By they way, did anyone catch this the other night?

https://twitter.com/BR_Op...tatus/1613345967948066820

Watch til the end to actually see what happened
- eichiefs9

Ouch.

I agree with all of this. I was tentatively optimistic and hoping I was wrong with what I was seeing with my own eyes last season and this one.

This is the year to pull the plug early imo and maximize the return on whatever we could get for our tradable assets. I fully expect him NOT to do that.
- Cptmjl

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by "pull the plug early"...do you mean like now? If that's the case, I don't agree on that one.

Guys cap hits are effectively "lessened" as the year wears on so they're going to be the cheapest (and most valuable) at the deadline.

As pessimistic as I am right now, which is very pessimistic, they can turn it around if they get on a heater. Don't get me confused here, I don't think that's even remotely likely...but I do think it's still too early to call the season.

Just under two months to go until the trade deadline. I don't expect to have even the slightest idea of which direction he decides to go in until we get within a week or two of March 3rd.

As fed up as fans are right now, there's still half a season left and they're going to try to turn it around. Pelech getting back in the lineup will help immensely.

They're really just stuck in the middle right now, which is the absolute worst place to be in the NHL. They aren't bad enough to hope for a high draft pick and they aren't good enough to be confident, even if they somehow make the playoffs.
- eichiefs9

Should they not succeed in doing such…

1) Trade Mayfield and a pick to Vancouver for Boeser. They desperately need RD and can pay him next year. We desperately need a RW that shoots, and Boeser is capable of doing that. What’s more, the Canucks are shopping him, and he wants out.

2) Trade Beauvillier for whatever. Maybe try to do a swap by including the 2023 1st, provided the Islanders are picking outside the top 5.

3) Trade Varlamov for whatever is available.

4) Attempt to do the same with Johnston.

5) Extend Fasching with a slight raise. Same for Parise if possible.

6) Buyout Bailey. Enough is enough.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by "pull the plug early"...do you mean like now? If that's the case, I don't agree on that one.

Guys cap hits are effectively "lessened" as the year wears on so they're going to be the cheapest (and most valuable) at the deadline.

As pessimistic as I am right now, which is very pessimistic, they can turn it around if they get on a heater. Don't get me confused here, I don't think that's even remotely likely...but I do think it's still too early to call the season.
- eichiefs9

I just do not see a big turnaround or a trade Lou can make to right the ship. Lou needs to do right for the future.

Should they not succeed in doing such…

1) Trade Mayfield and a pick to Vancouver for Boeser. They desperately need RD and can pay him next year. We desperately need a RW that shoots, and Boeser is capable of doing that. What’s more, the Canucks are shopping him, and he wants out.

2) Trade Beauvillier for whatever. Maybe try to do a swap by including the 2023 1st, provided the Islanders are picking outside the top 5.

3) Trade Varlamov for whatever is available.

4) Attempt to do the same with Johnston.

5) Extend Fasching with a slight raise. Same for Parise if possible.

6) Buyout Bailey. Enough is enough.
- Wildschwein

Johnston's cap hit can be fully buried in the minors. I get that ownership probably doesn't want to pay a player $1M to ride the bus in the AHL, but that's an easy way to add $1M in cap space for free. Keep waiving him or shopping him every year until someone bites or his contract expires. That was an exceptionally stupid signing.

Boeser doesn't move the needle much for me, especially at his cap hit. Unless Vancouver retains some of that deal I don't have a ton of interest in him. Doubly-so when Palmieri and Wahlstrom are healthy. Those are two RW's that shoot and we're definitely stuck with one of them for the foreseeable future and hopefully the other continues to develop into more of a consistent threat.

I'm fine buying out Bailey but they'd be better off offering to retain 50% in a trade than buying him out. Trading him with 50% retained means we have $2.5M on our cap next year and that's it. Buying him out in June means we have $2.66M on our cap next year and $1.33M the year after that. Retaining the salary saves them more money than buying him out does. As much as Bailey stinks, so many worse players making ~$2.5M get traded than him. Some team somewhere has to want a good-guy vet that can still do something productive on occasion.

I just do not see a big turnaround or a trade Lou can make to right the ship. Lou needs to do right for the future.
- ses111

I agree with your statement, and if Lou’s phone starts ringing he better answer and move wisely. I hope he doesn’t wait til summer and get run over.

Johnston's cap hit can be fully buried in the minors. I get that ownership probably doesn't want to pay a player $1M to ride the bus in the AHL, but that's an easy way to add $1M in cap space for free. Keep waiving him or shopping him every year until someone bites or his contract expires. That was an exceptionally stupid signing.

Boeser doesn't move the needle much for me, especially at his cap hit. Unless Vancouver retains some of that deal I don't have a ton of interest in him. Doubly-so when Palmieri and Wahlstrom are healthy. Those are two RW's that shoot and we're definitely stuck with one of them for the foreseeable future and hopefully the other continues to develop into more of a consistent threat.

