Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build

[Lame Lambert]

Sounds great !! I’m in for this . Just one thing. How do we get the Blue Chip talent ? In 40 years it’s Barzal, Tr91tor, Palffy, Patty Laf. Other great players that did not show it wearing our sweater.

Spotrac……. Just type the team or player then spotrac or else you get the entire site which may be tricky

Spotrac has him listed as a UFA, which is what started this conversation.

 

[NYI365]

My best hope is he becomes Thomas Hickey lite for us.

 

[MarsTBOW]

Tank commander Skarek reporting for duty

Untergruppenführer Skarek to the rescue!!!!

Lou going to force Roy to run Sorokin into the ground. We'll probably stay close enough to the playoffs where Lou won't sell and then just after the deadline Sorokin will get injured due to overuse, Nelson/Palmieri will still be on the team hurting draft position, and then walk for nothing this offseason.

Gosh I Hope your wrong, but I can see it happening....

 

[leeroggy]

Untergruppenführer Skarek to the rescue!!!!



Gosh I Hope your wrong, but I can see it happening....

Can we all stop imitating the Flat Earth Society with these speculations? Yeesh.

 

[LeapOnOver]

He's an excellent acquisition so long as he keeps his mouth mostly shut. Realistically if we don't win with the present core most of us won't see another Cup run in our lifetime. For me, this is is the last core group I will probably watch that has any chance of getting far to compete for the cup. So I'm all for holding onto whatever talent we have and finding those diamonds in the rough that might take the team to the next level. If this results in Nelson walking away next season then the slow process of tanking for high draft picks begins with this team unable to score goals. Going for the Cup today however slight the probability of winning the championship makes sense because either we get a shot at it this year or next year Nelson and Palms walk putting us in a better position for upcoming drafts ie. suck for luck. Purposely tanking rarely works unless you are Mario Lemieux. The Isles should continue to go for it regardless of the odds.

I felt this way up until this season, but I've officially seen enough of this core where a retool is necessary. A savvy GM could find a way to retool on the fly here, especially if there is a significant cap increase. I'm just not sure if LL fits that adjective anymore.

You can use the first from the Brock Nelson trade to flip for a current NHLer. Doesn't mean we are giving up. Just doing the right thing but getting assets for an expiring contract on a player that is no longer a spring chicken.

 

[SI]

Pulock and Dobson not looking good. Can we not just bring up Hutton? Mitchell? Even Bolduc?

Kinda weird trading assets for a bandaid

Really liked Perunovich in college and the draft but don’t get doing this.

He is an RFA, so it is for next year as well. Nice pick up.

I don’t care if it’s a 5th, this team is not in a position to be giving away assets no matter how insignificant.

It's a 2026 6th-round pick for an NHL player.

 

[SI]

Several wins in a row and Lou has added two blueliners within a 3-day span.

Sorry folks, it`s clear where this is headed.

And it's exactly what he's done for several years now.

This is Lou’s show of accountability to the players and staff. By making these moves, he’s sending a clear message: he believes in them. With two major injuries plaguing the lineup, he’s brought in reinforcements. Now, the responsibility falls squarely on the players to execute.

Unfortunately, it feels like it’s too little, too late. The team is staring down a brutal stretch: five games in eight days, five of the next seven on the road, and matchups against top-tier teams like Winnipeg, Vegas, and Florida. I expect Sorokin will have to carry the load and start every single one of those games.

The next seven games will define the season. Other teams ahead of them in the standings, like the Flyers and Red Wings, are finding ways to win, as they did tonight. Realistically, the Islanders could go 1-6 during this stretch before the Four Nations break—which would likely seal their fate. In order, to reach 90 points, they would have to go 20-7 the rest of the way.

The schedule does not look any more promising after the break with 6 games until the deadline with 2 against the Rangers.

I still believe Nelson gets traded in the end.

 

[Isles72]

Roy seemed to like Hutton out of camp so I'm slightly surprised that he wasnt called up as the RHD to help the right side loss of players .

apparently he can play right side (new Scott) so I'm curious to see what the pairs are .

