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

[SI]

Since this is a discussion board, curious what other posters feel who would be a cost effective and sneaky move for this team at either LW or a LHD. I know it is October and it is fun to at least speculate as many watch other teams. This is what all 32 GM's are shooting for, so what I mean is like a Sam Bennett or a Carter Verhaeghe. Possibly a high pick who needs a fresh start or a later round player who develops later and figures it out. Not a Kyle Connor because that is probably not going to happen, but he would be the perfect player.

I watch a lot more west coast games so I always wondered if an Arthur Kailyev, Dillon Dube, or even a Frank Vatrano would hit on this team. Vatrano has a sizeable contract so not sure he is a good example for a team with cap and roster constraints.

Who would be a cost controlled and possible stabilizing presence on the left side of the D?

I appreciate this post.

Not sure if there are many clear candidates for LHD or a sneaky top 6 player at a low cost. The season just started, so teams all fancy themselves in it, and then you have the CAP to contend with.

One team in particular that I can think of who have D available is Columbus - does Jake Bean fit the mould? 2.35 AAV is not a cap hit the Isles can fit right now. He is an RFA and could be someone who is easier to fit cap-wise at the deadline.

Maybe Edmonton needs to shake things up and is maybe open to moving someone like Brett Kulak, he would stabilize that left side but makes 3x more than Aho and Bolduc - not sure if that is worth it. And they also have Broberg, but he is so unproven similar to Bolduc.

Then there is Calgary, who might be in free fall at the moment and I am not sure they are willing to say they are out of it in just the first few weeks of the season, but they may be big sellers if things continue to trend in this direction. Elias Lindholm could be a Horvat-type pickup for some team this year, or as you mentioned, Dube, who is an RFA and might be easier to fit than someone like Mangiapane, who would also be an incredible pick-up. And then you have Hanifin, who will be cheaper to attain and easier to fit if Calgary retains at the deadline. Lindholm and/or Hanifin could be game-changing types of additions. Any deal would have to come with a contract immediately after acquisition.

San Jose is another team in freefall - Tomas Hertl is the type of F we need, but the Isles cannot fit the cap hit, so maybe Duclair at 50% at the deadline can be another player, but he is so inconsistent.

IMO, the Isles should roll with what they have and by Christmas the gaps and strengths will emerge. I for one would be all in on selling 2024 1st for someone like Lindholm or Hanifin, depending on the biggest need.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Just throwing this out there to spur discussion. Would anyone be open to trading Barzal+ for a true, PPG first-line C/W?

I am not convinced he will ever reach that tier. At 9+ he is modestly overpaid, he deserves the 7 range. He is also a liability on the ice, at times, with his decision making and passive play. For a team bereft of talent, the organization cannot afford his non-productivity for 9+ and on-ice liabilities.

I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years, my patience has run thin.

 

[Throttle]

Just throwing this out there to spur discussion. Would anyone be open to trading Barzal+ for a true, PPG first-line C/W?

I am not convinced he will ever reach that tier. At 9+ he is modestly overpaid, he deserves the 7 range. He is also a liability on the ice, at times, with his decision making and passive play. For a team bereft of talent, the organization cannot afford his non-productivity for 9+ and on-ice liabilities.

I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years, my patience has run thin.

Hope Petterssen in Vancouver doesn’t want to resign with them, flip Barzal while he does not have any trade protection. Re-sign Petterssen.

Get speed and goal scoring that can better balance the team. And get out of a really bad contract.

 

[Big L]

Just throwing this out there to spur discussion. Would anyone be open to trading Barzal+ for a true, PPG first-line C/W?

I am not convinced he will ever reach that tier. At 9+ he is modestly overpaid, he deserves the 7 range. He is also a liability on the ice, at times, with his decision making and passive play. For a team bereft of talent, the organization cannot afford his non-productivity for 9+ and on-ice liabilities.

I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years, my patience has run thin.

Barzal plus what? A 7th? Sure. Dobson? No. I think you should be a little more specific.

