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

[SRBisles]

Barabanov from the Sharks is an intriguing player. 31pts in 46 games and signed through 2024 at a reasonable 2.5M.

I wonder if SJ moves him.

 

[impaaaaaact]

20-10 gets us to 95 points which should be enough to get in.

We're basically 3 points out now, behind the Caps. We play them 3 more times this year, and it is absolutely imperative that we win at least 2 of those. If you pencil that 2 of 3 in, we're a point out. That's what the team is going to be telling themselves

 

[impaaaaaact]

Vatrano is also an interesting name. Good for about 20 goals over a full season. Loves to shoot, Barzal loves to pass and Horvat loves to deflect. Signed to a reasonable 3.65M for this year and the next two. Would prefer him to a guy like Barbashev, whose career year last season was buoyed by an almost 25% shooting pct

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Chychrun two goals tonight.

Don’t ask me how but adding him would be huge

 

[impaaaaaact]

It’s not even hardball. He has zero bargaining position. The only factor there is if Lou wants to Snow him and give him a bunch of term for cheap to help with the cap.

Wally gets a commitment from the team and money, but he may (may…) under earn if he pops of 20G a season under that deal.

Isles are in a strong position with him from a cap perspective.

this. he was playing on the first line and had PP time and was on a 37ish point pace with one power play point. then he got injured for the year. he has no bargaining power at all and is looking like a third liner at best at this point

 

[Kevin27NYI]

It’s not even hardball. He has zero bargaining position. The only factor there is if Lou wants to Snow him and give him a bunch of term for cheap to help with the cap.

Wally gets a commitment from the team and money, but he may (may…) under earn if he pops of 20G a season under that deal.

Isles are in a strong position with him from a cap perspective.

And the cap goes up after, so even if he’s low balled this season and he kills it we’ll have the money

 

[impaaaaaact]

And the cap goes up after, so even if he’s low balled this season and he kills it we’ll have the money

If he kills it he's getting dealt at the deadline lololol

 

[danteipp]

I hope Wahlstrom can return to full health next season, because I think he will fit in just fine on the third line alongside JGP and perhaps Holmstrom, who would need to shift to LW (with his lefty shot).

Wahlstrom showed an edge and his peripheral corsi and Fenwick numbers were seemingly OK. He just needs to cut down on the giveaways, some mental lapses and keep working.

A Holmstrom-JGP-Wahlstrom line could be a nice balance of different skills and the inexpensive contracts of Holmstrom and Wahlstrom offset the cost of JGP.

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

I know the Islanders just made a move for Horvat and the playoff push is officially on… that being said.. even if they make it, this roster still needs more retooling before the window is actually back open.

I think it would be absolutely foolish to not trade Varlamov regardless of where this team seems to be projecting in a couple weeks. Sorokin will start every playoff game and likely 24-25 of the last 29. We can not afford Varlamov as a back up next year, we all know deep down it is a pipe dream. He will get offered 2-3 years at around 5M per by someone.

I suggest Lou should reach out to a very desperate LA Kings team who badly needs a starter for the playoffs and try to do something like this…

Kings receive:
Varlamov (UFA - 5M)

Islanders recieve
Jonathan Quick (UFA - 5.8M)
2023 1st rd pick
* Salary retained to match the difference.

Again, I think it would be wildly irresponsible and flat out very poor asset management to not recoup the 1st we gave up in the trade. I think if Lou has the opportunity he has to do it. This team needs further retool, are not winning the cup this year… what else is there to say ? You get a 1st rd pick in a deep draft that is maybe ready to contribute in 3 years and that is what keeps the window open a bit longer. Don’t think holding on to him is the right move when he will start 4-5 more games all year.. esp when Quick is still capable (8-12-4).

A retool is about moving forward while making adjustments for the near future. This move does exactly that. Or we can let Varlamov play 4-5 more games in an Isles uniform, miss the playoffs or lose in rd 1 to Boston in a series where Sorokin will play every game… and then walk for nothing. This is the business side. Can’t worry about Sorokin losing his friend or pretend it is the difference between a cup or not. If he wants to come back in the off-season on a reasonable deal.. it is always an option. Just not a likely one, Hence the reason for the trade.

