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

[Blackhawkswincup]

Here is a question, do the Hawks have an "affordable" veteran/middling LHD they would be open to moving?

Depends on how people view him but (Some are fans, some are not as big of fans)

Jake McCabe (3 x $4M)

Struggled in first half with Hawks last year coming back from surgery and just being used in worst possible way (McCabe-Murphy pairing did not work yet kept getting throw out there over and over again)

Also was used at RD sometimes which didn't make sense but Hawks when Murphy got injured had RD shortage

2nd half of year was better and looked more like guy that he was in Buffalo so some people within organization/media said it was him getting his game back from surgery that was biggest problem

With Hawks rebuilding he really isn't fit for team at his age (28) and he is available though he has a partial NTC but it's pretty clearly a no-Canada list since it contains just 7 teams

That may be the kind of deal it does take for Kane, but I would prefer the Isles avoid giving up Raty. Also what I’m not sure about, does Chicago prefer prospects or picks? It’s unclear, as they traded younger players for picks recently.

As an Islander fan who has seen years of poor returns on trades I don’t mean to be a jerk when I bring up the following possible sore topic…

Does the Debrincat return change the expectation of the return for Kane?

With that said, I have no problem with a deal fashioned around the 2023 1st (lottery protected) and other conditional picks based on team performance.

With Chicago’s situation and Kanes salary to cap hit for this year. A full 50% retention is expected and pretty negligible. Also Josh Bailey would have to go the other way.

Kane @ 50% for…

Josh Bailey (2yrs @ 3.5 salary, 5 cap hit)

2023 1st round pick (top 10 protected)

2024 2nd round pick (turns to 1st with Stanley Cup win)

Bode Wilde (prospect throw-in, being dumped because of COVID vac policy)

Finally, If required to include a younger player, I’d prefer to keep Raty over Wahlstrom. As the player we’re acquiring will impact a spot for him in the lineup.

But I wouldn’t necessarily say that I would agree to such a deal for Kane. I would consider if a Wahlstrom, 1st package could get the Islanders a younger player with more term.

Honestly after Debrincat trade I don't know anymore

That was real punch in gut to fanbase with a lot of people pissed/bewildered/etc. The Dach deal was received far more positively and honestly a lot of people were surprised we got as much as we did give how Dach has played overall especially his struggles at C (He moved to wing at times last year) + concerns about his wrist

Davidson has been mixed bag on trade front

Hagel trade = Pretty damn impressive IMO

MAF trade = Got good value as goalies at deadline dont carry alot of value

Debrincat trade = Ugh

Dach trade = Good value

Mrazek trade = I feel he failed to properly utilize leverage and Leafs got too good a pick to move down while dumping Mrazek. Alot seems to be from Davidson and Hawks really liking the high school kid they traded up for so Davidson may have just wanted to get deal done and grab him when Leafs pick was coming up rather than risk no deal

I don't think the Hawks move him until the deadline.

Possible but if Kane does come to team looking to be traded, they would probably look to get it done ASAP + Players would likely prefer to be moved before season starts for reasons such as relocation/family/etc

 

[MarsTBOW]

I would love to see us save a little bit of cash for flexibility come next deadline and add RW

Valeri Nichushkin.​

​

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

If he does, AND miraculously signs with the Islanders. You have to change your name to:

JohnnySaidItsSo

A little clumsier I admit. But in all seriousness, anything reported recently? Why do you feel he is going to stay?

I just dont think they are going to let him walk. They have been negotiating for awhile now and I see it getting done in the next 72 hours, much like I knew Forsberg would sign once they cut it to half a million.

Granted, the last report I saw was the Flames were still not at the 10 mark, so there is a chance I guess but I think it is very slim.. I could see him take an 8x10 deal if it also meant extending linemate Tkachuck as well. I know a lot is being said about their cap space and only 26 million and these 2 guys taking up so much of it, but I feel that is where they will go. They can move Toffoli and others (perhaps even Mangiapane) to get their two stars on board....

And then of course you have the Devils salivating with twice as much cap space as we do, should he make it; even lessening our chances...

To say nothing about us only having about 3 million or so in cap space and reports of us being reluctant to trade the players we need to just to get to that insane figure (he is getting 7/75-80 on the market)

Filip we had a chance to make work had he been available, to me Johnny G is a fantasy dream

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

He’s going to make more than he’s worth right now but I’d definitely take him. Just don’t know where he’d play without us moving some guys out. We need a legit go to scorer more than him but he’s good.