 

[MJF]

Just throwing this out there to spur discussion. Would anyone be open to trading Barzal+ for a true, PPG first-line C/W?

I am not convinced he will ever reach that tier. At 9+ he is modestly overpaid, he deserves the 7 range. He is also a liability on the ice, at times, with his decision making and passive play. For a team bereft of talent, the organization cannot afford his non-productivity for 9+ and on-ice liabilities.

I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years, my patience has run thin.

I would. And do it soon before the return on Barzy starts to dip.

 

[leeroggy]

Look, I was all for at least exploring what a Barzal hockey trade would look like before he signed the extension, but trading a guy you just signed to this extension would KILL the family feeling in the dressing room.

A simple question . . . Barzal scores 70 points and we win a Cup or he scores 90 (or his replacement does) and we lose in the first round? Not a hard answer.

As I've said many times before, it's about putting together a 23-person roster, not about the individual pieces having to be maximized. The latter is not possible anyhow, as our neighbors in Toronto keep finding out. Our chemistry far exceeds theirs', as have our 5-year performance in the playoffs versus theirs'. No need to screw around with it by trying to hit the perfect combination that is speculative at best.

Is Barzal maddening at times? Sure. But we are 4-2-1 and that's because we are built for a total team approach, not a top-loaded star system.

 

[WangMustGo]

Hope Petterssen in Vancouver doesn’t want to resign with them, flip Barzal while he does not have any trade protection. Re-sign Petterssen.

Get speed and goal scoring that can better balance the team. And get out of a really bad contract.

I dont think Vancouver would consider that even if Pettersson told Vancouver he would not resign. He is a 90+ point 2 way center. I would say there are only a handful of centers better than him. If he is leaving Vancouver I would assume they would go full rebuild and would flip him for picks/prospects.

 

[leeroggy]

I dont think Vancouver would consider that even if Pettersson told Vancouver he would not resign. He is a 90+ point 2 way center. I would say there are only a handful of centers better than him. If he is leaving Vancouver I would assume they would go full rebuild and would flip him for picks/prospects.

Outside of Ottawa's financially-strapped rebuild, what Canadian team goes for one? Almost impossible to sell it with that crazy hockey media. And Petterson is only 25, while Hughes is 24. Heck, even Boeser and Hronek are only 26. Just not likely they are going to do that for now.

 

[MJF]

Look, I was all for at least exploring what a Barzal hockey trade would look like before he signed the extension, but trading a guy you just signed to this extension would KILL the family feeling in the dressing room.

A simple question . . . Barzal scores 70 points and we win a Cup or he scores 90 (or his replacement does) and we lose in the first round? Not a hard answer.

As I've said many times before, it's about putting together a 23-person roster, not about the individual pieces having to be maximized. The latter is not possible anyhow, as our neighbors in Toronto keep finding out. Our chemistry far exceeds theirs', as have our 5-year performance in the playoffs versus theirs'. No need to screw around with it by trying to hit the perfect combination that is speculative at best.

Is Barzal maddening at times? Sure. But we are 4-2-1 and that's because we are built for a total team approach, not a top-loaded star system.

That's what the brochure says.

I'm sure that's how Lou perceives this team, but as the season shakes out we're going to find that Lambert won't be able to roll 4 lines. We're not going to be about having 10 guys with 20 goals each. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the season the only player near the Top 50 in scoring is Noah Dobson. I just don't think we have the horses.

This team is going to be the goaltenders dragging us into the playoffs. And that was fine with a bunch of posters here last summer.

 

[Osakahaus]

I appreciate this post.

Not sure if there are many clear candidates for LHD or a sneaky top 6 player at a low cost. The season just started, so teams all fancy themselves in it, and then you have the CAP to contend with.

One team in particular that I can think of who have D available is Columbus - does Jake Bean fit the mould? 2.35 AAV is not a cap hit the Isles can fit right now. He is an RFA and could be someone who is easier to fit cap-wise at the deadline.

