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

[NC 1972]

Parents missed a big opportunity not naming him "Spiro" instead of "Collin".

Dating yourself.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

@Chapin Landvogt what are your thoughts on Hardy Haman Aktell? Big smooth LHD. Nashville is going to lose his rights and he’s eligible to sign with any team. What are your thoughts on him?

I'm very familiar with him.

He's prolly the singlemost NHL-ready UFA out of Europe this spring. Tall, mobile, affluent in all three zones. He can play right away. In fact, I think he has what it takes to go from bottom 3 to top 4 within two seasons for any team that decides to add him.

His ceiling is becoming another Ekholm. Won't happen right away. He'll need his adjustment and growth period.

In general, he's a prime example of what some experts in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, feel is the right way to do things. Meaning, let the kids grow and turn into ready-made NHLers in their native countries, then bring then over to be part of your NHL team off the bat.

Not sure which team in the league could use that the most just now.

 

[leeroggy]

I'm very familiar with him.

He's prolly the singlemost NHL-ready UFA out of Europe this spring. Tall, mobile, affluent in all three zones. He can play right away. In fact, I think he has what it takes to go from bottom 3 to top 4 within two seasons for any team that decides to add him.

His ceiling is becoming another Ekholm. Won't happen right away. He'll need his adjustment and growth period.

In general, he's a prime example of what some experts in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, feel is the right way to do things. Meaning, let the kids grow and turn into ready-made NHLers in their native countries, then bring then over to be part of your NHL team off the bat.

Not sure which team in the league could use that the most just now.

Check for pajama pictures

 

[periferal]

By far my biggest concern with Wahlstrom is his hockey sense. He makes so many dumb mistakes/plays. He doesnt get into the soft spots often enough. I would trade him if he was part of a package for a better player.

Literally this. I think many here are in love with Wahlstrom because we can all see his potential - A guy with size and an elite shot on a team desperate for more scoring. The idea of what he could be would make fans drool.

However the "drool" is distracting those same fans from seeing how truly dumb Wahlstrom plays way too often. And still many will chalk it up to being young also ignoring the fact that most other young players who make it show a lot more smarts from day one - Even as they make mistakes. I mean Dobson was drafted right next to Wahlstrom and he's lapped him in terms of development, despite playing a harder position that usually takes longer for prospects to get.

I totally agree that if Wahlstrom could be dealt as a package for a better player that's a deal I'd make in a second. Sadly his value right now is minimal and probably going to get worse unless he somehow comes back 100% healthy and puts up eye-catching numbers this fall.

 

[mm11]

I'm very familiar with him.

He's prolly the singlemost NHL-ready UFA out of Europe this spring. Tall, mobile, affluent in all three zones. He can play right away. In fact, I think he has what it takes to go from bottom 3 to top 4 within two seasons for any team that decides to add him.

His ceiling is becoming another Ekholm. Won't happen right away. He'll need his adjustment and growth period.

In general, he's a prime example of what some experts in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, feel is the right way to do things. Meaning, let the kids grow and turn into ready-made NHLers in their native countries, then bring then over to be part of your NHL team off the bat.

Not sure which team in the league could use that the most just now.

sounds like a target for the rich kids, Rags and Toronto

 

[SI90]

I'm very familiar with him.

He's prolly the singlemost NHL-ready UFA out of Europe this spring. Tall, mobile, affluent in all three zones. He can play right away. In fact, I think he has what it takes to go from bottom 3 to top 4 within two seasons for any team that decides to add him.

His ceiling is becoming another Ekholm. Won't happen right away. He'll need his adjustment and growth period.

In general, he's a prime example of what some experts in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, feel is the right way to do things. Meaning, let the kids grow and turn into ready-made NHLers in their native countries, then bring then over to be part of your NHL team off the bat.

Not sure which team in the league could use that the most just now.

Wow!! Sounds like a target for all 32 teams. I’ve never been able to see him play. Thanks for the report!!

 

[SI90]

Congratulations kid on your first career goal!!!

 

[beach]

Pat Dobson, he's lost his fastball

But Jim Palmer is still mowing them down!

 

[SI]

I'm very familiar with him.

He's prolly the singlemost NHL-ready UFA out of Europe this spring. Tall, mobile, affluent in all three zones. He can play right away. In fact, I think he has what it takes to go from bottom 3 to top 4 within two seasons for any team that decides to add him.

