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.
- JohnScammo

I have no idea what kind of player Timo is but no way I'm trading the #1. Lou needs to do the right thing or leave now.

EK has Timo Meier to Islanders as E4.
- ses111

Yeah and Margot Robbie to my bed is also an E4

Yeah and Margot Robbie to my bed is also an E4
- eichiefs9

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.
- JohnScammo

Agreed, Islanders need more then one player to turn around. Does Timo want to come or will there monies that can’t be refused?

Yeah and Margot Robbie to my bed is also an E4
- eichiefs9

Ouch, that means she’s leaving me

You only move Nelson if you’re doing a full tear down. Not sure if this team needs that with Sorokin and our blue line. We also have Pageau, Barzal, and we’re stuck with Palmieri nobody is taking on that contract. Also factor in we’re more then likely stuck with Bailey unless they buy him out. So in reality they need to make two legit, good, adds to the top 6 imo.
- Cptmjl

Dunno about that.

Run you pivots as:

Barzal
Pageau
Räty/Cizikas
Räty/Cizikas

Move Nelson for a winger or winger prospect and picks.

Don’t touch the blue line, other than Mayfield. It’s affordable and deep, and should more or less remain in tact.

Ouch, that means she’s leaving me
- Tee56

I have no idea what kind of player Timo is but no way I'm trading the #1. Lou needs to do the right thing or leave now.
- ses111

If you did, then you wouldn’t object to moving the 1st. Meier is 100% legit, and is almost certainly better than anyone the Islanders will draft with that pick.

If you did, then you wouldn’t object to moving the 1st. Meier is 100% legit, and is almost certainly better than anyone the Islanders will draft with that pick.
- Wildschwein

This ^ Id take him in an instant for our first. I think he’s only 26 or 27. He’d immediately make our top six better.

If you did, then you wouldn’t object to moving the 1st. Meier is 100% legit, and is almost certainly better than anyone the Islanders will draft with that pick.
- Wildschwein

He's definitely legit, but I suspect there will be many teams interested in him, a bidding war will ensue, and some team will overpay for him. That team should not be the Isles.........unless of course the Sharks are in love with the player known as Josh Bailey.

This ^ Id take him in an instant for our first. I think he’s only 26 or 27. He’d immediately make our top six better.
- streaks

Islanders shouldn't be buying anything right now. They should be clearing cap space and looking to be competing again by about 2026 or 2027. Getting younger and more skilled should be the priority right now.

Islanders shouldn't be buying anything right now. They should be clearing cap space and looking to be competing again by about 2026 or 2027. Getting younger and more skilled should be the priority right now.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. That’s why I’d offer San Jose the 2023 1st for Timo Meier. Grier can even have it unprotected, so long as he takes one of Bailey or Palmieri (who very well might waive to go to California) with it.

The Islanders are thus instantly younger and more skilled. And we’d FINALLY have the winger for Barzal that we’ve all been longing for.

All the above is predicated on Meier being willing to sign term with the Islanders, of course.

Islanders shouldn't be buying anything right now. They should be clearing cap space and looking to be competing again by about 2026 or 2027. Getting younger and more skilled should be the priority right now.
- eichiefs9

I agree. Does not seem to be the right time to make this type of move. A player like this needed to be added a few years ago. Time to get more skill, speed, and youth.

Agreed. That’s why I’d offer San Jose the 2023 1st for Timo Meier. Grier can even have it unprotected, so long as he takes one of Bailey or Palmieri (who very well might waive to go to California) with it.

The Islanders are thus instantly younger and more skilled. And we’d FINALLY have the winger for Barzal that we’ve all been longing for.

All the above is predicated on Meier being willing to sign term with the Islanders, of course.
- Wildschwein

He's 27 at the start of next season. If they're going to try and retool and be competitive in about 3 or 4 seasons he'll be 30 or older by the time that happens.

In my opinion, all adding him into the fold now does is make them marginally better and will hinder their chances are being able to draft some young talent.

He's 27 at the start of next season. If they're going to try and retool and be competitive in about 3 or 4 seasons he'll be 30 or older by the time that happens.

