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

[duster19]

Dobson practiced so I’d imagine he plays, Bolduc also practiced on power play so wonder if Aho is odd man out now.

Romonov is wearing a full cage so they may not be sure on him. Back to back games too.

 

[beach]

He has 6g and 8 pts in his last 7gp in the AHL which does show promise for him being back on track, but with another year on his contract at 5.25mil, I can't say that I view him as low risk.

I'd roll the dice on him. He's eventually going to be back in the bigs and score 20+. Still young, good skater.

 

[Throttle]

Agreed. Likely spells the end for either Mayfield or Bailey. Can’t see how they can afford both next year.

I think he gives Bailey another 5-10 game look with Bo in the mix. Bailey is also one of the core leaders of the team. Not great when he’s been scratched and the team has been wonky all season. However, I think like I’ve been saying he’s on his way to Anaheim for one of their 3 d-man.

 

[Lights911]

I think he gives Bailey another 5-10 game look with Bo in the mix. Bailey is also one of the core leaders of the team. Not great when he’s been scratched and the team has been wonky all season. However, I think like I’ve been saying he’s on his way to Anaheim for one of their 3 d-man.

I do agree that Lou will give Bailey a look with Horvat and Barzal for the reasons you stated and the potential deal with him and another piece (something small) for a Klingberg would be very nice for the Isles. Personally, while I’d love to add Kane, I think Domi would be a spectacular fit on the 1LW.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

I do agree that Lou will give Bailey a look with Horvat and Barzal for the reasons you stated and the potential deal with him and another piece (something small) for a Klingberg would be very nice for the Isles. Personally, while I’d love to add Kane, I think Domi would be a spectacular fit on the 1LW.

There is nobody to play with Horvat and Barzal currently, Bailey gets shot based on they have nowhere else to play him. Here is hoping Bailey can turn back clock a bit to where he at least was assist producer. It will be probably best two players he’s ever played with also. If he has anything left In tank it’s time to show it.

 

[SI]

Ultimately it’s money thing I think, mayfield has value and is me of the better defender on the penalty kill in league but I just can’t see way we keep him long term at 4+ a year.


I really think Mayfield is dealt, even it’s for a pick that Lou uses in some other deal. In cap situation they are in how can we afford him at 4+ a year?

They are not dealing Mayfield in the middle of a playoff push - if they are out maybe. It is more likely he is resigned.

Varlamov is gone this off-season and they still need to move our salary… most likely Bailey.

 

[seafoam]

They are not dealing Mayfield in the middle of a playoff push - if they are out maybe. It is more likely he is resigned.

Varlamov is gone this off-season and they still need to move our salary… most likely Bailey.

Lou will buy out Bailey if it means he can retain Varlamov.

Varlamov is too valuable to the team given the current construction, as well as the Sorokin factor.

 

[SI]

Lou will buy out Bailey if it means he can retain Varlamov.

Varlamov is too valuable to the team given the current construction, as well as the Sorokin factor.

If Lou resigns Mayfield for 4.25, Varlamov for 2.25 and Wahlstrom for 2.25 and buyout Bailey they will 2 m over the cap.

If Varlamov is retained - Bailey’s cap needs to be fully gone

 

[danteipp]

Agreed. Likely spells the end for either Mayfield or Bailey. Can’t see how they can afford both next year.

If cap space is needed, Bailey should be the player to go. Either via cap-dump trade, LTIR (if he is truly injured/wearing down) or just bought out.

 

[SRBisles]

I'm definitely coming around to the idea of Henrique and Kulikov from the Ducks. Checks off two boxes for us and price wouldn't be too steep. Henrique being a Lou guy probably takes a cut when his deal ends to stick around too, so that's a plus.

 

[Throttle]

If Lou resigns Mayfield for 4.25, Varlamov for 2.25 and Wahlstrom for 2.25 and buyout Bailey they will 2 m over the cap.

If Varlamov is retained - Bailey’s cap needs to be fully gone

On what planet is Wahkstrom getting 2.25M? This past offseason saw teams not qualify ‘prospects’ that haven’t done jack to get off the hamster wheel of paying ‘just because’ and to get cap space.

Wahkstrom is a QO, absent 15G through the end of the season.

 

[Glorydays22]

I'm definitely coming around to the idea of Henrique and Kulikov from the Ducks. Checks off two boxes for us and price wouldn't be too steep. Henrique being a Lou guy probably takes a cut when his deal ends to stick around too, so that's a plus.

They make too much money. Also, Henrique has 2 year remaining on his $5M plus contract.

 

[seafoam]

If Lou resigns Mayfield for 4.25, Varlamov for 2.25 and Wahlstrom for 2.25 and buyout Bailey they will 2 m over the cap.

If Varlamov is retained - Bailey’s cap needs to be fully gone

I don’t think Wahlstrom is coming back.

 

[Glorydays22]

I don’t think Wahlstrom is coming back.

I think Lou brings him back unless he's traded in the offseason for a 1 yr for 1.1/1.2M (show me deal). Like he did with Bellows.

 

[Throttle]

I'm definitely coming around to the idea of Henrique and Kulikov from the Ducks. Checks off two boxes for us and price wouldn't be too steep. Henrique being a Lou guy probably takes a cut when his deal ends to stick around too, so that's a plus.

