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

[duster19]

Yes that is true

BUT you have to sign free agents without sacrificing capital

We have to draft. We need youth. We need cheap contracts to go with these expensive long term vet UFA deals. The isles biggest problem is they lack high end skill. To get that through free agency or trade is difficult and expensive. They need to hit something in the draft.

 

[Lame Lambert]

The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear that the country club atmosphere has really taken over this team. Everyone is just going through the motions out there, nobody is playing with emotion or fire.

Lou has become everything we hated about Garth Snow. Zero accountability and surrounded by yes men.

 

[Zeeker]

Have the Islanders taken off for Edmonton already? That would guarantee Lane isn’t going anywhere for at least four games

 

[MarsTBOW]

Honestly, if Lambert is fired, who is Lou going to hire?
BTW I would welcome a change, these guys are way too comfy.

 

[doublechili]

Honestly, if Lambert is fired, who is Lou going to hire?
BTW I would welcome a change, these guys are way too comfy.

Q and Sutter are the two guys that I can think of who have won Cups and would get the respect/attention from the locker room. Not sure of the other available experienced coaches. If Lou goes for a first timer again (doubtful, right?), then Jay Leach makes a lot of sense since he has some Lamoriello connections and might be the most qualified non-recycled guy out there.

Another thought: if the team has a mediocre trip and Lambert remains and maybe only a minor move is made (like a callup), that could mean lots of things, including that the owners are letting Lou play things out with what he committed to but are not signing off on any major hirings/trades. Sink or swim, and total housecleaning in the offseason if it sinks.

 

[miscs75]

Honestly, if Lambert is fired, who is Lou going to hire?
BTW I would welcome a change, these guys are way too comfy.

 

[Tuckisles]

I wouldn't mind Brunett but i doubt any team will let an assistant go during the season.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Honestly, if Lambert is fired, who is Lou going to hire?
BTW I would welcome a change, these guys are way too comfy.

Woodcroft

 

[scottywiper]

I can't believe the shaving and haircut rules survive in this day and age. Lol
If looking like Grizzly Adams helped Barzal get in zone, who cares!
And the secrecy around Isles is kinda treating the fans with contempt. They're the only people you're deceiving. The same ones you rely on.

 

[The Real JT]

Here’s something to cool down the temperature here.

6 of the Isles next 7 games are actually winnable on paper.

I have consistently said I’d give them 20 games so I’m not gonna bail now no matter how bleak it’s been the last few games.

I also reserve the right to renege on my promise next week.

 

[beach]

View attachment 767381

Here’s something to cool down the temperature here.

6 of the Isles next 7 games are actually winnable on paper.

I have consistently said I’d give them 20 games so I’m not gonna bail now no matter how bleak it’s been the last few games.

I also reserve the right to renege on my promise next week.

I predict they go 3-4.

 

[Zeeker]

View attachment 767381

Here’s something to cool down the temperature here.

6 of the Isles next 7 games are actually winnable on paper.

Glad we have some winnable games coming up, after the brutal schedule onslaught of facing Minnesota and Washington at home.

 

[seafoam]

Woodcroft

Claude Julien would be better.

 

[Osakahaus]

Lou has become everything we hated about Garth Snow. Zero accountability and surrounded by yes men.

but thats unfortunately what Lou does. Lou knows best so we cant critique the man at all. After all, he WON the Devils dynasty!

 

[MJF]

Claude Julien would be better.

Will he work for Lou again?

Some people don’t want to get fired by the same guy twice.

 

[Throttle]

I can't believe the shaving and haircut rules survive in this day and age. Lol
If looking like Grizzly Adams helped Barzal get in zone, who cares!
And the secrecy around Isles is kinda treating the fans with contempt. They're the only people you're deceiving. The same ones you rely on.

Well, once an upon a time the GM and coach were unshaven and wore track suits to a press conference after lottoland.

Hard to fathom that Lou rules are really the issue with this team or seen as a deterrent to playing for the Isles.

 

[scottywiper]

Well, once an upon a time the GM and coach were unshaven and wore track suits to a press conference after lottoland.

Hard to fathom that Lou rules are really the issue with this team or seen as a deterrent to playing for the Isles.

They probably aren't, but they don't sit with the modern world either.
And the secrecy is nonsense IMO. Fans want to hear about their team, and they should be able to.
Pretty boring being a fan otherwise.
This is not to say either are the cause of the team's issues, but they are bizarre IMO.

 

[SI]

Q and Sutter are the two guys that I can think of who have won Cups and would get the respect/attention from the locker room. Not sure of the other available experienced coaches. If Lou goes for a first timer again (doubtful, right?), then Jay Leach makes a lot of sense since he has some Lamoriello connections and might be the most qualified non-recycled guy out there.

Another thought: if the team has a mediocre trip and Lambert remains and maybe only a minor move is made (like a callup), that could mean lots of things, including that the owners are letting Lou play things out with what he committed to but are not signing off on any major hirings/trades. Sink or swim, and total housecleaning in the offseason if it sinks.

With new allegations against Hawks coach, Aldrich, in 2010 - Q is not going to be reinstated any time soon.

Sutter is an option and he would really shake things up in the room, especially if things got comfortable. Darryl would root it out, but it may not be sustainable.

Claude Julien could be a realistic option - more like Trotz - in terms of structure and discipline. Patrick Roy is another possibility and he can be a different kind of coach for this Isles team. If things continue to go south, I can see Lambert being replaced before December 1st.

Lou will remove the coach before any big trades.

IMO, there is too much character as well as talent on this team for the wheels to completely fall off. This team does not need to be a complete mess for there to be real change in the offseason. If the team doesn't make the playoffs, I think we can see a serious shake-up to the roster - I highly doubt Lou gets fired - IMO, I think ownership will give him the opportunity to shake up the roster before firing him.