I'd probably put Perunavich with Romanov , Tony D with Pelech and leave George with Mayfield so theres a mobile dude with each two-way guy

 

[Lek]

Hmmm...any possibility the Perunavich pick up might be a precursor to a player move?...and not just solely because of injury. Long shot thought....

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Gosh I Hope your wrong, but I can see it happening....

No, I hope you're wrong!

But the scenario where we put everything into scratching and clawing our way into the playoffs only to see UFAs Nelson & Palms either re-signed or allowed to walk in the offseason (i.e. the two undesirable scenarios) is the absolute most likely scenario we're getting from Lamoriello.

Hmmm...any possibility the Perunavich pick up might be a precursor to a player move?...and not just solely because of injury. Long shot thought....

In light of him being an RFA (are we now sure about that?), I'd say the thought is more that we'll not be seeing Reilly again and Perunovich would have the opportunity to replace him.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

In light of him being an RFA (are we now sure about that?), I'd say the thought is more that we'll not be seeing Reilly again and Perunovich would have the opportunity to replace him.

I think that’s it too.

And if he sucks over the rest of the season you just don’t qualify him.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Hmmm...any possibility the Perunavich pick up might be a precursor to a player move?...and not just solely because of injury. Long shot thought....

If they play well with Dobson out it would make a hell of a lot of sense to deal him before he gets paid. He still has tons of value in this league.

The assets you get from dealing Nelson, Palmieri and Dobson should be enough for a full retool. Bang it out in one season.

 

[saintunspecified]

The assets you get from dealing Nelson, Palmieri and Dobson should be enough for a full retool. Bang it out in one season.

The thing with Dobson is that he fits the age range for a retool. Nelson should be worth a pick and a player (1st and a meh player or 2nd and a good player), while Palmieri is worth, at best, a 2nd.

If I could get Jack Drury and a 2nd for Nelson, and another 2nd for Palmieri, I'd be happy. Because a good young cost-controlled roster player + a 2nd that fills a need is > a 1st and a B-prospect. Then, given his recent play, I'd strongly consider dealing Pelech. Because his age & health prospects going forward do not fit. Dobson is going to get paid wherever he goes. So NYI paying him doesn't immediately destroy his value.

 

[Rehabguy]

This is Lou’s show of accountability to the players and staff. By making these moves, he’s sending a clear message: he believes in them. With two major injuries plaguing the lineup, he’s brought in reinforcements. Now, the responsibility falls squarely on the players to execute.

Unfortunately, it feels like it’s too little, too late. The team is staring down a brutal stretch: five games in eight days, five of the next seven on the road, and matchups against top-tier teams like Winnipeg, Vegas, and Florida. I expect Sorokin will have to carry the load and start every single one of those games.

The next seven games will define the season. Other teams ahead of them in the standings, like the Flyers and Red Wings, are finding ways to win, as they did tonight. Realistically, the Islanders could go 1-6 during this stretch before the Four Nations break—which would likely seal their fate. In order, to reach 90 points, they would have to go 20-7 the rest of the way.

The schedule does not look any more promising after the break with 6 games until the deadline with 2 against the Rangers.

I still believe Nelson gets traded in the end.

The X factor in all of this is Roy. We were in the same boat last year and he was able to rally the troops to a playoff berth. But the way the Isles have been playing the last 10 games or so gives me belief if they just make the playoffs they have a legitimate chance to do some damage. The goal last year was to just make the playoffs. The goal over the offseason and the start of this season was to totally revamp the player's mental and tactical approach to the game ie. playing to win rather than constantly retreating to create an impenetrable perimeter which eventually turned into retreating in a panic. I think Roy has accomplished this. I haven't seen any sign of collective panic in the past 10 games or so and it's translating to wins even against strong teams on paper. The team is showing when it's running on all cylinders that it can beat any team in the league.

