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

[Rehabguy]

Respectfully disagree. It is the only leverage fans have against disinterested and often manipulative owners who think nothing of squeezing every last dime that they can from the faithful. Owners should be as faithful to their fans as those fans are to the team that they own and when they ignore them the fans should return that favor.

Now, before I start getting a flood of responses about how fans shouldn't making decisions for management, I already know that. But this situation goes beyond the nitpicks that fans can be guilty of from game to game or week to week. This is mid team that has zero chance of winning a Cup and is going to remain mid or worse for as far as the eye can see because the GM is living in the past and owners don't care.

The only way for any team to win the Stanley Cup is if the upper management, the coach, the players, AND the fans are in perfect alignment. If all the fans have to offer is negativity, disappointment, and a losing mentality that will wear down a team if they get wind of it. (ie. booing, billboards, or not showing up for games). The fans have to have as much a winning mentality just as much as the team. Constructive criticism is one thing, constantly complaining that the world is about to end is another.

 

[Torrey Redux]

The only way for any team to win the Stanley Cup is if the upper management, the coach, the players, AND the fans are in perfect alignment. If all the fans have to offer is negativity, disappointment, and a losing mentality that will wear down a team if they get wind of it. The fans have to have as much a winning mentality just as much as the team. Constructive criticism is one thing, constantly complaining that the world is about to end is another.

So, what? The fans should just bend over and take it when management doesn't hold up their end of the bargain?

Supportive constructive criticism is where you start but at some point push has to come to shove. As far I am concerned, that is where we are with Lou's latest comments.

 

[Rehabguy]

So, what? The fans should just bend over and take it when management doesn't hold up their end of the bargain?

Supportive constructive criticism is where you start but at some point push has to come to shove. As far I am concerned, that is where we are with Lou's latest comments.

I know I can be a little harsh on Lou lately if just to deflect some of the blame game away from Roy but perhaps he's not to far from the truth and maybe we should still have some faith in this roster. I believe this is still a playoff team. 2 years from now, probably not if no trades are made but for now I think this team is still capable of a deep run under Roy- and that is key- Roy.

 

[8EJS9]

From Lou’s comments to a frustratingly out of character win, yesterday felt like a bucket of water thrown over our hopes and dreams of breaking out of the cycle of mediocrity.

We need another 2009. And with every win the odds fall.

 

[Torrey Redux]

I know I can be a little harsh on Lou lately if just to deflect some of the blame game away from Roy but perhaps he's not to far from the truth and maybe we should still have some faith in this roster. I believe this is still a playoff team. 2 years from now, probably not if no trades are made but for now I think this team is still capable of a deep run under Roy- and that is key- Roy.

Yes, perhaps a playoff team. But not a contender. And the more years you spend just struggling to make the playoffs only to experience a sure early exit (unless of course there is a global pandemic raging) the further you get from being the real thing.

 

[8EJS9]

LeBrun had stated that his vibe was Nelson would want to test free agency . Couple that with there being no projected cap space to afford Brock at 7 mil next season once Dobber , Romanov , Sippycup , Holmstrom receive extensions I think he moves him .

I think he resigns Palmieri though x 2 years same salary or a tad less (4.5 or 5.0)

If Lou doesn’t flip Palmieri then we need another billboard, asap.

 

[8EJS9]

The only retool this team needs is to rid the team of John Maclean and his miserable power play. If anyone hasn't figured it out by now the only reason he's running it is because of the Devil's uniform he used to wear and the abysmal power play is as much Lou's fault as it is Maclean's.

If you actually look at John Maclean's record

In 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 he ran the Coyotes powerplay to 26th in the league both years.

In 2019-2020 he was brought in to run the Shark's powerplay which in 2018-2019 was ranked a very good 6th in the league. When Maclean took over it nose dived immediately to 23rd in the league that year.

By 2021-2022 he ran the Shark's power play to 31st in the league. So in one year Maclean ran the Shark's power play from 6th in the league to 31st.

In 2021-2022 under Trotz the team had a respectable 12th place ranking in the powerplay. In 2022-2023 John Maclean was brought in to run the Islander's power play and it immediately nosed dived to 30th in the league.

In 2023-2024 with Dobson having a good year the Islander's were at the very least not bottom dwellers but still with a less than average 19th ranked power play.

This year under Maclean's PP coaching the Islanders are ranked last in the league (32nd)

So for every team where John Maclean ran the power play they were ranked 26th, 26th, 23rd, 31st, 30th, 19, and 32nd. Why does this man still have a job? I think we all know why.

And BTW after the Sharks fired MacLean in after 2021-2022 season their power play steadily improved from 31st in the league to where it is today. 2nd in the league. The guy clearly has no idea what he is doing.

