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

[Throttle]

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.

Of all the people to go UFA, Larkin seems like the least likely. MI native, playing for Detroit, his spouse is a native MIer. He proposed on a lake (very MI). Unless he and his spouse want a change of scenery (doubtful), he’ll resign with Detroit. He’s young enough where giving him the extra year is no big deal too.

 

[Top Corner]

9-6 now. So time to panic once again.

Expect them to hover just above.500
Until roster changes. They could have easily been 6-9 now. They need to get off to faster starts

 

[YearlyLottery]

Expect them to hover just above.500
Until roster changes. They could have easily been 6-9 now. They need to get off to faster starts

Could have been 6-9 but luckily they had comebacks against their rival Rangers, Stanley Cup Champions, and lethal Flames.

So while you sit here and say "could" most people sit here and say 9-6-0 with a team that has shown an extreme level of fight.

 

[Mike C]

Expect them to hover just above.500
Until roster changes. They could have easily been 6-9 now. They need to get off to faster starts

They will frustrate all season. They look decently above average in wins and crappily woeful in losses. That to me is the mark of an average team. In the east, that's probably not good enough

 

[Throttle]

They will frustrate all season. They look decently above average in wins and crappily woeful in losses. That to me is the mark of an average team. In the east, that's probably not good enough

Thinking they hang around to make the playoffs, it’s gonna be a weird bumpy season for the East, and depending on the matchup, they’ll do well there too.

Lou will not hesitate to make the big move. What’s different now, is that he’s made supportive moves to upgrade the team (JGP, Palms, etc.) w/o any roster impact. Now, a move may result in a body or two heading out, especially if certain players (Beau…), don’t get their act together. He’s marketable collateral in a deadlineish deal.

 

[Mike C]

Thinking they hang around to make the playoffs, it’s gonna be a weird bumpy season for the East, and depending on the matchup, they’ll do well there too.

Lou will not hesitate to make the big move. What’s different now, is that he’s made supportive moves to upgrade the team (JGP, Palms, etc.) w/o any roster impact. Now, a move may result in a body or two heading out, especially if certain players (Beau…), don’t get their act together. He’s marketable collateral in a deadlineish deal.

I'd package Beau and Wally and something for an upgrade. I like Nelson on the wing with Barzal. I'd love Horvat here. Looking at the flavor of the conference, i wouldn't wait for the deadline when everyone else will be dealing. I'd just do it now and try and build equity in the standings

 

[SI]

I'd package Beau and Wally and something for an upgrade. I like Nelson on the wing with Barzal. I'd love Horvat here. Looking at the flavor of the conference, i wouldn't wait for the deadline when everyone else will be dealing. I'd just do it now and try and build equity in the standings

Teams are still figuring out who they are right now - I doubt we see a significant trade this early.
Deals at the deadline will give teams more cap space as well since teams can see what they have accrued over the year. A deal now would have to be $ in and $ out.

The only trade scenario that I could see this early would be with the Canucks.
Canucks next 7 games -
@ Tor
@ Boston
@ Buffalo
H to Kings
H to Vegas
@ Avs
@ Avs

If Canucks do poorly during this stretch, then I think you can see major changes to the roster (i.e., a Horvat trade) and a coach firing. Canucks can get more in a trade now than closer to the deadline. Any deal for Horvat will mean a 2023 1st... Canucks need D, so I assume Bolduc will have to be involved and probably Beauvillier.

If Isles wait until the deadline, then I believe they'd keep Beau and add a 3rd round pick.

 

[SI]

They will frustrate all season. They look decently above average in wins and crappily woeful in losses. That to me is the mark of an average team. In the east, that's probably not good enough

I disagree - the 2 Florida losses and the loss against Tampa were not woeful. Even the Arizona game - I admit was very frustrating to see them miss chances and not hit the net, but even that game I wouldn't characterize as terrible.

Most fan bases for most of the teams in this league will be pulling their hair out even in the east - The Penguins, Rangers, Capitals, Leafs, Panthers all have had similar moments or even worse during these first 15 games.

If the isles continue to put up goals and their Goalies play above the expected range - they will be a playoff team.

 

[SI90]

We should’ve traded Beauviller and signed Milano for cheaper. He impacts the game way more than Tito

 

[LeapOnOver]

Teams are still figuring out who they are right now - I doubt we see a significant trade this early.
Deals at the deadline will give teams more cap space as well since teams can see what they have accrued over the year. A deal now would have to be $ in and $ out.