Maybe Edmonton needs to shake things up and is maybe open to moving someone like Brett Kulak, he would stabilize that left side but makes 3x more than Aho and Bolduc - not sure if that is worth it. And they also have Broberg, but he is so unproven similar to Bolduc.

Then there is Calgary, who might be in free fall at the moment and I am not sure they are willing to say they are out of it in just the first few weeks of the season, but they may be big sellers if things continue to trend in this direction. Elias Lindholm could be a Horvat-type pickup for some team this year, or as you mentioned, Dube, who is an RFA and might be easier to fit than someone like Mangiapane, who would also be an incredible pick-up. And then you have Hanifin, who will be cheaper to attain and easier to fit if Calgary retains at the deadline. Lindholm and/or Hanifin could be game-changing types of additions. Any deal would have to come with a contract immediately after acquisition.

San Jose is another team in freefall - Tomas Hertl is the type of F we need, but the Isles cannot fit the cap hit, so maybe Duclair at 50% at the deadline can be another player, but he is so inconsistent.

IMO, the Isles should roll with what they have and by Christmas the gaps and strengths will emerge. I for one would be all in on selling 2024 1st for someone like Lindholm or Hanifin, depending on the biggest need.

Our targets should be from the Flames, Sharks, and ironically Coyotes. Guys like Dube, Zadorov, Mangiapane (middle 6 help oh god please). I really would love to look at someone like Ferraro as well. Team just needs those stabilizing defensive players, and it shows.

We shall see what this team does, because if judging by the first month of the season, we are on the 12-18th place range as a team.

 

[Zeeker]

But we are 4-2-1 and that's because we are built for a total team approach, not a top-loaded star system.

We’re 4-2-1 because of a soft, home-heavy schedule to start the year and getting hard-carried by our goalies.

 

[Osakahaus]

Scotty skating again, but gingerly. I think he'll be back for November at least. Bummer. If this is an audition for Bolduc, he kinda was set up to fail. If this was a test to see what we got with Dobson, then its showing he's growing a lot.

 

[SI]

I dont think Vancouver would consider that even if Pettersson told Vancouver he would not resign. He is a 90+ point 2 way center. I would say there are only a handful of centers better than him. If he is leaving Vancouver I would assume they would go full rebuild and would flip him for picks/prospects.

too much pressure in Vancouver to go rebuild.
petey for Barzal could be a realistic hockey trade no adds - Petey will cost 10+ and Barzal with Van will be PPG.

 

[SI]

Our targets should be from the Flames, Sharks, and ironically Coyotes. Guys like Dube, Zadorov, Mangiapane (middle 6 help oh god please). I really would love to look at someone like Ferraro as well. Team just needs those stabilizing defensive players, and it shows.

We shall see what this team does, because if judging by the first month of the season, we are on the 12-18th place range as a team.

I could get behind Zadorov at the deadline - expiring contract - big and heavy d man perfect for playoffs. Currently They cannot fit his cap- Mayfield will return and the blue line should be fine

Mangiapane has 2 years left and unless another contract is going out - this isn’t a move that can happen.

Ferraro makes too much and in my opinion that cap space needs to go to top 3.

TDL move zadorov (50%) and Lindholm (50%) for ‘24 1st, ‘25 2nd plus plus

 

[Osakahaus]

I could get behind Zadorov at the deadline - expiring contract - big and heavy d man perfect for playoffs. Currently They cannot fit his cap- Mayfield will return and the blue line should be fine

Mangiapane has 2 years left and unless another contract is going out - this isn’t a move that can happen.

Ferraro makes too much and in my opinion that cap space needs to go to top 3.

TDL move zadorov (50%) and Lindholm (50%) for ‘24 1st, ‘25 2nd plus plus

You'll only trade for those two if Nelson is involved btw, and Brock is still one of our best players. I think if you're Calgary you just want to get the money off your hands, so that trade isn't gonna happen. It'll have to be Ferraro and Dube since they're cheaper and fix the depth issues. Seriously I think Dube for Wahlstrom would be a good move, especially with Dube being a pending RFA.