Shaking it up, IMO, means no resigning Martin or Cal, a Palmieri Trade, Nelson or Pageau trade, and a new coach that brings in a new philosophy and new approach.

 

[SI]

250 K is part of the problem?

It really shouldn't fall on one young player, but unfortunately, it has. The games are so tight that one mistake can cost 2 points. Bolduc is learning on the job and the hope by mgmt was they wouldn't have to rely on him so early in the season, but here we are. The Isles are 250k short of calling up a vet D man. What about LTIR? Putting Pelech on LTIR would mean he would need to be out for 30 days, so they are stuck with Bolduc.

If they had 250K of space, they could add another player by simply putting Pelech on IR, but they don't have that extra space in the cap, so they are stuck with a tough decision.

Waiving a 22-year-old 6'4 d man with his offensive ability is not a smart move, he would be picked up by a young team, that wouldn't mind him learning on the job.

So, if Bolduc must stay, then having both Fasching and Gauthier seems redundant... I'd rather waive one of those players, so they can have another option on D.

 

[SI]

Just some wonderings about this team and lineup for discussion purposes.
Is it time to move on from the Barzal experiment to the wing?
Has Nelson ever played LW?
Can Engvall play center?
If and when Ish get's a look? Could he play C or LW in the NHL. I could see him getting blown up against the wall in the bigs. He does have some skill for sure.
How long is Pelech out for? If this is a season that this team doesn't compete for the playoffs I would be in favor of our pair of 23 year old up and coming defenseman to play together and build some consistency.

IMO, I would rather see Nelson play LW with Barzal at C - give Maty more ice. I think they would be awesome together.
Horvat could man a line with Engvall and Palmieri and be successful - BoRAT line still sees time together on the PP. Pelech will be back sooner than later - see my post above

I don't think Lane will do that - I think he will go down with the BO and Mat experiment until he gets fired.

Ultimately, I am coming around to seeing a change on the bench and one who brings experience and a new philosophy or approach - not Trotz-lite or Trotz 2.o... something that really shakes things up. I believe in this roster - IMO, just missing one more elite piece in the top 6.

 

[NC 1972]

Some here feel Lou is the saviour who brought responsibility back to the Islanders , to some degree his name and past has done that but I think the solid ownership has more to do with it. As many who have read my posts know, I’m not a Lou lover like some and feel hes the butcher that is leading this franchise into a deep hole. The coach is not the problem, the skill on the active roster is! There are some good to great players but not enough !

I would say some good players yes, I'm not sure we have any (great) players.

 

[NC 1972]

Pageau is gonna have to get dealt and at a reduced value. Lee is impossible to move, we have to buy him out. Clutterbuck is done after this season. We should start showcasing Cizikas but he wont get dealt either. Lots of holes, not many suitors. UFA's hate long island but are perfectly fine going to Columbus. Why? Because they aren't set up as a military camp that allows for no beards and no long hair.

isles have to find a way to get out of this hole. Get rid of Lou, get rid of his lackeys, and get Tulsky from the Canes. Hell, even get a Tampa guy. We need to find a way to get solid drafting and solid coaching. They need direction for a "retooling".

From what I see Cizikas stills has very good wheels, he is well suited for his role . It's his line mates that drag the line down. give him two bodies with size and speed he's fine.

The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear that the country club atmosphere has really taken over this team. Everyone is just going through the motions out there, nobody is playing with emotion or fire.

Back in the 70's Emile Francis was handing out long term contracts that the players didn't live up to , that team came to be know as "The Fat Cat's".

 

[Top Corner]

I would say some good players yes, I'm not sure we have any (great) players.

Sorokin ?

 

[Sparksrus3]

250 K is part of the problem?

It really shouldn't fall on one young player, but unfortunately, it has. The games are so tight that one mistake can cost 2 points. Bolduc is learning on the job and the hope by mgmt was they wouldn't have to rely on him so early in the season, but here we are. The Isles are 250k short of calling up a vet D man. What about LTIR? Putting Pelech on LTIR would mean he would need to be out for 30 days, so they are stuck with Bolduc.

If they had 250K of space, they could add another player by simply putting Pelech on IR, but they don't have that extra space in the cap, so they are stuck with a tough decision.

Waiving a 22-year-old 6'4 d man with his offensive ability is not a smart move, he would be picked up by a young team, that wouldn't mind him learning on the job.

So, if Bolduc must stay, then having

both Fasching and Gauthier seems redundant... I'd rather waive one of those players, so they can have another option on D.

why not waive them both ? Let’s not choose between lobster or cracked crab

 

[PK Cronin]

With new allegations against Hawks coach, Aldrich, in 2010 - Q is not going to be reinstated any time soon.

Sutter is an option and he would really shake things up in the room, especially if things got comfortable. Darryl would root it out, but it may not be sustainable.

Claude Julien could be a realistic option - more like Trotz - in terms of structure and discipline. Patrick Roy is another possibility and he can be a different kind of coach for this Isles team. If things continue to go south, I can see Lambert being replaced before December 1st.

Lou will remove the coach before any big trades.

IMO, there is too much character as well as talent on this team for the wheels to completely fall off. This team does not need to be a complete mess for there to be real change in the offseason. If the team doesn't make the playoffs, I think we can see a serious shake-up to the roster - I highly doubt Lou gets fired - IMO, I think ownership will give him the opportunity to shake up the roster before firing him.

Shaking it up, IMO, means no resigning Martin or Cal, a Palmieri Trade, Nelson or Pageau trade, and a new coach that brings in a new philosophy and new approach.

Wasn't it mentioned last time Sutter was hired that he wouldn't coach anywhere else because he wants to be close to his far? Not sure he'd even come out East.