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

[Potvottier]

Holmstrom brings forechecking, defensive awareness, good hockey sense and decent skills. He fits well with Nelson and Palms. Tsyplakov needs to go to the 3rd line, until he gets his confidence. Lee brings net-front presence, which Barzy and Bo need.

Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri
MacLean-Pageau-Tsyplakov
Engvall-Cizikas-Fasching
Martin/Wahlstrom

 

[YearlyLottery]

They likely still make playoffs but we have been down this road for what is now the third year. Sell Palmieri and Nelson for some youth and picks to continue to restock.

 

[Lek]

Holmstrom brings forechecking, defensive awareness, good hockey sense and decent skills. He fits well with Nelson and Palms. Tsyplakov needs to go to the 3rd line, until he gets his confidence. Lee brings net-front presence, which Barzy and Bo need.

Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri
MacLean-Pageau-Tsyplakov
Engvall-Cizikas-Fasching
Martin/Wahlstrom

I do not think coach is going to let Engvall see ice for a good bit of time after last night and his ringing endorsement of him at the presser.

I agree with Lee up top and Holms to second, worth the try especially up top as they do miss someone to play net front....Tsyplakov definitely seems a bit lost right now.

 

[Top Corner]

The team is a year a year older and won’t be getting better, no youth to push the older guys. The team won’t be in the playoff picture this year, no depth and just an old team led by an older GM whose better days have long gone. This team needs a new face running the show and I’m not talking about a coach.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

They likely still make playoffs but we have been down this road for what is now the third year. Sell Palmieri and Nelson for some youth and picks to continue to restock.

I throw JGP in there as well with his one year of control at $5mm AAV.

Cizikas still signed for 2 more years, he's not working out on the wing and slate him as 3C and MacLean as 4C.

 

[Glory Days]

I wouldn’t expect any significant changes to the roster or coaching staff or front office this year. At least not until Malkin decides if he is going to sell or not. Lou is well known for firing coaches so if the team continues to do poorly and Roy stays that sends a clear message. Also the longer Nelson and Palms remain unsigned beyond this year that also sends a message. Time will tell.

 

[Big L]

The team is a year a year older and won’t be getting better, no youth to push the older guys. The team won’t be in the playoff picture this year, no depth and just an old team led by an older GM whose better days have long gone. This team needs a new face running the show and I’m not talking about a coach.

Dubas will be available soon.

 

[Throttle]

Dubas will be available soon.

Where the younger, smarter approach falls off a cliff, quickly.

 

[Throttle]

I wouldn’t expect any significant changes to the roster or coaching staff or front office this year. At least not until Malkin decides if he is going to sell or not. Lou is well known for firing coaches so if the team continues to do poorly and Roy stays that sends a clear message. Also the longer Nelson and Palms remain unsigned beyond this year that also sends a message. Time will tell.

I doubt Roy goes anywhere unless he bails. Lou firing another coach would be huge warning signs on Malkin/Ledecky and Collins. My guess is Malkin sells in 3-5 years. He bought the Isles to get a free shopping mall out of it. The valuation of the franchise covers that cost.

Agree that not resigning Nelson and Palms is a ‘positive’ sign that players need to move on. Bigger open question is what’s the scenario in Feb when it’s time to sell these guys and NOT hold onto them only to walk on from them as UFAs.

The isles need those assets whether cost controlled prospects, picks, etc.

 

[Glory Days]

I doubt Roy goes anywhere unless he bails. Lou firing another coach would be huge warning signs on Malkin/Ledecky and Collins. My guess is Malkin sells in 3-5 years. He bought the Isles to get a free shopping mall out of it. The valuation of the franchise covers that cost.

Agree that not resigning Nelson and Palms is a ‘positive’ sign that players need to move on. Bigger open question is what’s the scenario in Feb when it’s time to sell these guys and NOT hold onto them only to walk on from them as UFAs.

The isles need those assets whether cost controlled prospects, picks, etc.

It has been 10 years since Malkin and Ledecky announce they were buying the team. The arena has been built and the shopping mall will be complete by the end of the season. The Belmont entertainment hub is near completion. The hotel will possibly never be built. Malkin has already sold 10% of his original stake. I’m told by a close friend with ties to the business side of the team a larger sale by Malkin is being contemplated.

 

[SCMURRAY]

Holmstrom brings forechecking, defensive awareness, good hockey sense and decent skills. He fits well with Nelson and Palms. Tsyplakov needs to go to the 3rd line, until he gets his confidence. Lee brings net-front presence, which Barzy and Bo need.

Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri
MacLean-Pageau-Tsyplakov
Engvall-Cizikas-Fasching
Martin/Wahlstrom

I agree on Lee moving up. Holmstrom just isnt producing (only 3 shots so far) and Lee has 40. Put him back on 3rd line in a more defensive role. Id also keep Tsy with Nelson and Palms. Need playing time to build chemistry.

Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Engvall-Pageau-Holmstrom
Maclean-Cizikas-Fasching

 

[Throttle]

Malkin wasn’t in it to keep it, he was in to ride the valuation and get the mall built for free. So was Ledecky - he said his small stake in the Capitals returned him more than the stock market could. Smart move.

My guess is Collins brings in an investment group to buy Malkin’s stake and he’s the face of ownership thereafter. He has the league connections outside of Lou on the management side.

With all infrastructure there, they either put tie ins for the hotel (or not), but it’s got one place to go on that lot. The fact the Isles are hosting the ASG without the hotel seems to indicate you are correct that the hotel will never be built, albeit it’s all over the documentation, however, it’s mum beyond that, which is odd. That hotel would be a gem due to proximity to JFK and its craptastic hotels. The hotel has a max height taller than UBS, so, that’s going to take 18 months to be ready.

 

[seabass45]

I don’t think so, if he’s a free agent at the end of the year he can walk no one will pay a first for a rental.

Last deadline, unless I'm missing something, five first rounders were traded for future UFAs and three of them ended up signing with other teams.

- Adam Henrique to the Oilers (technically re-signed July 1)
- Elias Lindholm to the Canucks (walked)
- Noah Hanifin (signed extension April 11)
- Jake Guentzel to the Pens (walked)
- Sean Walker to the Avs (walked)

I know trading with the expectation that you can extend the player has become popular, particularly here, but teams still trade knowing the risk that a rental is a rental.

 

[Throttle]

Last deadline, unless I'm missing something, five first rounders were traded for future UFAs and three of them ended up signing with other teams.

- Adam Henrique to the Oilers (technically re-signed July 1)
- Elias Lindholm to the Canucks (walked)
- Noah Hanifin (signed extension April 11)
- Jake Guentzel to the Pens (walked)
- Sean Walker to the Avs (walked)

I know trading with the expectation that you can extend the player has become popular, particularly here, but teams still trade knowing the risk that a rental is a rental.

There’s years of evidence Palms and Nelson will both net a first rounder. That’s what makes this season critical for the Isles to sell them.

A bigger ‘transition’ move would be to trade Pelech or Pulock. That would net a nice prospect, pick, and a NHLer for back salary.

They can walk into the draft with 3 first rounders minimum. They need that.