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

[The Real JT]

On the one hand I cannot believe this team is going to make the playoffs.

On the other...The Metro/East is so down this year that I can.

Reminds me of a Groucho joke.

Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend.

Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.

 

[Potvottier]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Bolduc's growth curve. Remember he had a serious injury. And lots of players take a few years to acclimatize to this speed and strength of the players. It is a rarity for a 22 year old to step into the league and be an impact player.

I think in this case, because of his size, people are disappointed that he isn't more physical. These are the same things that we were saying about Dobson. Same scenario, just different time periods and skill levels.

I would be happy with him as our 7th defenseman for next year.

 

[SI]

Looking closer at Carolina this offseason - LL should have eyes for Martin Necas.
If they resign Guentzel, RFA deal for Jarvis and Drury, and then need to replace or resign Pesce, Skjei, Teravainen, Chatfield, and Martinook.

I know this rarely happens, but Necas at 6.5 would cost a 1st and a 3rd, which Isles have in 2025.

 

[MikeyMike01]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Bolduc's growth curve. Remember he had a serious injury. And lots of players take a few years to acclimatize to this speed and strength of the players. It is a rarity for a 22 year old to step into the league and be an impact player.

I think in this case, because of his size, people are disappointed that he isn't more physical. These are the same things that we were saying about Dobson. Same scenario, just different time periods and skill levels.

I would be happy with him as our 7th defenseman for next year.

We’ve seen Aho’s ceiling (bad). Bolduc still has an opportunity to improve.

That's shocking, I don't think I've ever seen that before. Have to think the players are refusing to commit without knowing the future, right?

I think the issue is the players do know what the future there is.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

That's shocking, I don't think I've ever seen that before. Have to think the players are refusing to commit without knowing the future, right?

That team is a mess. It's an absolute crime that a city like Atlanta, who largely supported the team, got up and moved in a matter of weeks, but Arizona continues to hang on life support for years. 25% of their cap is from retired players. It's embarrassing.

 

[Throttle]

That's shocking, I don't think I've ever seen that before. Have to think the players are refusing to commit without knowing the future, right?

4 of their 6 d-man are RFAs, two are UFAs. It’s not like they have 6 UFAs and literally no defense.

 

[Throttle]

That team is a mess. It's an absolute crime that a city like Atlanta, who largely supported the team, got up and moved in a matter of weeks, but Arizona continues to hang on life support for years. 25% of their cap is from retired players. It's embarrassing.

There was a time when a number of Canadian franchises were on the brink with minimal fan support, yet Bettman kept them there.

The league is willing (and the owners) to subsidize AZ. It’s their choice. The Isles were an embarrassment for years…

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Looking closer at Carolina this offseason - LL should have eyes for Martin Necas.
If they resign Guentzel, RFA deal for Jarvis and Drury, and then need to replace or resign Pesce, Skjei, Teravainen, Chatfield, and Martinook.

I know this rarely happens, but Necas at 6.5 would cost a 1st and a 3rd, which Isles have in 2025.

Something tells me they love him enough down there that they will find a way to keep him.

What I don't see is them being able to re-sign Teravainen.

Dunno if that's a guy Lou would go after as a UFA.

But if one of the main goals is to upgrade Engvall and Lee in the top 6, then at least one UFA of this nature is gonna have to be brought in.

Still, in a perfect world, Necas would be a wonderful target worth paying for.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

There was a time when a number of Canadian franchises were on the brink with minimal fan support, yet Bettman kept them there.

The league is willing (and the owners) to subsidize AZ. It’s their choice. The Isles were an embarrassment for years…

Ok, but Arizona.

 

[mm11]

Something tells me they love him enough down there that they will find a way to keep him.

Won't I don't see is them being able to re-sign Teravainen.

Dunno if that's a guy Lou would go after as a UFA.

But if one of the main goals is to upgrade Engvall and Lee in the top 6, then at least one UFA of this nature is gonna have to be brought in.

Still, in a perfect world, Necas would be a wonderful target worth paying for.