 

[Throttle]

The

I dont think Vancouver would consider that even if Pettersson told Vancouver he would not resign. He is a 90+ point 2 way center. I would say there are only a handful of centers better than him. If he is leaving Vancouver I would assume they would go full rebuild and would flip him for picks/prospects.

The way I positioned it was that VAN would need to bring back a NHL player since they were being backed into the position. We don’t know whether they would go full tilt rebuild. BUF didn’t with Eichel, CGY didn’t with Tkachuk, etc. So, there’s enough precedent that they would continue forward.

Look, I was all for at least exploring what a Barzal hockey trade would look like before he signed the extension, but trading a guy you just signed to this extension would KILL the family feeling in the dressing room.

A simple question . . . Barzal scores 70 points and we win a Cup or he scores 90 (or his replacement does) and we lose in the first round? Not a hard answer.

As I've said many times before, it's about putting together a 23-person roster, not about the individual pieces having to be maximized. The latter is not possible anyhow, as our neighbors in Toronto keep finding out. Our chemistry far exceeds theirs', as have our 5-year performance in the playoffs versus theirs'. No need to screw around with it by trying to hit the perfect combination that is speculative at best.

Is Barzal maddening at times? Sure. But we are 4-2-1 and that's because we are built for a total team approach, not a top-loaded star system.

Simple response: When is Barzal scoring 70 points? (He’s on pace for less than 50…).

 

[leeroggy]

We’re 4-2-1 because of a soft, home-heavy schedule to start the year and getting hard-carried by our goalies.

We're 4-2-1 because we're 4-2-1, as Bill Parcells would say.

Buffalo just shut out Colorado. NJ isn't soft. Arizona beat NJ in NJ before playing us. The NHL is highly competitive no matter what you think about other teams. Ottawa is loaded with young talent and beat Tampa and Pittsburgh already.

Any road win is a good win in this league.

 

[13th Floor]

We're 4-2-1 because we're 4-2-1, as Bill Parcells would say.

Buffalo just shut out Colorado. NJ isn't soft. Arizona beat NJ in NJ before playing us. The NHL is highly competitive no matter what you think about other teams. Ottawa is loaded with young talent and beat Tampa and Pittsburgh already.

Any road win is a good win in this league.

It's way too early for anything, but you can't deny that we've had a relatively easy schedule. We've played 2 playoff teams from last year, both at home, and we lost them both (1 loser point). We gave up 10 goals in those two games and despite those 10 goals, our all-pro goalie was considered by and far to be outstanding in both games. For a team that is supposed to be defense first, that is a problem (again, only 2 games).

I firmly believe that one of the best predictors for long-term success is goal differential. We currently sit at -1 and that's after playing 5 non-playoff teams mostly at home. That is trending toward league average and a bubble playoff team. I'm not extrapolating from the small sample size, but more pointing out that the small sample size so far points to exactly what I believe this team is.

I expect us to generally not be able to complete with the elite teams in the league. We'll play to our competition most nights and our goalie will propel us past the weak teams more often than not. Our home/road splits are going to be bad. We'll hover around the wild card for a while and maybe sneak in and lose in the 1st round, or just miss. IMO, every single metric and eye test is pointing towards that (even if it's too early to draw significant conclusions form any early-season data), including bringing back the exact same team with the exact same coaching staff with the exact same strategy as the bubble team from last year.

 

[Osakahaus]

We're 4-2-1 because we're 4-2-1, as Bill Parcells would say.

Buffalo just shut out Colorado. NJ isn't soft. Arizona beat NJ in NJ before playing us. The NHL is highly competitive no matter what you think about other teams. Ottawa is loaded with young talent and beat Tampa and Pittsburgh already.

Any road win is a good win in this league.

You play to win the game. You can be 0-8-1 or you can be 4-2-1 because you came to play and win. The Islanders might not be perfect, but there is potential to make the dance.

