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

[seafoam]

Fasching has struggled to keep up with the pace this far in the playoffs, I’m fine with keeping him in the fold but only if the contract can be fully buried in the minors.

I’ve liked Engvall, but he probably fits in between Lee and Parise production wise and the Islanders need a LW who is going to bump Lee down, not slide in behind him (production wise).

Maybe they are able to poach Stephenson or Zuccarello from the cap strapped MIN/VGK clubs as a short term patch?

Stephenson/Zuccarello
Lee
Engvall
Parise/Martin

is a lot better than…

Lee
Engvall
Parise
Martin

…but would require paying someone to take Bailey and the Islanders are already thin on assets.

Maybe the Islanders need to accept that they have to keep Bailey and just take a step back next season to get their cap in order.

They can look to make bargain bin signings (like WSH did with Gustafsson & Milano this past season) and hope they provide production above their contract value.

That seems to be Chris Lamoriello’s M.O., who now that I think about it is probably a lot closer to Garth Snow philosophy wise than his father.

 

[Tres Peleches]

Fasching has struggled to keep up with the pace this far in the playoffs, I’m fine with keeping him in the fold but only if the contract can be fully buried in the minors.

I’ve liked Engvall, but he probably fits in between Lee and Parise production wise and the Islanders need a LW who is going to bump Lee down, not slide in behind him (production wise).

Maybe they are able to poach Stephenson or Zuccarello from the cap strapped MIN/VGK clubs as a short term patch?

Stephenson/Zuccarello
Lee
Engvall
Parise/Martin

is a lot better than…

Lee
Engvall
Parise
Martin

…but would require paying someone to take Bailey and the Islanders are already thin on assets.

Maybe the Islanders need to accept that they have to keep Bailey and just take a step back next season to get their cap in order.

They can look to make bargain bin signings (like WSH did with Gustafsson & Milano this past season) and hope they provide production above their contract value.

That seems to be Chris Lamoriello’s M.O., who now that I think about it is probably a lot closer to Garth Snow philosophy wise than his father.

Yeah, Fashching was amazing in the regular season. But once everyone starts playing the with hustle he exhibits, his luster kinda fades out

With that said, hopefully he adjusts to the speed of the playoff game

 

[MJF]

Fasching has struggled to keep up with the pace this far in the playoffs, I’m fine with keeping him in the fold but only if the contract can be fully buried in the minors.

You sound like me there.

Fasching is a wonderful story. He has a motor that doesn’t quit. But he struggles with his D zone coverage against skilled teams. That was clear to me during the regular season, and it sticks out again in the first 2 games.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Fasching has struggled to keep up with the pace this far in the playoffs, I’m fine with keeping him in the fold but only if the contract can be fully buried in the minors.

I’ve liked Engvall, but he probably fits in between Lee and Parise production wise and the Islanders need a LW who is going to bump Lee down, not slide in behind him (production wise).

Maybe they are able to poach Stephenson or Zuccarello from the cap strapped MIN/VGK clubs as a short term patch?

Stephenson/Zuccarello
Lee
Engvall
Parise/Martin

is a lot better than…

Lee
Engvall
Parise
Martin

…but would require paying someone to take Bailey and the Islanders are already thin on assets.

Maybe the Islanders need to accept that they have to keep Bailey and just take a step back next season to get their cap in order.

They can look to make bargain bin signings (like WSH did with Gustafsson & Milano this past season) and hope they provide production above their contract value.

That seems to be Chris Lamoriello’s M.O., who now that I think about it is probably a lot closer to Garth Snow philosophy wise than his father.

If anything, Zucc is good in the shooutout

 

[The Real JT]

So is Parise and correct me if I’m wrong but he had zero shootout attempts this season.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

So is Parise and correct me if I’m wrong but he had zero shootout attempts this season.

Slightly less than Zucc, but above the rest of the Isles roster.

Correct, zero attempts....has driven me bonkers all season.

 

[beach]

I don't even think he's had a bad year, he's had a slump lately. Everyone ebbs and flows during the course of a season unless they're McDavid. I'm interested in what Mayfield does in the playoffs, that's where he's had success in the past and what I'd be paying him for in the future.