I think a lot of posters here are getting too caught up in the chronological age of the players but with modern training 34 years of age is the new 24. Lee exemplifies that. There is biological age and chronological age. I haven't seen any sign yet that Nelson's biological age has caught up to him. I see some of that in Martin for example or especially those players who are not particularly strong skaters. Nelson is a strong skater. He's got a few useful years in him yet. I agree the next handful of games will determine the Isles fate. Roy pulled a rabbit out of his hat last year. I think he can do it again.

Time will eventually catch up to everyone. As tennis player Djokovic commented the other day, "father time has never lost." And when this happens the rebuild/retool will just have to happen naturally. In the meantime I still think they should be going for it with all hands on deck including Palmieri and Nelson. This is our best chance to see a Cup in the next 15 years or so. If we trade Nelson, what are we realistically going to replace him with? Because no team is going to depart from a player who has done what Nelson has done for the past 5 years. All we will obtain is potential talent or something lesser which is not a guarantee nor an effective retool. Go with what we know.

 

[impaaaaaact]

The thing with Dobson is that he fits the age range for a retool. Nelson should be worth a pick and a player (1st and a meh player or 2nd and a good player), while Palmieri is worth, at best, a 2nd.

If I could get Jack Drury and a 2nd for Nelson, and another 2nd for Palmieri, I'd be happy. Because a good young cost-controlled roster player + a 2nd that fills a need is > a 1st and a B-prospect. Then, given his recent play, I'd strongly consider dealing Pelech. Because his age & health prospects going forward do not fit. Dobson is going to get paid wherever he goes. So NYI paying him doesn't immediately destroy his value.

It’s also interesting to think about how this year may have affected his contract negotiations. Dobson basically had the most disappointing year of his career and then got injured during his contract year. There’s a chance we can sign him below market value

 

[crashthenet]

If they play well with Dobson out it would make a hell of a lot of sense to deal him before he gets paid. He still has tons of value in this league.

The assets you get from dealing Nelson, Palmieri and Dobson should be enough for a full retool. Bang it out in one season.

He is too defensively inept to be much more the a 5/6 PP guy. Don't overpay.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

The thing with Dobson is that he fits the age range for a retool. Nelson should be worth a pick and a player (1st and a meh player or 2nd and a good player), while Palmieri is worth, at best, a 2nd.

If I could get Jack Drury and a 2nd for Nelson, and another 2nd for Palmieri, I'd be happy. Because a good young cost-controlled roster player + a 2nd that fills a need is > a 1st and a B-prospect. Then, given his recent play, I'd strongly consider dealing Pelech. Because his age & health prospects going forward do not fit. Dobson is going to get paid wherever he goes. So NYI paying him doesn't immediately destroy his value.

In light of the number of contending teams who could REALLY use a strong, offensively-inclined 2nd line center with his shot, I think you're pretty much underselling Nelson here.

At least in the current market.

I'm thinking he gets you what you paid for Horvat, meaning a 1st, a young NHLer, and a decent prospect.

 

[impaaaaaact]

The X factor in all of this is Roy. We were in the same boat last year and he was able to rally the troops to a playoff berth. But the way the Isles have been playing the last 10 games or so gives me belief if they just make the playoffs they have a legitimate chance to do some damage. The goal last year was to just make the playoffs. The goal over the offseason and the start of this season was to totally revamp the player's mental and tactical approach to the game ie. playing to win rather than retreating to create a perimeter. I think Roy has accomplished this. I haven't seen any sign of collective panic in the past 10 games or so and it's translating to wins even against strong teams on paper. The team is showing when it's running on all cylinders that it can beat any team in the league.

I think a lot of posters here are getting too caught up in the chronological age of the players but with modern training 34 years of age is the new 24. Lee exemplifies that. There is biological age and chronological age. I haven't seen any sign yet that Nelson's biological age has caught up to him. I see some of that in Martin for example or especially those players who are not particularly strong skaters. Nelson is a strong skater. He's got a few useful years in him yet. I agree the next handful of games will determine the Isles fate. Roy pulled a rabbit out of his hat last year. I think he can do it again.

