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

[JZCislesHockey]

JT Miller would be the perfect get because of his cap hit with 50% retention but I don't think we have the assets to get him now.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

It'll be interesting to see what Vegas does. Unlike Tampa they can't jettison a big salary due to lack of depth.

If we don't go the offer sheet route, maybe we can offer Vegas something like:

2023 2nd round pick and Robin Salo

They get a cheap and NHL ready LHD they can plug into the 3rd pair, and a second round pick (which is likely the RFA comp they would receive from a team signing Hague)

And from our perspective, we get a more proven LHD who will fit in like a glove. There's also no need for Salo with Hague here.

 

[lafellaesobar]

Well there goes that.

mediocrity is a cycle of hell btw. I hope Nashville understands that they're never close to a stanley cup with said core, and that Forsberg is banking on being retired by Nashville.

 

[PK Cronin]

I knew it. God forbid we trade The Mascot. That would be one less song BOA has on their set list.


Nobody. Lou believes in his team. So much so that he decided the problem last year was behind the bench.

I don't believe it. Those JT Miller rumblings were pretty loud and he mentioned upgrading the forward group a few weeks back. Romanov helps, but it's not enough of an upgrade to get me excited. We'll be back to battling for a wild card spot at most.

 

[lafellaesobar]

I don't believe it. Those JT Miller rumblings were pretty loud and he mentioned upgrading the forward group a few weeks back. Romanov helps, but it's not enough of an upgrade to get me excited. We'll be back to battling for a wild card spot at most.

We can compete for a division spot thanks to Carolina being cheap btw. I know this team can do well with goaltending, but they need another winger. Could they revisit the JT miller deal? Not a chance because Allvin decided to open his mouth one too many times for Lou's liking, but I can absolutely see us in on Guadreau now that Philly needs to move JVR or Provorov to even have a shot. This offseason is certainly a lot different for Lou, and you can tell he wants to get this team back on track after the garbage of last season.

 

[Lights911]

Not sure who's being shopped or what reports are true, but at some point Lou needs to go out and actually get a top line forward. It feels for the entirety of his Isles run he's been trying but always falls short and instead has to go after guys who improve the depth of the lineup, which is fine but purely depth-driven teams only get so far. As we've seen what happened when we played Tampa in back-to-back years in the conference final. The time to get someone to finally give this team an offensive boost is now.

 

[MJF]

I don't believe it. Those JT Miller rumblings were pretty loud and he mentioned upgrading the forward group a few weeks back. Romanov helps, but it's not enough of an upgrade to get me excited. We'll be back to battling for a wild card spot at most.

100% agreed.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

I mean did Johnny Hockey grow up a Devils fan?

If not, I'm not sure why they'd have a competitive advantage over us. Newark NJ and Long Island NY are effectively the same distance away from Philly.

 

[PK Cronin]

We can compete for a division spot thanks to Carolina being cheap btw. I know this team can do well with goaltending, but they need another winger. Could they revisit the JT miller deal? Not a chance because Allvin decided to open his mouth one too many times for Lou's liking, but I can absolutely see us in on Guadreau now that Philly needs to move JVR or Provorov to even have a shot. This offseason is certainly a lot different for Lou, and you can tell he wants to get this team back on track after the garbage of last season.

This team is good enough for a third seed in the division or a wild card spot. Those three places are all pretty interchangeable to me. Did Carolina, Washington, Boston, the Rags, or Pittsburgh get worse enough to help close the gap? I'm not convinced any will fall too far.

I mean did Johnny Hockey grow up a Devils fan?

If not, I'm not sure why they'd have a competitive advantage over us. Newark NJ and Long Island NY are effectively the same distance away from Philly.

He grew up a Flyers fan I believe. Newark avoids having to deal with traffic if you were going to Philadelphia from there, Long Island would take 30+ additional minutes depending on traffic and where on the island you're living.

 

[lafellaesobar]

This team is good enough for a third seed in the division or a wild card spot. Those three places are all pretty interchangeable to me. Did Carolina, Washington, Boston, the Rags, or Pittsburgh get worse enough to help close the gap? I'm not convinced any will fall too far.