His ceiling is becoming another Ekholm. Won't happen right away. He'll need his adjustment and growth period.

In general, he's a prime example of what some experts in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, feel is the right way to do things. Meaning, let the kids grow and turn into ready-made NHLers in their native countries, then bring then over to be part of your NHL team off the bat.

Not sure which team in the league could use that the most just now.

Let’s hope Jim Paliafito does his job here. This is the reason he was brought in- will help offset the loss of picks.

 

[doublechili]

Let’s hope Jim Paliafito does his job here. This is the reason he was brought in- will help offset the loss of picks.

IDK that it's a good fit, just because he's free to pick a situation where he'd have a clear opportunity to be in the top 6, and if Bolduc is looking good that might not be the case with the Isles.

 

[seafoam]

IDK that it's a good fit, just because he's free to pick a situation where he'd have a clear opportunity to be in the top 6, and if Bolduc is looking good that might not be the case with the Isles.

If there is mutual interest, there is little downside to adding a potential top four defenseman to the organization. As we’ve seen with young defensemen (Aho, Dobson, Romanov), success for young defensemen in the NHL is not linear and Aktell is two years older than Bolduc.

As teams age, they need expendable pieces with value that can be attached to aging players on bad contracts in order to avoid a total teardown down the road.

If Sorokin were to re-sign long term, this organization needs to continue to ice a competitve roster year over year while he is under contract and elite, which means the Islanders need all the expendable assets they can get. With the way the Islanders trade 1st round picks, European free agents is a possible solution that only costs money from the millionnaire owners.

 

[doublechili]

If there is mutual interest, there is little downside to adding a potential top four defenseman to the organization. As we’ve seen with young defensemen (Aho, Dobson, Romanov), success for young defensemen in the NHL is not linear and Aktell is two years older than Bolduc.

I don't disagree, and from an Isles perspective, why not? But re: the "mutual interest" part, I just wonder if he's the top Euro free agent if he's going to have better options where a top 6 spot would basically be handed to him, or at least be his to lose.

 

[seafoam]

 

[Osakahaus]

Glad to see more NCAA free agents. 6'3, defenseman leader, and he plays righty. Isles need that.

 

[crasherino]

Never heard of him before but 6'3 210 and shoots righty? Give him the sweatshirt.

 

[The Real JT]

But Jim Palmer is still mowing them down!

Add Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar to Palmer and Dobson and you have the answer to what trivia question?

The winner gets a parking spot in the far reaches of the Emerald lot followed by a seat next to a coughing toddler on the shuttle bus to UBS.

 

[Fist of Fury]

Hardy Haman Aktell & Aidan Fulp, don't strike me as NHL player names. Pass. But I'm sure that they will now end up future hall of famers.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Interesting.

A name I haven't yet heard among the college UFAs being sought after.

 

[danteipp]

Hardy Haman Aktell & Aidan Fulp, don't strike me as NHL player names. Pass. But I'm sure that they will now end up future hall of famers.

Rattle off those names together and it sounds like a white-shoe law firm.

 

[beach]

Add Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar to Palmer and Dobson and you have the answer to what trivia question?

The winner gets a parking spot in the far reaches of the Emerald lot followed by a seat next to a coughing toddler on the shuttle bus to UBS.

1971 Orioles 20 game winners! You don't have a parking voucher for Raleigh PNC Arena Sunday do ya?

 

[Osakahaus]

Hardy Haman Aktell & Aidan Fulp, don't strike me as NHL player names. Pass. But I'm sure that they will now end up future hall of famers.

Confirmation on that Hardy Aktell guy?

 

[SI90]

Interesting.

A name I haven't yet heard among the college UFAs being sought after.

Big RS defenseman. If they’re interested in him I’m betting they’re also interested in Livingston who has the entire league after him. Could he thinking of possible Mayfield replacement In Livingston. Fulp is a lot more likely though.

 

[SI90]

Also Fulps teammates McAllister and Polin are highly sought after Forward free agents

 

[leeroggy]

Add Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar to Palmer and Dobson and you have the answer to what trivia question?

The winner gets a parking spot in the far reaches of the Emerald lot followed by a seat next to a coughing toddler on the shuttle bus to UBS.

Which staff had nothing left in the World Series . . .

 

[Glorydays22]

Sign them all!!! LOL We need as much help in our system as possible.