Daley is aging. Schultz is entering his prime. That is why you would have to think about moving Daley to resign schultz. I think Schultz could step into the Daley role next year. I got no interest in trading Fleury for NHL players (besides a LW). That is what got the hawks in trouble. They traded sharp without just doing a salary dump for picks. Then they lost their 4D because they didn't have the cash to sign him. Schultz fits with us. I'd rather dump salary to sign him than get someone else back in a trade.
- sditulli

We are short on depth. Dumb to me to trade Daley unless you bring back a clown of him in a trade. Until DP proves he can play, I'm not ready to gift a spot to him in the top three D pair. I think you are and that is a mistake at this point. He doesn't deserve it.

Fleury isn't getting you a decent NHL player. He gets you a second rounder and a decent prospect.

We are short on depth. Dumb to me to trade Daley unless you bring back a clown of him in a trade. Until DP proves he can play, I'm not ready to gift a spot to him in the top three D pair. I think you are and that is a mistake at this point. He doesn't deserve it.

Fleury isn't getting you a decent NHL player. He gets you a second rounder and a decent prospect.
- Oneonta Penguin

2nd rounder and a decent prospect... pretty sure most of us are okay with that.

And no, very few of us are gifting DP a spot. He can compete for the bottom pairing, in the scenario of trading Daley, and keeping Schultz to become the mid pairing with Dumo.

2nd rounder and a decent prospect... pretty sure most of us are okay with that.

And no, very few of us are gifting DP a spot. He can compete for the bottom pairing, in the scenario of trading Daley, and keeping Schultz to become the mid pairing with Dumo.
- Guile

There certainly is a segment of posters here who want to gift him a spot in the top three D pairs because of this "potential" he has (sditulli screams as one example of this group. He thinks too highly of DP for him showing little). If he played in our top six right now, he would be greatly exposed. I don't trust him one bit as a third pair Dman at this point unless he works his ass off. I want to see him earn it instead of trading one of our most competent D men on the roster. He needs to work for it. No reason to deal Daley.

I think sditulli greatly overrates the value of Daley we get in return. What was the word ... outstanding or high? Unless you get a younger cheaper version of him back you don't trade him due to the risk in DP and there is huge risk at this point. Conventional wisdom says it would be dumping him to get cap room because he nets you a pick or a prospect/suspect, not someone who instantly makes any impact for next year.

Am I the only one enjoying some of the comments from Flyers, Rags, Isle fans? Those tears are delicious.

How come I never knew kessel had testicular cancer at 19. We have 2 cancer survivors on our team whom both got cancer at 19. Wow.

There certainly is a segment of posters here who want to gift him a spot in the top three D pairs because of this "potential" he has (sditulli screams as one example of this group. He thinks too highly of DP for him showing little). If he played in our top six right now, he would be greatly exposed. I don't trust him one bit as a third pair Dman at this point unless he works his ass off. I want to see him earn it instead of trading one of our most competent D men on the roster. He needs to work for it. No reason to deal Daley.

I think sditulli greatly overrates the value of Daley we get in return. What was the word ... outstanding or high? Unless you get a younger cheaper version of him back you don't trade him due to the risk in DP and there is huge risk at this point. Conventional wisdom says it would be dumping him to get cap room because he nets you a pick or a prospect/suspect, not someone who instantly makes any impact for next year.
- Oneonta Penguin

You can hate DP all you want... but if you don't consider trying him in the bottom pairing next season, you're a moron. Hes not a bust, hes inconsistent and still in development mostly. Next year, hes gotta sink or swim.

And Daley... got dumped twice this season, looked phenomenal here, but then injured... I think a 2nd for him is pretty reasonable at the draft.

You can hate DP all you want... but if you don't consider trying him in the bottom pairing next season, you're a moron. Hes not a bust, hes inconsistent and still in development mostly. Next year, hes gotta sink or swim.

And Daley... got dumped twice this season, looked phenomenal here, but then injured... I think a 2nd for him is pretty reasonable at the draft.
- Guile

We're gonna have to get the cap space from somewhere if the cap doesn't raise. Chicago built a dynasty off of winning cups and then evaluating who was expendable and not letting emotions or loyalty get in the way of hockey decisions. I trust management to make the right decisions this offseason. They've certainly won my trust

We're gonna have to get the cap space from somewhere if the cap doesn't raise. Chicago built a dynasty off of winning cups and then evaluating who was expendable and not letting emotions or loyalty get in the way of hockey decisions. I trust management to make the right decisions this offseason. They've certainly won my trust
- Victoro311

The more I think about it, I think MAF is the player that gets moved. If the Pens win the Cup with Murray, how can he not be your starter next year? You can't keep MAF at that salary as the backup.....and it's likely he'll ask out anyway.

