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

[Skip To My Lou]

It’s already unlikely enough that people here expect Pulock to waive his NTC to go somewhere that is well known for being on players NTC lists, but to hope that Lee waives to go to by far the worst team in the league, one that doesn’t expect to compete for another few years? Fantastic.

A reminder. From 2017, but I suspect things haven’t changed much:

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I think Pulock to Winnipeg is a lot more feasible than others since he's from there.

 

[crashthenet]

Anders wins the Clancy. Wonder if he would agree to go to a team like SJ and be a leader there - it’s pretty obvious there’s a changing of the guard here. If we can somehow get him and Pulock to waive (Pulock to WIN) we could theoretically get an entire re-tool done in one season.

Ehlers - Horvat - Barzal
Debrusk - Nelson - Palmieri
Engvall - Pageau - Holmstrom
McLean - Cizikas - Tsyplakov

Romanov - Dobson
Reilly - Mayfield
Pelech - Glauser

Right side of the defense doesn't look so hot.

 

[Throttle]

This is probably the only player rumored to be on the market I would trade Dobson for.

I would trade every other player on the roster, except Dobson for Tkachuk. Dobson is still growing and learning. There’s enough room for him to mature, grow, and gain experience to be a better player. He’s not a guy to trade for a nice player.

For OTT one hopes, they are looking to use Tkachuk asking out (if not now, it will happen) to advance their rebuild and gain experienced assets.

 

[seabass45]

I think Pulock to Winnipeg is a lot more feasible than others since he's from there.

“A lot more feasible” is doing a lot of work here: he has a full NTC and Lou Lamoriello, the GM with the biggest reputation in the league for being loyal to his guys, probably isn’t inclined to request that he waives it because some posters here started having buyer’s remorse before the extension even kicked in. We’re on year 3 of this.

And do people really think that "loyal Lou" is inclined to ask players he signed, and specifically gave those NTC's to, to waive them so they could be traded somewhere else? I guarantee Lou recoils at even asking players to waive them for multiple reasons, but he may be forced to this offseason as the top 6 forwards on this team, as well as Pelech and Pulock, all have some sort of NTC.

Pageau, Palmieri, Lee, and Nelson all have limited NTCs. Some contracts are less movable than others but that’s where you start if youre thinking about changes. I don’t think he’s “forced” to ask players to waive though. He’s more likely to work under the circumstances he put on himself than to ask a player to waive.

 

[islesfan3913]

I’ve been a bit iffy on Ehlers (mostly out of ignorance, just don’t see him play much), but I read today that he doesn’t get much PP time in Winnipeg which surprised me since he seems like the prototypical PP player. The fact that he’s still putting up around 25 goal seasons without much PP time is pretty impressive so I’d be very interested to see what he could do with more. A first unit with him, Barzal, Horvat, Nelson, and Dobson could be lethal.

 

[Osakahaus]

Anders wins the Clancy. Wonder if he would agree to go to a team like SJ and be a leader there - it’s pretty obvious there’s a changing of the guard here. If we can somehow get him and Pulock to waive (Pulock to WIN) we could theoretically get an entire re-tool done in one season.

Ehlers - Horvat - Barzal
Debrusk - Nelson - Palmieri
Engvall - Pageau - Holmstrom
McLean - Cizikas - Tsyplakov

Romanov - Dobson
Reilly - Mayfield
Pelech - Glauser

honestly this lineup makes me smile. Give it to me if we can keep around Pager too. That 3rd line might be stinky but hopefully the swedes can find good chemistry

also DeBrusk to here? Perfect Lee replacement.

I’ve been a bit iffy on Ehlers (mostly out of ignorance, just don’t see him play much), but I read today that he doesn’t get much PP time in Winnipeg which surprised me since he seems like the prototypical PP player. The fact that he’s still putting up around 25 goal seasons without much PP time is pretty impressive so I’d be very interested to see what he could do with more. A first unit with him, Barzal, Horvat, Nelson, and Dobson could be lethal.

Ehlers is a great player misued by the awful Jets coaching. He fills a much needed hole on the first line, he's got tremendous skill, and he's easily a skilled winger that the isles can use interchangably on the first and second lines.

Give me him at the right price.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Mathew with Calgary - 6 seasons
2016-17 - Made the playoffs his 1st season (wild card)
2018-19 - 1st seed in the west (107 pts) playoffs
2021-22 - 1st seed in the west (111 pts) playoffs

Brady with Ottawa - 6 seasons
No playoffs

So in the span of six seasons he did not win a playoff series is my point. Ottawa is a dumpster fire of an organization.