Kulikov is a UFA, he’ll be a 3/4th pick. He probably signs a deal for 2/4M in the offseason somewhere.

Here’s the issue, while he’s a solid player, he’s a bit redundant with Mayfield, Romanov, and the no-offense Pulock.

The Isles need a guy that can move the puck in transition: Klingberg, Karlsson, etc.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

They make too much money. Also, Henrique has 2 year remaining on his $5M plus contract.

Bailey for Henrique in some configuration makes a lot of sense cap wise as they both are UFA after next year. Isles need to add a pick or prospect but Henrique has NTC he almost assuredly waived to come here.

 

[SRBisles]

Henrique has NTC he almost assuredly waived to come here.

Crazy that this is a thing we say about the Islanders these days. Gotta love it.

 

[steveat]

Romonov is wearing a full cage so they may not be sure on him. Back to back games too.

I thought they might be showcasing Bolduc. AHO has A LOT of PP experience...would be weird not to even give the guy a few chances on PP1 to see what he can do. I think Bolduc is a good player, but I am not seeing any offensive flair (yet). It's very weird to put a player who just came up for a player replacement to be in such an important position (not that he can't handle it) right away.

 

[Mike C]

I thought they might be showcasing Bolduc. AHO has A LOT of PP experience...would be weird not to even give the guy a few chances on PP1 to see what he can do. I think Bolduc is a good player, but I am not seeing any offensive flair (yet). It's very weird to put a player who just came up for a player replacement to be in such an important position (not that he can't handle it) right away.

And even as a rook, he's head and shoulders above Pulock in that role

I think Lou brings him back unless he's traded in the offseason for a 1 yr for 1.1/1.2M (show me deal). Like he did with Bellows.

Bring him back cheap and put him on 3rd or 4th line. Let him bang people around. He's more useful that Cal and Ross at this point

 

[Mike C]

There is nobody to play with Horvat and Barzal currently, Bailey gets shot based on they have nowhere else to play him. Here is hoping Bailey can turn back clock a bit to where he at least was assist producer. It will be probably best two players he’s ever played with also. If he has anything left In tank it’s time to show it.

Let him center Martin and Holmstrom or Fasching. Let Cizikas play with Pageau and the other( Holmstrom or Fasching) and put Parise on top line. Parise is cerebral and versatile. Checks and plays D and can put pucks on net.

All those guys should be bottom 6 I feel. Horvat, Barzal, Parise, Nelson, Lee, Palms top 6. Makes opposition have to defend 2 legit lines. Makes Pageau line the Defensive shutdown line and Bailey and Martin can play their 8-9 minutes and hopefully not be liabilities

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Let him center Martin and Holmstrom or Fasching. Let Cizikas play with Pageau and the other( Holmstrom or Fasching) and put Parise on top line. Parise is cerebral and versatile. Checks and plays D and can put pucks on net.

All those guys should be bottom 6 I feel. Horvat, Barzal, Parise, Nelson, Lee, Palms top 6. Makes opposition have to defend 2 legit lines. Makes Pageau line the Defensive shutdown line and Bailey and Martin can play their 8-9 minutes and hopefully not be liabilities

Parise and Pageau are really good together, can play a defensive role against a scoring line but also produce offensively and allows them to put a kid like Holmstrom in a safe spot.

 

[Mike C]

Parise and Pageau are really good together, can play a defensive role against a scoring line but also produce offensively and allows them to put a kid like Holmstrom in a safe spot.

No disagreement there. I'd like to see Bailey on bottom 6 especially with the margin of error being very small.

Maybe his game will elevate but a smart guy told me one time that the opposite of maybe is "maybe not"

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

No disagreement there. I'd like to see Bailey on bottom 6 especially with the margin of error being very small.

Maybe his game will elevate but a smart guy told me one time that the opposite of maybe is "maybe not"

I like Bailey, always given too much hate here but the fact is under trotz and that period he put up 41 points in 50 playoff games. Bubble hockey was best 20 games of his career. He has stepped up before so let’s hope whatever he’s got left in tank he uses it now.

 

[mm11]

Let him center Martin and Holmstrom or Fasching. Let Cizikas play with Pageau and the other( Holmstrom or Fasching) and put Parise on top line. Parise is cerebral and versatile. Checks and plays D and can put pucks on net.

All those guys should be bottom 6 I feel. Horvat, Barzal, Parise, Nelson, Lee, Palms top 6. Makes opposition have to defend 2 legit lines. Makes Pageau line the Defensive shutdown line and Bailey and Martin can play their 8-9 minutes and hopefully not be liabilities

I was mulling parise playing that left side on line #1. Forechecks like crazy and get to pucks and has some juice left in the mitts.

 

[Mike C]

I like Bailey, always given too much hate here but the fact is under trotz and that period he put up 41 points in 50 playoff games. Bubble hockey was best 20 games of his career. He has stepped up before so let’s hope whatever he’s got left in tank he uses it now.

Certainly I'd feel better if Barry was here for this 30 game spurt. I don't hate Bailey, don't love him. At this stage of his career and with the task at hand, I'm dubious that he's a top line guy. I'll be the first (ok 2nd maybe) guy cheering if he plays well and helps us snag a win tomorrow night

1st two out of box will tell us a lot. Good teams but beatable with how we want to be considered playoff worthy