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

[JRD76]

The Rangers’ situation is a good example of how a full rebuild through high draft picks isn’t a guaranteed path to a championship. Teams can miss on those high picks multiple times, leaving the franchise stuck in a perpetual rebuild, similar to what happened with the Oilers before Connor McDavid or what might unfold in Buffalo and Detroit.

The Islanders could consider retooling instead. This could involve moving aging players who will soon be UFAs, such as Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, to gain valuable assets like picks or prospects. A more aggressive approach could include trading players like Semyon Varlamov and Casey Cizikas to clear additional cap space. Varlamov, who will be 37 next season, could even fetch a strong return.

The focus this season could shift to developing the big club while scouting heavily to ensure the best possible draft picks. With cleared cap space, the offseason could present opportunities to add impactful players to the lineup for a chance to contend.

If things don’t pan out in the 25-26 season, there would still be flexibility to retool further at the trade deadline by moving expiring contracts, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee.

Islanders' Top Prospects:​

1. Eiserman, F
2. George, LHD
3. Nelson, C
4. Gidlof, G
5. Pulkinen, LHD
6. Jeffries, W
7. Finley, F
8. Bednarik, C
9. Odelius, LHD
10. Gamzin, G

*Honourable Mentions - Bolduc, LHD, Dufour, RW, Maggio, RW, Berg, C, Nurmi, W

Trade Scenarios:​

• Brock Nelson to Carolina
  • Return: 2025 1st-round pick (CAR) + Bradley Nadeau
• Kyle Palmieri (50% retained) to New Jersey
  • Return: 2025 2nd-round pick (NJ) + Paul Cotter (1y/775k)
• Semyon Varlamov to Colorado
  • Return: 2025 2nd-round pick (COL), Scott Wedgewood (1 year, $1.5M), and Parker Kelly (1 year, $825K)
• Casey Cizikas for Picks
  • Cap space freed: $2.5M

---

2025 Draft Outlook:​

The Islanders could enter the draft with the following picks:

• Two 1st-round picks (one in the top 10, the other in the 22–32 range)
• Three 2nd-round picks (one in the 32–42 range and two in the 50s)

If the Islanders struggle this season, they could pick in the top 5, giving them a chance to draft one of these elite prospects: Hagens, Misa, Mortone, Schaefer, or Frondell. A more likely scenario is a top-10 pick, targeting players such as Viktor Eklund, Caleb Desnoyers, Carter Bear, or Ivan Ryabkin.

Potential Selections:​

1st Round:

• Caleb Desnoyers (C) or Anton Frondell (depending how far they fall)
• William Moore (C)

2nd Round:

• Kurban Limatov (LHD)
• Charlie Trethewey (RHD)
• Haoxi Wang (LHD)

Projected Top Prospects 2025-26:​

1. Eiserman, F
2. Desroyners, C or Frondell, C
3. Nadeau, F
4. Moore, C
5. George, LHD
6. Nelson, C
7. Trethewey, RHD
8. Limatov, LHD
9. Wang, LHD
10. Gidlof, G

Honourable Mentions: Pulkinen, LHD, Odelius, LHD, Finley, F, Bednarik, C, and Jeffries, F

---

2025-26 Projected Starting Lineup:​

Forwards​

• Duclair – Barzal – UFA (with ~$13M cap space)
• Tsyplakov – Horvat – Nadeau
• Lee – Pageau – Holmstrom
• Cotter – Vet C (league minimum) – Kelly
• MacLean

If Casey Cizikas is traded for picks, the Islanders could free up over $13M in cap space to address roster needs.

They could pursue an elite UFA, such as Mitch Marner or Mikko Rantanen, if they reach the market, by offering a competitive $12–13M AAV. Alternatively, the Islanders could take a balanced approach by signing a player like Nikolaj Ehlers for around $8M+ while re-signing Kyle Palmieri. Instead of re-signing Palmieri, they could reimagine the bottom six by adding players like Sam Steel for skill, Mathieu Olivier for grit and toughness, and Trent Frederic for a blend of speed and physicality.

Defence​

• *Pelech – Pulock
• Romanov – Dobson
• George – Mayfield
• Vet Dman

Adam Pelech’s No-Trade Clause (NTC) shifts to a modified No-Trade Clause (m-NTC), potentially opening the door for a trade. Barry Trotz might be interested in acquiring someone he knows well to stabilize his blue line in Nashville.

