https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-fans-boo-phil-kessel-in-lopsided-loss-to-pittsburgh-penguins comical... you guys Boo everyone who leaves.
You also Boo people still on your team but somehow the Tavares situation was HORRIBLE.. lol.

Can't wait till you throw your JT jersey on the ice in disgust in year 3 of his contract with zero cups.
- niteislander

Come on man. Toronto has the classiest fan base they keep it to threatening players and their family’s lives and don’t let it get further than that. It happens online so it doesn’t mean anything.

Well then they'd have the ability to trade him before the 2nd year runs out. If he is "that good" then they'll surely recoup more than they paid for him. It's a no brainer, to me, if they aren't stupid and keep him around until July 1st only to lose him for nothing.
- eichiefs9

Like you said. They have to do something. This roster is actually worse than last year that would be a huge miss on Lameriello’s part.

Seems to be a bit of discrepancy on his size:

https://www.eliteprospect...player/75169/nikita-gusev

and I'm not particularly concerned about it, no
- eichiefs9

Hmmm.... Hockeydb may have old stats on his size? It's expected that a guy bulks up a bit as he matures, but it's odd that he also grew 2 inches??? Of course, in Russia he could have been given growth hormones, too....

Like you said. They have to do something. This roster is actually worse than last year that would be a huge miss on Lameriello’s part.
- Cptmjl

They gotta stop shooting for the moon. Just make the team better when the price is right and go from there. I'm so tired about hearing about a stupid (frank)ing offer sheet for Marner. Giving up four first round picks and $12.5M in cap space is insane.

Go get Gusev and round out what would be really only a marginally-improved top-6 and then see what else is out there. Trading one, or any combination of, Leddy/Hickey/Bailey shouldn't be particularly difficult to make room/cap room, if need be.

Hmmm.... Hockeydb may have old stats on his size? It's expected that a guy bulks up a bit as he matures, but it's odd that he also grew 2 inches??? Of course, in Russia he could have been given growth hormones, too....
- JohnScammo

Who knows, information is so tough to get out of Russia. I don't care how big he is though, honestly.

Like you said. They have to do something. This roster is actually worse than last year that would be a huge miss on Lameriello’s part.
- Cptmjl

I can't see Lou not doing something to improve this top 6 after Trotz publicly stated we needed more offense after this past season. (Besides it being so obvious)

Please stop
- eichiefs9

😂😂😂😂😂

Who knows, information is so tough to get out of Russia. I don't care how big he is though, honestly.
- eichiefs9

Not really. They could be looking at this a throw away year once they missed out on Panarin. Maybe they wait for Belmont and for some help to come up from Bridgeport.
- JimmyP

They were just 5th in the league in points, swept the pens, and you think they are thinking this is a "throw away year".

They were just 5th in the league in points, swept the pens, and you think they are thinking this is a "throw away year".
- niteislander

Who knows what they're thinking. The team doesn't look good so far. Do you expect the team as it currently stands to duplicate last year?

Who knows what they're thinking. The team doesn't look good so far. Do you expect the team as it currently stands to duplication last year?
- JimmyP

I don't think it will be as it stands, but yes I do think this team is going to be as good as next year. The only players they lost were Val and Lehner. I think their VERY young players will only get better and if our Goalie coaches have been trying to get Varlamov for over a year now they must be pretty high on the guy. I trust them given what they have done in their careers. I think we will be fine with line up as is.. .but don't think Lou is done.

Who knows what they're thinking. The team doesn't look good so far. Do you expect the team as it currently stands to duplicate last year?
- JimmyP

not even sure what that means.

Please stop
- eichiefs9

Go crunch some cap numbers.

Go crunch some cap numbers.
- niteislander

I've crunched them but am unsure what to do with all the little pieces

There are reports that he's looking for about $3.5M-$4M AAV on a two year deal. So something in the neighborhood of 2 years, $7M-$8M dollars

My guess as to why no one has acquired him yet: GM's want him to commit to more term. Purely my own speculation though.