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

Last year was an aberration. Typically something in the low 90's gets you in. WAS right now is on pace to finish with 92 points as the 8th seed. So figure the Isles need approximately 38 more points to get in. So actually, even 18-10-2 would do it...

17-10-2 now. Very doable.

 

[Seph]

Last year was an aberration. Typically something in the low 90's gets you in. WAS right now is on pace to finish with 92 points as the 8th seed. So figure the Isles need approximately 38 more points to get in. So actually, even 18-10-2 would do it...

Agreed, this year is much different than last when it comes to the wild card spots. To get 100 pts, Washington would need to go something like 20-9 while Buffalo would need to be around 22-10, both of which are pretty unlikely, IMO.

That said, what is going to matter the most is how well we do in our remaining games against Washington (3 games left) and Buffalo (2 games left). Winning those games in regulation would make a huge difference in how many points we will need. With 3 games left to be played against Pittsburgh, they could be catchable as well. But these will be our must win games.

 

[Dutch Frost]

Do you forget the team had the most goals in the third period for the first months of the season?

Again your criticism of Lambert is weak- fun?
He was NOT brought in to make it fun or be Trotz light… he was brought in to bring to take this team to the next level. Lambert will always be associated to a more defensive style but what differs in his approach is to not play it all too conservative - D beinf more aggressive to keep pucks it or standing guys up in the neutral zone.

The team’s poor PP has really been this team’s Achilles heal - it was for Trotz and it is for Lane. I am not sure if this goes to system or style - in my opinion it goes to personnel - they don’t have the snipers they need - Horvat has success on the PP and hope he can help.

Now with regard to your Sterling comment - no idea why we are bringing up this scenario-

Can you honestly say Lambert has taken this team to the next level?

The team has had poor PP since the days of Capuano and Weight. Still once again its a failure .

Sterling comment is made because its a similar situation we fired a coach who did a great job of managing and apparently lost the locker room. We dont know why Trotz left but the team itself definitely had a say in it. Sterling came in with that same team and won 90+ points. Lane is inheriting the same team. He was the assistant coach of that team. There is no training wheel time for this. You aren't some AHL guy who we hired on the fly to coach, you were with the org. No excuses in my book. If we dont make the playoffs, this guy needs to be fired.

I honestly would make the change now. It worked in St Louis, Its worked for the Devils in the past. Get a new coach now.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Can you honestly say Lambert has taken this team to the next level?

The team has had poor PP since the days of Capuano and Weight. Still once again its a failure .

Sterling comment is made because its a similar situation we fired a coach who did a great job of managing and apparently lost the locker room. We dont know why Trotz left but the team itself definitely had a say in it. Sterling came in with that same team and won 90+ points. Lane is inheriting the same team. He was the assistant coach of that team. There is no training wheel time for this. You aren't some AHL guy who we hired on the fly to coach, you were with the org. No excuses in my book. If we dont make the playoffs, this guy needs to be fired.

I honestly would make the change now. It worked in St Louis, Its worked for the Devils in the past. Get a new coach now.

I don't think Lambert is going anywhere. He'll get his chance with Bo on this team to make the playoffs.

 

[Mike C]

Agreed, this year is much different than last when it comes to the wild card spots. To get 100 pts, Washington would need to go something like 20-9 while Buffalo would need to be around 22-10, both of which are pretty unlikely, IMO.

That said, what is going to matter the most is how well we do in our remaining games against Washington (3 games left) and Buffalo (2 games left). Winning those games in regulation would make a huge difference in how many points we will need. With 3 games left to be played against Pittsburgh, they could be catchable as well. But these will be our must win games.

i feel Florida will be just as much of a competitor. Buffalo may be a year away but they will elevate themselves with a vet finisher if they pull off a deal. leaving those gettable points vs crappy teams along the way early on has us in this position.

 

[Taswell]

I know the Islanders just made a move for Horvat and the playoff push is officially on… that being said.. even if they make it, this roster still needs more retooling before the window is actually back open.

I think it would be absolutely foolish to not trade Varlamov regardless of where this team seems to be projecting in a couple weeks. Sorokin will start every playoff game and likely 24-25 of the last 29. We can not afford Varlamov as a back up next year, we all know deep down it is a pipe dream. He will get offered 2-3 years at around 5M per by someone.

