Right. And if he is a thought, I think it's legit to step back and question what the plan has been for the D.

But, it's probably not worth stressing about. I'd bet money I don't have that Chychrun to the Isles is all made up hockey media nonsense.
- UIF

Cannot see using the assets to give up for Chychrun at this point. Ledecky and Malkin need to decide on if Lou is coming back or not. Islanders need to know the direction they are taking going forward. Islanders should only be thinking as sellers right now.

I don't necessarily agree with that. Pelech is 28 and will be 29 at the start of next season. He'll start declining at some point in the not-so-distant future. Typically defenseman start to reach close to whatever their "peak" is around 25/26.

If Romanov establishes himself in 2-3 years as a reliable 2nd pairing defenseman it would, hypothetically of course, allow Chychrun to be the top-pair guy and Pelech could slide down to a defense-only/limited-minute 3rd pair role.
- eichiefs9

Geez, I don't think I can go along with that. Most dmen take longer to develop longer than forwards. Forwards typically reach their prime between 25-27 YOA. Dmen more around 28-30. Now the injury/concussion factor with Pelech may prove to tax his longevity, which I think is a legit concern.
I'm not sure how I feel about Romanov at this stage, but I do honestly believe some of his acquisition was as simple as getting someone close to Sorokin knowing full well that Varly would be gone soon. So far what I've seen from him is a kid who occasionally throws a good hit but gets caught out of position a lot. His offensive contributions are....offensive. Certainly he has a good couple of years before I would consider drawing conclusions, but I haven't seen a whole lot from him thus far.

Didn't have space to keep toews......would shoot Bailey into the sun along with Martin and clutterbuck to have kept him
- Upstate_isles

Meh this wound up not being exactly true but either way if you have a young, puck moving defenseman you find a way. He had a weak playoffs that’s the real reason he was traded which to me was mind numbingly stupid at the time and now is even more dumb. Hated that trade then hate it even more now. I also don’t care if one of those picks we got for him were used for Pageau. Like I said you find another way. If there isn’t a way there should have been more of a push to keep him then do what we did imo. And here we are…

Keep losing there are really good players besides Bedard
https://twitter.com/Daily...8-S1LjvzYK3utoLsqGKw&s=19

I'll be right with you streaks. Should not be hard to figure out when the team needs at this point.
- ses111

I would be raving mad don’t get me wrong but I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if Lameriello traded for the 2nd coming of Rich Pilon. I have come to realize there’s a lot of truth to Lou being stuck in the past.

Keep losing there are really good players besides Bedard
https://twitter.com/Daily...8-S1LjvzYK3utoLsqGKw&s=19
- Upstate_isles

From what I’ve read, which isn’t much, the top 5 would most likely go 1OA in other drafts. We need to get into the top 5.

I will say this regarding our def corps:
I don't think our problems are really about the personnel so much as they are about the coaching and development. These guys have been flat out awful over the past two seasons in terms of communication and awareness. It seems like whenever we call someone up, they appear unready for the bigs. Even our top guys like Pelech and Pulock have looked completely out of sync through most of the season. Is it the system? The coaching? Who is working with the dmen? Houda? Either way, we've seen issues creep up that simply didn't exist two years ago. Injuries have definitely been an issue at times but it often seems like the majority of our issues are mental.
Ultimately I don't know if throwing more acquisitions is the solve there. Especially when we can't score a g-damn goal.

Geez, I don't think I can go along with that. Most dmen take longer to develop longer than forwards. Forwards typically reach their prime between 25-27 YOA. Dmen more around 28-30. Now the injury/concussion factor with Pelech may prove to tax his longevity, which I think is a legit concern.
I'm not sure how I feel about Romanov at this stage, but I do honestly believe some of his acquisition was as simple as getting someone close to Sorokin knowing full well that Varly would be gone soon. So far what I've seen from him is a kid who occasionally throws a good hit but gets caught out of position a lot. His offensive contributions are....offensive. Certainly he has a good couple of years before I would consider drawing conclusions, but I haven't seen a whole lot from him thus far.
- keaner17

We may have to agree to disagree on this one. I think 28-30 is still the prime of most defensemen's careers but I don't know if I'd say it's the apex of it.

I guess what I meant is that by 25-26 years old, in most cases, you know where a defenseman is going to top out. In 2-3 years I think we'll have a pretty good idea of whether Romanov is a strong 2nd pairing defenseman or still turning pucks over and ultimately just a 3rd pair guy that throws some big hits.