If that contract ask is legitimate, it's more than fair for a guy who was arguably the best player in the world not playing in the NHL
- eichiefs9

nah, probably comes down to more of why trade for a player that won't sign with that team. That'd be my guess

That makes sense. Why trade for a guy that could walk in 2 years.
- JimmyP

Doubt it's that, look at it like this... If that's really the asking price for the trade, the hockey world has seen far more given just for a rental player at trade deadlines. Gotta be more to it.

nah, probably comes down to more of why trade for a player that won't sign with that team. That'd be my guess
- Killer' Carlson

That's possible too. I would hope that's the only reason the Islanders haven't gotten in on this yet, because otherwise I can't find a viable reason (given what's been reported, of course) that they shouldn't acquire him

I also think that it's probably unlikely VGK are giving teams the opportunity to talk to Gusev though. That would just drive competition down and that's not good for Gusev's price in a trade

https://www.newsday.com/l...lirr-islanders-1.33590940

Islanders arena group is paying for almost the entire LIRR hub at Belmont

For anyone that can't read Newsday:

A new Long Island Rail Road station will be built at Belmont Park as part of a proposed $1.3 billion arena and entertainment complex aimed at bringing the NY Islanders back to Nassau County, state officials announced Monday.

NY Arena Partners, the development group seeking to build the project on state land, as part of a deal with the Cuomo administration, has agreed to pay $97 million of the $105 million to build the station, state officials said. NYAP is a partnership of the owners of the Islanders, the Mets and the arena development company, Oak View Group.

The expanded LIRR service, which has been talked about for years, is critical to the success of the proposed 19,000-seat arena, 435,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, a movie theater and a 250-room hotel, some local lawmakers and community groups have said.

The new Elmont Station will be attached to the LIRR’s Main Line, just north of Belmont Park, and will allow riders from the east to take the train directly to Belmont. Now, LIRR commuters from the east must go to Jamaica Station and then backtrack to the park. Riders from the west already have direct access to the park.

The new station is expected to be partially open for service in 2021, at the time of arena project opening and fully placed into service in 2023, according to a state-commissioned analysis of the project.

The stop will be the first, new year-round LIRR station built in nearly 50 years, Cuomo officials said.

Trains will stop at the station every half-hour during peak times and every hour during off-peak times.

The parking lot north of the Belmont racetrack, which has 2,860 spaces, will be shared by commuters and arena patrons, state officials said.

The existing Belmont railroad station, which operates only during the track's horse-racing season, is not equipped to handle regular train service. The station, a spur off the LIRR’s Main Line, is only accessible from Jamaica Station.

Previously-agreed-to upgrades to the existing LIRR Belmont spur, including the installation of automated track switches, are still included in the project, state officials said, which would provide another transit option after events at the arena.

Car traffic along the Queens-Nassau border was among the major concerns about the proposed project, which has been going through the state approval process since December 2017.

State officials, citing a new economic impact study, said for every $1 of private money invested into the project $1.40 of economic activity will be generated.

By 2024, the project is expected to generate $44 million in new tax revenue to Nassau County, New York State, the Town of Hempstead and the MTA, according to the state's economic analysis.

Also on Monday, Empire State Development Corp., the state agency responsible for attracting economic development to the public land at Belmont, is set to release its final study on the environmental impact of the arena proposal.

Release of the environmental report will represent the final step before the project begins the approval process and construction can begin. The arena is projected to open for the Islanders' 2021-22 hockey season.

ESD began in April to study the feasibility of a new LIRR station on the Main Line connecting Belmont from the east.

Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL
now
San Jose Sharks announce they've re-signed Kevin Labanc to one-year contract.

Should've offer sheeted him @ 4x4

Agree with the logic.

However, want to point out the following:-

- Leafs did not fire Lou. Shanahan had to make promoter Dubas or Hunter or risk losing both. Lou was promoted but decided that he still wanted to be GM and the opportunity to go back to NY where he spent 30+ years of his career was too good to pass up.

- leafs did not offer sheet Tavares. Tavares met with 5 teams. Lou would have had intimate knowledge of Leafs plans to bid for Tavares during his time as Leafs GM. If he was upset at Toronto then logically he should be seeking revenge by trying to sign the unsigned RFAs on those other 4 teams too.

- Tavares chose to leave as a UFA. Isles had a full year to sign him and knew the risks of not trading him when they didn’t get a firm answer by the trade deadline. You don’t see Raptors fans fuming after Kawhi Leonard left. Disappointed yes, but Raps fans get the business and logic of it. Doesn’t see like Isles fans or media do
- Turnitaround

Kawhi Leonard just won them a championship...…..YUGE difference.