It was Lou's decision to keep this guy as Roy's PP coach though he let go of Houda. The cronyism surrounding Lou is sickening. It is inexcusable given his performance with the Yotes and moreso with the Sharks that he brought in John MacClean to run the Isles power play in the first place. There's no accountability or merit here. I ask you given Lou and MacLeans close knit bond, what is Roy supposed to do?

It’s honestly amazing that someone could have this type of resume with the power play and still land a job. I wouldn’t even hire MacLean if I ran an ECHL team.

 

[Rehabguy]

Yes, perhaps a playoff team. But not a contender. And the more years you spend just struggling to make the playoffs only to experience a sure early exit (unless of course there is a global pandemic raging) the further you get from being the real thing.

Understood, but I am of the belief that nothing is set in stone once you enter the playoffs. Sure there are many teams that on paper are a better team than the Isles, but you never know. The pieces are there right now that could conceivably win the Cup. 32 teams are in a battle for it every year and sometimes luck has a part of it. I think of all those teams that looked to be clear favorites but once they are in the 1st round all the pressure gets to them and they are trounced by the supposed weakest team in the playoffs. You never know so to me teams might as well go for it if they are playoff contenders which I think the Isles are but were hit early by the injury bug.

 

[The Real JT]

One good game and here we go again with the unfounded optimism.

The Isles longest winning streak all season is 2 games! Only one other team in the entire league (St. Louis) hasn’t won 3 or more games in a row. Teams like San Jose, Chicago and Buffalo have had longer win streaks. We also have a grand total of 12 regulation wins in 41 games.

Cmon now.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Understood, but I am of the belief that nothing is set in stone once you enter the playoffs. Sure there are many teams that on paper are a better team than the Isles, but you never know. The pieces are there right now that could conceivably win the Cup. 32 teams are in a battle for it every year and sometimes luck has a part of it. I think of all those teams that looked to be clear favorites but once they are in the 1st round all the pressure gets to them and they are trounced by the supposed weakest team in the playoffs. You never know so to me teams might as well go for it if they are playoff contenders which I think the Isles are but were hit early by the injury bug.

This logic is what keeps us mid. Keep doubling down on the slim hope that some miracle will happen in playoffs and all you do is continually weaken your team with poor draft position and bad investments in marginal players for playoff runs.

And again, your obsession with injuries is comical.

 

[Zeeker]

One good game and here we go again with the unfounded optimism.

The Isles longest winning streak all season is 2 games! Only one other team in the entire league (St. Louis) hasn’t won 3 or more games in a row. Teams like San Jose, Chicago and Buffalo have had longer win streaks. We also have a grand total of 12 regulation wins in 41 games.

Cmon now.

Hey, y’know, anything could happen, y’know?

 

[Rehabguy]

One good game and here we go again with the unfounded optimism.

The Isles longest winning streak all season is 2 games! Only one other team in the entire league (St. Louis) hasn’t won 3 or more games in a row. Teams like San Jose, Chicago and Buffalo have had longer win streaks. We also have a grand total of 12 regulation wins in 41 games.

Cmon now.

The team has been playing better hockey as of late. I am optimistic.

 

[Glory Days]

Hey, y’know, anything could happen, y’know?

The sad part is that Lou is the biggest optimist

 

[Glorydays22]

Parms to NJD for LW-Cotter and 2025 1st rounder.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Parms to NJD for LW-Cotter and 2025 1st rounder.

even if we lose the next 10 games that's not happening

 

[Glorydays22]

even if we lose the next 10 games that's not happening

for an Isles or Devils perspective?

 

[periferal]

I know what many Isles fans think of Botta, but he's the only one with any sort of following/ties to the Isles that is saying what needs to be said. Everyone else is just playing the media/PR game and/or afraid of Lou...

 

[impaaaaaact]

for an Isles or Devils perspective?

Devils. I don't see any way we get a first for Palmieri unless he heats up big time. feels more like a second and a third or B prospect and a 4th

 

[Chockey22]

for an Isles or Devils perspective?

from a Devils perspective - no way Palmieri brings that kind of return

 

[Glorydays22]

Devils. I don't see any way we get a first for Palmieri unless he heats up big time. feels more like a second and a third or B prospect and a 4th

Damn, I really like Cotter too....wanted him when he was in Vegas.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Damn, I really like Cotter too....wanted him when he was in Vegas.

I'd love him here. Cap hit is right too

 

[MJF]

For years Lou has put together a team he thought was good, but was barely good enough. I think there’s a real disconnect between Lou’s vision and reality.

In the end, the team’s record and the players’ stats will speak for themselves.