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

[Doshell Propivo]

Before the season, I thought the Isles were a borderline playoff team. And maybe they squeak in again. But this team is going nowhere. They simply do not have the talent. And several players are a shell of what they were, due likely to age. This party is over. To not rebuild is just wasting time. And I'm all for Lou packing it in at this point.

So you'd rather waste Sorokin's, Romanov's, Barzal's, Dobson's, Horvat's prime years? They are all between 24-28 years old. Yes we have aging players on not-so-great contracts and obviously the results haven't been there recently. But I disagree that the team has no talent. Those five players I mentioned above, are the best players on the team and represent our #1 goalie, top 2 dmen and top 2 forwards (honorable mention to Brock). None of them (other than Barzal to a certain extent) were contributors on our back to back semifinal playoff runs. This notion that we keep running back the same team and haven't gotten younger is incorrect.

 

[SI]

Why, because our system sucks. Of the Top 100 prospects (NHL Hockey writer's website. We have 1.... 1 player - Dufour at 93. We need to build up system. Ritchie is rated 72 and he's only 18. Colton is only 27, signed until 2027 for 4M which is reasonable. For now is a decent replacement for Nelson until hopefully guys like Danny Nelson, Gil, Berg and Ritchie to take over.

Regarding the draft pick. I hate to break it to you. If the isles move Nelson, the teams coming from him are ALL playoff bound teams so all of them will be a low 1st rounder. You aren't dealing him to Ottawa, Arizona or Ana....so, not sure what you are thinking when we are considering breaking down this older core.

72. Calum Ritchie, C, Colorado Avalanche​

Calum Ritchie has great puck skills and sometimes it looks like he’s glued the puck to his stick while carving through defenders or when he’s on a breakaway. His skills make him very well suited as a center at the next level with good size, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties quite well), and solid faceoff results. He has the tools to be a top-6 forward, but his offensive game will need to continue to grow as it has this season if he wants to reach that level of play in the NHL.

it’s a garbage return - no blue chip prospect in return and not even the cap relief -

 

[MJF]

Since Christmas we have played 20 games. Anders Lee has contributed 3 goals and 2 assists. A .25 PPG pace playing on the 1st line. He is a black hole, a complete net negative. 2 more seasons after this year. Get him far away from the 1st line.

How has Brock Nelson done in that time frame? He a bigger drag on the team because he brings down the power play.

 

[Torrey Redux]

So you'd rather waste Sorokin's, Romanov's, Barzal's, Dobson's, Horvat's prime years? They are all between 24-28 years old. Yes we have aging players on not-so-great contracts and obviously the results haven't been there recently. But I disagree that the team has no talent. Those five players I mentioned above, are the best players on the team and represent our #1 goalie, top 2 dmen and top 2 forwards (honorable mention to Brock). None of them (other than Barzal to a certain extent) were contributors on our back to back semifinal playoff runs. This notion that we keep running back the same team and haven't gotten younger is incorrect.

No one has said that this team has no talent. This team has some good talent, in fact, just the right amount of talent to stay middle of the pack for some time to come, which is exactly where you don't want to be. You can stomp your feet all you want about not wasting the primes of those good players but since our genius GM has burned pretty much every resource available in surrounding those good players with other not so good players and used to be good players, and tying up those wanna bes and has beens for "too much money and too much time" as he likes to say, he has left himself, and us, with no way to take this team out of it's comfort zone (that being; meh) any time in the foreseeable future.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

How has Brock Nelson done in that time frame? He a bigger drag on the team because he brings down the power play.

I thought he was the best player on the team?

 

[Glorydays22]

it’s a garbage return - no blue chip prospect in return and not even the cap relief -

ok, curious to know what you think we are going to get for a 32 yr old center. I think it's a fair offer.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

No one has said that this team has no talent. This team has some good talent, in fact, just the right amount of talent to stay middle of the pack for some time to come, which is exactly where you don't want to be. You can stomp your feet all you want about not wasting the primes of those good players but since our genius GM has burned pretty much every resource available in surrounding those good players with other not so good players and used to be good players, and tying up those wanna bes and has beens for "too much money and too much time" as he likes to say, he has left himself, and us, with no way to take this team out of it's comfort zone (that being; meh) any time in the foreseeable future.

