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

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I dream of a season where we're closer to the President's Trophy than the 8th seed.

No idea how that is going to happen, so just going to pray and I'm sure it will happen one of these years. If you just keep trying the same thing eventually it work out. Very confident in that.

Yep, the good ol' lightning in a bottle tactic...

Just bound to happen one of these years, right?
 
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Can we name some undrafted college free agents who amounted to something in the NHL?

Adam Oates and Marty St. Louis were two of the most notable over the years.

I believe no less than Joe Mullen, Connor Sheary, Torey Krug, Chris Kunitz, Dave Poulin, Justin Schultz, Joel Otto, Cam Talbot, Nate Schmidt, Andy Greene, Dan DeKeyser, John Madden, and of course Tyler Bozak were undrafted college UFAs.

Current Dmen Neal Pionk, Chris Tanev, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Troy Stecher were as well.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure Zach Hyman was an undrafted college UFA.

When I think of goaltenders, I'm thinking that each of Curtis Joseph, Eddie Belfour, and Jon Casey were undrafted college UFAs, but not completely certian there.
 
For us older fans and for those older dynasty players wishing for losses was never acceptable. That is the absolutely the most loser attitude for any fan of the sport. Group think can delude an entire fanbase to think this is the appropriate approach to take. You try your best under all situations and not to do so because your team wants a high draft pick is the definition of unsportsmanlike and teams that go in that direction eventually pay their dues because it shows a lack of character on the part of fans and the organization. In Lou's defense he's actually doing a better job now in the latter part of his GM tenure with the Isles than he did at the beginning. The future is looking good and this team is STILL very talented and competitive and have shown that they can defeat and hang with the best on any given night. To not cheer the team on right now at this very moment is just plain stupid. STUPID!
Thank you. Been awhile since I have been on here as I mistakenly let the negativity become unbearable. After reading Staple coming to grips that he was wrong I thought I would take a peak at downer-ville and so glad to see this response. I admit it has been a very disappointing season as I was hoping that this middle of the pack team would give it one more shot with some positive new additions and was continuously met with poor special teams and defensive blunders and INJURIES. Yes injuries are part of the game but it absolutely hurt this team.

However, I have to hand it to this Islander team for their pride, hard-working never say die attitude and will to stay in the race when most teams would have folded months ago.

Credit goes to Lou, Roy, Lee and the veterans on this club for creating an environment where these guys, no matter who is brought in come here and thrive to or even above their abilities. What they have done since Jan 2 and since the Brock trade, which will benefit us in the future, is shocking and praiseworthy.

I am one of the older fans who does not look back over my should and say what if they didnt make the playoffs in 1994. Hell if I did that I would also be saying what if I didnt play the game I love for 30 years the other night and break my leg which I did.

That is life my friends and you can bet I will rehab for 6+ months or however long it takes and get back out there because I love hockey and it is because of the Islanders.

In the mean time win or lose I will cheer for this team I love since the mid 70s and be more embarrassed for the fan base that barely showed up for the biggest game of the season against Montreal whose fans turned up in force the other night. Hell what do you think our counterparts are doing rooting for the team they love across the river who were sure winners of the cup back in October? They are sticking with their team or they would have been gone generations ago with their more embarrassing history.

Ride the wave Islander fans. You never know, they may surprise you and let a little positivity into your life.
 
Some words of praise for our coach.

He’s produced an unexpectedly competitive squad out of a roster that has major deficiencies. No elite #1C, no legit #2C, terrible 4th line, no true #1Dman on either side and an awful PP/PK. Perhaps he should shoulder some of the blame for the PK/PP but frankly he doesn’t have the horses.

Some have criticized his intensity as being out of touch for today’s players. I call BS on that and I think it’s an asset. I also wouldn’t underestimate the gravitas that comes with the way he carries himself and the Cups he’s won as a player.

I’d venture a guess and say that if we still had any of our prior dozen coaches (except for BT) we’d be solidly in a lottery spot.

My only hope is that he survives the inevitable friction of his relationship with the GM and is the last man standing.
 
Some words of praise for our coach.