I'm a Mayfield fan, but think he's been bad for most of the season

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

So we’re going to trade away all the bad players and acquire good players. Explain what these trades would look like and how we would be enticing other teams to participate in them.

To be honest, I wasn't paying any attention to what the discussion was or who was claiming what.

I just thought your statement in and of itself was very inviting to write what I did.... as nothing more than a cheeky remark.

I mean, if someone writes "Why move these guys who suck", then that person is naturally begging for someone to respond "Because they suck".

I guess I need to get back into the swing of adding the respective emojis.

***

Personally, I have zero thoughts on trading any of the top 4 D nor do I wish to see Mayfield exit the organization.

Maybe they are able to poach Stephenson or Zuccarello from the cap strapped MIN/VGK clubs as a short term patch?

Stephenson/Zuccarello
Lee
Engvall
Parise/Martin

Stephenson is a guy I was thinking was pretty doggone good when he was coming up with Washington. So many times I was watching what he does and wondering how wasn't racking up better numbers.

Can imagine his big payday comes soon.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

So we’re going to trade away all the bad players and acquire good players.

This is actually an excellent strategy. And should be implemented ASAP. I think it would solve A LOT of our problems.

 

[Lame Lambert]

To be honest, I wasn't paying any attention to what the discussion was or who was claiming what.

I just thought your statement in and of itself was very inviting to write what I did.... as nothing more than a cheeky remark.

I mean, if someone writes "Why move these guys who suck", then that person is naturally begging for someone to respond "Because they suck".

I guess I need to get back into the swing of adding the respective emojis.

***

Personally, I have zero thoughts on trading any of the top 4 D nor do I wish to see Mayfield exit the organization.



Stephenson is a guy I was thinking was pretty doggone good when he was coming up with Washington. So many times I was watching what he does and wondering how wasn't racking up better numbers.

Can imagine his big payday comes soon.

All good. I’m just getting frustrated with people not being realistic with the state of this roster and how many holes we actually have.

 

[SI]

All good. I’m just getting frustrated with people not being realistic with the state of this roster and how many holes we actually have.

A top 4 d man and top line winger - did I miss anything else?

 

[SI]

Fasching has struggled to keep up with the pace this far in the playoffs, I’m fine with keeping him in the fold but only if the contract can be fully buried in the minors.

I’ve liked Engvall, but he probably fits in between Lee and Parise production wise and the Islanders need a LW who is going to bump Lee down, not slide in behind him (production wise).

Maybe they are able to poach Stephenson or Zuccarello from the cap strapped MIN/VGK clubs as a short term patch?

Stephenson/Zuccarello
Lee
Engvall
Parise/Martin

is a lot better than…

Lee
Engvall
Parise
Martin

…but would require paying someone to take Bailey and the Islanders are already thin on assets.

Maybe the Islanders need to accept that they have to keep Bailey and just take a step back next season to get their cap in order.

They can look to make bargain bin signings (like WSH did with Gustafsson & Milano this past season) and hope they provide production above their contract value.

That seems to be Chris Lamoriello’s M.O., who now that I think about it is probably a lot closer to Garth Snow philosophy wise than his father.

It will be tough for the Wild to make it under the cap, so I can see Zuccarello being dangled, but at Zuccarello's age, it is definitely a stopgap. Zuccarello and Nelson and Horvat - Barzal is very solid.

IMO, save the assets for Zuccarello and go after Bertuzzi on the open market. I don't see the Bruins having any available cap space to resign him.

I don't see Stephenson being moved by VGK.

And Bailey has to be moved out - 2024 2nd and Bailey to Chicago for Colin Blackwell.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

All good. I’m just getting frustrated with people not being realistic with the state of this roster and how many holes we actually have.

I have to concur a bit with @SI here.

I don't see a lot of holes.

Could most positions be upgraded?

Well, sure. But there are only so many players out there and most of them are already under contract with one of 32 teams, all of which are competing for services.

We once had a left side on our D-core that was pretty nicely stacked, but cap concerns in the delimited Covid area forced management's hand to make tough decisions there.

