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

[JKP]

Or keep him for now, see how the team does and flip him at the deadline if we can/need to.

I'm not on board with Subban either

I’m assuming we’re making the POs. But yeah, if not, for sure flip him.

 

[doublechili]

The longer Kadri sits on the open market the more he’ll have to realize is demands are untenable. I doubt anyone wants Kadri under contract until he’s 39. It’s a shift in the way things are done now. Nobody will pay for a non-elite talent to be on their roster in the player’s declining years.

I agree he won't get 7 years so easily (right Lou?). All that I was really saying was that Kadri might want to avoid a 4 year contract. Sign for 5 or 6 years so the team "buys" a year or two of 35+ time, or even 3 years so he's 34 at UFA next time. But not 4 years.

 

[Mike C]

I’m assuming we’re making the POs. But yeah, if not, for sure flip him.

I'm big on position differential in sports. Mayfield on 3rd pairing is an advantage for us over other teams.


I love the "edgy" Mayfield, just didn't see it consistently last season.

 

[IslandersFan17]

The longer Kadri sits on the open market the more he’ll have to realize is demands are untenable. I doubt anyone wants Kadri under contract until he’s 39. It’s a shift in the way things are done now. Nobody will pay for a non-elite talent to be on their roster in the player’s declining years.

Or he’s just waiting on the Avs to clear space… none of the other other teams that can “afford him” have made any moves (that have been reported) that would take them out of the mix.

I mean, he doesn’t have to rush to sign, the market has been stagnant for the most part.

Ultimately I think he ends up back in Colorado. Or a dark horse like Dallas maybe jumps in.

 

[The Real JT]

Just to clarify and close the loop on the Subban/Mayfield topic:

The Isles are certainly a better team with Mayfield rather than Subban on the third pairing.

If a trade of Mayfield yields a bonafide scoring winger without giving up Raty or yet another #1 pick then I do that deal. Of course other players would need to be included to balance salary.

 

[doublechili]

I would not be surprised if Lou locks up Mayfield now to keep him under that Manson deal. Bridges to Dobson and Romanov. Salo is already signed. Aho is the depth.

Manson returned a 2nd and 2019 2nd round prospect in the Ducks/Lanche trade. That's comparable value for Mayfield.

I agree that's a possibility, but the problem is that Manson will slot in as a 2nd pair RHD with COL for his 4x $4.5M. With Mayfield being a bottom pair RHD, Lou could also look to do something similar to what he did with Cizikas (they're kind of analogous situations) and try to sign Mayfield for 6 or 7 years at a lower annual salary than we expect.

BTW, Lou probably loves the way Mayfield plays. Big time. He's big and tough and is a pretty good skater for his size. He also enables the team to carry a smaller LHD/PP option on the 3rd pair (since Pelech and Romanov are not really PP guys).

 

[Throttle]

I agree that's a possibility, but the problem is that Manson will slot in as a 2nd pair RHD with COL for his 4x $4.5M. With Mayfield being a bottom pair RHD, Lou could also look to do something similar to what he did with Cizikas (they're kind of analogous situations) and try to sign Mayfield for 6 or 7 years at a lower annual salary than we expect.

BTW, Lou probably loves the way Mayfield plays. Big time. He's big and tough and is a pretty good skater for his size. He also enables the team to carry a smaller LHD/PP option on the 3rd pair (since Pelech and Romanov are not really PP guys).

And that may be the issue or not in resigning him. He can get paid as a Top 4 as a UFA, which is closer to Manson comparable. He's going to get paid on the Isles as more of 4/5 guy, dropping his salary/cap to $2.5 to 3.5M. Similar to your other post on Kadri, he presents the 35er problem for him on his next deal.

And I agree that Lou probably loves him. Once you let him go, you are chasing for a guy with his size, especially at that price. He has his flaws, but when Trotz is playing him the final minutes of playoff games or up by a goal situations, he is being relied on intentionally (not the fan version that says 'well, he's there because there's no one else).

 

[impaaaaaact]

I've heard Isles want a puck moving LHD. Would Brannstrom and Washington's 2nd in 2024 for Mayfield with an agreed extension work?

I make this trade in 2 seconds flat tbh. Get a younger player under team control + a pick for a player who we may not be able to keep past this season while dealing from a position of strength? Where do I sign?

 

[seafoam]

Doesn’t make sense to sign Mayfield long term right now.

