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

[YearlyLottery]

I would even consider trading Horvat or Barzal for a haul. A return that can have us set up for the Islanders next ascent in 3 years.

I would consider a Horvat trade although I do not think either are going anywhere. With the direction we hope this team will go (elite skating and puck moving) Barzal would be a fantastic fit here. Horvat I think is currently making a bit too much but if we can get more 32-35 goal seasons with his overall play I can live with it.

Dobson is the main piece I would LOVE to trade and I think out of him, Barzal, and Horvat he will return the most.

 

[mm11]

We should tell the Habs fans that. They might finally learn after the 87st time offering that package.

Halak, Ryder and a 3rd may work

 

[miscs75]

Halak, Ryder and a 3rd may work

I demand Hamrlik

 

[SI]

That is fine. We just don't see trade downs very often in the NHL. Are we getting an additional first from San Jose or Chicago? Sign me up.

But if this results in us getting an extra second or something I would just take the #1 pick.

If this is a NFL style trade down value wise I absolutely agree. I'm just not totally sure that is what we will see. I also struggle the idea of how this team punts next season entirely. How do we do that? We still have a fairly decent roster in regards to being the worst team in the league.

I don't think it is worth trading down - get the best player and the player who will have the most impact on the roster and be done with it. A late 1st rounder is not enough.

The Isles' top 10 Prospects Right now - The bolded could be regulars in the lineup by 26-27.

1. Scahefer, LHD
2. Eiserman, LW
3. Ritchie, C
4. Nelson, C
5. Finley, LW
6. George, LHD
7. Gidloff, G
8. Pulkinen, LHD
9. Bednarik, C
10. Odelius, LHD

*Mind you also have 2025 2nd rounder, who could be Milton Gastrin, Ivan Ryabkin, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, who might all rank higher than George.

Now, if we compare that to Last year's

1. Eiserman, LW
2. Nelson, C
3. Maggio, RW
4. Jeffries, RW
5. Dufour, RW
6. Finley, LW
7. Odelius, LHD
8. George, LHD
9. Pulkinen, LHD
10. Gidloff, G

 

[leeroggy]

So many moving parts for a new GM.

Assuming it is Schaefer, the LD depth can help enhance a trade. If not, do we want to stay at #1 for whoever the F will be? In that scenario, I trade back a few spots to whoever might lust after Schaefer. Time will tell on that.

The biggest decision is on Dobson and what will he sign for.

If we decide we want to go in another direction, do we use him for cap space or a similar young forward RFA that would cost a lot, but not as much. We could also look at the possibility of loading up on 2026 picks, to make RFA offer sheets possible.

If we are looking at trading him, I keep coming back to Columbus, which has a RD of:
Severson
Fabbro
Gudbranson
I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be interested with that and their large cap space.

Dobson
Cizikas
for
Voronkov
Minnesota's 2026 1st

Saves probably at least $5 million for us, since Voronkov (22G/24A in 71G) will get a nice raise as an RFA. I know there's a desire to pursue McTavish, but Anaheim doesn't have the extra 1st. The key to me in this is that the extra $5 million means we should be able to pursue an Ehlers or Boeser too.

 

[saintunspecified]

I was not impressed with Hagens Frozen Four games. If anything I’d say Eiserman played within his line by that time, recognized that Hutson had the hot stick and worked to set him up in the postseason, rather than forcing himself to be the star. That shows maturity. I honestly think both of them should go back for their sophomore seasons, especially Hagens.

I'm not really comparing the two, just their situations. I think both should go back. But I think Hagens *could* play in the NHL, and Eiserman would be a total liability at even strength.

 

[Lame Lambert]

I also don’t think it needs to be said, but I would be doing anything to get Hagens as well. Unfortunately it would take Dobson and I can’t see Chicago being interested.

 

[Throttle]

I also don’t think it needs to be said, but I would be doing anything to get Hagens as well. Unfortunately it would take Dobson and I can’t see Chicago being interested.

I’m not into Hagens for the PR element. Is he being overvalued because of that?

Chicago has to advance the cause this summer, otherwise they are completely stubborn and/or tone deaf. I expect them to make moves for legit NHL players to help Bedard and co. The draft is a natural place to start doing that. Chicago has 2 firsts and 2 seconds, doubt they walk out of the draft using those picks.

 

[SI90]

Assuming we take Schaefer, we have a bit of a logjam at LHD.

