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

[Strummergas]

My god, the vitriol for people who have done nothing wrong but be bad at their jobs....

 

[SI90]

Retool is the way to go. This year I believe will still be an evaluation year. Won’t be major changes. Lees contract his up after. Then I think we can see bigger changes next off season. I have faith in Darche to do this the right way.

 

[NC 1972]

Am I the only one here who thinks most of the guys on this roster are poor at executing the basics and lack good decision making? I've been hammering the players for years about inaccurate passes that are neither quick nor on the tape.

I have said for 5-7 years now this team is the worst’s at clearing the D-zone that’s a combination of poor decisions making inaccurate passes and lack of speed this result in loss offensive opportunities and having to work harder to recover pucks and puts you on defense now. The fans are always willing to give their team the benefit of the doubt. But if you’re being honest the Islanders compared to the last 4 teams in the CF no comparison not even close, and that’s the bar, you want you team too be a contender knocking on the door year after year.

 

[doublechili]

Retool is the way to go. This year I believe will still be an evaluation year. Won’t be major changes. Lees contract his up after. Then I think we can see bigger changes next off season. I have faith in Darche to do this the right way.

Thanks for posting that. It was probably just the translator, but I had to laugh that it came out as him not wanting to do a "reconstruction" (as if we need another word for it!). But he did say there are too many good pieces on the team to try to go for the #1 pick (ie., tank). So he's a "retool" guy, at least for now. And this finally provides an accurate list of the "good pieces" that he mentioned: Barzel, Horvat, Pageau, Romanov, Dobson, Pelech, Pulock and Sorokin, "this is not a team that will finish in last place". I'm not taking that as gospel that he wouldn't move any of those guys, and maybe he watches video and changes his mind to some extent. Remember that his most vivid memories of Pelech and Pulock are probably from a few years ago when we played TBL twice in the playoffs.

He acknowledged talking to Lou and listening to what he had to say, but he also said he's not Lou and will do things differently. You have to take that with a grain of salt since he's going to say nice things about the guy he replaces, especially if it's a legendary/experienced guy like Lou. But he did say he spoke with Lou for probably a few hours. He said he will rely heavily on Chris Lamoriello. Just kidding.

 

[Islander Class]

Serious red flag if Darche had not spoken to Lou IMHO. Both b/c he's run the team soup to nuts the last 7 years, and any time a HOF, 3 x SC Champion, 2 x GM of the Year Winner is willing to let you pick his brain for a few hours... you do it.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Serious red flag if Darche had not spoken to Lou IMHO. Both b/c he's run the team soup to nuts the last 7 years, and any time a HOF, 3 x SC Champion, 2 x GM of the Year Winner is willing to let you pick his brain for a few hours... you do it.

Only the most naive of fans would think he shouldn't. Of course he is going to. And saying he's not Lou is the same as saying he's not Brisebois. It's a normal answer. He's just doing all the information gathering he can and then he'll do his thing. What that is....well that's the fun part!

 

[BelovedIsles]

Just…everybody… please, as I said in the Darche thread, we need to keep perif happy. I nominate him/her for some HF merit. Call it message board nepotism, call it what you will.

 

[Sparksrus3]

bummer because i thought he was a fine 3rd pair guy

I had him more of a 4th pair guy

 

[leeroggy]

Just…everybody… please, as I said in the Darche thread, we need to keep perif happy. I nominate him/her for some HF merit. Call it message board nepotism, call it what you will.

If Perif is the son of the HF founder, that puts a whole different spin on things!

 

[Konk]

If Perif is the son of the HF founder, that puts a whole different spin on things!

Considering the Taylor brothers were porn moguls, it sure does!

 

[leeroggy]

Considering the Taylor brothers were porn moguls, it sure does!

Come clean Perif! Are you a Porn Jr?

I'll take your word, no video evidence please!

 

[Strummergas]

If Perif is the son of the HF founder, that puts a whole different spin on things!

I find in real life, the people who are the most morally outraged over something are that way to cover up the fact that they themselves engage in the same behavior.

---

 

[leeroggy]

I find in real life, the people who are the most morally outraged over something are that way to cover up the fact that they themselves engage in the same behavior.

---

Hmmm
Perif is Jim Bakker?
A modern Ray Finkle?

