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

[saintunspecified]

"A rebuild will destroy this fanbase," they said....







More like Lou is doing the "destroying"...As well as player morale at the same time.

What a joke. Don't know how anyone can defend a President/GM whose work has led to this - And most disappointing is that the owner of this franchise hasn't taken action yet.

What's uncalled for is having a 7:30pm game on a holiday Monday. Ridiculous. I don't know if that's Lou or someone else, but it's bad for attendance.

 

[leeroggy]

Was thinking about what a Sorokin trade might look like.

Buffalo has been searching for their #1 forever and they have a bit of a leadership issue. We have a nice younger player to offer and thought of something like this:

Sorokin
George
Cizikas

for

Samuelsson
Ostlund
Rosen

Why? We save cap, get younger, skilled prospects for the offense. Samuelsson takes over George's spot for now and is still only 24-years old. He also allows us to shop Pelech since we have depth on LD in our system in the future. Rosen's numbers in Rochester are excellent and Ostlund has a skill set we need in the system.

Why does Buffalo do it? Solves the #1 goalie (their GAA is over 3.4 for the season), gives them a young LD to replace Samuelsson at a cheaper cost (Buffalo has Power, Dahlin and Byram as LHD already, so George isn't counted on to step into big minutes right away. Cizikas brings experience to their bottom-6. Buffalo hasn't been able to find a winning formula yet, even with a load of young talent. Time to change the locker room there.

Buffalo has cap space for now and only Peterka to sign this summer at a good raise.

Thoughts? I might put this on the Trade Forum

 

[seabass45]

Schaefer now the unanimous #1 according to Bobby Margs scout poll. Hagens got 7/10 votes for #2. Is this Schaefer guy that good? Not sure how much enthusiasm I have about picking a LD at #1 if we ended up winning the lotto.

1. Schaefer
2. Hagens
3. Misa
4. Martone
5. Frondell
6. Desnoyers
7. McQueen
8. Eklund
9. O'Brien
10. Smith

 

[MJF]

Tickets available for Avalanche, Knights, and Stars starting at between 9-12 dollars each. 3 great teams .. costs more to park and get a beer

So if you dollar cost average everything out, it’s a reasonably priced night at an NHL game.

 

[seabass45]

Was thinking about what a Sorokin trade might look like.

Buffalo has been searching for their #1 forever and they have a bit of a leadership issue. We have a nice younger player to offer and thought of something like this:

Sorokin
George
Cizikas

for

Samuelsson
Ostlund
Rosen

Why? We save cap, get younger, skilled prospects for the offense. Samuelsson takes over George's spot for now and is still only 24-years old. He also allows us to shop Pelech since we have depth on LD in our system in the future. Rosen's numbers in Rochester are excellent and Ostlund has a skill set we need in the system.

Why does Buffalo do it? Solves the #1 goalie (their GAA is over 3.4 for the season), gives them a young LD to replace Samuelsson at a cheaper cost (Buffalo has Power, Dahlin and Byram as LHD already, so George isn't counted on to step into big minutes right away. Cizikas brings experience to their bottom-6. Buffalo hasn't been able to find a winning formula yet, even with a load of young talent. Time to change the locker room there.

Buffalo has cap space for now and only Peterka to sign this summer at a good raise.

Thoughts? I might put this on the Trade Forum

Sorokin blocks it with his full NMC.

 

[doublechili]

Sorokin blocks it with his full NMC.

Yeah.

"Ilya, would you accept a trade to Bu...."

"NO."

 

[MJF]

Sorokin blocks it with his full NMC.

Why? Buffalo reminds him too much of Siberia?

 

[doublechili]

The Barzal lip-reading thing is a joke. For all those chuckleheads know he was reciting the closing lines to King Lear.

 

[PK Cronin]

Yeah.

"Ilya, would you accept a trade to Bu...."

"NO."

More like BuffaNO, am I right?!

 

[warrior60]

I had some time this morning, so here is my NHL hockey blog post - hope you enjoy the read -


The rumour mill is heating up as speculation builds around the potential for Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders to make a bold move for JT Miller. The Canucks forward seems destined to be moved (and moved to an eastern conference team)—it’s not a question of if but when. As the trade deadline approaches, several teams are reportedly circling, but the Islanders may be uniquely positioned to pull off a deal that addresses their immediate and long-term needs.

The New York Rangers have been linked to Miller, with a package rumoured to include Filip Chytil, pending UFA Ryan Lindgren, and a conditional first-round pick. In my opinion, this offer is underwhelming and leaves room for other teams to present stronger packages.

The New Jersey Devils, for instance, don’t have a 2025 first-round pick to trade but could dangle young talent like Seamus Casey, Anton Silayev, or Simon Nemec. However, their primary need seems to be a third-line center rather than another top-three forward, which could make someone like Scott Laughton a better fit for them.

Carolina is another team lurking in the shadows. They have a first-round pick and a deep prospect pool, but the rumour of a package involving Jack Roslovic (pending UFA) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi is also beatable.

