No way Lou does this unless that's a 5th round pick in 2052
- eichiefs9

Fiala, Dumba AND that 5th round pick in 2052 for Dobson, Sorokin and 1st round picks from 2022-2051 bottom 10 protected.

I don't entirely agree.

No, they're certainly not going to get any kind of valuable haul for Bailey, but he's not a useless player despite what many Isles fans want to believe.

I think the time has come to move on from him, but he has value to one of those young "bubble" kind of teams where he can go be a third line player and bring some value as a veteran with playoff experience. I could see a team like Ottawa being a really good fit for him.
- eichiefs9

No, he's not useless. He can be infuriating to watch but he does put up points. I just don't think there is much demand for him, especially at his salary.

I wouldn't be surprised if he stays an Islander. The organization seems to like him. If he is traded it leaves a hole in the top 6 that will have to be replaced. If they can land a FA I think it becomes more likely that they move him. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he's still on the team either because they couldn't find a buyer or agree on the price.

I wonder what draft pick the Isles could get back for Bailey? Have to think a few teams can use his salary to get to the floor ad he is a veteran player with some use.
- ses111

I'm not sure they would trade just for picks and leave a hole in the top 6. Maybe if they could land a top 6 FA.

I'm not sure they would trade just for picks and leave a hole in the top 6. Maybe if they could land a top 6 FA.
- JimmyP

This is the issue with not doing a better job in developing young forwards. Wally should be further along. He regressed this year. Team is now desperate to sign a top FA forward and they have to hope one FA thinks Belmont is in the heart of Manhattan.

This is the issue with not doing a better job in developing young forwards. Wally should be further along. He regressed this year. Team is now desperate to sign a top FA forward and they have to hope one FA thinks Belmont is in the heart of Manhattan.

- ses111

Why anyone would want to live in that sh!thole right now is beyond me and that’s coming from someone who lived there for years.

Why anyone would want to live in that sh!thole right now is beyond me and that’s coming from someone who lived there for years.
- Cptmjl

It's the World's most famous arena and hockey players think Manhattan is still awesome. Islanders had the better team and Panarin still picked the Rangers. The Rangers being good again makes it even worse for the Islanders. No idea which top FA forward will even seriously consider the Islanders. Until the Islanders become a prime FA destination, they better figure out how to develop young forwards a lot better and quick.

It's the World's most famous arena and hockey players think Manhattan is still awesome. Islanders had the better team and Panarin still picked the Rangers. The Rangers being good again makes it even worse for the Islanders. No idea which top FA forward will even seriously consider the Islanders. Until the Islanders become a prime FA destination, they better figure out how to develop young forwards a lot better and quick.
- ses111

I know lameriello fired trotz because he really liked him but he did say developing their prospects would be more of a priority then it was in the past. Not really sure why it wasn’t a priority in the past but that’s what the man said literally the day he fired trotz because he liked him.

I know lameriello fired trotz because he really liked him but he did say developing their prospects would be more of a priority then it was in the past. Not really sure why it wasn’t a priority in the past but that’s what the man said literally the day he fired trotz because he liked him.
- Cptmjl

Barry is a wonderful coach and especially on defense but he has no patience with young forwards and outside of Ovie's Caps his teams really struggle on offense. Hard to reach young forwards if they are in constant fear of being benched with one turnover. This has to change starting this year.

Barry is a wonderful coach and especially on defense but he has no patience with young forwards and outside of Ovie's Caps his teams really struggle on offense. Hard to reach young forwards if they are in constant fear of being benched with one turnover. This has to change starting this year.
- ses111

I’m sure Ledecky and Malkin were totally on board with paying trotz an extra 4 million dollars so they had lameriello fire him to intentionally lose that money for trotz’s sake

The path that makes the most sense on availability would to....

1. Sign FA Forward and trade for top 4 defenseman.

Unless Lou is ready to make drastic moves and trade for both a Top line scorer and Top 4 Dman...Then fill in the holes via FA and minors.

No, he's not useless. He can be infuriating to watch but he does put up points. I just don't think there is much demand for him, especially at his salary.

I wouldn't be surprised if he stays an Islander. The organization seems to like him. If he is traded it leaves a hole in the top 6 that will have to be replaced. If they can land a FA I think it becomes more likely that they move him. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he's still on the team either because they could find a buyer or agree on the price.
- JimmyP

The thing that Bailey has going for him is that although his cap hit is $5M, his actual salary in the final two years of his deal is only $3.5M. That's perfect for a team like Arizona who needs to fill cap space but doesn't have a ton of money. It makes it a lot more palatable for teams to acquire him, assuming they can fit his $5M cap hit.

The thing that Bailey has going for him is that although his cap hit is $5M, his actual salary in the final two years of his deal is only $3.5M. That's perfect for a team like Arizona who needs to fill cap space but doesn't have a ton of money. It makes it a lot more palatable for teams to acquire him, assuming they can fit his $5M cap hit.
- eichiefs9

I think he gets moved at the draft. Most like in the days leading up to the draft.

Bailey, AB, Varly and the #13 get moved.
Not sure what is coming back.

UFA sign Griess as he has proven he can play here and he is a suitable backup for a contending team.

I think he gets moved at the draft. Most like in the days leading up to the draft.

Bailey, AB, Varly and the #13 get moved.
Not sure what is coming back.