Time will eventually catch up to everyone. As tennis player Djokovic commented the other day, "father time has never lost." And when this happen the rebuild/retool will just have to happen naturally. In the meantime I still think they should be going for it with all hands on deck including Palmieri and Nelson. This is our best chance to see a Cup in the next 15 years or so. If we trade Nelson, what are we realistically going to replace him with? Because no team is going to depart from a player who has done what Nelson has done for the past 5 years. All we will obtain is potential talent or something lesser which is not a guarantee nor an effective retool. Go with what we know.

They’re winning now, but just lost their two top RHD and are trying to fill that hole with guys you get for free or conditional picks.

Don’t get me wrong… it might work. But even if it does, we have to jump over like 6 teams for a playoff spot. That basically means playing .700 hockey for the rest of the season. All for the right to play the Caps in the first round, who have been playing .700 hockey for an entire season.

This isn’t the year. If Brock is leaving for the wild in the summer he must get traded, period.

 

[saintunspecified]

It’s also interesting to think about how this year may have affected his contract negotiations. Dobson basically had the most disappointing year of his career and then got injured during his contract year. There’s a chance we can sign him below market value

Yeah, it depends on what he wants. Without knowing any of that, the basic dynamic is that with only 1 year before UFA, salary correlates with years. If NYI aren't willing to bet on Dobson enough to give him at least 5 years, they may as well deal him.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

They’re winning now, but just lost their two top RHD and are trying to fill that hole with guys you get for free or conditional picks.

Don’t get me wrong… it might work. But even if it does, we have to jump over like 6 teams for a playoff spot. That basically means playing .700 hockey for the rest of the season. All for the right to play the Caps in the first round, who have been playing .700 hockey for an entire season.

This isn’t the year. If Brock is leaving for the wild in the summer he must get traded, period.

We can only hope that GM Lou understands that you can move out the pieces that bring you back a heavy haul AND STILL fight for that last playoff spot.

These don't have to be mutually exclusive things.

 

[saintunspecified]

We can only hope that GM Lou understands that you can move out the pieces that bring you back a heavy haul AND STILL fight for that last playoff spot.

These don't have to be mutually exclusive things.

Then the Islanders have to bring in two roster forwards for the two they move out. Because if they subtract Nelson & Palmieri and fill from BPT, they are absolutely mutually exclusive things lol.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

I do see the Perunovich as an early "re-tool" move.

Want to get younger? Check
Taking a swing with a 5th rounder? Check
Offensive defenseman? Check

I'm pretty set in my thoughts of this season - it's over and I want to expel the expiring assets for the future. I want to see what we have in the pipeline / AHL.

But I also will admit that I do not know what we have in the AHL. Maybe they suck and have no chance in the NHL (Bridgeport standings kinda point that out)...so I see this as the same exact idea at the cost of a 5th rounder.

It is "playing the kids" just with an outside player that has already shown excellence in the AHL and some success in the NHL.

Not sure why anyone would hate this move.

 

[MJF]

If they play well with Dobson out it would make a hell of a lot of sense to deal him before he gets paid. He still has tons of value in this league.

If this happens and Dobson wants to remain an Islander, a bridge deal until UFA might be best for both sides.

 

[MJF]

They’re winning now, but just lost their two top RHD and are trying to fill that hole with guys you get for free or conditional picks.

Don’t get me wrong… it might work. But even if it does, we have to jump over like 6 teams for a playoff spot. That basically means playing .700 hockey for the rest of the season. All for the right to play the Caps in the first round, who have been playing .700 hockey for an entire season.

This isn’t the year. If Brock is leaving for the wild in the summer he must get traded, period.

And unless Lou picks up an NHL goalie sometime soon, Sorokin will be playing every game except for 1 of the back to backs.

 

[MJF]

We can only hope that GM Lou understands that you can move out the pieces that bring you back a heavy haul AND STILL fight for that last playoff spot.

These don't have to be mutually exclusive things.

IF ever there was a time since 2022 to throw in the towel, step back, sell and recoup players and prospects to restock the shelves, this is it. The Mets recognized this 2 years ago and it worked out ok.