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

[SI]

One thing is for certain though - we should be hoping that if the boys flounder and do NOT get into the playoffs, that they finish on a spot that gives us the 12th overall pick or better. The players won't be looking at that, nor should they be. I just mean, we should hope for it.

I believe the Isles would use that pick (which would be the VERY wise thing to do) and that Lou has absolutely NO intention of entering next season with the belief that he'd have as good or better a draft position next year.

He's going for it for as long as he's the GM and that means throwing an even better product on the ice next season.

BTW:
I don't know how it would happen (financially), I mean maybe only if Arizona would take on Bailey (and we'd retain some part of the contract) in the process, perhaps while moving something like Dufour, Bolduc, the '25 1st rounder and the '23 and '24 second rounders (would it be enough?), I do think acquiring Chychrun (who has two more years at 4.6 MM per) would be a move that could get this team where it would need to be in order to make some music in the east over the next few seasons.

I oscillate between pro and against Chychrun. Acquiring him would settle a need on the blueline and make it a formidable one.

2024 1st, Dufour (Wahlstrom preferably), Bolduc, and 2025 2nd get it done?

Here is what a snapshot would like - 22 man roster... Wahlstrom QO, Bailey added to Chychrun deal, and Parise at league minimum

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

2024 1st, Dufour (Wahlstrom preferably), Bolduc, and 2025 2nd get it done?

Here is what a snapshot would like - 22 man roster... Wahlstrom QO, Bailey added to Chychrun deal, and Parise at league minimum
View attachment 648149

Unless you already waive the "top 12 protected" status of the 2023 1st in the Vancouver deal - and I don't know if that's even possible (much less intelligent)- we can't move the '24 first until we know if our pick with Vancouver slides or not.

We won't know that until after the trade deadline.

Thus, my mentioning the 2025 first as part of payment.

 

[MarsTBOW]

So at practice today, Bolduc has become "an Extra". Aho has been inserted "In" and Pageau is out....
So either Something is going on or They believe Bolduc was a problem last night?


NYI Hockey Now asked Lambert what he saw from Bolduc Thursday and why he was taken out of the starting lineup.

“I think he needed to move his feet a little bit more,” Lambert said. “He’s so good on breakouts and has that poise, but the two go hand in hand. If you’re not moving your feet, it’s harder to break the puck out.

“That would be probably the number one message to him, and he’s a young player who’s going to learn.”

Sheeeesh...

 

[mm11]

not for nothin, but P. Kane would certainly help our PP. Who knows, he may have a stick up his a%S and play pissed off because big brother in Gotham didn't want him. C'mon get em cheap Lou. I'll let you smart guys figure the cap out later. that's why I'm paying you

 

[MarsTBOW]

not for nothin, but P. Kane would certainly help our PP. Who knows, he may have a stick up his a%S and play pissed off because big brother in Gotham didn't want him. C'mon get em cheap Lou. I'll let you smart guys figure the cap out later. that's why I'm paying you

Doesn't Kane have a Hip he nurses? At 34, does this make sense? We are one of the oldest teams, so going with an older player is risky...
Any one of the Guys from The Nucks last night who skated circles around us on the wing and who is younger would be a better bet....

 

[mm11]

Doesn't Kane have a Hip he nurses? At 34, does this make sense? We are one of the oldest teams, so going with an older player is risky...
Any one of the Guys from The Nucks last night who skated circles around us on the wing and who is younger would be a better bet....

I'm tallking rental, not ready to throw in towel on season. close though

 

[MarsTBOW]

I'm tallking rental, not ready to throw in towel on season. close though

I understand...

 

[IslesNorway]

Kane's the type of player you pay for to win you a cup, if you feel like you're close, not to get into the playoffs with more than a good chance of missing out....

 

[steveat]

So at practice today, Bolduc has become "an Extra". Aho has been inserted "In" and Pageau is out....
So either Something is going on or They believe Bolduc was a problem last night?


