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

[periferal]

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?

This is the point. When Sorokin is on, he's a top 3 goalie in the NHL. When he's off he's totally average...And our roster isn't nearly good enough to overcome average goaltending.

But again we don't know why Sorokin, who began his career like gangbusters, is now way more Jekyll & Hyde. My only theory is that it has something to do with his contract extension, because his issues started once he got it. Maybe now he's starting to believe he deserves it, or maybe relaxed a bit on his training once he got the big deal. Not sure, but something is going on as he's way too talented to not be a perennial all-star and true difference-maker in this league.

 

[Zeeker]

If the Isles bring back Palms on a 2 year deal, it’s not the end of the world.

Remember, the cap goes up and the Isles aren’t some UFA magnet to fill holes. You still need players.

If the Isles have Barzal’s cap hit on LTIR, then Lou can swing a trade for today, but really tomorrow to acquire a higher paid signed forward since the cap will open up to offset that. Find some silver lining in Barzal’s cap hit…

Yeah, bringing back Palmieri isn’t the end of the world - he's not going to return much anyway. But it’s probably more important as a signal of an organizational shift rather than the specific assets he’d return.

Bringing back Nelson is much more egregious.

 

[doublechili]

This is the point. When Sorokin is on, he's a top 3 goalie in the NHL. When he's off he's totally average...And our roster isn't nearly good enough to overcome average goaltending.

But again we don't know why Sorokin, who began his career like gangbusters, is now way more Jekyll & Hyde. My only theory is that it has something to do with his contract extension, because his issues started once he got it. Maybe now he's starting to believe he deserves it, or maybe relaxed a bit on his training once he got the big deal. Not sure, but something is going on as he's way too talented to not be a perennial all-star and true difference-maker in this league.

I think part of Sorokin's "problem" might have just been the quality/quantity of shots he was facing, especially on the PP. But if there was a problem, and it was a mental thing, I'd trace it back to a couple of bad angle goals he gave up in the playoffs (one of which ended a season).

 

[impaaaaaact]

Is this your signal to cut Lou a break and do it again next year with the same core, another year older? No thanks. It didn’t work in 2022 and it will be worse of we try it again.

Me? No, absolutely not. I was just taking the usual bait.

As far as I’m concerned, right now you explore dealing two of the core defensemen - any of Dobson, Pelech, Pulock, or Mayfield - my personal preference would be Pelech and Pulock even though Pelech was playing great lately before last night's game.

You deal those 2 guys in the offseason and deal Nelson and Palmieri at the deadline. You add a first and a third from Nelson and Palmieri at the very least - Pulock and Pelech deals can be more like hockey trades if you can find them - I would deal either of them to Trotz for ROR. You send Varlamov anywhere he'd like to go - Casey too. Sign Shabanov from the KHL. Go hard after Chychrun if he’s available

Lee (7M) - Horvat (8.5M) - Barzal (9.15M)
Tsyplakov (3M) - O'Reilly (4.5M) - Holmstrom (5M)
Duclair (3.5M) - Pageau (5M) - Shabanov (1.5M)
Engvall (3M) - Maclean (.775M) - (Gatcomb .775M)

Chychrun (8.5M) - Dobson (8M)
Romanov (6M) - Deangelo (1.5M)
Perunovich (1.5M) - Mayfield (3.5M)

Sorokin (8.5)
Hogberg (.775)

This is less than 90M, so could add an extra forward and extra D and still have some cap space going into the year. This is 7 starters that weren’t here last year, and another 3 that weren’t here two years ago - that would be a 50% roster turnover in 2 seasons.

 

[periferal]

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.

What's worse...?

1. Letting Nelson walk for nothing.
2. Resigning him and his already declining play until his late 30's?

Both choices stink and yet they pale in comparison to letting a valuable asset walk without trading them when you have no realistic chance of winning the Cup that very year.

Have we learned nothing from the Tavares situation? The assets we could've gotten from him in a deal back in 2018 could've put us over the top vs Tampa, but Malkin did nothing and that very much hurt us in the long run.

Same thing with Nelson now. Doing nothing again at the trade deadline and leaving him on his going nowhere roster is the insane move - Especially in the face of the other two options above.

My fault, going off last year's memory. An extended Boeser fits this team like a glove.

My friend...

This team is so average and devoid of scoring that any decent top-6 forward would "fit this team like a glove."

This is not a good thing.

 

[periferal]

If he’s out for the season I hope we use that extra space to be a third team in a deal to take on cap and retain for assets.

Well of course that would be smart GM'ing and 100% the right thing to do.


With that said, I'll let you figure out if it's going to happen.

 

[SI90]

Well of course that would be smart GM'ing and 100% the right thing to do.


With that said, I'll let you figure out if it's going to happen.

Definitely not. Don’t see Lou ever being that creative.

 

[NYI365]

Selling Brock, Palmieri, and one of Pulock or Mayfield (RD's are more valuable in a trade than LD's) should be items 1, 2, and 3 by the TDL. If you can move Pageau as well to a contender, great. 3/4 of those moves should set the Isles up nicely.

Idk how long Pulock is supposed to be out for but hopefully it's not post TDL. I don't think he is but someone can fact check me on that.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Listen, I jumped on the bandwagon a bit; reality was always in the rear view mirror.

The real detriment, and I mean franchise impact from this, is a pick likely in the 8-13 range rather than the 1-7 range.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

Staple: on Lamoriello not wanting to sell: “You talk to other people around the league who have called on Pageau, Nelson, Palmieri and maybe other guys and the only thing those executives are hearing is ‘I wanna sign Brock Nelson, I’m not interested in hearing what your offer is’”(1:05:00)

Lol, copied from a Reddit post so font is all messed up

 

[Zeeker]

Staple: on Lamoriello not wanting to sell: “You talk to other people around the league who have called on Pageau, Nelson, Palmieri and maybe other guys and the only thing those executives are hearing is ‘I wanna sign Brock Nelson, I’m not interested in hearing what your offer is’”(1:05:00)

Lol, copied from a Reddit post so font is all messed up

Unless it’s all a smokescreen (lol), this is franchise malpractice

 

[The Real JT]

Staple: on Lamoriello not wanting to sell: “You talk to other people around the league who have called on Pageau, Nelson, Palmieri and maybe other guys and the only thing those executives are hearing is ‘I wanna sign Brock Nelson, I’m not interested in hearing what your offer is’”(1:05:00)

Lol, copied from a Reddit post so font is all messed up

Saw that too but just looked at Staples’ Twitter account and nothing is there on this topic.

If the quote you referenced is real then all the gloom and doom regarding Lou’s mindset is unfortunately true.

I’m gonna be sick if it’s verified.

 

[Zeeker]

Saw that too but just looked at Staples’ Twitter account and nothing is there on this topic.

If that’s true then all the gloom and doom regarding Lou’s mindset is unfortunately true.

I’m gonna be sick if it’s verified.

What do you mean by nothing being on Staple’s twitter account - this video has him saying the quote outright.

 

[The Real JT]

What do you mean by nothing being on Staple’s twitter account - this video has him saying the quote outright.

I only read your post. Too lazy to pull up the clip and watch it I guess.

My bad but Lou’s bad is way worse.