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

[MJF]

The faster Malkin commits to a re-(insert whatever verb makes you the least upset), the faster attendance and revenue will recover. We have many "win now" pieces that contenders will pay a premium for, and we can use them to emerge in 2-3 seasons as a much younger team with playoff aspirations. Alternatively, we can keep Lou around and let the value of these pieces decline or walk for nothing, and then we'll be in the basement for a decade.

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin,

Rebuilds come about like bastard children, half-improvised and half-compromised.

Lou may not have intended for the Isles to be a lottery team but we may stumble our way into it. Like it or not, trading Nelson and Palmieri at the deadline, and maybe another core piece signals a re-something for the roster. Right now there is no help in Bridgeport and we’re waiting for Cole Eiserman and maybe Quinn Finlet and they’re both college freshmen. That’s at least 2 years before we see them sign contracts. With that time the Islanders can only do a few things, shuffle bottom 6 guys in and out of the AHL, wait for Pageau and Lee’s contracts to expire to help untangle our cap mess, and look for that elusive hockey trade Lou’s been trying to make for the last 4 years. Not a pretty picture.

Ideally Lou will step down and not be the GM to straighten out the mess here.

 

[MJF]

Is there any truth to the rumor circulated by Darren Dreger that Woody Johnson is in late stage negotiations with Malkin to acquire a majority stake in the Isles?

If you’re going to float rumors out there could you at least connect us to Steve Cohen.?

 

[Glory Days]

Is there any truth to the rumor circulated by Darren Dreger that Woody Johnson is in late stage negotiations with Malkin to acquire a majority stake in the Isles?

No but if you think Malkin selling is a fairy tale you might be surprised.

Let's say that is true . . .

Why would that be an improvement in changing things in the organization? If Woody has been interfering with the Jets the way he is, how is that better?

Unless Malkin has cash flow/liquidity issues, why is he selling as the Belmont Park Village opening shortly (is the Hotel construction still on?) will provide cash flow?

The hotel is either completely off or on hold. Malkin is a builder. It has been10 years since he announced he was buying the team. His shopping village is opening. Time to possibly take some chips off the table.

 

[Glory Days]

We can discuss trading Nelson, Palmieri, Pelech, etc. for futures, but is there any chance that actually happens if Lou is GM and the team is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at the TDL? I guess if some contender needs a C and has some young depth on the wing maybe they trade a young player who can compensate for Nelson's offense, for example. But I think the more likely scenario is to see a Nelson or Palmieri traded as part of a deal for a pending UFA who's a few years younger than them and that Lou thinks he can re-sign. Like a Kuzmenko, perhaps.

Re: Malkin potentially selling the team, in this valuation ranking the Isles come in 15th in the NHL (barely squeaking into the valuation playoffs as a wildcard franchise) at $1.68 billion, but importantly the value increased 49% in the past year.

NHL Valuations Ranking List

That valuation sounds low.

Scott Malkin Nearing 10% Sale Of New York Islanders At $1.75 Billion Valuation

The value of NHL teams continues to escalate.

www.forbes.com

 

[periferal]

Fraudnotta reads boards and tweets on it. Observant.,Hand clap.

But he has a lot of followers, so regardless if he's reporting something or just speculating it gets more people to focus on the Isles and what terrible GMing they've been getting. That is only positive if the goal is to get a "buzz" around Malkin's cranium so he can actually do something as opposed to sitting back and waiting on the opening of his new mall.

No but if you think Malkin selling is a fairy tale you might be surprised.

Oh? Can you put some meat on the bones of this non-fairy tale? Any actually inside information or sources that Malkin is willing to sell...Or is this just your opinion?

 

[impaaaaaact]

For conversation sake. Kevin Fiala anybody? Certainly pros and cons with this player.

gotta consider any perennial 70 point guy on this team. Doesn't even pretend to play any defense and apparently doesn't set his alarm clock but was a PPG player in 2 of last 3 seasons. My brain wants to make some sort of Dobson + Engvall for Fiala + something else work but in all honesty no one is taking on that contract right now

 

[seabass45]

We can discuss trading Nelson, Palmieri, Pelech, etc. for futures, but is there any chance that actually happens if Lou is GM and the team is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at the TDL? I guess if some contender needs a C and has some young depth on the wing maybe they trade a young player who can compensate for Nelson's offense, for example. But I think the more likely scenario is to see a Nelson or Palmieri traded as part of a deal for a pending UFA who's a few years younger than them and that Lou thinks he can re-sign. Like a Kuzmenko, perhaps.

Re: Malkin potentially selling the team, in this valuation ranking the Isles come in 15th in the NHL (barely squeaking into the valuation playoffs as a wildcard franchise) at $1.68 billion, but importantly the value increased 49% in the past year.

