Foresberg signed with Nashville. Another one checked off the list…

Foresberg signed with Nashville. Another one checked off the list…
- Cptmjl

Does not look like there will be any legitimate scoring forwards come free agency. If I am Lou I look to the Flames and make a push for Matthew Tkachuk.

I offer next years #1, AB, Wally (because I doubt they take Bellow Raty), and Samuel Bolduc.

Lines would be

Tkachuk Barzal Palmieri
Lee Nelson Bailey
Parise JGP Bellows (Raty)
MM CC CC (Johnston)

Pelech Pulock
Romanov Dobson
Salo Mayfield

Sorokin
Varly

Based on the left over list. Unless Johnny Hockey is available. These are the only guys worth trying to acquire and it will cost more then just money.


Patrik Laine CBJ RFA 24.2 RW 6' 5" 216 R 56 26 30 56 $7,500,000
Matthew Tkachuk CGY RFA 24.5 LW 6' 2" 202 L 82 42 62 104 $7,000,000
Nazem Kadri COL UFA 31.8 C 6' 0" 192 L 71 28 59 87 $4,500,000
Pierre-Luc Dubois WPG RFA 24.0 LW 6' 3" 218 L 81 28 32 60 $5,000,000

Does not look like there will be any legitimate scoring forwards come free agency. If I am Lou I look to the Flames and make a push for Matthew Tkachuk.

I offer next years #1, AB, Wally (because I doubt they take Bellow Raty), and Samuel Bolduc.

Lines would be

Tkachuk Barzal Palmieri
Lee Nelson Bailey
Parise JGP Bellows (Raty)
MM CC CC (Johnston)

Pelech Pulock
Romanov Dobson
Salo Mayfield

Sorokin
Varly



- Nfdbulldawg

Let’s just say I’m starting to have a bad feeling about this…

Let’s just say I’m starting to have a bad feeling about this…
- Cptmjl

Would that be the same feeling I am having. That Lou is not going to be involved in Free Agency and that we are going into the season with the same forward core as last year. That he may pickup another veteran D man and thats it !!!

Josh Ho Sang to the KHL

Does not look like there will be any legitimate scoring forwards come free agency. If I am Lou I look to the Flames and make a push for Matthew Tkachuk.

I offer next years #1, AB, Wally (because I doubt they take Bellow Raty), and Samuel Bolduc.

Lines would be

Tkachuk Barzal Palmieri
Lee Nelson Bailey
Parise JGP Bellows (Raty)
MM CC CC (Johnston)

Pelech Pulock
Romanov Dobson
Salo Mayfield

Sorokin
Varly



- Nfdbulldawg

Honestly the Islanders were pretty good offensively in the second half of the year.
Certainly struggled in all aspects of the game the first half but the 5v5 and PP were good in the second half.
Not saying I wouldn’t want to add a piece to the mix.

"I know there’s been plenty of speculation about this, but my understanding at the moment is that Josh Bailey is not being shopped, nor is he even thought to be available. As always these things can change, and quickly, but that’s where we’re at right now" -Kevin Kurz

As predicted....
The desire to add someone up front may have to come in the form of a mid grade addition, but without moving Bailey and/or Varly's contract, the options (and space) may be slim.

"I know there’s been plenty of speculation about this, but my understanding at the moment is that Josh Bailey is not being shopped, nor is he even thought to be available. As always these things can change, and quickly, but that’s where we’re at right now" -Kevin Kurz

As predicted....
The desire to add someone up front may have to come in the form of a mid grade addition, but without moving Bailey and/or Varly's contract, the options (and space) may be slim.
- keaner17

Same olde trap.

"I know there’s been plenty of speculation about this, but my understanding at the moment is that Josh Bailey is not being shopped, nor is he even thought to be available. As always these things can change, and quickly, but that’s where we’re at right now" -Kevin Kurz

As predicted....
The desire to add someone up front may have to come in the form of a mid grade addition, but without moving Bailey and/or Varly's contract, the options (and space) may be slim.
- keaner17

No idea why Lou would not want to move Bailey? A new approach is needed if the Isles are going to get past some of the elite teams. Defense and vets are important but cannot be the only focus. Isles will need enough talent to get through a full regular season.

Same olde trap.
- Cptmjl

More and more players seem to be re-signing with their own teams before FA. Best option is to develop your own players as FA is tough and many times the player does not live up to the contract.

More and more players seem to be re-signing with their own teams before FA. Best option is to develop your own players as FA is tough and many times the player does not live up to the contract.
- ses111

That’s why I said in an earlier post go all in with whatever direction you take. Don’t make pretend you’re a contender if you’re not. Rip the band aid off. If you think you’re a contender do whatever it takes to improve your team.

Would that be the same feeling I am having. That Lou is not going to be involved in Free Agency and that we are going into the season with the same forward core as last year. That he may pickup another veteran D man and thats it !!!

