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

[SI]

I agree with this. Pius Suter is the type of guy that is undervalued by NHL teams, but is an analytic darling. I would do this as well. However, Pageau has an unreasonable amount of love on this board. I also don't know which team, of the 16 team NTC, would trade for his bloated contract. I cannot gauge his market value as most rosters are pretty much set at this point with very little cap wiggle room for most teams.


Yes, the assumption is they are looking for a player with equal value. JGP alone is not getting you Debrusk.

It’s not about matching trade value for Boston, they need a C like Lindholm or Schiefele.

 

[The Real JT]

I'd like to know which universe is it that Tavares and Panarin haven't been very good.

Their regular season numbers support your argument but…

Their teams were built to win a Cup and they haven’t contended for it once in any meaningful way. Let’s not forget that they both have also had remarkably underwhelming postseasons.

That makes their signings a failure. Not near the level of Andrew Ladd but a failure nonetheless.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Just a midsummer reflection. First of all, I miss hockey. That aside, I want to believe this is a better team going into next year; however, the roster is essentially the same, the deficits the same. I'll remain optimistic with my NYI-colored prism.

Horvat better acclimated (convinced), Barzal healthy (convinced), Barzal develops (not convinced), Dobson develops (convinced), Whalstrom develops (modestly convinced), Lambert employs a more defensively structured system out of the gate (convinced), Lambert improves (modestly convinced), there's enough internal development from other parts (modestly convinced), Lou acquires a scoring winger (won't even go there), the parity in the league keeps many teams in the running (convinced).

There's reason for optimism. If a few things fall into place, like the aforementioned, and some health, they could vie for that 3rd spot.

Well put.

If you break the league up into tiers of three, I would put the Islanders towards the top of the middle tier. 3rd spot in the division is certainly realistic.

I also don't believe that the Islanders are "running it back" again. There may be a constant core but this team has seen a lot of changes in some prominent positions in Lou's tenure.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

That makes their signings a failure.

That doesn't mean they're ineffective players, just that the team hasn't lived up to whatever expectations that certain fans have imparted on them.

 

[Throttle]

Terry signs a 7/$7M AAV deal. 60 point 25 year old forward…

The cap better skyrocket or a certain player that is the 11th highest cap hit for a center better improve his game, otherwise, his new contract is aging like jolt cola.

 

[isles55]

Terry signs a 7/$7M AAV deal. 60 point 25 year old forward…

The cap better skyrocket or a certain player that is the 11th highest cap hit for a center better improve his game, otherwise, his new contract is aging like jolt cola.

Horvat has the 14th highest cap hit.

 

[Throttle]

Horvat has the 14th highest cap hit.

Signed as an impending UFA…a bit different.

 

[mm11]

Terry signs a 7/$7M AAV deal. 60 point 25 year old forward…

The cap better skyrocket or a certain player that is the 11th highest cap hit for a center better improve his game, otherwise, his new contract is aging like jolt cola.

No time to check stats: does Terry have any playoff points? good solid player, I do recall his goals scored dropped last season. Not sure if Zegras failed to elevate his linemate or vice versa.

 

[leeroggy]

Terry signs a 7/$7M AAV deal. 60 point 25 year old forward…

The cap better skyrocket or a certain player that is the 11th highest cap hit for a center better improve his game, otherwise, his new contract is aging like jolt cola.

We drafted Ryan Pilon one slot before Anaheim drafted Terry in the 5th Round in 2015 for the Snow fan boys out there , , ,

 

[leeroggy]

No time to check stats: does Terry have any playoff points? good solid player, I do recall his goals scored dropped last season. Not sure if Zegras failed to elevate his linemate or vice versa.

The only thing that changed is the shooting percentage. He was at 19.3% in 2021-22, and 12.2% last year. Played 70 games last year for 61 points, versus 67 in 75 games the previous year.

Number of shots per game was actually slightly higher last year than the previous one. Same year except for that stat. Surprisingly, not a LOT of shots on goal for a goal scorer, should be interesting if he gets closer to 250 shots.

 

[Throttle]

No time to check stats: does Terry have any playoff points? good solid player, I do recall his goals scored dropped last season. Not sure if Zegras failed to elevate his linemate or vice versa.

Him and TikTok haven’t ever played in the playoffs. Terry is a much better overall player. He’ll be worth that deal - he already is subject to playoff performance. He should be fine there.

TikTok is the perfect non-playoff team ‘about me’ player. Cronin is probably toast in 2 years as Anaheim ain’t making the playoffs over the next two seasons. They’ll have to bring in a vet coach to advance the cause and see if TikTok changes his game to benefit the team (he won’t). His entire identity is based on it.

 

[mm11]

Him and TikTok haven’t ever played in the playoffs. Terry is a much better overall player. He’ll be worth that deal - he already is subject to playoff performance. He should be fine there.

TikTok is the perfect non-playoff team ‘about me’ player. Cronin is probably toast in 2 years as Anaheim ain’t making the playoffs over the next two seasons. They’ll have to bring in a vet coach to advance the cause and see if TikTok changes his game to benefit the team (he won’t). His entire identity is based on it.

Thanks for sharing, going to be interesting to see it develop or not. Terry is a fine player no doubt. Just has that "it" factor. Awesome daft pick I believe in round 5

The only thing that changed is the shooting percentage. He was at 19.3% in 2021-22, and 12.2% last year. Played 70 games last year for 61 points, versus 67 in 75 games the previous year.

