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

[LeapOnOver]

So Tavares is a liar and the Isles dropped the ball. Both can be true (and both are true). However the Isles error was much more egregious.

Pretty sure "Thou shalt not lie" was on the Ten Commandments whilst "Thou shalt not mismanage assets on expiring contracts" was not.

 

[Isles72]

if he's going to blow draft picks / use buyouts to get rid of bad contracts that he authorized then he should be fired .

there could be a market for pageau in the offseason and simply do not resign palms .

what does that leave for dobber , romanov , holmie ?

as Chapin says earlier , maybe the only way out of this is to trade Dobson for a solid return to avoid paying him 9+ or I'll suggest even trading Romanov instead to avoid paying him 6 ? 7 ?

 

[IslesNorway]

if he's going to blow draft picks / use buyouts to get rid of bad contracts that he authorized then he should be fired .

there could be a market for pageau in the offseason and simply do not resign palms .

what does that leave for dobber , romanov , holmie ?

as Chapin says earlier , maybe the only way out of this is to trade Dobson for a solid return to avoid paying him 9+ or I'll suggest even trading Romanov instead to avoid paying him 6 ? 7 ?

Indeed, or even not signing these players to lengthy deals. You don't have to give Romanov 7 years just because you can. Maybe 3 years is better for all? Same with Holmstrom.Tsyplakov should not betting more than a year or two in any case. Also, trying to trade Varlamov might be something to look into if he can prove his fitness. There are always teams looking for a goalie.

The biggest headaches are Engvall and Mayfield. They could be bought out of course, but I have a feeling that Mayfield is tradeable. Some team will take a look and decide they could use a player like him.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

The entire roster construction by Lou requires robbing Peter to pay Paul. End of day it's going to net out where we find ourselves with virtually the exact same record one year from now (and could conceivably be notable worse).

I was thinking along those lines too this week.

I'm sure there are GMs out there who could find teams to take a Mayfield or Engvall off our hands without actually having to "pay" them to do it. We've had no indication that Lou is one of them.

Pageau is about the only "deadweight" player I can envision a team taking off our hands for a return of some kind, albeit not a considerable one.

I'm just not sure Lamoriello has any desire to part ways with him...

Try as I might, I can't see any way of moving Pulock or Pelech without paying someone or taking back a similar contract in return.

For those out there that refuse a rebuild at any cost, I'm legit curious...What if Lou leads this team to such embarrassment in the next few seasons that, despite Lou trying to win now, we wind up picking in the top 5 multiple years in a row? Would that be considered a "rebuild" to you...Or just a "very aggressive retool"?

You know what... I can't see the team getting so bad that it simply lands in a top 5 draft spot without horrendous injury problems.

I can only see Lou doing what he has been doing the past 4 years, namely adding a few little pieces beforehand (like Duclair) and along the way (like Boqvist and Perunovich), basically running it back, and seeing if the same group catches lightning in a bottle.

Perpetual middle-of-the-roadness.

And in light of just finishing outside of the playoffs 2 of 4 times and then getting easily dismissed in the first round the other 2 times, it's the worst kind of middle-of-the-roadness, cause you can't even make any headway via the draft unless your staff is just friggin' awesome (which we seriously - since 2018 - technically are not).

And this is the one result I don't think we have to doubt when it comes to Lou's modi operandi and what he's going to be doing.

***
Even if we say we're stuck with the current contracts, we re-up DeAngelo, and each of the key RFA boys are getting minimal to considerable pay raises, Lou is entering the offseason with the option of letting Palms, Fasching, and Martin walk while MacLean - who in my eyes has proven to be nothing more than a 14th forward - can easily be parked in the minors.

That's 3 forward spots that can be upgraded upon right there.

I don't know what money will be available after those internal signings but if you could bring in a Beauvillier for the bottom 6, add a perhaps Shabanov out of Russia (on a Tsyplakov-style contract), and maybe take a swing on a depreciated asset like Kuzmenko (although he's been good for LAK), that would already give this team a far different outlook heading into next season, and an option to possibly ease in a Ritchie or Jefferies along the way.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I was thinking along those lines too this week.

