Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build
- Thread starter PK Cronin
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SI
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- Feb 16, 2013
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Top 2 Landing Spots for Jean-Gabriel Pageau (and Anders Lee): Dallas and Washington
When it comes to shedding bigger cap hits, getting younger, and restocking the prospect pool while adding picks, the Islanders must avoid setting themselves on a prolonged rebuild. Dumping Lee and Pageau (JGP) while retaining their salaries only to receive a second-round pick in return is not a worthwhile move. This is especially true for a team that often overspends on mid-tier options—targeting players like Jonathan Marchessault but ending up with someone like Anthony Duclair. If the goal is to maximize assets and manage them effectively, Lee and Pageau will likely hold more value at the 2026 Trade Deadline (TDL).
If a move happens this season, Washington and Dallas are the only contenders that align for a trade. Both can absorb the cap, have a role JGP can fill, and offer something the Islanders could use in return—more on Lee Later.
Washington Capitals: A Model for Retooling
Washington provides an excellent example of how to retool on the fly. Despite several mediocre seasons marked by aging players, injuries, and hefty contracts, they’ve made savvy moves, such as signing Dylan Strome, trading for Rasmus Sandin, and acquiring players like Pierre-Luc Dubois (PDL) and Andrew Mangiapane. Their trades for Jakob Chychrun (for a third-round pick and Jensen) and strategic free-agent signings like Roy demonstrate a smart approach.
Washington also boasts one of the NHL’s top 10 prospect pools, featuring talents like Leonard, Miroshnichenko, Cristall, Hutson, Parascak, Protas, Iorio, Chesley, Lapierre, and Muggli. Their top five prospects are elite.
Washington is one of the few teams capable of absorbing JGP’s cap hit. Adding Pageau would give them another strong option at center and a right-handed face-off specialist. This move could shift Lars Eller to LW and Mangiapane to RW, optimizing their lineup. Pageau could command a package similar to Kyle Palmieri’s, potentially including a second-round pick and a prospect like Vincent Iorio. Retaining 50% of JGP’s salary would increase his trade value, but the Islanders need to remain competitive next year, and JGP can help achieve that.
Dallas Stars: An Intriguing Fit
Dallas could offer a prospect like Emil Hemming or a second-round pick, depending on salary retention. For the Islanders, it’s essential to get tangible value for JGP—this shouldn’t be treated as a cap-dumping scenario. If other teams approach with lowball offers, the Islanders should decline and retain JGP. He remains an asset to the team.
Anders Lee’s Trade Value
Trading Lee might require retaining 50% of his cap hit, but what would the return look like? If it’s a B-level prospect and a second-round pick, the Islanders should decline. Lee’s contributions on the ice and in the locker room justify keeping him if the return isn’t worthwhile. Additionally, with the salary cap expected to rise to at least $92.5 million—and potentially as high as $95-96 million pending a new CBA—the Islanders may have more flexibility next season.
Final Thoughts
If by January the Islanders trade Nelson to Dallas for a 2025 first-round pick and Bourque, and Palmieri to Washington for a 2025 first-round pick, they could then wait for the TDL market to develop and evolve. Injuries to Stanley Cup contenders could shift the landscape, increasing the value of players like JGP, Lee and others, like Cizikas and Varlamov.
If a team offers a first-round pick for JGP (50% retained), the Islanders should act. Otherwise, keeping JGP and reassessing his market in the offseason or at next year’s deadline might be the smarter play. Without Nelson and Palmieri, the Islanders’ tough schedule leading up to February could further push them down the standings, improving their draft lottery odds, which will be the focus of my next blog post, The Importance of James Hagens
When it comes to shedding bigger cap hits, getting younger, and restocking the prospect pool while adding picks, the Islanders must avoid setting themselves on a prolonged rebuild. Dumping Lee and Pageau (JGP) while retaining their salaries only to receive a second-round pick in return is not a worthwhile move. This is especially true for a team that often overspends on mid-tier options—targeting players like Jonathan Marchessault but ending up with someone like Anthony Duclair. If the goal is to maximize assets and manage them effectively, Lee and Pageau will likely hold more value at the 2026 Trade Deadline (TDL).
If a move happens this season, Washington and Dallas are the only contenders that align for a trade. Both can absorb the cap, have a role JGP can fill, and offer something the Islanders could use in return—more on Lee Later.