We haven't recovered yet, and that although one piece was acquired for the cost of a 13th overall pick and another guy ended up being an NHLer (Aho), even if he's not the most ideal solution. As soon as one guy goes down, it becomes an issue.

The need for a 30+ goalscoring winger who simply snipes has been glaring and unanswered for what seems like forever. Sure, they don't grow on trees, but picking up someone from the outside specifically for that purpose hasn't been done either.

The hope continues to be that it'll come in the form of a Wahlstrom or Dufour or Maggio - at some point.

To be fair, Nelson has really turned into an above-average "sniper". Ask outsiders and we'll find out that people have noticed this. He can look a goaltender square in the face and snipe the puck past him.

But we haven't got that on the wing and we're missing it severely.

 

[MJF]

A top 4 d man and top line winger - did I miss anything else?

Frankly the entire 4th line is a drag on the roster as well.

It's not just what we don't have, it's what we do have and are forced to give 12 minutes a game to.

 

[seafoam]

Frankly the entire 4th line is a drag on the roster as well.

It's not just what we don't have, it's what we do have and are forced to give 12 minutes a game to.

This is why I said to have Barzal center his own line. Cizikas on the wing taking faceoffs for Barzal worked earlier this year right?

 

[WangMustGo]

Frankly the entire 4th line is a drag on the roster as well.

It's not just what we don't have, it's what we do have and are forced to give 12 minutes a game to.

Ideally our 4th line going forward is Holmstrom-Cizikas-Fasching

 

[SI]

Frankly the entire 4th line is a drag on the roster as well.

It's not just what we don't have, it's what we do have and are forced to give 12 minutes a game too.

I disagree on the 4th line - their job isn’t to score. A better 4th line won’t be the lift we need in production- that line isn’t getting roasted either when they are on the ice.

Also, that is our top PK unit that is top 10 in the league. And although They do roll all 4 lines - 2+ mins of those 12 are on the PK.

 

[MJF]

Ideally our 4th line going forward is Holmstrom-Cizikas-Fasching

Ideally our 4th line next season is Pageau centering Fasching. The other centers are Barzal, Nelson and Horvat. 15, 17, 53 all have to go.

I disagree on the 4th line - their job isn’t to score. A better 4th line won’t be the lift we need in production- that line isn’t getting roasted either when they are on the ice.

Also, that is our top PK unit that is top 10 in the league. And although They do roll all 4 lines - 2+ mins of those 12 are on the PK.

They get scored on too much. They aren’t capable of grinding out shifts like the did 4 years ago. Maybe once a game they can do that. What do you think they’ll be like next season? Clutterbuck is getting beat at 5 v 5 pretty badly in this series.

I think we’ve gotten out of them all they have to give.

 

[mm11]

I have to concur a bit with @SI here.

I don't see a lot of holes.

Could most positions be upgraded?

Well, sure. But there are only so many players out there and most of them are already under contract with one of 32 teams, all of which are competing for services.

We once had a left side on our D-core that was pretty nicely stacked, but cap concerns in the delimited Covid area forced management's hand to make tough decisions there.

We haven't recovered yet, and that although one piece was acquired for the cost of a 13th overall pick and another guy ended up being an NHLer (Aho), even if he's not the most ideal solution. As soon as one guy goes down, it becomes an issue.

The need for a 30+ goalscoring winger who simply snipes has been glaring and unanswered for what seems like forever. Sure, they don't grow on trees, but picking up someone from the outside specifically for that purpose hasn't been done either.

The hope continues to be that it'll come in the form of a Wahlstrom or Dufour or Maggio - at some point.

To be fair, Nelson has really turned into an above-average "sniper". Ask outsiders and we'll find out that people have noticed this. He can look a goaltender square in the face and snipe the puck past him.

But we haven't got that on the wing and we're missing it severely.

quite frankly I would play Barzal and have Nelson play that right wing. Coming off the wall on the offside Nelson beats guys regularly. Slide Horvat down to #2 center and give it a whirl with Palms and Lee. just my 2 cents LGI

 

[MJF]

quite frankly I would play Barzal and have Nelson play that right wing. Coming off the wall on the offside Nelson beats guys regularly. Slide Horvat down to #2 center and give it a whirl with Palms and Lee. just my 2 cents LGI

Nelson-Palmieri is working too well right now to give that up.