- Nfdbulldawg

You mean another old Devil Player

No idea why Lou would not want to move Bailey? A new approach is needed if the Isles are going to get past some of the elite teams. Defense and vets are important but cannot be the only focus. Isles will need enough talent to get through a full regular season.
- ses111

The organization likes Bailey. I don't know what it will take for you guys to come to terms with that. He will likely retire as a life long Islander years from now. Then he will move to the front office or become our next color commentator.

The organization likes Bailey. I don't know what it will take for you guys to come to terms with that. He will likely retire as a life long Islander years from know. Then he will move to the front office or become our next color commentator.
- JimmyP

The organization likes Bailey. I don't know what it will take for you guys to come to terms with that. He will likely retire as a life long Islander years from know. Then he will move to the front office or become our next color commentator.
- JimmyP

I don’t know if they were so enamored with him they wouldn’t have exposed him in the expansion draft. They would probably love him more if they could get rid of him.

Let’s just say I’m starting to have a bad feeling about this…
- Cptmjl

I’ve said it in a few previous posts. Don’t be surprised if this team comes back with the same roster as last year. He added Romanov, which I like, but I think you’re going to see the same lineup as last year.

I don’t know if they were so enamored with him they wouldn’t have exposed him in the expansion draft. They would probably love him more if they could get rid of him.
- Cptmjl

If they wanted him gone they should have protected Ebs instead of Martin. I don't think anyone thought Seattle would take Bailey over Ebs.

I’ve said it in a few previous posts. Don’t be surprised if this team comes back with the same roster as last year. He added Romanov, which I like, but I think you’re going to see the same lineup as last year.
- Isleshockeyman

It won't surprise me but it sounds like Lou was trying to make some moves. Who knows if that's true. I'm still hoping there is more coming.

The organization likes Bailey. I don't know what it will take for you guys to come to terms with that. He will likely retire as a life long Islander years from now. Then he will move to the front office or become our next color commentator.
- JimmyP

I can come to terms with it. I hope the team comes to terms if they do not win a Cup because they have blind loyalty to a number of vets.

That’s why I said in an earlier post go all in with whatever direction you take. Don’t make pretend you’re a contender if you’re not. Rip the band aid off. If you think you’re a contender do whatever it takes to improve your team.
- Cptmjl

I would think with Lou’s age alone they are in win now mode. Free agency is tough enough with the number of quality players available being very low and the Islanders not high on most players radar. Islanders are in a weird place if they want to go for it with the lack of quality prospects to trade.

I’ve said it in a few previous posts. Don’t be surprised if this team comes back with the same roster as last year. He added Romanov, which I like, but I think you’re going to see the same lineup as last year.
- Isleshockeyman

Isles had two great playoff runs but under unique situations. I hope the talent on the team has not been overestimated. Full regular seasons you need to be able to blow teams out once in a while and have an easier time now and then. It’s draining trying to win games 2-1.

Isles had two great playoff runs but under unique situations. I hope the talent on the team has not been overestimated. Full regular seasons you need to be able to blow teams out once in a while and have an easier time now and then. It’s draining trying to win games 2-1.
- ses111

I believe the talent has been overestimated. I also think that Lou is over-loyal to players. Particularly vets. Wally and Tito sit for minor mistakes but Bailey floats around the ice, turns it over at the blue line, and there’s no recourse. I know, that’s a coach thing.
I’m not saying that Lou isn’t working, trying to improve the team. I’m certainly not saying he needs to go (looking at you, 7). I’m just saying (again) that I think we’re going to see pretty much the same team next season. I hope Lou can land a legitimate sniper. I just don’t think we have the resources for it. Maybe free agency, but that’s thinning out quick.

I believe the talent has been overestimated. I also think that Lou is over-loyal to players. Particularly vets. Wally and Tito sit for minor mistakes but Bailey floats around the ice, turns it over at the blue line, and there’s no recourse. I know, that’s a coach thing.
I’m not saying that Lou isn’t working, trying to improve the team. I’m certainly not saying he needs to go (looking at you, 7). I’m just saying (again) that I think we’re going to see pretty much the same team next season. I hope Lou can land a legitimate sniper. I just don’t think we have the resources for it. Maybe free agency, but that’s thinning out quick.
- Isleshockeyman

Really hard to argue with anything you said. I do not remember this vet vs young players issue with the Devils? A big problem is the NHL off-season. It’s the worst by far. Other sports have quality players available and exciting off-seasons. NHL free agency is usually over before it even starts.

If they wanted him gone they should have protected Ebs instead of Martin. I don't think anyone thought Seattle would take Bailey over Ebs.
- JimmyP

I don’t disagree but you don’t take a chance on a team doing something you didn’t expect with a player you love. They want to lose his salary they’re just not going to bash the player and make their job harder in the process imo.