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

[Throttle]

Lmao

American guy from PIT, living in SoCal, sure seems like he really wants to play in TOR...

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

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).


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.

It is closer than you think:

Westgate Sports Book:

Time travel discovery: 346,500,000 to 1
Gaudreau signing with Islanders (NHL) 347,000,000 to 1
Hell freezing over: 347,500,000 to 1
Durant/Westbrook reunion in OKC (NBA) 348,000,000 to 1

So there's a chance lol

 

[seafoam]

It is closer than you think:

Westgate Sports Book:

Time travel discovery: 346,500,000 to 1
Gaudreau signing with Islanders (NHL) 347,000,000 to 1
Hell freezing over: 347,500,000 to 1
Durant/Westbrook reunion in OKC (NBA) 348,000,000 to 1

So there's a chance lol

I love that I almost thought those are real odds.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Subban is a UFA, do we have any interest as the offensive bottom pairing d man?

 

[CupHolders]

It is closer than you think:

Westgate Sports Book:

Time travel discovery: 346,500,000 to 1
Gaudreau signing with Islanders (NHL) 347,000,000 to 1
Hell freezing over: 347,500,000 to 1
Durant/Westbrook reunion in OKC (NBA) 348,000,000 to 1

So there's a chance lol

I love that I almost thought those are real odds.

But they are... I'm from the future!

Great news, Dufour breaks Bossy's franchise goal record!

Bad news, Forty two year old Josh Bailey assists on the goal, in the same game he breaks most games played for one franchise record.

 

[seafoam]

But they are... I'm from the future!

Great news, Dufour breaks Bossy's franchise goal record!

Bad news, Forty two year old Josh Bailey assists on the goal, in the same game he breaks most games played for one franchise record.

You’re too much.

We all know he’s going to get overpaid, but if NYI could hypothetically sign Kadri and Bailey would be traded for the cap space to fit him in, would you all (aside from Bones) do it?

Kadri is a better player, so it’s an immediate upgrade but makes NYI’s cap situation more difficult long term for sure.

 

[CupHolders]

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.

I'm not against the Isles signing him. I'm just not sure that he has the same interest in them as he does in other organizations.

Personally, I understand the the Isles have a long standing reputation among the current NHL circles that they have to overcome. But, I'm someone who grew up in Ranger territory. I still make a point to flash the "Double Trottier Bird Salute" whenever I get caught at the intersection light of the Rangers/Knicks practice facility.

Anyway, I have always maintained that there is very little advantage of playing for the Rangers over a PROFESSIONALLY RUN Islanders organization. Sure there is the name recognition advantage. The Rangers will always have that as the long tenured organization in this area. But access to all the amenities of the greater New York area. There is absolutely no significant advantage of Ranger territory over Islanders. So a lot of this is just long-standing PR messaging and opinion.

 

[CupHolders]

Subban is a UFA, do we have any interest as the offensive bottom pairing d man?

That's a tough one. I think he's not as bad as he is made out to be. But he definitely was overpaid at the end of his last contract. He should be fine, at low number 5/6 D-man money and usage. I imagine the defensive game, which was never great will only get worse as he ages.

Additionally he is a RHD, so he isn't a natural fit in the lineup. In fact, in a weird twist of traditional UFA d-men availability... most of the better options are RHD instead of LHD. I just took it as a result of the... "Isles are just going to Isles out to the cosmic universe at large."

So with that said, Leddy still seems to be the best UFA option. Especially since he doesn't have to be relied on to be his traditional top-four role in the lineup.

 

[Lame Lambert]

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 don’t think it’s a fantasy if Lou does the right thing and unloads some of these redundant and unnecessary players. “I like having Sorokin and Varlamov” is such a dumb quote it hurts.

 

[SI90]

 

[seafoam]

I’d do two years at that price for Varlamov next summer assuming he doesn’t shit the bed.

That's a tough one. I think he's not as bad as he is made out to be. But he definitely was overpaid at the end of his last contract. He should be fine, at low number 5/6 D-man money and usage. I imagine the defensive game, which was never great will only get worse as he ages.

Additionally he is a RHD, so he isn't a natural fit in the lineup. In fact, in a weird twist of traditional UFA d-men availability... most of the better options are RHD instead of LHD. I just took it as a result of the... "Isles are just going to Isles out to the cosmic universe at large."

