Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California

[Doshell Propivo]

Have you read the HFIsles room lately? We’ve won more than one game in a row. Time to go for it.

go all in after every win and tear it down to studs after every loss.

 

[SRBisles]

Should be an interesting rest of the week. Don’t think we should be adding, but Lou is gonna Lou so I’m just gonna try and enjoy the ride.

 

[SI90]

Its a

its's a crap draft this year right?

No actually. But even still. We need to start replenishing assets.

Keep the pick and maybe in four years when this great pick gets to the isles, Chris lamorillo can deal a 30 year old Barzal, who has not made the playoffs in four years, for a few more magic beans.

You guys realize the draft is more than one round right? Maybe you didn’t live through the never ending rebuilds of the 90’s, it sucks. Aside from dealing the first rounder for a 37 year old future UFA, I say go for it.

Not the point. I was all in favor of the Pagaue Palmieri Romanov and Horvat Deals. But you think this team is a piece away? At some point you need to be smart. I don’t care about the first round picks as long as you make smart decisions. Hell I’m in favor of trading back in the draft to get multiple 2nds as well. We need to replenish our system and assets. And that allows us to make more moves and gives us options moving forward.

 

[doublechili]

Crazy thought. If Mayfield truly doesn't fit with the style Roy wants to play, any chance he could be dealt to NSH? We know Trotz likes him. Mayfield seemed to like playing for Trotz, and being from StL would he perhaps waive his NTC to go to NSH? The Isles get back Tyson Barrie who isn't playing for NSH anyway (so they don't lose anything in the playoff race with Mayfield being on LTIR). Maybe NSH retains some salary on Barrie to make the deal work. While I'm making up crazy stuff, let's add Clutterbuck to the deal and get Trenin back. Okay, I'm done.

 

[PK Cronin]

Lou’s take: If only I gave Mayfield more $ then I’d have more salary on LTIR to play with.

Please do something sensible Lou. Do it for the children.

Lou:

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

i do not want Wennberg BTW

Yeah I doubt we are interested, Rosner had some interesting bad stats for him as center in circle and defensively pointing out he was not a good fit here.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

With Mayfield out, I would be back on the Eric Johnson acquisition from BUF.

Bortuzzo is coming back also in a week, he can help especially on PK if he gets in lineup.

 

[MJF]

Read the room. This ain’t the year to give up futures and add. Team hasn’t shown nearly enough.

The last 3 games convinced Lou this is the way the team was always capable of playing.

Even if this is true (which I disagree with-it's only 3 games), and assuming 96 points gets us in the playoffs, there's a better chance the team runs out of time before they get on a 15-7 run. Then it's back to square 1 next season.

No actually. But even still. We need to start replenishing assets.


Not the point. I was all in favor of the Pagaue Palmieri Romanov and Horvat Deals. But you think this team is a piece away? At some point you need to be smart. I don’t care about the first round picks as long as you make smart decisions. Hell I’m in favor of trading back in the draft to get multiple 2nds as well. We need to replenish our system and assets. And that allows us to make more moves and gives us options moving forward.

Remember, we don't have to be good. Just good enough.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Mayfield going on LTIR but Bortuzzo and Fasching coming off so that creates less than 2M in space. It’s something, but not a gamechanger

 

[leeroggy]

With the cap space it gets very interesting with many options
Wahlstrom for Tarasenko might well be affordable now and might preserve the picks
You could slot Holmstrom with McLean and Clutter and Tank with Casey and Engvall and the team offense is improved without giving up anything defensively among the forwards. Team speed improves even more, as does puck possession.

Mayfield going on LTIR but Bortuzzo and Fasching coming off so that creates less than 2M in space. It’s something, but not a gamechanger

They're bith waivable if we need more cap

 

[Strummergas]

I think you are going to be surprised if you think there's a bunch of 3rd pair LHD's who are comfortable on their off-hand and are available for an upgrade. Not everything is upgradable, nor will the cap allow it. His skill set is far more suited to Roy than Mayfield's is.

One simple difference is that Aho can carry the puck out of the zone, while Mayfield keeps banging it off the boards. One keeps possession and one gives it right up. Even when Mayfield fully heals, IF that happens this season, you will still see him scratched as long as we are winning.

Regardless of how he's currently slotting in ahead of Mayfield (which may or may not be a separate issue depending on this injury situation), he still needs to be upgraded upon. And I don't think it would take much. A defenseman who more or less does what he does but doesn't get overpowered in the D zone is all it would take. I'm not talking about 1st pairing talent at 3rd pairing salary here.

 

[PK Cronin]

I think you are going to be surprised if you think there's a bunch of 3rd pair LHD's who are comfortable on their off-hand and are available for an upgrade. Not everything is upgradable, nor will the cap allow it. His skill set is far more suited to Roy than Mayfield's is.