NYI Hockey Now asked Lambert what he saw from Bolduc Thursday and why he was taken out of the starting lineup.

“I think he needed to move his feet a little bit more,” Lambert said. “He’s so good on breakouts and has that poise, but the two go hand in hand. If you’re not moving your feet, it’s harder to break the puck out.

“That would be probably the number one message to him, and he’s a young player who’s going to learn.”

Sheeeesh...

Every player goes through that (Bolduc). He makes mistakes, then he gets scratched and 20 games later, comes back and tries again. Unless you keep messing up...a la Salo, you get to stay. Look at the second goal against us. Bolduc gave up...he let the guy get off the pass. He was not as mobile. If anything, Aho is good at getting the puck loose and exiting the zone.

 

[seabass45]

So at practice today, Bolduc has become "an Extra". Aho has been inserted "In" and Pageau is out....
So either Something is going on or They believe Bolduc was a problem last night?


NYI Hockey Now asked Lambert what he saw from Bolduc Thursday and why he was taken out of the starting lineup.

“I think he needed to move his feet a little bit more,” Lambert said. “He’s so good on breakouts and has that poise, but the two go hand in hand. If you’re not moving your feet, it’s harder to break the puck out.

“That would be probably the number one message to him, and he’s a young player who’s going to learn.”

Sheeeesh...

Usual business with coaches being hard on young players. And to be fair the team was poor defensively last night.

 

[MarsTBOW]

Usual business with coaches being hard on young players. And to be fair the team was poor defensively last night.

I guess there was nobody else to take it out on....
The TWO penalties Pelech took killed us...

 

[Mike C]

Agree on Pelech

They don't have vets who can self motivate yet the coach motivates the kids by one day pontificating like Bolduc is the next Denny Potvin and the day after, his number is taken down from the rafters and his Hall of Fame enshrinement after 5 games is on hold.

This guy is acting like a panic stricken ass clown more and more each day

Kane's the type of player you pay for to win you a cup, if you feel like you're close, not to get into the playoffs with more than a good chance of missing out....

Especially since his hip injury seems to be hampering him enough to be an issue

Doesn't Kane have a Hip he nurses? At 34, does this make sense? We are one of the oldest teams, so going with an older player is risky...
Any one of the Guys from The Nucks last night who skated circles around us on the wing and who is younger would be a better bet....

Yes no yes

 

[scottywiper]

Thought Aho had one of his better games against Kraken and then he got rissoled (dropped).
And now back in after one game?
Surprised Romanov isn't sitting

 

[IslesNorway]

They are floundering on D. Salo, then Wotherspoon, then Cholowski and now Bolduc. Bet your bottom dollar Lou's gonna do something there...unfortunately.

 

[SRBisles]

They are floundering on D. Salo, then Wotherspoon, then Cholowski and now Bolduc. Bet your bottom dollar Lou's gonna do something there...unfortunately.

He's been after Chychrun for a while now, I think it ultimately gets done..it would fit in with his recent M.O. of adding core guys that will have an impact beyond this year (Horvat, Romanov).

 

[seafoam]

Kane's the type of player you pay for to win you a cup, if you feel like you're close, not to get into the playoffs with more than a good chance of missing out....

He needs hip surgery I believe…not keen on payinc assets forna broken Kane.

 

[scottywiper]

They are floundering on D. Salo, then Wotherspoon, then Cholowski and now Bolduc. Bet your bottom dollar Lou's gonna do something there...unfortunately.

I thought Salo looked fine for most part.
No bad errors until he had one bad game.
And then never seen again?

 

[IslesNorway]

I thought Salo looked fine for most part.
No bad errors until he had one bad game.
And then never seen again?

As did Wotherspoon and Cholowski didn't screw up in his cameo either, so it's strange. What's the point of calling them up to have them paly a handful of games only to send them back down?
It's a sign of something not being right.

