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

[2ndGenIslander]

Agreed. No expectations, but one can dream (again)... can't we?

Indeed my friend. Guess we’ll see

 

[Chardo]

I mentioned this before, but Gaudreau would be sort of a 2 for 1 deal because if Wahlstrom plays RW with JG and Barzal he might suddenly be a 30 goal scorer.

If that doesn't elevate Wahlstrom's game, nothing will.

 

[lafellaesobar]

I still feel confident in getting a winger. way too many names in this years FA class.

 

[Not4u]

No one in the room would bat an eye if Johnny was the highest paid player on the Isles. This guy was a top 5 player last year. And he is one of the NHL's brighest stars.

He had 16 more assists than our leading scorer had points...lol

 

[gordie43]

No, but the main board is saying Calgary got the Tavares treatment - he knew he wasn’t signing, but led Calgary on until they called his bluff by offering maximum dollars which he ultimately rejected.

I would say it was also hard to move Johnny since the flames were contending all season and looked like a legit Stanley Cup team

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

stings for Flames fans. JT circus all over again

I don’t want to patronize Flames fans but the Flames were damn good this season and could have made a run at the Cup. They couldn’t have traded him at the TDL and sacrificed the run.

Premise is the same but Tavares situation was a lot different.

 

[Crashsunday]

I would say it was also hard to move Johnny since the flames were contending all season and looked like a legit Stanley Cup team

Agreed. The main board seems very hot and cold. Some people saying JG will get a standing ovation and others comparing him to JT.

No way Calgary could move him with the cup aspirations, whether they knew he was set on going back east or not.

 

[doublechili]

If Lou does do something big, I'll go back to the Aho signing as the clue. I really thought they were going to get 2 new LHDs. But then Lou signs Aho (for cheap) who was going UFA and he could've just walked away from. Makes me think maybe he was allocating $$ someplace else.

 

[Lame Lambert]

I’ll say this, if the impossible happens and we land him in the AM, I hope our fan base handles it like adults. No need to act like those northern clowns 4 years ago.

 

[lafellaesobar]

I’ll say this, if the impossible happens and we land him in the AM, I hope our fan base handles it like adults. No need to act like those northern clowns 4 years ago.

i would just lose it period

 

[SI90]

Family decision screams PHI or NJD

Maybe NYR and NYI are a consideration in the distance.

 

[Chockey22]

Long time Isles fan here, and HF lurker - thought I finally join the conversation. I enjoy the varying perspectives and debates here - and definitely looking forward to see what happens tomorrow

 

[islesfan3913]

I don’t see us acquiring anyone significant, honestly. Just based on the things that have been said and my own gut feeling, I think Varly is locked in with us for next season and I don’t think Bailey is going to go due to the team seeing him as a core player for multiple reasons (consistent average play, leadership, long tenure with the team). If that’s the case, the only way we shed salary is by trading Beau for picks but that only gets to around $7.5 million. You can sign a solid player for that, but we also need another defenseman. I just don’t see us being willing to shed the salary needed for a splash unless everything so far has been smoke and mirrors.

 

[TeamKidd]

I mean if someone wants to go home, generally they want to go HOME...not to a neighboring state.

 

[seabass45]

Difference between this and Tavares is that we were out of the playoff race and at that point there’s no reason not to have a decision by the deadline. JG was in a more awkward position, I dunno if he could have been like “yeah i’m not staying” when the team is making the playoffs.

 

[Zeeker]

I’ll say this, if the impossible happens and we land him in the AM, I hope our fan base handles it like adults. No need to act like those northern clowns 4 years ago.

A noble wish. It being the possible first major free agent signing in team history makes me a bit pessimistic about that prospect

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Family decision screams PHI or NJD

Maybe NYR and NYI are a consideration in the distance.

I had to explain why I would not rule out the NYR. They just attract players playing there. Cap, heck they will worry about that later. Also Kreider played with him in Boston. All we can do is offer a competitive offer, he will pick the best fit for him and his family.

Lou's last big UFA signing Kovy 11 years ago. Maybe he's due.

 

[beach]

Dont give me hope again


i call bullshit

He's been a solid member of this board for 15 years. Why make up BS now? I believe the story. But, between then and now, he has had time to change his mind, be influenced by his agent and family, etc. So really, anything can happen.

 

[JPIsles18]

If Lou does do something big, I'll go back to the Aho signing as the clue. I really thought they were going to get 2 new LHDs. But then Lou signs Aho (for cheap) who was going UFA and he could've just walked away from. Makes me think maybe he was allocating $$ someplace else.

I don't think there's anything here to read into. It's a small number. Likely for depth. They can bury it in the minors and not have any effect on the cap. They still need a 3rd pair dman, and have Aho/Salo fight out the 7th D spot. I was hoping for Edler, but he re-signed.

 

[TeamKidd]

Anyone got the Flight Tracker warmed up for tomorrow?

 

[Quickdraw2828]

I have no expectations here. We’ve never once landed the big fish in UFA

Was Ladd our biggest splash?

 

[LeapOnOver]

Right. It’s a lie. So let me justify myself to you long time poster and obviously a detective in the real world….

It’s why I posted the same thing 2 months ago. It’s why JG is still unsigned in Calgary. It’s why both nyr and nyi rumors are hitting now when the experts have said Philly and NJ for the past 2 years aka JT in Toronto.

Heaven for bid someone has real world connections and shares info on a board where clearly no one knows more about the sport or scoop than 10,000 post posters like yourself. So continue to laugh it up hot shot.

I hope he signs with one of the two simply so I can watch you go radio silent with your finger up your butt.

If he does sign with one of the two, I'd rather he just offer you an apology instead of sticking his finger up his butt.

Before we jump any further into this yearly cesspool, I would like to remind you all of rule 8

Can we get this in layman's terms, because lawyer speak makes it sound like these rules are broken every second of every day.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I cant remember any great free agency signings or trade deadline moves since Butch Goring

Uh, Ryan Smyth was a pretty big one at the time.

 

[boredmale]

Family decision screams PHI or NJD

Maybe NYR and NYI are a consideration in the distance.

I don't live in NY, but NJ and the 2 NY teams is no difference in terms of distance from "home" which is just right across the river.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

One of the vendors at Big Chicken at UBS told me to prepare for Gaudreau to sign with us.