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

[impaaaaaact]

reports that we are one of the 4 frontrunners for Shabanov who is currently 2nd in the KHL in scoring and just under a PPG. The current leader is Josh Leivo who has 39 goals in 45 games, so it's probably important to remember that not all KHL points will translate to the NHL. Still, if he takes a Tsyplakov-esque contract it could be a cheap way to try and replace some of Palmieri's points should he not return

 

[iggy]

reports that we are one of the 4 frontrunners for Shabanov who is currently 2nd in the KHL in scoring and just under a PPG. The current leader is Josh Leivo who has 39 goals in 45 games, so it's probably important to remember that not all KHL points will translate to the NHL. Still, if he takes a Tsyplakov-esque contract it could be a cheap way to try and replace some of Palmieri's points should he not return

I read that the Flyers have the upper hand in signing him. If we want him then we need to resign Tsyplakov soon as he will hopefully help along with Sorokin, Varly, and Romy in recruiting him.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Oh yeah . . . with the cap soaring, we can't afford their buyouts? Less than $2,200,000 TOTAL per year for the both of them. Somehow Minnesota is having a great year with those hefty buyouts on the roster.

I swear, if I put up a post with ONLY TWO options:

1) A guaranteed Cup Win and both Nelson and Palms walking away
2) Trade them now

#2 wins going away here.

As long as #1 happens, the entire team could retire and the Isles would have to field a farm team for 5 years for all I care.

 

[leeroggy]

There are a couple of points here that I'd contest:

- The RHD Depth is almost exactly the same unless they make a trade - they've gained a 7D at best. Tony D would rather go to Russia than the AHL, and Perunovich and Boqvist won't make it through waivers once Dobson and Pulock are back. I'm at the point where I'd maybe even take a subpar return on Pulock to clear his salary rather than lose these guys for nothing... but until a move is made that's exactly what will happen.

- I don't think Nelson's style holds up with age, and we saw him falter at the end of last season into the whole of this one. He's slowing down a little already, and it's showing up on his stat line. Trading him for futures isn't about replacing him immediately, it's about not losing value out of the organization for nothing - seems like most of the league thinks he's leaving for Minnesota anyway, which frankly makes a ton of sense. A team like Anaheim might not be interested in Nelson, but they might be interested in the pieces we get for him for a player like McTavish who eventually could replace his roster spot.

- The key to the winning streak hasn't been Romanov and Gatcomb hitting guys more or Holmstrom turning from a 25 point player to a 45 point one. It's been the goaltending. Sorokin plays bad, we lose. Sorokin plays well, we win. This makes a ton of sense given that our forward and d corps are clearly not cup caliber. He's our most important player by a mile, and it's insane that they decided to run him into the ground again this year. At least it seems like they learned their lesson playing Skarek last night. A healthy and focused Sorokin is our key to contention from now until the end of his contract.

If you think we're winning a cup this year, more power to you. As it stands we're on pace for 86 points, and set to play a few games without Barzal, Pulock, Dobson, Mayfield, and Hogberg or Varlamov. This simply is not the year. As long as we have a healthy Sorokin we'll have a shot at the playoffs going into each season. No reason to force this one.

Words fail me to describe your pessimism. I feel like I'm back to Mike Milbury time with your thinking. You think this is ALL Sorokin? He plays well and we win, but he can't possibly play well in the playoffs I guess so we can't win then . . .
Trade everyone! See you in 2035 when we are again drafting in the Top 5 for the 8th straight year. All you're doing is mouthing what you see in the hockey world, not a single original thought of your own.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Anti Barzal Brigade unite!

 

[impaaaaaact]

Words fail me to describe your pessimism. I feel like I'm back to Mike Milbury time with your thinking. You think this is ALL Sorokin? He plays well and we win, but he can't possibly play well in the playoffs I guess so we can't win then . . .
Trade everyone! See you in 2035 when we are again drafting in the Top 5 for the 8th straight year. All you're doing is mouthing what you see in the hockey world, not a single original thought of your own.

It's obviously not ALL Sorokin but...

Sorokin pre January: sub .900 save pct, team is 14-17-7
Sorokin from January on - .938 save pct, team goes 8-2-0 in his starts, 10-4 including Hogberg's.

Not really rocket science here. He went from having a .700 save pct on the PK to a .931 this month and now our PK works. Keeping Sorokin right is the biggest key to this team's success, always has been.

 

[duster19]

Anti Barzal Brigade unite!