Lamoriello’s history suggests he won’t be content with a short-term rental. He prefers acquiring players who can contribute both today and tomorrow, as evidenced by previous trades for Bo Horvat, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, and Alexander Romanov. The Islanders’ roster feels stagnant after two underwhelming seasons, and it’s clear that Lou cannot bring back the same group if he hopes to push the team into serious contention.

While Lamoriello’s loyalty to his players is well-known, he has made tough decisions before. Josh Bailey and Leo Komarov are examples, and there are questions about whether Cal Clutterbuck—who did not return or retire last offseason—was quietly pushed out. Brock Nelson could be next, especially if Lamoriello decides to capitalize on his current value.

The Canucks’ disappointing season—despite remaining in the playoff race—has led to rumours that management might prioritize futures over NHL-ready players in a Miller trade. This could open the door for Lamoriello to craft a compelling package.

One plausible scenario involves Nelson being traded to Dallas, where he could help solidify their depth. In return, the Islanders could acquire a package including Mavrik Bourque and a 2025 first-round pick. These assets, along with Danny Nelson and Pierre Engvall (to balance the salary), could be flipped to Vancouver for JT Miller.

This trade would give the Canucks two 2025 first-round picks and two strong prospects in Bourque and Danny Nelson to soften the blow of losing Miller. The Islanders, meanwhile, would upgrade their roster by adding Miller, whose age (30) and contract (five years at $8 million AAV) align well with their core.

While the fanbase would likely be upset about losing promising young forward Danny Nelson, it’s worth noting that he’s been impressive and has a high ceiling. However, the Islanders have a history of prospects excelling at the World Juniors but struggling to make the NHL cut—examples include Kieffer Bellows and Oliver Wahlstrom. This could be another case of selling high, similar to the trade involving Aatu Raty.

Looking ahead, the Islanders face significant challenges in improving their roster via free agency. Historically, the team has struggled to attract top-tier UFAs, and the upcoming offseason doesn’t offer many viable options. Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen are expected to command $12-13 million, Brock Boeser seems destined for Minnesota, and Nikolaj Ehlers is one of the few realistic upgrades available. Given these limitations, trades remain the most likely avenue for Lamoriello to bolster the team. This potential deal for Miller could be a key part of that strategy.

Notably, the Islanders would still own their own 2025 first-round pick, which could be a top-10 selection. Additionally, moving Kyle Palmieri could bring in more futures to help offset the loss of young talent like Danny Nelson.

It’s also important to note that Canucks GM Patrik Allvin and Lou Lamoriello have a trade history, having worked together on the Horvat deal. This relationship could play a pivotal role in facilitating another blockbuster trade.

If Lamoriello pulls off this move, the Islanders’ forward group would gain a significant boost. A power play anchored by Mathew Barzal, Horvat, and Miller in a 1-3-1 setup could address a longstanding weakness. The team’s top-eight forwards would include Miller, Barzal, Horvat, Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Dmitri Tsyplakov, and Simon Holmstrom. Depending on the cap situation, the Isles might still have room to pursue a right winger via free agency or trade.

This move wouldn’t come without its risks. Trading Brock Nelson would undoubtedly rattle the Islanders’ fanbase and shake up the locker room. However, Miller represents a clear upgrade and a player who could inject new energy into an organization in need of a jolt. Lamoriello has never shied away from bold moves, and this could be the kind of shakeup that reinvigorates the Islanders.

While the Islanders’ history of success in free agency has been mixed, trades have consistently been Lamoriello’s preferred avenue for significant roster changes. Adding JT Miller could be the kind of statement move that positions the Islanders as a more formidable contender in the Eastern Conference. Whether or not this trade materializes, one thing is certain: Lou Lamoriello is not one to sit idly by when there’s an opportunity to improve his team.

Not sure where you get your information but Miller will be turning 32 in about a month and half with five more years after this year at 8 million do you think that contact is going to be worth it in a couple years, and isn’t the idea of trading Nelson to get younger.

 

[Sparksrus3]

So if you dollar cost average everything out, it’s a reasonably priced night at an NHL game.

Not sure about dollar cost being reasonable but it sure is affordable

 

[periferal]

Ya losing seasons suck.

They suck less when you're young and building something (see Canadiens, Montreal)


They suck the most when you're aging, not that talented, and your GM won't stop doubling-down on the same path that is leading to losing seasons (see Islanders, New York).

 

[periferal]

"'Just get into the playoffs and maybe…' is not strategy. Upsets happen. But more often you watch the Final and Florida and Edmonton are playing a sport unrecognizable from your favorite team. Better off retooling, getting younger, faster, better."


This quote says it all for me. It's better to be very good, or very bad. This aging and average/poor roster and cap situation are just the worst place to be.

People often confuse hope with reality, but you need to choose reality if you're going to ultimately contend. And if we're being honest (not just hopeful), but this team isn't getting near a Cup without a serious influx of young/elite talent (and letting it mature).