I wasn't stomping my feet. Just posing a legitimate question. Given the good, talented, young players we have, is the best strategy to start over with a rebuild?

If so, what does a realistic rebuild look like?

 

[WangMustGo]

How has Brock Nelson done in that time frame? He a bigger drag on the team because he brings down the power play.

6 goals, 5 assists. Not good by Brock’s standards, but he’s far better than Lee. At least Brock isn’t slowing down Horvat and Barzal. Lee is just absolute trash. I appeciate what he’s done for the team, but Father Time has caught up with him.

If we keep sucking I do think we need to move Nelson while he still has a lot of value.

 

[MJF]

I thought he was the best player on the team?

I think he was until Bo Horvat arrived. Nelson had managed to avoid these deep slumps that gave birth to “Brocktober” when he would open the season hot then not score for 16 games. Now the inconsistent scoring and poor play is back and his scoring is missed.

 

[SI]

ok, curious to know what you think we are going to get for a 32 yr old center. I think it's a fair offer.

He is a 30 goal scorer and a big 2C making 6m next season. And he is 32 NOT 42. The chances of either Ritchie or whatever the late 1st is to be an NHL let alone an impact NHLer is very low - but hey he’ll improve what Pronman rates them on some BS poll that doesn’t age well.

I’d rather keep Nelson or make a hockey trade for a young NHLer + - like Byram or Rossi or someone comparable like Buch straight up.

 

[beach]

So you'd rather waste Sorokin's, Romanov's, Barzal's, Dobson's, Horvat's prime years? They are all between 24-28 years old. Yes we have aging players on not-so-great contracts and obviously the results haven't been there recently. But I disagree that the team has no talent. Those five players I mentioned above, are the best players on the team and represent our #1 goalie, top 2 dmen and top 2 forwards (honorable mention to Brock). None of them (other than Barzal to a certain extent) were contributors on our back to back semifinal playoff runs. This notion that we keep running back the same team and haven't gotten younger is incorrect.

If you're content battling for the last wildcard for the next several years then good for you. Other than Dobson, (and maybe Reilly, but I need to see more of him before judgement), the rest of our D has become very mediocre. On offense, I would trade anyone not named Barzal or Horvat. And that includes Nelson. In goal, if you can get value for Varly , I'd do it.
This team is toast. They have a better chance of becoming better faster by trading anyone not mentioned above for whatever picks they can get.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Fair enough, but if you're going to do that kind of in-season record parsing and pick and choose what periods best reflected on the Isles but then call someone else out for being selective in their read of history, well, that's a problem....

Except I'm not making absolutes. I'm just bringing up examples to support the premise that sports are unpredictable. What Perif is saying is akin to me confidently espousing the Isles will make the playoffs based on last seasons finish. I'm definitely not saying that. If you can't tell the difference just means you've joined the conversation too late and need to go back and do some studying.

 

[SI]

Except that every year half the teams miss the playoffs, and others draft in the top 10. Those teams play like shit a majority of the season and do not go on "rolls."

The Islanders team we loved 3-4 years ago and made those unforgettable runs is hitting a wall right in front of our eyes.




Most nights when the Isles take the ice the team they are playing usually is younger, faster, and has more talent then they do. And for some reason this year the team isn't outworking their opponent and Sorokin is playing the worst hockey he ever has.

There's really no substantial reason to this this team is going to win the roughly 75% (or more) of their remaining games to even just sneak into the playoffs.




There is limited cap space already for next season, barely any players/contracts to trade for anything of value, and zero farm system to tap into or trade.

The changes that *may* be made will be limited and won't materially change the direction of the team in the short term.

