We absolutely need more 60 minute efforts, but if you told me we would be sitting 9-5 to start the season i would take it all day. We have had a very tough schedule to start the season. Already played 9 playoff teams from last year, and all of those teams won a round last year.
Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California
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We absolutely need more 60 minute efforts, but if you told me we would be sitting 9-5 to start the season i would take it all day. We have had a very tough schedule to start the season. Already played 9 playoff teams from last year, and all of those teams won a round last year.
Here are the pending UFA's who we should be keeping tabs on (with notes)
Tier 1
Tarasenko (would give Barzal his elite winger, bump Nelson off PP1, and would probably be the priciest rental.)
Horvat (Also pricey, fit not there)
Kane (pricey, still a star, don't see him as a LI guy)
Tier 2
Gostisbehere (if you can shelter a 3rd pairing D, would give NYI 2 excellent PPQBs)
Zucker (good speed, but production isn't there)
Toews (would take a lot of guts - he'd have to center RW Mat Barzal...idk)
Tier 3
O'Reilly (I think he plods - don't like what I've seen from him)
Andreas Athanasiou (3rd line Parise replacement)
Danton Heinen (Ditto)
Max Domi (he can pass, but...)
Tier What? (i.e. why is he a pending UFAs at this point?)
D. Larkin
(Not on list because assume they won't be dealt: Pasta, Pavelski, Bergeron, Krejci, T. Moore, Killorn)
Tier 1
Tarasenko (would give Barzal his elite winger, bump Nelson off PP1, and would probably be the priciest rental.)
Horvat (Also pricey, fit not there)
Kane (pricey, still a star, don't see him as a LI guy)
Tier 2
Gostisbehere (if you can shelter a 3rd pairing D, would give NYI 2 excellent PPQBs)
Zucker (good speed, but production isn't there)
Toews (would take a lot of guts - he'd have to center RW Mat Barzal...idk)
Tier 3
O'Reilly (I think he plods - don't like what I've seen from him)
Andreas Athanasiou (3rd line Parise replacement)
Danton Heinen (Ditto)
Max Domi (he can pass, but...)
Tier What? (i.e. why is he a pending UFAs at this point?)
D. Larkin
(Not on list because assume they won't be dealt: Pasta, Pavelski, Bergeron, Krejci, T. Moore, Killorn)
SI
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Nice Breakdown.
No reason for Isles to entertain anyone who is not Tier 1.
It's all about Tank, Horvat, or Kane - all 3 will cost a 2023 1st, Prospect, B prospect or another pick as impending UFAs. Horvat would push Nelson to RW with Maty, so there is a nice fit there for sure, especially since he fits the character and warrior culture Isles have in the lockerroom.
Bolduc and Salo will be your bottom pair LHD next season no need for Ghost.
I think Ghost would be purely a backup option, and NYI would have plenty of cap space. So there wouldn't be a point discussing it until it was clear NYI could not acquire their top targets.
I don't believe that value is a thing for role players that is independent of market + circumstance. For now, I would not send a 2nd rounder for Gostibehere. But I can imagine circumstances in which I would.
(I say 'role player' because he'd be at NYI as a PP specialist, and would be sheltered at ES - which isn't the way NYI like to play. He's simply not a top-4 D on NYI.)
leeroggy
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Throttle
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If you go with your tiers plus Larkin, then that’s six possible first rounders in play as compensation in a highly regarded draft coming up.
I see prices being depressed if the list stays like this w/o any resigns and their teams continue to suck (Detroit is going to fade along the way too). It’s gonna be a matter of who gets traded first may get the better value for their team and there’s more leverage for the acquirer based on this pool of UFAs.
I looked back at historical in season 1st rounders it looks like an average of 6 are traded per year. However, we are now in a different era of cap constraints, parity, emphasis on cap controlled players, etc. that may deviate from that historical movement.
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I can't say I know enough about Reilly but that extra year remaining on his contract isn't ideal.
With that said, that fact that the coaching staff isn't confident enough in Salo to play him over Aho makes me think the Islanders will be looking for a defenseman at some point this season.
Aho has been serviceable in a third pairing role, especially as of late offensively, but I can't imagine him having any sort of success in a playoff hockey environment.
With that said, that fact that the coaching staff isn't confident enough in Salo to play him over Aho makes me think the Islanders will be looking for a defenseman at some point this season.
Aho has been serviceable in a third pairing role, especially as of late offensively, but I can't imagine him having any sort of success in a playoff hockey environment.
If hes on the block Larkin is absolutely in that first tier, but thats a big if at this point.
For sure. I'd put him in his own tier. It would make zero sense to deal for him unless it was with an extension.
I can't imagine they won't pony up in the end, and sign him to a long term extension.
The Wahligator
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Just spitballing, what if Lou pulls off a Palmieri/Zajac deal on steroids and gets Kane AND Toews both at 50% retained?
What would it take? 1st, Beau, Wahlstrom, one of Salo/Bolduc, maybe plus?
Nelson-Barzal-Kane
Lee-Toews-Bailey
Parise-Pageau-Palmieri
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
That’s a cup winning FWD group.
What would it take? 1st, Beau, Wahlstrom, one of Salo/Bolduc, maybe plus?
Nelson-Barzal-Kane
Lee-Toews-Bailey
Parise-Pageau-Palmieri
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
That’s a cup winning FWD group.
danteipp
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Like others have said, I think the deal is fair but it would probably be more of a fallback move for Lou. Just speculating, but I would think he is looking for a topline winger first and foremost. If he could fill that hole, then the Isles might go for a cheaper, older LHD to fill the last spot, keep Aho around as insurance for depth, and let Salo play big minutes in Bridgeport.
Throttle
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Lou will probably add D depth closer to the deadline.
Fans shouldn’t flip their crap if the Isles are actually a playoff team at or near the deadline, and Lou makes a deal. The owners want to keep the momentum going and want to win in year 2 of their new building.
leeroggy
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Great analysis on the changes Lambert made on the NHL Network:
Nice clip, thanks Lee. It is noticeable how much more often we have extended O zone shifts, and how we have fewer shifts of all D zone then dump and change.
The Real JT
The percentage you’re paying is too high priced
Islanders4Cups
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Larkin will be signed. No way Yzerman trades or let’s Larkin slip away and be serious about playoff aspirations.
We will see. Alot of people said the same thing about Tavares and Gaudreau. Until hes signed you never know. Detroit is off to a hot start, but I wouldnt be shocked to see them cool off a bit.
We will see it will get interesting.
SI
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There is no way the Isles are giving up a 2023 2nd for Ghost even at 2.25 AAV.
Also, Isles will need that cap space to upgrade F's come the deadline not a bottom pairing d man.
SI
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If Vancouver, St Louis, Chicago, and San Jose continue to break down as the season heads into the holidays- we can be seeing Horvat, Tarasenko, Kane, and Meier become available (Meier being the most expensive to acquire).
Here are my guesses to acquire -
Meier - '23 1st, Raty, +
Horvat - '23 1st, Bolduc, '24 2nd or 3rd (prospect)
Tarasenko - '23 1st, Bolduc or Iskhakov, '24 2nd or 3rd (prospect)
Kane - '23 1st, Bolduc or Iskhakov, '24 2nd or 3rd (prospect)
Doshell Propivo
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