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

[Zeeker]

No Romonov still at practice. That is concerning. Barzal to me was always a prayer. If they get him back for the phi or MTL game I will be happy.

The amount of people here penciling Barzal in for Thursday was perplexing to me

 

[Lek]

Bailey is looking worse and worse, and not by the whole "bah he's our scapegoat", but actually him being a bad player. So many times where he just looks lost on ice.

It seems more and more it is a mental thing. He just does not look like he has any drive and anymore. Kinda like the life got sucked out of him.

 

[PK Cronin]

It seems more and more it is a mental thing. He just does not look like he has any drive and anymore. Kinda like the life got sucked out of him.

He's gotten slower and he wasn't a speedster before now. I think he still reads the play well but isn't quick enough to make the plays right now. Father time comes for us all. I was hopeful that a more open system would help him since passing is his best attribute but it just didn't work out.

 

[SI]

Because if you don't the REAL Furio will pay you a visit


It's an easy buyout in the summer

Cap Hit Calculations​

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT ( NYI)
2023-24	$3,500,000	$5,000,000	$0	$1,166,667	$1,166,667	$2,333,333	$2,666,667
2024-25	$0	$0	$0	$1,166,667	$1,166,667	-$1,166,667	$1,166,667
TOTAL	$3,500,000	$5,000,000	$0	$2,333,333	$2,333,333	$1,166,667	$3,833,334

I'd consider this as a final resort - try to trade him for an equally bad contract coming back - Nemeth or Mrazek either to bury those contracts or buy those contracts out. In these two cases, both players make more actual $ than Bailey.

Then trade a 2024 asset with Bailey

Then the buyout.

 

[Osakahaus]

He's gotten slower and he wasn't a speedster before now. I think he still reads the play well but isn't quick enough to make the plays right now. Father time comes for us all. I was hopeful that a more open system would help him since passing is his best attribute but it just didn't work out.

Sucks for Bailey. He was very useful on the Trotz teams when he was around btw

 

[gordie43]

If we do have Chris taking over, is it the worst thing that could happen?

Has Chris ever been in consideration for another GM or front office job?

 

[Big L]

Remember when isles record with bailey in the lineup was ok? Not anymore.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Has Chris ever been in consideration for another GM or front office job?

I thought I remember article at one point that Chris wasn’t actually interested in GM job as he liked the scouting and player development aspect but I could be wrong. I thought that was written at time isles hired Lou.

 

[seafoam]

We all know Chris is going to happen IMO, best case Scenario he is Garth Snow with ownership backing him to the full cap.

Not the worst or best case scenario, just saying.

Chris seems good at bargain hunting, will he be able to orchestrate trades to improve his club in the short term while not sacrificing the future like his father does? I have no clue because you don’t prove that until you actually do (this applies to every GM in the NHL keep in mind).

 

[The Real JT]

Has Chris ever been in consideration for another GM or front office job?

Now that’s funny.

 

[Throttle]

Has Chris ever been in consideration for another GM or front office job?

Was Don Sweeney and his wealth of experience?

 

[Osakahaus]

Simon Holmstrom importance bump

This is why I hate whenever people want to praise points over play.

 

[PK Cronin]

Simon Holmstrom importance bump

This is why I hate whenever people want to praise points over play.

That guy shitting on Bailey is hilarious since he's done pretty much the same thing his entire career, except he's gotten points. Holmstrom is Bailey 2.0, hopefully with more scoring ability.

 

[Osakahaus]

That guy shitting on Bailey is hilarious since he's done pretty much the same thing his entire career, except he's gotten points. Holmstrom is Bailey 2.0, hopefully with more scoring ability.

I don't think Bailey was that defensively responsible at a young age, but I barely remember his rookie season so forgive me. Second, I really don't think he's close to how Bailey plays (unless we wish to go off on offensive numbers then by all means, do that)

 

[PK Cronin]

I don't think Bailey was that defensively responsible at a young age, but I barely remember his rookie season so forgive me. Second, I really don't think he's close to how Bailey plays (unless we wish to go off on offensive numbers then by all means, do that)

Not at a young age, no. Bailey was also in the NHL much sooner, with worse coaches and a worse team, and everything I guess.

They're both pass first guys who are defensively responsible, and neither is very physical. Holmstrom has a better shot but he's looking to pass more than shoot. I think Bailey excelled more down low in the cycle game than Holmstrom does currently. I think Holmstrom is really similar in the little we've seen. Hard to tell what he can become with the limited ice time he's gotten.

 

[Osakahaus]

Not at a young age, no. Bailey was also in the NHL much sooner.

They're both pass first guys who are defensively responsible, and neither is very physical. Holmstrom has a better shot but he's looking to pass more than shoot. I think Bailey excelled more down low in the cycle game than Holmstrom does currently. I think Holmstrom is really similar in the little we've seen. Hard to tell what he can become with the limited ice time he's gotten.

