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

[Mike C]

Again the original post, posited that if HFBoards (internet) was around during that time.

The point of the post was about the nature of fandom and specifically how aspects of it are magnified by social media.

As for hyperbole… by definition doesn’t actually serve any meaningful purpose. It’s just the over exaggeration of valid or invalid points.

If you want to tear the current team down, you could just say so. That will make your point well enough.


Hmmm… that’s bold… means Lou is running the espresso machine after dark.

Good one! he probably has someone doing it for him....night vision and all!

 

[Top Corner]

That's not true. Trotz had a single year where the Islanders were solidly in the playoffs, his first. Every other year they were battling for a wildcard spot.

--Capuano Era--
2012-13, 8th place.
2013-14, 14th place.
2014-15, 3rd place in the division, 3 points above the last playoff spot.
2015-16, 7th place.
2016-17, 9th place.
--Dead Weight Era--
2017-18, 11th place.
--Trotz Era--
2018-19, 2nd place in the division, just 5 points above the last playoff spot.
2019-20, 7th in the conference on win percentage.
2020-21, 4th place in their division (the last playoff spot).
2021-22, 9th place.
--Lambert Era--
2022-23 they're currently in 9th, a single point outside the last playoff spot.

The results have been the same for a long time during the regular season, even with Trotz. This has always been a bubble playoff team. The difference is that when they got into the playoffs with Trotz they had success, because his system is tailored for the playoffs. Lamoriello is also a defense first guy and fans hate it, even when he tries to get a bit more offense.

I was only quoting a previous poster’s comments who said they were the best 3 seasons in the past 30 so instead of arguing the point I just reposted his feelings as being factual. I always felt they were always a bubble team and not nearly as good as what Trotz got out of them but as most things with coaches, they are hired to be fired once the new car smell wears off

 

[The Real JT]

If Lambert goes before another trade… Does this mean you expect Lambert to be fired before the trade deadline? Or is this an offseason thing?

Hard to say. If Pittsburgh beats us in regulation on Friday I could see him getting canned. If OTOH we win 3 of the next 4 games then he may last the remainder of the season. As we get closer to the finish line I think it’s harder to pull the trigger on a coaching change.

Lambert is on a very short leash. I think he’s gone by next season no matter what. The Isles might still sneak into the 8th playoff spot but they’d almost certainly be bounced in the first round by the Bruins in 4 or 5 games. Once the dust clears and the entirety of the season is assessed I can’t see how he’s retained.

 

[Tres Peleches]

Rosner reporting Kane no longer has Isles on list of preferred teams

Honestly, I didn’t even want him on the team… but it’s just another nut-punch that these clowns that run the organization are doing a shit job

 

[Mike C]

Rosner reporting Kane no longer has Isles on list of preferred teams

Honestly, I didn’t even want him on the team… but it’s just another nut-punch that these clowns that run the organization are doing a shit job

saw something where he'll only approve to Rangers or Leafs. I didn't want him either

 

[LeapOnOver]

I don't like the way the team is playing, but the way they walked over Seattle I'm confident the ability to reach the level we need is there. That makes me put the honus more on the Lambert and the players than Lou. Still walked away with a loser point these last two games despite not playing our best hockey. MTL rolled over EDM and CHI so it's not like they are playing bad hockey. OTT has beaten some good teams this season as Brendan mentioned. There are no easy wins in the NHL.

Being 1 point behind Washington with them having 1 game at hand still gives me some confidence Isles can control their destiny. Just have to hope Buffalo or Florida doesn't suddenly pour it on. LGI!

 

[The Real JT]

saw something where he'll only approve to Rangers or Leafs. I didn't want him either

Kane’s comments about the Tank signing make me think he’ll do anything to get traded to the Rags.

Unfortunately for Chicago, he’s hurt their leverage and the f’in Rags will probably get him for pennies on the dollar.

 

[SRBisles]

It’s hard to effectively retool when you give out NTCs like they're f***ing candy.

 

[Mike C]

Kane’s comments about the Tank signing make me think he’ll do anything to get traded to the Rags.

Unfortunately for Chicago, he’s hurt their leverage and the f’in Rags will probably get him for pennies on the dollar.

I'll try and annoy my buddy in Chitown to see if he's heard anything

 

[Torrey Redux]

Again the original post, posited that if HFBoards (internet) was around during that time.

The point of the post was about the nature of fandom and specifically how aspects of it are magnified by social media.

As for hyperbole… by definition doesn’t actually serve any meaningful purpose. It’s just the over exaggeration of valid or invalid points.

If you want to tear the current team down, you could just say so. That will make your point well enough.

Yes, I understand what he was trying to say. I don't think he made the point particularly well and I don't think it was accurate in it's assessment.