If NYI fails to be in the hunt by the deadline, him and Varlamov would fetch a huge package.

You have to take that deal if it comes to that because at the end of the day it’s a third pairing defenseman and a backup goaltender.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I make this trade in 2 seconds flat tbh. Get a younger player under team control + a pick for a player who we may not be able to keep past this season while dealing from a position of strength? Where do I sign?

I'd rather try to get a first for him (or 2 2nds) at the deadline than this trade. Brannstrom looking more and more like a zero, which just leaves a 2nd round pick.

 

[Mike C]

Doesn’t make sense to sign Mayfield long term right now.

If NYI fails to be in the hunt by the deadline, him and Varlamov would fetch a huge package.

You have to take that deal if it comes to that because at the end of the day it’s a third pairing defenseman and a backup goaltender.

Not disagreeing but I like that he's a third pairing guy that can move up in rank so to speak when injuries happen..

Having him to start season makes sense from a depth and talent point of view I feel

 

[impaaaaaact]

I'd rather try to get a first for him (or 2 2nds) at the deadline than this trade. Brannstrom looking more and more like a zero, which just leaves a 2nd round pick.

I think the major difference between us is that I think we’re going to the playoffs in which case we aren’t trading Mayfield at all. I’ll be honest, haven’t watched him play much so I’m really missing the most important part here but here is my thinking on this: Brannstrom is a recent first rounder (our pick originally, right?) with barely 100 games played on a struggling team. His peripherals outpace his D-partners and team overall. Could be that we are buying pretty low here and the cost would be a player we likely can’t keep anyway. Even if he turns out to be a number 5 defenseman, that’s how we’ll be paying him - as opposed to Mayfield who will likely cost 4M+ next year. Feels like the type of low risk/high reward deal that we should be taking advantage of as a team in our position.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I think the major difference between us is that I think we’re going to the playoffs in which case we aren’t trading Mayfield at all. I’ll be honest, haven’t watched him play much so I’m really missing the most important part here but here is my thinking on this: Brannstrom is a recent first rounder (our pick originally, right?) with barely 100 games played on a struggling team. His peripherals outpace his D-partners and team overall. Could be that we are buying pretty low here and the cost would be a player we likely can’t keep anyway. Even if he turns out to be a number 5 defenseman, that’s how we’ll be paying him - as opposed to Mayfield who will likely cost 4M+ next year. Feels like the type of low risk/high reward deal that we should be taking advantage of as a team in our position.

Well, I mean 5 years ago isn't that recent in my eyes. Just see a lot of terrible comments and usually good defenders playing on bad teams stand out even more. OEL played on a terrible team his formative years, and even though he had a shitty plus minus you could see the talent. Same with Dahlin. Brannstrom just seems a whole lot of meh when I see him play. Rather just take our own shot at drafting someone better than him.

With that said, I really hope this conversation is a moot point! As it stands, I'm at 50/50 on this team, as is, being a playoff team. Last year I thought we'd be playing for the Stanley Cup, so no surprise my expectations are tempered. Just like Isles teams of Christmas past...so many question marks: How will Lambert do? What Beau will we see? What Barzal will we see? Will we get 1st half Palms or 2nd half Palms? Will Wahlstrom finally break out? Will Dobson take a step back with the added expectations? Only thing I have no fears about is goaltending (as long as Varlamov is the 1b), lol.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Hope this Kadri chatter actually comes to fruition. He upgrades the forward skill, satisfying a need (and prevents me from bitching). It's a small window to compete, but he fits it. He's creative, competes, and skilled in many domains. I wonder if he'd mesh with Barzal.

 

[Mike C]

Hope this Kadri chatter actually comes to fruition. He upgrades the forward skill, satisfying a need (and prevents me from bitching). It's a small window to compete, but he fits it. He's creative, competes, and skilled in many domains. I wonder if he'd mesh with Barzal.

I also have massive respect for him getting back on the ice in short order after surgery to play in cup clincher. That shows me awesome grit and leadership

 

[Duanesutter12]

Hope this Kadri chatter actually comes to fruition. He upgrades the forward skill, satisfying a need (and prevents me from bitching). It's a small window to compete, but he fits it. He's creative, competes, and skilled in many domains. I wonder if he'd mesh with Barzal.

While he doesn't fit the glaring need for offensive pop his overall game fits in perfectly with the Isles as the team is constructed (under Trotz). I have to assume Lambert will be running the same system and if so then I will love watching Kadri agitate the s**t out of opponents!