 

[impaaaaaact]

I think Pulock to Winnipeg is a lot more feasible than others since he's from there.

Yep, might even have some pajamas lying around. As far as I’m aware he’s not married/has kids/ has a family that he’d need to uproot. Not saying it’s a slam dunk, but he’s probably not the auto-no it is for most other players.

Also it’s hard to see Glauser coming here to not play, especially at the numbers that have been floated. We’ve been linked to Ehlers and their biggest need is an RHD. The pieces fit together… if Pulock were to waive.

 

[seafoam]

Anders wins the Clancy. Wonder if he would agree to go to a team like SJ and be a leader there - it’s pretty obvious there’s a changing of the guard here. If we can somehow get him and Pulock to waive (Pulock to WIN) we could theoretically get an entire re-tool done in one season.

Ehlers - Horvat - Barzal
Debrusk - Nelson - Palmieri
Engvall - Pageau - Holmstrom
McLean - Cizikas - Tsyplakov

Romanov - Dobson
Reilly - Mayfield
Pelech - Glauser

I think Buffalo, Chicago, or Utah are all more “likely” destinations for Lee.

Hell, I’d trade Lee for Reilly Smith in Pittsburgh. PIT never replaced Hornqvist and could use a net front presence like Lee while also jettisoning the unhappy Smith.

 

[leeroggy]

If any of you honestly think Lou is going to embarrass his Clancy Award winning captain by trading him this offseason, I have a bridge for sale for you . . . the ONLY way that happens is if Anders asks for a trade, and that's sort of 'slim and none, and slim is walking out the door . . .'

 

[Osakahaus]

I think Buffalo, Chicago, or Utah are all more “likely” destinations for Lee.

Hell, I’d trade Lee for Reilly Smith in Pittsburgh. PIT never replaced Hornqvist and could use a net front presence like Lee while also jettisoning the unhappy Smith.

I'd rather Lee go to the Utah whatevers or Chicago Hawks than Buffalo. My heart cannot take another Islander in Buffalo.

 

[saintunspecified]

I think Buffalo, Chicago, or Utah are all more “likely” destinations for Lee.

Hell, I’d trade Lee for Reilly Smith in Pittsburgh. PIT never replaced Hornqvist and could use a net front presence like Lee while also jettisoning the unhappy Smith.

I really doubt Lee moves. He's got the big cap hit, is not versatile, and his leadership won't be nearly as useful on a new team where nobody knows him.

JGP imo is much more likely to move. Not has his finishing tanked, but he had a lot of bad turnovers, and he's lost his ability to win battles despite being outsized. Despite the SH scoring damage he and Holmstrom did, he was not very good on the kill. Still, his versatility and lower cap hit will make him much easier/cheaper to move than Lee.

The urgency to move or buy out Lee will occur the following year when NYI have to deal with the Dobson/Romanov contracts.

 

[Osakahaus]

I really doubt Lee moves. He's got the big cap hit, is not versatile, and his leadership won't be nearly as useful on a new team where nobody knows him.

JGP imo is much more likely to move. Not has his finishing tanked, but he had a lot of bad turnovers, and he's lost his ability to win battles despite being outsized. Despite the SH scoring damage he and Holmstrom did, he was not very good on the kill. Still, his versatility and lower cap hit will make him much easier/cheaper to move than Lee.

The urgency to move or buy out Lee will occur the following year when NYI have to deal with the Dobson/Romanov contracts.

yeah I see pageau being expendable, and the isles signing Trenin and another low tier center instead.

 

[NYI365]

Anders wins the Clancy. Wonder if he would agree to go to a team like SJ and be a leader there - it’s pretty obvious there’s a changing of the guard here. If we can somehow get him and Pulock to waive (Pulock to WIN) we could theoretically get an entire re-tool done in one season.

Ehlers - Horvat - Barzal
Debrusk - Nelson - Palmieri
Engvall - Pageau - Holmstrom
McLean - Cizikas - Tsyplakov

Romanov - Dobson
Reilly - Mayfield
Pelech - Glauser

I'm on the record of approving the above

 

[islesfan3913]

If any of you honestly think Lou is going to embarrass his Clancy Award winning captain by trading him this offseason, I have a bridge for sale for you . . . the ONLY way that happens is if Anders asks for a trade, and that's sort of 'slim and none, and slim is walking out the door . . .'

