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

[Skip To My Lou]

That’s team #3 that has given up on Milano.

Heard he had a rough camp and couldn't fit in there. I'm not surprised, as the Flames are stacked. Feel like he should've went elsewhere if he wanted a spot somewhere.

According to Seravalli, Pens have made PO Joseph available via trade. So maybe he does get to waivers. We know the Isles scouted him last year, but we don't know if the scouts liked what they saw....

Ice Breakers: Canucks are actively working to trade Micheal Ferland’s contract

Frank Seravalli talks about the Penguins’ overcrowded blueline, the Canucks looking to move Ferland’s contract, and the Chychrun and Puljujarvi...

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Love Joseph. Wouldn't hate him on our squad.

 

[MarsTBOW]

What the hell with not being "Logged In" on certain threads?

I cannot access a couple of Threads even though I'm logged in...

 

[19 in a row]

Cap compliance on Monday? will be interesting to see how some of these teams get under and if any LTIR surprises other than what is expected.

 

[periferal]

Seravalli is one of the most tied-in writers so I do enjoy his work. Here are some of the notable predictions...


1) The Vezina won’t have to travel very far, crossing over the East River. Islanders stalwart Ilya Sorokin will capture the 2023 Vezina Trophy, out-battling Rangers counterpart and reigning winner Igor Shesterkin.
2) It’s Showtime on Broadway. Patrick Kane will be traded to the New York Rangers and sign a long-term extension. He’ll be reunited with Artemi Panarin to chase a fourth career Stanley Cup.
3) Matty is the Man to Beat. Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers will take home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. Beniers enters with the third-best odds to win, behind Anaheim’s Mason McTavish and Buffalo blueliner Owen Power, but piled up nine points in a 10-game sample size last spring after leaving Michigan.
4) Playoff Teams: Tampa Bay, Toronto, Florida, Boston, Carolina, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh and Washington (East); Colorado, St. Louis, Minnesota, Nashville, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Edmonton and Calgary (West).
5) This time next year, the Carolina Hurricanes will be unfurling the franchise’s second Stanley Cup banner. Perhaps the most balanced and consistent team in hockey, the Canes will knock off the Flames, as Rod Brind’Amour will become the first since Lester Patrick in 1928 to coach and captain the same franchise to a Stanley Cup.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Seravalli is one of the most tied-in writers so I do enjoy his work. Here are some of the notable predictions...


1) The Vezina won’t have to travel very far, crossing over the East River. Islanders stalwart Ilya Sorokin will capture the 2023 Vezina Trophy, out-battling Rangers counterpart and reigning winner Igor Shesterkin.
2) It’s Showtime on Broadway. Patrick Kane will be traded to the New York Rangers and sign a long-term extension. He’ll be reunited with Artemi Panarin to chase a fourth career Stanley Cup.
3) Matty is the Man to Beat. Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers will take home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. Beniers enters with the third-best odds to win, behind Anaheim’s Mason McTavish and Buffalo blueliner Owen Power, but piled up nine points in a 10-game sample size last spring after leaving Michigan.
4) Playoff Teams: Tampa Bay, Toronto, Florida, Boston, Carolina, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh and Washington (East); Colorado, St. Louis, Minnesota, Nashville, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Edmonton and Calgary (West).
5) This time next year, the Carolina Hurricanes will be unfurling the franchise’s second Stanley Cup banner. Perhaps the most balanced and consistent team in hockey, the Canes will knock off the Flames, as Rod Brind’Amour will become the first since Lester Patrick in 1928 to coach and captain the same franchise to a Stanley Cup.

Fun stuff, but how often has a Vezina Trophy winner played for a team that isn't even in the playoffs???

Dunno if he thought about that...

 

[Mike C]

What the hell with not being "Logged In" on certain threads?

I cannot access a couple of Threads even though I'm logged in...

Sometimes I hit the "ignore thread" button by accident

Seravalli is one of the most tied-in writers so I do enjoy his work. Here are some of the notable predictions...