 

[SI]

Hor

People underrate what a hindrance Bailey is (ignoring the contract). Even if you forget that he makes 5 mil a year, which is the cost of a good top 6 forward, the cost of having him on the first line is even greater. He's such a poor stylistic fit on that line. He is slow, indecisive, and has horrible hockey IQ. He's awful at accepting passes, and he takes too long to decided what to do with it once he gets it.

Bailey is playing on that line simply because there is nobody else and where do you put him? He's a terrible defensive player too. I hope they find a way to rid themselves of his contract without buying him out. I've always liked Bailey, but he no longer provides any value to this team on ice.

As far as trading Nelson, I still don't get it. Why? Unless you're getting an upgrade, which is hard to do. Nelson is extremely underrated and is actually more productive than Horvat has been (this year not included), making 6 mil for two more years. Unless you're getting Meier, there is no realistic scenario which would make this make sense.

Horvat is the Better player - they could keep Nelson or again IF Lou wants to make a BOLD, then moving Nelson could be it.

I don’t know what you don’t get- they can get futures to then flip for players like MEIER or DEBRINCAT or keep the Futures and sign someone like Kane, which maybe more difficult and risky.

 

[doublechili]

First of all, I was as rabid an Islander fan as there was at that time and I don't agree that there was a widespread call for the dismantling of the team among the fans. Did the NY papers and the Hockey News stir that pot, yes they did. But among the fans, that wasn't really the case.

Yes, I understand what he was trying to say. I don't think he made the point particularly well and I don't think it was accurate in it's assessment.

I'm not sure in what way you were getting the pulse of the fans back in '78 and '79, but I was at all of the home games and the fans were disgruntled to say the least. The team got close but couldn't take the next step and win when it counted (they actually had a reputation around the league at that point as chokers). The game 7 OT loss to TOR in the '78 quarterfinals and then the loss in '79 to the NYR did not go over well. Then they had a very meh '79-'80 regular season. There was a lot of anger at Torrey and Arbour, and while Trots, Bossy and Potvin were generally safe (despite some subpar performances in the playoffs) fans definitely were calling for next tier guys like Nystrom and Gillies to go.

My point was that I did not join in with that back then, and I'm glad I didn't. And I generally choose not to do the same since. I do have to laugh at people who, with the benefit of hindsight, say now that back then was a different situation because of the HOF players, coach and GM. As if they had done anything at that point to be in the HOF! And as if the fans saying that today wouldn't have been part of the negative chorus back then.

 

[SI90]

Don’t know if we have a shot but this would be a huge shot in the arm for our system. He’s a legit prospect. With the assets we’ve given up would be nice to get a free prospect if this stature. He has legit top4 potential in the NHL

 

[The Real JT]

Don’t know if we have a shot but this would be a huge shot in the arm for our system. He’s a legit prospect. With the assets we’ve given up would be nice to get a free prospect if this stature. He has legit top4 potential in the NHL

Boston area kid finishing at Harvard. He’d be a solid addition here but alas I’ve seen a similar movie before with the Rags and Fox.

 

[SI90]

Boston area kid finishing at Harvard. He’d be a solid addition here but alas I’ve seen a similar movie before with the Rags and Fox.

You never know. No doubt he wants to sign in the East.

 

[Duanesutter12]

Boston area kid finishing at Harvard. He’d be a solid addition here but alas I’ve seen a similar movie before with the Rags and Fox.

And Vesey although that one didn't turn out quite as well.

 

[LeapOnOver]

People underrate what a hindrance Bailey is (ignoring the contract). Even if you forget that he makes 5 mil a year, which is the cost of a good top 6 forward, the cost of having him on the first line is even greater. He's such a poor stylistic fit on that line. He is slow, indecisive, and has horrible hockey IQ. He's awful at accepting passes, and he takes too long to decided what to do with it once he gets it.

Bailey is playing on that line simply because there is nobody else and where do you put him? He's a terrible defensive player too. I hope they find a way to rid themselves of his contract without buying him out. I've always liked Bailey, but he no longer provides any value to this team on ice.

As far as trading Nelson, I still don't get it. Why? Unless you're getting an upgrade, which is hard to do. Nelson is extremely underrated and is actually more productive than Horvat has been (this year not included), making 6 mil for two more years. Unless you're getting Meier, there is no realistic scenario which would make this make sense.