Washington Capitals: A Model for Retooling
Washington provides an excellent example of how to retool on the fly. Despite several mediocre seasons marked by aging players, injuries, and hefty contracts, they’ve made savvy moves, such as signing Dylan Strome, trading for Rasmus Sandin, and acquiring players like Pierre-Luc Dubois (PDL) and Andrew Mangiapane. Their trades for Jakob Chychrun (for a third-round pick and Jensen) and strategic free-agent signings like Roy demonstrate a smart approach.
Washington also boasts one of the NHL’s top 10 prospect pools, featuring talents like Leonard, Miroshnichenko, Cristall, Hutson, Parascak, Protas, Iorio, Chesley, Lapierre, and Muggli. Their top five prospects are elite.
Washington is one of the few teams capable of absorbing JGP’s cap hit. Adding Pageau would give them another strong option at center and a right-handed face-off specialist. This move could shift Lars Eller to LW and Mangiapane to RW, optimizing their lineup. Pageau could command a package similar to Kyle Palmieri’s, potentially including a second-round pick and a prospect like Vincent Iorio. Retaining 50% of JGP’s salary would increase his trade value, but the Islanders need to remain competitive next year, and JGP can help achieve that.
Dallas Stars: An Intriguing Fit
Dallas could offer a prospect like Emil Hemming or a second-round pick, depending on salary retention. For the Islanders, it’s essential to get tangible value for JGP—this shouldn’t be treated as a cap-dumping scenario. If other teams approach with lowball offers, the Islanders should decline and retain JGP. He remains an asset to the team.
Anders Lee’s Trade Value
Trading Lee might require retaining 50% of his cap hit, but what would the return look like? If it’s a B-level prospect and a second-round pick, the Islanders should decline. Lee’s contributions on the ice and in the locker room justify keeping him if the return isn’t worthwhile. Additionally, with the salary cap expected to rise to at least $92.5 million—and potentially as high as $95-96 million pending a new CBA—the Islanders may have more flexibility next season.
Final Thoughts
If by January the Islanders trade Nelson to Dallas for a 2025 first-round pick and Bourque, and Palmieri to Washington for a 2025 first-round pick, they could then wait for the TDL market to develop and evolve. Injuries to Stanley Cup contenders could shift the landscape, increasing the value of players like JGP, Lee and others, like Cizikas and Varlamov.
If a team offers a first-round pick for JGP (50% retained), the Islanders should act. Otherwise, keeping JGP and reassessing his market in the offseason or at next year’s deadline might be the smarter play. Without Nelson and Palmieri, the Islanders’ tough schedule leading up to February could further push them down the standings, improving their draft lottery odds, which will be the focus of my next blog post, The Importance of James Hagens
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Kevin27NYI
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2009
- 20,198
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Wouldn't mind an Evander Kane for Adam Pelech deal.
Didn't realize his injuries and how it's not going well. But I could see a connection of Pelech moving and EDM trying for him.
Didn't realize his injuries and how it's not going well. But I could see a connection of Pelech moving and EDM trying for him.
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Kevin27NYI
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2009
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Wouldn't mind adding both Jeannot and Olivier this offseason. Need more anger in the lineup.
Glorydays22
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2011
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Want no part of the cancer called Kane. Plus, Pelech won't waive his MTC to EDM. We have to hope maybe Trotz thinks he can right Pelech back to form.
SI
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2013
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I wonder if something around Pelech to Nashville for Colton Sissons.
Nashville takes on almost 3m more in cap and 3 more years
Sissons is a strong PKer and we can use all the help we can get.
Maybe Lauzon is added to balance $. I certainly still rate Pelech
Maybe I am way off and it is simply a cap dump situation where Pelech goes to Nashville for 3rd round pick and we are happy to get out from the cap hit.
Nashville takes on almost 3m more in cap and 3 more years
Sissons is a strong PKer and we can use all the help we can get.
Maybe Lauzon is added to balance $. I certainly still rate Pelech
Maybe I am way off and it is simply a cap dump situation where Pelech goes to Nashville for 3rd round pick and we are happy to get out from the cap hit.
Perratrooper
Registered User
Is there any world the Isles would consider moving one of Barzal or Horvat to Colorado for a package starting Mittelstadt+Ritchie? I would still suggest Colorado adds more, but would Isles fans have any appetite in such a trade?
I'd just focus on trading Nelson and Palms . Lou's obviously been a buyer for most of his gm career and seems to lean on his scouts for drafting and / or in this upcoming situation , hopefully for their expertise on younger players being offered in trades .
i.e , I'd imagine they have an opinion on Hemming
i.e , I'd imagine they have an opinion on Hemming
Fist of Fury
Wang Chung
- Jul 24, 2011
- 553
- 272
Done. Barzal & ME to Colorado. This ship can sink with their captains Lou & Lee.
leeroggy
Registered User
- Jan 3, 2010
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How are you going to handle the Cap? Plus you've gutted your next two drafts and beyond Ritchie, the prospect pool is awful.
