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

[The Real JT]

Only 23 games into the season and in the mere space of a week we’ve gone from tear it down to make an all in splash with Hanafin.

While I’m mostly in the tear it down group I’m also a realist. Unexpected results are the norm so let’s just play the games.

We’re now in the 8th playoff spot which is oddly reassuring for some. Depending on what happens tonight, it’s possible for 3 teams to jump ahead of us.

 

[Osakahaus]

I think its absolutely deserved that both Nelson and Dobson get maintenance days. Both played their asses off on Saturday

Only 23 games into the season and in the mere space of a week we’ve gone from tear it down to make an all in splash with Hanafin.

While I’m mostly in the tear it down group I’m also a realist. Unexpected results are the norm so let’s just play the games.

We’re now in the 8th playoff spot which is oddly reassuring for some. Depending on what happens tonight, it’s possible for 3 teams to jump ahead of us.

They should go after Ferraro really. Go for the upside on defense.

 

[miscs75]

Assuming Brock is good to go tomorrow, will he scratch Barzal, Sorokin or Dobson so he can play Wahlstrom in the top 6?

 

[MJF]

And that if your team isn't guaranteed to win the cup, you may as well not even play the games.

A dollar and a dream baby.

 

[The Real JT]

I think its absolutely deserved that both Nelson and Dobson get maintenance days. Both played their asses off on Saturday


They should go after Ferraro really. Go for the upside on defense.

I have a better idea.

Sign a different Ferraro (Ray) and option him to Bridgeport.

 

[doublechili]

Vegas and Seattle’s successes demonstrated to me that the league was overdue for expansion. There’s a surplus of talent.

Adding more teams might actually improve the product, by reducing depth and opening things up for the superstars more.

Another factor to consider is the expansion of the source of players. Way back when it was just Canada. Then add MA and a few states in the upper mid-west. Then SWE, RUS, FIN, CZE, etc.. And "other" Euro countries now (GER, SUI, etc.). And in the US you now have star players from AZ, CA, etc.. LI was proud of the Hansen bros getting a couple of NHL games, but now there are legit superstars from LI. So yeah, plenty of talent for more expansion.

 

[SI]

How many shots is Atlanta going to get ? That ship has sailed.

I thought so too - but there was a big article a couple months ago that Atlanta has rumoured to be possible expansion site and might give Houston and Salt Lake a run at expansion.

But unlike all other league's , Hockey isnt embraced by the masses. Baseball ,Basketball and Football are the big three, primarily due to the fact that most American's grew up playing those sports Hockey not so much. I remember when the NHL went on strike, The World Poker Tour took its place on the tube and produced better ratings.

regardless, hockey is exploring new markets and there are plenty in the US that they can explore and expand, unlike say Football, who all 32 franchises are US franchises - NHL has more options — Vegas and Seattle are successful- no reason for a place like Houston with its population to also be successful.

 

[doublechili]

I thought so too - but there was a big article a couple months ago that Atlanta has rumoured to be possible expansion site and might give Houston and Salt Lake a run at expansion.

ATL is the #7 largest TV market. That may be all we need to know. HOU is #6. I'm thinking the NHL doesn't want to NOT be in a top 10 market.

 

[Osakahaus]

regardless, hockey is exploring new markets and there are plenty in the US that they can explore and expand, unlike say Football, who all 32 franchises are US franchises - NHL has more options — Vegas and Seattle are successful- no reason for a place like Houston with its population to also be successful.

But i'll pose this question

expansion just further makes teams like the Islanders impossible in the modern day. this team just ends up being in that weird middle ground if they get ATL/HOU, and we really cannot risk being irrelevant in todays game.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

But i'll pose this question

expansion just further makes teams like the Islanders impossible in the modern day. this team just ends up being in that weird middle ground if they get ATL/HOU, and we really cannot risk being irrelevant in todays game.

That's not a question.

 

[Osakahaus]

That's not a question.

