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

[SI90]

It’s clear that he’s waiting for someone to shake loose.

As in a head coach?

 

[seafoam]

As in a head coach?

Or in management (in which he would still remain President and sign off on all transactions), but more likely head coach.

 

[periferal]

This whole let me be mysterious and silent act is getting tiresome. I respect a GM not talking specifics about negotiations and deals but you have to address the media and fans after the season ends. It’s standard procedure for every major professional sports organization. I’m thrilled with Ledecky and Malkin as owners but I’m beyond frustrated as an isles fan right now.

Agree, but in this case you have to wonder if something really is afoot with Malkin/Lou. Like kinda does feel like if in the next week they announce a front office shakeup we shouldn't be surprised.

Ideally I'd like Lou totally gone, but I think at best he'll retire his GM position and give it to someone else (praying someone with a different last name).

 

[MarsTBOW]

This whole let me be mysterious and silent act is getting tiresome. I respect a GM not talking specifics about negotiations and deals but you have to address the media and fans after the season ends. It’s standard procedure for every major professional sports organization. I’m thrilled with Ledecky and Malkin as owners but I’m beyond frustrated as an isles fan right now.

Yup when a Death Happens you need closure....
Not to sound morbid, but peep's spend hard earned $ on their tickets and deserve respect wtf!

 

[doublechili]

Hey, maybe Dubas will be available soon!

 

[SI90]

Hey, maybe Dubas will be available soon!

Me after reading this.

 

[SI90]

Not expecting any major signings but just in case we free up space and bring guys in via free agency here’s a list of names that I’d be interested in. (In no particular order)

Dymtry Orlov- 31 yrs LHD.

Vladislav Gavrikov- 27yrs LHD( I wanted to draft him so bad after watching him in the WJC. Reminds me of Left Handed Hamonic)

Carson Soucy- 28yrs LHD

Max Domi- 28 yrs LW

Tyler Bertuzzi- 28 yrs LW/RW ( would kill for him to be on the isles)

Matt Dumba- 28yrs RHD (potential Mayfield replacement if Mayfield walks)

Ryan Graves- 27yrs LHD - can’t see the devils letting him walk but I love him. Guy is a big tough shutdown defender.

Damon Severson - 28yrs RHD- has played top4 role for many years.Little bit of a down year. ( Another potential Mayfield replacement)

Sean Monahan- 28yrs C/LW. He’s had a tough couple of years but he may come really cheap and be a chance to rebound and catch lightning in a bottle on a prove it deal.


JT Compher- 28yrs C/RW

Ivan Barbashev- 27yrs LW/C


Some guys here can play bigger roles than others and obviously a lot depends on us trading or not being back certain guys. If Engvall comes back then that probably takes out middle 6 wingers

 

[SI]

The last thing this team needs is another 30+ player on big money. What they need is to get younger, faster and more skilled. Sure, Tarasenko is a fine player but their cap problems are very, very real for the next few years.

It's not as simple as moving Bailey out and replacing him with another player in the same salary bracket. They need for find new homes for several other players as well. Martin, Clutterbuck, Lee, Palmieri and Pageau should all be gone off this roster if they are to improve. But at the same time they need to be replaced by other players making considerably less and scoring more. It's a bloody hard thing to do, but to keep on signing 30+ guys or trading away 1st round picks and prospects only ensures we're treading water...at best.

At worst, we're back in the dark ages very, very soon.

Very pessimistic perspective.

Lee and Palmieri had good years and Cal and Matty have 1 more year left both making less than 2m.

Adding quality top 6 to this roster even at 30-31 is not a bad thing. There are are very productive players in their mid to late 30s in this league.

This team needs someone exactly like Tarasenko. It all depends on what the cap will be next season and if they could move out some players.

 

[SI]

Not expecting any major signings but just in case we free up space and bring guys in via free agency here’s a list of names that I’d be interested in. (In no particular order)

Dymtry Orlov- 31 yrs LHD.

Vladislav Gavrikov- 27yrs LHD( I wanted to draft him so bad after watching him in the WJC. Reminds me of Left Handed Hamonic)

Carson Soucy- 28yrs LHD

Max Domi- 28 yrs LW

Tyler Bertuzzi- 28 yrs LW/RW ( would kill for him to be on the isles)

Matt Dumba- 28yrs RHD (potential Mayfield replacement if Mayfield walks)

Ryan Graves- 27yrs LHD - can’t see the devils letting him walk but I love him. Guy is a big tough shutdown defender.

