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

[Throttle]

Who was it? The Zamboni driver or the CPA?

Nice try.

They have Biron, Hutton, and Raycroft on that show. Hutton was the one that stated it.

 

[Throttle]

and insane parking

and the arena having overpriced food

and the lack of free agents

we were promised that more players would want to come here, yet we haven't seen that at all. I fear that if this team wants to keep having fans attend, they won't do it through the team, but rather through stuff like "the park" and other events.

You were promised? Huh. All their parking/food prices are consistent with other major markets.

It’s a smart business in 2024 and beyond to have multiple revenue streams, not just a hockey team, especially one with the known history of fickle fans.

 

[MJF]

Nice try.

They have Biron, Hutton, and Raycroft on that show. Hutton was the one that stated it.

Fine there’s still enough experts out there who think he got burned out from an onslaught that started against the Canes in the playoffs last year and the defense continued it’s downward trend this year (I’m sure I can google a goalie expert myself). Give Sorokin a reset, a summer at Camp Korn into next season before I try to trade him and brand him as a head case.

 

[PK Cronin]

Fine there’s still enough experts out there who think he got burned out from an onslaught that started against the Canes in the playoffs last year and the defense continued it’s downward trend this year (I’m sure I can google a goalie expert myself). Give Sorokin a reset, a summer at Camp Korn into next season before I try to trade him and brand him as a head case.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Nice try.

They have Biron, Hutton, and Raycroft on that show. Hutton was the one that stated it.

What did he say, exactly?

 

[Throttle]

Fine there’s still enough experts out there who think he got burned out from an onslaught that started against the Canes in the playoffs last year and the defense continued it’s downward trend this year (I’m sure I can google a goalie expert myself). Give Sorokin a reset, a summer at Camp Korn into next season before I try to trade him and brand him as a head case.

I’m not interested in trading him. Just that something is wrong there and I’ve identified that it appears to be mental. There was a noticeable change in the CAR series.

At that time I said to sit him, fans were adamant he should play. He did. He’s been downhill since that time. It’s not like the Isles have some AHL waif as a backup. They signed his buddy that would be a started on 15 teams jn the league.

They need to switch up with Varly taking more games to get to the end of this season. People keep thinking he’s gonna snap out of it and go on a run. It doesn’t look like it.

 

[SI]

He is a champion, yes. Even I cannot take that away from him. But those Cups are from a lifetime ago and in a totally different league. He won 3 Cups with the Devils yet in the end most Devils fans were begging for him to leave. And when he did, the damage he left took almost a decade to recover from.

As for changes, he's made the least amount of changes that he can to this core. When faced with an opportunity to move on from some players, he has chosen to extend them into forever.

He has, at almost every choice he has faced, chosen wrong. Except Trotz. But when the best (or one of) coach in the league is gone, what has his record looked like? Looks positively Snow-ian.

There's nothing in the system. There's, once Holmstrom is an RFA in a few weeks, not a single ELC on the roster. And the team is gonna miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. So I'm sorry I don't care about how much of a competitor Lou Lamoriello is. What I care about is results, His has been sorely lacking. Not just the past 3 years of wins and losses but the almost 6 years of hemorrhaging talent.

There's no more blood in the stone. But Lou, with the insane encouragement of members of this fanbase, is gonna keep squeezing.

What the f*** are you going on about?

The LUCKIEST team in the league during draft lotteries are the DEVILS scoring 2 1st overalls and a 2nd overall as well as winning lotteries to improve their draft status since Lamoriello left in 2015- is an indictment on the management that followed Lou.

Every dynasty runs out and has to be rebuilt - that is part of it - we went thru it - Oilers, Pens, Hawks, Devils, Red Wings- Devils in comparison have not done to bad when considering how badly it went for us, the Oilers, Red Wings, and Hawks have done.

