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

[Big L]

The reality of the situation is nothing will change/happen until barzal duclair and Pelech come back from injury, whenever that will be. And then you’ll have to wait another month or more to see if it makes a difference. Now we’re getting close to TDL. If they’re out of it, you’ll likely see some moves. Otherwise, you won’t. Until then, there’s really no point in spouting the same thing over and over again.

 

[Strummergas]

The reality of the situation is nothing will change/happen until barzal duclair and Pelech come back from injury, whenever that will be. And then you’ll have to wait another month or more to see if it makes a difference. Now we’re getting close to TDL. If they’re out of it, you’ll likely see some moves. Otherwise, you won’t. Until then, there’s really no point in spouting the same thing over and over again.

I think this will be the case. If they're somehow in the playoff hunt at or near the deadline, we probably won't see any trades made to move out expiring or close to expiring contracts. And like last year, I also don't think they will move any futures for short-term help in the playoffs. MAYBE a Horvat-type deal is made, but hopefully for a player even younger than he was when he was acquired.If they're mathematically eliminated or all but come the TDL, then I think that's the only time players like Nelson and Palms, and even Lee and JPG will be moved out for futures. But if they have a reasonable chance at making it in, Lou would rather just let them walk for nothing than give up a shot at the post-season.

I've said it before, but I think the "rebuild" will happen by attrition. Although many here are clamoring to "burn it to the ground", it ain't happening for a myriad of reasons. And really, what's the difference? Seems like we'll be watching losing hockey for the next little while either way. They just have to draft well no matter where they pick.

 

[Zeeker]

I think this will be the case. If they're somehow in the hunt at or near the deadline, we probably won't see any trades made to move out expiring or close to expiring contracts. And like last year, I also don't think they will move any futures for short-term help in the playoffs. MAYBE a Horvat-type deal is made, but hopefully for a player even younger than he was when he was acquired.If they're mathematically eliminated or all but come the TDL, then I think that's the only time players like Nelson and Palms, and even Lee and JPG will be moved out for futures. But if they have a reasonable chance at making it in, Lou would rather just let them walk for nothing than give up a shot at the post-season.

I've said it before, but I think the "rebuild" will happen by attrition. Although many hear are clamoring to "burn it to the ground", it ain't happening for a myriad of reasons. And really, what's the difference? Seems like we'll be watching losing hockey for the next little while either way. They just have to draft well no matter where they pick.

The difference is that the odds for a long, brutal rebuild will significantly increase if we continue to let players walk, rather than recoup assets. Drafting can be a crapshoot and the more darts you can throw at the dartboard, the better chance something worthwhile sticks. That’s Carolina’s approach, and they’re pretty good.

The frustrating truth is that you’re likely correct about Lou’s thinking here - letting Nelson and Palmieri walk. But I don’t see how you can “what’s the difference” handwave that away.

 

[Strummergas]

The difference is that the odds for a long, brutal rebuild will significantly increase if we continue to let players walk, rather than recoup assets. Drafting can be a crapshoot and the more darts you can throw at the dartboard, the better chance something worthwhile sticks. That’s Carolina’s approach, and they’re pretty good.

The frustrating truth is that you’re likely correct about Lou’s thinking here - letting Nelson and Palmieri walk. But I don’t see how you can “what’s the difference” handwave that away.

I just meant as far as what we're in for in the next few years. Of course the more assets you recoup, the greater chance you have in reducing the amount of time it would take to get competitive again. But I'm not really sure just how much those chances go up. We've been down this road before, and man, it was brutal because it took WAY longer than anyone expected or wanted. Granted, things are a bit different now, but still.

I think it really comes down to what ownership/management values more at this point in time; making the playoffs or having a reasonable shot at making it even for a 1st round appearance or potentially cutting down the time in which the team is "non-competitive", meaning not making or even having a shot at the playoffs.

 

[YearlyLottery]

The one major worry of going through a total rebuild is the difficulty of the worst teams actually winning the lottery. The Isles need to do the right thing, sell players at the deadline, and hope they move up in the lottery. Selling prime assets and having a 1-2 year stretch where they focus solely on continuing to add speed to this roster and getting rid of the old core would do wonders.

More moves like Tsyplakov and Duclair and less moves like just locking up old players to 6-8 year deals.

 

[seabass45]

I think this will be the case. If they're somehow in the playoff hunt at or near the deadline, we probably won't see any trades made to move out expiring or close to expiring contracts. And like last year, I also don't think they will move any futures for short-term help in the playoffs. MAYBE a Horvat-type deal is made, but hopefully for a player even younger than he was when he was acquired.If they're mathematically eliminated or all but come the TDL, then I think that's the only time players like Nelson and Palms, and even Lee and JPG will be moved out for futures. But if they have a reasonable chance at making it in, Lou would rather just let them walk for nothing than give up a shot at the post-season.

I've said it before, but I think the "rebuild" will happen by attrition. Although many here are clamoring to "burn it to the ground", it ain't happening for a myriad of reasons. And really, what's the difference? Seems like we'll be watching losing hockey for the next little while either way. They just have to draft well no matter where they pick.

I can't see another Horvat deal. Beyond the feasibility of offloading another prospect+pick package, I'm not enthusiastic about the types of players out there who would make sense for that sort of thing. That's why at least a brief sell-off makes a lot of sense if we're still out: Nelson is a good bet to be the best UFA center who might be available at the deadline and Palmieri, who I figured to be a 50/50 bet to return a first round pick if he were traded, is looking more like 75/25 now. The one consolation we have is that the guys playing for their next contract are acting like it lol.

 

[Strummergas]

I can't see another Horvat deal. Beyond the feasibility of offloading another prospect+pick package, I'm not enthusiastic about the types of players out there who would make sense for that sort of thing. That's why at least a brief sell-off makes a lot of sense if we're still out: Nelson is a good bet to be the best UFA center who might be available at the deadline and Palmieri, who I figured to be a 50/50 bet to return a first round pick if he were traded, is looking more like 75/25 now. The one consolation we have is that the guys playing for their next contract are acting like it lol.

The player would have to be worth it, and have to be more than just a "missing piece" like Horvat. But for that to be the case, you're probably giving up significantly than what it took to land Bo. So as you said, it's probably not worth it at this stage of the game.

As far as moving out UFAs, the key is the difference to what makes sense to the fan base vs. what makes sense for ownership/management.