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

[Throttle]

“I think that’s the best word for it. Obviously, Barzy likes to have the puck and cut back, kinda control the play that way,” Horvat told The Post. “Just playing that give-and-go game, finding each other down low and keeping it simple. Pager’s gonna cover me if I’m not down low. We’re just gonna kinda go up and down the wings and keep our games as simple as possible. I think that’s what’s been working for us is the predictability of each other out there.”

“I think we’re making the play that’s in front of us and supporting one another on the ice with close support, a lot of talk,” Lee told The Post. “After a while, it starts to become secondhand, second nature, whatever you want to call it. And we have a really good tendency of knowing where each other is, but also when one of your linemates get the puck, what they like to do with it. So you can read off that.”

Bo and Lee explaining the keys to the recent team’s success. Not a coincidence.

 

[The Real JT]

He's shown flashes of that. Let's just see if it becomes a consistent habit, or becomes Anthony Beauvillier.

Beau was ultimately a disappointment here so I get the comparison but he’s still only 27 years old.

Don’t look now but this year’s stats are: 19 games, 6 goals, 2 assists and his -1 plus minus is one of the best on his sorry squad. He’s now on a 1 yr, $1.25M deal.

No regrets and good for him.

 

[MarsTBOW]

“I think that’s the best word for it. Obviously, Barzy likes to have the puck and cut back, kinda control the play that way,” Horvat told The Post. “Just playing that give-and-go game, finding each other down low and keeping it simple. Pager’s gonna cover me if I’m not down low. We’re just gonna kinda go up and down the wings and keep our games as simple as possible. I think that’s what’s been working for us is the predictability of each other out there.”

“I think we’re making the play that’s in front of us and supporting one another on the ice with close support, a lot of talk,” Lee told The Post. “After a while, it starts to become secondhand, second nature, whatever you want to call it. And we have a really good tendency of knowing where each other is, but also when one of your linemates get the puck, what they like to do with it. So you can read off that.”

Bo and Lee explaining the keys to the recent team’s success. Not a coincidence.

Yeah both speaking about "Keeping it simple".
If Barzy could just keep it simple, he would be way more successful...
The question is... Can he keep it simple?
I'm not sure he can...

 

[Glorydays22]

Do you think Nashville (Trotz) would do something like this:

C-Novak
LW-Lind or RW-Stiga
LD-Lauzon
2nd rounder (would like to get a 1st but not sure if it's too much)
For
C-Nelson
LD-Pelech

Trotz loves both of these guys. Pelech became an all-star under him and one of the best shutdown Dman in the league at the time.

 

[Throttle]

How much more is Trotz going to double down? He’s blown tons of cap space and buyout money.

 

[Glorydays22]

How much more is Trotz going to double down? He’s blown tons of cap space and buyout money.

he's all in with the signings he did in he off-season. Just thinking he would welcome a few of the isles he groom and played well for him.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Just curious, what on earth has Maclean done to deserve first line minutes? He’s closer to healthy scratch than barzal’s wing. The fourth line should see 8 minutes of ice, and Maclean probably shouldn’t even see that much

Not viewing it as first line, even strength minutes would be spread iut

 

[leeroggy]

One benefit of these injuries is that Grant Hutton has shown he can handle the 3rd pair RD
He's earning more and more trust from Roy

 

[Glory Days]

One benefit of these injuries is that Grant Hutton has shown he can handle the 3rd pair RD
He's earning more and more trust from Roy

Hutton likely deserves to stay as 7th D when the D is healthy

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Do you think Nashville (Trotz) would do something like this:

C-Novak
LW-Lind or RW-Stiga
LD-Lauzon
2nd rounder (would like to get a 1st but not sure if it's too much)
For
C-Nelson
LD-Pelech

Trotz loves both of these guys. Pelech became an all-star under him and one of the best shutdown Dman in the league at the time.

People just start with their own wishes and create things that lead to it.

 

[Glorydays22]

People just start with their own wishes and create things that lead to it.

so I guess you don't believe they would do it....thanks for the input.

 

[MJF]

People just start with their own wishes and create things that lead to it.

Super critique of the social media poster.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

so I guess you don't believe they would do it....thanks for the input.

It's not that, it's just you found an outcome that you liked, then rationalized your way backwards from there.

Super critique of the social media poster.

Sure why not.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

During concussion tests for Mike Reilly they found out he had a preexisting heart condition. Out indefinitely and he underwent a procedure for it.

As Lou said in presser, this injury was probably a blessing in disguise. Best of luck to Mike and a full recovery

 

[MarsTBOW]

Reminds me of Brian Mullen back in 1993

 

[Glorydays22]

It's not that, it's just you found an outcome that you liked, then rationalized your way backwards from there.

Sure why not.

So I guess my reply would be. You don't think Trotz would have interest in either or both Nelson and Pelech? If so, I think we all agree on this board Nelson would get us a 1st and a good prospect. My proposal doesn't include a 1st, but a 2nd and a good prospect for Nelson

Basically I did a straight 1-1 for Pelech and Lauzon.

 

[IslesNorway]

During concussion tests for Mike Reilly they found out he had a preexisting heart condition. Out indefinitely and he underwent a procedure for it.

As Lou said in presser, this injury was probably a blessing in disguise. Best of luck to Mike and a full recovery

Wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery. Could well be the end of his career though.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

If so, I think we all agree on this board

There is no we here.