One simple difference is that Aho can carry the puck out of the zone, while Mayfield keeps banging it off the boards. One keeps possession and one gives it right up. Even when Mayfield fully heals, IF that happens this season, you will still see him scratched as long as we are winning.

Aho is a third pairing LHD who is comfortable on his off-side, but still isn't good at either side. Reilly was free and was a noticeable upgrade over Aho.

He also very rarely skates the puck out of the zone. He's a turnstile defensively and is always struggling with anyone who tries to play a grinding game or if he's assigned to the player in front of the net. Aho's strength's are mediocre at best and his deficiencies are downright brutal.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Lou is not going to trade picks/prospects for a rental UFA. Not his MO. If he can add a depth piece, he will. If he makes a more significant move, it will be for someone young-ish who will help longer term as well.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

I’m betting Bolduc, Wahlstrom and the first in 2024 are in play for someone who they can add for beyond the year. Wahlstrom I’d guess is moved no matter what somewhere, another 800k of space created there.

 

[Throttle]

Bortuzzo is coming back also in a week, he can help especially on PK if he gets in lineup.

I thought he was done for the season. If he’s back, then, yeah no need.

 

[leeroggy]

Aho is a third pairing LHD who is comfortable on his off-side, but still isn't good at either side. Reilly was free and was a noticeable upgrade over Aho.

He also very rarely skates the puck out of the zone. He's a turnstile defensively and is always struggling with anyone who tries to play a grinding game or if he's assigned to the player in front of the net. Aho's strength's are mediocre at best and his deficiencies are downright brutal.

Roy doesn't agree with you or he'd be playing Bolduc

 

[NYI365]

I’m betting Bolduc, Wahlstrom and the first in 2024 are in play for someone who they can add for beyond the year. Wahlstrom I’d guess is moved no matter what somewhere, another 800k of space created there.

That might get you a bag of pucks

 

[SI]

My hope for this TDL is another Horvat type deal, otherwise Tarasenko for a 2nd.

 

[SI90]

My hope for this TDL is another Horvat type deal, otherwise Tarasenko for a 2nd.

Pinto

 

[SRBisles]

Pinto

My hope as well. Lots of smoke around Isles and Sens for a while now, I’m expecting there’s a move to be made there.

 

[SI90]

My hope as well. Lots of smoke around Isles and Sens for a while now, I’m expecting there’s a move to be made there.

Could replace Pagaue right now as #3 center and if Brock Stays on the wing Pinto can be the #2 center as early as next year.

 

[SRBisles]

Could replace Pagaue right now as #3 center and if Brock Stays on the wing Pinto can be the #2 center as early as next year.

Agreed it makes too much sense.

 

[periferal]

For a guy who won't even announce when a player is signed because somehow he thinks secrecy gives him an advantage, he sure does often giveaway information when he actually does talk to the media.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

- 3 wins in a row, all against teams currently in a playoff spot
- A handful of teams within 6 points showing signs of falling apart
- Two opponents in the wild card spots who look catchable and who we've got 3 games on
- 10 games against teams currently with fewer points than the Islanders
- 4 games against teams within 4 points of the Islanders
- 3 more games against the Rangers (i.e. records don't matter)
- 15 more games against Eastern Conference opponents

You can bet your bottom effin' dollar that Lou is "all in" here. Not a doubt in my mind!

Trading:
- Under normal circumstances, I'd think Lou would be just fine with simply moving picks. But the roster and cap situation don't allow for that. Something will have to budge and - unfortunately - the very recent trend of deals including a third cap-eating party that gets a pick for its trouble looks the very likely route Lou will be taking. Thus, the overall price for whatever move is coming will likely be something many here are not going to digest well.
- As sad as it is to write, I see zero reason for Wahlstrom to remain a member of this team. If they don't move him in a deal by Friday, he's walking this summer. He'd not be the first former first rounder to do so in Lou's tenure. Hope he's part of a deal.
- I'd say that every prospect currently under contract is on the table.
- I tend to agree with those denoting that Lou won't just be getting a rental. That hasn't been his MO. It'll be someone he's keeping, even if an upcoming UFA at the moment.
- As mentioned a few times, it's clear that Lou is at a stage in his career where draft picks are nothing more than financial collateral. Still, he's allowed his staff at least 5 picks (a total of 34) in all 6 of his drafts. He only has 5 for the 2024 draft as I write this, so that trend looks like it'll change.

 

[Glorydays22]

I'm on record saying we need to re-tool that this year means nothing. I would be sellers to be honest. Probably won't go over well with this board now that Isles are hot...

But Let's just say if we do get a spot in playoffs, you can't go into it with Reilly and Aho as your bottom pairing. Now I don't want to mortgage any more of our future, so don't know how, if Lou is considering this, would do it.

Such a tough spot to be in right now. This scares the crap out of me with Lou.