 

[Lek]

ok...you all are really slacking....every morning when i get up, every day i come in form the field, i come here, look, yet nothing..... no real news, just endless speculation. Well today, when i get back in, i absolutely expect some real news....enough playing around.

 

[LeapOnOver]

ok...you all are really slacking....every morning when i get up, every day i come in form the field, i come here, look, yet nothing..... no real news, just endless speculation. Well today, when i get back in, i absolutely expect some real news....enough playing around.

If history proves anything, take a break and we'll see you in September....

 

[leeroggy]

Whether we sign Kadri or not isn't what will determine our future after next season. What really matters is whether Raty, Holmstrom, Dufour, Salo etc., can beat out the Baileys and Palmieris, lowering our budget allocated to mid 6 players, since none of them have proven top line potential.

We also need a backup goalie that is cheaper, but it is possible Varly reads the writing on the wall and takes a more team-friendly deal.

2023-24 is the real test of our future, not this upcoming season.

 

[JPIsles18]

The biggest reason this could be possible, is Lou is very focused on salary structure, and pecking order. Geudreu , if signed for 10 million, would require Barzal getting 10.5 million on his next deal. Kadri is in Anders Lee categori. A clear cut step below Barzal. So if he makes the room he can pay him 7, 7.5. Lou isn't worried about Lee's next contract and the isles have no other above average forwards to worry about losing over $ in next 3 years other than Brock Nelson. But Nelson's already played well enough that he's going to be looking for Kadri $ anyway no matter what team Kadri signs with.

While I agree that Lou finds the salary pecking order important, It's insanity to think that Barzal should be paid more than JG. I love Barzy and I think his ceiling is tremendous. However, He's no JG. If Barzy thinks he has to be paid more than JG at this point in his career, he's delusional.

 

[NittanyIsle]

Kadri is going to be suspended for doing something incredibly stupid here. Just seems like the type of guy we'd sign and turn into a huge bust with quick decline.

Classic 'play better' in your contract year before reverting into the piece of trash we all know he is.

I don't want him here. Lou is f***ing this up.

 

[saintunspecified]

Classic 'play better' in your contract year before reverting into the piece of trash we all know he is.

I don't want him here. Lou is f***ing this up.

Trash? He's been an excellent two way second line center for years. His occasional rages are a problem for sure. I mean, ffs, there's not a whole lot of difference between kadri and old islander fav Mike peca, except that kadri hasn't had a catastrophic knee injury.

 

[SI]

I agree that's a possibility, but the problem is that Manson will slot in as a 2nd pair RHD with COL for his 4x $4.5M. With Mayfield being a bottom pair RHD, Lou could also look to do something similar to what he did with Cizikas (they're kind of analogous situations) and try to sign Mayfield for 6 or 7 years at a lower annual salary than we expect.

BTW, Lou probably loves the way Mayfield plays. Big time. He's big and tough and is a pretty good skater for his size. He also enables the team to carry a smaller LHD/PP option on the 3rd pair (since Pelech and Romanov are not really PP guys).

DC - you can’t look at it as third pairing or second pairing - Mayfield and Manson will cobble together the same amount of minutes.

Makar, Toews, and Girard will see PP time and Manson will see some PK time. Mayfield will also do same.

I also see Johnson as the 2nd pairing vs. Manson.

 

[MJF]

Doesn’t make sense to sign Mayfield long term right now.

If NYI fails to be in the hunt by the deadline, him and Varlamov would fetch a huge package.

You have to take that deal if it comes to that because at the end of the day it’s a third pairing defenseman and a backup goaltender.

The 3rd pairing defenseman who gets 2nd pairing minutes because he PKs and was relied upon heavily when Trotz shortened his bench towards the end of games.

Mayfield may be a 5D here but on most other teams he's a 4D and will be signed at a relative bargain price at $4.5M. Keep him.

 

[JKP]

The 3rd pairing defenseman who gets 2nd pairing minutes because he PKs and was relied upon heavily when Trotz shortened his bench towards the end of games.

Mayfield may be a 5D here but on most other teams he's a 4D and will be signed at a relative bargain price at $4.5M. Keep him.

4.5 feels a tad high, but he's definitely a key shut-down / PK guy. And his game is well-suited for the POs. Dude was just nasty in those two conference final runs, IMO.