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

[islesfan66]

i know everyone is dreaming of trading nelson and palmeri but what do we really think the returns will be? also am I the only one who really wants to move dobson before the league realizes how bad he is on defense?

 

[seabass45]

i know everyone is dreaming of trading nelson and palmeri but what do we really think the returns will be? also am I the only one who really wants to move dobson before the league realizes how bad he is on defense?

Nelson SHOULD get a first and midlevel prospect but if he stays cold….

For Palmieri I’ll say second and a fourth.

 

[Nassau Revisited]

This is the second coach with a league worst PK. Roy had no answers, so is it a coaching issue or poor roster? PK is less about skill and more about systems, effort, and positioning. We also have mainstays like Pelech, Mayfield, and Cizikas glued to the PK when they are 2-3 years removed from being effective on it

So I ask is it bad coaching, a bad GM, or both? I vote both

 

[YearlyLottery]

i know everyone is dreaming of trading nelson and palmeri but what do we really think the returns will be? also am I the only one who really wants to move dobson before the league realizes how bad he is on defense?

Regardless of what the returns would be this sets up a variety of things that are positive:

1.) this roster will be worse the rest of the season resulting in a higher draft pick.

2.) young players will get a shot and more minutes. Holmstrom, George, Jefferies, Foudy type of players should be playing to see what they've got for the future.

3.) You've got to pray to have a bit of luck and win the lottery for Hagens. There is no such thing as "tanking for rebuilds anymore but if they do this right they can greatly increase their odds for moving up.

4.) This opens up CAP SPACE. You get rid of both Palmieri and Nelson while trading Pageau in the offseason? All of a sudden this organization goes from up against the wall to being a big spender for an impact player.

Regarding Dobson I generally agree. I am open to keeping Dobson but I do not believe he is currently worth an 8 year deal. I would like to see some more before committing to him.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

Roy commenting that he wishes they spent more time of special teams in off season. Ya f***ing think dude??? We were the worst PK in the league last year! That’s kinda important to fix. I can’t believe I was excited about this guy coming to the island

And yes Patrick we were so unlucky to lose that game 7-1 last night. Played soooo much better than that score line. C ya

 

[Nassau Revisited]

Regardless of what the returns would be this sets up a variety of things that are positive:

1.) this roster will be worse the rest of the season resulting in a higher draft pick.

2.) young players will get a shot and more minutes. Holmstrom, George, Jefferies, Foudy type of players should be playing to see what they've got for the future.

3.) You've got to pray to have a bit of luck and win the lottery for Hagens. There is no such thing as "tanking for rebuilds anymore but if they do this right they can greatly increase their odds for moving up.

4.) This opens up CAP SPACE. You get rid of both Palmieri and Nelson while trading Pageau in the offseason? All of a sudden this organization goes from up against the wall to being a big spender for an impact player.

Regarding Dobson I generally agree. I am open to keeping Dobson but I do not believe he is currently worth an 8 year deal. I would like to see some more before committing to him.

Everyone should be on the trade block. Palms and Nelson must be traded.

 

[leeroggy]

This is the second coach with a league worst PK. Roy had no answers, so is it a coaching issue or poor roster? PK is less about skill and more about systems, effort, and positioning. We also have mainstays like Pelech, Mayfield, and Cizikas glued to the PK when they are 2-3 years removed from being effective on it

So I ask is it bad coaching, a bad GM, or both? I vote both

Not really sure what a GM can do about a PK these days. The years of specialists are behind us. I don't see a lot of blocked shots on the PK these days, which brings me back to my biggest complaint of the Trotz years . . . his approach chews up players physically, and some of our players don't have the same gas in the tank they did back then.

 

[Nassau Revisited]

Not really sure what a GM can do about a PK these days. The years of specialists are behind us. I don't see a lot of blocked shots on the PK these days, which brings me back to my biggest complaint of the Trotz years . . . his approach chews up players physically, and some of our players don't have the same gas in the tank they did back then.

I tend to agree with you about the GM and the PK although the mainstays on our PK are all over the hill. A better coach would recognize it and not play Cizikas and Pelech on PK 1. The problem is what options do we have to replace them.

I think our “system” we use for the PK is the number reason why it sucks

 

[8EJS9]

You know, it is possible teams not on Brock and palms no trade list are not interested in Brock or palms at this time.

Then that is where the organization needs to sack up for once and tell both of them that they will not be resigned. Give them the opportunity to make a list and trade them to a contender

 

[GOLFWANG]

For the pk and not the pk we have to be the easiest team against to enter the zone.

For the pk we don’t put any pressure anywhere, it’s like we are trying to defend the goal for the whole 2 minutes instead of gaining possession to clear it.

 

[Throttle]

Nelson SHOULD get a first and midlevel prospect but if he stays cold….

For Palmieri I’ll say second and a fourth.

Adam Henrique netted a first and some
Fodder last year. Nelson and Palms will match that. In the end, the Isles just need assets and not resign the guys.

 

[The Real JT]

Adam Henrique netted a first and some
Fodder last year. Nelson and Palms will match that. In the end, the Isles just need assets and not resign the guys.

Be prepared to receive less.

 

[leeroggy]

I tend to agree with you about the GM and the PK although the mainstays on our PK are all over the hill. A better coach would recognize it and not play Cizikas and Pelech on PK 1. The problem is what options do we have to replace them.

I think our “system” we use for the PK is the number reason why it sucks

On the system, maybe. But we also have to be honest and point out that Ilya's and Varly's save percentage when short-handed is pretty bad.

