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

[Big L]

The Penguins were just as good as us last year and just got way better on paper at least

Except the penguins problem last year was keeping pucks out of the net, not putting them in.

 

[Zeeker]

Except the penguins problem last year was keeping pucks out of the net, not putting them in.

And even with horrible goaltending, they had virtually the same record as us.

I don’t care if Jarry will suck in the playoffs again, our problem is making the playoffs to begin with and Pitt just became a much more formidable regular season team

 

[Tahoeblue]

This forum was dead a few days ago so I apologize if my post about GM Report Cards on Sirius stirred up some of this back and forth. With that being said, it is cool that this small but fierce fan base is so passionate about this team. We all would love to see this team hoist the cup again. A few observations and opinions on an internet chat forum from this poster.

Lou's willingness to hand out long term deals, MTC, NMC, and NTC I am fearful will create that Country Club atmosphere and comfortableness, that takes the team to that mushy middle. Yes, long contracts and trade protection is useful in the right situations, this team just has too many of them. My biggest head scratcher is Varlamov at 4 years. What other team was Lou competing with for his services for 4 years?

When JT left in free agency and this team was written off and responded with an us against the world attitude. The Isles were tough to play against and were full of piss and vinegar. Obviously, had a fantastic coach and shaved off 100 GA that year. That sort of energy and us against league is helpful but can only get you so far. High end talent is needed, shared vision, and always looking over your shoulder that someone else may take your job is a good thing.

It is not only the players who need to step it up and prepare for the season, but also the coaches. Hopefully there has been some growth, reflection, and an action plan to elevate play. Power play, 3v3, and some work in shootouts could help in a tight metro race.

Sorry for the rant! Sometimes writing a post is like therapy, especially with this team. Let's drop the puck already.

 

[MJF]

Karlsson to PIT looks to be almost done.

f***ing metro.

That sound you just heard was the Penguins passing us in the standings.

 

[YearlyLottery]

That sound you just heard was the Penguins passing us in the standings.

Someone's a cranky elf.

 

[MJF]

And even with horrible goaltending, they had virtually the same record as us.

I don’t care if Jarry will suck in the playoffs again, our problem is making the playoffs to begin with and Pitt just became a much more formidable regular season team

Exactly. If the Pens only missed the playoffs by 2 points, I have to believe that Karlsson should be good for 2-3 more wins for them. I'm still not sold that the Islanders will be any better than WC1 this season.

Someone's a cranky elf.

I'm not going spend the first 3 months of this season whistling past the graveyard. I didn't think we were good enough for 3rd in the Metro, now I'm sure of it.

 

[mm11]

We'll keep out of the box vrs the pens.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

 

[BarzyClub]

Pens are now the oldest team in the NHL . We’re getting younger ! Lol

 

[YearlyLottery]

Exactly. If the Pens only missed the playoffs by 2 points, I have to believe that Karlsson should be good for 2-3 more wins for them. I'm still not sold that the Islanders will be any better than WC1 this season.


I'm not going spend the first 3 months of this season whistling past the graveyard. I didn't think we were good enough for 3rd in the Metro, now I'm sure of it.

I mean you were also sure this team wasn't making the playoffs last season. Then they made it even with losing Barzal and Pelech for long stretches of time. Anybody "certain" of anything at this point is essentially just making baseless remarks.

 

[SI90]

I’m curious to see the salary gymnastics. Early reports have the pens somehow gaining space. If that’s the case then wow. Lol

 

[Osakahaus]

Dumba goes to the Coyotes. Meh. I think if the Coyotes suck, then we trade for him and see if he's a fit. We also should focus on San Jose and start looking at Radek Simek. We need to get better defensemen btw at the deadline should Aho/Salo/Bolduc look shitty.

 

[MJF]

I mean you were also sure this team wasn't making the playoffs last season. Then they made it even with losing Barzal and Pelech for long stretches of time. Anybody "certain" of anything at this point is essentially just making baseless remarks.

This is not true. I had us slotted as one of the wild card teams last year, and I see nothing that we’ve done since getting Horvat that changes my opinion of the Isles. Our ceiling is one of the wild card spots.

 

[Osakahaus]

Pens are now the oldest team in the NHL . We’re getting younger ! Lol

We are getting younger anyways because CC and Martin are next on the chopping block.

 

[Tres Peleches]

Just what the Penguins needed, more offense and less defense

 

[Osakahaus]

This one clip is why i am not afraid of Karlsson in the metro

 

[YearlyLottery]

This is not true. I had us slotted as one of the wild card teams last year, and I see nothing that we’ve done since getting Horvat that changes my opinion of the Isles. Our ceiling is one of the wild card spots.

Ceiling could be one of the wild cards. The ceiling is likely higher than that but a team doesn't always reach its ceiling. The ceiling theoretically has to be higher than last year with a full year of Horvat and Engvall over Soshnikov and Bailey though.

