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.
- eichiefs9

I think Leddy bounces back with better coaching and more help next season.

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.
- kindlyrick

I think after paying 500 Million for the team and believing it was on an upswing and then missing the pO's for the 2 first years of ownership certainly made L and M decide they needed to do something. That said don't discount the Billboards and also the Fans verbally telling ticket sales people, I'm not buying until garth's fired. The fans are the stock holders of the Franchise and without them there's no Team.

I think after paying 500 Million for the team and believing it was on an upswing and then missing the pO's for the 2 first years of ownership certainly made L and M decide they needed to do something. That said don't discount the Billboards and also the Fans verbally telling ticket sales people, I'm not buying until garth's fired. The fans are the stock holders of the Franchise and without them there's no Team.
- nyisles7

Billboards and fans telling sales people they are not buying had to be huge 7.

I think after paying 500 Million for the team and believing it was on an upswing and then missing the pO's for the 2 first years of ownership certainly made L and M decide they needed to do something. That said don't discount the Billboards and also the Fans verbally telling ticket sales people, I'm not buying until garth's fired. The fans are the stock holders of the Franchise and without them there's no Team.
- nyisles7

Im with you, but 91 being a UFA, this summer, and this being the summer they bring in Lou Lam is not a coincidence. I agree that the all mighty dollar is what matters, and a lot of fans werent buying tickets. BUT, if they can retain 91, and then build a winner in a new arena, they are going to see huge profits. It all starts with 91 staying here and i believe he does after seeing Lou Lam being brought in and everything he's done thus far.

Billboards and fans telling sales people they are not buying had to be huge 7.
- ses111

Results are huge Ses, however when the results aren't there and your fans are disenchanted, that will get attention as well, no doubt.
Your investing 1 billion on an arena, your Team better be good or the fans will come for 1 game to see the new digs and won't return.

I think after paying 500 Million for the team and believing it was on an upswing and then missing the pO's for the 2 first years of ownership certainly made L and M decide they needed to do something. That said don't discount the Billboards and also the Fans verbally telling ticket sales people, I'm not buying until garth's fired. The fans are the stock holders of the Franchise and without them there's no Team.
- nyisles7

In hindsight:i think whenever something affects bottom line (aka: ticket sales) it makes people upstairs blink. Oak View has opened their NYC office and will be working on the Isles marketing/business end... taking it away from Barclays. I think the ticket sales in lieu of such importance to Belmont in the near future really must have caused a coronary.

In hindsight:i think whenever something affects bottom line (aka: ticket sales) it makes people upstairs blink. Oak View has opened their NYC office and will be working on the Isles marketing/business end... taking it away from Barclays. I think the ticket sales in lieu of such importance to Belmont in the near future really must have caused a coronary.
- B.D. Gallof

Its a skewed bottom line as the isles have one foot out the door of barclays.

Results are huge Ses, however when the results aren't there and your fans are disenchanted, that will get attention as well, no doubt.
Your investing 1 billion on an arena, your Team better be good or the fans will come for 1 game to see the new digs and won't return.
- nyisles7

With most NY teams, you better win or fans are not showing up.

Im with you, but 91 being a UFA, this summer, and this being the summer they bring in Lou Lam is not a coincidence. I agree that the all mighty dollar is what matters, and a lot of fans werent buying tickets. BUT, if they can retain 91, and then build a winner in a new arena, they are going to see huge profits. It all starts with 91 staying here and i believe he does after seeing Lou Lam being brought in and everything he's done thus far.
- kindlyrick

Look you want JT to stay 100%, however he's getting married this summer and if his new Wife hates Long Island ( not saying she does ) you could have Scotty Bowman as you GM and JT probs isn't staying. This is probably his last BIG contract of his career and a lot of factors will weigh in on his decision and he's earned it.
But if your Lou L and JT doesn't stay what are you going to do cry? He's going to move on and build the team the way he has others in the past. Obviously it will be easier if JT stays but if Lou can't get it done The Islanders are going to move on. I'm sure at this point he has a with JT and without JT plan.