I will say this regarding our def corps:
I don't think our problems are really about the personnel so much as they are about the coaching and development. These guys have been flat out awful over the past two seasons in terms of communication and awareness. It seems like whenever we call someone up, they appear unready for the bigs. Even our top guys like Pelech and Pulock have looked completely out of sync through most of the season. Is it the system? The coaching? Who is working with the dmen? Houda? Either way, we've seen issues creep up that simply didn't exist two years ago. Injuries have definitely been an issue at times but it often seems like the majority of our issues are mental.
Ultimately I don't know if throwing more acquisitions is the solve there. Especially when we can't score a g-damn goal.
- keaner17

I think the one knock on our defense is outside of Dobson it isn’t mobile. That’s kind of a big deal in todays nhl. Romanov was supposed to be this big puck mover with an excellent transition game who for some reason doesn’t score. I guess the jury is still out on that. As for the rest Lambert has unsuccessfully tried to mobilize the defense. Do we not have the right horses for that or are they still learning how to play Lambert’s system post trotz? Who knows.

I would be raving mad don’t get me wrong but I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if Lameriello traded for the 2nd coming of Rich Pilon. I have come to realize there’s a lot of truth to Lou being stuck in the past.
- Cptmjl

It certainly seems like it with Lou. Nobody wants the Cappy and Doug defense, but struggling this much to score is also not the answer.

From what I’ve read, which isn’t much, the top 5 would most likely go 1OA in other drafts. We need to get into the top 5.
- Cptmjl

Correct this draft just has a phenom at the head of it but I'd be happy with what would be a top 5 guy any other year. Besides we really develop our top picks

It certainly seems like it with Lou. Nobody wants the Cappy and Doug defense, but struggling this much to score is also not the answer.
- ses111

I just want some players that aren’t mediocre to bad making up the bulk of this team. The reality is that’s the real problem. We’ve always had an at best middling roster it’s not some big secret. Everyone acknowledges it besides homer fanboys. Time to get some decent to good players into the top 6 and maybe one great player god forbid two. Enough with these streaky, most night don’t show up types. Tired of watching this crap with the same players doing little to nothing. It’s incredible how long this has been going on. There was zero accountability under trotz and I’m sorry but lambert benching Bailey and Beau once each seems to be more of a PR move then anything else.

I will say this regarding our def corps:
I don't think our problems are really about the personnel so much as they are about the coaching and development. These guys have been flat out awful over the past two seasons in terms of communication and awareness. It seems like whenever we call someone up, they appear unready for the bigs. Even our top guys like Pelech and Pulock have looked completely out of sync through most of the season. Is it the system? The coaching? Who is working with the dmen? Houda? Either way, we've seen issues creep up that simply didn't exist two years ago. Injuries have definitely been an issue at times but it often seems like the majority of our issues are mental.
Ultimately I don't know if throwing more acquisitions is the solve there. Especially when we can't score a g-damn goal.
- keaner17

Hard to be good in your own end when you're always in it or giving up odd man rushes. This team needs to play above the puck and they really don't

I just want some players that aren’t mediocre to bad making up the bulk of this team. The reality is that’s the real problem. We’ve always had an at best middling roster it’s not some big secret. Everyone acknowledges it besides homer fanboys. Time to get some decent to good players into the top 6 and maybe one great player god forbid two. Enough with these streaky, most night don’t show up types.
- Cptmjl

We have a 2nd line, 2 3rd lines and a 4th line on most teams and let's not forget the 4th line used to be the b4lih and that's super awesome

We have a 2nd line, 2 3rd lines and a 4th line on most teams and let's not forget the 4th line used to be the b4lih and that's super awesome
- Upstate_isles

100%

Hard to be good in your own end when you're always in it or giving up odd man rushes. This team needs to play above the puck and they really don't
- Upstate_isles

Well that encompasses the larger issue which is right now they aren't losing due to a single point of failure. It's a multitude of problems in virtually every facet of their game

Hard to be good in your own end when you're always in it or giving up odd man rushes. This team needs to play above the puck and they really don't
- Upstate_isles

Yep. Even the best defensive structure ever invented combined with the perfect d-men to pull it all off would break down if they were constantly stuck in their own zone.

