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

[PK Cronin]

Steve Pellegrini also

I forgot he existed.

 

[The Real JT]

I'm legitimately concerned he's just going to die and that'll put the team in a bind.

For those of you playing the home version of the game I’ve attached an actuarial table. An 80 year old male has a 6.6% chance of dying within one year and a 7.7 year life expectancy.

The only solace I can take from this is that I would assume we’re not hiring Joel Quenneville to coach. As much as I love this team that would be a dealbreaker for me.

 

[IslesNorway]

A new contract for an 80 year old is just silly. Don't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[Zeeker]

Gross

Yes, Gross was first to report this.

 

[periferal]

I understand what you're saying, even if we disagree on the severity of the bind, but bind I'm specifically referring to is the scramble that would ensue if such an event were to happen. Even with competent owners the fact that Lamoriello has the final say on everything means there would be a time a turbulence for all the different areas in the organization that he's involved in.

The owners would figure it out but how quickly? What if it happens suddenly and it's near the trade deadline? What if it's at the start of free agency? It would be a massive issue and would impact the franchise's ability to make clear and sound decisions.

I really understand what you're saying. I just honestly think that owners who have the logos of the Isles fan clubs up in the brand new first class arena they got approved pretty much immediately after taking over are very aware of the "dangers" of having an 80 year old GM. Forget dying...Even if they fired him there would be an awkward period, but considering Ledecky travelled to every arena and extensively interviewed a wide expanse of NHL executives before hiring Lou in the first place, that there is a contingency plan in place.

I'm much more worried about the continual hole being dug with Lou in place as opposed to the most likely "move freeze" before a new GM is found by owners who really seem to get it.

View attachment 708154
For those of you playing the home version of the game I’ve attached an actuarial table. An 80 year old male has a 6.6% chance of dying within one year and a 7.7 year life expectancy.

The only solace I can take from this is that I would assume we’re not hiring Joel Quenneville to coach. As much as I love this team that would be a dealbreaker for me.

This is a legendary post.

 

[Sparksrus3]

Fail for Nail ……. Omg that was the Griff draft and offered the entire draft for Ryan Murray.. I do love Lou

 

[MikeyMike01]

There are now 2 teams moving away from RSNs and will start airing their games free on over the air local stations next year-the Phoenix Suns and the Vegas Golden Knights. There may be something to what your suggesting for the Islanders and starting their own streaming service.

Not even a consideration until 2032

 

[BrockLobster]

View attachment 708154
For those of you playing the home version of the game I’ve attached an actuarial table. An 80 year old male has a 6.6% chance of dying within one year and a 7.7 year life expectancy.

The only solace I can take from this is that I would assume we’re not hiring Joel Quenneville to coach. As much as I love this team that would be a dealbreaker for me.

This got dark.

 

[NC 1972]

Yeah, he elaborated later as to why they were so bad, and it's exactly because Carolina's forecheck was out of this world. It makes sense.

Honestly, it's really impressive that this team stuck with the Canes in all but one game. Sure Sorokin was a big part of it, but they manhandled the Devils, who is a really good team.

It’s all about goaltending, islanders have it Devils don’t Florida had it Toronto doesn’t. Come playoff time you need better than average goaltending! The Islanders goaltender on NJ is a game changer.

 

[MJF]

Not even a consideration until 2032

That’s right around the corner, as a 30 year agreement is coming to an end.

 

[NC 1972]

When the Hurricanes are healthy, they create their offense off the rush, like so many teams do. The Islanders create their offense off the forecheck. Time and again we see how skating teams gain the upper hand against the Islanders just with a speedy backcheck. That forces the Isles to try to make plays to gain the O zone, and they aren't quick enough or skilled enough to do that.

If I can add my observations, during the series it was common to see 2-3 forwards swarm islander players with little concern of being out of position. This was calculated knowing Carolina was a quicker team that could gamble on out numbering the puck carrier and capturing the puck , it was even used on their penalty kill. Yes the Islanders went 6 games, due to strong goaltending. And maybe Evgani doesn’t have all the tools but you saw how he could skate the puck out of harm’s way often. That’s what speed can bring to the table.

View attachment 708154
For those of you playing the home version of the game I’ve attached an actuarial table. An 80 year old male has a 6.6% chance of dying within one year and a 7.7 year life expectancy.

The only solace I can take from this is that I would assume we’re not hiring Joel Quenneville to coach. As much as I love this team that would be a dealbreaker for me.

Are you an actuary, or in the insurance business?

 

[MikeyMike01]

That’s right around the corner, as a 30 year agreement is coming to an end.

It’s 8-9 years away… a lot can change by then.

 

[doublechili]

But how do we know that Tulsky is a better option than than Chris L?

Lou drinks Postum. Chris L drinks Sanka. Tulsky drinks pour-over cold brew.

 

[doublechili]

I think the leafs have proven the way to win a championship is to not have almost 50% of your salary cap tied to 4 forwards.

If Lou is being extended, it does provide some comfort that the old truism of building out from the back still seems to be correct. TOR built their team from forwards to the back, and that obviously didn't work. I don't want to carp on the Devs, but so many people seem to think they're the next big thing, and I'm not sure they're not doing the same thing. Granted, they have Hughes and Nemec who could be great and would salvage things (so long as they can get the goalie), but right now their back end isn't looking great.

