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

[Lek]

I predicted ''in the mix'' for wildcard

was excited to see what tsyplakov , duclair added to the team

Likely my feelings going int to the season as well...felt playoffs as wild card were closer to a lock than not.
Duclair after 4 games looked like a good decision.....super bust.
Tsippy....not sold on him....worth a flyer for next year but no more.

Will not be sad if either are not here next year.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Holy overpay Batman.

Come on Chevy, I thought you were better than this.

The question you have to ask with Dobson now is would you rather pay 9M+ to secure a top4 D knowing that you don't generally attract free agents, or do you want to gamble and trade him for the equivalent of 2 firsts and cap space.

Dobson paced for 45 points this year, which was his worst PPG since he's been playing 20 minutes a game... however it's just 5 points or so under his usual pace, and you gotta think that gets made up with a power play that goes from abysmal to poor next season.

If you trade him you still have warm bodies on the right side for now, with 4 guys that can play there under team control + Deangelo. It's worth noting that we do have issues signing players and this isn't the most robust FA market we've ever had, so there's a shot that cap space does not get spent - or worse, doesn't get spent wisely.

Ultimately I think I'd be ok with it in the right deal, but I'm not dying to move him or anything. Hoping that there are other way to reshape the team, although a Dobson trade would probably be the biggest move we could make.

 

[Isles72]

The question you have to ask with Dobson now is would you rather pay 9M+ to secure a top4 D knowing that you don't generally attract free agents, or do you want to gamble and trade him for the equivalent of 2 firsts and cap space.

Dobson paced for 45 points this year, which was his worst PPG since he's been playing 20 minutes a game... however it's just 5 points or so under his usual pace, and you gotta think that gets made up with a power play that goes from abysmal to poor next season.

If you trade him you still have warm bodies on the right side for now, with 4 guys that can play there under team control + Deangelo. It's worth noting that we do have issues signing players and this isn't the most robust FA market we've ever had, so there's a shot that cap space does not get spent - or worse, doesn't get spent wisely.

Ultimately I think I'd be ok with it in the right deal, but I'm not dying to move him or anything. Hoping that there are other way to reshape the team, although a Dobson trade would probably be the biggest move we could make.

there would be tremendous offers for Dobson around the league , not just the ep40 crap we heard all year . Highly doubt Lou would trade him unless the incoming player was already proven to some degree (something like M. McTavish + or William Eklund + )

 

[impaaaaaact]

there would be tremendous offers for Dobson around the league , not just the ep40 crap we heard all year . Highly doubt Lou would trade him unless the incoming player was already proven to some degree (something like M. McTavish + or William Eklund + )

Would love to trade for Eklund and then grab his brother in the draft. Could be fun!

 

[Isles72]

Likely my feelings going int to the season as well...felt playoffs as wild card were closer to a lock than not.
Duclair after 4 games looked like a good decision.....super bust.
Tsippy....not sold on him....worth a flyer for next year but no more.

Will not be sad if either are not here next year.

I'm not really a fan of Sippy either but I'd give it another chance if the price was fair . They will get smaller when Lee leaves so having Sippy's size helps them in that regard.

I'm confused over Duclair v.s Roy though . Why would he bash the guy if he wasnt back to full health . I'll assume he didnt like his approach to getting back to full-health ? Maybe he showed up to camp a tad out of shape ?

 

[impaaaaaact]

Here's a mock of what an offseason could look like if Dobson is traded for futures. Defense will be very very bad, but how much better is it with Dobson?

- Dobson and Pageau are traded
- RFAs Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Romanov, Boqvist, and Perunovich are re-signed
- UFAs Palmieri and Deangelo are retained
- Free agent signings: Ryan Donato (coming off 30 goal/60 point season) Jeff Skinner (warming seat for Eiserman/could still have something in the tank?), Vitek Vancek (insert backup here)
- NO buyouts.

Pipeline: Eiserman, 2026 1st, 2025 1st, Dobson return, Avs 2026 1st, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, Pageau return, Pulkinnen

 

[Lek]

I'm not really a fan of Sippy either but I'd give it another chance if the price was fair . They will get smaller when Lee leaves so having Sippy's size helps them in that regard.

I'm confused over Duclair v.s Roy though . Why would he bash the guy if he wasnt back to full health . I'll assume he didnt like his approach to getting back to full-health ? Maybe he showed up to camp a tad out of shape ?