I wonder if the Devils just try to get both Nelson and Palms. I see above the 1st rounder and a prospect for Brock, and I am not sure that's going to be a possibility for any team to give up. Just going back and sifting through the prices last year and the year before, Brock is going to be 34 and. UFA and not having a great year. I'm not sure what that value is but I don't think it's 1st and a prospect. Tyler Taffoli may have had more to offer last year and he was a 2nd and a 4th. That feels like a Palmieri price and for Nelson, maybe a slight premium for the Center position. Also do you all expect Lou to be the one commanding the deadline? When does ownership bounce him?
doublechili
For all intensive purposes, your nuts
- Apr 11, 2006
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I think other GMs look at his career body of work and don't worry too much about his numbers this season playing for a disjointed team. And re: the Toffoli comparison, it's way more than a slight premium for the C position. Brock has been a pretty high end 2C for several years now who plays both ends of the ice. And it's not a vacuum - you have to factor in competition for the asset among contenders.
Having said all that, if it's strictly up to Lou I'd be surprised to see him trade Nelson.
JFresh's Nelson card was pretty brutal defensively - what's going on there. I don't watch the Isles closely enough.
Perratrooper
Registered User
It would depend on which player is coming back, but we have players like Wood or Colton depending on the overall return/cap movement that could be included.
To be frank, right now I don’t think the Avs care about our prospect pool if we can help ensure success for the next 4-5 years.
impaaaaaact
Registered User
I’d rather deal Horvat than Barzal but im sure many fans won’t agree. But yes, there would be a small add
impaaaaaact
Registered User
He’s pretty responsible defensively. Palmieri does not play defense at all. They’re always playing together so Palmieri deficiencies probably effect Nelson’s card.
Not saying he is wrong but like many of us on the board, he’s a writer for a reason.
I also wonder who/what teams are on Brocks NTC. He has four kids. I assume they are living on LI. NJ ain't that far, and if he has a choice...could impact value return
SI
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2013
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The answer would be no.
Attention should be on Nelson at 50% retained for Ritchie + 2025 2nd
Building from the back out is definitely a mantra I grew up with and was the way for my generation. But I’m not sure it holds true anymore. You need good goaltending to win a cup but I don’t think you need a superstar goalie (although Sorokin isn’t a superstar goalie, just paid that way). Lots of goalies win cups that aren’t going to the hall of fame. Lou’s strength is finding goalies - I would be fine with dealing Soro if there was value. I’m confident Lou could find someone else.
The idea that we will just play good D and win is wildly outdated (not saying you are saying that, more the isles organization/Lou is). The NHL is going the other way. Goals are up yesr over year. Save percentages continue to go down. D are expected to be mobile, move the puck, contribute offensively and still play D. Lous got a defence that can only play D. There’s a reason Cholo was in the lineup. Same with Aho. George. Reilly was a breath of fresh air. And why Dobsons poor play has been so apparent. There is no one that can do what he can on the team. They need him to produce. They need something more from the backend than what Mayfield, Romo, Pelech and Pulock can produce. These guys produce nothing offensively. They are all the same player and would have been great for the 90s devils. Offense starts in your own end. Barzal used to be so dangerous in the transition cause he started from our end with speed. Now he stands in the hash marks (although at least Roy sees the value of him at Center).
We are very much going the wrong direction in so many areas.
Ritchie has looked pretty bad in the world jrs. He looks so soft.
leeroggy
Registered User
- Jan 3, 2010
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Used to love watching the event, but the NHL Network isn't available on YouTube TV. Mostly owned by the NHL with about 1/7th NBC Universal, you'd think the NHL would let one of the NBC channels broadcast a few games in order to get in front of casual sports fans. This event is as pure as it gets and should be available in many more homes.
Perratrooper
Registered User
I don’t think how anyone on Canada has looked is indicative of how they will play at the next level. I personally think they have been very poorly coached and have not put players in the best position to succeed (See Bonk on PP1). The fact that Cowan leads the team with 3 points in 4 games, I believe speaks volumes to this.
I watch a lot. Nobody ever thought Brock Nelson was strong in his own end or a good passer.
I don’t see it. I’ve never seen it.
Richie Daggers Crime
Boosted 9 times double masked they/them
The costs are dependent on the market. If someone acquires a center, there'll be an arms race and his value will rise.
