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

[Chapin Landvogt]

Domi is also a motherf***er. Feel like opposing teams hate him. He's always had what it takes to be a legit player.

He is. I'll never forget that suckerpunch to Ekblad in a preseason game.

Unless I missed something major that happened beforehand, that was just lacking all honor.

Hard to respect a guy after that.

Gotta wonder if that kind of thing flies in this organization? I'd think that weighs heavily against him in the character department around these parts.

 

[danteipp]

I really cannot tell if this was meant to be sarcastic, but if this post was serious it is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on here. Isles fans are "foul mouthed greaseballs" but Rags fans are "well dressed and educated ladies and gentlemen?" This has to be a joke.

I guess boos and insults are less hurtful coming from people in $2,000 Prada suits and Vineyard Vines gear? In all seriousness, every fanbase has its regrettable trolls and there are positives and negatives for every region.

With respect to your original question, a good deal of the leagues "fondness" for the Rags is due to the money generated from the NYC market.

When one area contributes so much to your league's revenue and welfare (especially for teams like Arizona), I guess you do them some favors. And if an owner does them a favor now, they probably get some sort of concession down the line, even if we don't necessarily see it.

It also doesn't hurt that so much of the NHLs top brass clearly favors the Rags and wants the NYC team strong. And that generosity is again probably repaid with a favor to a team like Arizona or, more specifically, their ownership is given some leeway and a pass on things like cap floor circumvention, league financial and debt support, etc.

I assume a lot of these younger wives and girlfriends also enjoy NYC and are likely to travel with their husbands and boyfriends to NYC and explore the area because it is easy and there is a lot to do. Meanwhile they aren't planning trips around LI and exploring the area on their own. NYC is a known commodity and easy sell.

Unfortunately by the time players are old enough to have large families and have to start worrying about schooling, maybe they want clean parks and fields for sports, golf, fishing, etc. they are on the downside of their careers.

To appreciate suburban areas and understand them better and their benefits, you either have to either be ingrained in the area for a time (i.e., drafted and developed) in order to gain familiarity, or be specifically looking for something slower, which likely comes with age.

 

[Rehabguy]

I really cannot tell if this was meant to be sarcastic, but if this post was serious it is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on here. Isles fans are "foul mouthed greaseballs" but Rags fans are "well dressed and educated ladies and gentlemen?" This has to be a joke.

Sometimes the truth stings but the next time you are the UBS Arena at a game take a moment to have a good long look around you and then report back to me. And yes the Isles do have a spanking new building to play in but there’s that something something about pigs and lipstick.

 

[saintunspecified]

I really cannot tell if this was meant to be sarcastic, but if this post was serious it is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on here. Isles fans are "foul mouthed greaseballs" but Rags fans are "well dressed and educated ladies and gentlemen?" This has to be a joke.

There was a time during NYI's long period of struggles where NVMC, which smelled like a subway elevator, was populated with some real ****heads, the type who would piss in a subway elevator. I can see someone who is out of town, and who came in only occassionally could still have that picture. But that time is over. A lot of it is environment. People don't go to a gleaming new arena, and act the same as they would in that mostly dissolved urinal cake of a building. (Having become a fan right after the dynasty, I don't have the nostalgia for that place that other NYI fans do).

 

[The Wahligator]

“Coach Mike Sullivan wants Hextall to trade for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but Hextall has balked at a potential deal because the Coyotes have asked the Penguins to include 2025 and 2026 first-round draft choices as part of any package, according to two team sources briefed on Hextall’s thinking.”

Thought it was interesting that Arizona is asking for ‘25 and ‘26 firsts as the Penguins have all their picks. I could definitely see Lou doing that same deal, he will be long gone by the time a 2026 draftee is in the NHL.

 

[saintunspecified]

To appreciate suburban areas and understand them better and their benefits, you either have to either be ingrained in the area for a time (i.e., drafted and developed) in order to gain familiarity, or be specifically looking for something slower, which likely comes with age.

Long Island schools have been on a major decline, and have been for 15-20 years. My former district is a shadow of what it was when I graduated. People who want suburbs + good schools will far more likely prefer Westchester, Montclairish places in NJ, and western CT to LI. (Private schools change all that, but there are better private schools in NYC than on LI). Imo that actually favors the Rangers.

I don't think NYI's ability to keep veterans who land there has much to do with LI, and has much more to do with the fact that the organization, odd as this may seem, is getting a reputation for being exceptionally collegial. That's what the players all say - it's a very functional professional environment.

 

[BrockLobster]

Hearing that Long islanders are a bunch of worthless trash was not where i expected this thread to go...