A trade proposal could involve Adam Pelech heading to Nashville in exchange for a 2026 2nd-round pick and Jeremy Lauzon (2 years at $2M AAV). The resulting $3.75M in cap savings could be added to the $13M already freed up, allowing the Islanders to pursue another defenseman, such as Vladislav Gavrikov or Jakob Chychrun, or to explore the earlier approach outlined above.

Goalies​

• Sorokin
• Wedgewood
• Högberg

---

This approach allows the Islanders to build a competitive team while prioritizing long-term sustainability. By strategically trading veterans and focusing on development, the team can stockpile assets, clear cap space, and enter 2025-26 with a mix of young talent and flexibility.

What about signing Dobson, Romanov, Holmstrom and Tsyplakov? All RFA's this offseason.

 

[Big L]

No, you didn't. You just wrote "curious" and then mused that their might be other ways to win the Cup without spelling out what those are for a franchise like the Islanders. Nor have you explained the relevance of which team drafted those players.

As for a spreadsheet and links, it might be a challenge for you but perhaps your curiosity and/or skepticism are great enough for you to see if you can find your way to HockeyDB or one of the many other sites purveying such information. In short, I don't deliver. Good luck.

You make a lot of claims as fact, then can’t back it up. Stop shitposting the board.

The 08 Wings say hello.

 

[SI]

What about signing Dobson, Romanov, Holmstrom and Tsyplakov? All RFA's this offseason.

With 6.6 B in HRR - the league and PA will agree to go over the 5% max increase. There was already speculation it can be as high as 96m.

I figure 18m to sign all RFAs that with current contracts that is 82.2 with 20 man roster and Engvall buyout. 5% max would be 92.5, leaving 10.3 in cap space. If they go as high as 96 - the cap space could be 13.8, if they go somewhere in between that is roughly 12m.

 

[crashthenet]

If your too lazy to go back and read what was written, then don't bother commenting.

a little touchy

 

[impaaaaaact]

would be sort of poetic if the Leafs put the final dagger in tonight. last place at Christmas means Lou sells. right? right???

 

[The Real JT]

would be sort of poetic if the Leafs put the final dagger in tonight. last place at Christmas means Lou sells. right? right???

I’m not sure Lou ever gets to the point where he sells. He needs to step down for that to happen (they won’t call it “fired”).

Meanwhile the Sens are on a run and the top 6, probably 7 spots, look locked in. Yes the Rags are a tire fire but frankly it’s hard for me to see the Isles finishing higher than them and I’m not even including them in the top 6.

I wish I could fast forward to next season. New GM, new players. Same for my NY Jets but add new QB and coach.

 

[Big L]

would be sort of poetic if the Leafs put the final dagger in tonight. last place at Christmas means Lou sells. right? right???

Technically I think already in last place in the metro. I don’t think they can grab last in the east, those sabres are doing a real good job on that one already.

If the sabres weren’t on every players no trade list, you’d think Lou would be on the phone with them about a swap. Too bad.

 

[Isles72]

I’m not sure Lou ever gets to the point where he sells. He needs to step down for that to happen (they won’t call it “fired”).

Meanwhile the Sens are on a run and the top 6, probably 7 spots, look locked in. Yes the Rags are a tire fire but frankly it’s hard for me to see the Isles finishing higher than them and I’m not even including them in the top 6.

I wish I could fast forward to next season. New GM, new players. Same for my NY Jets but add new QB and coach.

I wish he'd swallow his pride and hire someone who can take over when season ends while working alongside Lou to advise on all things important towards setting the table second half / offseason.

someone like Ray Shero seems like a good idea to transition the team into next phases .

 

[Torrey Redux]

You make a lot of claims as fact, then can’t back it up. Stop shitposting the board.

The 08 Wings say hello.

Shit-posting? WTF are you talking about? Brad Stuart.

 

[icelander25]

The Rangers’ situation is a good example of how a full rebuild through high draft picks isn’t a guaranteed path to a championship. Teams can miss on those high picks multiple times, leaving the franchise stuck in a perpetual rebuild, similar to what happened with the Oilers before Connor McDavid or what might unfold in Buffalo and Detroit.

The Islanders could consider retooling instead. This could involve moving aging players who will soon be UFAs, such as Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, to gain valuable assets like picks or prospects. A more aggressive approach could include trading players like Semyon Varlamov and Casey Cizikas to clear additional cap space. Varlamov, who will be 37 next season, could even fetch a strong return.

