Hey, if he can come over here and put up 30-30-60, I'd be thrilled. Seriously.

We don't need, and shouldn't expect, the guy to be a 40/50 goal scorer. Just being a solid contributor would be great, assuming they don't sign him to some dopey overpriced deal.
- eichiefs9

That's the key right there.
With Lou in charge I feel a little better that it won't happen. With Garth running it he would have...wait...He wouldn't even have had a sniff at getting Kovy.

but like, andrew ladd, dude
- batteryjackson

Fire Ladd into the sun all you want, too.

That's the key right there.
With Lou in charge I feel a little better that it won't happen. With Garth running it he would have...wait...He wouldn't even have had a sniff at getting Kovy.
- Isleshockeyman

I don't know, Lou signed him to a pretty dopey deal in NJ.

But yeah, I have a lot more faith in this team now than I did a few weeks ago. I'll see how everything plays out before I start worry about things.

Oh God. He has 2 good seasons and now it's not ok to make fun of him.
- Isleshockeyman

Phuck I would be thrilled at 30/30. don't think that will happen though. (Cueing IHM and or Upstate on a bet )

It will be interesting how this all plays out.

That's the key right there.
With Lou in charge I feel a little better that it won't happen. With Garth running it he would have...wait...He wouldn't even have had a sniff at getting Kovy.
- Isleshockeyman

https://www.tsn.ca/dreger...y-in-nhl-return-1.1100940

Kovalchuk is no longer under contract with the SKA Saint Petersburg and can openly negotiate and agree on terms with any NHL club, however, he can't sign a deal, officially, until July 1. It's believed he's hoping to land a two or three-year package, similar to the agreement signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, which averages $6.25 million per year

Phuck I would be thrilled at 30/30. don't think that will happen though. (Cueing IHM and or Upstate on a bet )

It will be interesting how this all plays out.
- nyisles7

Not bloody likely! I think I'm done wagering on Isles players. Thanks for curing my illness.

Phuck I would be thrilled at 30/30. don't think that will happen though. (Cueing IHM and or Upstate on a bet )

It will be interesting how this all plays out.
- nyisles7

I really think that his biggest potential benefit would be on the PP. He might have 50%+ of his points on the man-advantage. Don't need to worry about skating or defense if he's just hammering pucks from the dot

https://www.tsn.ca/dreger-report-kovalchuk-says-winning-the-priority-in-nhl-return-1.1100940

Kovalchuk is no longer under contract with the SKA Saint Petersburg and can openly negotiate and agree on terms with any NHL club, however, he can't sign a deal, officially, until July 1. It's believed he's hoping to land a two or three-year package, similar to the agreement signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, which averages $6.25 million per year
- eichiefs9

I think $6.25 per is a bit high for a 35 year old.

By the way, has anyone heard from Sparti? The Bailey talk got me thinking about that.

I think $6.25 per is a bit high for a 35 year old.
- Isleshockeyman

Meh, that's just his side's starting point. I'm sure the Islanders would be "looking to sign him to a two year deal with an approx. cap hit of $4M" but they'll end up somewhere in the middle.

I'd be comfortable at $5M AAV over 3 years.

From the same article:

I really think that his biggest potential benefit would be on the PP. He might have 50%+ of his points on the man-advantage. Don't need to worry about skating or defense if he's just hammering pucks from the dot
- eichiefs9

I agree with you !00%. That shot alone on the PP is worth it

I agree with you !00%. That shot alone on the PP is worth it
- kindlyrick

I really love the idea of adding him.

There are undoubtedly more pressing needs on the blueline and in goal, but that doesn't mean they can't add even more talent upfront.

I really love the idea of adding him.

There are undoubtedly more pressing needs on the blueline and in goal, but that doesn't mean they can't add even more talent upfront.
- eichiefs9

What I think it means is the isles are going to be trading a forward (Nelson or Lee or noth) and address said needs (D and goaltending). I can see the isles trading Lee in a package for a top tier dman, and then Lou signing JVR to replace him. I can also see Nelson going with a pick for a top end goaltender. Obviously the package end of things is anyones guess, but the most valuable assets the isles have that can be replaced are Lee and Nelson, with JVR and Kovulchuk

What I think it means is the isles are going to be trading a forward (Nelson or Lee or noth) and address said needs (D and goaltending). I can see the isles trading Lee in a package for a top tier dman, and then Lou signing JVR to replace him. I can also see Nelson going with a pick for a top end goaltender. Obviously the package end of things is anyones guess, but the most valuable assets the isles have that can be replaced are Lee and Nelson, with JVR and Kovulchuk
- kindlyrick

Too early to tell, but Staple was repeatedly-adamant in that Q&A yesterday that he's confident Nelson is going to be moved. I'm not so sure that Nelson + 1st get's us any sort of "top-tier" goaltender, but it may very well get someone young with a lot of potential that's been stuck behind a top-tier goalie. Maybe a Grubauer or Kinkaid, or someone like that.

