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

[Top Corner]

'

Barzal - flashy player and when it comes down to it, underwhelms. WE have had a few coaches and I just think Horvat is the right player for him, they just need a camp together.

I think those that play or have played hockey understand how hard it is to play with a player like Barzal. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has a huge arsenal of skill but I almost believe that he feels he needs to hold the puck 90% of his shift for him to feel it was productive and that can drive players crazy trying to get somewhere so he can dish it off only to find when you get there he’s circling back for another look. We need to remember this team made the playoffs without him just showing you that he’s more show than go. I think if we can find the right package, it should be looked at and we need to find another home for Lee as I see some teams needing a player like him

 

[gordie43]

I see lots of guys upset about not having a first round pick. The teams last three first round picks (Dobson brutal, holmstrom scratch and wahlstrom IR) didn’t seem to move the needle this round. The draft is more than one round.

Aho a Carolina second rounder did some serious damage. It’s time for the scouts to earn their money.

 

[WangMustGo]

I think Karlsson solves a huge problem, I had pageau in the deal probably would keep him as Karlsson and Pageau are the best of buds. I will trade some shaky defense to get guys like Horvat and Barzal the offensive dman that they need. I think Karlsson nets us 20-30 more goals a year and probably costs us 4-6 goals a year.

Karlsson was on the ice for more goals against than any defenseman in history this season. He was a minus 26 despite his 101points. He may give us 30 goals more on a good year, but he will also coat us 30 goals against, while having a mostwr contract. This team needs to get younger, adding a 33 year old and removing some of the little youth we have does the exact opposite. This is a league built on speed and endurance.

 

[The Real JT]

People sitting here suggesting all these changes to the roster completely not addressing the fact that:

1. They barely have enough cap space just to resign all their free agents.
2. Almost all of their long-term contracts are untradable without adding pick(s) to them
3. They once again don't have a 1st to trade, or actually use.
4. Lou basically doesn't trade players unless the cap or an expansion draft forces him to.
5. They have zero farm system.

It's ugly guys and we need to own that. If we didn't get so lucky gett Barry Trotz then all the years since Lou took over would have looked like this past year.

We're average - Which is the worst place to be. Nowhere near a Cup and with basically no way to add top end talent.

Lou did all this and now he needs to be help accountable for it.

I

People sitting here suggesting all these changes to the roster completely not addressing the fact that:

1. They barely have enough cap space just to resign all their free agents.
2. Almost all of their long-term contracts are untradable without adding pick(s) to them
3. They once again don't have a 1st to trade, or actually use.
4. Lou basically doesn't trade players unless the cap or an expansion draft forces him to.
5. They have zero farm system.

It's ugly guys and we need to own that. If we didn't get so lucky gett Barry Trotz then all the years since Lou took over would have looked like this past year.

We're average - Which is the worst place to be. Nowhere near a Cup and with basically no way to add top end talent.

Lou did all this and now he needs to be help accountable for it.

You were roasted by some here with a similar take recently which (for the record) I agreed with.

None of us have spotless records regarding the path going forward for this team or for particular players. Despite that, the true believers were a bit merciless belittling the thought of acquiring assets at the TDL lest we keep this stellar group from achieving their Stanley Cup goal. And draft picks? Who needs draft picks when most of them don't pan out?

Well, here we are. Now what?

I can only hope prospects like Dufour, Maggio and Wahlstrom surprise us.

 

[MarsTBOW]

Karlsson was on the ice for more goals against than any defenseman in history this season. He was a minus 26 despite his 101points. He may give us 30 goals more on a good year, but he will also coat us 30 goals against, while having a mostwr contract. This team needs to get younger, adding a 33 year old and removing some of the little youth we have does the exact opposite. This is a league built on speed and endurance.

I would stay away from Karlsson for exactly what you said...

 

[PK Cronin]

Well, it was a fun season despite the way it ended. There were more ups and downs than in any season in recent memory.

It's time to change things up with this grouping. Too slow, too old, and doesn't get enough done anywhere on the ice. This is a team built for the playoffs that struggles to get there, and then when in the playoffs struggled to adjust or play with the consistency required to win.

Martin, Clutterbuck, and Bailey all need to be moved if possible. I was hopeful to start the season that Bailey would rebound in a more up tempo system but it never happened. Martin and Clutterbuck just don't have the legs to play at the pace required for them to be effective anymore. They have moments where they look similar to what they used to be, then it fizzles into nothing.