In hindsight:i think whenever something affects bottom line (aka: ticket sales) it makes people upstairs blink. Oak View has opened their NYC office and will be working on the Isles marketing/business end... taking it away from Barclays. I think the ticket sales in lieu of such importance to Belmont in the near future really must have caused a coronary.
- B.D. Gallof

100% without the asses in the seats there is no team.

Islanders have a lot of job openings right now and most are in the marketing area as you have said because of this aspect being taken away from bC.

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.
- kindlyrick

I think it's debatable whether JT is a "top 5 guy in the league." He may not even be among the top 5 centers in the league. But regardless, the fact that "EVERY team in the league is gonna look to sign him" means owning his rights may not be so valuable. If he is committed to going to free agency, then he won't care who owns his rights or what their offer is. Under those circumstances, why would a team trade significant value for his rights?

Look you want JT to stay 100%, however he's getting married this summer and if his new Wife hates Long Island ( not saying she does ) you could have Scotty Bowman as you GM and JT probs isn't staying. This is probably his last BIG contract of his career and a lot of factors will weigh in on his decision and he's earned it.
But if your Lou L and JT doesn't stay what are you going to do cry? He's going to move on and build the team the way he has others in the past. Obviously it will be easier if JT stays but if Lou can't get it done The Islanders are going to move on. I'm sure at this point he has a with JT and without JT plan.
- nyisles7

You mean Lou will not just go into a fetal position like Garth would do if JT left 7?

I agree Lou has plans for with and without JT. Having Barzal really helps in case JT leaves and it will not be easy if JT leaves but it will also not be impossible for the Isles to recover.

Look you want JT to stay 100%, however he's getting married this summer and if his new Wife hates Long Island ( not saying she does ) you could have Scotty Bowman as you GM and JT probs isn't staying. This is probably his last BIG contract of his career and a lot of factors will weigh in on his decision and he's earned it.
But if your Lou L and JT doesn't stay what are you going to do cry? He's going to move on and build the team the way he has others in the past. Obviously it will be easier if JT stays but if Lou can't get it done The Islanders are going to move on. I'm sure at this point he has a with JT and without JT plan.
- nyisles7

After seeing the isles ownership this offseason, clearly they've done everything in their power to have him stay as well.

Im sure Lou has a plan with or without, but if his discussions with JT a month ago weren't positive, would Lou have cleaned house this quickly? Would JT still be isles property? I personally dont think so.

Im not sure what you mean about Lou crying if JT walks. This is arguably a top exec in the NHL. He met with 91 a month ago, and Im sure is in constant contact with Brisson. Since he met with JT, he's since fired GM and coaching staff. Id bet the bank, his private meeting with JT had something to do with it.

I think it's debatable whether JT is a "top 5 guy in the league." He may not even be among the top 5 centers in the league. But regardless, the fact that "EVERY team in the league is gonna look to sign him" means owning his rights may not be so valuable. If he is committed to going to free agency, then he won't care who owns his rights or what their offer is. Under those circumstances, why would a team trade significant value for his rights?
- JohnScammo

I dont understand what you're saying. But, let me just say that if the isles were to trade his rights to a team, his return would be more than a 3rd or a 4th rounder.

I know it won't happen but if there was ever a year to offer sheet somebody this would be the summer to do. 2 1st rd picks and 2nd rd picks

I know it won't happen but if there was ever a year to offer sheet somebody this would be the summer to do. 2 1st rd picks and 2nd rd picks
- Vukota

Isnt it something like 5 first rounders if they sign him over 10 mill?