There certainly is a segment of posters here who want to gift him a spot in the top three D pairs because of this "potential" he has (sditulli screams as one example of this group. He thinks too highly of DP for him showing little). If he played in our top six right now, he would be greatly exposed. I don't trust him one bit as a third pair Dman at this point unless he works his ass off. I want to see him earn it instead of trading one of our most competent D men on the roster. He needs to work for it. No reason to deal Daley.

I think sditulli greatly overrates the value of Daley we get in return. What was the word ... outstanding or high? Unless you get a younger cheaper version of him back you don't trade him due to the risk in DP and there is huge risk at this point. Conventional wisdom says it would be dumping him to get cap room because he nets you a pick or a prospect/suspect, not someone who instantly makes any impact for next year.
- Oneonta Penguin

You are building a lot of strawmen. When I was promoting Daley I was also promoting going into next season with Letang, Maata, dumoulin, Daley, cole, Schultz, pouliot as our defense. I wanted Sullivan to actually play pouliot significantly in the regular like 60 games and give other guys nights off to keep pouliot in the lineup and develop him. I have never once said hand him a full time 3rd pairing spot. I also haven't argued to play him in the playoffs. I think he's our 8th best dman right now.

For cap reasons I'm not sure we can resign Schultz so for cap casualty resigns that puts pouliot in as the 6th d (though I didn't even mention him in my prior post).
If the cap is flattish there's no fckn way we can find a better 7d than pouliot at his cap hit. I don't think we will have interest in lovejoy at his age and what I think teams are going to offer a cup winning dman. I think Schultz is going to be more expensive than we all hoped and it's going to take moving salary to retain him.

There's a saying you don't know what you have with a dman until he plays 300 nhl games. That might be high but pouliot has talent and the only way he becomes something is if you play him.

Tips reporting Ladd is interested as Kunitz replacement. Not sure I want to touch that guy as I prefer spending on Schultz. But our cap problems are going to be tougher than I expected.

I did expect fleury would have higher trade value, but two things are making me reconsider that. Tampa might be dumping bishop largely because of cap issues and vasilevsky looking ready. Which would make fleury the number 2 trade block vet goalie. And 2nd if the cap is flat a whole lot of teams need to clear some space. If bishop doesn't come on the block and the cap rises 3 then I still think we get a good return. Otherwise a 2nd round pick is fine as we need cap.

I'm here everyday and strictly pay for the ad removal. Especially when browsing from my phone.
- stowerkraut

I use Ad Block - no ads ... ever.

Did anyone see the Isles give Cizikis over 3 mil per for 5 years?! Keep em comin Garth!!!

If the cap is flat rutherford is going to have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Have to figure out what Schultz or lovejoy are going to take to resign. Then he has to figure out the trade market on potential cap casualties - fleury Kunitz and Daley if you have to. Then on to Cullen who we need back hopefully vet minimum....he's made a lot so if he wants to play next year I can't see him leaving for an extra million.

Blackhawks with the short window really made some bad decisions that hampered there run this year. I don't think we can count on finding as many in-season contributors for basically free next year. Have to start with a better base. We are not finding rust sheary Daley hagelin and Schultz quality assets next year.

You are building a lot of strawmen. When I was promoting Daley I was also promoting going into next season with Letang, Maata, dumoulin, Daley, cole, Schultz, pouliot as our defense. I wanted Sullivan to actually play pouliot significantly in the regular like 60 games and give other guys nights off to keep pouliot in the lineup and develop him. I have never once said hand him a full time 3rd pairing spot. I also haven't argued to play him in the playoffs. I think he's our 8th best dman right now.

For cap reasons I'm not sure we can resign Schultz so for cap casualty resigns that puts pouliot in as the 6th d (though I didn't even mention him in my prior post).
If the cap is flattish there's no fckn way we can find a better 7d than pouliot at his cap hit. I don't think we will have interest in lovejoy at his age and what I think teams are going to offer a cup winning dman. I think Schultz is going to be more expensive than we all hoped and it's going to take moving salary to retain him.

There's a saying you don't know what you have with a dman until he plays 300 nhl games. That might be high but pouliot has talent and the only way he becomes something is if you play him.

Tips reporting Ladd is interested as Kunitz replacement. Not sure I want to touch that guy as I prefer spending on Schultz. But our cap problems are going to be tougher than I expected.