The focus this season could shift to developing the big club while scouting heavily to ensure the best possible draft picks. With cleared cap space, the offseason could present opportunities to add impactful players to the lineup for a chance to contend.

If things don’t pan out in the 25-26 season, there would still be flexibility to retool further at the trade deadline by moving expiring contracts, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee.

Islanders' Top Prospects:​

1. Eiserman, F
2. George, LHD
3. Nelson, C
4. Gidlof, G
5. Pulkinen, LHD
6. Jeffries, W
7. Finley, F
8. Bednarik, C
9. Odelius, LHD
10. Gamzin, G

*Honourable Mentions - Bolduc, LHD, Dufour, RW, Maggio, RW, Berg, C, Nurmi, W

Trade Scenarios:​

• Brock Nelson to Carolina
  • Return: 2025 1st-round pick (CAR) + Bradley Nadeau
• Kyle Palmieri (50% retained) to New Jersey
  • Return: 2025 2nd-round pick (NJ) + Paul Cotter (1y/775k)
• Semyon Varlamov to Colorado
  • Return: 2025 2nd-round pick (COL), Scott Wedgewood (1 year, $1.5M), and Parker Kelly (1 year, $825K)
• Casey Cizikas for Picks
  • Cap space freed: $2.5M

---

2025 Draft Outlook:​

The Islanders could enter the draft with the following picks:

• Two 1st-round picks (one in the top 10, the other in the 22–32 range)
• Three 2nd-round picks (one in the 32–42 range and two in the 50s)

If the Islanders struggle this season, they could pick in the top 5, giving them a chance to draft one of these elite prospects: Hagens, Misa, Mortone, Schaefer, or Frondell. A more likely scenario is a top-10 pick, targeting players such as Viktor Eklund, Caleb Desnoyers, Carter Bear, or Ivan Ryabkin.

Potential Selections:​

1st Round:

• Caleb Desnoyers (C) or Anton Frondell (depending how far they fall)
• William Moore (C)

2nd Round:

• Kurban Limatov (LHD)
• Charlie Trethewey (RHD)
• Haoxi Wang (LHD)

Projected Top Prospects 2025-26:​

1. Eiserman, F
2. Desroyners, C or Frondell, C
3. Nadeau, F
4. Moore, C
5. George, LHD
6. Nelson, C
7. Trethewey, RHD
8. Limatov, LHD
9. Wang, LHD
10. Gidlof, G

Honourable Mentions: Pulkinen, LHD, Odelius, LHD, Finley, F, Bednarik, C, and Jeffries, F

---

2025-26 Projected Starting Lineup:​

Forwards​

• Duclair – Barzal – UFA (with ~$13M cap space)
• Tsyplakov – Horvat – Nadeau
• Lee – Pageau – Holmstrom
• Cotter – Vet C (league minimum) – Kelly
• MacLean

If Casey Cizikas is traded for picks, the Islanders could free up over $13M in cap space to address roster needs.

They could pursue an elite UFA, such as Mitch Marner or Mikko Rantanen, if they reach the market, by offering a competitive $12–13M AAV. Alternatively, the Islanders could take a balanced approach by signing a player like Nikolaj Ehlers for around $8M+ while re-signing Kyle Palmieri. Instead of re-signing Palmieri, they could reimagine the bottom six by adding players like Sam Steel for skill, Mathieu Olivier for grit and toughness, and Trent Frederic for a blend of speed and physicality.

Defence​

• *Pelech – Pulock
• Romanov – Dobson
• George – Mayfield
• Vet Dman

Adam Pelech’s No-Trade Clause (NTC) shifts to a modified No-Trade Clause (m-NTC), potentially opening the door for a trade. Barry Trotz might be interested in acquiring someone he knows well to stabilize his blue line in Nashville.

A trade proposal could involve Adam Pelech heading to Nashville in exchange for a 2026 2nd-round pick and Jeremy Lauzon (2 years at $2M AAV). The resulting $3.75M in cap savings could be added to the $13M already freed up, allowing the Islanders to pursue another defenseman, such as Vladislav Gavrikov or Jakob Chychrun, or to explore the earlier approach outlined above.