Let me walk this back -

IF the team is going to get back in the race, then they need to go on a run. Stringing together a couple of win streaks is very possible. It might seem out of reach with the way they have played but if the playoffs are in their future, then we need to see their best hockey very soon.

You don't see it and that is fine - I think there is still a possibility. This game does not stand still what you witness one moment can be flipped on its head, the next minute. The Canucks were a tire fire last year and with the right coach, approach, and process they flipped completely around. The Flames a couple of seasons ago looked poised to go very deep and IMO, looked unbeatable - they played skilled, fast, and heavy with great goaltending and then the wheels came off the next season. The OILERS f***ing sucked and I watch a ton of Oilers games and then just like that, they rattle off 14 in a row.

NEXT offseason - they can reevaluate the roster and find the pieces that will work best in Roy's system. If Lou is ALL-IN like everyone says (and he is determined to see this core until the end), then Lou will identify the pieces he needs to add - via trade or free agency - and will make it happen. They will have some cap gymnastics, but nothing is off the table if they don't make the playoffs.

Most Likely Change
The first major change will be the 4th line, where the team will move on from Martin and Clutterbuck and go with some younger and faster players to fill the bottom 6. hell, you may see Roy implement a bottom 6 like the Canucks have - almost like 2 3rd lines. Joshua - Blueger - Garland, Hoglander - Aman - Lafferty.

• Lee - Pageau - Holmstrom, ???? - Cizikas - ???? OR
• Lee - Cizikas - ????, Holmstrom - Pageau - ?????.

Unlikely Change
One major change talked about on this board lately, is moving Nelson, but I find it unlikely. I just don't think they'll get the return they are looking for. They should hold onto him and if the wheels come off they could trade him at the TDL of 2025 and get a similar return. Maybe there is a hockey trade out there - Nelson for Buch - similar players with similar cap hits, but eh... I see him staying - I think we can assume Nelson is safe.

What about Pageau
Pageau can be a candidate and simply elevate Cizikas to the 3C, but something tells me JGP is liked by Roy and he'll stay. Also, his contract will be tough to move.

Palmieri
Palmieri is the easiest player to move and his resurgence this year helps the Isles cause. He has 1 year left @ 5m - he can be moved pretty easily. Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th rounder with his entire cap hit going the other way. Clearing up Palmieri's cap hit will give them 9m to spend.

BIG Ticket Free agency
Lou will again go big game hunting - all eyes should be on Guentzel. If Guentzel hits the market, then Lou will push hard. As I write this, I am quite aware that it is unlikely a big free agent signs here, but if LOU hands Guentzel 7 for 9 - the Isles could have Horvat - Barzal and Nelson - Guentzel leading the top 6. They would have to go cheap to round out the F corp., but that is a helluva top 4.

NO BIG free Agent, then it is a trade
If there is no big free-agent ticket, then Lou can go big game hunting via trade, with a #1 pick and bad contracts to attach- Engvall and/or Palmieri (hell even Lee could be in that mix) - Gaudreau, Hertl, Huberdeau, Laine, Buchnevich, Mangiapane, Dubois, and Zegras will all be top 6 F's on the trade market

 

[Isles72]

The Roy hiring came out of nowhere so who knows what Lou's up to .

hopefully Lou and Roy have a few meetings to discuss some ideas for the trade deadline that are available whether its a small trade or small sell-off

 

[leeroggy]

How has Brock Nelson done in that time frame? He a bigger drag on the team because he brings down the power play.

I think that his production has fallen because he's become predictable on the PP, and we are forcing it to him too much. To take a thought from lacrosse's man-up, I'd throw a few wrinkles in with Nelson and Horvat interchanging more often. I've noticed that Horvat has started drifting out too much in the bumper spot and is shooting more off his back foot. They're both lefties, so send Palmieri off the net a little when Barzal has the puck, send Horvat to the net and have Nelson time it to fill the bumper. It should overload Barzal's side and give Nelson a clear look from the middle instead of the wing, which the goalie expects. It also gives Nelson the option to go back to Barzal for the one-timer from a closer position if the off wing PK'er fills quickly. The current PP has gotten stagnant.

