Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2025-26: Welcome to the Darche Side

[SI]

I’ll say it’s the Isles. Leak it to the Canadian media, but not the mouthpieces - but a quieter place like OTT with a well respected long time NHL reporter. Let it slow burn behind the Larkin mess.

In Darche’s first season, Barzal took a nap and missed a game and it was noted it was not the first time, long stretches of disappearing, ran the worst PP (again) with different coaches, plays like absolute crap post-3 week vacation, makes the ‘turnover’ that kinda is the one that starts the swoon, team is gonna miss the playoffs (and does), kinda plays meh for DeBoer to close out season. Goes to WC - you just embarrassed your team by playing like crap after the Olympics to lose out the season, but Canada actually called him so he goes - and gets injured.

Something indicates the new management aint impressed and with Schaefer stealing the media limelight all season, Barzal’s annoinment as the face of the team, is no longer needed on that front either.

This is not true.

 

[SI]

Shifting gears to Pelech - with George and Aitcheson as potential replacements - Aitcheson in a season or two... also with Pelech's season, his value could not be any higher, and I wonder if a return similar to Hamonic's return could be something we see.

I still think a deal with the Sharks around the 20th pick overall, maybe something like
Pelech for San Jose 20th OA and Colorado 2nd.

This now gives the Islanders 2 picks in the top 20 and 3 in the top 60... it also clears 5m.

 

[saintunspecified]

In a heartbeat.

Foolish

 

[Throttle]

This is not true.

Feel to look it up. Sadly, even if it wasn’t, there’s a pretty high mountain of stuff there where a new GM might be losing his patience in year 1 with the player.

And…he was also benched several times through the season by Roy. And it ain’t a Roy problem, goes back to Trotz’s days too.

Kinda speaks to why he is one of the few highest paid players in the game on his draft team that doesn’t wear a letter.

 

[Rehabguy]

And Lou invested in Barzal to be that player and he never provided the return.

Schaefer in smoked him in one season.

Barzal smoked all rookie players his full season in the NHL as well and when unleashed continues to do so.

Those years under Trotz really screwed this guys perceived worth. If he was allowed to have 10 straight 80 point seasons I don’t think we would even be having this conversation.

 

[Rehabguy]

I have a feeling Darche is going to do something really stupid like trading Barzal for a “Winner” like 39 year old Kopitar.

 

[Rehabguy]

This is Barzal’s first real shot at having young talented players around him better- Eiserman and Schaefer. I say see how it goes and if doesn’t pan out then consider trades. The more I think about it the more I believe how foolish it would be to trade Barzal now.

 

[periferal]

What if it was Pelech, Engvall, Mayfield?

At best Nurse is just as "good" as as Mayfield at actually playing defense...And you could argue worse. Also on the offensively strong Oilers Nurse only had 9 more points than Mayfield.

And for all that Nurse makes 6 million more a season than Mayfield. And Nurse's attitude kinda stinks.

I can't believe it, but you've come up with a way for me to want to keep Mayfield. So I'm certainly not adding Pelech on top of that.

 

[scott99]

My fear is Darche would do something stupid like Barzal & 13 overall to St Louis for Kyrou.

 

[SI]

Feel to look it up. Sadly, even if it wasn’t, there’s a pretty high mountain of stuff there where a new GM might be losing his patience in year 1 with the player.

And…he was also benched several times through the season by Roy. And it ain’t a Roy problem, goes back to Trotz’s days too.

Kinda speaks to why he is one of the few highest paid players in the game on his draft team that doesn’t wear a letter.

This is all untrue. You're speculating
All players should be held accountable - whether on the ice or off- which was no different than what happened with Brayden Point.
Barzal had more shifts and more TOI than any other F on the team.
The no letter could also speak to the level of veteran character guys in the room more than anything else.

When the dust settles, Barzal will not be moved.

 

[Kasparaitis]

If someone is available in the draft when St. Louis' turn comes and the Islanders don't think that prospect (who they really want) will be there at #13, do the Islanders consider:

Barzal, #13 and DuClair for Kyrou, #11 and a second round pick?

I've seen some wild takes on this proposal. First, it's not Barzal for Kyrou without other pieces. Two, the pick swap in my scenario isn't nothing. If you feel strongly about a player available at 11 (Rudolph, e.g.) that you feel won't be there at 13 and you aren't fully convinced by anyone in the pool available at 13, you are willing to pay to move up. So the second part of the trade tips in the Isles favor. This kind of thing happens a lot. Third, a second round pick for DuClair is definitely a big Isles advantage. Four, I'm not the only one who would do Barzal straight up for Kyrou. The other two pieces make it a Islanders plus in my mind.

 

[periferal]

My fear is Darche would do something stupid like Barzal & 13 overall to St Louis for Kyrou.

Yup. Given who can potentially be there at #13, I'd say #13 plus almost anything for Kyrou would stink. If Isles fans would develop some patience there's reason to believe that the player taken at #13 could be more valuable than Kyrou in a few years (and much closer to Schaefer in age).

I envy teams that can trust their GM.

 

[SI]

My fear is Darche would do something stupid like Barzal & 13 overall to St Louis for Kyrou.

Barzal has more value than Kyrou.
Any move for Kyrou will NOT be at the expense of Barzal.

If there were a Barzal trade, then it would be a hockey trade, i.e. Barzal for Larkin.
When everything settles Barzal will not be traded.

And with all this talk about it being a heavy trade offseason overall - which is wishful thinking from the Hockey media - most likely it will be a very boring offseason.

 

[WangMustGo]

Yup. Given who can potentially be there at #13, I'd say #13 plus almost anything for Kyrou would stink. If Isles fans would develop some patience there's reason to believe that the player taken at #13 could be more valuable than Kyrou in a few years (and much closer to Schaefer in age).

