Well yeah they have to focus on trading Beau, Varlamov, mayfield, at the deadline. Whether they like it or not they’re not getting rid of anyone else. Have to try and get the best return for whatever we can for the future.
- Cptmjl

Cannot see being able to move anyone else.

I hope Bolduc is an option for the bottom pairing dman. It would help the Cap for sure. Fixing the top 6 will be a huge challenge.
- ses111

Yeah maybe it’s an in-house addition like aho, Bolduc, or even Wotherspoon. This years toast I think the biggest thing lou has to figure out is what he wants next year to look like. Does he want to commit to building the farm next season as well or does he want to try and compete? An In house addition would allow him to take on other teams dead weight/salary for assets potentially next season. I’ve accepted our current situation but it doesn’t make it any less depressing

Yeah maybe it’s an in-house addition like aho, Bolduc, or even Wotherspoon. This years toast I think the biggest thing lou has to figure out is what he wants next year to look like. Does he want to commit to building the farm next season as well or does he want to try and compete? An In house addition would allow him to take on other teams dead weight/salary for assets potentially next season. I’ve accepted our current situation but it doesn’t make it any less depressing
- Cptmjl

I do not waste resources or Cap on a bottom pairing dman at this point. It's pretty much saving Cap and resources for the top 6. The top 6 is the biggest issue that needs fixing.

Yeah maybe it’s an in-house addition like aho, Bolduc, or even Wotherspoon. This years toast I think the biggest thing lou has to figure out is what he wants next year to look like. Does he want to commit to building the farm next season as well or does he want to try and compete? An In house addition would allow him to take on other teams dead weight/salary for assets potentially next season. I’ve accepted our current situation but it doesn’t make it any less depressing
- Cptmjl

If they continue trying to compete by adding over the hill players getting a premium price they're just going to be headed toward a full gut-job and a decade of complete irrelevance.

Lou isn't the guy to navigate them through a retooling process. If his contract had the same term as Trotz's, then it should not be renewed this offseason. And if they're not going to renew him, frankly, they should just fire him now and get a new staff in the door that can start planning for the draft and the offseason.

If they continue trying to compete by adding over the hill players getting a premium price they're just going to be headed toward a full gut-job and a decade of complete irrelevance.

Lou isn't the guy to navigate them through a retooling process. If his contract had the same term as Trotz's, then it should not be renewed this offseason. And if they're not going to renew him, frankly, they should just fire him now and get a new staff in the door that can start planning for the draft and the offseason.
- eichiefs9

Islanders have to break this cycle. Dobson and Sorokin are special talents, but the Islanders have to do a much better job in drafting and developing talent. They do not trust their young players and they end up giving out lousy contracts. This has to end.

“It feels like everything when there’s a breakdown, they’re capitalizing and pucks are going in,” forward Brock Nelson said. “You have to find a way to try and fight through it, correct those mistakes, and when you get a lead, lock it down.” 

Huh, I've thought the opposite...I think, in general, their goaltending's bailed them out of many breakdowns, rather than every breakdown resulting in a goal against. I don't think their defending has been horrible; I just think they spend waaaay too much time doing it. Maybe the advanced stats show something different, but from my eye test, I can't remember too many games recently where it looked like they've taken it to the other team for the majority of the game.

“It feels like everything when there’s a breakdown, they’re capitalizing and pucks are going in,” forward Brock Nelson said. “You have to find a way to try and fight through it, correct those mistakes, and when you get a lead, lock it down.” 

Huh, I've thought the opposite...I think, in general, their goaltending's bailed them out of many breakdowns, rather than every breakdown resulting in a goal against. I don't think their defending has been horrible; I just think they spend waaaay too much time doing it. Maybe the advanced stats show something different, but from my eye test, I can't remember too many games recently where it looked like they've taken it to the other team for the majority of the game.
- UIF

It's been too much pressure on the goalies and defense with this team UIF for far too long. I get defense is important, but so is a good offense and especially A good top 6 forward group takes pressure off the rest of the forwards and the team.

From everything I have heard or read, this is the year to stockpile draft picks, if ever there was one. So Lou should be offering up pretty much anyone who will become a UFA in exchange for picks, not prospects. In addition, Lou should be listening to offers on any aging veterans, such as Nelson.........and getting picks, not prospects in return. And finally, he should not be wasting draft picks or prospects to unload salary. The Isles will not have cap problems with the modified rebuild I am recommending.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
·
26m
Per media site, #Isles have sent William Dufour back to Bridgeport.

Was benched for final 29 minutes in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to #NHLBruins.

How's that for a confidence builder?

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
·
26m
Per media site, #Isles have sent William Dufour back to Bridgeport.

Was benched for final 29 minutes in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to #NHLBruins.

How's that for a confidence builder?
- UIF

I did not see the game and I understand he really struggled, but was sitting him for 29 minutes the answer?

It's been too much pressure on the goalies and defense with this team UIF for far too long. I get defense is important, but so is a good offense and especially A good top 6 forward group takes pressure off the rest of the forwards and the team.
- ses111

Fourth line's a perfect example of that. They're definitely good defensively, but they're at their best when the forecheck is on and they're swinging the momentum of a game by pinning the other team in its own zone.

