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

[CupHolders]

Kapanen is decent. I think it’s the pens trying to clear cap for Chychrun maybe

At the very least when he clears… puts everybody on notice. After their last few games they have to do something… even if it’s making a statement.

Can you imagine this place if the Isles and Pens outcome was reversed?

 

[SI90]

At the very least when he clears… puts everybody on notice. After their last few games they have to do something… even if it’s making a statement.

Can you imagine this place if the Isles and Pens outcome was reversed?

I’d be going insane to be honest. And they have Crosby Malkin Letang Guenztal

 

[Glorydays22]

Kapanen is decent. I think it’s the pens trying to clear cap for Chychrun maybe

Lou should be all over claiming Kapanen. Wake up Lou!

 

[BrockLobster]

Me too. I'm such a weirdo because I actually want to go to Winnipeg. The way Teemu Selanne and Eddie Olczyk talk about it though makes me think it's not as bad as people think it is.

Granted, It's the coldest city in North America. Once you travel to places like Florida, California, and Texas, why would you want to live in Winnipeg? Can't imagine significant others like that prospect either.

I also want to go to Columbus. I have a thing for random cities in the middle of nowhere

 

[Doshell Propivo]

I also want to go to Columbus. I have a thing for random cities in the middle of nowhere

Heard great things.

 

[BrockLobster]

Times Square, Alphabet City and the northern tips of Manhattan (and obviously sections of the boroughs) were certainly rough in the 70's and 80's

Im in construction and my job site is in alphabet city. Its still rough in 2023

 

[SI90]

Lou should be all over claiming Kapanen. Wake up Lou!

Why? He has another year at $3mil AAV. I like the player but we need the space

 

[xECK29x]

Lou should be all over claiming Kapanen. Wake up Lou!

I wouldn't say its a "wake up Lou" level thing but I think at 3.2 for just one more year its worth a shot.

 

[danteipp]

Hard pass on Kapanen, unless the Penguins want to take Bailey back in trade. Kapanen has essentially been declining for years now, since Toronto traded him. Feels like a West player, similar to Beau.

 

[Glorydays22]

Why? He has another year at $3mil AAV. I like the player but we need the space

I think it's a low cost, low risk move. Not like we are overloaded with forwards right now. I mean, we have Matt Martin (love the guy, been a favorite of mind) playing on the 1st line

I wouldn't say its a "wake up Lou" level thing but I think at 3.2 for just one more year its worth a shot.

exactly, any low risk, low cost options Lou needs to take a serious hard look at.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

I also want to go to Columbus. I have a thing for random cities in the middle of nowhere

Lol as do I. I've been to Columbus (not to see a game), and it's an extremely underrated city. Great night life, and solid restaurants. I've heard the arena district is a gem. Definitely recommend going.

 

[seabass45]

Kapanen is an underachieving winger putting up less than half a point per game and hasn't kept a spot next to two of the best centers of this generation. Of course he'd fit in great here.

 

[SI]

More Dominoes to fall but I get the feeling Meier will stay put and is more likely to be moved at the draft.

Orlov trade sets a path for Gavrikov (with Korpisalo) to LA. Chychrun will head to St. Louis, and Kane to the Rangers.

Depth Moves
Not sure what Lou does but he will do something to keep this team afloat. I can see a depth move like Derek Grant to protect their C depth, especially, if JGP is out longer. There was a mention of Dadanov last month, he can be someone who most likely can be had for cheap. Maybe someone like Jack Johnson to help with D depth.

GAMBLES - RISK vs. REWARD
I also love the risk/reward on someone like Vrana, hopefully, he has turned the corner on his issues and rededicated himself to the game. If Drouin could be had for little return, then he could also be a good gamble, especially since he doesn't have another year attached like Vrana. Pulijaarvi could be another player the Islanders could target - AGAIN all of these guys come with the caveat that they can be had for pennies on the dollar. Jesse is a good candidate on change of scenery - he comes with 3m QO next season - if it doesn't work out, then they simply do not qualify him. I loved this kid during the WJC - he was buzzing all over the place and seemed to generate chances every time he stepped on the ice. This season he shooting % is crazy low and he's also a player with a very low PDO. As I write this there is Kasperi Kapanen just hitting waivers... 3.2 AAV for another season - if it works out, then great, but if it doesn't they are on the hook for another season at 3.2 and any cap space the Isles had this offseason would be used up.

UFAs - with a bigger price TAG
I really like Bertuzzi's game, but seeing that Detroit is in the thick of it - I doubt he goes anywhere. Yzerman has shown brass balls with heading into the offseason with UFA s to be - I think Larkin gets locked up, but Bertuzzi may be the one who walks.

Another UFA to be is Max Domi, who would look pretty good riding on Nelson's LW - I wonder about the price tag and Lou has not plans to resign Domi, then I doubt he spends the assets to acquire him.