 

[WangMustGo]

Outside of Ottawa's financially-strapped rebuild, what Canadian team goes for one? Almost impossible to sell it with that crazy hockey media. And Petterson is only 25, while Hughes is 24. Heck, even Boeser and Hronek are only 26. Just not likely they are going to do that for now.

Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal have all gone through complete rebuilds over the last 10 years.

The

The way I positioned it was that VAN would need to bring back a NHL player since they were being backed into the position. We don’t know whether they would go full tilt rebuild. BUF didn’t with Eichel, CGY didn’t with Tkachuk, etc. So, there’s enough precedent that they would continue forward.


Simple response: When is Barzal scoring 70 points? (He’s on pace for less than 50…).

I guess its possible, I just think Vancouver could get more elsewhere. Its a shame the isles farm system is so weak. I would love to add a player like Pettersson without giving up a Barzal.

 

[leeroggy]

Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal have all gone through complete rebuilds over the last 10 years.

But did they take concrete steps to do so, or did they just suck? That's the point I'm differentiating about.

Canadian media in hockey is a whole different ballgame. The Laffs have THIRTY beat writers.

Nylander was 8th overall (Bennett, Dal Colle, Virtanen and Fleury 4-7 before him), Marner 4th (McDavid, Eichel and Strome before him) and Matthews the only #1 overall. Sounds more like they were fortunate to gather Nylander. Certainly doesn't feel like a tank job for multiple years.

Ottawa was solely based on Melnyk's checkbook.

Draisaitl probably shouldn't have been there for Edmonton at #3. Since 2015 (McDavid), their drafting has also STUNK.

Montreal didn't tank, they drafted HORRENDOUSLY for years. And compounded it by trading Sergachev for Drouin. Since 2012, Galchenyuk has the best resume of ANY drafted Montreal player (although Kotkaniemi and Caulfield will likely pass him)!

These weren't tear it down rebuilds, they were organizational incompetence masked as rebuilds.

 

[leeroggy]

It's way too early for anything, but you can't deny that we've had a relatively easy schedule. We've played 2 playoff teams from last year, both at home, and we lost them both (1 loser point). We gave up 10 goals in those two games and despite those 10 goals, our all-pro goalie was considered by and far to be outstanding in both games. For a team that is supposed to be defense first, that is a problem (again, only 2 games).

Buffalo had 91 last year and we had 93; not enough to use the playoff/non-playoff classification. We're basically on the same level. And those two 'playoff teams' that we lost to in OT were 112 and 109 point teams last year.

Why do we insist on putting our team's efforts down? It's like many posters here are the equivalent of 'Battered Wives Syndrome'. We've played 7 of our 82 games. Yesterday the Broncos held KC to 9 points, and SF lost at home to a team with a losing record! This is PRO sports, the expectations of dominance being the only acceptable result is mindboggling here.

 

[Throttle]

Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Montreal have all gone through complete rebuilds over the last 10 years.



I guess its possible, I just think Vancouver could get more elsewhere. Its a shame the isles farm system is so weak. I would love to add a player like Pettersson without giving up a Barzal.

It’s more of shame that Lou invested in a player that’s not really delivering on his end. He did it with Beau and he moved on from him. Let’s see what happens here with Barzal not having trade protection…

 

[Big L]

Why do we insist on putting our team's efforts down? It's like many posters here are the equivalent of 'Battered Wives Syndrome'. We've played 7 of our 82 games. Yesterday the Broncos held KC to 9 points, and SF lost at home to a team with a losing record! This is PRO sports, the expectations of dominance being the only acceptable result is mindboggling here.

If the isles don’t win 82 games by 4+ goals a game, then must fire Lou, fire Lambert, trade Barzal for a pick, trade for a winger, pick up a 6D.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Simple response: When is Barzal scoring 70 points? (He’s on pace for less than 50…).

If you're going to play the "on pace" game 7 games into the season, at least get it right. He's on pace for 59. A couple of secondary assists tonight and all of a sudden he's "on pace" for 70+. Whatever.

Barzal has proven to be just under a ppg player over his career. If he stays healthy and plays a full season, he should be good for 70.