1) The Vezina won’t have to travel very far, crossing over the East River. Islanders stalwart Ilya Sorokin will capture the 2023 Vezina Trophy, out-battling Rangers counterpart and reigning winner Igor Shesterkin.
2) It’s Showtime on Broadway. Patrick Kane will be traded to the New York Rangers and sign a long-term extension. He’ll be reunited with Artemi Panarin to chase a fourth career Stanley Cup.
3) Matty is the Man to Beat. Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers will take home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. Beniers enters with the third-best odds to win, behind Anaheim’s Mason McTavish and Buffalo blueliner Owen Power, but piled up nine points in a 10-game sample size last spring after leaving Michigan.
4) Playoff Teams: Tampa Bay, Toronto, Florida, Boston, Carolina, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh and Washington (East); Colorado, St. Louis, Minnesota, Nashville, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Edmonton and Calgary (West).
5) This time next year, the Carolina Hurricanes will be unfurling the franchise’s second Stanley Cup banner. Perhaps the most balanced and consistent team in hockey, the Canes will knock off the Flames, as Rod Brind’Amour will become the first since Lester Patrick in 1928 to coach and captain the same franchise to a Stanley Cup.

No Isles! Winnipeg makes it out west. Interesting

 

[periferal]

Fun stuff, but how often has a Vezina Trophy winner played for a team that isn't even in the playoffs???

Dunno if he thought about that...

Well I thought about that....And you're 100% right.

Often when any sports writer predicts an entire season their individual predictions make sense, but contradict other predictions they have.

It's like when NFL writers predict all the teams records...But when you total up all those records there isn't an even amount of wins and losses.

That said I just don't know how you can have a goalie win the Vezina...And his team not at least make the playoffs. I think Bobrovsky was the only goalie to accomplish that feat and it was because the Blue Jackets fell into a big hole early on due to their other goalie (Mason I think?), and then Bobrovsky played insane the rest of the way but couldn't overcome the points deficit.

Would scary to think how bad Varlomov would have to play for this scenario to occur again.

 

[JKP]

Fun stuff, but how often has a Vezina Trophy winner played for a team that isn't even in the playoffs???

Dunno if he thought about that...

The word “bold“ in front usually means the predictions are more for entertainment than what he actually believes will happen. The Matthews thing alone is click-bait…

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Well I thought about that....And you're 100% right.

Often when any sports writer predicts an entire season their individual predictions make sense, but contradict other predictions they have....

That said I just don't know how you can have a goalie win the Vezina...And his team not at least make the playoffs. I think Bobrovsky was the only goalie to accomplish that feat and it was because the Blue Jackets fell into a big hole early on due to their other goalie (Mason I think?), and then Bobrovsky played insane the rest of the way but couldn't overcome the points deficit.

Would scary to think how bad Varlomov would have to play for this scenario to occur again.

That's just it.

I mean, if Sorokin is having a Vezina-worthy season, even if Varlamov went something like 12-18-5, the team is still making the playoffs.

Seravelli definitely didn't think too much about that one.

 

[Chardo]

Congrats to new Sabres captain Kyle Okposo

 

[periferal]

That's just it.

I mean, if Sorokin is having a Vezina-worthy season, even if Varlamov went something like 12-18-5, the team is still making the playoffs.

Seravelli definitely didn't think too much about that one.

All so true. But what if Varlya goes 3-21-3 (or gets injured)?

Obviously the point is it would be like splitting the atom if any goalie won the Vezina on a non-playoff team.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

All so true. But what if Varlya goes 3-21-3 (or gets injured)?

Obviously the point is it would be like splitting the atom if any goalie won the Vezina on a non-playoff team.

I highly doubt Varly goes 3-21 and if he gets hurt Sorokin will play 60+games.