I'm fine buying out Bailey but they'd be better off offering to retain 50% in a trade than buying him out. Trading him with 50% retained means we have $2.5M on our cap next year and that's it. Buying him out in June means we have $2.66M on our cap next year and $1.33M the year after that. Retaining the salary saves them more money than buying him out does. As much as Bailey stinks, so many worse players making $2.5M get traded than him. Some team somewhere has to want a good-guy vet that can still do something productive on occasion.
- eichiefs9

It should not be impossible to move Bailey with only one year left this off-season. If it is, I’d rather not buy him out and just sit him when needed next year.

Signing Ross was odd if Martin was going to be re-signed.

Borser did not seem worth it for the money.

Johnston's cap hit can be fully buried in the minors. I get that ownership probably doesn't want to pay a player $1M to ride the bus in the AHL, but that's an easy way to add $1M in cap space for free. Keep waiving him or shopping him every year until someone bites or his contract expires. That was an exceptionally stupid signing.

Boeser doesn't move the needle much for me, especially at his cap hit. Unless Vancouver retains some of that deal I don't have a ton of interest in him. Doubly-so when Palmieri and Wahlstrom are healthy. Those are two RW's that shoot and we're definitely stuck with one of them for the foreseeable future and hopefully the other continues to develop into more of a consistent threat.

I'm fine buying out Bailey but they'd be better off offering to retain 50% in a trade than buying him out. Trading him with 50% retained means we have $2.5M on our cap next year and that's it. Buying him out in June means we have $2.66M on our cap next year and $1.33M the year after that. Retaining the salary saves them more money than buying him out does. As much as Bailey stinks, so many worse players making $2.5M get traded than him. Some team somewhere has to want a good-guy vet that can still do something productive on occasion.
- eichiefs9

1) Excellent.

2) Perhaps I’m just being overly pessimistic, but me thinks that won’t be too often.

But even if Palmieri does stay healthy, running a right side of Holmstrom, Wahlstrom, Palmieri and Clutterbuck/Fasching is… iffy. But yeah, we’re stuck with Palmieri regardless, so you’re right in that it probably wouldn’t work.

3) Either scenario works for me. I’m less optimistic about the trade option, but stranger things have happened. Just so long as he’s gone, and we get what savings we can.

1) Excellent.

2) Perhaps I’m just being overly pessimistic, but me thinks that won’t be too often.

But even if Palmieri does stay healthy, running a right side of Holmstrom, Wahlstrom, Palmieri and Clutterbuck/Fasching is… iffy. But yeah, we’re stuck with Palmieri regardless, so you’re right in that it probably wouldn’t work.

3) Either scenario works for me. I’m less optimistic about the trade option, but stranger things have happened. Just so long as he’s gone, and we get what savings we can.
- Wildschwein

I don't hate Boeser, I just don't think he's worth close to $6.65M for the next two seasons after this one. He's what we already have...inconsistent talent that gets paid more than he's worth.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by "pull the plug early"...do you mean like now? If that's the case, I don't agree on that one.

Guys cap hits are effectively "lessened" as the year wears on so they're going to be the cheapest (and most valuable) at the deadline.

As pessimistic as I am right now, which is very pessimistic, they can turn it around if they get on a heater. Don't get me confused here, I don't think that's even remotely likely...but I do think it's still too early to call the season.
- eichiefs9

Me? Yeah I do. By now I mean if this team is still not showing up most nights and half the top 6 is skating around aimlessly like they’re high on qualudes 86 the roster by the first week of Feb IF there’s the better chance at a bigger return. That’s also taking into the fact of the prorated salary and it most likely limiting the teams that can make it happen. If there’s something there do it.

Now do I think this will happen? No, not a snowballs chance in hell. Do I think they can turn it around? Maybe but I’m, only speaking for myself here, more focused on the future at this point. This roster is stale. Trying to eek something out of a player that really never had it to begin with is a fallacy and to be completely honest I’m beginning to think Lambert is not the guy that can do it. Trotz was evidently.

I don't hate Boeser, I just don't think he's worth close to $6.65M for the next two seasons after this one. He's what we already have...inconsistent talent that gets paid more than he's worth.
- eichiefs9

Albeit younger Boeser seems like more of the same that shoots more(I’m not diminishing that quality). Not sure if he’s what we need to invest assets/salary into? If we were going to do something I would hope it would be for higher end talent. We have enough middling top 6’ers we need some legit, real, scoring. Save up all of our eggs and invest it long term into a high end player that can seriously help the offense.

Albeit younger Boeser seems like more of the same that shoots more(I’m not diminishing that quality). Not sure if he’s what we need to invest assets/salary into? If we were going to do something I would hope it would be for higher end talent. We have enough middling top 6’ers we need some legit, real, scoring. Save up all of our eggs and invest it long term into a high end player that can seriously help the offense.
- Cptmjl

If they're going to retool they should be creating the most cap space possible, not signing guys who are going to be way over the hill by the time they're competitive again.