The only trade scenario that I could see this early would be with the Canucks.
Canucks next 7 games -
@ Tor
@ Boston
@ Buffalo
H to Kings
H to Vegas
@ Avs
@ Avs

If Canucks do poorly during this stretch, then I think you can see major changes to the roster (i.e., a Horvat trade) and a coach firing. Canucks can get more in a trade now than closer to the deadline. Any deal for Horvat will mean a 2023 1st... Canucks need D, so I assume Bolduc will have to be involved and probably Beauvillier.

If Isles wait until the deadline, then I believe they'd keep Beau and add a 3rd round pick.

It's true we can wait longer, but LL has a tendency to pull the trades a week or 2 before the trade deadline. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do it even earlier this year. I think he likes to have a longer time to build chemistry before the playoffs start. If we are a bubble team I suspect he'll make the trade even earlier this year.

 

[Mike C]

Teams are still figuring out who they are right now - I doubt we see a significant trade this early.
Deals at the deadline will give teams more cap space as well since teams can see what they have accrued over the year. A deal now would have to be $ in and $ out.

The only trade scenario that I could see this early would be with the Canucks.
Canucks next 7 games -
@ Tor
@ Boston
@ Buffalo
H to Kings
H to Vegas
@ Avs
@ Avs

If Canucks do poorly during this stretch, then I think you can see major changes to the roster (i.e., a Horvat trade) and a coach firing. Canucks can get more in a trade now than closer to the deadline. Any deal for Horvat will mean a 2023 1st... Canucks need D, so I assume Bolduc will have to be involved and probably Beauvillier.

If Isles wait until the deadline, then I believe they'd keep Beau and add a 3rd round pick.

My fear is the team may play up and down until then and at that point it's a crapshoot to even get who they're after let alone get to the playoffs

To my mind, if Horvat can be had now, take the bird in hand if at all possible

Hope you've been good overall. No complaints here!

 

[Mike C]

I disagree - the 2 Florida losses and the loss against Tampa were not woeful. Even the Arizona game - I admit was very frustrating to see them miss chances and not hit the net, but even that game I wouldn't characterize as terrible.

Most fan bases for most of the teams in this league will be pulling their hair out even in the east - The Penguins, Rangers, Capitals, Leafs, Panthers all have had similar moments or even worse during these first 15 games.

If the isles continue to put up goals and their Goalies play above the expected range - they will be a playoff team.

I was disgruntled in the 2 Fla road games, much more the one vs Tampa. Facing Brian Elliott, minus Chernak and Cirelli and Tampa off a tough OT game the night before


In terms of play, the game last night wasn't terrible but in terms of results, losing to a team we theoretically should beat in a home game isn't ideal

Even the Flames game, you could say they helped us with their crappy 3rd period. I heard Butch say " Isles are too soft " Also heard Hickey say "the effort simply isn't good enough"

I was nice to get the W but overall, I'm still skiddish how the season will go with the crew currently in place

 

[Throttle]

We should’ve traded Beauviller and signed Milano for cheaper. He impacts the game way more than Tito

Absent a bunch of injuries, Sonny had a lot of time for Chocolate World. Good for him, but he’s a great fit for teams going nowhere.

 

[doublechili]

To get an impact piece at the TDL you have to give up a '23 1st round pick. I'm not sure that's the case now if the other team is still trying to salvage this season.

 

[danteipp]

What should work in the favor of the Isles is that there are so many bad and rebuilding teams in the West now.

So we shouldn't have to hear the lame excuse that said team in the East won't trade with the Isles absent a significant overpay.

And I really believe that some East teams have attached a premium the last few years, either due to knowing that the Isles were already tough enough to play against and not wanting ro be seen as the team that gives them the final piece, or not wanting to deal with Lou, his rules, etc.

It would be nice to see curcumstances work out in the Isles favor for a change.

 

[CupHolders]

Would you? Would they (Isles and Bruins)? Trade Bailey and Panik for Mike Reilly and Craig Smith?