I'm sure there are GMs out there who could find teams to take a Mayfield or Engvall off our hands without actually having to "pay" them to do it. We've had no indication that Lou is one of them.

Pageau is about the only "deadweight" player I can envision a team taking off our hands for a return of some kind, albeit not a considerable one.

I'm just not sure Lamoriello has any desire to part ways with him...

Try as I might, I can't see any way of moving Pulock or Pelech without paying someone or taking back a similar contract in return.



You know what... I can't see the team getting so bad that it simply lands in a top 5 draft spot without horrendous injury problems.

I can only see Lou doing what he has been doing the past 4 years, namely adding a few little pieces beforehand (like Duclair) and along the way (like Boqvist and Perunovich), basically running it back, and seeing if the same group catches lightning in a bottle.

Perpetual middle-of-the-roadness.

And in light of just finishing outside of the playoffs 2 of 4 times and then getting easily dismissed in the first round the other 2 times, it's the worst kind of middle-of-the-roadness, cause you can't even make any headway via the draft unless your staff is just friggin' awesome (which we seriously - since 2018 - technically are not).

And this is the one result I don't think we have to doubt when it comes to Lou's modi operandi and what he's going to be doing.

***
Even if we say we're stuck with the current contracts, we re-up DeAngelo, and each of the key RFA boys are getting minimal to considerable pay raises, Lou is entering the offseason with the option of letting Palms, Fasching, and Martin walk while MacLean - who in my eyes has proven to be nothing more than a 14th forward - can easily be parked in the minors.

That's 3 forward spots that can be upgraded upon right there.

I don't know what money will be available after those internal signings but if you could bring in a Beauvillier for the bottom 6, add a perhaps Shabanov out of Russia (on a Tsyplakov-style contract), and maybe take a swing on a depreciated asset like Kuzmenko (although he's been good for LAK), that would already give this team a far different outlook heading into next season, and an option to possibly ease in a Ritchie or Jefferies along the way.

Is Ritchie's output lower this season due to the team being weaker? I'm surprised he's not eclipsing last year's totals.

 

[Osakahaus]

Ownership should make a move...or else...

 

[Throttle]

Here comes all the excuses … didn’t take long. Just missing ‘school nights’ in that one. That’s a classic.

 

[Osakahaus]

Here comes all the excuses … didn’t take long. Just missing ‘school nights’ in that one. That’s a classic.

45 dollar parking is unacceptable.

 

[Throttle]

Maybe instead of your non-productive sarcasm, you should actually root for another letter...

I think every team should now write a letter each season. Apparently it makes some people feel good.

How about you don’t need a letter, you need to execute proactively and successfully? People will buy in.

 

[Throttle]

45 dollar parking is unacceptable.

Welcome to the real world.

When you have a crappy arena you can charge $15, when you have a $1B one, gotta pay up to pay for it.

 

[Osakahaus]

Welcome to the real world.

When you have a crappy arena you can charge $15, when you have a $1B one, gotta pay up to pay for it.

Okay Lou

 

[MJF]

Ha, another letter. Worked great for the Rangers…

Instead of snarking about those letters why not recognize that both the Bruins and Rags had the NHL's best records the last 2 seasons. Their teams were compelling to watch through the 82 game marathon. Did you enjoy watching any Islanders regular season, or do you just watch the Isles from Game 60 when they start playing balls to the wall to squeak into the playoffs, the NBA equivalent of tuning in for the last 5 minutes of a game. Who cares that the Bruins and Rags didn't win the last 2 Stanley Cups. At least for one season they were filet mignon, while the Lou keeps serving Isles fans gristle.

Those 2 teams fill their buildings and keep their fans engaged throughout the season. The Islanders, who are already playing with 1 strike against them in this market find ways to chase fans away a little bit more with each passing season.

I, for one, would like a letter like that from Scott Malkin to at least assure me that he's still there and that he cares about his team.

 

[MJF]

I think every team should now write a letter each season. Apparently it makes some people feel good.