 

[SI]

Here is a recipe for success -
1 - Core players stay healthy and avoid long-term injury
2 - Sorokin Vezina-type season
3 - Break out Norris Type production by Dobson - 60+ points
4 - Barzal has the best season of his career
5 - Wahlstrom establishes himself as a top 6 F
6 - Beauvillier finds consistency and finally breaks the 50+ threshold
7 - Nelson, Pageau, and Lee continue to be who they are
8 - Unshackled, Josh Bailey bounces back and becomes the linemate Barzal needs.
9 - The identity line bounces back
10 - Raty makes it too difficult for the Isles to keep him Bport and is a regular by the Trade Deadline
11 - Romanov is everyone's favorite Islander.
12 - Pulock hits the net more and that translates into double digits in goal
13 - Lane Lambert's system shakes off the stagnancy and produces more goals
14 - PP with Dobson and Barzal's magic - finally breaks into the top 15 in the league.
15 - Salo establishes himself as bonafide NHL d man.

Of course, not all of these must happen for success, but a combination of a few.
Some are more likely and some are unlikely, but nothing on this list is impossible, well maybe one is a bit too bold.
Can you guess?

 

[SI]

If Raty lights up at Bridgeport and makes it too difficult for mgmt. to keep him down, then what is the ideal role and position to play?
1 - Raty playing LW with Nelson and Bailey at RW
2 - Raty playing LW with Pageau and Palmieri at RW
3 - Raty playing LW with Barzal and Bailey, Palmieri, Wahlstrom, or Beauvillier at RW
* I doubt that having him play C at 19-20 is a good idea.

What do you think?

 

[slurpee addict]

Sometimes I hit the "ignore thread" button by accident


No Isles! Winnipeg makes it out west. Interesting

Yeah. As a fan of both teams, I’m going to challenge that. It would be a shock if my Jets made the playoffs. Same problems are still there. Isles WILL bounce back and have a strong year. Defence always is the most important factor and the Isles have that and more.

Sometimes I hit the "ignore thread" button by accident


No Isles! Winnipeg makes it out west. Interesting

Yeah. As a fan of both teams, I’m going to challenge that. It would be a shock if my Jets made the playoffs. Same problems are still there. Isles WILL bounce back and have a strong year. Defence always is the most important factor and the Isles have that and more.

 

[periferal]

Here is a recipe for success -
1 - Core players stay healthy and avoid long-term injury
2 - Sorokin Vezina-type season
3 - Break out Norris Type production by Dobson - 60+ points
4 - Barzal has the best season of his career
5 - Wahlstrom establishes himself as a top 6 F
6 - Beauvillier finds consistency and finally breaks the 50+ threshold
7 - Nelson, Pageau, and Lee continue to be who they are
8 - Unshackled, Josh Bailey bounces back and becomes the linemate Barzal needs.
9 - The identity line bounces back
10 - Raty makes it too difficult for the Isles to keep him Bport and is a regular by the Trade Deadline
11 - Romanov is everyone's favorite Islander.
12 - Pulock hits the net more and that translates into double digits in goal
13 - Lane Lambert's system shakes off the stagnancy and produces more goals
14 - PP with Dobson and Barzal's magic - finally breaks into the top 15 in the league.
15 - Salo establishes himself as bonafide NHL d man.

Of course, not all of these must happen for success, but a combination of a few.
Some are more likely and some are unlikely, but nothing on this list is impossible, well maybe one is a bit too bold.
Can you guess?

Yes I can.

 

[SI]

Yes I can.

Not the one.

I would like to point out that Dobson at 22 had 51 points last season. With another year under his belt and Lamberts system that highlights d men to jump into the offence more - not crazy that Noah cashes in 60

 

[Mike C]

Not the one.

I would like to point out that Dobson at 22 had 51 points last season. With another year under his belt and Lamberts system that highlights d men to jump into the offence more - not crazy that Noah cashes in 60

Had 51 and really didn't get rolling until what 20-25 games in?

I can see him going 60 plus

 

[seafoam]

Had 51 and really didn't get rolling until what 20-25 games in?

I can see him going 60 plus

Will Dobson be quarterbacking the top PP unit? If not, I’m expecting a regression in points. But hoping for improvement in his all around game.