Schaefer
Romanov
Pelech
Perunovich
Reilly
George
Pulkinnen
Odelius
Bolduc

Reilly is the only one of those players who is a UFA. Is it wrong to think the second most likely player not to be back is Romanov? He's the highest value player, and needs a new contract.

Schaefer is not playing in the NHL next year. Romanov and George are the only ones I think you can say for sure will be on the islanders in 2 years.

Pelech is aging and could be dealt.
Pulkinnen needs more development.
The rest have question marks.

If Schaefer is the player many think he will be then you take him and don’t worry about a log jam. BPA and those things usually work itself out.

 

[SI]

So many moving parts for a new GM.

Assuming it is Schaefer, the LD depth can help enhance a trade. If not, do we want to stay at #1 for whoever the F will be? In that scenario, I trade back a few spots to whoever might lust after Schaefer. Time will tell on that.

The biggest decision is on Dobson and what will he sign for.

If we decide we want to go in another direction, do we use him for cap space or a similar young forward RFA that would cost a lot, but not as much. We could also look at the possibility of loading up on 2026 picks, to make RFA offer sheets possible.

If we are looking at trading him, I keep coming back to Columbus, which has a RD of:
Severson
Fabbro
Gudbranson
I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be interested with that and their large cap space.

Dobson
Cizikas
for
Voronkov
Minnesota's 2026 1st

Saves probably at least $5 million for us, since Voronkov (22G/24A in 71G) will get a nice raise as an RFA. I know there's a desire to pursue McTavish, but Anaheim doesn't have the extra 1st. The key to me in this is that the extra $5 million means we should be able to pursue an Ehlers or Boeser too.

Too complicated - make a hockey trade
Dobson for Kent Johnson - done.

 

[Chockey22]

The longer it takes to find a new GM likely affects the course of the offseason. If they are waiting to talk to guys from Dallas or Florida, it could be June before a new GM is in place. I would think with that timeframe it increases the chance that we just stick with BPA at the draft and don't make a lot of franchise altering moves at the draft. Maybe later in the summer once the direction with Dobson becomes clearer, but the timeframe alone at this point makes wheeling and dealing at the draft more unlikley, I would think.

 

[icelander25]

Schaefer is not playing in the NHL next year. Romanov and George are the only ones I think you can say for sure will be on the islanders in 2 years.

Pelech is aging and could be dealt.
Pulkinnen needs more development.
The rest have question marks.

If Schaefer is the player many think he will be then you take him and don’t worry about a log jam. BPA and those things usually work itself out.

Agree that Schaefer won't be on the team next year, but he'll absolutely be on the 26-27 team. I also think taking a dman that early means he isn't going to produce. He might not put up 60+ points that he might get in his prime, but he'd be no worse than our 3rd best dman right now as a 17 year old.
Now if we take him that probably means we're punting for next season (which we should be doing anyways), but that lines up with Eiserman also joining the team and Ritchie having a year under his belt.

 

[SI90]

Agree that Schaefer won't be on the team next year, but he'll absolutely be on the 26-27 team. I also think taking a dman that early means he isn't going to produce. He might not put up 60+ points that he might get in his prime, but he'd be no worse than our 3rd best dman right now as a 17 year old.
Now if we take him that probably means we're punting for next season (which we should be doing anyways), but that lines up with Eiserman also joining the team and Ritchie having a year under his belt.

He’s so young. Hasn’t played many games the last 2 years( can count international tournaments which is a plus) and he’s a twig. Obviously you take it year by year but even if he’s hear in 2 years he’ll be a young 19 year old in his rookie season. He better try and put on some strength the next 2 years.

I don’t know what his plans are but I’d love for him to play NCAA next year. I’m sure he can make some money to through NIL. Supposedly Penn State has $250k for Porter Martone.

BU should be all over Schaefer!

 

[periferal]

I also don’t think it needs to be said, but I would be doing anything to get Hagens as well. Unfortunately it would take Dobson and I can’t see Chicago being interested.

But why...Why would you be "doing anything" to get Hagens as well? My hunch is because he's from LI and and Isles fan and that should make exactly zero difference as to whether or not he'll help this team win a Cup - Much less be an impact player in the NHL.

If all goes well for Hagens then he's basically another Mat Barzal, and we already have one of those (and he worked out quite well despite not being an Isles fan growing up).

 

[periferal]

I don't think it is worth trading down - get the best player and the player who will have the most impact on the roster and be done with it. A late 1st rounder is not enough.

The Isles' top 10 Prospects Right now - The bolded could be regulars in the lineup by 26-27.