So with that said, Leddy still seems to be the best UFA option. Especially since he doesn't have to be relied on to be his traditional top-four role in the lineup.

I’d be surprised if NYI brough back Leddy. He’s going to want to cash out one last time, right?

 

[GOLFWANG]

I know Gaudreau wants to go to the East Coast supposedly....I know the Flyers don't currently have the cap space. I also know the Devils do have the cap space, I don't know too much about their team but don't they have an abundance of forwards and need Defense and Goatlending more?

 

[Taswell]

Id take a flyer on Kubalik, though I'd prefer Puljujarvi if we're looking at reclamation projects with size. He hasn't been qualified yet as far as I know.

 

[CupHolders]

I’d do two years at that price for Varlamov next summer assuming he doesn’t shit the bed.


I’d be surprised if NYI brough back Leddy. He’s going to want to cash out one last time, right?

Agree on both points.

 

[xECK29x]

Subban is a UFA, do we have any interest as the offensive bottom pairing d man?

Not on the right side, Hutton is that guy for now Subban is still going to request a couple million a year regardless of the role.

 

[xECK29x]

I know Gaudreau wants to go to the East Coast supposedly....I know the Flyers don't currently have the cap space. I also know the Devils do have the cap space, I don't know too much about their team but don't they have an abundance of forwards and need Defense and Goatlending more?

That's correct, but they love PR moves so bringing in a local kid superstar would be something their ownership would want to do regardless if it causes a log jam at forward.

 

[Glory Days]

But they are... I'm from the future!

Great news, Dufour breaks Bossy's franchise goal record!

Bad news, Forty two year old Josh Bailey assists on the goal, in the same game he breaks most games played for one franchise record.

And 100 year old Lou is still GM. He credits his longevity to his nightly Chianti

 

[PWJunior]

And 100 year old Lou is still GM. He credits his longevity to his nightly Chianti

Chianti with Fava beans...

 

[seafoam]

Chianti with Fava beans...

Clarice is his granddaughter who keeps him young!

 

[Glory Days]

Chianti with Fava beans...

How could I forget the Fava beans

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

I know Gaudreau wants to go to the East Coast supposedly....I know the Flyers don't currently have the cap space. I also know the Devils do have the cap space, I don't know too much about their team but don't they have an abundance of forwards and need Defense and Goatlending more?

Devils have cap space unfortunately.

But as you said, they have big needs on defense and in goal.

You have to think they're going to get one of Kuemper or Campbell. That's going to be $5M AAV.

Then if I were them, I'd go after someone like Klingberg, who should be an expensive commodity.

 

[iggy]

Devils have cap space unfortunately.

But as you said, they have big needs on defense and in goal.

You have to think they're going to get one of Kuemper or Campbell. That's going to be $5M AAV.

Then if I were them, I'd go after someone like Klingberg, who should be an expensive commodity.

Didn't they just trade for Vanecek? Goal looks to be set

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Id take a flyer on Kubalik, though I'd prefer Puljujarvi if we're looking at reclamation projects with size. He hasn't been qualified yet as far as I know.

IMO I’d rather just give Holmstrom a shot to be honest.

 

[19 in a row]

I haven't seen this mentioned and this may be unpopular but I don't think Matt Martin is guaranteed by any stretch to be on the NHL roster out of camp next year. There is going to be a numbers game for that 13th/14th forward. He had 7 points in 71 games last year and IMO his game is not what it was a few years back. The MC^2 line struggled last year due to a number of reasons but I believe that line performed better with Bellows or Johnston in rather than Martin. Everyone loves Matty Marts but with that style of play at 33 with all that wear and tear, I would not be surprised to see him being the odd man out to start the season. Trotz was partial to the vets, not sure if they will get a free pass going forward. Not saying we don't see him next year at some point but out of camp could see him sent to Bridgeport even if it is only a minimal cap benefit.

 

[Uncle Lou]

Meh im going into this off-season with no expectations for a change. I always think we’re gunna get guys and then they all sign elsewhere and I say to myself should’ve known better. This off-season I’ll just know better from the get go it will make it easier lol. With that being said Gaudreau to isles!!