Goalies​

• Sorokin
• Wedgewood
• Högberg

---

This approach allows the Islanders to build a competitive team while prioritizing long-term sustainability. By strategically trading veterans and focusing on development, the team can stockpile assets, clear cap space, and enter 2025-26 with a mix of young talent and flexibility.

Great analysis here. Everybody needs to be coming here with this level headed and realistic attitude and look forward to how to fix this team. I agree with basically everything said, and although minor I’d definitely say Frondell/Desnoyers gets our top prospect spot.

Everybody should notice that even just selling a 33 & 32 yr old free agents, we can turn our prospect pool around. Even is 2025-26 is a tough season, once Lee and Pageau come off the books, this team will be ready to contend with Nadeau & Eiserman ready for NHL action, and possibly even Desnoyers & Nelson to help on top of any top end free agent we want with all that cap space. I really think it’s a no brainer to our situation

 

[seabass45]

How many of those top 5 picks you’ve researched have been drafted by the cup wining team?

Going to take a quick swing at a variation on this question, which is what top five *drafted* picks were on recent Cup winners:

2024: Barkov, Ekblad
2023: None?
2022: MacKinnon, Makar (not going to count Landeskog)
2020/2021: Stamkos, Hedman
2019: Pietrangelo
2018: Ovechkin, Backstrom
2016/2017: Crosby, Malkin, MAF
2015: Kane, Toews
2014: Doughty

There’s sort of a trend that a lot of these teams have at least one, usually two cornerstone picks that hit. It sometimes takes awhile to get there. But this is what people are pointing to when they talk about a tank.

Obviously doesn’t work for some (BUFFALO), keeping a close eye on Edmonton and NJ in the near future, SJ and Chicago long-term. And I can’t say this enough: you have to nail other components of the rebuild. Hit on later draft picks, smart pickups via trade/waivers, etc. Florida added two additional former top 5 picks in Reinhart and Bennett.

 

[seabass45]

Speaking of former top 5 picks, Patrik Laine with seven goals in his first eight games with Montreal. Would be nice.

 

[Zeeker]

Nelson-Palmieri as part of our top line in practice today.

Hopefully giving them top minutes to advertise for prospective buyers, and stapling them together means less line blending when they’re both gone.

And Barzal at center to get ready for a Nelson-less world.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Torrey Redux]

Going to take a quick swing at a variation on this question, which is what top five *drafted* picks were on recent Cup winners:

2024: Barkov, Ekblad
2023: None?
2022: MacKinnon, Makar (not going to count Landeskog)
2020/2021: Stamkos, Hedman
2019: Pietrangelo
2018: Ovechkin, Backstrom
2016/2017: Crosby, Malkin, MAF
2015: Kane, Toews
2014: Doughty

There’s sort of a trend that a lot of these teams have at least one, usually two cornerstone picks that hit. It sometimes takes awhile to get there. But this is what people are pointing to when they talk about a tank.

Obviously doesn’t work for some (BUFFALO), keeping a close eye on Edmonton and NJ in the near future, SJ and Chicago long-term. And I can’t say this enough: you have to nail other components of the rebuild. Hit on later draft picks, smart pickups via trade/waivers, etc. Florida added two additional former top 5 picks in Reinhart and Bennett.

Again, I don't know why you are dismissing top 5 picks that were traded. It's the pedigree that matters, not who picked them. And yes, of course, other aspects of a rebuild have to be done right. Same is true of a retool or any other variation. The point was and remains, it is not that a top 5, or multiple top 5 picks in your lineup guarantees ultimate success, it is that in the cap era not having at least one has guaranteed that you won't. Through 2024, that is just a fact. Will that trend remain forever, probably not, but it still is instructive about how important HOF quality, cornerstone pieces are. Just look at the damn list above and then add in the ones you left out. What the hell else do you need to know? You cannot nickel and dime your way to a championship with a bunch of mid-players.

 

[seabass45]

Again, I don't know why you are dismissing top 5 picks that were traded. It's the pedigree that matters, not who picked them. And yes, of course, other aspects of a rebuild have to be done right. Same is true of a retool or any other variation. The point was and remains, it is not that a top 5, or multiple top 5 picks in your lineup guarantees ultimate success, it is that in the cap era not having at least one has guaranteed that you won't. Through 2024, that is just a fact. Will that trend remain forever, probably not, but it still is instructive about how important HOF quality, cornerstone pieces are. Just look at the damn list above and then add in the ones you left out. What the hell else do you need to know? You cannot nickel and dime your way to a championship with a bunch of mid-players.

