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

[SI90]

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.

Some guys can do that. Berube has a cup so maybe he can get that respect and not lose the room. Big gamble

 

[CupHolders]

What did Berube actually say?

EDIT: Just saw that he essentially called out the vet leadership. Either way kind of suggests the room is lost if players are publicly challenging your statements.

 

[BrockLobster]

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.

Agree. I just looked up his contract and would have wanted to take a shot on him. Until i saw he has another year left.

 

[Glory Days]

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

After reading the last few pages of this thread I think Elmont should be on your list.

 

[IslesNorway]

Isles will not claim Kapanen, especially not with a contract through next year as well. There's a reason players like that are waived: they are basically detrimental to the team. As someone said, only if the Pens take on Bailey should Lou be calling up Hextall.

 

[doublechili]

I almost feel bad for PIT fans. Hextall is like their Don Maloney. Guy from their biggest rival decimates the franchise.

Trade a 1st round pick for Kapanen in 2020. He scores 22 goals in 2 seasons (+1 in 13 playoff games). Extend him for 2 years last summer at $3.2M per year. Put him on waivers now. That's some great asset management right there.

 

[The Wahligator]

HELL no to Kapanen. He's a worse Beauvillier. He'd be despised here.

 

[CupHolders]

I almost feel bad for PIT fans. Hextall is like their Don Maloney. Guy from their biggest rival decimates the franchise.

Trade a 1st round pick for Kapanen in 2020. He scores 22 goals in 2 seasons (+1 in 13 playoff games). Extend him for 2 years last summer at $3.2M per year. Put him on waivers now. That's some great asset management right there.

Some weird symmetry that Hextall was the player that Maloney brought in that did the most harm that playoffs.

 

[seafoam]

Bailey and Dobson for Karlsson, who says no?

 

[IslesNorway]

Bailey and Dobson for Karlsson, who says no?

San Jose
Lou
Isles fans
Isles cap space guy

Take your pick

 

[danteipp]

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.

Yes, it feels like he is the Finnish version of Beauvillier. Skates so fast... but usually to nowhere.

 

[danteipp]

Lou doesn’t utilize waivers it feels.

Tolvanen and Vrana should both be islanders.

Tolvanen definitely would have been worth a shot. Seems like Seattle has found a way to motivate and unlock his skill and shot.

I would still happily swap Bailey, a third rounder and/or something like Salo for Vrana. Worst case you buy out Vrana if he struggles.

But a Vrana-Horvat-Barzal line could be deadly and I would see it suceding - at least offensively.

If the Isles are worried about the physical side, then keep Lee on that top line and go with Vrana-Nelson-Palms on line No. 2.

 

[Top Corner]

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

we also could use the speed

Agree. I just looked up his contract and would have wanted to take a shot on him. Until i saw he has another year left.

Worry about that in off season

 

[PK Cronin]

we also could use the speed


Worry about that in off season

Speed that doesn't do anything just gets nothing done faster.

 

[Top Corner]

Speed that doesn't do anything just gets nothing done faster.

well at least he would have the puck instead of us always chasing and if thats considered nothing done faster, sign me up

 

[CupHolders]

Bailey and Dobson for Karlsson, who says no?

Since I’ve been a big fan of Dobson going back to his draft year… I didn’t want to bring it up.

But Lou going after Karlsson absolutely does feel like the kind of outside of left field thing he would do.

I could see him even including Dobson instead of waiting and hoping he rounds out his defensive game.

San Jose would have to withhold 2-3 mil on the contract.

Personally it’s too drastic for my liking. Would also prefer to offer Pulock instead of Dobson. Either directly to San Jose or to another team for picks to flip to the Sharks

 

[doublechili]

Bailey and Dobson for Karlsson, who says no?

Don't laugh - I already thought of that one! For every crazy trade proposal I put out there, there are at least 10 others I keep to myself.

Like, Barzal and Dobson for Larkin and Seider.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

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

I know a GM who would choose Jean Francois Berube over Halak and Greiss.

Sorry, I had to

 

[CupHolders]

Speed that doesn't do anything just gets nothing done faster.

Similarly… Always liked the Trotz quote don’t mistake activity for accomplishment.

 

[Top Corner]

Since I’ve been a big fan of Dobson going back to his draft year… I didn’t want to bring it up.

But Lou going after Karlsson absolutely does feel like the kind of outside of left field thing he would do.

I could see him even including Dobson instead of waiting the and hoping he rounds out his defensive game.

San Jose would have to withhold 2-3 mil on the contract.

Personally it’s too drastic for my liking. Would also prefer to offer Pulock instead of Dobson. Either directly to San Jose or to another team for picks to flip to the Sharks

If that ever happen, it would be the biggest mistake in Lou's tenure, wrong player , wrong time

Similarly… Always liked the Trotz quote don’t mistake activity for accomplishment.

That is true !

 

[CupHolders]

If that ever happen, it would be the biggest mistake in Lou's tenure, wrong player , wrong time

For Dobson I hesitate. But Four more years of Karlsson over one more year of Bailey and eight years of a somewhat stalled Pulock? I’m not sure if that would be so bad for the Isles short OR long term.

 

[danteipp]

Don't laugh - I already thought of that one! For every crazy trade proposal I put out there, there are at least 10 others I keep to myself.

Like, Barzal and Dobson for Larkin and Seider.

My crazy, never-going-to-happen trade proposal, assuming Lou has grown frustrated with Barzal and with Horvat now in the fold as the 1C -

Barzal for Meier

Isles get the topline winger they need and San Jose gets a slightly younger player signed long term. Again, never going to happen of course.

 

[CupHolders]

My crazy, never-going-to-happen trade proposal, assuming Lou has grown frustrated with Barzal and with Horvat now in the fold as the 1C -

Barzal for Meier

Isles get the topline winger they need and San Jose gets a slightly younger player signed long term. Again, never going to happen of course.

As someone who has routinely defended Barzal over some of the more over-the-top takes on him… I could see that too.

Especially if it did include the Karlsson trade. Karlsson greatest contribution is what Barzal also provides… controlled zone exits and entries.

Just an aside, I fully expect the advance metrics community to come further around to the importance of that ability and how to better quantify it.

I also expect at that time, a 13 year old Leafs fan to Leafsplain it to a boomer such as myself why it’s so important and that the Leafs do it better than anyone.

 

[Strummergas]

My crazy, never-going-to-happen trade proposal, assuming Lou has grown frustrated with Barzal and with Horvat now in the fold as the 1C -

Barzal for Meier

Isles get the topline winger they need and San Jose gets a slightly younger player signed long term. Again, never going to happen of course.

This has crossed my mind as well. Especially if they keep rolling without him (and should the PP improve as well).

 

[CupHolders]

This has crossed my mind as well. Especially if they keep rolling without him (and should the PP improve as well).

To be fair the PP DID improve with him playing with Horvat.

Without him it has gone back to looking poor with establishing zone entry with possession.