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

[IslandersFan17]

 

[CupHolders]

Me too.

For better or worse, Lou did say he believes in the team he assembled. So much so that he fired the coach after missing the playoffs rather than laying the blame on the players.

Technically, you could say he did both. He fired the coach, but said it didn't absolve the players form responsibility. How much of that was "just talk," I guess depends on how much roster turnover he does now?

 

[Top Corner]

Huh, i never once thought Nelson was a bust...

Wrong word "BUST" for Nelson, lets say under achiever or a Floater in his earlier days pre-Trotz

 

[PK Cronin]

I think Pittsburgh fans want to see the Crosby, Letang, and Malkin finish their careers as Penguins, but Malkin seems like damaged goods at this point. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and he looked invisible during the playoffs this year.

 

[seabass45]

They're asking for way too much. McDonagh was just traded, Krug might be on the block, who knows who else is out there. Doesn't make sense to trade 3-4 A+ assets for a LD when there are other competent options.

 

[MJF]

I think Pittsburgh fans want to see the Crosby, Letang, and Malkin finish their careers as Penguins, but Malkin seems like damaged goods at this point. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and he looked invisible during the playoffs this year.

I can see Malkin taking a Clutterbuck contract. Low cost that allows him to retire a Penguin. In the neighborhood of $2M/yr for 2 years.

 

[IslandersFan17]

They're asking for way too much. McDonagh was just traded, Krug might be on the block, who knows who else is out there. Doesn't make sense to trade 3-4 A+ assets for a LD when there are other competent options.

Especially after he had a down season and is looking like he’s been driven into the ground. Similar to how the Sabres did Risto and to an extent how we did Hamonic.

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

Lou is correct we need two and one needs to be a puck mover and the other a defensive D-man.

That does not mean we don't need a difference maker up front, specifically on Barzal's wing (which we have been waiting forever for).

Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING is more important that said difference maker....

 

[PK Cronin]

I can see Malkin taking a Clutterbuck contract. Low cost that allows him to retire a Penguin. In the neighborhood of $2M/yr for 2 years.

I don't think there's any chance he's taking that. What is the rumored asking price? I'm thinking he'll want $6-7M per for three years or something.

 

[IslandersFan17]

I can see Malkin taking a Clutterbuck contract. Low cost that allows him to retire a Penguin. In the neighborhood of $2M/yr for 2 years.

Apparently he’s already balked at a “lowball” offer from the Pens. I think he knows someone will still pay for name recognition.

 

[MJF]

I don't think there's any chance he's taking that. What is the rumored asking price? I'm thinking he'll want $6-7M per for three years or something.

He's 35 years old. He can't make it through a season without missing 20 games or more. I can't see the Penguins paying $6-7M for what will likely end up as 2 years.

I think if Malkin sticks to his demand he won't be on the Penguins this year.

 

[PK Cronin]

Apparently he’s already balked at a “lowball” offer from the Pens. I think he knows someone will still pay for name recognition.

Just did a quick Google search and found this piece from a couple weeks ago: Evgeni Malkin and Penguins Not Close with New Contract

Rob Rossi of the Athletic did mention earlier in the offseason that both Malkin and Letang were offered $5 million deals but those prices were too low.

If money is the sticking point for Malkin, we have to look at the range now; he’s willing to take a pay cut from $9.5 million, but is expecting more than $5 million.

An early prediction on Malkin’s new contract if he sticks with the Penguins would have to look something like three years and around $7 to $8 million.

He's 35 years old. He can't make it through a season without missing 20 games or more. I can't see the Penguins paying $6-7M for what will likely end up as 2 years.

I think if Malkin sticks to his demand he won't be on the Penguins this year.

I hear you, but that's the ask and we both know he'll get it from another team if that's his sticking point.

 

[seabass45]

Since he's been mentioned here:

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

They're asking for way too much. McDonagh was just traded, Krug might be on the block, who knows who else is out there. Doesn't make sense to trade 3-4 A+ assets for a LD when there are other competent options.

To be fair, Chychrun has quite the advantage in both age and contract status in comparison to any LD potentially on the trade market.

 

[The Real JT]

Let’s keep this simple.

Get Letang even for an overpayment. Salary can be shed on our current roster. He’s a UFA so no assets lost. He’s also just what this team needs IMO.

Make my day Lou.

 

[danteipp]

I like hearing that Lou is looking for two complimentary players to pair with both Dobson and Mayfield.

You can never have enough viable defensemen, like pitchers in baseball. Depth is almost always tested.

With any luck, one will be a midrange player and the other on the lower-cost side.

And I believe it could be possible that the PMD is the player with the higher cap hit and could cost more to acquire, but plays on the third pairing with Mayfield. Ultimately they will still get big minutes late in games.

While a more responsible, but offensively-limited, player is brought in cheaper and is paired with Dobson. Essentially just there to cover for Dobson as needed.

Then you don't have to rush players like Salo, Hutton, Bolduc, etc.

 

[seabass45]

To be fair, Chychrun has quite the advantage in both age and contract status in comparison to any LD potentially on the trade market.

It’s just not worth it though, that’s the problem. We don’t need a top pair LD, we have Pelech. I don’t know what team out there is so desperate that they’d gut their futures for this guy.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

It’s just not worth it though, that’s the problem. We don’t need a top pair LD, we have Pelech. I don’t know what team out there is so desperate that they’d gut their futures for this guy.

I'm not even advocating for paying the price that Chychrun would cost.

Just saying that there's an obvious reason why he's going at a premium in comparison to his counterparts.

 

[xECK29x]

Since he's been mentioned here:

Stay FAR away

 

[IslandersFan17]

 

[PK Cronin]

Let’s keep this simple.

Get Letang even for an overpayment. Salary can be shed on our current roster. He’s a UFA so no assets lost. He’s also just what this team needs IMO.

Make my day Lou.

I'm confused. Letang isn't going to test Free Agency, he's going to re-sign with Pittsburgh.

 

[doublechili]

Let’s keep this simple.

Get Letang even for an overpayment. Salary can be shed on our current roster. He’s a UFA so no assets lost. He’s also just what this team needs IMO.

Make my day Lou.

I'd love Letang and talked about him previously as ideal, however he'd be a 35+ contract and he wants something like 5 x $8M. If he gets hurt you still have the cap hit. Risky.

 

[TeamKidd]

I guess my offseason plan centers around this. Get an impact player for the offense. That could be a Dman or FWD...then backfill the rest of the holes with 2nd tier guys unless u clear major salary like Bailey and varly

 

[The Real JT]

I guess my offseason plan centers around this. Get an impact player for the offense. That could be a Dman or FWD...then backfill the rest of the holes with 2nd tier guys unless u clear major salary like Bailey and varly

I respectfully disagree.

The Isles have a top tier goalie, above average defensive corps and they’re forwards are below average as a group.

I favor solidifying our strength on the defense as a priority. Get a PMDman, preferably on the left side via trade or UFA. If the D moves the puck better the offense can’t help but improve.

Do we also need to make a move to help the offense? Sure but the priority is to shore up the D.

 

[IslandersFan17]