Damon Severson - 28yrs RHD- has played top4 role for many years.Little bit of a down year. ( Another potential Mayfield replacement)

Sean Monahan- 28yrs C/LW. He’s had a tough couple of years but he may come really cheap and be a chance to rebound and catch lightning in a bottle on a prove it deal.


JT Compher- 28yrs C/RW

Ivan Barbashev- 27yrs LW/C


Some guys here can play bigger roles than others and obviously a lot depends on us trading or not being back certain guys. If Engvall comes back then that probably takes out middle 6 wingers

As much as I like the idea of Gavrikov - I think a trade for Provorov would be a better idea.

Isles D -
Romanov and Dobson 23
Provorov 26
Pelech and Pulock 28
Aho 27


My goals would be to ADD -
Provorov and Tarasenko
And move and let walk
Palmieri, Mayfield, and Bailey

 

[steveat]

Are you kidding? I'd trade Barzal + for Tkachuk. This dude is special. Compare Calgary and the Panthers from last year to this year.

He's single-handedly changed the Panthers culture. Without him they get swept in the 1st round - Instead they beat the team with the best regular season in NHL history.

If the playoffs stopped today he'd be your Conn-Smythe winner.

Tkachuk is the type of player you go all in on. The Panthers did just that and now look at the results.

I would trade anyone to get ALL the Tkachuk brothers.

 

[SI90]

As much as I like the idea of Gavrikov - I think a trade for Provorov would be a better idea.

Isles D -
Romanov and Dobson 23
Provorov 26
Pelech and Pulock 28
Aho 27


My goals would be to ADD -
Provorov and Tarasenko
And move and let walk
Palmieri, Mayfield, and Bailey

My problem with Proverov is hes not worth his cap hit, we’d have to trade assets for him, and he’s actually been pretty bad the last few years. He’s a turnover machine as
Well. I don’t know if it’s because of the turnover in Philly but he hasn’t been good.

He plays a lot of minutes but he isn’t as productive as you’d want.

30pt defenseman with a lot of warts at $6.75mil Cap hit for another 2 years is rough. Especially giving up assets.

I’d rather pay Gavrikov $4.5-$5.5 million a year without giving up any assets. Gavrikov brings slightly less offense( better once traded away from CBJ) but he’s way better defensively, protects the puck way more, and would likely be a lot cheaper in both cap hit and assets(0).

That being said I think there’s going to be alotnof suitors for Gavrikov so it may drive up his price but to me he’s worth up to $5.5 per

I feel similar about Ryan Graves although he doesn’t protect the puck nearly as well as Gavrikov

 

[NC 1972]

I would trade anyone to get ALL the Tkachuk brothers.

Draft anyone with the same bloodline of the Tkachuk's!

 

[JKP]

This whole let me be mysterious and silent act is getting tiresome. I respect a GM not talking specifics about negotiations and deals but you have to address the media and fans after the season ends. It’s standard procedure for every major professional sports organization. I’m thrilled with Ledecky and Malkin as owners but I’m beyond frustrated as an isles fan right now.

Perhaps they are just having meetings, putting all the player feedback in context and discussing their direction before Lou decides to talk the to media.

I really don't care how long it takes for him / them to talk. A few days to put some distance between the emotion / intensity of the season and regroup / decide on the go-forward direction doesn't bother me.

 

[JKP]

Me after reading this.

This helps to demonstrate the culture problem with that organization – there's no maturity from the top-down. This kid is the actual leader of the that entire organization and needs to act like it.

Throwing little temper tantrums in the GM suite flows that whole child-like behaviour down through the org and shows everyone it's ok to lose your shit and not be a grown up under duress... Just like when he ran down from the box all freaked out when Snake got hurt in the playoffs a couple years ago. He just reeks of inability to control his emotions.

Leaders need to demonstrate calmness and control under trying circumstances. What a twat...

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

It’s also frustrating we’re not more active in the high end College UFAs and European prospects. With our cupboard so bare and basically no first round picks we should be one of the most aggressive teams in going after “free” players prospects.

Yes they don’t always pan out but they’re certainly worth the shot.

Valterri Pulli may never play in the NHL but a 22 year old 6’6 blue liner who can skate and has been playing pro is exactly the targets we need to make a priority in trying to sign.

Quit your complaining.

We just signed two longshot NCAA Dmen off the bargain bin.

And before that we added several of our own draft picks, 5-year underachieving NCAA seniors, to BPort on PTOs.