I think next season they'll give him the third line role in full, and we shall see where he goes from there. Parise is also up for an extension, so lets see if he sticks around. There are definitely a lot of questions either way for winger next season. Wahlstrom also must be questioned going into 2023-24, but that comes at our seasons actual end.

 

[MJF]

They're both pass first guys who are defensively responsible, and neither is very physical. Holmstrom has a better shot but he's looking to pass more than shoot. I think Bailey excelled more down low in the cycle game than Holmstrom does currently. I think Holmstrom is really similar in the little we've seen. Hard to tell what he can become with the limited ice time he's gotten.

Two things here.

1. Holmstrom is stronger along the boards and will come out with the puck on a 50/50 board battle.

2. Holmstrom has a better shot than Bailey ever did. Unfortunately he doesn't use it enough.

 

[Tahoeblue]

I think next season they'll give him the third line role in full, and we shall see where he goes from there. Parise is also up for an extension, so lets see if he sticks around. There are definitely a lot of questions either way for winger next season. Wahlstrom also must be questioned going into 2023-24, but that comes at our seasons actual end.

Solid post. My preference is JGP is centering both Wally and Holmstrom next year.

 

[crashthenet]

I like Holmstrom's development. Goals will come. Injury in the draft and COVID probably slowed things down a bit. He should be a good middle-sixer

 

[Throttle]

Simon Holmstrom importance bump

This is why I hate whenever people want to praise points over play.

Holmstrom is earning and keeping his place in the lineup the old school way by playing a complete game and not become a defensive liability. He’s essentially pushed Bailey out of the lineup.

We’ve seen some offensive flashes from him, seems like he’s concentrating on more well-rounded game first, whatever offense is a bonus. He looks like he could net 20+ once he focuses on that part of the game.

Funny how people view Holmstrom and his <50GP in comparison to the love affair with Wally. Wally scores (sometimes), but he’s defensively crud, doesn’t have the speed to recover from his defensive liabilities, and faulted Trotz for not playing him in the playoffs and the Isles didn’t win the Cup bc of it…and if Wally played in the league about 5-7 years ago, he would have been Lindros’d about 5x already since he routinely skates with his head down (zero risk of that happening now as the game has changed away from that style of play).

 

[Osakahaus]

Holmstrom is earning and keeping his place in the lineup the old school way by playing a complete game and not become a defensive liability. He’s essentially pushed Bailey out of the lineup.

We’ve seen some offensive flashes from him, seems like he’s concentrating on more well-rounded game first, whatever offense is a bonus. He looks like he could net 20+ once he focuses on that part of the game.

Funny how people view Holmstrom and his <50GP in comparison to the love affair with Wally. Wally scores (sometimes), but he’s defensively crud, doesn’t have the speed to recover from his defensive liabilities, and faulted Trotz for not playing him in the playoffs and the Isles didn’t win the Cup bc of it…and if Wally played in the league about 5-7 years ago, he would have been Lindros’d about 5x already since he routinely skates with his head down (zero risk of that happening now as the game has changed away from that style of play).

Wahlstrom's biggest detriment will always be skating. He's a case of decent goal scoring ability but little to make up for it. If the isles didn't have him on the roster then Kessel would've been signed btw

 

[PK Cronin]

Two things here.

1. Holmstrom is stronger along the boards and will come out with the puck on a 50/50 board battle.

2. Holmstrom has a better shot than Bailey ever did. Unfortunately he doesn't use it enough.

Not sure about 1, you've seen him a lot more than I have though. He definitely has a better shot but is similar to Bailey in his reluctance to use it.

 

[Throttle]

Wahlstrom's biggest detriment will always be skating. He's a case of decent goal scoring ability but little to make up for it. If the isles didn't have him on the roster then Kessel would've been signed btw

Plenty of scorers have overcome poor skating, it’s where and how they get to open ice is a major factor in determining their success. So far, Wally hasn’t shown that’s a thing…yet.

On Kessel, imagine the uproar if the Isles signed a 35er in Kessel - no indication he would have signed with Isles.

 

[SI]

Any word on Euro free agents - Hardy Aktell or Sorokin's former teammate Okulov?

I hope Lou also makes a play for Ryan Johnson, who looks like will be a free agent in August.
Aktell and Johnson signings will boost the D prospect pool.

 

[Osakahaus]

Any word on Euro free agents - Hardy Aktell or Sorokin's former teammate Okulov?

I hope Lou also makes a play for Ryan Johnson, who looks like will be a free agent in August.
Aktell and Johnson signings will boost the D prospect pool.

I think if we go after Okulov it has to be for a winger, which i'd like. I hate that the isles missed on Kuzmenko, so hopefully they make a play for him.