The Devils were also in the Stanley Cup finals in 2012! After that season - you have the lockout, Elias and Brodeur were aging out - although LL brought in a top young goalie who was lights out when he left - and they lost Kovalchuk to early retirement and a 28 year old Parise to free agency

Your posts are doomsday - hyperbolic and unhinged -

There needs to be a change to the roster - that we can agree on- we will see how that is done over the offseason

And if you care about results look at LLrecord as GM in the last 6 seasons as GM - now compare that to every GM that followed the dynasty years.

Jesus Christ - take a breath.

Go Isles

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I’m not interested in trading him. Just that something is wrong there and I’ve identified that it appears to be mental. There was a noticeable change in the CAR series.

At that time I said to sit him, fans were adamant he should play. He did. He’s been downhill since that time. It’s not like the Isles have some AHL waif as a backup. They signed his buddy that would be a started on 15 teams jn the league.

They need to switch up with Varly taking more games to get to the end of this season. People keep thinking he’s gonna snap out of it and go on a run. It doesn’t look like it.

He's having a down year by his standards. It happens. Could be an injury. Could be an adjustment he made to his game that he's struggling with. Could be something in his personal life that is distracting him. Could be fatigue. Whatever it is, a break may be needed. While it's not a huge leap to suggest that it is "mental," as psychology plays a big role in that position, it's all speculation. Doesn't matter if it's a fan on a message board or a talking head on a podcast. Neither know what's going on between Sorokin's ears.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

What the f*** are you going on about?

The LUCKIEST team in the league during draft lotteries are the DEVILS scoring 2 1st overalls and a 2nd overall as well as winning lotteries to improve their draft status since Lamoriello left in 2015- is an indictment on the management that followed Lou.

Every dynasty runs out and has to be rebuilt - that is part of it - we went thru it - Oilers, Pens, Hawks, Devils, Red Wings- Devils in comparison have not done to bad when considering how badly it went for us, the Oilers, Red Wings, and Hawks have done.

The Devils were also in the Stanley Cup finals in 2012! After that season - you have the lockout, Elias and Brodeur were aging out - although LL brought in a top young goalie who was lights out when he left - and they lost Kovalchuk to early retirement and a 28 year old Parise to free agency

Your posts are doomsday - hyperbolic and unhinged -

There needs to be a change to the roster - that we can agree on- we will see how that is done over the offseason

And if you care about results look at LLrecord as GM in the last 6 seasons as GM - now compare that to every GM that followed the dynasty years.

Jesus Christ - take a breath.

Go Isles

I don't think it's hyperbole. It's not only the worst position the Islanders have ever been in, it's probably the worst position any pro sports team has been in. Ever. There is zero chance we will be competitive in this century. In fact, the only solution I see here is for Ledecky and Malkin to sell the team to a new owner in a different market where they can start completely from scratch.

 

[leeroggy]

I don't think it's hyperbole. It's not only the worst position the Islanders have ever been in, it's probably the worst position any pro sports team has been in. Ever. There is zero chance we will be competitive in this century. In fact, the only solution I see here is for Ledecky and Malkin to sell the team to a new owner in a different market where they can start completely from scratch.

My choices:

Owner: Sanjay Kumar
President: Garth Snow's Caterer
GM: Jim Rutherford
Head Coach: TBD, maybe let Casey Cizikas be the Player/Coach to save some money

Move to Oakland, California . . . untapped hockey market since the Golden Seals days

Convert Oakland Stadium to an outdoor hockey Mecca

Fire Brian Burke and bring Chris King over to TV . . . see if Tim Ryan can be coaxed out of retirement at age 85 (he actually still is alive)

Rename the team the Oakland Paraders and put the Road Warriors vests on the uniform. Then run some Day/Night doubleheaders with the Raiders.

Hold a Burn Your Jersey Night to introduce the team

 

[Throttle]

He's having a down year by his standards. It happens. Could be an injury. Could be an adjustment he made to his game that he's struggling with. Could be something in his personal life that is distracting him. Could be fatigue. Whatever it is, a break may be needed. While it's not a huge leap to suggest that it is "mental," as psychology plays a big role in that position, it's all speculation. Doesn't matter if it's a fan on a message board or a talking head on a podcast. Neither know what's going on between Sorokin's ears.