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/belmont-lirr-islanders-1.33590940

Islanders arena group is paying for almost the entire LIRR hub at Belmont

For anyone that can't read Newsday:

A new Long Island Rail Road station will be built at Belmont Park as part of a proposed $1.3 billion arena and entertainment complex aimed at bringing the NY Islanders back to Nassau County, state officials announced Monday.

NY Arena Partners, the development group seeking to build the project on state land, as part of a deal with the Cuomo administration, has agreed to pay $97 million of the $105 million to build the station, state officials said. NYAP is a partnership of the owners of the Islanders, the Mets and the arena development company, Oak View Group.

The expanded LIRR service, which has been talked about for years, is critical to the success of the proposed 19,000-seat arena, 435,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, a movie theater and a 250-room hotel, some local lawmakers and community groups have said.

The new Elmont Station will be attached to the LIRR’s Main Line, just north of Belmont Park, and will allow riders from the east to take the train directly to Belmont. Now, LIRR commuters from the east must go to Jamaica Station and then backtrack to the park. Riders from the west already have direct access to the park.

The new station is expected to be partially open for service in 2021, at the time of arena project opening and fully placed into service in 2023, according to a state-commissioned analysis of the project.

The stop will be the first, new year-round LIRR station built in nearly 50 years, Cuomo officials said.

Trains will stop at the station every half-hour during peak times and every hour during off-peak times.

The parking lot north of the Belmont racetrack, which has 2,860 spaces, will be shared by commuters and arena patrons, state officials said.

The existing Belmont railroad station, which operates only during the track's horse-racing season, is not equipped to handle regular train service. The station, a spur off the LIRR’s Main Line, is only accessible from Jamaica Station.

Previously-agreed-to upgrades to the existing LIRR Belmont spur, including the installation of automated track switches, are still included in the project, state officials said, which would provide another transit option after events at the arena.

Car traffic along the Queens-Nassau border was among the major concerns about the proposed project, which has been going through the state approval process since December 2017.

State officials, citing a new economic impact study, said for every $1 of private money invested into the project $1.40 of economic activity will be generated.

By 2024, the project is expected to generate $44 million in new tax revenue to Nassau County, New York State, the Town of Hempstead and the MTA, according to the state's economic analysis.

Also on Monday, Empire State Development Corp., the state agency responsible for attracting economic development to the public land at Belmont, is set to release its final study on the environmental impact of the arena proposal.

Release of the environmental report will represent the final step before the project begins the approval process and construction can begin. The arena is projected to open for the Islanders' 2021-22 hockey season.

ESD began in April to study the feasibility of a new LIRR station on the Main Line connecting Belmont from the east.
- eichiefs9

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/belmont-lirr-islanders-1.33590940

Islanders arena group is paying for almost the entire LIRR hub at Belmont

For anyone that can't read Newsday:


...

The new Elmont Station will be attached to the LIRR’s Main Line, just north of Belmont Park, and will allow riders from the east to take the train directly to Belmont. Now, LIRR commuters from the east must go to Jamaica Station and then backtrack to the park. Riders from the west already have direct access to the park.

...
- eichiefs9

This will make it a viable option.

I can't see Lou not doing something to improve this top 6 after Trotz publicly stated we needed more offense after this past season. (Besides it being so obvious)
- Mancalledsting

I can see him not doing anything. People said they couldn’t see him doing what he did or didn’t do last offseason and FA, then trade deadline, now this offseason and FA. I almost expect nothing at this point. I don’t mean this in some negative way it’s just reality. If he did something I would be surprised just because if his inactivity or inability to close on anything. I guess it also matters what you consider “doing something”?

This will make it a viable option.
- JimmyP

Long Island Railroad access from the east is HUGE. The biggest long-term problem with NVMC was the utter lack of mass transit.

I can see him not doing anything. People said they couldn’t see him doing what he did or didn’t do last offseason and FA, then trade deadline, now this offseason and FA. I almost expect nothing at this point. I don’t mean this in some negative way it’s just reality. If he did something I would be surprised just because if his inactivity or inability to close on anything. I guess it also matters what you consider “doing something”?
- Cptmjl

Do "shat signings" qualify?