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

[Throttle]

you could look at the Lou trade as being Romanov for Dach. That's essentially what it was.

Horvat would be a good pickup. He's great at faceoffs and is still 27, so we could get him in his prime. I'd even try Horvat at centre and use Barzal on wing. Unless Barzal can win some faceoffs!

But, that’s not what the trade was.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Man...I hope that's not the case, but I fear you're correct.

I don't have any major issue with any of the moves we've made individually, but the collective nature of our trades (Palmieri, JGP, Romanov, etc.) have left us with a big deficiency in young prospects. At some point, you've gotta dance with those that brought ya and see where you land. I guess if come February, we can snag Kane for lil more than a first and it really looks like that will make us a SC contender, I may feel differently. But I would love to have both a first AND a second round pick in a draft for the first time in recent memory.

We've been somewhat fortunate to grab Dufour and Raty after the first round but guys like that should be the icing in your prospect pool - not your whole cake.

While I agree with the premise of this post if.... And that is a big IF Raty and Dufour end up beginning stud forwards than trading all those first round picks for win now players really didn't hurt them.

Basically win the Cup and all will be forgiven.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

While I agree with the premise of this post if.... And that is a big IF Raty and Dufour end up beginning stud forwards than trading all those first round picks for win now players really didn't hurt them.

Basically win the Cup and all will be forgiven.

agree, so a rebuild is coming within the next 1-3 seasons. It is just a matter of whether it is with a cup or without one iMO

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Yes sir. PLD is very good and would slot in nice behind Barzy and move Nelson to wing. Bailey,holmstrom 1st 2023 and Wilde enough? Gives them a guy who can step in and play in the top 6 and some young futures

Nelson-Barzal-wahlstrom
Lee-PLD-beau
Parise-Pageau-Palmeri
4th line

Like that forward group quite a bit.

Why is everyone so anxious to move Nelson to wing? To me Dubois is not a guy I want nor a guy I see them trying to bring into their room. Horvat makes sense from skill and character standpoint and if isles are really interested I’d imagine Barzal is going to play RW. What about Pettersson? How much would be willing to give up for someone like him to play with Barzal?

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

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.

I do not believe Tarasenko will cheap but I also don’t think he is going to cost as much as some think. Armstrong doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on. He waited way too long to move Tarasenko. He could have received much more last year. Unless there is a sign and trade I don’t think he would cost much more than a 2nd and Beau and a mid level prospect. If it is a sign and trade I see it being much more. At this point I don’t see Tarasenko doing him any favors in terms of the sign and trade to allow him to acquire more assets from a team he goes too.

Most I can see happening is the pick being a conditional 1st based on if he re-signs. Also for me Tarasenko is the guy you have to go far. Kane is far older and anyone else under contract would cost too much. I’m praying Lou gets this done soon. We have no one coming up to be a 1st line winger and it needs to be had eventually. Wahlstrom has an outside chance but he is so inconsistent that he is far from a guarantee

 

[GOLFWANG]

I hope since there is a lot of decent UFA's that probably will be for sale hopefully if players aren't resigned that the market becomes more saturated and we find at least one of these snipers for cheap from someone

or at least a good forward pickup that will boost it in the playoffs.

 

[Mike C]

Why is everyone so anxious to move Nelson to wing? To me Dubois is not a guy I want nor a guy I see them trying to bring into their room. Horvat makes sense from skill and character standpoint and if isles are really interested I’d imagine Barzal is going to play RW. What about Pettersson? How much would be willing to give up for someone like him to play with Barzal?

Many, myself included feel Nelson has the instinct and scoring touch to compliment Barzal. Horvat would be ideal

 

[The Real JT]

I was watching the Islander game and later the Jeopardy tournament of champions on DVR last night. A potential Jeopardy question came to mind which should be pretty easy for Isles fans.

Answer: This is the only GM who has traded 2 Hockey Hall of Fame players (one current and one future) before their prime.

Try not to buzz in too early.

 

[Olliemets]

Why is everyone so anxious to move Nelson to wing? To me Dubois is not a guy I want nor a guy I see them trying to bring into their room. Horvat makes sense from skill and character standpoint and if isles are really interested I’d imagine Barzal is going to play RW. What about Pettersson? How much would be willing to give up for someone like him to play with Barzal?

Agreed. Barry turned Brock into a true 2-Way 180 Foot Center. They don't grow on trees. I'd hope for another solution to the Barzy linemate problem.

 

[saintunspecified]

I do not believe Tarasenko will cheap but I also don’t think he is going to cost as much as some think. Armstrong doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on. He waited way too long to move Tarasenko. He could have received much more last year. Unless there is a sign and trade I don’t think he would cost much more than a 2nd and Beau and a mid level prospect. If it is a sign and trade I see it being much more. At this point I don’t see Tarasenko doing him any favors in terms of the sign and trade to allow him to acquire more assets from a team he goes too.

It doesn't work like that. Tarasenko's value, as a rental, is only determined by the market of teams seeking rentals, and the supply of players who fit that need. It appears to me that there are many teams, and teams that NYI compete with directly, who also would be in the market for Tarasenko.

The truth is for NYI like all other teams at the deadline is that the value of their pick completely depends on where they seem likely to draft. If they're on the bubble, I don't want to give up the pick. If it looks like they're going to be top-3 in the division or draft at 20+, that changes.

 

[The Real JT]

It doesn't work like that. Tarasenko's value, as a rental, is only determined by the market of teams seeking rentals, and the supply of players who fit that need. It appears to me that there are many teams, and teams that NYI compete with directly, who also would be in the market for Tarasenko.

The truth is for NYI like all other teams at the deadline is that the value of their pick completely depends on where they seem likely to draft. If they're on the bubble, I don't want to give up the pick. If it looks like they're going to be top-3 in the division or draft at 20+, that changes.