I personally don't buy the "so many holes" belief if even JT stays. Top 6 is solid. Isles biggest issue was goaltending. Must be solved. Must have a vet top 4 player (who stays healthy). Then... could use a 3rd line center who can play 2 way. To me, despite the dramatic mess of last season... not as dramatic to fill it. Starting goalie is the biggest fill.
- B.D. Gallof

A real NHL Coach is biggest fill. Goalie is Second biggest fill. The rest a real GM can certainly work with to create a contender. Especially, if JT signs a contract.

Isnt it something like 5 first rounders if they sign him over 10 mill?
- kindlyrick

Yeah something crazy like that but you can offer somebody and not have to pay that crazy price

After seeing the isles ownership this offseason, clearly they've done everything in their power to have him stay as well.

Im sure Lou has a plan with or without, but if his discussions with JT a month ago weren't positive, would Lou have cleaned house this quickly? Would JT still be isles property? I personally dont think so
- kindlyrick

Well all we know KR is that he isn't signed yet. Only JT and Lou L know what was discussed and I would say with how closed mouth both Lou and JT are they are the only ones to know. ( Brisson as well obvi )
I'm going to say if Lou knew JT wasn't singing he would definitely try a sign and trade or at least trade his rights to get a return for him.
We should know very soon.

I have a gut feeling JT will sign in a similar fashion as Stamos did, just my opinion.

Isnt it something like 5 first rounders if they sign him over 10 mill?
- kindlyrick

4 1st's for an offer sheet over $10,148,303. All have to be your own picks too.

I dont understand what you're saying. But, let me just say that if the isles were to trade his rights to a team, his return would be more than a 3rd or a 4th rounder.
- kindlyrick

Trading his rights means the team that acquires his rights then has an exclusive opportunity to sign him.......BUT ONLY UNTIL JULY 1ST, the beginning of free agency. JT is NOT required to sign with the team that acquires his rights. So if JT is committed to exploring free agency, why would a team spend more than a 3rd or 4th round pick just to watch him get signed by another team on July 2nd?

Well all we know KR is that he isn't signed yet. Only JT and Lou L know what was discussed and I would say with how closed mouth that Lou and JT both are they are the only ones to know. ( Brisson as well obvi )
I'm going to say if Lou knew JT wasn't singing he would definitely try a sign and trade or at least trade his rights to get a return for him.
We should know very soon.

I have a gut feeling JT will sign in a similar fashion as Stamos did, just my opinion.
- nyisles7

I agree with you, but as i originally stated, i believe discussions have been positive and based on Lou's history, if they hadnt been positive, JTs rights would be gone, and plan B would be in affect.
I believe Brisson is going to July 1 to do whats best for his client and see whats out there. I personally think its a show. I think after speaking with JT and then Brisson, Lou has since fired basically everyone. Anything can happen and time will tell, but i believe the isles are the front runner.

I also believe if the isles next coach is one of the two OHL guys mentioned, then its pretty much in the bag. I think Lou hires DJ Smith, and then brings in two vets to assist him.

Trading his rights means the team that acquires his rights then has an exclusive opportunity to sign him.......BUT ONLY UNTIL JULY 1ST, the beginning of free agency. JT is NOT required to sign with the team that acquires his rights. So if JT is committed to exploring free agency, why would a team spend more than a 3rd or 4th round pick just to watch him get signed by another team on July 2nd?
- JohnScammo

You dont think teams discuss signing said player before trading for him??? You dont buy a house without selling your old one (most times). Any team that pulls a trigger to trade for his rights is 99% on a contract with him. So, again, his return is more than a 3rd or 4th rounder.

I know it won't happen but if there was ever a year to offer sheet somebody this would be the summer to do. 2 1st rd picks and 2nd rd picks
- Vukota

Actually the offer sheet compensation picks come out of the 2019 draft, since the draft occurs before free agency.

And given that we don't have our 2nd or 3rd round picks next year, we could only sign someone to one of those $10M+ offer sheets and give up four first round picks.

So, actually last year would have been the time for an offer sheet.

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

I agree and its not a coincidence that the goals against skyrocketed after weight decided to let shots through and not have guys block them.