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

[periferal]

We could lose 5 outta the next 7 games easy....

Since when does this team make anything easy...?

 

[IslesNorway]

Pitt leading NJ 3-1. Every little thing counts.

 

[MarsTBOW]

unfortunately, do you really think that they will change? This team will see that they're 4 points out of the playoffs rather than the reality that they are in a horrendous roster and situation.

I think that they will change. It may not be until the end of next years season when Lou keeps running us into the ground.
Maybe then, Malkin ends Lou's tenure here....

 

[Glorydays22]

Here's an example of how the team could look in 2 seasons, throwing a huge contract at Marner this offseason and adding another top 4 D the next. Note that in this scenario we would have over 8M in cap space. All players bolded are players not on the NHL roster right now. Would be a different look for sure!
View attachment 993067

Not realistic....

We will not fall enough to pick Hagens
Eiserman, D.Nelson and Hagen (in this scenario) aren't ready for the NHL.
No way Lou buys out anyone. He didn't do it with Bailey, he sure in hell isn't going to that with Mayfield and Engvall with all those years remaining on their deals.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Went to the game last night....

I was trying to not think this, but never been more convinced this team needs a rebuild (Lou can call it whatever HE wants). I know a bunch of people just went into Anaphylactic Shock over just reading that word, but there's also another word people are going to need to digest...

Reality.

By the start of next season Lee, Horvat, Pelech, Palmieri, Pageau, Duclair, Cizikas, Reilly, Mayfield, DeAngelo, Pulock, and Sorokin will all be over 30 years old. They can't make the playoffs with these guys, and they're only going to get worse as all of these players are at their peak now, or have past it. What a terrible lineup this is and adding in Eiserman, Richie, Nelson, and any other prospect we have isn't going to move the needle past fringe playoff team.

The "juice" is out of this franchise right now and even the fans know it. Even out friends in the upper deck don't cheer that loud. The way to get it back it to inject this team with more, and better, youth than they have.

And for those out there that don't want to do a rebuild because it "guarantees nothing." That's cool. You're correct - You could rebuild for 20 years and have zero success.

But you know what is a guarantee...? Having zero success with us continuing down this path the GM has tried for literally years now.

I'd also bet that at some point in the next 2-4 years it's going to become apparent to everyone (except for the "never rebuild under any circumstances crowd" - Essentially Lou and anyone who thinks like him) that there's going to be no choice but to rebuild. The long-time core is going to age out to "Baileyville," there won't be enough (good) youth to make this team a contender (or even a playoff team), and the team will eventually suck to the point of a top 5 pick (if not several).

Look back the past 5 years and it's obvious to see where things are trending. The check is in the mail - That's for sure. People think a rebuild only wastes time, but there's no bigger waste of time than continuing to quintuple-down on a doomed path that is only going to lead to the same place we could start facing now.

Lou needs to go - That's obvious. But also fans need to face the hard truth here....No other GM could rescue this team from where he has *lead* us. \

Conversely it can be very exciting to draft top-end prospects and watch them grow in your organization. Did anyone else see the 1st game of Cale Makar in Denver? Fans we're legit psyched and you could feel it. He obviously was a key piece in what won them the Cup and makes them a contender each season right now.

We can have that too, but you have to embrace it - Not be afraid because it might not work. I want to be truly excited again watching this team, but right now they are just a drain on my wallet and soul.

For those of you that agree with this - I commend you. For those that don't - Respect. I just hope things don't have to get utterly embarrassing and terrible before ownership takes action. Because I want us all be excited - And we are on the opposite side of the earth from that right now.

To this day you still have not been able to name an organization who has went through a classic rebuild like you have suggested in the modern day lottery era.

 

[periferal]

To be fair, Horvat, Sorokin, Palmieri, and Lee are mostly very productive players despite their age. 2 of the other guys are healthy scratches, and if you believe anything from the ticket reps 3 of the remaining 6 will be gone next season.

As far as the current state of the team... yeah, not a great time to go see a game right after trading Nelson and with Barzal gone. But a good infusion of youth should be here within the next couple of years with the guys that you've mentioned, and we'll have a top 10 pick this year and two more firsts the next. My guess is we keep ours the next two years and move the Colorado one in a Romanov-esque trade.