 

[leeroggy]

Let me walk this back -

IF the team is going to get back in the race, then they need to go on a run. Stringing together a couple of win streaks is very possible. It might seem out of reach with the way they have played but if the playoffs are in their future, then we need to see their best hockey very soon.

You don't see it and that is fine - I think there is still a possibility. This game does not stand still what you witness one moment can be flipped on its head, the next minute. The Canucks were a tire fire last year and with the right coach, approach, and process they flipped completely around. The Flames a couple of seasons ago looked poised to go very deep and IMO, looked unbeatable - they played skilled, fast, and heavy with great goaltending and then the wheels came off the next season. The OILERS f***ing sucked and I watch a ton of Oilers games and then just like that, they rattle off 14 in a row.

NEXT offseason - they can reevaluate the roster and find the pieces that will work best in Roy's system. If Lou is ALL-IN like everyone says (and he is determined to see this core until the end), then Lou will identify the pieces he needs to add - via trade or free agency - and will make it happen. They will have some cap gymnastics, but nothing is off the table if they don't make the playoffs.

Most Likely Change
The first major change will be the 4th line, where the team will move on from Martin and Clutterbuck and go with some younger and faster players to fill the bottom 6. hell, you may see Roy implement a bottom 6 like the Canucks have - almost like 2 3rd lines. Joshua - Blueger - Garland, Hoglander - Aman - Lafferty.

• Lee - Pageau - Holmstrom, ???? - Cizikas - ???? OR
• Lee - Cizikas - ????, Holmstrom - Pageau - ?????.

Unlikely Change
One major change talked about on this board lately, is moving Nelson, but I find it unlikely. I just don't think they'll get the return they are looking for. They should hold onto him and if the wheels come off they could trade him at the TDL of 2025 and get a similar return. Maybe there is a hockey trade out there - Nelson for Buch - similar players with similar cap hits, but eh... I see him staying - I think we can assume Nelson is safe.

What about Pageau
Pageau can be a candidate and simply elevate Cizikas to the 3C, but something tells me JGP is liked by Roy and he'll stay. Also, his contract will be tough to move.

Palmieri
Palmieri is the easiest player to move and his resurgence this year helps the Isles cause. He has 1 year left @ 5m - he can be moved pretty easily. Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th rounder with his entire cap hit going the other way. Clearing up Palmieri's cap hit will give them 9m to spend.

BIG Ticket Free agency
Lou will again go big game hunting - all eyes should be on Guentzel. If Guentzel hits the market, then Lou will push hard. As I write this, I am quite aware that it is unlikely a big free agent signs here, but if LOU hands Guentzel 7 for 9 - the Isles could have Horvat - Barzal and Nelson - Guentzel leading the top 6. They would have to go cheap to round out the F corp., but that is a helluva top 4.

NO BIG free Agent, then it is a trade
If there is no big free-agent ticket, then Lou can go big game hunting via trade, with a #1 pick and bad contracts to attach- Engvall and/or Palmieri (hell even Lee could be in that mix) - Gaudreau, Hertl, Huberdeau, Laine, Buchnevich, Mangiapane, Dubois, and Zegras will all be top 6 F's on the trade market

A few thoughts. Guentzel needs a feeder and Nelson isn't it. Barzal-Guentzel and Nelson-Horvat is more likely. Either way, Guentzel coming here is a pretty remote possibility.

I would see if we can trade Lee for Laine with a few additions. Something like Lee and Cizikas for Laine and one of Columbus' 3rd. I listened to Davidson's interview on the Sirius NHL Network and he wants more leadership for his young kids. Laine has had so much dumped on him in Columbus and he might well waive just to start out fresh. He's STILL only 25 years old and has two more years, just like Lee. MacLean showed enough to take the 4th line center role. Laine, with all the hate, still has 54 goals in 129 games the last 2 1/2 seasons, a 34-goal pace, playing with no real center feeding him.