In my opinion, all adding him into the fold now does is make them marginally better and will hinder their chances are being able to draft some young talent.
- eichiefs9

Im guessing that the likeliness of us actually getting Meier is relatively low, but for arguments sake, why would we retool to be competitive in 3-4 years when we have a very solid blue line currently in tact (when healthy) and one of the leagues best goalies, currently in his prime?

He's 27 at the start of next season. If they're going to try and retool and be competitive in about 3 or 4 seasons he'll be 30 or older by the time that happens.

In my opinion, all adding him into the fold now does is make them marginally better and will hinder their chances are being able to draft some young talent.
- eichiefs9

A fair counter.

Im guessing that the likeliness of us actually getting Meier is relatively low, but for arguments sake, why would we retool to be competitive in 3-4 years when we have a very solid blue line currently in tact (when healthy) and one of the leagues best goalies, currently in his prime?
- streaks

Therein lies the rub. Do the Islanders tweak/retool, or blow it up.

If the latter, then players like Pulock and Pelech should arguably be made available.

Therein lies the rub. Do the Islanders tweak/retool, or blow it up.

If the latter, then players like Pulock and Pelech should arguably be made available.
- Wildschwein

And Sorokin, 3-4 years he’ll be 31/32 starting those seasons and all our core will be on the downside of their careers. Aside from Dobson and maybe a couple others.

Speaking of which, what does one think about moving Nelson?

He’s arguably the most valuable piece that the Islanders could feasibly move, and one which the organization already has a possible in house replacement (Räty).
- Wildschwein

I thought the Isles should have traded him earlier because I felt his stock would not get much higher than last season. If by trading him they get the top line winger we have wanted for years yes. But if it is for a high profile guy with a couple years left no.

Rather move Nelly and get a lil younger.

Therein lies the rub. Do the Islanders tweak/retool, or blow it up.

If the latter, then players like Pulock and Pelech should arguably be made available.
- Wildschwein

Sorry to chief Sorokin must go as well.

This is depressing. 😕

Im guessing that the likeliness of us actually getting Meier is relatively low, but for arguments sake, why would we retool to be competitive in 3-4 years when we have a very solid blue line currently in tact (when healthy) and one of the leagues best goalies, currently in his prime?
- streaks

I am very much in agreement that the likelihood of them having the assets to land Meier is low. I'm skeptical that they can accommodate what his cap hit is going to be also, if he'd even be willing to sign an extension here. If he's not willing to sign an extension his cap hit will be $10M.

They're going to need to replace Mayfield and Varlamov next year, which will likely even out in terms of money because a back-up goaltender should cost less than $5M but there's going to be a jump in cost if they sign a vet because Mayfield's current deal is dirt cheap. They could replace Mayfield internally, but Hutton is the only RHD in the organization and I don't think he really belongs in the NHL.

Bailey, Beau, Clutterbuck, and Martin are signed through next season at a combined cap hit of $12.5M. Until proven otherwise, I'm assuming three of them are entirely unable to be traded. Beau could be traded before his deal ends but they'd be selling real low on him.

To me, the 2024 offseason would be the time to start spending money and beginning to build something. By that point, Palmieri and Nelson would be entering the final year of their contracts and could be moved at the deadline of the 2024-25 season for as much as they could get.

Adding expensive contracts now is just going to hinder their ability to utilize their cap space. So many teams are majorly cap strapped after the pandemic, having the flexibility to broker deals and collect assets for nothing but money would help accelerate things. May also give them an advantage if there's a prime UFA out there.

Sorry to chief Sorokin must go as well.

- ses111

Sorokin could be shopped if they planned on going full rebuild, but only if they're getting a massive haul for him. Right now I don't see that one in the cards.

Therein lies the rub. Do the Islanders tweak/retool, or blow it up.

If the latter, then players like Pulock and Pelech should arguably be made available.
- Wildschwein

They both have full NTC's. Pulock's converts to a partial 16-team no-trade list in 2027, Pelech in 2025.

I have no idea what kind of player Timo is but no way I'm trading the #1. Lou needs to do the right thing or leave now.
- ses111

Timo is 26 and proven to be a scoring winger. I would give up a #1 for a proven player verses the unknown. No one truly knows where these draft picks end up.

You have a young player that is a finisher. Who himself was a first round pick.

Especially with the Islanders draft record. Established over unknown is an easy choice.