Perfect summary.

As an Isles fan I’m all in on trading the #1 if we’re performing as a top tier team. Flipping that pick just to enhance our chances to slip in as a #8 seed worries me for the future.

 

[danteipp]

Agreed. Barry turned Brock into a true 2-Way 180 Foot Center. They don't grow on trees. I'd hope for another solution to the Barzy linemate problem.

I am a big fan of Horvat and, if the Isles were able to land him, I think you keep Nelson as the 2C and try Horvat at center and maybe Barzal and Wahlstrom as the wings.

Horvat takes FOs and is the defensively-responsible member of the line, Barzal can do what he does and it should open up space on the ice for Wahlstrom to shoot.

Seems like it could work.

 

[leeroggy]

I was watching the Islander game and later the Jeopardy tournament of champions on DVR last night. A potential Jeopardy question came to mind which should be pretty easy for Isles fans.

Answer: This is the only GM who has traded 2 Hockey Hall of Fame players (one current and one future) before their prime.

Try not to buzz in too early.

Snow

Luongo is now current and KVASHA will eventually prove his mettle!!!

Actually, I'm sure that Sather did the same or even more of them

 

[The Real JT]

There’s a fair amount of chatter on this board about moving Nelson to LW. Last I checked he’s coming off a 37 goal season and already has 9 goals this year.

I’ll probably get killed for this but I’ll say it anyway. The better question is “Why not move Barzal to the wing?”. The knee jerk answer is that Barzal drives the play and already doesn’t score goals. My reply is that he’s terrible on the dot and he just might find the scoring touch if some pressure is taken off him by playing on the wing.

Fire away.

 

[mm11]

They can play a hybrid Nelson and barzal. #13 blowing through the neutral zone is tough for teams. Lobbing it off the boards to a streaking Nelson should click. But we're done store fans here. Nelson can take draws

 

[MJF]

There’s a fair amount of chatter on this board about moving Nelson to LW. Last I checked he’s coming off a 37 goal season and already has 9 goals this year.

I’ll probably get killed for this but I’ll say it anyway. The better question is “Why not move Barzal to the wing?”. The knee jerk answer is that Barzal drives the play and already doesn’t score goals. My reply is that he’s terrible on the dot and he just might find the scoring touch if some pressure is taken off him by playing on the wing.

Fire away.

I'll get killed for this but I'm feeling frisky this morning, so what the hell. Why not make Aho a winger and try him with Barzal? This way it gets the defensively superior Robin Salo back in the lineup and we don't have to watch Aho flounder with defensive coverages so much.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I'll get killed for this but I'm feeling frisky this morning, so what the hell. Why not make Aho a winger and try him with Barzal? This way it gets the defensively superior Robin Salo back in the lineup and we don't have to watch Aho flounder with defensive coverages so much.

Mrs. MJF approves.

 

[saintunspecified]

I'll get killed for this but I'm feeling frisky this morning, so what the hell. Why not make Aho a winger and try him with Barzal? This way it gets the defensively superior Robin Salo back in the lineup and we don't have to watch Aho flounder with defensive coverages so much.

Assuming NYI continue winning despite this struggle, one assumes NYI will eventually either deal with Barzal at C & get him a top-flight winger (like Tarasenko), or move Barzal to RW, and get a C to play with him (like Horvat). Until then, I think we'll continue to see Barzal used sparingly, or alongside Cizikas, Pageau, or Nelson in games where NYI have the lead late. And he'll be double-shifted when NYI are behind.

 

[Throttle]

Assuming NYI continue winning despite this struggle, one assumes NYI will eventually either deal with Barzal at C & get him a top-flight winger (like Tarasenko), or move Barzal to RW, and get a C to play with him (like Horvat). Until then, I think we'll continue to see Barzal used sparingly, or alongside Cizikas, Pageau, or Nelson in games where NYI have the lead late. And he'll be double-shifted when NYI are behind.

Seems more and more likely the issue ‘is’ ‘was’ Barzal stepping up and using his teammates and his teammates converting those chances. And fixing the defense to a more transition position.

The top flight winger is a nice to have, but it remains a fan boogeyman. How are the Isles a top 5 team in the NHL with a supposed top center w/zero goals that is known for passing and is top 5 in the league in assists? He obviously NOT the one scoring the goals.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

I'll get killed for this but I'm feeling frisky this morning, so what the hell. Why not make Aho a winger and try him with Barzal? This way it gets the defensively superior Robin Salo back in the lineup and we don't have to watch Aho flounder with defensive coverages so much.

Remember when Hickey scored 2 goals in a game as a winger? I 'memba

 

[MJF]

Remember when Hickey scored 2 goals in a game as a winger? I 'memba

So does Pepperidge Farm.

 

[Riseonfire]

Mrs. MJF approves.

so YOU'RE Mrs. MJF!!! I was wondering.

 

[seafoam]

I'll get killed for this but I'm feeling frisky this morning, so what the hell. Why not make Aho a winger and try him with Barzal? This way it gets the defensively superior Robin Salo back in the lineup and we don't have to watch Aho flounder with defensive coverages so much.

I applaud you putting yourself out here like this, but I can’t imagine Aho having much success coming out of the corners with pucks as a winger. He doesn’t have the tenacity of an undersized guy like Parise for me to want to consider it.

 

[NYI365]

I'd be willing to bet that if the team keeps this up and is a serious contender come TDL time, one of Horvat, Tarasenko, or Kane will be Islanders.

 

[doublechili]

I'll jump on the bandwagon and say I'll probably get killed for suggesting this, but how about putting Matt Martin at C between Anders Lee and Hector Marini (coax him out of retirement). Their incredible lack of speed would compliment each other and lull the opposition to sleep.