I full heartedly believe that Lou is going to do something to put some asses in some seats this summer, especially with Malkin's sudden interest and involvement. Is it Marner? I'd be surprised if Lou didn't take a big big swing at him. What about Jakob Chychrun? He's top 20 among defensemen in PP points and he doesn't even play the first unit. Ehlers? I'm less excited about, but would definitely be a different look.

Another no brainer move that will put asses in seats and get fans excited? Trading up for James Hagens. Our very own PJ boy. They would beat that storyline to hell. I'm starting to get Shane Wright vibes in that I think he may fall lower than expected, and honestly I could see any of Frondell, Martone, O'Brien and Desnoyers going in front of him at this point. If he's sitting there at 6 and we have the 9th pick, what's the cost to move up?

All is not lost because we're watching a beat down team without the 2 best players they started the year with. Imagine they somehow come out of this offseason with Marner and Hagens? Better days ahead, maybe sooner than we think.

Denial...

• With all their "best" players, the Isles are an 8 seed at best.
• Now Nelson leaves a major hole
• Signing Marner...A longshot at best.
• Getting Hagens...A longshot at best
• The goal isn't to put "asses in the seats" - It's to WIN. As long as Lou is running things we're going to lead us away from that.

I'm all for optimism, but only when there's a call for it. Not sure why it's hard for some to face where this team is and where they are heading. If you deal in reality, there's no reason to be optimistic about any sort of Cup contention in the short-term...And it will be longer-term as well if Malkin doesn't action soon.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Please stop with the Marner utopia. He’s never signing with the Isles.

What if we make him the highest paid player in the NHL? has to at least open up the conversation.

 

[periferal]

To this day you still have not been able to name an organization who has went through a classic rebuild like you have suggested in the modern day lottery era.

Thought you said you're never going to reply on this subject again...? And here you are again trying to move the goalposts yet again.

To this day you cannot accept that the last 20 years sn the "Modern day lottery era," and in that timeframe the Blackhawks, Penguins, Lightning, and Avs all did the kind of team building I am suggesting.

You don't want to accept that so do me a favor...Just keep supporting the way things are and leave the rest of us who want actual change and hope to discuss that.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Even worse...Marner's production drops a bunch in the playoffs. Certainly not the only reason, but a big reason why the Leafs keep choking in the playoffs. And Marner is far from a leader

I'm not giving 9M, much less 13M, to a player whose play drops in the playoffs and has zero intangibles. I was a 10M+ player to have it all and truly be special.

Marner's playoff history, in case anyone is interested. He would lead our team in playoff points by a substantial margin, despite playing less games than Nelson or Barzal. I also seem to remember him playing quite well during the 4 nations tourney.

 

[periferal]

Marner's playoff history, in case anyone is interested. He would lead our team in playoff points by a substantial margin, despite playing less games than Nelson or Barzal. I also seem to remember him playing quite well during the 4 nations tourney.

Is that the bar we're trying to clear around here...? Leading the NEW YORK ISLANDERS forwards playoff points?

Any chance we can bring Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares over here as well with Marner?

 

[impaaaaaact]

Denial...

• With all their "best" players, the Isles are an 8 seed at best.
• Now Nelson leaves a major hole
• Signing Marner...A longshot at best.
• Getting Hagens...A longshot at best
• The goal isn't to put "asses in the seats" - It's to WIN. As long as Lou is running things we're going to lead us away from that.

I'm all for optimism, but only when there's a call for it. Not sure why it's hard for some to face where this team is and where they are heading. If you deal in reality, there's no reason to be optimistic about any sort of Cup contention in the short-term...And it will be longer-term as well if Malkin doesn't action soon.

When someone has a differing viewpoint than you it doesn't mean they're in denial.

For Malkin, the goal is absolutely 1000% to put asses in the seats - and you do that by selling the idea that there's a chance of winning, either now or in the future. Malkin is Lou's boss and suddenly going to 2 games a month and traveling with the team - he's obviously more concerned with the direction of the team than he's shown in the past.