I wasn't dismissing top five picks. I was playing along for the sake of argument to note that top five picks matter and noted Florida's acquisitions at the end of the post.

You need to relax.

 

[crashthenet]

Speaking of former top 5 picks, Patrik Laine with seven goals in his first eight games with Montreal. Would be nice.

All on the PP I believe. I don't think we have any on the PP during his 8 games stretch.

 

[Torrey Redux]

I wasn't dismissing top five picks. I was playing along for the sake of argument to note that top five picks matter and noted Florida's acquisitions at the end of the post.

You need to relax.

It was more about your omission of Eichel and Petriangelo in '23.

As for relaxation, nah. I'll relax when Lou & Son are gone. Maybe not completely but it will be a start.

 

[crashthenet]

I wasn't dismissing top five picks. I was playing along for the sake of argument to note that top five picks matter and noted Florida's acquisitions at the end of the post.

You need to relax.

If every team in the NHL this season, except the Isles of course, has a top five pick on it what is the relation to winning the cup? Having an executive who can manage your club is what matters. Buffalo has had two of their "top five" picks win cups the last two years. Terribly run club feeding two good ones.

It was more about your omission of Eichel and Petriangelo in '23.

As for relaxation, nah. I'll relax when Lou & Son are gone. Maybe not completely but it will be a start.

Love to not see the son remain,

 

[seabass45]

It was more about your omission of Eichel and Petriangelo in '23.

As for relaxation, nah. I'll relax when Lou & Son are gone. Maybe not completely but it will be a start.

Ok, yeah, I'm just going to go ahead and move along then.

If every team in the NHL this season, except the Isles of course, has a top five pick on it what is the relation to winning the cup? Having an executive who can manage your club is what matters. Buffalo has had two of their "top five" picks win cups the last two years. Terribly run club feeding two good ones.

I didn't start this whole thing about "top five" but I am a proponent of bottoming out once in awhile. Not as easy these days with the way the draft lotto has changed (thank you Edmonton) but the easiest way to acquire elite talent is the draft. People here point out Buffalo as an indication that it doesn't work, but I'm pointing out Florida, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Colorado as evidence that it can. Obviously you don't JUST do that, there's more to building a team than just tanking, and all the teams I listed did well at it.

TBH I'm not even arguing that the Isles go full overhaul and sell off everything, but if you're middling at the deadline, you trade Nelson and Palmieri (maybe 1-2 others?), try to bottom out among the Chicago/Buffalo/SJ group, and pray to the ping pong ball gods. Whoever we get will join a much more stable team than we had in 2009.

 

[crashthenet]

Ok, yeah, I'm just going to go ahead and move along then.


I didn't start this whole thing about "top five" but I am a proponent of bottoming out once in awhile. Not as easy these days with the way the draft lotto has changed (thank you Edmonton) but the easiest way to acquire elite talent is the draft. People here point out Buffalo as an indication that it doesn't work, but I'm pointing out Florida, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Colorado as evidence that it can. Obviously you don't JUST do that, there's more to building a team than just tanking, and all the teams I listed did well at it.

TBH I'm not even arguing that the Isles go full overhaul and sell off everything, but if you're middling at the deadline, you trade Nelson and Palmieri (maybe 1-2 others?), try to bottom out among the Chicago/Buffalo/SJ group, and pray to the ping pong ball gods. Whoever we get will join a much more stable team than we had in 2009.

The Flyers and the Yotes, to a degree Buffalo, make this difficult to desire. Even the Oilers. The management was so bad that they did little with the picks or didn't develop what they had. The boy genius in Arizona did a dreadful job.

If a retool of some sort is needed, then the decision on Lou comes first. And I am not saying Lou is not competent or capable of running a club. I'm not sure however he would be your guy to oversee a retool.

Gotta post - RIP Rickey Henderson. He was an all-time great. Better than folks remember and doesn't get his due. Greatest leadoff hitter on any era.

 

[Crashsunday]

In my mind and based on what I see, if Isles can get decent value for Pelech during the summer once his 16 team list is in effect, that would be one of the most important moves to make.

I do not see the player he was before last season’s injury nor do I think he gets back to that player.

Also, yes…RIP Rickey Henderson. One of my all time favorites.

 

[seabass45]

Pelech stuff seems more and more like “let’s hope nobody notices he’s not good anymore”. Maybe it works!