Even signed one of our own guys to an ELC!

I call that aggressive!

Draft anyone with the same bloodline of the Tkachuk's!

Their sister is still available...

 

[The Real JT]

It’s a f***ing joke at this point. Malkin and Ledecky should be forcing him to make a statement about the direction of this team.

It’s clear that he’s waiting for someone to shake loose.

They’re actually waiting for Lou to wake up from his nap.

 

[The Real JT]

My guess is that, for you, no coach will wow you since we’ve seen what the bulk of the vets on our roster are capable of. I think we plateaued with them and we’re now going nowhere fast, unless Lou comes in with a change in philosophy of what kind of team wins in the NHL now.

We’ll be hard pressed to succeed with the current roster but there’s potential for us to flourish in the realm of philosophy.

Lou should heed the advice of the Chinese philosopher Xun Kuang: “The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.”

Edit:
The more appropriate quote for Lou would be from David Byrne: “We’re on a road to nowhere.”

 

[12Dog]

This helps to demonstrate the culture problem with that organization – there's no maturity from the top-down. This kid is the actual leader of the that entire organization and needs to act like it.

Throwing little temper tantrums in the GM suite flows that whole child-like behaviour down through the org and shows everyone it's ok to lose your shit and not be a grown up under duress... Just like when he ran down from the box all freaked out when Snake got hurt in the playoffs a couple years ago. He just reeks of inability to control his emotions.

Leaders need to demonstrate calmness and control under trying circumstances. What a twat...

Would’ve like to have seen some kind of statement/emotion from management after first 2 games of Carolina series, regarding the officiating
Not a tantrum, but, Lou given his stature in the league, simply offering displeasure could have had a big effect?

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

This whole let me be mysterious and silent act is getting tiresome. I respect a GM not talking specifics about negotiations and deals but you have to address the media and fans after the season ends. It’s standard procedure for every major professional sports organization. I’m thrilled with Ledecky and Malkin as owners but I’m beyond frustrated as an isles fan right now.

I truly appreciate the professional, business-like seriousness that Lou has brought to the franchise as a whole. We can bitch and moan about the players having to shave, but that militaristic like approach is something that I admire.

HOWEVAH (Stephen A Smith voice), everything in moderation Louis. You can let your guard down and be transparent with the fans sometimes! Especially during a time where the fans are looking to YOU as the leader of the organization and where there aren't deals happening between teams anyway.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

You can let your guard down and be transparent with the fans sometimes! Especially during a time where the fans are looking to YOU as the leader of the organization and where there aren't deals happening between teams anyway.

I think he's been transparent at times. The problem is that he's not necessarily going to do it when you want it, which is what everyone really wants. They want it on demand.

 

[MJF]

Edit:
The more appropriate quote for Lou would be from David Byrne: “We’re on a road to nowhere.”

Or as poster MJF has said: "We're going nowhere fast."

 

[Tahoeblue]

Not expecting any major signings but just in case we free up space and bring guys in via free agency here’s a list of names that I’d be interested in. (In no particular order)

Dymtry Orlov- 31 yrs LHD.

Vladislav Gavrikov- 27yrs LHD( I wanted to draft him so bad after watching him in the WJC. Reminds me of Left Handed Hamonic)

Carson Soucy- 28yrs LHD

Max Domi- 28 yrs LW

Tyler Bertuzzi- 28 yrs LW/RW ( would kill for him to be on the isles)

Matt Dumba- 28yrs RHD (potential Mayfield replacement if Mayfield walks)

Ryan Graves- 27yrs LHD - can’t see the devils letting him walk but I love him. Guy is a big tough shutdown defender.

Damon Severson - 28yrs RHD- has played top4 role for many years.Little bit of a down year. ( Another potential Mayfield replacement)

Sean Monahan- 28yrs C/LW. He’s had a tough couple of years but he may come really cheap and be a chance to rebound and catch lightning in a bottle on a prove it deal.


JT Compher- 28yrs C/RW

Ivan Barbashev- 27yrs LW/C


Some guys here can play bigger roles than others and obviously a lot depends on us trading or not being back certain guys. If Engvall comes back then that probably takes out middle 6 wingers

Solid list here and thanks for putting it together. LHD are certainly interesting as a possible duo with Dobson. I really like Romanov and are pretty neutral about the trade. I can see what Lou was thinking about acquiring Romanov and partnering him with Dobson, just both are still young.