I don’t think Lee is going anywhere, but I’m not completely sold on this being the reason. Bailey isn’t what Lee is to the Isles now, but he was still a long tenured player who was very much seen as a leader on the team and he was cut loose pretty easily and coldly by the team. Lou is loyal but he also doesn’t seem hesitant to get rid of players if it makes sense no matter who they are.

 

[leeroggy]

I don’t think Lee is going anywhere, but I’m not completely sold on this being the reason. Bailey isn’t what Lee is to the Isles now, but he was still a long tenured player who was very much seen as a leader on the team and he was cut loose pretty easily and coldly by the team. Lou is loyal but he also doesn’t seem hesitant to get rid of players if it makes sense no matter who they are.

There's a huge gap between Lee's production and Bailey's. Lee at $7 million is a better value than Bailey at $5 million.

Bailey gave us 30 goals in his last 192 games here. Bailey also was a giveaway machine the last 3 years - 129 in those 192 games, while Lee gave it away 79 times in 239 games versus 76 goals.

 

[Lights911]

If any of you honestly think Lou is going to embarrass his Clancy Award winning captain by trading him this offseason, I have a bridge for sale for you . . . the ONLY way that happens is if Anders asks for a trade, and that's sort of 'slim and none, and slim is walking out the door . . .'

Maybe Lou should step down then. The team isn't in a position to not make a beneficial move because it might embarrass someone. It's a big boy league.

 

[doublechili]

Yep, might even have some pajamas lying around.

FWIW, my recollection is that Pulock's father was a huge Islanders' fan, so if he has PJs they might be the Isles.

 

[leeroggy]

Maybe Lou should step down then. The team isn't in a position to not make a beneficial move because it might embarrass someone. It's a big boy league.

You think he has no balls? LOL

You have no clue how to build an organization, whether in sports or anywhere else. It isn't always about finding a potentially better player, it's also about your leadership structure and setting a culture. Under Lee as captain, the team has made two ECF finals and the playoffs multiple times. That wasn't by luck.

Lee has been a major contributor and most importantly, as THAT AWARD INDICATES, he is the player who takes a lot of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities. If you don't understand this, look at the previous Isles captain, who has much better stats and has NEVER WON A f***ING THING as a leader.

 

[Lights911]

You think he has no balls? LOL

You have no clue how to build an organization, whether in sports or anywhere else. It isn't always about finding a potentially better player, it's also about your leadership structure and setting a culture. Under Lee as captain, the team has made two ECF finals and the playoffs multiple times. That wasn't by luck.

Lee has been a major contributor and most importantly, as THAT AWARD INDICATES, he is the player who takes a lot of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities. If you don't understand this, look at the previous Isles captain, who has much better stats and has NEVER WON A f***ING THING as a leader.

This amazing culture hasn't gotten them anywhere in the past three seasons. Lee can be a great guy on and off the ice, winning is the only thing that matters. By the way, one of the "ECF Finals" appearances Lee was on the shelf.

 

[leeroggy]

This amazing culture hasn't gotten them anywhere in the past three seasons. Lee can be a great guy on and off the ice, winning is the only thing that matters. By the way, one of the "ECF Finals" appearances Lee was on the shelf.

You just proved my point about your level of organizational knowledge and experience, thank you. A 'great guy on and off the ice' . . . back to the Disney Channel for you.

 

[Osakahaus]

This amazing culture hasn't gotten them anywhere in the past three seasons. Lee can be a great guy on and off the ice, winning is the only thing that matters. By the way, one of the "ECF Finals" appearances Lee was on the shelf.

Lee is still a workhorse. I dont think he's going anywhere, unlike possibly Pageau or Pulock

 

[Lights911]

You just proved my point about your level of organizational knowledge and experience, thank you. A 'great guy on and off the ice' . . . back to the Disney Channel for you.

Would you like to respond to anything I said about the team and the performance of the team? Or have you already made up your mind and need to lean on personal attacks? Usually you go for the latter.

 

[iggy]

Lee is still a workhorse. I dont think he's going anywhere, unlike possibly Pageau or Pulock

More like a slow plow horse. Sorry. I like him. Waste of cap space.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Maybe Lou should step down then. The team isn't in a position to not make a beneficial move because it might embarrass someone. It's a big boy league.

We all know Lou is too loyal to his own to trade Lee.

This both a positive from a player's perspective (and potential free agents) but a negative from a fan's perspective urging him to do whatever it takes.

I can appreciate the loyalty but I wish he was more Belichickian in his ways and see the drop off in a player before said player goes off the cliff.