1. Scahefer, LHD
2. Eiserman, LW
3. Ritchie, C
4. Nelson, C
5. Finley, LW
6. George, LHD
7. Gidloff, G
8. Pulkinen, LHD
9. Bednarik, C
10. Odelius, LHD

*Mind you also have 2025 2nd rounder, who could be Milton Gastrin, Ivan Ryabkin, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, who might all rank higher than George.

I think that list looks pretty spot on...And I don't see those top 4 as "guaranteed" future NHL players. Doesn't mean they'll all be great, but I think they'll all be regulars (hopefully more).

 

[icelander25]

He’s so young. Hasn’t played many games the last 2 years( can count international tournaments which is a plus) and he’s a twig. Obviously you take it year by year but even if he’s hear in 2 years he’ll be a young 19 year old in his rookie season. He better try and put on some strength the next 2 years.

I don’t know what his plans are but I’d love for him to play NCAA next year. I’m sure he can make some money to through NIL. Supposedly Penn State has $250k for Porter Martone.

BU should be all over Schaefer!

I would definitely prefer if he went to the NCAA, and going to BU would be amazing. Probably unlikely cause they have Hutson there, but the NCAA competition is just objectively better than CHL plus he'd have more time to put on muscle. My money's on him going back to the CHL tho. His decision is basically the same as McKenna's now since they'd be in the same grade.

 

[SI90]

I would definitely prefer if he went to the NCAA, and going to BU would be amazing. Probably unlikely cause they have Hutson there, but the NCAA competition is just objectively better than CHL plus he'd have more time to put on muscle. My money's on him going back to the CHL tho. His decision is basically the same as McKenna's now since they'd be in the same grade.

I think he goes back to CHL too. Probably feels like he wants to give Erie a full healthy season.

 

[Lame Lambert]

But why...Why would you be "doing anything" to get Hagens as well? My hunch is because he's from LI and and Isles fan and that should make exactly zero difference as to whether or not he'll help this team win a Cup - Much less be an impact player in the NHL.

If all goes well for Hagens then he's basically another Mat Barzal, and we already have one of those (and he worked out quite well despite not being an Isles fan growing up).

I’m saying anything other than blowing a 1OA on him. Barzal should be traded and we’d need a center to pair with Schaefer.

 

[Glory Days]

I’m saying anything other than blowing a 1OA on him. Barzal should be traded and we’d need a center to pair with Schaefer.

Love this thinking. Barzal will be on the wrong side of 30 by the time young guys like Schaefer, Eiserman, etc are producing. Hagens is a potential good replacement who can develop in the same time frame as the other young guys.

 

[periferal]

I’m saying anything other than blowing a 1OA on him. Barzal should be traded and we’d need a center to pair with Schaefer.

So you would trade Dobson and Eiserman for a chance to draft Hagens next month?

 

[duster19]

I also don’t think it needs to be said, but I would be doing anything to get Hagens as well. Unfortunately it would take Dobson and I can’t see Chicago being interested.

I’d be open to moving Dobson to Chi but it would take their 1st next year at minimum. No reason to move Dobson unless you are getting a haul. Grab Schaefer and you have 2 good pillars on D to build on for years to come.

 

[Strickland]

The issue this team has is that the guys who you'd move in a re-tool have trade protections. And the guys you'd like to keep don't. Which is why, if you're trying to get picks and prospects, the RFAs make the most sense to move. Especially with the cap going up. Do you wanna pay Simon Holmstrom $4-5 million per? Dobson $9-10 million per? Romanov $6-7 million per?

 

[SCMURRAY]

Lets say Schaefer, Misa and Hagens are all life long Isles fan - who do you select 1OA?

If you own the 1OA you draft the best available player NOT the story on the front page of Newsday

 

[Kevin27nyi]

Lets say Schaefer, Misa and Hagens are all life long Isles fan - who do you select 1OA?

If you own the 1OA you draft the best available player NOT the story on the front page of Newsday

My opinion doesn’t change much personally, I lean Schaefer because I trust the scouts but I don’t like the criticism of Hagens because some call out his play this year as not stepping up when I saw him in WJC where Misa wasn’t and playoffs where misa sucked and in general he played where Schaefer was limited to 17 games and some international play.

I just think the bar was higher for Hagens than others.

Islander thing is cherry on top but I’m not a media guy or optics guy.

 

[Chardo]

I don't really follow junior hockey players, but if Hagens was not an Islanders fan, would he even be in the discussion?