 

[doublechili]

The age thing is a non-issue for me. Lou seems sharp as a tack. Whether he's good or not is a different issue, but it's not like we're screwed that we're being led by an 80 year old guy who isn't all there.

 

[JPIsles18]

I hear ya. I'd be more than fine with a "new age GM," especially if/when we rebuild. But how do we know that Tulsky is a better option than than Chris L?

We don't. Chris L may be great. I prefer Chris L over the multitude of old fired GMs.

What annoys me most about the ownership is that they don't actually address the media. After two highly disappointing seasons, they don't have the decency to address the fanbase in any meaningful way.

The infatuation this ownership has with Lou is definitely strange. I'm not sure how much goodwill being good enough to lose in back to back ECF without making any improvements to the roster buys you. It seems to be an ironclad lifetime contract that Lou signed. I worry because there was no accountability with Snow. There appears to be none with Lou either. Snow fired Laviolette for no apparent reason. Laviolette was the main reason for Snow's brief success. Lou fires Trotz similarly. By all accounts, it was Trotz that was Lou's ticket to some success.

Ownership is always the most important to creating a winning environment. Malkin/Ledecky have become too comfortable with mediocracy. It's discouraging.

 

[The Real JT]

Are you an actuary, or in the insurance business?

I’m a physician actually which ironically gives me some insight into the actuary business.

While we’re on the topic of age, many hospitals and medical societies have advocated mental competency exams for physicians as early as 65 years of age and more commonly 70.

How many of you would rather have an 80+ year old Cardiologist or surgeon rather than a 50 or 60 year old one? Is this situation so different?

Now that I’ve gotten the ageism out of the way, my real beef with Lou is that he’s done a poor job with this team the last 2 years on a number of levels. No need to delve into that topic further. You either believe that narrative or you don’t.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

The age thing is a non-issue for me. Lou seems sharp as a tack. Whether he's good or not is a different issue, but it's not like we're screwed that we're being led by an 80 year old guy who isn't all there.

He's mentally still sharp, yeah.

But he builds the team like it's still the 90s.

 

[Big L]

How many of you would rather have an 80+ year old Cardiologist or surgeon rather than a 50 or 60 year old one? Is this situation so different?

yes, quite different lol. One has potential life altering consequences, where the other clearly does not.

 

[xECK29x]

He's mentally still sharp, yeah.

But he builds the team like it's still the 90s.

We have also won more playoff games and individual awards since the 90s

 

[xECK29x]

What annoys me most about the ownership is that they don't actually address the media. After two highly disappointing seasons, they don't have the decency to address the fanbase in any meaningful way.

I think this is what is rattling us more then anything else, and I’m so sick of the cone of silence around everything with this team. I think it harms more then helps, I’m not saying I want to be like Vancouver but the fanbase should be connected with operations of the club.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

The age thing is a non-issue for me. Lou seems sharp as a tack. Whether he's good or not is a different issue, but it's not like we're screwed that we're being led by an 80 year old guy who isn't all there.

If something happens to him, you go get another GM. You know, like they would have to do now.

 

[JPIsles18]

I think this is what is rattling us more then anything else, and I’m so sick of the cone of silence around everything with this team. I think it harms more then helps, I’m not saying I want to be like Vancouver but the fanbase should be connected with operations of the club.

This is the way with Lou. I understand the secrecy when there is success. However, when you've had two miserable seasons in a row with no hope in sight, you have to address the fans.

There was also a cone of silence right before Snow/Weight got axed. Perhaps, that's what's happening here. One can only hope. I, for one, am fed up with the unreasonable love affair our GM has for this roster. We need somebody objective at the helm.

 

[The Real JT]

While we’re on the topic of age, many hospitals and medical societies have advocated mental competency exams for physicians as early as 65 years of age and more commonly 70.

How many of you would rather have an 80+ year old Cardiologist or surgeon rather than a 50 or 60 year old one? Is this situation so different?

yes, quite different lol. One has potential life altering consequences, where the other clearly does not.

You’re right of course but my point remains that we all have concerns that an 80 year old might have slipped a bit compared to someone in their 60s or less.

I’ll add an anecdote here about a local surgeon who was in his late 60s. He was very well respected without any hint of mental impairment by many people I later spoke with. The hospital instituted an age related competency exam which he failed. They revoked his privileges.

I’ll state the obvious and say that memory loss and dementia are not all or none phenomena. It may be difficult to discern for many in the early stages. On a statistical basis, a male age 80-84 has a greater than 10% likelihood of developing those conditions.

Now my disclaimer: I am not at all suggesting that Lou currently is impaired. I’m just saying it’s a risk. He should retire or be replaced not because he’s 80 or because he’s impaired. He should go because he hasn’t performed well at his job.

 

[leeroggy]

Lou drinks Postum. Chris L drinks Sanka. Tulsky drinks pour-over cold brew.

Since my morning broadcast is called Morning Coffee, that should put me in front of the pack for the job!

The age thing is a non-issue for me. Lou seems sharp as a tack. Whether he's good or not is a different issue, but it's not like we're screwed that we're being led by an 80 year old guy who isn't all there.

How do I use this without getting dinged?
Islanders Hockey > Foreign Policy? How's that?