I did expect fleury would have higher trade value, but two things are making me reconsider that. Tampa might be dumping bishop largely because of cap issues and vasilevsky looking ready. Which would make fleury the number 2 trade block vet goalie. And 2nd if the cap is flat a whole lot of teams need to clear some space. If bishop doesn't come on the block and the cap rises 3 then I still think we get a good return. Otherwise a 2nd round pick is fine as we need cap.
- sditulli

The fact that Sullivan doesn't play him should tell you something. He knows DP better than anyone. He coached him at Wilkes-Barre. He knows DP's game; knows his talent, but yet, doesn't have the confidence to play him. Why? He sees the flaws in his game? He sees the lack of extra work to get better based on rumors? That, my friend, is pretty darn telling, or it should be. DP has a lot to work on in the offseason. If the rumors are true with his work ethic by not putting forth the extra effort, that is another telling thing. He isn't a bust yet, but lets stop the foolishness on thinking he is a solution right now too. Agree to disagree. Hope he proves me wrong, but he seems far from a solution as it stands now.

Daley being dumped twice? He was in a legit deal for a decent player, Patrick Sharp. I would say he was dumped once.

Andrew Ladd being the replacement? I don't think you get him for Kunitz money. That should end that.

Fleury ... if Calgary is interested, ask for a third and Oliver Kylington in return. Nothing more. Kylington is a young D prospect. We have a shortage of D prospects, even though its all we drafted for years it seems. Unless the kid from Sweden we signed in April is ready or Andersson from WB-s is ready, we need another young talented kid. He is a smart two-way Dman prospect that is close to being NHL ready. Played one game in Calgary this year as a 19 year old. The unknown is how many goalies are going to be out there this offseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bishop being floated and Freddie Andersson. Both goalies would command bigger pieces going back to TB and Anaheim respectively and Calgary isn't the only place in need of a goalie.

If the cap is flat rutherford is going to have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Have to figure out what Schultz or lovejoy are going to take to resign. Then he has to figure out the trade market on potential cap casualties - fleury Kunitz and Daley if you have to. Then on to Cullen who we need back hopefully vet minimum....he's made a lot so if he wants to play next year I can't see him leaving for an extra million.

Blackhawks with the short window really made some bad decisions that hampered there run this year. I don't think we can count on finding as many in-season contributors for basically free next year. Have to start with a better base. We are not finding rust sheary Daley hagelin and Schultz quality assets next year.
- sditulli

Well lets face it, he is the reason this team is where it is right now. Every single move he made this year has been pure gold! Gold Jerry! To me there is a clear top 3 going in to next year on the D corps:

1. Letang
2. Daley
3. Dumoulin

After that it gets a little hazy due to the play of Maatta for negative reasons and the play of Schultz and Lovejoy for positive reasons. The stat grafs show that the bottom pairing players have succeeded sans Cole which to me is a clear indication that he should be the odd man out. In the forward group the clear move is Fehr, if we are looking to shed salary (in order to retain Schultz and Lovejoy)

4. Maatta
5. Lovejoy
6. Schultz
7. Pouliot

Did anyone see the Isles give Cizikis over 3 mil per for 5 years?! Keep em comin Garth!!!
- kfinl170

I don't see the rationale of this signing for that money and term. I think Cizikis is a good fourth line player for the Islanders. However, how can you give that amount to a fourth line checking guy who has never scored more than 10 in his career? Unless they forecast him as a potential third line guy, you have to question this.

The fact that Sullivan doesn't play him should tell you something. He knows DP better than anyone. He coached him at Wilkes-Barre. He knows DP's game; knows his talent, but yet, doesn't have the confidence to play him. Why? He sees the flaws in his game? He sees the lack of extra work to get better based on rumors? That, my friend, is pretty darn telling, or it should be. DP has a lot to work on in the offseason. If the rumors are true with his work ethic by not putting forth the extra effort, that is another telling thing. He isn't a bust yet, but lets stop the foolishness on thinking he is a solution right now too. Agree to disagree. Hope he proves me wrong, but he seems far from a solution as it stands now.

Daley being dumped twice? He was in a legit deal for a decent player, Patrick Sharp. I would say he was dumped once.

Andrew Ladd being the replacement? I don't think you get him for Kunitz money. That should end that.

Fleury ... if Calgary is interested, ask for a third and Oliver Kylington in return. Nothing more. Kylington is a young D prospect. We have a shortage of D prospects, even though its all we drafted for years it seems. Unless the kid from Sweden we signed in April is ready or Andersson from WB-s is ready, we need another young talented kid. He is a smart two-way Dman prospect that is close to being NHL ready. Played one game in Calgary this year as a 19 year old. The unknown is how many goalies are going to be out there this offseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bishop being floated and Freddie Andersson. Both goalies would command bigger pieces going back to TB and Anaheim respectively and Calgary isn't the only place in need of a goalie.
- Oneonta Penguin

You put words in my mouth that I do not speak. Since Sullivan has been the coach we have been in win now mode. I have not advocated playing pouliot in that situation. Next year if the team is as good as I think we should be able to give pouliot regular season minutes. He needs them to develop as a player. I tend to remember a kid by the name of drouin not getting minutes. Pouliot is a similar situation of needing some development time.

