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

[WangMustGo]

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

I disagree. To me Walhstrom lacks hockey IQ. He cant find soft spots on the ice and makes a yon of boneheaded plays and penalties.

 

[Osakahaus]

I disagree. To me Walhstrom lacks hockey IQ. He cant find soft spots on the ice and makes a yon of boneheaded plays and penalties.

Wahlstrom has an issue with both either way.

 

[WangMustGo]

Wahlstrom has an issue with both either way.

I agree his skating is a weakness as well, but there are a decent amount of mediocre skaters that are good players. Tavares was a mediocre skater, but had fantastic hockey IQ.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

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

Hardy Haman Aktell is still in action.

Växjö and Frölunda are tied at 2 in the 7-game semifinal.

Okulov is too, come to think of it. His CSKA is up 2-1 in the series against SKA St. Petersburg.

***
In former Islander prospect news, goaltender Linus Soderstrom has ultimately become the 1A goaltender for Skelleftea and has now pitched two straight shutouts in the playoffs.

His team is tied at two with Örebro.

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.

Getting Johnson would be an absolute coup.

Gotta imagine that a large number of teams are competing for his services, but he looks like a player who can step in real soon.

 

[SI]

Hardy Haman Aktell is still in action.

Växjö and Frölunda are tied at 2 in the 7-game semifinal.

Okulov is too, come to think of it. His CSKA is up 2-1 in the series against SKA St. Petersburg.

***
In former Islander prospect news, goaltender Linus Soderstrom has ultimately become the 1A goaltender for Skelleftea and has now pitched two straight shutouts in the playoffs.

His team is tied at two with Örebro.


Getting Johnson would be an absolute coup.

Gotta imagine that a large number of teams are competing for his services, but he looks like a player who can step in real soon.

Found this on Okulov -

Meet Konstantin Okulov, the KHL star the Canadiens are chasing

The Canadiens’ pro scouts had a reason aside from Alexander Romanov to be keeping an eye on CSKA this season. His name is Konstantin Okulov.

theathletic.com

Former teammates of Sorokin and Romanov.

It would not be an ELC - he is 28.

 

[leeroggy]

Hardy Haman Aktell is still in action.

Växjö and Frölunda are tied at 2 in the 7-game semifinal.

Okulov is too, come to think of it. His CSKA is up 2-1 in the series against SKA St. Petersburg.

***
In former Islander prospect news, goaltender Linus Soderstrom has ultimately become the 1A goaltender for Skelleftea and has now pitched two straight shutouts in the playoffs.

His team is tied at two with Örebro.


Getting Johnson would be an absolute coup.

Gotta imagine that a large number of teams are competing for his services, but he looks like a player who can step in real soon.

Is Soderstrom a possible replacement for Varly if he gets an offer he can't refuse from another team? Or is that bridge burned?

 

[duster19]

Starting to feel like Barzal and Romonov might not be back for the reg season.

 

[Osakahaus]

Starting to feel like Barzal and Romonov might not be back for the reg season.

Thanks Perry and Smith!

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Like O'Brien, Farinacci will be an interesting UFA name to follow.

 

[saintunspecified]

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.

Maybe I'm older than most people here, but Holmstrom looks NOTHING like young Bailey. Not even remotely. Bailey had confidence problems early in his career, and NYI "development" plan did him no favors. He should have come up more slowly. But even stunted (his lack of assertiveness problem was very real), Bailey showed WAY more offensive creativity early than Holmstrom ever has, and likely ever will. It's not close, really. Bailey would have led the AHL in scoring if he played there at age 21 where his less than stellar speed/strength wouldn't have held him back. Bailey looks lost now because his body can't seem to do what his mind wants it to do.

Back in 2012-2013 the Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo line used to skate/stickhandle their hearts out, and dominate possession, often against other top lines. They had as much finish as my first Gothic Cabinet Craft platform bed.

Maybe I don't understand the comparison. Anyway, I like Holmstrom, and I think he's a keeper as a 30 point 3rd line winger who will PK + suppress offence, and be good on the counterattack. Maybe he'll have a 40-45 point career year at some point.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Back in 2012-2013 the Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo line used to skate/stickhandle their hearts out, and dominate possession, often against other top lines. They had as much finish as my first Gothic Cabinet Craft platform bed.

That line was f***ing awesome

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Maybe I'm older than most people here, but Holmstrom looks NOTHING like young Bailey. Not even remotely. ...