So is that for the season or..? A tweet isn’t overly informative for fans…

 

[impaaaaaact]

I read that the Flyers have the upper hand in signing him. If we want him then we need to resign Tsyplakov soon as he will hopefully help along with Sorokin, Varly, and Romy in recruiting him.

That same article said that the flyers haven't even contacted him. Apparently they spoke with his agency.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

So is that for the season or..? A tweet isn’t overly informative for fans…

Ehhh. Indefinitely is pretty much long term in Islanders land. Not expecting them to say anything because they never do with Lou Mafia. Hoping for some updates from the podcasters this week

reports that we are one of the 4 frontrunners for Shabanov who is currently 2nd in the KHL in scoring and just under a PPG. The current leader is Josh Leivo who has 39 goals in 45 games, so it's probably important to remember that not all KHL points will translate to the NHL. Still, if he takes a Tsyplakov-esque contract it could be a cheap way to try and replace some of Palmieri's points should he not return

I think this would be a great add. A 1 of 2 year prove it deal also allows the winger prospects (Eiserman, Finley) more time to develop and if Shabonov doesn’t have a Tysplakov impact he’s easily replaced

 

[PK Cronin]

It's obviously not ALL Sorokin but...

Sorokin pre January: sub . save pct, team is 14- 7-7
Sorokin from January on - .938 save pct, team goes 8-2-0 in his starts.

Not really rocket science here. He went from having a .700 save pct on the PK to a .931 this month and now our PK works. Keeping Sorokin right is the biggest key to this team's success, always has been.

The part that is missing is the why.

Did the PK change something or did Sorokin? Just a hot streak or is this a permanent fix?

 

[impaaaaaact]

Record w/ Barzal: 15-15
Record w/o Barzal: 9-13

Going to start keeping tabs for me and any of the other freaks that want to boil down an entire team's play to one winger who is on the ice a third of the game

 

[SI90]

Barzal out indefinitely with a LBI. Pulock and Dobson.

Even if we win 90% of the remaining games, any GM should do right and still sell off UFAs.

If we by some miracle make the playoffs, are we really expecting a run with this team who even when healthy can’t score a PP goal and has been historically bad special teams?

I know we’re playing real hockey now and don’t look pathetic but the reality is we’re not a Stanley cup contender right now and don’t stack up.

The best interest of the franchise is to sell UFAs and possibly Pageau and Lee(unlikely) for as many assets as we can get to build going forward.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

 

[xECK29x]

So is that for the season or..? A tweet isn’t overly informative for fans…

I mean, indefinitely means they really don't know yet either.

 

[impaaaaaact]

The part that is missing is the why.

Did the PK change something or did Sorokin? Just a hot streak or is this a permanent fix?

Honestly I'm not sure. The PK has looked a little more passive the last few games to me, seeming totally fine to let guys hold the puck at the point or in the corners. I guess that could slow things down and maybe gives Sorokin a better chance at preparing for a shot from a few places, rather than from everywhere.

But honestly I don't know. He's been better 5v5 as well, and his 5v5 save% on the year is up almost at .930. The good games started before Dobson or Pulock went down, so I don't think it has much to do with the defense in front of him. Seems like he's just locked back in, like he was at the beginning of the year.

One thing that's easy to point out is that similarly to the first month of the year (where he had a .931 save % over 5 games) he's been regularly rested for his backup. Just like last season, it was over the stretch where Varlamov got injured and they refused to play Hogberg that he fell apart.

I think you gotta ask yourself the question, would you rather have .925 Sorokin for 4 games and .880 AHL guy for one, or would you rather have .897 Sorokin for 5 games. I think by playing Skarek last night they showed us how they're going to answer that question in the future.

 

[Throttle]

Record w/ Barzal: 15-15
Record w/o Barzal: 9-13

Going to start keeping tabs for me and any of the other freaks that want to boil down an entire team's play to one winger who is on the ice a third of the game

1/3 of the actual team is out…so, that might have a difference in your number crunching. But whatever makes you feel good.

What was the Isles record when they lost the team to COVID, but Barzal was on the ice making those players around him better?

 

[miscs75]

Honestly I'm not sure. The PK has looked a little more passive the last few games to me, seeming totally fine to let guys hold the puck at the point or in the corners. I guess that could slow things down and maybe gives Sorokin a better chance at preparing for a shot from a few places, rather than from everywhere.