Love seeing how Ekholm has done wonders for Bouchard's game, but an Ekholm player doesn't grow on trees and is made available often.

I know we have like 5 months to look and talk about roster but I would like to see some players slot down in the lineup. It's a flawed roster that is certainly getting longer in the tooth and truly doesn't have the luxury of players slotting down in the lineup.
My preference would be a 4th line of Parise, CC, and Fashing. A third line with Engvall, JGP, and Holmstrom and Lee slotted back to second line. Could see Lou take a swing at Barbashev but lot's of cap gymnastics will be needed for any UFA's.

My buddy who is a huge Avs fan proposed a Newhook+Girard for Nelson swap. Thoughts? I told him let's talk in February and replace Girard with Toews and maybe.

 

[WangMustGo]

Solid list here and thanks for putting it together. LHD are certainly interesting as a possible duo with Dobson. I really like Romanov and are pretty neutral about the trade. I can see what Lou was thinking about acquiring Romanov and partnering him with Dobson, just both are still young.

Love seeing how Ekholm has done wonders for Bouchard's game, but an Ekholm player doesn't grow on trees and is made available often.

I know we have like 5 months to look and talk about roster but I would like to see some players slot down in the lineup. It's a flawed roster that is certainly getting longer in the tooth and truly doesn't have the luxury of players slotting down in the lineup.
My preference would be a 4th line of Parise, CC, and Fashing. A third line with Engvall, JGP, and Holmstrom and Lee slotted back to second line. Could see Lou take a swing at Barbashev but lot's of cap gymnastics will be needed for any UFA's.

My buddy who is a huge Avs fan proposed a Newhook+Girard for Nelson swap. Thoughts?

If the isles decided to do a big retool and go younger I would consider something around Newhook, but I am not a fan of Girard. I also feel we could get a better package elsewhere.

 

[SI90]

I truly appreciate the professional, business-like seriousness that Lou has brought to the franchise as a whole. We can bitch and moan about the players having to shave, but that militaristic like approach is something that I admire.

HOWEVAH (Stephen A Smith voice), everything in moderation Louis. You can let your guard down and be transparent with the fans sometimes! Especially during a time where the fans are looking to YOU as the leader of the organization and where there aren't deals happening between teams anyway.

Like what competitive edge did he think we
Were getting by not declaring Wahlstrom done for The season months earlier. The optics are bad when we see Wahlstrom gallivanting around town at Knicks games and clubs when the team is in the middle of fighting for their playoff lives. Not saying Wally didn’t have a right but when we don’t know the extent of the injury it leaves a bad taste in fans mouth seeing a guy that can help us score goals when we desperately need it and not knowing what’s up with him.

It’s things like that that piss me off. The not announcing deals for months until a day before training camp. Wtf competitive edge is that?

You’re 100% right about professionalism and bringing a respectability to the isles but there needs to be a balance.

Solid list here and thanks for putting it together. LHD are certainly interesting as a possible duo with Dobson. I really like Romanov and are pretty neutral about the trade. I can see what Lou was thinking about acquiring Romanov and partnering him with Dobson, just both are still young.

Love seeing how Ekholm has done wonders for Bouchard's game, but an Ekholm player doesn't grow on trees and is made available often.

I know we have like 5 months to look and talk about roster but I would like to see some players slot down in the lineup. It's a flawed roster that is certainly getting longer in the tooth and truly doesn't have the luxury of players slotting down in the lineup.
My preference would be a 4th line of Parise, CC, and Fashing. A third line with Engvall, JGP, and Holmstrom and Lee slotted back to second line. Could see Lou take a swing at Barbashev but lot's of cap gymnastics will be needed for any UFA's.

My buddy who is a huge Avs fan proposed a Newhook+Girard for Nelson swap. Thoughts? I told him let's talk in February and replace Girard with Toews and maybe.

The value is probably close but on a team starving for Goals we can’t afford to give up our most consistent goal scorer

 

[NC 1972]

This helps to demonstrate the culture problem with that organization – there's no maturity from the top-down. This kid is the actual leader of the that entire organization and needs to act like it.

Throwing little temper tantrums in the GM suite flows that whole child-like behaviour down through the org and shows everyone it's ok to lose your shit and not be a grown up under duress... Just like when he ran down from the box all freaked out when Snake got hurt in the playoffs a couple years ago. He just reeks of inability to control his emotions.

Leaders need to demonstrate calmness and control under trying circumstances. What a twat...

"Keep calm and carry on" Winston Churchill