 

[SI]

---

If I Were Lou, Here’s My Plan
I’d target one of these three forwards to add depth and scoring punch:

1. Mathieu Olivier (RW, UFA, $1.1M)
2. Drew O'Connor (LW, UFA, $950K)
3. Anthony Beauvillier (LW, UFA, $1.35M)

All three could fit under the cap and help this team as long as the acquisition cost isn’t too high. If Columbus or Pittsburgh views Oliver Wahlstrom as a reclamation project, maybe they’d consider him in a trade. Wahlstrom is an RFA, so they’d have team control, and a change of scenery might be beneficial for him.

On the Blueline
I like what I’ve seen from George, but I don’t think his current level of play is sustainable. He needs to get stronger and NHL games will eventually wear him down. With defensemen in high demand, options are limited. However, Arber Xhekaj from Montreal is someone I’d seriously consider. The guy’s a beast, and his physicality and presence would help now and in the future. As long as it doesn’t cost a 1st-round pick, I’d make that move in a heartbeat.

Kevin Shattenkirk could also be a possibility; he would only cost $.

Looking Ahead: The Isles’ Next 10 Games
With Barzal, Duclair, and Pelech expected back in the next few weeks, the Isles are poised to make a push. The next 10 games are manageable:

• @ Flames
• @ Detroit
• v. Blues
• v. Detroit
• v. Bruins
• @ Capitals
• v. Sabres
• @ Canadiens
• v. Kraken
• v. Hurricanes

When Barzal and Duclair return, they’ll push some players down the lineup, which could improve the team’s overall depth:
Projected Lines:

• Lee – Horvat – JGP
• Engvall – Nelson – Palmieri
• Tsyplakov – Barzal – Duclair
• MacLean – Cizikas – Holmstrom

If Lou adds someone like O'Connor or Beauvillier, MacLean likely moves to the press box as the 13th forward. That would allow some flexibility:

• Keep Engvall – Cizikas – Holmstrom line together.
• Slot Beau or O’Connor in with either Nelson and Palmieri or Barzal and Duke

A Final Thought:
I’d love to see Tsyplakov paired with Barzal. His style might complement Barzal’s creativity and speed perfectly.

If the Trend Turns South:
If the pattern of poor play and poor results continues post-holidays, Lou would be crazy not to sell impending UFAs Nelson and Palmieri to the highest bidders. I’d also consider dangling Cizikas as well as JGP (at 50% retained), which could bring in a decent return.

Regroup in the Summer
The Isles could use those assets to retool and come back stronger.

 

[Chardo]

During concussion tests for Mike Reilly they found out he had a preexisting heart condition. Out indefinitely and he underwent a procedure for it.

As Lou said in presser, this injury was probably a blessing in disguise. Best of luck to Mike and a full recovery

Two things that are puzzling to me. Why is a cardiac echo a routine test during concussion recovery, as Lou said? And how has a 31 year old professional athlete gone all that time without doctors discovering a congenital heart defect?

Best to him on a speedy recovery.

 

[mm11]

---

If I Were Lou, Here’s My Plan
I’d target one of these three forwards to add depth and scoring punch:

1. Mathieu Olivier (RW, UFA, $1.1M)
2. Drew O'Connor (LW, UFA, $950K)
3. Anthony Beauvillier (LW, UFA, $1.35M)

All three could fit under the cap and help this team as long as the acquisition cost isn’t too high. If Columbus or Pittsburgh views Oliver Wahlstrom as a reclamation project, maybe they’d consider him in a trade. Wahlstrom is an RFA, so they’d have team control, and a change of scenery might be beneficial for him.

On the Blueline
I like what I’ve seen from George, but I don’t think his current level of play is sustainable. He needs to get stronger and NHL games will eventually wear him down. With defensemen in high demand, options are limited. However, Arber Xhekaj from Montreal is someone I’d seriously consider. The guy’s a beast, and his physicality and presence would help now and in the future. As long as it doesn’t cost a 1st-round pick, I’d make that move in a heartbeat.

Kevin Shattenkirk could also be a possibility; he would only cost $.

Looking Ahead: The Isles’ Next 10 Games
With Barzal, Duclair, and Pelech expected back in the next few weeks, the Isles are poised to make a push. The next 10 games are manageable:

• @ Flames
• @ Detroit
• v. Blues
• v. Detroit
• v. Bruins
• @ Capitals
• v. Sabres
• @ Canadiens
• v. Kraken
• v. Hurricanes

When Barzal and Duclair return, they’ll push some players down the lineup, which could improve the team’s overall depth:
Projected Lines:

• Lee – Horvat – JGP
• Engvall – Nelson – Palmieri
• Tsyplakov – Barzal – Duclair
• MacLean – Cizikas – Holmstrom

If Lou adds someone like O'Connor or Beauvillier, MacLean likely moves to the press box as the 13th forward. That would allow some flexibility:

• Keep Engvall – Cizikas – Holmstrom line together.
• Slot Beau or O’Connor in with either Nelson and Palmieri or Barzal and Duke

A Final Thought:
I’d love to see Tsyplakov paired with Barzal. His style might complement Barzal’s creativity and speed perfectly.

If the Trend Turns South:
If the pattern of poor play and poor results continues post-holidays, Lou would be crazy not to sell impending UFAs Nelson and Palmieri to the highest bidders. I’d also consider dangling Cizikas as well as JGP (at 50% retained), which could bring in a decent return.

Regroup in the Summer
The Isles could use those assets to retool and come back stronger.

Firm believer in bringing in those tough guys. Lgi.

 

[JJ18Sniper]

With the recent use of LTIR and Reilly likely out long-term, I'm starting to wonder if Martin's 10 game performance bonus of $100k is in danger of becoming an overage for next season.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Huge fan of grabbing Olivier in the offseason