We really don't know everything that went on there. I'm very curious whether Trotz will be on the market in the offseason. I think people underrate the effect grieving can have on tight families.Lambert absolutely is in over his head, but in the same respect Lou is not giving the guy the best roster to work with.
Firing Trotz was a massive mistake and if there is absolutely anyway to rectify that, but at this point… I just want Lou as far away from this team as possible.
Nice post.We really don't know everything that went on there. I'm very curious whether Trotz will be on the market in the offseason. I think people underrate the effect grieving can have on tight families.
As far as LL is concerned, whether I want a change depends upon how he manages the team up through August. The difficult balance he has to play is that he needs to recoup assets while maintaining the ability to convince Sorokin that NYI will return to competitiveness in '25-'26. I don't even know if it's possible to do that. But, if not, he's got to realize that Sorokin won't be enough to win with an old, slow forward corps.
If you’re keeping Clutterbuck do you have an adequate replacement for him for the 40 games he misses next season?If I were Lou I don't think I'd do much.
Truthfully, I wouldn't mind pursuing Timo Meier still, or going for Tarasenko in free agency. I'd buy out Bails this offseason. I wouldn't move on from Clutter or Martin this offseason. They each have one year left and the salary is low. Really doesn't impact as much as people pretend on here. Beau has to go in a trade.
The better move with Bailey is to ask him to retire.I don't see the point on buying out Bailey or trading him for a LTIR asset. NYI will need competent bodies no matter what - I don't envision tanking. Who knows, Beau could be an asset as an expiring contract, and Bailey - at the very least - is good in the room. And for all we know he ends up on LTIR himself next year. He certainly seems to be slowing down a lot.
BTW, I would move on from both Clutter & Martin simpy because I'd prefer their icetime go somewhere else.
I like what's being done this season, getting looks from younger players that aren't ready to be slotted in full time. Contract wise I think you can see that Raty, Holmstrom, Dufour are going to replace Beau, Bailey and Parise. Just need time to get there but this season the phasing out and introductions are evidently happening.If you’re keeping Clutterbuck do you have an adequate replacement for him for the 40 games he misses next season?
And he will say ok and leave 3.5 million on the table? Lol sure.If you’re keeping Clutterbuck do you have an adequate replacement for him for the 40 games he misses next season?
The better move with Bailey is to ask him to retire.
Lambert absolutely is in over his head, but in the same respect Lou is not giving the guy the best roster to work with.
Firing Trotz was a massive mistake and if there is absolutely anyway to rectify that, but at this point… I just want Lou as far away from this team as possible.
And he will say ok and leave 3.5 million on the table? Lol sure.
Much to the chagrin of the fanbase, the phasing in of the youth may be part of the plan that Ledecky references in terms of Lou.I like what's being done this season, getting looks from younger players that aren't ready to be slotted in full time. Contract wise I think you can see that Raty, Holmstrom, Dufour are going to replace Beau, Bailey and Parise. Just need time to get there but this season the phasing out and introductions are evidently happening.
And further down the line but maybe only two years away that Liukas kid I think is a shoe in for being an NHL 4th liner. Next season if he's AHL bound that would be a benefit.
Do you mean ask him to LTI-retire? Barring something extraordinary, I don't think a player would/could (from pov of NHLPA) give up guaranteed money.The better move with Bailey is to ask him to retire.
I have legit criticism on Lou which is the lack of big fish acquisition up front. It's been needed for 5 years and with that much time there has been X amount of players available and honestly he should have just gotten one. Figure it out.Much to the chagrin of the fanbase, the phasing in of the youth may be part of the plan that Ledecky references in terms of Lou.
If we can compete, then we will, but we need to integrate these younger guys in while these deals expire due to the cap crunch.
Then Lou will say you can expect to dress maybe 20 times next season. Maybe have your contract buried in the AHL.And he will say ok and leave 3.5 million on the table? Lol sure.
No I mean let Bailey do what Leo Komarov did. Mutually terminate the contract.Do you mean ask him to LTI-retire? Barring something extraordinary, I don't think a player would/could (from pov of NHLPA) give up guaranteed money.
i think Lou might think Bailey is valuable and wants to keep himThen Lou will say you can expect to dress maybe 20 times next season. Maybe have your contract buried in the AHL.
Leo Komarov did the right thing and accepted his retirement.