 

[Mike C]

Nothing would make me happier than the Islanders making the playoffs. Yeah it will be Carolina and Boston but this team will be solidified as The perfect spoiler if they make it.

Hard to imagine with Durandeau, Holmstrom, Fasching, Koivula, Johnson, Aho and Martin playing in a playoff race and Barzal out. It seems so far fetched right now, but it just takes some better play for a full game defensively IMO and we know these guys have it in them to play defense when it matters.

10 of the Rag$ remaining games directly impact the teams the Islanders are battling with. They will need the Rag$ help so trade away for Kane.

As I look at the standings and watch these other teams, I like our chances more than I have all season. I REALLY like what I see from Detroit. Equally, I really dislike what I see from Pitt and Wash. Fla is solid and Buff, I feel, is missing a piece or two. This obviously can and probably will change almost on a daily basis but right now I see us, Det and Fla for 2 spots

Just gotta stay on the I train local and hope we don't derail

 

[danteipp]

“Coach Mike Sullivan wants Hextall to trade for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but Hextall has balked at a potential deal because the Coyotes have asked the Penguins to include 2025 and 2026 first-round draft choices as part of any package, according to two team sources briefed on Hextall’s thinking.”

Thought it was interesting that Arizona is asking for ‘25 and ‘26 firsts as the Penguins have all their picks. I could definitely see Lou doing that same deal, he will be long gone by the time a 2026 draftee is in the NHL.

That Arizona rebuild is really going to go on forever, isn't it? Or maybe it really is just a continuous slow build stretching decades at this point, because a rebuild gives the misnomer that Arizona ever built a competitive and functional team at any point in time recently.

That said, the Coyotes could be a fantastic team for the spreadsheet crowd. An endless cycle of draft picks to count and prospects to watch, at least until they want a second or third contract, then the cycle begins again and again until the sun flames out.

As I look at the standings and watch these other teams, I like our chances more than I have all season. I REALLY like what I see from Detroit. Equally, I really dislike what I see from Pitt and Wash. Fla is solid and Buff, I feel, is missing a piece or two. This obviously can and probably will change almost on a daily basis but right now I see us, Det and Fla for 2 spots

Just gotta stay on the I train local and hope we don't derail

I agree that right now, Detroit looks like they are the biggest threat and it will be interesting to see if they can keep it going or cool off.

 

[Mike C]

That Arizona rebuild is really going to go on forever, isn't it? Or maybe it really is just a continuous slow build stretching decades at this point, because a rebuild gives the misnomer that Arizona ever built a competitive and functional team at any point in time recently.

That said, the Coyotes could be a fantastic team for the spreadsheet crowd. An endless cycle of draft picks to count and prospects to watch, at least until they want a second or third contract, then the cycle begins again and again until the sun flames out.

When they fail to make the playoffs to preserve picks that may or may not ever see the light of day, maybe stick swinging Ron will be making those selections as a TV analyst

 

[Taswell]

Lol this thread has taken a turn into ridiculousness

 

[danteipp]

Hearing that Long islanders are a bunch of worthless trash was not where i expected this thread to go...

Lol, it definitely took a weird turn. That said, as someone who lived in Tampa for years, the same Hillsborough county, Northern transplants and bandwagon fans that coined the term "Champa Bay", would be happily eaten by the trailer trash, Spice and bath salt-using folks in rural areas, if given a chance. Like I said, every fanbase has it regrettable faction. I guess some just can't get or afford tickets as easily to make their presence more visible.

 

[JJ18Sniper]

“Coach Mike Sullivan wants Hextall to trade for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but Hextall has balked at a potential deal because the Coyotes have asked the Penguins to include 2025 and 2026 first-round draft choices as part of any package, according to two team sources briefed on Hextall’s thinking.”

Thought it was interesting that Arizona is asking for ‘25 and ‘26 firsts as the Penguins have all their picks. I could definitely see Lou doing that same deal, he will be long gone by the time a 2026 draftee is in the NHL.

Hextall is getting a lot of hate over there, but I can't blame the reluctance to give up 25' and 26' picks.
They could easily be a lottery team by then. Crosby will be what 38? Chychrun will also be a UFA in 2 years.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

That Arizona rebuild is really going to go on forever, isn't it? Or maybe it really is just a continuous slow build stretching decades at this point, because a rebuild gives the misnomer that Arizona ever built a competitive and functional team at any point in time recently.

That said, the Coyotes could be a fantastic team for the spreadsheet crowd. An endless cycle of draft picks to count and prospects to watch, at least until they want a second or third contract, then the cycle begins again and again until the sun flames out.

I think everything is pending on signing Matthews as a free agent.

Get that done someday, then it's all eyes forwards.