 

[Sparksrus3]

This trade and signing of Horvat was great and will be for years to come but this team may just not be a playoff team . What our team needs to do is certainly possible but as I watch them every game there just is not that IT thing going on. Here is my take and I hope y’all enjoy the projections .

projected ( I did the math I promise )
7th Pittsburgh - 42-26-12-2 is 98 points
8th washington - 42-31-6-3 is 93 points
——————————————————————
9th Buffalo - 43 - 33 - 4 - 2 is 92 points
10th Islanders - 41 - 34 - 3 - 4 is 89 points
11th Florida - 40 - 33 - 7 - 2 is 89 points

to get to 94 points we must go 17 - 9 - 1 the rest of the way or what would be a final record of 44 - 33 - 3 - 3.

and dats dat……. LGI

 

[Lek]

He's been after Chychrun for a while now, I think it ultimately gets done..it would fit in with his recent M.O. of adding core guys that will have an impact beyond this year (Horvat, Romanov).

I think if Lou can make this trade happen, without using a 2025 first...you do it....if you can trade the 2023/2024 conditional as part of it, you do it. With the addition of Bo, this is the move to make.

 

[steveat]

As did Wotherspoon and Cholowski didn't screw up in his cameo either, so it's strange. What's the point of calling them up to have them paly a handful of games only to send them back down?
It's a sign of something not being right.

I thought it was evaluating what talent the team has so they know what to do for next year. Also, I have a feeling, after we end up winning nothing this year that the team will do some sort of tweak ...not a rebuild, but a refresh of a few players/lines.

FYI..

Bellows on Waivers again

Also Pool party might be going on waivers this weekend...There has to be someone that takes a shot...(maybe Philly)

 

[doublechili]

At the risk of getting repetitious, if the Isles deal for Chychrun I wonder about possibly adding Bailey and Schmaltz to the deal. I can't imagine AZ doesn't want to deal him before his NTC kicks in this summer considering he's due to be paid over $8M per year for the next 3 years. Bailey has a $5M cap hit but is only owed $3.5M actual money for 2 seasons. AZ would save $17.5M in actual dollars with that swap. Since they play in the Commack Arena, I would think that $$ savings would appeal to them....

 

[The Real JT]

I oscillate between pro and against Chychrun. Acquiring him would settle a need on the blueline and make it a formidable one.

2024 1st, Dufour (Wahlstrom preferably), Bolduc, and 2025 2nd get it done?

Here is what a snapshot would like - 22 man roster... Wahlstrom QO, Bailey added to Chychrun deal, and Parise at league minimum
View attachment 648149

Hard to justify that deal if it takes the Isles 3 remaining best assets as you proposed. If you get Chychrun maybe you see the Isles flipping Mayfield for a late first? Bailey as an addition to that deal blows it up and it never happens. We can talk all we want about Bailey’s cap hit vs lesser salary due but frankly his deal is still toxic.

 

[Mike C]

As did Wotherspoon and Cholowski didn't screw up in his cameo either, so it's strange. What's the point of calling them up to have them paly a handful of games only to send them back down?
It's a sign of something not being right.

Spoon played well....he does bang bodies and clear the crease. I'd favor him over Romanov right now.

I thought it was evaluating what talent the team has so they know what to do for next year. Also, I have a feeling, after we end up winning nothing this year that the team will do some sort of tweak ...not a rebuild, but a refresh of a few players/lines.

FYI..

Bellows on Waivers again

Also Pool party might be going on waivers this weekend...There has to be someone that takes a shot...(maybe Philly)

With Cal and Wally likely out for season, I'd take Bellows back. He can play both sides and at the very least provides backup depth

 

[MarsTBOW]

As did Wotherspoon and Cholowski didn't screw up in his cameo either, so it's strange. What's the point of calling them up to have them paly a handful of games only to send them back down?
It's a sign of something not being right.

Showcasing them all for Scouts?