Lotta talk about JT leaving and i don’t see that happening. Everything points to him staying

As for the defense, Mayfield, Pelech and Hickey should all be 7th d men.....maybe a 6th.
- kindlyrick

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...h-the-islanders-1.1109064

Absolutely. Earn is the key word there. I really can't wait to see who the coach will be. Lou should be naming someone any day now. Between that and the draft coming up where we know he won't be pulling a Garth and doing nada, I'm pumped.
- Mancalledsting

The days of Isles forwards not playing D have to end. You cannot just have both dmen playing D and the forwards are looking around scratching their heads. Should be fun times for a change for Isles fans.

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200/mcguire-i-don-t-see-why-tavares-would-re-sign-with-the-islanders-1.1109064
- Joey1724

Yeah I mean you can make a case for both sides, and under the previous situation I would agree with Pierre McGuire about 91 leaving. However, I think the agents run the league, and i dont think its a coincidence that Lou Lamoriello was brought in, and then two weeks later he cleaned house. I think once they name a coach that will shed a little more light going forward with 91 (my opinion). We know Lou met with Tavares personally, and im sure Brisson and Lou have been in talks as to what this team needs to do to keep 91. If those talks didnt go well, Im sure you'd be hearing the rumors of tavares being traded. If 91 flat out said no, they would get whatever they could for his rights. Barring an absolutely cant say no ridiculous offer, I just dont see him leaving.

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200/mcguire-i-don-t-see-why-tavares-would-re-sign-with-the-islanders-1.1109064
- Joey1724

Let me guess Pierre thinks JT should sign with the Pens? If Garth and Doug were still in charge, it makes sense for JT to want to leave. Isles have a lot going for them with Lou in charge and not to mention having a young star in Barzal and other good pieces like Lee, Beau, Pulock and JT buddy Bailey.

https://www.sny.tv/island...ce-by-next-week/280752300

Love how quickly Lou is moving. This is very new for Isles fans.

Yeah I mean you can make a case for both sides, and under the previous situation I would agree with Pierre McGuire about 91 leaving. However, I think the agents run the league, and i dont think its a coincidence that Lou Lamoriello was brought in, and then two weeks later he cleaned house. I think once they name a coach that will shed a little more light going forward with 91 (my opinion). We know Lou met with Tavares personally, and im sure Brisson and Lou have been in talks as to what this team needs to do to keep 91. If those talks didnt go well, Im sure you'd be hearing the rumors of tavares being traded. If 91 flat out said no, they would get whatever they could for his rights. Barring an absolutely cant say no ridiculous offer, I just dont see him leaving.
- kindlyrick

i agree with you. At least we have some stability in the front office with Lou. The guy doesn't mess around as you can tell.

Lotta talk about JT leaving and i don’t see that happening. Everything points to him staying

As for the defense, Mayfield, Pelech and Hickey should all be 7th d men.....maybe a 6th.
- kindlyrick

What are any of the things you see that are pointing to him staying?

XxNYIxX

What are any of the things you see that are pointing to him staying?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

1. Publicly stating he likes it here
2. The new Arena approval
3. The hiring of Lou Lam
4. The firing of Snow, Weight and coaching staff
5. The isles having the advantage of the extra (8th year)
6. Lou talking with Tavares himself and his agent a month ago, and no talk of trading his rights.

i agree with you. At least we have some stability in the front office with Lou. The guy doesn't mess around as you can tell.
- Joey1724

Which is why I felt if Lou didnt love the convo he had with both JT and his agent, im fairly certain he'd have moved 91 for whatever he could and move on. If 91 privately wasnt making it seem like he was saying, it wouldnt make sense to take him to July 1 and risk losing him for nothing.

What are any of the things you see that are pointing to him staying?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I'm not quite as confident as Rick, but everything that was wrong with the team has either been fixed or is about to be fixed. Dysfunctional front office has been purged. Dysfunctional head coach has been purged. Arena situation has been rectified, although this is quite obviously not a quick-fix. Lou is quite obviously intent on acquiring a competent, qualified young starting goalie and other pieces as well.

Tavares can't sit around and wait for UFA signings, unless he's willing to forfeit the 8th year on his deal, so that's about the only thing he will be unsure of heading into the negotiating window between the end of the draft and July 1st.

I'm not quite as confident as Rick, but everything that was wrong with the team has either been fixed or is about to be fixed. Dysfunctional front office has been purged. Dysfunctional head coach has been purged. Arena situation has been rectified, although this is quite obviously not a quick-fix. Lou is quite obviously intent on acquiring a competent, qualified young starting goalie and other pieces as well.