There have been a lot of games, especially recently, where Holmstrom had the puck or was in the middle of a scene - and I thought it was Nelson.

That has a bit more to do with his stance, size, figure, stick-hold, and style of movement, but I think Nelson is the guy he needs to keep watching and tutoring under because that's a style of play he should be able to emulate in the years to come.

Of course, we shouldn't forget that Nelson took his pretty time in getting to where he's at...

 

[saintunspecified]

That line was f***ing awesome

Except when it came to shooting the **** puck.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Team's kind of in a rock and a hard place right now.

Barzal, Sorokin, Pelech and Horvat are all in the prime of their careers. But the team isn't a contender and doesn't really have the organizational assets (both trade-wise and cap-wise) to make it a contender. Also no upcoming impact prospects in the farm.

Yeah, not good.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Except when it came to shooting the **** puck.

Okposo had some real bad luck that year though. Bailey was scoring a lot more than him lol. 4 goals in 48 games !

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

And almost exactly a year later, here we are...

Change is a comin' (and it better f***ing be comin')

 

[leeroggy]

And almost exactly a year later, here we are...

View attachment 685745

Change is a comin' (and it better f***ing be comin')

It came this year too . . . Romanov, Sorokin 60 games, Holmstrom, Fasching, Horvat, Bolduc, Aho, Engvall . . . they've all been this year's change

Goodbye Bailey, Martin, Mayfield and maybe Pageau. Buyout Bailey if needed; Pageau will be in demand . . . move Casey up to 3C and Durandeau at 4C and find a scorer . . . maybe Palmieri also is a trade chip? His NTC doesn't kick in until next season if I read Capfriendly correctly.

 

[The Real JT]

It came this year too . . . Romanov, Sorokin 60 games, Holmstrom, Fasching, Horvat, Bolduc, Aho, Engvall . . . they've all been this year's change

Goodbye Bailey, Martin, Mayfield and maybe Pageau. Buyout Bailey if needed; Pageau will be in demand . . . move Casey up to 3C and Durandeau at 4C and find a scorer . . . maybe Palmieri also is a trade chip? His NTC doesn't kick in until next season if I read Capfriendly correctly.

Devil’s advocate

The change you referenced this year involves a bunch of players that are bottom 6 forwards or bottom pair Dmen. Engvall might project at middle 6 but he’s not even signed yet. Horvat is the only top level player in the bunch and he came at a steep price in dollars and futures.

We’ll shed some salary within the next year. That’s a step in the right direction. Palmieri has no trade value IMO and Pageau only a small amount given consideration of their contracts, age and productivity.

We’re not in a good place here. What’s my solution? I wish I knew. The next couple of years won’t be great. No offense to Lou but even though he gave us some thrills it’s time for him to go.

 

[NC 1972]

And almost exactly a year later, here we are...

View attachment 685745

Change is a comin' (and it better f***ing be comin')

We were one goal away from making the finals not winning the cup.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

We were one goal away from making the finals not winning the cup.

Thanks. I'll go back to myself from a year ago and tell him he's wrong.

But I believe the poster was referring to how those Isles would've stomped the flash-in-the-pan Canadiens in the SCF.

 

[NC 1972]

Thanks. I'll go back to myself from a year ago and tell him he's wrong.

But I believe the poster was referring to how those Isles would've stomped the flash-in-the-pan Canadiens in the SCF.

You have to be in it to win it, I believe they should have won last night as well but that's why they lace them up.

 

[leeroggy]

Devil’s advocate

The change you referenced this year involves a bunch of players that are bottom 6 forwards or bottom pair Dmen. Engvall might project at middle 6 but he’s not even signed yet. Horvat is the only top level player in the bunch and he came at a steep price in dollars and futures.

We’ll shed some salary within the next year. That’s a step in the right direction. Palmieri has no trade value IMO and Pageau only a small amount given consideration of their contracts, age and productivity.

We’re not in a good place here. What’s my solution? I wish I knew. The next couple of years won’t be great. No offense to Lou but even though he gave us some thrills it’s time for him to go.

You can't have it both ways, you either are moving out players to make room for the kids, or you aren't. We're in better shape with Cap than a lot of teams, so you can make a hockey trade, not just dump a salary.

I think Pageau has a LOT of value at $5 million and what he brings to the table. It's that we need to allocate to a winger and we have Casey, who showed what he can do as a 3C with better wingers.