Maybe Roy felt he put his ass on the line (so to speak) for him and Duclair did not put the effort in.....maybe there are other personal issues that also tie into that thought......who really knows....and not sure we will. Will be interesting though as the what happens in the off-season with him....hell, the whole off season should be interesting. At least we have that?...

 

[Lek]

Here's a mock of what an offseason could look like if Dobson is traded for futures. Defense will be very very bad, but how much better is it with Dobson?

- Dobson and Pageau are traded
- RFAs Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Romanov, Boqvist, and Perunovich are re-signed
- UFAs Palmieri and Deangelo are retained
- Free agent signings: Ryan Donato (coming off 30 goal/60 point season) Jeff Skinner (warming seat for Eiserman/could still have something in the tank?), Vitek Vancek (insert backup here)
- NO buyouts.

Pipeline: Eiserman, 2025 1st, Dobson return, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, Pageau return,

View attachment 1016961

eeeks.....that is a rough D...but yeah, not sure how much of a defensive difference Dobson makes.

i would like to see out 4th line try to resemble what it once was as i still think it is a model that is still an asset in today's NHL.....hard hitting take charge....that lineup is about as close as we can get with if Gatcomb keeps it up and if Tsippy just becomes more ferocious and less dipsy doodle passerooni

 

[GM4Hire]

If Dobson is traded, it would include a young NHL ready forward coming back.

 

[boredmale]

I just noticed if Colorado wins the cup this year we get Colorado's 2028 3rd rounder.

 

[impaaaaaact]

eeeks.....that is a rough D...but yeah, not sure how much of a defensive difference Dobson makes.

i would like to see out 4th line try to resemble what it once was as i still think it is a model that is still an asset in today's NHL.....hard hitting take charge....that lineup is about as close as we can get with if Gatcomb keeps it up and if Tsippy just becomes more ferocious and less dipsy doodle passerooni

Yeah the D is horrendous unless one of Perunovich or Boqvist steps up big time. That's the reality of trading Dobson, especially after Pionk just got 7M.

Even signing Donato might be a stretch as he'll probably be the #1 C available and other teams will have interest. He seems like a Lou guy though - character dude with NHL bloodlines and his dad is currently coaching in Cambridge.

Worst case scenario would be that he turns back into a reliable third line center as Ritchie develops into the 2C of the future. It's worth noting that he shot 17% this season but is a career 11% shooter, so 20 goals is probably a more reasonable expectation for him.

Ultimately you probably lose 15 goals going from Nelson/Pageau to Donato/Ritchie next season, so you need to make that up elsewhere. Realistically though there aren't other C options out there, so unless the plan is to split up Barzal and Horvat again Donato is probably your best option

 

[crashthenet]

Here's a mock of what an offseason could look like if Dobson is traded for futures. Defense will be very very bad, but how much better is it with Dobson?

- Dobson and Pageau are traded
- RFAs Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Romanov, Boqvist, and Perunovich are re-signed
- UFAs Palmieri and Deangelo are retained
- Free agent signings: Ryan Donato (coming off 30 goal/60 point season) Jeff Skinner (warming seat for Eiserman/could still have something in the tank?), Vitek Vancek (insert backup here)
- NO buyouts.

Pipeline: Eiserman, 2026 1st, 2025 1st, Dobson return, Avs 2026 1st, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, Pageau return, Pulkinnen

View attachment 1016961

I'd like to see George in the bottom pairing. A swap of Pelech for a signed Gavrikov as well. I don't know if Mayfield is better than Boqvist at this point.

 

[impaaaaaact]

If Dobson is traded, it would include a young NHL ready forward coming back.

If it's for a guy like Eklund, you can just slot him in for where I had Skinner - I imagine we would get the Dallas 1st or their second (first of the second round) back as well. It makes a ton of sense for the Sharks, as their one organizational hole right now is RHD. They have none in the pipeline and they sure as hell aren't picking one this year.

Anyway, the main point of this is to show that trading Dobson is the #1 thing we can do to give us some wiggle room this year. It's the least messy option IRT buyouts and NTCs/NMCs, and is probably the first piece of business that needs to get done this offseason.