Laine-Barzal-Horvat would be a sick combo since Mat has TWO shooters to feed, not just one. Would make defenses back off and have to spread out, giving him even more maneuver room.

 

[The Real JT]

A few thoughts. Guentzel needs a feeder and Nelson isn't it. Barzal-Guentzel and Nelson-Horvat is more likely. Either way, Guentzel coming here is a pretty remote possibility.

I would see if we can trade Lee for Laine with a few additions. Something like Lee and Cizikas for Laine and one of Columbus' 3rd. I listened to Davidson's interview on the Sirius NHL Network and he wants more leadership for his young kids. Laine has had so much dumped on him in Columbus and he might well waive just to start out fresh. He's STILL only 25 years old and has two more years, just like Lee. MacLean showed enough to take the 4th line center role. Laine, with all the hate, still has 54 goals in 129 games the last 2 1/2 seasons, a 34-goal pace, playing with no real center feeding him.

Laine-Barzal-Horvat would be a sick combo since Mat has TWO shooters to feed, not just one. Would make defenses back off and have to spread out, giving him even more maneuver room.

I’m guessing based on your post that you believe adding Cizikas to a Lee/Laine deal would be looked at positively by Columbus. I disagree even though I don’t think his contract is toxic at this point.

Including this year, Cizikas has four more years left albeit at a somewhat manageable 2.5 million AAV. His productivity continues to decrease though it is fair to say his linemates are partially to blame.

One of his main assets in the past was his PK skills but there is no one on the current PK including him whose efforts we can look at in a positive manner. That not only includes Cizikas, but I’ll throw in Holmstrom (even with shorties) and Pageau.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Let me walk this back -

IF the team is going to get back in the race, then they need to go on a run. Stringing together a couple of win streaks is very possible. It might seem out of reach with the way they have played but if the playoffs are in their future, then we need to see their best hockey very soon.

You don't see it and that is fine - I think there is still a possibility. This game does not stand still what you witness one moment can be flipped on its head, the next minute. The Canucks were a tire fire last year and with the right coach, approach, and process they flipped completely around. The Flames a couple of seasons ago looked poised to go very deep and IMO, looked unbeatable - they played skilled, fast, and heavy with great goaltending and then the wheels came off the next season. The OILERS f***ing sucked and I watch a ton of Oilers games and then just like that, they rattle off 14 in a row.

NEXT offseason - they can reevaluate the roster and find the pieces that will work best in Roy's system. If Lou is ALL-IN like everyone says (and he is determined to see this core until the end), then Lou will identify the pieces he needs to add - via trade or free agency - and will make it happen. They will have some cap gymnastics, but nothing is off the table if they don't make the playoffs.

Most Likely Change
The first major change will be the 4th line, where the team will move on from Martin and Clutterbuck and go with some younger and faster players to fill the bottom 6. hell, you may see Roy implement a bottom 6 like the Canucks have - almost like 2 3rd lines. Joshua - Blueger - Garland, Hoglander - Aman - Lafferty.

• Lee - Pageau - Holmstrom, ???? - Cizikas - ???? OR
• Lee - Cizikas - ????, Holmstrom - Pageau - ?????.

Unlikely Change
One major change talked about on this board lately, is moving Nelson, but I find it unlikely. I just don't think they'll get the return they are looking for. They should hold onto him and if the wheels come off they could trade him at the TDL of 2025 and get a similar return. Maybe there is a hockey trade out there - Nelson for Buch - similar players with similar cap hits, but eh... I see him staying - I think we can assume Nelson is safe.

What about Pageau
Pageau can be a candidate and simply elevate Cizikas to the 3C, but something tells me JGP is liked by Roy and he'll stay. Also, his contract will be tough to move.