I've felt it was less about a top line scorer and more about getting 50 goals from the 3rd line that was most important. Bailey's drop off was not planned for. Put Casey between Holmstrom and Wahlstrom and that might well solve the 3rd line problem at basically half the price.

Bolduc certainly looked like he's ready for 3LHD to me and we can pair him with a cheaper 3RHD to open up money there too. Someone is going to give Mayfield $4 million if Gudbranson got that. Ethan Bear and Troy Stecher should be $2 million per year possibilities.

I think the biggest issue right now is who can Lee play with? Lou is not going to trade his captain (has he ever?) so where do we slot him? You want Barzal and Horvat together and Nelson's chemistry with Lee never seems to last. Maybe Barzal goes to RW with Horvat and Lee.

 

[warrior60]

You can't have it both ways, you either are moving out players to make room for the kids, or you aren't. We're in better shape with Cap than a lot of teams, so you can make a hockey trade, not just dump a salary.

I think Pageau has a LOT of value at $5 million and what he brings to the table. It's that we need to allocate to a winger and we have Casey, who showed what he can do as a 3C with better wingers.

I've felt it was less about a top line scorer and more about getting 50 goals from the 3rd line that was most important. Bailey's drop off was not planned for. Put Casey between Holmstrom and Wahlstrom and that might well solve the 3rd line problem at basically half the price.

Bolduc certainly looked like he's ready for 3LHD to me and we can pair him with a cheaper 3RHD to open up money there too. Someone is going to give Mayfield $4 million if Gudbranson got that. Ethan Bear and Troy Stecher should be $2 million per year possibilities.

I think the biggest issue right now is who can Lee play with? Lou is not going to trade his captain (has he ever?) so where do we slot him? You want Barzal and Horvat together and Nelson's chemistry with Lee never seems to last. Maybe Barzal goes to RW with Horvat and Lee.

The best places for Lee would be the third line with less minutes.

 

[The Real JT]

You can't have it both ways, you either are moving out players to make room for the kids, or you aren't. We're in better shape with Cap than a lot of teams, so you can make a hockey trade, not just dump a salary.

I think Pageau has a LOT of value at $5 million and what he brings to the table. It's that we need to allocate to a winger and we have Casey, who showed what he can do as a 3C with better wingers.

I've felt it was less about a top line scorer and more about getting 50 goals from the 3rd line that was most important. Bailey's drop off was not planned for. Put Casey between Holmstrom and Wahlstrom and that might well solve the 3rd line problem at basically half the price.

Bolduc certainly looked like he's ready for 3LHD to me and we can pair him with a cheaper 3RHD to open up money there too. Someone is going to give Mayfield $4 million if Gudbranson got that. Ethan Bear and Troy Stecher should be $2 million per year possibilities.

I think the biggest issue right now is who can Lee play with? Lou is not going to trade his captain (has he ever?) so where do we slot him? You want Barzal and Horvat together and Nelson's chemistry with Lee never seems to last. Maybe Barzal goes to RW with Horvat and Lee.

I do think a retool is in order. I’ve felt that way since last year’s TDL though I understood the path taken to let those players have another crack at it.

So do I think we should blow it up? That’s a hard no. There’s a middle ground. We keep Sorokin at any price along with Pelech, Barzal and Horvat. Everyone else in my mind is available. Does that mean I don’t value guys like Nelson and Dobson? No. Do I think all of the remaining players with value should be traded. Definitely not. Find the best deal while creating the least number of holes to the existing roster. The trades need to be for players with youth and speed, things we are sorely missing. And lastly, stop trading high value picks for the next shiny toy. We’re not one player away and that toy will stress you salary cap.

 

[leeroggy]

I do think a retool is in order. I’ve felt that way since last year’s TDL though I understood the path taken to let those players have another crack at it.

So do I think we should blow it up? That’s a hard no. There’s a middle ground. We keep Sorokin at any price along with Pelech, Barzal and Horvat. Everyone else in my mind is available. Does that mean I don’t value guys like Nelson and Dobson? No. Do I think all of the remaining players with value should be traded. Definitely not. Find the best deal while creating the least number of holes to the existing roster. The trades need to be for players with youth and speed, things we are sorely missing. And lastly, stop trading high value picks for the next shiny toy. We’re not one player away and that toy will stress you salary cap.

I can agree with this; I do think there's a big difference between sending a #1 at the deadline for a Palmieri and the #1 for Romanov, which I do think will prove to be a good move.