Meh this wound up not being exactly true but either way if you have a young, puck moving defenseman you find a way. He had a weak playoffs that’s the real reason he was traded which to me was mind numbingly stupid at the time and now is even more dumb. Hated that trade then hate it even more now. I also don’t care if one of those picks we got for him were used for Pageau. Like I said you find another way. If there isn’t a way there should have been more of a push to keep him then do what we did imo. And here we are…
- Cptmjl

Agree. I didn't want to make it all about Toews, but that's probably a move where the cascading effects of it have been more damaging than whatever move would have been necessary to keep him. I mean, we say that with the benefit of hindsight, of course. Obviously they would have found a way to keep him if they knew he'd be what he is now. But, I'd say it was a coin-toss of a decision back then at the level he was at, and it looks worse now in hindsight given where he is.

It also comes back to overall asset management. We can debate the decision on Toews, but it only "had to" be made because of where they were with the cap in the first place, and there were some eyebrow raisers as far as contracts go on the books at that point. Part of that was Snow, but not all of it. $1.5m on the cap for Hickey, $1m for Johnston, $3m for Komarov when you gotta wonder who else was bidding anything close to that for him...it all adds up and before you know it you're making tough decisions on better players you'd rather keep.

Romanov is still young ,but he has not looked that great this year and not worthy of the 13th pick so far.
- ses111

People are view Romanov not worthy of the 13th pick. First, if the isles were to have used this pick in the draft. This team would not have seen this player for another three to fourth years based upon they the path goes with most Islander draft picks.

What we got in return is a top four defenseman, young, two years experience. There was no subtraction from the prospects in the system and or from the big club.

There is a lot to see fault in this team but this trade was not one of them. I have to disagree with yours and others on Romanov. I think it was a solid move that will prove to be vital down the road. Especially with Pullock and Pelech getting up in age.

People are view Romanov not worthy of the 13th pick. First, if the isles were to have used this pick in the draft. This team would not have seen this player for another three to fourth years based upon they the path goes with most Islander draft picks.

What we got in return is a top four defenseman, young, two years experience. There was no subtraction from the prospects in the system and or from the big club.

There is a lot to see fault in this team but this trade was not one of them. I have to disagree with yours and others on Romanov. I think it was a solid move that will prove to be vital down the road. Especially with Pullock and Pelech getting up in age.
- Nfdbulldawg

First bold so what? Second bold at this point he is not a top 4 defenseman unless you’re arguing that he plays on the second pair so poof he’s a top 4. I’ll add this, like I always do, I don’t hate the kid. Like many have said he’s only 23 there’s room to grow but I don’t see how anyone can say, at this point at least, he was worth a mid first round pick. You can’t be happy if we get a 2nd for mayfield at the TDL and think this kid right now was worth a first round pick. He may turn out great for all any of us know but that’s far from a sure thing. Agree to disagree on this one.

People are view Romanov not worthy of the 13th pick. First, if the isles were to have used this pick in the draft. This team would not have seen this player for another three to fourth years based upon they the path goes with most Islander draft picks.

What we got in return is a top four defenseman, young, two years experience. There was no subtraction from the prospects in the system and or from the big club.

There is a lot to see fault in this team but this trade was not one of them. I have to disagree with yours and others on Romanov. I think it was a solid move that will prove to be vital down the road. Especially with Pullock and Pelech getting up in age.
- Nfdbulldawg

I'm not writing off Romanov yet. He is still plenty young. Just this year has been a struggle for him. I would have rather traded the #13 for a much needed forward though.

Well that encompasses the larger issue which is right now they aren't losing due to a single point of failure. It's a multitude of problems in virtually every facet of their game
- keaner17

Which is why I think they need to blow it up because it's multiple problems. 4 or 5 changes could be made

I'm not writing off Romanov yet. He is still plenty young. Just this year has been a struggle for him. I would have rather traded the #13 for a much needed forward though.
- ses111

Neither am I though I’m sure that will get lost in the hockeybuzz vacuum. I’m simply saying right now I’m not really sure how anyone can say that he was worth a first round pick? Anyone who does must be some incredible evaluator of young talent to make that judgement. You all missed your calling you should be nhl scouts because he has sucked for the most part even before this team started stinking it up.

Which is why I think they need to blow it up because it's multiple problems. 4 or 5 changes could be made
- Upstate_isles

Islanders need a clear plan for this deadline and Ledecky and Malkin need to know what they will do with Lou now.

Neither am I though I’m sure that will get lost in the hockeybuzz vacuum. I’m simply saying right now I’m not really sure how anyone can say that he was worth a first round pick? Anyone who does must be some incredible evaluator of young talent to make that judgement. You all missed your calling you should be nhl scouts because he has sucked for the most part even before this team started stinking it up.
- Cptmjl

We cannot tell Lane is a good or bad coach at this point and same for Romanov as a player.