Everyone can agree this season is a bit of a mess.

On Sorokin, no one knows outside the team. The commentator, Hutton, identified that the way he was playing was indicative of him struggling mentally with the game/his play.

Hutton, Raycroft, and another goalie provide good insight. Biron has the typical float over the details commentary that anyone can chime in with.

At the deadline, Raycroft was proving interesting insight into why goalie deadline acquisitions rarely work. Mainly, teams do a poor job of lining up the flaws/strengths of a goalie with those of the acquiring team and mainly just make the trade and hope it works out somehow.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

The commentator, Hutton, identified that the way he was playing was indicative of him struggling mentally with the game/his play.

Its BS speculation. No way for an observer to know that.

My choices:

Owner: Sanjay Kumar
President: Garth Snow's Caterer
GM: Jim Rutherford
Head Coach: TBD, maybe let Casey Cizikas be the Player/Coach to save some money

Move to Oakland, California . . . untapped hockey market since the Golden Seals days

Convert Oakland Stadium to an outdoor hockey Mecca

Fire Brian Burke and bring Chris King over to TV . . . see if Tim Ryan can be coaxed out of retirement at age 85 (he actually still is alive)

Rename the team the Oakland Paraders and put the Road Warriors vests on the uniform. Then run some Day/Night doubleheaders with the Raiders.

Hold a Burn Your Jersey Night to introduce the team

Figure out a way to bring Milbury into the front office and I'm down with this plan.

 

[doublechili]

Its BS speculation. No way for an observer to know that.

Those guys are under pressure to just keep saying something. Sort of like a public TV fundraiser, however they also need to mix in some "expert analysis" and/or hot takes.

Wait, Mayfield's joining the army?!?!

 

[The Lighthouse]

Wait, Mayfield's joining the army?!?!

Blue and orange army!

 

[Throttle]

Its BS speculation. No way for an observer to know that.


Figure out a way to bring Milbury into the front office and I'm down with this plan.

Ok, so in the end, Sorokin has not been very good since the Carolina series. Why, who knows?

But the team wasn’t expecting James Reimer as their goalie after a Vezina candidate and the Isles need him to get back to his standards.

 

[Strummergas]

I don't think it's hyperbole. It's not only the worst position the Islanders have ever been in, it's probably the worst position any pro sports team has been in. Ever. There is zero chance we will be competitive in this century. In fact, the only solution I see here is for Ledecky and Malkin to sell the team to a new owner in a different market where they can start completely from scratch.

You forgot suicide...

 

[The Real JT]

I’ll feel better about this season if another half dozen players have surgery before the season is over.

That would explain a lot.

 

[Strickland]

What the f*** are you going on about?

The LUCKIEST team in the league during draft lotteries are the DEVILS scoring 2 1st overalls and a 2nd overall as well as winning lotteries to improve their draft status since Lamoriello left in 2015- is an indictment on the management that followed Lou.

Every dynasty runs out and has to be rebuilt - that is part of it - we went thru it - Oilers, Pens, Hawks, Devils, Red Wings- Devils in comparison have not done to bad when considering how badly it went for us, the Oilers, Red Wings, and Hawks have done.

The Devils were also in the Stanley Cup finals in 2012! After that season - you have the lockout, Elias and Brodeur were aging out - although LL brought in a top young goalie who was lights out when he left - and they lost Kovalchuk to early retirement and a 28 year old Parise to free agency

Your posts are doomsday - hyperbolic and unhinged -

There needs to be a change to the roster - that we can agree on- we will see how that is done over the offseason

And if you care about results look at LLrecord as GM in the last 6 seasons as GM - now compare that to every GM that followed the dynasty years.

Jesus Christ - take a breath.