0.7 PPG and over 20 goals. I’d certainly take him over several of our forwards at this point.

Strome has offensive talent and is good at faceoffs (Improved a lot on that aspect of his game)

But drawbacks are he is very slow, poor defensively and his effort is questionable at times (Avoids puck battles/etc I would say too often and is a bit soft)

If Isles have some good two-way wingers that could cover for his D issues and win board battles/etc he might be worth 1 yr gamble but there are alot of warts to his game that its hard to overlook even when he is having success offensively

Honestly Kubalik would be better target for Islanders with Hawks not qualifying him as well

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

I would love to see us save a little bit of cash for flexibility come next deadline and add RW

Valeri Nichushkin.​

​

Also another one who I think we see re-sign before Wed....

Avalanche can't afford Kadri and obviously rate Valeri higher than Andre (Burakovsky)....

Sadly, I think TB (with Palat) and Colorado (with Nichushkin) taking these options off the board in the coming days...

I hope I am wrong, because if we are going to add a second tier guy, these are two of a very short list I wanted to consider....

Our roster is full of Dylan Strome's

Pass

 

[CupHolders]

I just dont think they are going to let him walk. They have been negotiating for awhile now and I see it getting done in the next 72 hours, much like I knew Forsberg would sign once they cut it to half a million.

Granted, the last report I saw was the Flames were still not at the 10 mark, so there is a chance I guess but I think it is very slim.. I could see him take an 8x10 deal if it also meant extending linemate Tkachuck as well. I know a lot is being said about their cap space and only 26 million and these 2 guys taking up so much of it, but I feel that is where they will go. They can move Toffoli and others (perhaps even Mangiapane) to get their two stars on board....

And then of course you have the Devils salivating with twice as much cap space as we do, should he make it; even lessening our chances...

To say nothing about us only having about 3 million or so in cap space and reports of us being reluctant to trade the players we need to just to get to that insane figure (he is getting 7/75-80 on the market)

Filip we had a chance to make work had he been available, to me Johnny G is a fantasy dream

I see Frosberg and Gaudreau’s circumstances as different.

Frosberg’s wife is a Country singer. No way they wanted to leave Nashville. I think they wanted to maximize his final major contract and ensure that they wouldn’t be forced out of Nashville. That’s why I think the NMC/NTC was such a sticking point.

Gaudreau seems like he wants to be on the east coast. I expect he’ll even accept less term then Calgary can offer to do so. I expect he ends up In Philly over the Devils. But honestly he likely would’ve gone to the Rangers if they had space.

 

[CupHolders]

I would love to see us save a little bit of cash for flexibility come next deadline and add RW

Valeri Nichushkin.​

​

FYI, He’s an UFA this offseason. If he signs a new deal this summer, he’s likely not getting traded very soon. Especially this year’s deadline.

 

[leeroggy]

Yep, I wouldn't put any faith or expectation in this happening. I mean, if a guy like Bellows goes from 40+ goals in the WHL to 12-7-19 in a full rookie AHL year, we really have to assume that a physically undeveloped Dufour is not exactly going to knock on the door to the NHL at some point next season, much less knock it down.

I mean sure, it'd be fantastic if this kid is sooo good at generating goals that the team simply has no choice but to give him that shot on the Island, but you never go into a season planning for that kind of thing to happen.

Historical fact is, we're more likely to be disappointed in his AHL output than looking at a kid who can help on the Island.

We're due to have something go right . . .

 

[MarsTBOW]

FYI, He’s an UFA this offseason. If he signs a new deal this summer, he’s likely not getting traded very soon. Especially this year’s deadline.

Yes, I understand that. My mentioning the Deadline was not involving Nichushkin, but for other needs as they arise (as they always seem to do). Don't wanna be in Cap hell....

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

I see Frosberg and Gaudreau’s circumstances as different.

Frosberg’s wife is a Country singer. No way they wanted to leave Nashville. I think they wanted to maximize his final major contract and ensure that they wouldn’t be forced out of Nashville. That’s why I think the NMC/NTC was such a sticking point.

Gaudreau seems like he wants to be on the east coast. I expect he’ll even accept less term then Calgary can offer to do so. I expect he ends up In Philly over the Devils. But honestly he likely would’ve gone to the Rangers if they had space.

Most reports has the Devils as his 2nd preferred location and they have the cap space.

Flyers would have to do some magic tricks to get to an acceptable number and still be able to make some other deals....

 

[CupHolders]

We're due to have something go right . . .

 

[CupHolders]

Most reports has the Devils as his 2nd preferred location and they have the cap space.

Flyers would have to do some magic tricks to get to an acceptable number and still be able to make some other deals....

I know. But I think they can easily dump Van Reimsdyk since he is one year at lower salary to cap hit.

Heck, I would even consider him over Bailey with a small add as a tertiary option.

Would require a third team though.

EDIT: But to add, I can also see Gaudreau settling for the Devils, over staying in Calgary.

 

[seafoam]

 

[leeroggy]

He lost his title in his first title defense . . .

 

[CupHolders]

He lost his title in his first title defense . . .

Ohhh… I see you’re going with the old even the “Washington Generals beat the Globetrotters that one time” styled argument…

As the eternal optimist, I’m game.