UFA sign Griess as he has proven he can play here and he is a suitable backup for a contending team.
- Nfdbulldawg

I still very much disagree with a) the concept of moving Varlamov and b) the idea that Lamoriello will move Varlamov

Signing a 37yo goaltender to play 25-30 games next year is just asking to fall short of the playoffs again.

Also, if they do trade Bailey and Beauvillier...there is no reason to trade Varlamov. Trading those two skaters would open up an additional $9M+ in cap space, on top of the $12M we're already going to have. $21M+ in cap room would be plenty to address the needs of this club.

The only way I see Varly getting shipped out is if Lamoriello absolutely cannot find a single taker to give away Bailey to and there are zero other options for making cap room OR if someone offers something ridiculously above and beyond what Varlamov is worth and Lou just can't say no. I don't see either one of those as particularly likely to happen.

I still very much disagree with a) the concept of moving Varlamov and b) the idea that Lamoriello will move Varlamov

Signing a 37yo goaltender to play 25-30 games next year is just asking to fall short of the playoffs again.

Also, if they do trade Bailey and Beauvillier...there is no reason to trade Varlamov. Trading those two skaters would open up an additional $9M+ in cap space, on top of the $12M we're already going to have. $21M+ in cap room would be plenty to address the needs of this club.

The only way I see Varly getting shipped out is if Lamoriello absolutely cannot find a single taker to give away Bailey to and there are zero other options for making cap room OR if someone offers something ridiculously above and beyond what Varlamov is worth and Lou just can't say no. I don't see either one of those as particularly likely to happen.
- eichiefs9

I also do not see Varly being moved. Bailey I can see being moved. I like Beau and would not be in a rush to move him. I think it was a mistake to sign Cal. That 4th line is running on fumes at this point.

I also do not see Varly being moved. Bailey I can see being moved. I like Beau and would not be in a rush to move him. I think it was a mistake to sign Cal. That 4th line is running on fumes at this point.
- ses111

Not signing Clutterbuck or Parise and buying out Martin would've resulted in a net savings of $3.5M which they could have put towards signing someone like Mason Marchment. That'd probably cover what he'd cost. You could have put together a 4th line that included Bellows/Cizikas/Johnston/Koivula/whoever else for a hell of a lot cheaper than the near-$6M we're paying for a 4th line now. That's not a recipe for success.

Not signing Clutterbuck or Parise and buying out Martin would've resulted in a net savings of $3.5M which they could have put towards signing someone like Mason Marchment. That'd probably cover what he'd cost. You could have put together a 4th line that included Bellows/Cizikas/Johnston/Koivula/whoever else for a hell of a lot cheaper than the near-$6M we're paying for a 4th line now. That's not a recipe for success.
- eichiefs9

It's not smart business. You have to keep the 4th line cheaper so you have more money to spend on more needed areas. It's not easy being a young player with the Isles and especially if you are a forward. You get the sense the Isles see these young forwards as all being JHS.

Wow The NHL with a black eye on last nights game winning OT goal. 6 men on the ice at the time the goal was scored and the NHL tracking system listed 6 Aves on the ice at the time of the goal on the score sheet.

Wow The NHL with a black eye on last nights game winning OT goal. 6 men on the ice at the time the goal was scored and the NHL tracking system listed 6 Aves on the ice at the time of the goal on the score sheet.
- nyisles7

No sympathy for the Bolts on that one. They scored two goals on us in last year's ECF with too many men, including Gourde's SHG that proved to be the winner in game 7

No sympathy for the Bolts on that one. They scored two goals on us in last year's ECF with too many men, including Gourde's SHG that proved to be the winner in game 7
- eichiefs9

No sympathy for the Bolts on that one. They scored two goals on us in last year's ECF with too many men, including Gourde's SHG that proved to be the winner in game 7
- eichiefs9

I have to agree. Those are the breaks. Hopefully the Avs win the next one and end the series and then onto the offseason.

I have to agree. Those are the breaks. Hopefully the Avs win the next one and end the series and then onto the offseason.
- ses111

Not signing Clutterbuck or Parise and buying out Martin would've resulted in a net savings of $3.5M which they could have put towards signing someone like Mason Marchment. That'd probably cover what he'd cost. You could have put together a 4th line that included Bellows/Cizikas/Johnston/Koivula/whoever else for a hell of a lot cheaper than the near-$6M we're paying for a 4th line now. That's not a recipe for success.
- eichiefs9

Probably our 2 best players last year. Very glad u aren't our GM

I know lameriello fired trotz because he really liked him but he did say developing their prospects would be more of a priority then it was in the past. Not really sure why it wasn’t a priority in the past but that’s what the man said literally the day he fired trotz because he liked him.
- Cptmjl

He fired him b/c he wouldn't commit long term deal.. and yes he seemed to have lost the room when he kept benching guys like Beau, Whally, and Salo but never Chara, Bailey, and other veterans who were awful.

YOu can say the Isles Failed to develop prospects.. but the whole team is essentially from their draft picks. They certainly developed Toews, Pelech, Pulock, Brock, Lee, Casey, and Mayfield.

No sympathy for the Bolts on that one. They scored two goals on us in last year's ECF with too many men, including Gourde's SHG that proved to be the winner in game 7
- eichiefs9

Comical that Cooper complained.. the only reason he hasn't done it this year is he was called for Too many men 3 times for doing it in the Toronto series.

Probably our 2 best players last year. Very glad u aren't our GM
- niteislander

To which two are you referring? Certainly not Clutterbuck or Martin?