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

[The Real JT]

Because what Barzal could fetch in return might solve a bunch of our other problems. The same thing with when I float Brock Nelson as a tradable piece. The return should be huge. And I suggest those moves because I have my doubts that this roster, even with off season tweaks and a plan to change out players on the fly over the next 2 years won’t improve us enough to be anything more than a team that’s a 2nd round exit in the playoffs. In other words a good team but not good enough.

I’m generally in agreement with you and specifically regarding Nelson whose productivity will never look so good after his sky high shooting percentage this past year.

Of course the return needs to be sizable and fit the Isles current needs (maybe a #2LHD and a legit prospect). In the meantime, get a stop gap #2/3 center, move JGP to the #2C slot if needed and keep your fingers crossed that Raty will fill a #2/3C slot within 2 years. That’s a big of a perfect storm, I know.

As for #13, he’s too talented to give up without seeing what a new coach and new system might do for his game.

 

[YearlyLottery]

I think we beat Pittsburgh both times in the playoffs because of their goaltending, especially the year we beat Jarry. That series in particular they were outskating us most of the way. It was way too close for comfort for my liking.

Last year I can understand to an extent. But that first year they were swept fairly easily. They are 8-2 against Pittsburgh in the last 10 playoff games. I would make the argument that the better team won both times.

so you want us to stay slow?

Yes. I want the team to stay old and slow. Great reading comprehension.

St. Louis is the only team that seemed to give Colorado a challenge until Binnington went down. We may be closer to emulate their structure of size/grit mixed with speed than Colorado with how we're currently built.

Bingo. And to be fair I would argue we ONE THOUSAND PERCENT need more skill. They need to get faster. My main point is though that our size and strength should not be considered a disadvantage, unless it gets in the way of our results. Toronto is a perfect example of all the skill and talent in the world not having enough size and strength come playoff time.

 

[lafellaesobar]

Yes. I want the team to stay old and slow. Great reading comprehension.

from your mouth, you did say "teams are going to go wild after these quicker forwards who are offense first. That is what Colorado is. But in a change in thought process comes opportunity."

its worded weirdly and you have to admit the isles need some aspects of Colorado's game to succeed, especially with defense just saying.

 

[CupHolders]

Because what Barzal could fetch in return might solve a bunch of our other problems. The same thing with when I float Brock Nelson as a tradable piece. The return should be huge. And I suggest those moves because I have my doubts that this roster, even with off season tweaks and a plan to change out players on the fly over the next 2 years won’t improve us enough to be anything more than a team that’s a 2nd round exit in the playoffs. In other words a good team but not good enough.

To be clear, I wasn't referring to just you alone. So I don't want you to think I was singling you out. I actually think the return for Barzal will be underwhelming and likely put the Isles in a more certain and possibly longer state of mediocrity. Because Lou is not going to go full-futures on such trade.

from your mouth, you did say "teams are going to go wild after these quicker forwards who are offense first. That is what Colorado is. But in a change in thought process comes opportunity."

its worded weirdly and you have to admit the isles need some aspects of Colorado's game to succeed, especially with defense just saying.

I didn't take what was written as worded weirdly OR that the focus was to get old and slow. Because I'm a master of reading between the lines! Besides, no one would suggest wanting to be old or slow to begin with.

 

[IslandersFan17]

This is viagra to Lou. Willing to bet he’ll be an islander

 

[seafoam]

McDonagh-Dobson would be insane. No shot NYI lands him though.

Just for fun, something around Mayfield for McDonagh?

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

This is viagra to Lou. Willing to bet he’ll be an islander

That is a 4-year and $27 million blue pill for a 33-year old, even Lou isn't that horny....

 

[JJ18Sniper]

McDonagh-Dobson would be insane. No shot NYI lands him though.

Just for fun, something around Mayfield for McDonagh?

Always admired his game, but the mileage worries me.

 

[lafellaesobar]

This is viagra to Lou. Willing to bet he’ll be an islander

cap trade with tampa for someone aging and losing value? pass. lou needs viagra but its in Mikheyev not Mcdonagh

 

[JKP]

Because what Barzal could fetch in return might solve a bunch of our other problems. The same thing with when I float Brock Nelson as a tradable piece. The return should be huge. And I suggest those moves because I have my doubts that this roster, even with off season tweaks and a plan to change out players on the fly over the next 2 years won’t improve us enough to be anything more than a team that’s a 2nd round exit in the playoffs. In other words a good team but not good enough.

Why does Barzal have a ton of value as a trade to some other team but not to us as a player?

 

[Throttle]

Exactly. Some posters bitch and cry about Barzal over and over, yet offer no solution.

'Some' - I'm already on record that I would trade him now. Get a FWD and D back. Cover in UFA or another trade. 'Other' posters spend a lot of time finding fault around Barzal, but rarely, if, ever, on him.

 

[Throttle]

Why does Barzal have a ton of value as a trade to some other team but not to us as a player?

Because of the 'potential' ...

 

[doublechili]

McDonagh would scare me. Unless he was playing hurt, I thought he looked not nearly as good in the playoffs this year as he did previously. Four more years at almost $7 mil per.

