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

[seafoam]

Lou is in a tough spot.

He needs to shed salary but he has no interest in a retool. Personally, I’d buy out Bailey but I suspect Lou would rather trade him with a sweetener and avoid the cap hit associated with a buyout. That would also be a more respectful way of unloading Bailey compared to a buyout or burying him in the AHL.

So how does he otherwise shed salary while not diminishing our competitiveness for the upcoming season? Beats me. Sure he could flip JGP but I don’t think he returns much value. Nelson is the next logical choice and he’d return a sizable amount of assets. Whatever he might bring back would probably diminish our chances for next season so that doesn’t sound like a “Lou” move to me.

Meanwhile, we have big question marks on the third D pairing, backup G and scoring winger positions. Filling those slots all cost $.

Does that sound like a pessimistic take for the near term? Regrettably so. We better hope Wally emerges next year as a legitimate winger. Dufour and Maggio are nice stories so far but we can’t expect NHL contributions from them next season.

I’ve suggested this before but what about Nelson + Aho for Toews + rights to Rodrigues?

NYI gets a true PP QB and another puck mover and uses Horvat to replace Nelson’s role in the lineup. Engvall, Rodrigues, Wahlstrom, all 15-20 potential goalscorers.

 

[The Real JT]

I’ve suggested this before but what about Nelson + Aho for Toews + rights to Rodrigues?

NYI gets a true PP QB and another puck mover and uses Horvat to replace Nelson’s role in the lineup. Engvall, Rodrigues, Wahlstrom, all 15-20 potential goalscorers.

I agree that makes us better next year but assuming we sign Rodrigues then this trade is a wash with respect to the salary cap.

That leaves us with more work to do to get under the cap and sign players like Engvall and a back up goaltender for next season.

Possibly even a bigger issue for the following season would be new, long-term high AAV deals for Sorokin, Dobson and our new potential edition Toews.

 

[CupHolders]

I’ve suggested this before but what about Nelson + Aho for Toews + rights to Rodrigues?

NYI gets a true PP QB and another puck mover and uses Horvat to replace Nelson’s role in the lineup. Engvall, Rodrigues, Wahlstrom, all 15-20 potential goalscorers.

My personal opinion, I think Toews is a bit overrated. A bit of "the one that got away" syndrome. He also appeals to the advanced stats crowd. But unless he has on ice support through the right personnel and/or structure... he's still pretty easy to forecheck into mistakes.

Rodrigues is a decent mid/low-sixer. But average to poor on face-offs, and his offense likely will not translate to the Islanders... because when does a player ever score more on the Isles over elsewhere?

So, I wouldn't want to do this trade from the Isles perspective. But I could also see Colorado's reluctance.

 

[leeroggy]

Oh look, a team looking for a top 6 winger and top 4 D. Just like 28 other teams.

When you look at their roster on Capfriendly, there's not a lot of players of interest given some of those contracts.
Broberg as 3LD would look nice though
Maybe retain $1 million on Palmieri plus Aho for Broberg and Raphael Lavioe?
Then buyout Bailey and sign Tank for 2 years
Lavoie looks ready to move up.

 

[SCMURRAY]

Nelson for Hanifin

 

[YearlyLottery]

If the Islanders go the route of trading Nelson I would rather it be for picks and prospects rather than trying to compete with a different player. They are not going to be able to replace a big 35 goal scorer at center with whatever NHL talent is coming back.

I think Nelson is part of the solution if the team is trying to win now. If Lou opts for a different type of approach they could get a massive package for Nelson.

 

[NC 1972]

Oh look, a team looking for a top 6 winger and top 4 D. Just like 28 other teams.

But the Islanders will win out by convincing other teams to take our broken down over priced 3rd & 4th liners.

 

[The Real JT]

Nelson for Hanifin

Sounds like a Fantasy Hockey proposal but I’ll bite and say no.

Calgary also says no getting only one extra year of an older player that may bolt when he becomes a UFA.

If I accept that this trade actually happens then one could even entertain trading Pelech (though he’s near untouchable IMO). With significant assets and cap space from those deals we could plug other holes and get younger. To be fair, Hanifan for Pelech is a significant downgrade defensively.

Never gonna happen but it’s late June so why not? Definite no for me though.

 

[MJF]

If the Islanders go the route of trading Nelson I would rather it be for picks and prospects rather than trying to compete with a different player. They are not going to be able to replace a big 35 goal scorer at center with whatever NHL talent is coming back.

I think Nelson is part of the solution if the team is trying to win now. If Lou opts for a different type of approach they could get a massive package for Nelson.

Not trying to be a jerk here, but isn’t Horvat supposed to be that 35 goal center?

I think a young pmd and a 1st round pick should be a fair return for Brock Nelson.