 

[Strummergas]

Hmmm
Perif is Jim Bakker?
A modern Ray Finkle?

There you go.

 

[BelovedIsles]

If Perif is the son of the HF founder, that puts a whole different spin on things!

One can never know…

 

[CupHolders]

Not defending Dobson as the player he IS.

His defense is clearly lacking.

But Dobson as a junior player WAS the minute eating defensive back-bone of two Memorial Cup champions.

His offensive play was considered helpful, but uncertain that it could translate to the NHL.

Now here we are, a complete flip where both offensive and defensive abilities have gone in opposite directions.

Honestly, I can’t think of any comparable player with similar trajectories in both abilities from junior to NHL.

 

[Konk]

Not defending Dobson as the player he IS.

His defense is clearly lacking.

But Dobson as a junior player WAS the minute eating defensive back-bone of two Memorial Cup champions.

His offensive play was considered helpful, but uncertain that it could translate to the NHL.

Now here we are, a complete flip where both offensive and defensive abilities have gone in opposite directions.

Honestly, I can’t think of any comparable player with similar trajectories in both abilities from junior to NHL.

I watched Dobson in the Q and he played the exact same game with the exact same strengths and weaknesses. He was never a defensive stalwart and was the same offensive defenseman he is now.

The only saving grace for him in the Q was that it wasn’t very physical so he didn't fold under pressure as much, however, he was always soft in his own zone.

That said, I loved him as a prospect and always thought he could improve that part of his game. Unfortunately, he hasn't.

 

[periferal]

It may well be true, but using Pagnotta to confirm something Strickland posted is kind of like having your 98 year old grandpa confirm something your drunk uncle said.

I understand that Pagnotta feels like he's on the fringe of the bigger media outlets, but when has he ever reported something that isn't true?

 

[periferal]

Serious red flag if Darche had not spoken to Lou IMHO. Both b/c he's run the team soup to nuts the last 7 years, and any time a HOF, 3 x SC Champion, 2 x GM of the Year Winner is willing to let you pick his brain for a few hours... you do it.

Whatever. So if you if a new GM of any NHL team doesn't consult his predecessor you can't win a Cup? If there's any reason to "consult" Lou is so you know to do the opposite. However I'm going to give Darche a lot more credit that he's plenty smart, plenty experienced, and will figure out whatever he needs to.

 

[SRBisles]

I understand that Pagnotta feels like he's on the fringe of the bigger media outlets, but when has he ever reported something that isn't true?

“The Kadri contract is in the drawer”

 

[SI]

Serious red flag if Darche had not spoken to Lou IMHO. Both b/c he's run the team soup to nuts the last 7 years, and any time a HOF, 3 x SC Champion, 2 x GM of the Year Winner is willing to let you pick his brain for a few hours... you do it.

Why does this matter?
Move on - Lou is no longer GM.

 

[seafoam]

Guys, Darche is way too smart to keep Chris friggen' Lamoriello of all people in a significant capacity.

He may be under contract but he's not going to do shit, I mean just look at his resume vs. how much Darche prioritized AHL success in his opening interview.

You all need to step back from the ledge (unless you are addicted to being on the ledge).

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I have said for 5-7 years now this team is the worst’s at clearing the D-zone that’s a combination of poor decisions making inaccurate passes and lack of speed this result in loss offensive opportunities and having to work harder to recover pucks and puts you on defense now. The fans are always willing to give their team the benefit of the doubt. But if you’re being honest the Islanders compared to the last 4 teams in the CF no comparison not even close, and that’s the bar, you want you team too be a contender knocking on the door year after year.

I thought this was the key area that immediately got a bit better when DeAngelo was picked up.

It's actually the No. 1 reason I want them making sure he's in an Islander uniform again next season.

Because fantasize as we might, we've currently got the same doggone blueline crew going into next save for some big trade of RFAs Dobson or Romanov.

It's also a key reason why Darche being able to move any of Pulock, Pelech, or Mayfield out in a deal that allows him to angle in a more PMD style player would immediately have him in my very good fan graces.

 

[SI]

I think Buffalo would do JPP for Pulock but would Pulock waive his NTC to go to Buffalo.

 

[NC 1972]

I think Buffalo would do JPP for Pulock but would Pulock waive his NTC to go to Buffalo.

No one waives to go to Buffalo.