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

[LeapOnOver]

Oates is a Lou guy.

Soooo…

Brent Sutter-head coach
Adam Oates-forwards
Larry Robinson-defensemen

Let’s see if Roy lasts the season.

Brent Sutter is my all time favorite Islander. I was the kid back in middle school and high school that made a clay Brent Sutter in art class and silk screened Sutter, 21 and his C on my practice jersey in shop class, lol. I say this with all due respect, he's not a good NHL coach. Anyway, seems like a moot point as he doesn't seem interested in coaching at the NHL level. Seems to like his current gig.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

So how about Barzal and Dobson for Power and Cozens?

Sabres fan coming in peace. If you swap Byram for Power, you're probably closer. That may kill it for you but I really don't see Power going anywhere.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Sabres fan coming in peace. If you swap Byram for Power, you're probably closer. That may kill it for you but I really don't see Power going anywhere.

True, I would say that Dobson's importance as a #1 long-term point producer on this blueline - a so coveted righty shot, no less - is easily that of a Dahlin or Power for Buffalo. And no less.

That's not to say he's better than either.

In general, the Isles would be absolutely nuts to move Barzal and Dobson, much less in the same deal, for anything less than similarly aged and proven players who they think would be "bigger gamechangers" on the current roster.

It's possible that a package including one such similar gamechanger with perhaps two bluechippers and a nice pick to boot would make sense too.

The move would have to be a monumental move though.

Then again, there have been few moves so monumental for both teams as that Lafontaine/Turgeon trade back in the day.

It was a doozy among doozies and raised eyebrows all over the hockey world. For good reason.

 

[MJF]

This may or may not have happened last night. Ask Lou.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856823155668439544

We need an actual NHL defenseman. Someone with enough experience so Chowski can be the 7th defenseman. As it is now Cholo gets less than 10 minutes a game and the top 4 are getting massive minutes.

 

[The Real JT]

This was true in 2022 and we are now approaching 2025.

What do other franchises across the NHL and the entirety of the sports world know that we don’t know?

 

[leeroggy]

What do other franchises across the NHL and the entirety of the sports world know that we don’t know?

This is so tantalizing . . .

Like listening to Joy Reid . . .

 

[The Real JT]

This is so tantalizing . . .

Like listening to Joy Reid . . .

Religion and politics don’t belong here. You might want to take note of that.

It bears repeating. Lou is old, actually very old. In any large corporation or sports franchise he would have been long gone from his position. His successful approach in prior years no longer works.

Thank you for your service Lou. I’ll even throw in a gold watch. Well, maybe gold plated.

 

[Throttle]

Religion and politics don’t belong here. You might want to take note of that.

It bears repeating. Lou is old, actually very old. In any large corporation or sports franchise he would have been long gone from his position. His successful approach in prior years no longer works.

Thank you for your service Lou. I’ll even throw in a gold watch. Well, maybe gold plated.

Warren Buffet, John Bogle, etc. all did pretty darn well in their fields in their 70s and 80s…

There’s plenty of old dudes that run major corporations.

So, what’s the issue? You just want someone younger? A different approach? Or just want Lou gone bc he’s not achieving what you want?

The rest of the GM field is younger than Lou, most are less decorated and most younger/smarter haven’t done much of anything. Guerin, Fitzgerald, Adams, Blake, Dubas, etc.

Seems like it’s more you just want change. That’s ok, but the rest of the field ain’t so hot on a new approach. Notably, most teams go through 2-3 GMs to win it all.

 

[The Real JT]

Buffett and Bogle are unicorns and in a far different field than Lou. Lou’s track record also pales in comparison to both of them but it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges.

If your point is that Lou’s age itself is not a disqualifying factor then I accept the criticism. How about this: Lou hasn’t been very good at his job for several years while competing in a field with changing dynamics. Oh yeah, and he’s also old.

 

[MJF]

How about this: Lou hasn’t been very good at his job for several years while competing in a field with changing dynamics.

This.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

This may or may not have happened last night. Ask Lou.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856823155668439544

We need an actual NHL defenseman. Someone with enough experience so Chowski can be the 7th defenseman. As it is now Cholo gets less than 10 minutes a game and the top 4 are getting massive minutes.

Bad timing with us on the western Canada road trip to make a deal. When we are home yes I do think someone will come in. We absolutely cannot have Hutton Cholowski and Mitchell play meaningful minutes

 

[Glory Days]

Religion and politics don’t belong here. You might want to take note of that.

It bears repeating. Lou is old, actually very old. In any large corporation or sports franchise he would have been long gone from his position. His successful approach in prior years no longer works.

Thank you for your service Lou. I’ll even throw in a gold watch. Well, maybe gold plated.

I can get on board with replacing Lou for performance. However as a victim of age discrimination I find it offensive to fire someone just due to age. I know people in their 70’s who need to work and are fully capable of performing the job just as well as much younger employees.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Could Varlamov be available? Stats not great this year in a small sample size but how has he looked?

 

[Arsenalogist24]

Could Varlamov be available? Stats not great this year in a small sample size but how has he looked?

Tough start to the year but his last few starts he’s looked back to himself.

On our boards majority of the convo has been about Nelson/Palmeiri since they’re on last year of contracts. Varly is one that I do think should be considered too especially with how good Sorokin has looked and our cap situation

 

[MJF]

Could Varlamov be available? Stats not great this year in a small sample size but how has he looked?

Yes, but I think it’s too soon to make him available. Closer to the TDL would be my guess, providing we are battling the Flyers for the basement.

 

[attilatheislander]

Throttle, I've seen the light. I'm now in favor of trading Barzal.

 

[gordie43]

Could Varlamov be available? Stats not great this year in a small sample size but how has he looked?

If the isles move varlamov who is his replacement. Would love it if Sorokin could play all 82, but that ain’t happening.

 

[impaaaaaact]

I can get on board with replacing Lou for performance. However as a victim of age discrimination I find it offensive to fire someone just due to age. I know people in their 70’s who need to work and are fully capable of performing the job just as well as much younger employees.

My grandfather worked into his early 90s as a private music teacher. He loved it. When Covid shut everything down his students couldn’t come by and he had nothing to do, he couldn’t flex his muscles and it wasn’t until then that there was any noticeable cognitive or physical decline. If not for the world shutting down I think he would have taught lessons until he was 100.

Good chance it’s a similar vibe with Lou - he loves what he does and it probably keeps him going. I think he’ll keep on going until the world ends or what I consider a less likely scenario: he gets fired.