How about you don’t need a letter, you need to execute proactively and successfully? People will buy in.

Executing properly? The first execution should be Lou Lamoriello.

 

[MJF]

Here comes all the excuses … didn’t take long. Just missing ‘school nights’ in that one. That’s a classic.

More snark. When the fans don't support a loser they're making up excuses not to buy tickets?

 

[Throttle]

Instead of snarking about those letters why not recognize that both the Bruins and Rags had the NHL's best records the last 2 seasons. Their teams were compelling to watch through the 82 game marathon. Did you enjoy watching any Islanders regular season, or do you just watch the Isles from Game 60 when they start playing balls to the wall to squeak into the playoffs, the NBA equivalent of tuning in for the last 5 minutes of a game. Who cares that the Bruins and Rags didn't win the last 2 Stanley Cups. At least for one season they were filet mignon, while the Lou keeps serving Isles fans gristle.

Those 2 teams fill their buildings and keep their fans engaged throughout the season. The Islanders, who are already playing with 1 strike against them in this market find ways to chase fans away a little bit more with each passing season.

I, for one, would like a letter like that from Scott Malkin to at least assure me that he's still there and that he cares about his team.

The Bruins and Rangers are in a different sphere than the Islanders. UBS isn’t curing that.,

I’ve said before, this team is a mess. Under Trotz, while it was known as boring, you knew they could win and they did win, especially in the 3rd period.

I don’t find this team enjoyable to watch. I’ve said before that once this team went unleashed it was downhill based on certain characters the team would rely on - and here we are.

Rather than a letter, maybe make a change of personnel on and off the ice? The team needs new management AND needs to change its core players. Otherwise, it’s go ho-hum for a long time.

 

[Osakahaus]

Throttle gonna blame this season on Sorokin and Barzal as usual instead of everything else.

Im tired of the Islanders playing cardiac hockey every season after game 52 and getting bounced in round 1 because they lack the elite skill. They were so lucky that the Blackhawks upset the Penguins in 2023 or else they'd be sitting on the couch instead. They had to do the same crap in 2024 because Lane Lambert was "terrible" with our PK and blown leads, only to find out that Ilya Sorokin had a back injury from how often this team ran him into the ground. Keep saying this team "needs to be healthy" because its aggravating. Barzal, Pelech, Pulock, Pageau, Duclair, Romanov, Mayfield, and even Sorokin have ran into injury issues. Horvat has been insanely average for the price the Islanders paid, and that isn't what they need. Our center depth is atrocious in general, and the team lacks assets to even move.

At what point does ownership say something? They're losing fan interest because the arena isnt new anymore. They're losing fan interest from a very boring style of hockey. They're losing interest because this team's youth is either in college or stuck in a doghouse. Simon Holmstrom is the only "exciting" young player this team has had and we have people fighting over him and Dobson. Scott Malkin is running a bad hockey club. You need to reassure fans that you're gonna do something to fix this crap. The last time the Islanders won their division was in the 80's. They're on the same drought as the Oilers for a division title. Enough of the 80's nostalgia. Islanders fans need to see new memories and a new identity, and it starts with something as stupid as a letter.

 

[Throttle]

Executing properly? The first execution should be Lou Lamoriello.

Haven’t I already stated that awhile back? Yes.

 

[Osakahaus]

Rather than a letter, maybe make a change of personnel on and off the ice? The team needs new management AND needs to change its core players. Otherwise, it’s go ho-hum for a long time.

You expect this team to do that when the next move is to parade the 80's islanders for the umpteenth time, and trying to take pictures with Sparky and NYisles? Where's the actual effort to make the Islanders new for younger fans? I don't feel like the younger fans have anything to care about.

 

[Throttle]

Throttle gonna blame this season on Sorokin and Barzal as usual instead of everything else.