The team has now shifted away from a grinding style but didn't change the roster to reflect that. I think they have an identity crisis now. Lambert tried to open things up to start the season and it just didn't work. Then he shifted back to a more defensive system and it had success in the regular season but the playoff woes still plague a worse team, they can't generate offense while playing in that system. They also just weren't as effective defensively as the previous playoff teams.

There are a lot of decisions to make with this roster. I think one of the only ways to improve is by making hockey trades.

 

[PK Cronin]

You were roasted by some here with a similar take recently which (for the record) I agreed with.

None of us have spotless records regarding the path going forward for this team or for particular players. Despite that, the true believers were a bit merciless belittling the thought of acquiring assets at the TDL lest we keep this stellar group from achieving their Stanley Cup goal. And draft picks? Who needs draft picks when most of them don't pan out?

Well, here we are. Now what?

I can only hope prospects like Dufour, Maggio and Wahlstrom surprise us.

Nobody was talking about this team being stellar. It was all about how Lamoriello already pushed the chips in the middle and with Sorokin it makes sense to give it a run. That's it.

And now what? Reassess and decide who stays and who goes. Same as always.

 

[The Real JT]

Lou had a nice early run but his inability to change his style has ultimately put us in an unenviable position.

When you don’t have prospects or picks to trade we have to fall back on a “hockey trade”.

I get it and I agree but what or who are we actually trading? It’s pretty likely that Barzal, Horvat, Pelech, Cizikas and Sorokin are not moving. Pulock has a NTC. Wahlstrom’s value is so low it just makes sense to keep him at this point. Same for Holmstrom. Romo is staying IMO. Lee, Bailey, Martin and Clutter would all cost assets to move.

So we’re left with Nelson, JGP and Dobson as the only likely trade candidates that would bring back value.

It’s gonna be tough to get out of this hole. Time for a new GM.

 

[PK Cronin]

Lou had a nice early run but his inability to change his style has ultimately put us in an unenviable position.

When you don’t have prospects or picks to trade we have to fall back on a “hockey trade”.

I get it and I agree but what or who are we actually trading? It’s pretty likely that Barzal, Horvat, Pelech, Cizikas and Sorokin are not moving. Pulock has a NTC. Wahlstrom’s value is so low it just makes sense to keep him at this point. Same for Holmstrom. Romo is staying IMO. Lee, Bailey, Martin and Clutter would all cost assets to move.

So we’re left with Nelson, JGP and Dobson as the only likely trade candidates that would bring back value.

It’s gonna be tough to get out of this hole. Time for a new GM.

I think the only chance Wahlstrom goes is if he's attached to someone else. If Lamoriello (or whoever the GM is) can't shed the players it might just end up being a step back year, it likely is anyway, and then they'll move forward when the cap rises and some of the contracts are easier to move.

You don't think any teams looking for toughness or protection for their youngsters would be interested in Martin or Clutterbuck? They'll be on their last year of their deals. I don't see Bailey being moved for anything other than a player of similar status. I'm hopeful he just retires if he doesn't think he'll get to play here any longer. Maybe the trading of these guys happens at next deadline instead when teams are looking for insurance policies.

Edit: Oh, and moving Pageau (which I wouldn't mind in the right deal) does worry me a bit because Horvat hasn't been able to carry a line on his own. Maybe a full off-season and training camp, plus different personnel, might change things but I'd be worried.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Success is not linear.

The Blues won the Cup after missing the playoffs and having seven straight years of being eliminated with only one year making it to the Conference Finals.

In 2011 Tampa Bay lost in the Conference Finals. They missed the playoffs the following two years. Eliminated round one. Lost in the Cup Finals. Lost in the Conference Finals. Proceeded to miss the playoffs. Then they lost in the Conference Finals and the first round. After that they won the Cup back to back years.

Colorado lost in the second round for three straight years before winning it all.

My point here is that getting to the dance consistently is what is best for this team with Sorokin, Barzal, Horvat, Pulock, Pelech, etc all here long term. They will need to make sure their young forwards actually make impacts at the NHL level though. In order for that to happen they need to get an actual chance.

 

[majormet]

Karlsson was on the ice for more goals against than any defenseman in history this season. He was a minus 26 despite his 101points. He may give us 30 goals more on a good year, but he will also coat us 30 goals against, while having a mostwr contract. This team needs to get younger, adding a 33 year old and removing some of the little youth we have does the exact opposite. This is a league built on speed and endurance.