Palmieri
Palmieri is the easiest player to move and his resurgence this year helps the Isles cause. He has 1 year left @ 5m - he can be moved pretty easily. Vancouver traded Beauvillier for a 5th rounder with his entire cap hit going the other way. Clearing up Palmieri's cap hit will give them 9m to spend.

BIG Ticket Free agency
Lou will again go big game hunting - all eyes should be on Guentzel. If Guentzel hits the market, then Lou will push hard. As I write this, I am quite aware that it is unlikely a big free agent signs here, but if LOU hands Guentzel 7 for 9 - the Isles could have Horvat - Barzal and Nelson - Guentzel leading the top 6. They would have to go cheap to round out the F corp., but that is a helluva top 4.

NO BIG free Agent, then it is a trade
If there is no big free-agent ticket, then Lou can go big game hunting via trade, with a #1 pick and bad contracts to attach- Engvall and/or Palmieri (hell even Lee could be in that mix) - Gaudreau, Hertl, Huberdeau, Laine, Buchnevich, Mangiapane, Dubois, and Zegras will all be top 6 F's on the trade market

Any conversation about adding a big name player has to come within the context of us needing to re-sign Romanov and Dobson in 2 seasons, one of whom will get paid like a top 10 defenseman and the other will come off of playing top pairing minutes for two seasons. They already price out Nelson, even with Palmieri coming off the books. Adding Guentzel will require us to spend picks moving Lee... which I think we should do regardless. The issue is that we will be out an entire second line at that point... which will require us to spend MORE picks moving Pageau. And then we will need two centers.

This is part of the reason I've been pushing moving on from Pelech sooner than later. He's obviously on the decline and we'll need George or Bolduc to step up into an NHL role. But the emergence of Dobson and Romanov has put a huge added strain on our cap situation that was already f***ed. Moving him or Pulock will need to be explored in the offseason - . They both have NMCs though which will limit our return somewhat.... so yeah, we're f***ed

 

[MJF]

I find it troubling that Roy is still hammering the players on screwing up the fundamentals and we're approaching Game 54 already. This is a "break em down to build em back up" mindset that would have been better served in training camp than mid-February. Roy may have been brought in to save the season but it looks like there's still too many of the little things this team does wrong to correct, and as another poster said, the Islanders are running out of runway.

 

[PK Cronin]

I find it troubling that Roy is still hammering the players on screwing up the fundamentals and we're approaching Game 54 already. This is a "break em down to build em back up" mindset that would have been better served in training camp than mid-February. Roy may have been brought in to save the season but it looks like there's still too many of the little things this team does wrong to correct, and as another poster said, the Islanders are running out of runway.

Engvall makes very strange decisions with his body positioning, almost always to avoid contact. If Roy can get him to take advantage of that strength then Engvall will become a much more effective player and that contract will look great. If he can't break those habits, ugh.

 

[leeroggy]

I’m guessing based on your post that you believe adding Cizikas to a Lee/Laine deal would be looked at positively by Columbus. I disagree even though I don’t think his contract is toxic at this point.

Including this year, Cizikas has four more years left albeit at a somewhat manageable 2.5 million AAV. His productivity continues to decrease though it is fair to say his linemates are partially to blame.

One of his main assets in the past was his PK skills but there is no one on the current PK including him whose efforts we can look at in a positive manner. That not only includes Cizikas, but I’ll throw in Holmstrom (even with shorties) and Pageau.

You miss the part about my listening to Davidson's interview and what he wants to add? He wants what Lee and Cizikas bring to the table to mature his kids. Columbus easily absorbs the $800,000 cap differential.
At this point, it's hard to justify worrying about keeping a penalty killer at $2.5 million when we have the worst PK in 30 years of the NHL.
Or as my grandfather would say . . . "It couldn't hoyt (hurt)!"

 

[MJF]

Engvall makes very strange decisions with his body positioning, almost always to avoid contact. If Roy can get him to take advantage of that strength then Engvall will become a much more effective player and that contract will look great. If he can't break those habits, ugh.