It isn't i just thought its a story thats growing more distant as the NHL expands.

 

[Throttle]

It isn't i just thought its a story thats growing more distant as the NHL expands.

The Isles have a $1B valuation, they are fine in terms of the league and the owners.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

It isn't i just thought its a story thats growing more distant as the NHL expands.

So, you'll just pose this... story.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

This team is in no position to make another move like Hanifan unless it is getting them out of the Pageau contract.

And trading Pageau opens up another set of problem, maybe we end u players for Hanifin in actual UFA but don’t know how we do it in season. I’d imagine we will be in on lesser players with lower cap hits like Ferraro and Duclair with sharks.

 

[Sparksrus3]

ATL is the #7 largest TV market.

Nobody in Atlanta has a job so they watch TV

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Nobody in Atlanta has a job so they watch TV

What does this even mean?

 

[Zeeker]

What does this even mean?

Nobody in Atlanta has a job so they watch TV

 

[leeroggy]

Nobody in Atlanta has a job so they watch TV

NYC unemployment rate is 4.0%, Atlanta's is 3.2%

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Nobody in Atlanta has a job so they watch TV

NYC unemployment rate is 4.0%, Atlanta's is 3.2%

New York is the #1 television market.

 

[NYI365]

Why do I have the sense that if the team continues to somehow accrue points we're gonna see the same kind of package for Horvat (Beau Raty 1st) but this time it'll be something like Pageau/Wahlstrom/1st for Hanifin.

Wally's time here is nearing its end me thinks. There was that rumored trade request a little ways back, and I just simply think he's too inconsistent and lacks the footspeed to be anything more than what he currently is now. He has 5 points in 17 games. Gauthier has 3 in 6.

I clearly think Fasching has the inside track on him for now and if Gauthier continues to perform like he has I think he'd be above him too, if he's not yet there already.

I can see something like this happening with our glut of centers, maybe Lou tries to find a cheaper 3C by the TDL if he goes all in by pulling the Hanifin trigger.

Regardless, I think it's clear at some point the LD needs a major addition.

 

[Zeeker]

New York is the #1 television market.

So you’re saying people in NY watch TV at their jobs?

 

[NYI365]

I may also have partaken in a certain lettuce of the devil's variety and came up with this idea of an eventual lineup for next season if the Hanifin deal went something like the above:

Holmstrom-Horvat-Barzal
Engvall-Nelson-X
Lee-X-Palmieri
Gauthier-Cizikas-Fasching

Clutterbuck if he signed a 1 year deal

Hanifin-Dobson
Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Mayfield

Sorokin
Varly

That does looks much more balanced to me.

 

[miscs75]

I may also have partaken in a certain lettuce of the devil's variety and came up with this idea of an eventual lineup for next season if the Hanifin deal went something like the above:

Holmstrom-Horvat-Barzal
Engvall-Nelson-X
Lee-X-Palmieri
Gauthier-Cizikas-Fasching

Clutterbuck if he signed a 1 year deal

Hanifin-Dobson
Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Mayfield

Sorokin
Varly

That does looks much more balanced to me.

I thought DMX passed away, unless you meant Xzibit for those forward spots.

 

[SI]

NHL on track for $87.7 million salary cap in 2024-25

That’s a welcomed five percent increase from the current $83.5 million, a number that has been essentially frozen for these...

www.dailyfaceoff.com

BOO!

Certainly, not the number I was hoping for, which I know was a stretch, but this number isn’t enough to add a key player from free agency.

Again, Lou will have to be creative or jettison contracts to add talent.

 

[SI]

But i'll pose this question

expansion just further makes teams like the Islanders impossible in the modern day. this team just ends up being in that weird middle ground if they get ATL/HOU, and we really cannot risk being irrelevant in todays game.

I’m not really sure what point you are trying to make - NHL expanding again - at least 2 more times - in the near future is a reality.

It will impact the Isles just like the rest of the league, except they will play separate divisions