Number of shots per game was actually slightly higher last year than the previous one. Same year except for that stat. Surprisingly, not a LOT of shots on goal for a goal scorer, should be interesting if he gets closer to 250 shots.

shoot the puck Barry I guess

 

[BelovedIsles]

Well put.

If you break the league up into tiers of three, I would put the Islanders towards the top of the middle tier. 3rd spot in the division is certainly realistic.

I also don't believe that the Islanders are "running it back" again. There may be a constant core but this team has seen a lot of changes in some prominent positions in Lou's tenure.

Yep, top of the middle is realistic. Technically, they are 'running it back' from April, which ended in a first-round exit. I agree with your overall premise.

Though conversely, the core is a year older. Will we see further decline from Lee, the 4th line, JGP, Bailey? Will Nelson start to show the first shades? The latter would really change the dynamic of this offense, and I hope it doesn't happen. Give us two more 60 point years Brock!

 

[The Real JT]

Yep, top of the middle is realistic. Technically, they are 'running it back' from April, which ended in a first-round exit. I agree with your overall premise.

Though conversely, the core is a year older. Will we see further decline from Lee, the 4th line, JGP, Bailey? Will Nelson start to show the first shades? The latter would really change the dynamic of this offense, and I hope it doesn't happen. Give us two more 60 point years Brock!

I’m not too worried about Brock in the short term.

Cizikas had regressed slightly over the last 2 years so I’d add him to the “worry” list. He’s got a great motor so I don’t see his play falling off a cliff. Nevertheless, he isn’t the player from the ECF runs and he has 4 more years left on his deal. It’s a small problem considering the AAV but not insignificant.

 

[NC 1972]

We drafted Ryan Pilon one slot before Anaheim drafted Terry in the 5th Round in 2015 for the Snow fan boys out there , , ,

Yes and then he retired from hockey. Think he was Rich Pilon's nephew.

 

[leeroggy]

I’m not too worried about Brock in the short term.

Cizikas had regressed slightly over the last 2 years so I’d add him to the “worry” list. He’s got a great motor so I don’t see his play falling off a cliff. Nevertheless, he isn’t the player from the ECF runs and he has 4 more years left on his deal. It’s a small problem considering the AAV but not insignificant.

It's hard to carry two wingers on your back who are worn down themselves . . .

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Cizikas had regressed slightly over the last 2 years so I’d add him to the “worry” list.

If so, he's the 4th line center. It'd be different than if Lee goes full Lucic or something.

 

[Osakahaus]

I like how everyone here is so mad at Barzal yet he was ON PACE to get close to his rookie season points total had Craig Smith not knee'd him

 

[YearlyLottery]

I like how everyone here is so mad at Barzal yet he was ON PACE to get close to his rookie season points total had Craig Smith not knee'd him

I do not believe Barzal is a true elite talent but that word is thrown around way too much. He is a damn good player who wants to be here.

 

[doublechili]

Maybe Troy Terry ends up being a good contract - I'm honestly not that familiar with the player. But I wouldn't gush over the contract since he's really had a couple of quality seasons with a bottom-feeding team and not really playing any games that matter. So, there is a bit of a roll-of-the-dice element to the signing. That's fine - we do it too. But I wouldn't use him as a favorable comparison to Barzal's or Horvat's contracts.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Maybe Troy Terry ends up being a good contract - I'm honestly not that familiar with the player. But I wouldn't gush over the contract since he's really had a couple of quality seasons with a bottom-feeding team and not really playing any games that matter. So, there is a bit of a roll-of-the-dice element to the signing

He's a good player and it's a good signing. They can only roll with the information that they have. It's not the player's fault the team has been bad.

 

[doublechili]

He's a good player and it's a good signing. They can only roll with the information that they have. It's not the player's fault the team has been bad.

I don't disagree. I was really just getting at the idea that the Terry signing is somehow an indictment of the Barzal (or Horvat) contracts. There's always a dice roll element to long-term contracts, but $7M for a winger versus $9M or $8.5M for Cs with more of a track record - IDK, seems not outlandish. Now if Barzal doesn't take the next step, or ends up as a 75 point RW? But for his warts he's probably the one possibly elite talent up front on the roster.

 

[Osakahaus]

Tom Wilsons contract makes Lee's look better by 1000 miles

I don't disagree. I was really just getting at the idea that the Terry signing is somehow an indictment of the Barzal (or Horvat) contracts. There's always a dice roll element to long-term contracts, but $7M for a winger versus $9M or $8.5M for Cs with more of a track record - IDK, seems not outlandish. Now if Barzal doesn't take the next step, or ends up as a 75 point RW? But for his warts he's probably the one possibly elite talent up front on the roster.

Troy Terry is a sniper. He is a guy who shoots and scores a ton. The difference is that Barzal creates plays, while Terry finishes them. You cannot assume that they're the same player at all. Its like being mad at Ozil for not scoring a ton, while forgetting how important he is to your team. Thats how I view Barzal right now. And when Barzal was hurt, the team played at an ABSURD 14-5 pace with Horvat despite him being abysmal with his shooting %. Barzal and Horvat's contracts are fair range. They just have to perform AS ADVERTISED (which i believe in)

 

[Lame Lambert]

Tom Wilson got the Lou Lamoriello special

 

[Lek]

Tom Wilson got the Lou Lamoriello special

I am pretty sure even Lou would not have offered up that contract....2.5 mil a year and 4 years too much...and that is being conservative.