Im tired of the Islanders playing cardiac hockey every season after game 52 and getting bounced in round 1 because they lack the elite skill. They were so lucky that the Blackhawks upset the Penguins in 2023 or else they'd be sitting on the couch instead. They had to do the same crap in 2024 because Lane Lambert was "terrible" with our PK and blown leads, only to find out that Ilya Sorokin had a back injury from how often this team ran him into the ground. Keep saying this team "needs to be healthy" because its aggravating. Barzal, Pelech, Pulock, Pageau, Duclair, Romanov, Mayfield, and even Sorokin have ran into injury issues. Horvat has been insanely average for the price the Islanders paid, and that isn't what they need. Our center depth is atrocious in general, and the team lacks assets to even move.

At what point does ownership say something? They're losing fan interest because the arena isnt new anymore. They're losing fan interest from a very boring style of hockey. They're losing interest because this team's youth is either in college or stuck in a doghouse. Simon Holmstrom is the only "exciting" young player this team has had and we have people fighting over him and Dobson. Scott Malkin is running a bad hockey club. You need to reassure fans that you're gonna do something to fix this crap. The last time the Islanders won their division was in the 80's. They're on the same drought as the Oilers for a division title. Enough of the 80's nostalgia. Islanders fans need to see new memories and a new identity, and it starts with something as stupid as as letter.

Nope, but you are getting close to the Rick Nash Columbus Blue Jackets era. Trying to build around a player that isn’t a player to build around and wasting years and years of doing it.

 

[Throttle]

You expect this team to do that when the next move is to parade the 80's islanders for the umpteenth time, and trying to take pictures with Sparky and NYisles? Where's the actual effort to make the Islanders new for younger fans? I don't feel like the younger fans have anything to care about.

Am I expecting them to? No. Should they do? Yes.

 

[Run It Back]

.........

I, for one, would like a letter like that from Scott Malkin to at least assure me that he's still there and that he cares about his team.

I gave your post a like for the first part but, personally, I couldn't give a shit about a letter. Everyone already knows what's going on so letter or no letter if Lou is still here after the next few weeks we know Malkin's not serious about or interested in fixing this team.

Actions, not words.

 

[Osakahaus]

Nope, but you are getting close to the Rick Nash Columbus Blue Jackets era. Trying to build around a player that isn’t a player to build around and wasting years and years of doing it.

Well you are correct but Ilya Sorokin should be treated in the same vein as a Jake Oettengier, and Barzal the same as a Jason Robertson. The Islanders need to draft and develop talent when nobody wants to come to LI due to taxes, area, and how garbage neighborhoods can be. I really do wonder how the Islanders handle this aspect of the team either way

 

[Run It Back]

Well you are correct but Ilya Sorokin should be treated in the same vein as a Jake Oettengier, and Barzal the same as a Jason Robertson. The Islanders need to draft and develop talent when nobody wants to come to LI due to taxes, area, and how garbage neighborhoods can be. I really do wonder how the Islanders handle this aspect of the team either way

It's not just the Islanders. There are 27 teams in states with an income tax and only 5 that don't have one. Despite what Bettman says and his desire to make the South the center of the hockey universe, this issue is going to be addressed. It has to be. There is no way that those 27 owners will let the system continue to encourage the best talent to migrate to Florida and Texas.

 

[Osakahaus]

It's not just the Islanders. There are 27 teams in states with an income tax and only 5 that don't have one. Despite what Bettman says and his desire to make the South the center of the hockey universe, this issue is going to be addressed. It has to be. There is no way that those 27 owners will let the system continue to encourage the best talent to migrate to Florida and Texas.

The best talent doesnt always choose Florida, Texas, Washington or Nevada though. The Islanders selling point is TERRIBLE compared to every other team. If the seattle kraken got Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour to come along, why can't the Islanders ever do the same? What is the Islanders sales pitch to free agents?

 

[MJF]

I gave your post a like for the first part but, personally, I couldn't give a shit about a letter. Everyone already knows what's going on so letter or no letter if Lou is still here after the next few weeks we know Malkin's not serious about or interested in fixing this team.

Actions, not words.

This team needs to do both. It’s going to take Scott Malkin appearing at a presser to announce the actions being taken. He can’t sit on the sidelines any longer.