Pittsburgh is gonna probably lose some key depth and their farm is absolute garbage. No Mark Donk's can save them from regressing eventually

Carolina is cheap, and their cheapness will be the end of them, regardless of talents like Aho, Slavin, Pesce, Svech and others

Boston could still loser Bergeron, and I really don't think that team is good enough past the perfection line

Rags are in so long as Shesterkin can maintain pace

Capitals are gonna lose Backstrom and Wilson for a while, and just lost Vanecek. All depends on Ovi+youth players

I still believe we can nab a playoff spot with a good offseason, and they "might" be on pace for said offseason. Just gotta hope Sorokin and Romanov can come over ASAP.

 

[PK Cronin]

Pittsburgh is gonna probably lose some key depth and their farm is absolute garbage. No Mark Donk's can save them from regressing eventually

Carolina is cheap, and their cheapness will be the end of them, regardless of talents like Aho, Slavin, Pesce, Svech and others

Boston could still loser Bergeron, and I really don't think that team is good enough past the perfection line

Rags are in so long as Shesterkin can maintain pace

Capitals are gonna lose Backstrom and Wilson for a while, and just lost Vanecek. All depends on Ovi+youth players

I still believe we can nab a playoff spot with a good offseason, and they "might" be on pace for said offseason. Just gotta hope Sorokin and Romanov can come over ASAP.

We've played this same game with Pittsburgh and Washington for far too long, where we keep thinking they'll slide and yet they keep making the playoffs year after year. Last season the Penguins were without Crosby and Malkin to start the season and still made it. I don't really see who Pittsburgh is losing, Letang is coming back, Kapenan and Heinen are RFAs, and their defense is intact. Boyle, Rakell, Rodrigues, and Malkin are on the block, but they might have room to bring both Malkin and Rakell back. Washington isn't really losing anyone of significance.

Carolina might be cheap and might regress a little bit, but how much? Their coach has them playing hard every season.

Bergeron has said he is leaning towards coming back. I don't think they're a well constructed team, but they're good enough during the regular season to win games.

Rags are interesting because Shesterkin had a phenomenal season, can he replicate that? I don't know and would bet against him putting up the same numbers (he'll still be good though).

Our saving grace is our goaltending, and hopefully our defense now. Plus, we shouldn't see an extended road trip mixed with a pandemic that sunk the season before it really got going. It'll be a dog fight all season.

 

[lafellaesobar]

We've played this same game with Pittsburgh and Washington for far too long, where we keep thinking they'll slide and yet they keep making the playoffs year after year. Last season the Penguins were without Crosby and Malkin to start the season and still made it. I don't really see who Pittsburgh is losing, Letang is coming back, Kapenan and Heinen are RFAs, and their defense is intact. Boyle, Rakell, Rodrigues, and Malkin are on the block, but they might have room to bring both Malkin and Rakell back. Washington isn't really losing anyone of significance.

at some point the piper will come to pay for both Washington and Pittsburgh. It feels inevitable.

 

[PK Cronin]

at some point the piper will come to pay for both Washington and Pittsburgh. It feels inevitable.

Absolutely, but we've been thinking it's coming for what feels like 10 years.

 

[doublechili]

My list is short really, as I have said before I just soon keep the forwards we have if we can't obtain a difference maker, but I basically list the "I am ok with" options in 3 tiers:

Difference Makers:

1. Johnny Gaudreau (Flames)- UFA
2. Filip Forsberg (Predators)- UFA
3. Vladimir Tarasenko (Blues)- trade
4. Patrick Kane (Black Hawks)- trade
5. T.J. Miller (Canucks)- trade

Note: I don't list any others for various reasons. I want no part of Kadri or Giroux because of the contracts they will command (and get) in free-agency, which will be an OVERPAY. I don't list other possible trade target difference makers because it is too unlikely they will be dealt. Unfortunately, I don't see both the top two even getting into free-agency and I would be shocked if 2 of the last 3 are even dealt, but these are without a doubt the "last remaining five" who are difference makers and "could" be available

Top Six Upgrades:

1. Valeri Nichushkin (Avalanche)- UFA
2. Ondrej Palat (Lightning)- UFA
3. Vincent Trocheck (Hurricanes)- UFA
4. Andre Burakovsky (Avalanche)- UFA