 

[YearlyLottery]

My random post regular season thoughts:


I think you absolutely need to trade Dobson. I think you absolutely need to move Pageau. You absolutely need to draft another top tier Eiserman type prospect (in terms of post draft year success) wherever the pick ends up. When you trade Dobson you have two options:

- go for an all futures package
- go for a trade where you are acquiring a forward. The defense will not be great at all once Mayfield and Pelech inevitably become hurt.

You need to find a quality backup goalie for cheap. I'd like for Boqvist, DeAngelo, and Perunovich all brought back. If you can find a deal to sell off Mayfield/Pelech I would take that as well.

Honestly what is the point of bringing Tsyplakov back? Can he play a fourth line banger role? I don't believe so. What is the upside here? The answer is nothing much.

Fix Bridgeport.

Bring back Palmieri if it is less than a 3 year deal. He can help Ritchie and eventually Eiserman come along. Eiserman is not ready yet. I think you are looking at another year minimum before he is up here.

Stupid decision to not see what any of the young guys in Bridgeport even have. Last offseason I said they need one of Maggio, Dufour, Ishakov, or Jeffries to be something decent and it looks like they all suck. Dufour is now gone, Ishakov looked decent but is gone, Maggio had a terrible season, and Jeffries did not do much at all.

Bring Engvall back I guess? They need to figure out how to untap his potential. Put him through the most grueling training camp you possibly can.

Put Barzal back at center. Let's be honest the Barzal-Horvat connection is not anything special. Put them together on the PP but nothing more. Get speed with Barzal for f*** sakes. Eberle was by far the best linemate he had, posted great numbers in the postseason, and was not the best player they ever paired Barzal up with.

The Rangers should be a crucial reminder that in the current day NHL free agency cannot solve all of your problems. And they aren't getting the one player in Marner that CAN solve many problems for the organization. You'll hear "rumors" and then he will re up with Toronto.

 

[boredmale]

Bring Engvall back I guess? They need to figure out how to untap his potential. Put him through the most grueling training camp you possibly can.

I would love to get rid of that contract but one good thing abut it is it gives us flexibility to send him up and down when we are worrying about roster management. No team will touch that contract on waivers.

 

[WangMustGo]

If it's for a guy like Eklund, you can just slot him in for where I had Skinner - I imagine we would get the Dallas 1st or their second (first of the second round) back as well. It makes a ton of sense for the Sharks, as their one organizational hole right now is RHD. They have none in the pipeline and they sure as hell aren't picking one this year.

Anyway, the main point of this is to show that trading Dobson is the #1 thing we can do to give us some wiggle room this year. It's the least messy option IRT buyouts and NTCs/NMCs, and is probably the first piece of business that needs to get done this offseason.

That’s the type of Dobson trade we need to be looking at. Get a young guy that has first line upside that can immediately play. If Dobson does bounce back and becomes a Pietrangelo esque defenseman at least he is in the west.

 

[YearlyLottery]

That’s the type of Dobson trade we need to be looking at. Get a young guy that has first line upside that can immediately play. If Dobson does bounce back and becomes a Pietrangelo esque defenseman at least he is in the west.

I may look like a complete moron for how badly I have talked about Dobson.... But in no way shape or form will be become a Pietrangelo in my opinion. Dobson is missing an extra 15 or so pounds on him and is just so soft. He has never had a good playoff run either and gets decimated come playoff time. This is so much different compared to a player like Romanov who comes alive in these types of games.

When the Islanders traded Leddy and Toews you could tell they were missed in the lineup. Yes the Islanders will miss Dobson but it is not because of some elite skillset it is because he is a good, middle pairing defenseman, who can put up 50 points. This is not worth the 8 year $64 million dollar deal.

 

[MJF]

The question you have to ask with Dobson now is would you rather pay 9M+ to secure a top4 D knowing that you don't generally attract free agents, or do you want to gamble and trade him for the equivalent of 2 firsts and cap space.

Dobson paced for 45 points this year, which was his worst PPG since he's been playing 20 minutes a game... however it's just 5 points or so under his usual pace, and you gotta think that gets made up with a power play that goes from abysmal to poor next season.

If you trade him you still have warm bodies on the right side for now, with 4 guys that can play there under team control + Deangelo. It's worth noting that we do have issues signing players and this isn't the most robust FA market we've ever had, so there's a shot that cap space does not get spent - or worse, doesn't get spent wisely.