Engvall is one example. I’ve been folllowing the reporting from the practices since Roy arrived he’s been working with the team on fundamentals every time. Before he bag skated them on Wednesday they were doing drills that they would normally do in training camp (winning corner battles, positining, etc). Having to go back to the basica now, and getting them wrong so often that Roy is often blowing down the drills and repeating them is concerning. Things really got away frim this team.

 

[The Real JT]

You miss the part about my listening to Davidson's interview and what he wants to add? He wants what Lee and Cizikas bring to the table to mature his kids. Columbus easily absorbs the $800,000 cap differential.
At this point, it's hard to justify worrying about keeping a penalty killer at $2.5 million when we have the worst PK in 30 years of the NHL.
Or as my grandfather would say . . . "It couldn't hoyt (hurt)!"

I could see someone taking on Cizikas’s contract. I still think he is at best a neutral asset, and more likely would require a sweetener.

While I wouldn’t shed a tear if he were gone, there’s only so many Centers this team can afford to lose. It’s possible that Nelson and Pageau will be off this team in the next one to two years. If Cizikas is gone too that leaves us with at most two centers, and that’s assuming Horvat and Barzal are broken up and both center their own line.

Of course more roster additions would be needed before multiple holes were opened up on this roster. Interesting times ahead.

 

[SI]

Any conversation about adding a big name player has to come within the context of us needing to re-sign Romanov and Dobson in 2 seasons, one of whom will get paid like a top 10 defenseman and the other will come off of playing top pairing minutes for two seasons. They already price out Nelson, even with Palmieri coming off the books. Adding Guentzel will require us to spend picks moving Lee... which I think we should do regardless. The issue is that we will be out an entire second line at that point... which will require us to spend MORE picks moving Pageau. And then we will need two centers.

This is part of the reason I've been pushing moving on from Pelech sooner than later. He's obviously on the decline and we'll need George or Bolduc to step up into an NHL role. But the emergence of Dobson and Romanov has put a huge added strain on our cap situation that was already f***ed. Moving him or Pulock will need to be explored in the offseason - . They both have NMCs though which will limit our return somewhat.... so yeah, we're f***ed

2025-26 cap will be close to 92- especially since expansion is going to happen again meaning more revenue.

No need to cut cost ahead of that and make the team weaker - cap balance is important but I do believe in kicking the can down the road and being forced to make a move than being preemptive. This stuff tend to work themselves out. If they have a chance to add a big player they need to do it.

 

[SI]

A few thoughts. Guentzel needs a feeder and Nelson isn't it. Barzal-Guentzel and Nelson-Horvat is more likely. Either way, Guentzel coming here is a pretty remote possibility.

I would see if we can trade Lee for Laine with a few additions. Something like Lee and Cizikas for Laine and one of Columbus' 3rd. I listened to Davidson's interview on the Sirius NHL Network and he wants more leadership for his young kids. Laine has had so much dumped on him in Columbus and he might well waive just to start out fresh. He's STILL only 25 years old and has two more years, just like Lee. MacLean showed enough to take the 4th line center role. Laine, with all the hate, still has 54 goals in 129 games the last 2 1/2 seasons, a 34-goal pace, playing with no real center feeding him.

Laine-Barzal-Horvat would be a sick combo since Mat has TWO shooters to feed, not just one. Would make defenses back off and have to spread out, giving him even more maneuver room.

I think Gaudreau might also be up for grabs, Engvall would need to be part of that package to leverage some of the cap hit - Include Lee and a 1st - the cap hits line up. Gaudreau with Nelson, and Horvat Barzal could be a dynamic 4.

I also believe Anaheim will move Zegras at the draft and they will look for a hockey trade, a young D man, preferably of the same age and draft pedigree, but if they don't find that player then, I can see them going for a high pick and prospect unlikely but if Isles pick lands somewhere in 10-12 range with additional pieces - maybe...?