No I mean let Bailey do what Leo Komarov did. Mutually terminate the contract.
I don't think this is a question of morality, and I don't recognize any 'right thing' in this context, except in terms of the 'right thing' for Leo Komorov. And it's not because I'm a moral relativist - it's because I don't think morality applies... at all except in the sense that people ought to satisfy their promises. Even then, it's governed by the contract itself, and the CBA.Leo Komarov did the right thing and accepted his retirement.
I mean, if Josh Bailey wants to play in St. Petersburg, Sweden, go home, or go anywhere instead of wherever NYI assign him, sure. Andrew Ladd did not. In any case, I don't understand why it would be worthwhile to do anything like that when it seems extremely unlikely to me that NYI will need the cap space.No I mean let Bailey do what Leo Komarov did. Mutually terminate the contract.
There is nothing to prevent Lou from telling Bailey that there is no plan to play him next season and his contract will be buried in the AHL. The next move is Bailey's.I don't think this is a question of morality, and I don't recognize any 'right thing' in this context, except in terms of the 'right thing' for Leo Komorov. And it's not because I'm a moral relativist - it's because I don't think morality applies... at all except in the sense that people ought to satisfy their promises. Even then, it's governed by the contract itself, and the CBA.
I mean, if Josh Bailey wants to play in St. Petersburg, Sweden, go home, or go anywhere instead of wherever NYI assign him, sure. Andrew Ladd did not. In any case, I don't understand why it would be worthwhile to do anything like that when it seems extremely unlikely to me that NYI will need the cap space.
The only scenario where next year's cap space becomes a pressing issue, for me, is if Larkin hits free agency. I don't really see NYI maxing out on the cap simpy in order to absorb an extra bad contract for 1 year.
Cap Space in 2024-2025 is a different issue, but both Bailey and Beau will be gone by then. If I look at NYI's forwards that will be under contract then, I think Lee is unmovable, Palmieri is also unmoveable (but I think his body is breaking down), and Pageau will still be productive in some capacity. Also cap space in 2024-2025 is only really important if Sorokin is extended. If not, NYI's retool plan is probably going to take longer.
Right. I have no problem if he did that. He did the same thing to Ladd. But, I feel pretty certain that Bailey will be one of the NYI's 12 best forwards next year. And, like I said, I don't see Bailey's cap hit becoming an important issue. Do you?There is nothing to prevent Lou from telling Bailey that there is no plan to play him next season and his contract will be buried in the AHL. The next move is Bailey's.
Right. I have no problem if he did that. He did the same thing to Ladd. But, I feel pretty certain that Bailey will be one of the NYI's 12 best forwards next year. And, like I said, I don't see Bailey's cap hit becoming an important issue. Do you?
I agree about Palmieri, but I don't think those upgrades will come this offseason, so I do not feel any urgency to move Bailey, especially when it will cost draft assets or young players NYI need. And there's no point buying him out, and moving dead cap to future years,Baily's cap hit is already an important issue. He's making too much for what he's producing and he is struggling this season. In order to upgrade the roster in any significant way he, Beauvillier, Palmieri, or Pulock (or some combination) need to be removed from the roster.
If Bailey is in the top 12 next season we have a big problem. Not for his cap, but for his production and for the fact that he, Clutterbuck, Martin, and Johnston are monopolizing roster spots that could go to the young guys we've seen this year. Now I will say guys like that are holding back the Holmstroms, Ratys, Dufours, etc.Right. I have no problem if he did that. He did the same thing to Ladd. But, I feel pretty certain that Bailey will be one of the NYI's 12 best forwards next year. And, like I said, I don't see Bailey's cap hit becoming an important issue. Do you?
The end of the line comes for every athlete. Sometimes it's not on the players' own terms.Bailey is a loyal player, he took less money than he would've gotten on the open market when he signed his last contract because he wanted to stay with the Islanders. His entire career has been in one place. I'd be shocked if he did anything to stop the franchise from progressing forward. He'll be given the Boychuk/Hickey treatment if he plays ball with whatever Lamoriello wants.
I agree. Unfortunately, I kinda think there will be time & room enough for Bailey AND the young forwards.At some point the kids have to play. Why tell them wait one more year until those contracts all expire?
Ufff.I agree. Unfortunately, I kinda think there will be time & room enough for Bailey AND the young forwards.