 

[SI90]

Lmao

 

[leeroggy]

Ohhh… I see you’re going with the old even the “Washington Generals beat the Globetrotters that one time” styled argument…

As the eternal optimist, I’m game.

Red Klotz is my hero!

 

[Jester9881]

How good is Dylan Strome without Kane and Debrincat?

 

[seafoam]

Has size and potted 30 a couple years ago when Chicago was decent.

How good is Dylan Strome without Kane and Debrincat?

Not worth gambling on because he’s slow. I’d rather take a chance on Kubalik if anyone from that team (not named Kane).

Also, Colin Blackwell might be a savvy pickup on the cheap. He’s an NHL version of Czarnik.

 

[seafoam]

As I think about the forwards I think the issue is that we have Bailey and Beau who are both LH shots who play RW, neither of whom is especially big or physical or dynamic, and both of whom fit with Lee-Nelson but not really with Barzal. And 3 of the Isles' 4 centers are on the smaller size. Plus, we have Parise who is a wing in the top 9. So that's basically half of the wingers on the top 3 lines who are kind of similar. Parise is cheap and had a great year so he stays. I really think if Lou does anything up front one of Bailey or Beau needs to go due to the redundancy factor. And as great as it would be to get a Tarasenko, for example, I really think swapping one of them out for a different kind of player would be helpful even if it's not a player of Tarasenko's level.

Bailey can play RW, LW, and C. Beauvillier can play LW and RW.

Beauvillier-Barzal-Palmieri
Lee-Nelson-Wahlstrom
Bellows-Pageau-Bailey
Parise-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Koivula, Martin

Waive Johnston

With the current roster, that’s probably as best as you’re gonna do to actually rolling four lines that can put the puck in the back of the net.

Hell, I’d probably try this too and make Bailey a PP specialist unless he earns top nine minutes with his 5v5 play.

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom
Bellows-Pageau-Palmieri
Bailey-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

It is my opinion is that if this is more or less the forward group NYI goes into the season with, they need to experiment with unlocking more offense from the fourth line (and spreading out the offense in general) so that they more effectively roll four scoring lines. No offense to Martin, but he’s just not an everyday player anymore for me.

Try every combination possible. Oh, and bring in Colin Blackwell from free agency. He’s probably 40 point player next season and can PK and score dirty goals.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

How good is Dylan Strome without Kane and Debrincat?

Strome sucks. He's like the forward version of 45 year old Chara.

Real slow and anytime he is on the ice, the opponent would have full control of the puck on our zone.

Wouldn't want him here even for NHL minimum wage.

 

[Throttle]

I know. But I think they can easily dump Van Reimsdyk since he is one year at lower salary to cap hit.

Heck, I would even consider him over Bailey with a small add as a tertiary option.

Would require a third team though.

EDIT: But to add, I can also see Gaudreau settling for the Devils, over staying in Calgary.

This is one of those weird ones. If he stays in CAL, then he got what he wanted. The team is competitive and should be so. If he wants to go to PHI, he got whatever else was his interest, but certainly winning is not top of mind in the next 3 years. A little bit the same with NJD. They are closer to the playoffs with him, but much further ahead than PHI.

If he comes to Isles (doubt it), then he comes into a ready-made roster for competing next season and the following 3-5 years.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Just a gut feeling, but the Gaudreau situation feels a bit similar to the Tavares situation. Saying the right things in the media, but balking at re-signing with his current club because he wants to live closer to home.

I would be surprised if he re-signed with Calgary. I'm not necessarily saying he is going to sign with NYI, but I think it will one of the NY/NJ/PA teams.

 

[seafoam]

I know. But I think they can easily dump Van Reimsdyk since he is one year at lower salary to cap hit.

Heck, I would even consider him over Bailey with a small add as a tertiary option.

Would require a third team though.

EDIT: But to add, I can also see Gaudreau settling for the Devils, over staying in Calgary.

If NYI is going the ‘cap dump’ route, I’d rather try and get someone like Pacioretty. He’s from New Canaan, CT and has a better track record of being a top line player (when healthy).

Just a gut feeling, but the Gaudreau situation feels a bit similar to the Tavares situation. Saying the right things in the media, but balking at re-signing with his current club because he wants to live closer to home.

I would be surprised if he re-signed with Calgary. I'm not necessarily saying he is going to sign with NYI, but I think it will one of the NY/NJ/PA teams.

Even if Gaudreau hits UFA, I would be absolutely shocked if he signed with NYI. There’s a better chance of time travel being discovered between now and Wednesday than Gaudreau signing here.

 

[doublechili]

Honestly Kubalik would be better target for Islanders with Hawks not qualifying him as well

Yeah, I agree with that. He'd be an option if the Isles' pro scouts think he's closer to the 30 goal player than the past season or two.