I have to believe that the team was so bad that he was on the ice as 1/5th of a bad roster than being bad and that he got 101 points playing with those guys says a lot. Gotisbehere doesn't move the need at all and is just as bad defensively but I guess cheaper

 

[majormet]

'

I think those that play or have played hockey understand how hard it is to play with a player like Barzal. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has a huge arsenal of skill but I almost believe that he feels he needs to hold the puck 90% of his shift for him to feel it was productive and that can drive players crazy trying to get somewhere so he can dish it off only to find when you get there he’s circling back for another look. We need to remember this team made the playoffs without him just showing you that he’s more show than go. I think if we can find the right package, it should be looked at and we need to find another home for Lee as I see some teams needing a player like him

As a basketball player it is like watching Dinwiddie run the point for the Nets but at least there is a 24 second shot clock. Barzal at this point has probably peaked, we were 14-7 without him, could he be dealt with Wahlstrom and Bolduc for a better player, probably, who would that be?

 

[duster19]

Karlsson was on the ice for more goals against than any defenseman in history this season. He was a minus 26 despite his 101points. He may give us 30 goals more on a good year, but he will also coat us 30 goals against, while having a mostwr contract. This team needs to get younger, adding a 33 year old and removing some of the little youth we have does the exact opposite. This is a league built on speed and endurance.

I doubt Karlsson is looking to waive his NMC to come to a team where he is going to be expected to block shots and play defence a lot. There aren’t too many 100 or defence men that want to do that. There isn’t many 50 pt guys that want to do that.

 

[MYIslanders]

I guess we’re staying with mediocrity? Laviolette is waiting for a job and I was hoping to see a purge today, a la the Penguins.

 

[seafoam]

If I was the GM of the New York Islanders (which I'm not but should be), I wouldn't be bringing back Varlamov, Engvall, Mayfield, Fasching, or Parise.

 

[IslesNorway]

Bailey, Clutterbuck, Martin, Pageau, Palmieri all have to go to make room for younger players. Not to mention that no UFAs should be resigned either except maybe Fasching and Parise, who'll play for peanuts.

Better start the turnaround now.

 

[dlawong]

A crazy idea just came to my head. I think this team really needs a drastic change. FIre Lou and replace him with an experienced ex-Russian NHL player and current NHL agent with a strong connection to many Russian players. Trade Nelson for the draft spot to land Michkov in this draft.

The Isles should start rebuilding after next season and bring Michkov over once his KHL contract is over. This team will not win the Cup with the present roster within the next 4 years. Some of the bad contracts should come off or if not, be traded away (by taking salary back) during the next couple of years. Keep the younger core players and best prospects, and rebuild the team completely. Trade and add prospects and UFA college players to round the team. To get that top pick from say a team like Chicago or Anaheim (if they missed the Bedard derby), you need to give them Nelson.

Roster: Keep Sorokin, Barzal, Dobson, Romanov, Pelly, Pulock, Wally, and maybe Horvat (as he may still rebound next year). Go for rebuild to get some draft picks in the top 7 from 2025 through 2028. You do need to keep some veteran D to mentor young defensemen and Pelly and Pulock's contract does not hurt the team.

Draft a top goalie prospect this year or next. Scout thoroughly for someone with strong technics, good at tracking the pucks, a great glove hand, and super competitive with a consistent work ethic. This likely will be your future goalie say if Sorokin will not resign or only resign for the short term.

Bring a coach good at developing young players and a strong motivator, and one who is willing to learn and good at making adjustments. Some NHL experiences will be recommended but not fully required. Maybe getting a successful college coach with a connection to top college players will help. Promise him that he will be given time to develop the team, and get someone who knows how to run effective PP without elite players.

 

[SI]

If the Cap only increases by 1m, then the only real way to improve upon this season would be to bring in a new voice AND a new philosophy. Lambert and Trotz are too similar.

Another step toward success would be off-season development for mainly a player like Dobson.

Trading players like Pageau and not resigning Mayfield leaves 2 giant holes. Who is replacing these guys, the roles, and Minutes they play. Even if you replace Mayfield with someone like Gudas or Schenn - they do not log the same amount of minutes. Lou could try to sign Gavrikov but so will 10 other teams. My leanings are to resign Mayfield.