 

[seafoam]

McDonagh would scare me. Unless he was playing hurt, I thought he looked not nearly as good in the playoffs this year as he did previously. Four more years at almost $7 mil per.

Absolutely but what if it was a three way trade where NYI is shedding Bailey?

 

[MJF]

I’m generally in agreement with you and specifically regarding Nelson whose productivity will never look so good after his sky high shooting percentage this past year.

Of course the return needs to be sizable and fit the Isles current needs (maybe a #2LHD and a legit prospect). In the meantime, get a stop gap #2/3 center, move JGP to the #2C slot if needed and keep your fingers crossed that Raty will fill a #2/3C slot within 2 years. That’s a big of a perfect storm, I know.

As for #13, he’s too talented to give up without seeing what a new coach and new system might do for his game.

That’s fine to want to see what the younger guys can do with Lambert behind the bench. I’m not in a rush to move Tito and Wahlstrom right now. I’d wait to make a decision on those two and others until the 2023 TDL.

 

[MJF]

Why does Barzal have a ton of value as a trade to some other team but not to us as a player?

He has value to is as a team but you can’t deny his scoring isn’t what it should be. Barzal may be a better fit on a team that already has a strong first line center. If a team like that had a LHD we can use there could be a deal to be made.

Because of the 'potential' ...

The potential is now going into Year 6 on the Island.

 

[doublechili]

Absolutely but what if it was a three way trade where NYI is shedding Bailey?

If McDonagh stays healthy and effective for 4 more years that's a great move. But:

Bailey, age 32; 2 more years at $5M; and

McDonagh, age 33; 4 more years at $6.75M.

 

[Throttle]

He has value to is as a team but you can’t deny his scoring isn’t what it should be. Barzal may be a better fit on a team that already has a strong first line center. If a team like that had a LHD we can use there could be a deal to be made.


The potential is now going into Year 6 on the Island.

Maybe we can shift to 'late bloomer?'

 

[JKP]

He has value to is as a team but you can’t deny his scoring isn’t what it should be. Barzal may be a better fit on a team that already has a strong first line center. If a team like that had a LHD we can use there could be a deal to be made.


The potential is now going into Year 6 on the Island.

No question he can be better. I’ve been one of the biggest critics of the enter zone with speed button hook halfboards bs.

Just feels questionable that other teams would value him more than we do.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

This is viagra to Lou. Willing to bet he’ll be an islander

Lmao. Lou tried to get Parise via trade at 7.5MM for 4 years. He'd definitely do something like this.

 

[beach]

McDonagh would scare me. Unless he was playing hurt, I thought he looked not nearly as good in the playoffs this year as he did previously. Four more years at almost $7 mil per.

Completely agree. No thanks.

 

[periferal]

The solution is that Barzal needs to change how he plays to compliment the players around him. Another solution is to bring in someone else that might make that easier. It doesn't have to be a binary.

Was always hoping that Leo Komarov would change how he plays to, you know, actually be good.

Seriously tho...

Bailey is never going to be a shooter. Lee is never going to be fast. Martin is never going to have hands.

Barzal is what he is - A 1st/2nd line "tweener" center who is dynamic skater/stickhandler and could be a premier set up guy....If he had a true complimentary sniper on his wing.

Instead of asking Barzal to significantly change his game (which is probably not possible), you either add pieces around him to complement his game...Or trade him. I think to do anything but one of those two things is to just bang your head against the wall.

Some here want to trade for Chychrun to help fix the left side of the defense. If we did we wouldn't expect him to score 30 goals...No more than we would expect Forsberg to play defense if we signed him.

Barzal is a far from perfect talent...But he's a serious talent. No one on this team is perfect, but we celebrate the skills that each individual brings. Personally I think we should focus on the positive Barzal does bring to the team, but if you don't like him that's totally cool. But in that case I think you should just prefer trading him then whining about him.

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

Yes, I think this would work well. It would clear some traffic around Barzy as you'd have to fear Brock.

Not a fan of this idea at all. Brock has been a significantly better player at center. We finally got him where we knew he could be, now we want to mess with it ? No thank you. Let’s just go after a winger to play with Barzal like we should.

 

[Glory Days]

The Kings were actually one of 3 other teams accounting for 4 championships in that 7 year span that won playing a "heavy game". The Bruins and the Capitals being the other 2 teams. We were always patterning ourselves to be able to beat the Caps and the Bruins.

You don't have to copy cat the rest of the league but you do have to be aware of how you are losing games. The Isles throughout Trotz's time here had trouble defending against the Penguins, Canadiens, Lightning...teams that were considered to have good wheels and quick, accurate passers. More teams are going that route now. We do have to adjust to that.

I agree with your assessment but curious why you want to trade the only forward who plays that way. Shouldn’t the Isles want more players with good wheels and quick accurate passers and not less.

 

[periferal]

Why does Barzal have a ton of value as a trade to some other team but not to us as a player?

But what is a "ton" though? I think he's in that Fiala level in terms of talent so would probably get a bit more given that he's a center.