NHL Valuations Ranking List

I think there's definitely a chance. This will be the fourth year since they last made the EC finals, and they've undergone two coaching changes and made a few additions to the roster since then. The thought process to this year was that a full year of Roy and a return to Vezina caliber form for Sorokin would give the Isles a significantly better chance to break through in a wide open EC. Well, Sorokin has returned to form but the team can't score. If that continues and they're sitting outside the playoffs in February, what more can they do? At that point they're clearly not one player away. You can't argue for re-signing the same UFAs and running the same team back next year. You have a big chance to replenish the prospect pool, open up cap space, and maybe figure out what pieces might fit better with the team that remains.

 

[Throttle]

No question Nelson nets a first +. I don’t know that Palms gets a first though. If he is healthy and on a 30 goal pace I suppose it’s possible, but I think a 2nd+ B prospect is more likely.

Palms has a history of delivering in the playoffs, he probably nets a first. We’ll see.

 

[Glory Days]

But he has a lot of followers, so regardless if he's reporting something or just speculating it gets more people to focus on the Isles and what terrible GMing they've been getting. That is only positive if the goal is to get a "buzz" around Malkin's cranium so he can actually do something as opposed to sitting back and waiting on the opening of his new mall.



Oh? Can you put some meat on the bones of this non-fairy tale? Any actually inside information or sources that Malkin is willing to sell...Or is this just your opinion?

Not my opinion. Info on a potential sale came from someone on the business side of the Isles.

 

[Throttle]

But he has a lot of followers, so regardless if he's reporting something or just speculating it gets more people to focus on the Isles and what terrible GMing they've been getting. That is only positive if the goal is to get a "buzz" around Malkin's cranium so he can actually do something as opposed to sitting back and waiting on the opening of his new mall.



Oh? Can you put some meat on the bones of this non-fairy tale? Any actually inside information or sources that Malkin is willing to sell...Or is this just your opinion?

Ya need more than a bunch of fans following a nobody. It’s all about butts in seats and revenue in the building. That’s pretty much it.

Right now, the team doesn’t look good, but the Isles can explain away a 950th reason to not attend in October with the Yankees in the WS.

Now, if walk up business is dead in end of November and December- usually strong attendance for the Isles, then you can start seeing the cracks.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Palms had 30 goals last season and is just under PPG now. History of being a playoff performer every post season for us. He’d get a first for sure

 

[impaaaaaact]

Palms had 30 goals last season and is just under PPG now. History of being a playoff performer every post season for us. He’d get a first for sure

Yeah Palms will get a first or a good prospect + pick. Nelson should get slightly less than we paid for Horvat. Pageau 50% retained is probably worth a 4th or so. Should give us just enough cap to sign Dobson, Romanov and Tsyplakov and run it back next season

 

[periferal]

Not my opinion. Info on a potential sale came from someone on the business side of the Isles.

Can you please share the details of this? Which "someone?" Is this person reliable? Did they actually say Malkin is actively looking to sell...Or they just thought it *could* happen? And how did the information make it's way to you?

 

[Glory Days]

Can you please share the details of this? Which "someone?" Is this person reliable? Did they actually say Malkin is actively looking to sell...Or they just thought it *could* happen? And how did the information make it's way to you?

I heard the info from a friend I very much trust. He has a reliable connection within the Isles business side. My understanding is this is not just speculation. I’m told Malkin is exploring his options. Quite frankly I’m not sure what to make of the info. However I do find it odd that Lou held onto his draft picks this year, has not given new contracts to Nelson or Palms and has not extended Dobson or Romanov. So I’m inclined to believe it is not business as usual. I guess time will tell.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

If memory serves correct, the team has one regulation win in ten games.

Needless to say, pretty embarrassing.

 

[periferal]

I heard the info from a friend I very much trust. He has a reliable connection within the Isles business side. My understanding is this is not just speculation. I’m told Malkin is exploring his options. Quite frankly I’m not sure what to make of the info. However I do find it odd that Lou held onto his draft picks this year, has not given new contracts to Nelson or Palms and has not extended Dobson or Romanov. So I’m inclined to believe it is not business as usual. I guess time will tell.

Thanks. Appreciate the insight. I guess I'll be skeptical unless we here some real buzz/reporting from media outlets. Pretty much every NHL team that is for sale (or teams coming in expansion) you know about well in advance. Maybe if your friend is correct Malkin is selling off yet more of his percentage, but will still retain the team.

The most interesting thing was the Lou not trading any of the 2024 picks. Signing Nelson or Palms can happen at any time so I don't think that's relevant yet. If they hit UFA unsigned (especially Nelson) then I will be floored (and very upset).

 

[seabass45]

I know that it’s an ongoing joke about Lou but there is zero benefit to making any re-signings right now and I think they know that.