Hagens is probably the more likely of the two - I have a feeling he's going to drop to 5th-ish and should we not win the lottery, moving up 3 or 4 spots in the draft shouldn't be too costly. Bednarik and a fourth maybe? Really not out of the realm of possibility at all. In all honesty, I'd rather not trade up to take him and I think that we'll get a great player around 9... but I would be 0% surprised if there's a plan to do so.

Marner is more of a reach given our ability to lure top talent in the past for sure. But compared to Panarin or Gaudreau, we have a couple of extra X factors here. There's Martin/Marner's relationship, prior negotiations with Lou, and the fact that a smaller market might be preferable to him after all the shit he's taken in Toronto despite clearly being one of the best players in the league. Of all of the big name FA that will be available in the next couple of seasons, I'd peg him as probably the most likely to sign here.

If I'm Malkin, I'm probably saying go get me these guys. Make the team fun to watch again and get the arena filled back up. And if I'm Lou, I'm probably already thinking that way to try and salvage my job. Either way, we'll see...

 

[impaaaaaact]

Is that the bar we're trying to clear around here...? Leading the NEW YORK ISLANDERS forwards playoff points?

Any chance we can bring Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares over here as well with Marner?

He's actually leading the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS forwards in playoff points and PPG. And he's outproducing all of them during the season right now. But yeah, little guy bad in playoffs narrative will always reign supreme I guess

 

[impaaaaaact]

Not realistic....

We will not fall enough to pick Hagens
Eiserman, D.Nelson and Hagen (in this scenario) aren't ready for the NHL.
No way Lou buys out anyone. He didn't do it with Bailey, he sure in hell isn't going to that with Mayfield and Engvall with all those years remaining on their deals.

- We can always win lotto or trade up a couple of picks, it's not really that farfetched - although I'd prefer to just draft where we're at if we're in the top 9.
- This is a lineup for 2026-2027, not next season. Eiserman and Hagens should both be ready after two collegiate seasons.
- Even without the buyouts we have the cap space to do ice that team.

 

[WangMustGo]

That Marner contract is going to be terrible - Especially in the 2nd half of it. That said Lou has backed us into such a corner that if he actually would sign here you almost have to sign him. However I'm very skeptical as I don't think he's going to be dynamic a scorer without playing with a combo of Matthews/Nylander/Tavares. Going to Barzal/Horvat is a big drop off.

Even worse...Marner's production drops a bunch in the playoffs. Certainly not the only reason, but a big reason why the Leafs keep choking in the playoffs. And Marner is far from a leader

I'm not giving 9M, much less 13M, to a player whose play drops in the playoffs and has zero intangibles. I was a 10M+ player to have it all and truly be special.

I would give Marner anything up to 15 million per season. He is electric and would instantly be our top player. His play in the playoffs is fine, he is scrutinized because he plays in Toronto and they keep running into juggernauts in the playoffs.
How bout the best on best tournament having a terrific pass on the golden goal? He is fine in big moments.

 

[impaaaaaact]

I would give Marner anything up to 15 million per season. He is electric and would instantly be our top player. His play in the playoffs is fine, he is scrutinized because he plays in Toronto and they keep running into juggernauts in the playoffs.
How bout the best on best tournament having a terrific pass on the golden goal? He is fine in big moments.

It's so funny to me how people on this site incessantly whine about not having top talent or not being able to attract top talent, but when you suggest slightly overpaying a guy you can expect those same people to lose their shit.

Market value on Marner is probably around the same as Rantanen, 12.5M - although, if he hits the open market he won't be able to sign an 8 year deal. A team that can only offer 7 years would need to pay 14.3M to match Rantanen's cash...which would make him the highest paid player in hockey, for exactly one season. It's the kind of move that you make if you're a team like us, hoping to re-invigorate an aging roster without NHL ready prospects (but with some on the way).

In order to make that move though, we would likely need to shed Pageau's contract, Varlamov's contract, Engvall and Mayfield's contracts (either by buyout or trade), and then either move one of the aging defensemen or not sign Palmieri. Sounds like a lot, but I think most of that is more or less expected to happen anyway.

I'm definitely on team add elite talent for free. He's definitely a playmaker, but also averages around 30 goals per 82. And he's deadly on the PK. Would be a huge addition to the team