Go Isles

What does the Devils lottery luck in 2019 have to do with Lou? The Devils in 2013-2015 were much like these past few years of Isles: aging, bleeding talent, and capped out with bad contracts. Lou made trades (the Schneider one is a bad one) that didn’t improve the team, it collapsed around him and he got fired. And when he did, there was NOTHING in the system for his successor to inherit. Just a mess that took years and two GMs to dig out from.

You guys here are lost. Good God. Look at this team. Look at the farm system. Look at its Cap friendly page. It’s a tire fire. And it’s all Lou’s fault.

It’s funny I bet people here will jump in and defend the Romanov and Horvat trades, even though they were made to immediately improve the team, the team is as still mediocre at best and the two picks that were “years away” now are on the verge of playing in the league.

Again, disastrous.

It’s funny that I’m the one being called for not knowing what they’re talking about when people in this thread think Lou is getting fired (he’s not) or stepping down (lol) or gonna retool in the offseason and take a step back (haha). Who’s the fool here exactly?

But I’m sure the next trade he makes will be a good one. I’m sure of it! Hell people will defend the Romanov and Horvat deals in the posts under mine!

 

[The Real JT]

What does the Devils lottery luck in 2019 have to do with Lou? The Devils in 2013-2015 were much like these past few years of Isles: aging, bleeding talent, and capped out with bad contracts. Lou made trades (the Schneider one is a bad one) that didn’t improve the team, it collapsed around him and he got fired. And when he did, there was NOTHING in the system for his successor to inherit. Just a mess that took years and two GMs to dig out from.

You guys here are lost. Good God. Look at this team. Look at the farm system. Look at its Cap friendly page. It’s a tire fire. And it’s all Lou’s fault.

It’s funny I bet people here will jump in and defend the Romanov and Horvat trades, even though they were made to immediately improve the team, the team is as still mediocre at best and the two picks that were “years away” now are on the verge of playing in the league.

Again, disastrous.

It’s funny that I’m the one being called for not knowing what they’re talking about when people in this thread think Lou is getting fired (he’s not) or stepping down (lol) or gonna retool in the offseason and take a step back (haha). Who’s the fool here exactly?

But I’m sure the next trade he makes will be a good one. I’m sure of it! Hell people will defend the Romanov and Horvat deals in the posts under mine!

TLDR although I did notice the reference to the Romanov trade and I’ll bite on your suggestion that someone will defend that move.

My take: Aside from hiring Trotz, the Romanov trade is the best move Lou made since he became GM. It was a solid move for a glaring team weakness at the time and that move has potential to look even better in the years ahead.

 

[Throttle]

It is kinda hilarious how miserable Isles fans are and have been since Lou was hired, yet, what he has done is pretty darn admirable.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

What does the Devils lottery luck in 2019 have to do with Lou? The Devils in 2013-2015 were much like these past few years of Isles: aging, bleeding talent, and capped out with bad contracts. Lou made trades (the Schneider one is a bad one) that didn’t improve the team, it collapsed around him and he got fired. And when he did, there was NOTHING in the system for his successor to inherit. Just a mess that took years and two GMs to dig out from.

You guys here are lost. Good God. Look at this team. Look at the farm system. Look at its Cap friendly page. It’s a tire fire. And it’s all Lou’s fault.

It’s funny I bet people here will jump in and defend the Romanov and Horvat trades, even though they were made to immediately improve the team, the team is as still mediocre at best and the two picks that were “years away” now are on the verge of playing in the league.

Again, disastrous.

It’s funny that I’m the one being called for not knowing what they’re talking about when people in this thread think Lou is getting fired (he’s not) or stepping down (lol) or gonna retool in the offseason and take a step back (haha). Who’s the fool here exactly?

But I’m sure the next trade he makes will be a good one. I’m sure of it! Hell people will defend the Romanov and Horvat deals in the posts under mine!

At this point, your posts are more entertaining than the team itself.

It is kinda hilarious how miserable Isles fans are and have been since Lou was hired, yet, what he has done is pretty darn admirable.