 

[impaaaaaact]

On the system, maybe. But we also have to be honest and point out that Ilya's and Varly's save percentage when short-handed is pretty bad.

honestly I think it’s a product of the PK. They basically need to be on guard for everything at all times because the team can stop nothing.

 

[seabass45]

Adam Henrique netted a first and some
Fodder last year. Nelson and Palms will match that. In the end, the Isles just need assets and not resign the guys.

Henrique was solid last year. Nelson SHOULD be better, and I know he’s streaky, but we might need a good stretch from him.

Palms is borderline, probably depends on who else will be available. Kinda reminds me of Toffoli’s return though.

 

[SI]

This is the second coach with a league worst PK. Roy had no answers, so is it a coaching issue or poor roster? PK is less about skill and more about systems, effort, and positioning. We also have mainstays like Pelech, Mayfield, and Cizikas glued to the PK when they are 2-3 years removed from being effective on it

So I ask is it bad coaching, a bad GM, or both? I vote both

Not really sure what a GM can do about a PK these days. The years of specialists are behind us. I don't see a lot of blocked shots on the PK these days, which brings me back to my biggest complaint of the Trotz years . . . his approach chews up players physically, and some of our players don't have the same gas in the tank they did back then.

We're 35 games into the season, and despite having a historically bad penalty kill, there’s been no action from the GM to bring in personnel who can help fix it. The coaches, meanwhile, continue to rely on the same players without making meaningful adjustments.

Most NHL teams run a diamond system with tweaks to prevent zone entries, block passing lanes, suppress shots, and dictate aggressiveness. Yet, our approach feels stagnant and ineffective.

At this point, a trade to bring in someone who can strengthen the PK is absolutely necessary.

I’d also consider giving Barzal a chance on the PK. His ability to create turnovers, his relentless puck pursuit, strong possession game, and elite skating could bring a new dynamic to an otherwise lifeless unit.

 

[SI]

i know everyone is dreaming of trading nelson and palmeri but what do we really think the returns will be? also am I the only one who really wants to move dobson before the league realizes how bad he is on defense?

---

I go back and forth between trading Dobson or being patient and allowing him to work through his struggles.
When considering a potential trade for Dobson, two teams come to mind: Anaheim and Carolina.
For Anaheim, a package centred around Mason McTavish or Trevor Zegras (who I still like) would be intriguing. Alternatively, a deal involving Olen Zellweger and McTavish for Dobson + (maybe a second-round pick?) could make sense.
For Carolina, landing Alexander Nikishin seems unlikely unless he’s unwilling to sign with them. However, I wonder if a package involving Scott Morrow, Bradley Nadeau, and a 2025 first-round pick could work.
If Dobson is traded, the team would need to target a PP quarterback in free agency to fill the void.

One more team - seize on the mess in Vancouver and try to pry Petey for Dobson +.

EDIT - maybe a future package around 2025 1st + Willander and another pick in 2026

 

[Throttle]

Be prepared to receive less.

See what happens. Both players have 16 team NTC lists. Nelson actually has a $6M cap hit, but only $4M cash this year. That’s also a net positive.

 

[SI]

After a win like the one against the Leafs, followed by an abysmal 7-1 loss to a team that’s been a tire fire for weeks and winless in 10, it’s unacceptable.

My hope is that leadership is already preparing to sell come the new year.

The next four games won’t be easy, with home and away matchups against the Pens and Leafs. My fear is that further humiliation is not on the horizon.

 

[The Real JT]

See what happens. Both players have 16 team NTC lists. Nelson actually has a $6M cap hit, but only $4M cash this year. That’s also a net positive.

The only teams that want those players don’t particularly care about how much cash is due this year as long as the Islanders retain salary.

My main point was not that these players don’t have value, but that the league as a whole won’t value those two players as high as people here on this board will. I’m not saying it’s right but it’s a sad reality.

 

[Throttle]

The only teams that want those players don’t particularly care about how much cash is due this year as long as the Islanders retain salary.

My main point was not that these players don’t have value, but that the league as a whole won’t value those two players as high as people here on this board will. I’m not saying it’s right but it’s a sad reality.

It’s more money in the owners pocket. There’s really no need to retain.

If Nelson and Palms are so low, then why did Henrique net a 1st? Holland just felt like overpaying? He’s a guy that hadn’t even been in the playoffs since 2018 where he had zero points.

 

[The Real JT]

Less cash due in salary is nice but that’s not the main driver in any potential deal. Salary retention is easily done for the last few months.

As for the trade history of other teams you make a fair point but when have the Isles ever received fair market value or better for their assets? I think you have to go back to the Griffin Reinhart trade.

 

[MJF]

This is the second coach with a league worst PK. Roy had no answers, so is it a coaching issue or poor roster? PK is less about skill and more about systems, effort, and positioning. We also have mainstays like Pelech, Mayfield, and Cizikas glued to the PK when they are 2-3 years removed from being effective on it

So I ask is it bad coaching, a bad GM, or both? I vote both

Bad job by the GM and head coach.

 

[8EJS9]

Nelson SHOULD get a first and midlevel prospect but if he stays cold….

For Palmieri I’ll say second and a fourth.

I think Palms could get us a late first.

 

[8EJS9]

Dobson at $8M is gonna be a bad deal for the Isles.

I think it would be a travesty if Dobson was resigned at $8M. We could only hope he’s dealt like Travis Hamonic and he would probably get an even better return as well.