Note: It is too difficult to predict what forwards may be available via trade that would be an upgrade over the 7 possible top 6ers we have (Barzal, Nelson, Lee, Beau, Palmieri, Bailey and Wahlstrom) so I only list the meager 4 I would be interested in on the FA market- depending on price. Nichushkin it looks as though Colorado is trying to resign, but of course I would be interested as I think he is just scratching the surface on his potential. Palat isn't a great point scorer but his intangibles would be why I would want him on board, but I doubt he leaves TB. Trochek would have to come super cheap, and his two-way work probably puts us out of his price range; but I list him here just in case and lastly is Burakovky, who I wouldn't want to give more than 4/16 to- so in other words not much here; but these are 4 guys I wouldn't mind switching Bailey with

Add to the Mix:

1. Ilya Mikheyev (Maple Leafs)- UFA
2. Jesse Puljujarvi (Oilers)- trade
3. Ivan Barbashev (Blues)- trade

Note: I am sure there are a few more, and I like to call these "change of scenery" options. These three have been rumored as possibly on the block during the offseason and for different reasons I would have interest. Should SL decide to keep Tarasenko for instance, it might make Ivan available. The thing to note here is I AM NOT trading any of these 6 (Barzal, Lee, Nelson, Beau, Palmieri or Wahlstrom) to obtain them, but rather adding them to our mix already, assuming we move Josh Bailey of course

Those are the dozen forwards I have on my radar, and unfortunately I feel half of them may not even be available. I can almost say with certainty (unless someone else becomes available I am not aware of) I would just soon bring back my same forwards unless I can net one of the top 9 as either the "difference maker" or "replacement" and even then it would come down to price....

Also I am still looking to move Varlamov and get the best asset package I can...

Lastly, although many in here are ok with Salo as the 3rd line LD- we cannot go into the season WITHOUT adding at least one more blue liner, and no it doesn't need to be either senior citizen in Greene or Chara. Our top 4 last season (which yes includes Mayfield) missed over 50 games and we can't have that happen again and be unprepared...

Lou has his work cut out for him for sure.....


and as I type this, we are down to 11...

I'll throw an idea out there that I've seen mentioned before Romanov: trade for Torey Krug. Still. Roll out possibly the best 6D in the league top to bottom, and drastically improve the PP. Have 3 really well balanced pairs (Krug/Mayfield would be great). Swap Bailey out for a faster, more dynamic guy up front (someone from your tier 2 or 3 lists above, or someone else not listed, like a Connor Brown).

We always say Lou doesn't tell us anything, but he SAID in a perfect world he'd get both a defensive and offensive D. So Krug (or someone like Brannstrom) is a possibility still. And I've kind of been wondering whether the LHD that we drafted this weekend might not be replacements for guys like Salo/Bolduc if they're included in a deal.

 

[lafellaesobar]

Absolutely, but we've been thinking it's coming for what feels like 10 years.

i feel like last year was the caps last good chance at a playoff spot. Samsonov looks so shaky btw. Pittsburgh could be fine, but how much is left in the tank for guys like Crosby, Letang, and even Jarry?

 

[PROMputt]

So here is a different opinion to the trade market. I believe we should make Mayfield availble for a trade. Here me out first. I do like Scott and think he has been a great Islander (a playoff warrior!). But he will be 30 this season and I feel his skill set is easiest to replace with a veteran at a minimum salary or internally (I really like what I saw of Hutton last year and think he can handle 3rd pairing time this year). I know SM makes peanuts but that is what makes him so valuable (along with his play) is his contract. With so many teams up against the cap I think his value could never be higher. How that value is used (for futures or to offload a bad contract) I do not know. But you have to think he could be a very valuable trade assest right now.

 

[TeamKidd]

Any thoughts to trading Pulock for a FWD and keeping Mayfield for our top4?

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

Harsh reality: Johnny G will follow Filip and take the 8 years before Wednesday even gets here.

No, "if" we are getting a difference maker I still think it is one of Miller, Kane or Tarasenko and we will have to be creative.

It is why I continue to say trading Varlamov along with Bailey is a must to get said difference maker....there was never going to be a good value on the open market....

Today, Copp wants 7X5.5 and Palat wants likely 5 or 6 years at 6 million.....

Two more under 60 pt guys who want more money than Bailey- hell Copp's 3 year average in points in UNDER Bailey's....

Kadri wants 8 million plus for a single breakout year...

And peeps in here complaining about Barzal's 7 million (career 66 point per82 with dog poop on his wings) and Bailey getting 5??? Josh is untradeable (and only owed 7 million in cash) based on what exactly???