From everything I have heard or read, this is the year to stockpile draft picks, if ever there was one. So Lou should be offering up pretty much anyone who will become a UFA in exchange for picks, not prospects. In addition, Lou should be listening to offers on any aging veterans, such as Nelson.........and getting picks, not prospects in return. And finally, he should not be wasting draft picks or prospects to unload salary. The Isles will not have cap problems with the modified rebuild I am recommending.
- JohnScammo

I'm really coming around to moving Nelson John. Would not be the worst thing if Raty takes over 2C. Islanders have to start giving a long look to young talent.

I did not see the game and I understand he really struggled, but was sitting him for 29 minutes the answer?

- ses111

He had a bad giveaway on...I think it was the first Bruins goal. But, if nothing else, they maybe could have tried him out on one of their many failed power plays given that his shot is what's advertised as his strength. It's not like anyone else was justifying ice time there.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
·
26m
Per media site, #Isles have sent William Dufour back to Bridgeport.

Was benched for final 29 minutes in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to #NHLBruins.

How's that for a confidence builder?
- UIF

Not great, but he really did look lost out there. Early in the game I saw him trying to screen the goalie which was good. But later I noticed him stationary, making no effort to retrieve a loose puck along the boards.

I suspect Lou wants to give the team a few more weeks to right the ship before throwing in the towel on the season.............at which point he can call Dufour back up and rebuild his confidence.

He had a bad giveaway on...I think it was the first Bruins goal. But, if nothing else, they maybe could have tried him out on one of their many failed power plays given that his shot is what's advertised as his strength. It's not like anyone else was justifying ice time there.
- UIF

The Islanders instinct seems to be sit a young player at the 1st mistake. This pattern has to end. For a team that cannot even sign top FA's even when they have the Cap, this is not a good plan with young players.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
·
26m
Per media site, #Isles have sent William Dufour back to Bridgeport.

Was benched for final 29 minutes in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to #NHLBruins.

How's that for a confidence builder?
- UIF

This team has been terrible at developing/managing prospects seemingly for decades. What was the point of bringing him up at all? What positives could he have possibly taken from 3 mins of ice time and a subsequent benching?

The Islanders instinct seems to be sit a young player at the 1st mistake. This pattern has to end. For a team that cannot even sign top FA's even when they have the Cap, this is not a good plan with young players.
- ses111

I think it's been a bit different this year...Wahlstrom's certainly been given plenty of opportunities after some bonehead plays and penalties, and Holmstrom's been given a lot of room to run. Maybe that's by necessity with the injuries and such, but I feel like those players maybe wouldn't have been rolled out as much with Trotz as the coach.

This team has been terrible at developing/managing prospects seemingly for decades. What was the point of bringing him up at all? What positives could he have possibly taken from 3 mins of ice time and a subsequent benching?
- keaner17

They really have been bad at it keaner. Players like JT, Sorokin, and Dobson are so talented even the Islanders cannot mess it up. Everyone else it has not been a good track record.

Not great, but he really did looked lost out there. Early in the game I saw him trying to screen the goalie which was good. But later I noticed him stationary, making no effort to retrieve a loose puck along the boards.

I suspect Lou wants to give the team a few more weeks to right the ship before throwing in the towel on the season.............at which point he can call Dufour back up and rebuild his confidence.
- JohnScammo

Agreed, he didn't look great. Not sure what the best decision would be after the decision was made to throw him to the lions last night, and hopefully he brushes it off as no big deal. Personally, I'd be thinking a lot about the last 24 hours if it was me!

I think it's been a bit different this year...Wahlstrom's certainly been given plenty of opportunities after some bonehead plays and penalties, and Holmstrom's been given a lot of room to run. Maybe that's by necessity with the injuries and such, but I feel like those players maybe wouldn't have been rolled out as much with Trotz as the coach.
- UIF

A little different but still not good. There is some sort of communication issue whether it is trying to sign top FA's or developing young talent, something is not working.

EK has Timo Meier to Islanders as E4.

Agreed, he didn't look great. Not sure what the best decision would be after the decision was made to throw him to the lions last night, and hopefully he brushes it off as no big deal. Personally, I'd be thinking a lot about the last 24 hours if it was me!
- UIF

Yeah, I wouldn't feel great about it either. Being a professional athlete isn't easy, and mental toughness is a vital attribute.

The Islanders instinct seems to be sit a young player at the 1st mistake. This pattern has to end. For a team that cannot even sign top FA's even when they have the Cap, this is not a good plan with young players.
- ses111

Dufour created the turnover behind the net that led to us scoring the first goal. He was going to the net and playing well offensively, for the most part. On the definitive side, he had an opportunity to clear the puck on the Bs first goal and made a weak play along the boards which allowed them to keep up the pressure and eventually score. Both shifts he had an opportunity to get off the ice, but for some reason got stuck on long shifts. Bailey was on the ice for both those goals and was also guilty of staying on too long. Not saying he didn’t deserve to sit, but I’m not sure it was entirely his fault either.

If they continue trying to compete by adding over the hill players getting a premium price they're just going to be headed toward a full gut-job and a decade of complete irrelevance.

Lou isn't the guy to navigate them through a retooling process. If his contract had the same term as Trotz's, then it should not be renewed this offseason. And if they're not going to renew him, frankly, they should just fire him now and get a new staff in the door that can start planning for the draft and the offseason.
- eichiefs9

As we know what they should do and what they actually do are two totally different things. Though I’m aligned to everything you say here I don’t see any of it happening.

EK has Timo Meier to Islanders as E4.
- ses111

If EK is right........ ........... then I think Lou should be "retired"........immediately. The Isles are more than one player away from being a contender. We've seen that the last few games.