I suggest Lou should reach out to a very desperate LA Kings team who badly needs a starter for the playoffs and try to do something like this…

Kings receive:
Varlamov (UFA - 5M)

Islanders recieve
Jonathan Quick (UFA - 5.8M)
2023 1st rd pick
* Salary retained to match the difference.

Again, I think it would be wildly irresponsible and flat out very poor asset management to not recoup the 1st we gave up in the trade. I think if Lou has the opportunity he has to do it. This team needs further retool, are not winning the cup this year… what else is there to say ? You get a 1st rd pick in a deep draft that is maybe ready to contribute in 3 years and that is what keeps the window open a bit longer. Don’t think holding on to him is the right move when he will start 4-5 more games all year.. esp when Quick is still capable (8-12-4).

A retool is about moving forward while making adjustments for the near future. This move does exactly that. Or we can let Varlamov play 4-5 more games in an Isles uniform, miss the playoffs or lose in rd 1 to Boston in a series where Sorokin will play every game… and then walk for nothing. This is the business side. Can’t worry about Sorokin losing his friend or pretend it is the difference between a cup or not. If he wants to come back in the off-season on a reasonable deal.. it is always an option. Just not a likely one, Hence the reason for the trade.

I don't necessarily disagree, but I don't see Lou doing this at all.

 

[WangMustGo]

i feel Florida will be just as much of a competitor. Buffalo may be a year away but they will elevate themselves with a vet finisher if they pull off a deal. leaving those gettable points vs crappy teams along the way early on has us in this position.

4 lost points to Arizona sticks out to me the most, but alot of losses to teams outside of the playoffs could come back to haunt us. This team has Seattle and than 3 very winnable games. If we are going to make the playoffs we need to win at minimum 3 out of 4. Followed by beating the penguins.

 

[Seph]

i feel Florida will be just as much of a competitor. Buffalo may be a year away but they will elevate themselves with a vet finisher if they pull off a deal. leaving those gettable points vs crappy teams along the way early on has us in this position.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing Florida off as a competitor for that last spot either. But since we are already ahead of them, they are not about making up ground and about just staying ahead. My point wasn't that in any way making the playoffs will be easy, just that it is very possible and largely within our control. But we will see what happens.

 

[denis5]

I know the Islanders just made a move for Horvat and the playoff push is officially on… that being said.. even if they make it, this roster still needs more retooling before the window is actually back open.

I think it would be absolutely foolish to not trade Varlamov regardless of where this team seems to be projecting in a couple weeks. Sorokin will start every playoff game and likely 24-25 of the last 29. We can not afford Varlamov as a back up next year, we all know deep down it is a pipe dream. He will get offered 2-3 years at around 5M per by someone.

I suggest Lou should reach out to a very desperate LA Kings team who badly needs a starter for the playoffs and try to do something like this…

Kings receive:
Varlamov (UFA - 5M)

Islanders recieve
Jonathan Quick (UFA - 5.8M)
2023 1st rd pick
* Salary retained to match the difference.

Again, I think it would be wildly irresponsible and flat out very poor asset management to not recoup the 1st we gave up in the trade. I think if Lou has the opportunity he has to do it. This team needs further retool, are not winning the cup this year… what else is there to say ? You get a 1st rd pick in a deep draft that is maybe ready to contribute in 3 years and that is what keeps the window open a bit longer. Don’t think holding on to him is the right move when he will start 4-5 more games all year.. esp when Quick is still capable (8-12-4).

A retool is about moving forward while making adjustments for the near future. This move does exactly that. Or we can let Varlamov play 4-5 more games in an Isles uniform, miss the playoffs or lose in rd 1 to Boston in a series where Sorokin will play every game… and then walk for nothing. This is the business side. Can’t worry about Sorokin losing his friend or pretend it is the difference between a cup or not. If he wants to come back in the off-season on a reasonable deal.. it is always an option. Just not a likely one, Hence the reason for the trade.

