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

[Schaefer48]

Tsyplakov Is a very talented 3rd line player, everyone needs to remember he is in a new country and new league and IMO is a vital player, he has good vision just needs to become more comfortable. Depends on his asking price will determine if he is back

 

[impaaaaaact]

Tsyplakov Is a very talented 3rd line player, everyone needs to remember he is in a new country and new league and IMO is a vital player, he has good vision just needs to become more comfortable. Depends on his asking price will determine if he is back

Yeah, not sure why people are talking about dropping him. He's under team control - not going anywhere.

 

[iggy]

Yeah, not sure why people are talking about dropping him. He's under team control - not going anywhere.

I would love to see Tsyplakov help recruit Shabanov from the KHL. The kid while small was top of the KHL in scoring, fast, and very skilled. Rumor has it that the Islanders are interested in him.

 

[impaaaaaact]

I would love to see Tsyplakov help recruit Shabanov from the KHL. The kid while small was top of the KHL in scoring, fast, and very skilled. Rumor has it that the Islanders are interested in him.

Forgot about Shabanov. Couldn't hurt

 

[YearlyLottery]

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.

So many great points from all three of you to unpack here. I'll be honest with you it would shock me if he became a top pairing defenseman, let alone a top 10 defenseman. I don't think he has a great shot, I don't think he has great vision in the offensive zone, and I do not think he is capable of playing great in the defensive zone.

He has a very good breakout pass and is good off the rush. That is not worth the contract he will get.

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.

Without organizational changes or major roster changes they are nearing entering complete apathy territory from the fanbase. Have not seen that for what feels like a long time.

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.

Bingo. I have been saying this for the past year. Lou attempted to make the offense better by bringing the defense from elite to great. The problem is the defense went from elite to average and the offense went from bad to okay. The coaching in the meantime went from hall of fame to average at best.

 

[WangMustGo]

So many great points from all three of you to unpack here. I'll be honest with you it would shock me if he became a top pairing defenseman, let alone a top 10 defenseman. I don't think he has a great shot, I don't think he has great vision in the offensive zone, and I do not think he is capable of playing great in the defensive zone.

He has a very good breakout pass and is good off the rush. That is not worth the contract he will get.



Without organizational changes or major roster changes they are nearing entering complete apathy territory from the fanbase. Have not seen that for what feels like a long time.





Bingo. I have been saying this for the past year. Lou attempted to make the offense better by bringing the defense from elite to great. The problem is the defense went from elite to average and the offense went from bad to okay. The coaching in the meantime went from hall of fame to average at best.

With the way Dobson played this year he is not worth anything near the contract he will get. If he gets back to playing the way he did the first half of last season he will be worth every penny of the contract he signs. I am not against trading him, but I want a young forward that has first line potential coming back. Something around Perfetti+ or Eklund would be deals I would entertain.

 

[Throttle]

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.

Malkin isn’t much of front guy in his other business, so don’t expect much here. He’s also a long game guy. If he’s looking to exit from the Isles, then keeping Lou as stability is common tactic for doing that.

Agree 100% that it would be entirely tone-deaf of the organization to have Lou just do his annual end of season close out media session. The Isles do need some affirmative statement somewhere/somehow.

 

[Kevin27nyi]

My thing with Dobson is a little complicated.

If we signed Mitch Marner for example, I'd keep Dobson. To get a really good offensive player, if not through free agency, I think our best bet is to trade Dobson. My other issue is money. Dobson may be an RFA but this is his third contract. I don't know where he falls in line because his 70 point season is an outlier with 3 40-50 point season. I'd hate to see anything over 8.5, especially with him being a playoff no show. Also Tony D, not sure what he'll get but he can put up 30-40 at a third of the cost. He's not a replacement of course but it's a value to have.

So I'm curious how that goes. But if he's in the 7's I'll be happy.

 

[JRD76]

With the way Dobson played this year he is not worth anything near the contract he will get. If he gets back to playing the way he did the first half of last season he will be worth every penny of the contract he signs. I am not against trading him, but I want a young forward that has first line potential coming back. Something around Perfetti+ or Eklund would be deals I would entertain.