With regard to UFAs -
varlamov - goes elsewhere and Isles sign a cheaper back up.
Fasching - great story and I hope he gets paid, but Lou should move on
Parise - maybe he retires or Lou moves on to get younger and faster here

With regards to RFAs -
Wahlstrom - does not have arbitration rights, so it is a slam dunk to simply qualify him for a season at .875 and let him earn his next contract and maybe he finds himself or T the very least he builds up his value.

 

[The Real JT]

Nobody was talking about this team being stellar. It was all about how Lamoriello already pushed the chips in the middle and with Sorokin it makes sense to give it a run. That's it.

And now what? Reassess and decide who stays and who goes. Same as always.

The “stellar” comment was sarcasm, my stock and trade.

There’s a middle ground between pushing the chips in the middle and a retool fire sale.

Moving Mayfield and Varly at the TDL would’ve likely netted us 2 second round picks. Maybe even a late first for Mayfield though maybe not even a second for Varly. I didn’t see this squad making a serious run so that would’ve been solid asset management in my eyes.

It was a missed opportunity for a team that’s woefully thin on assets. It wouldn’t have been a big haul but you’ve gotta start somewhere.

 

[SI]

I guess we’re staying with mediocrity? Laviolette is waiting for a job and I was hoping to see a purge today, a la the Penguins.

What is this fascination with Laviolette - hopefully there are better options out there

 

[ALEXIVICH CHULKATURI]

If I was the GM of the New York Islanders (which I'm not but should be), I wouldn't be bringing back Varlamov, Engvall, Mayfield, Fasching, or Parise.

I wouldn’t cry either but if we’re going that route it’s a rebuild and then what do you do with SoroKING? I’d bring back Fasching at 2 years 1.5 million each and Engvall at 3 years 2.5 million each. If we get outbid so be it.

 

[warrior60]

As a basketball player it is like watching Dinwiddie run the point for the Nets but at least there is a 24 second shot clock. Barzal at this point has probably peaked, we were 14-7 without him, could he be dealt with Wahlstrom and Bolduc for a better player, probably, who would that be?

Winnipeg will be looking for a center how about Barzal for Connor, Horvat and Connor on top line would be a good start for a first line.

 

[ALEXIVICH CHULKATURI]

If the Cap only increases by 1m, then the only real way to improve upon this season would be to bring in a new voice AND a new philosophy. Lambert and Trotz are too similar.

Another step toward success would be off-season development for mainly a player like Dobson.

Trading players like Pageau and not resigning Mayfield leaves 2 giant holes. Who is replacing these guys, the roles, and Minutes they play. Even if you replace Mayfield with someone like Gudas or Schenn - they do not log the same amount of minutes. Lou could try to sign Gavrikov but so will 10 other teams. My leanings are to resign Mayfield.

With regard to UFAs -
varlamov - goes elsewhere and Isles sign a cheaper back up.
Fasching - great story and I hope he gets paid, but Lou should move on
Parise - maybe he retires or Lou moves on to get younger and faster here

With regards to RFAs -
Wahlstrom - does not have arbitration rights, so it is a slam dunk to simply qualify him for a season at .875 and let him earn his next contract and maybe he finds himself or T the very least he builds up his value.

Spot on. I think Durandeau can put up similar numbers to Fasching. If we bring him back and I t’s a 2 year deal I won’t cry either. As for Parise I’d bring him back on a 1 year farewell tour. Ultimately I think it’s next off season where things will drastically change.

 

[SI]

Winnipeg will be looking for a center how about Barzal for Connor, Horvat and Connor on top line would be a good start for a first line.

Winnipeg are not going to trade Connor.

Spot on. I think Durandeau can put up similar numbers to Fasching. If we bring him back and I t’s a 2 year deal I won’t cry either. As for Parise I’d bring him back on a 1 year farewell tour. Ultimately I think it’s next off season where things will drastically change.

2024 draft is not a very good one. There will be a significant increase in Cap that off season, so free agency can be the route to go.

 

[dlawong]

You can't undo mistakes in the past unless you have a time machine. You can however move forward and search all options to improve the team not just by a small move but by multiple moves. Be honest in your own assessment of the current roster and knows what it needs to be good enough to go far in the playoff.

If you need to make drastic changes and aim for a real cup-winning roster, you go for it, instead of holding back. The UFA route has not worked too well for the Isles in the past, as they can't compete with big market teams and teams with a higher chance to win or with a great geological location and state tax break. You have to improve through the draft, college signing, or smart trades. You have to look for smart players with dynamic skill sets, competitiveness/passion, endurance, and top-notch training habits.