 

[WangMustGo]

Ideally our 4th line next season is Pageau centering Fasching. The other centers are Barzal, Nelson and Horvat. 15, 17, 53 all have to go.


They get scored on too much. They aren’t capable of grinding out shifts like the did 4 years ago. Maybe once a game they can do that. What do you think they’ll be like next season? Clutterbuck is getting beat at 5 v 5 pretty badly in this series.

I think we’ve gotten out of them all they have to give.

JGP would never be a 4th line center with that contract. I would actually look to move on from JGP. In an ideal world we would be able to get out from Bailey, JGP, and Lee. I still think Cizikas is finr as a 4th line center, but Clutterbuck and Martin are on their last legs.

 

[MJF]

JGP would never be a 4th line center with that contract. I would actually look to move on from JGP. In an ideal world we would be able to get out from Bailey, JGP, and Lee. I still think Cizikas is finr as a 4th line center, but Clutterbuck and Martin are on their last legs.

If you can find a trade for Pageau I’m ok with that. But separating the contract from what he provides JGP would give great production for a 4th line role, considering we could continue to roll 4 lines with him.

 

[doublechili]

A top 4 d man and top line winger - did I miss anything else?

I agree, but I do think they can generally upgrade team speed as well, specifically on the wings. If they re-sign Engvall and Holmstrom gets regular minutes, that will help. But more please.

 

[SI]

I agree, but I do think they can generally upgrade team speed as well, specifically on the wings. If they re-sign Engvall and Holmstrom gets regular minutes, that will help. But more please.

I agree upgrades are necessary, but I just don't see the possibility with the Cap only going up to 83.5. For example, I would like an upgrade from Palmieri, but it is difficult to see Lou being able to move him with 2 years left @ 5m.

I would like to add Engvall but use him in a top 9 role instead of a top 6... Parise with his age, play, and cap hit makes too much sense not to resign, which pushes Engvall out of the equation.

You cannot give up on the kids - a huge difference a year and a training camp can make - Wahlstrom and Holmstrom can be regulars on this team and their low cap hits allow Lou to make the big FA signing they need.

Lou should look at the Rangers off-season and the choices they have to make - there is no way they can keep Tarasenko and Kane- they will have to choose and I hope that the one they don't sign would consider coming to the Isles. Tarasenko would be the choice.

The Isles could fake it enough on D with hopefully one of the kids coming through to cease that opening on the left side.

Ideally, the Cap would be 84.5 to secure the upgrades, but there is a chance they could fit Mayfield and Tarasenko under 83.5 threshold with some 1m backup and some team friendly deals.

 

[doublechili]

I agree upgrades are necessary, but I just don't see the possibility with the Cap only going up to 83.5. For example, I would like an upgrade from Palmieri, but it is difficult to see Lou being able to move him with 2 years left @ 5m.

I would like to add Engvall but use him in a top 9 role instead of a top 6... Parise with his age, play, and cap hit makes too much sense not to resign, which pushes Engvall out of the equation.

You cannot give up on the kids - a huge difference a year and a training camp can make - Wahlstrom and Holmstrom can be regulars on this team and their low cap hits allow Lou to make the big FA signing they need.

Lou should look at the Rangers off-season and the choices they have to make - there is no way they can keep Tarasenko and Kane- they will have to choose and I hope that the one they don't sign would consider coming to the Isles. Tarasenko would be the choice.

The Isles could fake it enough on D with hopefully one of the kids coming through to cease that opening on the left side.

Ideally, the Cap would be 84.5 to secure the upgrades, but there is a chance they could fit Mayfield and Tarasenko under 83.5 threshold with some 1m backup and some team friendly deals.

I agree that Engvall would be better as a top 9 guy, so long as he agrees to be paid like one.

I also have not given up on Wahlstrom. He's cheap. And he could develop into a real threat on the PP in the left circle, which would really help.

I disagree on Palmieri. I really like the guy, think he's worth his contract, and would rather move other vets than him.