 

[Mike C]

That Arizona rebuild is really going to go on forever, isn't it? Or maybe it really is just a continuous slow build stretching decades at this point, because a rebuild gives the misnomer that Arizona ever built a competitive and functional team at any point in time recently.

That said, the Coyotes could be a fantastic team for the spreadsheet crowd. An endless cycle of draft picks to count and prospects to watch, at least until they want a second or third contract, then the cycle begins again and again until the sun flames out.



I agree that right now, Detroit looks like they are the biggest threat and it will be interesting to see if they can keep it going or cool off.

I've watched a lot of their games recently. I'm not sure I've seen a better back checking team all season. Their F pack in on D and they do a great job of insulating Husso, they swarm to clear and limit rebounds. On O they always have a guy streaking to the net and move the puck well.

They hit as hard as anyone and Lalonde and Perron have them believing that it's not good enough to be in it, achieving the post season is the only satisfactory result

They manhandled Rangers last night. It was fun to watch

 

[danteipp]

I think everything is pending on signing Matthews as a free agent.

Get that done someday, then it's all eyes forwards.

Those are some bold hopes. I think if Arizona had a more settled franchise, they would definitely have a legitimate chance at Matthews. But given all of the issues around the franchise, can we really see Matthews going there over say the LA Kings and then just making the commute home as needed?

I've watched a lot of their games recently. I'm not sure I've seen a better back checking team all season. Their F pack in on D and they do a great job of insulating Husso, they swarm to clear and limit rebounds. On O they always have a guy streaking to the net and move the puck well.

They hit as hard as anyone and Lalonde and Perron have them believing that it's not good enough to be in it, achieving the post season is the only satisfactory result

They manhandled Rangers last night. It was fun to watch

Agreed, I have been taking economic advantage of their recent run. That Detroit-Washington game (especially minus Ovie) was as close to free money as the Isles-Bruins game.

 

[PK Cronin]

Detroit is in a weird position with Larkin. Do they trade him if he isn't re-signed before the deadline or do they risk him walking for nothing?

 

[Rehabguy]

Lol, it definitely took a weird turn. That said, as someone who lived in Tampa for years, the same Hillsborough county, Northern transplants and bandwagon fans that coined the term "Champa Bay", would be happily eaten by the trailer trash, Spice and bath salt-using folks in rural areas, if given a chance. Like I said, every fanbase has it regrettable faction. I guess some just can't get or afford tickets as easily to make their presence more visible.

You had to go there.

 

[Islesfan22]

Hearing that Long islanders are a bunch of worthless trash was not where i expected this thread to go...

NY state is a dumpster fire.

 

[danteipp]

You had to go there.

Absolutely and I love the Tampa area. I will be back one day when I am closer to retirement. But there are meatheads and idiots everywhere and you get a fair share in SoHo, Hyde Park, Ybor, etc. too, especially at unfortunate late night/early morning hours. They may dress a bit differently, but the underlying act remains the same.

 

[Mike C]

Those are some bold hopes. I think if Arizona had a more settled franchise, they would definitely have a legitimate chance at Matthews. But given all of the issues around the franchise, can we really see Matthews going there over say the LA Kings and then just making the commute home as needed?



Agreed, I have been taking economic advantage of their recent run. That Detroit-Washington game (especially minus Ovie) was as close to free money as the Isles-Bruins game.

Yeah man!!

Last night, Lindgren cross checks Rasmussen to the neck. Really the exact same play as the one that got Larken a 5 minute and toss vs Oshie

Refs review it and Lindgrem only gets 2

Mickey Redmond their color guy " They ref didn't make that call, they were told what to do"

 

[BelovedIsles]

Well this was an interesting 4 pages.

 

[periferal]

I don’t know if there’s a better upgrade on both out there but I do wonder if they commit the money to a top 6 forward how we would look. Obviously we still need to commit money to their replacements too though

Right now we're winning games with multiple AHL players in the lineup and over 10M in salary on IR.

I promise you that Mayfield and Varlamov are replaceable and the money that would go to resigning them could be better spent on something else.

 

[Rehabguy]

Absolutely and I love the Tampa area. I will be back one day when I am closer to retirement. But there are meatheads and idiots everywhere and you get a fair share in SoHo, Hyde Park, Ybor, etc. too, especially at unfortunate late night/early morning hours. They may dress a bit differently, but the underlying act remains the same.

The saying should really go, "those who live in Florida shouldn't throw stones". I was at the Lightning game last night. Club seats and I had 2 extra seats. Could have given them to you. I was about to put an APB out for any local Islander fans who were interested but I don't remember there being a fellow Tampa resident here on the boards.

 

[JKP]

Lol this thread has taken a turn into ridiculousness

About 13,000 posts ago...