He’s produced an unexpectedly competitive squad out of a roster that has major deficiencies. No elite #1C, no legit #2C, terrible 4th line, no true #1Dman on either side and an awful PP/PK. Perhaps he should shoulder some of the blame for the PK/PP but frankly he doesn’t have the horses.

Some have criticized his intensity as being out of touch for today’s players. I call BS on that and I think it’s an asset. I also wouldn’t underestimate the gravitas that comes with the way he carries himself and the Cups he’s won as a player.

I’d venture a guess and say that if we still had any of our prior dozen coaches (except for BT) we’d be solidly in a lottery spot.

My only hope is that he survives the inevitable friction of his relationship with the GM and is the last man standing.
I’m good with Roy but he needs to figure out the special teams. Either get assistants that can or figure it out
 
I personally think Pettersson is extremely overrated and is damaged goods. I don’t want anything to do with Pettersson, especially at the expense that it would cost. I’d take Marner any day. I think he is heavily scrutinized in Toronto, but he is an excellent player that would benefit playing in a smaller market.

I will also add in that I don’t think Marner is realistic. I think a guy like Ehlers would be a great addition for us.
💯
 
Question for you older Isles fans...

Are you happy the team made the playoffs in 1994...Or if you could change it would you have them miss them if it meant not having to watch and have that series as a part of history?
I'm not sure what you are asking. But the 1993-94 season and roster was way better than our roster was at the start of this season and definitely now.

We had to me one of the best lines in hockey that year with Hogue-Turgeon-Thomas. Defense with Malakhov, Krupp, Kasparaitis, Lachance.

They should have made the playoffs.....and it was fun.
 
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The addition of Gleb and the emergence of March/April Engvall is making this lineup really difficult to project next year. Gotta think at the very least Pageau is gone. Cizikas might be too.And then, wtf happens on D?

On the right side, Dobson looks super confident since he's come back from injury, almost dominant. Tony D is still playing 20+ minutes every night. You gotta think Roy wants him around, and with all the bridges he's burned and his desire to be close to Philly (bleh) you gotta think he signs here in the offseason. Pulock also still playing 20+ minutes every game. Mayfield has clearly fallen out of favor with Roy, and is definitely the 7th D at best right now - arguably he's the 8. I think at the very least Mayfield is gone one way or another.

On the left side you can definitely pencil in Romanov and probably Pelech too... and then we have Reilly, Perunovich, and George all ready to play. Reilly has looked really good since coming back, but he's a UFA and Perunovich is an RFA, and I thought he was good except that one game. George can probably use some more seasoning anyway.

And then what's up with Varly? Do we think he retires? Is he already on Robidas Island? Either way, hard to see him coming back at this point right?

So add that all up... Next year there's a good chance we're without Pageau, Cizikas, Mayfield, Reilly, Nelson, Wahlstrom and Varlamov from our opening lineup. That is a LOT of turnover, and all of those players are 32 and over (except Wahlstrom). So when Lou says we're going to be younger next season... yeah, no shit.
 
Regardless of what happens in the regular season the fact that this team continues to show they have the ability to turn it up when they want the past three seasons is concerning. Continue to trade some of these vets so hungrier players can make this team great again.
 
The addition of Gleb '

Don't think he plays any role right now.

From what I've seen of his college play, he's a bit of a project.

and the emergence of March/April Engvall

Am enjoying it now but no telling what he is in Roy's plans come the fall.

is making this lineup really difficult to project next year. Gotta think at the very least Pageau is gone.

He's gotta be. He's already falling apart in front of our eyes right now.

His departure is one of the keys to opening space up front for players who can lead to better things.
 
Don't think he plays any role right now.

From what I've seen of his college play, he's a bit of a project.



Am enjoying it now but no telling what he is in Roy's plans come the fall.



He's gotta be. He's already falling apart in front of our eyes right now.

His departure is one of the keys to opening space up front for players who can lead to better things.

As far as Gleb goes, one of the Boston beat writers reported that Lou was able to sign him by offering immediate opportunity - sounds sort of like how he bagged Tsyplakov.

Probably just means they're not married to McLean. But it is interesting that he ended up here instead of the team that invited him to prospect camp (and reportedly tried to sign him).
 

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