Was this necas guy a weenie in the wimpy way in post season games?

 

[YearlyLottery]

I can only comment on what I see, but Bolduc seems to lack strength, specifically on his skates. He gets pushed off the puck by smaller guys pretty easily at times. If he's able to rectify that in the gym he'd be a much more effective player. I certainly wouldn't bail on him (but if he were part of a deal to get a higher end player, so be it).

Interesting you note this. I feel like he does not use his strength enough and still is a bit lanky for his age. I feel like this will come with more time and experience.

 

[SI]

Something tells me they love him enough down there that they will find a way to keep him.

Won't I don't see is them being able to re-sign Teravainen.

Dunno if that's a guy Lou would go after as a UFA.

But if one of the main goals is to upgrade Engvall and Lee in the top 6, then at least one UFA of this nature is gonna have to be brought in.

Still, in a perfect world, Necas would be a wonderful target worth paying for.

It is certainly wishful thinking. Necas (and Jarvis) should both be looking at a Kyrou 8x 8.125 contract.


They may need to buy out Kotkaniemi to create some cap space for them.
It will be difficult for them to resign all of them -
Teravainen I think is as good as gone - although he upgrades our top 6 - not my choice to help this team.

I wonder now - if LL did trade Nelson at the draft not only to get younger and get some picks but also to create needed cap space in a signal to free agents that he is willing to pay what it will take. Moving Nelson (and hell Palmieri too) to restock the cupboard would create 11 extra m in cap space. LL enters free agency with a couple briefcases... in a dream scenario Guentzel with Barzal and Marchessault with Horvat is your top 6 and top 4 F on the PP... add in the picks and prospects from moving Palmieri and Nelson and suddenly things here don't feel so dire and barren

 

[seafoam]

Why would Carolina deal Necas within the division?

 

[doublechili]

Teravainen I think is as good as gone - although he upgrades our top 6 - not my choice to help this team.

Right now the Isles really do not have a single classic playmaking C. So, especially if they keep Nelson on the roster (and at C), a playmaking winger like TT might be a good fit.

 

[SI]

Why would Carolina deal Necas within the division?

It was the offer sheet idea.

 

[PK Cronin]

4 of their 6 d-man are RFAs, two are UFAs. It’s not like they have 6 UFAs and literally no defense.

Of course, but the RFAs aren't going to take longer deals if they don't know where the heck they'll be playing and might hope to get offer sheeted or something.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

They may need to buy out Kotkaniemi to create some cap space for them.
It will be difficult for them to resign all of them -
Teravainen I think is as good as gone - although he upgrades our top 6 - not my choice to help this team.

Kotkaniemi is way down in the stats department this season.

And his being bought out is basically impossible. He's got until 29-30 on that contract with a 4.82 MM hit until then. I won't even mention the money he'd make if he were to wind up in the minors.

Buttttttt if you're a really daring franchise, this may be where you make out like a bandit.

Meaning....

If I'm an Islander GM, I'd think long and hard about picking up the phone to Carolina and telling them I'd give 'em Engvall for Kotkaniemi, the 26 1st, RW Unger Sörum, and D Grudinin.

Sure, they may not bite. Maybe they really like him despite everything.

But if they're as desperate to get rid of him as I think they are, then I can't imagine them getting a better deal than this.

And as an Islander GM, I'd be getting some good stuff back in order to be the team that either just gets a glorified Engvall on a worse contract or perhaps even someone who does have a later developmental burst like the one Jokinen enjoyed back in the day.

For those not in the know, Carolina has a number of sneaky good prospects and the two mentioned here are among the best.

 

[Throttle]

Of course, but the RFAs aren't going to take longer deals if they don't know where the heck they'll be playing and might hope to get offer sheeted or something.

The total number of players that get offer sheeted is less than 0.0001 %. It’s a remote situation.

 

[SI]

Kotkaniemi is way down in the stats department this season.

And his being bought out is basically impossible. He's got until 29-30 on that contract with a 4.82 MM hit until then. I won't even mention the money he'd make if he were to wind up in the minors.