 

[Osakahaus]

Ceiling could be one of the wild cards. The ceiling is likely higher than that but a team doesn't always reach its ceiling. The ceiling theoretically has to be higher than last year with a full year of Horvat and Engvall over Soshnikov and Bailey though.

Ceiling is getting 2nd in the metro, You're underplaying this team

 

[4Cups Want More]

So I mised a couple of days here and I would like to add my two cents to the reality of our two ECF runs and how it was not mostly Snow that we should be thanking.

Lou ACTUALLY added the following to this team that contributed to the ECF runs.

Trotz and Lambert
Lee - signed as a UFA (Instantly became Captain)
Nelson - signed as a UFA (was a soft winger until Trotz ot hold of him)
Eberle - signed as a UFA
Sorokin - our property but SIGNED by lou.
Varlamov (probably helped sway Sorokin (and a shout out to the Rangers even though I hate it as they brought over Shesterkin who Sorokin is very close to and competitive with)
Lehner
JG Pageau
Komarov (really pushed Beau to be better. Beau wasn't the same after Komarov left)
Matt Martin - breathed new life into the "Identity" line
Brassard (brought in a ton of playoff experience)
Andy Greene
Wahlstrom
Dobson
Kuhnhackl - did not do much but what he did do was clutch
Hickey - signed as UFA
Palmieri
Zajac

I did not add in RFA signings or promotions from the AHL.

Yes, offering Trotz and Lambert contracts may have been a no brainer but it was still done bu Lou and accepted by Trotz and Lambert.

You could argue that some of these are Snow's original picks but, the fact of the matter is that Lou signed the UFAs and there was no guarantee that Snow would have.

You could also argue that Snow would have offered Pajama Boy the moon and the stars and let the UFAs walk and crippled us with a huge contract.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

I mean you were also sure this team wasn't making the playoffs last season. Then they made it even with losing Barzal and Pelech for long stretches of time. Anybody "certain" of anything at this point is essentially just making baseless remarks.

It's a self-fulfilling narrative designed to lead back to a predetermined conclusion.

 

[MJF]

It's a self-fulfilling narrative designed to lead back to a predetermined conclusion.

If what he was saying was true, which it isn’t.

 

[YearlyLottery]

If what he was saying was true, which it isn’t.

You don't see how your posts are sort of just playing both sides of the coin?

"This team should rebuild."
"This is a fringe playoff team."
"This is a first round exit team."

Damn you're right either way this season goes down.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

If what he was saying was true, which it isn’t.

It wouldn't matter what he said.

 

[Throttle]

This forum was dead a few days ago so I apologize if my post about GM Report Cards on Sirius stirred up some of this back and forth. With that being said, it is cool that this small but fierce fan base is so passionate about this team. We all would love to see this team hoist the cup again. A few observations and opinions on an internet chat forum from this poster.

Lou's willingness to hand out long term deals, MTC, NMC, and NTC I am fearful will create that Country Club atmosphere and comfortableness, that takes the team to that mushy middle. Yes, long contracts and trade protection is useful in the right situations, this team just has too many of them. My biggest head scratcher is Varlamov at 4 years. What other team was Lou competing with for his services for 4 years?

When JT left in free agency and this team was written off and responded with an us against the world attitude. The Isles were tough to play against and were full of piss and vinegar. Obviously, had a fantastic coach and shaved off 100 GA that year. That sort of energy and us against league is helpful but can only get you so far. High end talent is needed, shared vision, and always looking over your shoulder that someone else may take your job is a good thing.

It is not only the players who need to step it up and prepare for the season, but also the coaches. Hopefully there has been some growth, reflection, and an action plan to elevate play. Power play, 3v3, and some work in shootouts could help in a tight metro race.

Sorry for the rant! Sometimes writing a post is like therapy, especially with this team. Let's drop the puck already.

Colorado’s GM was on Sirius and brought up the reason he gave the extended term to Wood was the same the Isles did the Engvall - they needed the term to bring down the AAV for cap reasons, and based on the high possibility of the cap rising, the deals will almost be minimal against the cap.

What no one knows is whether Sorokin (and the Isles) felt it was in the best interest of the team to keep both goalies, they needed the term on Varly. Do you realize how old Fleury is? 38 at $3.5M Varly will be 38 at $2.75.

Look at who is the backup for Vasy in TB? Their season is toast if he gets injured.

For all the warm and fuzzies over Adin Hill, that’s because plays 4 lines very well, so it protects their goalie. When PHI went on a run with Boucher, teams felt you didn’t need a legit number 1. Yeah, that didn’t last too long with teams abandoning that philosophy one season later.

Isles fans are just as pissy now after Lou’s accomplishments as when Snow was the GM, but it’s the ‘passion’ I guess…

 

[Throttle]

Didn’t take long for Dubas to start flipping ‘assets’ into oblivion as part of his amazing spreadsheet winning strategy.

I thought this guy was so deft at drafting, developing, and diamonds in the rough. He keeps trading away picks to questionable veterans… He’s Scott Howson 2.0.