 

[periferal]

Palms had 30 goals last season and is just under PPG now. History of being a playoff performer every post season for us. He’d get a first for sure

I tend to agree, but I'd take a 2nd if Lou would actually do the impossible and actually trade him.

I know that it’s an ongoing joke about Lou but there is zero benefit to making any re-signings right now and I think they know that.

Of course, but Lou only knows 1 way to GM (and it ain't "going young"). So unless he's removed he's going to keep doing what he's been doing.

And if he's been asked to stop then WTF is he still GM?

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

I heard the info from a friend I very much trust. He has a reliable connection within the Isles business side. My understanding is this is not just speculation. I’m told Malkin is exploring his options. Quite frankly I’m not sure what to make of the info. However I do find it odd that Lou held onto his draft picks this year, has not given new contracts to Nelson or Palms and has not extended Dobson or Romanov. So I’m inclined to believe it is not business as usual. I guess time will tell.

Not saying you’re wrong or anything but no reason for Lou to extend z Nelson or Palmieri right now. I also think they have time with Dobson and Romanov. Would isles trade Dobson is the shake up type trade people are clammering for, perhaps that’s where they are headed. I also think sale isn’t necessarily negative, team is very valuable right now and it’s an enormous profit opportunity for Malkin.

 

[Lame Lambert]

I heard the info from a friend I very much trust. He has a reliable connection within the Isles business side. My understanding is this is not just speculation. I’m told Malkin is exploring his options. Quite frankly I’m not sure what to make of the info. However I do find it odd that Lou held onto his draft picks this year, has not given new contracts to Nelson or Palms and has not extended Dobson or Romanov. So I’m inclined to believe it is not business as usual. I guess time will tell.

Great, we have Dippin' Dots again.

 

[doublechili]

I think there's definitely a chance. This will be the fourth year since they last made the EC finals, and they've undergone two coaching changes and made a few additions to the roster since then. The thought process to this year was that a full year of Roy and a return to Vezina caliber form for Sorokin would give the Isles a significantly better chance to break through in a wide open EC. Well, Sorokin has returned to form but the team can't score. If that continues and they're sitting outside the playoffs in February, what more can they do? At that point they're clearly not one player away. You can't argue for re-signing the same UFAs and running the same team back next year. You have a big chance to replenish the prospect pool, open up cap space, and maybe figure out what pieces might fit better with the team that remains.

IDK. All I was saying in my post was, assuming Lou is still GM at the TDL is there anything in his history that makes us think there's a snowball's chance in hades that he'd trade away a top 6 forward for futures unless the team is pretty much mathematically eliminated from the playoffs? IMO, the answer is no.

 

[MarsTBOW]

IDK. All I was saying in my post was, assuming Lou is still GM at the TDL is there anything in his history that makes us think there's a snowball's chance in hades that he'd trade away a top 6 forward for futures unless the team is pretty much mathematically eliminated from the playoffs? IMO, the answer is no.

Nope he will run the team into the ground

 

[periferal]

IDK. All I was saying in my post was, assuming Lou is still GM at the TDL is there anything in his history that makes us think there's a snowball's chance in hades that he'd trade away a top 6 forward for futures unless the team is pretty much mathematically eliminated from the playoffs? IMO, the answer is no.

This is a great, and the entire, point.

People out here don't want to even consider rebuilding because, "It doesn't guarantee anything." Meanwhile there's more of a guarantee that the current GM will continue to destroy this team into "cap hell mediocrity," and one of his most reliable antics is to NOT trade any player for youth/picks (unless the cap or expansion draft mandates he do so).

Shit - He's more likely to trade our futures just to escape from cap hell into semi-cap hell.

 

[doublechili]

This is a great, and the entire, point.

People out here don't want to even consider rebuilding because, "It doesn't guarantee anything." Meanwhile there's more of a guarantee that the current GM will continue to destroy this team into "cap hell mediocrity," and one of his most reliable antics is to NOT trade any player for youth/picks (unless the cap or expansion draft mandates he do so).

Shit - He's more likely to trade our futures just to escape from cap hell into semi-cap hell.

I wasn't advocating any approach - just saying Lou trading "productive" players for futures is unlikely if there's a possibility that the team could make the playoffs. Having said that, I've been in the "a tear-down rebuild isn't necessary because we have enough good assets that an intelligent retool can work" camp. Of course, the retool vs. rebuild vs rewhatever is a separate question from who should be doing it. I still think there's enough good pieces that a smart/proactive GM could turn things around. But Lou moves too slowly (or not at all) for a Cap/UFA-driven league and doesn't seem to have a cohesive plan for how to build a successful roster in the league today.

 

[bobbythebrain]

How did Sippy Cup look on top line?