You know this is interesting that Dobson played his best under Lambert. Maybe he doesn't fit into Roy's system or Roy sucks as a coach lol. I definitely know Pelech, Pulock and Mayfield are all stuck in Trotz system constantly clearing pucks up the boards into the other teams point men. Have to replace those guys. I think Lambert tried to mix Trotz defensive style with the more modern fast attacking style.

 

[Kevin27nyi]

Btw, could see a scenario where Pelech goes to CGY.

 

[Stercrazy]

Since LL has been GM, the Isles average 86 points a year. That's not a playoff team.

 

[iggy]

Btw, could see a scenario where Pelech goes to CGY.

I could see a scenario where Pelech goes to Nashville. Pelech played his best hockey with Trotz. While Trotz is not the coach, he still knows what Pelech is capable of.

 

[Kevin27nyi]

I could see a scenario where Pelech goes to Nashville. Pelech played his best hockey with Trotz. While Trotz is not the coach, he still knows what Pelech is capable of.

Could see that too. Or Mayfield. Swap them with Lauzon to keep some physicality.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Isles after Barzal injury: 11-20

Bo Horvat after Barzal injury: 10 Goals, 8 Assists, -20. 45 Point Pace

 

[SCMURRAY]

Dobson: 39pts in 71 games = 45 point pace over 82 games
DeAngelo: 19pts in 35 games = 44 point pace over 82 games

Both weak in the D zone. One will cost $2 million, the other $8 million.

Not giving up on Dobson in anyway and honestly think trading him would be a mistake. That being said on the business side of it, $6million bucks can certainly be used to through at a guy like Marner or Ehlers all while getting a significant return for Dobson.

 

[periferal]

Malkin isn’t much of front guy in his other business, so don’t expect much here. He’s also a long game guy. If he’s looking to exit from the Isles, then keeping Lou as stability is common tactic for doing that.

Agree 100% that it would be entirely tone-deaf of the organization to have Lou just do his annual end of season close out media session. The Isles do need some affirmative statement somewhere/somehow.

Oh when I saw Malkin's initial press conference it was plain to see this guy should not be in front of a camera. It was so shy/awkward - Like a 9th grader going through puberty.

That said, he's a billionaire so he has the power to release a statement at minimum...And I assume why he let Ledecky into the ownership group is because that dude isn't afraid of any camera.

One way or the other Malkin must get a clear message to fans (a statement at minimum...Or rearranging the front office at best) what his plan is to get us back to Cup contention.

 

[periferal]

Without organizational changes or major roster changes they are nearing entering complete apathy territory from the fanbase. Have not seen that for what feels like a long time.

100% true...And why it's so disappointing when I see fans talking about player moves this offseason as if that will make any difference towards getting closer to a Cup.

Without new management/front office we're going to be in the same place in the standings and having the exact same conversation a year from now (and a year after that...And so on...).

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

My thing with Dobson is a little complicated.

If we signed Mitch Marner for example, I'd keep Dobson. To get a really good offensive player, if not through free agency, I think our best bet is to trade Dobson. My other issue is money. Dobson may be an RFA but this is his third contract. I don't know where he falls in line because his 70 point season is an outlier with 3 40-50 point season. I'd hate to see anything over 8.5, especially with him being a playoff no show. Also Tony D, not sure what he'll get but he can put up 30-40 at a third of the cost. He's not a replacement of course but it's a value to have.

So I'm curious how that goes. But if he's in the 7's I'll be happy.

Don't really get how we can possibly fit both Marner and Dobson under the cap considering what both players would be making. Seems like a one or the other situation.

 

[Tahoeblue]

Dobson: 39pts in 71 games = 45 point pace over 82 games
DeAngelo: 19pts in 35 games = 44 point pace over 82 games

Both weak in the D zone. One will cost $2 million, the other $8 million.