Kulikov could be someone they look at - if the price is right - I doubt Lou wants to spend a 2nd to land him.

Any big-ticket items will mean cap dealings. If the cap rises only 1m next season - players with term and high AAV will be difficult to move as well as acquire.

Like, does a Hoffman for Bailey trade work? Or Boeser for Bailey and Wahlstrom? Wahlstrom and Bailey for Schmaltz? Henrique for Bailey + pick? This all depends on how much the cap rises - at the moment all teams are planning on only 1m - it could be higher than that, but the big lift will be in the 2024-25 Offseason. All of these players come with another year with considerable $ attached.


I can see a post season line up of -
Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Vrana/Domi - Nelson - Palmieri
Parise - Pageau - Bailey/Holmstrom
Martin - Cizikas - Fasching/Holmstrom
Pelech - Pulock
Aho - Dobson
Romanov - Mayfield

Bolduc - Salo - Hutton - Wotherspoon - Cholowski all providing depth and maybe a FA like Livingstone and/or Pulli stepping right in.

 

[PK Cronin]

I don't see Kapanen being an Islander because he has an additional year on his deal. Lamoriello will need every cent of that this summer and blowing it on a gamble right now wouldn't be wise.

 

[SI]

Another player could be Connor Garland, but he comes with term and 4.95 AAV - it could work $ wise, but the price to acquire would have to be something like what the Blue Jackets got for Bjorkstrand - essentially a 3rd and 4th round pick.

It would add speed to lineup, which they desperately need and for you capgeeks out there - $ wise it would mean a 22-man roster (most likely the waiving of Ross Johnston).

And just for those, who may have missed it - Now this could change, especially if the players want to push it another million ( I doubt it since they want less escrow and want that debt to paid in full.) But this is the reality for next offseason - 83.5 once Mayfield is resigned, modest backup, a Bailey dump, and Wahlstrom qualified, then there is not much left.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Always liked Kapanen because whenever I watched Pittsburgh games I'd say "who the hell is that?" because of his speed. Something the current Isles lack.

But that contract and his current play style of "late career Michael Grabner" is not appealing.

 

[PK Cronin]

Another player could be Connor Garland, but he comes with term and 4.95 AAV - it could work $ wise, but the price to acquire would have to be something like what the Blue Jackets got for Bjorkstrand - essentially a 3rd and 4th round pick.

It would add speed to lineup, which they desperately need and for you capgeeks out there - $ wise it would mean a 22-man roster (most likely the waiving of Ross Johnston).

And just for those, who may have missed it -

Garland is a long term play though, he's 26 and a career 50 point guy. Not quite sure he's what the team should be targeting at this point but if it was Bailey+2nd for Garland I think you probably do it.

 

[xECK29x]

Another player could be Connor Garland, but he comes with term and 4.95 AAV - it could work $ wise, but the price to acquire would have to be something like what the Blue Jackets got for Bjorkstrand - essentially a 3rd and 4th round pick.

It would add speed to lineup, which they desperately need and for you capgeeks out there - $ wise it would mean a 22-man roster (most likely the waiving of Ross Johnston).

And just for those, who may have missed it - Now this could change, especially if the players want to push it another million ( I doubt it since they want less escrow and want that debt to paid in full.) But this is the reality for next offseason - 83.5 once Mayfield is resigned, modest backup, a Bailey dump, and Wahlstrom qualified, then there is not much left.

The cap is no longer expected to rise due to the bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Media. I expect it will be flat or a very minor bump.

 

[SI90]

Lou doesn’t utilize waivers it feels.

Tolvanen and Vrana should both be islanders.

 

[SI90]

 

[PK Cronin]

It's a really weird situation. The team is struggling, they just shipped out major pieces, and Berube is criticizing the roster?

 

[SI90]

It's a really weird situation. The team is struggling, they just shipped out major pieces, and Berube is criticizing the roster?

Very odd. I can tell you one thing, they’re not Choosing Berube over Thomas or Kyrou.

 

[PK Cronin]

Very odd. I can tell you one thing, they’re not Choosing Berube over Thomas or Kyrou.

I wouldn't think so either. I'm pretty sure Berube has two years left on his deal too. Uncomfortable.

 

[SI]

It's a really weird situation. The team is struggling, they just shipped out major pieces, and Berube is criticizing the roster?

It feels like play out of Herb Brooks and Billy Martin’s psychological playbook - Tortarella does this a lot. The team has just been gutted and maybe emotionallly they aren’t in it- Berube’s way to wake up the room.

 

[PK Cronin]

It feels like play out of Herb Brooks and Billy Martin’s psychological playbook - Tortarella does this a lot. The team has just been gutted and maybe emotionallly they aren’t in it- Berube’s way to wake up the room.

It definitely could be, but it's a pretty big risk when it doesn't work.