 

[Mike C]

Will Dobson be quarterbacking the top PP unit? If not, I’m expecting a regression in points. But hoping for improvement in his all around game.

It looked like he was primed to be out there from the pre season games I saw. I also loved the wrinkle of a C (it was Pageau in the game I noticed it most) sliding up top on the PP and Dobson drifting to the circle. They set him up for some one timers off that.

Aside from that, I like the quick crisp passing in the O zone as well as, what has been posted about a D joining rushes. All considered, I think I'm on board with SI and his assessment of Dobber

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Will Dobson be quarterbacking the top PP unit? If not, I’m expecting a regression in points. But hoping for improvement in his all around game.

Yes, he will be.

That was very clear not only to end last season, but in this preseason as well.

 

[saintunspecified]

Will Dobson be quarterbacking the top PP unit? If not, I’m expecting a regression in points. But hoping for improvement in his all around game.

I think some of Dobson's points will come off simply due to the fact that he won't always be forced to be a 1-man breakout. But they could increase if NYI get more PP opportunities.... Still, it's really hard to expect 60 points from any defender.

As for the roster in general, here are my keys:

1. Can Barzal temper his frustration, and stay even keeled enough to simply let his talent work?
2. How good can Sorokin be over 55-60 games?
3. Can Romanov keep his game in control, knowing his #1 job is defensive positioning?
4. Can Salo be good enough complement to Mayfield?
5. Can Beauvillier break his way to play with Barzal? Score 30 goals?
6. How do NYI handle the transition to a new 4th line?
7. Can the vets on the second line keep it up for another year?

The first 4 questions are the most important ones. NYI have the potential to have an exceptional defensive corps. I could see the team having a big 3rd period advantage if they can spread their ice time out. Also, they ought to be in really good shape on the road, as each pair could be complete. If they get that, expected play from Sorokin, and a bounceback from Barzal, that's 80% there.

I think it's more likely that NYI get a boost from Raty this year than they get significant production from Wahlstrom. If he somehow turns it around it's a bonus, but it's just difficult to see at this point. I have no problem with e.g. a Raty-Pageau-Bailey line - I think it's more than fine for a young player to break in on the "wing" with two other intelligent players who can communicate.

 

[crashthenet]

A lot of discussion around Matt Martin and what he may be capable of this season but less so around Clutterbuck and what he may be able to do this year. Unfortunately, It's hard to imagine a scenario where he play plays70+ games. He has really beaten himself up over the years. I don't love idea of Zeke -MM -Johnson as they don't adequately replace Clutter's speed or PK ability. Keeping in mind that at one point Clutter made 3.5 per, why not transition into Johnson - Zeke -Beau?

 

[periferal]

Not the one.

I would like to point out that Dobson at 22 had 51 points last season. With another year under his belt and Lamberts system that highlights d men to jump into the offence more - not crazy that Noah cashes in 60

I read it differently. I thought you were saying Dobson would be in the Norris race as one of the best D-men in the NHL. If you just meant he could get 60 points, then yes that is possible.

As for my revised answer then no doubt it should be...


"Pulock hits the net more and that translates into double digits in goal"

 

[Mike C]

A lot of discussion around Matt Martin and what he may be capable of this season but less so around Clutterbuck and what he may be able to do this year. Unfortunately, It's hard to imagine a scenario where he play plays70+ games. He has really beaten himself up over the years. I don't love idea of Zeke -MM -Johnson as they don't adequately replace Clutter's speed or PK ability. Keeping in mind that at one point Clutter made 3.5 per, why not transition into Johnson - Zeke -Beau?

I'm starting to think it's hard to imagine a scenario where Cal plays 7 games let alone 70!

i kinda like the idea of keeping Beau with Lee and Nelson. that line played really well together last season. i wouldn't mind seeing either bellows or wahlstrom on 4th with casey and either martin or johnston. wally upped his physical game last season and would bring an elemant of scoring potential to that line. bellows would do the same but to a lesser extent in my opinion