Tavares can't sit around and wait for UFA signings, unless he's willing to forfeit the 8th year on his deal, so that's about the only thing he will be unsure of heading into the negotiating window between the end of the draft and July 1st.
- eichiefs9

The thing that makes me the most confident other than the obvious of Lou Lam and everything he's done, is the fact that he's still here. I dont think Lou would be sitting on him if their convos didnt go well. Lou doesn't strike me as the pass and pray kinda guy....
To me, the only reason he's going to July 1, is to see if someone gets crazy and offers him retarded money. Possible, but unlikely in a cap era

The thing that makes me the most confident other than the obvious of Lou Lam and everything he's done, is the fact that he's still here. I dont think Lou would be sitting on him if their convos didnt go well. Lou doesn't strike me as the pass and pray kinda guy....
To me, the only reason he's going to July 1, is to see if someone gets crazy and offers him retarded money. Possible, but unlikely in a cap era
- kindlyrick

I don't disagree with that logic, but I also feel that if this were entirely indicative that he was planning on staying then more of the talking heads would be discussing it. The lack of confidence from anyone outside Islanders-country is a little disconcerting. That doesn't mean I don't think he stays, I do, but I just don't have the same level of confidence that you do.

A legit goalie and a real staff with a real system would do wonders. I mean look at Vegas and their D. Not saying they don't need help on D but I also believe the poor goalie play and whatever terrible system Weight had them playing was more of a hinder then anything. Look at the Devils as well. Another team with solid goaltending and a bunch of nobody's on D. It can be done and it starts in Net and Coaching
- Vukota

Yeah, that's a fair point, which is why I said the top priority was hiring a competent coach. Any system that results in cutting back on the SOG has to be a big help to any goalie. I'd still love to find a couple of young top 4 d-men, but maybe, like you said, a better coach can turn around some of the existing d-men. I'm still not sure what happened to Leddy this season.

The thing that makes me the most confident other than the obvious of Lou Lam and everything he's done, is the fact that he's still here. I dont think Lou would be sitting on him if their convos didnt go well. Lou doesn't strike me as the pass and pray kinda guy....
To me, the only reason he's going to July 1, is to see if someone gets crazy and offers him retarded money. Possible, but unlikely in a cap era
- kindlyrick

I am less confident that JT stays. The fact that Lou hasn't traded him yet means very little. All JT's rights would likely get you is a 4th rounder.......or maybe a 3rd rounder, if a GM was really confident he could sign JT. If JT is continuing his non-committal ways, Lou may simply figure it's better to risk losing him for nothing, because there's still a 50-50 shot he re-signs with the Isles.

Yeah, that's a fair point, which is why I said the top priority was hiring a competent coach. Any system that results in cutting back on the SOG has to be a big help to any goalie. I'd still love to find a couple of young top 4 d-men, but maybe, like you said, a better coach can turn around some of the existing d-men. I'm still not sure what happened to Leddy this season.
- JohnScammo

Injuries happened and Leddy got grossly-overused. They ran him ragged. de Haan missed more than half the season, Boychuk was out for awhile. They forced Leddy to play big time PP minutes, and some PK minutes, as well as running him into the ground at ES. He averaged over 2 minutes more per game than anyone else on the Islanders.

Leddy is a really good defenseman and I'm sure with some help on the blueline they can reduce his ice time a bit and use him like the 2/3 defender he is, rather than like a #1 guy.

Injuries happened and Leddy got grossly-overused. They ran him ragged. de Haan missed more than half the season, Boychuk was out for awhile. They forced Leddy to play big time PP minutes, and some PK minutes, as well as running him into the ground at ES. He averaged over 2 minutes more per game than anyone else on the Islanders.

Leddy is a really good defenseman and I'm sure with some help on the blueline they can reduce his ice time a bit and use him like the 2/3 defender he is, rather than like a #1 guy.
- eichiefs9

That's reasonable that he was overused and possibly injured, but, if Leddy is our 2/3, who's our 1 and/or 2?