 

[xECK29x]

Nelson for Hanifin

I like Hanifin but not for Nelson, Pageau + sure.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Not trying to be a jerk here, but isn’t Horvat supposed to be that 35 goal center?

I think a young pmd and a 1st round pick should be a fair return for Brock Nelson.

Sure he can be. That being said they didn't win with Nelson AND Horvat last season. So swapping Nelson for different players such as Hanifan won't move the needle unless a young forward gives us a surprisingly great season.

While it would depend on your PMD they get in return that would be fair. It would have to be a somewhat high level young player though in my opinion.

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

I agree that makes us better next year but assuming we sign Rodrigues then this trade is a wash with respect to the salary cap.

That leaves us with more work to do to get under the cap and sign players like Engvall and a back up goaltender for next season.

Possibly even a bigger issue for the following season would be new, long-term high AAV deals for Sorokin, Dobson and our new potential edition Toews.

Completely disagree with this. Nelson is by far and I really mean BY FAR, the best player in that proposed deal. We are giving up a 37 goal scorer and a #6 dman for a #2-3 dman and a 16 goal scorer. In what world does this make us better. It accomplishes nothing. A bad offensive team significantly downgrades offensively and brings back a number 3 dman. Terrible trade.
If we are trading Nelson we better be getting either a first line winger or a #1 dman otherwise you do not even consider it. What team in the NHL would trade a 35+ goal scorer for a third liner and a #3 dman?

My personal opinion, I think Toews is a bit overrated. A bit of "the one that got away" syndrome. He also appeals to the advanced stats crowd. But unless he has on ice support through the right personnel and/or structure... he's still pretty easy to forecheck into mistakes.

Rodrigues is a decent mid/low-sixer. But average to poor on face-offs, and his offense likely will not translate to the Islanders... because when does a player ever score more on the Isles over elsewhere?

So, I wouldn't want to do this trade from the Isles perspective. But I could also see Colorado's reluctance.

I think Colorado does that trade in a heartbeat and pops the champagne after they hang up the phone.

Nelson for Hanifin

This is much better than the other proposal, but still no in my opinion.

 

[SI]

 

[SRBisles]

Trotz clearing space for Bailey!

 

[leeroggy]

Creating room for Bailey!!!

Trotz LOVES Bailey!!!

 

[SI]

Trotz clearing space for Bailey!

Barrie for Bailey

 

[leeroggy]

Trotz clearing space for Bailey!

Damn
You beat me to it!

 

[Throttle]

Nash has $6.5M of dead cap money…for two more years.

 

[SI]

Barrie for Bailey + Mayfield’s rights

 

[CupHolders]

I think Colorado does that trade in a heartbeat and pops the champagne after they hang up the phone.

I think they would have highly valued Nelson. But looking at today’s trade, shows that have other options too. They basically went with a lesser, but more acceptable Nelson comparable at a substantial asset savings.

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

I think they would have highly valued Nelson. But looking at today’s trade, shows that have other options too. They basically went with a lesser, but more acceptable Nelson comparable at a substantial asset savings.

Lesser is an understatement. Ryan Johansen is not even in the same league as Nelson.

 

[CupHolders]

Lesser is an understatement. Ryan Johansen is not even in the same league as Nelson.

Actually they are… the NHL

Johansen has had injury issues. Nelson is a better player. But regardless…

You’re assertion was that Colorado makes that Nelson+ for Toews+ deal without much thought.

Now looking at how they filled that hole today… do you think they honestly would’ve chosen the Islander deal over this one?

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

Actually they are… the NHL

Johansen has had injury issues. Nelson is a better player. But regardless…

You’re assertion was that Colorado makes that Nelson+ for Toews+ deal without much thought.

Now looking at how they filled that hole today… do you think they honestly would’ve chosen the Islander deal over this one?

Yeah I do, I dont think the Isles should do it. The upgrade from Johansen to Nelson is far greater than losing Devin Toews and a third line winger, especially with Landeskog out another season.

 

[CupHolders]

Yeah I do, I dont think the Isles should do it. The upgrade from Johansen to Nelson is far greater than losing Devin Toews and a third line winger, especially with Landeskog out another season.

Well no need to belabor this much more. I already stated I wouldn’t do the original deal from an Isles perspective. I also think Colorado would do something more in line of what they did now. Plug the hole with a player they that will provide enough while benefiting from the rest of the roster.

Johansen with his faceoffs and superior passing fits better in that spot… again my opinion.

 

[CaptDenisPotvin]

It does seem like Trotz has a full rebuild on his hands over there in Nashville....I wonder what it would take to get Josi on the Island? 5 on 5 he would prop up a sagging offense of course but he's everything we need to jumpstart that garbage PP we had all year