I envy teams that can trust their GM.

Kyrou is a good player but does nothing for us. I’d pass. Keep the assets. Move Barzal and Pelech for picks/prospects.

 

[periferal]

Barzal has more value than Kyrou.
Any move for Kyrou will NOT be at the expense of Barzal.

If there were a Barzal trade, then it would be a hockey trade, i.e. Barzal for Larkin.
When everything settles Barzal will not be traded.

And with all this talk about it being a heavy trade offseason overall - which is wishful thinking from the Hockey media - most likely it will be a very boring offseason.

How can Malkin, Collins, or Darche justify a "boring offseason?" A "boring offseason" is just a synonym for "run it back."

LIterally the Isles should go "all in" and trade futures for more talented vets...Or go "all out" and trade any/all vets for futures to build around Schaefer.

The one thing the the Isles should NOT to is keep things the same.

If LouDarche does nothing notable this offseason then how can they sell that to the fans when those Isles ticket agents call/email you all summer...?

"Hey - This Fall come watch the exact same group of players you've known for years miss the playoffs once again in 26-27."

If no changes are made then WTF are we even doing around here? If nothing happens Malkin might as well transition Lou from advisor back to GM so that way we all know we should have no hope.

 

[MJF]

I've seen some wild takes on this proposal. First, it's not Barzal for Kyrou without other pieces. Two, the pick swap in my scenario isn't nothing. If you feel strongly about a player available at 11 (Rudolph, e.g.) that you feel won't be there at 13 and you aren't fully convinced by anyone in the pool available at 13, you are willing to pay to move up. So the second part of the trade tips in the Isles favor. This kind of thing happens a lot. Third, a second round pick for DuClair is definitely a big Isles advantage. Four, I'm not the only one who would do Barzal straight up for Kyrou. The other two pieces make it a Islanders plus in my mind.

When anyone mentions trading Barzal the Greek Chorus gets their hackles up and the freakout begins.

 

[beach]

If you look at who the Isles interviewed, you get the impression that they're considering trading up to positions 5-8.

 

[SI]

How can Malkin, Collins, or Darche justify a "boring offseason?" A "boring offseason" is just a synonym for "run it back."

LIterally the Isles should go "all in" and trade futures for more talented vets...Or go "all out" and trade any/all vets for futures to build around Schaefer.

The one thing the the Isles should NOT to is keep things the same.

If LouDarche does nothing notable this offseason then how can they sell that to the fans when those Isles ticket agents call/email you all summer...?

"Hey - This Fall come watch the exact same group of players you've known for years miss the playoffs once again in 26-27."

If no changes are made then WTF are we even doing around here? If nothing happens Malkin might as well transition Lou from advisor back to GM so that way we all know we should have no hope.

Stop being so reactionary, boring offseason league-wide - Free agency class is weak, cap has grown so teams can re-up their talent, and in my opinion, there will not be much movement in general. I even doubt Larkin gets moved in the end.

If nothing is done, then they will push the narrative of youth - EKlund, Ritchie, and Schaefer, healthy returning players, a new coach, and TDL acquisition. That is the reality of how the team is built.

In my opinion, the Isles move out Duclair in a cap-clearing move, select BPA at 13, sign 1 key free agent, and do something around backup goalie - not sure they can trust Varly after not having played in 2 seasons.

Not what I would do - I would start with trying to leverage Pelech's value right now and move him, but I don't think they do that.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I’m still waiting for someone to explain how trading Barzal for futures wouldn’t warrant also trading guys like Horvat, Sorokin, Pelech, and Pulock.

It would be about making the decision that winning will not happen WITH Barzal, yet that he's the singlemost valuable, asset-bringing player in the organization.

So, you make use of that opportunity while its there.

And a GM could do so without thinking his team has to be less competitive the next season. Ipso facto, the GM can still take steps towards competitiveness as soon as next season without Barzal.

Moving Barzal does not have to equate with "throwing in the towel".

We live in an age of re-tooling on the fly.

 

[Throttle]

Barzal smoked all rookie players his full season in the NHL as well and when unleashed continues to do so.

Those years under Trotz really screwed this guys perceived worth. If he was allowed to have 10 straight 80 point seasons I don’t think we would even be having this conversation.

The old he was ruined argument. Trotz was so draconian the TEAM went to B2B ECF - but once he left in favor of ‘unleashed’ it’s been unleashed alright…to annual lotto land, back to where ‘smoke’ has his best year and the team finished with the worst defense in the league. Honorable.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

My fear is Darche would do something stupid like Barzal & 13 overall to St Louis for Kyrou.

I agree, that deal would be incredibly stupid and I would lose all faith in Darche moving forward.

 

[Chockey22]

I agree, that deal would be incredibly stupid and I would lose all faith in Darche moving forward.

I've been hard on Darche for his moves so far, but I don't think he's that incompetent. I don't even think Milbury was that incompetent. Well, maybe he was....

 

[I am the Problem]

If you look at who the Isles interviewed, you get the impression that they're considering trading up to positions 5-8.

It would have been nice to have that extra 1st round pick to do so.

 

[Rehabguy]

The old he was ruined argument. Trotz was so draconian the TEAM went to B2B ECF - but once he left in favor of ‘unleashed’ it’s been unleashed alright…to annual lotto land, back to where ‘smoke’ has his best year and the team finished with the worst defense in the league. Honorable.

The too old to compete roster is the problem. I think we all agree about that. Look at Carolina. That should be the model team.

 

[Throttle]

Barzal has more value than Kyrou.

I’d love to read this rationale. A 3x 30G scorer, 2x 35G+ making $8.1M with a full NTC is worth less.