie. They really need scoring punch on the wings, but don't have the cap room right now to acquire it. If they are in playoff position at the deadline, they'll absolutely look to buy. If the season implodes like it did last year, they'll make a decision about what to do in the summer.

 

[miscs75]

I'd say consistent. you take a look as GP and goals from season to season and his pace is generally around 30g, last year hit 31 in 70.

Miller has now been consistent in his production all 4 years in Vancouver playing top line minutes. Years beyond that no longer matter, 4 seasons is more than enough of a sample size. The thing with Miller is that he is a winger that can play center as needed, not a center that can play winger. Which is one reason I think he works well for CBJ as he can take pressure off Sillinger and Kent as their 1c for a season or two and then move to one of their wings when ready.

EDIT since you added: Goals have more value than assists in this league. a guy on pace for well over 40g and a career average of 25g (his goals per game steadily increased since rookie) has move value than a guy with 15-20g and 60 assists. HIs playoff performances have been stellar as well. Our last stint in the playoffs he led the league in goals and wasn't passed until the SCF.

The Islanders however don’t need a guy who produces at a rate like Palmieri or under, they need a guy who has year in and year out scored 30+. One year with 31, another with 27 and a bunch under 25 really don’t scream multiple high assets in return. Horvat is honestly another Pageau with a tad bit more offense, not 21-22 Brock Nelson. They need a healthy/prime Tarasenko or similar.

 

[EverTheCynic]

Question:

Bo is currently 2nd in the NHL for goals and on pace(unsustainably) for 74 goals. It is not hard to imagine he puts up 40 this year. Would his value be anything less than 2 1st and a Blue Chip Prospect?

Hes a rental. 1st and a mid prospect is about all he would get at the deadline.

The league is getting younger. Cap has never been more important. The premium on youth and cost controlled assets has never been higher. People are way off imo in what they think a deadline rental will return.

 

[Big Muddy]

No. Their goal scorers are still scoring goals despite being on the wrong side of the 30 (but that could dry up quickly), their defense is among the better corps in the league, and they have a top-5 goalie. They really need scoring punch on the wings, but don't have the cap room right now to acquire it. If they are in playoff position at the deadline, they'll absolutely look to buy.

So. to make sure, the Islanders are not rebuilding - correct?

Also, if they move Pulock, without any other considerations, would this be helping the team? What is the objective of trading a defender, in this case, Pullock? Is it to get a winger that could produce? Is moving a defender the only way to get a good winger?

Just trying to understand what is going on with the Islanders, so sorry for the questions.

 

[miscs75]

So. to make sure, the Islanders are not rebuilding - correct?

Also, if they move Pulock, without any other considerations, would this be helping the team? What is the objective of trading a defender, in this case, Pullock? Is it to get a winger that could produce? Is moving a defender the only way to get a good winger?

Just trying to understand what is going on with the Islanders, so sorry for the questions.

Vancouver fans want Pulock (and need a top pairing RHD) so he MUST be available. That’s basically the logic used for this whole thing.

 

[Big Muddy]

Vancouver fans want Pulock (and need a top pairing RHD) so he MUST be available. That’s basically the logic used for this whole thing.

Ok. Well there are those kinds of proposals for sure. I just didn't want to assume something without understanding the Islander's environment and goals. Its too hard I guess for some folks to consider their potential trading partner's needs I suppose.

 

[miscs75]

Ok. Well there are those kinds of proposals for sure. I just didn't want to assume something without understanding the Islander's environment and goals. Its too hard I guess for some folks to consider their potential trading partner's needs I suppose.

The Islanders aren’t moving the defensive core/goaltenders without something major going on internally. Mayfield is possibly the outlier IF there’s certainty he’s leaving in July.

 

[saintunspecified]

Also, if they move Pulock, without any other considerations, would this be helping the team? What is the objective of trading a defender, in this case, Pullock? Is it to get a winger that could produce? Is moving a defender the only way to get a good winger?

Just trying to understand what is going on with the Islanders, so sorry for the questions.

Friedman was speculating about why NYI was scouting VAN, and VAN fans took it in a bizarre direction.

It's speculation, but I suspect NYI were reacting to issues on the wing to start the season, and the potential willingness of VAN to move some of theirs at some point (Garland, Boeser most likely). I am certain about this, though - NYI have no interest in any player a team is willing to trade before his 7 year buyout-protected extension kicks in (!!!), and NYI are not trading any of their top-4 D under any imaginable circumstances, and certainly not for an upgrade on the wing.

 

[EP to Kuzmenko]

Hes a rental. 1st and a mid prospect is about all he would get at the deadline.

The league is getting younger. Cap has never been more important. The premium on youth and cost controlled assets has never been higher. People are way off imo in what they think a deadline rental will return.

People are also way off in what a magic bean is worth. drafts are still a crapshoot outside of the top 10(often top 5) and current production is always worth more, so are goals. 3rd liners get a 1st and mid prospect. Look at what Colorado gave up for Lehkonen, I would not call Baron a mid prospect. You think Bo gets less than Lehkonen? Thats beyond laughable.

 

[Big Muddy]

The Islanders aren’t moving the defensive core/goaltenders without something major going on internally. Mayfield is possibly the outlier IF there’s certainty he’s leaving in July.

The Mayfield subject is interesting. I have 2 questions:

1. Has there been any indication of his intentions and has there been a suggestion that Mayfield will seek free agency versus resign?

2. His TOI/Game ranges between 17 minutes to just shy of 20 minutes per game over the years. So, is he considered a definite #2 pairing defender, or more of a 2nd pair/3rd pair tweener defender?

 

[miscs75]

The Mayfield subject is interesting. I have 2 questions:

1. Has there been any indication of his intentions and has there been a suggestion that he will seek free agency versus resign?

2. His TOI/Game ranges between 17 minutes to just shy of 20 minutes per game over the years. So, is he considered a definite #2 pairing defender, or more of a 2nd pair/3rd pair tweener defender?

There’s no indication of him leaving at all but it’s Lou so it’s like trying to pry government intel out of the USSR in the 1960s. He seems to be very happy here and enjoy his time on Long Island. As for his play, he’s a capable 2nd pairing guy but better suited on the third. I’d put him more of a 2/3 pairing tweener like you said.

 

[Big Muddy]

There’s no indication of him leaving at all but it’s Lou so it’s like trying to pry government intel out of the USSR in the 1960s. He seems to be very happy here and enjoy his time on Long Island. As for his play, he’s a capable 2nd pairing guy but better suited on the third. I’d put him more of a 2/3 pairing tweener like you said.

Great. Thanks very much for the feedback - much appreciated.

 

[EverTheCynic]

People are also way off in what a magic bean is worth. drafts are still a crapshoot outside of the top 10(often top 5) and current production is always worth more, so are goals. 3rd liners get a 1st and mid prospect. Look at what Colorado gave up for Lehkonen, I would not call Baron a mid prospect. You think Bo gets less than Lehkonen? Thats beyond laughable.

This is just noise because youre trying to draw a parallel between an RFA and UFA contract. Theyre entirely different things.

Bo is just a rental, barring some verbal agreement about a contract extension. His value is that of a rental.

 

[miscs75]

This is just noise because youre trying to draw a parallel between an RFA and UFA contract. Theyre entirely different things.

Bo is just a rental, barring some verbal agreement about a contract extension. His value is that of a rental.

The only way they’d get higher end value is a Pageau/Stone style trade and sign where the deal is in place immediately after he’s moved otherwise like you said, purely a rental. Pageau went for a 2020 1st, 2020 2nd and a conditional 3rd (stipulations surrounding it I forget however).