Said no hockey expert...ever. This is a terrible take. Bailey's just gotten old and can't keep up anymore as he was never quick to begin with. He's never had horrible hockey IQ, and he never will. That doesn't disintegrate. Your ability to do things at speed disintegrates with age. With this logic, we should assume that Michael Jordan was slow, Gretzky was a terrible passer, and Jagr couldn't shoot anymore. They just got older and lost their dominance. Before you fly off the handle and say Bailey was never dominant, that's obviously not my point. My point is he's always had a high hockey IQ. Nobody has ever said otherwise other than a few 'keyboard experts' in this forum. Everyone around Bailey daily and hockey experts with no skin in the game have consistently lauded his hockey IQ without debate. Even when I bashed Bailey (I was the one who coined the nickname Failey) I never criticized his hockey IQ.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Isles can still make it, this is true. But they really do not incite the same feeling of a team built for the playoffs… So that is concerning me.

The only historical context that I can think of where an Islander team played this poorly in the regular season, but turned it on in the playoffs would be the 93 Islanders.

I believe the Islanders gave the expansion Senators first and only road win. This was a couple of weeks before the playoffs.

Hey, I share your concern. Certainly not looking great (or even likely) but I do think that IF they make it, they can make some noise.

How often do you get a chance to sign a Stanley Cup champion coach just after they won the cup. I say ZERO chance of any becoming available ! Thus the word "fortunate" and yes Lou has to get credit but that's not to say that another GM would not have landed him as well. So basically Trotz is the reason the team had its best 3 years in the last 30 , Lou has since moved on from Trotz and hired another coach with similar results as the pre-Trotz coaches.

The results have not come in yet...

 

[WangMustGo]

Washington is currently on pace to finish with 90 points. As the WC2.

So lets continue to move all of our remaining prospects and draft picks for the slim hope of beating out the 4 other teams vying for a chance to get smacked by the Bruins.

 

[Torrey Redux]

I'm not sure in what way you were getting the pulse of the fans back in '78 and '79, but I was at all of the home games and the fans were disgruntled to say the least. The team got close but couldn't take the next step and win when it counted (they actually had a reputation around the league at that point as chokers). The game 7 OT loss to TOR in the '78 quarterfinals and then the loss in '79 to the NYR did not go over well. Then they had a very meh '79-'80 regular season. There was a lot of anger at Torrey and Arbour, and while Trots, Bossy and Potvin were generally safe (despite some subpar performances in the playoffs) fans definitely were calling for next tier guys like Nystrom and Gillies to go.

My point was that I did not join in with that back then, and I'm glad I didn't. And I generally choose not to do the same since. I do have to laugh at people who, with the benefit of hindsight, say now that back then was a different situation because of the HOF players, coach and GM. As if they had done anything at that point to be in the HOF! And as if the fans saying that today wouldn't have been part of the negative chorus back then.

It wasn't different because of the at that time unknown HOF players or management, it was different because the product on the ice was consistently superior and you could see the potential for greatness. So yeah, there was plenty of frustration when we would fall short because you could see how close we were but it was a different kind of frustration than is being expressed now. This is just a mediocre team with a great goalie that isn't building towards anything other than remaining mediocre far into the future because our GM just keeps throwing resources at it that won't change the outcome in a meaningful way other than to make things worse long term. Bad enough that our fans have never left The Bubble, but for the GM to still be living there is unforgivable. If you want to stay positive about that state of affairs, that is, not join the negative chorus that is obviously your prerogative and I congratulate you on your Zen-ness and inner peace or whatever. I mean that, but I don't have that gear.

 

[gordie43]

so you think we are going to hit on 2s, 3s and 4s with this logic?

I’m not counting on it, but with good scouting they could. Sorokin and Lee were pretty good finds.

The way this team is constructed with an elite goalie the time to go all in is now.

 

[The Real JT]

Don’t know if we have a shot but this would be a huge shot in the arm for our system. He’s a legit prospect. With the assets we’ve given up would be nice to get a free prospect if this stature. He has legit top4 potential in the NHL

Thought I’d dig a little deeper and this is what I found from his high school days. While it’s not Bruins’ pajamas, we shouldn’t get our hopes too high on the Isles signing this kid.

 

[Fist of Fury]

They just don't understand and never will.

I mentioned this yesterday. The same fans calling for Lamoriello and Lambert's heads are the same fans who cried about how boring Trotz's system was, how they needed to open up the offense, and are now complaining the team isn't good enough defensively. The fans always know best because they always ignore when they were wrong.

Open up the offense, when you don't have the players for it. Trotz got this team to play with their strengts.

 

[Mike C]

So lets continue to move all of our remaining prospects and draft picks for the slim hope of beating out the 4 other teams vying for a chance to get smacked by the Bruins.

That's the kind of cavalier think I've been looking to see!

 

[SI90]

View attachment 651025
Thought I’d dig a little deeper and this is what I found from his high school days. While it’s not Bruins’ pajamas, we shouldn’t get our hopes too high on the Isles signing this kid.

He grew up in Massachusetts. Everyone grows up somewhere and has a childhood team. Chances may be slim but it would be really nice prospect to land.