Not giving up on Dobson in anyway and honestly think trading him would be a mistake. That being said on the business side of it, $6million bucks can certainly be used to through at a guy like Marner or Ehlers all while getting a significant return for Dobson.

I can't like this post enough. I think it is prudent to poke around the league to gauge value, but I would be wary of trading him. I think the real question comes down to $. What does his camp really think he is worth? That may be a determining factor of next steps. Is he last year's 70 point player of this year's? I wished he yearned for the puck, dictated play and had a mean streak some like a Seider in Det.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

I'm seeing next year as possible more of a transition year where we start building for the future and put a team on the ice that will have a good chance in the McKenna draft.

Trade: Dobson + the 2026 Colorado Avs first round pick to move up to select Hagens
or
Trades: Dobson to some team for futures, then use those futures + the 2026 Colorado Avs first round pick to move up to select Hagens

At 10th overall, select Mrtka

Re-sign: Romanov (long term deal), Holmstrom (long term deal), Tsyplakov (short term deal), TDA (short term deal), Palmieri (short term deal), and Gatcomb (short term deal).

Holmstrom - Horvat - Barzal
Lee - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
Cizikas - Gatcomb - Engvall

Pelech - Pulock
Romanov - TDA
George - Mayfield

Sorokin / Varly

In the system: Hagens, Mrtka, Eiserman, Nelson, Finley, and some project prospects

 

[Kevin27nyi]

Don't really get how we can possibly fit both Marner and Dobson under the cap considering what both players would be making. Seems like a one or the other situation.

It's possible. I think we have 28 million in space, Pageau out brings us up 5 million. Duclair might get bought out and that saves 2 million. It's doable. Also bridge Holmstrom to a 2 year deal at 3.5 instead of long term.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

It's possible. I think we have 28 million in space, Pageau out brings us up 5 million. Duclair might get bought out and that saves 2 million. It's doable. Also bridge Holmstrom to a 2 year deal at 3.5 instead of long term.

I mean Marner would be making at least $13M if he decided to sign here. Dobson is making minimum $7M. That's already $20M.

Yeah, you can buyout and trade some players, but you still have to replace them with other players. Even NHL minimum wage adds up when you only have $8M in space remaining.

 

[iggy]

I'm seeing next year as possible more of a transition year where we start building for the future and put a team on the ice that will have a good chance in the McKenna draft.

Trade: Dobson + the 2026 Colorado Avs first round pick to move up to select Hagens
or
Trades: Dobson to some team for futures, then use those futures + the 2026 Colorado Avs first round pick to move up to select Hagens

At 10th overall, select Mrtka

Re-sign: Romanov (long term deal), Holmstrom (long term deal), Tsyplakov (short term deal), TDA (short term deal), Palmieri (short term deal), and Gatcomb (short term deal).

Holmstrom - Horvat - Barzal
Lee - Pageau - Palmieri
Duclair - Ritchie - Tsyplakov
Cizikas - Gatcomb - Engvall

Pelech - Pulock
Romanov - TDA
George - Mayfield

Sorokin / Varly

In the system: Hagens, Mrtka, Eiserman, Nelson, Finley, and some project prospects

That lineup could definitely get us McKenna

 

[Kevin27nyi]

I mean Marner would be making at least $13M if he decided to sign here. Dobson is making minimum $7M. That's already $20M.

Yeah, you can buyout and trade some players, but you still have to replace them with other players. Even NHL minimum wage adds up when you only have $8M in space remaining.

Yep, kind of comes down to clearing Adam Pelech salary without taking a contract back. But its really not hard. Pageau and Pelech out, keep TDA, Palms, Marner, Dobson, Holmer, Romanov etc it's all doable.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Since LL has been GM, the Isles average 86 points a year. That's not a playoff team.

Listen I want Lou gone too but you guys have to stop doing the thing where you count the covid seasons as full years.

Extrapolate out the covid seasons over 82 games and you get seasons of 96 and 104 points. They average just under 94 points per 82 since Lou has been here.