Lou wants to make a hockey trade....I dont even know what that means to tell you the truth. Trade our 50 pt player, which is EXACTLY what Bailey is for someone who isn't? Or clear his cap space so we can OVERPAY in the FA market for someone like Kadri.????

Ugh.

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

So here is a different opinion to the trade market. I believe we should make Mayfield availble for a trade. Here me out first. I do like Scott and think he has been a great Islander (a playoff warrior!). But he will be 30 this season and I feel his skill set is easiest to replace with a veteran at a minimum salary or internally (I really like what I saw of Hutton last year and think he can handle 3rd pairing time this year). I know SM makes peanuts but that is what makes him so valuable (along with his play) is his contract. With so many teams up against the cap I think his value could never be higher. How that value is used (for futures or to offload a bad contract) I do not know. But you have to think he could be a very valuable trade assest right now.

Yes, Mayfield should be in "a package" for a better D or a difference making F.....but those are the ONLY two scenarios where he should be moved...

And since one could argue we still need a defenseman to at least push Salo, I wouldn't double that problem by counting on Hutton to replace Mayfield....

1. Trade Bailey (even if it is nothing coming back)
2. Trade Varly for best package possible

3. Go get your difference maker using assets #2 and couple of ones we already have and then get your backup goalie and other LD as well as sign your RFA's with the $22 million in cap space....

Mayfield stays...

 

[PK Cronin]

So here is a different opinion to the trade market. I believe we should make Mayfield availble for a trade. Here me out first. I do like Scott and think he has been a great Islander (a playoff warrior!). But he will be 30 this season and I feel his skill set is easiest to replace with a veteran at a minimum salary or internally (I really like what I saw of Hutton last year and think he can handle 3rd pairing time this year). I know SM makes peanuts but that is what makes him so valuable (along with his play) is his contract. With so many teams up against the cap I think his value could never be higher. How that value is used (for futures or to offload a bad contract) I do not know. But you have to think he could be a very valuable trade assest right now.

Trading Mayfield now hurts twofold, both in terms of cap space and the roster construction, and you only do that if you plan on tearing it down and starting over. If the team isn't competitive then they can deal Mayfield at the deadline and recoup some assets if need be. If they're competitive, he'll be here until the end of the year.

Any thoughts to trading Pulock for a FWD and keeping Mayfield for our top4?

I'd trade Pulock for a star forward, yes. He's supposed to provide offense and doesn't, and defensively I don't think he's as good when he's away from Pelech. I'd move him for the right price.

 

[Chardo]

Starting to think the biggest acquisition is Jim Paliafito. Isles have few assets to trade and no success with UFAs. So hire a scout with success at signing European free agents. We might see some needs filled that way.

 

[seafoam]

JT Miller would be the perfect get because of his cap hit with 50% retention but I don't think we have the assets to get him now.

Barzal and Bailey for Miller (with an 8 year 70M extension) and Garland.

I’m sure this will get scoffed at because Barzal is younger and perceived as more dynamic because of his skating ability, but Miller is simply the better player as of today than and Garland is a nice upgrade on Bailey.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Barzal and Bailey for Miller (with an 8 year 70M extension) and Garland.

I’m sure this will get scoffed at because Barzal is younger and perceived as more dynamic because of his skating ability, but Miller is simply the better player as of today than and Garland is a nice upgrade on Bailey.

Trading someone entering his prime years for someone leaving his prime years.

Yeah, gonna pass on that one.

 

[seabass45]

Any thoughts to trading Pulock for a FWD and keeping Mayfield for our top4?

Lou trading a guy who signed an eight year deal just before it kicks in would be a debacle for the locker room. It’s just not something I think he would do.

 

[Glorydays22]

No, not naive. Paying Barzal anything more than his current cap hit is, well, dumb. He’s a 60 point forward so far. That deserves 8.5-9M. And Isles fans complain about how every player is overpaid, yet mr potential is exempt from that because he can skate. Brilliant.

I'm not telling everyone you must re-sign Brazal at all cost. But the reality is, whether he deserves it or not, Brazal will not re-sign with the club for 7M or 7.5M. He for right now, is the face of the franchise. All I'm sayin is if that's your take, get ready to truly blow up the roster. Plain and simple. Right, wrong or indifference that's what you are looking at and if you don't think so. Guess you'll see in another year and a half.