Ultimately I think I'd be ok with it in the right deal, but I'm not dying to move him or anything. Hoping that there are other way to reshape the team, although a Dobson trade would probably be the biggest move we could make.

I've never advocated trading Dobson because his defense is beyond repair. I think he can be coached out of his indecisiveness in the D zone. He was better than this when Trotz and Lambert were here. But I'm also not against trading Dobson in the right deal.

If we do re-sign him the first thing I'd like to see happen is for Tommy Albelin to be fired and a better defense coach brought in, preferably one selected by the head coach and not Lou.

 

[Throttle]

I'm not really a fan of Sippy either but I'd give it another chance if the price was fair . They will get smaller when Lee leaves so having Sippy's size helps them in that regard.

I'm confused over Duclair v.s Roy though . Why would he bash the guy if he wasnt back to full health . I'll assume he didnt like his approach to getting back to full-health ? Maybe he showed up to camp a tad out of shape ?

He probably realized why he was on 8 teams already in his NHL career. It was just delayed due to his injury.

Don’t be fooled by ‘he looked good in the first five games before the injury’ - tons of players look good in the first several weeks/month and drop off the rest of the way.

Duclair was a crap signing all around. But Lou wanted to chase speed and a hope and dreams of completing a ‘first line.’

 

[seafoam]

Second to last in the conference in goals for, only besting Boston by two.

They need offense in the worst way…and please don’t blame injuries. Injuries happen every year to every team and the good ones still find a way to put the puck in the back of the net.

With Pionk re-signing in WPG, NYI has an opportunity to corner the market on RHD. Hell, even Mayfield may be tradable for some other team’s role player with warts (but NYI can check down on term).

 

[periferal]

Scott Malkin cannot just continue to sit in his witness protection bungalow for yet another year. We need to hear from him and soon. That can be in the form of a press conference or just doing the right thing and firing Lou.

But to do/say nothing for another year is unforgivable. If he doesn't speak/act then he's saying he's ok with how things are going. And if that happens then fans need to speak/act in return by not spending any money on the team until he gets the message.

 

[WangMustGo]

I may look like a complete moron for how badly I have talked about Dobson.... But in no way shape or form will be become a Pietrangelo in my opinion. Dobson is missing an extra 15 or so pounds on him and is just so soft. He has never had a good playoff run either and gets decimated come playoff time. This is so much different compared to a player like Romanov who comes alive in these types of games.

When the Islanders traded Leddy and Toews you could tell they were missed in the lineup. Yes the Islanders will miss Dobson but it is not because of some elite skillset it is because he is a good, middle pairing defenseman, who can put up 50 points. This is not worth the 8 year $64 million dollar deal.

I think Dobson biggest issue is confidence. When he is playing confident he is making quick decisions with the puck and is creating dangerous chances in the offensive zone while being decent defensively. We saw that Dobson for the first 60 games last season. When he loses his confidence he overthinks and hesitates leading to horrible defensive mistakes. For whatever reason I don’t think he excels with this coaching staff.

It would not shock me to see Dobson succeed and become a top 10 defenseman in a different system/team. He has all the tools to be elite offensively and at least acceptable defensively. I don’t know if that happens here unfortunately.

 

[Throttle]

I may look like a complete moron for how badly I have talked about Dobson.... But in no way shape or form will be become a Pietrangelo in my opinion. Dobson is missing an extra 15 or so pounds on him and is just so soft. He has never had a good playoff run either and gets decimated come playoff time. This is so much different compared to a player like Romanov who comes alive in these types of games.

When the Islanders traded Leddy and Toews you could tell they were missed in the lineup. Yes the Islanders will miss Dobson but it is not because of some elite skillset it is because he is a good, middle pairing defenseman, who can put up 50 points. This is not worth the 8 year $64 million dollar deal.

100% on point all around.

As @doublechili noted Dobson’s game went sideways under Roy and his system.

So, what’s the deal here Lou? Are the Isles trying to open things up? Dobson and Mayfield struggle mightily in that environment. Sorokin gets exposed more. The offense as constructed can’t keep up and execute.

Back to @doublechili the Isles need to stamp an organizational identity and stick to it. The wavering from 4 lines to this mess is a huge part of the problem.

 

[crashthenet]

Would not mind taking a run at Barrett Hayton.

 

[Osakahaus]

Lou Lamoriello ain't getting fired lol

Terrible franchise