I don't disagree with that logic, but I also feel that if this were entirely indicative that he was planning on staying then more of the talking heads would be discussing it. The lack of confidence from anyone outside Islanders-country is a little disconcerting. That doesn't mean I don't think he stays, I do, but I just don't have the same level of confidence that you do.
- eichiefs9

I think the people like the Pierre McGuires of the world are talking about the Snow isles. As I said, if after Lou met with JT, and after speaking with his agent he didnt get a good feel, I dont think he'd be sitting on his biggest asset, waiting to lose his biggest asset. I just feel based on how Lou does things, seeing 91 still Islander property is a good sign. Call me a glass half full guy...

I don't disagree with that logic, but I also feel that if this were entirely indicative that he was planning on staying then more of the talking heads would be discussing it. The lack of confidence from anyone outside Islanders-country is a little disconcerting. That doesn't mean I don't think he stays, I do, but I just don't have the same level of confidence that you do.
- eichiefs9

True Chiefs, however I think it's very similar to the feeling most had about Stamkos who eventually signed with Tampa. That said The Islanders are certainly not Tampa as far as a Cup contending team, however I think its all about getting JT the most $$$ out of The Islanders for the 8 years. I know he wants to win but $$ is important as well.

For me before Lou 30% / 70% he stays after Lou L 70% / 30% he stays.

Fingers crossed, oh wait that doesn't apply anymore

I am less confident that JT stays. The fact that Lou hasn't traded him yet means very little. All JT's rights would likely get you is a 4th rounder.......or maybe a 3rd rounder, if a GM was really confident he could sign JT. If JT is continuing his non-committal ways, Lou may simply figure it's better to risk losing him for nothing, because there's still a 50-50 shot he re-signs with the Isles.
- JohnScammo

I couldnt disagree with this statement more. You're talking about a top 5 guy in the league. EVERY team in the league is gonna look to sign him. His rights alone and the right to sign him, will absolutely be worth trading him if he in fact was not giving a good indication of staying.

50-50 risk of losing him is a terrible play.........thats a Garth Snow play. There had to be positive conversations for him to still be here.

That's reasonable that he was overused and possibly injured, but, if Leddy is our 2/3, who's our 1 and/or 2?
- JohnScammo

I don't mean he's "our" 2nd or 3rd best defenseman. He's our best, easily.

I mean in the grand scheme of things, Leddy probably tops out as a #2 defenseman with a floor of being a really good #3. They were using him to fill a role that we don't have filled and I think that is a large part of why he had such a putrid season. Some defensive help and softer minutes will probably yield much better results for him.

True Chiefs, however I think it's very similar to the feeling most had about Stamkos who eventually signed with Tampa. That said The Islanders are certainly not Tampa as far as a Cup contending team, however I think its all about getting JT the most $$$ out of The Islanders for the 8 years. I know he wants to win but $$ is important as well.

For me before Lou 30% / 70% he stays after Lou L 70% / 30% he stays.

Fingers crossed, oh wait that doesn't apply anymore
- nyisles7

Agreed with Bold:
I dont think they brought Lou Lam here because of the Snow must Go Billboards. This was a calculated move by ownership to retain their franchise player.

I think the people like the Pierre McGuires of the world are talking about the Snow isles. As I said, if after Lou met with JT, and after speaking with his agent he didnt get a good feel, I dont think he'd be sitting on his biggest asset, waiting to lose his biggest asset. I just feel based on how Lou does things, seeing 91 still Islander property is a good sign. Call me a glass half full guy...
- kindlyrick

Yeah I'm not saying it's a crazy thought by any means. Just that I'm not as confident as you are.

Yeah I'm not saying it's a crazy thought by any means. Just that I'm not as confident as you are.
- eichiefs9

I mean im confident in death and taxes.......but i def agree that after Lou being brought in the potential to sign 91 went from back of the bus, to front runner.

At the end of the day money talks.......so as i mentioned before, barring any league leading offer (which would be foolish), i think he stays.

Purchased my season tickets today. Spent $1,100 for the 12 games at Nassau and 3 weekend games in BK and $400 for the remaining 27 games in BK

Yeah, that's a fair point, which is why I said the top priority was hiring a competent coach. Any system that results in cutting back on the SOG has to be a big help to any goalie. I'd still love to find a couple of young top 4 d-men, but maybe, like you said, a better coach can turn around some of the existing d-men. I'm still not sure what happened to Leddy this season.
- JohnScammo

100%. the defensive scheme/system the Islanders used was a joke. I'm sure who ever Lou brings in will have a unit of 5 defense first focus. The Islanders will be able to score with the talent they have in the top 6 ( With JT staying of course ). I liken it to The Caps when Trots was hired. They were all offense and he came in and changed it around and the team bought into it.