I haven't heard anything on it in while, so it's possible things have changed, but it sounds like it's a very real possibility the cap only goes up another $1M this year and the big jump comes after next season. If that's the case, they should be creating as much cap space as possible over the next two years so they can either a) have an advantage over much of the rest of the field in flexibility to sign players and/or b) weaponize their cap space to acquire picks/prospects/players

Me? Yeah I do. By now I mean if this team is still not showing up most nights and half the top 6 is skating around aimlessly like they’re high on qualudes 86 the roster by the first week of Feb IF there’s the better chance at a bigger return. That’s also taking into the fact of the prorated salary and it most likely limiting the teams that can make it happen. If there’s something there do it.

Now do I think this will happen? No, not a snowballs chance in hell. Do I think they can turn it around? Maybe but I’m, only speaking for myself here, more focused on the future at this point. This roster is stale. Trying to eek something out of a player that really never had it to begin with is a fallacy and to be completely honest I’m beginning to think Lambert is not the guy that can do it. Trotz was evidently.
- Cptmjl

Lane may not be the guy, but it tough to judge on this roster. Barry is a great coach and even Barry could only push this team so far. The Caps had the high end forward talent the Islanders just do not have. Barry was a little stubborn with his offense and line combo's that did hurt a little with the Islanders. Hall of Fame and all time great GM or not, Ledecky and Malkin need to seriouly consider the future and next steps.

I don't hate Boeser, I just don't think he's worth close to $6.65M for the next two seasons after this one. He's what we already have...inconsistent talent that gets paid more than he's worth.
- eichiefs9

Therein lies the difference in our opinion. To me his “lack” of consistency has more to with him constantly being jerked around by Canucks management/coaching staff.

Should he ever receive consistent treatment by an organization, I suspect his own inconsistency would largely disappear.

If they're going to retool they should be creating the most cap space possible, not signing guys who are going to be way over the hill by the time they're competitive again.

I haven't heard anything on it in while, so it's possible things have changed, but it sounds like it's a very real possibility the cap only goes up another $1M this year and the big jump comes after next season. If that's the case, they should be creating as much cap space as possible over the next two years so they can either a) have an advantage over much of the rest of the field in flexibility to sign players and/or b) weaponize their cap space to acquire picks/prospects/players
- eichiefs9

I heard the same chief on the Cap. Islanders cannot add more of the same average players. They do need to clear what Cap space they have and focus on developing the young talent and then make a splash when you can in FA.

Without Sororkin they would be bottom 5 in the NHL. Lou got the league to respect the Isles again after being forgotten for the past 3 decades and we’ll always be grateful for that. I think it’s time for a fresh young GM who can relate with todays players and bring in some real talent. I know it’s much easier said then done. I just don’t see Lou as the long term solution. The Isles are going to have some nice cap space coming up in the next two years and I would feel much more confident if it was another GM spending it

Without Sororkin they would be bottom 5 in the NHL. Lou got the league to respect the Isles again after being forgotten for the past 3 decades and we’ll always be grateful for that. I think it’s time for a fresh young GM who can relate with todays players and bring in some real talent. I know it’s much easier said then done. I just don’t see Lou as the long term solution. The Isles are going to have some nice cap space coming up in the next two years and I would feel much more confident if it was another GM spending it
- Vukota

Very well put Vukota! I wanted Lou hired and I stand by it. Lou is an all time great and Hall of Famer, but it's time for a change. It's a different game. In all sports the focus is more on offense. Islanders need to be able to draft and develop young talent and attract high end talent in FA.

Without Sororkin they would be bottom 5 in the NHL. Lou got the league to respect the Isles again after being forgotten for the past 3 decades and we’ll always be grateful for that. I think it’s time for a fresh young GM who can relate with todays players and bring in some real talent. I know it’s much easier said then done. I just don’t see Lou as the long term solution. The Isles are going to have some nice cap space coming up in the next two years and I would feel much more confident if it was another GM spending it
- Vukota

Without Sororkin they would be bottom 5 in the NHL. Lou got the league to respect the Isles again after being forgotten for the past 3 decades and we’ll always be grateful for that. I think it’s time for a fresh young GM who can relate with todays players and bring in some real talent. I know it’s much easier said then done. I just don’t see Lou as the long term solution. The Isles are going to have some nice cap space coming up in the next two years and I would feel much more confident if it was another GM spending it
- Vukota

You don’t think Jeff Carter would look good on our fourth line in two years?

You don’t think Jeff Carter would look good on our fourth line in two years?
- Cptmjl

You dare want to break up this 4th line?

You don’t think Jeff Carter would look good on our fourth line in two years?
- Cptmjl

You dare want to break up this 4th line?

- ses111

I meant 2nd line

https://nyihockeynow.com/...Y23XVOhDgqJBz2IklWB1ud-Ps

All of these discussions just to have Lou hang on before naming Chris Lamoriello as his successor.

.
#soon

All of these discussions just to have Lou hang on before naming Chris Lamoriello as his successor.

.
#soon
- keaner17

Chris has done a great job with Bridge.