But honestly I don't know. He's been better 5v5 as well, and his 5v5 save% on the year is up almost at .930. The good games started before Dobson or Pulock went down, so I don't think it has much to do with the defense in front of him. Seems like he's just locked back in, like he was at the beginning of the year.

One thing that's easy to point out is that similarly to the first month of the year (where he had a .931 save % over 5 games) he's been regularly rested for his backup. Just like last season, it was over the stretch where Varlamov got injured and they refused to play Hogberg that he fell apart.

I think you gotta ask yourself the question, would you rather have .925 Sorokin for 4 games and .880 AHL guy for one, or would you rather have .897 Sorokin for 5 games. I think by playing Skarek last night they showed us how they're going to answer that question in the future.

I think Skarek playing had more to do with how intense that Tampa game was. If it was one of those wins with minimal shots against/low event, you would have seen Ilya again for sure.

 

[The Real JT]

Barzal out indefinitely with a LBI. Pulock and Dobson.

Even if we win 90% of the remaining games, any GM should do right and still sell off UFAs.

If we by some miracle make the playoffs, are we really expecting a run with this team who even when healthy can’t score a PP goal and has been historically bad special teams?

I know we’re playing real hockey now and don’t look pathetic but the reality is we’re not a Stanley cup contender right now and don’t stack up.

The best interest of the franchise is to sell UFAs and possibly Pageau and Lee(unlikely) for as many assets as we can get to build going forward.

In Lou speak, Barzal is done for the season or at least most of it.

Trading Palms and Nelly has always made sense and while we can’t accept a lowball offer, we need to flip them for whatever the market dictates.

I wouldn’t be averse to trading Pageau, though to my surprise I’ve warmed up to his value as a keeper more recently. A better move would be to trade Cizikas for pretty much anything. I know the cap is going up and he doesn’t have a high AAV, but losing him would be a win for the franchise’s flexibility over the next few seasons.

 

[Throttle]

When and if Nelson and Palms are gone, gonna be really fun watching the Isles find another 50 goals somehow for a team that barely scores as it is…

 

[gordie43]

When and if Nelson and Palms are gone, gonna be really fun watching the Isles find another 50 goals somehow for a team that barely scores as it is…

No matter how the rest of the season plays out the only way you trade Nelson is if he has told management he will explore free agency. Just like you posted replacing his goals the next few years will not be easy.

Palmeri I can’t decide on. He’s another guy you can pencil in for 20+ goals. I guess if you get the right package, you deal him. Nelson I would want to keep. I think he stays productive longer than Palmari does.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

When and if Nelson and Palms are gone, gonna be really fun watching the Isles find another 50 goals somehow for a team that barely scores as it is…

They already can't score WITH them, so yeah it will be fun to actually attempt to find some pieces who can help the team score.

It is also a possibility to sign one / both of them even if you trade them...

 

[SRBisles]

Would not be surprised at all to see a decently sized trade for a F in the next few days.

 

[Zeeker]

When and if Nelson and Palms are gone, gonna be really fun watching the Isles find another 50 goals somehow for a team that barely scores as it is…

Sounds like we’ll be 50 goals closer to McKenna in 2026

 

[leeroggy]

The part that is missing is the why.

Did the PK change something or did Sorokin? Just a hot streak or is this a permanent fix?

Watch the film and the broadcast analysis. They've made a significant change to stagger and take away the seam pass. The shots are now coming from further out and Sorokin is getting to see them easier. More shot blocking too.

I made a point last week about the change in defending the 3 on 2 and it shows in the PK too. Force the pass to take a wider angle away from the middle/wings. On the 3 on 2, they are not splitting seams if the 3rd man back is coming. That 3rd person is going to the player furthest from the puck, allowing the 2 men back to play more man on man than a zone. It takes a great play by the attackers to complete a pass to get an open look.

Let's also not forget that the team speed is ratcheting up with the newcomers. DeAngelo is more agile than Dobson and can fill the holes better (Dobson's skating strength is going forward, where his size can be exploitive). Boqvist can also skate well. Pulock has lost a step in his acceleration, which he can mask with his size while carrying the puck but is a problem in the defensive zone against speed.

Sorokin's improvement has been a combination of not seeing as many screen shots, the angles the shots are coming from and less odd man breaks given our forechecking has substantially improved.

 

[leeroggy]

If Barzal goes on LTIR, I would look for us to target Boeser, who fits the RH shooting position on the PP and changes the dynamic of how we would attack. We certainly wouldn't have to worry about him holding the puck too long.

He's also signed for another year and takes Palm's place next year.