Go you one better. With Bolduc's play since his call up, I think Mayfield becomes expendable. It's probably the plan to let him walk anyway unless he signs a very team friendly deal. He, perhaps with a sweetener like a 3rd round pick, could possibly bring back a first from a cap tight team in need for a tough d for the playoffs.

Just a thought. It is possible to retool and rebuild at the same time. We'll see.

 

[duster19]

4 lost points to Arizona sticks out to me the most, but alot of losses to teams outside of the playoffs could come back to haunt us. This team has Seattle and than 3 very winnable games. If we are going to make the playoffs we need to win at minimum 3 out of 4. Followed by beating the penguins.

I mean they are going have to be pedal to the metal the whole way home now. They have put themselves in a pretty bad situation.

They need to score goals. Three wins in a row is great…but have scored 6 goals in those 3 games. Unless they start scoring who they are playing won’t matter. They are going to lose games.

 

[Abradolf Lincler]

I mean they are going have to be pedal to the metal the whole way home now. They have put themselves in a pretty bad situation.

They need to score goals. Three wins in a row is great…but have scored 6 goals in those 3 games. Unless they start scoring who they are playing won’t matter. They are going to lose games.

Score was 2-1 last night and from my eye test it could have easily been 4-1 or more. I'm optimistic the scoring will come with BoHo getting more acclimated.

 

[SI90]

Sabers locking up and putting together a decent core

 

[SRBisles]

Sabers locking up and putting together a decent core

Nice deal. Gonna age really nicely.

 

[doublechili]

I don't necessarily disagree, but I don't see Lou doing this at all.

I'm going to run with your brief comment. I don't think Lou likes trading players. He's the anti-Milbury. He seems to like to build a team like a family (insert Godfather joke here), and he doesn't seem to like trading family members unless he gets back someone who will fit into the family and improve it. And with the Isles thus far his deals have been to improve the team for the longer term. So he'll trade a pick (an impersonal thing, not yet a person), but once he has a player and gets to know them and knows they fit in to his group, he's hesitant to part with them. Yeah he traded Beau, but that was to make room for Bo - a total "Lou guy" even though he never played for him before. Romanov plays Lou hockey. And Lou of course likes to obtain players who have been part of his family in the past.

So, while it's fun to speculate and throw around trade ideas (I do it too), we need to view every proposal through the Lou tinted glasses to see if it's got an actual chance of happening.

 

[SI]

Can you honestly say Lambert has taken this team to the next level?

The team has had poor PP since the days of Capuano and Weight. Still once again its a failure .

Sterling comment is made because its a similar situation we fired a coach who did a great job of managing and apparently lost the locker room. We dont know why Trotz left but the team itself definitely had a say in it. Sterling came in with that same team and won 90+ points. Lane is inheriting the same team. He was the assistant coach of that team. There is no training wheel time for this. You aren't some AHL guy who we hired on the fly to coach, you were with the org. No excuses in my book. If we dont make the playoffs, this guy needs to be fired.

I honestly would make the change now. It worked in St Louis, Its worked for the Devils in the past. Get a new coach now.

IMO, the PP is a personnel issue more than a system issue.

Not ready to say anything for or against this early into Lane's tenure.
51 games 57 points in a very tough Metro division. I think this next week will be huge for the team. I think the spark and juice you want from a new coach comes with Horvat.

With regard to Sterling, he showed promise and then had one of the worst losing streaks I can remember. If my memory serves me correctly, Snow did not want to fire him, because he felt it was not on the coach but on the players... that is when the wheels came off and we went into a dump.

 

[duster19]

I hope Wahlstrom can return to full health next season, because I think he will fit in just fine on the third line alongside JGP and perhaps Holmstrom, who would need to shift to LW (with his lefty shot).

Wahlstrom showed an edge and his peripheral corsi and Fenwick numbers were seemingly OK. He just needs to cut down on the giveaways, some mental lapses and keep working.

A Holmstrom-JGP-Wahlstrom line could be a nice balance of different skills and the inexpensive contracts of Holmstrom and Wahlstrom offset the cost of JGP.

They are going to need Whalstrom next year. There isn’t going to be a lot of money for the isles to throw around in the off-season to go after a proven goal scorer. Esp if they want to keep Mayfield.