Financial particulars for This year and next year:

PLAYER
22/23 (Salary, Cap)
23/24 (Salary, Cap)

Bailey
22/23 (3.5M, 5M)
23/24 (3.5M, 5M)

Panik
22/23 (1.375M, 250K*)
23/24 UFA

Reilly
22/23 (3M, 3M)
23/24 (4M, 3M)

Smith
22/23 (4.3M, 3.1M)
23/24 UFA

*NHL cap hit if Panik is AHL buried, 1.375M if he is in the NHL

I actually think the Isles have a higher opinion of Aho and Bailey than fans here. So I doubt they would make this trade. But I would, especially if I can flip Craig Smith for an upgrade at the deadline. As for Boston? I'm not sure if they do. They save cap and get a better fit for their lineup this year. They take an extra 2M cap hit for next year. But they could conceivably buyout Bailey if they couldn't move him to a cap floor team.

 

[CupHolders]

We should’ve traded Beauviller and signed Milano for cheaper. He impacts the game way more than Tito

Based on what... advance stats?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if polled, NHL coaches unanimously take Beauvillier over Milano. GM's because of cap implications, would not be unanimous but a clear majority for Beauvillier.

Milano has Mariusz Czerkawski vibes for a ceiling. Not bad, but honestly indifferent for meaningful success.

 

[seafoam]

We should’ve traded Beauviller and signed MilanoKubalik for cheaper. He impacts the game way more than Tito

FTFY.

Milano is Shane Prince 2.0

 

[SI90]

FTFY.

Milano is Shane Prince 2.0

People don’t realize Milanos defensive numbers and how solid he is. Definitely not Shane Prince. He could have a hot sister though

 

[Mike C]

People don’t realize Milanos defensive numbers and how solid he is. Definitely not Shane Prince. He could have a hot sister though

Unlike my wife

 

[MJF]

I actually think the Isles have a higher opinion of Aho and Bailey than fans here. So I doubt they would make this trade. But I would, especially if I can flip Craig Smith for an upgrade at the deadline. As for Boston? I'm not sure if they do. They save cap and get a better fit for their lineup this year. They take an extra 2M cap hit for next year. But they could conceivably buyout Bailey if they couldn't move him to a cap floor team.

I agree with the bolded.

 

[SI]

People don’t realize Milanos defensive numbers and how solid he is. Definitely not Shane Prince. He could have a hot sister though

I was beating that Milano drum all off-season, but it wasn’t instead of Beau but as well as.

Moving Beau right now would make this team slower, so I’d be hesitant to do that - maybe if they had a Milano who adds speed to the lineup.

Would you? Would they (Isles and Bruins)? Trade Bailey and Panik for Mike Reilly and Craig Smith?

Financial particulars for This year and next year:

PLAYER
22/23 (Salary, Cap)
23/24 (Salary, Cap)

Bailey
22/23 (3.5M, 5M)
23/24 (3.5M, 5M)

Panik
22/23 (1.375M, 250K*)
23/24 UFA

Reilly
22/23 (3M, 3M)
23/24 (4M, 3M)

Smith
22/23 (4.3M, 3.1M)
23/24 UFA

*NHL cap hit if Panik is AHL buried, 1.375M if he is in the NHL

I actually think the Isles have a higher opinion of Aho and Bailey than fans here. So I doubt they would make this trade. But I would, especially if I can flip Craig Smith for an upgrade at the deadline. As for Boston? I'm not sure if they do. They save cap and get a better fit for their lineup this year. They take an extra 2M cap hit for next year. But they could conceivably buyout Bailey if they couldn't move him to a cap floor team.

Boston must move out cap and salary now and cannot take back much cap. And adding Bailey’s 5 next season doesn’t work since they will have to pay Pasta 11+ this off-season.

 

[seafoam]

Trade Pulock, sign Mayfield, trade for Karlsson 20% retained.

 

[NYI365]

I think our biggest chips going to the TDL would be Beau, Wahlstrom, and the 2023 first. What a package of 2/3 or all 3 can get I'm not sure.

 

[Tahoeblue]

Not crazy about giving up our first round pick this year. Not opposed, but has to be the right fit which is difficult. It would soften the blow if Lou can pick up another second round pick.

Tarasenko is going to cost a lot and will be 31 next month. Plus, if we resign him, he is going to want a hefty contract, plus movement protection. We have too many players as it is who have a nmc or ntc up front and are over 30.

Debrincat would be great as a UFA but so many other teams will be suitors. The team is in a tight spot and needs some skill up front. Maybe Lou pulls in in between like a Garland or something similar. Maybe it is time to sit Beau for a game or so. He is just one of a few others who need a fire lit under them.