Buttttttt if you're a really daring franchise, this may be where you make out like a bandit.

Meaning....

If I'm an Islander GM, I'd think long and hard about picking up the phone to Carolina and telling them I'd give 'em Engvall for Kotkaniemi, the 26 1st, RW Unger Sörum, and D Grudinin.

Sure, they may not bite. Maybe they really like him despite everything.

But if they're as desperate to get rid of him as I think they are, then I can't imagine them getting a better deal than this.

And as an Islander GM, I'd be getting some good stuff back in order to be the team that either just gets a glorified Engvall on a worse contract or perhaps even someone who does have a later developmental burst like the one Jokinen enjoyed back in the day.

For those not in the know, Carolina has a number of sneaky good prospects and the two mentioned here are among the best.

Impossible? There is no bonus $ and he is under 26.

Since KK, is under 26 - the team only needs to honour 1/3rd of the $ meaning the Canes would be on the hook for only 10m of his 30m owed.
The Cap penalty would be only .835K for 9 seasons and .455K for 3 seasons.

Not that impossible.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

But if they're as desperate to get rid of him as I think they are,

I don't see them being that desperate. If they wanted to trade him, a rebuilding team with cap space would probably ask for less.

 

[PK Cronin]

The total number of players that get offer sheeted is less than 0.0001 %. It’s a remote situation.

But that might not change the fact that some of them might want to be that percentage.

 

[CupHolders]

Kotkaniemi is way down in the stats department this season.

And his being bought out is basically impossible. He's got until 29-30 on that contract with a 4.82 MM hit until then. I won't even mention the money he'd make if he were to wind up in the minors.

Buttttttt if you're a really daring franchise, this may be where you make out like a bandit.

Meaning....

If I'm an Islander GM, I'd think long and hard about picking up the phone to Carolina and telling them I'd give 'em Engvall for Kotkaniemi, the 26 1st, RW Unger Sörum, and D Grudinin.

Sure, they may not bite. Maybe they really like him despite everything.

But if they're as desperate to get rid of him as I think they are, then I can't imagine them getting a better deal than this.

And as an Islander GM, I'd be getting some good stuff back in order to be the team that either just gets a glorified Engvall on a worse contract or perhaps even someone who does have a later developmental burst like the one Jokinen enjoyed back in the day.

For those not in the know, Carolina has a number of sneaky good prospects and the two mentioned here are among the best.

I believe Kotkaniemi is young enough that he falls under 1/3rd cap hit rule on the buyout. Meaning his post buyout cap hit would be substantially lower than most typical buyouts.

Yep, according to capfriendly it would cost Carolina 835k to 455k in cap hit per season only. The buyout money is still real of course. Owner may not actually want to pay it. Length of time would also be 12 years.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Buyout Results - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[Osakahaus]

If we go back and look at posts from Mayfield, Pelech, Dobson, and even Pulock after his hot start in the playoffs similar things were said. Bolduc is worth keeping an eye on for development and I heavily dislike how he has lost so much playing time to Aho this season. Defenseman like him who are big and can skate are not easy to get and are worth attempting to develop. I still think Bolduc will be a starting player for this organization.

Bolduc should but at the same time

look at Wahlstrom

 

[Throttle]

But that might not change the fact that some of them might want to be that percentage.

It takes a pretty unique player that is frustrated with his own team to be guided by an agent to sign an offer sheet. There’s a lot of caution flags before you hit the stop sign or go over the cliff. Hockey culture is still a fall in line place.

 

[Osakahaus]

Something tells me they love him enough down there that they will find a way to keep him.

What I don't see is them being able to re-sign Teravainen.

Dunno if that's a guy Lou would go after as a UFA.

But if one of the main goals is to upgrade Engvall and Lee in the top 6, then at least one UFA of this nature is gonna have to be brought in.

Still, in a perfect world, Necas would be a wonderful target worth paying for.

Teuvo would also help the islanders in a lot of ways, but Necas too. Think of how good Trochek has been for the Rangers too.