You put words in my mouth that I do not speak. Since Sullivan has been the coach we have been in win now mode. I have not advocated playing pouliot in that situation. Next year if the team is as good as I think we should be able to give pouliot regular season minutes. He needs them to develop as a player. I tend to remember a kid by the name of drouin not getting minutes. Pouliot is a similar situation of needing some development time.
- sditulli

Was it not you that said you wanted Sullivan to play him 60 games, or a ton to develop? If he brought more to the table than Sullivan thought he did, I would assume he would have played more than sparingly. Fact is, Sullivan doesn't seem to have the confidence in playing him for whatever reason(s). I'm sure there were time he could have played him, but passed. Next year could very well be different.

Please don't put DP in the same class as Drouin. I see what you are doing. One was one of the top players in his draft class and went where he should have, while the other was more a late round first round pick that Pittsburgh moved up to select him quite a bit sooner than he was expected to go. DP needs to develop and playing time is where you do. I agree with you on that. However, the kid needs to do the extra work to put himself in position. It doesn't seem like he did or is doing so based on the whispers out there. If he shows the proper work ethic, it may benefit him in the end.

Well lets face it, he is the reason this team is where it is right now. Every single move he made this year has been pure gold! Gold Jerry! To me there is a clear top 3 going in to next year on the D corps:

1. Letang
2. Daley
3. Dumoulin

After that it gets a little hazy due to the play of Maatta for negative reasons and the play of Schultz and Lovejoy for positive reasons. The stat grafs show that the bottom pairing players have succeeded sans Cole which to me is a clear indication that he should be the odd man out. In the forward group the clear move is Fehr, if we are looking to shed salary (in order to retain Schultz and Lovejoy)

4. Maatta
5. Lovejoy
6. Schultz
7. Pouliot
- Weisenheimer

I'm fine with those 7d. I only put Daley up as a trade candidate because he is older and only on a 1 year deal. If a situation presents itself of needing to trade Daley to create cap space and resigning Schultz as a potential replacement I would consider it. Schultz could be the Daley guy for this team for the next 5 years.

I think lovejoy is gone after this season. He's never had a big contract. If he can get one scuderi style deal this offseason as a Ufa then he's gone. I take my guesses at mkt value. He's getting a raise over his 1 million this year but I'm not sure how high. Atleast 1 of our 8 dmen are gone. I'd only put Letang and dumoulin as absolute locks to be here. Maata at 95%. Daley at 80%

I'm fine with those 7d. I only put Daley up as a trade candidate because he is older and only on a 1 year deal. If a situation presents itself of needing to trade Daley to create cap space and resigning Schultz as a potential replacement I would consider it. Schultz could be the Daley guy for this team for the next 5 years.

I think lovejoy is gone after this season. He's never had a big contract. If he can get one scuderi style deal this offseason as a Ufa then he's gone. I take my guesses at mkt value. He's getting a raise over his 1 million this year but I'm not sure how high. Atleast 1 of our 8 dmen are gone. I'd only put Letang and dumoulin as absolute locks to be here. Maata at 95%. Daley at 80%
- sditulli

I put lovejoy and Schultz signing elsewhere at maybe 50% each.

I put lovejoy and Schultz signing elsewhere at maybe 50% each.
- sditulli

You know what they say about people who respond to one of their previous posts, right?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ByZ05DmxCiU&sns=em


It's poor quality but worth checking out.

How come I never knew kessel had testicular cancer at 19. We have 2 cancer survivors on our team whom both got cancer at 19. Wow.
- pensfan024

Isn't this well known? Also isn't it why he looks fat? Something about it made him retain water weird or something? Idk I'm probably wrong for the 10000th time on here. Haha

Where did this idea that we have any intention of re-signing Lovejoy come from? He's as good as gone already. His play in the playoffs this year has easily doubled his current contract value & possibly tripled it (for a team that really needs a vet defenseman that has reasonable puck skills & mobility) if a team is desperate enough. He's already gone & any notions that anyone has on keeping him are a pipe dream unless he's an idiot & just really REALLY wants to play here, because we're not even remotely interested in him at his likely market value. He's a good teammate & a stabilizing influence on the bottom pairing. But that's it. He'd be much better off going to a team with a number of young defenseman that need someone to play a vet mentor role in the 4-6D range.

Great blog RW, I'm digging the new "less charts" approach.

Anyways, hey boys, ill be back in the states in august, I've been working on getting ready for a cycling event. Ive got a flyer if you wanna check it out for donations and a go fund me. Also, i don't know if I'm allowed to advertise on this site. So don't bane me, just tell me to stop lol. The event is MS150 city to shore.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ByZ05DmxCiU&sns=em


It's poor quality but worth checking out.
- Zac_O

thx for that one