If we're trading to rebuild this season, our goalie does not matter. Whether the fans want to admit it or not, this team is staring down the barrel of a 4-year rebuild; the only issue is whether Lou and ownership have the balls to start it now or continue to prolong the inevitable by trading away picks for mediocre, 30-year-old players. By the time we're ready to contend again, Sorokin will be 33 years old. It's time to trade him and use the assets to speed up this process. Barzal is an overpaid, 2nd line center with negative hockey IQ. He's not that special.
I think there's an argument to make for something in the middle, but I don't see it being successful with the amount of money we have tied up in unmovable, long-term contracts that will only get worse. If we want to compete, we're going to have to give up assets to move those deals, and I can't see us being able to afford it. I'd rather go scorched earth now and allow those contracts to expire on their own, or at least get to the point where it won't cost a fortune to move them. Fans don't like rebuilds, and I get it, but it's unfortunately the reality of this shitty NHL CBA where the only way to get ahead is to get lucky in the draft and circumvent the cap with LTIR.
Im not arguing with you anymore. Good day. Barzal is a negative IQ player now? Good lord you're not worth my time.
those are who should be dealt, not players who actually are this teams core.
And most teams don’t hit well to the extent Dallas has.
Yes, the player who refuses to adapt his game does not have hockey IQ. The book has been out on him for years at this point, and he refuses to make any adjustments.
I hate to break this to you, but none of those players have value besides Nelson.
You will literally get value for a Palmieri and Clutterbuck still. Teams would gladly have either one on board for a cup run.
McKinnon didn’t drive to the net in his early years, he was called out for it, then committed to changing how he played, which included driving to the net…and he took off as a player.
Yeah, a coaching change, a call up or two at some point, and maybe a minor deal to fill some need. If ownership is unhappy or even just losing some trust they might not sign off on major trades even if Lou wants to make them. It's not impossible that the owners want a rebuild, but that would be surprising if they did. If they're really thinking about ditching Lou over the summer, maybe they don't even sign off on a coaching change (or at least not for a long-term contract for an established guy).
IDK about 4 years if it's a true rebuild. That's pretty fast. Some teams might be able to expedite things, but the Isles aren't a destination franchise that players force trades to or UFAs accept less money to sign with. So unless a new GM gets lucky somehow, it's probably more like 6-8 years.
Barzal has a low hockey IQ. Never make him the centerpiece of any rebuild. If he has 1st round pick trade value, make the deal and start restocking the cupboards.
It's all dependent on the picks and in what drafts.
This board has gone so mad that we actively think Barzal is bad despite the entire team being piss poor structurally