It's Snow's roster and we're not winning the cup anyway...

 

[Strickland]

TLDR although I did notice the reference to the Romanov trade and I’ll bite on your suggestion that someone will defend that move.

My take: Aside from hiring Trotz, the Romanov trade is the best move Lou made since he became GM. It was a solid move for a glaring team weakness at the time and that move has potential to look even better in the years ahead.

The Romanov trade IMO is still an outright disaster. He hasn't shown in the two years now that he's capable of driving play as a top 4 guy on his own. He looked good when Dobson was playing like a top 5 D-Man in the league. But besides that, he's been mediocre at best. (Not to mention the only reason the team had a glaring weakness in the first place was because Lou traded Toews for a significantly smaller package than he traded for an inferior player. LOU WHAT A GM)

The 13th overall in a very good draft should have been used to grab a player, especially up front, with the potential to be an actual difference maker. Especially on a team that is STILL, six years after he was hired and lost JT, in dire need of skill up front. The reasoning at the time was that Romanov would help the team more than a kid who had no chance of making it. It's been two years and what have they done?

The same logic applies to the Horvat deal. Fine player. Hideous contract. But you eat the last few years of that deal if he helps you win in the first few. EXCEPT....

It is kinda hilarious how miserable Isles fans are and have been since Lou was hired, yet, what he has done is pretty darn admirable.

They've won 3 playoff games in 3 years. That's some Snow shit right there. Milbury managed more than that at times. Admirable? C'mon.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

They've won 3 playoff games in 3 years. That's some Snow shit right there. Milbury managed more than that at times. Admirable? C'mon.

And they won 28 playoff games in the 3 years prior. First half of Lou's tenure = very good. 2nd half, not so much.

 

[Throttle]

The Romanov trade IMO is still an outright disaster. He hasn't shown in the two years now that he's capable of driving play as a top 4 guy on his own. He looked good when Dobson was playing like a top 5 D-Man in the league. But besides that, he's been mediocre at best. (Not to mention the only reason the team had a glaring weakness in the first place was because Lou traded Toews for a significantly smaller package than he traded for an inferior player. LOU WHAT A GM)

The 13th overall in a very good draft should have been used to grab a player, especially up front, with the potential to be an actual difference maker. Especially on a team that is STILL, six years after he was hired and lost JT, in dire need of skill up front. The reasoning at the time was that Romanov would help the team more than a kid who had no chance of making it. It's been two years and what have they done?

The same logic applies to the Horvat deal. Fine player. Hideous contract. But you eat the last few years of that deal if he helps you win in the first few. EXCEPT....



They've won 3 playoff games in 3 years. That's some Snow shit right there. Milbury managed more than that at times. Admirable? C'mon.

Usually, it takes team several seasons after going deep to reconsider their position. Pretty much the norm. Nashville went to the finals in 17 and kept pushing until…23. STL won in 19 and kept pushing until …22 and that’s bc they own players didn’t want to resign with them. SJ made the finals in 16 and just started in 22.

Dallas and Vegas lost in the finals…and kept pushing to…win or continue to push to win.

 

[Strickland]

And they won 28 playoff games in the 3 years prior. First half of Lou's tenure = very good. 2nd half, not so much.

wonder what the variable there was (trotz)?

Usually, it takes team several seasons after going deep to reconsider their position. Pretty much the norm. Nashville went to the finals in 17 and kept pushing until…23. STL won in 19 and kept pushing until …22 and that’s bc they own players didn’t want to resign with them. SJ made the finals in 16 and just started in 22.

Dallas and Vegas lost in the finals…and kept pushing to…win or continue to push to win.

Dallas and Vegas have competent GMs. Nill somehow managed to keep winning and re-tooled his team on the fly. Heiskanen helped, but much of the youth of that team was built in the middle to late first round and later (in Stankoven's case).

One wishes that Lou was as capable. But he's not, as he continues to prove.