While I'm certainly a proponent of trading Lee for a defenseman, I'm not so confident that it's actually going to happen. I don't think they're going to break up Tavares' line, given the uncertainty of what his decision will be.

I'd also steer way-clear of JvR and any other big-name UFA's. JvR is going to make some GM look like a real dummy if they sign him to a 7x7 deal, or something like that.

- nyisles7

If you ain't first, you're last

I really think that his biggest potential benefit would be on the PP. He might have 50%+ of his points on the man-advantage. Don't need to worry about skating or defense if he's just hammering pucks from the dot
- eichiefs9

100% agree.The more weapons the better.

The Caps have Kuch on the half wall and he has 2 options now in OV on the cross ice feed and Oshie in the slot. Hard to defend multiple weapons on the PK for sure.

Just has to be a good number and term for both.

If you ain't first, you're last
- Upstate_isles

STFU!

- eichiefs9

- Vukota

BTW, Don't know if you saw that BDG just tweeted breaking news that the Isles are speaking to Kovi for a return to the NHL. See what your missing

Too early to tell, but Staple was repeatedly-adamant in that Q&A yesterday that he's confident Nelson is going to be moved. I'm not so sure that Nelson + 1st get's us any sort of "top-tier" goaltender, but it may very well get someone young with a lot of potential that's been stuck behind a top-tier goalie. Maybe a Grubauer or Kinkaid, or someone like that.

While I'm certainly a proponent of trading Lee for a defenseman, I'm not so confident that it's actually going to happen. I don't think they're going to break up Tavares' line, given the uncertainty of what his decision will be.

I'd also steer way-clear of JvR and any other big-name UFA's. JvR is going to make some GM look like a real dummy if they sign him to a 7x7 deal, or something like that.
- eichiefs9

Maybe Nelson and a first doesnt get a top 5 goalie in the league. But theres certainly a multitude of possibilities that will be better with Snow at the helm. Personally, i'd be using Sorokin as trade bait as well...

As for Lee.......I think anyone who plays with JT is ultimately going to have padded numbers. We've seen it with every linemate he's had, from Moulson, Okposo, and the latest being Bailey. Lou is a crafty guy, as he was one of if not the first to start front loading contracts. Perhaps JVR isnt worth 7x7, but I can see Lou using the bonus' to achieve numbers. Either way, its an insert name here thing for me when referencing possibilities

BTW, Don't know if you saw that BDG just tweeted breaking news that the Isles are speaking to Kovi for a return to the NHL. See what your missing
- nyisles7

Maybe Nelson and a first doesnt get a top 5 goalie in the league. But theres certainly a multitude of possibilities that will be better with Snow at the helm. Personally, i'd be using Sorokin as trade bait as well...

As for Lee.......I think anyone who plays with JT is ultimately going to have padded numbers. We've seen it with every linemate he's had, from Moulson, Okposo, and the latest being Bailey. Lou is a crafty guy, as he was one of if not the first to start front loading contracts. Perhaps JVR isnt worth 7x7, but I can see Lou using the bonus' to achieve numbers. Either way, its an insert name here thing for me when referencing possibilities
- kindlyrick

Don't disagree at all that whoever rides shotgun with JT is going to see a big uptick in production, but truthfully...if I'm going to pay JvR $7MAAV...I'd rather just hang onto Lee and sign a UFA defenseman for $7M. Lee has no injury history, is a couple years younger, and is a homegrown guy.

But I hear you, I've soapboxed for the idea of trading Lee a few times in the past and I don't disagree with the concept in the slightest. But if they're bringing Kovalchuk in, I think that's your Lee-replacement. Kovalchuk would be their big-name FA signing. Can't pay him ~$5M and then pay JvR ~$7M, that's way too much money that we don't have.

STFU!
- nyisles7

smd!

Don't disagree at all that whoever rides shotgun with JT is going to see a big uptick in production, but truthfully...if I'm going to pay JvR $7MAAV...I'd rather just hang onto Lee and sign a UFA defenseman for $7M. Lee has no injury history, is a couple years younger, and is a homegrown guy.

But I hear you, I've soapboxed for the idea of trading Lee a few times in the past and I don't disagree with the concept in the slightest. But if they're bringing Kovalchuk in, I think that's your Lee-replacement. Kovalchuk would be their big-name FA signing. Can't pay him ~$5M and then pay JvR ~$7M, that's way too much money that we don't have.
- eichiefs9

My suggestion was a trade involving Nelson, and Kovulchuk was his replacement in pt production. I guess it all really depends on cost and what a guy like JVR would get in pay. 7 per is too much, but if they can sign JVR and Kovulchuk to bonus laden contracts it could work. Im just happy to see some semblance of order happening, instead of the same old same old. The fact that Lou's presence makes the isles a destination spot really opens up a ton of possibilities. Aquiring assets without giving up anything is a major factor in wheeling and dealing.

The days of Chris Wagners, and Brandon Davidson are over...